It was the same stone Archeas had carved the Mantra circuit into.
As a resonance spread from the Mantra in his outstretched left hand, the corner of Ian’s lips slowly curled upward. It wasn’t just because the vision he had seen was lingering in his mind.
If it’s plain, then at least it should feel mysterious, huh...
He was now certain that this phenomenon wasn’t something Archeas had intentionally arranged. It was exactly the kind of thing from its past that it would’ve been embarrassed by.
The thought that he wouldn’t get to see the look on its face when it realized that made it all the more regrettable.
—That must’ve been quite interesting… Did you uncover some secret of the dragon, my friend?
Yog whispered.
In a way, I did.
Ian let the faint smile fade as he said, "What happened to the one watching us?"
Yog shifted lazily around his neck, letting out a chuckle.—It ran. Must’ve been surprised. You suddenly revealed dragon magic like that, after all. And well, I guess it’s not the only one that felt that way.
Ian’s eyes twitched slightly as he finally looked back.
The merchant group was staring at him with a mixture of awe and reverence.
"You’re back, Ian?" Thesaya asked. Unlike the others, she wore a faintly smug smile.
"Yeah," Ian answered, clicking his tongue.
Must’ve been pretty noticeable.
It wasn't surprising; draconic magic had surged through the Mantra circuits, causing his veins to glow gold.
—Don’t worry. I told them you were just seeing something for a moment. Moro didn’t stop either.
Yog chuckled.
Only then did quiet exclamations finally slip from Fael and the guards.
"Demigod of the North…"
"Lu Solar, my heavens."
Letting out a long breath through his nose, Ian glanced at them before tilting his head slightly toward the front. "The show’s over. Get ready instead. We’re almost there."
At last, their gazes shifted past him.
Their widening eyes made it obvious they hadn’t been able to look away from him the entire time.
Almost at the same moment, Thesaya stretched.
"I had a feeling, but we really did make it here without much trouble…"
Her tone was relaxed now that the tension had eased.
Miguel, who had been standing at the rear wagon, collapsed as if his strength had drained away.
"My blood’s been running dry… damn it…"
Passing through the wraiths had clearly put him under immense pressure.
Of course, unlike Miguel, Lily and Nasser’s expressions remained as calm as ever.
Screech—
After casting one last glance at Mev, who remained on guard, Ian turned forward again.
At the end of the gently curving path, the stone rose into view, tilted like a crooked monument. The surrounding area, untouched by the fog, was thick with wild, overgrown grass.
—So this is the center. Did they inscribe a spell beneath the ground?
Yog whispered with interest.
It was the correct guess, but Ian only answered with a quiet scoff. The complete absence of any trace of human interference in the area didn’t surprise him in the slightest.
Clip-clop, clip-clop…
As Moro stepped into the clearing, Ian sheathed the divine sword and looked around.
Swoosh—
The entire area felt wrapped in a curtain of fog, giving the impression of standing at the center of a slowly rotating vortex.
Just as Archeas had intended, it was more than enough to make the place feel eerily mysterious.
"O Light…"
"Whoa."
The merchant group couldn’t help but let out quiet exclamations as they entered the clearing. They stood there, staring in awe at the towering stone and the swirling fog that surrounded it.
As Moro slowly turned, Ian extended his left hand toward the group and said, "Good work. Park the wagons somewhere suitable."
Hallig blinked as if snapping back to his senses, then pulled on the reins. "Yes, Demigod!"
His attitude, already respectful, had grown even more deferential.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Moro came to a stop at one side of the clearing, turning its head as the wagons entered one after another.
The draught horses walked with their heads lowered, their legs trembling. Still, that none of them had panicked or collapsed was already a remarkable outcome.
Not sure if it’ll be the same on the way back.
Moro turned toward the group and let out a snort, likely because Nila had just entered the clearing.
Only then did Ian lower his outstretched left arm, the Mantra circuit in his palm still holding its glow.
