Chapter 88

They arrived uneventfully at the ancient ruins near the capital. Of course, the road from the capital to the ancient ruins was well-maintained, and the threat of monsters was minimal. Minimal, but not entirely absent.

This time, they were lucky enough not to encounter any monsters. The knights did patrol and eliminate them, but sometimes they would miss one, leading to occasional encounters.

The four entered the ancient ruins. On the way, the king, who seemed to be bored, talked a lot. Leord, who was targeted, conversed with the king but occasionally looked at the chancellor, hoping for a change. However, the chancellor, finding it troublesome to talk to the king, subtly avoided Leord’s gaze. Seeing that the chancellor was no help, Leord turned to Richte, only to be met with a smile that deflected his request. Realizing he had no allies, Leord continued the conversation with the king, his eyes lifeless.

Guided by Leord, they smoothly reached the room containing the teleportation magic circle.

"Is this it...?"

"Yes, this is it."

"Hmm. Is this the teleportation magic circle at our feet?"

"That's right, Chancellor. This magic circle is the lost legendary teleportation magic."

"Wow~"

A sharp sound of a sword being drawn was heard. Leord, drenched in cold sweat, turned to Richte with a jolt. There, Richte was already gripping his sword. Seeing the kingdom’s strongest man with his hand on his sword, Leord was paralyzed with tension.

"Let me make it clear, I still don't trust you."

"Y-Yes."

"Don't make any funny moves. Or I'll cut you down."

As Richte’s figure blurred, a flash of light appeared next to Leord. Richte, who had tapped Leord’s shoulder, made Leord jump and look at his side profile.

At that moment, Leord’s bangs fell. Leord, shocked, forgot to breathe. Could it be that Richte had drawn his sword and cut his bangs in that instant?

"You were surprised. You recognized the moment I drew my sword."

Leord couldn’t respond. Seeing such a feat of skill, Leord didn’t know what to say. The only thing he could say was that the title of the kingdom’s strongest was well-deserved.

Finally regaining his composure, Leord decided to let the three experience the teleportation magic.

"Then, I will have you experience the teleportation magic. Please step onto the magic circle, Your Majesties."

The king stepped onto the magic circle without hesitation, the chancellor did so hesitantly, and Richte, without taking his eyes off Leord, also stepped onto the circle. Leord, terrified by Richte’s gaze, decided to endure it, as it was natural for someone in a position to protect the king to be vigilant.

After confirming that the three were on the circle, Leord made the final check.

"Then, I will activate the teleportation magic. You may be blinded by an intense light, but it will not harm you. Here we go!"

Leord activated the teleportation magic for the fourth time. A blinding light enveloped the four of them.

When the four opened their eyes again, the room’s interior had changed dramatically. They were in the ancient ruins Leord had discovered, with a large bookshelf filled with books in front of them.

"Is this... really a teleportation?"

"The room’s interior has changed..."

"..."

(Richte’s eyes are so scary!

He still doesn’t seem to believe it...)

The two who still couldn’t believe it looked around the room, while Richte stared at Leord with a smile, though his eyes were not smiling. Despite his fear, Leord moved to prove it to the three.

"I know it’s hard to believe, but the teleportation was successful. This is the ancient ruins I discovered. Outside this room, there are the remains of the mithril golem I reported. If you see them, you will believe me."

"Hmm. Then, let’s go and see."

Leord, leading the cheerful king, the suspicious chancellor, and Richte, who was ready to strike at any moment, opened the door to the room. There, the remains of the mithril golem Leord had defeated before lay scattered.

Seeing this, the three had no doubt. The teleportation magic existed, and Leord’s report was all true.

The king approached the mithril golem’s remains and touched them to confirm if they were real. Holding a piece of the shattered mithril golem, the king placed it on the floor after confirming.

"It doesn’t seem like a fake. It’s impossible to prepare something like this in that brief moment of dizziness."

"Then, Your Majesty, the teleportation magic is real?"

"Yes. Chancellor, this is no lie. Leord, I apologize for doubting you so much."

"N-No! It’s not your fault, Your Majesty. It’s my actions that led to this. If it were my father, you wouldn’t have doubted him."

"I doubt that. Your father, Beluga, was indeed more trustworthy than you. However, it’s hard to believe in the existence of teleportation magic right away. I had to see it with my own eyes."

"Then, will you acknowledge it?"

"Yes! I acknowledge it. Alberion, the 64th king of the Argabein Kingdom, praises your great discovery, Leord!"

Leord, trembling with joy, almost let out a roar but quickly knelt and bowed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"On the contrary, I should be the one to thank you. You have contributed not only to this country but to the world. I am happy, Leord, to have a vassal like you."

"Your words are too kind, Your Majesty."

"Haha... Then, let’s go outside for now. I’ll leave the tour to you."

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will guide you!"

Leord led the three out of the ancient ruins.