The interior of the “Ancient Travel Tower” resembled nothing short of a modern skyscraper. It seemed this tower was an ancient relic buried within the mountain.
“Ugh! It’s so dusty in here!”
However, it must be prefaced with the phrase “reduced to dust”. All the fluorescent lights that once adorned the ceiling were shattered, and the doors to the rooms visible from the entrance had hinges so decayed that they had all come off. It was a pitiful sight to behold.
“What’s the term for the kind of worldview that emerges after a civilization collapses like this?” Ruby asked
“I have no idea. We have manga at home where characters fight in such a setting with just their fists.” Jigoro said.
“Isn’t that in the…?”
“Post-apocalypse.”
Suddenly, an intense unease gripped me, and I answered the question as if to cut off Ruby’s remark. Post-apocalypse, commonly known as an “after-doomsday scenario.”
Even from this site, it was evident that the world of FSW had once experienced a civilization that had advanced at least as far as our modern era, if not beyond. Why it fell remains unknown, though.
It’s possible that the civilization Agnasrelim mentioned may have been destroyed due to that idiot who was obsessed with the moon. But it would be quite surreal to imagine him walking through skyscrapers in his outfit. Somehow, I feel it’s different, and I hope it is.
“Anyway, there’s nothing more than just junk in here.”
Genjuro picked up a barely recognizable magic tool from the floor and sighed. So that’s how he sees it.
“Not entirely true. Isn’t that right, Iris?”
“Yes. Most of these seem like they can be dismantled. I believe we could create blueprints from them. With the parts collected, I could reproduce them.”
“Seriously?”
Genjuro expressed genuine surprise. Iris possessed the skills of [Magic Circle] and [Crafting] to handle magic tools. In addition, her proficiency in [Linguistics] and [Archaeology] made it possible for her to analyze ancient relics. And once analyzed, she could likely reproduce them.
“Furthermore, even rusted and irreparable junk is a treasure for us.”
Iris also had the [Blacksmithing] skill, allowing her to work with metals. However, the main issue remained the scarcity of ways to obtain essential metals in the current situation.
No, it’s not like there was absolutely none, and we’ve been collecting as much as possible. Whenever we found mining points in Jigoro’s hometown at the northern mountain or at the Birds King Mountain, we all gathered to gather resources. And the iron weapons that dropped when Jigoro and I took down the raid group together after he went on a rampage—melting those turned them into metal ingots in an instant.
However, should we treat this as an online game mechanic, or perhaps the area around Firth is lacking in mineral resources? The amount we’ve gathered so far is far from sufficient. So, regardless of their condition, it’s better for us to bring back any metal items from here.
“Huh, is that so?”
“Well then, we’ll gather them too!”
“Yeah, please do. If you think something might be useful, just ask me or Iris. Both of us have [Appraisal] and [Archaeology] skills.”
◆◇◆◇◆◇
――――――――――
The level of [Archeology] skill has increased.
The level of [Linguistics] skill has increased.
The level of [Appraisal] skill has increased.
――――――――――
Continuing our exploration meticulously in this manner, we managed to obtain a considerable amount of scrap metal and magic tools. Among the magic tools, there were even things that clearly resembled computers, which could be quite intriguing if we managed to reproduce them.
“Kyu… Kyu…”
However, it seemed boring for the dragon newborn. Karl had fallen asleep in my arms without my noticing. From then on, to avoid waking Karl, we all searched as quietly as possible.
Thanks to this, it’s quite amusing that Jigoro, who usually finds it bothersome to hide or be stealthy, managed to acquire the [Stealth] skill.
The results were excellent. My levels in [Archaeology], [Linguistics], and [Appraisal] had notably increased. Regarding [Linguistics], everyone’s level had risen. Perhaps it was due to accumulating experience points by encountering the letters scattered throughout the buildings or written on the fallen objects.
If we were to bring a monster player here, they’d probably be able to hold a conversation with us fairly quickly. Though, when the second batch of players arrives, I won’t go out of my way to tell them about this place.
Monsters helping each other? Ridiculous. Now, with the living contraption before us, anyone would want to keep the existence of this place a secret.
