Chapter 69

Walking through the corridor of the ruins, Eberheid touched the door that had been closed for a long time.

On the pedestal where the griffin once stood, there was nothing now.

"Open."

As Eberheid chanted, the stone door rose.

At the same time, a loud noise could be heard from outside the ruins.

"The windows seem to have opened."

It was clear from a quick glance that this was the structure.

"…It seems so."

Eberheid answered briefly.

Although he seemed to be restraining himself, there was a sense of excitement in his tone.

At a time like this, he should have been more candid in his joy, but he was truly a man of principle.

"Ho-ho, finally, the treasure known as the 'Arrow of the God' lies ahead! Wait for me, Eberheid, I, Wegener, will take the lead…"

Wegener said this, but then retreated meekly after being glared at by Eberheid.

What are you really here for…?

Beyond the door, a long corridor stretched out.

Inside the room, magic stones were placed. They were the source of the barrier's power.

They were of the royal grade. Several of them were placed there.

If one were to take a detour instead of going straight, even more could be found.

These were from the Elven Magic Pantheon of two thousand years ago.

Although their value had likely fallen due to continuous consumption by the barrier, they were still a mountain of treasure.

I thought about collecting them later, but Eberheid continued to move deeper into the ruins.

It seemed that this was not the right time, so I decided to put it off.

I can read the atmosphere, at least to that extent.

It's a shame, though. It's really a shame.

But is there really a treasure worth ignoring those stones ahead?

If they were in their original state, they would have been worth nearly a billion.

The market price of magic stones might have been different, or perhaps royal-grade magic stones were abundant in the Elven homeland in the sky.

Elves are generally exclusive and would not come down for trade, nor would others allow it.

The price difference could be significant.

As Eberheid walked through the corridor, he spoke.

"I am grateful, Abel. I do not have much time left, and it is good that I can achieve my goal before I die. I have no descendants to entrust my lifelong wish to."

"Please, don't be so modest. You would have managed, Eberheid."

"Analysis can be delayed for years by a single oversight. You have a point, given how much you boasted."

"Hmm, Eberheid, you don't have any children? I find that surprising, really."

Meara, who was walking with me, interjected.

I hurriedly covered Meara's mouth.

"Hey, wh-what are you doing, Abel!"

"Gah!"

"Hey, you easily broke free."

She easily broke free.

It was embarrassing.

"N-no, that topic is… taboo…"

"…It doesn't matter."

Eberheid, facing forward, continued speaking.

"Elves, in the ground where the moon's magic barely reaches, gradually lose their physical abilities with each generation. Especially, their ability to bear children. Even in the sky, Elves can only conceive when the moon is near."

Therefore, Elves living in the sky are often called High Elves to distinguish them from those who do not.

I have heard that Elves generally have a high sense of self-esteem.

For Eberheid, this classification must be a great humiliation.

"I am nearly three hundred years old, but I have never been able to have a child."

…I thought Eberheid was over four hundred, but it was three hundred.

The decline in lifespan must have started.

Elves have a strong tendency towards racial supremacy.

It seems Eberheid did not consider having children with another race.

"I have dedicated my life to the deactivation of this ruin's barrier."

"Three hundred… years…"

"I am not alone. My father, grandfather, and generations before me have worked to deactivate the barrier. Finally, in my generation, we succeeded in deactivating the outermost part of the barrier."

That's why the notes were so well-organized, as if they had seen it all.

They were so meticulous that I even suspected the people who sealed it left hints for their descendants.

It was a thousand-year effort.

Without those notes, I would have been at a loss.

"Finally, I have come here… I have made it in time."

Eberheid covered his mouth with his hand and smiled genuinely for the first time.

But that smile was a bit unsettling.

I felt my own mouth twitch as I tried to smile back.

I couldn't help but stop.

Eberheid left me behind and continued walking forward.

"Eberheid… sir?"

I remained standing, muttering to myself.

Then, I thought.

Regardless of others, Eberheid must have known the value of the magic stones.

Why did he ignore them and prioritize the deeper part of the ruins without hesitation?

Eberheid said he wanted to uncover what was in the Zesum ruins.

So, he must not know what is in the deeper part of the ruins.

One could interpret his decision to ignore the magic stones as a focus on his goal of exploring the deeper part of the ruins.

I could interpret it that way, but something still felt off.

The smile from earlier also bothered me.

"What's wrong, Abel?"

Meara, walking beside me, asked.

"N-nothing…"

It's just my imagination.

It must be my imagination.

"Does it feel bad? I understand, I have a good sense for these things. Don't leave me, I'm here to protect you. A swordsman's role is to be a shield for the mage."

Maisen, who was walking behind us, came closer.

"…Are you just saying that because you think it's safest to be near Abel?"

Meara pulled on my right shoulder.

"Of course! Is that so wrong? I will be safe with guaranteed support, and Abel will be safe from surprise attacks! It's also practical!"

Maisen pulled on my left shoulder.

What a strange situation.

"Hey, freelance mage. Protect this Wegener…"

Regardless, I immediately resumed walking and chased after Eberheid.