Chapter 83: Do You Want The Treasure of The Valley of Mist? Yes/No
“I greet the Ancient Bloods and their Master.”
The mummified Wyvern said.
Her body was several meters long. All the scales on her body had fallen off, and her shriveled flesh were stuck to her bones. She had no eyeballs, just a red glow flickering in her hollow eye sockets.
She looked like a complete corpse, but her mouth were moving faintly. She was some kind of an undead.
There was a small treasure chest under her belly. Her tail was integrated with the cave. The red glow in her eyes strongly flickered once, and the air started to move faintly. Maybe that mummy Wyvern was controlling the “mist” with her mana.
In a game, she would be the boss of the dungeon or someone who guards the ruins.
She had called herself a Guardian.
“Do you understand our language?”
“I have been existing for several hundred years. Lord Heavenly Dragona could even take on human form. As his aide, it is only natural for me to understand human language.”
“Human form?”
“Yes.”
“Pure white skin, platinum blonde hair.”
“It was the same color as the sky and glorious wings.”
She was describing the white lady we saw in front of Heavenly Dragon Blansharka’s wings
‘So, I guess it’s safe to say that she is the residual thoughts of Blansharka of the Heavenly Dragon.’
We had come this far on momentum alone, but the important part had yet to come.
We made it through the Valley of Mist. Thanks to my cheat skills, it was a piece of cake, but if I had made a mistake, we would have been wiped out or returned back seriously injured.
In addition to the fact that one’s vision didn’t work in the first place, your companions attacking you with their senses distorted, was nothing short of hard mode.
If it were a game, you’d be told that you’ve passed the test, and you’d be given an event item or an important flag.
‘In that case, how do I get around it and just get the… information and go back?’
“First of all, Cecile, tell me about the ‘Ancient Elves’.”
“Yes, Master Nagi.”
“Ancient Elves are the ancestors of the modern Elves.
“They are said to be closer to gods and spirits than to humans.
“They were strong in magic and possessed a variety of technologies, but their fertility was weak and their population was small.
“They also had a strong sense of responsibility, always predicting and worrying about what the future would bring, and working hard to avoid any misfortune. They were specifically good at building ruins and creating artifacts. They never took time to rest.
“Perhaps that’s why they spontaneously disappeared earlier than the Demons.
“The last known ‘Ancient Elf’ was identified several hundred years ago.
“In addition, if there are any ruins or artifacts in this world, you should assume that they are the work of Demons or Ancient Elves.
“The Elves of today are an evolution of the Ancient Elves. They have increased fertility and vitality but are weaker than their ancestors.”
“So you’re saying that the Ancient Elves were like Demigods and half-human beings?”
I could understand why Rafilia was surprised when she was called Ancient Elf.
Rafilia had gone rigid. Iris was pulling desperately on her hand, but she was not responding.
‘I’d better get the information here and get it straightened out.’
I looked at the mummy Wyvern.
But the question was, was the Wyvern correct?
“Excuse us. We’re traveling adventurers. We’re here for our companion who lost their memories.”
“… I am the Guardian. I don’t remember my name. I’m just an undead Guardian of the Heavenly Dragon’s treasure here in this land.
“… she is guarding an event item.”
“What are you talking about?”
“No, no, no, I’m sorry for trespassing on your sacred space.”
“There is a good reason why I opened the Valley of Mist. I’m sure Lord Heavenly Dragon will forgive me.”
“It’s like a grave is here.”
“What makes you think that?”
“The Dragon-shaped rock outside was a replacement for a tombstone, and the mist was to keep out unwanted beings. If there was a dead Wyvern … talking there, how could it be anything but a grave? It’s just common sense.”
I came to that conclusion because that’s what a Noble’s grave looked like, both in this world and in my previous world.
Pyramids, Ancient tombs, and so on.
They Nobles liked to leave monuments to show the greatness of the dead, but they also made sure that no one could get too close to them. I researched a lot about it while making my game. By the way, had I looked up the material at the library. I didn’t know if Dragons in other world were copying my previous world or if it was just a coincidence.
