“This… what is it? It doesn’t even look like a key.”
Even though I split the earth using concentrated magic power through my horn, as Myungho said, the object that came out from underground wasn’t anything resembling a key.
Even to me, it looked less like a key and more like a box. It was slightly larger than the size of a palm, and there was no visible way to open it—it seemed completely sealed.
Indeed, just like the identification tag I’m wearing, it didn’t react at all to my magic, as if it had been purified so thoroughly that not even a speck of dirt could adhere to it.
However, there was definitely a faint vibration. There was a sound, as if something inside was clicking into place. A clear yet somewhat melancholic sound.
A song… yes. Though faint, this was undoubtedly a song. The sound was so soft that you could barely hear it unless you pressed your ear very close.
“…So this is supposed to be a key? This is just a lump of metal. I’ve never heard of any civilization that would use something like this as a key.”
“That’s what I thought too. This looks more like an ingot to me, Alterra. Are you sure this thing is moving? To me, it looks completely… still.”
But it seemed like they couldn’t hear the sound. Of course, if it was barely audible to me, it made sense. To them, it probably just looked like an unusually shiny ingot.
“…Put your ear close to it and listen. Very close. You’ll hear the melody. I’m going to… clean myself.”
“Eh? Clean yourself? Wait, Alterra. At least do it somewhere we can’t see… oh.”
After tossing the music box to Myungho, I focused my magic on my horn to lift the dirt and wiped the blood off my body.
There’s no need for dirt or dust to stick to this body anyway. If I ever get covered in blood, I just wipe it off with dirt or animal hides like this.
The reason I don’t wash with water is because it makes me uncomfortable just looking at it. Touching it wouldn’t kill me, but I’d rather not wear it or deal with it unnecessarily.
Myungho stared at me with an expression even more exhausted than after the battle before finally bringing the music box close to his ear.
“Hmm… There’s some kind of subtle humming, like something inside is moving… Alterra, I don’t hear the song you mentioned.”
“Hold on. Did you just say a song? Wait a moment. Clearly… a song, ancient civilization, probably metalwork… In that case… hey, Yuna. Can you give me one of your arrows?”
“Huh? Is there a reason? Are you saying you want to stain it with blood? If that’s the case, here you go… but is it going to work?”
After washing the blood-soaked hair clean with dirt, I turned back to see Akashi cutting his own hand with one of Yuna’s arrows.
What is he doing? While I stood by silently since I know nothing about magic, it was clear he wasn’t thinking clearly. Why would he hurt himself?
As I watched him tightly clench his fist and let the blood drip onto the music box, something unexpected happened.
The music box, which had no apparent way to open, suddenly burst open, emitting a dark blue light.
And the song too. This time, everyone could hear it—Yuna and Myungho both stood frozen with their mouths agape.
I lost myself for a moment, staring silently at the sight, which reminded me of the night sky. Swarms of lights, like fireflies, danced around the sky, pointed in one direction, then returned to the box.
That was it. As soon as the swarm of light returned, the box reverted to its pristine state as an ingot, leaving no trace of what had happened.
“Of course, I was half guessing, but it seems right. Hey, Myungho. Congratulations. You’ve just discovered a map and key to an ancient dwarf ruin. Half-dragon, old dwarf ruins. Hmph. Even during the Demon King’s era, these were rare. Humans really should live longer.”
“What was that just now? The light and the song… wait, ancient dwarves? What does that mean…? No, I get that it’s important from your reaction…”
Right. It certainly didn’t look like an ordinary object. I’ve never seen anything shine like that except the night sky and the sun.
“Hold on. Ancient dwarves… So, does that mean this is related to the dwarves?”
“Huh? Not exactly. Don’t tell me your adoptive father didn’t teach you history? Oh, right, they forgot everything themselves. But still… yeah. The dwarves might be able to help with this. Good timing. Yuna, we have another reason to visit the dwarf village.”
“Alright, let’s head back to the villagers. We’ve driven away the orcs, and we’ve obtained this mysterious key. Let’s discuss the rest later when we rest. This will likely be a long story.”
It was Myungho who recovered first. He was right; our mission was to drive away the orcs, and we’ve now acquired this unidentified key.
If there’s one wrong thing to say, it’s that the orcs weren’t driven away—they were slaughtered. But humans probably won’t care about the difference.
Before we left, despite muttering complaints, we followed Myungho’s suggestion to bury the bodies in the hole I filled up with my ability.
