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Chapter 603 An Abandoned Freya

　　"I have an urgent message for my master," said Oriole to the runic guards blocking their way. "Please let me enter the ruins. If not, then our inheritance will be swept clean by outsiders."

　　"We were asked to keep everyone away. Please wait outside until the grandmaster and the captain come out. You may attend to your wounds there," the Runic Guard glanced at his torso with concern.

　　Oriole was tempted to fall on a bed and sleep until his wounds healed, but he knew that was the devil whispering in his ears. So instead, he glanced at Maryam, who was silent throughout the exchange, seemingly upset because he pushed it.

　　"You need to help me here," whispered Oriole in her ears. "Your words carry greater weight than mine. Everything we did so far will be for nothing if we don't warn Alexie."

　　"Everything will be for nothing if you die, and it would be even more for nothing if I watch you leave," frowned the runemaster. "I have no idea why I even jumped into this mess thinking I would find a goldmine."

　　"You seek adventure, right?" asked Oriole. "Alexie is the greatest man you can find. Being his companion will make you face demons and gods alike. If you help me now, he will accept you into Ascent."

　　"You are rather an idiot for a so-called genius," grumbled Maryam before she sighed and took her badge. "I carry vital information to relay about the current situation. As you can see, we encountered some intruders in the underground city."

　　"What have you been doing in the underground city?"

　　"We entered it after sighting some intruders entering it. This is not the time to doubt us," said Maryam while glaring at the man. "We are not strong enough to threaten Captain Velos or Grandmaster Jumana. Therefore, allowing us, entry will only yield benefits and no harm."

　　"...how about I relay the news?"

　　"I don't trust anyone in Runera now," said Maryam while glaring at the guard. "The one we fought against was a runic guard as well. But, unfortunately, the other six families have given too much freedom to yours, and that will change."

　　The guard's face changed somewhat after being accused of treason. Finally, after some hesitations and whispering, the two of them were allowed entry for being too weak and injured.

　　Oriole almost didn't believe that a brat so quickly threatened the guards, but the situation in Runera had turned political enough. The Runic Guards were also another family of Runera, even if they answered to the ruler directly.

　　"That worked out better than I expected."

　　"The convincing part is that we are far weaker than being a threat," said Maryam. "And that means inside these ruins, even a simple attack can end us. I will use you as a meat shield when the time comes."

　　"Please do," said Oriole smiling. "I would hate it if a kind person like you got hurt. Therefore, I promise that no harm would befall you as long as you are with me."

　　"Big words for a dying man," she said with a pout as she dragged him into the portal. "I cannot believe that my first crush is not only into men but also a fucking idiot."

　　"I apologize for being so disappointing," Oriole's smile grew wider as he saw how she was sick and tired of him. "Hold me close so that we don't get separated."

　　Maryam did as he asked and hugged him as the portal began to suck them inside. The teleportation tried to break them apart, but Maryam hugged him strong enough for the two to be teleported.

　　"Ugh," a groan leaked from his mouth as the teleportation ended. Even though the vital parts have healed, his right side was still in the process of recovery. "Are you that in need of a hug?"

　　"I will rip your wounds open," Maryam glared at him while letting go. "Where are we?"

　　The two of them were standing in the middle of a street surrounded by many old buildings. The road was inclined, going upward toward a giant palace in the distance.

　　"This is..." muttered Oriole with a frown, "an abandoned city?"

　　"It seems like it," said Maryam as she looked around. "That sign is written in an unknown language. Are we in a different world?"

　　Oriole turned around and looked at the sign, and his eyes widened with surprise. The words were written in the Alvan language, 'Old Inn of Freya.'

　　There were very few places he hadn't heard of in his past life as a Demon Hunter, so Oriole recognized the name right away. This city belonged to the Duke of Fire, Diana's father, in the Alva Kingdom.

　　The lights that kindled the night confirmed his doubts, and the mansion on the top of the mountain seemed to belong to no other than the duke himself. Oriole frowned deeply at the realization as he tried to understand why they appeared here.

　　"Let's look for the others," said Maryam with unease. "This place is creeping me out with how abandoned it is. It feels like people were living here moments ago," she shivered.

　　"It shouldn't be hard to find my master," said Oriole to lighten the mood. "After all, she is the loudest person in existence. I am amazed that we have yet to hear her voice bellowing."

　　As soon as he finished his words, a deep roar came from the top of the mountain. The two flinched as they looked upward, and the sky was dyed orange for a few seconds before it died down. Then, the ground began to shake as a mighty wind rushed through the city.

　　"You know your master well," said Maryam as she covered her eyes. "At least we know where to go," she pointed toward the mansion. "Uh, that thing was not there moments ago."

　　Oriole followed her finger, looked at the entity she was pointing at, and realized it was an ethereal creature that looked like a woman ghost. The two of them shivered as the woman wearing a tiara raised its head to look at them.

　　"...this place wins the creepiest city award," muttered Maryam while grabbing his arm. "We need to run, now."

　　"I agree for the first time," swallowed Oriole as he stepped back. "Let us back away without giving her our backs. Then, when we are far enough, let's enter the houses."

　　Before they could carry out their plan, the ghost with a long blue dress disappeared from her spot. Oriole blinked before he felt danger crawl over his back, and he knew that the spirit was standing behind him.

　　"Please don't say she's behind us," said Maryam while digging her fingers through his arm. "I will literally scream if that is the case."

　　"Hello," a voice came from behind them, making the hair on their skin stand. "You are a friend of the Seika, are you not?"

　　The words made Oriole calm down, and he slowly turned to look at the woman. Maryam tightened her hand around his arm while following his gaze. Indeed, the woman was standing behind them at the height of three meters and skin as pale as a cloudy sky.

　　"Are you his enemy or his friend?" asked Oriole with confusion. The ghost gave a slight smile before bowing toward him.

　　"I am neither, but my master is a friend. I have been waiting for your visit, great alchemist," said the ghost. "Is this a friend of yours?" she looked at Maryam and asked, to which Oriole nodded.

　　"Who is your master?" Oriole asked the question that bugged him the most. However, the ghost gave a simple sigh and shook her head.

　　"I am afraid the two of you have not met. My master learned of your identity from the numerous epiphanies we gathered about the Seika and his accomplishments. So when we created this place, we knew that his closest friend might arrive as well."

　　"Ori," swallowed Maryam. "What the hell is this ghost talking about?" she asked with a frown.

　　"We might have found the safest place in these ruins. I will explain when the time comes, but you can let go of my arm. It will break," said Oriole with a wince. "Tell me, great spirit. Has the Seika arrived here?"

　　"Indeed, he has," nodded the spirit. "However, he is currently trapped in a battle against a formidable foe. I fear that my master did not anticipate the existence of a vessel here. Thus, I am ill-equipped to handle the situation."