Chapter 277
It didn’t take long to set up the two tents . We were used to it by now . The tents faced each other and we started to build a bonfire in between them . There was plenty of firewood in the hollow bag, so that wasn’t a problem . Speaking of not being a problem, the chamber we were in was large and there were passages that meant we should have enough ventilation for a fire .
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Then Daniela used earth magic to create a large bathtub and I filled it up with water . Then I made a fire underneath the bath boiler to heat up the water . As we had gotten covered in blood and bug fluids today, the feeling of disgust was overwhelming .
“If only I could use fire magic . ”
“Don’t worry, we have magic tools to make up for it . ”
“I guess…”
I looked at the swaying flames and the water’s surface and sighed . There was a small spark inside of me as well . I just had to use it properly . But up until now, I’ve only been able to make use of water and ice magic . Quickly switching magic attributes . That was something I was good at, but I’d been relying on ice magic because it was easy to think of specific shapes . If I was able to use water magic as smoothly as Adlus, it would mean I could do so much more during battle . Jack of all Trades, Master of None helped me study it, but it was still hard to visualize it . Even that skill couldn’t allow me to do it if my imagination wasn’t there .
Once the water was ready, I pushed the women to go in first . While they laughed and talked loudly, I prepared our dinner . That being said, it was just the usual soup . I used some tasty dried meat for stock and then added some spices, chopped meat, and leafy vegetables into it . Then I threw away the scum . But it seemed a bit lonely, and so I skewered some blocks of meat and tried to place them near the fire…
“…Oh, I can’t stab them into the ground here . ”
We weren’t camping on dirt . We were inside a building . The floor was all stone…
“Hmph!”
I forced the metal skewer into the cracks . Hmm . It worked, but the skewer had bent a little . It just looked sad… Perhaps I should get steel skewers instead of iron ones next time . In any case, preparations were complete . I just had to wait for the soup to boil and the meat to cook .
“Asagi . You can take your bath now . ”
“Ah, right . ”
Manager was calling me . In spite of there being a man present, she was completely… I’m just kidding . She came out looking very warm and fully clothed . This wasn’t some light novel .
I got up to my feet and grabbed some clean clothes from the hollow bag and then headed for the bathtub . And unlike the protagonist of such aforementioned novels, I waited outside and called to see if it was fine to come in . Daniela and Lemon’s voices answered me .
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“We are still changing . Give us a minute . ”
“You don’t need to rush . ”
“Hmm…Lemon . You need to hurry up . ”
“Ah, hey, wait a minute!”
“You really don’t need to…”
I said to Lemon as well . If this a light novel, Lemon would have become so frantic that she’d fall through the partition, but such things didn’t happen here . I wouldn’t allow it . Regardless, I had my back towards it, just in case, as I stared at the ceiling .
“That’s a high ceiling…”
So, the Reserentrible dungeon was an ancient elven dungeon . We were likely the only ones who knew about it . Perhaps even the people who got to the end and triggered the trap didn’t know . I think, anyway . Perhaps they had other things to worry about . But…who had they been? Were they alright…?
We were quite deep in the dungeon ourselves . If this was a normal disaster, controlling the dungeon core up ahead would put an end to this inversion . The dungeon would go back into the ground . But it was different here . I guessed that the core here was fake and the real one was somewhere deep underground .
The idea of such a deep, deep chamber reminded me of the mines . It had been quite deep, and we had found the mysterious power of the dragon vein . Did the dragon vein flow through here as well…? I wouldn’t be surprised… But it had been so long since I last detected it .
“You can go in now . ”
“Sorry, it took so long . ”
“Uh, yeah . ”
Daniela and Lemon came out looking very steamy . I had mumbled something back, as I had been deep in thought . Daniela looked at me as if to ask if something was wrong, so I shook my head .
While it hadn’t really been long since my last bath, it was incredibly relaxing and I felt I would fall asleep if I wasn’t careful . But then again, those had been fights worthy of praise .
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After finishing the simple meal, we all sat around the fire . As there was only one exit, we set the barrier tools there to prevent any intruders from coming in . That meant everyone would be able to get some sleep tonight .
