kscans

CHAPTER 7 CHALLENGE TO THE LABYRINTH – Episode 9 The Cave of Trials (Part 1)

1

“This is… a wind hole.” (t/n: 風穴 in literal meaning is a wind hole or ventilation hole. in metaphorical meaning, an opening in a situation that will allow for new development, a point of breakthrough)

Carla murmured. It was a large hole that had opened up in the foothills of the Great Fyuza. It continued deep, deep into the interior. A roaring sound could be heard. Cool winds were flowing out from the wind hole. The wind hole alternately sucks in and expels wind over time. There is a passage for the wind within this massive mountain. Since it is a huge hole through which the wind passes, it is called a wind hole. In fact, there seem to be many wind holes at the foothills of Fyuza. But this wind hole is special. The sides of the entrance to the hole are covered by steep cliffs, making it impenetrable even for those who can fly. The only way to reach here is to pass through the massive Yambagalpa, the throne of the Queen of Manuno. Since it is the sacred domain of Manuno, those who do not have the Manuno’s permission cannot enter the wind hole. However, the Dragonoids who can command flying dragons can enter the wind hole without Manuno’s permission. Bard, Karz, Taranka, Quinta, Carla, Zariya, and Knight Natz were now standing in front of the wind hole. Its massive entrance resembled the gaping mouth of a demonic god, waiting for foolish sacrifices to enter and be consumed.

2

After the meeting with the dragonoid tribe chief, Bard and the others were returned to the royal palace of Parzam. There, they reported to the king. Only the king and his close aides were present at the time, but they were later asked to report again in front of several high-ranking officials the next day. In the report to the officials, they detailed the contents of the meeting with the dragonoid chief tribe without omission. Most of the report was given by Taranka, with Bard providing supplementary information. The officials seemed to find the report to be vague and elusive. It is understandable. They have not been told about the knowledge obtained from Zariya and the Queen of Manuno, or the secrets of the ancient sword. So they could not piece together the information to make sense of it. The talk about the dragonoids and their “Master” moving behind the scenes of human history, and the legacy of the great ancient king, sounded like nothing but fairy tales to them. Of course, Bard and the others did not mention their intention to challenge the wind hole of Fyuza. In the end, Bard and the others were released after just that one reporting session. The officials were preoccupied with their immediate tasks, and as long as they could confirm that the dragonoids had no intention of confronting the Kingdom of Parzam, they were eager to forget about this matter. Bard’s achievement in leading the various nations to victory in the war as Wajd Entrante earned him and his companions respectful treatment.

Immediately after that, Bard returned to Fyuzarion with his companions. Quinta and the immigrant group had not yet arrived. It seemed they had been overtaken somewhere. Many of the immigrants took turns walking, and they were coming with horse-drawn wagons loaded with a lot of luggage, so it was understandable. Bard reported the details to Jurchaga, Doriatessa, and other prominent figures. He was about to head to the forest immediately, but that was not possible. Doriatessa had several urgent matters to consult Bard about regarding the administration of Fyuzarion.

Among them was the matter of how to handle the knights Kizmertel and Noah. These two knights were raised by Huddle Zoruarus and had arrived in Fyuzarion at the end of last August, each leading a family to serve Karz. Doriatessa had initially treated the two and their sons as honored guests, but eventually came to rely on them for maintaining order and security, and they had become an indispensable military force in Fyuzarion.

The two were delighted to meet Karz and immediately tried to offer their swords. However, Karz told them,

“If you want to pledge your loyalty to me, offer your swords to Bard Rowen.”

And so he offered the sword to Bard. Bard accepted it in the name of the head of the House of Rowen. This meant that after Bard’s death, the two swords offered would belong to Karz.

The two knights had come to Fyuzarion accompanied by their wives, children, and servants. Tsurugatol, the eldest son of Knight Kizmertel, is twenty-two years old, and his younger brother Hangatol is nineteen. Likewise, Dari, the eldest son of Knight Noah, is twenty, and his younger brother Goa is seventeen. Of these, Tsurugatol and Dari have already been knighted by Count Huddle.

