The Wandering Priest in Dark Fantasy

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[Translator - Peptobismal]

[Proofreader - Max]

Chapter 69: Ancient Dungeon (5)

The room where they had killed the assassins in black robes.

This room, like the previous ones, had a closed door.

And once again, there was a riddle written in runes beside the massive stone door.

[I am the companion of one who chases that which can never be caught.]

[But I am also the teacher of one who lets it go.]

[Who am I?]

"I have no idea... Do you know what it is?"

"No."

Hamel shook his head at Daniel's question.

He glanced at the others, but they all avoided his gaze.

"Lena. You're a mage, aren't you?"

At Daniel's call, Lena replied confidently,

"It's prejudice to think that all mages like such nonsense."

"...My apologies."

Daniel apologized with a hesitant voice.

For a while, the group stood in a circle in front of the stone door, lost in thought.

Clap

Hamel clapped his hands briefly to get their attention.

"Let's take a break for now."

It was late at night.

The outside of the dungeon must be bathed in the dark blue light of dawn.

Everyone was exhausted from traversing the dungeon without sleep.

Of course, this level of fatigue was nothing compared to the hardships Hamel and the others had endured on their journey together, but it was still better to rest when they could.

Everyone nodded at Hamel's words.

Then they went to the wall of the room and settled down.

They lit a small candle, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Daniel took off his helmet and wiped away his sweat, and Ono grumbled as he massaged his tired legs.

Lena fell asleep as soon as her head hit the ground.

Was she thick-skinned? Or just fearless?

Anyway...

'I envy that ability.'

Hamel wasn't picky about where he slept, but he wasn't like Lena.

Such a trivial thing could be a great help in a wandering life.

As Hamel looked at his companions, his eyes fell on Rupert.

He was sitting quietly with a gloomy expression.

Hamel approached him, sat down next to him, and asked,

"Are you alright?"

"Ah, Lord Hamel. You're here."

Rupert finally seemed to notice Hamel's presence and nodded.

"My body is fine. But..."

Rupert trailed off, hesitant to speak.

"My heart feels heavy."

Regrets and worries that he had never spoken of, buried deep within his heart for a long time.

For some reason, he felt like he could confide in Hamel.

Sensing this, Hamel silently listened to Rupert.

"I had a younger brother."

"...I see."

As far as Hamel knew, the Swordmaster of the North, Ricard, had no second child.

This could only mean one thing.

Seeing Hamel's hesitant reaction, Rupert smiled bitterly and began to speak.

"My brother was a brilliant child."

Swordsmanship.

Scholarship.

He was superior to Rupert in every way.

Even though he was two years younger than Rupert, he received all the expectations of their family.

The one who would inherit the Swordmaster's legacy.

The noble bloodline worthy of being the Guardian of the North.

All the praise that should have been directed at Rupert was instead directed at his younger brother.

Although it was natural for them to be at odds due to the issue of succession, Rupert didn't feel any rivalry towards his brother.

His brother was simply too brilliant.

Rupert wanted his brother, not himself, to succeed the family.

He truly felt that way.

***

It was a large, jet-black hunting dog.

He didn't know why it was there.

The forest near their home that he often visited with his brother.

There, Rupert encountered a hunting dog with its eyes rolled back and drool dripping from its mouth.

Thump

It didn't bark.

Instead, it just slowly closed the distance between itself and Rupert and his brother.

Rupert had a feeling.

That it would attack them.

His body trembled.

His younger brother then drew his training sword.

Turning his head, the boy forced a faint smile and said,

"It'll be alright if we're together, right, brother?"

"..."

"...Brother?"

What had he done?

Rupert had no memory after that conversation.

Truly.

It was as if that part of his memory had been cut out, he couldn't recall anything.

All he remembered were fragments of the incident.

The guards running.

The hunting dog, dead with a sword impaled in it.

And...

His brother's dead body, covered in blood.

What in the world had he done?

The thought of his brother left alone made it hard to breathe.

His father, upon hearing the news, called Rupert and asked him about the situation.

Rupert, with no memory of the incident, couldn't offer any excuses.

'You coward. You should have... died with him.'

In the end, his father couldn't contain his contempt.

A lot of time had passed since then.

His father avoided Rupert.

Even though he was appointed as the successor, whenever they happened to meet, his father would only look at him with disapproval.

When Rupert came of age, he was sent away to the Imperial Academy in the capital.

Rupert, his face pale and drained, finished his story with a quiet murmur.

"I... I... abandoned my brother."

"..."

"Father was right. I... should have died that day."

Rupert squeezed his eyes shut and his body trembled.

Hamel, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke.

"What would you do if the same situation happened again?"

"...What?"

"If the same situation happened again, would you leave your brother alone?"

Rupert's eyes widened at Hamel's unexpected question.

Then, he shook his head and answered in a firm voice.

"No. Never, even if it meant dying."

"Then it's fine."

Hamel nodded calmly.

"If you regret it, all you have to do is not repeat the same mistake."

The feeling of regret amplifies and distorts past mistakes.

But...

"If you accept your mistakes and regrets, they can become the foundation for your growth."

"...Accept."

Just as Rupert nodded, muttering under his breath...

"...Ah!"

Hamel suddenly stood up with an exclamation.

Everyone's eyes turned to him.

Unfazed, Hamel approached the stone door.

He read the inscription again.

[I am the companion of one who chases that which can never be caught.]

[But I am also the teacher of one who lets it go.]

Hamel realized the answer to the riddle during his conversation with Rupert.

The answer was...

"Regret."

Rumble

As Hamel spoke the answer, the stone door began to open with a rumbling sound.

