Chapter 102

Open Sesame (2)

The greatest profit gained from Pontus was, of course, Nimbus. But that was not the only thing Kairus could obtain.

“Ceramics.”

The black ceramics discovered in Pontus left a deep impression on me. Normally, solid things were prone to break easily, and things that did not break easily were not very solid.

But this black ceramic was monstrously solid and yet strangely resistant to breaking.

“It would be nice if I could figure out how to fire it.”

Of course, there was always a reason why a method disappeared. But that was only because, on a national scale, it was not economically viable, so the knowledge had been lost.

‘If I only produce as much as I need myself.’

If production required something on an enormous scale, then I would have to give up. But if not, then it was worth attempting.

Even if I succeeded in making just a single pair of knuckles out of it, it would be immensely useful.

‘Even when striking with the full output of battle gear, it wouldn’t break.’

Could I figure out how to make it?

While Irena continued without pause, examining all sorts of scrolls filled with martial knowledge, I began searching through books in another section.

“Obtaining Nimbus is enough.”

There was no reason to remain interested in ancient martial arts any longer. It was time to take interest in a slightly different field.

“New materials… no, I should call it old materials.”

Perhaps among the forgotten technologies of Dersos, there might be something I could make use of.

“Commercial value isn’t always an absolute standard.”

Most of what was currently being distributed was, naturally, superior to what the civilization of Dersos had used in the past.

To put it plainly, gas lamps were more convenient than candles. But just because something was inefficient or lacked commercial value didn’t necessarily mean it was useless.

As I skimmed through the contents of a scroll, I let out a small exclamation.

“Like this, for example.”

Pouring time and resources into creating something without considering efficiency—perhaps that was one of the defining traits of Dersos civilization.

In fact, even Pontus itself showed the same. It was built to be sturdy, but it didn’t seem to be built efficiently.

“Junjadan, huh.”

It was a wood with a deep dark-purple hue. It was light yet strong, and even after being processed into lumber, it was said to remain alive.

Because it was not dead wood, it would never rot or decay no matter how many years passed. That alone was fascinating, but that wasn’t the real core of it.

“If you sprinkle water on it and let it get sunlight, no matter how badly it’s damaged, it restores itself.”

That was the key.

Even if it was smashed to pieces, as long as the fragments were fitted back together and regularly watered in a sunny place, it would return to its original form within a few hours. The problem was—

“Thirty years of daily maintenance after completion, huh.”

Once processed, Junjadan kept trying to grow. It was a living plant, after all.

That was why Junjadan, once crafted into a desired form, had to be maintained, trimming away the parts that grew out of place.

After about thirty years of such maintenance, Junjadan would finally learn the fact that “if it grows further, it will be trimmed away.”

“That’s the finished product.”

A wooden item that automatically restored itself and required no further upkeep would at last be born.

The book also described what had to be prepared to grow Junjadan. But it was not something humans should attempt.

“This is something you’d have to pass down through generations.”

Even if Kairus started growing it now, it would be his grandson who would get Junjadan grown enough to be processed.

In other words, this was not something to grow with the intent of using.

“Since a finished product exists, I’ll just have to use that.”

The records said that an armguard made of Junjadan, called Evergreen, had been prepared in this central hub. It was a kind of sample, left behind for the sake of later generations.

Evergreen.

Unless he wanted to spend his whole life in Bennett City raising trees for lumber, what Kairus had to find was the sample armguard called Evergreen.

Evergreen, being only a demonstration piece, was not hidden, and its location was recorded precisely.

However—

“They say it’s a living item, but I wonder if it’s still intact.”

Even though it was wood that remained alive, it had been stored underground for an absurd span of time.

Would Evergreen, the sample left behind, still retain the functions described in the book?

When Kairus went to the recorded location, he had little trouble finding the item he was looking for.

“How is it that only this one is unharmed.”

Among the surroundings, the only item that had remained intact was this armguard called Evergreen.

It was harder not to find it. At the same time, Kairus felt somewhat reassured.

“The fact that it’s intact means—”

It was likely still alive. Drawing Flicker, Kairus took a deep breath and pulled up his output.

A moment later, a thunderous strike crashed down upon the armguard. Flicker pierced into Evergreen.

“Good. That settles it.”

The result was quite satisfactory. Evergreen had successfully withstood a blow from Flicker, swung with output pushed to the limit.

The blade had lodged itself inside, and if Flicker struck the exact same spot again, the armguard would likely split in two. But that was fine.

‘In real combat, hitting precisely the same spot twice is impossible unless there’s an overwhelming difference in skill.’

Besides, Evergreen was a piece of armor that could restore itself. If it was still alive, there was no need to worry about damage.

“The name is Evergreen, after all.”

Kairus clicked his tongue as he examined the dark armguard with a purple sheen.

“The wood is intact, but the inner padding has rotted away.”

Like this, it couldn’t be worn right away. Kairus picked up Evergreen, then turned to the others.

“Looks like it’s about time we got the elevator running!”

At least five hours had passed by now. If they kept searching Pontus, they could certainly discover more valuable things, but…

There was no need to test the patience of the Rose Garden.

“Just a little more time…!”

