How to Survive as a Dungeon Manager in Another World

47 – The Ruins of Marsica (2)

After a long stretch, we finally arrived at our destination, the domain of the Second Marquis.

As we passed through the city gates, the towns unfolded before our eyes, but the most striking was the steel city of Karn, the very gateway to the Second Marquis’ lands.

The steel city of Karn was a bustling commercial hub, crowded with smelters and forges.

The clang of smiths’ hammers echoed through the streets, and the rumble of cartwheels never ceased.

Smoke rising from the smelters proclaimed the city’s identity.

As the sun was setting, we sought out a nearby inn to rest and recover from fatigue.

The accursed carriages of this otherworld jolted so violently, a few hours’ ride was enough to give me a headache, making rest absolutely crucial.

And so, the next day dawned, and we set out in earnest to explore the ruins.

The Ruins of Marsica were located within an abandoned mine on the northern outskirts of Karn.

Under normal circumstances, finding the way would have taken a great deal of time in many ways, but this time, I knew the route with surprising accuracy, so there was no need to hesitate.

Therefore, I relayed all the information I knew to Shiron.

Shiron belonged to the Imperial Bureau of Internal Affairs, and there were no others as versed in the geography of the continent as those within Internal Affairs.

He stroked his chin, pondering, and then spoke.

“Yungcheon Ore, is it?”

“How much do you know regarding Yungcheon Mine?”

“If you exit through Karrn’s North Gate, there’s an old mining road. At first, it seems like a well-maintained avenue, but as it bends towards the eastern mountain range, it gradually narrows. Barely enough for a carriage to pass.”

Siron paused, lost in thought, before continuing.

“If you follow the road, you’ll come across the old miners’ village. It’s almost a ghost town now, but I believe there are still some citizens living there. You should be able to find a guide there to take you across.”

I tilted my head without realizing it.

I knew about the village, but in the original timeline, it was a completely deserted ghost town.

I almost asked if there were really people there, but stopped myself.

I could just go and see for myself.

“How long will it take to get there?”

“If you depart when the sun is high, you should arrive at the village by dusk at the latest. But the road is rough, so it’s best to leave the carriage at the village and walk from there.”

Siron’s eyes darted about as if calculating something, before he spoke again.

It wasn’t a short time, not exactly, but still it didn’t take as long as he thought, and he nodded.

Walking the rest of the way was a bit of a concern, but what else could he do?

The only option was to quickly get his business done and get out.

Still, compared to other ruins, this wasn’t particularly difficult to find.

…Or so he had thought, certainly.

The moment he entered the mining road, he realized it was a complete misjudgment.

“…This is a road?”

Adina perked up her ears and grumbled.

Underfoot were piles of rocks, and here and there, deep ruts were filled with a mixture of dirt and gravel.

It looked as if the road had been ruined by landslides caused by rain.

“In the old days, this was the road used to transport mining materials…”

Siron’s voice trailed off.

No further explanation was needed.

Considering how long the road had been neglected, it was a wonder it was even this usable.

“Why do we always go looking for trouble…”

Adina continued to grumble from behind.

Meanwhile, Rudine was still quietly walking, constantly watching my face.

Whenever our eyes met, she would flinch and turn away.

Suddenly, the path took a sharp turn upwards.

The ascent began, stealing my breath.

And the path, it narrowed further with each step.

Sheer cliffs rose on either side, a dizzying gorge yawning below.

Through the cliffside’s cracks, the remnants of a collapsed mine’s rails.

Rusting tracks, clinging precariously to the void.

Of course, being in a perpetual state of invincibility, the path’s treachery mattered little to me. Yet, I couldn’t help but be stifled by the grandiose surroundings.

The path only grew more menacing.

It scarcely deserved to be called a path at all now.

Just enough space for a single person to squeeze by along the precipice.

The cramped mountain trail, born from the cliff’s seams, descended ever downward. Like a steep incline leading to the underworld.

“Be cautious. Rockfalls are frequent from here…”

Before Chiron could finish his warning, a whoosh – a torrent of gravel cascaded down.

Adina yelped, a sharp, piercing sound, and recoiled.

“Scaredy-cat,”

Rudine muttered under her breath.

