Chapter 93

The day after I allied with the Koura clan, I returned to the island in the lake.

It would be inconvenient if the island and the lake didn't have names. I decided to call the lake "Teal Lake" and the island "Teal Island."

I placed a transfer pillar on Teal Island so that I could travel to and from Ars Island and other bases via transfer.

I plan to have my subordinates build other facilities, taking into account the Koura clan's requests.

Well, most of the Koura clan, including Melber, are so engrossed in Ars that they don't want to return...

In any case, we intend to start from Teal Island and head further northeast.

According to Melber, when the flames rose around them, everyone fled northeast.

The road we've been following also continues northeast.

Selena also mentioned that there is a city to the northeast.

If we keep going, we should see something.

"Everyone, I'm counting on you today."

"Yes!"

In response to my words, my subordinates answered with their usual energetic voices.

Elysia, Yurii, Selena, and Rahn. The usual four.

I transferred with everyone from Teal Island to the northeast shore.

I chose a shore with fewer monsters, but there were still Death Snakes.

However, as soon as they saw us, they slithered away.

Yurii looked pleased.

"Hmm. They seem to be really scared of us. They won't attack us anymore."

Rahn nodded.

"Perhaps they recognize us. Or maybe our presence has become a rumor."

Elysia said in a serious tone, as if warning us.

"In any case, we mustn't let our guard down. If we show any weakness, they will likely attack in large numbers."

"I will protect Lord Alex no matter what! Lord Alex, let's go!"

Selena said this and started marching forward with high spirits.

I followed her, advancing down the road.

We could see Death Snakes and Arrowcrows, but they kept their distance.

We walked calmly while dangerous monsters watched us from a distance. To an outsider, it must have looked quite strange.

Yurii muttered, sounding discontent.

"If these monsters were sheep or cows, it would be a peaceful scene."

"True. I hope we can eventually graze livestock here."

I murmured this as well.

However, we first need to deal with the large number of monsters.

But it feels wrong to kill those who are fleeing...

It might be a good idea to try to capture them like Tia and ask if they want to become subordinates, but it would be quite a challenge to feed them if they joined us.

Their massive bodies would require a lot of food, and from what I've seen, they are a cannibalistic species.

For now, let's focus on the investigation and decide how to develop this area. Abandoning the continent is also an option.

We continued down the road, which was unclear whether it was peaceful or desolate.

Soon, a gentle uphill slope appeared before us.

Yurii said,

"Oh. If we go over that hill, there might be something."

"Yes. And that is—"

Selena's eyes were drawn to the side of the road leading up the hill.

On the side of the road, slender cypress trees were planted at regular intervals.

This is something you often see near the capital. They were planted to protect travelers from the wind and sunlight.

This suggests that there was a lot of traffic in this area, which is why the cypress trees were planted.

Elysia seemed to understand as well.

"The atmosphere suggests there might be a town."

"Hmm. But it might be in ruins again?"

Selena shook her head at Yurii's words.

"Ars was relatively well-preserved. Something must be left. Besides, there were no cypress trees near the ruins of the city we saw before."

"You're right. The road also seems wider and more impressive than before."

Rahn also recalled this.

If what the two of them say is true, the road near the previous ruins was narrower and less impressive.

"Then, this time, we might find something... Everyone, let's approach with caution."

I nodded in agreement with Elysia's words.

However, the other three tilted their heads in confusion.

Elysia said to the three of them,

"Selena and Rahn aside, have you forgotten, Yurii? If it's like Ars, there might be ghosts."

"Oh..."

Yurii's face suddenly turned pale.

There were Wisps wandering in front of the Ars hall, and Selena, who was a Living Armor, was inside.

It wouldn't be strange if there were other undead here as well.

Yurii's voice trembled.

"I'm suddenly getting scared..."

"If that's the case, I can transfer you alone."

