Chapter 213: The Secret Hidden Underground (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 213: The Secret Hidden Underground (1)
It was a day like any other.
While engrossed in his solitary training, Roman Dmitry received a report from Hans: something had been discovered deep beneath the iron mine.
'An artificially constructed passage? That should be practically impossible.'
Excavating a mine shaft required artificially carving out a path—shaping earth and solid rock into a workable form. Therefore, the existence of a pre-existing, man-made passage beneath the mine made no sense. This was a subterranean depth that had never seen human access. How could a passage have been built down there, and for what purpose?
Perhaps it was a dungeon.
According to historical lore, archmages often built their sanctuaries in spaces physically inaccessible to others.
Roman arrived at the iron mine. It was located past several mountains, and as he followed Morcan's guidance, a massive cavern came into view.
"It is here."
The passage leading underground was unmistakably artificial. After traveling down it for some time, a sight unfolded before them that laid to rest any doubt about its nature.
"I cannot tell you how shocked I was when I saw this," Morcan said. "When we first surveyed the ground for the mining operations, we didn't detect any such space underground. But as we dug the shaft, the empty space created a void, leading to a cave-in. Who on earth could have built something like this?"
A massive door.
At the very end of the passage, a heavy steel door blocked the way. It was not a simple slab of metal, but one engraved with intricate patterns. Its very existence proved this was an entrance meant to be used. For Roman Dmitry, this could not be overlooked. The Endless Mountains were a strategically vital location for his territory, and he needed to investigate this thoroughly.
"Summon Felix."
"Understood."
Roman could have easily channeled his Aura to cut through the steel. However, to guard against the possibility of magical traps, he decided to have Felix attempt to open it first.
A short while later, Felix arrived. He immediately examined the door and quickly reached a conclusion.
"The entire steel door is infused with magical energy. If we had tried to force it open, the mana would likely have triggered an explosion, causing the underground passage to collapse. First, I will use my own mana to neutralize the risk."
Thus began a tedious process.
Three days passed. Felix remained glued to the steel door, meticulously dismantling the mana structure. It was a delicate task that a mage of ordinary skill wouldn't dare attempt, and even Felix was drenched in sweat as he worked. Finally, under Roman Dmitry's watchful eye, Felix succeeded in unlocking the mechanism.
"...I've opened it!"
Whoosh.
Mana surged. Everyone's eyes locked onto the energy spreading across the steel surface.
Creeeak.
The heavy door swung open.
It was at that exact moment. Just as Felix leaned forward in anticipation to peer past the door, a rough hand grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and flung him against the wall. His bewilderment lasted only a second. When Felix raised his head to see who had thrown him, Roman Dmitry was already leaping forward, bodily blocking the space where Felix had just been standing.
And then—
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
Dozens of arrows rained down, hurtling straight toward Roman Dmitry.
* * *
Beyond the door, Roman's sharp senses had detected the incoming projectiles. Reacting instantly, he had flung Felix back and formed a Sword Barrier, deflecting every single arrow.
Clatter, clatter.
The arrows fell harmlessly to the floor. His face pale with shock, Felix realized what had just happened and spoke in a trembling voice.
"It seems to be a dungeon rigged with traps."
Just now, Felix had been completely unable to react. The arrow attack had been swift and lethal enough to overwhelm even a mage's heightened senses, meaning this place was designed to violently deny entry. It was an ironic setup. While the presence of a steel door suggested a passage meant to be used, it was rigged with explosive mana and an ambush that fired the moment it opened.
Roman Dmitry spoke. "I will investigate the inside from here on."
"It is too dangerous! We don't know what kind of traps are lurking in there. Even if it takes some time, it would be better to fully map them out first."
"No. If there are living beings inside, they likely realized our presence the moment the door opened. The longer we delay, the greater the risk we will have to bear. Wait here."
He took a step forward. He had made his decision, and everyone present acknowledged that despite the danger, it was the best course of action.
Step.
He crossed the threshold. Expanding his senses, he prepared for any unforeseen variables.
Barely ten steps in, the walls split open, revealing hidden mechanisms loaded with arrows.
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
It was a ruthless surprise attack. Hundreds of arrows flew from all directions, but Roman Dmitry raised his Sword Barrier once again, effortlessly blocking the onslaught. That was only the beginning. With every step he took, arrows shot out from the shadows, and in some places, the ground suddenly collapsed to reveal pits of sharp spears waiting below.
And then—
'...Poison?'
A pungent gas sprayed from the walls. It was a highly lethal toxin that would instantly kill an ordinary person, but the moment Roman Dmitry inhaled it, he circulated his mana to neutralize it. Having already experienced the legendary poisons of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Roman was utterly impervious to this level of toxicity. The creator of this subterranean space had prepared extensively, but they had met the wrong opponent. None of their traps worked.
This made one thing clear: the master of this place had built a passage, yet paradoxically refused to allow anyone else to tread upon it.
'The Mechanisms and Formations of the Zhuge Clan were much like this.'
The Five Great Clans of the Righteous Faction. While the Sichuan Tang Clan caused endless trouble with their poisons, the Zhuge Clan drove the Demonic Cultists into corners with their brilliant intellect and deadly traps utilizing Mechanisms and Formations. Yet, even back then, Baek Joong-hyuk's sheer martial might had rendered his opponents' elaborate plans useless. The Zhuge Clan were geniuses acknowledged by all, but they had no way to withstand a force that completely transcended their calculations.
Ultimately, for a trap to succeed, there had to be at least a sliver of vulnerability. Roman Dmitry left no such opening, bypassing every single trap in the underground space in an instant.
Finally, the end was in sight.
At the end of the pathway lay an open chamber, and suddenly, a voice echoed from within.
"Halt!"