The issue is how to determine the allegiance of Tsurugatol and Dari, as well as how to handle the treatment of the younger sons. Maintaining a single knight requires substantial financial backing. It is not merely a matter of providing for the knight’s living expenses, but also maintaining and replenishing their arms and equipment, supporting their families and retainers, and accumulating sufficient funds to withstand the costs of war. Furthermore, there must be enough wealth to train and ordain the next generation of knights.

Unless one is like Banthuren Daye, who wanders with only his skills to rely on, supporting a single knight requires significant resources. The House of Rowen, however, only owns a small dwelling in Fyuzarion and does not possess any substantial lands or subjects.

While the fact that Knights Kizmertel and Noah serve Karz is non-negotiable, the question of what to do with their sons remains.

Bard came to a decision after consulting with Jurchaga, Doriatessa, and Knight Heridan, the foremost knight of the House of Orgazard.

In addition to Knights Kizmertel and Noah, their eldest sons, Knights Tsurugatol and Dari, will also serve the House of Rowen. The younger sons, Hangatol and Goa, will continue their knight’s training and become knights under the House of Rowen.

The House of Orgazard, the lords of Fyuzarion, will provide the House of Rowen with the necessary financial resources. The House of Rowen is not a vassal of the House of Orgazard, but will fully cooperate with and follow their instructions in governing.

Knight Banthuren Daye will continue to be treated as a guest commander, and will be provided with ample means of support.

Currently, the knights directly under the House of Orgazard are Knight Heridan, Knight Taranka, and Knight Quinta. However, Seto and Nuva will continue their knight’s training and be knighted as knights of the House of Orgazard.

In addition, five young men are scheduled to begin their knight training this year, and five more will be selected to start their knight training next year. These ten young people, as well as all the knights who will be commissioned in Fyuzarion from now on, will serve the House of Orgazard.

Upon hearing this decision, Knight Heridan was half joyful, half sighing. The growth of the House of Orgazard is a good thing, but he knows that in addition to the care he is currently providing to Seto, the training of some of these new ten people will also be forced upon him.

Knights Kizmertel and Noah, upon hearing this decision, were greatly surprised and delighted. They never imagined they would receive such treatment. The two were impressed by Bard’s authority and the magnanimity of the House of Orgazard. They have not yet realized that they will be assigned a large number of attendants.

After he had resolved this issue, Temperoid visited Bard. Temperoid and his entourage had arrived in Fyuzarion in early September of last year. Doriatessa was greatly surprised when she read Bard’s letter, but she did not treat this group that Bard had invited lightly. For the time being, they built temporary huts for them to live in and had them help with agricultural work. The payment was made in wheat and salt. Storing wheat and salt would be a great help when establishing a village anywhere. The villagers of Agis had not eaten wheat for a long time, and the abundant use of high-quality salt was like a dream. There was also an abundance of fresh fish here. In this way, while improving their health, they waited for Bard’s return.

Bard consulted with the leading men as to where the village of Agis built should be built. After much deliberation, the riverside location about five leagues west, on the west side of the river, was chosen, based on Zariya’s proposal. The village of Agis will develop further and further west from here. They plan to cut down trees, plant Egalsocia, and confirm their successful growth before building houses. Temperoid and Knight Garkus were very satisfied with the suggested site, taking note of its fertility, good water supply, and the great potential for development.

Doriatessa had many other issues she wanted to consult Bard about. Bard agreed to address some of them, and suggested discussing the rest together. At that time, the immigrant group led by Quinta arrived. They couldn’t ignore this reception either, and it took up a few days.

Finally, Bard was about to set out for the Wind Cave, accompanied by Karz, Taranka, Quinta, and Zariya. Carla insisted on coming along as well, which was fine, but for some reason, Knight Natz also stubbornly insisted on joining them. After seeing the immigrant group off, this man had been instructed by Chantillion to observe the situation in Fyuzarion for a while, so he had been looking around and talking to Jurchaga and Doriatessa. Doriatessa welcomed him with a smile and kept him busy as an escort, a beast hunter, and a bandit exterminator. In the end, Knight Natz decided to send his squires home and accompany Bard alone. And so, Bard was finally able to set out on his journey.

