Proof (3)
The trial had suddenly ended, leaving the party greatly flustered… but the confusion did not last long.
"…Well, if the trial is over, then that's what matters."
It was a little disappointing to miss such an interesting riddle, but it wasn't a big deal.
From the beginning, the three mages had been more interested in the bait than in completing the second trial itself—namely, the alchemy of the old empire and the magic dolls.
Claire cautiously suggested,
"Since the trial ended early, how about we take this chance to tour the laboratory?"
"Ahem… that doesn't sound like a bad idea."
Duran cleared his throat and glanced at Woojin. The three mages were looking at him with eyes full of expectation.
If he refused, their morale would likely drop. So Woojin readily nodded.
"Alright. Let's take a look around the laboratory before we go."
"Is that really okay?"
"We're not pressed for time, and we came to these ruins to gain knowledge in the first place."
Even staying here for a few days would be fine. The trials of this ruin had no time limit, and they had brought plenty of food in their packs just in case.
At those words, the mages brightened immediately. Claire cheered with excitement.
"Yay! I'll go look around right away!"
"Take your time looking around. Just be careful not to touch anything recklessly and get hurt."
"Yes!"
Led by Claire, the three mages began eagerly exploring the underground laboratory of the ancient ruins. They looked more enthusiastic than ever.
'Good thing I allowed it.'
If he had refused, there might have been a mutiny on the ship. While Woojin was thinking that…
A sudden question arose in his mind.
'…But why are they asking me for permission? Shouldn't the Master of the Magic Tower be the one deciding things like this?'
At some point, Woojin had naturally started acting as the leader.
And no one seemed to feel anything strange about the situation.
Considering Duran's social status, it was a bit odd… but since no one had noticed, there was no need to point it out.
'It's convenient.'
Might as well keep things this way.
***
Judging by the mages' enthusiasm, Woojin expected they would stay here for at least two days.
The alchemy workshop of the old empire was filled with strange and unfamiliar objects. Ancient technology that had been lost in the present day.
Analyzing such things should have taken a long time…
But unexpectedly, the analysis went smoothly.
Because there were unexpected helpers here.
Beep, creak!
The brass dolls made mechanical noises.
These diligent little fellows wandered around nearby and occasionally demonstrated how to use the alchemy equipment, as if giving a tutorial.
Whoooosh!
The dolls used an extractor to squeeze juice from a tree root.
Seeing that, Duran exclaimed in amazement.
"Oh, oh! So that's how this tool is used. It's very practical!"
Creak!
The dolls puffed out their chests proudly, as if boasting. It seemed they were pleased that the Master of the Magic Tower had praised them.
Woojin watched them from a distance.
"Do the dolls here have a sense of self?"
It didn't seem like his imagination.
If they were just simple machines, their behavior and movements wouldn't all be slightly different. It was almost as if each one had its own personality.
Since they didn't seem reluctant to reveal their secrets, the dolls even disassembled the alchemy tools themselves and showed the internal circuits.
Thanks to that, the mages were able to finish gathering information quickly.
In other words, it was time to set off again.
Claire looked particularly reluctant to leave the dolls behind. Unable to let go of her attachment, she hugged one of the dolls tightly and muttered,
"Do you think we could adopt these little guys? I'd love to take them back to the Magic Tower."
Woojin replied,
"From their perspective, wouldn't that count as kidnapping?"
"…Hmm, that's probably true."
No one wants to leave their home.
Perhaps convinced, Claire gently set the doll she had been hugging back on the floor. The brass doll, now free again, returned to its friends.
They had finished touring the laboratory, so it was time to focus on their original goal.
"Let's head to the third trial."
"Agreed."
They packed their bags together with the party. If they left belongings behind, it would be difficult to retrieve them later.
Just as they were preparing to depart—
Creak, creak!
The platinum doll approached.
In its hands was a wide silver tray.
The doll politely presented the tray like a bartender. On top were five silver cups filled with an unidentified crimson drink.
Naturally, Woojin couldn't tell what it was.
"Master of the Magic Tower, what is this?"
"Well… it seems to be some kind of potion."
Duran muttered uncertainly. Even someone as experienced as the Master of the Magic Tower couldn't easily identify a potion made in the laboratory of the old empire.
So there was only one option left.
'Guess I'll have to drink it.'
Woojin picked up a silver cup and poured the drink straight into his mouth.
Duran was horrified.
"What are you doing?! How can you just drink a potion when we don't even know what it is?!"
"There's no other way, is there?"
"That may be true… but you're far too fearless."
If something felt wrong, he must spit it out immediately. Duran emphasized that strongly.
Woojin stood calmly… then tilted his head slightly.
It seemed the potion was starting to take effect.
'It's warm.'
His stomach heated up.
It felt like drinking very strong alcohol.
