Ancient ruins appeared across the entire continent, and the phrase "an entrance to the ruins has appeared" usually referred to the phenomenon where a passage leading into the ruins had emerged. Furthermore, Hessengard was a country where passages to the ruins appeared more frequently than in other nations.
Ancient ruins are not floating around to begin with; they are fixed in place. They are in the same spot but invisible to the human eye.
According to research by the Magic Tower, the ancient ruins were created long ago, during the time when wizards ruled the continent, in the rift between this world and another. However, a special method was required to reach them, and over the long passage of time, that method was forgotten. Consequently, people could no longer enter the ruins.
However, as time passed, there were instances where a space between this world and the ancient ruins opened up, much like an old wall crumbling down. Of course, this was not a normal method, and since the ruins had the power to repair themselves, the created passage closed up quickly.
So, the creation of a passageway in an ancient ruin is not something to be entirely happy about. There was a possibility that if you went inside out of curiosity and the passageway closed, you might never be able to return this way.
Nevertheless, the reason people entered the ruins was that the things they could obtain inside were priceless.
'There are rumors that fragments of the ocean are scattered everywhere.'
Callion, having been inside, knew that the rumors were exaggerated. However, that didn't mean there was no treasure. The problem was that they were not the gold and silver treasures people imagined, but ancient devices.
'I need to tidy up right away.'
It seemed necessary to summon the knights to examine the area together after defeating all the monsters. Usually, passages in ruins remain open for anywhere from five hours to a week. Since this one had just opened, there would be ample time to look inside.
Callion and Erna looked around. There were still monsters remaining. Even so, it wasn't a big problem for the two of them.
The monster, realizing that its opponent was formidable, flew back up into the sky, but Erna's magic was faster. As her hand moved to write down the magic formula without hesitation, a beam of light appeared in the air and rapidly grew like a vine, grabbing the monster's wings and dragging it down to the ground.
Kyaaaaaaak!
Although he could not understand the monster's words, Callion could at least tell that the scream was one of agony. Callion moved first before Erna could cast magic again. Swish! A sound like a sword cutting through the wind was heard, and simultaneously, the monster's head was severed.
'It is certainly comfortable.'
He understood why other countries were desperately trying to secure wizards. After all, the power of a single strong wizard is equivalent to that of dozens of knights.
'But this is only possible because it's Erna...'
An ordinary wizard would never be able to cast such powerful magic so quickly and in succession at that. Didn't the wizards he met before struggle and waste time just drawing a single spell formula?
'I do understand why Havand wants to take her back.'
King Havand must be feeling bitter. Even in the Magic Tower, there are only a handful of mages of Erna's caliber. She is a presence that exerts immense pressure on neighboring kingdoms just by being on his side, so it is only natural that he would want to pick her up again, having abandoned such a daughter without recognizing her worth.
As Callion kicked the head of a monster rolling on the ground, he looked at the new monster flying toward Erna. At first, it seemed they were trying to approach one by one while hiding, but realizing that wouldn't work, they appeared to be attacking all at once.
Callion, who was about to finish dealing with the monster, quietly approached Erna and examined her.
Callion's face hardened as he looked at Erna. Seen up close, Erna was drenched in cold sweat, and her trembling lips were letting out rough breaths.
“What’s wrong with you?”
"Just look ahead!"
As the startled Callion approached, Erna screamed in disbelief. To think he would be distracted while leaving an approaching monster alone—is he out of his mind? However, just before the monster's claws touched him, Callion quickly turned around, kicked the charging monster, and beheaded it while it flapped its wings in surprise.
The moment she saw black blood gushing out, her vision went dark with a fluttering sound. Something warm enveloped her. It was only when she saw Callion's bowed face that she realized he had covered both her and him with a cloak.
Splash! The sound of sticky liquid dripping was heard from beyond the cloak. It had blocked the gushing monster blood. Erna blushed as she sensed the scent of sand mixed with Callion's body scent—which she always smelled in bed—from the cloak wrapped around her. She wondered why this scent brought her such reassurance.
Callion immediately threw off his cloak and shook it. Since it was a cloak made specifically for hunting monsters, the monster's blood did not soak into the fabric but flowed down to the floor. Callion glanced to see if he had properly slashed the monster, then immediately looked back at Erna.
