Chapter 438 Magical Darkness

Having a powerful Mage for a companion was better than having an entire army at your back. Ron looked at the Moon Elf in amazement. She seemed to have seen through everything.

"Some beings with immense Spiritual Power can drag everyone nearby into an Illusion Realm. If their surroundings are unsafe, that’s no different from a massacre," Jilannis said nonchalantly. "Many older Giant Dragons use a similar method to hunt. Or rather, they wait for prey to walk right into their mouths—sometimes even serving themselves up on a platter."

"There are also some kind-hearted Giant Dragons who are deeply troubled by this," the Sword-Singing Lion Armor added. "They have to patrol their territory constantly to make sure no living thing is harmed by one of their dreams."

"So, you’re saying... there’s a dragon down there?" Aive frowned at the dangerous mire. ’Considering the size of this giant, a dragon could probably cram itself inside if it really tried.’ "No wonder you kept telling us to wait when we were about to pull Ron up. Were you trying to figure out its intentions?"

"Then I guess you’ve figured it out!" the barbarian shouted, hoisting Grip of the Vast Wave. "That bastard down there is up to no good! Let’s go kill it, and destroy this ’nest’ while we’re at it!"

"Jilannis was just speaking metaphorically, my friends," Silvia said, stopping the impulsive barbarian. "No one said there was a dragon down there. Ron, what exactly did you see?"

Ron thought for a moment before recounting everything he had seen and heard. "There wasn’t a Giant Dragon down there, but there was the ghost of the very giant we’re standing on."

"He seemed incomplete... and very unstable. When I asked him about the brand, he just... shut down?"

"Then the Illusion Realm started to close in on me. If you all hadn’t pulled me up in time, I’m afraid I..."

"An agreeable giant," the Sword-Singing Lion Armor scoffed. "Sounds like a trap."

"Even a Giant Dragon’s Spiritual Power would struggle to last for a millennium, let alone specifically target and lure you in—unless this giant was a Legendary Mage in life. And a legend among them, at that."

"Or it’s the one pulling the strings," Anastina said, glancing down worriedly. She feared that the Delusional Plant People they’d unearthed were also just a trap. "This feels too dangerous. Can’t we just stop here and go back?"

"I know this trip with you all has been a real eye-opener, but we have to be alive for it to count! It could be even more dangerous down there! What if there are hundreds of giants this size?"

"You heard Ron, Anna," Aive said with a frown. "This is their king. The others are probably the same size as the ones we already fought. Are you really scared of a few walking sticks?"

"If you want to back out, that’s fine. You can go wait for us up top. Or just head back on your own."

"No! I... I’ll stick with you!" Anastina quickly shook her head at the suggestion. "Don’t leave me by myself! That’s what’s really dangerous!"

"Any other suggestions?" Ron checked his gear and spells, confirming their earlier failure was solely due to the Illusion Realm; his own abilities were still intact. He scanned his companions’ faces. "According to Nu Hava, the area below was the site of their fiercest battle. Their failure is why everyone up here, from the Priests to the nobles, died so ’peacefully.’ So be prepared."

"Also, while I’m not getting my hopes up, we should still look for any written records. I just have a feeling we can’t completely trust what Nu Hava said."

No one objected to pressing onward; it would be a shame to turn back when they were so close to the end. But now that they had an idea of what to expect, the Casters in the group began preparing countermeasures, so they wouldn’t be caught off guard by any surprises.

One hand on her staff and the other resting on a bundle of Scrolls at her waist, Silvia followed the others out of the chamber and continued downward. These Scrolls were her entire personal stash, saved up over the years. It looked like they would finally come in handy.

For some reason, however, she couldn’t shake an inexplicable feeling. It wasn’t a sense of danger, but it wasn’t a good omen, either.

As the group delved deeper into the final level of Revival Fortress, the feeling intensified. It was as if something was calling to her... or rather, to the power within her.

"Feeling unwell, Miss Silvia?" Count Richthofen, who had been led along the entire way, suddenly spoke up. His crimson eyes glinted slyly as he looked at the slip of a girl he had once viewed as a sacrifice. "Relax. This is normal."

"You did accept that being’s power, after all. It’s only natural to feel discomfort in a place connected to it. Besides, that power was never meant for you in the first place."

"And I suppose you came by your power honestly?" Silvia huffed. "You don’t need to worry about me. I’m perfectly fine!"

"Oh, is that so? Then at least take an old man’s advice: when the time comes and you can’t handle it anymore, give the power back to me. You might just save your own little life!"

The Count lapsed back into silence. Ron and the others looked back, puzzled, and asked what they were talking about, but they only received a vague, dismissive answer.

When magical light illuminated the bottom of the stairs, the door to a pitch-black room stood wide open, as if to welcome them. But the group already knew the reason: centuries before they arrived, a group of Spore People and a Thorny Beast had been welcomed in. Or, from the room’s perspective, they had been "welcomed out."

"The door was torn to shreds." Sera whistled in amazement, looking at the thick, twisted metal panel lying to one side. "What incredible strength! Must have been the Thorny Beast!"

"Still, it’s a good thing. Saves you from being a human key again, Ron—" Sera cut herself off. Moving with the speed and agility of a lioness, she shot to the front of the line, hauling Grip of the Vast Wave with her.

The room was pitch-black—so dark that even the Elves’ Dark Vision could not penetrate it. Magic was clearly at play.

"Shh!" Sera held up a finger, signaling for her companions to be quiet. A mystical link formed between her and Victoria. Protected by the spell, the barbarian stepped warily into the unknown darkness.

With the arrival of this uninvited guest, something in the room suddenly began to CLATTER. A moment later, the barbarian’s shocked and furious roar echoed out!

"Sera, move left!" The Cloud Burst Arrow Ron already had nocked was instantly raised and fired, streaking into the magical darkness with a bright, fiery tail. It was followed by two more in quick succession!

As the three Cloud Burst Arrows detonated in succession, the entire Revival Fortress seemed to shake as if struck by a massive earthquake.