The group continued through the ancient corridors.
This time—
the cultists led the way.
The masked elder walked at the front.
The others followed in silence.
From time to time—
one of the cultists would glance over a shoulder.
Only for their gaze to settle upon Draven.
Or more specifically—
the little black cat sitting comfortably atop his head.
The cat noticed their stares.
"...Meow."
Then it yawned.
As though none of this concerned it.
Draven walked without paying them any attention.
Beside him—
Kaelira carried his belongings.
His spatial ring.
His gloves.
His communication earring.
All rested in one arm.
His cloak was draped over the other.
Draven glanced at her.
"...Hold on to them for now."
Kaelira looked over.
"...Hmm?"
Then nodded.
"...Okay."
A moment later—
she looked down at everything she was carrying.
"...Quite a lot..."
With a flick of her wrist—
she unfolded the cloak.
Then casually draped it over her shoulders.
It hung loosely around her.
She smiled.
"...They're in safe hands."
From behind—
Aldric's voice immediately followed.
"...Are they really?"
Kaelira looked back.
"...Yes."
"...They are."
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"...I have my doubts."
Silence.
Kaelira puffed out her cheeks.
"...You're just jealous."
Aldric shrugged.
"...Keep telling yourself that."
His gaze drifted farther back.
Toward Ryke.
The man was trailing several meters behind everyone else.
Walking cautiously.
Making sure to keep his distance from the group.
Especially Draven.
Aldric slowed his pace.
"...Oi."
Ryke looked up.
"...Huh?"
"...What are you doing?"
Ryke scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"...Just..."
"...keeping my distance."
He forced an uneasy smile.
"...I feel safer this way."
Aldric stared at him.
"...Is that so?"
A slow smile spread across his face.
"...But..."
"...Aren't you supposed to be standing beside your master now?"
He tilted his head.
"...So what the hell are you doing all the way back there?"
Ryke's smile immediately stiffened.
*...This bastard...*
Outwardly—
he laughed awkwardly.
"...Y-Yeah..."
"...Sorry."
Without another complaint—
he hurried forward.
Quickly catching up with the rest of the group.
Only then did Aldric grin in satisfaction.
"...That's better."
Ryke silently cursed him in his heart.
*...One day...*
*...I'm really going to regret not dying back then.*
*...How am I even still alive...?*
The group continued deeper into the ruins.
Ancient corridors gradually gave way to broader passages.
The oppressive mana grew denser with every step.
Eventually—
the corridor opened into an enormous underground chamber.
Stone structures stood throughout the room.
Massive carved pillars rose from the floor.
Each pillar was etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly beneath the dim light.
Together—
they formed a perfect circle.
At the center—
rested a raised stone platform.
Its surface was covered in dark, pulsing sigils.
Ancient formations intertwined across every inch of the platform.
The mana within the room flowed continuously toward it.
Waiting around the formation—
stood several cloaked figures.
None of them moved.
Their attention immediately settled upon the newly arrived group.
Aldric looked around.
Then grinned.
"...Hmm."
"...What a welcome."
His crimson eyes swept over the gathered figures.
"...Doesn't this look familiar?"
As he spoke—
he casually stepped closer to Pythia.
She immediately moved half a step away.
"...I don't like people standing too close."
Aldric's smile widened.
"...Is that so?"
He stepped closer again.
"...Then I guess I should stand even closer."
Pythia sighed.
"...Everything..."
She glanced at him.
"...means the opposite to you."
"...Doesn't it?"
"...Pretty much."
Aldric answered without the slightest shame.
Then his attention shifted toward the figures waiting around the platform.
"...So."
"...Who are those people?"
Pythia followed his gaze.
"...They are the Elders."
She paused briefly.
"...Together with my teacher..."
"...they are known as the Abyssal Star."
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"...Oh?"
He looked over them one by one.
His grin slowly returned.
"...Is that so?"
His crimson eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"...All Fourth Circle mages."
He slowly swept his gaze across the chamber once more.
"...No Fifth Circle among them."
He let out a quiet chuckle.
"...Well..."
"...Not exactly."
His gaze settled upon one of the silent masked figures.
"...That one..."
He pointed casually.
"...Isn't alive."
Silence.
"...A chimera."
"...Fifth Circle."
His grin widened.
"...Interesting."
The surrounding cultists instinctively tensed.
Several elders turned their attention toward the masked figure Aldric had pointed at.
Yet none of them spoke.
At that moment—
the masked elder who had escorted them stepped forward.
He crossed the chamber.
Stopping beside the four waiting elders.
The five now stood together.
The atmosphere immediately grew heavier.
Silence filled the chamber.
Pythia inclined her head.
"...Teacher."
Before anyone else could speak—
Aldric smiled.
"...What's this, old man?"
He folded his arms.
"...Don't tell me..."
"...you're about to gather your little group..."
"...and try something stupid."
His crimson eyes slowly swept across the five elders.
"...No."
He shook his head.
"...That wouldn't be a very smart decision."
His grin remained relaxed.
"...Now you know why."