I was a bit worried that the Shadow Dragon would suddenly die from the poison. After all, it's not just poison that the dragon has eaten but the entire essence and origin of all the poison currently mixed in the pool of water on the lake.
However, my worries seem to be all for naught as the dragon not only enjoys it, the dragon even gained a bit of benefit, albeit that it's still in the process of being applied as the core of the Primordial Poison that the Versatile Weapon has eaten is currently being digested.
"Uh... Manato? Is your sword fine? Eating poison just like that... are you sure it won't die?" Riko asked, worried that the Shadow dragon will suddenly collapse and die after a while.
"So far, no. In fact, it seems this guy is getting hungrier the moment it has eaten that thing," I then started swinging the Versatile Weapon to show that it is still fine.
"Wow, this guy's stomach must be too resilient. I have seen it eat but who would have thought even the items that should not be eaten can be consumed by this weapon of yours, son," Father is amazed by the Versatile Weapon's functionality.
"Well, it does seem like a good thing but sometimes, it's something I am worried about, what if one day, I wouldn't be able to provide anything for this thing to eat anymore? Will it devour me someday?"
"Very possible, but not if you show the weapon that you are in control. Don't let it take advantage of you," Pandora suggested. "Anyways, enough chit-chat. Now that the trouble is gone and the primordial poison is nowhere to be found and no longer a threat, it's time to drain the poison of the lake."
I nodded and I look at my Versatile Weapon. Since it didn't go into hibernation, it will be devouring more than usual today. But since this dragon is looking forward to devouring the lake, it should be fine.
All of us made sure there are no more things left on the battlefield and we ensured that the dragon left no traces there that might corrupt the surroundings in the process. Once everything is in place, we headed to the lake, and with the dragon no longer resting in the middle of the lake, it felt like the lake has become empty all of a sudden.
However, if the dragon didn't land here in the first place the lake wouldn't even look this empty in the first place.
"I am going to start this now, okay?" I looked at everyone as I pointed the tip of the Versatile weapon into the poisonous and corrosive water of the lake.
Everyone nodded and are watching at what will happen next. As for me, I waited for a bit before I put the blade into the water and then released the command.
"[DEVOUR!]"
The moment I gave the command, the Shadow Dragon went out with a big mouth and drained the water in the blink of an eye. It was like the plug for the drainage of the pool has been pulled out causing all of the stagnating water to get itself drained. All of the water that possessed poison as well as on the rivers has been devoured, fully draining everything and leaving it without any water.
Everyone was surprised at how rapidly the water disappeared. Not only in the lake but even in the rivers. We can even see the bottom of the lake as well which somehow, reveals some kind of shrine there but it seems no one has noticed it yet as everyone marveled at how the water disappeared in one go.
"Wow, Manato. You really did drain the water without a sweat. Is your weapon fine? Did it feel bloated after drinking so much water in the process?" Riko asked.
I looked at my Versatile Weapon and it seems to be doing just fine. I checked its status and it seems that the digestion process of everything the Versatile Weapon devoured will last for a whole 2 months. I was expecting it to be a bit longer considering it devoured so much in one go but perhaps this will not take long enough. And considering that it didn't hibernate after devouring everything, I can still let it devour anything except the Seven Deadly Sins weapons which might be the ones that will cause the Shadow Dragon to enter a hibernation phase.
"Alright, our only remaining task is to get rid of all the remnants of corpses in the lake that has been sticking around after they all died and sink into the water. That way, the new water that will fill the lake back will be much cleaner and will be purified as well. It will also avoid forming a temporary summoning site for zombies and ghouls as well."
Everyone is eager to help. But before that, we decided to go back to the mansion and deliver the good news. I also took a secret note to myself on the ruins I spotted as well. We might be able to explore that place later on. But for now, we will have to celebrate that our problem has been dealt with without too much of a problem.
As soon as we returned, Almira and Mother are currently waiting for us. They welcomed us after our successful endeavor in the end.
"Looks like the process is successful then? We heard strong noises earlier but it ended rather quickly. Just what happened?" Mother asked as she inspected me for wounds or injuries.
"Come on dear, he is fine. Don't worry too much..." Before Father can continue what he was saying, Mother switches her target and also started inspecting my father.
"Don't struggle too much, I am in the middle of an inspection. This is payback for keeping me worried."
I can only facepalm myself when the two started flirting but I don't really mind them doing that. Anyways, we immediately tell Mother and Almira the events that happened after we lured the dragon. We also told them the dragon disintegrated after it died so we didn't even get any sort of material we can use for making new weapons, tools, or anything dragon-related equipment.
"Ugh...I knew it. Although I am expecting it to happen, I was still having some small hope that even at least a little will remain after it died that you guys can salvage then perhaps, the process would have been more rewarding in the process."
"Yeah. It felt a bit more bland that we ended up without much problem in the process. It's a huge stake of a battle and we get nothing much in return. It's pretty much a one-sided thing to us. And we are in a disadvantageous state," Rika voiced out her disappointment.
"I think not all hope is lost though," I started so that their attention will shift to me.
"And why is that?" Almira frowned.
"Because earlier after draining the water of the lake, something was revealed to us that seems to look like some kind of shrine or ruin door present. It's covered in multiple rubbles but I am sure it was some kind of shrine or ruin entrance. I must say it is worth investigating, yeah?"
"An entrance?"n0VElUsB.c0M
...
...
...
...
Because everyone seems to not believe me, I escorted them to the place where the entrance I spotted. I cleared away the rubble a bit and soon revealed an entrance that leads deeper.
"A hidden ruin? And under the lake for how long?" Almira's eyes lit up when she inspected the place.
"Indeed. This place looks like a ruin, Seeing the totems and some structures here and there, it seems to be something that existed way beyond in the past. And since its entrance has been submerged from water for how long and has never been explored or even dived on, it safe to say this place is not yet looted and is ready to be explored while the water has been drained," Renatta added.
"So that means there might be treasure?" Riko's eyes lit up.
"Don't be too excited just yet. Considering this place is submerged underwater and the water became corrosive, there is a high chance some of the items present in this place are either too poor quality or are all ready to collapse any minute," Labo shut her down, causing Riko to get disappointed.
"But that is only a chance. We have no idea how long the corrosion has been there and how deep has the corrosion gone deep before. If that is the case, anything inside might be either unharmed or broken. It's just a chance so don't think too much that this place is a bit useless," Renatta reassured Riko.
Almira grinned widely while staring at this place. "I can smell treasure beyond this place. I guess it was indeed worth it after all."
Now, we are planning for the next target, exploration to this unknown place.