Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 221

Episode 221 To the Grave (1)

The explorers commissioned by Verden set out on a journey to find unknown ruins.

A relic exploration team that went missing while searching for similar ruins in the past.

They moved to follow their traces that had faded over time. Thus, the search area was reduced to three areas throughout the kingdom.

'First, the Teinche Hills.'

I walked along the wide, gentle mountains and hills. Looking around, the surrounding scenery was refreshingly wide open.

It was not an environment where old ruins could exist. In other words, there was a lack of information for exploration. However, there were cases where ruins hidden in hills were actually discovered, so it cannot be ignored.

Fortunately, traces of the missing exploration team were found in the meantime. The exploration of the hills ended more than twice as quickly as expected.

'Next up is the Aragon Mountains.'

The terrain where many mountains are intertwined is a place where something can be hidden the deeper it gets. It was time to use the 'pattern' of the ruins, created through accumulated knowledge and experience.

There was a surprise attack by a band of Kingdom thieves along the way, but there was no problem. The thieves were killed without a single casualty.

The wealth they gained from their strongholds was a savory side income. It was a common occurrence for relic exploration teams.

As a result of comparing the data on the mountain range acquired in this way with the pattern, it was concluded that this mountain range was not suitable for the existence of ancient ruins.

Of course, it wasn't 'absolutely not possible', but the possibility was very low.

The mindset that the relic exploration team must have is to cut off all attachments in one stroke. If you wander around aimlessly, you could end up wasting a lot of time.

The clients really hate such unexpected patience. They leave the mountains right away.

'Finally the Eastern Swamp.'

It is an area where foot traffic has stopped.

A forbidden place where thieves and criminals could not even think of hiding. Monsters lurked everywhere, seeking prey, and poisonous plants were always a threat.

To be honest, it was a difficult, extreme environment for explorers.

Even though it was made up of veteran members with strong magical tendencies, such as adventurers, wizards, and scholars, consumables such as potions and antidotes were quickly consumed.

Originally, wizards would provide supplies, but the skies here were not free. Whenever I flew over the swamps, I was inevitably attacked by strange birds and insects.

Thinking about the magical power that was wasted because of them, I could have easily been eaten. A wizard without magical power is no different from a warrior with both arms cut off.

However, sending half of them would have been risky for the main force. So, we had no choice but to move the entire expedition team.

I've already wasted time on two distributions.

He also did not forget to send the investigation report to the client along the way. The supply cycle was approximately 15 days.

The stench of that damned swamp is so bad it's almost sickening. No one says anything, but if given the chance, they'd burn the swamp down.

So did the leader of the explorers, Ryan Crusoe.

'It was lucky to discover the relics in that situation.'

Raven rolled his eyes as he drank water.

Giant trees blocking the sky.

There, in the middle of this swamp where little light reached, was the destination.

A huge artificial object that suddenly pops its head above the ground.

The vine-covered structure had a strangely open door, beneath which lay a staircase leading into a dark basement.

“I’ve never seen an ancient relic of this type before… It’s very unique.”

Your instincts as a wizard and researcher soar.

The unknown always makes the heart flutter. The explorers led by Rivahn were a relic exploration team created just for him.

Hans approached from the side.

“Lord Ryban, we are ready to explore.”

As soon as the ruins were discovered, the exploration camp was completed in just two hours.

They moved in unison and carried out their assigned tasks. They formed a magic circle to block outside intrusions, set up tents to make a place to sleep, and finished maintenance such as checking equipment.

“Haha, everyone seems very motivated after suffering for several months. Then, I will form an advance party. Our priority is to explore the area below ground and figure out what kind of ruins it is.”

“Okay, but when would be a good time to contact the client?”

“Hmm…….”

Client, Asher.

Among the things agreed upon with him is the condition of direct participation in the exploration of the ruins. It is something that must be carried out.

Because Asher has the blue sapphire, which is believed to be the key to the ruins.

“Let’s send them out after we’ve finished the basic exploration. It hasn’t been that long since we set up camp. Shouldn’t we get some rest?”

“Yes, that’s very obvious.”

Hans smiled and flattered.

That's how the advance expedition team was created.

The group included leader Raiban and number two Hans.

All kinds of dangers lurk in ancient ruins.

It is dangerous to send only one or two expedition members to just take a quick look. If a small number of people go looking for them and they go missing again…

This is a situation that should be avoided if possible.

