Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 183
>Chapter Title: A Kind Heart
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We set off for the ancient ruins around lunchtime.
"Fate leads me!"
Damian let out a resolute shout now that the adventure had finally begun, but in contrast to his enthusiasm, the journey was downright boring.
The early part was at least somewhat adventure-like.
"You probably experienced it yesterday too, but you can breathe comfortably. Speaking shouldn't be a problem either."
Following Senior Myselrn into the lake.
Thanks to Senior Myselrn's spirit magic, we could breathe underwater, and the scenery was so breathtaking it made you forget to breathe.
It felt like stepping into another world.
You know, like the underwater kingdoms in fairy tales.
Schools of large and small fish swam by in droves, the sight reminiscent of Black-White Slums punks heading out for a brawl.
The nameless aquatic plants swaying around us were like trash littering the streets.
As I was taking in the enchanting scenery that stirred childhood wonder, Senior Myselrn's voice reached me.
"Alright, time to move. Don't be too startled, Chenbi."
After making sure Chenbi was settled, Senior Myselrn promptly summoned Aiki.
Soon, a fierce current swallowed us up.
Of course, it only looked intense—the ride itself was smooth. No, excellent. It felt like surrendering your body to the wind.
And so we entered the waterway.
From there on, it was nothing but monotony.
The lake at least offered views, but this pitch-black waterway was just dark all around, with only the gurgling rush of water in our ears.
Without the tickling water currents on our skin, it would've felt like utter void—still, it was bearable.
No, I was actually enjoying it.
'This must be how a trainer feels watching a performing bear do all the work.'
I had nothing to do.
Just let the current carry me.
Compared to the days of running on my own two feet, it was pure bliss, but unfortunately, Damian couldn't share in the pleasure.
What was it again?
"Buddy, can I feed the fish?"
At first, I had no idea what he meant.
'Fish food out of nowhere?'
He'd been waving that carrot earlier—did he pack fish food separately?
But his next words made it clear that wasn't the case.
"I feel like puking."
In other words... seasickness.
Makes sense.
Traveling by current might be comfy, but it's a far cry from moving on land.
A disrupted sense of balance was only natural.
But was it that bad?
"I feel like I'm gonna die."
Damian's voice sounded like he really was dying, and the misery made my expression harden slightly.
'Was he in front of me? Behind?'
On land, I could've gauged position by voice, but not here.
Thankfully, my memory served me well, and I didn't dwell long.
"Feed the fish."
"Fishies... let's eat..."
At that moment, the pitch-black waterway was a blessing.
One slip, and I'd have witnessed the fish's feast firsthand.
And so, the journey continued: me enjoying it, Damian suffering, Chenbi silent.
I savored the rare moment of idleness in the darkness more than anyone, but sadly, it didn't last.
"We're here."
Senior Myselrn's low voice echoed from the dark.
The current soon calmed, and the light from the luminous stone he pulled out pierced the gloom right after.
We stood at the entrance to an underwater cave, where a massive iron door loomed at the edge of the stone's faint glow.
'This is it?'
As I stared at the door, Senior Myselrn spoke up.
"Hold on, take a look over here?"
"......?"
I turned at his voice.
For some reason, the pitch-black world brightened.
It was thanks to the dozens of luminous stones Senior Myselrn had set out, illuminating the vast cavern at regular intervals.
And that sight...
'...Impressive.'
A colossal cavern that could only be described as overwhelming.
Countless fish swarmed in the darkness we'd thought empty save for us, and I stood mesmerized, silently taking it in.
It made me feel infinitesimally small.
Was I the only one feeling that?
"Wow......"
"Ah."
Even Damian, wracked by nausea, and the taciturn Chenbi let out gasps of awe.
As we all marveled in unison, Senior Myselrn's voice came soon after.
"Before entering the ruins, I wanted to show you this. Not bad, right?"
Not bad?
This was beyond that.
Luminous stones of that brightness... their market price... whoa!
Dozens of them?
* * *
After a brief appreciation of Senior Myselrn's wealth, we huddled together in front of the underwater cave.
"Phuri, Aiki."
