Tomb

Yuliver crumbles to dust.

The artifact that supported its master for a long time cracked as soon as it fell.

Grains bursting while crackling circled the tomb desolately and permeated Pernok.

The Synchronization Rate didn’t change.

He even purified resentment that gnawed at the soul for long years.

Not even a speck of spiritual power.

But Pernok smiled pleasantly.

“The other guys will be jealous.”

Finally the Knight King shook off lingering attachment and freed from long shackles, will join the reincarnation path with Yuliver.

And other absolute beings will be envying that appearance.

[My Lord!]

[Your Majesty!]

The appearance seeming to shout for them to also be quickly released is vivid before his eyes.

“The last moments of a kingdom whose history vanished.”

But can he resolve their lingering attachment like Banteras?

Unlike expectations of easily encountering the past, most records were lost.

How can he find those subordinates’ wishes who existed from even longer ago?

Banteras at least has relics but others don’t even have clues.

“Still.”

It’s daunting.

Like finding a bead dropped in the ocean.

Nevertheless, Pernok didn’t mention impossibility.

Their memories exist, and the world exists.

Forgotten things can be traced one by one with effort.

“I’ll keep my promise.”

Pernok closed the stone coffin and quietly left the tomb.

* * *

Kelt was hiding before the tomb’s real exit.

As soon as he spotted Pernok, he hurriedly ran over.

“Hey! Are you alright?”

Seeing no Avala stragglers, Kelt seems to have faithfully performed instructions.

“As you see.”

“What about Victor?”

“Died inside. Other guys were all buried crushed by traps too.”

“Phew, fortunate. I worried whether you’d also end up somehow when phantoms burst out.”

“Would I get caught clearly knowing what traps are there?”

Kelt laughed.

“Well yes, you knew both fake and real of this tomb. Then did you also face great history sleeping inside?”

Kelt also knows this place is the king’s tomb.

Naturally he’s convinced the tomb is filled with mysterious treasures and records.

But that fantasy crumbled at Pernok’s head gesture.

“None. This place is completely empty.”

“Wh-what?”

“See that lake?”

Kelt who turned gaze to the direction Pernok pointed nodded.

“That’s where Banteras’ capital Fort Helm was originally located. But now everything sank underwater.”

“Huh…”

“Banteras left only ash. The tomb was made before that, and the person to be buried became dust to calamity. This place is a tomb without a master from the start. Just, matching the form of king’s tomb, they recorded the path he walked in mural form.”

“Then what have we been running for until now?”

“You can prove the fact that Banteras existed.”

“Proof…”

Kelt who surveyed tomb interior nodded with a heavy expression.

“Right. This alone is a historic discovery. Evidence tracing back lost records from 300 years ago and a place where new history that will turn academia upside down is born!”

Kelt stroked the tomb entrance.

“It’s briefly recorded in murals what happened in that era. Tracing that might find remaining parts of Banteras that didn’t become ash.”

“Perhaps even records before that are possible.”

At the puzzling words, Kelt tilted his head.

“What’s that mean?”

“Actually, besides Banteras, other records were also written on my stone tablet. It was history about Radiance and Origin.”

Pernok gradually leaked history before Banteras.

While finding Banteras, he felt.

In this world where vast history was lost, resolving subordinates’ glory by his power alone is very difficult.

‘How about making an investigation team that gathers those knowledgeable in history and excavation to separately trace footsteps?’

If recruiting experts who navigate vague history based on Pernok’s information, he might resolve subordinates’ resentment while focusing on growth simultaneously.

In that aspect, Kelt was a very suitable person for Pernok whose time is treasure.

He emptied his private funds to proceed with Banteras research that others ignore.

Though evaluated as reckless and his society’s standing narrowed, he punctually brought necessary items from the society and academy.

He easily brought out even precious things like maps.

Meaning supporters helping him exist in the academy and society, and also meaning his connections aren’t narrow.

Entrusting to Kelt seemed like he’d recruit excellent talent and organize the history investigation team Pernok wants.

“…The Radiance and Origin I know are about this much for now. But the fact that their history was deeper and more magnificent than Banteras to the degree of embracing the world is certain.”

“Is that all the clues?”

