Oran Knight is out (1/3 chapters for today)
Last of Seven Mysteries (7): Heinz’s Tears
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I was told once by Linkert-san about the Seven Wonders, Motionless Stone Statue. We actually went to see the place and found that, at least, there was nothing strange about the Seven Mysteries. However, the mystery was that the statue couldn’t be moved.
Another of the Seven Mysteries in the practical area, the mystery of the artificial lake, had a fantastic mechanism hidden beneath it and it was beyond my imagination. Now, we were in the wide room hidden directly beneath the artificial lake, and from this room, passages extended to the north and south. The path extending south. And the Motionless Stone Statue referred to the moss-covered angel statue quietly standing at the southern edge of the practical area.
Frank casually said that the Motionless Stone Statue might be related to the underground passage. However, it sounded like a very likely possibility. After all, no matter how deep we dug, the foundation continued, and it was a statue that couldn’t be moved. And the underground passage was revealed. It was hard to think that it wasn’t related.
“…I’ll ask, but which way do we go, north or south?” (Lite)
Lite, who was walking at the front, asked everyone. Without needing to ask, everyone’s gaze was directed towards the southern passage.
—
From the wide room beneath the artificial lake, we went toward the southern passage. It was a little narrower than the passage we had just come through. We proceeded carefully, two by two.
This passage wasn’t very long. Specifically, it probably ended near the place where the Motionless Stone Statue had been, and again split to the left and right. First, we went to the right side, but it quickly ended. A stone wall blocked the path. Numerous figures, probably characters from myths, were carved into the wall.
“This path ends here… Let’s go back and try the opposite direction.” (Lite)
Lite gave the instruction, and we retraced our steps, heading the other way.
“…There’s a room.” (Lite)
At Lite’s words, we all became excited.
As we moved through the darkness, we indeed found the room where Lite had stopped. It wasn’t as large as the artificial lake room, but it was big enough for all of us to fit. The entrance, lit from inside, had wooden debris scattered around. It seemed like the original wooden door had rotted. When we entered, another lamp that Heinz had been holding allowed us to clearly see the interior.
“…There’s nothing here.” (Heinz)
Strictly speaking, there were some remnants of tools and tables.
“It seems like this room was used to maintain this passage,” (Rick)
Rick-san, who had picked up some of the tool remnants, said as he held them up and examined them.
So, this is also not the hidden room we are searching for.
A heavy atmosphere enveloped the room. Then, Lite suddenly noticed.
“Hey, where’s Frank?” (Lite)
When we looked around, Frank was nowhere to be seen. Just after, a loud sound, Gatan!, echoed from behind us. Startled by the unexpected noise, we turned around and braced ourselves.
In the midst of this, Frank’s calm voice called out.
“Everyone, come over here.” (Frank)
Drawn by Frank’s voice, we moved toward the dead-end we had passed earlier, and the stone wall that had been there was gone, replaced by a splendid door.
“This is… what’s going on?” (Maria)
We had come to the stone wall in the reverse order of when we had entered the room, and Maria, who had inadvertently become the leader, asked Frank.
“As you can see, it’s a hidden door. Quite a good gimmick.” (Frank)
Without even turning around, Frank looked with admiration at the edge of the stone wall that slid open into the passageway.
“Can you explain?” (Heinz)
Heinz, who had stepped forward, asked, and finally, Frank turned toward us.
“Since there was no elaborate decoration up until now, I thought it was strange and started investigating. Then, I found a place where the same angel that was on the surface was carved among the sculptures. When I touched it, it seemed like I could push it, so I pressed it, and this happened.” (Frank)
Heinz silently stared at Frank for a moment, but then suddenly grabbed him.
“Great job, Frank!” (Heinz)
The shout echoed in the narrow passage
“Hey, Heinz, you’re loud.” (Frank)
Frank said in annoyance.
—
“Unlike the other door, this one isn’t rotten.” (Lux)
I commented as I stood before the door.
“Since it’s protected by the stone wall, it didn’t get exposed to moisture directly. Also, clearly, good materials were used.” (Heinz)
Heinz replied and then took a deep breath.
“I’m going to open it.” (Heinz)
He said as he placed his hand on the door. The door was not locked, and it slowly creaked open. When we shone the lamp inside, we could see that it was set up like a study.
“…Can you light the lamps over there?” (Lite)
When Lite tried transferring the lamp’s flame, it successfully lit the lights. It was clearly in better condition compared to the previous passages. Once all three lights were lit, the room became bright enough that the lamp was no longer needed.
“…Amazing.” (Lux)
The red carpet covered the floor of the room, and there was an elegant desk with bookshelves on either side. The chairs placed around were well-made and still looked fully usable.
“There’s a breeze coming from above…” (Me)
The ceiling was high, and although the light didn’t reach all the way up, it seemed like air was being drawn from somewhere. While we were curiously looking around the room, Heinz silently stood in front of the desk. On it was a book with an extravagant cover. Heinz carefully opened the cover.
“I’m sorry, but can you stay back a little? I want to check the contents.” (Heinz)
The “scandal” of the two rulers from the past. I didn’t know what it was, but we did as Heinz asked and kept our distance, while observing him. After what felt like a long time, or perhaps a short time, the only sound in the room was the quiet turning of the pages by Heinz. Then, Heinz let out a long, deep sigh and looked back at us.
We heard someone gulp.
“Everyone, thank you. My goal has been achieved today.” (Heinz)
Heinz quietly told us as the light from the lamps illuminated his face, and we saw something shiny pass over his cheek.
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