Chapter 10

"Pass through the crescent moon gate and find the twin half-moons... Is that what it says?"

"This is... Brother Edelbert's handwriting."

"His?!"

Finding traces of Brother Edelbert in the <Arriver's Ruins> made me feel relieved.

It's like finding a Buddha in hell.

I can imagine Brother Edelbert, with his archaic smile, waving leisurely in my mind.

"This might be some kind of hint left by Brother Edelbert when he explored this ruin."

"Then let's follow it for now."

"Yes, that makes sense."

I repacked the staff case and other tools spread on the floor and stood up.

Following the message, I passed through the exit marked with a crescent moon symbol.

After walking about thirty meters down a dim corridor, I saw the faint glow of moonlight gall ink again.

Two half-circular marks side by side.

This must be the twin half-moons.

"Is this it...!"

"There are some more words written here."

"When the full moon rises to the zenith, the path will open..."

"Full moon? But I don't see any circular marks anywhere..."

"Wait. The message says 'rises to the zenith.' If that's the case—"

Again, the heavy mechanical sound of creaking and clunking echoed.

It was the sound of a room changing shape nearby.

"This hint must have been written with the assumption that the labyrinth moves."

"That means the sound we just heard is the sound of a full moon rising somewhere—meaning, it's the sound of a room leading to the next hint."

"Right. If the full moon is at its highest point, the direction we should go is south."

"Damn. I didn't bring a compass with me."

"Leave it to me. I can't use high-level or wide-area magic that consumes a lot of power, but I can manage a simple spell."

Klaus stood his short staff vertically on the floor and began to chant.

The language he used was the same ancient Halfan language, but the intonation was more like a nursery rhyme compared to the usual incantations.

When he let go of the staff he had cast the spell on, it spun and fell in the direction we had been walking.

"That way is south."

"It's kind of underwhelming, isn't it?"

"It's an old spell. But it can be surprisingly useful to know."

Indeed, it's been very helpful.

Without this spell, I might have seriously considered trying to extract a magnet from the core material.

Brother Edelbert's wallet was saved without Klaus knowing.

Brother's hint subtly conveyed that the mechanism was triggered by the passage of time and the movement of weight.

If we had split up and searched at first, we might not have been able to regroup with Klaus.

To avoid getting separated, I held hands with Klaus and moved through the dim ruins, heading south.

We carefully explored, checking the lamps at various points.

After a while, we saw a faint, round light floating in the darkness.

"A circular mark... That must be the full moon at the zenith!"

"Let's check the message from a distance."

"Is this the end point?"

"What does your brother intend to do by leading us here?"

At the entrance marked with a full moon, a brand new wooden door was installed.

Fortunately, there was no lock on the door.

We slowly opened it, being careful not to sense any presence on the other side.

"This is..."

"A box... I see."

In the room marked with the full moon, there were five large wardrobe boxes.

The wardrobe boxes were reinforced with metal frames and had locks.

They looked like treasure chests in this ruin.

The boxes were engraved with the Aurelia family crest.

The attached labels had cryptic notes written in Brother's handwriting.

It seems the contents of the boxes were supplies Brother had stored for his exploration of the labyrinth.

Next to the boxes were two rolled-up blankets, and there were traces of a fire having been made.

"Is this a makeshift base camp?"

"He's well-prepared. Just like your brother."

"There might be some useful items."

"That would be a great help."

When I tried to open the wardrobe boxes, they were all securely locked.

It's really thorough, just like Brother Edelbert.

"Unfortunately, I didn't bring a universal key staff, Sir Klaus..."

"Don't worry. My magic power has recovered enough to use a lock-picking spell."

"Then please do it."

"Sure, leave it to me."

Klaus placed his long staff on top of the box and began to chant.

The long staff used by the Eastern mage differs from the short staff in that it amplifies magic power.

However, it seems a bit much for a mage of Klaus's caliber to use a long staff for a basic spell.

A thin, rose-colored magic circle enveloped the wardrobe box.

The magic circle slowly rotated and shrank, converging on the lock.

With a click, the lock opened.

"Good, it seems the lock is open."

"Let's open it, Sir Klaus."

"Sure."

