Chapter 64
The chanting never stopped.
Voices echoed endlessly throughout the massive stone sanctuary while countless worshippers kneeled beneath flickering purple light.
And at the center of the chamber—
seven petrified gods remained completely still.
Their gigantic stone bodies towered above everyone present like silent remnants of a forgotten age.
Cracks spread across parts of their divine forms.
Ancient symbols glowed faintly across their stone skin.
Yet even as lifeless statues—
their presence alone weighed heavily upon the room.
The Lord watched silently from above.
His calm blue eyes reflected the glowing formations beneath the floor.
Another tremor passed through the sanctuary.
BOOOOOOM—
Dust drifted softly from the ceiling.
One worshipper immediately lowered his head.
Worshipper: "…Lord."
The Lord remained silent.
Worshipper: "…The sealing ritual above is almost complete."
Several seconds passed.
Then quietly—
Lord: "…Good."
The worshipper immediately stepped back.
At the center of the sanctuary—
the glowing symbols beneath the seven stone gods suddenly flickered violently.
The chamber itself seemed to react.
The chanting throughout the room slowly grew louder.
More desperate.
More unstable.
Then—
the Lord began walking forward.
The worshippers immediately lowered themselves further.
No one dared raise their heads.
The Lord stepped directly between the seven petrified gods before finally stopping.
Silence slowly spread throughout the sanctuary.
Then—
he closed his eyes.
And began chanting personally.
Ancient words echoed softly from his lips.
A language none of the worshippers understood.
The floor beneath the chamber instantly lit up.
Purple symbols spread violently across the stone like veins.
The seven stone bodies trembled faintly.
And somewhere deep within the darkness—
something answered.
A low sound.
Not human.
Not alive.
But listening.
The purple light throughout the sanctuary suddenly pulsed once—
like a heartbeat.
Several worshippers immediately collapsed harder onto their knees.
Terrified.
Meanwhile—
deep within the underground corridors—
three hooded figures moved quietly through the narrow halls.
Princess Flora walked calmly between them.
One hooded figure scratched his neck aggressively.
Chris (whispering): "…Why is this robe so itchy?"
The other hooded figure immediately elbowed him.
Guinevere: "…Shut up, Chris."
Chris tugged miserably at the rough fabric.
Chris: "…I think I'm allergic to evil organizations."
Princess Flora continued walking ahead without reacting.
Torchlight flickered softly across the walls while distant chanting echoed deeper underground.
The atmosphere felt heavier with every step.
Guinevere's eyes constantly moved through the shadows.
Watching.
Calculating.
Then suddenly—
two worshippers stepped into the corridor ahead.
Worshipper: "…Stop."
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
Both men slowly raised their heads toward the group.
One narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
Worshipper: "…Why are you using this route?"
Chris immediately straightened his posture.
Chris: "…Lord's orders."
He pushed Princess Flora slightly forward.
Chris: "…We brought the princess."
The worshippers stared carefully beneath their hoods.
Then one frowned.
Worshipper: "…Your voice sounds strange."
A dangerous silence followed.
Guinevere slowly turned her head toward Chris.
Her eyes already said:
Do not ruin this.
Chris coughed roughly into his hand.
Chris: "KHH—"
Another cough followed.
Chris: "…Don't know why…"
He rubbed his throat dramatically.
Chris: "…Feels like my throat suddenly got messed up."
Guinevere (thinking): Idiot.
The worshippers continued staring.
Chris coughed again, even louder this time.
Chris: "KHHH—"
Then he leaned slightly closer.
Chris (whispering): "…Might be contagious."
Both worshippers immediately stepped backward.
Worshipper: "…Move quickly."
Chris nodded instantly.
Chris: "…Gladly."
The three calmly walked past them.
The moment they turned the corner—
Chris quietly exhaled.
Chris: "…See? Genius."
Guinevere: "…That was the dumbest thing I've ever seen."
Chris looked genuinely offended.
Chris: "…It worked."
Princess Flora remained silent.
But her eyes had sharpened.
Because the deeper they walked—
the heavier the pressure in the air became.
It no longer felt like they were underground.
It felt—
watched.
Meanwhile—
inside the eastern sanctuary halls—
Marco and Esabell hid quietly behind a massive stone pillar.
Just ahead—
three hooded guards stood motionless outside an enormous black chamber door.
Purple torchlight flickered across their robes.
Not a single one moved.
Marco carefully peeked out from behind the pillar—
then immediately pulled his head back.
Marco (whispering): "…Why are they standing like statues?"
Esabell remained calm.
Esabell: "…Because they're guarding the Lord's chamber."
Marco sighed.
Marco: "…Amazing observation."
Esabell ignored him completely.
Her eyes remained fixed on the guards.
Thinking.
Then suddenly—
Esabell quietly reached toward her hair.
Marco blinked.
Esabell slowly removed several black hair clips one by one.
Except—
they were not normal clips.
Tiny black metal balls were hidden between them.
Marco stared.
Marco: "…What the hell are those?"
Esabell calmly placed three tiny metal balls into Marco's hands.