"N-no, I'm fine, Lord Alex! If I think of everyone as Selena, I won't be scared!"

"That's right! I was the same, but the undead are all there for a reason! Let's go without being afraid!"

Encouraged by Selena's words, Yurii nodded, still looking uneasy.

Then we slowly advanced down the cypress-lined road.

Before we knew it, the monsters that had been following us at a distance were gone. There were significantly fewer around us.

It felt like we were entering a different world... We climbed the hill.

We eventually reached the top of the hill.

And what we saw below was...

"A city!!"

Yurii exclaimed.

As she said, there was a collection of buildings that could be called a city.

Several bell towers and spires rose on a small hill, surrounded by sturdy stone walls.

A large city that could house thousands of people.

When I turned to Selena, she nodded happily.

"Yes! This is probably the city I mentioned. The name is likely... Verm."

"Is that so, Verm. Given what happened to Ars, it's not impossible that something remains."

"Yes... There might also be clues about the woman in black."

Selena said this with an unusually serious expression.

"Let me know if it gets too tough. We'll retreat immediately."

"Lord Alex... Thank you. You are truly kind!"

Selena smiled and then called out to everyone in her usual tone.

"Alright, let's go! I'll lead the way!!"

With that, we started walking toward Verm with high spirits.

However, we were soon discouraged.

It wasn't because monsters appeared. It was because of the T-shaped objects standing between the cypress trees on the side of the road.

Everyone seemed to know what these were.

They resembled the instruments used for crucifixion.

These were set up countless times along the way to Verm. Some were broken or fallen.

Yurii said, her shoulders shaking.

"A-are these... for crucifixion?"

"Yes, that's probably it. But there are no bodies or bones visible."

As Rahn looked around, Elysia speculated.

"Perhaps they were never used, or they were exposed to the elements for a long time and disappeared."

"I would have screamed if they were still there... But to display them in such a busy area. It's the same as in the past, isn't it?"

Yurii said, sounding uncomfortable.

"Indeed."

Selena responded briefly.

Her face revealed a complex state of mind.

Selena might have come to a conclusion about what happened in Verm and Tiars.

In Tiars, there were once the ruling Imperials and the ruled other ethnic groups or races.

However, their relationship was not good. The Imperials might have struggled to control this land.

This can be inferred from the fact that they called for help from the capital, and the ruins we saw are likely related.

In any case, if you want to subdue the unruly, you have to...

From this road of crucifixions, the situation at the time can be inferred.

Of course, it's possible that only the criminals of the empire were displayed.

However, if Selena and my thoughts are correct... it makes sense that the woman in black killed the people of Ars.

Even though it's in the past, it's a sad thing.

In the midst of this, Yurii said,

"Oh. If you look closely, something is stuck in there."

Yurii squatted down and pulled out something stuck at the base of the wooden post.

A silver flower ornament... very intricate and beautiful. It seemed to be modeled after a rose.

Looking around, similar flower ornaments were stuck in other crucifixion sites.

Yurii examined the ornament and immediately smiled.

"This... is mithril! So, the others are—"

Looking at the other ornaments, Yurii couldn't help but grin.

However, Elysia shook her head.

"They are offerings. If you take them, you might be cursed. Undead might appear nearby."

"Don't say such scary things! Besides, I have enough sense to know better! I just thought it might be promising for Verm!"

Yurii puffed out her cheeks and put the ornament back in its original place.

Well, the ornaments themselves contain magic power, but there is no magical reaction in the ground.

I also searched for magical reactions from the direction of Verm.

"Too far to tell clearly, but there is a general magical reaction. As Yurii said, there might be something. Of course, it could also be the presence of undead..."

Yurii, though scared, placed her hand on Selena's shoulder.

"It's fine with Elysia here! Elysia, I'm counting on you!"

"I know that without you saying. And you, don't suddenly scream."

"O-of course!"

With that, we proceeded to Verm with a mix of hope and anxiety.