Whoosh—
The curtain of fog stretching to either side began to collapse, flowing downward as if melting away.
In the same moment, Ian leaped lightly from the saddle and ran a hand along Moro’s neck.
"Good work. It’ll take some time before we head back, so get some rest."
Moro snorted once more and lowered its head.
Ian turned and walked toward the wagons that had come to a stop some distance away.
Only then did he glance back at the fog wall where the path had vanished.
Screech—
The wraiths were still swarming beyond it.
However, unlike before, they couldn’t even reach the surface of the fog surrounding the area. They were being pushed back, swept away by the flow of mana radiating from it.
—They’ll never give up, my friend. They don’t have enough awareness left for that.
Yog whispered.
Knowing exactly what it was expecting, Ian only gave a small nod before turning his gaze away.
"Save the admiration for after you move the crates. His Grace hates waiting, so let’s get moving." Thesaya directed things from atop the wagon, clapping her hands as if to hurry them along.
It was a sight to behold, in all the wrong ways.
Bor and Hallig, who had been securing the wheels, and even Oscar, climbed onto the wagon without a word.
"May the heavens shine eternally! This was truly a wondrous experience, Agent of the Saint!" Fael exclaimed as he climbed down from the wagon.
Even as his legs trembled, he looked at Ian with shining eyes. "I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sight of you carving through the fog, light in your hand, advancing through those wraiths!"
"You’d be better off forgetting it," Ian replied with a sigh, walking. "All I did was hold my left hand out."
"Yet you guided us, steadied us. It felt as though we glimpsed, if only for a moment, a fragment of your radiant achievements." Fael clasped his hands at his chest like a devout believer.
"If you’re this impressed already, that’s going to be a problem, Master," said Thesaya.
Now seated atop the crates again, she tilted her head slightly toward the towering stone behind them. "The most remarkable part of this journey hasn’t even begun yet."
"Indeed. I spoke too soon." Fael’s eyes lit up as he turned his gaze. "The treasures bestowed by the great Platinum Dragon surely extend far beyond this magnificent sight."
What a mess…
Ian clicked his tongue and looked at Thesaya. "Doesn’t seem like the time to just sit and watch, Elder."
"Yes, Your Grace. I’m moving." Despite her words, Thesaya pouted slightly before getting to her feet.
Yog snickered quietly as Ian passed by the wagon, adding, "Stack the crates near the slanted backside of that rock."
"Understood, Agent of the Saint." Fael nodded and immediately turned, beckoning Bor over as he climbed down from the wagon with a crate in his arms.
Meanwhile, Nasser, who had finished bracing the wagon wheels, dusted off his hands as he spoke, "We’re ready, my lord. Though we can’t exactly let the horses loose."
Lily stood beside him, her face expressionless.
The fact that she wasn’t offering any awe or praise made it clear she’d heard Fael earlier.
As Ian approached the wagon, he gave a nod. "Good work. Let’s move the crates first. Lily, you stay by that rock and rest."
"Yes, my lord." Nasser immediately headed for the wagon while Lily nodded and trudged off.
Following Nasser, Ian glanced ahead at Nila. The creature stood watch over the tethered horses, as if guarding them.
Grr—
It snorted softly under Ian’s gaze. Ian gave a small nod in return, as if entrusting things to it, then shifted his attention.
Mev was stepping down from the wagon, holding a wooden crate.
"Mind handing that over for a second?" asked Ian.
She blinked as she offered it to him. "It’s not that heavy, Ian. And I’m not tired."
"I know. That’s not why I asked." With a faint smile, Ian took the crate and immediately slid it into his pocket dimension.
Only then did Mev realize what he was doing, letting out a small exclamation.
"Two of these and it’ll be full." Pulling only his hand back out, Ian clicked his tongue, noting that even though he’d cleared plenty of room, the crates were simply too large.