“I don’t know about your common sense, but you’re sharp. Master of the Ancient Blood.”
‘Looks like I was right.’
“This is the resting place of Lord Heavenly Dragon, Blansharka, built by the Ancient Elves and the Demons to mourn his death. I am the Guardian of this place, connected to the valley by magic and able to see through the mist. That’s what I’ve been doing all my life.”
‘I knew this guy was the manager of the Valley of Mist.’
In my previous world, the country would forget its King in a few hundred years, but in this world, there were long-lived races and magic. It allowed the Guardian to survive.
‘Magic sure is convenient, isn’t it?’
“For the first time in a long time, I am excited. I can see the Ancient Blood and their trusting Master. A sense of trust that broke through the mist and met each other, the kiss at the entrance of the valley, the skill with which he quickly recognized his companion, these are all signs of a qualified person.”
The red glow coming off of the mummy Wyvern’s face grew larger. It was looking at me.
‘This trend is … bad.’
“Let me tell you about the Heavenly Dragon’s treasure. If you’ve come this far, you’re qualified…”
“Excuse me, we’re in a bit of a hurry, so can you help her?”
“I have been waiting for the right person to show up…”
“This ‘mist’ is deceptive. If you have trust, you can get through it, right?”
“Hmm? Well, yes. It’s to prove your love for each other. But for now, let’s talk about me…”
“It’s important that we trust each other, isn’t it? Then we need to address the concerns of our peers first, right?”
“No, that’s why the secret treasure is…”
“It isn’t? My companions’ fears are an afterthought? Heh. That’s too bad. I can’t believe that Heavenly Dragon’s subordinate, who gave me a polite greeting with his residual thoughts, was a black person who put off the worries of my slaves.
“I’m disappointed. I came here thinking that Heavenly Dragon was a kind-hearted person. I’m so disappointed.”
“… Let’s hear your story first.”
‘Good. Flag avoided successfully.’
I knocked down the even item.
Just the name “The Heavenly Dragon’s Secret Treasure” gave the impression that the fate of the Demon Lord and the world was involved.
“You just called her an ‘Ancient Elf’, didn’t you?”
I grabbed Rafilia by the shoulders and pulled her forward.
The mummy Wyvern was related to the Heavenly Dragon and had not tried to turn against us so far.
The Sea Dragon Kerukatoru and the Wyvern we met yesterday were both Dragons I could talk to reasonably well.
I could trust what a Dragon had to say. Of course, I would verify the information later.
“Am I?”
“Certainly.”
“Finally! My time has come!”
Rafilia clenched her fists in response to the mummy Wyvern’s words.
“I knew I was going to go down in history! When it comes to beautiful girls with mysterious skills and no memory, it’s a given that they’ll have an important secret.”
Don’t call yourself a beautiful girl.
“But I’m surprised that I’m an Ancient Elf! I see. I’ve always thought I was something special. I see. I’m an ‘Ancient Elf’, aren’t I? An Ancient race of…”
“Yes. You were made by the Ancient Elves, a Replica if I may add.”
“…”
Rafilia, who had been in a state of excitement, stiffened.
My eyes, Cecile’s, and Iris’ eyes lit up.
Replica? What’s that?
“The original ‘Ancient Elves’ went extinct hundreds of years ago. If there are any Ancient Elf left, they must be Replicas that were created.”
The mummy Wyvern began to speak.
Cecile had told me that the Ancient Elves were not very fertile and their population was only decreasing.
“Realizing that their numbers had dwindled too much, they created Replicas of themselves in order to preserve their knowledge and skills. Unlike the Demons, they were good at creating items and artifacts using their mana, so gathering the knowledge of their race was about all they could do.
“The result was a Replica that looked exactly like the Ancient Elves. A so-called Homunculus.
“Both knowledge and abilities of the Replicas were inferior to the real Elves, but instead ancient knowledge and skills that no longer remain in the current time have been installed on them.”
