And so we were finally stood before the entrance to the ruins.
MIKOTO : I have come! Now open the door!
MIKAGE : Mikoto-Sama. Do you remember the story of no one being able to enter these ruins unless they solve a riddle?
CROW : Wait a minute. I'd like to check if it opens or not before we solve the riddle.
EMMA : Isn't that dangerous?
CROW : That's what I want to check for the safety of everyone else… Emma, you and the others, should back up a little bit.
CROW : …….Huh. Hmm~……
CROW : Yeah, it's no use. I guess we can't do it by force after--Oh? What's this…
Following Crow's line of sight revealed a long, thin stone platform near the door.
EMMA : This stone has some letters engraved into it…
CINIS : Servant. Read the letters out loud.
EMMA : Hold on. Let's see. …… There are a lot of strange sentences like "Makoto 1, Hiruha 2, Sashimo 2, Ikasanu 2, Sabaku 3".
CINIS : Hmm. So it really is the mystery posted on Magic Line the other day.
MIKAGE : Well then, isn't it the Demon King's turn now?
WELCK : Surely, he said he'd already figured out the answer.
CINIS : Ha ha ha! Of course, in the hands of the Demon King, it would be an insta-kill, but why so impatient? Why not give it a go yourself? It'll be a great warm up for the mystery you'll undoubtedly face further in.
WELCK : Mmm… A great idea! Then I'll solve it! Mmhm, mmhm… Is Sabaku the desert…?
EMMA : Hiruha, Sashimo and Ikasanu 2….. What do they have in common?
MIKOTO : Mikage! I command you, solve the puzzle for me!
MIKAGE : What you mean to say is, you don't have the brains to solve it yourself. But it's way too much trouble for me to use my head, so I'll pass.
EVAN : I don't think you're cut out for this either…
CROW : There's been quite a few cases where I just guessed the right answer without knowing it because I didn't think about it too much.
EMMA : So you've been able to force your way through by sheer luck before…
CROW : What about Evan?
EVAN : …..Just open the door.
EMMA : Demon King. Please lend us your help.
CINIS : Urghh… It can't be helped. I'll explain it to you this once, but I'm sending you all mystery games for beginners later…
EMMA : I'm sorry, what?
CINIS : All right, listen up. Makoto 1, Hiruha 2, Sashimo 2, Ikasanu 2, Sabaku 3… First of all, what happens if you think about this without the numbers?
WELCK : Mm? If you remove the numbers: …The true daytime is a desert where no one lives.
EMMA : It's kind of a meaningful sentence.
CINIS : Mhmmm… The reason it sounds so sloppy however is because the numbers are a misleading trap.
WELCK : Nooo, don't tell me that so soon!
CINIS : Now pick out the hiragana according to the number after each word, like, if it's Makoto 1, then it's Ma, like that.
CROW : Hiruha is 2, so Ru, and Sashimo is 2, so shi…..
WELCK : I've got it! The answer is as simple as that!
CINIS : Correct. Now you just have to solve the rest according to this rule.
EMMA : I see…!
We went on to decipher the rest of the words as Cinis had instructed.
EVAN : ……I've solved it, but I still don't understand what any of this means.
CINIS : Crow. The door…. Are there any symbols painted on or near it?
As Cinis speaks, Crow analyses the door carefully, and then…
CROW : Oh. It's really hard to tell, but there's actually two chambers by the handle. Wait a minute, if you remove this metal here, there you have it, Cinis! A panel with symbols!
WELCK & MIKOTO : Oh, ……!
CINIS : I knew it. The riddles on the magic line were only part of the story. We'd never have gotten the full picture there…
WELCK : To think Cinis suspected this much…..
CINIS : The rest is easy. Just press the symbols according to the cipher.
EMMA : Yes!
We all work together to solve the rest of the riddle and press the answer into the door panel.
CROW : Alright, the last one is Maru!
WELCK : Oh, it's open!!
MIKAGE : Who would design such an annoying contraption…
EVAN : I don't understand how humans think at all...
EMMA : Cinis, you did it!
CINIS : …Hmph. So there really will be puzzles I won't be able solve without going to the site itself…
EMMA : Cinis?
CINIS : Oh, it's nothing. More than that… Go, my servants! It's now time to start exploring these ruins!
CROW : Woo! Let's get going!
MIKOTO : Oh? Wait, Demon King, did you call me a servant just now? Don't insult me! I am a noble lord.
CROW : Oh, see that huge tree? That was one of landmarks!
EMMA : The compass seems to be working fine as well. Seems like we're headed in the right direction.
