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“I can’t feel the guide’s mana.”
While examining the power felt inside the dungeon, Vargan spoke. Erica quietly nodded. Having passed through the hallway earlier than Vargan, she was already aware of this fact.
She had met her death after losing in a battle connected to her past.
Noticing Erica’s lack of enthusiasm, Vargan asked.
“It’s unfortunate, but is it really that gloomy? It’s not rare for deaths to occur in a dungeon. Besides, I know you weren’t particularly fond of her.”
“…An innocent person died. Don’t think I understand everything only in terms of profit and loss like you.”
“It sounds like you’re suggesting there’s something wrong with my character.”
“I can’t say there’s absolutely nothing.”
Erica smirked.
She’s like that. Always trying to be calm and calculating, yet she’s so emotional and delicate.
Vargan scanned her mood and cautiously asked.
“Have you finished praying already?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then that’s good.”
Vargan focused on a spot radiating an unusually strong energy. An alien mana. However, a clean power is sensed for a monster.
‘Strange. I thought he’d lost his reason by confronting his past self.’
Top-level Bishop Han.
Now trying to live peacefully while mimicking humans, he was once a mass murderer like any ordinary Altife.
After leaving the dungeon, his actions became more reckless than in the past. And now, Han was making his way through the past’s hallway toward the heart of the dungeon.
Even though he noticed our presence, he didn’t seem to care, so I wanted to express some gratitude for not getting taken down one by one.
However, for him to showcase such gentle mana at this moment, what’s going on…?
“Schugenharz. Isn’t it about time you spilled the beans?”
Suddenly, Erica spoke up.
“What are you talking about?”
“Stop playing dumb. You knew that Altife was in this dungeon, right?”
“Well… to be precise, I didn’t know if it got in before us or after.”
Erica had also sensed Han’s mana and was aware of his existence. She narrowed her eyes and quietly assessed the situation.
“I’ve never seen such mana… The total amount is on the lower side, even among bishops, but its sharpness is unusual.”
“Oh ho. Impressive, Erica.”
“Is this really a time for jokes? At least it’s certain that it’s at least bishop level.”
“Bishop level… Yeah. Judging by sheer power, it seems comparable to an archbishop.”
“Looks like it exists.”
Erica opened her eyes wide, as if she saw something strange. She observed Vargan’s nonchalant demeanor and glared at him with half-closed eyelids.
“It seems like you’ve prepared something… are you really okay with this?”
“If you’re scared, you can run away.”
“…I can’t go back anyway, so what’s the point?”
“That’s unfortunate. Then we have no choice but to face it.”
“……”
“Fortunately, its progress is faster than ours, so we can use that power as a guide.”
Rubbing her forehead, Erica wondered if it was her eyes hurting or her head throbbing. This man would never tell her what he was thinking.
Rather, once everything was over, he would probably wear a smug smile and say, “See, in the end, you followed me and it turned out well!”
Erica shot Vargan a sharp look.
“If any problems arise, I won’t let it slide.”
“Don’t worry, Erica.”
“What?”
Vargan smiled innocently, his eyes fixed squarely on Erica.
“I’ll ensure you won’t suffer any losses. Even if you escape the dungeon, not a single wrinkle will appear on your clothes.”
“…You’re good with words, aren’t you?”
“Whether my words are truth or lies, you’ll find out later.”
“……”
“You have quite a pouty expression, Erica.”
“…Be quiet.”
As the two bickered, they entered the inside of the dungeon.
Tracing Han’s energy wasn’t difficult. They arrived at a large door.
“Looks like this is the core area of the dungeon, huh?”
“Probably. We don’t know what might happen, so prepare for combat, Erica.”
“I was already prepared.”
The accessories Erica wore gleamed brightly, vibrating faintly with her magical energy.
Vargan also started circulating his mana. Then, he pushed open the giant door to peek inside.
What lay before them was…
“What, what is this…?”
“……”
“Schugenharz… we’re…”
As the scenery came into view, both of them found themselves automatically moving forward. Instead of a massive door, a vast market stretched out before them. The door behind them had vanished.
Vargan murmured as he took this in. The enemies they fought while traversing the dungeon’s hallway. And judging by the attire of the people here and the architecture,
“It seems… this is the dungeon owner’s past.”
*
⎯ Come, come! Choose wisely! This isn’t an opportunity that comes every day! We have everything you need!
⎯ Fresh fruits available! Come and see! Fruits kissed by the warm rays of the Sun God and the cool breath of the Wind God are exquisite!
In the midst of the bustling square.
The sounds of hawkers and shoppers created a lively ruckus.
Their attire was very unique, distinct from both the Troa Empire’s and the Ocel Kingdom’s fashions. It was less of a garment and more like draped cloth.
And the elongated structures formed along the market. Observing this, Vargan thought. This seemed to be set not in the early modern or medieval Europe, but far before that… perhaps in the BC era.
Of course, it couldn’t be compared directly to the world of the novel and the real world, but that was the vibe it gave off.
Fortunately, there was no change in language, so they could understand everything properly.
In the first place, there were no dialects, and it was a world view using a common language, but there was always the possibility of change with the passage of time.
Even though it’s a world that uses language, there could always be the possibility of change with the flow of time.
“…It seems certain that this is a fragment of the past.”
Erica said, furrowing her brows as she looked up.
In the distance, a gigantic Mana Stone floated in the sky. It had been guarding the air both in the past and at present.
