We Live in Dragon’s Peak – Chapter 964

We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.

Assault.

The Gate of Underworld Prison, majestically set into the cavern wall, and its surroundings were adorned with magnificent carvings.

“Is this depicting the history of the Yūmei race?”

The carvings were in a narrative style, teaching viewers about the origins of the Yūmei race.

The creation story of the Yūmei race goes like this.

In the beginning, there were giants so large they pierced the clouds.
The giants were kind and merciful, sharing the fruits from the sky, the bounty from the sea, and the breath of the earth equally with many creatures.

But even the kind-hearted giants had a lifespan.
When the weary giants laid their large bodies upon the earth, they breathed their last as if falling asleep.
Humans, birds, animals, and various plants mourned the giants’ deaths and shed tears.
The tears of the living creatures gathered in the giants’ large palms.
Then, on a full moon night.
From the lake of tears from the living creatures, new life was born.

Possessing the kindness of the creatures who admired the giants in their hearts.
A new life in human form, their bodies made from the remains of the giants.

The new humans lived peacefully with many creatures in the shadow of the giants’ remains.
But eventually, as the giants’ remains decayed and the sun’s light began to shine down, the new humans, being averse to sunlight, dug holes and moved underground.

“So, the people born from the giants are the beginning of the Yūmei race, right?”

It’s a strange story.
In the legends of our Human Race, our world was created by the Goddess of Creation.
Therefore, we, the Demon Race, the Divine Race, and even the Yūmei race are all beings born from the Goddess.
When races differ, their values and traditions also differ.
The Yūmei race probably believed they were born from kind-hearted giants.

“By the way, what kind of fruit can you pick from the sky!?”

I’m curious about the giants bigger than clouds, but I’m also curious about the fruits from the sky!
However, no one answered my question.
Instead, a sharp voice flew from another direction.

“What are you all doing!”

Guen glared at us menacingly.
We hastily gathered in front of the Gate of Underworld Prison and looked around at those assembled.

First, my family.
Only Mistral is armed, but everyone is skilled. However, as we are about to enter underground, everyone is tense and on edge due to the unfamiliar surroundings.

Next, a group of the Winged Tribe centered around Slustal and Seol.
Since Slustal disliked outsiders entering the forest where the Gate of Underworld Prison was located, the armed Winged Tribe are all his subordinates. While Seol’s retainers did not come to the Gate of Underworld Prison, these Winged Tribe members are quite helpful with various matters.
Of course, it is also these Winged Tribe people who are taking care of the Divine Race.

And then there is the Imperial Honored Mansion of the Divine Race, led by Esneid, who is exploiting the Winged Tribe like slaves.
Guen, who summoned us, and Zeena, who is operating while hiding the fact that she is Guen’s subordinate. And about thirty other Divine Race members.
The Imperial Honored Mansion lined up in front of the Gate of Underworld Prison exuded the bearing of soldiers.

Did Esneid pick soldiers with the ideology of the Imperial Honored Mansion from his army to search for a means to cross the Heavenly Mountain Range in this region, away from his homeland?
The Imperial Honored Mansion we saw in the Divine Race’s country before had a wide range of people, from those who looked like soldiers to those who seemed like ordinary people. However, if they are to achieve results as well as embarking on an expedition, it would be better to have trusted subordinates.
And I confirm. Since we are about to enter a difficult area where a large demon army was annihilated, I believe the roughly thirty people gathered here are all the Imperial Honored Mansion brought to the buffer zone.
Esneid, being a Divine General, should fully understand that holding back too much of their strength here could lead to their own annihilation.

Incidentally, Guen and Zeena, like the surrounding Imperial Honored Mansion members, interact with the Winged Tribe and us with an arrogant attitude.
It seems they are determined not to let others realize they are colluding.
Perhaps because of this, Guen gave us an unforgiving glare as we arrived late.

“General, preparations are complete.”

When we lined up behind the assembled Imperial Honored Mansion, Guen spoke to Esneid.
Esneid shifted his gaze from the Gate of Underworld Prison, which he had been looking up at, to the assembled group and smiled confidently.

