CHAPTER 463.1: BOREDOM KILLER ④

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Hmmm………… I can’t find any Relics.

I don’t know how much time has passed since I began walking through the Treasure Shrine while following the instructions from my smartphone. I am walking through the darkness, feeling half-sick of it.

The Treasure Shrine seems safe, just as the information on my smartphone said. The atmosphere is dark and ominous, but at least there are no Phantoms. But at the same time, there is no Relic to be found.

Maybe I won’t be able to get the Relics unless I fulfill certain conditions. Thinking like this, I tried following the instructions coming from my smartphone, but nothing changed.

Well, all I have to do is press buttons, unlock some locks, pull levers, peel off talismans, and the like, so I don’t really mind, but I am starting to feel a little sleepy.

The time being the time, it is getting late…… I intended to quickly get the Relics and go home, but…… Even with breaks, fatigue is fatigue, so I am getting tired.

The Treasure Shrine seems to be divided into various areas. It is the first time I have seen such an unusual Treasure Shrine.

It is rare to walk through the Treasure Shrine by myself, so it is indeed a valuable experience.

Then, I hear a voice from my smartphone.

『It’s me, Mary. I want you to remove the talisman from the cover of the old well that should not be open-no.』 (Mary)

“Yeees” (Cry)

I approach the old well that has suddenly appeared, and as instructed, peel off the talismans that are *betabeta* stuck to the lid and open it. I peer inside, but it is pitch black, so I cannot see a thing.

『It’s me, Mary. Do you understand what “should not be open” means-no?』 (Mary)

“Of course. If it says you should not open it, then it means that it is bad if you open it.” (Cry)

But see…… You are the one who told me that you want me to open it.

『It’s me, Mary. You’ve already pressed 20 Taboo Switches-no.』 (Mary

Finally, huh…… Although I don’t know what a Taboo Switch is.

I sigh and speak to Mary.

“Do I get a prize or something?” (Cry)

『It’s me, Mary. …… I don’t understand what you’re talking about-no.』 (Mary)

“Why don’t you understand…… I have been cutting down on my sleep too, you know?” (Cry)

『It’s me, Mary. Somehow it’s not just Lady, I’m starting to get a headache too-no.』 (Mary)

Why…… I followed your instructions, so surely I should get some kind of thanks? You know, like the Relic I want……

But I feel kinda tired…… I sigh and lean against the wall.

Then, at that moment――I heard a *kon* clank sound behind me. I quickly move away.

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『It’s me, Mary. Th-That’s the secret room-nano!』 (Mary)

Mary-san’s voice sounds flustered.

There is now an entrance at the place where there has been nothing but an ordinary wall just moments ago.

The atmosphere there is clearly different from the places I have walked through so far.

I have a bad feeling about this. From my experience, most of the things I find usually end up nothing but trouble. However, this time, there is no way I will not go in. After all, there are no Phantoms in this Treasure Shrine…… There might even be a Relic inside. RА𐌽ο𝐛ÈꞨ

I carefully go in. After walking down the stairs for a few seconds, I find myself in――A white metal room.

The room is simple, with a table in the center and what looks like an old altar at the back.

The atmosphere is clearly different. The places I have walked through up until now have been dark and dilapidated, but this place is bright.

And somehow――It is cutting edge. It reminds me a little bit of the buildings in Code.

『It’s me, Ma――』 (Mary)

“*Moshi Moshi* Hello? I can’t hear you very well.” (Cry)

『It’s m――Ry. The――Butt――Absolutely do not press――――』 (Mary)

There are noises, and the call cuts off at the perfect moment.

I check my smartphone and scratch my head.

Oops…… The battery is dead. Lucia just recharged it, but after talking on the phone for hours straight and keeping the flashlight, it must have run out of energy.

Now, what should I do? I check what is in the room again.

First, the box-shaped table in the center.

On top of it is a crown on a pedestal, with a button positioned in front of it.

In the back, there is something like an altar, upon which a dull, glowing, statue-like object is placed there.

I cross my arms, *un, un* nod, and make a badass smile.

I see, puzzle time, huh.

I see………… I see?

§ § §

I desperately run away from Lucia, who is chasing me. Lucia’s speed is nothing like what it had been a few hours ago. She slides across the frozen floor, using Magic to accelerate.

Inside the Treasure Shrine, I, Lady, am running away at full speed, but I cannot shake her off. What’s more, Lucia is probably barely using any Magic or physical energy at all.

If things continue like this, I will be the first to run out of energy.

