Chapter 253: Heading Towards The Ruined Temple

The group made several more attempts to persuade Aelric to remain in the crypt and explore further, but unfortunately, no matter how insistently they argued or tried to convince him, the green-eyed youth refused to reconsider.

Eventually, after exhausting every reasonable argument and several unreasonable ones supplied mostly by Vaelorin, they finally surrendered.

With Aelric already walking toward the exit, there was little point in continuing the debate.

Just before leaving, however, Regaleon turned toward Valmyr and Vaelorin and requested. "Help me cover the sarcophagus."

Both men exchanged a glance before obliging, approaching the coffin together with Regaleon.

They could have left it open, but the silver-haired Knight could not bring himself to do so. To him, leaving the resting place of the dead exposed was sacrilegious, regardless of how many centuries had passed since the occupant’s death. The Grand Priest had been dead for ages, but that did not mean his final resting place deserved any less respect.

Once the heavy lid had been restored, Regaleon gave the gigantic six-winged Knight statue one lingering look. Something about the ancient figure still tugged at a place within his mind that he could neither identify nor explain.

Finally, he then turned away.

Aelric led the procession this time, his hands buried casually in his pockets while a faint smile played upon his lips. He whistled a light, almost cheerful tune that perfectly conveyed the satisfaction he felt after obtaining the Key.

Behind him, the inanimate Terracottas created a strangely unsettling spectacle as the group walked down the obsidian avenue. Yet the fear that had gripped them when they first entered the ghastly chamber had vanished. In its place remained disappointment and lingering dissatisfaction.

The expedition had simply not lived up to their expectations.

Unfortunately, none of them could exactly march up to Aelric and demand that he reconsider his priorities, so they swallowed their complaints and followed.

It was not long before they reached the crypt’s entrance. Aelric stepped outside without hesitation, followed closely by the others, leaving the ancient chamber in a profound and ancient silence...

Moments later, they arrived at the underground intersection where the tunnels divided in several directions and halted.

Regaleon looked toward Aelric.

"Aelric, should we return to the cave and begin our journey from there, or should we investigate the ruined temple we discovered previously? Since we’ve already begun this expedition, I see no reason not to settle the matter while we have the opportunity."

Aelric glanced at him, then shrugged.

"Well, I see no reason why we shouldn’t. If what you told me is accurate, the temple should be above the waterfall. If anything, that sounds like an excellent place from which to begin our journey."

Regaleon didn’t understand what Aelric meant by the last part but he didn’t ask. Instead, he simply nodded his head and remarked. "Okay, let’s go."

He immediately led Aelric toward the right-hand passage, the tunnel that would take them toward the ruined temple.

As they walked, Sylveris suddenly hurried closer to Regaleon and lowered her voice.

"Regaleon, this is where you found my fangs, right?"

Regaleon looked down at her and nodded.

"Yes. It is the same place."

Sylveris nodded thoughtfully, her silver eyes brightening. She continued walking without another word, yet the eager rhythm of her steps betrayed her anticipation.

She was hardly the only one as several members of the group were similarly curious. During their previous expedition, Regaleon, Valmyr, Vaelorin, and Kaeloris had been led to the ruined temple while tracking the twisted Drake. There, they had discovered a mysterious structure whose secrets they had barely begun to uncover.

Unlike the crypt, which all eight of them had already explored extensively, the ruined temple remained largely uncharted territory, explored mostly by just four of them. And that fact had been bothering them.

Actually, they had wanted to return almost immediately after their encounter with the feline Anima, particularly Regaleon, whose strange reaction to the headless six-winged Knight statue had raised more questions than answers.

Unfortunately, circumstances had repeatedly intervened. There had been preparations to make, matters to settle, lives to maintain and, eventually, Aelric himself had appeared.

The discovery of the green-eyed youth and everything surrounding it had occupied so much of their attention that their plans to investigate the temple had gradually been pushed aside.

Now, however, they finally had the opportunity.

Kaeloris adjusted his glasses as he walked.

"I must admit, I’m curious about what we’ll find. The temple was unusual even before we knew anything about Forbidden Ruins."

