CHAPTER 771

[T.L: punisher87]

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***

Both Luet and Euria have completed their verification of Sael. Just like Luche, he applied to join the Vamel alliance out of pure intention.

Of course, the one most excited about the fact that the "completed long-distance communication device" might have been developed over three hundred years ago was Qwaul.

"If the contents written on this paper are true, then that engineer named Zen must be a genius on par with me. Our Valeria's ancestors wouldn't have invented it, so it's very interesting. But Valeria, what does it mean that the soul and body of Zen and your ancestor are all preserved in the succession temple?"

<All of Zen Lutberh's knowledge and achievements, soul physical body, even my soul... they will be preserved in Maliet's succession temple. If the enemies can't find it, it remain there forever.>

That was the sentence written on the paper given by Sael.

"I'm not sure either. It could be a metaphorical expression or perhaps a way to actually seal the body and soul. We'll have to go and see for ourselves to confirm."

"If it's the latter, maybe Zen Lutberh and this Qwaul might be able to meet. You might be able to meet your ancestors as well."

"No matter how special my clan's magic is, I don't think that's possible. But it's certain that the succession temple has remained hidden from Zipfel until now, so there must be a significant harvest waiting for us."

If Zipfel had discovered Maliet's succession temple, they would not have a simple calling function on the Tower Master's staff, and then Sael would not be alive.

"Yeah, yeah. The succession temple is notorious, so the part about being careful is a bit concerning... But since Jin will be with you, you don't have to worry. There aren't many traps or tricks in this world that even he couldn't handle."

"Before meeting Jin, I managed to explore dangerous succession temples alone, so don't worry. Please organize all the information related to the communication device until I return."

Due to frequent long-distance jumps, Qwaul quickly repaired the Red Owl.

The region where Maliet's succession temple was located was a small island called "Honka." It was an uninhabited island located in the northern part of the empire, so there was no need to worry about unnecessary friction with enemies.

However, the conditions for entering the succession temple were somewhat complex and demanding.

"Ancestor Maliet... seems like quite an eccentric person."

Valeria spoke as the Red Owl arrived near the island, Honka.

"That's right. Looking at those conditions, it makes me wonder if such things are related to the area of magic. No, it's definitely impossible."

Jin said as he summoned Shuri.

Shuri pushed the Red Owl, which was floating in the sea, and swam towards Honka island.

[Mya.]

"Hello, Shuri. Some of the conditions are probably jokes or some kind of disguised test. But no matter how strange they are, they are the conditions left by my ancestor, so let's follow them as they are."

"Hmm."

As they reached the island, Shuri shook its body and basked in the sunlight, while Jin anchored the Red Owl in a suitable spot on the beach and made it transparent.

"Jin, are you ready?"

"Yeah."

"Then let's try them one by one."

After saying that, Valeria coughed awkwardly, as if embarrassed.

'Recently, my teacher's personality has improved a lot. If it were before, even if it was absurd and embarrassing, she would have said it in a dry manner without any reaction,' Jin thought to himself and smiled inwardly.

However, he still felt a sense of embarrassment and amusement.

"First... Once we arrived on the island, we were supposed to spin around twenty times and touch the ground with our nose, right?"

Jin asked, and Valeria nodded.

Anyone who arrives at Honka Island to enter the succession temple must spin around twenty times and touch the ground with their noses.

That was the first condition.

The two of them looked around for a while and then assumed the position of spinning.

And then, one by one, they synchronized their movements and started spinning twenty times.

"Pfft."

"Ha, Haha!"

They started laughing as soon as they touched the ground.

The second condition was to climb a tree on the island and imitate the sound of a monkey's cry.

Even though they had already burst into laughter during the performance of the first condition, imitating the sound of a monkey's cry made them feel awkward.

"Howl..."

"Howl..."

Shuri tilted its head as she watched them.

Then they had to crawl on all fours and roar like a lion, sing two random folk songs they knew, and so on.

They gradually felt a sense of indescribable strangeness as they completed all those conditions.

Both of their faces were flushed.

"...Hmm, I feel like I've had a peculiar experience."

"Ahem, now that we've done everything, it's time to activate the star."

On Honka Island, there were five mana devices created by Maliet.

Jin and Valeria rode Shuri and searched for the locations of the mana devices indicated in the letter.

Every time Valeria infused mana into the devices, a blue light appeared.

With all five devices open, the light soon turned into a line that connected the entire island, forming the star.

Both of them went to the center of the star and took their positions.

"I wonder what kind of guardian will appear."