Each one fit perfectly inside his palm.
Esabell: "…Captain Bochy's exploding balls."
Marco blinked twice.
Marco: "…Wait."
He looked down at them again.
Marco: "…THOSE were in your hair?!"
Esabell nodded casually.
Esabell: "…I saw pirates on Captain Bochy's ship using them to scare each other."
A pause.
Esabell: "…I thought they looked cute."
Marco stared at her in complete disbelief.
Marco: "…Cute?"
Esabell proudly held up another tiny bomb.
Esabell: "…Look at it."
Marco: "…That is literally an explosive."
Esabell: "…A cute explosive."
Marco slowly rubbed his forehead.
Marco: "…I see…"
Then his expression shifted slightly.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
Marco: "…I like this plan already."
Marco crossed his arms.
Marco: "…But be careful or else be ready to lose your head."
Marco immediately pointed at her.
Esabell: "…Why my head..?"
Marco: "…Because if we fail, they'll probably cut your head too."
Esabell looked genuinely thoughtful for a second.
Marco quietly laughed.
Then Esabell lowered her voice.
Esabell: "…They mostly create noise."
A pause.
Marco: "…Probably."
Marco slowly looked back down at the bombs.
Then—
he suddenly grabbed the small handkerchief hanging from Esabell's sleeve.
Esabell frowned immediately.
Esabell: "…Why are you taking that?"
Marco dramatically wrapped the cloth around the lower half of his face.
Marco: "…To become your savior."
Esabell stared at him blankly.
Esabell: "…What?"
Marco proudly pointed at himself.
Marco: "…Perfect disguise."
Before Esabell could respond—
Marco inhaled deeply.
Marco: "…Alright."
He cracked his neck once.
Marco: "…Let's do this."
A few moments later—
Marco suddenly stumbled out from behind the pillar.
Not close enough to be caught—
but close enough to be seen.
Marco: "HELP—!"
The three guards instantly snapped their heads toward him.
Guard: "…Who are you?"
Marco pointed frantically down the corridor behind him.
Marco: "…Someone attacked the Lord!"
The guards froze.
Guard: "…What?"
Marco: "…I saw it myself!"
Another guard stepped forward sharply.
Guard: "…Impossible."
Marco waved his arms wildly.
Marco: "…No seriously! Hurry!"
The guards exchanged uncertain looks.
Then one suddenly shouted—
Guard: "…Wait! Stop! Who are you?!"
The moment they started moving—
Marco turned and bolted down the hallway.
Marco: "HE'S THIS WAY—!"
The guards instantly chased after him.
Their footsteps thundered violently through the corridor.
Meanwhile—
the moment the guards disappeared around the corner—
Esabell moved.
Silently.
Quickly.
She slipped from behind the pillar and rushed toward the massive chamber doors.
The ancient doors were slightly open.
Just enough.
Esabell slid inside without making a sound.
Far down the hallway—
Marco continued sprinting.
The guards rapidly gained on him.
Guard: "…GET BACK HERE!"
Marco glanced behind him dramatically.
Marco: "…YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THE LORD, NOT ME!"
Then—
three tiny black metal balls suddenly rolled behind the guards.
CLINK.
CLINK.
CLINK.
The guards instantly turned around.
Guard: "…What is th—"
BOOOOOOM.
BOOM.
BOOOOOOM.
Violent explosions thundered throughout the corridor.
Smoke burst outward violently.
The guards immediately panicked.
Guard: "…INTRUDERS!"
Guard: "…SEARCH THE AREA!"
At that exact moment—
Marco suddenly leaped over the side railing of a narrow stone balcony.
The guards whipped back around.
Guard: "…WHAT—?!"
Marco's body vanished downward.
The guards rushed toward the railing.
Guard: "…Where did he go?!"
Below them—
Marco hung silently beneath the balcony edge using both hands.
Sweat dripped down his forehead while his arms trembled violently.
Marco (thinking): I'm going to die.
Above him—
the guards rushed around in panic.
Guard: "…Find him quickly!"
Guard: "…Stay alert!"
Their footsteps rapidly disappeared down the opposite corridor.
The moment they vanished—
Marco immediately pulled himself back upward.
Heavy breathing escaped him.
Marco: "…Captain Bochy…"
Another breath.
Marco: "…Esabell…"
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Marco: "…Your terrifying brain is finally useful."
A few moments later—
Marco rushed back toward the chamber.
Inside—
Esabell carefully held the massive door slightly open.
The moment Marco slipped inside—
she immediately shut it behind him.
THUD.
Silence.
Then both slowly looked up.
Rows upon rows of ancient books stretched endlessly throughout the massive chamber.
Dust-covered shelves towered toward the ceiling.
Forbidden symbols glowed faintly across countless black-covered texts.
Some books were chained shut.
Others pulsed softly beneath the candlelight.
The air itself felt wrong.
Heavy.
Ancient.
Like the room itself remembered things humanity was never meant to know.
Marco swallowed slowly.
Marco: "…Yeah…"
A pause.
Marco: "…This place is definitely cursed."
...CHAPTER 64ENDS...