The Next Day.
The party, having left the Raven Tower tavern, was slowly making their way along the western side of the Latulle Cave Path, accompanied by the wagon pulled by Mooloomook.
Water droplets fell from the cave ceiling, quietly splashing onto the stone floor. On both walls, ores faintly glimmered even in the darkness. The cave's breeze was cool, and the light chatter of passing merchants echoed and spread through the air.
Exhausted from yesterday's battle, Nia lay in the cargo hold, sunk into a deep sleep. The dim interior of the cargo hold was filled with supplies and goods loaded from the Lokaga's store, and Nia's slender breathing was the only sound breaking the silence.
Mau was driving the wagon, with Dallen seated beside him. Inside the cave, merchants driving wagons from the west were visible, and a fresh morning breeze blowing from the distant end of the cave lightly brushed past the two.
Dallen lightly spread his wings and then folded them as he yawned.
"Dallen."
Mau spoke quietly. His face held a hint of worry.
"Yesterday was truly dangerous. If we'd been just a little later..."
But Dallen shook his head and said indifferently,
"One who walks forward does not look back at the past. Especially not at matters that aren't fond memories."
Mau closed his mouth, but his expression still mingled subtle relief and concern.
Dallen waved his wings in greeting to the passing merchants and continued his conversation with Mau.
"I'm not yet in a position to leisurely look back down the stairs I'm climbing."
Mau gave a light smile at his words. However, Dallen maintained a serious expression and turned his gaze sideways to look at Gravel. Gravel was riding horseback alongside the wagon.
"Gravel, have you ever heard the legend of the owlbear?"
Dallen asked.
Gravel tilted his head slightly and said,
"Owlbear... You mean the monster with a bear's body and an owl's head?"
"That's right. You know it well."
Dallen said with a slight smile.
"But few know that it's actually a legend related to the Dawi and Muwa."
Gravel's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Could you tell me more? Stories like that are always welcome."
Dallen smiled with satisfaction and began.
"It's from a very long time ago. It's said to be from an era when the Sarun-Ke didn't know of the Dawi and Muwa. Back then, the land was shrouded in thick fog, and the forests west of the mountains were unknown territory to the Sarun-Ke. The trees towered high into the sky, and to their eyes, the forest seemed like an endless maze."
Gravel nodded, immersing himself in Dallen's tale.
"Then one day, a group of Sarun-Ke lost their way in the misty forest... They were hungry and exhausted. But at that moment, a massive silhouette appeared in the distance."
Dallen lightly spread his wings and gathered mana.
A faint light converged at the tips of his wings, and soon the illusion of an owlbear walking through the forest materialized.
It was the form of a mystical creature with a bear's powerful body topped by an owl's head.
"Is this what they saw as the owlbear? If anyone saw this silhouette in a foggy forest, they'd likely invent the existence of an owlbear."
"Yes. From afar, it looked like a bear but also like a gigantic bird. The Sarun-Ke, seeing it from a distance, thought they beheld a creature with a bear's body and an owl's head. Imagination can be born from just half the truth, they say. The sight of that enormous form parting the mist and approaching the humans must have been terror incarnate."
Gravel nodded and asked,
"So, in reality, it was the Dawi and Muwa?"
Dallen smiled and nodded.
"Exactly. The silhouette was said to be a Muwa perched on the shoulder of a Dawi. The Muwa often ride on the Dawi's shoulders to move freely through the forest. The Dawi have long been our sturdy companions who protect us Muwa, and we Muwa, in turn, offer the Dawi wisdom and counsel as friends."
"So, to the humans seeing them for the first time, it appeared as a monster with a bear's body and an owl's head. Fascinating."
Dallen nodded and continued.
"That's why the rumor spread among humans of an 'owlbear'—a monster with a bear's body and an owl's head—roaming the forests. But in truth, it was likely just the everyday sight of Dawi and Muwa strolling through the woods, as witnessed by the Sarun-Ke."
Gravel smiled and asked,
"Did the owlbear legend continue to be passed down after that?"
Dallen lightly folded his wings and replied,
"It probably spread even larger for a while. There were rumors that it was the result of some mad sorcerer's experiment fusing a bear and an owl, or that they build nests in dark caves and treat anything moving in their territory as either enemy or prey, so one shouldn't make noise or set up camp near an owlbear's nest. There was even talk that baby owlbears are truly adorable. Even now, among some humans, the legend persists of the owlbear as the guardian of the forest. Some Sarun-Ke still claim to have seen an owlbear in a lost forest path, guiding them to safety. What they saw might have been us Dawi and Muwa, though..."
Dallen quietly smiled and continued speaking to Gravel.
"To us Muwa, it was nothing out of the ordinary, but it was a tale born from the vivid imaginations of the Sarun-Ke who encountered us for the first time."
"It's intriguing how legends are formed. The owlbear legend, created from fear and imagination upon first encountering an unknown being..."
Gravel and Dallen's conversation blended into the cool breeze blowing through the cave. And all the while, the wagon quietly advanced westward along the Latulle Cave Path.
*****
The party's wagon advanced toward the western exit, its wheels rumbling over small stones on the cave floor.
