Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 253

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 253 – God, You Mean That God?

“Servants?”

Ain asked.

Glancing through the documents he had picked up, he let out a puzzled sound.

He had thought the term “dragon worship” might provide a clue.

However, according to the information Marco had given him, they were more like servants than believers.

They were said to be close to a familiar spirit.

“Yes, there are various types of dragons, but last night’s flames were definitely from a red dragon.”

Red dragons are said to be arrogant.

They liked to show off and loved gold.

Rather than being violent, they were more human-like and greedy.

“Are red dragons strong?”

“Well… they’re not weak, but…”

They could fly and breathe powerful flames.

These were common dragon characteristics, but red dragons were said to be particularly strong.

“What about El or Al, for example?”

“Red dragons and sea dragons are opposing species, so there is no conflict between them. But…”

“…But?”

Marco said with a wry smile.

“Sea dragons are weak against fire. But if a red dragon fights in a sea dragon’s territory, the sea dragon will have an overwhelming advantage.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

After all, the sea dragon’s main battlefield was the sea.

No matter how well they could fly or how strong their flames were, sea dragons had the advantage of their home turf.

“Besides, those twins are showing signs of evolution… No, let’s talk about that another time.”

Marco whispered this much, then changed the subject.

The former royal capital was a nostalgic topic for him as well.

“Actually, the former royal capital was attacked by a red dragon once.”

“And what happened?”

“Sylvia-sama defeated it easily.”

“…I see.”

He was taken aback.

He knew Sylvia was strong, but he was still surprised that she had defeated the dragon so easily.

“Hmm… In that case, you could say that Sylvia-sama has been protecting the royal family of Ishtalika for a long time.”

Marco said solemnly.

There was a reason for that:

“The Red Jewel of the Earth. As you know.”

“I know. It helped me when I fought the Sea Dragon and Heim.”

“That’s right. Actually, the Red Jewel of the Earth is made from the core of the red dragon Sylvia-sama defeated.”

“…What?”

He never expected this connection to be revealed. Come to think of it, the iron scraps from the Death Ancestor of the Sea Dragon incident were also made from the same material.

Sylvia, the Elder Lich, has always protected the royal family.

“I should thank her properly next time.”

“If it’s a thank you from you, Ain-sama, she’ll be happier than anyone else.”

“Come on, you’re just flattering me.”

“No, I’m just being honest.”

As always, he said things full of meaning.

Ain didn’t ask him what he meant but nodded in agreement.

Above all else, he trusted Marco’s words, which were the loyal knight’s.

“But why did the Red Dragon attack the former capital?”

Was the former capital filled with gold and silver treasures?

He couldn’t understand the Red Dragon’s intentions for targeting a place where the Demon King was present.

The idea of a dragon that enjoys inflicting pain was also strange.

“That’s where the real story begins. The Red Dragon had a goal.”

“…What do you mean?”

“The Corridor of Distortion and Ruin… the center of the continent of Ishtar.”

What was that? Ain couldn’t understand.

Neither he nor Dill had ever heard of such a place. They both tilted their heads in confusion.

Dill looked at his lord, Ain, and spoke up first.

“Marco-dono, we don’t know of any place with that name. Is there another name for it?”

“Another name… Yes, now that you mention it, I did hear a name for it when I was studying modern history.”

He cleared his throat and straightened up.

Then he said something that made Ain gasp in surprise.

“It is now called ‘The Spirited Away Dungeon’――”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

That evening, Ain fabricated an excuse and departed from the coastal city of Strohm.

He had only one destination in mind—the royal capital of Ishtahika, Kingsland.

Accompanied by Dill, he convinced Krone and the others to hurry and catch the water train.

“A-Ain-sama?”

“Warren. It’s been a long time.”

When he arrived at the castle, Ain walked around without looking at his surroundings.

He wanted to relax since it had been a while since he had been there.

However, he didn’t have time for that.

He walked across the soft carpet, heading straight toward his goal.

“Wh-What happened? Why did you suddenly return to the castle without contacting anyone?”

“I have something to ask my grandfather. It would be helpful if Warren could come too.”

“…It seems that this is not a trivial matter.”

With that, Warren followed him.

Behind Ain, Dill continued to quietly guard him.

He didn’t bring Marco for a reason.

