Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Relic Site (4)
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Rumors about Demian spread rapidly throughout the White Kingdom.
Before even a full day had passed, everyone near the relic site knew about Demian—or rather, Victor.
"Did you hear? A new explorer named Victor showed up. They say he has an incredible knack for finding artifacts."
"Even if he finds them well, it's all the same. Why the fuss?"
"No, you don't get it. He found an APG."
"What? The first and second floors have been picked clean for ages. Where'd he dig up something that rare?"
"Who knows. But you know how it is—some people just have a nose for treasure."
People chattered in amazement about the items Demian had uncovered.
"For once, a big shot's appeared. Maybe that explorer will find a relic sword."
"Who knows... He might die before that."
"What are you talking about?"
"That Victor guy pissed off the Dufflis faction."
"W-What? Is that true?"
Right now, the White Kingdom was overflowing with nobles trying to find a relic sword to marry Lady Freize.
Among the nobles, quite a few formed alliances instead of exploring the ruins alone.
And among those factions, the Dufflis group was not only the largest but also had the strongest forces.
"If that's true... that young Victor won't last long."
"That's good for us. Means one dangerous rival's out of the picture."
While people gossiped about him, Demian lay on his inn bed, plotting his next move.
"Total of seven floors deep."
Demian muttered as he examined the map he'd obtained from the relic site.
The ruins resembled a triangle, growing larger the deeper one went.
"Searching this whole place will take a while."
It wasn't just about checking visible spots. There were surely hidden rooms in the ruins.
But Demian wasn't too worried. His detection range was vast.
If he could sense even a trace of black magic from Gasdal, he could track it down.
"Maybe they'll come for me instead."
Destroying the undead Gasdal had created would provoke some kind of response.
Out of anger? No, that wasn't it. The daytime undead were simple ones Gasdal could make endlessly.
Right now, Gasdal was collecting souls for his 'memory' research.
Not just any souls, but those rich in combat experience.
So he wouldn't let a skilled warrior like Demian slip away. He'd try to capture him by any means.
"Tomorrow, I need to go deeper."
To lure Gasdal out, Demian decided to make himself the juiciest bait possible.
* * *
The next day, Demian headed to the relic site entrance early in the morning.
"Victor, sir! Did you sleep well?"
Tiebo bowed deeply toward Demian.
"If anything annoying comes up today, leave it all to me!"
Demian looked at Tiebo in wonder.
"You didn't run off?"
Before parting yesterday, Tiebo had trembled, warning that the Dufflis faction wouldn't stay quiet.
So Demian had assumed Tiebo fled to avoid further entanglement.
"Honestly, I'd be lying if I said the thought didn't cross my mind..."
Tiebo said with a resolute face.
"But when will I ever meet someone as amazing as you again in my life? I can't pass up this chance."
"I never said I'd give you a chance."
"Huh? W-Well, that's..."
Despair flashed across Tiebo's face. Demian chuckled.
"Just kidding. Do your job right, and I'll make sure you get a cut."
Tiebo's knowledge was quite useful, even if nothing else was.
Thanks to him, Demian didn't need to research the White Kingdom on his own.
"Here."
Demian tossed Tiebo the guard uniform and APG from yesterday.
Tiebo stared at Demian in shock after receiving the gear.
"Why are you giving these to me...?"
"Not giving. Lending."
Demian planned to head to the deeper levels today.
He'd be fine, but Tiebo might not.
"Lending them in case it's dangerous. Use them well and return them clean."
"In case we have to fight. Use them clean."
"Yes, sir!"
"Finish the job well, and I might just give them to you."
Tiebo's eyes widened at Demian's words.
"T-This Tiebo! I shall serve with the devotion of a martyr!"
"Then let's head in."
Demian moved to enter the ruins. Then Tiebo spoke up.
"V-Victor, sir. Wait just a moment."
Tiebo ducked into an alley and returned carrying a handcart. Demian asked with a dumbfounded look.
"Why'd you bring that?"
"You never know. If we get more loot than yesterday, it'll be hard to carry."
Tiebo was more prepared than expected.
* * *
Demian descended to the third floor of the ruins with Tiebo.
Like the first and second floors, the third was empty. Mercenaries and explorers had taken everything worthwhile.
'No hidden items here, either.'
Demian skipped the third floor and headed straight to the fourth.
From the fourth floor, there were multiple entrances. Demian entered through the nearest one.
No sooner had he entered the fourth floor than noisy shouts erupted.
"Hey! We claimed this sector first!"
"Bullshit! We got here first!"
Mercenaries fought everywhere. Some swung pickaxes at the walls.
"From what I know, when nobles conquer a floor, others swarm in and scrape up all the valuables."
Tiebo explained to Demian. That explained the crowd on the fourth floor.
'No need to wander the fourth floor, either.'
It was hard to imagine Gasdal hiding in such a crowded place.
Even searching for hidden items would be tricky with so many eyes around.
"Let's go to the fifth."
Tiebo froze at the mention of the fifth floor.
Unlike floors one through four, the fifth hadn't been fully explored. The danger level was extremely high.
"If you're scared, you can go back up."
"N-No, sir!"
There were several doors to the fifth floor. As Demian approached the nearest, two men at the entrance blocked him.
"Halt."