"...Wait, what is it?"

Ono asked, seemingly bewildered.

Everyone else also perked up their ears, curious about Hamel's answer.

Hamel slowly began to speak.

"That which can never be caught. That is the past."

"The past?"

"Yes. And regret can be said to be the companion of those who chase the past."

"Ah!"

Everyone nodded in understanding.

"But regret is not entirely bad. For those who don't dwell on the past and learn from their experiences, it can become a teacher."

Finishing his words, Hamel looked at Rupert.

Rupert, meeting Hamel's eyes, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

He still couldn't forgive himself.

'But...'

Even so, if he were given another chance...

He vowed not to make the same mistake again.

***

Beyond the door.

The space was clearly different from the previous rooms.

A high platform and a single book placed carefully on it.

That was all there was in the room.

Anyone could tell.

This was the end of the dungeon.

The group approached the platform where the book was placed.

The book, bound in an unknown leather, was firmly secured with chains.

And once again, runes were engraved on the altar.

[Record of the world, written with the creation of life.]

[The first memory, holding the memories of the Age of Gods.]

[Observer of the world.]

[Its name is.]

"The Root of All Wisdom."

Hamel quietly recited the final name.

He wasn't sure, but it seemed clear that this book was what the two groups with the marks were after.

This time, it wasn't a riddle.

How could they unlock the chains?

As Hamel pondered,

"Step aside. Simple is best in times like these."

Daniel said, summoning aura from his sword.

The group stepped back slightly.

Daniel, gathering all his strength, swung his sword.

But...

Clang!

"Ugh."

The chains weren't even scratched.

Instead, Daniel was thrown back by the powerful rebound and stumbled.

"...It seems difficult to break it by force."

If aura didn't work, all that was left was holy power and mana.

Hamel looked at Lena and Ono in turn.

Ono replied with a scoff,

"Do you really think holy power can break these chains?"

"You never know."

Hamel shrugged, and Ono clicked his tongue and stepped forward.

He placed his hand on the chains and grumbled.

"This isn't a holy artifact, there's no way it would react to holy power..."

Click

"...Hmm?"

Ono tilted his head.

Simultaneously, the thick chains that bound the book unfastened and fell away.

"...It's unlocked."

"...Indeed."

As Ono and Hamel awkwardly looked at each other...

Flip

Suddenly, the book floated into the air and began to flip through its pages on its own.

"...What, what's this?"

Ono stepped back in surprise.

As everyone watched the book warily...

A buzzing noise filled their minds.

[In the eternal cycle of existence, birth and death continue endlessly.]

[All things change, but change itself remains unchanged.]

[I am the observer who records all things.]

[Who will be the chronicler to join me?]

The next moment, a blinding flash of light erupted like lightning.

Even Hamel lost his balance and stumbled from the intense light.

Then...

"..."

The book suddenly disappeared.

And Ono lay collapsed on the floor.

"Sir Ono."

Hamel rushed to Ono and checked his condition.

Fortunately, he was only unconscious and his breathing was fine.

However...

"What's this?"

There was a mark on the back of his hand that hadn't been there before.

It was in the shape of a golden tree.

Tree-like scars, resembling circuits, were left on his entire arm.

And at that moment...

Flash

Ono's eyes shot open.

And a bright light emanated from them.

"Stop! Stop showing me! I don't want to see anymore!"

"Sir Ono!"

Hamel hurriedly grabbed Ono's shoulders, but it was no use.

Ono writhed, gasping for breath.

"My eyes... my eyes are burning."

"Sir Ono, get a hold of yourself!"

Hamel could do nothing but call out his name.

After struggling for a while, Ono lost consciousness again, collapsing like a puppet with its strings cut.

Everyone watched over him with concern.

"That idiot... he said holy power wouldn't work, no matter what."

Despite his words, Daniel couldn't stay still, pacing anxiously.

After a long time of hovering nearby, he went to the entrance, saying he would stand guard, and spent the night there.

Half a day passed.

And...

"Damn... I feel like I have a hangover."

Ono, cursing as usual, sat up.

"Sir Ono!"

Hamel called out to him urgently, and Ono, frowning deeply, replied,

"Don't shout. My head feels like it's splitting."

"...I apologize."

Hamel lowered his voice and apologized, but a faint smile played on his lips.

Ono turned away in disgust.

"Did we all eat something bad?"

Startled by everyone's gazes on him, Ono quickly got up.

Daniel, acting as if he hadn't been worried at all, asked casually,

"So, what was that?"

"...That."

Ono furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment.

Then, with difficulty, he spoke.

"I don't know for sure, but it was a being close to divinity... probably. It seems to have taken root in my mind."

"What?"

Daniel exclaimed in shock.

Anyone would be terrified to hear that something unknown had entered their mind.

Despite this, Ono continued his explanation with an air of annoyance.

"Surprisingly, there's no particular sense of rejection. Nothing has changed. But..."

To summarize Ono's words:

What had occupied his mind was a record from the Age of Gods.

He said it contained knowledge that was difficult for humans to comprehend.

That's why, even with only fragmented memories and knowledge, Ono's mind was in a state of turmoil.

"It's still hazy, like a fog, but I think I'll be able to use it somewhere soon."

"Please don't overdo it."

When Hamel expressed his concern, Ono recoiled in disgust.

"Hey...! I'll handle it myself, so stop it. You're creeping me out."

"...Pfft."

"Ahaha! Hahaha!"

Lena, Daniel, and even Rupert couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Ono flew into a rage and shouted, and thus their dungeon exploration came to an end.

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[Translator - Peptobismal]

[Proofreader - Max]