Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Three: Exciting & Heartwarming Reunion♪ No Surprises Here☆
The narrow staircase made of stone walls and steps exudes an atmosphere that screams "secret passage." Lantern-like lights hung at regular intervals, casting a soft light around and underfoot, which adds to the ambiance. A cool breeze occasionally caresses my cheeks, suggesting that air is finding its way in from somewhere. It seems like there is proper ventilation, so suffocation probably isn’t a concern.
After descending for a while, we finally reach level ground. However, it is dark ahead, and the passage seems to stretch on for quite some distance.
“Still, building an underground passage like this must have taken a considerable amount of time and manpower.”
“You think so? With earth magic to dig and short-range teleportation magic to place stones, it might not have been that much trouble.”
“Oh… Is that how it works?”
“Well, you know about this country’s history, right, Rin? Even races like elves, who are skilled in magic, were pushed here too.”
Since the space echoed easily, even a soft murmur seemed to carry. Mr. Ed, walking behind me as I looked around curiously, tapped the stone walls lightly as he answered.
Ah… magic. Magic, huh?
For someone like me, born and raised in a world where "magic" and "spells" were purely fictional, it’s incredibly mysterious. It’s something very familiar from stories and games… but always out of reach. To think that such mystical techniques are commonly used in everyday life in this world… I’m experiencing quite the culture shock. I guess that means the buildings above ground were probably mainly constructed using magic too.
“But you know, it doesn’t seem like there was no physical labor involved. There’s a limit to the number of people who can use large-scale magic, and the detailed decorations and fine-tuning were likely done by hand.”
“Ah, I see. So the broad strokes were done with magic, and the details were added by hand?”
“Even so, it must have been way faster than doing everything manually. If I’d lived back then, I bet I would’ve been roped into helping out in various ways.”
“Oh, I can imagine! I still can’t quite wrap my head around your magic, Mr. Ed! But I can tell it’s amazing…”
Mr. Ed smiles cheerfully as if it is no big deal, but I remember him effortlessly demonstrating the magic of various elements—fire, water, wind, lightning… He must be quite a formidable "magician"!
As we chat in low voices, the passage begins to slope upward. We seem to be heading back to the surface. Sure enough, the passage ends in a staircase, which we have no choice but to climb.
We ascend the gently spiraling stairs slowly, and then…
“W-Wow… amazing…”
I almost let out an exclamation at the sight before me, but remembering Mr. Ed and Ms. Aria’s earlier warning, I quickly covered my mouth.
Fluffy carpets, pillars with ornate carvings, and high-quality antique-looking furnishings scatter about… Even to my amateur eyes, it is clearly luxurious but arranged in a way that isn’t ostentatious. It is chic, with quality items… but displayed in a way that avoids looking nouveau riche. The sense of style is impressive. After walking through the dark passage and finally reaching the surface, to find myself standing in such an opulent gallery… it feels a bit unreal.
‘Hey, hey! I wanna walk too!’
“Shh! Gomamiso, shh! Be quiet, okay? Don’t squirm!”
I hugged Gomamiso tightly as it struggled in my arms, wanting to "explore," and whispered in its ear to stay quiet.
Please, show the same level of situational awareness you did earlier! We can’t afford to break any of these furnishings!
Thanks to the carpet absorbing the sound of our footsteps and rustling clothes, the gallery remains eerily silent despite our group of five people and one cat.
No one speaks as we move forward.
Whoa… what’s with this atmosphere?! I’m getting so tense!
Cold sweat trickles down my back from the tension. And then…
“It’s okay, Rin…”
“Oh, Ms. Aria…”
“I don’t think… anything bad will happen…”
Something cool and soft touched my tense arms holding Gomamiso. I managed to stop myself from jumping in surprise and shifted my gaze to see Ms. Aria with a gentle smile, linking her arm with mine. Though her skin was quite cold, the human touch was somehow reassuring. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I smiled back at Ms. Aria as she squeezed my arm comfortingly, and we continued walking through the silent gallery.
After walking for what feels like ages… Mr. Ville stops in front of a door similar to the ones we had passed.
He bites his lip, clenches his fist to knock… then lets it fall limply. As he raises his fist again, determined to knock this time…
“The door is open. Come in, Ville.”
A calm, composed voice resonates from behind the honey-colored door, as if seeing his movements.
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