Chapter 487: Before The Entrance Appears

"Absolutely not. We’re not going to spend two weeks sleeping in the wilderness."

Sage’s declaration brought the discussion around his desk to an abrupt halt.

Rowan had just finished explaining the advantages of reaching Greyfen before the dungeon manifested, while Iris had reminded everyone that the underground mana formation could become active at any moment within the next two weeks.

Leon leaned back in his chair, looking amused. "Nobody suggested we spend two weeks sleeping in the wilderness, Guildmaster."

"Then I’m glad we’ve established that," Sage replied, folding his arms. "Because I didn’t establish the Adventurer Guild, build a respectable Headquarters, and acquire a perfectly comfortable bed just to abandon everything and live beneath a tree while waiting for a hole to appear in the ground."

Mina, seated beside Iris, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Uncle Sage, you could always bring a tent. A really expensive one, with a comfortable bed inside."

Sage gave her a suspicious look. "And who would carry this magnificent tent, Mina?"

She smiled brightly. "Rowan, of course."

Rowan slowly turned toward her. "Why me?"

"Because you’re the one who knows where we’re going," Mina answered confidently, as though that explained everything.

Lucan chuckled, while Sage shook his head in resignation.

"Fortunately for Rowan, we’re not bringing any luxurious tents," Sage declared. "We’re staying in the capital until we have a better reason to depart."

The humor gradually faded as he turned toward Iris.

"Your estimate was within two weeks, correct?"

Iris nodded. "Yes, Guildmaster. But that doesn’t mean the entrance will appear exactly fourteen days from now. It could happen sooner. The mana formation is becoming increasingly unstable, and I can’t determine its precise progress without observing it directly."

"Then we need information, not an extended camping holiday," Sage replied. "Rowan, how long would it take us to reach the ruins using the route you’ve identified?"

"Approximately two days, provided we travel without unnecessary delays," Rowan answered. "The southern approach remains our safest option, although we’ll need to be cautious around the areas where the mercenary scouts have been investigating."

Sage tapped the map thoughtfully. Two days wasn’t an insignificant distance, but neither was it enough to justify abandoning the capital for an uncertain period. The real challenge was recognizing when the dungeon was close enough to manifestation that leaving became necessary.

"Very well," he decided. "Everyone remains available for immediate departure. Keep your equipment prepared, settle any responsibilities that might delay you, and don’t make plans that require you to disappear for several days."

Leon nodded. "I’ll arrange matters within the Order. My absence won’t become a problem as long as I provide the necessary instructions beforehand."

"Good," Sage replied. "And please don’t announce that you’re accompanying me to Greyfen. I’d prefer our competitors to remain ignorant of how troublesome their opposition is going to be."

Leon smiled faintly. "I’ll be discreet, Guildmaster."

Sage then looked toward Rowan and Iris. "You’ve already identified the routes and examined the mana formation. There’s no reason to expose yourselves by returning repeatedly. We’ll rely on reports from the region until something changes."

Iris appeared reluctant but eventually nodded. "Understood. However, the reports will need to describe the disturbances carefully. Ordinary travelers might notice unusual events without understanding their significance."

"That’s where Pax comes in," Sage replied. "He has people who can observe Greyfen without knowing exactly what we’re looking for."

Mina raised her hand. "And what am I supposed to do, Uncle Sage?"

"Prepare yourself," Sage answered. "And perhaps practice surviving an entire afternoon without consuming everything in the kitchen."

Mina’s expression immediately turned offended. "Petty Uncle Sage! Why do you always make it sound like I eat so much?"

Sage glanced at the empty plate beside her. "Because the evidence keeps disappearing before my eyes."

Their laughter eased the tension, but once the meeting ended, Sage wasted no time putting his decision into action.

---

Pax arrived later that afternoon and listened as Sage explained what he needed.

"Reports of unusual beast movements, disturbances near the ruins, and unfamiliar groups entering the region," Sage instructed. "Nothing that would suggest we’re specifically interested in the dungeon. Your contacts should simply observe what’s happening and report anything out of the ordinary."

Pax nodded. "That shouldn’t be difficult. I already have people gathering information from settlements surrounding Greyfen. I’ll arrange for their reports to reach us more frequently."

"And the mercenaries?"

"Still investigating," Pax answered. "I’ve confirmed that at least two groups have reached the surrounding wilderness. They appear to be searching different areas, but neither has made any significant discovery that my contacts have heard about."

Sage frowned slightly. "Any progress identifying their employers?"

"Not enough to name them confidently," Pax admitted. "However, I’m following several leads. Whoever sent them is being careful."

"Then be careful yourself," Sage replied. "I want information, not a confrontation. If someone becomes suspicious of your people, withdraw them."

Pax acknowledged the instruction before departing.

Over the following days, life at the Royal Capital Headquarters continued much as usual.

Adventurers accepted missions, merchants visited the Guild’s facilities, and the various departments carried on with their responsibilities. To anyone observing from outside, nothing suggested that Sage was preparing for an expedition that could determine the Guild’s future.