“It is a difficult area that the demons could traverse. Of course, we will break through! However, we must not be careless!”

Esneid spoke to motivate the Imperial Honored Mansion. The Divine Race members let out war cries and got hyped up every time Esneid shouted something.
And, after Esneid’s motivational greeting, it was finally time to move.

Several sturdy Divine Race members stepped out of the ranks, stood before the Gate of Underworld Prison, and pushed the heavy stone door.
The Gate of Underworld Prison, its seal broken, slowly began to open at the hands of the Divine Race.

“Lord Seol, what will you do?”

While watching the movements of the Divine Race, Slustal spoke to Seol, who stood beside him.

“Hmm. So, the Divine Race members are finally going to pass through the Gate of Underworld Prison. What will you do, Slustal?”
“As I am responsible for breaking the seal, I will accompany the Divine Race members.”

It seems they were discussing future plans.
Seol, unexpectedly responsible and caring, had followed GMs to the Gate of Underworld Prison.
However, from now on, it will be a life-or-death challenge. So, Slustal confirmed whether he would follow further.

“Your father also accompanied the demon army in the same way and lost his life. However, I do not want to lose you too?”
“Thank you. But, after all, someone must witness it.”
“I see…”

Slustal seems resolved.
Breaking his clan’s rule of continuously monitoring the Gate of Underworld Prison and breaking the seal. His parents also faced a similar situation and lost their lives when the demons invaded.
So, how will Seol, representing the Winged Tribe, act in response to this situation? We were also paying attention.

“There is danger… of course, isn’t there? But I cannot let you bear the responsibility alone. In that case, I will also risk my life and accompany you.”
“Lord Slustal, is that truly alright?”
“Of course. Besides, I can feel at ease by your side, can’t I?”
“That is true, though…”

At ease by Slustal’s side?
What does that mean?
Does it mean Slustal will protect Seol?
But if that’s the case, the Divine Race’s Imperial Honored Mansion is far more capable than Slustal of the Winged Tribe, and even among the Winged Tribe, a strong male would be more reliable to feel at ease with, wouldn’t he?

“Lord Slustal.”

As Slustal and Seol were talking, a strong Winged Tribe male interrupted.
He is a reliable-looking Winged Tribe warrior who has served by Slustal’s side since they met at the foothills of the Heavenly Mountain Range.
The sturdy male, leading his subordinate Winged Tribe members, spoke to Slustal.

“You are going indeed. In that case, what about us?”
“Ah, yes. Please proceed with the subsequent plans as scheduled.”
“Understood. Then, we will remain here and continue with our preparations.”

Mumumu!?
It seems all of Slustal’s subordinates are staying behind?
Sending their master beyond the Gate of Underworld Prison, and their subordinates are on standby?
Seol himself was surprised this unexpected development, his eyes widening in confusion.
Furthermore, it wasn’t just us and Seol who were surprised.

“What did you say!?”
“You coward!”

The Imperial Honored Mansion members, having overheard the Winged Tribe, let out angry shouts.
They were probably angered that while they themselves were stepping into a dangerous place, the Winged Tribe, treated like slaves, had unilaterally decided to withdraw.
Curses and accusations arose.
But Guen quelled them.

“No, it should be fine. Even if the troublesome Winged Tribe accompanies us, they can only be used as decoys at best. To be blunt, they are just a nuisance. Is that alright, Lord Esneid?”
“Indeed. It’s troublesome to lose those who take care of my personal needs, but once we are inside, their lives won’t last more than a day. It’s better to endure the increased hassle than to be distracted by lives that will be consumed.”

What kind of words.
To think of the Winged Tribe, who had helped them in many ways, as mere consumables. Is this typical of the Divine Race?
Or is it because they are the Imperial Honored Mansion?
Either way, it leaves a bad impression.
Though, I hadn’t felt the slightest positive impression from them before either!
In any case, not only I but also everyone in my family was dumbfounded by Guen and Esneid’s words.
However, Slustal and the sturdy male did not seem to care much about the Divine Race’s words.

“We have received permission from the General, so we will stop here.”
“Ah, I apologize for the trouble. Please take care of things from here on.”

