New chapter of Nameless Hero is out! (1/3 chapters)
Aldridge (2)
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― About 20 years ago ―
“Ha…” (Isaiah)
I, Isaiah Aldridge, was squatting in front of the fountain at the central square of Dali Amor, letting out a sigh.
I don’t know why, but although this was supposed to be my first time in this city, I seem to have memories of getting into trouble with a swindler, being chased by the Guards, and even witnessing some old man’s cross-dressing fetish. This sense of déjà vu has been hitting me frequently lately.
This time, I was invited by my lab mate Linda Mayley to accompany her on a field survey for a seminar completely unrelated to me. The research target was the Gala Ruins. This city was famous for its traditional beef dishes, but it seemed that in the past, among the civilization here, cattle were considered a rare item only eaten during festivals. Apparently, the highest-ranking god they worshiped was the god of cattle.
The oppressive heat. The intense sunlight. If this weren’t a city of water, I’d use my magic to flood the entire town. Thankfully, the fountain in the central square was providing a bit of relief.
The reason I was even here was that I had been tagging along for Linda and her friend Misha’s shopping trip, and then. I got separated from them. In the summer season, there were so many tourists that it was easy to get lost. I was the one who got lost. We had agreed beforehand that if we got separated, we would meet here.
“Ah, there you are! Isaiah-kun!” (Linda)
The shadows of two people running toward me. They were both carrying shopping bags, most likely filled with items they had bought. It was Linda and Misha. So, they just continued shopping without caring about me being lost.
Both of them were dressed casually in light clothing, likely because of the heat, showing plenty of skin. Their legs were exposed and shining.
Even a man who isn’t into legs would probably be drawn to those healthy-looking thighs. How improper. By the way, I love thighs.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~” (Linda)
“…Hey, Linda. Doesn’t this kind of defeat the purpose of me coming as a chaperone?” (Isaiah)
“Eh, not at all!” (Linda)
“Because you’re already done, right?” (Isaiah)
I glanced at the bags they were carrying and their thighs.
“Well, the inn is still a good distance away.” (Misha)
“……” (Isaiah)
“Hmm, what’s wrong?” (Linda)
“Am I the baggage handler now?” (Isaiah)
I grumbled. Seeing this, Linda shook her head and started offering excuses.
“No, no. It’s dangerous in the city. If two frail girls go shopping, they might attract some weird attention.” (Linda)
“Don’t call yourself frail.” (Isaiah)
And if you’re so worried about that, why are you dressing that way?
“Well, well. Come on, it’s the gentleman’s job to carry the ladies’ things.” (Linda)
“In the end, I’m just the porter, huh?” (Isaiah Aldridge)
I looked and saw that Misha actually had more bags than Linda. While neither Linda nor I were involved in the research, Misha probably had more to carry since she was actually here for the research.
Misha was a quiet girl. According to Linda, she was the daughter of a duke from the western region, but she didn’t give off any of that aristocratic aura. She was always flustered and awkward around me. Even during the carriage ride to Dali, when I spoke to her, she seemed panicked and her responses were off.
I don’t like women who lack decisiveness, but with Misha, it’s different. She’s cute, so I forgive her.
“Misha, I’ll carry that for you.” (Isaiah)
“…No, it’s fine. You look tired, so I feel bad.” (Misha)
“It’s not tiredness, it’s aging.” (Linda)
Linda interrupted from the side.
“Shut up.” (Isaiah)
“You could research some youth-restoring magic while you’re at it.” (Linda)
Linda was always teasing me like this. But if I got angry here, it would just make me seem petty.
“You’ll see it one day, that I’ll perfect the magic of youth.” (Isaiah)
“Eh?! Really?!” (Linda)
“You really think so?” (Isaiah)
Linda swung her arms in frustration at my joke.
Hehehe, serves you right.
—
The next morning, along with the five members of the ethnology research team, Linda, and I, we set off toward the Gala Ruins. The professor here, Gwain Albert, was an expert in ethnology and anthropology, but he was also well-versed in magic studies and practical magic. His proficiency in all elemental magic ranks was said to be quite high. I’d love to see his Managram.
However, generally, asking someone about their Managrams was considered a breach of etiquette. It was like asking about someone’s height or weight. No one would want to share their magic level unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Isaiah-kun.” (Gwain)
“…Yes?” (Isaiah)
I was called by Professor Albert.
“Tell me the ranks of your attributes. I’d like to know your strong points in magic.” (Gwain)
This professor just asked an etiquette-violating question. But since we were heading into a dangerous area, he probably just wanted to gauge our strength.
