Leave a comment

The next day, Inglis and her companions were escorted by First Professor Vilkin to the underground floor of the Central Research Institute. The facility responsible for producing Hyrule Menaces was located there.

Eris was set to commence her treatment within this facility, prompting their visit to bid her farewell. The initiation of her treatment meant they wouldn’t see her for a year or two, making their approach hesitant. They had used a device to communicate with Special Envoy Theodore from Illuminas, receiving his approval for the integration of the new function proposed by Professor Vilkin, as Eris had requested.

Inglis was also keen on observing the facilities that enabled the creation of a Hyrule Menace, representing a cornerstone of Highland technology.

“Look~ There it is~ That’s the Hyrule Menace manufacturing facility~”

They found themselves in an immense underground space, its natural rock formations exposed. It was unclear from which part of the world this section of Illuminas had originated, but the cavern seemed like a remnant from when the island was part of the mainland.

The vast chamber contained a single, imposing structure.

“Wh-, what is that…?!”
“A really large stone box…?”
“It almost resembles a sarcophagus…”

The stone coffin towered above them, demanding they crane their necks upward. It was difficult to encapsulate in words, dominating the underground expanse with its significant presence.

“It’s flickering…with a peculiar light…”

As Leone noted, a subtle, shimmering glow emanated from the sarcophagus’s surface.

“But it feels somewhat soothing, or rather, nostalgic, doesn’t it~”
“It’s ephemeral and beautiful.”
“…”

Inglis remained silent as Rafinha and the others shared their impressions. Her silence stemmed from a deep recognition; it was something ingrained in her memory as King Inglis.

“That’s called the Sarcophagus of Greyfriar~ Eris will step inside for her repair and enhancements~”
“To think I’ll enter that coffin again. I never imagined I’d encounter it a second time…”

Eris sighed, running her fingers through her hair in an uncharacteristically nervous gesture.

“…no—”

That wasn’t it. Inglis didn’t know what this Greyfriar was—perhaps it was someone’s name or something else entirely. However, that artifact wasn’t a device for creating Hyrule Menaces, not as she remembered.

(That’s the Ravine Stone Door…! To find it here…!)

Inglis was taken aback. This was a training site established by the Old Gods, dubbed the Ravine Stone Door by Goddess Alistair. In her past life, before she founded the Silvair Kingdom and ascended to the throne, the then-young Inglis had crossed through that portal shortly after being blessed by Goddess Alistair and becoming a Divine Knight.

Obviously, simply becoming a Divine Knight didn’t mean Inglis could freely manipulate Ether right away. It took years of training to master basic techniques like Ether Strike and Ether Armor from scratch.

Back then, the times were chaotic, with frequent conflicts among people, and monsters and demons were rampant. Such conditions didn’t afford the newly anointed Divine Knight the luxury of leisurely training for years. That’s when Goddess Alistair guided young Inglis to the Ravine Stone Door.

The Ravine Stone Door was an unstable entity, constantly shifting its location. Time within it flowed differently from the outside world.

From the outside, it appeared as a sealed stone coffin without any visible means of entry or exit. However, a deity or a Divine Knight who harnessed the same Ether could open it. Once inside and the door was shut, it couldn’t be opened from within. The only escape was for someone outside to open it.

Young Inglis used this place to hone his Ether control as much as possible. After years of intensive training, he mastered the fundamental combat techniques. When Goddess Alistair eventually opened the door, only a few days had passed in the outside world.

These were the memories from when Inglis was a young man in her past life. After becoming King Inglis, he had wished to return to the Ravine Stone Door but was unable to do so due to his responsibilities and the state of the world, until his death.

As of now, however, Inglis didn’t see the necessity to use the Stone Door. Since time felt like it flowed just normally when you’re inside, stepping in would only make her age.

Currently, Inglis felt no urgent need to use the Stone Door. Since time inside flowed normally, entering would only cause her to age. The Ravine Stone Door was meant for those in dire need of rapid strength gains or those attempting to fit training into a busy schedule.

Since Inglis Eux wasn’t bound by any pressing duties or obligations, using the door wasn’t a priority.

“What a curious glow, huh~? Even with all of Highland’s technology, its source remains a mystery.”
“So even Highland’s advanced technology can’t unravel it…”
“That’s fascinating…”

Leone and Liselotte were intrigued by Professor Vilkin’s revelation. Their analysis was based on mana interference, so they wouldn’t uncover its true nature.

The soft light that bathed the sarcophagus was the radiance of Ether, and the stone wasn’t ordinary but a Sacred Treasure created by an Old God. Yet now, it was anchored in place, repurposed as a Hyrule Menace manufacturing facility.

First Vufailbane, and now the Ravine Stone Door—artifacts familiar to King Inglis were reappearing.

“Glis…? What’s wrong?”
“…N-, nothing.”
“…You’re plotting something, aren’t you? Up to no good again?”
“No, it’s fine, I’m not plotting… ah.”

A brilliant idea had just struck Inglis. It could potentially improve their situation—

“What? What is it?”
“No… Maybe I want to enter it, just for a little while?”
“Hey! I knew it, you’re planning something…!”

Catching onto their exchange, Professor Vilkin chuckled nervously.

“Well~ I can’t allow that~ Eris must be the only one inside during the process~ Introducing any foreign element could jeopardize the creation of the Next Generation Hyrule Menace~ We can’t risk causing global trouble, can we?”

“Yes, I understand…! I’ll keep a close watch on her!”

Rafinha scooped Inglis up, embracing her tightly. Inglis was like a kitten in the grip of its mother.

“Please do~”

Professor Vilkin offered a smile.

Inglis had anticipated she wouldn’t be permitted to enter the sarcophagus. Forcing the issue could strain relations with Highland, especially since she and her friends essentially represented the Kingdom of Charalia.

Perhaps there would be an opportunity to use it in the future, though by then, the urgent need might no longer exist.

As they talked, the group approached the imposing sarcophagus.