Chapter 126 : No, why Is This Here?

No, why Is This Here?

Darsan.

When the information from Edwin's mouth began to interlock in my mind, his was the first name that came to me.

Barkal's big bro, the barbarian who was discovered with the tendon of the Abyss running through his entire body.

I had thought this was just something that happened during the conquest of an 'Abyssification' dungeon, but maybe someone else had a hand in it.

"In the Red Wolf Tribe."

I decided to ask again to hear his definite thoughts.

"Are you certain there's evidence that they're creating a vessel for the God of the Abyss?"

"Like I said earlier, there are just circumstantial signs, but no conclusive proof."

Edwin admitted honestly.

"But it's suspicious enough to warrant investigation."

So, tell me the reason it's so suspicious.

"First, the trash from the Seven Abyssal Brands started moving the moment I began investigating the Red Wolf Tribe."

The guy began counting off his fingers.

"Second, there are an unusually high number of dungeons undergoing 'Abyssification' near the Red Wolf Tribe."

Edwin pointed to a map. Indeed, there was a concentration of red pins around the Red Wolf Tribe.

Does that mean all those were closed by barbarians?

That's surprising too.

Barkal always said the barbarians of the Red Wolf Tribe are different, but I didn't realize it was to this extent.

Well, if the floor is higher, perhaps that's why even an Apostle like Barkal is so strong.

"Third, all the missing barbarians have been swallowed by the 'Abyss'."

I didn't know how deeply Edwin investigated, but I was impressed by his information network.

Come to think of it, wasn't 'I', Dmihtan Elvar, also parentless? Perhaps that was due to this influence too.

"... You managed to call for me anyway."

I understood what Edwin wanted to say.

Weird things are happening in the 'Red Wolf Tribe', so he wants to let me know and build a force to defeat the 'Abyss'.

Yet, he managed to call for me.

After all, I am a member of the 'Red Wolf Tribe' that supposedly makes the vessel for the God of the Abyss, as Edwin says.

Isn't that suspicious?

He could easily think that 'I' am part of the 'Seven Abyssal Brands' as well.

"Barba..."

Ahem.

Edwin let out a cough as he was about to speak.

"It doesn't seem like the entire Red Wolf Tribe is connected to the 'Seven Abyssal Brands'."

"Were you about to say barbarians aren't the kind to think that deeply?"

Ahem. Ahem.

Edwin coughed in succession and tried to clear the air.

Bull's eye, you brat.

But.

I think that too.

* * *

"Anyway, why are you telling me this?"

I get that someone's using the 'tendon' to make the vessel near the Red Wolf Tribe.

And I get that the perpetrator might be closely connected to the 'Red Wolf Tribe'.

But why are you telling me? That's another question in itself.

"Couldn't you simply mobilize the kingdom's forces and attack the Red Wolf Tribe?"

At my question, edwin looked momentarily flustered.

It's probably the first time he's met a barbarian who suggests attacking his own tribe.

Of course, I wasn't being serious—I was roundaboutly asking why he'd call me when such an option exists in the first place.

"If only it were that easy. But Father... the King doesn't believe this story."

Edwin closed his eyes and ran his hand over the map he created.

"It's understandable, too. There's a lack of evidence. To attack a barbarian tribe based on circumstantial suspicion?"

I agree with that too.

Erasing an entire tribe with no solid evidence, only a tyrant would do such a thing.

"Moreover, the Red Wolf Tribe is made up of warriors who worship Thrag. If we poke the hornet's nest, we'll see blood on our side too."

He held the Red Wolf Tribe in pretty high regard.

"And."

Edwin lowered his voice.

"The bigger problem is that there's a spy within the royal palace. I know who needs to be dealt with, but if information leaks out now, it'll cause trouble."

"So that's why you're trying to get us involved?"

"Yes."

Based on what?

"You all have experience conquering other Abyssification dungeons."

I let out a short sigh.

"You're all from the Red Wolf Tribe, you know the tribe members well, and at the same time, I'm certain you're not part of the 'Seven Abyssal Brands'. There was no one else like you."

Watching Edwin continue, I stroked my chin.

"It's good for you too, right? As barbarians, you get a natural reason to return to your tribe."

Sounds reasonable. But there's something you're overlooking.

I'm a necromancer.

And I don't exactly want to go back to the tribe.

"Just check if you can. If the 'Seven Abyssal Brands' have really made that region their base."

"And that's it?"

