[Legend of Lineage] Episode 4: The Price of Courage and Shallow Wisdom (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2: The Cave Collapse and the Suspicion of a "Bombing Terrorist Attack"

Episode 4: The Price of Courage and Shallow Wisdom

[Summary of Previous Episodes]

Altorius's true identity—he was Prince Helios, who was driven from his country by the betrayal of his uncle, Will. Having forgotten his own name and mission, he joins the royal capital's investigation team as Elise's "squire."

Meanwhile, unaware of such circumstances, Elise uses her newly acquired "strongest piece" to step into the first mission site, the demon cave "Echo Grotto," in order to fulfill her own ambitions.

[Character and Terminology Guide]

For those who are new or wish to review the overview, please see the [Introduction] below.

[BGM Playback]

※Please press the play button to enter the world of the story with sound. (You can also enjoy it without BGM)

1. The Investigation Mission and the Tragedy of "Echo Grotto"

　At the foot of the rugged mountain range surrounding the royal capital of Azerload, its ominous mouth was open. The cave, known as "Echo Grotto," which was once a popular tourist spot known for its beautiful reverberations, had now transformed into a terrifying demon cave where damp, unpleasant cold air and the smell of death pricked the skin.

　Based on a strict order issued by King Alan of the time to pinpoint the source of the monsters that had recently surged in the surrounding area, a large-scale investigation team centered on the Azerload Knights was organized.

"…Ugh, just because I'm a newcomer, they put us at the very back. They're completely underestimating our abilities. That gatekeeper, I'll remember this later."

　Elise pouted in dissatisfaction while glaring at the damp, slimy rock walls.

　However, the Knights had their own desperate circumstances. Many of the numerous advance investigation teams sent so far had lost contact and disappeared, and the testimonies of the few warriors who had returned alive were all desperate, saying, "There is a huge abyss in the middle of the cave, and monsters are overflowing from it endlessly."

　Near the entrance of the cave, wounded warriors were whispering to each other, trembling in fear under the light of torches.

"Unless we physically seal that hole, Azerload will be swallowed by a sea of monsters..."
"But as long as that giant guardian is standing in front of the hole, we can't even get close. That is no longer a living creature; it is an incarnation of rock..."

　Listening to those pessimistic voices behind her, Elise turned to look at the silver knight quietly resting his hand on the hilt of his sword beside her, and grinned fearlessly.

"Did you hear that, Altorius? It's finally our turn. The boring procession is over. Let's dash to the front line all at once and take a look at that 'hole'!"

2. The Death Match in the Giant Cave

The interior of the cave was filled with the roars of monsters lunging mercilessly from the darkness and the shouts of soldiers resisting them. However, the moment the two who should have been at the rear began to move as if flicked into action, the color of the battle shifted entirely.

Artorius's sword became a flash of light that seemed to slice through the darkness itself, wiping out several monsters in a single swing, while behind him, Elise pulverized the enemies that leaked through with nothing but her fists. As the surrounding soldiers stood stunned, forgetting to fight, the two quickly overtook the investigation team and reached the great cavern at the deepest point.

Her own abilities, which she had suppressed as if to hide them during her life in the rural village. The sense of omnipotence that allowed her to unleash them without hesitation for anyone. Elise even felt a kind of exhilaration.

"You're not much to talk about. At this pace, isn't it easy?"

Immediately after Elise flashed a confident smile, the space in front of them opened up wide. There, a bottomless pit emitting an ominous purple light awaited, along with a demonic beast with a massive, mountain-like body sitting as if to guard it.

"What is this... there are too many coming out! ...It's not a hole, it's a spring!"

From the hole, small demonic beasts were overflowing like a torrent, letting out growls that shook the entire cave.

"Elise, get back! I'll strike that thing!"

Artorius shouted briefly and closed in on the giant beast with a speed that belied his heavy armor. His sword sliced deeply into the beast's hard skin, but the beast spewed black darkness from the wound and let out an even more ferocious roar. One more push. The moment Artorius was certain of victory and tried to swing his final blow.

"You're quite tough... Artorius, get out of the way! I'll finish it in one shot!"
"Wait, Elise! That magic power here is--"

Artorius's desperate attempt to stop her was drowned out by the sound of ominous magic power converging, which shook the atmosphere. The magic power gathered in Elise's right fist was already emitting a blinding radiance, like a small sun.

