Chapter 194. The Sealed Room

The second expedition began, and the three groups split up.

Ferda, who had intended to move to Rizera's team, had no choice but to head to the right side again.

The way they advanced was different from before.

This time, they moved while facing each other.

The two adventurers walked while watching one another, while Ferda and the Armored Knight moved while facing each other.

'I'm nervous.'

Valdrova thought from inside the armor.

At first, that feeling had begun as excitement at being able to look at Ferda's face.

Those cold eyes that seemed so terrifying to everyone except Valdrova.

She had thought those two emotions would torment her.

But what she felt while facing him was different.

'Mr. Ferda's face... he looks so exhausted.'

It hurt.

Her five senses instinctively gathered every bit of information about Ferda.

His rough breathing, and a heartbeat much faster than usual.

They were only walking a little, yet beads of sweat had already formed all over him.

Shouldn't he rest, even if only for a little while?

"Wouldn't it be better if you rested for at least a little while?"

As if he had read her thoughts, one of the other adventurers said exactly that.

"I'm fine. I won't hold everyone back."

Ferda refused firmly.

He brushed it off by saying it was only temporary pain.

But that wasn't true.

Valdrova could tell.

Whatever was making him suffer was growing stronger with every passing moment.

Ferda himself was not unaware of it.

That only meant there was something he absolutely had to find.

'What is it that you're searching for so desperately?'

Was it really something worth searching for while wearing such a painful expression?

Valdrova remembered something Ferda had once said.

—I'm sorry.

When those masses had been staring at Ferda, that was what he had said.

She couldn't understand what Ferda had to apologize for.

She wished she had even the smallest clue to guess, but she didn't.

Valdrova had also seen that trauma.

However, to her, it had merely looked like a lump with enormous eyes, and even when it stared directly at her, she had shown none of the reactions the others did.

Her heart had ached strangely, but she hadn't suffered.

If there was anything she could do for him, she wanted to do it.

But she knew she couldn't while surrounded by this hard shell.

That was why her heart hurt so much.

'Would he be happy... if I came out?'

Ferda had always wanted to meet her.

Should she take off the armor right now and tell him she was here?

Would Mr. Ferda smile, even if only a little?

'I might only become a burden to Mr. Ferda.'

He might even get angry.

He would ask why she had come to such a dangerous place.

Instead of comforting his worried heart, she might only make him suffer even more.

Wasn't there anything she could do for him as the Armored Knight?

She couldn't find the answer.

Meanwhile, Ferda, desperately hiding his pain, thought,

'I can still endure it.'

The reason it hurt so much was because he couldn't shake those thoughts.

As long as he focused on staying alert in this dangerous situation, like he was doing now, he could keep them suppressed.

But if there was one thing bothering him...

'That armor guy, seriously...'

At first, he thought the discomfort was only because of the distance between them and that it would get better.

But it hadn't.

He kept feeling as though he could see Valdrova inside that armor.

That was impossible.

Her build was smaller and far more feminine than his.

'No... there was a time when that wasn't true.'

When she had been wearing the Dragon Dragoon Armor, she had been much taller than Ferda.

How tall had she been?

Wasn't she about the same height as this guy?

'...They're strangely similar?'

Smack!

"Urgh!"

"What's wrong?"

The startled adventurers turned to look at Ferda.

He had just struck himself hard on the head.

"I wasn't thinking straight, so I gave myself a little punishment."

"Ah, I see..."

Their expressions clearly said that he shouldn't scare people over something so pointless.

Not long after they resumed walking, they reached their destination.

"We've arrived."

The place they had come to was the library Ferda had visited before.

It was not only the closest location, but also the place where he had information about safely obtaining rewards.

"Are you certain there's a magic artifact here?"

One of the adventurers asked Ferda.

"Comparing it with the explanation of Gyeonghui Palace, this has to be the place."

Gyeonghui Palace had been a training hall that nurtured talented people through the concept of the 'Dao.'

And the name of this library where Ferda had arrived was said to be the Nourishment Room.

Taken literally, it meant a room that replenished vital energy, and its hidden meaning was that vital energy referred to Mana.

In other words, a room that replenished Mana.

There was no doubt this was a room that stored books related to the Mana Cultivation Method.

"In Magic Towers and Academies, they always keep Mana tools around for cultivation. Based on my experience, there should definitely be some here."

He had said definitely, but even Ferda wasn't truly certain.

Still, when convincing others, one had to speak with confidence.

Even the adventurers who doubted him eventually sided with Ferda.

"Then let's search the room."

Everyone began searching for what they each desired.

The two adventurers searched the entire room, while Ferda focused mainly on the bookshelves.

In his mind, Ferda recalled two characters.

They were characters Erika, who knew a little about Eastern writing, had hurriedly taught him.

'Love and Treatise.'

Love meant exactly that, while Treatise referred to something discussing a particular subject.