Departing from Maden Castle, we were making our way through a dense forest, toward the ruins, with Crow in the lead.
CROW : I’m seeing footprints here and there. We’re not the only explorers heading to the ruins.
CINIS : As expected of an esteemed explorer like yourself. You seem a natural at this kind of thing.
Through the headset, I can hear the voice of Cinis back in his castle.
CROW : Yeah, just leave it to me! Gotta say it again, this outfit looks awesome!
*FLASHBACK*
CROW : I finished getting dressed like you said.
EMMA : What are you wearing?
CINIS : Well done, let the adventure begin!
MIKAGE : Why do I gotta go...
CINIS : These clothes are samples of the gaming gear we’re developing.
EVAN : Gaming gear?
CINIS : Clothes made specifically for fully immersing yourself in video games. The clothes were sent to the Demon King by the telegraph engineer of the Mechanics' Guild, with a note saying, "I want you to test these."
EMMA : But, this isn't a game. This is a genuine exploration?
CINIS : I was asked to monitor the communication function of the outfit, which is still in it’s prototype stage and can be used to communicate remotely with other players.
CROW : I see. So with with these devices, you can still help solve the riddle without needing to come to the ruin.
CINIS : Yes. I am joining you remotely from my magical castle, my illustrious servants!
*END FLASHBACK*
CROW : It's so durable and easy to move around in, it'd be a real shame to only use these things for playing games!
CINIS : "Hmmm, okay. I'll let the developer know."
MIKAGE : ...I still don't get why I'm here...
EVAN : Same...
MIKOTO : A foolish statement, Mikage! It is only natural for a vassal to follow his Lord!
MIKAGE : Mikoto-Sama has an overwhelming presence no matter what he wears... Could you move away from me a little? I’m getting dizzy.
MIKOTO : Kuhahaha, don't praise me so!
CROW : Evan looks damn good too, doesn't he? I think this gear’s really gonna help us out!
EVAN : I didn't dress like this because I wanted to! Welck insisted on it!
WELCK : It's nice to have everyone together♪ Like an expedition!
EMMA : (Welck has been alone all his life, so I guess he’s really enjoying this...)
WELCK : Whoa, what's that? Look at that strange mushroom!
CROW : That is a poisonous mushroom, so be careful. I remember eating one with Itsuki once. We were laughing for three whole days straight!
EVAN : It was stupid.
WELCK : What!? How could such a cute little thing be so scary and dangerous?
EMMA : (This is kind of relaxing, actually...)
While I was smiling at Welck’s enthusiastic curiosity, Mikage unexpectedly threw a kunai into the grass.
MIKAGE : You can't be too carefree, it's dangerous.
Mikage carefully parts the grass, showing us his prey.
MIKAGE : See, he’s a big one, too.
EMMA : A snake!?
CROW : That's a white-bellied black snake, isn't it? It’s bite causes your body to go numb, and leaves you paralyzed for days.
MIKAGE : Yeah. We don't want to have to deal with that.
MIKOTO : Oh, you have behaved well as a vassal, slaughtering those who oppose me! I commend you!
MIKAGE : Well, Mikoto-Sama, it’s not like you could actually get bitten if you didn’t materialize.
CINIS : Servants, to clarify, has anyone been bitten?
EMMA : No, everything is fine.
CINIS : Good... That’s good...
EMMA : What's up?
CINIS : Nothing... I was just thinking about how much fun you all seem to be having...
EMMA : (He sounds so lonely...)
EMMA : Once we get inside the ruins, we’ll be needing your help. I’m looking forward to working with you then, okay?
CROW : Yeah. We’re counting on you!
CINIS : Of course. I'll show you why I'm the Demon King.
MIKAGE : Hey. Since we're all just hanging out, can I ask what the point of this whole thing is? I want to get this done and go back home as soon as possible.
CROW : What exactly are we looking for in the ruins? The atmosphere and architecture suggests the ruins belong to the ancient dynasty of Daten.
CINIS : Few documents remain concerning the ancient dynasties of Daten, and many remain a mystery. In fact, to this day, no one is even sure if the ancient dynasty itself ever even existed.
MIKAGE : This sounds like another tedious tale....
EVAN : You guys seem to be excited, but don't you think it's odd? The ruins are located close to the capital. So why were they only discovered now?
EMMA : Hmmm. From what I heard from the federation, the roads are so well maintained that very few people will actually risk taking a path as dangerous as this... And they believe what few have, failed to find it because of just how deep it is into the forest.
