Chapter 166
Chapter 166
Semeru Volcano.
Honestly, it was a name I was hearing for the first time.
There were many volcanoes in Muktaba.
Even though I had been obsessed with the game, I didn’t go around memorizing every single volcano’s name.
‘Still, I was crazy enough to memorize every bit of Muktaba’s terrain… though maybe that’s even crazier, now that I think about it?’
Anyway… thanks to that, I did know one thing.
There was only one volcano located in the northeastern part of Muktaba.
I didn’t remember its name, but I roughly knew what it looked like.
And the volcano I had seen a few times in the game was now standing right before my eyes.
“It’s bigger than I expected.”
“It’s the second-largest volcano in Muktaba.”
“Then where’s the largest one?”
“The northernmost part of Muktaba, where the border between the Empire and the nomads crosses—there’s a volcano there, and that one’s the biggest. That enormous volcano basically serves as a natural border. Of course, Semeru Volcano also slightly overlaps with the border.”
Jason answered my question as he walked ahead.
“But if we’re talking about value, Semeru Volcano ranks much higher.”
“Why’s that?”
“There are far more minerals buried around Semeru Volcano. And if what I know is correct, its archaeological value is also higher.”
“Archaeological value?”
Before Jason could answer, Roy—who had been quiet until then—spoke up instead.
“When Muktaba was still the land of the nomads, they supposedly carried out all their religious activities here at Semeru Volcano.”
“So back then, the nomads offered sacrifices to their gods here?”
“Most likely. Semeru Volcano was considered sacred land among the nomads. Even now, the nomads still demand that the Empire return it to them.”
That was something I’d seen mentioned in the lore before.
That the nomads, after being driven out of Muktaba, had long been in conflict with the Empire.
“I see. But do those nomads even remember which god they once worshipped?”
“That’s the strange part. According to studies, generations ago they seemed to have forgotten which god they worshipped back then. Of course, some tribes still remember and continue to serve that god properly.”
“But the nomads who were expelled from Muktaba… seem to have forgotten who their god was.”
“It could be that they forgot—or that they had to forget.”
Roy nodded with a curious expression.
“Among the nomads, tribes that served an Evil God weren’t well regarded. So maybe they erased their own god on purpose.”
“Then the reason those nomads are demanding Semeru Volcano back is…”
“They just want their land back, that’s all.”
Jason chuckled softly and spoke again.
‘We don’t know what god our ancestors served, but Semeru Volcano was their holy land. So hand it over.’ — Something like that, I suppose.”
“I see. A god forgotten even by the nomads themselves… how peculiar.”
“And right now, we’re on our way to the temple of that peculiar god. In that sense, the entrance I found earlier should be right over there.”
Before long, we reached the midsection of the massive volcano.
And where Jason pointed stood a large rock.
At first glance, it looked like any other rock found around the volcano.
But the moment I saw it, I sensed something was off.
“…Was this rock moved here by someone?”
“Right. If you look closely, you’ll notice it was artificially placed. It’s disguised well enough that you wouldn’t notice unless you examined it carefully.”
As he said that, Jason wrapped himself in aura.
Using his aura-enhanced strength, he pushed the rock aside.
A hidden passage revealed itself beneath it.
It was just large enough for one person to crawl through.
“Lord Eisen said there would be a temple underground, midway up the volcano. This is about the middle, and this passage seems to lead down below… so this must be the entrance.”
I nodded, checked the passage, and looked back at Jason.
“You managed to find this quite well. As you said, it’s nearly impossible to notice otherwise.”
“I’m rather skilled when it comes to gathering information. Anyway, want to take the lead?”
“Yes, I’ll go first.”
“Good. Oh, and while we’re walking, tell me in detail what happened during the Tournament.”
And so, we descended into the long, deep tunnel.
It was much longer than I expected.
Even after walking for over thirty minutes, the end was nowhere in sight.
Still, that gave me a chance to talk with Jason about things we hadn’t discussed yet.
“…Sounds like the Tournament was quite a storm. But I never imagined you’d call down rain and defeat Lord Eisen.”
“Yes, I didn’t expect it myself. It was an idea that came to me in the middle of the match, so I tried it—and it just worked.”
“Wow… summoning rain, huh? I’ve heard that controlling weather like that takes tremendous power.”
“I was just lucky, I think. More importantly, did you find anything in the Isrinbloom Family mansion?”
“I did.”
The passage was dark, so I couldn’t see Jason’s expression clearly.
But from his tone, it sounded like he’d found something important.
“I secretly searched Lord Rage’s room. The floorboards looked newly replaced, so I pried them up—and found a small safe.”
“A safe?”
“Yeah. There was nothing else suspicious in his room, which means the key clues must be inside that safe.”
I nodded at his words.
I, too, felt that the safe likely contained the core of Rage’s plans.
“Did you manage to open it?”
“No. It was sealed tightly with all sorts of magic. It seems only those of Isrinbloom blood can open it. Unfortunately, no direct bloodline members were in the mansion at the time.”
“I suppose we’ll have to check that safe again later.”
“I agree. So once we finish checking out this temple—or whatever this is—I plan to sneak back into the Isrinbloom mansion.”
“Then I’ll go with you this time.”
Bit by bit, things were starting to move forward.
