Chapter 28

Using 《Transfer》, I sent Yurii to Lobrion and returned to Ars Island once again.

I immediately had Yurii and the blue-haired people start making weapons for the rat people.

Now, Elicia, Selena, Tia, and I are in the back courtyard of the town hall.

"You can draw water from the well, or you can turn on the faucet in each household."

I said, looking at the place designated as a water drinking spot.

It seems that in the old days, water could be obtained from homes without having to go to the well.

"Let's try turning on the water! If the water is still flowing smoothly, drinkable water should come out!"

Selena said and turned the faucet at the water drinking spot in the back courtyard of the town hall.

A hissing sound echoed, which was probably evidence that the water was rising.

Selena said proudly,

"Sure enough, the technology of our Lucsia Empire is amazing! It's still working after a thousand years! The taste is also top-notch! Please drink it—huh?"

Selena, who was about to scoop up the water with a cup, suddenly stopped.

"W-What the hell is this!?"

Selena screamed at the black water coming out of the faucet.

It was a color that was far from drinkable, like ink.

Selena immediately turned off the faucet, but the water tank was filled with black water that rippled.

"Is it... rotten?"

Selena cautiously leaned in.

I also leaned in, but strangely, there was no foul smell.

"Could this be... Elicia?"

"Yes!"

Elicia directed both hands at the water in the tank and emitted light.

The water quickly turned clear.

"What is this? It's mostly clear, though a bit murky... Was it infused with dark magic?"

I nodded at Selena's voice.

"There must be something in the water system that generates dark magic. Tia, were you drinking this?"

"It's not very tasty, but it's better than muddy water."

"I see..."

Drinking this water wouldn't kill you immediately, but it could be harmful if accumulated... Some dark magic can gradually erode a person.

We should remove it if possible. The color alone makes me not want to drink it...

"Let's check the water system next... Tia, can you show us the way?"

"Sure, this way!"

We followed Tia as she ran.

A small stone tower with an open door came into view.

Inside, there were stairs leading underground.

"We can go from here! But it's dark, so it's better not to go in! The current is quite strong, and some of my comrades have been swept away..."

"I see... We need to be careful of our footing."

I softly chanted 《Holy Light》, and a dazzling light spread around.

Selena's surprised voice echoed.

"It's so bright!?"

"S-Sorry, sorry! I always use holy magic at full power."

I overdid it. I suppressed my magic and floated two orbs of light around us.

But was it really that bright? ...Well, at least this will do.

"The light from me is enough, so Elicia doesn't need to use 《Holy Light》. I want you to use holy magic if something happens."

"Understood."

Elicia nodded, and Selena, standing next to her, drew her sword and said,

"Your Highness, I will definitely protect you! I may look like this, but I'm a fire magic user!"

"Really? Is your crest fire?"

"Hah! It's 【Hot Blood】!"

"I-I see..."

The words slipped out of my mouth.

【Hot Blood】 is not only beneficial for fire magic but also greatly enhances combat skills. It's also said to boost the morale of allies. It's a powerful and rare crest among fire crests.

"Indeed, being around Selena does make me feel more passionate..."

Selena took Elicia's words as a compliment and blushed, saying it wasn't that much.

Well, it's definitely a suitable crest for a commander who leads subordinates.

However, a woman in black who could defeat such a Selena... She must have been a powerful magic user, and she probably dealt with Selena's subordinates as well.

"Anyway, let's go down to the water system."

"Yes!"

We descended underground.

At the bottom, a swift current of black water flowed.

But something was odd.

"Is this a sewer? The flow seems to be heading towards the continent."

Ars Island is close to the mainland. I thought water was being drawn from the mainland through underground waterways.

However, the flow was coming from the direction of the sea.

Selena pondered and said,

"There might be a reservoir."

"But can so much water flow here? It hasn't rained recently."

Elicia was right; a reservoir wouldn't create such a strong current without rain.

Tia also testified,

"It's always like this. That's why we don't get too close."

It's possible that seawater is flowing in, but there's no smell of seawater... What kind of structure is this?

"Anyway, let's follow the direction the water is flowing."

"Yes."

We followed the water flow, ignoring smaller branches and heading straight along the main channel.

After about three minutes, an open area came into view.

"The water comes from here..."

We emerged into a vast dome-shaped space. In the center, a circular lake was visible.

"This isn't just a reservoir..."

The center of the lake was slightly raised, with bubbles rising and disappearing.

The water must be coming from beneath.

"Is it a spring... but that tree?"

Near the raised area, there was a creepy black tree.

Selena murmured,

"Could that be a holy tree?"

Holy trees bear leaves infused with holy magic.

These leaves have healing properties and are valuable ingredients for potions and medicines.

Once grown, they don't easily wither, but they are very difficult to cultivate.

They are also a symbol of temples, and the size of the holy tree in the grounds determines the ranking of each temple.

But holy trees should have white trunks and lush green leaves.

On the other hand, that tree was a dull black and emitted a black mist.

Moreover,

"...dark magic is being generated."

The water being eroded by dark magic is likely due to the black mist from that tree.

"...Is it cursed with dark magic? Elicia, can you purify that tree?"

"Leave it to me!"

Elicia cast holy magic at the tree.

A brilliant light illuminated the tree.

The light seemed to envelop the tree...

Suddenly, the light swelled and turned into a flash.

Taken aback, I instinctively closed my eyes.

"–What!?"

When I opened my eyes, a sinister black mist was floating in the center of the lake.