Oran Knight is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Last of Seven Mysteries (5): To the Underground!
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
After hearing Linkert-san’s confession, it felt as if time had stopped, and for a while, there was silence. The silence was broken by Linkert-san herself.
“By the way, Rick-san, were you from the northern town? I’m sorry. It’s because of us.” (Linkert)
Rick-san, who was spoken to, didn’t know how to respond.
“Ah, no…” (Rick)
In this awkward atmosphere, Heinz stood up and looked directly at Linkert-san.
“If we find Duke Lengrad’s diary, I, no, I will, as Murial Roar Heinz, deliver the diary to my father in Remnos.” (Heinz)
Having said this, Linkert-san also looked back at him directly.
“That’s fine. The diary will be yours once you find it. Do as you wish.” (Linkert)
Upon hearing that, Heinz placed his hand on his chest and silently bowed his head.
After observing this, Linkert-san spoke in a notably bright tone.
“Well then, shall we go? If we take too long, it will get dark.” (Linkert-san)
With that, she stood up. Following her lead, we all started moving and headed towards the entrance.
“Please, go ahead.” (Linkert-san)
She opened the door and entered first. For the rest of us, except for me and Heinz, who had helped take out the paintings, this was the first time entering the mansion.
“Excuse us…” (Sonia)
Sonia said hesitantly as she stepped inside.
Before us was a large staircase, and at the top was the same painting of Duke Lengrad’s beloved daughter, Leia, as before. We instinctively lowered our heads toward the painting.
After observing this, Linkert-san said, “This way”. She led us to the side of the stairs. At the end of a small hallway beside the stairs, there was a door, right beneath the staircase.
“This is the entrance.” (Linkert)
Heinz and I realized that this must be the door where the paintings had been removed earlier…
“Such an obvious spot. Wouldn’t it be hard to escape from here?” (Frank)
“Yes. But it can be bolted from the inside, so it’s fine. The main house supposedly had the entrance hidden in a much less obvious spot.” (Linkert-san)
Linkert-san replied.
Then, she told us to wait and disappeared into a nearby room. Linkert-san quickly returned, holding three lanterns.
“There aren’t many light fixtures inside, and I don’t know if they still work, so take these with you.” (Linkert-san)
Lite, Rick and I received the lanterns.
“Linkert-san, have you ever been inside?” (Maria)
Maria asked. Linkert-san shook her head slightly.
“I’ve never been inside. Only Follet went in. But he came back halfway. So, though I’m saying this now, there’s a possibility the passage has collapsed, and we won’t be able to go further. Even so… will you still go?” (Linkert)
That was a foolish question. Not a single person said, “Then, let’s stop”.
“Linkert-san, please stay here. If something happens, like if we don’t return even after a night… you can call for help, but that decision is up to you.” (Heinz)
“…I see. I was thinking of going with you, but… well, I’d just be a burden. Alright, I understand. But promise me, if the passage collapses, you’ll turn back and give up. And if anything else seems dangerous, don’t push yourselves. I am, after all, the chairman of this academy. Don’t forget that your safety is the top priority.” (Linkert)
“…Understood,” Rick replied on behalf of everyone. (Rick)
“Well then, I’ll open it.” (Linkert)
Linkert-san said, taking out an old-fashioned key and inserting it into the lock. A click was heard.
And finally, the door to the hidden room opened.
—
“…It doesn’t smell as dusty as I thought.” (Rat-kun)
Ratt-kun said.
The space beyond the door was a small room created beneath the stairs. Though it was a place where light didn’t reach, there was no smell of dust or mold.
“When Follet went in, the air wasn’t as bad as expected either. It seems there’s proper ventilation.” (Linkert)
Listening to her voice, we lit the two lanterns. The remaining one was for emergencies. If the lanterns went out during the journey, we planned to use the remaining one and retrace our steps. Lite, leading the way, illuminated the ground and found another hatch door.
“Alright, I’m going in.” (Lite)
“Be careful.” (Linkert)
With her words, we entered the underground passage.
—
The staircase to the underground was quite long, giving a sense of depth. Finally, after descending the stairs, we arrived at a large corridor that stretched to the left and right.
The underground had some humidity, but it wasn’t as musty as expected. The construction was sturdier than anticipated. The width of the path was wide enough for the three of us to walk side by side comfortably. The path stretched east and west, and there was light coming from the east side. The light seemed to come from the end, where the path appeared to end.
“The distance is short. Let’s check the east side first.” (Lite)
Following his lead, Lite cautiously moved eastward.
Considering the positioning, the light likely came from the area near the castle walls. It wasn’t long before we reached the end of the eastern path. At the very end, the space widened slightly and rose upward.
“It’s a ladder. We can climb it.” (Lite)
“That means it’s either beneath or beyond the castle walls? Could this light be coming from a crack in the wall?” (Heinz)
“How about we climb it? Just to check.” (Lite)
“No, that’s alright.” (Heinz)
Heinz responded while looking up.
“This is probably just an escape route. I don’t think there’s a hidden room up there.” (Heinz)
“Then, let’s go the other way.” (Lite)
The western path, unlike the eastern one, had no light.
Now, the real exploration begins.
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
Please consider supporting Bayabusco Translation @
bayabuscotranslation 