The Returnee Wants Peace

Chapter 57

Contrary to expectations of it being heavy, the large door opened smoothly, revealing the interior of the shrine.

“...Oh, it’s brighter than I thought.”

“You’re right.”

The spacious shrine interior was well-lit by candles placed throughout, dispelling any sense of dread. However, crystals as large as the pillars protruding here and there created an eerie atmosphere.

The crystals particularly surrounded the central platform, upon which sat a small, capsule-like golden ornament.

“Could that be... the treasure the blue window mentioned?”

“Seems so. Do we just need to take that item?”

Listening to their conversation, Rosha surveyed the inside of the shrine with an uneasy expression.

At the same time, she recalled the experience shared by the one called ‘The White Falcon’.

-The shrine interior seemed to be used as a research space by someone. Experimental apparatus and papers were scattered everywhere. Fortunately, no one was there when I went, so it was easy.

It was just as he had said. The carelessly strewn experimental equipment, as if someone had been using it, felt quite unsettling.

Especially the vials and glass flasks haphazardly placed on the altar looked almost like a desecration of the god.

“Ugh, it feels a bit overpowering...”

“Yes. I sense an impure intent.”

Having gone through dozens of trials, Rosha clearly understood the function of shrines.

Judging by the way such acts were committed on the very altar where gods’ messages were exchanged, the god of this shrine seemed to be greatly displeased.

It was then.

“Shouldn’t we go inside? If we need to acquire the treasure for the trial to end?”

Heres, having observed the interior for quite a while without noticing any signs of life, turned to her and asked.

In fact, he was right. She had just attempted to retrieve the treasure with magic, but it didn’t work at all. Froy’s ability had also been ineffective.

Seeing the man beside her silently shake his head, Rosha trailed off.

“That may be, but...”

“Then how about I go in and get that thing?”

Heres took a step towards the shrine as he made the suggestion.

It was a proposal he would never normally make, but in truth, he was eager to contribute before the trial ended.

‘Lady Roshanak said she would fix my body if she saw me doing well.’

Unable to use mana due to a congenital defect, retrieving that treasure seemed to be his only chance to contribute in this trial.

That’s why he had insisted on going ahead, despite Rosha saying they should all go together after a brief consideration.

‘I need to show I’m willing to risk my life.’

His legs trembled uncontrollably in the situation where a magical trap could spring at any moment, but he still had to give his best effort.

Fortunately, even after entering, there didn’t seem to be any immediate danger for a while.

However, the moment he approached the platform where the treasure was placed.

Whiiiiing-

The candlelight suddenly began to flicker weakly.

There was no wind inside the sealed shrine space.

‘...Something like this exists inside a house?’

The small demons occasionally emerging from the crack fell endlessly into the depths below.

Winged ones would sometimes swoop towards them, but a very high-level barrier was erected around the basement door.

“Ooh, quite the feisty one.”

Seeing this, Koko muttered in satisfaction.

Perhaps because Heres had lived a relatively peaceful life.

The contents of the illusion were nothing special. It merely revealed the existence of a rift in Marquis Lycaon’s basement.

〔...〕

However, this illusion seemed to be beyond the 7th stage magician’s expectations.

Since they didn’t appear particularly distressed, the illusion soon changed to the next one.

Rain falling intermittently from a sky filled with dark clouds. Beneath it, a few people gathered in black attire.

Rosha remembered this scene.

‘...My parents’ funeral.’

Due to the fire accident leaving barely any remains, the coffins were empty. Instead, her parents’ belongings were placed one by one inside, amidst flower petals.

Fortunately, Cassis, who seemed to be the owner of this illusion, didn’t appear too shaken.

Then, the voice echoed once more.

〔How strange. This shouldn’t be happening.〕

Its way of speaking had been odd from the start, as if its expectations weren’t being met.

‘The mention of ‘not letting it happen a second time,’ and now this... it sounds like the illusion isn’t what it expected?’

Suddenly, a hypothesis crossed Rosha’s mind.

What if the intelligent entities appearing in Hardmode were fully aware of the events from Normal mode?

However, at that moment.

Fwaaaash-

A cold light with tangible sensation illuminated Rosha.

And the illusion changed again.

Wheeeeeng!

In an instant, the surrounding temperature plummeted as a pure white wind carrying snowflakes swept through.

The razor-sharp gale sliced her cheeks as if carrying blades. Simultaneously, her ears felt muffled, as if in a high-altitude region.

It was a frigid mountain.

“This is...”

Muttering softly, Rosha flinched.

A memory of this place that had been dormant suddenly sprang back to life.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Surveying the terrain, she climbed up to a low cliff at the end of the ridge, her face set.

Below was a snow field stained a deep red, unlike anything she had seen so far.

It was littered with corpses.