Thanks to the lingering beam of light Erna had created, he could see her face clearly. Sweat streaming down, parched lips, hollow eyes, and even skin rougher than usual. Anyone could see that Erna was not in normal condition.
"Are you sick?"
"Don't touch it!"
As Callion tried to grab her, Erna fiercely slapped his hand away. At that moment, his body swayed violently.
“...?”
When he climbed on top of her and clung to her as if to pounce, his body could not be pushed away, no matter how hard she tried. There was no way that Callion would stagger like that just from a slight swat...
“...!”
In an instant, Erna's body also swayed violently. Startled, she looked down and saw something other than the ground. It wasn't a monster. This is...
“...Why the passageway of the ruins?”
The passageway of the ruins that had appeared beside them had suddenly grown much larger. It distorted not only the spot where the two people were standing but also the surrounding landscape simultaneously, illuminating a different space. She had never seen a story in any book about a passageway of ruins appearing this large.
Moreover, its shape was not a round hole like those discovered so far. It looked as if a door had opened, as if it were waiting for its owner.
At that moment, Erna felt her body suddenly drop downward.
"Aaah!"
Just as she let out a scream in shock at the sudden situation, Callion grabbed her hand. However, the place where he was standing also turned into a passageway of the ruins, and the two began to fall downwards together. Watching the receding sky, Erna lost consciousness.
"Ugh..."
Erna woke up with a throbbing headache. As she blinked a few times, she remembered what had happened before she lost consciousness.
"Oh my!"
She opened her eyes wide in surprise. Just as she had almost finished dealing with the monsters, a passageway in the ruins appeared, and as the passageway widened, she fell down into it...
Callion had definitely held her hand. Startled, Erna looked around. It was an unfamiliar place she had never seen before. It was clearly the ancient ruins where she had fallen. But where is Callion?
"Ugh..."
Erna lowered her head at the sound of moans coming from beneath her. Then she saw Callion pinned beneath her.
Fortunately, Callion also seemed to be waking up, frowning and letting out a groan. Erna quickly slipped out of his embrace and hurriedly stepped back. Then, as she hit the cold wall behind her, she barely managed to compose herself and looked around once more.
“This is... an ancient ruin.”
Fortunately, thanks to the balls of light on the wall that looked like they were made of magic, she had no trouble seeing her surroundings.
To think she would end up entering a place she had said she would visit someday. Erna's gaze quickly scanned the interior of the ruins.
It was a space built of stacked stones. An unfamiliar architectural style she had never seen before. Judging by the breeze blowing enough to slightly ruffle her hair, it did not seem like a sealed space. The wind carried the distinctive smell of wet earth found underground.
A moment later, Callion sat up. As soon as he regained his senses, he hurriedly looked around. Then, spotting Erna watching him from a short distance away, he breathed a sigh of relief and asked.
"Are you okay?"
"Why are you looking out for me first when you should be looking out for yourself?" Still feeling sorry that he had taken the hit instead of her, Erna was about to thank him when she remembered that the two had been arguing loudly before falling.
Unsure whether to get angry or just say thank you for now, she kept her mouth shut and rolled her eyes; Callion sighed as if to say she should handle it herself and stood up from his seat.
'He doesn't look hurt.'
He looked unwell, but at least he didn't seem to have any noticeable injuries. Callion raised his head and looked at the ceiling of the ruins.
'What on earth was that?'
Callion recalled the passageways of ancient ruins he had seen so far. Even the largest ones were only large enough for a single adult male to enter. However, the passageway that had appeared just before the two of them fell was massive, larger than any passageway he had ever seen. And above all, its shape was different.
It was a large, square shape, much like the gate of a grand castle. It looked as if a proper gate had opened, rather than a hole created when the boundary of the world briefly collapsed.
That was not the only strange thing. The passageway of the ruins remains exactly where it was until it appeared and disappeared. However, even when looking up at the ceiling at the location where the two people had fallen, the passageway of the ruins was not visible.
Callion's face darkened. As far as he knew, the only way to enter and exit the ruins was through the newly formed passageway. That is why there were also ghost stories associated with the ruins.
The story goes that, greedily seeking the treasure inside the ruins, someone ventured deeper while others scooped up a reasonable amount and slipped away, only to find the passageway closed off. Decades later, when people entered the passageway that had formed in the same spot, they discovered skeletons clutching all kinds of gold and jewels rolling around.