Vargan mulled over Erica’s words.
“Is this… the Academia?”
“Looks like it’s still under construction, doesn’t it?”
“It’s at a level that can’t even be called a sky city right now.”
In other words, it was a time when the Troa Empire and Ocel Kingdom did not exist.
It was a marketplace of an ancient nation that ruled the territory, now turned into a Church domain.
‘Is this the past world where the story takes place? I’ve never seen this information before.’
He could confidently say he had memorized every detail without missing a word, but he was ignorant of ancient history.
Considering Vargan’s noble education, he should know at least to some degree, but he didn’t. Ancient history had been lost due to long wars, they said.
Erica also knew nothing about the ancient times, and if it weren’t for the gigantic Mana Stone floating in the sky, she wouldn’t have been so sure.
Following the energy of Han, Vargan and Erica kept an eye on their surroundings. Even if there might be distortions, it was an opportunity to engrave the lost past right before their eyes.
“Schugenharz… You noticed, didn’t you?”
As they pushed through the crowd, Erica suddenly spoke up. Vargan nodded.
“Yeah. I know.”
“What could it be? There are so many people here…”
“It’s strange that only the Mana of you, me, and one Altife can be felt.”
Every person has a Mana Circuit.
Whether their talent is average or outstanding.
It’s something innate.
However, he couldn’t feel Mana from any of these people here. They did not possess Mana.
Up until now, every character from the past created by this Dungeon had possessed Mana and it could be sensed…
As they walked past the market, a broad square appeared. In the middle of the square, there was a craftsman chiseling a stone, and people looked on in amazement.
The craftsman continued his work, dripping with sweat, his face ever adorned with a satisfied smile.
Erica, watching the stone sculpture, couldn’t hide her confusion. Although it wasn’t finished yet, she recognized a similar form.
“Why is a statue of the Goddess here…?!”
Erica’s horrified exclamation drew the attention of those around. Most of them chuckled, losing interest, and a young man laughed heartily, clutching his belly as he spoke.
⎯Those outfits look like they belong to some distant comedians, but even if that person’s looks are extraordinary, isn’t it a bit too much to treat them as a god?
They interpreted Erica’s words literally. They thought her exclamation came from admiration for the beauty of the statue.
However, when Erica’s expression turned cold upon hearing the young man’s comment, he quickly cleared his throat to suppress his laughter.
⎯W-well… It’s certainly not strange to call them a Goddess; they are indeed remarkable…
Vargan commanded on Erica’s behalf to the young man.
“Tell me the name of the person in that statue.”
⎯Wait, seriously? You really didn’t know? Come on! Where on earth have you been living to not know that?
“Where on earth have you been living to not know that?”
As Vargan’s gaze became sharp, the young man trying to show off his knowledge deflated. “I don’t get why you’re looking at me so scarily. You look like you might eat me,” he muttered and then spoke up.
“Uh, it’s the Magic Instructor. You might find it hard to believe, but he can breathe fire and levitate rocks in midair. That massive rock over there? The Magic Instructor lifted it. But don’t get it twisted, just because he uses magic doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. He’s actually a very righteous person who fights off monsters.”
Hearing the young man’s words, Vargan fell deep into thought.
Erica stepped forward to get more explanation, but Vargan stopped her.
“Erica, we must not forget our original goal.”
“Hold on, Schugenharz. I know what you’re saying, but I have to confirm something right now!”
Vargan noticed the fire ignited in her faith when their eyes met. He spoke softly.
“…There isn’t much time left. Confirm it quickly.”
Erica nodded, then shot her gaze back at the young man. Adjusting her question for better understanding, she asked,
“How many people in this world can use magic?”
This time, the young man’s eyebrows twisted as if he couldn’t comprehend what she was getting at. It seemed he wanted to say something utterly nonsensical.
“Of course, it’s just the Magic Instructor. Who else besides him would use magic if they’re not monsters?”
The first magician.
Vargan had heard of that individual.
The one who first used magic, established the Academia, defeated the Demon King, and forced the Twelve Divine Beasts into submission.
Was it not just nonsense that people said he changed the world’s structure so that others could use magic after he died?
Hearing words she couldn’t accept, Erica wobbled. Vargan supported her.
Erica, who wasn’t a goddess follower or a villainess right now.
As a devout Portlet Family member, she had studied religious studies for a long time. All the things she was hearing must be utterly confusing her.
The absolute evil that seeks to destroy the world, the symbol of the Goddess Church.
To think that the first magician, a symbol of greatness and holiness, is the same person. Unbelievable…!
“Erica. This is a dungeon that enchants people. Discard the notion that what you see and hear here is all truth.”
Vargan resolutely cut through her distractions.
Strangely enough, hearing his voice made her dizziness somewhat fade.
He was right. She wasn’t unaware of the dangers of the dungeon.
But she was simply shocked by a doubt she had never experienced before.
Erica rejected Vargan’s assistance and stood on her own. She knew this wasn’t the time to be dawdling.
She activated her mana circuits to the maximum and readied herself for combat. Taking a breath, she sharpened her senses.
“They’ve come.”
Vargan uttered, looking at a specific point.
When both he and Erica fiercely stared at that location, the young man instinctively looked over as well.
There stood a swordsman clad in rags.
His hair, hastily tied, looked somewhat organized.
The swordsman glared back at Vargan and Erica. His eyes imitated a human’s, but they were far from human.
