Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Bonus Stage (2)
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The wyvern slowed its speed and glided lazily in a wide circle along the lake's edge.
"See that over there?"
Radica pointed toward a spot on the ground below with her finger.
The lake's first impression from above reminded him of photos he'd seen in his past life—something like Heaven Lake on Baekdu Mountain or Baekrokdam on Hallasan, at any rate.
The peaks surrounding the lake weren't fully connected; there was a split in the southeast. A canyon, perhaps.
The lake's water drained through that canyon.
It was a considerable amount, but the lake was so vast it barely showed.
"This is the source of every river flowing through our territory. Now do you see why I said it's important?"
"Doesn't that connect to our territory's rivers too?"
"Exactly."
Rivers inevitably lead to the sea. In the Northeast Diocese, with its west-high-east-low terrain, most rivers originated in the western great mountain range and flowed to the eastern sea.
If something big happened here, it could affect the residents of the northeast. Especially those living nearby, like the earth fairies.
Galen peered down with a more serious expression.
"Once we land, it'll be hard to come back up, right? Any special anomalies?"
"Well, this is my first time looking down from the sky. But it doesn't seem much different from the last time I saw it. Sadly, it looks a bit worse."
Radica replied. Then there was no point looking further with the naked eye.
"Land us, Lilia."
"Yes!"
Soon, the wyvern touched down by the lakeside.
He'd hoped to ride it again later, but sure enough, right after Lilia dismounted, the wyvern tried to flee. Of course, it took a javelin to the face before it could even take off properly and died.
Losing the mount was a shame, but there'd be other chances. The three ignored it and approached the lake.
"Mm."
Galen and Lilia let out faint groans almost simultaneously.
It had looked off from above, but up close, it was even more alarming.
"A lake on top of such high mountains is surprising enough, but the water's condition is shocking..."
"It's just like the sea during a typhoon."
"They call it the Sky Mirror."
Radica said.
"It used to be vast, clear, and calm enough to perfectly reflect the sky."
"So it was fine before. When did this start?"
"I'm not sure exactly. It's part of our territory broadly speaking, but we don't live around here."
Earth fairies were elite in quality but few in number compared to humans— no reason to build nests in harsh places when better spots existed.
Only the purely curious or occasional visitors came by.
"The report to the council came in late spring. Lushad and I checked it out, but we concluded it was beyond our power. Then I suddenly thought of you and sent my brother."
Radica added it was thanks to hearing about the ruins so often from Akanksha.
She'd seemed especially pleased when he said he was a mage handling water in general, not just a water spiritist. Not his imagination, then.
Galen stared at the lake, lost in thought for a moment, then spoke.
"Has this happened before?"
"Not that I know of. Not in records or oral histories."
"Then it doesn't look like a normal natural phenomenon."
If it were natural, there'd be similar stories.
Of course, it could be the first time—right now.
But calling that 'natural' was doubtful.
No strong winds, no earthquakes, yet the lake churned violently. Impossible.
"No visible issues means something invisible is at work."
"That's what we thought. See why we called you?"
"Not sure if I can, but a normal lake would be fine. Problem is not knowing what's lurking below."
Earth fairies didn't mix well with naval combat.
Earth Bind inevitably involved weight, so ships shattered and they'd sink in water.
For a shallow pond, they could blast the whole thing away with shockwaves. But not this vast lake.
If they could, earth fairies would've conquered the world ages ago. Not like they punched nukes.
"It's late, so rest today. Main work tomorrow."
"Do as you like."
"Still, I'd like to scout first..."
Galen dipped a hand into the lake and shuddered.
The bathhouse cold pool was around 18 degrees, but this felt colder.
"Not swimming weather. Raft... tough too."
"Just grass around here."
"No trees can grow in this environment."
Trees wouldn't sprout overnight. No desire to get soaked in that chill anyway.
Then an odd idea struck Galen.
"Lilia, can you cut off a wyvern wing?"
"Pardon? The wing?"
"For a raft."
Tough body, but wings were relatively weak—still not paper-thin.
Otherwise, they couldn't support a wyvern's weight. Plenty durable for one or two people.
No real buoyancy like a boat, but Water Flow Manipulation could handle that. Just needed to keep bodies off the water.
"You really use wyverns thriftily, huh?"
"Didn't expect the young master to think of this!"
To guard against falling in, they unpacked gear and kept non-waterproof items out.
Radica stayed to watch camp; Lilia insisted on escorting, so she went with Galen.
"Heave-ho."
The wing didn't budge as they climbed on. Water Flow Manipulation mana held the water beneath steady.
"We'll be off."
"Be careful."
The wyvern wing raft glided smoothly over the lake.
The surrounding surface bubbled wildly, but their raft felt like a paved road.
"Feels smoother than pirate-hunting."
"I'm focusing more than then."
"Ah."
"And my skill's improved."
Water Flow Manipulation was level 60 against the sea ghost, right? Now 69.
Like how a sheet of paper decides between masters, each level mattered more later. Not all gold the same.
Ssshh—
Not as fast as the speedboat, no rush.
Still, center reached in minutes.
No matter how wide a mountaintop lake, not the sea.
"Getting rougher!"
"It is. Using more mana to hold the water."
"Really something in there?"
"Worse if not. Can't find the cause."
No anomalies from air means underwater.
If something affected the lake, closer meant stronger effect.
Roughest at center? Highest chance below.
"Focus for a bit."
"Yes!"
A spirit uncoiled from Galen's wrist.
The slimy form shifted to cat in moments.
No voice commands needed; constant mental link.
The cat gazed up, then plunged into the lake.
Land speed versus in-water? Worlds apart.
Galen focused on the spirit vanishing below.
Deeper than expected.
Splash!
No real sound, but Galen sensed the diving spirit suddenly rebound violently.
Almost simultaneously.
Galen's eyebrows twitched sharply.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
Lilia, watching him, asked startled. Galen muttered lowly, brow furrowed.
"...This."
Commands to the spirit kept failing at the same point—repelled by some force.
Not the lakebed. Not a hard wall, but pushed by power.
Ghostly situation, but Galen had a clue.
He'd seen a question-mark status window before.
"Ruins... probably."
"...Pardon?"
The two wrapped up scouting.
Radica had camp ready and turned serious at Galen's report.
"Felt something like at Oklane ruins. That ancient magic-like power the earth fairies mentioned."
"...Sure?"
"Probably. Not directly, but through my mana..."
"You sensed it anyway?"
Not his senses, the status window—but no explaining that. Galen shut up.
Lilia still looked puzzled, hearing it again. No wonder; even he was.
"If the young master isn't mistaken, ruins underwater?"
"Mm..."
Radica pondered long, then spoke cautiously.
"We think the Sky Mirror's level is maintained by rainwater and groundwater."
"Ah, yes."
"In other words, before rain filled it or groundwater welled up, it might've been lower. If someone lived there then, and time passed until submerged? Theoretically, ruins could remain underwater."
"But issues started recently."
"Maybe sealed fine until age wore it down? We'd have to see... Can you?"
"Can reach it. Entering? Gotta check."
Galen answered Radica's question crisply.
"Challenge tomorrow as planned. But, Radica."
"Yes?"
"If ruins for real, a favor."
"Artifacts? Take 'em all."
"No, not that."
Whether intact artifacts remained was secondary.
He had plenty money. Distribution wasn't key.
"When tackling ruins, please support from behind."
"Huh?"
"You'd sweep it in seconds up front. We want experience."
"That? Sure, no worries. Won't budge till you ask."
Radica smiled fondly.
This prevented the ruins vanishing before they tried.
Of course not.
Chance for new magic, after all.