“Do you know Emily? She's also a member of the Explorers Association.”
Rosie asked as she walked, circling the camp to see if there were any other stone monuments.
“Emily? Doesn't ring a bell. The Explorers Association has a lot of members; how could I remember everyone?”
The dwarf Ginli walked by Rosie's side with his axe resting on his shoulder.
“Does she have any notable achievements?”
Rosie thought for a moment before replying, “Probably not yet, but maybe in the future.”
“Well, once she achieves something, maybe I'll remember her then, hahaha...” the dwarf said with a laugh.
Rosie shook her head and changed the subject. “It seems there's nothing more to be found here.”
She had already walked around the camp twice.
Except for the black rocks and glowing plants, there was nothing.
The dwarf looked around, then spoke up:
“Why do you think the portal was placed in such an out-of-the-way corner? What were those ancient gnomes thinking?”
Without turning her head, Rosie replied, “Probably to let people sightsee along the way.”
“Hmm, that makes sense!” the dwarf agreed. “Since this side is a beast park, following the path to look around as you walk makes for a very logical design.”
Rosie turned to look at him.
The dwarf looked completely serious, his mind seemingly already planning a sightseeing route.
“I was joking,” Rosie said.
“I think that's exactly it!” the dwarf insisted stubbornly.
“Alright, let's go with that then.” Rosie turned and walked back.
The sound of iron striking stone echoed from the edge of the camp as workers chanted in unison, lifting a large stone onto the wall's foundation.
As Rosie reached the edge of the camp, a flurry of footsteps drifted in from the distance.
She stopped in her tracks and looked up into the darkness.
The dwarf stopped as well, holding his axe across his chest.
The footsteps drew closer, gradually growing distinct from the edge of the darkness.
Several figures emerged from the dim glow of the plants, led by Knight John.
John nodded to the two of them and walked straight toward Baron Weiss, who was currently directing the construction of the stone wall.
“My Lord, we didn't find any danger nearby. There is an underground river not far to the west; it's flowing and very clean.”
The Baron smiled and said, “A good start. This way, we won't have to waste the portal's limited time transporting water.”
Only by securing a water source could the camp truly establish a foothold.
...
The underground world had no day or night.
Time was measured entirely by the activation of the portal.
At set times, the deep blue portal would activate on schedule, and packaged supplies would be sent through from the other side.
Canvas bags landed on the stone platform, kicking up small puffs of dust, and were quickly carried away by the workers.
Food, firewood, tools, tents, and even lime for reinforcing the walls.
Each time supplies were received, intelligence would also be sent back.
As the camp stabilized, more workers entered the underground world through the portal.
Many hands made light work; in just a few cycles, the stone wall had already been built to a person's height.
Rows of tents were also pitched behind the wall.
The exploration camp was beginning to take shape.
Standing in the center of the camp, the Baron spoke to Knight John:
“John, go out and scout the area. Map out the surroundings.”
“Yes, My Lord,” Knight John replied.
He took four squires with him and selected seven skilled men from the mercenaries.
The mercenaries, who had been sitting lazily by their tent entrances, grumbled as they stood up and tightened their belts upon hearing John call their names.
Each of the twelve men carried a backpack containing enough supplies to survive for several days, with two torches tucked into the sides.
Rosie walked over from the side of her tent and stood beside the Baron, watching the team.
“I'll go with them,” she said.
The Baron shook his head. “You cannot go.”
Rosie turned to look at him.
The Baron's gaze did not shift to her, remaining fixed on the departing team:
“We of everyone here, you are the only one who can fully read the ancient script. If anything happens to you, all our subsequent plans will be delayed. Wait until they have mapped out the situation, then we will move together.”
He paused, his tone softening slightly.
“For now, just wait.”
Rosie fell silent for a moment and did not press further.
Knight John's team faded into the plant fluorescence, eventually swallowed by the shadows of the rocks.
Camp fell quiet once more.
The portal activated twice more.
Knight John's team did not return.
It was not until shortly after the fifth portal activation that Rosie and the dwarf were studying the glowing mushrooms at the camp entrance.
Rosie was wondering if these things could be used for illumination.
While the dwarf was researching whether they were edible.
“I think I heard something?” the dwarf said, raising his head.
Rosie didn't answer; she, too, heard intermittent footsteps.
She stood up, drew her sword, and looked in the direction of the sound.
A speck of light flickered at the edge of the darkness, the flame of a torch swaying as it drew closer step by step.
It was Knight John.
He held a torch in one hand and pressed his other hand against his ribs, where his plate armor was dented.
Behind him followed a single mercenary, whose left arm was wrapped in cloth from elbow to wrist. The cloth was soaked with seeping fluid, clinging wrinkly to the skin.