I wanted to escape by teleporting away, but I couldn’t do that either. It is because I have been magically marked. Even if I teleported and ran away, she would definitely pursue me. Lucia, who is chasing after me without making a sound and with an expressionless face, is radiating a terrifying presence that convinced me of this.

It is also impossible to kick her out. This Treasure Shrine can only Spirit Away people, kicking them out is not its original function. It would be one thing if she wanted to leave, but Lucia has no intention of doing so.

Mary joins me, while I am extremely confused and scared, as I am wondering about what to do.

“It’s me, Mary. It’s bad-no! Cry has found the altar room-no!” (Mary)

“!? Why!?” (Lady)

The altar room lies at the very heart of the Treasure Shrine. It is not like we really need to protect this room, but it should have been extremely difficult to find that small room in this vast Treasure Shrine.

“It’s me, Mary. I was trying to explain, but his phone got cut-no! His battery died-nano!” (Mary)

“Eeeeh……” (Lady)

“It’s me, Mary. But I managed to tell him not to press the button-no!” (Mary)

Between the altar is a statue of the Star God and a crown. And a single button.

The statue and crown are Taboo Switches. By placing the crown on the table on the statue’s head, the Phantom left by the Star God’s will be revived.

And that is the preparation for invading the world.

However, what is more important, is the button on the table.

It is not a button that revives a sealed Phantom like the previous Taboo Switches.

“If you press that, the worlds will merge. It’s too soon!” (Lady)

That is a button that connects this Treasure Shrine with the outside world.

It is originally planned to be pushed after gathering enough fear and after the Star God’s return.

The moment that button is pressed, this Treasure Shrine, which exists in another dimension, will merge with the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia.

It will be possible to travel freely between the 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】 and the outside world, and the Phantoms, who currently can only go outside by taking advantage of a rumor, will be able to roam the outside world freely.

I haven’t pressed the button because it isn’t the time yet.

The Star God has not returned yet, and the gathering of fear is still only half done. On the other hand, for humans, that button that causes Phantoms to manifest is a disaster in itself.

In other words, to put it simply, it is a button that no one would gain from being pressed.

I desperately turn the gears in my brain as I run.

For now, even that man wouldn’t press the button as Mary had warned him. As for the crown, it wouldn’t be a problem if he put it on the statue, in fact, it would be a good thing.

If the Phantom that god created by putting its power in it were to be revived, the situation would instantly reverse. The statue is clearly made to look like it could be crowned, so if it is a Hunter, it is not unlikely that he would put the crown on it. Also, there is no mention about not putting the crown on it like the previous times……

At least, it is good news that I now know where Cry is, as I was so busy trying to escape that I didn’t have time to check.

I will guide Lucia. If we can reach Cry, Lucia’s anger should subside.

If this continues, the entire Treasure Shrine will be frozen solid. Seeing Lucia silently closing the distance little by little, I desperately whip myself up, muster my last bit of strength, and increase my speed.

“Onee-chan! Onii-chan is over here!!” (Lady)

§ § §

Thanks for reading! Lol Cry on his little adventure already liberate 20 The Ring-like Phantom and found the secret room that should not found. Sasuga Master~ What will Cry do with the crown and the button!? Will Lady successfully guide Lucia before Cry does something!?

Yaah new episode of Strange Grief and the start of the Emperor escort mission! As expected of Car-kun, Cry’s true rival, the second one to ever successfully hurt him, of course the first one is Eva. I’m nitpicking but I wanted to see Car-kun shadow boxing that would have gone so well with the tone of the anime… I did not expect Gark’s uvula yelling scene to make me laugh so much XD I also did not remember that Rosemary was suspended, so being suspended is a daily occurrence for a Level 8 XD Kruz and her ahoge is so cute, the anime nail her during this episode! She is such a small Tsundere. But did you notice how Lapis threw Kruz under the bus as soon as Cry mention to take her, loool. Kruz attitude flip due to drinking tea was so fun it reminds me about Franky using tea to recharge in One Piece Strange Grief meeting, I love how it was like a secret meeting to eliminate all of Cry’s enemy, the fact that Cry was replaced by Plushie-Cry and that they showed that Eliza’s seat was empty Cry’s Perfect Vacation is finally here! It is really just a hawaiian t-shirt. And Cry telling the angry Franz to not be angry about what will happen and the fact that no bandit, monster, treasure shrine, phantom and disaster appearing is such foreshadowing for what is going to happen next. Lucia doing the Monster Hunter Barbecue was so unexpected! Do you think we have a MH fan in the production team? All in all a very good episode!