There were several of them - even the mummy Wyvern didn’t know the exact number, and they couldn’t have been more than ten.
The “Replicas” that were made were set to wake up at different times and were hidden in different parts of the world.
Rafilia was one of them.
The Ancient Elves were involved in the creation of the Valley of Mist, so she probably still had memories of that time… The mummy Wyvern concluded by saying that.
“So, you had the skill of attracting bad luck to you?”
After hearing a little bit about Rafilia’s situation, the mummy Wyvern nodded her head in a hysterical fashion.
“The Ancient Elves were a pessimistic race. They were worried about the future of the world. They even predicted the appearance of the Demon Lord. I think they were thinking of saving the world by attracting misfortune to their own Replicas …
“But I have memories of listening to… heroes’ stories of adventure and protecting something.”
Rafilia mumbled absentmindedly.
“Perhaps it is a memory from while you were being made, to instill in you the sense of responsibility for protecting the world.”
The mummy Wyvern said as if it were obvious.
Rafilia was a Replica of the ‘Ancient Elves’, that they themself made.
Her memories of being told heroic stories when she was little, and of protecting something, were all things required to keep her going despite suffering from misfortunes.
‘It’s awful. What were you thinking, Ancient Elves?’
‘Don’t impose such things on your own Replicas.’
“… What kind of legendary race is that? It’s just a black race.”
“Replicas’ were specialized for a single task. They have a variety of skills installed in them. They were made to grow to about the same age, then put to sleep in a special coffin and awakened when the time came. That was the way it was.”
“How do you know so much?”
“Because there was one here.”
With that, the mummy Wyvern raised her fluttering wings.
At the back of the cave, there was a silver coffin. The lid was open, but the contents were empty. Its surface was covered with dust.
“I told you that the Ancient Elves were also involved in the Valley of the Mist. They left one of their Replicas here as well. He woke up a few decades ago, adjusted the Valley of Mists, and went on a journey after he had done his job. He said he wanted to do research to protect the world.”
“The boy’s name is…”
I didn’t have to ask.
On the coffin, there was a name carved.
“Gabriella Grace.”
That was the name of the Ancient Elf Replica in the sliver coffin.
He had the same family name as Rafilia.
And it also fit with the Elder Slime’s story we met in Ilgafa.
The Elder Slime had said that Rafilia looked a lot like the Elf that made him. If she is a Replica of that Ancient Elf, then it made sense.
“… Master.”
Rafilia looked at me with eyes that looked like she was about to cry.
“I kind of understand… what Mummy Wyvern said is correct.”
“Rafilia…”
“It’s like all the missing memories just clicked into place. I know. I know that this is the grave of Heavenly Dragon, and that it is a place where the Heavenly Dragon will be reborn after a long, long time.
“Heavenly Dragon will be reborn?”
“This valley was sealed so that no one could enter until the time his rebirth comes, and when the seal breaks, the mist will fill the valley. I also know the name of the Wyvern, Raijika. But that’s all I can remember.”
Rafilia fell to her knees.
“It was natural for me to have no memory of myself. I was created like this form from the beginning. I was sealed up somewhere, wandering around, and then I was picked up. From the beginning of my life, I have been suffering from misfortune to save the world.
“I see. I was … made.”
Rafilia covered her face with her hands, and then…
“I’m glad.”
She laughed and smiled.
“What? Why?”
“Well, that clears up a lot. I see, I’m made, aren’t I? That means I’m a clean slate with no ties to the past, untouched by anyone, and I don’t have to worry about becoming Master’s property. Well, I’m glad.”
‘You’re strong… but not really.’
Rafilia was jumping up and down, her breasts bobbing and swaying.
“What? Are you sure? You are a Replica? Aren’t you in shock?”
“What? Because, Master, do you hate Replicas”
Homunculus, an artificial Elf, Replica of Ancient Elves.
Rafilia Grace was a girl who had inherited a few memories that were no longer important to her.
‘That’s …’
“… cool?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m from another world, so it doesn’t matter. Rafilia is my slave, and I’m sure everyone else doesn’t care either.”