Callion roughly ran his hand through his hair and turned his head. Seeing this, Erna, who was watching him, stammered.
“The passageway... is closed, right?”
Her gaze turned toward the empty ceiling.
"It seems so."
Erna's eyes trembled at Callion's answer. She, too, was well aware of the ghost stories surrounding the ruins. If the passage disappeared, there was no telling when it would reopen. That meant the two of them were trapped inside.
Erna staggered to her feet. Her body, already aching, began to tremble as she faced the sudden situation. Watching Erna tremble alone in place, Callion clicked his tongue briefly, approached her, and wrapped his cloak around her.
“W-what is this!”
"What?"
"I mean, let's stop arguing for a while until we leave the ruins."
“...”
Erna, who was about to shout, "What fight? I was just pointing out your behavior!", grabbed the cloak draped over her shoulders and nodded weakly.
"...Yes."
She was scared. Scared of this unfamiliar place, and of the fact that she might not be able to return if things went wrong. If she had been alone, she might have cried right then and there. Even now, the urge to cry was overwhelming. The only reason she could hold on was that Callion was by her side.
"Let's take a look first."
Callion reached out his hand to Erna. Erna grabbed it tightly. At that moment, Callion was the only one she could trust and rely on.
As if grabbing his hand wasn't enough, gripping his arm almost to hug him, Callion could feel her trembling. And also the fact that her body was quite hot.
'I guess I should look around first and find a place to rest.'
Holding onto Erna, Callion walked on. Before long, the two reached a massive entrance presumed to be the gate of the ruins. Just as Callion was about to approach to check for any danger, Erna suddenly grabbed his clothes.
Callion turned around in surprise at her behavior, as she had remained still until now.
"What's the matter?"
"Excuse me...!"
Callion looked at where Erna had pointed. Above the entrance, he saw ancient writing on a stone that he had seen sometime before, emitting a soft light.
"Ancient script group."
Callion had little interest in ancient script. Therefore, the only thing he could read was the word 'Hessengard' on the back. Then, what could be written on the front? Just as he was about to walk past without paying any more attention, Erna stopped him and spoke.
“Over there... our names are written there.”
Ancient ruins are not floating around to begin with; they are fixed in place. They are in the same spot but invisible to the human eye.
According to research by the Magic Tower, the ancient ruins were created long ago, during the time when wizards ruled the continent, in the rift between this world and another. However, a special method was required to reach them, and over the long passage of time, that method was forgotten. Consequently, people could no longer enter the ruins.
However, as time passed, there were instances where a space between this world and the ancient ruins opened up, much like an old wall crumbling down. Of course, this was not a normal method, and since the ruins had the power to repair themselves, the created passage closed up quickly.
So, the creation of a passageway in an ancient ruin is not something to be entirely happy about. There was a possibility that if you went inside out of curiosity and the passageway closed, you might never be able to return this way.
Nevertheless, the reason people entered the ruins was that the things they could obtain inside were priceless.
'There are rumors that fragments of the ocean are scattered everywhere.'
Callion, having been inside, knew that the rumors were exaggerated. However, that didn't mean there was no treasure. The problem was that they were not the gold and silver treasures people imagined, but ancient devices.
'I need to tidy up right away.'
It seemed necessary to summon the knights to examine the area together after defeating all the monsters. Usually, passages in ruins remain open for anywhere from five hours to a week. Since this one had just opened, there would be ample time to look inside.
Callion and Erna looked around. There were still monsters remaining. Even so, it wasn't a big problem for the two of them.
The monster, realizing that its opponent was formidable, flew back up into the sky, but Erna's magic was faster. As her hand moved to write down the magic formula without hesitation, a beam of light appeared in the air and rapidly grew like a vine, grabbing the monster's wings and dragging it down to the ground.
Kyaaaaaaak!
Although he could not understand the monster's words, Callion could at least tell that the scream was one of agony. Callion moved first before Erna could cast magic again. Swish! A sound like a sword cutting through the wind was heard, and simultaneously, the monster's head was severed.
'It is certainly comfortable.'
He understood why other countries were desperately trying to secure wizards. After all, the power of a single strong wizard is equivalent to that of dozens of knights.
