Chapter 51 - Ruins or a Place of Heritage?

Approaching Asmodeus in the teleportation hall, Nicolas asked, "So where are we heading? Are you sure there's a destination point?"

"A destination point... darn it. Let's go to the storage room," muttered Asmodeus, and they turned, heading towards the storage room.

"We need to figure out how to make the gates go where you want... not just the predetermined points during sunrise... I'd like to study Kamar-Tajd gates... darn it, I don't want to crawl into the fireplace again. "Asmodeus muttered to himself

After a couple of minutes, Asmodeus again saw the dirty fireplace. "..."

"Okay, don't look at it like that. Everyone used fireplaces before gates; it's just you being picky. Let's say the destination."

"Irondale village; there should be a fireplace connected to the network."

"Okay, then I'll go first; don't make the old man wait." Nicolas shouted and disappeared in the flames.

Asmodeus, albeit reluctantly, followed him. Only when he felt the cold winter wind did he realize they had reached the destination.

Asmodeus raised his head and saw himself in a fireplace, in a field with a ruined house, surrounded by a small village. The village was small, more like a settlement than a village, with only a few houses.

As the village was situated in a mountainous area, it was practically built on the slope of a hill, and the buildings stood out from the landscape. The most noticeable in the village was a windmill at the highest point, looking like a small giant in a white hat under the dim night sky.

It was winter, and abundant snow fell from the sky. Both the ground and the roofs were completely white, and all the houses were brightly lit, with hardly anyone outside.

This was Asmodeus's destination, Irondale village. The Moonstone Garden he was looking for was at the foot of the mountain ahead. Brushing off the dust, Asmodeus turned to Nicolas and asked, "Did you turn on the heating in your robe? Don't forget; you're old, and it's harmful to stay in the cold."

"What about yourself? You're dressed completely out of season."

"I don't need it."

Asmodeus shrugged. His normal body temperature was higher than the locals, and the fire magic boiling in his blood wouldn't let him freeze. He asked Nicolas just to make sure the old man hadn't forgotten.

"Alright, follow me. I must remember the way."

They walked for about twenty minutes before seeing a landscape resembling what he remembered. In reality, both Irondale and this hill were much larger than in the game.

Reaching the familiar steep slope, Asmodeus stopped. "Nicolas, do you have something that allows you to fly?"

"Huh? Yes, of course. Do you need it?"

"No, it's for you," said Asmodeus, taking off and heading downwards.

"Hmm, a show-off."

Nicolas took out a surprisingly familiar rod from his bag and jumped off the cliff. After a minute when he landed, Asmodeus asked, "Umm, what's this?"

"A flying rod."

"I know it's a flying rod; why does it look exactly like mine?"

"Why exactly? Your rod is just a stick with wings conducting magic. Mine is an alchemical device that allows me to fly freely; the wings have runes for wind enhancement, heat retention, etc. The ones you gave me to improve the academy, but drawn a bit differently. I used dragon blood and phoenix tears when drawing them. Now it's a fully functional transportation device. Besides, it's more comfortable than a silly broom. You know, in old age, you have to be careful."

"Alright, alright, I get it. I'm not interested anymore."

In the open space, familiar stone formations greeted them. However, the stone structure was now covered with a layer of white snow, devoid of the Lunatic Beast or any mysterious symbols. Asmodeus didn't take it seriously because the real destination wasn't here.

He continued further and soon saw the entrance to the cave. If the events of the game were accurate, hidden in the mountain before him was a massive underground palace and a treasure known as the "Scholar's Moonstone," which might have some connection to the druids who disappeared long ago.

"This is our goal. Shall we go? Or fly?"

"Let's walk. I'm not that old. Besides, what if there are traps... I'm curious! I recently watched a Muggle movie... what was it called? Indiana Jones! It was so funny how he ran ahead while arrows were shot at him from behind! I want to try that."

"Umm, alright." It was challenging for Asmodeus to grasp the humor of wizards. Why did a tense scene in a movie make the old man laugh? Perhaps because any wizard could walk through the film's corridor untouched...

So, he and Nicolas entered the underground palace.

Walking straight down the corridor, Asmodeus observed that the space inside was indeed quite vast. The corridor alone extended deep into the mountain for tens of meters, and further inside the mountain was another cave.

At the end of the corridor, there was an open circular stone chamber covering an area of about twenty to thirty square meters. Asmodeus surveyed the room. The surrounding walls were constructed of stone bricks and large stone slabs. The stone walls were adorned with ancient reliefs in Celtic style, covered in moss and various weeds. It was evident that the place hadn't been inhabited for a long time and had an incredibly long history.

Torches adorned the walls. Although it was clear that there was no combustible mixture or even rags on them, they simply consisted of wooden sticks with fire on the end. As per Asmodeus's observation, it was Gubraithian Fire – perpetual flame. Asmodeus was adept at using it, but besides those with an affinity for fire, this magic was considered one of the most complex in the world.