Behind the scenes, however, the six expedition members quietly completed their arrangements.

Leon ensured that his responsibilities within the Ardent Sun Knight Order could be handled during his absence. Lucan reviewed the legal arrangements concerning access to the ruins, while Rowan finalized their route and identified alternatives should the usual paths become occupied.

Iris spent her time comparing her previous observations, searching for signs that might help her interpret any new reports from Greyfen.

As for Mina, she approached the preparations with considerable enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, her enthusiasm also extended to the expedition’s food supplies.

"Uncle Sage, these provisions aren’t enough," Mina announced one afternoon, placing a supply list on his desk. "What happens if we encounter a dangerous monster and need to fight for an entire day?"

Sage examined the list before slowly looking up. "Mina, why have you requested enough dried meat to feed twenty people?"

"Because there are six of us," she answered seriously.

"That explanation somehow makes the situation worse," Sage muttered.

Mina folded her arms. "A hungry Warrior can’t fight properly."

"And a bankrupt Guildmaster can’t afford to employ hungry Warriors," Sage countered, returning the list. "Garran has already arranged sufficient provisions. We’re not transporting a banquet into the wilderness."

Mina accepted the parchment with a disappointed sigh, although Sage suspected she would eventually attempt to negotiate with Garran directly.

Despite these occasional interruptions, the preparations progressed smoothly.

Four days passed without any significant developments.

Then, on the fifth evening, Pax arrived with another report.

"One of the mercenary groups has withdrawn from the northern woodland," he informed Sage. "According to local accounts, they encountered unusually aggressive beasts and decided the investigation wasn’t worth continuing."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "Sensible fellows. It’s reassuring to know that someone in this kingdom still values his life."

"Unfortunately, the other groups haven’t withdrawn," Pax continued. "Several investigators have been asking about the older trails leading toward the ruins. They don’t appear to know exactly where they’re going, but they’re narrowing their search."

Sage’s expression became serious.

"Then we may have less time than we thought."

"Possibly," Pax agreed. "However, none of my contacts have reported anyone entering the ruins themselves."

"Keep watching," Sage instructed. "If that changes, I want to know immediately."

Two more days passed.

By the seventh day, reports of unusual mana disturbances had become increasingly common around Greyfen. Travelers spoke of strange vibrations beneath the ground, while hunters complained that animals were abandoning familiar territories.

Some attributed the disturbances to powerful monsters.

Others insisted that ancient magic had awakened somewhere beneath the wilderness.

Sage listened to these reports without commenting publicly.

The rumors were becoming troublesome, but they also suggested that the dungeon was approaching manifestation.

On the eighth morning, the situation changed.

Pax entered Sage’s office carrying a sealed parchment, his usually composed expression unusually grave.

"Guildmaster, we’ve received an urgent report from Greyfen."

Sage immediately set aside the document he had been reading. "What happened?"

"Last night, a powerful mana disturbance swept through the region surrounding the ancient ruins," Pax explained. "Several hunters reported feeling the ground tremble, and witnesses in nearby settlements described an unusual pressure spreading through the surrounding wilderness."

Sage straightened in his chair. "How powerful?"

"Enough to frighten several experienced Warriors into abandoning their camps," Pax answered. "One of my contacts claims the disturbance lasted several minutes before gradually subsiding. The local beasts became extremely agitated afterward."

Sage rose immediately.

"Find Iris. And summon the others."

Within the hour, the five expedition members had gathered inside his office.

Iris read the report carefully, her expression becoming increasingly serious as she examined the descriptions.

"The location matches the underground formation," she confirmed. "And the sudden release of mana is consistent with the instability I observed during our previous reconnaissance."

Leon leaned forward. "Does that mean the entrance has appeared?"

"Not necessarily," Iris replied. "There’s no confirmed sighting of an entrance. However, a disturbance of this magnitude suggests that the formation is approaching a critical stage."

Rowan glanced toward the map. "If we leave tomorrow morning, we should reach Greyfen within two days."

Iris nodded. "I strongly recommend it, Guildmaster. I can’t guarantee when manifestation will occur, but waiting much longer would be dangerous."

Sage considered the situation for a moment before making his decision.

"Then we depart tomorrow at dawn," he declared. "Six people, essential equipment, and no unnecessary attention. Rowan, we’ll follow your southern route unless something changes. Everyone should be ready."

Mina grinned excitedly. "Finally! I was beginning to think we’d spend another month sitting around waiting for something interesting to happen."

Sage glanced toward her. "Mina, please don’t tempt fate. I would be perfectly happy if the entire expedition turned out to be wonderfully boring."

Leon chuckled before rising from his chair. "Then I’ll make my final arrangements. We should be ready by morning."

As the others departed, Sage remained standing before the map.

Eight days had passed since their preparations began.

The mercenary investigators were still searching, the mana disturbances were intensifying, and the entrance could appear at any moment.

He placed his finger upon the location of the ancient ruins.

"Well," Sage murmured, a faint smile appearing on his face, "it seems our little race is finally about to begin."

And this time, he had no intention of arriving second.