“Yes. I don’t mind,” said Cecile.
“Master will always be Master for me.’ said Iris.
“If you say so, I’m a survivor of the Demon tribe.”
“I also have Dragon Blood in me, don’t I?”
“I feel rather close to you.”
“I like you even more now.”
“That’s right…”
The two of them in the little group put their hands on top of each other and shouted in unison.
In other words, even when everyone found out who Rafilia was, nothing changed.
That was all there was to it.
“Rafilia will continue to be with us.”
“”We are all still Master’s slaves. Ooooh!””
Cecile, Iris and Rafilia clasped hands and held them high.
I heard them reaching an agreement.
“So, Master. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
“Yes. I’ll also use Rafilia’s lore memory for future adventures.”
“Please do.”
Rafilia scratched her pink hair as if embarrassed.
“Please use me as you would like for your sake, Master!”
“All right. Now that we’re done here, let’s go back. Rita and Aine are waiting for us.”
We were done with the Valley of Mist and we also got a gem.
‘I wonder how much I can sell this gem for.’
I was thinking of selling it through back-channels with Letica’s help when suddenly Raijika opened her mouth. I cut her off by saying…
“I appreciate the information you gave us. Thanks to you, one of my party’s worry is gone. I’ll never forget your kindness. Thank you.”
“Thank you.” “Thank you very much.” “Thank you very much!”
The four of us lined up and bowed to Raijika, the mummy Wyvern.
Then we turned our backs to her.
‘So, Rafilia is a Replica of Ancient Elves. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Rafilia is my slave now. What happened in the past is what happened in the past. Rafilia, like everyone else, has no ties to the past. She is happy knowing that she is not shacked by her past. It’s good in a way. Yeah, I feel better.’
‘Thank you, Mummy Wyvern. And good-bye.
‘I’ll never forget you-’
“Wait──”
Buu.
The wind rushed in from the exit of the cave.
“Why did you come here?”
“I told you at the beginning, we came here to find a clue to my companion’s memories.”
I turned around and saw that the Wyvern was angry. To be precise, her eyes were glowing bright red.
“You can’t just get information and leave. You have to pay a fair price.”
“The Prince of the Kingdom is trying to capture this valley. Unless you want to give him the treasure, you’d better fortify your defenses.”
“…”
“The Countess and the Viscountess are under his command. From the looks of it, they’re vying for the right to be marry the Prince. If you want to get rid of them, you can make them fight each other. You’re protecting the Heavenly Dragon’s Treasure, right? I’m sure this information will be useful in fulfilling that mission. I think it’s worth the price, don’t you?”
“Oh, yeah. Sure.”
“So we can leave now, right?”
A red light flashed on the head of the mummy Wyvern. It looked like she was up to something.
We came here to find Rafilia’s memories, not to get the treasure. If she wanted me to leave the gem as well, I would have done so as it wasn’t necessary. We got what we came to get.
“It was good to talk to you. Raijika, the mummy Wyvern. See you.”
“I, I, I understand! I will give you the treasure! You may take it unconditionally! No, I’d rather you take it!”
The jaws of the mummy Wyvern moved faintly.
“Please. You are the best candidate to have the Lord Heavenly Dragon’s Secret Treasure. There is nothing better than ‘Ancient Blood’. All you have to do is hold it. Or you can just hide it near the place where the Lord Heavenly Dragon fell.”
“You can ask other adventurers to do so.”
“What if they offered it to the Royal Family?”
“You think we won’t do that?”
“You warned me to strengthen my defense against the Royal Family. Also I don’t think anyone who has enslaved the ‘Ancient Blood’ would want to have anything to do with the Royal family…
“… sharp.”
As expected of a mummy Wyvern that had lived for hundreds of years.
“And I had heard that the Royal Family was after the valley from the adventurers who came here recently. And I also know that if I give the treasure to the Royal Family, nothing good would come of it. They have always done useless things, such as coming to slay Dragons, create Forbidden Magic, and open the gates of the other world …”
‘Well, yeah.’