3. The Orb of Collapse and Echoes

"Haa!!"

The shockwave released obliterated the giant beast from this world without leaving a single piece of flesh behind, and then thoroughly pulverized the rock wall in the back, along with the "bottomless hole" behind it.

However, the excessive release of energy within the enclosed cave invited an irreversible, worst-case scenario.

"...Ah."

The moment Elise let out a stunned voice, a rumbling that resonated from the bottom of her stomach began. From the ceiling, giant rocks, each as large as a house, began to rain down.

"Elise, this way! Run!"

Artorius instinctively pulled her arm and dove into the only remaining path in the opposite direction, weaving through the collapsing rock face. Behind them, a tremendous cloud of dust and a wall of giant rocks piled up, completely cutting off the path to the main unit.

While they continued to run for their lives from the chain of collapses, a small "orb" emitting a dull light rolled out from the rubble of the shattered wall. Artorius's hand, as if drawn by some will, reached out and grabbed it as if being pulled in.

(What is this feeling... It's a nostalgic, warm light...)

　He almost stopped in his tracks due to the strange sense of déjà vu, but pebbles raining down from above pulled him back to reality. Altorius immediately shoved the orb into his pocket, grabbed Elise's hand tightly, and dashed through the darkness toward the exit where the light was leaking out.

4. The Price of Shallow Wisdom and the "Bombing Terror"

　They tumbled out of the cave for dear life, only to find themselves on the opposite side of the royal capital, near a checkpoint in the military nation of Meridius. Covered in soot from head to toe and looking like nothing but suspicious characters, the two were met with cold, collective glares from the heavily armed guards.

　Moving to a deserted back alley for the time being, Elise uncharacteristically let out a sigh of weakness.

「...Was that last part... perhaps a bit too much? I wonder if everyone is safe...」
「It couldn't be helped. Besides, they were all elites. It will be fine. Let's trust in their luck.」

　Altorius said this to comfort Elise. However, Elise seemed shocked that she had lost control of the magic she had unleashed.

「More importantly, the issue now is how to overcome this predicament.」

　Altorius said this to encourage Elise, then stood up and looked around.

　Naturally, they had no identification or travel permits. The cave behind them was completely buried, cutting off their path back. The guards coldly declared, "We won't let any outsiders pass. We'll arrest anyone suspicious."

　After a brief pause to compose herself, Elise began running the "shortest and most efficient" circuits in her brain again.

(...This is bad. We're both going to get caught. I have to do something... Right...)

　After a while, Elise looked up and turned toward Altorius.

「Hey Altorius, I've thought of a brilliant plan. Leave it to me.」

　She said this playfully and gave a fearless, mischievous grin.

(If the front is blocked, I'll just make a 'new path' to the side myself. Hehe, if I carve out a little bit of the rocky mountain and take a back road, no one will find us. ...I can be useful too, you know--)

　Elise raised her right hand and began to knead purple magic. It was small but possessed overwhelming energy. The aura on her right hand gradually began to shine. When Altorius saw this, he realized it was "bad" and reached out to stop her, but it was already too late.

「I'm just going to make a little path... --Take this!」

　BOOOOOOM!!

　However, perhaps due to the recoil from the cave or sheer exhaustion, the blow she unleashed didn't just carve the rock wall; it swallowed the sturdy Meridius checkpoint head-on and sent a massive pillar of fire up along with the mountainside.

　The area fell silent. And then--.

"Stop! It's a terrorist! Call for reinforcements! Is this a declaration of war from Azerload?!"

In front of the raging pillars of fire, Artorius stood stunned, covered in pure white ash, while Elise stood with her mouth half-open at the catastrophe that had exceeded all expectations.

"...No, that's not it. I was just... out of kindness... trying to clear a path..."

Elise's mosquito-like excuses were drowned out by the roars of hundreds of guards rushing in from all directions and the ringing of warning bells.

Artorius realized everything and offered no further resistance. Artorius followed the guards gracefully, while Elise continued to make excuses in a thin, weak voice. The two were carried away.

Thus, their (supposedly) glorious adventure met its worst possible beginning, as they were dragged off to a dungeon where the cold iron bars of a neighboring country awaited them.

▶Read Episode 5 "The Prison-Breaking Saint and the Port Town Fixer"

▶Click here for the Prologue

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