The next day, Virum woke up early regardless of the change in environment and went outside to begin his daily workout.

He was greeted by Meldina, who was fetching drinking water from the well.

'Ah, good morning, Ville. Did you sleep well?

'Morning, you're a little early today, aren't you?

When I was in the village, it was my job to fetch water in the morning. I just woke up early out of habit. Do you feel any fatigue on your part, Ville?

''I just summoned both Hinori sister and Dia sister. It doesn't mean I gave them magic in battle, and I won't go in there tired.

You know what, normally, even summoning one person, Hinori-sama, is enough to make me faint...?

After the misunderstanding between the elves was cleared up, Hinori and Radia were repatriated.

They were going to go straight to the High Elves' base, but when Virum convinced them that the vigilance of the Servantil Spiritual Country would be neglected, they nodded as if they had no choice.

They were chatting about the events that occurred last night as the main axis of their conversation, but Meldina, who suddenly stopped talking, looked down slightly.

''...Thanks, Ville.

Huh, what's going on?

However, on closer inspection, I could see that the expression on his face was not dark, but rather a slightly embarrassed smile on his face.

'A lot of things, yo. I'd like to go somewhere more than that. Can you come with me for a bit?

'That's all well and good, but where does it go? We should at least let them know where we're going...

We're not too far from here. Come on, let's go!

Meldina took Virum's hand as if to hurry him up and started running out of the village.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



It is located in the forest, some distance from the village.

A gate type structure built mainly of stone.

Inside the stone gate, which was wide enough for two adults to pass through, you can see a staircase that extends underground.

Judging from the fact that ivy has invaded the walls inside, not to mention its surroundings, it must have been abandoned for many years.

'What is this place?'

As you can see, it's a relic. I'm sure they've been around long before your fathers were born, so I'm sure they're remains related to the elves, but we don't know for sure.

Meldina answers Virum's question, but there seems to be a part of her that she herself doesn't understand, and a sigh escapes at the same time as a gesture of hand-wringing.

But that was only for a moment, and she immediately smiled happily, and looked into Virum's face again.

''I invited Ville, you know, because I wanted you to have a look at something.

What do you want to see?

Follow me. I'll show you around.

Saying that, following Meldina, who enters the ruins without hesitation, Virum also descends the stairs to the basement.

Because of the morning sun, although it won't be complete darkness, I can't help but feel gloomy about the gradually worsening visibility and narrow space.

Meldina stopped at the bottom of the stairs and lit the torch, and Virum and the others saw a large space in front of them.

There is nothing in the hall to attract your attention, but Meldina walked towards the back of the hall without hesitation.

When she stopped at the end of the hall, she put her hand against the stone wall, and it began to form an entrance that was large enough for one person to pass through while making a heavy sound.

(A mechanism that reacts to magic, huh? But what does it mean that she didn't feel anything until Mel touched it...?)

The fact that Virum, who has outstanding magical ability, couldn't detect the trick suggests that the person who created this ruin has skills equal to or greater than his.

Although Virum was already in a state of alert, he was unconsciously intrigued by Meldina's guidance, perhaps because of her trustworthy guide.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

For Meldina, it was a place she had visited before, but for Virum, it was an unknown place.

He was on alert and tried to take the lead to protect her, but it turned out to be a bad idea.

There was a dry sound of clicks from underneath Virum's feet as he was walking forward.

''...I'm sorry.''

Countless magic arrows appeared above Virum's head as he apologized with an indescribable expression from his own bypass and the pettiness of being caught in a trap.

(A physical activation trap right after the door that reacts to magic power? The creators here are well aware of the intruder's psychology.)

Although he himself was in a state of alert, his consciousness couldn't help but wander that way, as it was right after he saw the entrance that was unfolding in response to the highly concealed magical power.

''Vil!

Meldina, who hadn't yet entered, tried to reach out to help Virum, but she was blocked by what looked like a transparent barrier that must have appeared at the same time as the trap was activated.

''Lie! I didn't have anything like this in my time!

Apparently, Meldina in the past had been caught in the same trap.

Virum, who felt a strange sense of relief at that, couldn't help but chuckle.

In the next moment, countless magic arrows rained down on the target (Virum), but........

Calm down, Mel. It's something to do...

He was about to retreat or move forward, and with a dancing motion, he dispatched her dangerously.

The reason Virum stepped forward now is because he was concerned that the stray arrows wouldn't be directed at Meldina, who was behind him, in case he forgot that there was a barrier in front of her, but if he hadn't forgotten that there was a barrier in front of her, he would have been too mindful.

Not long after, all the magic arrows were neutralized and disappeared, and at the same time, the invisible barriers disappeared as well.

''Vil! Are you hurt?!

I'm fine. More importantly, I'm sorry for going off on my own. I'm sorry.

Meldina runs up to him, looking worried, and Vilm scratches the back of his neck as if he were in a bad mood.

It's good to know. I'll tell you where the traps are, so you don't have to move around without permission.

All right. I'll keep that in mind.

And yet...

Relieved that Wyrm was safe, Meldina sat down where the magic arrow trap's activation switch was located.

''There was no barrier like that when I was first trapped. Well, if the barrier had come up then, I wouldn't be in this world now...''

''Stepping on this part of the body will bring out the Magic Arrow from earlier... I guess I can use it to train for evasion. Maybe I'll throw Oma in there next time.

Don't do that, okay?

Meldina softly stops Virum from mentioning the horrible training methods that could lead to death if he makes the slightest mistake.

Perhaps Oma should thank her for saving his life for the second time.