It was to help defend the mansion. With Marco there, the mansion’s defenses would be considerably stronger.

That was why Ain had asked him to guard the mansion.

“Dill, no matter what happens, don’t let anyone into my grandfather’s room.”

“Not even the princess?”

“Yes, not even if it’s God himself.”

Ain arrived at Sylvird’s private room.

It was past dinnertime, and the atmosphere was quieter than during the day.

It was rude to come without an appointment, but he hoped to be forgiven just this once.

“Warren, is Grandmother here?”

“No. If it is Laralua-sama, I believe she is drinking tea with Beria.”

“That’s convenient. Then I can rest easy.”

Knock, knock.

Ain knocked on the door, and soon Sylvird replied.

“Come in.”

He didn’t ask many questions because he only allowed a few people to enter his private room.

Only those he trusted were permitted to enter.

“Grandfather, it’s been a long time.”

“A-Ain! Why are you in the castle…?!”

“I’ll explain everything, along with what I want to ask you. Do you have time?”

There was something unusual about Ain’s demeanor.

Sighing, Sylvird motioned for him to enter.

“Ain-sama, I’ll wait here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

He parted ways with Dill and entered the room. He took Warren with him and approached Sylvird.

“I believe I have already reported the attack…”

He began to recount the information he had heard from Marco.

What had happened? What kind of information was it? And…

“The Spirited Away Dungeon. I’m sure you know all about it.”

“…I don’t want to hear that name.”

That was to be expected.

Even Ain didn’t want to talk about that place.

Sylvird sighed deeply again at Ain, who spoke as if he knew everything.

“I want to know where you heard about it.”

“Is it the name of the place? Or is it about the circumstances?”

“The latter. The name of the place can easily be found.”

It was decided.

The first prince, Lyle von Ishtalika.

And Chris’s sister, Celestina Wernstein.

Sylvird said this with an attitude that suggested he wanted to avoid unnecessary conversation.

“But you won’t reveal your source, will you? Well, never mind.”

“Thank you.”

“For now, I will thank you as well. If it concerns that place, though, it’s something I’d like to hear about.”

“…That’s why I rushed over here.”

Sylvird then glanced at Warren.

“Everyone has been dismissed. Or rather, Ain-sama has given Dill strict orders.”

“Then that’s fine. There are some things I don’t want Laralua to hear.”

Sylvird stood up.

He walked slowly and stood next to Ain.

“Promise me. No matter what happens, don’t leave.”

“I promise. I have no intention of leaving Ishtalika.”

With that, he pushed Ain’s back and sat down heavily on a nearby sofa.

His footsteps were heavy, and he felt mentally exhausted.

“However, I vaguely remember…”

Rubbing his long beard, Warren continued, recalling something.

“Indeed, the Red Dragon was heading toward that land.”

“Warren, I don’t understand the purpose. What is the objective of going there?”

To be blunt, that’s to be expected.

Sylvird lost his only son because of that place.

“I don’t know the details of its purpose. After all, Sylvia-sama destroyed it.”

“But,” he continued,

“There is an old legend about that place. Even Sylvia-sama called it an old legend, but it’s a hard-to-believe story.”

“…All right, tell me. I need any information I can get right now.”

“It is said to be where God lives.”

The air in the room froze.

It sounded like a tall tale.

However, Ain was thinking of something else.

(God… are you talking about that God?)

Ain remembered something from long ago.

He couldn’t remember the details, though, and it had become a vague memory.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t forget what had happened at that time.

“There you go! Go on! See you later!”

When he was sent off, Ain was truly grateful. He was grateful to her, the petite goddess.

At the time, he was happy for two reasons: he was given a new life, and he got a super rare item in the gacha.

After that, he was born in Roundheart and experienced many difficult events, which he will omit here.

“…Does that mean you can meet God?”

“N-No. It’s just a ridiculous legend…”

“Ain. You understand that I will not forgive you no matter what, right?”

Of course, he had no intention of going there himself.

But when he heard that the goddess might be there, he wondered if he could meet her.

“I understand. I was just curious when I heard the word ‘god.’”

At the time, however, he still didn’t understand the Red Dragon’s purpose.

Was he heading there because he wanted to meet a god?

After the recent attack, Ain suspected a connection to the Red Dragon and came to talk about it.

Yet, hearing unexpected information from Warren only added to the confusion.

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