MIKAGE : I hate to agree with the twinkly fairy over there, but it does seem really suspicious...
EVAN : Don't you start, tsun tsun!
EMMA : Yeah, Crow and I were talking about how there must have been another reason why we never found it before...
CROW : But well, that's part of what makes it so intriguing and worth exploring.
CINIS : Hmmm. Agreed.
MIKOTO : What’s that? I see something!
WELCK : Oh, that's......
CROW : Those are the ruins we’re looking for!
To those of you who arrived here as a result of your courage and wisdom, please grant us our wish, that our hearts will be filled with the strength of the people who have come before us, and that we will be able to live our lives in peace and happiness.
━
EVAN : What a noisy city!!
CROW : Haha, just look around, isn't it fun? Daten is one of the most advanced countries in the world~!
EVAN : It's all so... bizarre...
WELCK : Evan, I know the feeling! My eyes rolled to the back of my head when I first saw it, too!
It really was as Crow said. Daten was by far one of the most technologically advanced countries in the entire world, with vehicles, household utilities and the city’s very infrastructure being based on magical science.
Surrounded by cars, monitors, and skyscrapers, Evan was fidgeting constantly.
EVAN : I'm more restless here than I was in Woodman or any other town for that matter.
WELCK : Haha, you'll get used to it. I learned a lot about it from that man in the Gamer guild.
EVAN : "That man"?
EMMA : Welck!
WELCK : I'm sorry, Emma. I shouldn’t have mentioned Cinis.
EMMA : Yeah. He's supposed to be a demon king with no name.
EVAN : What are you two whispering about?
EMMA & WELCK : Nothing! / Nothing at all!
CROW : Hey, guys. I know you're all excited, but let's get going!
EVAN : I am not excited!
From the collar of my boot, I pull out the request form that arrived at the end of last month and read it once more.
EMMA : Well. From what I’ve been told, the newly discovered ruins are rumored to be from the ancient dynastic period of Daten, and should be located north of the city. It’s said that the mystery of these ruins has caught the attention of other explorers, too.
CROW : I like it, sounds exciting! I wish Itsuki and the others could have come.
EMMA : They wanted to, but work got in the way. We do, however. have a message from Gran : "Don’t do anything reckless, and don’t blow anything up!”
CROW : Yeah, he told me that, too, before I left. A lot, actually. I guess he's really concerned...Oh well, it’s nice to be working with you again!
EMMA : Nice to be working with you!
With renewed enthusiasm, Crow and I fist-bumped.
MIKOTO : Kuhahahahaha!
EMMA : Hey, Mikoto? What's up?
MIKOTO : My subjects. I know you want to worship me, but wait a minute, I can feel a presence. Mm-mm, this way!
EMMA : Mikoto, where are you going!?
I chased after Mikoto, as he ran as fast as he could toward the Sun.
━
MIKAGE : ......……....
EMMA : Mikage!?
MIKOTO : Kuhaha! I knew it!
MIKAGE : ......……....
MIKOTO : Mikage, be not distressed! Raise your head high!!
MIKAGE : ......……....
MIKOTO : Kuhahaha! There is no need to revere me so! It may be true that I am your superior, but I have a great deal of respect for you!
MIKAGE : Emma, you've got to do something about Mikoto, because I don't think he has the slightest idea that he's being ignored.
EMMA : Mikage, what brings you to Daten?
MIKAGE : For public relations, of course.
EMMA : Mikage!? You’re here for work!?
MIKAGE : Well, that was a pretty rude thing to say. Whenever I stay at the villa, I get forced to work alongside everyone else. So I took on the easiest job I could find that would give me an excuse to flee the country.
EMMA : But you don't look like you're working at all?
MIKAGE : I needed to take a break and rest. I didn't expect to see you here.
EMMA : We came to investigate an archaeological site.
MIKAGE : Ah, you mean the recently discovered ruins. That's a lot of work.
CROW : Do you know anything about the ruins?
MIKAGE : Sure. Sleeping in the park all day long, you hear all kinds of rumors.
CROW : Oh, thank goodness! Mikage, right? Can I ask you a question? I'm Crow, the explorer. There’s a lot of questions surrounding these ruins, so I'd like to gather as much information as possible.
MIKOTO : Kuhahaha! All right, I'm in a good mood at the moment. You can ask me anything you like!
CROW : Uh... What? Why are you answering?
MIKOTO : Mikage is my sword! Mikage is mine, and the information he holds is mine too!
EVAN : Oh, you are a vassal of this fox? Are you saying that a human is serving a black fairy!?
