episode_0096

Click-!

I’d been led to believe it was some complex mechanism, built up to be something amazing, so I expected some grand effect.

The door inside the treasure vault simply opened like a normal door.

Creeaaak-

With the characteristic creak of old hinges.

The inside, which opened noisily, was too dark to see well.

No, it was only natural that it wasn’t visible.

Because there was nothing there.

“So… I didn’t think it would be this easy.”

If this key could only open one place, it wouldn’t have been included in a crucial element that would influence the course of my life, like a scenario clear condition.

The status window clearly said ‘Hidden Lowest Floor’, so something was blocking the way.

That something was only one thing.

Bang-

I closed the door again and pulled out the key.

Whoosh-

And I slowly drew up attributeless mana from my toes, letting it flow through my legs, body, and arms.

When enough mana had gathered on the key in my hand.

I inserted it into the keyhole again and turned it.

Then the entire door was enveloped in a bright white light, and a new path opened.

‘It’s just like kids, you have to put in something properly erect for it to react.’

『[Condition: Discovery of the Hidden Lowest Floor of the Artemis Ruins] Fulfilled.』

『The following condition is unlocked: [Condition: Understanding the nature of attributeless mana]』

Bingo.

I grinned and slowly went down the stairs.

The small room at the end was… even without anyone telling me.

It was full of my mother’s energy, a strong attributeless mana wave.

I firmly believed that the answer she left was beyond this and moved forward.

And when I confirmed the reality of the inheritance at the end of those stairs.

I couldn’t hide my astonishment.

“What is this…”

…There’s nothing here.

.

.

.

It’s not the ultimate Kung Fu, nor is it the cliché answer of ‘the answer is yourself’.

No… two things came to mind right now.

The method was wrong, or I wasn’t ready to receive her teachings yet.

Either way, it was the same.

Honestly, I had high expectations, and the disappointment was just as great.

So—

“Hoo…”

—It was only natural that my sigh laid out like a red carpet on my way back.

Eve, who was walking with me, must have had a hard time adjusting to my state.

“Haah…”

“…….”

A long, long first adventure.

I was a little hazy on how many days had passed, but it didn’t really matter.

The moon was shining brightly as we left the Artemis Ruins and headed towards Evermore.

On the first day, we broke through the upper floors and joined the Four Saints’ Association.

On the second day, we caught the Gray Wolf in the middle floors.

On the third day, we immediately broke through the lower floors and reached the temple.

It’s exactly the third night now.

Since the first day was short, we used two full days to clear this maze-like dungeon.

I’m sure I’m not the only one tired.

“Ugh… That’s enough.”

I decided to just quickly shake it off and get some rest, and think about the unsolved problems tomorrow.

I quickly chased after Eve, who was walking ahead, and slapped her back—

“…What is it?”

“Not sleepy?”

“…Sleepy.”

Her hair was tousled, and her eyes were half-closed.

Eve looked completely exhausted.

“Go to sleep as soon as we get inside. Let’s continue our talk tomorrow.”

Rake- Swish-

I patted her head a lot to wake her up a little.

It would be troublesome if she fell asleep and collapsed on the way.

Then she grabbed her tousled hair and quickly glanced at me with her long eyes.

“…….”

“Why?”

“…Nothing.”

She seemed to have something to say, so I stuck close to Eve’s side as we walked.

I kept giving her a warm gaze, smiling kindly, silently saying ‘tell me quickly’ with my eyes.

Hoo-

She opened her mouth with a short sigh, as if she couldn’t take it any longer.

“Is it okay to go back like this?”

“What?”

“The ruins, the ruins…”

I looked down at the gold coin box I was holding, and then raised my head again.

“There’s still a lot left in the treasure vault. If the traps and such don’t work properly anymore… isn’t that a little dangerous?”

“It’s okay. I’ve left the security to Argos, and he’ll rebuild the system.”

I thought it over carefully.

Why didn’t my mother leave proper teachings in those ruins?

Why did she leave so much gold and divine artifacts?

She must have been a strong and intelligent person, so I believed without a doubt that there was some meaning.

Maybe her intention was something like this.

“And… when I get back and meet Grünhill, I’ll buy the entire ruin.”

Startled-

Eve’s eyes widened suddenly.

“Buying a dungeon… I’ve heard of it, but it must cost an astronomical amount—”

Grin.