Of course, there were always people who couldn’t control themselves, even after meeting Cecilia in person.

Melvin, who loved archaeology and relics to an extreme degree, was a prime example.

“Handle it yourself.”

Kairus said that, then headed toward the northwest wall of the central hub. A dragon was carved there, as if begging to have the Yucheok Sword thrust into its mouth.

For Melvin to fully satisfy himself in examining Pontus, even a year wouldn’t be enough. But Kairus had no desire to linger in this deep, dark underground for a whole year.

“Well then.”

Kairus pushed the Yucheok Sword into the dragon’s mouth.

Just like when they first opened the gate to Pontus, a heavy sound reverberated, followed by a violent noise from beyond the wall, as if water were draining away.

“For such a colossal structure to endure all this time, and still not a single drop of water leaks.”

Melvin spoke in a voice filled with awe.

“I’ll admit, they sure knew how to build.”

Kairus ignored Melvin’s stubborn wish to stay longer, but he couldn’t help agreeing with this statement.

“Once a hundred years pass, people perceive that span as eternity.”

“Well, that’s true for most.”

Humans could hardly live beyond a hundred years. If something remained unchanged until the day one died, then for that person, it was eternity.

“Yet here, even after that span of ‘eternity’ has repeated more than tenfold…”

This structure still did not permit even a single drop of water to leak.

In a way, it was no exaggeration to say it had endured beyond eternity. Such a magnificent building deserved that kind of praise.

“In the end, though, it will be trampled by ignorant vermin who know nothing.”

Kairus felt the clear hostility in Melvin’s words. But he said nothing more.

The sound of gears turning rang out, and a massive door opened.

“Even the elevator’s interior is ridiculously spacious.”

At Kairus’s words, Melvin nodded.

“For Dersos civilization, this much would have been expected.”

“Hooray for Dersos.”

Kairus answered with a voice tinged with mockery.

Pulling the Yucheok Sword out from the dragon’s mouth, he then slid it into the groove carved inside the elevator.

Once again, water surged in, and the elevator ascended powerfully toward the surface.

“Damn, that was one hell of a long haul.”

It was finally over. The Rose Garden would overturn Kairus’s death. The door opened, and Kairus stepped onto the elevator.

With the sound of water rising, he was slowly carried closer to the surface.

The sound stopped, a brief silence took hold, then the heavy grinding of stone against stone faded as the door opened.

“Still underground.”

“Of course. If the elevator had been built on the surface, it would have been discovered long ago.”

Kairus looked around and scratched his head.

If they had come straight up from the previous position, then the place where Kairus now stood was the underside of the Antaria Grand Canal structure.

“Well, considering how massive the canal is.”

If an entrance had to be built and hidden away, there was no place more suitable than the Antaria Grand Canal.

“Come to think of it, it’s rational for the elevator entrance to be located beneath the canal.”

At Melvin’s words, Kairus nodded. The elevator leading to Pontus operated by filling and draining water.

Naturally, the closer to water, the better.

“Well, everyone’s worked hard.”

Kairus gave a farewell to Melvin and Tanya.

Irena would continue traveling with him due to their binding contract, but the other two had only been companions for this particular task.

“Until next time, then.”

Tanya Lysand gave a brisk farewell, then walked away carrying a few items she had picked up.

“Excuse me, even if you’re leaving… could you possibly help carry these to my residence?”

Melvin Istovan could not part as cleanly as Tanya had.

“Greedy to the last.”

Kairus sighed softly as he glanced at all the antiques piled up inside the elevator.

“You’re not planning on getting free labor, are you.”

Up until a moment ago, they had been comrades. Now, they were strangers. If Melvin wanted to ask Kairus for help, he had to prepare appropriate payment.

“…I receive monthly rent from my residence. I can use that to pay you.”

“Fair enough. It’s not like we don’t know each other.”

Kairus agreed easily, then shouldered the load of items Melvin had stubbornly gathered.

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah, just get moving.”

Kairus and Irena followed Melvin, carrying the luggage, and arrived at the building he owned.

“Quite a place.”

Of course, considering what Melvin had provided, this much was more than deserved. As Kairus briefly looked around the building, he felt someone’s presence from behind.

Turning back, he saw Cecilia standing there, wearing a black mesh face veil.

“Representative.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever still be alive to speak with you.”

Cecilia finished her words with a shrug.

“They say you never know how things will turn out until the end.”

She held out her hand. Kairus handed her the Yucheok Sword.

“You worked hard. From now on, let’s meet with smiles.”

“I’d like that kind of relationship to last as long as possible.”

At Kairus’s words, Cecilia burst out laughing.

“Oh my, you’re the one who ruined our relationship.”

If Kairus hadn’t tried that trick of deceiving the Rose Garden, things would never have become so tangled.

“Anyway, with this, you’ve made a name for yourself.”

The Rose Garden had tried to kill him, but he had survived. Now, there was no one in this city who would dare doubt Kairus’s skill.

Kairus bid Cecilia farewell.

‘Nimbus comes first. I need to start research.’

Now that the Rose Garden’s request was complete, Kairus finally had time to rest.

The very first thing he wanted to focus on was studying Nimbus, secured from Pontus.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.