Taking a break in the dungeon is not unusual. In any dungeon, monsters are less likely to appear near the stairs. Me and the Raven Warriors took a break in the staircase rest area that connects the 4th and 5th floor.
“A combination of skills huh…… That’s out of the norm again.”
Felix-san said this in amazement as he handed me some hot tea
With the entrance sealed off, the dungeon is quiet. The rest area also has chairs left by other adventurers, a simple toolbox and the remains of a bonfire.
“….I’m really amazed by you. Having more than two skills is already amazing, but the fact that they enhance each other’s effects is really incredible.”
The tea is said to restore magical power, but the warmth from it also calms the mind.
“It’s a given that it puts a strain on the body. Even with magic, it is difficult to use spells at the same time.”
“T-that’s right……”
“I’m sorry that I wasn’t much help. Actually, my head’s starting to hurt…..…”
“Ha, haha……”
It made me chuckle wryly, but it was something I really had to be careful of. After all, there was no point in collapsing upon using it.
Even while resting, the roars of the undead echo in the distance. Surrounded by the cold stone wall, the Southern Dungeon was terribly cold.
“…… Why are they all undead?”
Suddenly, such a question came to mind.
It seems that the design of dungeons varies depending on the god or believer that have taken refuge in it.
So what about monsters?
『…… Rion, can you hear me?』
It was Sigris’ voice.
『This dungeon is where I was sealed.』
I give a small nod.
『The reason why there are so many large rooms like in the cathedral is because there were so many warriors in the temple at the time, and Valkyria is responsible for healing human warriors. Therefore, there were many warriors who came here for treatment.』
Sigris continued.
『The reason there are so many undead here is because their weapons… or perhaps their bones have turned into monsters.』
“T-then, they’re people from a long time ago…?”
If that’s the case, the ones we’ve defeated up until now are…
『Rion, there’s nothing for you to worry about.』
Sigris spoke gently. But it feels like she’s forcing herself, and it makes my heart ache.
『They are, after all, undead made from bones and relics. They are different beings from the believers and warriors of that time.』
Then Sigris stopped talking after that.
I had another question in my mind, but I didn’t ask it out.
Monsters —they are something we fight all the time, but there are many different types, from creepy undead, dwarf-like goblins, and beast-like wargs.
If Skoll, who attacked the royal capital, was also a monster, then what were they really?
『I’ll explain it.』
The gold coin trembles, and Solana rushed out. She came out the size of a doll, and no one is paying attention to her, so I guess no one else can see her except for me.
I excused myself to Felix-san and then I left the Raven Warriors for a bit. If it’s an important story, I think it would be best to tell everyone, but the Gods might have their own ideas.
I’d like to think that they’ll believe them too, but I certainly don’t know how the warriors will take it……
“After humans were created by the Chief God, monsters were also born. I’ve told you about that, right?”
Solana’s words reminded me of the dream.
“Yes…… During the Ragnarok, they attacked alongside with the titans.”
“Then, Rion, what do you think of monsters?”
I think about it for a moment.
I’ve defeated them in dungeons, but I’ve never really thought about them. There were many different types and they all differed in size. I counted on my fingers the commonalities between them, like their hostility towards humans and their magic stones.
“They possess strong magical powers and…. they’re enemies of humans….. right?”
“Yes. The important point is that they possess magical powers.”
With her small arms, Solana pointed to a thick pillar.
Thanks to the faint glow of the goddess, only a portion of it was lit up. From where the faint light is, there was a carving from long ago that remained.
“Can you see it……?”
These traces of the mythical era are probably the reason why the Southern Dungeon is called the “Cathedral of Darkness”.
There is a large human figure on the left side of the carvings. Smaller animals and short-limbed human like figures are depicted on the right. All of the creatures on the right appear to be bowing their heads.
“They are….. they are bowing to the titans?”
“Many races have borrowed the power of titans to stand out from the other creatures. Goblins are dwarfs who have fallen into depravity, and the undead are monsters born from the wisdom of titans.”
I traced the mural. It’s cold as ice.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to use the dead in this way, or to distort a living being in exchange for power.”
I couldn’t speak for a while.
“……Even monsters like Skoll? That’s how they were born?”
“It’s a little different. They were made from titans, though.”
Solana cuts off her words and moves up.
Carved into the wall was a titan. The bones were pulled out of its limbs, and those bones transformed into monsters —I think that was the scene that’s being depicted.
“Skoll is a monster created by the primordial titan Ymir.”
It is the name of the world’s first born titan.
“They are said to have been created from Ymir’s own bones. That’s why their titles has the word ‘bone’ in it. A monster leader from the mythological era —I guess that’s how you would describe them.”
The dungeon went back to silence.
Looking up at the mural, the ribs of the giant Ymir turned into several wolves. The bones of both arms turned into large snakes. But since it’s a mural, I can’t really see the size or details.
Then I recalled the sound of a newborn’s cry echoing in the darkness that I heard in my dream that scared me to the core.
“……There’s still a lot of monsters like Skoll, isn’t it?”
“Yes, definitely.”
The enemies are targeting me and Lu. They are definitely lurking somewhere after escaping.
“This guy…… Ymir in the mural is the main boss, right?”
“That’s…… I think we still need to look into it.”
I see.
The gods have only just awakened, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about the world. The Raven Warriors haven’t told me anything yet either. We also came to this dungeon to investigate the unexplored area.
『Rion, Solana』
Loki’s voice sounded.
I turned to face the others. It looks like it’s time to leave. Solana then turned into light and returns to the gold coin.
『……Rion. There is no need to show kindness or go easy on them in the battle.』
As I prepared to leave, I heard Sigris’ voice.
『Skeletons and Draugrs are monsters made of the magic of titans. Their techniques from when they were alive are merely recreated from their weapons and remains.』
Sigris’ tense voice made me feel her feelings. I kind of get it. They were warriors who fought to protect people from monsters, and they are now the source of the undead.
Yes, it’s kind ironic…..
This must have been an important place for Sigris. And she’s thinking about her comrades from back then.
“……Felix-san”
I stopped Felix-san.
“Is it true that the priests of the Temple of Odis come to this dungeon regularly to pray?”
The southern dungeon is unpopular, but the priests of the Temple of Odis come here often. Apparently the reason is to offer prayers to the undead monsters.
“That’s the kind of training we have.”
I decided to speak it out.
It might be a bit meddling, but……….
“If you could…… after we finish the dungeon exploration, could you say a prayer for the skeletons and draugr we’ve fought so far?”
Felix-san narrowed his eyes and looks at me.
“…… It seems that Rion-san can really talk to the gods. Is it a wish from the gods?”
“No. This is my request, uhm, I know it’s too late, but……”
I gestured my fingers as I spoke, trying to look nonchalant as possible.
“You’re asking me to wake up the dungeon, right?”
Felix-san looked surprised for a moment. Then he immediately laugh right after. He was shaking his shoulders as he laughed, trying not to make as much noise as possible.
“Fufu, is that the reward for the alarm? You’re a real wake-up caller! And your negotiating skills are top-notch too.”
The other raven warriors looked at me as well and nodded.
Felix-san then opens his mouth,
“The Temple of Odis pays tribute to its warriors. No matter what form they take, if our prayers can lead to their restful sleep…… we make time for them.”
There’s nothing we can do about a battle that’s already over. But I thought it was my duty as the person who inherited it to do something.
“Let’s go, Gods.”
I called out to the gold coin. My right pocket got a little hot and light leaked out from it.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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