Three days after the discovery of the pyramid ruins, we seemed to have left the forest.

　The grass and trees were gone from the earth.

　In its place was a land of gray rocks.

　A rocky area.

　Once we were through the forest, the five of us stared at the bleak landscape.

'So much for the forest,'

　Mr. Kilt muttered.

　I said, looking around.

'Is there an abandoned city somewhere in this rocky land?'
Probably.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'We won't change our course, and we'll continue westward.
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Okay.
.......................

　We nodded and then began to walk through the rocky world.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Rocks of all sizes were lying on the gray earth.

　Some of the rocks grew so curved that I couldn't help but look up at them as I walked.

(Hmm?)

　I looked up and saw black smoke in the blue sky.

'Mr. Quilt, that,'
Hmm?

　I hear my voice, and they know it too.

'Hmm, let's go over there.'
Yes.

　We all agreed and we quickly took our course in that direction.

　We walked for about 20 minutes.

(Ah.....)

　I could see the source of the black flame.

　A bonfire.

　Above the rocky earth, the trees stacked on top of each other were burning in a reddish flame, spewing black smoke into the blue sky.

　There were about thirty people beside it.

　They were people from the other 'pioneer groups'.

　Both the Royal Knights and the Adventurer's Group are there.

''Oi, this way.''

　He notices us and waves at us.

　Surprised, we move closer.

"What's up with you?

　Kilt-san called out to him.

　We found out that some of the people who had left the forest before us had gathered here to rest.

　I heard that some of the early birds had arrived here last night.　

'What's the point of being hungry?'
Yeah.

　They said that, chewed off their portable food and laughed boldly.



　Even though we were on a grueling search, we didn't feel the slightest hint of the pain.

　We, too, took a break from the circle.

　Then it's time to nibble on some hard portable food.

　Gogo.........

(!)

　Suddenly, the ground shook.

'It's an earthquake.'

　To my surprise, one of the Kingdom Knights told me.

'It's happened many times since we came to this rocky area last night.
Is that so?

　Even as he spoke, the shaking stopped.

　...........

　It was a bit of an uncomfortable shaking.

　After taking a break for an hour or so, we wished each other well and set out to explore again.

　Walking in our respective directions, we waved our hands.

(.........yeah.)

　I realized that we're all working hard.

　I'll do my best!

　With renewed vigor, I stepped out into the land of rocks.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It was about the time the sun began to tilt in the west.

　We walked through a rocky world.

　Eventually, we found a huge crack in front of us, like a crack in the earth.

(Hmm...?)

　In that canyon, the sun's rays reflected off something in the canyon.

'Mr. Quilt,'
Hmm.

　We approach the edge of the huge ravine with caution.

"!

　And then we found it.

　In the ravine we looked down on, there was a collapsed 'ruined city' leaning at an angle.

　The collapsed buildings were stained red by the setting sun.

''.........''
..........
..........
..........
..........

　All of us were immediately unable to speak.

　We were transfixed by the majesty of a city far, far away, lying at the bottom of the torn earth - the majesty of the city.

　Gok.

　As I twitch, I spit.

　And.

I found it.

　I told them briefly.

　Illtimina-san, Solstice, and Poe nodded.

　Kilt-san nodded, and he held a luminous signal bullet in his hand.

　He pulled the trigger.

　'Hulul Shpaaan.'

　A magical white light was born and shimmered in the Akane sky.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Immediately, people gathered and began to build the "Rock Zone, Base".

　At the same time, a message was also sent to the 'Foggy Forest, Base'.

　This is because the luminous signal bullets cannot be seen due to the fog in the forest and the Shumurian dragon riders cannot come.

　There are 20 people in charge of the message, just in case.

　A total of three parties: ten royal knights, six adventurers and four adventurers.

　The 20 of them are sorry and worried that they have to travel back and forth through the dangerous Forest of Mist again.

　However, I heard that there is a sentient "True Treasure Family" in those three parties that is not in our party.

　There's little chance of getting lost in the forest.

　Also, they have already shown their ability to overcome the 'Grudge Tree''s mental attack and traverse the 'Forest of Mist'.　

''There is no more danger than for the Warriors to go there.''

　Kilt assured him.

(...yeah.)

　Now, I'll take your word for it.

　I can't carry their lives on my shoulders.

I'll do what I can.

　I told myself that.

　Illtimina-san was watching me with a gentle expression.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


It was the ninth day since the completion of the Rock Belt and Base.

　We were waiting for 150 men led by General Robert and his men to join us before the Foggy Forest.

　Whack, whack!

!

　In front of our eyes, the trees in the forest were snapped off.

　Four dragons appeared.

Kahluw.

　A white steamy breath spilled out of his mouth.

　At the head, there were four 'dragon knights' figures.

　Gasp!

　Following those giant creatures, the 'Temple Knights' in beautiful silver armor appeared from the forest shrouded in mist.

　The sunlight reflects off their armor, making them look divine.

　Then, the Kingdom Knights.

(Oooh........)

　What a cool appearance.

　Fluttering his cloak embroidered with the Shumurian national emblem, General Roberto Wogan stepped forward to all of them.

　To his left, Leydre Kwokka, the Dragon Cavalry Captain.

　To the right, Aase Mudelka, Commander of the Temple Knights.

　As if to the three of them, the representative of the Adventurers, Kirto Amandes, the Golden Mark Demon Hunter, stepped forward from here.

''We've been waiting for you.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

　General Roberto nodded broadly.

'Ah. You've done well to pave the way here. Thank you, Kilt Amandes.'

　gasp

　They shake each other's hands forcefully.

　By the time we reached our objective of "The City of Ruins", there were 27 dead and 6 missing.

　The number of people who joined us in the Fifth Frontier Corps was 371.

　This is how we prepared to start our search for the ancient city left behind by the ancient Toluga civilization.