“A specific object or related tales. If we catch even that tail somehow, we can deduce regions like Banteras’ case.”

“Very ancient past, history before Banteras…”

“How to trace back, I’m also pondering. But with Banteras, the fact that the stone tablet’s contents are real was proven. Don’t you think it’s sufficiently worth challenging?”

“Will you investigate?”

“Of course. Following Radiance and Origin, we can approach truths we don’t know.”

“Then…”

Kelt said with a determined expression as if resolved.

“I’ll join together.”

“Will that be okay?”

“I vowed to dedicate my remaining life to Banteras research. Though the result ends up this way regrettably, I absolutely can’t give up the connection obtained here. Didn’t heaven give me opportunity so I also heard about Radiance and Origin history?”

Passion burned in Kelt’s eyes.

“Reviving things that must never be forgotten is my duty. If I can’t find it in my generation, I want to pass records to later generations. If trivial records pile and pile, knowledge overflows so someday we might face great truth.”

“Just us two might be difficult.”

“I know friends. They’ll also greatly welcome this news.”

“They must be tight-lipped people.”

Like Avala, ill-fated relationships will appear each time tracing history.

Having experienced to the degree of getting sick of it, Kelt said firmly.

“I’ll compose with those tight-lipped who can also proceed research secretly. When all research is confirmed, I’ll set the investigation team’s direction to burst into the world then.”

“Then I’ll continue finding clues while digging through records and share with you immediately. And I’ll bear all research progress expenses.”

“No need to feel burdened alone.”

“Money isn’t lacking. You work hard so you can organize an investigation team with as many people as possible.”

Kelt nodded.

“Understood. Then after announcing this tomb to the world…”

“Postpone that.”

“…Why?”

“Banteras was a kingdom that made one mark. Could there only be that ill-fated relationship called Avala?”

As soon as Banteras’ emblem appeared in Rezhen, Avala got entangled.

What if the emblem spreads to the entire world?

Considering Banteras’ prime, descendants worse than Avala might entangle like ill-fated relationships.

“Until we have power to easily break even forces like Avala, only we should know this fact.”

“Do you have mage acquaintances?”

“None. I’m going to organize forces from now on. So we must clearly divide your and my role division.”

“I’m history. You’re forces.”

“To protect and preserve valuable things.”

Kelt thought those words were reasonable.

“Regrettable I can’t immediately announce the tomb, but better than leaving it to be damaged by dirty guys. I’ll follow your words. Let’s hide the tomb for a bit and announce when we appropriately gather strength.”

“Then since it seems somewhat concluded, let’s wrap things up.”

“Hm?”

“Must cut off Avala’s branches.”

Pernok took out a small whistle.

“Isn’t that the tool Victor used when giving signals?”

“I took it from his corpse. I’m going to use this to summon Avala remnants here.”

“Inviting danger again!”

“Those gathered here were Avala’s core. I don’t think guys stronger than these remained. Then I should cut off future troubles. At least so Avala descendants can’t continue their line.”

“How many do you think remain?”

“I’ll write one letter. Remaining stragglers will gather. Even only those guys must be definitely cut off at the root.”

Pernok blew the whistle and Victor’s messenger hawk flew over.

He tied a blood-stained note there.

Finally we found a method to solve our curse.

Bring all clans and come to this place.

The messenger hawk began flapping high in the sky.

“You go down first and gather people. I’ll organize here and join.”

“As much as possible don’t do reckless acts.”

“You also prepare well without getting caught in useless quarrels and let’s meet again at the research lab.”

Kelt smiled and descended the mountain, and Pernok entered the tomb.

* * *

About a fortnight passed.

A group climbed the mountain.

They stopped exactly before the tomb.

One level 3 mage and several dozen warriors with swords.

“This is right?”

“Where is Master?”

As expected, Avala remnants.

‘They actually believe the letter. Thanks to using Victor’s exclusive hawk.’

Pernok transformed the artifact to glove form.

“We arrived first it seems.”

“Shall we wait?”

There seemed to be more personnel to join.

Pernok had no reason to wait for them.

‘I devour one group at a time.’

He didn’t show mercy to those who defiled his subordinate’s tomb and tried to plunder glory.

Future troubles must be uprooted to the roots to have no aftereffects.

