Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Shaman of the Wilderness (2)
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In the damp darkness of dawn, as a misty drizzle scattered about, Kadim finished preparing to depart.
His armor was, as always, just simple leather pauldrons. He packed all his weapons: Mosquito, Salmon, and the Hellfire dagger. He had a bit of frozen demon blood left from the ice demon and a sip of hydra blood. It wasn't something he'd likely need, but the fact that it was running low nagged at him a little.
'It'd be nice to run into a decent demon on the way.'
With a thought that would make his client freak out if she caught wind of it, he stepped out to the front of the inn. Ilenia was already there waiting. Her outfit wasn't much different from yesterday, but she'd thrown on a gray cloak to fend off the rain.
"You're up early! So diligent."
"Says the one who got up even earlier."
"Heh heh, I always have trouble sleeping the night before something exciting. Shall we get going, then?"
The destination was somewhere in the eastern plains of Messen. It would have been great if they could ride horses, but that wasn't an option. Ilenia had thrown a fit, insisting she got terribly motion sick and couldn't even go near one.
Kadim asked how she knew the ruins' location. Ilenia rummaged through her bag and triumphantly held up a stone plaque etched with strange symbols. In its center was a gem no bigger than a pinky nail, from which faint rays of light stretched out like an arrow pointing east.
"I picked it up wandering the wilderness by chance, but it always points this way when I get closer to the ruins. Without it, I never would have dared search for the shamans' ruins."
Kadim's eyes twitched. The moment he saw it, he knew exactly what it was.
'That's... a cursed talisman.'
Just as Elga's priests crafted holy relics and mages made magic tools, the shamans of the wilderness could create "cursed talismans" infused with profound sorcery. But the process was incredibly arduous, and so few shamans could make them that their rarity surpassed even holy relics or magic tools.
'She "happened" to pick up a cursed talisman that's hard to obtain even if you go looking for it...'
His suspicions deepened. Ilenia, oblivious to the issue, grinned and boasted about the plaque's powers.
Following the beam of light, they soon spotted a pale glow writhing on the distant horizon. But thick rain clouds blocked the dawn, keeping the sky's shades dark and murky. The earth, gorged on rainwater, repeatedly exhaled damp, fishy scents. Beneath their side-by-side muddy footprints, earthworms occasionally burst out, wriggling wildly.
The drizzle had thickened into a steady patter. Ilenia tugged her cloak tighter to keep the rain from seeping in. Kadim swept back his wet bangs and asked dryly,
"Did you go to the wilderness looking for the shamans?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes! The wilderness is the ancestral home of all Atalains. If any shamans are still around, that's the most likely place."
"How is it these days? It was never a great spot for traveling even before."
"The wilderness? No, definitely not traveler-friendly. There were times I nearly died several times a day. Thirst and hunger were basic, then the heat, venomous bugs, monsters, and occasionally demons... Well, I survived, so that's what counts, right?"
"......"
"Wait, have you ever been to the wilderness, mercenary? These days, hardly any Atalains have."
"......Yeah. Long ago."
The path the hero's party had chosen to reach the Demon Realm crossed the mountains and cut through the wilderness.
It wasn't as bad as the Demon Realm, but they still suffered plenty there. After that, the wilderness in Kadim's mind became less a spiritual homeland for Atalains and more the place where he'd taught a genius young mage how to curse like a sailor.
Anyway, he couldn't fathom how a woman had survived there. She glossed over it, so pressing further probably wouldn't yield a straight answer.
So Kadim tossed out another question.
"What got you interested in the shamans of the wilderness? You're not even Atalain."
"......"
Ilenia pulled her cloak deeper.
The air grew heavy. She turned her gaze to the distant mountains, holding a long silence. When she finally spoke, her voice was damp and subdued, unlike before.
"History is written by the victors, they say. The victors' paths are adorned with gold medals and laurels, preserved and commemorated forever. But the losers' paths are stained with filth and scorn, sometimes erased from memory entirely."