The faintly glowing ores in the darkness gradually faded, and intense sunlight revealed itself at the cave's end. The breeze grew even fresher, and as they emerged from the cave, a green forest unfolded before the party's eyes.
In the distance, numerous white spires sparkled under the clear sunlight, soaring into the sky. The pointed towers proudly boasted an air of reaching for the heavens' end against a backdrop of white clouds and blue sky. The pure white spires harmonized with the clouds, drawing soft lines, while the deep green forest below rippled like an emerald sea over the earth. These towers built by the elves appeared like mystical bridges connecting heaven and earth.
Dallen pointed ahead with the tip of his wing and said,
"Do you see those pointed towers over there? They're built by the elves. One of Aquiln's symbols."
Gravel fixed his gaze and asked,
"Elven architecture... Truly beautiful. (So there are elves here too...)"
Dallen nodded and continued his explanation.
"That's right. But Aquiln isn't made up solely of elven spires. This city consists of gardens and buildings constructed by the Dawi and Muwa, as well as sturdy walls raised by humans."
Gravel gazed at the city's form drawing ever closer and said,
"I've heard this place is more than a simple city. They call it the holy ground for adventurers from all over the continent, don't they?"
Dallen smiled and nodded.
"Precisely. Aquiln isn't just a city; it's known as the sacred site for all adventurers on the continent. The reason is the labyrinth beneath the city. No one knows when it came into existence, but it's certain that the labyrinth's entrance is in Aquiln."
Gravel tilted his head and asked,
"Labyrinth... I haven't heard a detailed explanation, but... what's down there?"
Dallen raised his hand, pointing toward the city's interior, and continued.
"Once we enter the city center, you'll see a massive gate at the end of the canyon. That gate was once the entrance to an underground kingdom."
He paused to catch his breath, then added an explanation about the path leading along the canyon.
"And the path leading to that gate is the enormous canyon itself. The canyon isn't mere terrain; it was a grand passage serving as the gateway to the kingdom. The sheer cliffs on both sides and the wide expanse of the road formed a majestic corridor leading to the ancient kingdom."
Gravel asked in astonishment,
"The entire canyon was one massive road... An unbelievable scale. If the gate stands at the end of such a path, its size must be beyond imagination as well."
Dallen nodded with a smile.
"You're right. The gate itself is overwhelming. Standing before it, you'll feel as if it was made for another world. It's a size that evokes wonder."
Gravel murmured, unable to hide his intrigue,
"A grand passage connecting the canyon and the gate... I truly look forward to seeing what it feels like in person."
Dallen pointed toward the inner city with his hand and continued.
"Now, numerous facilities line that canyon. There are street stalls, weapon shops, taverns, specialty stores selling various tools, and even gambling dens. On the other hand, there's also a graveyard for adventurers who lost their lives in the underground labyrinth. While various facilities stretch along the canyon forming streets, our party's destination today is the trading post and warehouse district near the western gate."
Gravel nodded and replied,
"We should arrive in Aquiln by early evening, then."
Dallen glanced at the sky once and said,
"Yes. We'll definitely arrive before sunset. Tonight, we can rest comfortably in Aquiln and prepare for the journey to Damu."
Mau, looking at the distant city, said to Gravel,
"The western gate is far from the labyrinth's entrance, so if you want to see the labyrinth entrance, Gravel, you'll need to part ways with us at the southern gate and head that way."
Gravel pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"The labyrinth... I'd like to see it soon. If the city's layout isn't too complicated, I should find it quickly, right?"
Dallen smiled and continued,
"That's right. The path from the southern gate to the labyrinth entrance is straightforward. Moreover, the inn where we'll be staying is right next to the merchant guild building at Aquiln's western gate, so it'll be easy to find. Let's meet back there after your business is done."
Mau, having listened to the conversation, chimed in,
"Yes. After viewing the labyrinth, if you return to the inn at the western gate, the timing should work out well. Still, it's best to return before it gets too dark."
Gravel nodded, alternating his gaze between Dallen and Mau.
"Very well. Since I want to see the labyrinth entrance myself, I'll head that way after passing the southern gate. We can meet again at the inn afterward."
Dallen nodded and added,
"Aquiln can be confusing at first, but you'll adapt quickly. The labyrinth entrance is the city's most famous spot, so it won't be hard to find. See you at the inn, then."
Gravel lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile.
"Understood. When I return, I'll share my first impressions of seeing the labyrinth entrance later."
As the conversation ended, the wagon gradually picked up speed, moving toward Aquiln, and the city's form became ever clearer.
Gravel narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the city. Aquiln was drawing nearer.
As the wagon passed through the forest, the air grew warmer, and more people began to appear along the roadside. The shouts of merchants from afar and the clatter of horse hooves announced their approach to Aquiln.
Dallen folded his wings and said,
"From here on, it'll get a bit more bustling. Aquiln is always lively."
Gravel admired the procession lining the road.
"It truly feels like we're heading to a prosperous city."
The forest path was lined with wagons, mounted merchants, and hurrying adventurers, with the scent of dust and earth mingling in the wind. The sounds of horse hooves and rolling wheels harmonized, conveying the busyness of the road.