[ Chapter 47 ]


    In the midst of a harsh winter at the foothills of the Seted mountain range, three figures traversed a small path through the pristine snow-covered mountains. A tinum-haired elf girl and a handsome boy with red hair followed a step behind, silently, while arge young man led the way, continuously sighing deeply.


    “Haah, how did this happen?”


    As he moved, Repenhardt let out another sigh. Sin offered aforting smile and reassured him.


    “Hey, Mr. Repen, don’t be too down. These things happen in life, right?”


    After discovering the empty heart of the ruins, Repenhardt quickly moved to explore other areas. But the result was the same everywhere. The only things present were various monsters bound by the ruins, and all artifacts from his memories had vanished. Moreover, clear signs of recent destruction were visible throughout the passageways and chambers.


    It was clear. Someone had raided the Elucion ruins before him!


    Sin continued with a light-heartedment.


    “Those ruins weren’t your property, Mr. Repen. Someone else could have explored them first.”


    The tale of rushing to ancient ruins after purchasing expensive information, only to find someone else had already looted them, was amon story among adventurers. Thus, Sin didn’t find the situation strange at all.


    However, for Repenhardt, the situation was utterly uneptable. The discovery of the Elucion ruins was supposed to happen 17 yearster, by Repenhardt himself. This wasn’t a simple case of someone getting there first.


    ‘The future has changed…’


    Repenhardt, having time-traveled to this era, had anticipated that the future might gradually be distorted. As a mage, he was well-versed in the concept of causality.


    ‘Could the effects be happening already?’


    It wasn’t impossible. For example, if a person who was supposed to die in Repenhardt’s past lived because of him, that person could identally discover this dungeon.


    Of course, Sin, unaware of theplexities, simply interpreted Repenhardt’s expression as one of someone who hade up empty-handed and continued to offer constion.


    “And it’s not like we came away with nothing. That seems like a pretty amazing artifact.”


    As he spoke, Sin nced at Siris, who was walking behind them. She was fiddling with a small stick, about 30 centimeters long, in her left hand.


    At first nce, it was a in wooden stick without any decoration. However, as Siris murmured softly, the stick began to transform.


    “Nihillen.”


    Light poured from both ends of the stick, forming a shape. It lengthened from side to side, bending smoothly, and strands of light emerged, connecting its ends. What was once a mere stick became arge bow of light.


    Siris ced her hand on the bowstring of light. An arrow of light materialized in her grasp. She repeatedly drew the bowstring.


    Pop, pop, pop!


    The arrows of light were rapidly fired, sessively snapping branches of trees dozens of meters away. Sin asked, observing her actions,


    “How is it, Siris?”


    “It’s a remarkable weapon.”


    Even within her cold tone, an undeniable excitement was evident. Siris was utterly fascinated by this new magical bow.


    The Magic Bow Nihillen.


    This magical bow did not require separate arrows, was unaffected by wind or gravity, and could load and fire multiple arrows depending on the user’s concentration. Moreover, it had the power of mana gathering, automatically charging with magical power even when left alone, and, most importantly, it was extremely portable. After all, it was just a stick in its normal state. Even Sin, who had seen quite a few artifacts from the Age of Silver, recognized it as a significant artifact.


    “To just abandon such an incredible thing, tsk tsk.”


    Unlike other relics, this one appeared to be just a simple piece of wood, which was probably why it was left behind. Since it did not emanate any magical power, it’s likely that its previous owner didn’t realize it was an artifact.


    “But how did Mr. Repen know this was an artifact?”


    In fact, the Magic Bow Nihillen had been the primary weapon used by Siris in her past life. At that time, Repenhardt hadn’t fully realized its significance as a great relic. He had brought it back for research, intrigued by the material of the stick he had never seen before, and during this research, he discovered its functions and gifted it to Siris. It was onlyter that he realized the stick was a remnant of the World Tree Elvenheim.


    Of course, he couldn’t tell Sin the entire story, so he vaguely brushed it off.


    “Ah, I had some information about it. Anyway, I’m d you like it.”


    Repenhardt smiled weakly, watching Siris as she continued to shoot Nihillen at nearby trees as they walked.


    The arrows shot by Nihillen differed subtly in aiming sensationpared to ordinary bows, especially since they were unaffected by gravity and flew in a straight line instead of an arc. Thus, Siris was diligentlyparing the archery she had learned with the usage of Nihillen, adjusting her senses.


    “So, don’t be too disappointed. It’s not like Elucion is the only ancient site on the continent, right?”


    “Um, that’s true, but…”


    Despite Sin’sforting voice, Repenhardt’s expression did not lighten.


    ‘The Voice of Elucion is unique.’


    The future might have changed, but what hit him the hardest was his failure to acquire the item he immediately needed. The other relics were manageable, but there was no substitute for the Voice of Elucion. It was the only artifact in the world that could restore magical powers to him.


