Chapter 303: Temar’s Second Tomb (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 303: Temar’s Second Tomb (1)
The innkeeper had already headed home, leaving Jogoby in charge of the shop. Jin and his companions were the only customers left.
Gulp, munch, crunch, snap!
The sound of Olmango devouring cookies filled the room. He looked like a god possessed, driven by the singular concept of cookies. He was practically inhaling them, like a man finding water in a desert oasis.
What kind of god is this?
Jin couldn't help but feel a bit bewildered. At the same time, he found himself wishing he had prepared even more cookies.
His companions, who had been nearby, naturally drifted over to watch the spectacle. It was a surreal experience—watching a god with his head buried in a basket, stuffing his face with cookies.
[Is… is there no more!?]
When about seventy percent of the cookies in the basket had vanished, Olmango looked up and asked, his eyes truly desperate.
"That’s all of them."
[Tell me there’s more.]
"There are more, technically. At the tea house on the third floor of Tikan Free City, across the sea."
[Hmph… Then I must savor these. My contractor needs to taste them too.]
Olmango closed the basket with trembling hands.
"So cute!" Enya shouted before she could stop herself, while the others simply shrugged.
[Ahem.]
Feeling embarrassed by the eyes fixed on him, Olmango cleared his throat.
[I am a god, yet I’ve shown you such a pathetic side… If possible, please tell the owner of that tea house in Tikan: these were the best sweets Olmango has ever tasted. This is not the work of a mere human.]
The baker actually wasn't human, but Jin didn't feel the need to mention that.
"I’ll be sure to pass that along."
[Good, good. Right, so you are Jin Runcandel. The Thousand-Year Contractor Solderet spoke of?]
"I am."
[Prove it.]
When Jin formed a fist-sized sphere of spirit energy in his palm, Olmango nodded.
[It’s certain, then. To be honest, I didn't think you’d make it to me alive. You caused such a stir against the Zipple even before becoming a Flagbearer, and with a bounty on your head… I was half-expecting you to die.]
Like everyone living in Huphester, Jogoby and Olmango were well aware of the details surrounding the Holy Kingdom Incident.
[Solderet… that fellow was right about what would happen a thousand years later, after all.]
"Hey, Mr. Shellfish God. We’re busy. Just give us the key already," Murakan said bluntly. He felt a slight twinge of annoyance at Olmango calling Solderet a "fellow."
Until he fell into his long slumber, Murakan had never once seen Solderet associate with Olmango. In fact, Olmango’s known abilities were meager at best—moisturizing his contractor’s skin and easily luring shellfish. At most, he could grant a blessing that allowed one to cook delicious clams anytime, anywhere.
That was why Murakan had always dismissed Olmango as a minor god.
It wasn't just Murakan being rude; most of the world thought the same. That was why Olmango’s contractor, Jogoby, lived as a clerk in a remote tavern like this.
[Judging by your tone, you must be the Black Dragon Murakan. Solderet worried about you quite a bit.]
"He worried about me? He didn't leave a single message for me, yet he left the keys to Temar’s tombs with guys like you and Picon Minche?"
[Surely Solderet had his reasons.]
"Hah! Do you know anything about those 'reasons'?"
Olmango shook his head.
Murakan found those sparkling eyes irritating, but he knew it wasn't Olmango’s fault. The companions could tell by Murakan’s gruff tone that he was actually quite hurt. Picon was someone they had all known a thousand years ago, but to Murakan, Olmango was a complete stranger.
[Well, anyway. Since I’ve finished the cookies, I shall open the second tomb of Runcandel’s First Patriarch. However, Jin Runcandel.]
"Yes."
[Are you all going in together?]
Jin met Olmango’s eyes, looking puzzled.
"Is that possible?"
[There’s no reason it shouldn't be. It’s merely a tomb built to honor someone.]
Jin hadn't considered bringing anyone other than Murakan or Misha to Temar’s tomb.
[However, as this is a special tomb, you must be prepared to face the risks.]
Risks.
Jin understood immediately, remembering the first tomb. If there was a guardian modeled after the Ten Great Knights, like Silderay Runcandel, it wouldn't just be "risky"—it would be deadly. He didn't want to put his companions in such danger if he could help it.
However, he also knew that sometimes, relying on his comrades' strength was the best way to show them respect.
It looks like everyone is determined to go.
The companions had already made their choice. They had been feeling guilty lately, sensing they hadn't been able to help Jin as actively as before.
"Lord Olmango, do you know what kind of guardian is inside the second tomb?"
[I cannot answer that.]
"Why not?"
[All memories of it have vanished. No matter how hard I try to recall, only a very faint image comes to mind.]
Not a single member of the Ten Great Knights had escaped being erased from history.