Pernok sent a signal from inside the tomb.

Beep-!

“Master?”

People reacted to the whistle sound.

“Light comes from inside the tomb!”

“Someone’s burning a torch.”

“Master is calling!”

With the level 3 mage at the head, people entered inside the tomb.

No more traps exist in the tomb.

But if utilizing this narrow passage and terrain full of holes everywhere, he can cook them plenty.

“What stench…”

Pernok’s fist began mercilessly sweeping enemies.

First the mage’s head burst, and he utilized magic stolen on warriors who reacted after.

When wrapped in flames in the narrow place, warriors tried to rush out to the entrance screaming.

Just then, Pernok closed the fake entrance.

Boom!

The sound striking down blocked warriors’ screams and hellfire devoured them.

Pushing corpses into pits, he opened the door again.

Pernok hid his body while tearing into emergency rations.

Several days later, another group came again.

Pernok repeated the method of luring them to the tomb and killing.

When about a month passed like that, no more visitors came.

Hard to be confident he killed all Avala remnants.

Still didn’t know their base, and hard to predict whether other collaborators exist.

But he killed Avala’s leaders including Victor and clans who came all the way here.

Having cut the great tree’s roots and branches, Avala now only has withering left.

Pernok organized mana and spiritual power absorbed until now while caressing the tomb’s device.

Rumble!

All entrances closed and the mountain returned to peaceful appearance as if when was it.

* * *

Pernok met Kelt again and proceeded with the investigation team’s groundwork.

“I brought retired scholars, geographers, and professors with considerable excavation skill.”

“All trustworthy?”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t even open my mouth about Radiance and Origin, just presented history fragments and tested them. All promised to spend remaining lives on great discovery.”

“But people waver at glory before their eyes. Until completely trusting, be careful.”

“I’ll keep in mind.”

Pernok placed a heavy pouch on the table.

“Find one good research lab and use it. Spend remaining money on equipment and taking care of people.”

When Kelt opened the pouch, brilliant jewels were full.

“T-too much.”

“That’s also insufficient. Much more money will be needed going forward. Save private funds as much as possible and contact immediately whenever needed.”

“You’re really puzzling. You don’t look wealthy in dress, but how do you have this many jewels?”

Pernok recalled jewels piled like a mountain in the Fighting Pit manager’s treasure vault.

“I’ll pay compensation generously. Do your best in record excavation.”

“Don’t worry. If I discover even relics’ tail ends, I’ll immediately inform you!”

Pernok nodded and stood from his seat.

“Then I’m entrusting it.”

“Where are you going?”

“Must go build power.”

“Is there someone you decided to join?”

Pernok smirked.

“There’s a good connection.”

* * *

Netherworld and mortal world time flows identically.

It was 30 years ago from now.

Around when the word mage was heard in the Netherworld, someone unfamiliar climbed to the middle.

[I’m called Baudelaire. Our family were alchemists persecuted in the world.]

She achieved great feats called alchemy.

Pernok felt interest in knowledge he heard for the first time.

[…Alchemy is an aggregate of knowledge that observes and synthesizes all phenomena to intervene. I was before my life’s masterpiece. But I died while proceeding with research.]

Baudelaire was the last alchemist.

She wanted to complete the essence of alchemy passed down through family generations.

But the line broke with her death, and the incomplete work had to remain ‘there.’

[If one chance is given to me, I want to complete what I couldn’t finish! If Your Majesty has a way, please help me.]

That’s a story from when she didn’t know the Netherworld’s rules.

After hearing that the dead can’t interfere with the living, she quietly lived as Lord of Despair’s subordinate.

Pernok also didn’t ask about alchemy anymore.

Thinking it can’t be done in the Netherworld and has no connection with himself.

But now it’s different.

He can complete Baudelaire’s last masterpiece.

[What would be precious about letting my alchemy come to the world?]

Baudelaire’s memories contain a voice full of hope.

Alchemy persecuted and forgotten by the world.

If Pernok revives and uses it, she said she’d smile and reincarnate in the Netherworld.

‘Is it here?’

Pernok stood at Palmos Mountain’s mid-slope while recalling Baudelaire’s words.

The point where twin rocks intersect.

Alchemy’s essence sleeps here.