Chapter 77
Chapter 77
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: The Fourth
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast of Azgal Rock, past the Kingdom of Karadun, lies a mountain called Muradin if you head northwest again. The winds were fierce, and densely grown trees formed a thick forest.
This mountain called Muradin was the only one in Azgal Rock teeming with lush vegetation. We were traveling along the green path deep within its woods.
'Good thing there haven't been any issues.'
While staying in the Kingdom of Karadun, part of the mansion had been destroyed due to summoning my inner world. Yet the kingdom hadn't held us accountable. It was Grenil who had stepped in to smooth over what could have escalated into a serious incident.
I recalled what Grenil had said before we left the kingdom.
'I will fulfill my duties and come find you.'
Had he gained some enlightenment through my memories? His attitude was more deferential than ever. That was exactly what I wanted. Expanding the ranks of the Infinite Archive School was a very positive development, even if it was uncertain when it might happen.
Sitting inside the turtle golem, I unrolled a large map. Beyond the three towering peaks of Muradin Mountain lay the Kingdom of Tenern. It was the place responsible for feeding all the dwarves of Azgal Rock.
It was also known as the heart of Azgal Rock.
Even after acquiring rune letters and engraving magic, we hadn't left Azgal Rock due to a certain legend tying the region to those runes.
I pulled out a small notebook and opened it on top of the map. It was one of the items I'd taken from inside the mansion out of personal curiosity before departing the kingdom—someone's personal research notes scribbled in diary form.
Surprisingly, the contents were written in the language of the Kingdom of Ber.
[Regarding the Origin of Rune Letters]
Before the Muradin Mountains were filled with dense forests and springs as they are today, this place was said to have been nothing but barren rock. What's intriguing is that rune letters and engraving magic emerged together at the turning point of this change.
When the ancient dwarves first settled in Muradin, the soil was so infertile that even mining was impossible. To solve this, they turned to rune letters.
-The mystery that forms the origin of the rune letters dwarves use today. A script now lost.
However, its power was infinitely weak. No matter how mystical the letters, reviving land that was already dead proved impossible.
-Even now, it's impossible to cover Azgal Rock's barren mountains with vegetation.
But the colossal beast 'Lem Drain' appeared, marking a turning point.
-A massive lifeform that blotted out the sky. Form with dozens of wings and long, dangling tree roots?
-Records note impressive rune letters engraved all over its body. The origin of rune letters?
Lem Drain overlaid its own runes atop those carved by the ancestors. In that instant, the barren rock mountain transformed into a cradle of life.
Rune letters are not mere spells but one of the laws of the world.
Unknown when the dwarven ancestors began using rune letters.
Given that colossal beasts often appear in tales linked to rune letters, it's possible the letters themselves were a means for communicating with them.
Possibly not dwarven in origin?
-Legends claim ancestral gods bestowed them, but unconfirmed.
Rune letters as the language of ancient colossal beings?
-Unverifiable. All scholars who attempted communication with ancient colossal beings died.
Lem Drain's existence uncertain.
-Descriptions in discovered records vary.
-Green?
-Thousands of tree roots—is it truly a living creature?
-Could be scales, not roots.
-Dozens of wings sounds absurd.
I stared at the notebook for a long while, then gazed out from the turtle golem. Beyond the suffocatingly thick mountains, the three peaks rose steadily into view.
My eyes etched with starlight. The gaze of Arcana, which beheld mysteries, saw nothing.
"Durel. Have you decided what to try first?"
"Of course. First, the fruit wine—especially the Veil Wine you can only drink there."
"Kehhehe. This kid knows his stuff despite his youth?"
"My body may be young, but my mind is that of an adult."
I watched my two disciples chatting idly, chins propped on hands. They used to bicker constantly, but now they conversed as comfortably as close friends. The sight naturally drew a chuckle from me.
The wind was cool, carrying a rich fruit aroma. The distant murmur of a river stream roused my hazy mind. The turtle golem never stopped moving, even as we slept.