“…Fire, Ice, and Lightning are S-rank. The other two are A-rank.” (Isaiah Aldridge)
“Hmm, just as expected from the direct heir of the Aldridge Household. So, you’ve mastered all types of magic?” (Gwain Albert)
“Yeah, at least up to advanced magic.” (Isaiah Aldridge)
“And how about magic manipulation?” (Gwain Albert)
“S-rank.” (Isaiah Aldridge)
Professor Albert’s eyes widened in surprise. It was said that even having one S-rank was considered exceptional, so his reaction made sense.
“Wonderful. It’s strange that someone like you is considered a failure at university.” (Gwain Albert)
“That’s because the field I’m working on is still undeveloped. If successful, it’ll be S-rank, but if it fails, it’s G-.” (Isaiah Aldridge)
“Still, the idea of modifying time magic is brilliant.” (Gwain Albert)
“Thank you.” (Isaiah Aldridge)
The professor didn’t ask any more questions. I supposed he felt relieved knowing I was as strong as a whole squad.
—
We arrived at the Gala Ruins. The crumbling ruins gave off a strange chill. There might even be ghosts around here.
“It’s kind of a scary place…” (Misha)
“Is it? It’s fine because Isaiah-kun is here, right?” (Linda)
Misha was nervous. In response, Linda muttered something nonsensical.
Ghost-type monsters can be wiped out with the holy advanced level magic technique of holy attribute which is “Intense Ray.” Intense Ray releases countless beams of light from the caster’s surroundings and attacks ghosts by drawing them in. It’s a handy spell with a homing system.
The intermediate level spell Geo Luminescence is also an area attack, but it forms a holy circle on the ground and targets the monsters inside, making the advanced level magic technique more practical.
“The ruins around the altar are said to have various engravings. Today, we’ll study those and each of you will sketch them.” (Gwain)
“Got it!” (Linda)
Misha and the other three students took out their sketchbooks and walked toward the buildings near the altar. For some reason, Linda took out her sketchbook too.
“Why do you have one too, Linda?” (Isaiah)
“I thought I’d draw something for a memento.” (Linda)
Linda is the type to do things purely out of curiosity. I still don’t get her drive, even after months of knowing her.
I, as the bodyguard, wandered around the outskirts of the ruins. During this time, I saw Misha, who was sketching the pedestal of the altar. Seeing a beautiful girl seriously drawing was quite a sight. Her slender hand moved gracefully as she focused on the altar. Misha had very delicate, beautiful hands. I couldn’t resist teasing her.
“Misha, what’s written on the altar?” (Isaiah)
“Ah, Isaiah-kun?! Um, well…” (Misha)
“If you don’t mind, show me your sketch.” (Isaiah)
“E-Eh, I’m embarrassed…” (Misha)
Seeing a beautiful girl fidgeting like that was quite exciting.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” (Isaiah)
“Hey! Don’t bully Misha.” (Linda)
Linda came over to interrupt.
Damn, she’s ruining my alone time with Misha.
“I wasn’t teasing her. I was just looking to see what kind of sketch she’s making.” (Isaiah Aldridge)
“But Misha was uncomfortable, right? Right?” (Linda)
“W-Well, I’m fine…” (Misha)
Misha looked up at me with a bright red face and a sketchbook in her hands. Her glossy hair framed her wide, round eyes. She was so cute that it almost felt like she was deliberately trying to charm me.
“Honestly, Isaiah-kun, you’re starting to look like a creepy old man.” (Linda)
“Wait, I’m still 24! Don’t call me an old man.” (Isaiah)
“Your behavior is like that of an old man!” (Linda)
Linda has been using more harsh words lately. If anything, I’m relieved it shows we’ve gotten closer, but does my face really look that old? It’s shocking.
“By the way, Misha, why the altar?” (Isaiah Aldridge)
“…Well, this altar has Demon language written on it.” (Misha)
Linda, as if she didn’t care about my feelings, turned the conversation toward Misha.
“Demon language?” (Linda)
“It’s strange. There’s no Demon language anywhere else, but only on this altar.” (Misha)
There’s no Demon language anywhere else, but only on the altar?
“Huh, there must be some meaning to it. What does it say?” (Isaiah)
“I can only read the parts I can translate, but, uh, ‘Entrails…Offer…Law of…All things and the horizon…?’” (Misha)
“What did you say?” (Isaiah)
“Sorry, I could only understand some words.” (Misha)
Misha looked at me with an apologetic expression.
“No, it’s fine, but those are some strange words strung together.” (Isaiah)
“…‘Third…Son’.” (Misha)
Just as Misha was about to continue translating, the ground began to shake violently.
“…What?!” (Isaiah Aldridge)
I immediately took a defensive stance and gathered magic in my right hand, ready to release it.
*Kiiiiiiiiiin*
But in response to my magic, the altar began to glow. The same strange, busy sound echoed from beneath the altar.
