Chapter 224 - 204: The Hard Rock Formation

Chapter 224: Chapter 204: The Hard Rock Formation

On the sea, a large panel on the hull of the great ship was lifted away.

A vessel, only a tenth the size of the great ship, slid from its side down to the surface of the sea.

Aboard this vessel, Philina stood at the bow. Behind her was an elderly man with an emotional expression, along with a dozen or so soldiers clad in full armor.

These dozen or so soldiers exuded an overwhelming, murderous aura, their eyes sharp and gleaming. Each one possessed the combat prowess of the Knight Level, and among them were even a few Senior Knights.

"Miss Philina..."

The old man’s voice trembled. As he took in the salty tang of the sea, his voice shook even more.

Three hundred and twenty years ago, his ancestor had fled from these waters to the world beyond the Storm Strait. And now, he had finally returned.

"Are we ready to set out?"

The old man moved to Philina’s side and asked respectfully.

His ancestors had been the most trusted subordinates of the Sivall Royal Family, and that loyalty had continued down to his generation.

"Let’s set sail, Midton. We must reach the treasure’s location as quickly as possible."

Philina nodded at the old man, Midton. Her tone was remarkably gentle, with none of the condescension of an Upper-Ranker ordering a Lower-Ranker. She spoke as if conversing with an elder.

Midton was a descendant of those who had remained loyal even after the fall of the Sivall Royal Family. His sacrifice and hardship had earned him the respect of not only Philina but Fidala as well. Furthermore, Midton was a Middle Grand Knight of formidable strength. However, due to his old age and injuries sustained while fighting Sea Beasts in the Storm Strait, his aura was currently somewhat faint.

"Yes, Miss Philina."

In truth, Midton desperately wanted to address Philina as "Princess," the title that best bore witness to their former glory.

But because the Sivall Family had fallen on hard times, they had behaved with extreme caution and restraint to avoid provoking ridicule and harsh judgment in the lands beyond the Storm Strait.

Now, having crossed the Storm Strait and returned to their homeland, Midton’s greatest hope was to once again address Fidala as His Majesty and Philina as Her Highness Princess.

"Set sail!"

Midton bellowed the order to the helmsman.

Soon, the small vessel that had been lowered from the great ship began to move, gliding across the sea at an incredible speed—more than three times faster than the White Bear Town fleet at full sail.

This was the difference in performance between the seafaring vessels from inside and outside the Storm Strait.

Philina did not look back, but she knew that a pair of eyes on the great ship was watching her intently.

And indeed, Fidala was standing on the deck, his gaze fixed on the direction Philina was headed.

A long time passed before Philina’s small vessel disappeared over the horizon. Only then did Fidala slowly retract his gaze.

"Set a course! We’re heading for the Sosen Duchy!"

Fidala ordered his second-in-command, his eyes burning with the flames of vengeance and the thirst of ambition.

This time, he would reclaim what rightfully belonged to the Cold Lion Duchy.

...

「The site of the hidden treasure.」

Vili, Colson, Benduin, and Budar had already entered.

The entrance was sealed behind them, plunging them into total darkness.

But their pace did not slow. According to Colson’s prior reconnaissance, there was no danger lurking in this passageway. After walking for a while, they would be able to see stones that emitted light.

"There’s light!"

Benduin took two steps forward, gripping his Iron Spear tightly.

Humans have a natural instinct to seek the Light. In the darkness, the one thing they search for most desperately is the light that will drive it away.

Seeing this, the others quickened their pace slightly.

Soon, along both sides of the once-pitch-black stepped passage, rows of wooden lampstands appeared. Atop each stand rested a warm, orange-colored stone.

The light emanating from the stones was soft, giving off a warm feeling.

Vili moved closer to take a better look.

’As expected of a relic from the Cold Lion Duchy Royal Family...’

Although he couldn’t identify what these warm, orange Light Stones were, Vili knew they would surely fetch a high price if he took them outside. He wasn’t short on money, of course, but he hoped he would have a free hand to grab a few on his way out. With them, the nights at his manor would become a bit more enchanting.

Besides the rare-looking orange Light Stones, the wood used to make the lampstands was also peculiar.

After more than three hundred years, these wooden lampstands still hadn’t decayed. Their quality must be extraordinary.

"To think there are stones that glow..."

Colson and Budar each picked up one of the warm, orange Light Stones, played with it for a moment, and then put it back.

As for Benduin, he completely ignored them. All he wanted was to find the treasure as quickly as possible.

Such flashy yet worthless things held no attraction for him.

The group didn’t waste any more time and continued deeper into the passage.

After less than ten minutes, they reached the end of the passage.

Before them stood a huge, black-surfaced boulder, blocking their path.

The boulder was over three meters high and about five meters wide. Its surface was covered in small, uneven, granular bumps, making it look like an ordinary rock formation.

"This is the stone I saw before through the sea birds’ vision."

Colson walked forward, gently stroking the surface of the rock with his palm before turning to Vili and the others.

Reaching this point meant that Colson’s prior reconnaissance had come to an end.

Everything behind this massive boulder was unknown.

"I’ll smash it!"

Benduin volunteered eagerly and stepped up to the boulder.

"Then you do it."

Vili nodded in agreement.

Since they had come this far, they had to break this obstructing rock.

After getting Vili’s approval, Budar and Colson both stepped back a short distance to avoid being hit by flying debris when the boulder shattered.

Benduin took a deep breath, then let out a low roar.

He always liked to perform these kinds of ritualistic but ultimately useless actions. However, Vili and the others were already used to it and didn’t say anything.

The Mage’s Power within Benduin’s body began to circulate.

A faint yellow layer of earthy rock materialized on the surface of his Iron Spear.

With a single-handed thrust, the tip of the Iron Spear shot forward with a cold glint, aimed at the very center of the boulder.

Benduin intended to use the immense inertia of his strike to pierce the boulder. The residual force would then spread through the rock’s grain, causing it to shatter completely.

He seemed quite confident.

However, it turned out he was being a bit too presumptuous.

There was only a "DING!"

Benduin’s Long Spear bent and was thrown back by the rebound force. On the surface of the boulder struck by the immense power, not even a white mark was left behind.