    “Ugh…”


    As he walked along the mountain path, he could see white smoke billowing from beyond the forest. And then, arge vige encircled by tall fences emerged through the trees. Sin said with a delighted expression, “Ah, it’s starting toe into view. Gehallen Vige. It’s been a while since we’ve had someone else cook for us. Let’s grab a meal here.”


    Gehallen Vige was a fairlyrge mountain vige located on the western side of the Seted mountain range. Situated at a pass through the mountains, most of the houses in the vige doubled as inns. Repenhardt and his party found an inn bustling with people and ordered their food.


    Soon, a robust-lookingdy came to their table, her armsden with generous portions of bread, soup, and sd.


    “Eat up, everyone. Should I prepare another serving for each person?”


    Thedy joked, looking at Repenhardt’s sturdy frame. They all began to eat, feeling the warmth of rural hospitality. The simple fare of ck bread and pumpkin soup was surprisingly delicious. Sin looked a bit surprised. Despite the humble ingredients, the vor was impressive?


    “Wow, this is delicious!”


    “Isn’t it? Our cook’s skills are top-notch.”


    Thedy beamed with pride, then her expression suddenly turned sour.


    “But those pompous fellows, thinking they’re food critics, wereining this and that.”


    “Pompous fellows?”


    “Some knights from a noble family arrived here about a week ago. They said something about exploring a ruin?”


    Repenhardt’s eyes gleamed sharply.


    “Could you tell us more about that?”


    “Eh? Why do you ask, young man?”


    Thedy looked puzzled, tilting her head. Repenhardt discreetly handed her a silver coin, which she refused with a frown.


    “Hey, you don’t need to pay for stories like this.”


    Eventually, after a lecture on how young men should not frivolously spend money lest they be punished, Repenhardt finally got the story he wanted.


    “So, about a week ago…”


    A group of knights had stopped by Gehallen Vige with the intent of exploring a new ruin in the Seted mountains. They stayed here for a while, getting ready, andined constantly about how ufortable the beds were and how the food was unfit even for dogs.


    “Did you not hear where they are from?”


    “They were brought by Viscount Kelberen, but somehow, they all seemed to rank higher than the Viscount himself.”


    This vige of Gehallen was one of the autonomousmunities under Viscount Kelberen’s jurisdiction. So, it was understandable that they recognized Viscount Kelberen but not the others.


    ‘Maybe I should head to Viscount Kelberen’s residence first?’


    As Repenhardt was lost in thought, thedy pped her hands and continued speaking.


    “Ah! Now that I think about it, there was one knight among them shining in gold. He was a truly good man. Kind and considerate even to us vigers. But it was funny to see him all in gold, even his sword was made of gold.”


    In an instant, Repenhardt realized the identity of the person. A golden armor and a golden sword could only mean one thing in this vast continent.


    ‘… The Golden Knight of Graim! They were from the Count Tenes family.’


    * * *


    The Viscountcy of Kelberen was located near the southwestern side of the Seted mountain range. It was a small domain, mostly mountainous, which barely managed self-sufficiency in agriculture. However, it boasted rich deposits of iron and copper ore, making the lives of its people quite affluent. Thanks to these resources, Viscount Kelberen was considered one of the wealthiest individuals in the Kingdom of Graim, despite his lower noble rank.


    Inside the castle of the Viscount, a man appearing to be in his mid-thirties was dining with the Viscount. With avish feast before them, the Viscount of Kelberen, who was over fifty, was earnestly showering the man with praises.


    “You are truly remarkable, Sir Eusus!”


    The man humbly shook his head in response.


    “It is all thanks to the assistance I have received from Viscount Kelberen.”


    The Viscount waved his hand and continued speaking.


    “Even so, wasn’t it Sir Eusus who vanquished the monsters of that ruin? Truly, the Golden Knight of Graim, his fame is not unmerited as I have clearly seen.”


    It was a month ago that Viscount Kelberen had received a message from the man before him, Eusus. He had doubted at first whether the tale of a tremendous ancient ruin lying dormant within his domain was anything but a dream. After all, the wealth that could be acquired from exploring such ancient ruins was extraordinary, and no lord would find unwee news in the prospect.


    However, what truly delighted the Viscount wasn’t the existence of the ruins, but the opportunity to forge a friendship with the Golden Knight, Sir Eusus. For a rural noble of little consequence, possessing nothing but wealth, the chance to be acquainted with a knight of high renown within the Kingdom of Graim was almost non-existent.


    Following Eusus’s request, the Viscount made preparations for the exploration and weed the Tenes Knights. He even joined the expedition himself to strengthen their bond. Having never neglected his knightly training since his youth, he was a robust man, embodying the vitality of youth despite being over fifty. He was confident in his ability to protect himself, no matter the dangers of the ruins.


    Throughout this journey undertaken to build a closer rtionship, Viscount Kelberen found himself genuinely enchanted by Sir Eusus. The knight was strong and kind, alwaysposed in any situation, and caring towards his subordinates. He was the epitome of a knight out of a tale.


    Despite losing many men in the perilous exploration, Eusus sessfully explored the ancient ruin, Elucion, and returned with tremendous treasure.