"We need to have a very long discussion about what is going on here, but not in public, and not while my grandparents are pretending that we can't see them groping each other." King Aggramor says sternly, making the guards smirk and Manila blush.
"Perhaps that can wait until after I have searched the other Ancient Ruins?" Cain suggests, but the look on Aggramor's face says all he needs to know.
"They didn't survive the war, did they?"
"No, the Seraphim and Dragons worked together to make sure of that. There might be some rubble under the sand, maybe. The only reason the city in the mountain survived is that we agreed with the dwarves and Beastkin to protect it as a sacred place." Aggramor confirms.
"Oh, that reminds me. Guards, get the items from the Royal Vault compartment K32. I did find a clue while searching for you." Aggron declares, cutting in to his grandson's explanation.
They return with a simple wooden broom Cain recognizes as made by the Puppets and a flat rock with faded wiring on it.
[Find me at the end of the world, home with my own among the Tengu.]
"I thought you left me a clue, but no matter how I searched, no hints of your location were found." Aggron says as Cain reads the letter.
"That's because this letter isn't from me, it was intended for me and left by the Puppets that maintained the Ancient city before it was destroyed. Once, there was an entire library there, left by the Ancients for future generations." Cain explains.
"What would happen if someone else found them? Would they awaken?" Aggramor asks, and Cain shakes his head.
"Most of them can't be used by anyone but an Ancient, though it is possible the Demon Royals might be able to use some since they have Ancient Blood. Even if I copy them out, they only form Ancient Quality spell books and skills when others touch them." Cain explains.
"That's a relief. The Awakened are nearly unbeatable, and the power they can bring to battle levels entire cities in seconds." The Demon King sighs, then gives Cain a suspicious look, to which Cain shrugs.
"They deserved it," Cain responds deadpan.
"Alright, now that we know there is no need to search through even more ruins, we should give these love birds some privacy. If you need assistance power leveling the Princess later, you only have to ask. I'm sure we can arrange something." Cain says with a smile, then steps back through the travel circle and returns to Long Fang Valley with Vala and Laura following closely behind him.
"I can't believe you did that." Vala laughs once they are home.
"The Demon King did say he wanted to rebuild the Royal Family. His grandfather is even more powerful than he is, now that he isn't crippled. He can do it." Laura points out.
"Manila isn't going to be happy when she finds out all her children are gone. The war claimed the whole generation, but many of her grandkids are still alive." Cain points out one of the unfortunate side effects of a long life.
"Did you learn anything valuable?" Misha asks as they all return to the house.
"A few things, but we will have to search much further for answers this time. The things I need to find for the kids are hidden somewhere on the southern continent, but nobody has any clue where exactly, or what all still exists." Cain explains and Misha sighs.
"Relax, I will get to level 300 first and see if I can activate a new class. Then we can decide what to do afterward."
The Echoes have learned a precious bit of information during their adventures today. They did a level 380 Forest Fae dungeon they found on the way back from their hunting grounds in the Eastern Continent and realized that nonawakened monsters take full damage from Mythic Quality skills. It was so effective that they have switched grind spots and are working to increase Cain's Fae collection.
It is an enormous dungeon, like the Demon Dungeon, but they haven't found any other exits yet, so it might not be helpful to long distance travel the way the Demon Dungeon is.
But in terms of pure variety, it is a treasure. Plus, being all second and third advancement level creatures, they are all new combinations.
They aren't the only ones making significant gains, though. With all the Epic Summons Cain has gifted to the Guild with [Benevolent Leader], everyone is increasing their levels and capabilities. A bear named En has seen the most significant benefit so far, though.
She was hunting dinosaurs for fun and profit in the jungle when she came across a male Centaur that the Guild Quest identified as the second recommended recruit.
Cid brought the Beast Hunter into the Guild, and the random reward from the system gave En a [Unique Advancement] token for her hard work, just like Cain and some others had gotten before their second advancement.
She had been holding off on her class change ever since level 200, looking for a better option, and it gave her the choice of Feral Monk as a class.
The Feral Monk is an unarmed combat class much like the Pugilist, but for Bear Kin. Not only are unarmed damage and resistances significantly increased, but it also has a large bonus to both movement and attack speed.
The formidable body of the Bear Kin can now chase down almost anything that doesn't fly, and she does more damage with her claws now than she used to do with weapons in hand.
She still has her bow, in the case ranged damage is needed, but she has become just as effective against distant targets by simply charging and attacking at close range.
The Elves that visit Port Nefheim think it is hilarious watching her chase down things that should have no issues running from a Bear. But really, at 2.5 meters tall and weighing half a ton, who wouldn't panic if they couldn't run away from her when she was in a bad mood?
Even her good friend Po has learned his lesson about teasing her. She knows all his weak spots, and with the increased speed, even his prodigious form stands no chance of sparring against her. Though, he was never a combat class to begin with.
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