Chapter 86

After completing the Emperor’s lessons, I walked along the corridors of the Imperial Palace with Julie, who maintained a vigilant posture despite where we were. Amid our way, Jolang appeared.

“Sir Yukline. There was an incident in the basement.”

Agreeing to come with him, we headed underground through the only passageway leading to the [Demon’s Mirror], this place’s darkness.

However…

“It’s closed. That’s the problem.” He frowned.

The door to the basement was covered with dry tissue as thick as tar.

“Since when has it been in this state?”

“Just today. It used to be an ordinary door before it became like this.” He grabbed the doorknob and shook it randomly, but it didn’t budge. “Even the knights couldn’t open it, so I had to send them all back.”

I nodded.

“Then perhaps the right time hasn’t come yet.”

“You mean… Sir Yukline, do you know what’s in there?”

“…”

What lurked in this basement, and what the quest ‘Darkness of the Imperial Palace’ meant.

I didn’t only witness it. I also cleared it as a player.

Ultimately, it pointed to the darkness embraced by the owner of the Imperial Palace.

In other words, ‘Sophien’s past’ awaited us beyond this door, and the mirror was a passageway to it.

A demon desiring to get involved with it was only natural. After all, her death would mean the end of this world.

As I said before, if she died, it would be [Game Over]. That was how the system worked.

Since Sophien was a regressor, there were dozens of quests offering opportunities to explore the past. Among them, this was an extremely important quest, but surprisingly enough, it didn’t need to be treated with urgency at the moment.

“How would I know if I haven’t even gone in? I’ll be taking my leave now. Inform me when it opens.”

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

As Jolang turned around with a bitter expression, in suspicion, Julie murmured, “That’s strange. Why was the basement of the Imperial Palace like that?”

“You don’t have to know.”

“What?”

“Don’t even think about interfering.”

“…”

Her eyes narrowed, but I paid no heed to it. She should never know what lurked in this place.

Sophien’s death.

The former Freyden Head, her father, was also partly involved in it.

“Let’s go. I have a lot to do today.”

“… Alright.”

We left the Imperial Palace together.

Ren, waiting in the car near the castle gate, took a look at his notebook.

“Your next agenda is in Rohalak of the Yukline County.” His voice sounded different from usual.

Showing no signs of noticing it, I entered the vehicle.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”

*****

Epherene, Sylvia, and Carixel arrived at the Isle of Wizard’s Wealth, finding its mystical scenery now somewhat familiar.

“Whew…”