3

When they reached the Queen of Manuno, to Bard’s surprise, the Queen said, “So you have come to challenge the Wind Cave.” When Bard answered that was so, the Queen commanded one of the Manuno’s to guide Bard and the others to the Wind Cave.

Bard and the others entered the Wind Cave. The air inside was bitterly cold. Icicles hung down from the ceiling, and stone pillars rose up from the ground. As they proceeded through the twisting, distorted Wind Cave, the vast space that had stretched over a hundred paces in all directions suddenly narrowed. Yet the cave continued on, deeper and deeper. While the wind caressed their entire bodies, they pressed forward. The entrance had been bright, but naturally, it got darker the further inside. At some point, they began to walk with torches lit.

After proceeding a bit further, seven faintly glowing objects came into view ahead. They were pedestals. Six pedestals carved from white luminous stone stood there. It wasn’t protruding from the ground, but rather embedded in it. The top surfaces of the pedestals were polished like mirrors, wide enough for a large person to stand on. These pedestals were emitting a pale green light. Despite having been left unattended for many years, there was not a speck of dust on them, as if they had been continuously washed by the blowing wind. Behind the pedestals, the rock rose up, forming a dead end. There seemed to be a passage for the wind high above, but it was not a place a person could pass through. A smoothly polished stone tablet is set into the dead-end rock wall. The stone tablet was emitting a faint pink glow.

The stone tablet was engraved with characters, but they were written in an extremely ancient script that Bard could not read. However, Zariya could read them.

“It says ‘Ye who would challenge the Trial Cave, ye must be no fewer than three, and no more than six. Wait upon the pedestals. Then proceed within, and ascend the arena one by one. Thine enemies shall stand before thee. If all of ye defeat the enemies, a great reward shall be bestowed’,” Zariya said.

“This must be the place, Bard-sama. The entrance that the Dragonoids could not pass through”.

“That’s right,” Bard replied to Taranka. The dragonoids have come here seven times and tried to enter the “Cave of Trials”. But they couldn’t get in. The dragonoids must have tried various combinations of members and numbers. So the condition to enter here is not strength or numbers. It must something else. Even when he touched it, the rock walls didn’t budge, and there was no sign of any gaps. Bard tried standing on the glowing green pedestal, but nothing happened even after waiting for a while. Zariya, who had been staring intently at the stone tablet, spoke up.

“Bard. I’ve got it. Listen up. The key is the ‘Tori (three) or more’ and ‘not more than Darva (six)’. The ‘Darva (six)’ part later is definitely about the number. There are six pedestals, so the limit is six people. The problem is the ‘Tori (three) or more’ part at the beginning. Carla, do you understand this?”

Zariya asked Carla. Zariya had discerned that Carla was quite learned and knowledgeable, and was training her as an assistant of sorts.

“Eh? Yes, I see. Hmm… Ah, I got it! ‘Tori’ is used to count people, but originally it doesn’t mean humans, right? So it couldn’t be the dragonoids. Here, humans have to stand on the pedestals, three to six of them, for the mechanism to work. I see. Those arrogant dragonoids never imagined they’d be left out, did they? But it can’t be dragonoids. Isn’t that right, Granma*?” (t/n: O baba-sama)

“Heh, heh. Alright then, let’s give it a try. Everyone, get on the pedestals.”

Following Zariya’s words, in addition to Bard who was already on a pedestal, Karz, Taranka, Quinta, Carla, and Natz got on the pedestals. They waited for a while, but nothing happened. So it’s not the condition of having six people with the wielder of the ancient sword among them. Carla pondered.

“That’s not it either. Then, what could it be? Tori. Tori.”

“Carla. Indeed, the word ‘Tori’ has been used to refer to humans in recent times. But that is a recent thing. In ancient times, races other than humans were also called Tori. As evidence, we call the dragonoid ‘Nada Tori’, meaning lizard people, the Gerkaast ‘Rie Tori’, meaning green people, and the Manuno ‘Oruta Tori’, meaning water people, do we not? So, what does that mean?”

“Hmm. Humans. Demihumans. People. All races are ‘Tori’. … Ah. Could it be that ‘Tori (three) or more’ means three or more races?”