“Hmm . I’m going to bed…”
“Haahhhh…good night…”
Lemon rubbed at her eyes and walked towards her tent . Everyone must be very tired…
Especially Lemon . As a supporter, she had carried the bags and also watched our backs . As I got to my feet, I decided to do something to show my appreciation once we got out .
“Alright, good night . ”
“Aye, good night . Rindo and I will talk a little more before going to bed . ”
“Got it . But don’t drink anymore . ”
“I know . ”
“Good night, Asagi . ”
“Yeah, good night . ”
I waved at Daniela and Manager and went into our tent . Then I took out my water bottle from the hollow bag and drank a few sips before rolling up in my sleeping bag . It didn’t take long for me to drift off to the land of dreams .
The next morning… Or was it? I wasn’t sure . The sunlight didn’t reach the chamber we were in . Regardless, we had had enough rest, and so we packed up our things and stood in front of the door .
“So…I suppose we go in now . ”
“I’m worried there will be a trap as soon as we walk in . How likely is that?”
I asked as Daniela folded her arms .
“It is not impossible . These are ancient elves, after all . Anything can happen . ”
Anyone who could make Daniela say that was pretty impressive in my book . But no one would disagree with her in this case . It was hard to even imagine what could happen . These were people who lived during a time of incredibly advanced magic . I wasn’t sure if they quite exceeded the modern world that I came from, but it wasn’t a stretch .
But there was no point in standing here and trying to guess . We had no choice but to open the door . We did talk about escaping should it be necessary, and then we all held our weapons ready .
“I’m opening it now . ”
I nodded at Manager . I was quite worried . Lemon and Manager each pushed one side of the double doors . Daniela and I stood ready with our weapons drawn .
While the doors seemed to struggle against them, it was just weight . Lemon and Manager pushed even harder, and the gap began to widen . Light poured through the gap and lit our feet . It rose to our legs and then enveloped our entire bodies . Before long, I was using my free arm to shield my eyes .
“It’s so bright…”
It was like coming out of a long, dark tunnel . Aside from the sounds of the others complaining about the light, the only thing I could hear was the creaking of the door . That stopped eventually . And after what seemed like a long time, my eyes adjusted . I lowered my arm and held my sword up .
“This…”
I heard Daniela’s voice . I glanced to the side and saw that her eyes had widened with surprise . I returned my gaze up ahead, where Daniela was looking . Just as I thought . A black room spread out before us . It was like the ancient elven ruins . The walls, floors, and ceiling all had the glowing blue lines running across them . And in the center of the room, was a rectangular monument of some sort . There was nothing else in sight . No traps or guardian monsters . And of course, no ancient elves .
“This is really the center?”
“But there is nothing here . ”
Manager and Lemon said as they looked at the room .
“We will have to inspect it in any case . I will go first . ”
“I’ll go with you . ”
“Thank you . ”
Daniela walked in the lead and I followed her .
“You two stay there, just in case the doors close . ”
“Got it . ”
“I understand!”
Daniela and I wouldn’t be able to do anything if it was locked from the outside . I wasn’t sure if this material could be destroyed, but I wanted to avoid a situation where we were all trapped inside .
“Asagi . Let us go . ”
“Aye, Daniela . ”
I gulped and looked at Daniela’s back . I had seen this back for a long time now . I knew I could rely on it . And it was a back that only I could protect . No matter what, I would not let Daniela die .
Daniela took her first step into the room . Nothing happened . Then she took another . Still, nothing .
Then I took a step . Nothing happened . I tapped on it with the tip of my boot . Nothing . Then I jumped in and bumped into Daniela . Nothing . Well, Daniela did glare at me .
“It seems fine…”
“So there’s no traps…!?”
Seems like it . It was just as I was about to say that . The glowing lines suddenly shot towards the stone monument in the center of the room . The multiple lines gathered towards it and blue lights began to shine brightly . The lights traveled up to the top of the stone . When all of the lights were together, the lines disappeared . And then the lights on the stone were unleashed towards the ceiling .
“What!?”
“Huh!?”
A human figure could be seen within the pillar of light .