My smile made her realize the answer as well.

“I see… our ancestor was quite wise. Did she foresee this happening in the future?”

“I think so.”

She confirmed the destruction of Artemis.

She must have thought that once the spirits of Artemis settled as golems and trap mechanisms, and even monsters entered the place, it would certainly become a ‘dungeon’ named ruin.

Even for ordinary people it would be impossible to even take a step but…If I could reveal the truth of the ruins and go into the treasure vault…It would be enough to convey Artemis’s legacy.

That she certainly believed, I’d be able to do it, her daughter, and understand the meaning of what she’d left behind.

She must have left a large amount of gold coins to be able to buy the ruin that has turned into a dungeon.

“Imperial contracts and transactions are quite complicated… I’ll vouch for you.”

Eve turned out to be more cooperative than I expected.

Seeing her staring I just shrugged with the gold coin box in my sights.

“It’s… also a gesture of building a good relationship for adventurers to pay more than they’re supposed to.”

“I know.”

“So… I have to give that answer too.”

Suddenly.

Eve stopped suddenly in the middle of the road.

Putting the box down for a moment, she patted her hands twice.

She quietly extended it in front of me.

“This contract is over… but I look forward to working with you again.”

Straight gaze.

Her tired eyes shone bright blue as always.

They felt clearer and more upright this time.

I twisted my body and took a step back.

“Why- Why are you doing this-! Something’s wrong-!”

“…?”

Someone pushed me, and I couldn’t be stopped by anyone.

Even if they were just playing a harmless prank.

“Normally, if something like this happened, you’d say— ‘Humph, that’s what an adventurer does!’—or—‘It’s just like that because I got paid.’—You should just bluntly say that with your eyes half-open…!!”

“…….”

Eve’s face began to get tired again.

“What’s going on, huh? What change of heart did you have…? Ah… upon closer inspection, you, Eve—you’re not you-! Reveal your true form, you demon—! I can’t forgive you for taking over my comrade’s body!”

“Okay, then—”

The extended hand was now a clenched fist.

I quickly grabbed her as she was turning around again.

“I wanted to say that first… so I was just being grumpy that you beat me to it. I’m sorry.”

Our hands were clasped, a little hotter than a normal handshake.

I gently shook Eve’s small but calloused hand.

“I look forward to working with you again, Eve-!”

“—!”

Whoop-

Her face turned red, she’d been charmed by my fatal smile.

She quickly let go of my hand, hugged the gold coin box again.

And ran away.

“Where are you going—come on—!”

.

.

.

The path was same anyway.

Whether the box was quite heavy, or if she was more tired than I thought.

Or maybe she didn’t intend to run away from the start.

I caught up with Eve in about two minutes.

After joining Nix and Yuri, who were chattering ahead.

We arrived at the Evermore Guild before the day was completely over.

“—You’re back…!!”

Grünhill, who had been waiting since the first-floor lobby rushed over.

His face was full of dark circles and stubble, he must have spent several sleepless nights and.

He immediately burst into tears.

“Thank you… thank you so much…!!”

He grabbed my hand and cried endlessly, but that wasn’t enough, and he went around thanking the other party members.

“Thanks to you… really…”

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t tired, but honestly, seeing him repeatedly bow as a thank you made it difficult to tell him to take it easy.

Grünhill wasn’t that insensitive either.

“I’m sorry, everyone must be tired… Let’s go inside and rest for today.”

“We will. Let’s continue the important conversation tomorrow.”

His eyes were filled with tears, but he smiled brightly as he saw us off.

It felt like I had received a great recompense.

It also woke me up a bit.

“Ah, that’s right.”

I forgot something important.

I rummaged through the wallet in my arms and pulled out a gold coin.

“Eve, are you going to rest today?”

“Yeah… but why—”

And I put it in Eve’s hand.

She looked at the gold coin and me alternately, soon understanding my intentions.

“It’s okay… do whatever you want. I’ll just use sound-proofing magic when I sleep…”

“Really?”

“…You acted however you pleased in the dungeon.”

Now that permission was granted, let’s do what we must..

Whizz-

I scooped Nix and Yuri into my arms at the same time.

“Kyaat-”

“Kyaak-”

And I ran at full speed towards the inn.

“I’ll go first! Take your time!”