Volume 2 Chapter 8: The Cause of Tria’s Eerie Voice

[Author's Note: For bonus chapters, the goal every week is:

- 25 Power Stones

- 50 Power Stones]

Volume 2 Chapter 8: The Cause of Tria's Eerie Voice

This time, Tria answered instantly, unlike when they previous ask a questions.

Tria: "Not at the start, as after this dungeon was created, there were no visitors for a couple of days. But then, the dungeon suddenly saw a surge in vampire explorers, to the point where I hardly had any time to rest or sleep. However, this period of high exploration didn't last long. After about 30 years, the number of visitors decreased. I still had many vampire visitors, perhaps 10 to 20 a day, but it continued to decline. Eventually, it became just one explorer every year. After several more years, it became one explorer every 10 years. But after seven centuries had passed, explorations of this dungeon, which used to happen every decade, suddenly stopped. It became a matter of chance if someone with the vampire bloodline qualified to explore this dungeon stumbled upon its entrance."

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After hearing what Tria said, Carmilla's, Eve's, and Pepper's minds simultaneously froze at the same time upon realizing how long it had been since the creation of Tria's dungeon.

After adding up all the years from what Tria said, the time since the creation of the dungeon was estimated to be between 700-800 years or more. After pondering this revelation, Carmilla shared her findings through their mental connections.

That's when Pepper suddenly blurted it out.

Pepper exclaimed.

Pepper: "Tria, you're so old!"

After saying that, the calm atmosphere around Tria turned as cold as an iceberg, sending a chill through the three of them. Suddenly, she focused her attention on Pepper before speaking.

Tria said.

Tria: "Pepper, if I were you, I wouldn't mention age in front of females, especially those from long-lived races who have already lived for a very long time."

After hearing Tria's words and also feeling her cold aura, Pepper could only respond with.

Pepper replied.

Pepper: "I'm very sorry, and yes, ma'am."

Tria simply responded after hearing what Pepper apologized and agreed to what she have said.

Tria: "Very good."

After Tria's cold aura abruptly disappeared, Pepper couldn't help but sigh in relief. While under the Tria's cold auras influence, she had felt as though she might not make it through that encounter.

*Clap*

*Clap*

*Clap*

Tria spoke.

Tria: "I know you all have many questions, but we've already spent a lot of time discussing trivial matters like my 'age'."

Tria emphasized the word "age" while giving Pepper a cold glance. She paused for a moment, her gaze fixed on Pepper, before she avert her gaze and continuing to speak.

Tria declared.

Tria: "But I'll allow each of you to ask me one more question, as I won't discuss anything other than our intended topic once we begin."

After saying that, Tria gave the three of them some space to converse among themselves by distancing herself and closing her eyes.

Carmilla asked.

Carmilla: "So, what should we ask Tria?"

Pepper suggested.

Pepper: "What if we ask Tria if she can create a clone?"

Carmilla replied.

Carmilla: "Denied."

Pepper inquired.

Pepper: "Why not?"

Carmilla explained.

Carmilla: "Because we can attempt it ourselves in the future when we possess the skills to do so. Eve, do you have any suggestions?"

Eve suggested.

Eve: "Her voice."

Carmilla asked.

Carmilla: "What do you mean by 'her voice'?"

Eve clarified.

Eve: "Her eerie and unsettling voice."

Carmilla asked.

Carmilla: "Are you referring to Tria's voice before she removed the mask?"

Eve nodded.

Eve: "Un."

Carmilla look at Pepper and asked.

Carmilla: "Do you have a better question to ask Tria?"

Pepper said.

Pepper: "I agree with the question Eve suggested because I'm also curious about how she had that voice. What do you think, master?"

Carmilla pointed at herself and said.

Carmilla: "Me? I'm fine with Eve's suggestion as well."

After concluding their discussion on what to ask Tria for the final question, Carmilla began to approach Tria, acting as the representative for the three of them.

Sensing Carmilla's approach, Tria opened her eyes and gazed at Carmilla with her crimson eyes, similar to Carmilla's own.

Tria remarked.

Tria: "It appears that the three of you have already made a choice regarding what to ask me."

Carmilla confirmed.

Carmilla: "Yes, we have."

Tria inquired.

Tria: "So, what is your chosen question?"

Carmilla asked.

Carmilla: "If it's not some kind of secret, could you please explain how did you make your voice sound both male and female, young and old?"

Tria replied.

Tria: "Oh, that's no secret. Let me show you."

After saying that, a mask appeared in Tria's hand. As they looked at the mask, they recognized it as the same one Tria was wearing when they first saw her suddenly appeared sitting on the throne.

Pepper asked.

Pepper: "That mask, it's the one you were wearing the first time you appeared, right?"

Tria acknowledged.

Tria: "Your guess is correct, but unfortunately, there's no reward for guessing it correctly."

Eve inquired.

Eve: "But how did the mask change your voice so dramatically?"

Tria responded.

Tria: "Allow me to demonstrate."

After saying that, Tria put on the mask and began speaking.

Tria explained.

Tria: "The information about the mask was based on the memories of the original. In the time when this mask was widely used, it served those who wished to conceal their identity or engage in shady activities. It was particularly favored by those with criminal backgrounds or bounties on their heads, so this artifact was named the [Thousand Voice Mask]."

Just as the mask's name implied, Tria's voice began to shift during the conversation, seamlessly transitioning from a young woman's voice to an old man's voice and various other tones.

Tria explained.

Tria: "As you can hear, I have control over the type of voice that emanates from the mask, but I often prefer the randomize mode."

After saying that, Tria's voice began to randomize, creating the eerie and unsettling voice they had first heard, sending shivers down their spines.

Tria observes the trio's reaction before she start to speak.

Tria: "I can see by the looks on your faces that the three of you are quite disturbed. As you can hear, I like to use this mode not only because it's my preference but also for the additional effects it brings. Firstly, it greatly disturbs the listener, as you've experienced. Secondly, it conceals my identity, making it hard for anyone to determine my gender from my voice. Lastly, it's difficult for anyone to learn the pattern usage of different voice combinations if I were to use the controlled mode. That's all."

After her explanation, Tria removed the mask she had been wearing and asked the three of them, who had been listening intently.

Tria: "Do the three of you have any more questions?"

Eve asked.

Eve: "Could you explain what an artifact is?"