“It’s like an imitation of an airport here…”
After exploring the interior of the “Ancient Travel Tower”, that was my conclusion. Well, calling it an “Imitation” might not be entirely accurate. Because, in fact, this is significantly more advanced.
For the ancients, travel seemed to equate to teleportation. Yeah, teleportation. It appears they could move from city to city through teleportation. Even now, I’ve read on bulletin boards that, if you pay a hefty sum, you can teleport from one city you’ve been to before to another. Is the technology from that time still preserved?
Anyway, it’s not hard to imagine that an ancient civilization without the concept of transportation would have thrived. It’s even possible that if we went back a few hundred years from this medieval-style world, it might have been a futuristic realm that would surprise even sci-fi novels.
And this place seems to have been the epicenter of teleportation. While you couldn’t teleport directly from Point A to Point B, you could if you passed through here. It served as a hub.
Among all this, there were still some things that remained operational. Due to being buried in the mountain, the interior was pitch dark, but those circular portals that often appear in sci-fi movies were faintly glowing.
“[Welcome to the Sky Continent!], huh.”
Ancient characters spelling out “Welcome to the Sky Continent!” were inscribed around the portal. In other words, this was the destination.
The Sky Continent… must undoubtedly be the “Vetus Floating Island” that Agnasrelim mentioned. Actually, I’d be astonished if there were others!
As to why only this one worked conveniently, Iris had put forth a plausible theory. It was likely because this one had few traces of usage compared to other models from that time.
I recall phrases….perhaps keywords from that incantation that might unveil this. “The once revered vast skies now become our utopia.” Could it signify that they raised a continent into the air? Did they revel in floating a continent in the sky, only for their joy to be short-lived, and some catastrophe brought their civilization to ruin?
And this airport-like structure, intended to launch a service for touring the Sky Continent, was left almost brand-new, abandoned just before it could commence. Hence, it’s in the best condition and still operational. Doesn’t this reasoning hold up quite well as a deduction?
Let’s leave historical speculation here. More importantly, the Gravekeeper bestowed upon us a suitable reward. For those who ventured into the catacombs out of curiosity, this travel tower that sends you to various locations would be tempting. Well, there’s only one destination, though…
“Now, everyone. We have two choices.”
“Go or return, right?”
“No, it’s different. It’s whether we go right away or go back first and then proceed.”
The decision to go was settled. After all, we had discovered a convenient means to travel to another continent. The option of not going was simply unthinkable.
The concern, however, lay in the possibility that our hideout might be discovered while we were away on the Vetus Floating Island. While we were looking for the travel tower, I heard from Ruby that reports had surfaced on the strategy thread indicating that the sewers had finally been located.
For the strategy group, there were no more lucrative monsters left. The only inhabitants there were the remnants of the Ratman and the large slug known as Big Slug. It would quickly become evident that it was a place inhabited solely by foul-smelling and repulsive creatures with unappealing experience points. The likelihood of the strategy group visiting such a location repeatedly was low.
However, the upcoming second batch was different. There would likely be those who would endure the stench and repulsiveness to venture down into the sewers. In that case, individuals would likely appear near our hideout.
While it was unlikely that anyone would utter the password for the door, “Hilarious Femur”, the hideout’s accessibility for us might indeed be compromised. Furthermore, during some event, the strategy group might enter the sewers and then potentially discover the existence of the hidden door.
According to Ruby, with her level of scouting, she could potentially uncover the door’s presence. Underestimating the enemy was a trap, and I was well aware of that. It seemed wiser to act on the assumption that our hideout would be found out.
And the individuals that might stumble upon the hideout wouldn’t necessarily be gentlemen. If they don’t know how to open it, they might just break it using brute force. In the room, there are stolen, I mean, purchased books, and reports from the previous owner.
If those are discovered, the existence of Abyssal Magic could be revealed to the players. That’s unacceptable. I want to keep it hidden as much as possible. You could even say I want to keep it exclusive.
In that case, why not take all the items and establish a new base on the Vetus Floating Island? We might not be able to come back later on, but that’s what adventure is all about!
“I’d like to return. I also need to replenish healing potions.”