In the end, only Slustal and Seol from the Winged Tribe ended up going through the Gate of Underworld Prison.
The remaining Winged Tribe members watched from a distance as the Imperial Honored Mansion and we entered the depths of the Gate of Underworld Prison.

And, while the Winged Tribe were exchanging words, the stone door of the Gate of Underworld Prison, which the sturdy Divine Race members had forced open, was opened.

It was finally time to enter.

Several light-footed Divine Race members, likely scouts, went ahead into the Gate of Underworld Prison.
What exactly lies beyond the stone door?
Holding our breath, we waited, and soon the scouts returned.

“Beyond this point, there is a well-maintained corridor extending far ahead.”
“Excellent. Then, we will all proceed!”

At Esneid’s command, the Imperial Honored Mansion members moved with a hearty “Ooh!”
Forming a military-like formation, they entered the depths of the Gate of Underworld Prison, with Esneid at the front.
Guen and Zeena also lined up at the very end of the formation and entered beyond the stone door.

“Uh, shall we go too?”

I felt an urge to close the stone door from the outside and leave them, but I had to see what happened to the Imperial Honored Mansion.
Inevitably, we also began to move, following behind the Imperial Honored Mansion.

The colossal stone door was immensely large and thick, which alone could physically seal the Gate of Underworld Prison.
Unless one possessed the physical abilities of the Divine Race or the Demon Race, one might not even be able to open this stone door.

Looking up at the stone door, which was several times the height of a person, tall enough for even the giants to pass through, we entered the Gate of Underworld Prison.

“It’s dark.”

Beyond the Gate of Underworld Prison was a world of darkness where no sunlight could reach.
When I imbued my pupils with Dragon Energy, the state of the pitch-black corridor began to become visible. However, in this underground world without a light source, one cannot see as far as the eye can reach.
Even if one imbues their pupils with Dragon Energy, they can only see a short distance ahead. Beyond that, a dark world, where sunlight cannot reach, quietly spreads endlessly.

“Hmm, if we want to ensure safety, we need light, don’t we? But we don’t know how long it will take to reach the exit, so preparing torches might require a tremendous amount, you think?”

I have portable lighting, but the fuel in the beast fat is not infinite.
Besides, Ruiseine and Madrine can create light sources with sorcery, but they are both tired from the previous spell. I can’t overexert them now.

Now, what should we do? Unlike us, who are pondering, the Imperial Honored Mansion is steadily advancing deeper.
I thought perhaps the Divine Race didn’t need light, but it seemed even they did.

“It is a Stone of the Sun!”

Several members of the Imperial Honored Mansion shouted in unison, uttering powerful words.
Then, the surrounding stone walls, ceiling, and cobblestone floor began to emit a faint glow.
However, similar to my Dragon Energy-infused pupils, the range of illumination is not very wide. Further ahead, the effect weakens, and it becomes a world of darkness.
Still, as the sorcerers moved forward, the light source moved with them, making it effective as a nearby light.

Nevertheless, proceeding in darkness with only limited light is still dangerous.
The brighter the surroundings, the deeper the darkness ahead becomes.
And from the darkness, bad omens always creep in.
Especially in a place with such a history.

Rustle. Rustle. As expected, unsettling sounds began to echo from further down the endlessly dark corridor.

“Reporting!”

One of the scouts, who had gone ahead, hurried back and reported to Esneid.

“Ahead, numerous monsters of black rock dolls, unlike anything we have ever seen, are waiting!”
“Oh? Already the baptism of monsters? Very well. Everyone, draw your weapons!”

Esneid gave the order.
The Imperial Honored Mansion moved with military precision, quickly forming a formation in the center of the corridor.

The Imperial Honored Mansion awaited.

Rustle. Rustle.
The eerie sound gradually approached.
And from beyond the light source, they appeared.

Monsters with bodies of jet-black rock. Their joints, pupils, and the depths of their mouths were a fiery red.

“Attack, all of you!!”

At Esneid’s command, the Imperial Honored Mansion charged at the monsters with a war cry.
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