[But one thing is certain. He—or she—must be exhausted. The Zipple have already desecrated that tomb several times, leading to great battles…]
The guardian of the first tomb, Silderay, had manifested only after the Zipple disturbed the grave, appearing when the condition of the 'Thousand-Year Contractor’s arrival' was met. In contrast, the guardian of the second tomb had been protecting it from the very beginning until now.
Once again, Olmango tried to recall the forgotten face, a bitter smile spreading across his lips.
[Let us go.]
Jin and his companions followed Olmango out of the tavern.
It was a night with an exceptionally large number of stars. Somehow, the starlight seemed to illuminate their path as they walked. Olmango stopped at the very beach where the group had been swimming and playing earlier.
"…Is the second tomb actually here?"
[Yes.]
Splash!
Olmango stepped into the water and looked back at the group, signaling them to follow instead of just standing there.
[Follow me closely in a single file.]
A moment later, something incredible happened. A path began to form on the water’s surface, following Olmango’s slow steps. He walked across the sea as if it were flat ground, a mystical sight truly worthy of a god.
Naturally, it was everyone’s first time walking on water.
"Whoa… I guess he really is a god, Young Master Jin."
"Indeed. Thanks to you, Sir, I get to experience another miracle. With the gentle waves all around, this is the most atmospheric scenery I’ve ever seen."
"It’s a truly wonderful vacation, Young Master."
Even Quicantel was inwardly impressed by Olmango’s authority.
Murakan merely grumbled, "He’s just walking on water, that’s all."
They walked for an hour. Looking back, the sea was drenched in starlight, and the land was barely visible.
[This should be far enough to open it.]
"Open what? Weren't you going to give us a key?"
At Murakan’s question, Olmango spread his hands.
[My authority is the key, Murakan.]
In the next instant.
Roooooar!
Suddenly, the sea in front of Olmango began to split as if a piece of cloth were being torn in two.
"Whoa. What the—holy… what is this!"
Even Murakan, who had been grumpy the whole time, couldn't help but gasp in admiration. The others were the same. Even Jin stood there with his mouth agape.
Crash, rumble, splash!
Following Olmango’s gestures, the sea formed two massive waterfalls. No one would ever believe that the God of Shellfish was painting this miraculous landscape.
And splitting the sea wasn't the end of it.
My god, what is that?
Jin and his companions looked down into the gap in the ocean.
There was a clam. An indescribably massive, smooth clam—surely the only one of its kind in the world—with its mouth wide open. It was large enough to be compared to a fortress.
[Using my power after so long is taxing. Murakan, this is why Solderet chose me. There are very few beings in this world who can manage a seal of this magnitude.]
His pathetic appearance while obsessing over cookies seemed like a lie. The group, even Murakan, couldn't help but pay their respects to Olmango.
The reason Olmango, the God of Shellfish, was known as a minor god was simple: he always had to conserve his strength. Olmango’s divine mission was to use that power at the right time, hiding and protecting stories meant for the right person within a giant clam.
Whirrrr, hummm…!
Like a black pearl, a massive seal of spirit energy pulsed inside the clam. That seal was the entrance to Temar’s second tomb.
[So, I hope you don't feel too resentful toward Solderet. Everyone, go on in.]
"Thank you, Lord Olmango."
[I only did what I had to do. Ah, and one more thing.]
Olmango met Jin’s eyes and continued.
[I don't remember who it is, but please tell the friend inside… tell them they’ve worked hard all this time.]
"I will not forget to pass that on."
One by one, the group threw themselves into the seal of spirit energy held by the clam. Once everyone had been sucked into the seal, Olmango’s clam closed its massive mouth.
*
Once again, it was a subspace made of spirit energy.
However, unlike the first tomb, which had been endlessly dark and desolate, the second tomb was filled with traces of fierce battle the moment they entered. Bleached bones, presumably belonging to Zipple mages of old, rolled under their feet. When touched, they crumbled into dust.
"Ugh, it was so mystical just a moment ago. Now it’s just lonely and eerie."
"...Just how many skeletons are there? I can't even fathom how many people the guardian here fought alone, Young Master Jin," Jet and Casimir said, scanning the surroundings.
While the group hesitated over which direction to walk, a woman’s voice drifted from afar.
[I felt a noisy presence from a distance. Yes, I knew you would come…]
The group immediately sharpened their senses and turned toward the voice.
And Murakan, once again, recognized the owner of that voice instantly.
"Sarah? Sarah Runcandel, is that you?"
[Murakan…]
Soon, the guardian’s form was revealed. She wore armor similar to that of a Runcandel Guardian Knight, like Silderay, but the armor was in a wretched state, torn and riddled with holes.
It wasn't just the armor; her body was the same. Spirit energy flowed like blood from her single remaining arm and from countless wounds that were visible even at a glance.
[What took you so long?] the guardian said, meeting Murakan’s eyes. [You damn bastard.]