“That’s right. You’ve got it. Gathering a group of three or more races, up to six members. That seems to be the condition for progressing further. It aligns with King Jean’s wish of having many races come together. I see. It seems that the path to King Jean’s legacy is hidden in this cave. Bard.”

Bard descended from the pedestal and approached Zariya.

“We can’t enter with just these six. We’ll have to try again. You know a lot of demihumans, so you should be able to manage it, right? Call two more ‘original peoples’ besides humans. And when you get inside, there will be a battle. The enemy will be formidable. The six must be mighty warriors who can defeat any foe.”

The strongest six. They will decide the fate of the world. Bard closed his eyes and envisioned those six in his mind. Then, he opened his eyes and issued his orders.

Karz. Go to Engdahl, the chieftain of the Zoe Clan, the hero of Gerkaast, and bring Engdahl with you. The meeting place is Fyuzarion. First, gather at Fyuzarion.

Karz nodded.

Taranka. You will go to the Mageia territory. Bring Godon Zarkos, the one with the large battle hammer. And heavy armor as well.

“Yes, sir.”

Quinta. Your destination is the Tessler Clan settlement. In my name, meet the hero Yemite of the Jameen, explain the situation, and bring him along. Tell him to prepare for battle.

“Understood.”

Good. Engdahl, Yemite, and Godon make three. Add Bard and Karz, that’s five. The last one is…

“The last one is me,” said Zariya.

The other four besides Bard and Karz were taken aback by Zariya’s words, and they strongly objected.

“No! Granma. My sword skills are better,” said Quinta.

“My judgment, defense, and endurance are superior,” said Taranka.

“And I’m younger!” exclaimed Carla.

“My experience and battle tactics are unmatched,” said Natz. However, Zariya snorted at the four of them.

“Hmph. You don’t understand. The other five are sufficient in combat strength. What’s lacking is…” Zariya pulled Carla closer and rolled up her left sleeve. There was a red, scorched scar from when she had evaded an Onimutsu in the sea of tree. Zariya placed her right palm on the scar, closed her eyes, and murmured some kind of incantation. Zariya’s palm began to glow faintly red. Instantly, Carla’s scar healed, and her skin returned to normal.

“Phew. I don’t do this often because it’s tiring. See that, kids? What’s needed as the sixth member is a healer. A healing magician who can heal any wound in an instant is the most useful.”

“Th-this is! A secret healing art? To be able to do this without sacred tools and rituals. And the effect is so powerful. Could it be… the power of a spirit that has taken residence in your body, Granma? How amazing!”

Carla is making a commotion. She inadvertently revealed knowledge that Bard had never heard of, such as healing techniques, sacred artifacts and rituals. Bard thought that this woman might have some connection to the Mercano Temple. Taranka and Quinta remain silent. They must be frustrated at being excluded from the battle party at this stage. However, they have no choice but to keep quiet after witnessing Zariya’s mysterious powers. Even so, Zariya’s wisdom is sure to be useful for the exploration. Moreover, they cannot claim to be stronger than Godon and Karz. Yet, the reason for keeping Taranka and Quinta is not that they are useless. Those who enter may never return. They have a role to fulfill in the coming era.

And so, the six who will challenge the “Cave of Trials” are decided. Fierce battles await them upon entering this cavern. Even if they emerge victorious, the future remains uncertain. But if they win the fight, the path will open up. Facing this new adventure, Bard felt rejuvenated, as if new strength was welling up within him.

Bard returned to Fyuzarion for the time being. Eventually, Engdahl, Yemite, and Godon arrived. Yemite decided to stay at old man Pinen’s house. It seems they have much to talk. He thought Engdahl would bring a companion, but he came alone. When asked about it, he said, “This is likely a secret adventure. Engrave my martial exploits upon the chest of Nged Tori Bard.” He treated them to Kamler’s cooking, which nourished them and sharpened their spirits. They also conducted mock battles and studied tactics for navigating and fighting within the cavern. And so, on the 25th of August in the 4279th year of the continental calendar, they stood before the wind hole. Bard was then 67 years old, and Godon was 47.