Chapter 572: Motivation Continues
We entered through the archway and arrived at the ruins’ dock.
“I see, we can drop heated oil or stones from above,” Kiel immediately began his inspection.
Once we stepped into the shadows, the dimness enveloped us, especially near the ceiling. It seems that Changelings can see well in the dark. I noticed a hole above the stairs, but there was another one here too. I can see it as well.
“You all wait here,” Captain Cat instructed the crew who had rowed the small boat, then swiftly disembarked.
Is it okay for your feet to get wet? I guess being a cat, you don’t mind?
“Soleil, your feet are getting wet,” Faramia said as she offered her hand to Soleil, who was stepping off the small boat.
Is that really okay? Kiel, wasn’t this the time to check for defenses?
“It’s dark,” I remarked.
“‘Light in the Darkness,’” Retze chanted, and Haulon activated a light.
The area illuminated by the light at the tip of his staff expanded, revealing more of our surroundings.
“Impressive, isn’t it? The techniques for carving the cliff and assembling these massive stones. They remain eternal even after people have left…”
Well, it was crumbling just a little while ago.
I couldn’t help but mentally retort to Haulon’s comment. Please stop looking over here.
I averted my gaze from the silent Retze.
“An era that prioritized the solitude of defense over the convenience of trade,” Dinoss commented.
“It’s better than a place that crumbles just from being touched. …Yes, I do recall that not long ago, it was pale and eroded by waves, losing its support and collapsing from above…” Soleil seemed to recall something!
Strange things happen when the Great Sage is around; it’s all good. For the Great Sage, it’s just ordinary. I’ll hold back from saying too much, instead gazing at Haulon with sparkling eyes.
“…I’m glad I’m in charge of the physical stuff.”
“That’s outside the range,” Dinoss and the Butler exchanged remarks.
And then Retze silently pinched my cheek. How terrible, considering I hadn’t said anything.
“It would be better if it were a bit wider for transporting goods,” Soleil said as we ascended the stairs.
She’s already thinking about loading and unloading from the ship.
“It would be a waste to destroy these ruins, so we plan to build a port for larger ships on the opposite cliff. But even without transporting goods, the stairs are a bit narrow,” Faramia noted, her skirt nearly brushing against both walls.
“Wait. Is it moving?” Dinoss stopped in his tracks.
“It’s dangerous to stop halfway up the stairs,” someone behind us warned.
“…It is moving.”
“The stairs are expanding,” Kiel and the Butler observed.
The stairs seemed to be shifting or extending from the cliff side.
“Just as expected from the Great Sage?”
“……!!!” Haulon looked at me, his mouth moving in surprise.
“That’s definitely not the case, right?” Captain Cat shot me a skeptical glance.
I had a feeling, but it seems that Captain Cat is immune to magical incantations.
We arrived in the upper room. This space was also slightly wider due to the extended stairs. Instead of a small square like a peephole, I wanted a large window. I’ve learned my lesson, so I won’t say it out loud!
Since I didn’t say it, please stop the gradual widening! What’s going on? Maybe it’s because I just returned, but I feel incredibly motivated. It’s not like I’ve gotten used to moving around, right?
“……”
Several gazes felt piercing, so please, just stay quiet for now. Soon, I’ll be able to move around grandly under the cover of night. Let’s keep up appearances in front of others!
While I was on the verge of various accidents, I wandered around, or rather, Haulon was muttering to himself as he checked the details, and Soleil was contemplating how to utilize this space and the steps for transporting various items.
“There’s nothing to do in ruins without Demon Beasts,” Dinoss was looking around, but he seemed to be just going along with it.
“This passage has a different atmosphere, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. This passage leads to a place more like a Hidden Temple than this fortress. Oh, the sea side is open, so maybe it’s not hidden after all?” Retze discovered a passageway leading to the temple (or something?).
The entrance to the passage resembled the fortress, but beyond that, it looked like a natural cave.
“The temples from the Era of the Boulder often have many goddesses from ancient times.”
“Is that so?” Haulon’s words reminded me of a book I skimmed through in the Spirit Library.
Hmm? It seems there are more animals and plants than humanoid figures? No, maybe that’s going too far back in time. It could also be limited to the gods worshipped by humans.
“Let’s go take a look.”
Haulon, looking a bit excited, stepped lightly ahead.
I’m glad to see him enjoying himself.