Without paying much attention to this, Nicolas and Asmodeus gradually delved deeper into the cave. After breaking through several walls and doors, which they naturally restored with magic afterward, they reached the last stone door separating them from the Moonstone Chamber.

"Merlin's drawers, Asmodeus, why are you in such a hurry? I thought we were going to explore the ruins, look for something interesting or at least beautiful. And you're just marching forward without stopping – where's the fun in that?!"

"You'll see soon. Do you want something beautiful?" With a smile on his face, Asmodeus opened the last door.

"Come on, follow me. Soon you'll see something very interesting."

The two of them headed into the corridor revealed by the door.

As soon as they entered the corridor, Asmodeus noticed something distinguishing this part of the ruins from the rest. The underground palace and tunnels behind them had to be manually carved. He was sure of that. The surrounding walls were laid with artificial stone bricks and slate. Nature wouldn't have done that. Especially with sunlight piercing through the overgrowth above. This means this passage has no roof. The trees are just creating shade below.

But this corridor is a natural path, with two "walls" of natural stone on either side of the road. Essentially, the entire corridor should represent a hidden passageway within the mountain.

This ravine is very long and deep. The final stretch is even covered in water, seemingly part of an underground stream. The two of them followed the underground passage to its end.

Reaching the end, Asmodeus and Nico paused for a moment, savoring the scenery. They beheld a vibrant natural landscape hidden within the mountain, untouched by external world developments.

"I never expected such a beautiful place to be hidden deep among the ruins. Perhaps I should have built my home in a location like this instead of an ordinary village..."

The moment Nico saw this cavern, he was captivated by the surroundings. It shouldn't be called a cavern, but rather a valley. The moonlight illuminated a massive crack atop this pristine, untouched land in the mountains. Streams flowed down the slopes, formed by groundwater, and lush vegetation adorned the rivers and even the mountain slopes.

Amidst the grass and shrubs, various flowers and vibrant plants were scattered, while vines adorned the stone walls.

But most striking was the enormous oak tree, growing on a small hill in the center of the valley. Bathed in silver moonlight, this ancient and massive tree spread its branches. Birds perched on the tree's crown, and fireflies and other insects flitted around its roots.

This place emanated a profound sense of tranquility. "A closed ecosystem hidden deep in the rock... truly beautiful," remarked Asmodeus as he surveyed the scene.

Nico asked with curiosity, "Do you know who exactly built this place?"

Asmodeus merely showed him a sketch in the book, and he hadn't had time to read it.

"More or less," nodded Asmodeus. "By the way, this place must be several times older than you. The first people who discovered this valley and built the ruins must be the ancestors of this land – the Celts."

Whether it's the relief style on the ruins, the book made of bark, or this mountain sanctuary, all the evidence confirms it. In ancient Celtic times, wizards didn't have such a unified system of knowledge. Wizards studied only what they liked or had access to.

The Celts who once lived on this land believed in the forces of nature as the foundation of creation. Wizards of this ancient tribe also developed in the direction of harmony with nature and maintaining balance.

What these wizards did is referred to as "Druidism." Although they weren't the combat druids like in Diablo IV, they are closer to them than to the modern wizards in this world. This group of people can be considered the one of the ancestors of wizards in this world.

Many traditions of today's magical world in England are inherited from that era. A typical example is the 13 months in the Celtic tree calendar. To this day, Ollivander still chooses wand wood based on this tradition, consequently selecting the wand's owner.

The original meaning of the word "Druid" is "one who is familiar with oaks." More precisely, Druids were priests among the ancient Celtic peoples, the keepers of the world who chose the path of nature, following the wisdom of the Ancestors, healing and protecting the world.

They worshiped and respected nature, and the oak, not surprisingly, was their sacred tree. Druids used the powers of nature to preserve the natural balance and protect the surrounding world.

An experienced druid was quite powerful, although not compared directly to the combat wizards of the Romans at that time.

In Celtic tribes, they also served as judges, engaged in healing, and practiced astronomy.

That's why an oak tree grows on this hill. These ruins must have been a gathering place for ancient Celtic druids. This oak serves as the central element of this sacred site.

The Scholar's Moonstone—a treasure guarded by druids. It's interesting, however, why druidism itself has essentially become extinct in this world...…?

Admiring the local landscape, Asmodeus advanced and approached the oak. He refrained from using his favorite flight, considering it disrespectful to this place. Although he's not particularly inclined toward nature magic, and his powers are more focused on destruction, he knows how to appreciate nature and doesn't want to accidentally set fire to this place by flying too close to a dry blade of grass.

In a huge hollow on the tree trunk, a crystal iridescent blue sphere emits a faint blue light. It is precisely for this that Asmodeus came here—the Scholar's Moonstone.

Asmodeus gently lifted the Scholar's Moonstone, cradling it in his hands. The moment he touched it, he felt a magical power. This type of mana is gentle, peaceful, and has a strange connection with the bright moon in the sky and the surrounding space. It seemed to him that there was something hidden in this stone.

"This is truly a treasure of the druids."

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