Chapter 223: 215 – Weaponised Ferocity

Chapter 215 – Weaponised Ferocity

I don’t know exactly what we expected to see after the massive gate swung open, but I guess total darkness is not far from it. All in all, we have been picking locks at an ancient entrance of a supposedly dead community. They might have once been something incredible, and right now, we are about to discover if it was true for ourselves, about to venture into the possible ruins and dusty remains of a lost civilization.

Well, not entirely lost since the Dwarves still are good and dandy back in their faraway lands, but the same can’t be said about those protecting and managing these places. I do wonder how much of their culture was left behind in these supposed tunnels. My excitement at such discovery might not compare to Sirgia’s even in the slightest, but it’s still rather high up there.

“Do you have more than one of those head lights?” I ask my short companion.

“Of course, Master.” The craft Dwarf lady nods and summons another one from her spatial storage. “Here you are. We might need them. There doesn’t seem to be any power in the lighting system. It’s not a surprise if it hasn’t been manually maintained for decades, if not longer.”

“Power? What was it powered with?” I raise a curious brow at her.

“According to the legends, massive spiritual furnaces that burned mana-infused crystals and gemstones. All that spiritual energy then flowed through pipes covered in special sealant and runes that kept all that mana inside the ducts. Those were connected to all the major utilities like lighting, heating, water pumps, and so on. It beats having people dedicated to spending their entire days or weeks walking around and resupplying every single crystal and device by hand. Especially in a massive, dark place like this,” she explains with clear pride in her voice.

It might not exactly fall under magitech yet, but those were quite close, I would say. It shouldn’t be that shocking considering how crafty in terms of engineering Dwarves usually are in most stories. In the end, I have a perfect example right by my side. With just the slightest little nudge from me, Sirgia designed plenty of gadgets from Earth within the restraints of the current realm. Even without my assistance, she was already a great artificer.

“Do you think we would be able to restore that power?” I put the hat on and turn the light, shooting a white beam into the darkness. “That would certainly make it easier to explore this place, which I’m fairly sure you would love to do.”

Sirgia fidgets a little next to me. “If you think we have the time, Master...”

Chuckling gently, I ruffle through her hair. “This is your trip, your adventure. I’m just your bodyguard. My mission is to deliver you safely to your homeland. So, wherever you go, I go too. I ain’t leaving your side for a moment. Okay, maybe save for toilet time. That you can handle on your own, I think.”

She lets out an adorable giggle and shoots me a pretty smile. “Thank you, Master. I’m sure it will be worth it.”

“Seeing this lovely smile of yours is already making it worth it.” I wink at her and Sirgia’s cheeks colour faintly. “So you want to go in or should we spend a night outside first?”

Looking thoughtful, she glances between our campfire and the mysterious depths. “Inside should be safer. Especially with our hidden residence. And there shouldn’t be anything we have to worry about in there. All the defensive measures should be down.”

“Should being the keyword here.” I wave a finger at her. “But, I agree. Let’s collect our stuff before the gate closes. No idea how long it stays open like this. You ready too, Diana? Or should we give you some time to hunt a little more? You might have to eat the rations we prepared for you for who knows how long.”

Our canine companion gives the forest behind us one more glance before returning her attention to the front and shaking her head like a drill, along with the rest of her body. The two of us chuckle at the entertaining sight and take that as a confirmation that she is up for it. Maybe she will be able to leave with her ability once we step inside. Not sure if we are going to try in case she ends up blocked when trying to get back in. Sirgia will have to decide once we gather more information on the seals and arrays keeping this place safe from outside interference.

So, we get to work and clean our camp up as much as we can. We won’t be able to erase all traces, but it isn’t a problem. It’s not like someone who comes here to ponder the sealed entrance is going to figure out that we went inside. There already were some signs of other people staying the night around here so I assume it’s not that uncommon of a sightseeing spot. It’s not even hidden, really.

After we are packed up once more and Diana is comfortably inside the harness with the saddle and other equipment, the two of us share a nod of understanding and start walking through the gate. The big protective wolf takes my left while Sirgia takes the right. We follow the ruined road until it becomes a functional road at the doorstep, just very, very old and dirty. It resembles one of those legendary Roman paths that survived centuries, only pure black and ominous. Our steps kick up clouds of ancient dust, revealing more details underneath the thick layer.

When our group is safely a few metres inside, the old mechanism jolts itself to work again, causing us to jump in surprise, and the two giant wings begin closing up. I guess there has to be some kind of a magical motion trigger that makes the whole thing understand people have wandered in or out and it’s time to seal the passage once more. We stand there and watch as the gap grows smaller and smaller, soon disappearing completely with the familiar noise of both the locks we have solved earlier falling into place.

I’m glad to know we haven’t permanently unlocked them. That could have been a problem.

But, no use thinking about it now. And no need to.

We turn to the road ahead of us. The sheer size of the tunnel we have entered is overwhelming. This passage could easily serve as an interstate highway going through a mountain, with at least three lanes on each side. I think the slight squeeze near the end is intentional, either for security reasons or something else. You could fit more defenders on this side while the invaders had to push through a narrower entrance.