Edwin scratched his nose mid-sentence.

"You can even bring back evidence. If you find their base, or capture a key figure...."

He continued with a serious expression.

"We can launch an official operation in the name of the kingdom. At that point, I'll give you a proper reward."

And what reward is that?

"In terms of gold coins..."

Edwin stroked his chin and pondered. He seemed hesitant to mention the sum, hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.

"One hundred gold coins."

A hundred gold coins.

That's a hefty sum.

That's what you'd get for winning a hero's medal, which usually means 'yearly' income.

"I don't need gold coins."

But I think it's better to refuse at least once.

"You don't need gold coins?"

Edwin's eyes widened in surprise.

He looked as if it was his first time seeing someone refuse money. Honestly, I like money, too.

There's rarely an easier solution than gold coins, and they're crucial if you hope to achieve the dream of 'owning your own home'.

"Of course!"

While I was gathering my thoughts, edwin clapped his hands and looked at me.

His eyes sparkled brightly, almost with a look of reverence.

"Dungeon God, your adventurer party truly moves for honor!"

What kind of nonsense is this?

My first priority is money.

My second is money.

Maybe at about the eleventh, honor might come up.

"We are barbarians on a Journey of Proof. Honor is the reason we risk our lives."

Still, since he's looking at me with eyes full of respect, I'll just let him believe it.

"You all—yes, you all are the true adventurers!"

Oh brother.

He's loving this.

Come to think of it, almost all the books in this private archive are dungeon- or adventurer-related.

There were some ancient tomes, but even those ultimately fell under 'dungeon'-related topics.

Looking at that, it seems Edwin either aspires to be, or dreams of being, an 'adventurer'.

"To not promise anything to real adventurers like you—I wouldn't be worthy of being a prince."

As if he had made up his mind, edwin spoke up.

"Come, there's something I want to show you."

* * *

Edwin led me to one side of the library. Standing there, he placed his hand on a particular brick behind a bookshelf.

Click.

With a familiar sound, the wall opened. I snorted inwardly at the sight.

How many secret passages does this royal palace have?

"Well, it's an old royal family. Generations of kings have built them."

But why the need for all these? Why?

As I stared at Edwin, he looked embarrassed.

"I'm not sure about the details, but our royal family... well, apparently every generation is guilty of infidelity, from past kings to the present."

Hm.

So this passage is—never mind. Not worth saying.

"Here it is."

Once again inspecting the walls, edwin moved forward, and the wall sucked him inside.

I followed Edwin in.

And was left speechless.

A large room.

Inside, countless items were on display.

A sword studded with jewels.

Armor that looked ancient.

Enchanted accessories.

And ancient tomes.

"This is the Kerval royal family's treasury."

Edwin announced proudly.

"These were collected by the past kings. Most of them came from dungeons."

It was obvious at a glance that these were dungeon-sourced artifacts. The bizarre energy emanating from them was unmistakably 'treasure'.

"If you fulfill your promise to me, I'll let you choose one of these after it's all over."

What?

At this groundbreaking offer, I looked at Edwin.

With a smile, he let his sincerity show.

You'll give me one of these?

It's certainly a tempting offer.

Still, is it really worth going back to the 'Red Wolf Tribe'?

It's better than before, but still—a necromancer living among a barbarian tribe? It's nerve-racking just thinking about it.

* 〈Mortis recommends this to you.〉

Mortis, who had gradually been increasing her activity, contacted me.

Perhaps on her prompting, I started noticing traces of necromancy deeper in the treasury.

As I headed there, edwin spoke with a hint of surprise.

"Ah, those are the forbidden tomes. They're dangerous—ordinary people can't read them."

Forbidden tomes?

Now I'm even more interested.

Ignoring Edwin's warning, I headed inside.

Books emanating an unusual aura.

Among them, there was one I recognized.

The canonical scripture of the God of Explosion and Magic, 'Valkatus'.

'The Blaze Codex.'

Wow.

To find this here. If Camilla saw this, she'd make a scene wanting to buy it. But the owner's a member of royalty.

* 〈Mortis reacts.〉

That was when Mortis began pointing at one of the 'forbidden tomes'.

Unlike the others, it was bound in black leather, with a skull and clock motif crossed on the cover.

No way.

I carefully approached the book.

* 〈You have discovered the 'Necronomicon'.〉

* 〈This book can only be read by necromancers.〉

A forbidden tome for necromancers.

Why is this book here.