The tall and short duo quickly ran over. After confirming there were no enemies behind them, they each supported one man and brought them back to the camp.
“Thank you,” John said hoarsely, tossing the torch to the ground.
“Drink some water.” The dwarf handed a waterskin to him.
He took it, removed his helmet, and gulped down several mouthfuls. Water spilled from the corners of his mouth, dripping into the dust on his breastplate and washing out several muddy streaks.
He set down the waterskin, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and panted, his chest heaving.
The injured mercenary sat leaning nearby. Accidentally bumping his arm, he let out a muffled groan.
Rosie pointed her right hand at John and chanted the incantation.
“Holy Light!”
A golden light descended out of thin air, enveloping John's entire body.
John's shoulders gradually relaxed, and the tension he had been holding finally dissipated with a long breath.
As the golden light faded, he looked at Rosie. “Thank you, Miss Rosie.”
Rosie nodded. Without saying more, she turned to the injured mercenary.
Another beam of golden light fell, and the look of pain on the mercenary's face vanished inch by inch.
He opened his mouth and muttered a slurred, “Thanks.”
Just then, having received the news, the Baron walked out of his tent.
Seeing that John was fine, he asked, “What happened? Why are there only two of you left?”
Knight John took a breath and began to recount their experience.
“At first, we moved forward making markers along the way. Everything went smoothly until we reached an area of gray rocks. Then, we were attacked.”
“What kind of thing attacked you?” the dwarf asked immediately.
“Those damn things looked like spiders, but they were bigger than bulls, and their eight legs were as sharp as spears. I saw with my own eyes Roth's chainmail get pierced right through by one. We fought and retreated, losing four men before we managed to escape.”
“And then?” the dwarf pressed eagerly.
“Then, we saw a sandy area and discovered ruins there!” Knight John continued, his voice rising with excitement.
“It was a vast complex of grayish-white buildings, extending from the edge of the sandy area far into the distance. It was quite large. We planned to go inside and take a look, but the moment we stepped onto the sand, the ground beneath our feet began to vibrate.”
“A massive worm burst out. It swallowed Bond whole in a single bite.”
The scene fell dead silent, save for the occasional sound of someone swallowing hard.
“We had no choice but to retreat first,” John said, “to bring this important discovery back.”
He took a sip of water to clear his throat, then continued:
“On the way back, we purposely bypassed the gray rock area. However, we encountered a group of strange, large beetles. Their shells were as hard as iron, and their front limbs were as sharp as blades. Most importantly, they could charge.
My injury was caused by one of those beetles ramming into me! In the end, only the two of us made it out...”
Hearing the end of the story, Rosie glanced at the dwarf. Her meaning was obvious: Didn't you want to see ancient exotic beasts? Here's your chance.
The dwarf was stroking his beard in thought. Upon reading the meaning in her eyes, he puffed out his chest:
“Hmph, they're just bugs. When we find them, I'll take them down with one swing of my axe each.”
Just then, Anna, who had appeared beside them at some unknown point, spoke up: “Since the location of the ancient ruins has been found, I will organize a team to go there.”
Everyone else turned their gaze to her.
Anna smiled slightly and continued, “I need an assistant who can read the ancient script.”
Having said that, her gaze landed on Rosie, her meaning clear.
Rosie stood up. “No problem. I'll go with you.”
The Baron pondered for a moment. “I'll go too. We will focus our strength on securing the discovered ruins first, and explore the other areas slowly later.”
“But if we all leave, what about this place?” Anna asked.
The Baron thought for a moment and called out, “Eric!”
A middle-aged knight walked over. “My Lord, what are your orders?”
“You stay here. You are prudent in your work; I trust you to handle everything,” the Baron said, looking at him.
Eric placed a fist over his chest and bowed slightly. “Please rest assured, My Lord.”
“Good, then it's decided,” Anna nodded. “I'll send word to Kaluk tomorrow to have him send more people in.”
At this point, the dwarf finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
He jumped to his feet, his beard bristling. “Why has no one asked me, the professional?!”
Anna walked away without turning her head, leaving behind only one sentence: “If you want to come, just keep up.”
The dwarf opened his mouth, then closed it.
He glared at Anna's retreating back and huffed into his beard.
Rosie couldn't help but laugh at his antics.
Early the next morning, replenishment was complete.
The new exploration team set off.
There were even more people this time.
Aside from the key figures, ninety percent of the camp's combat force was brought along.
An additional fifty workers accompanied them, carrying supplies and tools.
Rosie turned back to look at the camp.
Then, she took a step forward to keep up with the team, walking into the darkness where the plant fluorescence could not reach.
Rate on N.U.