That pleasant warmth gradually spread from his abdomen throughout his entire body—like a living flame taking root inside him.
Vitality surged through him.
His condition had noticeably improved.
Woojin clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly.
'My strength increased a bit.'
It seemed this potion was a reward given to those who passed the second trial.
It was almost disappointing that they only got one cup.
Woojin gestured toward the cups.
"The effect is pretty good. Looks like there's one for each of us, so everyone should try a cup."
Encouraged by him, the hesitant party members each picked up a silver cup.
The three mages and the holy knight drank the potion.
The effect was intense.
For a moment they trembled as if shivering, but soon they felt the change and gasped in admiration.
"Wow, this is an incredible elixir. I feel ten years younger."
"Yeah. I've never drunk anything like this before."
They had toured the alchemy workshop and even obtained a rare elixir created here.
The mages spoke energetically, almost intoxicated by their excitement.
But the situation wasn't entirely positive.
Woojin spoke up to remind them.
"The next trial might be difficult."
There was no reason to give away such a valuable elixir so easily.
The trials weren't even finished yet, yet they had received a precious elixir halfway through.
This was likely a privilege given because the third trial would be that much more difficult.
Hearing that, the party came back to reality.
Claire spoke with concern.
"Up to now nothing has been too hard… but what kind of thing is going to appear in the next trial?"
"Hard to say… maybe something related to physical ability."
Since they had just drunk an elixir that enhanced their physical capabilities, it seemed likely that the next trial would be related to that. Of course, there was no way to know for certain.
Woojin had fairly good intuition, but he wasn't someone who could predict the future.
'We'll only know when we face it ourselves.'
It was time to move forward.
After picking up their packs, Woojin and the party headed toward the third trial.
The dolls came out to see them off.
Creak, creak!
The dolls waved their arms from side to side as if saying goodbye. Claire looked back several times, reluctant to part with them.
"I wonder if we'll be able to meet them again someday."
"There might be another chance."
He didn't jump to conclusions. Encounters were not something that could easily be predicted.
After walking for quite some time, until the ticking sounds of the dolls' springs could no longer be heard…
A massive mural appeared.
It had the exact same composition as the mural they had seen after finishing the first trial.
But its contents were completely different.
'It depicts the fall of the old empire.'
The once-magnificent palace had been shattered into ruins, and the floating fortresses in the sky had crashed down to the ground, destroying wheat fields and city buildings.
The gate to another world had opened.
The great empire collapsed.
Black monsters poured endlessly through the gate.
Ancient humanity fought against the Demon Realm.
As they examined the mural…
'…What's that?'
Woojin's gaze stopped at one spot.
The others did the same.
As if by unspoken agreement, they all stared at the center of the mural.
Seven beings were depicted there.
A female knight holding a massive shield and a mace.
A giant man, as large as a house, gripping a steel axe in each hand.
A woman with pointed ears, holding a bouquet of flowers.
An old man holding a staff.
A female archer riding on the back of a wolf.
A man holding a greatsword as large as a human torso.
And… a gigantic dragon.
These unusual figures stood side by side in front of a city gate.
"…Who could they possibly be?"
Woojin asked as if speaking to himself.
But no one could answer.
Everyone shared the same question.
Shhk, scratch—
Golden letters appeared in the air.
—Heroes.
A remarkably simple explanation.
There was no need for elaborate praise.
Claire murmured quietly.
"So those people must be the ones who led the war to victory… the heroes who drove the Demon Realm out of this land."
"That seems to be the case."
There was no other possible interpretation.
But that brought another question.
Woojin voiced his curiosity.
"Then why are there no records about these people at all?"
Extraordinary achievements usually become legends or songs, spreading widely among people.
Even Woojin himself was an example.
After he went missing while fighting a dragon monstrosity, the Church Alliance recognized his accomplishments and honored him as a hero, leaving many records about him.
So why was there no record at all about these figures?
Duran answered without hesitation.
"That's a meaningless question."
"Why?"
"Where exactly are we standing right now?"
"Well…"
An underground ruin from a forgotten era.
Once that phrase was spoken, there was nothing left to say.
If an entire era had been erased from history, then it was only natural that records of its war heroes would also disappear.
Naturally, the question changed.
'…Why was all of this forgotten?'
It was a thought that seemed obvious in hindsight.
But the phrase "Forgotten Era" itself felt unnatural.
How could an entire age vanish from the memories of all people and from the history books?
Was that even possible?
Woojin felt doubtful, but he didn't voice the thought aloud.
Everyone here had come to these ruins precisely to discover that answer.
He hoped there would be a clue beyond the door.
Shhk, scratch—
Golden letters appeared on the door.
—Third Trial.
Exactly what everyone had expected.
After exchanging brief glances, Woojin and the others jumped into the curtain without hesitation.
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