The ruins were inscribed with light runic lines that made the place far from being dark. Arthur walked behind Grandmaster Casca and Julia, who seemed familiar with the site. As he understood it, this was not the first attempt to explore the ruins.
There have been previous attempts to explore the ruins, but most of them ended in vain because the encryption to disable the illusions did not work. As a result, the runemasters worked on runic walls for hours only to realize that they were empty.
This prompted extra work from the Reverse Family to dissolve the encryption that protected the ruins. Julia’s contribution was also one of the reasons that this exploration was possible, as she managed to unlock the first layer.
“We have managed to reach the Ten Elements, but the illusions get harder beyond that. The mission this time around is to uncover them before the beginning of the exploration.”
“That is oddly a last-minute mission,” frowned Arthur.
“The invitations were sent per the orders of the Ghost Ruler even before we managed to crack the code. But, unfortunately, it seems the Ruler believes that some outsider will show up and solve it.”
Grandmaster Casca seemed bitter about the lack of trust, but his mood was still light. Their descent went on for almost fifteen minutes before they reached the end of the stairs, where a round altar was in place.
“This is the first step to enter the ruins,” said Julia as Casca walked toward the altar. “We need to receive approval before we enter.”
“What does that mean?”
“We have no idea as well. Not everyone can enter the ruins, but we have no idea what the criteria are. It seems to be runic attainment,” said Grandmaster Casca as he placed his hands on the altar. “Do not worry. Your attainment should be more than enough.”
“That is hardly my concern,” said Arthur with a smile, and the two looked at him with surprise. “I apologize.”
“Never apologize for confidence,” said Grandmaster Casca with a smile as he placed his hands on the altar. “Come over here and let these ruins test your aptitude.”
Arthur listened to their words and touched the altar. It brightly shone as he felt a warm energy flow through his arm before going back into the round altar. The ruins began to shake, and a door appeared in front of them.
“Those who are approved can walk through this door,” said Julia before staring at him. “You can enter first.”
Arthur nodded as he walked toward the door. He could see that beyond it was just another hallway, but there was a barrier between them. As his body passed through the barrier, Arthur was met with no resistance.
The two runemasters followed after him with a smile before patting his shoulder. Arthur knew that they were somehow proud, but he found it laughable. After all, he was the one who created Runera and started the runic path.
The hallway led them to a circular hall with different doors, each with a rune on top of it. These were the elemental paths that they would pick.
“You can work with me or research different paths,” said Grandmaster Casca. “I have already told you that I would treat you as an equal.”
“I want to have a look alone,” said Arthur with gratitude, and Grandmaster Casca nodded in understanding. Then, he entered a path and soon followed Julia into another.
Arthur was left alone inside the ruins. The events that led to this seemed almost staged by the Ghost Ruler for Arthur to crack the ruins open, but he did not care. Arthur was here for the message awaiting him.
However, there always remains the possibility that this was a trap. Arthur knew very well that anyone who knew his title was the Seika might be the one who staged these ruins to catch the outsider.
“I would love to meet someone who can cause me trouble,” muttered Arthur as he stared at the ceiling painted with different scenes. In the middle of it was the inscription of a leaf that greatly resembled Greatest Harmony. “Is it truly you?” his eyes welled with nostalgia.
Arthur looked at the different entrances and walked toward the one with the icy energy radiating out of it. The moment he stepped inside, the scenery changed around him. He was suddenly standing inside a blizzard.
“This is a bit too typical,” said Arthur with a smile. “This place should be…” his words were cut short by realizing that there were people inside this illusion.
A figure was flapping her wings above him, looking down on him. Arthur almost believed it was Dia, but some differences made him think she was not.
“What brings you here, outlander?” asked the ice spirit with her spear aimed at Arthur in pure Alvan language. “A lie, and you die.”
“I would hate to die,” answered Arthur with a smile. “I am here to seek knowledge.”
“You are the first among them to speak our language,” the spirit was confused. “Are you lost, human? This is the land of demis. Walk back, or someone else will kill you.”
“I will try my luck,” said Arthur in Alvan. “I need shelter from the cold, please. I know that as cold as the ice spirits are, the princess is the kindest nobility out there.”
The ice spirit glared at him before turning around and flying in a particular direction. Arthur took her silence as approval, and he followed after her since she was not flying that fast.
Arthur did not try to destroy this illusion because he wanted to see where it led him. However, the cold and the weather were as real as his body, which made him concerned that this level of illusion was achieved without his help.
Runera should be facing difficulties without him, but somehow, it was the opposite. Their knowledge has advanced more than it has in the past, which should be the effect of the merge.
Arthur followed the ice spirit back to their village, which lay on an ice mountain that pierced the clouds. The ice spirit, who looked like an angel with wings and frozen shards on her head, landed in front of a giant gate.
“Open the gate,” said the spirit. “I have a guest.”
“No outlanders are allowed inside.”
“This is a royal decree,” said the ice spirit, and there was silence before the door opened. “You may enter now, outlander,” said the ice spirit to Arthur.
Arthur stared at her with surprise because, judging by her words, her identity should be none other than the Ice Princess and Diana’s mother. The ice spirit walked in front of him, and Arthur followed.
The ice mountain was filled with frozen cliffs and icicles floating midair. However, the cold was less than the outside, and his body seemed to recover more. As he walked behind the ice spirit, Arthur tried to start a conversation with her.
“I would have never guessed that the princess would be wandering outside the ice mountain. And true to the rumors, you are kinder than you appear to be.”
“I do what is necessary,” she said without looking back. “You are the first polite outsider we had here, at least compared to those who treated these lands like their research lab.”
“I am sure they did not know it was real,” said Arthur while imagining the runemasters trying to destroy the illusions under the angry eyes of the ice spirits. “Where are we going now?”
“It is best if you meet Ice Queen, as she would be the one to allow you to stay here. However, do not stare too deeply into her eyes lest your soul gets frozen.”
Arthur did not think that an illusion could freeze his soul, but he did not plan on disturbing it. After all, this was his chance to learn if these ruins were related to Diana. Therefore, even if this illusion was nothing but a distraction from the next layer, Arthur wanted to live all of it.
The ice spirit walked him through the runic mountains and houses of ice until the two of them reached a palace on a cliff. It was frozen enough to think that time did not move inside it.
The Ice Princess allowed him inside, and more ice spirits stared at him with fear and hostility. Nevertheless, Arthur soon found himself in the grand hall, meeting the queen directly.
“Greetings, mother,” bowed the Ice Princess before introducing him. “This man is one I found roaming our lands. He is the first so far to speak the Alvan Language. Furthermore, he sought shelter from the storm.”
“And you allowed him inside,” said the woman sitting atop the frozen throne. Arthur raised his head from his bow and stared into her eyes. But, as the Ice Princess has said, the Queen of Ice Spirit had eyes that made his heart freeze.
Arthur did not look into them for long because a small head peeked from beside the throne. A small child was wearing a flowery pink dress with no ice wings on her back. The moment he laid his eyes on her, Arthur knew it was Diana.
