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Chapter 110. The Simba Dynasty Ruins

It’s been about three months since advancing.

The war between the Elgrant Empire and the Western Nations remains in a deadlock, even though the Closter and Kuria Kingdoms are supporting them, showing the West’s strength.

As for the End Dragon, "Claudius"… there’s still no useful information. I told Vanessa to gather intel from the demons, but apparently, not many demons from 2000 years ago have survived. Also, it probably has something to do with Vanessa being bound to humans by a contract… I wouldn’t mind breaking it for her, but then she’d definitely stop cooperating.

While most humans show resistance to this, I don’t think it’s a bad thing to coexist with demons. Well… we did invade the continent they lived on, creating a grudge and ending in a war of annihilation. So it’s not surprising, I guess.

Over the last three months, I’ve been attending classes while scouting various locations. During the warmer season, we’re given a long break as a part of the curriculum. Some people return home, while others stay behind and take supplementary lessons… but I plan to head to the 2000-year-old royal ruins I’ve been planning to explore.

"Are you really coming along?"

"Of course. Getting access to the Simba Dynasty ruins isn’t something that happens every day, you know?"

"I see… I don’t really get it, though."

I didn’t even know about these Simba Dynasty ruins until I looked it up… Though it’s a restricted area, I’ve managed to get special permission for this investigation through connections.

"Still… being the son of the Vice-Commander sure has its perks."

"Yeah. If I’d known sooner, I could’ve used it more often."

Part of a Magic Knight's duty is to keep civilians out of these ruins, but thanks to my father’s influence, I’m getting in. Elixira, who usually only shows interest in reading books or becoming a Magic Knight, insisted on tagging along. Apparently, she’s intrigued by the lost technology of the Simba Dynasty.

"I’m excited… I hope we can find something about ancient magic."

"If it were that easy to find in just a few days, the country’s archaeologists would’ve found it already."

"You just don’t understand… this kind of thing is about romance and fate."

Oh.

And so, we’re off to the Simba Dynasty ruins: Elixira, with her romantic view, and Vanessa, who I brought along as a reference.

"Ah, are you the son of Vice-Captain Misla… Theodore Ansem?"

"Yes, that’s right."

"I’ve heard of you. There are places within that may still have ancient magic traps, so please be careful."

The knight who greeted us… based on the emblem on their chest, they’re likely from the Fourth Division.

The First Division guards the royal capital, the Third Division covers Chronos Magic Knight Academy, and the Fifth Division defends the outskirts of the capital. So, the Fourth Division must be responsible for protecting sites like this.

"I don’t think I’ll be any help… Why do I have to come along?"

"Because you’ve lived longer than any of us."

"That’s so random!"

Isn’t living long a good thing?

Ignoring Vanessa’s complaints behind us, we stepped into the royal ruins. At the center is a massive pile of rubble, likely the remains of a castle, surrounded by buildings that must have been part of the castle town… The grounds are way larger than Chronos Magic Knight Academy.

"Please be careful… The Simba Dynasty ruins are speculated to be full of traps, possibly built to guard against enemies."

"So it was more of a fortress centered around a castle than a town, then?"

"That’s probably right… though who the Simba Dynasty was fighting against at the time is unknown."

"The demons, maybe?"

"No, not them."

Not them, huh.

We walked along what looked like the main street. Apparently, the archaeologists have disarmed the traps in this area, so it should be safe up to the castle ruins. But… there’s a reason the Magic Knights are still heavily guarding this area.

"…Is that the one from the rumors?"

"Yes… though the mechanism is unknown, it’s a humanoid magic weapon that’s been active for over 2000 years."

Elixira and I watched as a moss-covered, worn-down humanoid machine stood in the middle of the street. Known as the humanoid magic weapon "Naglfar," it’s one of the reasons the country's archaeologists haven’t been able to conduct a full investigation.

"Think it’ll attack?"

"Without a doubt."

"I see."

"[Raziel]!"

Elixira promptly readied herself for battle.

Maybe reacting to Elixira’s magic, Naglfar turned what appeared to be its head towards us. There was a single glowing spot that looked like an eye… but its movement wasn’t human at all. Its body, which looked to be made of pure white stone, emitted mechanical noises as it ignited flames from its feet, launching itself toward us.

"Ha!"

Before I could ready my sword, Elixira activated magic from her mystical tome. Just as Naglfar rocketed toward us, it was stopped mid-air as if caught by a massive hand, and with a flick of Elixira’s hand, it was slammed into the ground.

"Damn!?"

I thought it was over after it lost its arms and legs in one blow, but it turned its head toward us and fired a laser from its lens. Just as Elixira was about to be hit, I deflected it with Verethlagna, and in the next instant, she slammed Naglfar into the ground once again.

"I didn’t expect it to keep moving in that state."

"Neither did I… well, it’s my first time seeing it."

I’d only seen it in records, so it couldn’t be helped. Since Elixira, Vanessa, and I are still unscathed, we’re doing fine.

Seeing it move and fight with such mechanical precision, I can’t help but think that maybe, 2000 years ago, technology was even more advanced than it is today.