'One of the books I picked up was a theory of Mana Circuits.'

Ferda first returned to where he had found that book and searched carefully.

But the more books he pulled out and read, the less he understood.

'These don't seem to be books on magical theory...'

Most Magic Grimoires followed a similar format.

They contained Magic Circles or Runes, along with explanations of the Spellcraft surrounding them.

Having read countless books with that structure, Ferda found these books, filled only with text, completely unfamiliar.

'It can't be helped.'

He would have to bring them to someone who could decipher the writing.

Fortunately, Ferda knew exactly such a person.

Mori.

The mysteries of the East lay beyond even the power of the Library of All Things, but if the books physically existed, Mori would undoubtedly be able to translate them.

Ferda decided to take every book containing those characters.

Of course, that was easier said than done.

Once the pile exceeded ten books, his arms began trembling.

'This useless body.'

At that moment, the Armored Knight quietly extended his arm.

Seeing the gesture, Ferda asked,

"You're offering to carry them?"

Nod.

"...I'll accept your help."

He still didn't particularly like the Armored Knight, but he couldn't deny how reassuring he was.

With his help, they were able to gather more than fifty books that Ferda could never have carried alone.

"Huh?"

One of the adventurers, who had been obsessively searching for magic artifacts, suddenly spoke.

His voice was filled with excitement.

"There's a gap here!"

Ferda stopped searching for books and hurried over.

The adventurers carefully pried the gap open using tools.

A staircase leading underground appeared.

For the two adventurers who had witnessed those horrifying illusions, smiles finally appeared on their faces.

"If it's a place like this, then there must be secret treasures hidden by the Palace Lord or someone equally important!"

"If we can just get some magic artifacts, then all this suffering will have been...!"

But the excitement lasted only a moment.

The horrifying illusion came back to them, causing their feet to hesitate once more.

What if one of those things was waiting below?

Silence filled the air as everyone waited for someone else to move first.

Then the rattling sound of plate armor broke the silence.

The Armored Knight stepped forward and stood at the entrance.

"Are you saying you'll go in first??"

Nod, nod.

Normally, they would have tried to stop him, saying it was too dangerous.

But they already knew the terror brought by those traumatic illusions.

Of the four people in this group, only this Armored Knight had never experienced that fear.

How had he managed to escape the effects of that trauma?

"Understood."

The adventurers yielded to him.

Ferda also stepped forward behind him.

"I can't let you go in alone. I'll watch your back."

Nod.

Thus, the two of them descended the stairs together.

The staircase went surprisingly deep.

Yet there was none of the damp, unpleasant feeling typical of underground places.

There was no doubt.

Whatever lay below was maintained just as thoroughly as the outside.

At the end of the staircase stood a single stone door.

The Armored Knight pushed it sideways, and it opened easily.

From outside, Ferda quickly scanned the surroundings.

Even after the Armored Knight entered, there was no reaction from the Mana.

The Armored Knight looked around before making a large circle with both hands.

'I'm not sure what kind of room this is, but it doesn't seem like there are any magic artifacts.'

All Ferda wanted was to find useful books.

He followed the Armored Knight inside.

That was when it happened.

The moment Ferda reached the center of the room, he felt the flow of Mana.

Rumble!

At the same time, the stone door they had entered through moved shut, trapping them inside.

Ferda immediately rushed back to it.

He tried pushing the sliding stone door open again, but it refused to budge.

"Damn... would you try opening it?"

Ferda stepped back, and this time the Armored Knight tried to force the door open.

Craaack—!

Something cracked.

"Stop!"

The sound had come from the ceiling.

Clumps of dirt began falling from above, clearly an ominous sign.

"...If we force it open, it looks like it's planning to bury us alive."

A trap designed to activate only when two or more people were inside.

It was troublesome.

He had never imagined such a mechanism.

—What's happening?!

The adventurers waiting outside hurried over.

"It seems a trap has been activated."

—Did you touch something?

"No. It seems to be a trap that only activates when there are two or more people."

—A trap like that?

—Damn... Whatever it was, we should have gone in first...

"Even if you had, I doubt there was anything you could have done."

Even Ferda, who was extremely sensitive to traps, had fallen victim without resistance.

"Is there any way to get us out of here?"

There were two Gold-ranked adventurers outside.

Surely they would have an answer.

—From what we can see... it doesn't look like there's any way to open it from here.

No, I shouldn't have trusted them. They're all talk after all.

—We'll go bring Captain Eri. Until then, could you please avoid touching anything?

"Understood."

He heard their footsteps fading away.

Silence settled around Ferda.

The kind of silence that awakened unwanted thoughts.

Ferda said nothing.

For now, he simply endured.

—Regent, are you in there?

A familiar voice called out a little later.

Ferda hadn't realized he would be so glad to hear Erika's voice.

"Yes, I'm here."

