Meldina led the two of them deeper into the ruins.

Her memory was accurate and she remembered the location of the traps and their activation switches perfectly.

'Ville, keep your head down in this passage. There are needles coming through the cracks in the walls.

'The next room has a suspended ceiling. Throw something, drop it once, and I'll run through.

'I'd like to say that the one in the front is a dummy... but that one is a dummy in the back. Whoever built these ruins must really have a twisted personality.

However, as far as the story goes, Meldina has even been able to tell what kind of trap it was that was set.

She would be able to find out the location of the traps, but she would have to actually activate them to find out what kind of traps they were.

If she was actually experiencing all the traps, there were even some types that were difficult to survive...

'It was mostly Mio who fell for it. I was able to manage it because of my small size, but it's the kind of thing that runs into me while I'm trying to figure it out... Thanks to you, I know most of the traps except for the ones that react to weight.

Even the current Miselio is rarely quiet right now, so it's easy to imagine the way she was so young then, charging in with curiosity.

Meldina, who seems to be remembering those days, let out a big sigh as she put her hand to her forehead.

'It's like Mio... Even so, it's odd that there are so many vicious traps and not a single corpse. If it's a ruin from ancient times, it's impossible for any explorers to come here at all.

It's been bothering me, too. So I've been asking my fathers about it for some reason, but it's just not right.

Meldina seemed to feel the doubts that Wyrm had, and she was already asking about them, but judging from the expression on her face, the results were probably not so good.

I'm not sure if they are talking about the ruins of this site, but they are saying that it is some kind of meeting place from the past. That means that they couldn't find the entrance to this place, right? I was only about a hundred and forty years old when I found it easily, and I thought it was strange...

It only responds to Mel's magic.

What?

Meldina couldn't help but look back at Virum's muttered words, who had been thinking about it with his arms crossed.

"To be precise, isn't this 'a device that only responds to those who have a specific magical power'? He's the one who built a gimmick so elaborate and well-concealed that even I can't detect it. It wouldn't be surprising if he could do something like that. That would explain the lack of bodies.

But for what? Magic is a little bit different for everyone, so only the person who made it can put it in. Then you don't have to set a trap for me.

'It's just a theory. We'll look into that later.

Yeah, I know...

Suddenly, Meldina's face, which had been discussing with a serious expression on her face, fell apart.

Without any kind of context, she had a joyful smile on her face, and Virum tilted his head to show her.

''After all, I just thought it was good to have Viru with me. I'm sure you'll be able to see things that you couldn't see before when you are with you. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of it. That's a lot of fun, right?

I'll do everything in my power to help Mel out if it makes her happy.

Uh... thanks, Ville.

Meldina was momentarily surprised by Wyrm's straightforward reply, but her face quickly turned into a big smile.

'Quick, our destination is right there. Let's go!





If I had to describe the place they stepped into in one word, I would have to say that it was truly a different world.

The first thing that caught my eye was what looked like the roots of a large tree that could rival the spirit tree in the Servantil Spiritual Country.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll find yourself in a room.

The walls, with the roots of huge trees exposed in places, are covered in a series of patterns that I don't even know what they represent, which adds to the mysterious atmosphere of the space.

And at the far end was a pedestal that must have been built for the purpose of celebrating something, and on top of it was a purple treasure ball that looked like it was made of amethyst.

'This is why I became an adventurer. What does this pattern, which is also visible in the letters, represent? What is the purpose of these ruins?

Vilm follows behind Meldina as she walks, gently caressing the patterns on the wall.

''I went around quite a few archaeological sites and trawled through old documents, but I couldn't find anything that was even similar, let alone the same as this one. Well, that was a lot of fun.'

That's why you brought me here.

'That's what I meant. I didn't really want to see my fathers, so I was going to do it later, but I couldn't say that anymore... So I thought I'd ask you to stay with me for a little while.

"...I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations, but I haven't seen one either. At least not in our country.

Okay. Even Ville doesn't know that.

Meldina's face falls slightly when she hears Wyrm's reply.

''Oh no... I'll ask her once, since the Dia sisters might know something.

'Ville, you're forgetting it's early in the morning. Would it bother you to call me at this hour?

Her face is down, and she seems to look disappointed.

Looking a little awkward, Vilm makes an alternative suggestion, but is stopped by the other woman herself.

''Yeah, I see that too.''

Virum, who seemed to be aware of his own dismay, scratched his cheek, perhaps to hide his embarrassment.

''Hmph... Thanks.

No, I didn't get it after all, and it's not something to be thanked for...

But you've been very helpful. Besides, your fathers convinced me to do it, right?

It was your sister Hinori and sister Diaz who convinced you to do this.

'Even so, if it hadn't been for Vir, Hinori-sama and the others wouldn't have been able to convince me. Besides, your fathers would have fought to keep you from getting hurt, right?

"...you can't beat up Mel's parents or anyone else you know.

By nature, Virum does not show any mercy to his opponents.

For example, even if the elves were being manipulated at that time, he would have beaten them up or threatened them to the point of not killing them.

The only reason he showed concern for the elves was because they were Meldina's family and fellow countrymen.

As you can see from the series of actions, the existence of Meldina has come to the same level as the spirits (important family members) for Virum.

''When you've taken care of the matter with the High Elves, will you come with me again?''

'Of course. This time sister Hinori and sister Dia will be calling out too, so I think we'll know what's going on.

That's not what I meant, but... well, okay.

And Meldina too, her feelings for Vilm are changing to more than just for her companions.

''Well, it's time for everyone to get up, so let's get back to it.

...Oh.

Meldina, who seems to be in a good mood and smiles whether she knows her own emotions or not, and Virum, who smiles a small smile perhaps because of that smile.

Regardless of the results, the two of them, satisfied with this search, leave the place, thinking about the next one.



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



After they left, the door was closed and the room, which should have been closed in darkness, was lighted up faintly.

If you follow the light source, you'll find a purple treasure ball on a pedestal ahead of you.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of mystery at the same time as the treasure ball, which glowed faintly in the darkness, was mysterious.