This long cavern is just as high as the gate, not rising any higher, and it most likely didn’t need to in the past. I can’t imagine anything this massive being capable of regular travel throughout this world, even with the mastery of the Dwarves. A damn Dragon could comfortably fly through this passage, depending on the case, of course. The residents wouldn’t be happy no matter the size anyway, most likely.

There are no niches or other passages in the walls around us, only the straight tunnel ahead. If there is any checkpoint or military fort, it has to be placed deeper in, which would be smart. The potential enemy would need to retreat in a straight line in the case of failure, open to a vicious counterattack. If they wouldn’t end up locked inside in the first place.

But, I can spot the crystals used for lighting Sirgia has mentioned. They are embedded into the ceiling in two even rows and are massive on their own. From where we stand, they look to be the size of a person. A Dwarf, of course. Their surface is black and shiny right now, making me wonder what kind of light they emit when supplied with mana.

“It’s like time has stopped here,” Sirgia whispers while looking around and shining her lamp everywhere. “No traces of battle, damage, death, just a complete lack of presence for a long period. If every section is like this, we might really have a chance to power it back up, Master. Maybe the fuel hasn’t fully run out and we will find enough of it in the warehouses.”

“It’s too early to judge, but that would be nice.” I nod to myself. “Now think what would your clan think if they learned you not only unlocked the route of the ancients but even restored it to its former greatness, providing your allies a safe passage through the mountains.”

Her eyes grow wide to the brim as her gaze snaps to my face. “That... That would be...”

“Heroic? Legendary? Enough to show everyone how much of a badass you are?” I grin at her. “Plus, it would definitely help us out too with any future expeditions. Not to mention providing a safe haven for those in need.”

“We would need people to run it. Not even all of us from the mansion are enough to maintain something like this.” She turns a tad hesitant.

“Baby steps, dear, baby steps.” I chuckle softly. “First, we find something that can prove we have unearthed the secrets of the ancients. Then, we gain the respect of your kin and make you the boss. And next, we find worthy allies to recruit for this project. It might take a while, but it’s not impossible. You are a Forgegraver, aren’t you?”

For a moment, she looks like she is going to use the branch family card again, but seeing my confident gaze, she tosses it away and responds with a gentle smile. “I am. And I will make my name as famous as the Mad Lady’s to make you proud, Master.”

“That’s the spirit!” I scoop her up into a warm hug. “They have no idea what’s coming for them!”

She giggles into my ear. “They certainly are not expecting the Demigod of Lust in the flesh to be heading for their lands.”

“Now, that’s not what I meant, but I guess you aren’t wrong.” Smirking, I let my lovely Dwarf girl down. “Should we head deeper? I can’t see any good spots to hide the suitcase in. Of course, there are your concealing enchantments, but I would sleep easier knowing it isn’t simply sitting out in the open like this.”

“Let’s walk, then. There should be a guardhouse or something. There is no way the entrance was completely unguarded in the past,” Sirgia points out and Diana gives an affirming bark, which echoes throughout the long cave, making us both laugh openly.

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Or worse, like in a mech.

I feel my feet get locked in place by some firm restraints and the other handle mirrors the motion, merging with mine for a better grip, I guess, and an even lower riding profile. Then, I sense faint clicks under my fingers and note that the surface below them has now become pressure-sensitive like controller triggers. I have either five or ten different things linked to all the available buttons.

To complete the transformation, a small rod extends upwards at the front edge of the saddle right in the middle until it reaches the height of my eyes. Then, the tip splits into a circular mesh pointing to the middle. I gain a damned crosshair like those fancy aiming sights in WW2 anti-air guns on top of military naval vessels.

~Sirgia? What the hell did you put in this saddle?~ I ask in bewilderment but she only grins and pats Diana on the butt.

The two of us lurch forward as my agile steed leaps ahead, effortlessly bouncing off the ramparts and battlements to move higher and higher. I feel a consciousness prod mine and realise that’s her trying to sync up with me the best she can. Offering the same back to her, we become almost one. It’s not perfect, it’s slightly awkward and disorienting, but it’s epic.

With our thoughts linked, Diana reaches about half the full height of the chamber and pushes herself off a nearby surface. My sights travel over the grey stone until I find a bunch of targets right where they should be. A gentle thought prods my mind, urging me to press one of the upper triggers.

I do as requested, and with a slight tremor from somewhere next to my left thigh, three parts of a fist-sized metal ball fly forward, soon turning into a spinning tangle of chains. A literal, naval chain shot hits one of the Wyverns and it drops down with its wings temporarily tied up, smashing into the hard ground in a cloud of dust. Sirgia is on it right away, smashing its head into a paste with a well-placed strike of her sizable hammer, shooting me thumbs up as the two of us descend too, disappearing into the shadows.

Well, fuck me. It looks like Diana knows more about the equipment concealed in this bad boy than I do. Perhaps it should not be as surprising as Sirgia had to test-fire it to calibrate everything, and how better to do that other than in the field with the wearer helping out.

But, that was just one of the annoying Dragon-wannabes. A dozen or so more to go.