"......"
"But I... I couldn't understand it. Why that rule applies even to gods and their followers. Some gods' priests dominate the continent and prosper, while others are persecuted and vanish without a trace, with no one caring—what draws that line?"
"......"
"......So I resolved to uncover and record the traces of the forgotten ones myself. As an archaeologist walking the path of research and contemplation my whole life. Ah, it's a bit embarrassing! It's not like I'm doing anything that grand, heh heh......"
By the end, Ilenia's tone had returned to its usual cheer. Kadim stared blankly at her face.
It sounded natural at first listen, but reflecting on it felt profoundly off.
"......"
But it was vague enough that he couldn't pinpoint it. In the end, Kadim shut his mouth and trudged on silently. Ilenia fell quiet too, quickening her steps without another word.
They reached the destination around noon.
Kadim's impression after viewing the ruins left by the last shamans of the wilderness was this:
"......This is the ruins?"
"Yes, more precisely, what I presume is the entrance to the ruins......"
Ilenia trailed off.
Truth be told, it was a stretch to even call it an entrance. No massive stone doors or tunnels leading underground, not even small foundation stones. The landscape was no different from the ordinary plains they'd passed on the way.
But Ilenia didn't give up. She wandered the area with the stone plaque until the beam shone brightest, then called out to Kadim in an excited voice.
"Here, look here! See? The ruins left by the shamans of the wilderness! You can see it says something about an 'entrance,' right?"
"......"
There was only a single stone slab buried there, inscribed with unknown ancient script.
Kadim let out a faint scoff.
In truth, his feelings toward the shamans of the wilderness hadn't been great since his first playthrough.
There'd been no outright conflict. They were clear allies to Kadim, the great warrior of Atala, sparing no advice or aid. The problem was that their help came in profoundly annoying, indirect, and cryptic ways.
For example, if he said he was thirsty, they'd hand him a shovel and point to a spot on a map where a well-digging guide was buried—in a cave packed with monsters holding the person who knew the location.
Atala's will demanded trials and tribulations for any fruit, or so they claimed. In game terms, it was just contrived quest design for difficulty. In reality, it probably meant something like this:
'......They're dressing up their lack of real divine power with needless ordeals and flashy mysticism.'
This seemed like more of the same nonsense.
That slab wasn't a real entrance marker. Probably some pretentious drivel like "death is the gateway to new life." Solving its hidden riddle might yield a reward, but it'd be pathetically meager compared to the effort.
Of course, his prediction might be wrong. Among the shamans, there was exactly one exception.
The shaman with divine power beyond all others, who performed miracles without the hassle.
"......"
Oblivious to Kadim's thoughts, Ilenia busied herself searching for a way in. She pulled out talismans etched with ancient script, bizarre metal ornaments, a rusted bronze bell, and more from her bag.
"Ar, del- kia? Rosden ge- mra, s-deb......"
She lined up the antiques, muttering nonsense, or crawled around on all fours sniffing the ground like a dog. No matter how you looked at it, she seemed unhinged.
Kadim watched indifferently. When she showed no sign of stopping, he sat down outright. As he reached back to steady himself, his hand brushed the slab.
Suddenly, the texture of the world changed.
"......!"
Kiriririririk...
Like peeling away a layer of tattered wallpaper, the hazy sky and sodden fields peeled off. Beyond it slowly emerged an ebony darkness. The relentless downpour stopped, replaced by murky air seeping into his lungs.
As his eyes adjusted to the dark, torches flared to life on the walls. Solid rock on both sides, a long passage stretching ahead, seamless smooth floors and walls—and the archaeologist's stunned face—all came into view.
"Wh-what? What did you do? What's happening...... No, where is this......?"
"......"
In the blink of an eye, they'd shifted from the eastern plains of Messen to this unidentified space.
Kadim reflexively stood and raised a throwing axe. He didn't know the exact context, but his accumulated experience and instincts screamed that they'd landed in quite the headache.
