Chapter 7

After exchanging promises, the Reeds entered the forest, and the three of us decided to return to the village of Ophel.

After lunch, we were supposed to set out for the neighboring village, and I didn't want to linger near the forest and risk being attacked by a powerful monster by mistake.

"Well, what did you think of the negotiation just now?"

I asked the two of them on the way.

The two of them scratched their heads.

"By giving up the pendant, they admitted defeat... but it doesn't really feel like they lost."

Giles muttered.

Stanishev also spoke up.

"It doesn't feel like they lost because we gained something, but they didn't gain much, right?"

"Stanishev, that's correct."

At my words, the two of them turned to look at me.

"Their failure was not realizing that it was strange for us to offer conditions while saying we would 'keep the promise.' That negotiation was about a new contract, unrelated to the previous duel."

"A new contract?"

I nodded at Stanishev.

"Yes. In exchange for not bothering them in the future, we made a contract to have them unseal the secret ruins in Tena Village."

"Ruins! There are ruins in Tena Village?!"

"I've never heard of such a thing."

Giles let out a surprised cry, and Stanishev tilted his head in confusion.

"They exist. It was written in an ancient document buried in our library, so no one else would know."

I lied casually.

Actually, it's game knowledge.

After Tena Village was destroyed by monsters, if you visit the abandoned village, you can find the entrance to the ruins by investigating the back of a burned-down old shrine.

By the time you get there, the seal on the entrance will already be broken, but the key to unsealing it was apparently the blue pendant that Tina possesses.

Why is it hearsay?

Because the protagonist didn't witness the unsealing directly. He rescued Tina from her captors and added her to the party, and later heard the story from her.

So, the heroine Tina was kidnapped by the enemy during the chaos of the monster attack. Reed sets out on a journey to find her, who has gone missing.

Tina was apparently taken to the ruins in the abandoned Tena Village by her kidnappers and forced to unseal the entrance.

After rescuing Tina, the protagonist and his party explore the ruins based on her information. They find that while the treasure chests are untouched, something from the altar in the deepest part of the ruins has been taken.

What was enshrined there?

In fact, the answer is never explicitly stated in the game and remains a mystery.

Among fans, it is speculated that it is related to the secret of Tina's birth and is some kind of weapon or item connected to the final boss, the evil god Ygna. However, since it was not even mentioned in the official strategy guide or setting materials, the truth remains unknown.

Now, there might be a mysterious item within reach. A faint hope that it might help me break my cursed fate.

After much deliberation last night, I decided to confirm what it is.

"According to the ancient document, powerful equipment and items are said to be sleeping in the ruins. If we can obtain them, our combat strength will be significantly enhanced."

The subordinates' eyes lit up.

I understand their excitement. Treasure hunting is a timeless romance for boys.

The ancient document is a lie, but it's true that we can obtain some equipment. Even though it's a ruin from the early part of the game, we can get items that are useful until the later stages.

The problem is...

"The problem is that the monsters that appear are also quite powerful. Saber tigers and the like are said to appear. It seems you need to be around level 25 to handle it."

"Level 25!!"

The two of them looked up at the sky.

"That's quite a high goal..."

Giles muttered.

Yeah, that's the kind of reaction I expected.

Level 25 is roughly the level of a young knight in the royal knight corps. In terms of adventurer ranks, it's around the upper level. Since the average soldier is around level 15, level 25 is quite high in this world. Even if we work hard to level up from now, it's uncertain whether we can be ready in time for the monster attack.

Incidentally, the level required to clear the first playthrough of "Ygtria Notes" is around 55-65, which shows how powerful the protagonist's party is. Of course, there are even stronger rivals in the arena, so the world is vast.

"I have some ideas about leveling up. For now, just accompany me in my training."

"O-Okay!" "I-I'll train too?!"

Giles's eyes darted around, and Stanishev looked pitiful.

"Got it?"

"Okay!! (Yes...)"

And so, our immediate goal was decided.

To be honest, I think I was a bit overconfident at the time.

Since I had been able to manipulate people with my words, persuade them, negotiate, and even slightly rewrite the game's scenario, I felt that even if difficulties came one after another, I could probably handle them somehow.

After all, it's a game world.

But reality wasn't that sweet.

I would soon learn, painfully, just how difficult it is to turn the situation around.

Literally.

Thank you for reading this work.

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