Klaus opened the heavy lid of the wardrobe box.

I shone the lamp, and various items came into view.

"A few scrolls, food... Yes, this is good, it will help."

"Did you find something useful?"

"Look. Magic power recovery potions."

Several amber glass vials containing magic power recovery potions were neatly arranged.

Impressive, Brother Edelbert!

"With these, we won't have to rely solely on your staff. We can explore more flexibly."

"That's a relief."

Wait? Alchemists shouldn't have to worry about running out of magic power.

Why did Brother Edelbert store so many magic power recovery potions?

For the sake of his companions...?

Are Brother's friends from the East or the North?

Oh, right, let's check the supplies first.

After drinking one of the potions, Klaus unlocked the remaining boxes one by one.

With his magic power restored, he was in top form, like a fish in water.

Oh! While I was spacing out, he opened four boxes!

"I'll open this one."

I decided to open the last box.

--Creak!

The protective pattern embroidered on the hem of Brother's clothes, made of special threads infused with magic power, burst.

As soon as I opened the lid, a sinister purple magic circle spread.

Eek! This is clearly a curse.

I tried to dodge, but the light of the magic circle, like a chain, shattered and wrapped around me before I could react.

"...What!?"

"...!! Damn! It's a trap!"

(What the—!?)

Of course!

If you leave supplies in a ruin, you take precautions against thieves!

This is a death flag, or rather, a serious danger!

It's tough...!

Klaus activated his spiritual vision and stared at me intently.

He must be checking the details of the curse placed on me.

His eyes looked pained, and the color drained from his face.

Klaus, after analyzing the curse, lowered his eyes in a mournful manner.

Oh no! What's with that reaction, like a doctor announcing a terminal illness!

"...I'm sorry, Erika. This is... a death curse."

Eek, I knew it!

People from Aurelia are often stubborn craftsmen.

So, most alchemists are strict with thieves...

"...Was it set by my brother?"

"Yes. The creator and executor is Edelbert Aurelia, your brother. He set it up about a month ago."

Klaus's expression was dark, and he looked pained when he met my eyes.

I mean, am I going to die, right now, me!?

"It's a merciful death curse... After a certain period, it will bring a quick death without causing any suffering."

"What, after a certain period...?"

"Estimating generously, twelve hours; estimating conservatively, eight hours."

"...What!?"

"Having a slight delay is probably to cause mental suffering to the victim. Or it might be to give the caster a chance to lift the curse if the victim pleads for mercy."

Brother Edelbert is a real bastard.

Among the seven targets, he is known for his dark smile and his rather dark revenge...

This is a fresh side of Brother I've only seen his gentle and sweet side.

I really regret not having played through Brother's scenario yet—

"...Erika, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

For a moment, I felt like I was escaping reality, but I snapped back when I saw Klaus's worried face.

"Erika, let's go back to the palace. If we hurry, we might still have a chance. Your father might be able to lift the curse."

"No, let's prioritize my little sister now."

I made up my mind.

Even without ghosts, spirits, or monsters, this <Arriver's Ruins> is dangerous enough.

There's no guarantee that Brother or other explorers haven't set up other fatal traps.

I can't leave the young Anne here.

Besides, I'm used to bad things happening to me.

I didn't want to get used to it at all.

In the first place, having eight hours of leeway instead of an instant death is a mercy.

I took out a mineral clock from my jacket pocket.

The current time was past 9 PM.

"It's fine. If we escape and get the curse lifted by 5 AM tomorrow, we'll be fine."

"What are you saying! Even if there's a delay, if something happens to you, I—"

"I'm more worried about my little sister."

"But—"

"Let's all three of us stroll through the garden of the <Spring Palace> tomorrow. It's a promise, Sir Klaus."

Interrupting someone is rude, but I couldn't help it.

When someone is genuinely worried, it makes me feel even worse.

I smiled at Klaus.

A smile is important.

Even if Erika Aurelia looks like a villain, it might help to ease some of the anxiety.

"You..."

"With this much leeway, I won't die unless I have really bad luck. I'll be fine."

"But, Erika... You seem to have very bad luck."

You're right.

Just a few minutes ago, I got caught by a Russian roulette treasure box with a one in five chance of death!