MIKAGE : ......……....
Mikage lets out an incredibly deep sigh.
EMMA : (A text message? Who’s it from?)
CINIS : "My servant, do you plan to visit Daten anytime soon?
EMMA : (Cinis......!) I'm in Daten right now. We’re here to to explore the ruins.
CINIS : "The newly discovered ruins? Then, my servant, come to Magen Castle right now."
EMMA : (Cinis wants me to go to his guild?)
CROW : What's wrong?
EMMA : Oh, I just got a message from the "Demon King" of the Gamers Guild. He seems to know something about the ruins.
MIKAGE : "The Demon King"? I think I remember talking to Tamayura about him. He said he was an incredibly strong player on a network called Magic Line or something like that.
MIKAGE : I don't really know him at all, but then that's exactly what I like about him.
EMMA : (Hmmm. If it is about the ruins, I really would like to hear him out, but...)
EMMA : (...It’s not like we can all just barge in there when Cinis is trying to keep his identity secret...)
WELCK : Why not ask Cinis himself?
EMMA : What? I don't know about that...
WELCK : He always seems so happy whenever you or I play games with him. Wouldn’t he be even happier if he had more friends like us? I know he doesn’t show it, but he does get really lonely sometimes...
EMMA : ...Yeah, that's a great idea!
EMMA : (And I'd trust Mikage and Crow not to leak Cinis’s identity...)
I grabbed my phone and messaged Cinis, telling him about everyone. After a short pause, he replied...
━
CINIS : Here I am, servant!
EMMA : Long time no see, let me introduce you all. These are the meisters, Crow and Mikage, and Evan and Mikoto are their Black Fairies.
CROW : Nice to meet you!
MIKAGE : Nah, I was just roped in by Mikoto over there.
MIKOTO : Kuhahaha! A demon king, you say? I've come to see the face of someone who would dare call themselves by such an arrogant name.
CINIS : ............
EMMA : Cinis...?
CINIS : Ha! -- I got lost in thought with all this real-life conversation. Welcome, my servant friends! I am Cinis, the master of this magical castle.
EMMA : (His voice sounds a little shaky... I guess I should have just come with Welck after all...)
CINIS : Long time no see, gray wolf. Have your chess skills improved since last we met? I'd be happy to play with you again.
WELCK : Well, you're still a pompous little thing, aren't you?
EMMA : Cinis. Thanks for having us all here!
CINIS : As they say, a true servant cannot be ignored. And the more hands on deck, the better.
EMMA : So what do you need?
CINIS : You said you were going to investigate the ruins, didn’t you?
CROW : Yeah. The whole reason we came here was to see if you had any extra info before we got started.
CINIS: As a matter of fact, just the other day, a magic "riddle" was cast upon the site, and, if you can’t solve it, you won't be able to enter the ruins.
CROW : Whaa--!?
MIKAGE : Yeah. That checks out with what I heard, too. The explorers around here are really struggling to wrap their heads around it.
CINIS : Yes. The site is entirely under the control of the person who cast it, it seems. Now the entire Magic Line is trying to find a solution to the riddle.
WELCK : Hmmm. So we can't go into the ruins yet?
CINIS : Actually, I’ve already solved the riddle. But I’ve yet to tell anyone about it to keep everyone's fever at bay.
EMMA & WELCK : As expected...! / As expected.
EVAN : What's with the serious look on your face?
CROW : I just got a bad feeling that if there was a puzzle like that at the entrance, well... Inside the ruins we’re probably gonna run into even more puzzles just like it. And likely some traps as well.
CINIS : I came to the same conclusion. The rule of thumb in games is that the entrance is like a test of one’s intelligence, and as Crow said, there must be an even more complex mystery hidden deep inside that we’ll need to solve. It's just like a dungeon in a game, and that makes my heart tingle.
CINIS : I had initially planned to ask my servant here to help me search inside, but it would have been dangerous for us to go alone, so it's a good thing you're all here.
EMMA : That would be great! But what exactly do you need from us?
CINIS : ...I can't go out during the day for... Various reasons. Therefore, it is not possible for me to explore with you guys right now, and time is limited.
CINIS : Even as we speak, someone might be solving the riddle, and I, as the Demon King, want to enter the ruins and solve the mysteries hidden inside before anyone else can. I'm not going to let anyone spoil it for me. So, here it is!
━
CROW : I finished getting dressed like you said.
EMMA : What are you wearing?
CINIS : Well done, let the adventure begin!
MIKAGE : Why do I gotta go...