“I don’t mind either way.”
“I’m against it.”
“Why?”
Unexpectedly, Genjuro voiced his opposition. I must inquire about his reasons.
“If we follow the notices on the bulletin board, wouldn’t this be the point when the strategy group is at its largest? Going back now would be quite risky.”
“True…”
I see, I overlooked that. It’s undoubtedly the case that this is when the strategy group is at its peak. The psychology of “there might be something” can drive people. There must be a certain number of individuals willing to endure the smell for the sake of a new discovery.
Well, we were thoroughly collecting that “something” they were after. The only things left in the sewers were the burial items in the catacombs. However, would they be ready to face off against the level 60 Gravekeeper as an enemy?
“In that case, I’ll sneak in and get it quietly!” Ruby said
“No, no! It’s too dangerous alone!” Genjuro warned.
“Then I will accompany her.”
Although I couldn’t reach Ruby’s invisibility, I had both the skills [Stealth] and [Sneak] at level 10. I wouldn’t slow her down.
“Hmm, well then, I suppose that’s fine. But!”
Genjuro pointed at me with an almost “snap” sound effect.
“If you lay a finger on my granddaughter, I won’t forg… guh!?”
Before he could finish his sentence, Ruby lunged forward and struck Genjuro in the abdomen. As a result, he hunched over. Huh? There shouldn’t have been any accidental friendly fire, right…?
“Everyone, just ignore Grandpa’s stupid words.”
“Y-Yes, of course!”
Ruby was usually a cheerful and lively girl, but I hadn’t seen her like this when she was angry! Her tone lacked its usual emotion, making it quite intimidating. Right now, it’s best not to say anything unnecessary; my instincts were telling me that!
“Oh, Iris! If you had the all-purpose workbench, we could do production here, right?”
“Y-Yes!”
“Jigoro! If you’re free, go outside and take down some birds for their dropped materials!”
“U-Understood.”
“Genjuro, you’ll help gather materials too! Ruby, let’s go!”
“Okay!”
Leaving Karl in Iris’ care, I swiftly headed outside with Ruby, who still had that flat tone in her voice.
◆◇◆◇◆◇
“Ahahaha! amazing, amazing!”
“Well, I’m glad.”
We had left the Lizardman village early in the morning, defeated two bosses, and then explored the interior of the tower. As a result, it was currently pitch dark outside.
To save ourselves the hassle of walking on the ground and to improve Ruby’s mood, I was flying through the air with her perched on my head. The ‘Moon’s Feather Robe’ was quite usefull.
“But let’s keep it a secret from Iris! It would definitely make her sad!” Ruby said.
“Huh?”
Why is Iris’ name being brought up there? Could it be that she also wanted to experience flying through the sky? I’ll keep quiet about it, since it’s a secret that I’m sidestepping that experience.
With that being said, let’s just stay silent. What’s the big deal? I’m sure Karl would give me a ride once he’s grown!
“Speaking of which, there’s something I want to take care of once we arrive over there. So, do you mind if I have a little time?” I asked.
“I’m fine with it, but what are you planning to do?”
“Oh, I’m thinking of providing support to the Gravekeeper of the Forgotten Catacombs.”
The ‘Forgotten Catacombs’ which we had discovered and already conquered recently, will likely be found by other players soon. While I don’t expect the Gravekeeper to go down without a fight, he’s the one who gave us the opportunity to venture to a new continent. As gratitude for that and for giving me a way to level up the [Necromancy] skill, I thought about gifting him an undead creature I created.
“…Isam is quite considerate, aren’t you?”
“Really? I thought I was rather normal.”
What was wrong with showing gratitude to those who have helped you? That’s how I was raised, but is Ruby different in this regard?
“Hmm. I wonder if Iris would be fine with me saying such things?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“No, It’s just some stuff. Anyway, can I talk about my friend who will be coming with the second batch?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Her friend was going to become our companion soon. It’s important to hear about her and understand her personality beforehand. Judging from Ruby’s and Genjuro’s reactions, I’m sure she’s not a bad person.
From then on, until we reached the secret passage leading to the sewers in the western forest, I listened to several stories about Ruby’s friend.
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