"This door leads to the exploration sector claimed by the Obter Mercenary Group. Outsiders not allowed. Want to go to the fifth? Use another door."
Demian was dumbfounded by the unexpected obstacle. Tiebo explained.
"Victor, sir, I heard about this before coming here. The deeper ruins are divvied up by powerful groups."
"Why tell me now?"
"Didn't expect them blocking the entrance."
Tiebo scratched his head.
"Victor, sir, best not to clash with the Obter Mercenary Group. They've got three mid-classers, including the captain."
Demian nodded as if he understood, seeing Tiebo's worried face.
"Don't worry. I won't pick a pointless fight."
"Wise choice."
"As long as they meet my demands."
"...Pardon?"
Ignoring the flustered Tiebo, Demian addressed the mercenaries.
"I'm not here to mess with your operation. Just let me through to the fifth."
"How do we trust that?"
The mercenary spoke coldly.
"The fifth floor's crawling with ancient golems. One slip, and you're dead. Can't have a threat at our backs."
The mercenaries stated firmly. Demian pondered briefly before speaking.
"No choice, then. I'll have to make you understand the hard way."
"What bullshit. How do you force understa—"
Demian's hand moved swiftly. His knuckles grazed the mercenary's jaw.
That alone snapped the man's head back, shattering his consciousness as he collapsed.
"Henson!"
His comrade drew his weapon in shock.
"You dare—"
Demian's hand moved again. Knuckles grazed the jaw, and the man crumpled.
"Looks like both of you understand now. Shall we go in?"
Tiebo gaped at Demian in disbelief.
"What? Something to say?"
"N-No, of course not..."
Then.
Something flew out from the door to the fifth floor.
It rolled across the floor several times before stopping at Demian's feet.
"H-Hiiik!"
Tiebo screamed at the sight. It was a person.
Drenched in blood, hands and feet crushed beyond recognition.
"Gr... Grooo..."
The mangled man weakly opened his mouth.
"R-Run... A-All... all dead... C-Captain... veterans... everyone... dead..."
His head lolled to the side before he finished. He stopped breathing.
"W-What the hell..."
As Tiebo trembled in terror, a heavy thud echoed from the door.
Something was climbing from the fifth floor to the fourth.
A body clad in metal.
A massive single eye taking up half its face.
Tiebo shrieked in horror.
"Go-Go-Go-Ancient golem!"
His cry drew other mercenaries on the fourth floor to the door.
"...A-Ancient golem!"
"The ancient golem's coming up!"
Mercenaries dropped everything and fled at the sight. Dozens rushed for the exits.
"Oh, an ancient golem."
Demian eyed it with interest. It was his first since regressing.
It differed greatly from the ones he'd encountered in his previous life.
"┻┫━╋━."
The ancient golem spoke in a bizarre tongue. Unlike others, Demian understood it.
"Found an intruder. Time to kill."
The crystal in the golem's chest glowed, light spreading through lines across its body.
At the same time, light flowed over the surface of the sword it gripped.
"That's a dangerous toy you've got."
The golem itself was hazardous, but the sword looked even more so.
Nothing like the ancient guard gear from the first floor.
"━╋━!"
The ancient golem leaped. Despite its metal frame, it moved feather-light.
"Better than a human."
Demian dodged back with a brief admiration. The sword slammed where he'd stood.
The ground cracked wide, like a giant had swung.
"At least low-grade relic sword level."
An ancient golem wielding a relic sword of that power.
Perhaps these ruins were far more important than Demian had thought.
The ancient golem swung repeatedly. Each strike split walls and ceiling.
"This would trouble even a mid-classer. Not bad for scrap metal."
Demian said while evading. A human might rage, but the golem stayed silent.
"No fun taunting scrap."
The golem slashed at Demian's head. He spun half a turn to dodge.
Simultaneously, he swung Dawn, severing the golem's neck.
The clean strike sent the head tumbling. The headless golem staggered, then knelt.
No resistance, even without aura. Proof Dawn outclassed the golem's metal.
"Cuts much nicer now."
Dawn hummed in response to Demian's praise, seeming delighted.
"Take it all. We'll sell later."
Demian told Tiebo.
Ancient golems embodied lost civilization tech, prized by mages willing to pay fortunes.
"Grab the weapon too."
"Got it!"
Tiebo loaded the golem onto the cart and strapped it on.
"Huh? Lighter than it looks."
Tiebo said, surprised. Another ancient mystery—the golems were surprisingly light despite appearances.
"Let's head down."
"Yes, sir!"
The two descended to the fifth floor via the entrance.
* * *
A large sign greeted them immediately on the fifth floor.
<┗┓┏┛┗┓┏┛┗┓┏┛>
It read 'Researcher Office.'
Odd for a workshop, but normal in ancient times.
Their artisans were researchers too.
"Whoa, Demian, sir. Something's drawn here."
Tiebo pointed to the nearby wall.
A large bulletin board hung there, covered in papers.
Demian was stunned examining them.
"These are..."
The papers detailed equipment in production at the workshop.
One in particular caught Demian's eye.
It depicted a greatsword surrounded by ancient script.
Demian read the text carefully.
"National commission... To protect the soon-to-be-born prince... A sword that moves on its own to guard its master... Thirty blades as one... Must function separately even when split... Project name..."
The last line was faded, but legible.
"The Qi-Controlled Sword?"