Vaelorin snorted when he heard his words. "Wonderful... Another ancient place filled with things that might want to kill us."

Valmyr smiled as he turned towards him and spoke. "You say that as though it is somehow unusual for us not to court death. Besides, don’t forget that the temple is mildly dangerous in comparison to the crypt so we have nothing to worry about."

Vaelorin gave him a side glance as he spoke. "I wouldn’t be so sure about that especially considering the surprise we encountered upon our first arrival there. Trust me, although I’m not against going there, if things are to go south, I would be the first to bolt without hesitation."

Vaelorin’s admission was absolutely shameless and a few of them laughed at it, easing the tension as they continued.

Before long, the tunnel ahead began to rise. Stone steps gradually emerged from the floor, each one broad enough for four people to walk abreast. Curiosity gleamed in the eyes of those who had never visited the temple as they began ascending the enormous staircase.

Signs of age and decay covered the walls. Moss clung to the ancient stone, while vines twisted through cracks and hung downward like neglected curtains. The deeper they climbed, the more the passage seemed to transition from an underground tunnel into the remains of something once grand.

Valmyr suddenly glanced toward Vaelorin and suddenly asked. "Vaelorin, do you remember when we first came here? You were practically begging us not to open that door."

A small, nostalgic smile appeared on his face when he spoke.

Vaelorin raised a brow. "How could I forget?"

He snorted, and an expression of reluctant embarrassment crossed his face.

"I was the only sensible person among you idiots. Also, I seem to remember that had you listened to me, we wouldn’t have found ourselves on the brink of death due to fighting that feline Anima."

Valmyr chuckled at his words. "Of course, we wouldn’t. However, where is the fun in all of that? Also, I suppose the fact that you were terrified had absolutely nothing to do with your warning."

Vaelorin’s eye twitched when he heard the teasing tone in Valmyr’s voice. He then rebutted defensively. "I wasn’t terrified, rather, I was merely being cautious. After all, it is strategic to assess the danger level of a new place."

"Uh-huh, assessing you say? But that was not the way I remember it. Because how I remember it, you seem to be trembling while you assessed these danger levels."

Valmyr said with mocking smile and this expression of his made a vein throb on Vaelorin’s forehead.

"Do you want me to throw you down these stairs?" The red-haired Pyromancer asked viciously through gritted teeth.

The threat only made Valmyr laugh harder as he thought nothing serious of it. Instead, he simply continued to pull at Vaelorin’s legs and to make matters worse, Kaeloris happened to be his accomplice in this newfound mission to make Vaelorin’s life miserable.

Their banter continued until they finally reached a massive stone door.

It was the same imposing barrier that had obstructed their path during their previous visit.

Even Aelric, who had spent the entire journey behaving as though ancient ruins were merely inconvenient landmarks, slowed slightly when he saw the door.

His green eyes swept across its weathered surface, and for the first time since leaving the crypt, interest flickered through his relaxed expression when he stared at the structure.

Regaleon noticed it immediately but wisely chose not to comment. However, that subtle gleam shown by Aelric made him know that Aelric was quite interested in the temple.

Regaleon then beckoned toward Valmyr and asked. "Help me with this."

The bulky Vanguard stepped forward without complaint, and together they placed their hands against the enormous stone slab.

This time, opening it was considerably easier.

During their first visit, they had needed considerable effort merely to shift the door. Now, strengthened by their cultivation, the same barrier felt almost disappointingly manageable.

"Ready?" Regaleon asked, looking towards the failed Vanguard.

Valmyr grinned as he nodded.

"Push." Regaleon said and in the next moment, they exerted their strength simultaneously...

A deep rumble reverberated through the passage as the stone door slowly slid open like the mouth of some ancient beast awakening from centuries of slumber. Dust drifted from above, and the grinding of stone against stone echoed ominously through the temple.

Then, after several tense moments, the door was fully open.

The group exchanged glances. Whatever awaited them beyond was something half of them had yet seen. One after another, they crossed the threshold and entered the world beyond the door...