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Chapter 101
Winzard safely caught Erne using his sword’s energy. Even while falling, his concern was solely for Erne.
“Ouch… wait, it doesn’t hurt?”
Erne scratched her cheek awkwardly as the expected pain never came. Winzard carefully set her down.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. Are you okay too, Winzard?”
Seeing Erne unharmed seemed to ease his mind somewhat, and he glanced around. Erne did the same.
“This is underground, but it’s… like there’s a hidden place down here.”
“It feels like an ancient temple,” he said.
“…It’s spacious. Not too dark, even bright. Where exactly is this place?”
Winzard and Erne, who had fallen through a door in the floor, stared in awe at the strange sight. The place had a religious atmosphere, almost like a temple. It wasn’t eerie, and it didn’t feel like a place for sinister rituals.
Then Winzard put his hand on his sword sheath and said,
“Kalava is reacting.”
“The sword?”
“I feel vibrations. I’ve never felt a wave like this before.”
Winzard tried to calm Kalava, but the sword’s vibrations wouldn’t stop. Why was it doing this? Narrowing his eyes, he tried to connect the sword’s reaction to the current situation, but nothing made sense. Why was Kalava humming… hum-hum?
Erne and Winzard only exchanged glances and shook their heads.
Erne’s condition wasn’t much different from Winzard’s.
“The light coming from my body is much stronger than before.”
“Could this place be related to Marshal?”
“We’ll find out soon enough. Marshal must have fled here anyway.”
Erne spoke as if certain, and Winzard noticed the subtle intensity in her gaze. She continued,
“I can just feel it. I can’t explain it, but… this light, brighter than before, is telling me so.”
“I didn’t doubt you,” he replied.
Watching Erne defend herself with that explanation, Winzard shook his head.
“This is probably just the beginning. You need to steel yourself. We’ve essentially stepped into the enemy’s lair.”
Seeing Kalava’s reaction made Winzard fully realize the gravity of the situation.
“We’ve barely survived countless dangers so far. From now on, we may not be able to avoid a full-scale battle. If someone blocks our path, we might have to fight them.”
“If you mean to say we should prepare ourselves, we did that a long time ago.”
“Erne, I mean someone might have to shed blood.”
Wearing a serious expression, Winzard spoke, and Erne tensed. She had only intended to absorb Marshal’s power using the star’s energy, not thinking for a second that anyone might get hurt. Her plans had never included anyone’s sacrifice.
Winzard’s words sharpened Erne’s awareness. Her golden eyes glimmered with intelligence.
He was right. She might have underestimated the challenge of dealing with the final mastermind. Though she had chased after Marshal, she had lost track of her companions, scattering them everywhere.
It wasn’t entirely her fault, but clearly, she had been reckless. Erne swallowed the rising frustration and steeled her resolve.
‘I can’t collapse here. We’ve come too far. If anyone has to get hurt, it should be me.’
She didn’t want her loved ones harmed, and she was grateful to Winzard for waking her up to reality.
Having survived traps in the cave, she expected something to appear in this secretive, suspicious place.
‘After the small fry, the boss monster comes next.’
“Marshal probably noticed the spell I cast immediately,” she said.
“So that’s why he fled here, cornered,” Winzard concluded.
“Yes. Velia said the power of a spell grows stronger in shadowed areas.”
“Then this strange place could also be a space Marshal prepared for us.”
Winzard spoke as he surveyed the surroundings, making sure to readjust his grip on the vibrating Kalava.
“Winzard.”
“Yes?”
Erne gave him a slight smile, though the situation was hardly cheerful.
“Do you trust me?”
Despite the circumstances, Winzard found her smile radiant, like sunlight, and nodded absentmindedly.
So far, Erne had always made the right choices. He believed she would do so again.
“I trust you,” he said.
Her expression brightened. Slowly, Erne moved.
“It’s best to scout the area first. At least secure an escape route, just in case.”
Erne approached a suspicious statue. A basket in the statue’s hands had flowing water, though the wear of time was evident.
‘Why does this feel so familiar? I’ve seen this somewhere…’
Peering into the water in the fountain, she hesitated, wondering if she might somehow encounter Coco again if she touched it, but the murky water made her uneasy. Winzard, standing beside her, seemed to understand.
“This is the Star Goddess, Aiphone.”
“Aiphone?”
“She was believed to protect Neshald,” he explained.
Erne gasped, suddenly recognizing the statue’s female form.
“History calls her the goddess who betrayed humanity, right? When Neshald was a theocracy, she supposedly gave a false prophecy… so the people stopped worshipping her.”
Winzard’s face darkened as he spoke.
“The historical record about Aiphone is half right and half wrong. Back then, the Pope held enormous power, rivaling even the royal family. The temple was corrupt, and the Pope pursued only personal gain. He could manipulate prophecies as he wished, declaring whatever he pleased.”
Erne, intrigued by this unfamiliar historical tidbit, tilted her head. She had only seen Winzard’s blunt, straightforward side before, not his depth of knowledge.
“Why is her statue in a sorcerer’s hideout? I don’t know, but Aiphone was a tragic goddess. She was betrayed by the human she loved. She reportedly foretold Neshald’s calamities, but the Pope denied them, angering humans against her.”
Erne shook her head, frustrated at the ungrateful humans who turned against even a goddess who tried to help.
“By the way, Winzard, how do you know so much? My history classes didn’t cover this in detail.”
“That’s because Kalava’s original owner was the goddess Aiphone herself.”
“Huh?”
Erne was stunned, realizing why Kalava could protect people from Marshal’s magic. The sword wasn’t just special—it was a divine relic.
‘Why do these places keep revealing secrets about birth and power?’ She glanced at the formidable Kalava and sighed.
While Erne was distracted, Winzard continued exploring. Soon, he called her over.
“Erne, over here. There’s a stone tablet.”
“A stone tablet?”
“It seems to depict the followers of the stars,” he explained.
Erne frowned as she examined the illustrations.
“…This is disturbing. The Neshald royal family persecuted them for a long time.”
“Yes. Their treatment wasn’t entirely just.”
Both felt the solemn, somber atmosphere. Erne cautiously asked,
“Winzard, do you know Marshal’s ultimate goal?”
“To wipe out Neshald for revenge, perhaps…”
“It would be simpler if it were just revenge. Marshal aims to build a kingdom for the followers of the stars.”
“That’s an ambitious plan.”
“Fueled by vengeance, yes.”
A brief silence followed her words. Then, something sparkled behind her, and Winzard’s eyes widened.
[! Ancient Power has activated.]
“A transparent window appeared again.”
Erne read the message and immediately frowned.
[! A boss monster is nearby! Defeat the boss monster! Good luck!]
She had expected a boss after the minions, but… she still cursed under her breath.
“Damn it. What the hell is this crazy quest window?”