—How are you? Is it hard to breathe or anything?

Trying to stay calm, Ferda answered based on what he had observed.

"It doesn't seem to be. The room is well ventilated."

—Then it doesn't seem like they intended to suffocate whoever got trapped. Are there any buttons or switches in there? Usually, isolated rooms like this have some kind of backup mechanism...

Ferda looked around once more.

There was only a bed, a few books, and the Armored Knight.

"There doesn't seem to be any mechanism."

—That can't be right... Please search again. While you're doing that, we'll investigate the secret behind this room. Understood?

"Understood."

In the end, even she had no immediate solution.

That meant they had no choice but to remain here for the time being.

Ferda sat down on the bed.

The Armored Knight stood awkwardly in front of him.

His entire posture seemed to say he had no idea what he should do in a situation like this.

"You should sit down as well."

His body language suggested he wasn't sure whether he should.

"If you waste your strength in a place like this, we could end up buried alive. When there's even the slightest chance of getting out, waiting is the right choice."

...Nod.

The Armored Knight spread out a spot and quietly sat down.

The room became utterly silent.

Even the rattling of the armor disappeared, causing Ferda's hearing to sharpen his other senses.

'Damn it.'

The Shadow Circle was turning.

That pitch-black thing resting directly beneath Ferda's Circle continued tempting him without ever growing tired.

He even closed his eyes and tried to steady his heart.

Crimson hair.

Two pairs of horns.

That beautiful face appeared vividly before him once more.

Then it twisted.

She held out her heart.

'I'm going insane.'

He had become trapped in the illusion shown by his trauma.

Even though he knew that magic no longer existed, his heart refused to listen.

It was like thirst and hunger.

Just as those could not be endured forever, this too would eventually explode.

And Ferda knew exactly what form that explosion would take.

—It's okay.

At last, the voice tormenting Ferda echoed once more.

'What's okay about it?'

—You're thinking about the person who loves you, aren't you?

That voice, the one that filled him with regret, tempted him clearly.

—Let those feelings grow stronger, and they'll make you stronger.

—Like a blacksmith's forge.

—Heat it, hammer it, temper it, grind it down.

—That's how you forge a sword.

—A sword to protect that person.

—Kill, and keep killing.

—Eventually, all of that person's enemies will disappear, and you'll create a paradise just for them.

—Conquest is the only true peace.

'Shut up.'

Hearing those words helped Ferda regain a little of his senses.

Killing and slaughtering until there were no more enemies was something he had done only after losing his mind long ago.

—Only a little sacrifice is necessary.

—No, perhaps a little more sacrifice.

—Maybe they'll even come to hate you.

—But don't you want to ease the suffering of the person you love?

—Wasn't that why you made that choice back then?

'Get lost.'

—No.

As it spoke, it shoved its finger into Ferda's chest on its own.

—I told you I'd always stay by your side.

Then, like a sugar cube slowly dissolving in a cup of tea, it toyed with Ferda little by little.

—Right now, you need to become stronger.

He saw the shadows moving on their own.

The Circle pounded through Ferda's body like a river swollen by the summer monsoon.

They were moving the Shadow Circle themselves, trying to ascend to a new realm.

—Follow your Fate.

—Regain the power you once possessed.

—Let's walk together again.

He couldn't resist.

Cold sweat poured down his face.

His consciousness drifted farther and farther away.

"Haa... haa..."

But he couldn't lose consciousness here.

Those shadows were targeting Ferda's body.

He had no idea what would happen if they succeeded.

Nor did he want to find out.

Ferda thought.

How can I escape this painful regret?

'I can't listen to what this thing says.'

To do that, he needed to redirect his thoughts elsewhere.

Not simply distract himself, but guide them somewhere completely opposed to the shadows' intentions.

'Lighten the burden in my heart.'

How could he do that?

Suddenly, Ferda remembered the confession ritual of the Alte Religion.

A priest listened to a believer's sins and relieved them of their burden.

Ferda had always hated the sight.

To commit sins and then seek salvation from a god instead of the person you had wronged.

He hadn't understood it back then.

Now he did.

Without doing something like that, people would lose their minds.

Humans were just that fragile.

Just like Ferda was now.

While he sat there suffering alone, something soft gently embraced him.

The unexpected softness startled Ferda.

'Valdrova.'

Was she touching his cheek?

No.

The Armored Knight was wiping the sweat from Ferda's face.

Ferda didn't recoil or scream.

Instead, he took the handkerchief himself and wiped his face.

The Armored Knight quietly returned to his place.

Ferda silently watched him.

The man's actions were clumsy, yet steadfast at the same time.

Like a fortress that refused to yield, no matter the circumstances.

That was exactly why Ferda, who was on the verge of collapsing, needed him.

"You..."

Ferda finally forced himself to speak.

"Are you... the type who can keep a secret?"