14-4 Part 2
The Underground Empire of Rebellion
Built with a Single Shovel - What Used to be a White Wasteland of Death -
Translator : PolterGlast
However. After about
an hour, there was a sound of something beyond the passage. It was something
gradually approaching us.
Perhaps having
sensed it with her long ears, Yumil also strengthened her light magic
and peered ahead.
「Hii,
hyuh?!」
「What,
Abyss Ants.」
On top of that, even
figures of goblins appeared additionally there. I don't know what's going on,
but it seems I've connected to a place I shouldn't have dug into.
「Zirant,
I leave guarding Yumil to you.」
「It
cannot be helped, I shall oblige.」
The one who
suggested this was Zirant. Perhaps feeling responsible, she obediently
complied with the order. With this, there's no worry about the rear. I charged
into the underground path crawling with monsters.
Why are there even
goblins here along with Abyss monsters. Such a question floated to mind, but
for now, I just have to scatter them.
「As
expected, that's reckless! Retreat, Ashle—Eeeh?!」
「Kukuku...
It seems you've already gotten used to Abyss Ants.」
First, I cleaned up
the Abyss Ants in the front row. Giant ants are certainly a threat, but I
already understand their moves well enough. Even though they are big, they are
ultimately just insects. Unintelligent creatures that are nothing but a bundle
of conditioned reflexes are no different from small fry once you figure out their pattern.
I pierced the joint
of one leg, and when the enemy lost its balance, I rode its back and severed
the nerves in its torso. Even so, they don't die for a while, making them
creepy creatures. After that, it's just a matter of defeating the goblins
slipping through the gaps between the struggling Abyss Ants one by one.
「Zirant,
it's coming!」
「To make
Wagahai deal with small fry, you have some nerve!」
「I-It
froze?!」
Zirant froze
the ones I failed to kill. Eventually, the Abyss Ants stopped moving, and as
the goblin corpses scattered, they disappeared into the earth as if melting.
「Ashley,
there's still something in the back.」
「Don't
tell me the first Emperor connected the underground path even to the Abyss.」
「Don't
be stupid.」
Advancing further
in, the underground path connected to a wide space. There was one Abyss Ant
there too, but somehow it's strange. It didn't direct any intimidation toward
us. Moreover, it was a guy two sizes larger.
「That's...
dead...」
「Umu,
it seems this one starved to death. These guys are creatures that starve to
death themselves after destroying an area.」
「But
why is it in an underground path like this.」
「Most
likely because of that. You should recognize it too.」
「What
is that, a stake...?」
When Zirant
pointed to the edge of the wall in the back, there was indeed something I
recognized. It was a white stake. A miniature version of the thing piercing the
earth in Ratatosk was growing from the ground. Of course, I destroyed
that thing without thinking.
「The
presence of the Abyss has faded... It seems that stake was the cause after all.」
「If
things like these start sprouting up all over the place like mushrooms,
humanity would be in serious trouble...」
It seems it's
necessary to proceed while staying vigilant until the next collapsed section.
「You're
strong, Ashley.」
「Who
knows. Even so, Aniue is much stronger.」
「What kind
of humble way to put it is that...」
「That's
a lie. There's no way there are two people like you. Besides, I finally
understand. This is what made the King of Kaha willing to bet on you,
isn't it.」
With the letter I
delivered, I had conveyed our circumstances to the Fimbul Duke House to
some extent. In that letter, it was roughly noted that we want to guide the
Empire in a better direction, so please become our ally.
「Furthermore,
you have the power to revive these underground tunnels. It's frustrating, but
I'll acknowledge it. You're a bit strange, but... you are our ally. You might
really be an amazing man who can just save this Empire...」
「Kukuku...
Indeed. A man Wagahai has set her eyes on. He will surely accomplish it
and take back the throne as it should be.」
「Zirant,
it gets confusing, so don't mix in unnecessary talk. Anyway, we will advance
while staying vigilant.」
There was one more
Abyss Ant ahead on the path, but perhaps wanting to show off her good side, the
intrusive Zirant froze it in one shot. Then, after repairing a collapsed
section that appeared again, we eventually arrived at a fork in the road.
「Advance
or go up. I'll leave the judgment to you.」
「Go up.
