I Have a Task Log

The other party mulled it over for a moment, then gently shook their head.

Seeing this, Ale turned her head and shouted, "Dorn, go ask your cousins."

"I already regret saying that."

Dorn spoke as he sat on the ground, bandaging his own wounds—he’d said he wasn’t used to being healed by Drow and had politely refused their kind offer.

After tying off the bandage, he walked into the secret chamber to look at the reliefs and the sarcophagus inside. "This place is just like the outside, also a few thousand years old. Ora Kaim probably hadn’t even fallen when this was built."

"Then had the war between Ora Kaim and the Elves already started by then?" Colin asked.

Dorn ran his hand over the surface of the relief again. "Probably... Hmm, it definitely had. After all, I think that war went on for several hundred years."

"Wait, are you saying that when Ora Kaim and the Elves were in an all-out war, an important figure who worshiped the Dark Maiden built themselves a lavish tomb under Ora Kaim’s second city?"

Colin added, "That sounds a little strange."

"But those are the facts. Hmph, I can tell the story of these stones with a single glance," Dorn grumbled, displeased.

"Everyone, it seems we’ve made a remarkable archaeological discovery today."

Ale’s usually expressionless face flushed slightly. "This place might hide an incredible piece of history—one you won’t find in most books."

"So will anyone erect an Ancestor Stone for us?" Kase asked.

"I don’t think so."

"What about money?"

"Probably not much..."

The Half-Orc yawned. "Then it doesn’t seem very useful."

"Hmm..." Ale walked over to Colin and tugged on his cloak. "What do you think, Colin?"

"I think... it’s great."

Colin gazed at the small secret chamber before him, unable to articulate his thoughts for a moment.

It wasn’t because he had no ideas. On the contrary, he had so many that his mind felt muddled.

Until now, "Ancient Elves" and "Ora Kaim" had been mutually exclusive—or rather, hostile—concepts in Colin’s mind. After all, the scale of their ancient war was practically unparalleled.

Now, a believer in a Deity that, to some extent, represented the Sword Dance, had appeared beneath Ora Kaim’s second city.

This faintly connected the two concepts.

It was a simple fact, but the implications were immense.

’First, I don’t think the Elves could have built a tomb like this under an enemy city without anyone noticing. This is a world with Magic, after all.’

’Besides, they had no motive to do so. Even if it was to bury a spy, there would be no need to build a tomb. That would only increase the risk of exposure.’

’So, was the tomb’s owner a traitor who defected from the Elves to Ora Kaim?’

’That might be possible if the reliefs inside depicted the Spider Goddess Lolth, but it’s the Dark Maiden, who doesn’t hate the Elves.’

’So did someone in Ora Kaim turn traitor, making the tomb’s owner an Elven intelligence contact?’

’Judging by the Drows’ reactions, this informant’s status seems to be more than that. So why would a high-ranking Elf be buried beneath an enemy nation’s second city?’

Colin rubbed his throbbing forehead. "Speaking of which, have any books ever written about the relationship between the Elves and Ora Kaim?"

"No, that’s why I said it’s a new discovery." Ale tilted her head. "You don’t seem very happy, Colin."

"Forget it. It’s nothing." Colin sighed. "Let the scholars who enjoy archaeology get a headache over it."

Lirel interjected, "We’ll be moving the tomb elsewhere. It’s too unsafe here. If you need to research anything else later, just contact the Five-Stringed representative on the Surface."

"We’ll see," Colin said.

He had a vague feeling, much like Ale’s—this tomb was likely connected to some crucial intelligence and would prove to be a major archaeological discovery. It was just that with his current knowledge, he couldn’t analyze it yet.

’Since I can’t figure it out, I might as well focus on something more tangible.’

Colin turned to look at the fallen Drow attackers on the ground. "The spoils from those guys should belong to us, right? Also, this cloak I’m wearing, I picked it up in this little tomb."

"Er... forgive me, but why would you put on that antique?"

"I was about to ask the same thing. Why are you draped in a ragged cloth?" Dorn added, eyeing Colin strangely.

Hearing their questions, Colin didn’t quite know how to react for a moment.

After a brief pause, he finally said, "It seems I’m the only one who can see the Magic Radiance on this cloak, because..."

"That all-powerful Elf soul of yours, right?" Dorn said. "That Elf soul of yours is really useful. It can be used for Learning Magic and spotting hidden Magic Equipment. Makes me want a Dwarf soul of my own."

’He’s even learned to finish my sentences now,’ Colin grumbled inwardly, then said aloud, "Something like that."

Dorn asked again, "Alright, so what on earth does this thing do?"

"Try punching me," Colin said with a smile.

"Hmph, you asked for it." Dorn clenched his fist and swung. But just as his fist was about to connect, he suddenly frowned and pulled his short arm back.

He unconsciously lowered his voice. "Wait, is this thing’s effect that good?"

"It’s not too bad."

Just then, Colin felt a punch on his shoulder. He turned to look at Kase, the culprit. "Hey, what’d you hit me for?"

"This thing feels pretty effective! You really hit the jackpot." Kase grinned, patting Colin’s shoulder to brush it off.

"Well, I’ll be damned. There’s not a hint of Magic Radiance on this." Dorn incredulously clutched the hem of the cloak, his short hands rubbing the fabric over and over.

Kase, who usually couldn’t be bothered to talk much, said to Lirel, "So, this cloak belongs to us, right?"

"If it’s a Magic Item, then of course it should go to the person who can use it." Lirel looked like she wanted to test its effect for herself but didn’t quite dare.

Since she had made her position clear, Colin certainly wasn’t going to be modest.

This was a rare-quality Magic Item. The Flame Tongue Greatsword he’d seen at the field agent induction ceremony had been of the same quality.

’Back then, he and Kase had stood in line drooling over other people’s gear. He never imagined he’d get his hands on one so soon. Time really does fly.’

Colin looked toward the weapon and armor racks inside the tomb.