“I won’t tell you the precautions, since you probably remember them all too well. Those who aren’t part of the advance party are free to rest, but should be on standby so that they can go out immediately if requested for support.”

“Yes, leader.”

Everyone nodded.

Next, each vanguard was given a magic spell.

This is the magic of the 5th-tier magician, Raivan, from the Helion Tower. With this, there is no risk of instant death even from a simple trap.

“Let’s go down now.”

The vanguard is comprised of two warriors, one a platinum-rank adventurer and one a high-ranking mercenary. The magicians will provide thorough support to them.

Thud, thud.

I stepped slowly and surely into the basement.

Portable lanterns were installed to brighten up the darkness. Several artificial grooves were drawn on the walls along the passageway.

Hans tilted his head as he looked at him.

“Huh? Lord Rivan, this home… doesn’t it look familiar?”

"……surely."

Become familiar with.

Other wizards had the same reaction.

Nothing has been determined yet.

We held our breath again and went down, until we reached the end. There was a door, wide open, as if welcoming an intruder.

But that wasn't what caught the expedition's attention.

Homes that run along the passage.

A sign engraved right above the door, where all the gaps are gathered at once.

The supreme octagonal star.

Each empty space was filled with a different magic word. These were not just symbols, but also a great magic circle.

Liban let out a voice.

“That’s the flag of the Demon Nation…….”

The Magic Kingdom is in the Western Continent.

And the Kingdom of Estyria is a country on the Eastern Continent. There is no way they would have any contact with each other.

'No, if it's just one, it's possible.'

The pinnacle of magic that disappeared in the distant past.

“The Demon King Oldark.”

The expedition team was shocked by those words.

“La, Lord Raiban. What you’re saying is that this is the ruins of the, uh, uh, Demon King…….”

“That’s very likely. Otherwise, there’s no way the magic circle would have been engraved. And if you think about it, the ruins themselves look similar to those of the Magic Nation, so they looked familiar. So at least, it’s a ruin related to the Magic Nation, and at most, it’s the Magic King’s… tomb.”

Raven thought quickly.

After a while, he looked at the ruins and cast a spell. The second-tier elemental magic he had learned as a liberal arts class hit the wall, but it didn't even leave a scratch.

“……Somehow it looked ancient, but I thought there were no signs of weathering, so this structure itself seems to be imbued with magic. It’s so strong that even a moderate impact won’t even scratch it.”

It is none other than the technology of the Magic Nation.

This gave weight to Raivan's argument. Silence fell upon the entire expedition team at that fact. Their blank gazes were fixed on the sign and the darkness beyond the door.

Raven stroked his chin.

'The client seemed to know.'

That's why I wanted to join the expedition.

And he didn't want to hand over the Blue Sapphire relic either. When I looked into it, I understood all the conditions he had set.

'Who the hell is Asher?'

A wizard with a hidden identity.

Who is he, who has the power to easily subdue Hans, and who possesses the relics of the Dark King? Perhaps he is a person dispatched from the Dark Nation.

Something is not right.

After finishing his thoughts, Raiban opened his mouth.

“Once I get up there, I’ll get ready. Then I’ll contact the client…….”

“Lord Raiban.”

Hans grabbed Leiban's arm.

“Let’s start exploring right away.”

"what?"

“It’s the Dark Lord, Lord Raivan! The Dark Lord who was at the top of the Transcendents! If the Dark Lord’s artifact is sleeping here… it doesn’t belong to the client or anyone else, it belongs to us.”

They looked into each other's eyes.

The glasses Hans was wearing were full of desire. It was the wizard's instinct.

"Raiban swallowed and said.

“Ha, but the key is with the client.”

“I don’t need that blue sapphire. Aren’t there open doors here and there? The previous expedition must have passed through with the same artifact. Maybe the key is rolling around in there. Isn’t that right?”

It's a convincing insight.

Yes, that is very likely.

It appears that explorers are not the first to come here.

Raven turned his head.

The other explorers seemed to think the same as Hans. Their eyes were filled with their own greed. And so was Leiban, who was watching him.

Ryan Crusoe.

He is from Matap.

“……I’ll go up and gather opinions.”

It went straight up to the ground.

We gathered the explorers and made a decision.

The result was unanimous.

As expected, there was no opposition.

The exploration of the Demon King's ruins has begun.

