The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 67

Chapter 67: The Stone Door

Following Ganza’s words, we explored the village and discovered what seemed to be the ruins of a shrine, marked by a collapsed torii gate and shimenawa.

At the back of the shrine was a white rock. It looked as though vines had once clung to it, judging by the remnants of withered tendrils. As I touched the rock and examined it, I noticed a slight unevenness on what had initially seemed like a smooth surface.

“This is…”

Looking closer, I found an engraving on the rock—symbols of a sword, a sun, and a magatama. Clearing away the dead vines and investigating further, I realized it was an oval-shaped stone door with the engravings carved into it.

“Can you move it?”

“I’ll give it a try.”

I activated body enhancement magic and tried to push it with all my strength. As I did, the magical energy I released flowed along the stone door and into the engravings, causing the door to move on its own. A narrow passageway, just wide enough for one person, revealed itself.

“…Did that door just open by itself?”

“Not entirely by itself. It seemed to respond to your magic power, Belk.”

“…Let’s head inside for now.”

I tossed a small flame into the passage to check for any gas. Seeing no sudden flare-ups or extinguishing of the fire, I confirmed it was safe. Using a magic stone for light, we entered the passage.

The cave appeared to have been carved into the rock and sloped downward in the form of a staircase. As we descended, placing our hands on the walls for balance, I suddenly noticed something.

“This cave… was it made by human hands rather than magic?”

“Huh?”

“There’s no trace of magic in the walls or stairs. If there had been, Fifth might have discovered this cave. It’s likely that’s why it remained hidden.”

The stone door at the entrance also wouldn’t have reacted to ordinary magic. It probably appeared like just another rock to Fifth during the attack, especially if vines had covered it at the time. That would explain why they didn’t notice it.

After descending for a while, we reached a room. With everyone holding lights, we illuminated the area. The stone walls were covered with murals and inscriptions, and the room contained clay tablets etched with text, along with boxes placed on stone pedestals. The room widened into a fan shape as we ventured further.

I examined the inscriptions on the walls. The writing was older than the script currently used in Hizuchi. Judging by the murals, the text seemed to depict scenes of ancient Hizuchi life and rituals.

“Could this be…?”

Hinowa stiffened as she examined a clay tablet placed on one of the pedestals. Sensing her tension, I approached, and she looked up at me.

“Belk, could you open this box for me?”

“…? Sure.”

I lifted the stone lid of the box. Inside were ancient ritual tools, which Hinowa carefully picked up. As she studied them, her expression turned to one of shock.

“These symbols… and this writing… it has to be…”

“You recognize them?”

When I asked, Hinowa nodded firmly and answered.

“What we have here are relics left by the Kamishiro clan—our ancestors of the Gomon family and the ones who sealed the Gate of Yomi.”