"Then is there anything else you can take out?" Miguel added as he stepped up behind Mev, supporting another crate with his prosthetic arm without much difficulty.
"I do, but nothing I can just leave lying around out here," Ian answered, gesturing for the crate.
Miguel smacked his lips and handed it over.
"Then I guess we’ve got no choice." With a shrug, Ian stored the second crate in his pocket dimension.
Despite Yog’s description, to Ian it felt less like some vast void and more like an overstuffed bag.
"There’s still a bit of room left. I’ll just carry things out in smaller batches. Do it a few times, and it should add up to about one crate."
Pulling his hand free, Ian started toward the wagon again. Mev fell into step beside him.
"Just thinking about the artifacts lying in there is enough to make my heart race. Seems I’ve become quite the materialist myself," Nasser said as he approached from the opposite direction, carrying another crate.
A grin tugged at Ian’s lips. "Look forward to it. I’ll pick out what you’ll be using."
"Good heavens, Lu Solar. Forgive me for this irrepressible greed," Nasser muttered, glancing up at the sky as he passed them, though the grin on his face told a different story.
Ian let out a chuckle as he climbed onto the wagon.
"That the Platinum Dragon created a place like this shouldn’t become known, Ian," Mev added softly behind him.
When he glanced back, she stepped up beside him and continued, "Judging by how dense the wraiths are, this place clearly lies beyond the reach of the heavens’ gaze. If the Great Church ever learns of this..."
"Well, they’d interpret it as heretical." Ian shrugged it off as he walked toward the crates. "Don’t worry. If anything, the Platinum Dragon will prefer them to see it that way."
Picking up a crate, Mev looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Ian, already holding one, simply turned without explaining further. He couldn’t very well say that the fog was nothing more than an improvised flourish to make the nest seem more mysterious—it felt almost like a betrayal to reveal that.
"Don’t those things ever get tired? The noise is killing me." Miguel muttered with a sigh, following behind as the wailing echoes continued to reverberate.
Ian ignored him and made his way toward the massive stone rising at the center of the clearing.
Crates were already neatly stacked nearby by the guards.
"Take a look at this, Your Grace," Thesaya called out, crouched beside the stone with Fael and Lily.
Ian set his crate down and approached with a small shake of his head. "You said not to just stand around, and now you’re the one getting distracted…"
Lily stepped aside as Thesaya continued, "Looks like someone else arrived before us… and found their final rest."
Between the grass near the rock lay a human skeleton. Its posture suggested the person had died where they sat.
"Judging by the state of the clothing and weapons, it’s been at least several centuries. Possibly someone from ancient times," Fael added, eyes gleaming.
Showing this to a kid, really…
Ian clicked his tongue.
"That’s one lucky person. Finding this place in that fog would’ve been like searching for a needle in a desert." Nasser said as he approached, setting down another crate.
Thesaya glanced at him with a faint smile. "Though they probably died without ever knowing what secret this place held."
"Unless you’re planning to say a prayer, get up and start moving crates, Elder," said Ian, turning away.
Fael hurriedly stood. "J-Just a moment, Agent of the Saint."
As Ian paused and looked back, Fael added, "We’ll take care of things here. Shouldn’t you be handling something more important?"
"Sir Mev! Priest Miguel! Over here!" Thesaya rose as well, calling out, then looked back at Ian, brows slightly drawn. "I think it’d be better to split roles—inside and out. Not everyone can step into the depths of a place like this."
"We wouldn’t dare expect it. If anything, we’re grateful. Transporting everything here alone must already be a burden," Fael added smoothly. It was obvious they had coordinated this beforehand.
Still, they weren’t wrong. What lay below wasn’t just a treasure vault—it was a dragon’s nest.
Yog snickered.
—Perfect. I was just about to get bored…
Nasser watched with anticipation as Mev and Miguel approached.
Ian glanced at them, then gave a small nod. "Alright. Let’s do it that way."