* * *

“……The explorers lost contact?”

Fernet nodded to Verden's question.

“It’s past time for the report to come in. It’s clear that you broke your contract with Asher. If you were wiped out or went missing in the Eastern Swamp, I understand, but if not….”

Fernet glanced at her.

Verden, with his mouth covered, was looking at the report.

'The final report states that a third expedition will be conducted into the eastern swamps.'

The explorers suffered two failures.

In other words, it also meant that he had become accustomed to the swamp.

It was a place called the Kingdom's Forbidden Place, so there might have been unexpected danger, but it was not thought that the entire expedition team would have been annihilated.

'Then there is only one possibility left.'

Explorers discovered ancient ruins.

and.

'I noticed that it was related to the Demon King.'

So, I guess they excluded the client, Verden.

The wizard's physiology is completely clear to me. Especially if the opponent is from the Magic Tower.

'But I should have the key.'

They do not have the Blue Sapphire, the relic of the Demon King.

However, if you do venture into exploration, you will either end up with something similar or you will end up in a situation where you don't need it.

It's not that I don't understand.

The Tomb of the Demon King is an ancient ordeal designated by the Ark. The listener mentioned that there were other challengers before Verden, and none of them returned.

So, it is possible that artifacts like the Saphire may be discovered, or that the door itself may be open.

'No matter what, I have to go and see it myself.'

That too, right now.

Verden, who had gathered the report, stood up from his seat.

“Are you going to the swamp? It won’t be a problem since you’re Asher, but it’ll be hard to track you down with just the report.”

“I have no intention of going alone.”

Because there was a forest tracker in this tavern enjoying a cocktail.

It was at that time.

Boom!

The tavern door opened roughly.

Amidst everyone's gaze, a shadow of a person staggered inside.

Messy hair, broken glasses.

His bloody robe was torn here and there. He was literally a wreck. Even a soldier who returned from the battlefield alive wouldn't look like that.

The intruder was a face Verden recognized.

“……Hans Daikel?”

Hans, the number two man among the explorers.

He raised his head when his name was called. His blurred focus became clearer as he recognized Verden.

“All, you…….”

dump.

Hans, who was approaching, fell down helplessly.

I groaned in pain, but didn't even have the strength to get up.

Verden's gaze was cold.

“I don’t remember there being any conditions for exploring the ruins without my permission.”

"that is……."

“Are they all dead?”

“No, I don’t know.”

Hans gritted his teeth.

“Because of the magic traps that were activated here and there, half of us died. So, I was trying to retreat, but I was suddenly caught in a magic circle… and we were scattered… and only I barely survived…!”

“Why did you come to me?”

“Hey, please help me……!”

The explorers collapsed.

The only confirmed survivor was Hans. He had lost his base for doing anything. The only person he could turn to for help was his client, Verden.

If you knew about the Demon King's ruins, you might be able to find out where your comrades went.

You have the audacity to break the contract.

However, only Hans knows the exact location of the Demon King's ruins.

Verden said.

“I’ll guide you straight away…….”

At that moment, a magic circle appeared on Hans' body.

“Huh? Huh? What is this…….”

Hans felt the magic circle.

Of course, it couldn't disappear.

In a split second, Verden analyzed the magic circle.

It is a magic circle that takes the shape of a clock. It is structured so that the delayed magic is activated the moment the moving second hand makes one full rotation.

'And the magic within me is… … .'

“……?!”

Berden shouted with his eyes wide open.

“Fernet!”

“Eh, ugh!”

Verden grabbed Fernet's arm and hid him behind him.

He activated the magic circuit with his full power and slammed Orient to the ground.

<Terrain Manipulation>

“Huh?!”

The floor of the tavern collapsed, trapping Hans.

This is woefully inadequate.

“Carans! Blue! Help!”

“Understood, brother!”

Twinkle!

Verden's voice was urgent.

He was even sweating coldly. They had never seen him so flustered.

That's why I moved without asking why.

“Forest!”

Forest spirit.

Spirit magic was activated according to Karans' will.

Tree roots burst through the ground and covered the spot where Hans had been. Verden added a <gravity curtain> over it, and Blue spread a water curtain to protect the people around him.

A space where darkness has descended.

The second hand of the magic circle reflected in Hans' eyes reached the end.

Tick.

A flash that absorbs light.

A massive explosion engulfed Fernet's tavern.