Transferring into the castle.

There's no one here: ......?

　Lara scampered around and nodded her head.

"This is more like the ...... Great Hall.

　As I walked, I observed my surroundings.

　I think we should devote people and demons to defending the castle, but ...... it's frighteningly unguarded.
　This is a magical place. Maybe it's because of the extra space that's been cut.
　Either that or they don't think we're a threat. ...... They're licking us, so to speak.

Kurt, over here .......

　As the three of us split up and walked through the hall, Cynthia pointed to a door.
　There are a number of doors in the hall that may lead somewhere.
　Among them, the door that ...... Cynthia pointed to was the biggest one.

You can feel the magic inside.

　I stand next to Cynthia and analyze it as well.

Perhaps ...... Aurelian is behind this.

　Then we have to go on.

"Let's go!

　Lara took the handle of the door and pushed it as hard as she could.

Push!　Push!

　She pushes as hard as she can.
　But the door doesn't budge.

"That's funny ......, maybe it means if you can't push it, try pulling it?
"Huh. I don't think it's that simple.

　I couldn't help but blurt out.

"The door is locked.
"Hmm, I can understand that. But ...... no matter how locked the door is, if you use magic to strengthen your body and force it open, you can manage.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　But that's only if the door is physically locked.

"It's locked by magic. ......

　Cynthia murmurs.

"Cynthia, do you understand?
"Yes.

　Cynthia nodded.

"Cynthia, what do I have to do to open this door?

　I know the answer, but I put the question to Cynthia as if I were testing her.

"Wait a minute.

　Cynthia puts her right hand on the door.

　Cynthia puts her right hand on the door and concentrates.
　She's analyzing the locking spell on the door.

　A magic circle appears in front of her, and her magic spreads around her in a green light.
　Eventually.

"I need ...... three magic stones. ......

　Cynthia got her answer.

"Not bad, Cynthia. You're right.

　This locking spell is not a simple one.
　First, you have to find the three magic stones that act as the key. Without them, the lock will not open.

But I don't ...... know where the magic stones are.
It's probably in the castle.

　Again, there are more doors.
　It's a pretty big castle. It'll take a long time to find it.

But why would he do that?
Maybe Aurelian's testing us.

　Otherwise, there would be no need for this kind of elaboration.

We have to find them one by one. ...... No ......?

　Cynthia said, and Lara muttered, "Wow,......, that's so annoying,.......
　Again, it's a bit ...... arduous to find the three magic stones by walking.

　But...


But don't worry. I already know where the magic stones are.


"What?

　"What?" The two of them said in unison.

"We've got detection magic all over the castle. We've got the entire castle's structure ...... and every item that's been placed there.

　If we can do that, we can go straight to pick up the magic stone.
　If you hurry, you can collect the magic stones in an hour.

　And so on.

"How can you do that in such a big castle?
Cynthia tried to do it too, but there are a number of magic circles ...... that would prevent her from doing so, and only Kurt could do it.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　But a thousand years ago, it would have been necessary to go into an underground labyrinth larger than this one.
　Some of those labyrinths were a thousand layers deep.
　There is no amount of time that can be saved by exploring each and every one of them.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

　Lara's eyes light up.



No, ......, I was just saying that such a method is possible. I'll take a different approach this time.
"Huh?　What are you going to do?
You'll see.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　I put my hand on the door. ...... Strengthening magic activated.
　I pushed the door with all my might.

　Then .......

What the hell is going on?
What's going on ......?


　The door made an unpleasant squeaking sound and opened completely.


"It doesn't matter if it's locked by magic or not. It doesn't matter if it's magically locked or not, all you have to do is open it with all your might.

　Now the way is open.
　The door opened into what appeared to be a dark corridor with no light shining through.

"No, no, no!　No, no, no, no, no!　I tried the same thing last time to no avail!
"You just don't have the strength yet.

　It is true that it is difficult to open a door that is locked by magic with all your might, let alone a physical key.
　But ...... just because it's difficult, doesn't mean it's impossible.

...... I don't think the person who locked this door was ...... expecting it to be opened this way. ......
Maybe.

　That's third-rate, in my opinion.

Anyway, we're on our way. Let's move on. Don't let up yet.

　I walked ahead, followed by Lara and Cynthia.