‘If the Heavenly Dragon’s Secret Treasure falls into that King’s hand, you never know what might happen.
But… the treasure of the Heavenly Dragon is an item that looks dangerous on a national level.
“So, what exactly is the Heavenly Dragon’s treasure?”
“The Egg of the Lord Heavenly Dragon Blansharka”
‘It’s dangerous on a Global level.’
“Before he died, Lord Heavenly Dragon left an egg in this valley and ordered me to take care of it until it absorbed the mana of heaven and earth over time and was ready to hatch. And now that it is close to hatching, I have decided to open the valley to find some I can trust.”
“So, you’re saying that Heavenly Dragon had you do all the administrative work here?”
“Well.
“This Heavenly Dragon is not a good guy either.”
‘Ordering someone to guard an egg for hundreds of years is black, no matter how you look at it.’
“No, no, I volunteered for this mission because I have always loved to watch humans love each other and kill each other with suspicion and distrust.”
“Oh yeah…”
I lost a lot of sympathy after hearing that.
“Behold … this is Lord Heavenly Dragon’s Egg…”
The treasure chest fell from Raijika’s body.
The chest slowly opened.
Inside it was a pure white sphere, about the size of the palm of my hand.
It was beautiful.
It’s surface was faintly glowing and beating.
“All you have to do is protect it until it hatches. The reward is the shell of the egg, a high quality Mana Crystal that you can use or sell. It is worth enough to buy a house.”
Raijika had already lost her head, and it was her upside-down head creaking and talking.
Even though she was an undead, she was nearing her limit.
“When I have finished my task, I can rest in peace. I will close this valley and go to my eternal rest.”
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything you want.”
“First of all, let me tell you, there is no ‘Contract’. So, we’re not going to be tied down by this.”
“So be it. I will not detain you.”
“Under what condition will the eggs hatch? After it hatches, will a giant Heavenly Dragon emerge?”
“The egg is absorbing the mana of heaven and earth to hatch. The best place for it is the place where Lord Heavenly Dragon died. Magic Research City or Resort Town Mishlira are good options.
I don’t know the time required for hatching for sure. It could be anywhere from a few weeks to a year. The hatched Lord Heavenly Dragon will at most be the size of a human. Their vitality is so strong that they can survive on their own after that.”
“It won’t go on a rampage, right?”
“Lord Heavenly Dragon would never attack a human or a demi-human without reason.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Heavenly Dragons are fond of humans but they are lonely. You can tell from the way Lord Blansharka’s residual thoughts spoke to you.”
“One more thing. Is there any chance that someone could detect the mana the Heavenly Dragon Egg?”
“No. If that were possible, Dragons would have gone extinct long ago.”
“I see. Cecile. [Magic Detection[.”
I put my hand on Cecile’s shoulder, who was right in front of me.
Cecile raised her hand, looked at the egg and shook her head.
“I vaguely feel the magic. It’s so vague that I can’t tell who it belongs to.”
“Okay. So, one more question for Raijika, what happens to you if you give us the treasure?”
“I will collapse this valley and go to sleep. I have learned that my descendants have survived, so I have no regrets.”
“Lastly, may I?
“Ask anything.”
“Why do you have so much faith in me?
From the beginning, I’d wondered.
If this was the grave of the Heavenly Dragon, and Raijika was its Guardian, I could understand why she would trust Cecile and the others who have “Ancient Blood”. But she was talking to me, who was enslaving everyone, instead of others. He even answered my questions. I didn’t understand why.
“This Valley of Mist is a place to test your trust, and I would only entrust the egg of the Lord Heavenly Dragon to someone who passed that test. And you passed the test. That’s all.”
“The newlyweds who conquered this place the first time?”
“They were having trouble making ends meet, so I gave them a jewel in secret, specifically one of my eyes, which had crystallized. It’s good to see people in love. Love is the best.”
“But I’m enslaving everyone.”
“Yes, but they gave their consent to be enslaved.”
