Akatsuki Translations

The first day of Mirage’s acquired holiday was dedicated to the investigation of ancient ruins discovered in the western region of the demon territory. 

Normally, excavating ruins would take a considerable amount of time, but the Demon Lord’s army had achieved a certain level of efficiency through years of experience. 

Ancient civilization-era ruins were characterized by numerous traps set up to repel intruders and the presence of monsters that had taken up residence from some unknown source. 

Regarding the traps, they mainly employed magical techniques emblematic of the ancient civilization, making it essential to have a skilled magic user proficient in sensing magical energy accompanying the internal investigations. 

Both magic and magical artifacts shared a common feature: the ability to produce various effects by converting magic energy into appropriate forms. The process of conversion or refinement, known as “molding,” was considered the most easily detectable aspect. 

However, magic detection remained a subjective ability, and the exact mechanisms were still unclear, surpassing the understanding of magical powers themselves. 

Nevertheless, since there were magic users capable of sensing magical activations firsthand, the skill undoubtedly existed, often colloquially referred to as the “magical sixth sense.” 

Naturally, Mirage excelled in magical sensing abilities. 

His innate ability to teleport to far-off locations using magical imprints was a testament to his highly developed sensing capacity. Even if the magical energy did not belong to him, he could still discern its presence to some extent. 

Based on his research and analysis of his own teleportation magic in comparison with various ancient magical texts, Mirage had assumed that one of the reasons the illusion demon tribe failed to produce a person of greatness in the past was due to their relatively low sensing abilities. 

While there were still other aspects to be elucidated, in terms of using magical seals for teleportation, Mirage considered his assumptions as an established theory. 

As someone highly skilled in magical sensing, Mirage was a quite rare and precious existence. 

“Well, it seems like this place used to be a military fortress of an ancient civilization. If things go well, we might obtain a considerable number of magical artifacts,” Mirage said, tapping on the wall to share his rough prediction. 

Accompanying Mirage on this excavation were the Four Heavenly Kings’ Bedivere and her adjutant, Feo. Astarte, who had originally planned to participate on another date, couldn’t change her schedule abruptly and couldn’t join them. 

Since early morning, the three of them had gathered and used Mirage’s teleportation magic to move to the closest location, from where they rapidly arrived at the ruins using enhanced magic, possessing unmatched agility. The expedition’s purpose was to begin an internal investigation. 

Feo, who had lower combat capabilities, didn’t have much expertise in enhanced magic, so it was a given that Mirage would carry her along. 

“A fortress seems quite dangerous, don’t you think?” -Feo 

“Fortresses are fun~.” -Bedivere 

Both Feo and Bedivere had valid points. One of the leading theories about the downfall of this ancient civilization was that they had triggered a catastrophe so severe that it transformed the landscape. 

The exact nature of this calamity remained unclear, but it was undoubtedly something capable of annihilating an advanced civilization. 

Discovering fortresses and strongholds built for military purposes was common in ruins from that era, but remnants of ancient cities were also occasionally unearthed. 

However, the former type was more likely to contain valuable ancient artifacts, and it was common for such places to be infested with monsters. 

The ecology of monsters, in particular, was still not fully understood, and the main distinction from other beasts was that they could become undead after death. 

If left unattended for a while, monster corpses would start moving, with their bones and decaying flesh causing them to reanimate. To prevent this, the bodies had to be rendered immobile by dismembering their limbs, incinerating them to ashes, or applying purification magic. 

One of the sacred magics bestowed by the goddess Fortuna was purification magic, effective against undead creatures. Consequently, monsters were considered unclean entities, and this perception contributed to the stigma against non-purification-capable demon folk in human societies. 

“Uh, honestly, fortresses mean numerous and varied traps, plus golems might appear. It might be more enjoyable for Bedi, though.” -Mirage 

Golems were a type of ancient weapon, enduringly guarding the ruins even after the fall of civilization. They would remain active as long as their core remained intact, persistently repelling intruders. 

Especially in places where rare artifacts and magical objects were kept, encountering powerful golems was expected, and conventional attacks or magic often failed against them. 

“Bedi’s power is top-notch~, and she’ll smash all those golems to pieces~.” -Bedivere  

“Princess, I don’t mind your enthusiasm, but please don’t cause too much havoc in the ruins. Mirage-sama might get angry with you,” Feo whispered. 

Bedivere, with her arms swinging playfully, seemed eager to fight golems. However, Feo was subtly concerned about the possibility of Bedivere going overboard. 

Most ancient ruins were buried underground, and Mirage and his companions entered from a discovered entrance into the interior. 

If the ruins were to collapse, there was a risk of being crushed by debris, so they had to be careful during combat. They might be able to escape using Mirage’s teleportation magic, but excavating the buried ruins again would be time-consuming and laborious, and the aged artifacts and documents could suffer further damage. 

With Mirage and Bedivere by her side, Feo’s safety was assured. For her, the real danger lay in the damage caused by Bedivere’s excessive enthusiasm. 

“Hey, everyone, hold on for a moment,” Mirage called out to Bedivere and Feo from the front, then placed his left hand on the floor, emitting magic energy. 

With practiced ease, he forcefully lifted an empty floorboard with his free hand, revealing an array of magical runes and lines running through the inside and under the floor. 

Using a knife from his chest, he cut two of the lines before closing the floorboard, drawing a large cross with chalk in the same spot he had opened. 