“Hey, what’s going on?! What happened?!” (Gwain)
Albert-sensei rushed over.
“Sensei, that’s—” (Isaiah)
I started to speak, but suddenly, my vision blurred. The ground beneath me vanished in an instant.
Is the ground collapsing, creating a hole?
Despite falling into what seemed like an unreal scene, I had enough mental space to wonder why this was happening.
“Kyaaaaaaaaa!” (Misha)
And so, Misha, Linda, and I fell down into a deep underground hole next to the altar.
—
“Ouch… Ugh, that hurts…” (Isaiah)
While falling, I used fire magic to create small explosions below me, using the wind pressure to slow our descent. We had fallen quite deep. Despite the heavy impacts, we managed to reach the bottom without any serious injuries. I lit a fire with magic in the darkness. Misha and Linda were near me.
“Sorry. I could’ve done it better to lessen the pain.” (Isaiah)
“No, it’s fine, Isaiah-kun. Thank you…” (Misha)
Misha expressed her gratitude. I illuminated the surroundings with my magical torch.
“…What is this?” (Isaiah)
In front of us was a huge mural. It was an amazingly beautiful flat surface. When I stepped back to confirm from a distance, large Demon language symbols, like the ones we had seen earlier, were carved into the mural. And strange geometric patterns were drawn, resembling some kind of family tree.
“There’s such a mural deep underground?” (Isaiah)
I intensified the fire’s output to expand the range of the light. Gradually, the extent of the mural became clearer, and the peculiar nature of the place we were in became apparent. Around us were magical stones glowing with a red-black light, protruding from the rock walls. Normally, magic stones glow with green to blue wavelengths, resembling a rainbow spectrum. It seemed like the strange magical energy was emanating from them. Looking further up, I saw a giant mummy crucified on the wall.
Crucified?
No, it looked like the lower half of its body was embedded in the wall.
“Does the Gala Ruins spread underground too?” (Isaiah)
“…Nothing like this was discovered in previous surveys…” (Linda)
*Thud*
The sound of something stirring echoed in the narrow space. The noise came from behind. I quickly turned around, directing the floating light towards the source. There was nothing there, but clearly, an artificially constructed stone coffin stood in the area. It was big enough to fit a person.
“…” (Isaiah)
We were all too tense to speak. As the bodyguard, I was responsible for the safety of these two. I decided to check it out and slowly approached the coffin, lifting the stone lid. Inside was a skeleton, but its skeletal structure was slightly misshapen.
The skull was normal, but the right forearm was distorted, and remnants of what looked like ‘machinery’ had fused with the bones.
Did the ancient Gala civilization have the technology to create mechanical-like structures?
Furthermore, the legs were no longer human. The femurs and tibias were twisted, filled with gears like the right arm, seemingly forcibly constructed into legs. However, the left arm, ribs, and spine appeared to be normal human bones.
“It’s a skeleton. Someone was buried here.” (Isaiah)
“E-Eh… What is this place?” (Linda)
Linda was clearly shaken. Looking closely, there was a crumpled piece of paper beside the skeleton.
“There’s something that looks like a book here.” (Isaiah)
“Hey, Isaiah-kun… Shouldn’t we just go back? This place is really creepy.” (Linda)
“Wait. There might be something written on the paper.” (Isaiah)
Just as I was about to touch the folded paper, it suddenly began to glow with rainbow-colored light.
“…” (Isaiah)
The paper, which had been in tatters, became smooth and unfolded, rolling up like a scroll. It wasn’t just any paper. It seemed to be made from expensive parchment. The scroll, once rolled up, lost its glow and fell into my hands. I grabbed it quickly.
“That reaction… Could it be some kind of magic tool?” (Isaiah)
“This is wrong! This place is dangerous!” (Linda)
Linda let out a cry of surprise and watched me from a distance.
“I’ll take this with me. Albert-sensei will be interested in it too.” (Isaiah)
“Don’t, this was a place dedicated to a god, right? It could be cursed or something…” (Linda)
“Misha, even you?” (Isaiah)
“Yeah, I’m interested in the scroll too.” (Misha)
I tucked the scroll into my inner jacket pocket. At least I’d gotten an interesting item. We’d need to send another research team for further investigation of these remains. For now, we needed to get out of here.
—
“—Are you the one who walks the boundary…?” (??)
Suddenly, a voice echoed in my head.
“Hm…” (Isaiah)
“What’s wrong, Isaiah-kun?” (Linda)
“—Time’s… events… vast magic…” (??)
“I can hear something.” (Isaiah)
“…Eh, stop it.” (Linda)
I listened carefully to the voice.
“—I am the origin of magic, stemming from the source itself—” (??)
The voice in my head began to speak slowly.
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