Even while avoiding my gaze, she couldn’t resist teasing Adina.

How many hours did we walk, I wonder.

As the treacherous mountain path neared its end, the faint outline of a village began to emerge in the distance.

Chiron, untroubled, strode ahead, proclaiming,

“It has been some time since I last visited this place.”

“Is that the village?”

“Yes, my lord. Yugcheon Village, it is called.”

As Chiron explained, we descended alongside the valley. The village, distant moments ago, became gradually clearer.

A score of aged wooden houses clustered together, their roofs mostly worn and sagging, their windows often half-shattered.

Smoke curled from the chimneys of only three or four dwellings.

Lost in gazing at the village’s vista, I sensed something approaching from afar.

“Ah, hello.”

A young boy, face flushed, approached and greeted us cautiously.

His expression was one of pure curiosity and joy, as if he hadn’t encountered people in decades.

Taken aback by his bold manner, I watched silently as Chiron smiled warmly at the boy and asked,

“Are you a resident of this village?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Could you guide me to the village chieftain? There will be a reward.”

“Yes, yes, sir!”

The lad, with his face so fresh and eager, was a sight. I’ll admit, a chuckle escaped me as I watched him, so different was he from the mangy, wretched creatures I’d grown accustomed to in the dreary corners of the Demon Realm.

“This way!”

Following the boy, we arrived at a dilapidated wooden house tucked away in a desolate field.

An old man stood at the doorway, puffing on a cigar.

His expression hardened as he noticed us approaching.

“…Humans?”

The old man, looking frail in several ways, put out his cigar and stepped forward.

His hair was white as snow, his face a roadmap of wrinkles, and his beard was thick and unkempt.

He stared at me for a long while before his gaze shifted to the boy who had led us here.

“Ian, do you know these people?”

“No, sir. I’ve never seen them before.”

“…And yet you led them all the way here?”

The boy tilted his head, a picture of innocent confusion, as if there were a problem.

Seeing this, the old man let out a hearty, booming laugh, then spoke.

“Hoh ho, well now. Looks like you’re strangers, but what brings you to this forsaken, forgotten village?”

“Are you the chieftain of this village?”

“That I am.”

“We do not intend to cause you any trouble. We merely seek someone to guide us.”

At the mention of guidance, the old man’s eyes narrowed.

“Where is your destination?”

“Yungcheon Mine, I believe it’s called.”

“…What business do you have in that abandoned, ruined mine?”

“We are searching for something.”

The old man gave a short, disbelieving laugh at that, then gestured for us to follow him inside the house.

“Come in, come in. It seems we have much to discuss.”

I nodded.

Following him inside, a fragrant, yet bitter herbal scent pricked at my nostrils.

The dwelling was filled with traces of age in many ways, yet it felt more organized than disorderly, as if well-maintained.

The elder sat at a wooden table, gesturing to the seat across from him.

“Sit here.”

Following him, I took a seat opposite. The boy, Ian, who had guided me, was already smiling sheepishly as he brought tea.

The Chieftain clicked his tongue, taking a sip of the steaming tea.

“I shall ask directly. Is your reason for seeking the abandoned mine due to ghost iron?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I am searching for a ruin.”

“…I have a rough idea of where.”

I cut him off with a curt reply.

The Chieftain nodded, then spoke with a hint of worry.

“The exploration will not be easy. The interior is labyrinthine, and deep within, the unique qi makes it difficult to breathe. Moreover, it has been abandoned for decades…”

“One hundred gold coins. I will reward you for guiding me.”

“…”

He paused, then continued.

“Currently, there are only two people in the village who know the internal structure. Even with a determined exploration, it would take several days.”

“I don’t mind. I only need guidance. I don’t intend to go deep.”

The Chieftain stroked his chin, pondering.

“Guiding you is not difficult, but exploring the Yungcheon Mine requires quite a bit of stamina, as I said earlier. The problem is… my aged body will not be able to help you.”

“Is there no one else who knows the way?”

“There is. Ian! Come here.”

At the Chieftain’s call, the boy widened his eyes and hopped over like a rabbit.

“As I said before, there are only two in the village who know about that place. One is myself, the village Chief, and the other is this child.”

“…This child?”

“Indeed. This child will become your guide.”