It was a deep, angry voice. Just as he expected. Deep beneath the Endless Mountains, living beings resided.
* * *
The owner of the voice spoke again. "This is our land. If you take another step, I guarantee your life will be forfeit."
The voice was sharp and resonant. The unseen entity seethed with hostility.
Under normal circumstances, Roman Dmitry might have been open to compromise. But the fact that this was the Endless Mountains made it a completely different matter.
"I am Roman Dmitry of the Dmitry family. The Endless Mountains are Dmitry's territory, and we discovered this underground passage while developing our iron mine. Reveal yourselves and state your identity. If you fail to adequately explain your presence, I cannot overlook an element that poses a threat to Dmitry."
The Endless Mountains were Dmitry's safety net. The treacherous mountain range naturally barred any foreign invasion, and Roman Dmitry had established Dmitry's final stronghold there. Ever since he began shaping the environment to resemble the Hundred Thousand Mountains, agriculture utilizing the flatlands of the mountain range had flourished. In time, Dmitry would become completely self-sufficient.
But now, if there were living beings residing in the Endless Mountains completely unrelated to Dmitry, this unpredictable variable threatened to render the very concept of a "final stronghold" utterly meaningless.
"Nonsense! We have no reason to explain anything to you!"
"That is not for you to decide. According to continental law, the Endless Mountains are recognized as Cairo's territory, and Dmitry has inherited those rights. I am not here to negotiate with you. I am weighing whether to eradicate the beings who have secretly settled on Dmitry's land, or to recognize your right to exist. If you maintain your current attitude, this situation will not end well."
Shring.
He drew his sword.
Beyond the chamber, the sounds of hurried movement echoed. However, the silhouettes detected by his mana were slightly different from those of ordinary humans.
Just then, a voice barked out. "Damn humans! Do not try to impose your human laws on us!"
Along with the furious shout, the owner of the voice finally revealed himself.
* * *
Short stature. A sturdy, stocky build. A bushy beard.
Their physical characteristics pointed to a single race.
'...Dwarves?'
It was unmistakable. They were a non-human race.
They were the race of craftsmen, known to be blessed by the anvil. Though they possessed physical traits similar to humans, they were entirely different beings. In truth, non-human races were not mere legends. Though rare, they still existed on the continent; there were rumors of Dark Elves hiding in the Southern Jungle, and the enchanting voices of Sirens echoing from nameless islands across the sea.
Occasionally, non-human slaves even appeared in underground slave markets. They commanded exorbitant prices, and in the case of Dwarves, they were almost always sold to master blacksmiths.
The Dwarf spoke, his tone fierce. "We do not care by what standards humans divide their borders. We have settled in this underground since ancient times, and that is an undeniable fact. You said your name is Roman Dmitry? I have lived for two hundred and eighty years. When I was born on this land and received the blessings of my kin, humans had never once set foot here. By what right do you claim this is your land?!"
His voice was thick with hostility. The non-human races despised humans.
Although historical records showed they had once lived in harmony, the greed of humans who hunted and enslaved non-humans had permanently ruined that relationship. By now, this generational resentment was deeply ingrained in their bones. For the sole reason that he was human, the Dwarf could not accept Roman Dmitry's presence.
'He is trembling.'
Roman noticed the Dwarf's hand. The large, calloused hand gripping his axe was trembling ever so slightly.
They had seen it too. Witnessing Roman bypass their deadly traps flawlessly, they realized he was an enemy they could not defeat with their own strength. And yet, they had shown themselves and raised their voices. They believed that if they didn't stand their ground now, their lives would be forfeit anyway.
'A non-human race living in the Endless Mountains. How should I deal with them?'
In this matter, the distinction of race was not the core issue. Setting aside the fact that they were Dwarves, Roman Dmitry focused on the reality of their presence in the Endless Mountains. As they said, the ownership of the mountains might well be a unilateral claim by humans. However, if they posed a potential threat to Dmitry, their historical claims held no weight.
Eliminating potential threats was the fundamental duty of a commander. Roman Dmitry was more than willing to be ruthless if necessary.
"As you say, this may indeed be your land and not Dmitry's. However, what I require is assurance that your presence poses no threat to us. The Endless Mountains border Dmitry. Just as we have stepped into your territory, you are close enough to step into ours at any moment. Therefore, give me assurance. Give me a reason not to treat you as enemies, and the certainty that our coexistence is safe. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to make a definitive decision."
It was a complex issue. Unlike the Kronos Empire, which actively sought continental conquest, this was a matter of mutual survival for Dmitry and the Dwarves.
If they simply overlooked this encounter, could they continue to ignore each other's existence as they had before? It was impossible. The workers at the iron mine would eventually spread word of the Dwarves' existence, and one way or another, their proximity would grate on each other's nerves. That was exactly how the seeds of conflict were sown.
Having ruled as the Heavenly Demon, Roman Dmitry had seen countless times how minor friction could escalate into a bloody war, which was why he wished to settle their relationship clearly from the very beginning. Just as a portion of the Endless Mountains was their land, another portion was undeniably Dmitry's. Dmitry's history proved as much, and this issue had nothing to do with racial distinctions.
"Assurance? How on earth are we supposed to give you assurance?!"
The Dwarf was flustered. He clearly did not want war, but no answer that would satisfy Roman Dmitry came readily to mind.
It was then. As the Dwarf darted his eyes around in panic, his gaze suddenly locked onto Roman Dmitry's sword.
In that instant, his eyes grew dazed. Even though he knew he shouldn't lose focus in such a tense, touch-and-go situation, he became completely captivated by the blade's exquisite craftsmanship.
"...Could I, by any chance, take a closer look at that sword?"
It was a truly absurd question, completely out of place given the gravity of the situation.