'But this is only possible because it's Erna...'
An ordinary wizard would never be able to cast such powerful magic so quickly and in succession at that. Didn't the wizards he met before struggle and waste time just drawing a single spell formula?
'I do understand why Havand wants to take her back.'
King Havand must be feeling bitter. Even in the Magic Tower, there are only a handful of mages of Erna's caliber. She is a presence that exerts immense pressure on neighboring kingdoms just by being on his side, so it is only natural that he would want to pick her up again, having abandoned such a daughter without recognizing her worth.
As Callion kicked the head of a monster rolling on the ground, he looked at the new monster flying toward Erna. At first, it seemed they were trying to approach one by one while hiding, but realizing that wouldn't work, they appeared to be attacking all at once.
Callion, who was about to finish dealing with the monster, quietly approached Erna and examined her.
Callion's face hardened as he looked at Erna. Seen up close, Erna was drenched in cold sweat, and her trembling lips were letting out rough breaths.
“What’s wrong with you?”
"Just look ahead!"
As the startled Callion approached, Erna screamed in disbelief. To think he would be distracted while leaving an approaching monster alone—is he out of his mind? However, just before the monster's claws touched him, Callion quickly turned around, kicked the charging monster, and beheaded it while it flapped its wings in surprise.
The moment she saw black blood gushing out, her vision went dark with a fluttering sound. Something warm enveloped her. It was only when she saw Callion's bowed face that she realized he had covered both her and him with a cloak.
Splash! The sound of sticky liquid dripping was heard from beyond the cloak. It had blocked the gushing monster blood. Erna blushed as she sensed the scent of sand mixed with Callion's body scent—which she always smelled in bed—from the cloak wrapped around her. She wondered why this scent brought her such reassurance.
Callion immediately threw off his cloak and shook it. Since it was a cloak made specifically for hunting monsters, the monster's blood did not soak into the fabric but flowed down to the floor. Callion glanced to see if he had properly slashed the monster, then immediately looked back at Erna.
Thanks to the lingering beam of light Erna had created, he could see her face clearly. Sweat streaming down, parched lips, hollow eyes, and even skin rougher than usual. Anyone could see that Erna was not in normal condition.
"Are you sick?"
"Don't touch it!"
As Callion tried to grab her, Erna fiercely slapped his hand away. At that moment, his body swayed violently.
“...?”
When he climbed on top of her and clung to her as if to pounce, his body could not be pushed away, no matter how hard she tried. There was no way that Callion would stagger like that just from a slight swat...
“...!”
In an instant, Erna's body also swayed violently. Startled, she looked down and saw something other than the ground. It wasn't a monster. This is...
“...Why the passageway of the ruins?”
The passageway of the ruins that had appeared beside them had suddenly grown much larger. It distorted not only the spot where the two people were standing but also the surrounding landscape simultaneously, illuminating a different space. She had never seen a story in any book about a passageway of ruins appearing this large.
Moreover, its shape was not a round hole like those discovered so far. It looked as if a door had opened, as if it were waiting for its owner.
At that moment, Erna felt her body suddenly drop downward.
"Aaah!"
Just as she let out a scream in shock at the sudden situation, Callion grabbed her hand. However, the place where he was standing also turned into a passageway of the ruins, and the two began to fall downwards together. Watching the receding sky, Erna lost consciousness.
***
"Ugh..."
Erna woke up with a throbbing headache. As she blinked a few times, she remembered what had happened before she lost consciousness.
"Oh my!"
She opened her eyes wide in surprise. Just as she had almost finished dealing with the monsters, a passageway in the ruins appeared, and as the passageway widened, she fell down into it...
Callion had definitely held her hand. Startled, Erna looked around. It was an unfamiliar place she had never seen before. It was clearly the ancient ruins where she had fallen. But where is Callion?
"Ugh..."
Erna lowered her head at the sound of moans coming from beneath her. Then she saw Callion pinned beneath her.
Fortunately, Callion also seemed to be waking up, frowning and letting out a groan. Erna quickly slipped out of his embrace and hurriedly stepped back. Then, as she hit the cold wall behind her, she barely managed to compose herself and looked around once more.
“This is... an ancient ruin.”
Fortunately, thanks to the balls of light on the wall that looked like they were made of magic, she had no trouble seeing her surroundings.
