The Wandering Priest in Dark Fantasy

Chapter 66

[Translator - Peptobismal]

[Proofreader - Max]

Chapter 66: Ancient Dungeon (2)

An ancient dungeon.

Dungeons were mysterious spaces that had existed since time immemorial.

They were presumed to be places for safekeeping or sealing something, but no one knew who made them or why.

However, there were spaces very similar to dungeons even in the present world: the workshops of mages.

"...That makes me not want to go in."

Ono and Daniel openly expressed their displeasure.

They were surely recalling Heidern's mansion.

Hamel continued calmly,

"It could be even more dangerous than that."

"...More than Heidern's?"

Daniel's expression hardened.

Hamel shrugged.

Some said that mages' workshops were imitations of ancient dungeons.

Others said that dungeons were centuries-old mages' workshops.

It was now impossible to determine which was true.

But one thing was certain...

"Whether it's the former or the latter, wouldn't this be more dangerous?"

"..."

"Because it means this space has been functioning for hundreds of years."

At Hamel's words, everyone fell silent.

Now, not only Daniel, but everyone had uneasy expressions.

Hamel calmly spoke,

"But there is one positive factor..."

He pointed to the bloodstains leading from the door.

"At least the man who took his own life earlier came out of this place alive."

"..."

Looking at the blackened bloodstains, everyone's expressions became complicated.

As if they didn't know whether to be glad or not.

It was true that they had found the right place, but...

'That means he went in there and died...'

While everyone remained silent, unable to put their thoughts into words, only Ono frowned and asked,

"...Was that supposed to be encouraging?"

"Yes. Was it not enough?"

"Just shut up and let's go."

"...?"

Hamel tilted his head and slowly took the lead.

The half-open door was easily pushed open.

Creak!

The bloodstains continued inside.

Hamel moved slowly and cautiously.

After a short while, he stopped.

At the end of the sloping passage, the first open space appeared.

And there...

"...Corpses."

Bodies lay collapsed as if asleep.

Six in total.

They immediately surveyed their surroundings, but found no particular threat.

"Please wait a moment."

"Alright. I'll keep watch."

Daniel stood guard while the others carefully examined the fallen bodies.

Hamel touched the blood on the corpses.

It hadn't clotted.

There was still body heat.

These were not long-dead bodies.

'The cause of death...'

Hamel examined the stab wounds on the bodies.

And he was slightly impressed.

Excellent skill.

Hamel finally understood why the bodies seemed to have died in their sleep.

'They couldn't even put up a proper resistance.'

A dagger had pierced the back of each neck precisely.

Hamel realized why the bodies were still warm.

'They severed only the spinal cord in the spine.'

Because they were stabbed with a dagger in a vital point, there was little blood loss.

This was a technique that those who didn't want to leave a trace would use.

It was far from the work of demons.

This was...

"This is the work of humans."

Probably assassins, or something similar.

"...!"

Hamel's words caused a ripple of unease among the group.

If these people weren't killed by the dungeon's traps, it meant there were others lurking within.

But that was a minor issue compared to what he said next.

"And all of these people..."

Hamel pulled back the collars of the corpses' clothing.

Black tattoos hidden underneath were revealed.

Beast-shaped marks.

"...Those are?"

"Yes, they're probably the ones we've been chasing."

They were undoubtedly the same people who had caused trouble in Heidern, the Colorless Magic Tower, and Lonely Ridge.

'The marks are appearing more frequently.'

What he could hold in his small hands.

"If necessary, I'll do even worse things. If that's what it takes to uphold the beliefs I've chosen."

"...Beliefs."

Rupert muttered under his breath.

Then he cautiously asked,

"What are beliefs?"

"That's not something I can tell you."

Hamel said, shaking his head.

"That's something you have to figure out for yourself."

What kind of person do you want to be?

What do you want?

To find out, he had to ask himself deep down.

"I'm still learning too."

Until just a year ago, Hamel had lived solely for revenge.

Of course, that goal hadn't changed.

But something else had changed.

He now had people he wanted to protect.

He had beliefs he wanted to uphold.

To be honest, all of this felt a bit heavy.

As if it would all vanish like a bubble if he let go.

But...

"I enjoy the process. That's how I feel."

Hamel smiled faintly and looked at Rupert.

Rupert stared back at him with a dazed expression.

"What is it that you truly desire?"

"I..."

Rupert couldn't readily answer.

Just then...

Click!

The door, its blood groove completely filled, began to open.

With a heavy sound, the thick door slid open.

"You can take your time to think about it. It's not urgent."

What he needed was experience and time to build himself up.

Hamel, hoping that Rupert would find his own beliefs, walked towards the door.

"Let's do our best together."

***

Inside the door, a large chamber unfolded.

There were only two things in the empty chamber.

A giant door.

And a suspicious-looking wooden box placed in the middle of the chamber.

Hamel first approached the door, avoiding the box.

Once again, there was a sentence carved in runes beside the door.

[Show your weakest self and overcome it. Then the door will open.]

This was also a rather vague phrase.

He didn't understand what it meant to show his weakest self, but it was surely related to the suspicious-looking box.

But Hamel couldn't readily step forward.

The words "show your weakest self" bothered him.

'If it goes as expected...'

While everyone hesitated, Lena stepped forward and said,

"I'll open it."

"...Be careful."

Lena nodded lightly at Hamel's concern and grabbed the lid of the box.

Then, she lifted it in one go.

The next moment...

Thick gray fog billowed out, and something seemed to be standing within it.

As the fog dispersed, a figure appeared.

Hamel could easily recall that face.

The student he met at the magic tower, the one who had tricked Lena.

"Melina."

Lena muttered as she looked at the figure.

As if in response, Melina opened her mouth.

"Lena. What are you doing there? Did you find the Blue Moon Flowers?"

"Moon Flowers?"

Lena tilted her head.

Seeing that, Melina sighed as if she was exasperated.

"Lena, you're so slow-witted. Do you think that's cute and do it on purpose?"

"..."

"You're silent again. Hello? Are you listening, Lena?"

"Yes. I can hear you."

Lena nodded and answered.

Melina's lips curled into a sly smile.

"Yes. You should have answered like that from the..."

But she couldn't finish her sentence.

Because...

Crack!

Lena, with an indifferent expression, punched Melina in the face.

"Ugh...!"

Melina, bleeding and thrown back, vanished into smoke.

"..."

A brief silence fell over the chamber.

Clap, clap, clap!

"It's a masterpiece even when you see it again."

Only Ono clapped his hands, seemingly amused.

[Translator - Peptobismal]

[Proofreader - Max]