Metabasis of Ashen Embers · Chapter 3
The Moving Statue
As we went deeper into the cave, I could see Haydee and Cristelle's expressions growing more serious.
Their revenge must have meant that much to them.
Still, the oppressive atmosphere was starting to feel suffocating.
I figured I should try saying something.
A-he-hem...!
My throat's getting a little dry. How about you two?
Cristelle
Ah. Would you like something to drink? I brought some soda and juice.
Thanks. I'll have some. By the way...
...What's the relationship between you two? Are you a couple?
Cristelle
Pfft! *Cough...!* *Cough...!*
Haydee
...A couple? Is there something wrong with your head? Do we look like one?
I'm joking.
You just seem really close.
Cristelle
Oh? What an unexpected question. Are you curious about us?
We're companions until this job is done.
The more I know about my companions, the better.
Cristelle
What kind of relationship, hmm... How should I put it...?
I suppose it would be most accurate to call myself Haydee's guardian.
In other words, I'm something of a mother to her.
Haydee
Who said I'm your daughter...?!?!
...?
Haydee
...You're going to give him the wrong idea if you say it like that!
Cristelle
Ufufu! But isn't that more or less the truth?
I found you collapsed and unconscious, then took you in as an employee.
It's not so different from taking in a stray cat drenched by the rain.
Even down to the fact that you used to be a little... smaller and cuter.
Haydee
...Who are you calling a cat?
And who says I was small and cute? I've always been like this. Don't get the wrong idea.
Cristelle
Keep that in mind, Captain. Haydee is quite shy, you see.
Haydee
*Sigh...* Say whatever you want. I'm starting to feel stupid getting mad at every little thing that comes out of your mouth.
But...
She was collapsed and unconscious?
Haydee
Yeah. I woke up in the middle of some abandoned ruins.
By the time Cristelle found me and woke me up, I'd already lost every memory from before I fell asleep.
Who I was, how I ended up asleep, even why I was the only one still alive.
Well, it's not exactly a happy story, is it?
And this place is...
Haydee
The ruins.
Ruins this massive buried entirely underground...
What happened here?
Haydee
No one knows for sure.
Even the historical records from the time don't properly document this place.
Its existence isn't even known to the public to begin with.
They don't call it the nameless ancient kingdom for nothing.
But there's one memory that's remained perfectly clear...
Morcerf was responsible for its destruction. That's the only thing I remember.
...Do you really think we'll discover a clue to finding Morcerf here?
Cristelle
I believe there's a very good chance.
We've been investigating traces left behind by Morcerf's many false identities for a very long time.
That's also why we've been working with Hubble.
Then, not long ago, while looking into one of those identities, we discovered this stone tablet.
It was made before this nameless kingdom fell.
And Morcerf operated here under the identity of the sage of the kingdom.
Do you really think she would've kept a meaningless piece of rock?
I certainly don't, Captain. It must have held some significance.
So we're going to use this stone tablet as our starting point and investigate the ruins more thoroughly.
And that statue is blocking the gate?
The statue kneeling in the middle of the wide avenue slowly rose to its feet.
Its helmet concealed its eyes, but there was no mistaking that its gaze was fixed on us.
It really is moving...
Cristelle
Judging by its stance, it seems to be wary of us.
Its purpose is likely to stop intruders from entering through the gate.
It's not uncommon for old ruins to have sentinel golems hidden away to guard their gates.
So we have to get past that thing and reach the gate...
This isn't going to be easy.
Cristelle
Don't frighten yourself before we've even begun, Captain.
It may be difficult to face alone, but with all three of us working together, it's certainly possible.
Haydee
Leave distracting the statue to Cristelle and me.
All you have to do is avoid its gaze and run with this stone tablet.
Once you reach the gate, there should be a recess in the ground nearby shaped exactly like the tablet.
Cristelle
Once you succeed, we'll join you immediately.
Haydee
Run as soon as we give the signal.
Leave it to me.
I gripped the stone tablet and cautiously took one step after another.
The statue, which had stood perfectly still, drew its enormous sword.
Cristelle
As expected, it doesn't seem inclined to let us pass peacefully.
Haydee
We'll strike first before it can close the distance.
Captain, go!
The instant the statue turned toward their attacks, I started running.
Cristelle
Haydee, we mustn't give it even a moment to focus on the Captain!
Haydee
I know! Cristelle, to your right!
Cristelle
Hmph!
Ufufu... One glancing blow from that thing and there wouldn't be enough of us left to bury.
Haydee
This isn't the time to joke around! It's coming again!
Cristelle
I can see that. Let's target the joints as much as possible and hopefully cripple it.
Violent crashes erupted one after another directly behind me, but I didn't look back.
My role was simply to return the stone tablet to its proper place.
I left everything else to the two of them and ran with all I had.
Haydee
...?! Wait, something's wrong with that thing...!
Cristelle
Tch, it fooled us! It was after the stone tablet from the very beginning!
Captain! Duck!
I instinctively ducked just as the enormous sword came hurtling toward the back of my head.
The blade swept past with a heavy rush of air, barely grazing the stone tablet.
Just as I let out a relieved breath, realizing I'd survived...
The statue charged at me with a speed that belied its massive frame.
Haydee
...*Huff...* *Huff...*
What are you standing there gawking for?!
Run!
Thanks...!
Haydee
Forget it. If you've got enough breath to say that, then hurry and—
Cristelle
Haydee, it isn't over yet...!
Haydee
...?!
The statue's hand came crashing down toward Haydee.
But just before that enormous hand reached her, it suddenly froze in place.
Haydee
...W-what?
It knelt down...?
Cristelle
I don't know what happened, but at least we're alive.
Haydee, Captain! Both of you, get up and run!
This is our chance!
Leaving the statue behind as it suddenly let out a piercing scream, we quickly fled.
Haydee
There! Put the stone tablet into the slot beneath that black altar!
It's in!
Cristelle
Success. The gate is opening!
Let's go!
As soon as we stepped through the gate, it began closing as though it had recognized our entry.
Haydee
Can't this gate close any faster?
That thing looks like it's come around.
Cristelle
Errgh... I'm pushing as hard as I can, but it's too heavy to make it shut any faster...!
It's looking! It's looking at us!
Haydee
Faster!
Cristelle
I told you, this is as fast as it'll go...!
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