Once the cleanup was done, we returned to where they were waiting. The villagers, who had been murmuring anxiously, rushed toward us like chicks waiting for their mother to return.
“So… how did it go? Did you drive away the orcs?”
“Yes. Your village is safe. The buildings are undamaged, as you said. For a while, there may be the smell of decaying bodies, but it was unavoidable.”
“No, why are you apologizing, benefactor! Thank you, thank you! We are deeply grateful for restoring peace to our village without asking for anything in return!”
“…We’re not adventurers, we’re heroes.”
Myungho scratched his head awkwardly and said something embarrassing even for me to hear. How can he say such things so easily?
“Oh, you’re a hero! That explains why you look different from those greedy adventurers! Would you please stay in our village for a day, if it’s not too much trouble?”
“Huh? Ah, well… guys. The elder has invited us to stay overnight. What do you think?”
Stay overnight? With complete strangers?
“I’m for it. My legs hurt, and I wouldn’t mind getting some free food.”
“I also agree. We don’t know where the next town is, and replenishing supplies is always pleasant.”
“No. They’re definitely up to something.”
That bald guy and the kid are pretending to be innocent, but they might try to poison our food. No matter how innocent they act, I don’t trust them.
“Everyone agrees except Alterra… Right? Hmm. It’s troublesome… Alterra, these people are trustworthy. I guarantee it.”
How can you trust someone you’ve just met? No matter what Myungho says, this lacks credibility.
“Then go without me. I can sleep alone.”
“That’s not possible. We’re a party now. Besides, we can’t ensure your safety if you separate from us. Alterra, please, can you trust these people?”
“What’s wrong…? Is the child of the witch refusing…?”
Myungho cunningly used the excuses of group safety and our new party status to insist that I stay with these humans.
“…Fine. But make sure they don’t come near me unless they’re bringing food.”
“So… does that mean you’ll join us? Thanks for changing your mind. Elder, she isn’t the child of a witch but our companion, Alterra. She was the one who contributed the most to reclaiming the village, so please don’t call her that.”
Of course. That old man. I knew from the start I didn’t like him—he was calling me the child of a witch.
I can tolerate being called names, but calling my mother a witch is unforgivable.
…But if I lose my temper now…
It might be fine for me, but it would cause problems for Myungho. Since I’m no longer alone, as he says, we’re together now.
Myungho was relaying my conditions to the elder when I tapped his shoulder and added my final request.
“…And demand an apology for calling me the child of a witch. Alterra. It’s in the past, can’t you let it go?”
“Absolutely not. Calling my mother a witch is unforgivable.”
When Myungho said something to the old man, the elder immediately started bowing profusely in front of me. Probably apologizing to my mother, not me.
Groups are indeed troublesome.
Thus, we retraced our steps and entered the human village.
Even though I confirmed there was nothing in the pit earlier, I kept my senses heightened, checking for any ominous vibrations around me.
All my party members looked completely relaxed, chatting with the villagers or among themselves.
Why do they have so much to talk about? The villagers who were almost dead moments ago now looked happy, which felt strange to me.
“Our humble home will suffice. Though it may be cramped for four of you… May you have a peaceful night.”
The old man muttered something and left the room.
Compared to the houses we usually visit, this one was definitely shabbier. Still, it was the best house in this village.
Yuna and Akashi dropped their bags and went outside, leaving only Myungho and me indoors.
“…Hmm. Alterra, I’ve heard about what you’ve been through. Can you learn to trust humans a little?”
After hearing about what I’ve been through, you’re asking me to trust humans? I chuckled dryly, stared directly into his eyes, and firmly conveyed my thoughts.
“No.”
“No, I mean… not right now, but maybe later.”
Myungho looked elsewhere, seemingly searching for words, but I had none.
“…Oh, right. We agreed to teach you language. Alterra, if you have nothing else to do right now, would you like to learn some words?”
Language.
Right. I promised to do that. After the elder called me the child of a witch, I realized the importance of learning the language.
If I meet someone arrogant, I personally need to handle them—but first, I need to understand what they’re saying.
“Fine.”
So, this is it. I pulled out a book wrapped carefully in leather from my pile of belongings to keep it in good condition.
After removing the leather and brushing off any dirt, I handed it to Myungho.
“Alright, then… Here. This character means ‘sun.’ The pronunciation is… hae. Pronounce it like this: hae. Try repeating it. Hae.”
“…Hae.”