I want to confirm where on the surface it connects.」
The upward path drew
a spiral and continued to the surface. Following the path from the deep
underground, when we emerged on the distant surface—surprisingly, it was in a
forest enveloped by vegetation.
「Phew...
The air is fresh, and
it's a beautiful place...」
「What's
wrong, Zirant, hurry up and come.」
「Umu...
But this place... I feel like I've seen it somewhere before...」
「Unfortunately,
I haven't. By the way, isn't that rocky mountain strangely white?」
「You're
right, not a single blade of grass is growing on it. Despite being so full of
greenery, I suppose it is a bit strange...」
Leaving behind the
slow-footed Zirant, we approached the rocky mountain. Then, on that
rocky mountain, there was a tattered, decayed wooden door attached to it.
Someone lived here. That's what it meant.
「Even
though they could have just built a house, what a strange fellow he must have
been...」
「There's
also a possibility it's a shrine or something.」
「No,
this is, different... Don't tell me, this place is...」
Zirant has
been acting strange since coming to Fimbul. Well, there's probably no
need to put on airs every time. I kicked down the decayed door and entered
inside.
What was inside were
the remains of daily life. A decayed bed, an empty bookshelf, a simple kitchen.
And, a strange Shovel that had been leaning against a wall. Only that Shovel
remained unrusted and undecayed, beautifully left forgotten there.
When I picked it up,
the weight was just right, and it fit my body. I don't know why, but it felt
awfully right.
「This
is usable.」
「A
mysterious Shovel, isn't it. I wonder what it's made of...」
It was a
sturdy-looking black Shovel. Looking at it, there were no chips on the
blade anywhere, and when I tried piercing the bedrock earth with it as a test,
a small elasticity returned, as if poking jelly with a spoon. The pitch-black Shovel
pierced the earth with utter ease.
「This
is usable, with this I might be able to cross swords with the Abyss magic
sword!」
「Ashley,
that is a matter of course... There's no mistake, this place is—this is the
first Emperor's old nest!
The former Emperor, rejected by humans because of his abnormality, lived in a
cursed, white land!」
She was quite
excited. Of course, me too. It was my first time finding such a wonderful
treasure. With this, I feel like I could go anywhere.
「Then
it seems there might be more useful treasures sleeping here. Are there any
other places like this?」
「W-Wait
a minute, isn't that tomb raiding...」
「What's
wrong with a descendant using his ancestor's treasure.」
「Th-That's
true, but...」
「If I
recall correctly... the next door was supposed to be a warehouse. You may
investigate it.」
Just as Zirant
said, when I went outside and looked for the next entrance, beyond it was a
vast warehouse. Old antiques, decayed paintings, toys that children would like,
treasures using jewels and gold and silver—from junk to valuables, a massive
amount of everything was sleeping there.
「It is Ausar's
legacy. You, a descendant and an atavism, have the right to do as you please
with this.」
「Although
most of it is junk.」
「It's
not junk, they are splendid antiques! Hey, can I have this seven-colored vase
too...?」
The young lady Yumil
has a refined taste. Since I don't think they have commercial value, I'll let
her do as she pleases with the antiques.
「However,
if we are to take these treasures back, we have to proceed westward while
maintaining the path like this.」
「That
was the original plan, wasn't it. These will add to our war funds. Make a
transport route.」
「Nn...
Then, I'll return once to report. After all, you don't need a Shovel
anymore, right, I have to tell the Blacksmith-sama too. Fufufu... Besides,
there are other antiques I want, I have to call Father and the others♪」
「I
suppose that's true... Then I leave that side to you. I'll try imitating the
first. With my ancestor's Shovel, this thing, bedrock and the like is
already like jelly.」
I was starting to
have fun, unlike myself. Watching the young lady Yumil's back as she
left, I proceeded with the maintenance of the underground tunnel to the west.
If this underground tunnel continues all the way to the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, this will become the best loophole that only we can use. It will become possible to immediately transport our reinforcements to the Imperial Capital and respond to unforeseen circumstances. There was no loss in connecting it.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Tbaum56
Xavier O'Donoghue
Anton Lim
Austin Lorenzo
Baelee
Bloodyemperor
Ctdela
Curious Panda
David Bankole
Enrique Miranda
nick nasca
openope
Radhitia Furqan
SD Fox
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
