Chapter 269: A Date (Primula’s Edition) ③
Rest found himself on the receiving end of a lecture regarding Subnock, but as he soothed Primula, they continued their way through the museum.
“We’re almost at the exit, aren’t we…?”
Primula, who had been explaining the exhibits, furrowed her brow in disappointment. It had become clear during this outing that she was quite the enthusiast when it came to Magic Items. Her face had been alight with joy while viewing the displays, but now, as the end approached, she wore a look of regret.
“Ah, it was so much fun.”
“Yes, it was very enjoyable.”
“Should we come together again if a similar event happens in the future?”
“Yes…!”
At the suggestion, Primula’s previously clouded expression brightened with excitement. Rest felt a wave of relief wash over him.
“Well then, since we still have some time, how about we grab a bite to eat…?”
Just as Rest was about to propose this, something caught his eye in the corner of the room.
“What is that…?”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh…”
It seemed Primula was curious as well, as she took Rest’s hand and led him toward the exhibit. In a secluded corner of the museum stood what appeared to be a stone tablet. The surface was carved with the grotesque image of a monster, and the name of the artist was inscribed alongside it.
“Could this be… ‘Austoria’s Cursed Sculpture’!?”
Primula exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening as her face paled.
“You know about this, Primula?”
“Yes… It’s said to be a stone tablet carved by the genius artist Austoria Zamas. I had heard that it was managed by the Royal Family as a cursed Magic Item, but I never imagined it would be on display…”
“A cursed Magic Item…”
“Indeed. Austoria Zamas created numerous paintings and sculptures and is considered a representative artist of our country. However, in his later years, he was plagued by nightmares and produced only eerie works. This stone tablet is one of them, and it is said that anyone who possesses it will be driven mad by strange dreams…”
“Yikes…”
Why on earth would such a sinister item be on display? Shouldn’t it be locked away in a place where no one could see it?
“Indeed, it is unsettling… The form is such that it seems it could haunt your dreams…”
The stone tablet depicted a monstrous entity. It resembled both a dragon and a lizard, but its form was undeniably grotesque and blasphemous. Just looking at it filled Rest with unease, yet he found himself unable to look away.
“Rest, shall we move on…?”
“Y-Yeah…”
With Primula tugging at his arm, he finally managed to avert his gaze. Rest linked arms with Primula, intending to leave the area.
“Huh…?”
“Eh…?”
However, what lay behind them was not the museum. Instead, a vast swamp stretched out, inexplicably appearing behind them. The murky water was thickly covered in algae, obscuring the bottom from view.
“What the… Why is there a swamp here all of a sudden…?”
“R-Rest…!”
Primula clung to him with a look of terror. Rest pulled her closer, trying to keep her calm as he attempted to make sense of the situation.
“We were supposed to be in the museum… Did we get teleported by magic?”
Teleportation Magic was an incredibly advanced form of magic, one that only a sage-class magician could wield. It would likely be impossible even for Rest’s father-in-law, Albert, the Court Mage Director.
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…!”
“EEEK!”
A deep, resonant sound echoed from the depths of the earth. Ripples formed in the swamp before transforming into massive waves.
“Primula! Get back!”
“GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
As Rest shouted, the water of the swamp erupted. Muddy water splashed everywhere as a gigantic monster emerged from the murky depths.
“This is…!”
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
Rest gasped, while Primula screamed in horror.
The creature that had appeared was the very same monster depicted on the stone tablet. Rising from the swamp was its upper half, towering over ten meters in length. Its body was covered in blue scales, and its insect-like compound eyes reflected countless images of Rest.
“GYAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
The monster let out a blood-curdling scream, its gaping maw wide open as it lunged toward Rest and Primula. In a panic, Rest gathered his Magical Power, preparing to confront the vile and blasphemous creature.