The final hurdle was to face the summoned guardian that responded to the star.

"Maybe it's a golem."

There was only information about the summoned guardian in the letter, and nothing was mentioned about its combat power or other details.

After a while, the ground began to tremble.

Jin had no tension at all because he had the thought that the guardian, whether it was a golem or something else, could never be his opponent.

[Greetings... those who have come to Maliet's succession temple.]

Roar!

Suddenly, the ground in front of the group opened wide, revealing a massive entity.

'A toad?'

A creature resembling a toad.

The guardian protecting the succession temple was not a golem but an inner core monster-like creature that could speak human language, like Ozdock or Vailam.

[I am Honka, the owner of this island. State your names.]

"I am Jin Runcandel."

"I am Valeria Hister."

[It feels like Histers who come to visit me always bring humans who are not Histers. Anyway, when I felt it from underground, you two have faithfully fulfilled Maliet's requirements. If you had missed even one, I would not have appeared.]

Realizing that those embarrassing actions were not entirely useless, the two of them inwardly sighed in relief.

"I am glad. So, once we defeat you, will it be over?" Valeria asked.

Honka nodded in response to Valeria's question.

Recalling the memory of dealing with the two humans (Zen Lutberh and the Hister who brought him) who came about 350 years ago.

However, Honka glanced at Jin and silently thought to himself.

'...I can't even grasp a bone if I fight against this human named Jin Runcandel.'

Honka is by no means a weak entity.

Having lived for thousands of years, he had created his own inner core and formed his own ego. He couldn't be weak.

The problem was that his opponent happened to be Jin.

[That's true... stop, stop. I'll just let you in, so stop.]

When Jin placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, Honka finally decided to give up the fight.

"It would be easier that way, but why?"

[You are too strong... Although there were negative comments about the danger of Maliet's succession temple. Valeria Hister, you have no conscience. Why did you bring such a monster? Aren't you trying to make it too easy?]

Jin and Valeria didn't answer, their pupils flickering.

They had never expected the guardian to react like this.

"You made a wise choice."

Jin lowered his hand from the hilt and spoke.

[But there's a condition.]

"A condition?"

[...Inside the succession temple, there are various traps and equipment that Maliet installed with great difficulty when she was alive. Maliet considered them her artistic creations and was very satisfied with them.]

"It seems like you were very close to my ancestor, Honka."

[Yes, Valeria Hister. The reason I settled on this island and began using the name Honka is also thanks to Maliet. She was certainly eccentric, but she was my only friend. Anyway, I can't bear to see those artworks being carelessly damaged by the monster you brought.]

"Is there no way to prevent the traps from activating?"

[I don't have the authority for that.]

"Then what do you expect us to do?"

[Simply pass through without breaking any traps that come your way. For the sake of the future successors who will come after you. I assume you wouldn't even dislike making that level of effort, right?]

The next successor.

Upon hearing those words, Valeria felt something stirring in her chest.

Just a few years ago, she was completely alone in this world.

But now she had Jin and her comrades, Luet had become part of her clan, and the monster who was her ancestor's friend was telling her to think of her descendants.

[You should have come here much sooner. The difficulty level set by Maliet is tailored for budding geniuses. That's why the Hister who came with the engineer 350 years ago had an incredibly tough time. Well... to be honest, I only started remembering all of this recently.]

Honka's recollection of Zen and the Hister who came 350 years ago, and even remembering his only friend, Maliet, were all recent events.

Until the history manipulation on Hister weakened, Honka had stayed on this island with only a vague sense of duty.

"I will do as you say. We will enter without breaking anything."

[Good, I trust you and open the succession temple.]

Honka's massive body rolled backward two times.

Then, beneath Honka, a thick iron door installed below the cave was revealed.

[Go on. And leave this ruby cat behind. Let's have fun while they're gone.]

[Mew-mew.]

As soon as Jin opened the door, an unbelievably bright light pierced the eyes of the two.

In an instant, as they were about to activate their protective shields, Honka, who was outside the cave, blew a powerful gust of wind towards them.

The gust of wind shot out like a projectile, pushing the two into the doorway.

The first trap was a narrow cliff path.

[Tsk, this seems to be the only trick that might work against those guys. But even that won't have much effect.]

As Honka had said, the two were falling without any panic.

After all, when they hit the ground, they could simply generate sword wind or mana to cushion the impact.

[Maliet, it seems like this time will end in disappointment. Let's look forward to the next one. It's still good to see that your lineage hasn't been severed.]

[Mew-aah.]

Saying so, Honka stretched and yawned together with Shuri.

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