We had passed through the densely wooded forest and finally arrived near the Kingdom of Tenern.
Despite crossing just a few mountains, it felt like stepping into an entirely different world. Instead of stark rock peaks, vibrant green foliage and the refreshing sound of water filled a forest brimming with life.
Following the long forest road, my gaze fell on a massive rock cliff. Amid the thick vegetation cloaking the cliff, a huge iron gate loomed—the sole entrance to the Kingdom of Tenern.
A throng of people crowded before it.
"This is going to take quite a while to get through."
"Simo. We're mages. We don't need to wait in line with the common folk. Soldiers will come soon enough."
As Durel said, we didn't have to wait. Controlling a golem marked us as mages.
After parking the golem beside the line for the gate, dwarven soldiers hurried over. What followed was much like our entry into Karadun: we were escorted to a separate area for a brief inspection, deactivated the golem, and passed through the gate right away.
"Ooh..."
"What a splendid place."
"Is this really where dwarves live...? It feels completely different from Karadun."
My eyes were drawn to the countless rune letters etched into the stone path beneath our feet. The interior structure was hollow. These weren't functional magic but purely decorative runes.
The city inside buzzed with astonishing vitality. If Karadun had felt like a fortress due to its solid black iron, Tenern evoked a space for respite. The structures, harmonized with nature, were remarkably refined, reminiscent of theme parks from my past life.
I'd felt it in Karadun too, but dwarven craftsmanship was truly exceptional. If I ever built structures for the Infinite Archive School far in the future, I'd want to hire their artisans.
"Master! Where to first?"
"The exchange, right?"
"No. Secure an inn first."
As I answered my disciples and started walking, I added that we didn't need the exchange. All three dwarven kingdoms inside Azgal Rock used the same currency.
This time, no friendly dwarf guided us. If we wanted information, we'd have to seek it out on foot.
After booking rooms at a suitable inn, I handed each disciple a gold coin.
"Go have fun. If you hear anything about unique runes or mages, let me know later."
"You're heading out alone, Master?"
"I want to stick with Master..."
"It's better to split up and cover more ground for information than travel together."
With that, Simo and Durel didn't press further. They nodded glumly, whispering among themselves.
-Master seems in a bad mood.
-Let's buy something tasty.
-He likes sweets. Candy would be good.
After parting with my disciples, I strolled lightly through the streets.
Unlike Karadun, Tenern used rune letters in everyday life. Their advantage lay in condensing what normal script expressed at length. It gave a vibe similar to modern hanja.
Of course, many used them simply for style.
'The fruit wine's supposed to be good...'
Walking along, the sweet scent of fruit wine wafting from the path whetted my appetite curiously. Following the aroma naturally led me to a large tavern.
The tavern's layout was unique. A long bar stretched exposed to the outside, fostering a casual vibe where anyone could drop by for a drink.
'They serve cocktails here.'
It seemed more a spot for locals than tourists. Most furniture was sized for dwarves, so Simo probably couldn't even enter.
I approached naturally and took a seat.
"First time here? What'll it be?"
The friendly voice came from the bartender across the counter. He bustled about on short limbs, polishing an empty glass.
"Something you recommend, please."
"Hmm... Then..."
At my request, the bartender's hands moved swiftly. He mixed two nameless liquors in a glass, then added a drop of thick purple liquid on top. Inside the clear glass, purple mist spread ethereally from the clear pour.
Swoosh—
"This one's called Tears of Lem Drain. Our most popular combo."
"Lem Drain..."
"Interested in Lem Drain?"
I lightly swirled the glass in my hand. Taking a sip of the vortex, a sweet yet bittersweet forest aroma flooded my mouth.
"Know anything about it? Lem Drain."
"Lem Drain... In the old tongue, it's called the Myriad Image Dragon."
The bartender began recounting the ancient tale of Lem Drain.