"Over here. Pack up that junk quick."
"Y-yes? Oh, y-yes!"
Kadim checked the back path. It didn't take long to hit a dead-end wall with no exit. Knocking on it yielded no hollow sounds. The passage urged them forward only.
Turning, he saw eyes trembling with anxiety, seeking explanation. Kadim furrowed his brow slightly and said,
"I don't know what happened either. Seems some bizarre sorcery activated. But we can't stay put, so we'll head in and look for an exit. I'll scout ahead—you can stay here if you want."
"N-no, I'll come too! No guarantee staying put is safe......"
"Fine. Then stay alert—anything could jump out. And absolutely don't touch anything recklessly."
"......Yes, got it."
Kadim advanced slowly, senses heightened. No immediate threats so far. Ilenia shook off her confusion and matched the barbarian's pace. Regular torches lined the walls, making the space resemble a corridor carved from natural stone.
But that was too simplistic. After a few hundred steps, they realized this was no ordinary place.
"......"
"......"
Crammed crimson ancient script, distorted human silhouettes, warped weapon outlines, shadows of roaring monsters and demons...
Like the ravings of a madman obsessed, grotesque patterns filled every inch of wall and floor without mercy.
Overwhelmed, Ilenia subtly clutched Kadim's cloak.
"Could this really be... the ruins made by the last shamans of the wilderness? But I've never gotten in before—why this time......?"
"......"
Kadim pondered silently. His prediction was wrong.
That slab was truly an "entrance." One that summoned people into this bizarre sorcery-forged space. He hadn't expected the shamans to label it so honestly.
Questions abounded, but they couldn't stop. Kadim callously shook off the hand on his cloak and pressed on. Ilenia awkwardly curled her lips before hurrying after. The deeper they went, the thicker the ominous air grew, until faint sounds echoed from the profound darkness ahead.
...Thung, thung, thung, thung...
"What’s that sound? Drums?"
"......"
It didn't take long to identify it.
At the passage's end lay a circular chamber. Forty long strides across, illuminated by reddish torchlight ringing the ceiling like a corona.
In one corner: a red-painted leather drum floating alone, mallets beating it without a drummer.
Thung, thung, thung, thung!
"Back up. This doesn't look good."
"Eek!"
Kadim yanked Ilenia fully back. Even from the props and layout, it screamed "ambush spot." He raised sword and axe sharply, focus razor-tight.
Sure enough, something emerged.
Kuduk, kuduk, kuduk...
Earth welled up from below, molding an unknown form.
Kadim had no intention of waiting for it to finish. He hurled an axe straight at the mound.
Prarrarak, pa-gak!
Dust and gritty particles sprayed. The mound shattered, losing all shape. But it wasn't over. Other mounds erupted simultaneously around the room.
Kadim swung his arm wide, calling his power in a circle.
Prarrarak, pu-geogeogeogak!
Salmon arced back like a crescent moon. Mounds caught in its path exploded into dust one after another, collapsing.
Kadim threw Salmon again while extending his sword hilt, swinging Mosquito. The unsatisfied bloodless blade vibrated but steadily smashed the growing earth. Amid the metal frenzy, dirt flew, whipping up a dusty storm around him.
Pu-geogak, pufak, kwaaagagaga-!
But the room was vast, and the mounds too numerous.
Distant ones from Kadim finally completed. Shedding earth texture, they gained leather, steel, and coppery flesh surfaces, standing upright on two legs.
Kadim's eyes twitched. The finished forms weren't unfamiliar.
They looked just like his own kin.
"Master of unyielding battles, glory to Atala..." "Arbiter of eternal war, glory to Atala..."
[Great Warrior of Atala... If it is you, overcome the trial and prove your strength.]
The warriors raised weapons, praising their god in gloomy tones.
Thung, thung, thung, thung!
The drumbeats pounded his heart. Then a clear intent resonated through his mind.
Kadim gritted his teeth hard.
'Damn shamans, pulling their usual bullshit again.'