Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Arrangement (2)
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Does it just feel like a pet dog flipping over on its belly to greet its owner?
Of course, the cave wasn't a living creature, but the way it blatantly exposed all its structures made that thought come naturally.
I didn't create a clone. Instead, I steadily propelled primordial mana forward and followed behind it.
The traps really didn't activate.
After a few vibrations, the things that had prickled my sensitive senses vanished completely, confirming it wasn't my imagination.
Once nothing happened after walking for a good while, I started closely examining the trap mechanisms exposed on both walls.
And I quickly stopped bothering with them.
Since they weren't designed with a Transcendent in mind, there wasn't much to pique my interest.
They were just adequately trap-like.
Put differently, they were clichéd.
Maybe my standards got too high handling Philip Deran's traps.
When I reached the end of the cave, a massive sarcophagus stood in the center.
'A sarcophagus?'
It gleamed with pure white light, stood upright, and soft mana flowed across its surface.
The hero's tomb was elsewhere—what did this sarcophagus here mean?
As I approached slowly, it opened on its own.
There was no corpse inside.
Should I call that a relief...
If there had been one, my head would've ached. If it were the hero's body, I'd have to rethink that supposed tomb from the start.
Instead, there lay an exquisitely crafted sword and its scabbard, along with two thick books.
I froze the moment I saw the sword.
A sword in the hero's arrangement—its symbolism was too obvious.
But that was just paranoia too.
The sword was man-made. Nothing special about it, but fine enough to call a famed blade.
Its pommel bore a familiar crest. Two crossed hammers beneath a crescent moon, wreathed in flames. The mark of a master smithing house that once handled the empire's weaponry.
Recognizing it was part of basic education.
'Whoa... it's pristine.'
Did being in this sarcophagus shield it from time's passage?
I picked up the sword.
Heavy, but it yielded easily to my grip.
The blade was sleek and swift like starlight slicing the night sky. Not overly thick, yet it had real weight.
It felt heavy to me, but any sword user would find it settling solidly in hand.
'Did an ancient hero wield this?'
Of course, it would be from before becoming a true hero.
Afterward, they'd wield a sword infused with primordial mana... if that's the right term, a 'holy sword.'
One thick book seemed like a swordsmanship manual.
Written by the ancient hero himself, apparently.
The other was on body training, less worn by handling.
'So there was extra stuff like this.'
Makes sense—famous nobles get lavish setups to honor their legacies.
The so-called hero's tomb had just a sword and a single line on the stele. Even for a breed, it felt too shabby.
Who'd want to follow that nowadays? Back then, maybe, but not in this era.
Oracles have lost their shine long ago, and nonbelievers are the majority now.
Considering Rozelin's personality...
'Hm.'
I haven't fully grasped her yet, but she seems the type to obey orders obediently.
Is that what makes a hero...?
Of course, cross her once or go against her thinking, and she'd defy you no matter what.
She's got that peculiar stubbornness.
I scanned the sarcophagus again.
The swordsmanship... by my eye, I couldn't tell if it was top-tier.
Asuon's style.
Asuon—the name engraved on the stele. The ancient hero.
Skimming it, mastering this fully lets the sword's power reach the sun.
Martial bluster, or real?
The training book wasn't so much about raw strength as refining the vessel...
Like a mage honing their imagery...
Aha.
That's it.
I'd skipped that step refining my own imagery.
Preparation to become a true Transcendent.
This arrangement was to propel a pre-Transcendent hero over that threshold.
I got the gist of the arrangement.
I tilted my head.
'Why the traps, though?'
Maybe you earn the fruit only by passing the test.
Painless gains hold no meaning—symbolic like that.
These days, freebies rule.
...Might as well scrap them since they're a hassle anyway.
Exposing the whole design to me like this—practically says do what you want.
If every arrangement has tests like this as a stepping stone, destroying them feels wrong...
But if I discover the next one first and add fitting trials, that's fine.
Rozelin's my hero.
Problem: no mention of the next arrangement.
'On another oracle stele?'
This one clearly aids the pre-Transcendent phase.
Even with help, Rozelin will need time to finish it.
Need to think carefully.
If I can't find the next one right away... maintain status quo.
Leave traps, just check for other dangers.
I roamed the cave, scrutinizing every trap again.
I see the designs.
'A Sword Master level would...'
Breeze through easily. For Rozelin, maybe too easy.
But overall, they're weathered.
'Time for new ones.'
Can't risk malfunctions from age.
Given how long it's been set up, I don't trust their state.
My trap expertise improved too.
And once you look closely, nitpicks arise.
'Tch... these traps, really?'
If you're making the hero suffer, do it right.
Let her savor sweet accomplishment at the end.
I know she's exactly Sword Master level, so tailor-made it is.
Before I knew it, I went beyond repairs—dismantling old ones, crafting new.
At the final spot, I erected a stone statue like a boss. Gave it a massive sword to match its bulk.
"...Wait, hold on."
Then I snapped out of it.
'What am I doing?'
I took in the stone statue I'd made.
Overwhelming size at first glance. Sculpted solid muscles, sword in hand.
Like a craftsman, I'd poured in too much care.
No clue how much time passed.
Lost in focus, hours flew by—especially on this statue.
'Need to place the manaphone too.'
Planned to put it with the sword and books at the end.
Originally meant to send her searching nearby, but with the arrangement revealed, bundle them.
I finished the trap designs there and hurried out.
'Where's the nearest hidden manaphone?'
Rozelin received word through Jenjen that Cedric wanted to meet again.
I'd told her to focus on training—finally a task for me?
Still, contact after quite a while.
Went somewhere, maybe.
Yeah, Cedric was always busy, a man with plans.
Without him, Rozelin just trained diligently.
Didn't ascend to Transcendent, but enough to steady her mind.
Cedric said he needed her strength. A problem only solvable together, then uncover her fate with her own power.
If even he struggles, it's a real powerhouse.
So grow strong fast.
"Your job is reconnaissance."
Reunited after so long, Cedric sent her far away.
Not tough—just investigate somewhere, that was it.
'Not dangerous, right?'
She thought so. If risky, he'd have involved her against Moonlight Echoes.
He always just had her fetch intel, never fight alongside.
This was meant for him, but no time, so her instead.
Rozelin nodded without suspicion.
Cedric would have reason.
'Arrive before sunset, wait till it sets...'
After switching carriages multiple times, she arrived after ages.
Just as the sun dipped behind the mountains.
Amid ancient trees, she spotted an odd phenomenon.
A distorted rift, like space itself misaligned.
Rozelin approached.
Heightening senses, a thin unseen crack appeared.
'...Can I enter?'
Senses maxed, she cautiously stepped one foot in.
Felt solid ground.
Prodded more, deemed safe, then slipped fully inside.
Vision shifted instantly.
Dim cave, wall sconces illuminating the gloom.
The moment she entered fully.
Sharp instinct caught something.
Rozelin twisted away.
Scree—
Arrowhead streaking straight from the depths.
It grazed past by a hair.
'Fast...!'
No time to panic, she drew her sword.
Almost simultaneously, another arrow hit where she'd been.
Rozelin deflected it with her blade.
Clang!
"Ngh..."
Shock jolted from wrist to palm.
One arrow packing this punch...
No mere intruder alert.
Rozelin gripped tighter.
Sweat beaded on her forehead, dangling from her chin.
'A dungeon...?'
In the silent darkness, only her heartbeat rang clear.
Rozelin ramped up her tension.