“How do you know?”
“The Dragon’s Blood was clinging to your back, the Ancient Elf Replicas was be hugging your arms, and the Demon was standing in front of you in case I turned against you. They are not just your slaves and they don’t see you only as your Master. Just get married as soon as you can.
“Well, I want to ask you something as well too. What if the egg falls into the Royal Family’s hands? What would you do? They will probably hatch the egg, use the Heavenly Dragon for experiments and turn it into a weapon. I have heard that the Royal Family has a lot of Forbidden Magic. What if they turn the newborn Heavenly Dragon into a monster?”
I was thinking about that possibility, too.
‘The Royal Family knows magic to summon me from another world. With the same level of magic and cheat skills, they might be able to break through this “Valley of Mist”.
‘And if the Royal Family get hold of a Heavenly Dragon’s Egg… they will definitely use it as a test subject for something.
‘Will it be a tool against the Demon Lord or a weapon like the ‘Visitors’?
‘That might even start a war on this continent, I will…’
“I’m moving to another continent.”
“I thought so.”
“That’s all I can think of.”
Cecile, Rita, Aine, Iris, Rafilia and me, we would be able to survive on an unfamiliar continent.
But it would cost a lot.
We would lose the house that Letica gave us. On top of that, it would leave a bad aftertaste. I didn’t know many people on this continent, but I knew people, we knew people.
Compared to the risk of sneaking a Heavenly Dragon egg around…
“…Huu.”
‘… I can’t help it.
‘I just need to carry a small egg with me and place it near the place where the Heavenly Dragon died, right? That’s all I have to do, right?
‘In other words, we’re just carrying the egg. We don’t know when it will hatch, so we won’t be responsible for it.
‘Besides, Raijika gave me some information about Rafilia. It’s better to pay back what you owe.’
“All right. We’ll take the Heavenly Dragon Egg out of here and put it in a safe place.”
“Thank you.”
On the ground, Raijika nodded.
I picked up the silver egg from the treasure chest. I wondered if there was Heavenly Dragon’s baby chick inside.
‘Let’s just return and hide it under the villa.’
“Thanks for your help, Raijika.”
“Same here, I’m grateful to see a familiar face. Also Replica of the Ancient Elves. Come here.”
“Yes?”
“Let me see your face again.”
Rafilia squatted down and put her face close to Raijika on the ground.
“Are you happy?”
“I was a little anxious before, but now I’m happy.”
“I see. Then you’d better take this with you.”
With that, Raijika moved her wings and scraped something out of the side of the treasure chest.
Two small crystal balls - skill crystals.
“One for you and one for your Master. Think of it as reward to taking the Heavenly Dragon Egg.”
“… I’ve never had anyone be so kind to me before, besides the Master and my companion.”
“It is to lessen my regret even if just as bit. I should have kept him here.”
The eyeless head Raijika looked at the sliver coffin at the end of the cave.
“You mean the Replica of the “Ancient Elf” like Rafilia that was here?”
“Gabriella Grace died after being used by those in power. Do not let that happen to you.”
“I’m fine.”
Rafilia tapped her chest.
“I only trust about my Master and my fellow slaves.”
“Forget it, you guys should all get married.”
The mummy Wyvern, Raijika, shook her fluttering wings as she said so.
The journey back was easy.
Perhaps it was the effect of the Egg of the Heavenly Dragon, but we were unaffected by the mist.
Straight through the valley, like walking down a street…
“Welcome back, Na-kun. Rita is on a reconnaissance mission.”
When we went outside, Aine was waiting for us alone.
“The Noble’s soldiers are approaching. We have to meet up with Rita and get back quickly.
Aine said in a voice that was a little more flustered than usual.
Glossary “Ancient Elves”
A legendary race that created civilization before humans and other demi-humans.
They created various ruins and artifacts using technology that is now lost. They were also able to vaguely predict the future with their special skills.
Maybe that’s why they were so worried.
Some believe that the cause of their extinction may have been their pessimistic nature.
This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om