Chapter 90

We, having discovered the ruins of a city, were once again advancing down the road towards the northeast.

With the monsters no longer attacking, Yurii was whistling and chatting cheerfully.

"No monsters, it's so comfortable! By the way, this is the eastern coast of the continent, right? What happens if we keep going northeast?"

I recalled the map and answered.

"Only the northern Lobria Earl's territory borders the Tialus Province. However, even Lobria only controls the western coast and surrounding areas protected by the mountain range. So, there's probably no one living there now."

"Got it. So, we could claim it as our territory, then."

"That's right. But even in Tialus, there's so much land that I don't think we can develop it all... and there's the road ahead again."

After climbing a gentle slope, it seems we'll go downhill again. The view should open up.

Ran said,

"We might see more ruins like before."

"Maybe this time there'll be something useful!"

Yurii's eyes sparkled, and Elicia answered calmly.

"Don't let your guard down. A giant caterpillar might come out."

"It's no use scaring me anymore. Come on, let's go."

Yurii said this and took the lead.

With the monsters gone, Yurii seemed more relaxed. But, she seemed to be consciously acting cheerful... or so it felt.

There was one possible reason.

It was probably because of Selena, who had been looking melancholic since earlier. She was clearly more reserved than usual.

In place of the usually bright Selena, Yurii was being cheerful.

Was she feeling unwell, or had she eaten something bad...

No, Selena had been fine until we saw the ruins.

Perhaps she remembered something. Or maybe she was making various speculations about the ruins.

When I first met Selena, she had shown a similar expression. She had the same look when we saw the remains of the original inhabitants in the underground of Ars Island.

A long time ago, the people of Ars Island were killed by the woman in black. The city was completely destroyed, with only the buildings and their remains left.

It's unknown whether the woman in black was human or not. But she not only defeated the army but also killed the citizens... She must have had a significant grudge against the empire or Ars.

If the ruins we saw earlier were destroyed by the empire... the survivors of that city would not forgive the empire or Ars.

If the woman in black was a survivor of those ruins...

But that's just speculation.

Still, Selena might be thinking along those lines.

I called out to Selena.

"Selena."

"Uh? ...Ah, Lord Alex! Sorry, I was deep in thought."

Selena stopped walking and bowed hurriedly.

"No, it's fine. Just remember, Selena, you're one of us now. Don't forget that."

"Lord Alex..."

Selena looked startled.

"Thank you. Lord Alex, you might understand, but I was worrying about something I can't know."

"I see. But I like reasoning too. If you don't mind, let me help you reason."

"Hehe. I'm not very smart, so I'd appreciate your wisdom, Lord Alex. Let's do it next time!"

I nodded, and Selena smiled back.

Yurii grinned at Selena.

"Oh, you're getting close to Lord Alex all by yourself."

"We're not getting close! Rather, Yurii, let's race to the top of the hill!"

Selena ran up the hill with her usual energy.

It seemed she had regained her spirits.

That's the Selena I know.

We followed her up the hill.

But our pace naturally slowed down.

Not because the hill was steep.

...Magic reactions?

I sensed countless magic reactions coming from the other side of the hill.

Each one was a rounded shape, stationary in place.

Perhaps they were Death Snakes curled up.

"Everyone, be careful. Something seems off."

Everyone nodded at my words. Selena stopped running and matched my pace.

We cautiously climbed the hill.

"..."

Before us was a scene that left us speechless.

A massive lake, so large it could be mistaken for the sea, with the rippling surface glowing golden.

Yurii exclaimed,

"Oh, what a view!!"

Selena nodded.

"It's so big, I could mistake it for the sea!"

"Really... but there are no monsters in sight."

Elicia looked around the lake and its surroundings.

"Not on the surface... we're all in the lake."

"Not underground, but underwater. Finally, monsters other than Death Snakes and Arrowcrows."

Ran said this, and Yurii's face darkened.

"I thought we could take a bath... but it's probably better not to get too close."

"But... look, there's an island in the middle of the lake."

As Selena said, a small island floated in the lake, with a small forest on it.

"Wow... it definitely feels like something is there."

Yurii was right; it felt like something was sleeping there.

"But crossing the lake... wait, we don't need to cross the lake."

Yurii looked at me and corrected herself.

I can teleport to any visible location.

If I teleport directly, we won't need a boat.

I nodded and replied.

"Right. Let's teleport. That way, we'll be free from the lake's magic... everyone, let's go!"

And I teleported to the island floating on the lake.

"Here we are."

"Of course, Lord Alex."

Elicia praised me.

Ran looked around and continued.

"The forest itself looks ordinary."

"There are no ruins visible."

Selena also checked the surroundings.

"Right. But there's a noticeable magic reaction in the center."

A very small reaction, but extremely concentrated and clear.

There must be something magical there... something valuable.

"Let's go... no, wait."

I suddenly noticed that the magic reactions in the water were moving rapidly, approaching us from all directions.

"Bad. The creatures in the water have noticed us. Should we return to the shore?"

"Lord Alex, perhaps we should first check what's down there."

Elicia was right; those rounded reactions were indeed concerning.

"Agreed. Let's observe first. Everyone, be ready to fight."

Everyone nodded at my words.

Then, countless water columns rose from the lake.