We emerge out of the shadows on the other side of the arena and I instantly pick up on a Wyvern diving straight for my petite lover. Not wanting to give it even a chance at having a shot at her, I communicate my protective desire with Diana, and she makes a few really fast hops down until we are on the same level as that fucker.

Then, I aim the sights ahead of time and press the trigger below the first one right as the target flies into the crosshair.

A stronger force tugs at the saddle on the left side, making me realise that left and right on the controls matter, and the wings of the Wyvern get shredded to bits mid-flap, blood and pieces launched towards the other side, leaving gaping holes behind.

Holy cow, are those fucking shrapnels?!

The other beasts stir from what has to be a sound blast which we fortunately can’t hear. Only now it fully comes to me that I’m sitting on top of a goddamned tank, not a wolf. A tank with a mind of its own. And only its mind knows what else it has in store for the poor bastards that end up in front of its crosshairs.

Finally deeming our pair as the bigger threat, two Wyverns descend on us with their intentions clear. I see Sirgia offer the same fate to the second downed lizard as she had before so I refocus on us. She is a big girl. She can handle herself even without me looking after her.

We avoid the bite of the first attacker and Diana skilfully twists herself around it to push off its back right at its companion. Surprised by the unexpected show of vertical agility, it reacts too slowly and she sinks her fangs in its long neck from below seemingly without an issue.

Those canines are damn fine daggers if even scales are no match for them.

One strong tug, one broken spine later, and we are falling again. But, before we plunge into the shadows near the floor, Diana twists herself to the side and I get the one that initiated the attempt in my crosshair. As it tries to gain altitude again, I click the third option.

A roped javelin hurls itself forward at a breakneck speed, grazing Diana’s fur on the side as it exits some concealed duct. It spears through its target and the tip unfolds to find better purchase on the other side. My clever friend chomps on the escaping rope and we swing like a pendulum until we gain enough momentum to end up higher than the Wyvern, where she allows me to line up another shot, this time finishing the job with another shrapnel.

I could get addicted to this.

A quick glance below shows Sirgia with three more down on her own, ready to unalive the one we have just sent her way. She is splashed with blood, but it’s definitely not hers. The excited smile on her plump lips only proves that. She must be having the time of her life too watching her creations properly getting used in my hands as intended.

Not to disappoint, I get myself in the zone again and give Diana’s side a few appreciative smacks as we land on hard ground. She releases a vibrating howl, further throwing the rest of the Wyverns into panic, and the roles become truly reversed.

The hunter has become the prey.

We sprint right by Sirgia like the wind and plunge into the darkness. A second later, I find myself upside down as we come out of the corner at the ceiling. Diana pushes herself off its surface and I hit the top triggers three times, catching two more Wyverns with the chain shot. The third one unfortunately wraps itself around a tail.

But, not all of them can be winners.

Diana falls right on top of another and her fangs find purchase in the base of its wing. I hastily let go of the right stick, summon my draconic hilt already shaped into a longsword, and thrust it into the beast’s chest from above, definitely hitting something important. We jump off the almost lifeless Wyvern right away and land on the nearby rampart.

My fierce steed spots a deserter and directs my attention to one of the beasties trying to slip into a side passage. Receiving the suggestion on what to press from her, I get myself ready and wait for Diana to put the fleeing enemy in my sights. She finds a great angle from above, peering over the edge of the wall and lowering her front.

Another fist-sized orb gets launched out of the weaponised saddle as I press a different button, but this one doesn’t split into three interconnected parts. No, it breaks off like a protective shell, unveiling a complex net with tiny but definitely heavy or magical weights that covers the target like the comfiest morning blanket, trapping it underneath forever no matter how much it struggles.

I don’t even want to think where all of this is stored and how it’s mechanically connected, but I guess this saddle is quite chunky and Diana’s size allows for a lot of space to squeeze a few compressed contraptions underneath the hood.

Since it will be safer to get rid of all the nuisances rather than let them run away, we continue the hunt. Only a few stragglers are left. We responded to the unnecessarily announced ambush faster than they expected and their advantage of numbers was quickly lost. They also don’t seem used to fighting here even if they have been living in these passages for a while.

The last trio goes down without another shot fired, two taken down by me and Diana, and that final one thrown off the air with a spinning hammer to the head which earns itself a whistle of appreciation. When compared to such an amazing feat, my stabby techniques feel cheap and unattractive. But, a certain wolf’s ferocious fangs make up for it, giving our short spectator a good show in my stead.

Giving the arena one last look over to make sure that no one plays dead, I have Diana hop down the defensive formations until we land on the ground. Sirgia hastily trots up to us and yanks the lever that had tied my feet to the stirrups at the start of the fight. Free once more, I slide off Diana’s back and help with the helmet, freeing her fluffy ears as soon as possible. She thanks me with a long lick that makes Sirgia giggle in amusement.

The two of us then take off our own ear protection and I put my hands on my hips.

“I think we need to have a conversation about what toys you are letting our dog play with, little lady.”

She joins her hands behind her back and shoots me an innocent upward glance while swaying her waist a little.

Nope. I ain’t falling for that one this time.

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