Chapter 10

10

Fortunately, Sharent Clown's son seemed to bend his waist better and had a stronger grip than I did.

Even though it was the same kid, the difference in size made a clear difference.

"Ugh... It's not coming off easily."

As I watched Sharent Clown's son lean in and scrub vigorously, I let out a deep sigh.

'As expected, it was stubborn dirt.'

Still, it seemed to be getting cleaner than when I scrubbed, thanks to Sharent Clown's son's strength.

'Really, where can I get some slime body fluid?'

Getting slime body fluid is actually a simple matter of going to a low-level ruin managed by the magic tower and catching just one slime.

My inability to do that is truly disheartening.

"Alright, is this good enough?"

I narrowed my eyes and carefully examined the pacifier Sharent Clown's son handed me.

It was much more satisfactory than when I scrubbed it.

I thought he was just a crybaby, but he turned out to be more helpful than expected.

I nodded in satisfaction at the slightly cleaner (?) pacifier and put it back in my mouth.

As I sucked, Sharent Clown's son huddled, hugging his knees, and watched me carefully.

"You know, you shouldn't keep coming here, right?"

"Abaa~"

I answered half-heartedly, waving my hands up and down.

It's annoying, really annoying.

Since I can't pick any fruit today, I might as well go back early and take a long nap.

This brat doesn't understand, but babies need to take regular naps.

I complained to the maid that she was raising me, but now it feels like I'm raising myself.

As I crawled, Sharent Clown's son followed closely.

He even crouched and walked, lowering his body as much as possible. No matter how fast I crawled, I couldn't shake him off.

Just as I stopped and turned my head to say something, even if it was just babbling.

Gooaaah!

A huge roar came from the sky.

I perked up my ears.

This is a familiar roar.

And it's a roar that shouldn't be heard here.

'Griffin.'

I easily identified the source of the roar.

The griffin is the guardian and watchman of the intermediate ruins.

"Huh? Moji?"

My tongue got tied as I tilted my head, and I let out a childish voice.

I kicked Sharent Clown's son's ankle calmly.

"Ow! Muh!"

Stupid, idiot!

That guy, despite his size and appearance, is particularly good at targeting small creatures.

Especially moving small creatures.

I tried to pull him by the hem of his clothes, but Sharent Clown's son didn't seem to understand.

"Huh? Baby, what's wrong?"

I don't know.

I had already done my part, and there was no reason to try harder.

Letting go of Sharent Clown's son's hem, I quickly crawled and hid under a large tree.

Gooaaah!

When the griffin roared a second time, people started to appear from their hiding spots.

"What is this... Why is such a demon here!"

Dechar Clown's voice boomed.

It's a bit more surprising that none of the servants are screaming.

They must be well-trained.

The griffin's roar, which had been a normal sound until now, became much louder and more menacing.

With its wings spread wide, the griffin's eyes gleamed in the sky.

Having spotted its prey, the griffin began a vertical descent toward Sharent Clown's son.

"Ah..."

'I knew this would happen.'

That's why I told you to run when you could.

Sharent Clown's son was frozen in shock, likely never having felt such a strong aura before.

Still, with a seasoned veteran like Dechar Clown, it should be fine.

"Kai Shan, come here."

From behind Dechar Clown, a voice that was leisurely, sweet, smooth, and soft, yet also arrogant, rang out.

The owner of the honey-dripping, gentle voice was someone I knew well.

I turned my head toward the source of the voice.

"Ah, Father!"

The expression of Sharent Clown's son, who had been frozen in fear, brightened.

With red, swollen eyes, he ran and clung to his father's legs.

Sharent Clown smiled softly and embraced the child.

I watched the scene silently.

Honestly, I was surprised.

I thought Sharent Clown was a cold and ruthless man who wouldn't understand family love.

He must know how much a family can interfere and threaten someone of his status.

"Stay with Father."

"Yes!"

Sharent Clown's son, who answered bravely, quickly hid beside Dechar Clown.

'Sharent Clown.'

He had already stepped in front of his son and was casually swinging a heavy spear with one hand.

The spear he held was sleek and moved quite quickly.

Moreover, for a weapon that required large movements, his actions were remarkably elegant and without any unnecessary movements.

Even to my eyes, which are almost ignorant of physical combat, he must have reached a high level.

"A pitiful creature seems to have lost its way, Father."

Sharent Clown, facing the griffin's thick magical aura and fierce killing intent, remained calm and composed.

'The rumors about him are not entirely baseless.'

I had heard that he handled all kinds of weapons like toys and had a rather cruel disposition.

The rumor that he conquered a ruin with a small, elite team and obtained an artifact seems to be true.

As long as he's here, my life should be safe.

Feeling more at ease, I looked around.

The griffin, distracted by the oppressive aura Sharent Clown emitted, was now focused on him.

After dodging Sharent Clown's attack, the griffin distanced itself to identify its target.

"What are the magic tower and the mages doing! Isn't the ruin under their jurisdiction!"

"Perhaps it has lost its way along with its master."

As I heard the low voice responding to Dechar Clown's angry tone, I hid in the bushes.

The master it lost control of is probably me, who is now dead.

My mouth felt bitter.

Taking advantage of everyone's attention being on the griffin, it wouldn't be difficult to return to my room.

'Anyway, why isn't it properly managed?'

According to him, the ruins where the griffin resides are under the jurisdiction of the magic tower.

However, it seems that proper management is lacking. Normally, there should be personnel stationed to guard the ruins.

Ruins.

Yes, in this world, there are ruins.

And inside them, artifacts are hidden.

There are no records of how or where these ruins originated.

We don't know why they exist or how they came to be, but they have existed since ancient times, and demons have emerged from them.

Of course, the ruins contain artifacts.

The problem is that to obtain these artifacts, one must pass through the entrance of the ruins on the surface and descend into the endless underground to reach the bottom, where countless demons guard the path to the artifacts.

Artifacts possess very special powers.

There are a few stories about artifacts in ancient texts.

Artifacts can sometimes manipulate people's minds, make animals follow, or possess powers of healing, purification, or cursing.

Possessing an artifact can make one very powerful, and in some cases, it can improve the taste of food.

In the latter case, it may seem cute at first, but once you are addicted to the food, it's as terrifying as a drug, and you can't escape.

However, since artifacts can control life and death, many people desire them, but the walls of the ruins are so high that only those with considerable skill can even attempt to obtain them.

There are two main types of artifacts in the ruins.

One is the holy relic, which is considered the most sacred and is regarded as the highest-level holy object.

The other is the demonic relic, which possesses an evil aura comparable to that of a holy relic.

Only about eight types of artifacts have been publicly revealed.

Considering that there are thirty-seven known ruins, this number is very low.

It's that difficult to enter and return alive.

Currently, in this Hairen Empire, there are three holy relics.

One is owned by the Clown Dukedom, another by the royal family, and the last one is stored in the temple.

I heard that the temple's artifact already has an owner.

The information about the Clown Dukedom's artifact is extremely limited, and it's unknown who owns or stores it. I heard that the royal family's artifact hasn't found an owner.

The magic tower manages two demonic relics and one holy relic.

Of the other two, one is owned by a kingdom across the sea, and the other is owned by a barren empire built on a desert.

'They should do their job properly if they're going to kick people out.'

I felt annoyed for no reason.

With a bitter feeling, I crawled down the empty corridor.