Senior Myselrn used the two spirits to form a dome-shaped air barrier, but I was still reeling from the shock.
I'd seen plenty of wealth displays.
'Pulling a flashy carriage... or gilding sword sheaths and studding them with gems.'
Not to mention gold-threaded clothes and jewelry—ways to flaunt riches were endless.
But this was a first.
'Luminous stones for this?'
Jewels or gold are more straightforward.
You see them and get it.
But which looks more lavish? Hands down, the luminous stones.
What? Luminous stones are practical?
Nonsense!
If they were for utility, he'd stash them somewhere, not carry them around like this.
What? Senior Myselrn can't use magic, so he carries them?
Plausible, but I can say with certainty.
Nope.
'Who carries dozens for practical use?'
This was deliberate flair.
Subtle ostentation without overt bragging—refined and elegant.
"Impressive, Senior."
"......? Thanks."
The awe was short-lived.
Soon, we spread out mats and had a simple meal of jerky and bread we'd brought.
How much time passed?
By the time Damian recovered from his nausea and finished eating,
We finally got to the main purpose.
Senior Myselrn broke the ice.
"As you can see, that's the entrance to the ancient ruins. Feel anything?"
Feel anything?
I sat where the iron door was fully visible, taking in its form, and one thing stood out immediately.
"There's a barrier."
"And?"
"That door... must be expensive."
Probably.
True to ancient ruins, its surface bore ancient script—take it out, and it'd fetch a king's ransom.
Even without magic, ancient artifacts held huge archaeological value.
But why...
"......"
Senior Myselrn eyed me coolly.
Only then did I realize I'd missed the point and coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem, mind if I take a closer look?"
"Me too! Me too!"
"......"
Damian crowded in eagerly. Even silent Chenbi, intrigued, sidled up.
With them flanking me, I examined the door up close and learned a few things.
"It won't open."
I pushed hard just in case, but the door didn't budge.
Sure, age might mean rust or stiff hinges, but it didn't feel like that.
More like... the force wasn't transmitting to the door itself.
"Probably the barrier."
"Yeah."
I nodded faintly and examined it calmly again.
Next, the ancient script embossed on the surface.
Not magical from the style or arrangement—more like a message...
'...Still no clue.'
Pass.
As I inspected, Damian and Chenbi chimed in soon after.
"No mana gets through."
"The metal... doesn't seem ordinary steel. Some alloy."
"Even a ton of mana doesn't work!"
"Hmm... Thought about smashing the wall, but no dice. Barrier extends inside too."
Damian brute-forced mana into it, while Chenbi probed with earth magic.
Meanwhile, I analyzed in my own way, but honestly, it was frustrating.
'Figured coming here would reveal something.'
Nothing.
Maybe a pull door? Tried pulling, sliding left-right—same result.
How long had we been at it?
Senior Myselrn stepped forward right then.
"Hmm...... So you don't sense anything special either?"
"Yeah, pretty much nothing for now."
"Urgh, really? Absolutely zilch?"
"Afraid so."
Senior Myselrn sighed in disappointment, and this time I asked.
"Find anything yourself, Senior?"
"Not really. If anything... the barrier's unstable. But that's not news. The spirits could send mana and will outward because it's unstable."
So even Senior had no breakthroughs...
His voice came right then.
"Just my hunch, but the key's probably with you. Though I doubt it's 'magic' or 'knowledge.'"
What did that mean?
Listening quietly, his point was this:
If a skilled mage could open it, the spirits would've sought one better than me.
As for why not 'knowledge'—spirits' insight doesn't pierce that deep.
So, the answer lay in something unique to me.
"Think carefully. Anything only you have? Even something trivial."
I pondered, then spoke.
"A kind heart?"
"......"
Senior Myselrn's eyes cooled.
...Of course, a joke.
I do have a kinder heart than most, but good intentions alone only work in fairy tales.
Truth is, I had a guess for the 'answer.'
The moment Senior Myselrn first mentioned it, I suspected.
As he said, under normal conditions, someone would've come by now, and the spirits would've escaped.
So, what was it?
'...Against Heaven.'
Yes, Against Heaven.
My only unique traits compared to others were my kind heart and Against Heaven.