But that didn’t mean I could let my guard down.
No one knew how this would all turn out.
“This passage… it feels ancient.”
Luke, who was following behind us, spoke up.
“This tunnel must be at least a hundred years old… but there are quite a few recent footprints.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I can see some tracks too.”
“By the way, Gideon.”
This time, Lisa spoke to me.
“We’ve been walking for quite a while now—how far do you think we’ve gone?”
“I’m not sure about that either…”
“We’re still within the Isrinbloom territory.”
Before I could answer, Kara—who had been quietly casting a spell—interjected.
“I just confirmed it using observation magic. We’re still inside the Isrinbloom territory, but we’re gradually heading north. Meaning, we’re moving toward the border with the nomads.”
“Heading north… that doesn’t sound reassuring.”
Even so, I continued moving forward.
Before long, a faint light appeared far ahead—the end of the tunnel.
As the dim passageway began to glow, we picked up our pace, quietly but swiftly.
And when we finally reached the end of the passage, an enormous underground plaza spread out before us.
“…A temple.”
“Yeah, that’s a temple.”
Lisa, who came up beside me, nodded.
It was a vast underground space, roughly half the size of the arena where I had fought in the Tournament.
Though we were underground with no natural light, the countless torches made the area brightly lit.
And at the center of that plaza stood a temple.
A massive structure built of black stone.
An altar in front of it.
And countless statues scattered across the plaza.
The entire place radiated an atmosphere of devotion—a place of worship for some god.
“Gideon, do you see that?”
“…Yes, I do.”
I looked where Jason was pointing.
In front of the grand temple, a group of people stood gathered.
There were seven of them, and six wore very peculiar attire.
They weren’t dressed like Imperial citizens… Those clothes—I’d seen them in the game before…
“Aren’t those… nomads?”
“Exactly. And not just ordinary nomads. You see the feathers on their heads?”
“Yes, if my memory’s correct… those are ornaments worn by tribal chiefs, aren’t they?”
“That’s right. And keep in mind—some nomadic tribes are as large as small nations. For six tribal chiefs like them to gather in one place? That’s not a trivial matter.”
I nodded at Jason’s words.
I didn’t know much about the nomads, but I knew there were fewer than twenty tribes in total.
So for the chiefs of six of them to be here together—it was no small thing.
That meant… if six were the nomad chieftains, then the remaining one man… looked oddly familiar… wait, what?
“…Jason. That man—Isn’t that Oslo, the head butler of the Isrinbloom Family?”
“That’s… yeah, that’s him. Definitely. I saw him not long ago at the Isrinbloom mansion. But what’s he doing here…?”
Jason looked confused for a moment, then started to stand.
“I’ll sneak closer and listen in. Everyone, stay here—”
“There’s no need. There’s an easier, better way.”
Kara stopped Jason, then cast a spell.
A small butterfly appeared in her hand.
She sent it fluttering toward Oslo and the tribal chiefs.
Then, with another spell, an image projected into the air above her hand.
Judging from what it showed, it seemed to be the butterfly’s point of view.
“We can hear the sound too, so let’s all listen.”
Everyone gathered around Kara and focused on the image.
— What are you saying, Oslo? You said the earliest we’d move would be next year.
— My apologies. But my master earnestly requests your cooperation. The schedule has changed drastically—please prepare your forces to mobilize as soon as tomorrow.
— That’s easier said than done! Suddenly asking us to deploy our soldiers tomorrow? This is troublesome.
— Yes, I understand. My master also understands this, which is why he offers you this proposal. As originally promised, you were to receive the western lands of the Empire. But if you grant this favor, he will also give you half of Muktaba.
— …Half of Muktaba?
— Yes. Among the tribes gathered here, I believe some desire Muktaba’s lands.
— You mean… the territory around Semeru Volcano?
— That’s correct. My master has promised to give it to you.
— …Prepared to go to war as early as tomorrow?
— Yes, that’s right.
The Oslo shown in the image was indeed the same butler I knew.
But his eyes… they were different.
Now, his gaze looked dazed—almost as if he were under a spell.
“…Gideon.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
“Didn’t you say Rage used Dragon Tongue Magic or something to hypnotize Lord Dilug?”
“Yes.”
Luke nodded, studying Oslo again.
“Looks like Oslo’s been hit with the same thing. I’m not the only one thinking that, right?”
“No, I agree with you.”
After replying to Luke, I turned my attention back to the projected image.
— Oslo. As your master wished, we have spread your god’s teachings among the tribes. Alongside the gods we originally worshipped, many now follow yours as well.
— Yes, I am aware. My master is deeply grateful to all of you for that.
— You can skip the empty thanks. Just tell your master to keep his promise.
— Understood. Once the Arium Empire falls under our control, my master will not forget your help and will grant all that was promised.
Jason chuckled quietly as he listened to Oslo’s words.
Then he looked toward Kara.
“Professor, can you save that recording?”
“Why? Because it’s a clear piece of evidence?”
“Yes. It’s solid proof of rebellion.”
Jason laughed, half incredulous, half amused.
“I’d heard Rage was plotting a rebellion, but I never imagined he’d involve the nomads. The same nomads our Isrinbloom ancestors struggled so hard to drive out.”