Declared Dead, Exiled, and Betrayed— Now I Walk Away, but I'll Save One Who Cared - Chapter 82

“You should visit the Werdeen household.”

The Werdeen household—the house I had inherited.

So, it wasn’t just about granting me a title?

Was there some deeper significance behind it?

Though I had inherited the house, I had never actually visited it.

When I was given the title, His Majesty had assured me that I would be welcome to visit at any time.

“As His Majesty suggested, let’s go to the Werdeen estate. There might be something important there.”

“Yeah.”

Shifa agreed, and if there was a reason behind it, I had no excuse not to go.

Though I’d be surprised if we arrived only to find nothing at all…

“Claire, do you know anything about it?”

“The Werdeen family was a warrior lineage. But at some point, a plague wiped them out.”

Hmm… I think I heard something similar when I received my title.

“It’s an old house. They served the royal family even before this kingdom was established,” Melia added.

“Why do you know that?”

“Do I know that? Of course. Lax, you’re not originally from this country, are you? If you were, you’d know. It’s a well-known story—The Adventures of Werdeen were inspired by the family. Most people here have at least heard of it.”

“Is that so…? Was it really okay for me to inherit such a prestigious house?”

“I don’t see any issue. Sorry, I didn’t realize you weren’t familiar with the story. The narrative was widely spread, saying that, just like in the tale, a strong warrior would come to fight demons. I assumed you knew.”

So even Shifa knew about it.

Was I really the only one who didn’t?

“My apologies, but I was unaware as well. What kind of story is it?”

“That makes sense, Michelle. You’re from a neighboring country, after all. The Tale of Werdeen isn’t anything complicated—it’s a straightforward adventure story. A demon emerges from ancient ruins and kidnaps a princess. A noble knight bravely slays the demon and rescues her. It’s more of a children’s tale than anything else.”

As we listened to the story, we arrived at the Werdeen estate.

Inside… was an ancient ruin.

No matter how I looked at it, this was practically an invitation to investigate.

At the heart of the ruins stood a massive door.

“If you can open this gate, Lax, then please proceed. However, if it does not open, I ask that you do not force it. That would mean the time to enter has not yet come.”

“What exactly is this place?”

“It is said to be the ruins where a demon once appeared.”

“And the old Werdeen warrior defeated it?”

“Yes…”

A massive gate hidden beneath the city…

Wait—this isn’t some dungeon, is it?

And if it is a dungeon…

What if this is the same dungeon Disemna emerged from?

But if that were true, then why did Disemna disappear somewhere else?

Could Disemna—

Or even the old Administrator Disemna was chasing—

Have originated from here?

“Lax, shall we go inside?”

“Yeah…”

Maybe I should summon the Administrator of the Riofendarl dungeon and have them check this place out?

…No, let’s try it first.

If it doesn’t work, then I’ll call for backup.

“Alright. Let’s go. What do I need to do?”

“I’m afraid we have no records of the method. It is said that when the one meant to enter stands before it, the gate will open on its own.”

“I see…”

With no further information, I had no choice but to test it myself.

I stepped forward and placed my hand on the gate.

“Open.”

…Nothing happened.

“Pfffft… hehehe.”

“Why you—!”

“Oww! Violence is wrong! Kicking someone’s rear is indecent!”

For heaven’s sake.

Can’t they take this seriously?

Just because the gate didn’t open—

Creeeeak…

“…Oh.”

“It… opened.”

“It really did…”

“Alright, let’s go.”

If it opens, that’s all that matters.

Time to move forward.

We stepped inside—

With Claire trailing behind, still rubbing her backside.

The steward who had guided us to the ruins bowed deeply to me before returning to the mansion.

This was no longer his concern.

Beyond the gate lay a vast, empty chamber.

Scattered throughout the space were multiple stone monuments.

<This is the Withered Dungeon.>

<Abandoned by its Administrator, drained of magic, a dead dungeon.>

<Why have you come here? Why did you enter? State your purpose.>

A strange voice echoed in my head.

“I was chasing Disemna and ended up here. Do you know anything about it? Also, about the one Disemna is pursuing—do you have any information on them?”

<Disemna… You speak of the Abyssal Demon, correct? Of course, I know. It was born here.>

<As for the one it pursues, I do not know. I cannot discern an individual’s thoughts, beliefs, desires, or preferences.>

“I see… Then, where did the former Administrator of this place go? What do you mean by abandoned?”

<This is a failed dungeon. The Administrator was conducting research or experiments here. Whether they achieved some success or met with failure, I do not know, but one day, they simply vanished.>

“I heard that Disemna was chasing after them.”

<So it seems… But no demon can reach an Administrator.>

“Well, it hasn’t caught up yet, but it sure seems determined to try.”

<It… Do you mean Disemna? Or perhaps Cicily? Or Uranos? Regardless, it is impossible.>

“I don’t know anyone besides Disemna. Are those others demons too?”

<Cicily was a nascent Administrator. After the former Administrator left, they too disappeared.>

That sounds familiar.

Specifically, like a certain arrogant figure—one who took the form of an adopted daughter but would immediately break down when faced with the slightest shock.

“And what about Uranos?”

<He was… unusual. I cannot say whether he was a demon or not.>

Hmm… The information I’m gathering keeps increasing, but none of it points to a clear course of action.

“I want to find them—the former Administrator or Disemna.”

<…Then, search for them.>

“And how exactly do I do that?”

<You already know, don’t you?>

“Huh?”

The conversation wasn’t making sense.

Why did it assume I knew how to search for them?

<You are the heir of Werdeen.>

“I don’t think I’m related by bl00d, though…?”

<That is irrelevant. What matters is that you have inherited the power.>

“But I’m from a neighboring country.”

<Your place of birth is of no concern. You are the descendant of Melvina and Werdeen, are you not?>

“What…?”