To think she would end up entering a place she had said she would visit someday. Erna's gaze quickly scanned the interior of the ruins.
It was a space built of stacked stones. An unfamiliar architectural style she had never seen before. Judging by the breeze blowing enough to slightly ruffle her hair, it did not seem like a sealed space. The wind carried the distinctive smell of wet earth found underground.
A moment later, Callion sat up. As soon as he regained his senses, he hurriedly looked around. Then, spotting Erna watching him from a short distance away, he breathed a sigh of relief and asked.
"Are you okay?"
"Why are you looking out for me first when you should be looking out for yourself?" Still feeling sorry that he had taken the hit instead of her, Erna was about to thank him when she remembered that the two had been arguing loudly before falling.
Unsure whether to get angry or just say thank you for now, she kept her mouth shut and rolled her eyes; Callion sighed as if to say she should handle it herself and stood up from his seat.
'He doesn't look hurt.'
He looked unwell, but at least he didn't seem to have any noticeable injuries. Callion raised his head and looked at the ceiling of the ruins.
'What on earth was that?'
Callion recalled the passageways of ancient ruins he had seen so far. Even the largest ones were only large enough for a single adult male to enter. However, the passageway that had appeared just before the two of them fell was massive, larger than any passageway he had ever seen. And above all, its shape was different.
It was a large, square shape, much like the gate of a grand castle. It looked as if a proper gate had opened, rather than a hole created when the boundary of the world briefly collapsed.
That was not the only strange thing. The passageway of the ruins remains exactly where it was until it appeared and disappeared. However, even when looking up at the ceiling at the location where the two people had fallen, the passageway of the ruins was not visible.
Callion's face darkened. As far as he knew, the only way to enter and exit the ruins was through the newly formed passageway. That is why there were also ghost stories associated with the ruins.
The story goes that, greedily seeking the treasure inside the ruins, someone ventured deeper while others scooped up a reasonable amount and slipped away, only to find the passageway closed off. Decades later, when people entered the passageway that had formed in the same spot, they discovered skeletons clutching all kinds of gold and jewels rolling around.
Callion roughly ran his hand through his hair and turned his head. Seeing this, Erna, who was watching him, stammered.
“The passageway... is closed, right?”
Her gaze turned toward the empty ceiling.
"It seems so."
Erna's eyes trembled at Callion's answer. She, too, was well aware of the ghost stories surrounding the ruins. If the passage disappeared, there was no telling when it would reopen. That meant the two of them were trapped inside.
Erna staggered to her feet. Her body, already aching, began to tremble as she faced the sudden situation. Watching Erna tremble alone in place, Callion clicked his tongue briefly, approached her, and wrapped his cloak around her.
“W-what is this!”
“Let’s take this outside.”
"I mean, let's stop arguing for a while until we leave the ruins."
“...”
Erna, who was about to shout, "What fight? I was just pointing out your behavior!", grabbed the cloak draped over her shoulders and nodded weakly.
"...Yes."
She was scared. Scared of this unfamiliar place, and of the fact that she might not be able to return if things went wrong. If she had been alone, she might have cried right then and there. Even now, the urge to cry was overwhelming. The only reason she could hold on was that Callion was by her side.
"Let's take a look first."
Callion reached out his hand to Erna. Erna grabbed it tightly. At that moment, Callion was the only one she could trust and rely on.
As if grabbing his hand wasn't enough, gripping his arm almost to hug him, Callion could feel her trembling. And also the fact that her body was quite hot.
'I guess I should look around first and find a place to rest.'
Holding onto Erna, Callion walked on. Before long, the two reached a massive entrance presumed to be the gate of the ruins. Just as Callion was about to approach to check for any danger, Erna suddenly grabbed his clothes.
Callion turned around in surprise at her behavior, as she had remained still until now.
"What's the matter?"
"Excuse me...!"
Callion looked at where Erna had pointed. Above the entrance, he saw ancient writing on a stone that he had seen sometime before, emitting a soft light.
"Ancient script group."
Callion had little interest in ancient script. Therefore, the only thing he could read was the word 'Hessengard' on the back. Then, what could be written on the front? Just as he was about to walk past without paying any more attention, Erna stopped him and spoke.
“Over there... our names are written there.”
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