Bab 28: The Hidden Chamber's Mission
The magic was a fascinating thing to witness. One could never expect it to follow the rules set by man. Only nature could control the most dangerous of magics.
But it was an amazing feat to see when human civilizations managed to utilize the rules of nature to their advantage as well. The protective circles cast using holy jade was one such example.
And this was another one, the planned town of Oreta.
Iris only stopped her observation once the light from above went out and the place descended into darkness.
But not for long. Small magical lights started to rise from the pool below and illuminated the staircase in their rainbow colors. It was a beautiful scenario but it only left the pool visible to her.
It also told her that she had stayed here longer than she should have and it finally snapped her into action.
The system had seen no need to inform her of her lateness again. Not now when she finally seemed to have unlocked this quest.
Had the elder prophet known that this would happen? Was this the reason she had instructed the Sultan to lead Iris here?
"You took too long down there. Those two were ready to go after you but could not pass the wards again. So, anything interesting down there?" Misha was the first one to see her and come over.
"Nothing of importance. I found some books but I cannot read them" Iris took one out of her inventory and handed it over.
"It's not in a language I am familiar with. The courts often coded their books so that only their members could read them" that was possible. The Sultan was not wrong in that regard.
"But she cannot read them too" Misha pointed out. The Sultan looked to be at a loss after that admission.
Nicole did not add much, just shook her head in an indication of ' I don't know.'. So no luck here.
"The only one we can ask is Holy Maiden Lunadel but that's not an option. Let's get back first and then look at this book again" the Sultan proposed and Iris found herself agreeing.
It was not like they were out of options. Iris could just hit Lvl 10 and exchange for those language skills. It would take some time but it was not impossible to do.
"I don't mind. Everyone, follow me to the town" Misha looked excited but was shot down pretty quickly. Her voice was drowned out by Sultan Rose's next words.
"We'll leave in the morning. There are too many monsters out there for us to take on. The wards here would protect us tonight" Iris could see the large shadows in the distance. Huge and strong demons were circling the protection of this temple in a clear attempt of breaking through.
"I can take them" Misha pointed out in a pouty voice.
There was no doubt in Iris's mind that the Ahadi could take out a few of them. But not all of them.
Besides, they had no idea just what those demons were capable of. Especially those who were close enough to absorb a lot of magic.
Iris dreaded to think what would happen should a demon successfully absorb the magic of the pool. It might spell the end of the world if that ever happened.
"I have no desire to witness how you got so lucky while being alone here. Stay out where you are safe" the young girl pouted at Nicole's words and the will to get in trouble was clear as a day in her gaze.
Not that she got a chance with the sultan present.
One second she was ready to leap out, the other she was bound in chains. It also reminded Iris of the small chain bounded on her wrist. She had not even noticed or felt its weight during the journey.
"You want me to remove it now?" the Sultan asked, finally noticing Iris and her wrist.
"No. Let it stay for now. It makes me less sensitive to the magic in here" Iris replied, covering the chain on her wrist. The chain on her wrist seemed different from the one Rise held Misha in.
Somehow, the one on her wrist looked delicate and much more ornamental. It felt personal rather than a task.
"I see. Let me know if you need any more of those. I can tie you up whenever you wish" the sultan replied, her voice teasing.
It seemed weird but also gave Iris a funny feeling. This was the first time she had heard that tone in this body and it caused her face to go red.
"I-that was not- I don't think-" why were words so difficult to come by?
The original Iris had never baited an eye on such words, never shows emotions beyond those required but Michael could not attain the same level of aloofness.
She diverted her eyes away from the sultan, only to find Nicole who seemed red in the face as well and unable to meet her eyes. It made the situation even more awkward, especially with the teasing smile the sultan gave her.
"Hey, if you are done there then can you let me go? You can practice your fetish once I am gone from here" and Misha's words made the situation even worse.
The teasing smile on the sultan's face faltered at those words but she made no attempt to defend herself. Was she going along with Misha's teasing? Or was it something different?
"L-Let's go to sleep. I feel like I lot happened today" there was no need to worry about security in the ruins since no monsters would be able to come here and no humans except them existed here anyway.
There was no sound after that, just the silence of the night and the security of magic. Iris was not sure how the others felt in this palace but the magic made her fall asleep as soon as she relaxed.
The next thing she knew, it was already morning and the sun was shining over her face brightly.
She was also the last one up but not by long. The other three seemed to be awake as well but they had not started moving from their initial position.
"Good morning" Misha was the first one to greet them all, her eyes wide and full of energy. She seemed to be a morning person.
"What should we do now? I don't think we can freshen up here?" Nicole asked, already looking disgusted at the dirty in her hair. Iris felt the dirt irritate her skin as well but it was still manageable for her.
"Well, there is a pond here but it is too far away. It would be better for us to head back to the city and freshen up there. Besides, there is no food here. My supply finished a while ago" Iris refused to thin over this topic.
Whatever means Misha had used to survive this far were not something Iris was going to appreciate and she knew it.
The novel had never mentioned Misha anything other than her title and a one-line description but the back-line information gave a lot of information. One just needed to read in-between the lines.
"It's best to return to the city now. We have work to do" there was much to do. It was about time the main center of Iris's power developed in the city.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone