Miyuki said bluntly, glancing indifferently at the door with the phoenix pattern encased in flames, and strode inside: "I just saw it halfway through the passage and thought I'd bring it back for you to see. I don't recognize these things, but maybe there's something you can use."
I pondered for a moment: "Are there any skeletons near the package?"
"Yes, it was buried under this package. But judging from the purplish-black condition of the skeleton, it must have died from a poisoned arrow in a trap. However, I couldn't find the arrows; they were probably all embedded in the wall on the other side."
It seems this is the fate of traitors. For a moment, I didn't know what to say, so I coughed twice and changed the subject: "Have you confirmed where this road leads?"
Shenxue shook her head: "I tried to reach the end, but this passage is a dead end. It looks like it was blocked by the snow outside. I tried pushing it twice, but the stone gate blocking the way didn't move, so I didn't try to continue."
“You did the right thing. If the snow fell through the door and flowed in through the passage, we would be in trouble.”
Nodding, Miyuki turned to look inside the door again: "Should we go and confirm where the other two doors lead? I remember one of them is at the foot of the mountain, but I don't know which one it is up there."
"Since we're already here, it's always good to go and confirm."
Even though that's what I said, I still want to sigh.
The World Tree Gate, which we entered facing northwest, and the Phoenix Gate, which is currently facing southwest, are in the same position as the other two gates. Although they are not directly opposite each other at the four corners, there is still a considerable gap between them due to the wide circular hall. After running up and down several times without rest, even I couldn't help but feel tired, let alone... and so on.
I looked at Hikari, who was lagging behind me and seemed lost in thought, with some surprise, and asked, "Hikari, are you alright? Do you need to rest?"
"Huh? Huh! No, no need! I'm fine, I'm okay!"
She didn't look like she was forcing herself at all; there wasn't much sweat seeping from her neck.
On the contrary, I felt that my back was a little sweaty.
Thinking back, Hikari mentioned earlier that she came from a farming family... so was I the weakest of the three here?!
But that wasn't a problem. Standing there, slightly out of breath, I walked to the edge of the stairs and gestured for the two of them to come closer to me.
Amidst their surprised gazes, I extended my hands to them, made sure they were gripping tightly, and then let my weight shift backward.
Like a bird in flight!
There was no fear of falling. After a brief hover in mid-air, a strong wind whipped up by magic enveloped the three of us, as if we had invisible wings on either side, and flew along the curved rock wall in the direction I indicated.
Since we don't have enough physical strength, we can just use magic to make up for it.
I happened to have scavenged quite a few magic stones today, so I went back and processed them to turn them into fuel for a sustainable trip.
Soon, with the aid of the technique, we greatly reduced the time cost, confirmed the remaining two paths in turn, and completed a comprehensive exploration of this cave.
"The door to the northwest looks like the image of Gaia, a goddess from ancient times, holding a spring in her hands. This should correspond to the direction of Qingyuan City, right? It is said that there is an eternal spring there that can heal all injuries and pains, and it is also the source of the main water source for the cities to the south."
"To the due south is a roaring, enormous sea beast, corresponding to the outer sea of Memulia to the south. The pattern looks somewhat like a sea dragon, but it's quite different in many ways, and I don't know what it is."
Despite careful analysis, I still couldn't figure it out, and I didn't know why the previous owner who built this cave would have such images carved on the four doors.
Is it sealing something away? Or is it praying for something?
However you may say it, in this godless world, praying to those ethereal beings is undoubtedly the most foolish thing to do.
Nothing can save or protect you.
Aside from striving to become stronger, any reliance or prayers placed on external things are nothing but wishful thinking on the part of those seeking shortcuts.
"Thinking too much won't bring about any change."
Walking out along the only passageway of the Gaia Gate, Shen Xue's cold voice came from ahead: "Those who knew the reason are all long dead. Instead of thinking about those things, you should think about where to use today's harvest and what to have for dinner later."
"If you have any spare time, then use it to sharpen your blade!"
That makes sense.
I wholeheartedly agreed with her words, and for a moment I felt my steps become lighter.
We could already see the figures of two small creatures growing larger outside the cave; we wondered how they knew we would emerge from here. In the distance, we could hear the sound of a pegasus landing, its pure white wings seemingly radiating dazzling light, instantly brightening even the space shrouded in lush foliage.
"Mr. Yumi."
Hikari, who was lagging behind, suddenly called out to me in a low voice and walked over quickly.
Ever since the question was asked, this little idiot has been keeping her head down, staring at the emblem in her hand, looking absent-minded. Occasionally, when she turns around, you can see her standing a little distance away, whispering something to the little rabbit that climbed onto her shoulder. It's unclear whether she has something on her mind or is shy because she suddenly received an unexpected gift and doesn't know how to express it.
Of course, it's impossible for me not to hesitate before giving away such a precious emblem. But then I thought, I usually stay in the miniature garden, so I probably won't encounter any danger. I just need to be careful not to wander into strange places or accidentally bump into people like before.
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