Feo observed the process and made notes on her map, nodding to Mirage when their eyes met. 

This routine had already been repeated several times since the start of their investigation. Mirage would find and disarm traps, Feo would create maps and jot down notes, and Bedivere would act as Feo’s guard. 

Traps were based on ancient techniques, making them valuable for researchers to analyze and potentially apply later. Therefore, it was essential to document the location of disarmed traps and leave notes on potential hazards if a trap couldn’t be disabled in time. 

However, not only among demons but also within the human realm, the deciphering and reproduction of ancient technology remained incredibly challenging and sluggish. The current reality revealed a glaring disparity in civilizations, to the extent that it became a joke that it would take ten thousand years to fully replicate. 

“By the way, there are so many traps here. Have you ever encountered this many during your past investigations, Mirage-sama?” -Feo 

“No, I think this surpasses anything I’ve investigated before. It’s likely that this facility held a crucial role…” -Mirage 

“I can’t wait to fight the golems! Strong opponents are always guarding important places. It’s so exciting!” -Bedivere 

Mirage had conducted numerous investigations of ruins in the past, but the fortress they were currently exploring had a multitude of trap locations densely marked on Feo’s map, a quantity he had never encountered before. 

Bedivere’s lighthearted comment was spot-on; the number of traps directly corresponded to the location’s importance, and the golems they would encounter would likely be more formidable. 

Indeed, all the monsters they had encountered in the ruins had been turned into undead creatures, and it was easy to imagine that they had met their demise through the traps left within the site. 

Mirage thought that this situation might be more dangerous and full of potential than he had initially anticipated. 

“As it is an important facility, there is a high possibility of undiscovered technology. Perhaps we might stumble upon an incredible discovery!” -Feo 

“True, but from my experience, situations like this often end up in nothing good happening.” -Mirage 

“Mirage, you worry too much. If things get dangerous, Bedi will protect us.” -Bedivere 

While talking, the three continued cautiously, disarming traps along the way. Bedivere effortlessly pulverized the undead creatures that appeared, and they proceeded smoothly. 

Although they came across some books and magical items, there were no particularly remarkable findings to be called “new discoveries.” 

After about six hours of investigation since they had started exploring the ruins, Bedivere suddenly exclaimed with excitement from inside a room that appeared to be a laboratory. 

“Mirage, Feo, there’s a button here! It looks suspicious!” -Bedivere 

Although they had already determined that there were no immediate dangers, each of them had been searching the room individually. However, Mirage and Feo joined Bedivere upon hearing her call to inspect the button. 

“Yeah, it definitely looks like a button. It’s practically begging to be pressed, how suspicious.” -Mirage 

“It’s a button inside a safe. It’s undoubtedly suspicious, but could it be a trap?” Feo pondered. 

It appeared that Bedivere had forcefully broken open the door of a wall-embedded safe, revealing the conspicuous button with an eerie gleam. 

There was no magical aura to suggest any abnormality, and while a physical trap was possible, Mirage thought it might be best to go ahead and press it. 

Considering the lack of substantial discoveries despite the abundance of traps, Mirage speculated that there might be a secret room or someplace important with valuable items. 

“Regardless, we won’t know until we press it. Let me…” Mirage began, but Bedivere interrupted with a cheerful, “I’ll press it! Boop!” 

“Ah, Princess!” -Feo 

Bedivere had beaten Mirage to it and pressed the button before anything happened. 

“…Nothing seems to be happening?” -Feo 

“Hmm, maybe it’s broken?” -Mirage 

“Having nothing happen is so boring~.” Bedivere 

While Mirage and the others felt somewhat let down, suddenly the entire room began to tremble with a loud rumble. 

Mirage instinctively readied himself, considering the possibility of teleportation magic activating. However, he soon realized that there was no need to worry. 

“Is the room descending underground? But to move without using magic… It’s intriguing how it’s done so quickly.” -Mirage. 

“Without using magic…. Are you sure it’s safe?” -Feo 

“It’s making me feel all floaty~,” Bedivere commented as she bounced around the room, seeming to enjoy the experience. 

While the technique of moving an entire room had been witnessed in other ancient ruins, all of them had relied on magic to activate the process. For magical beings like the Bedivere, the comforting power of magic was a source of reassurance, even if they didn’t fully understand it. However, the idea of strange phenomena occurring without the use of magic was inconceivable to them, leaving Mirage and Feo feeling uneasy and suspicious, as they lacked the comforting presence of magical energies. 

In just a few minutes, Mirage carefully observed the room and contemplated the technique at play, while Feo nervously grabbed the hem of Mirage’s robe. 

Meanwhile, Bedivere joyfully hopped around, exploring every corner of the room. 

“Well then, shall we see what awaits us beyond this door, whether it’s oni or snakes?” -Mirage 

“Oni? I’m here! As for snakes, they’re delicious!” -Bedivere 

“I hope it’s not snakes; I’d be the one who cooks them,” -Feo  

Engaging in an odd and mismatched conversation, Mirage and his companions decided to reopen the door they had entered through. Beyond it, they were greeted by a brightly lit corridor with white walls and ceilings stretching straight ahead. 

The corridor was about ten meters wide, and along the walls stood dozens of gigantic metal-armored figures resembling golems. 

Suddenly, all the golems turned to face Mirage and his companions, brandishing their built-in weapons, unmistakably displaying hostility as they began to approach.