“It’s not ours, so we’ll get in trouble if we touch it.”

– Squeeeeee

They already scribbled on the walls and we destroyed a door, but we still had to draw the line somewhere. Theft was absolutely not okay.

“Let’s say we’re sorry. I’m sorry.”

– Squeeeee.

I hugged the red panda and staggered to get up. I made sure to grab my teacher’s Holy Staff, which was rolling near me. The staff that was black as if it was burnt had small areas of camel-colored metal that sparkled. The crescent moon on the top sparkled like a heated sickle. This precious item that I couldn’t even put a value on was suffering so much, traveling by my side.

– Clang, clang.

I could hear the coins under my feet with every step. Light was coming in from somewhere on the ceiling, lighting up the area. The gold, silver, and jewels were very clean, as if they were placed here just yesterday.

Christelle, who was hugging Tithé, quickly came over to me. Both the baby and her eyes were open wide. “This has to be the treasure that was buried with the king of Únĭo, right, your highness?”

“Yes. It is hard to imagine that a typical noble would have had this much wealth and authority. I understand why the Tomb Raiders risk their lives to wander through the desert.”

“Seriously. You only need to fill a bag here to never worry about money for the rest of your life. If you fill two bags, you could be set for three generations.” She commented in amazement. I nodded my head.

It had been about a thousand years since the ancient kingdom of Únĭo had perished. This mysterious ruin, which the Vatican had done nothing to protect, had this giant pile of treasure within it. Honestly speaking, it probably didn’t need to be guarded. There were ghosts that reminded me of scenes from horror movies, and the inside of the tomb had its own security system as well. The reason so few have successfully raided tombs is because it was extremely difficult to get past these conditions to infiltrate the burial room. They were probably exceptionally lucky or a talented warrior.

‘But is this really the burial room? I don’t see a coffin.’

– Oo oo oo oo……

Flinch. I heard a chilling cry from above.

Christelle and I looked up at the same time. I didn’t see the uniquely red and bleak light of the ghosts, but my instincts were telling me: There were ominous existences wandering beyond this ceiling. I could feel their cold gazes despite not being able to see anything. I was certain that they were shaking and moving in all directions, watching our group.

We gulped. Chilling whispers came out and scattered like the fog.

– Ah ah ah ah!

– It’s here, it’s here, over here, right here……

– Holy blood……!

Shaaaaaaaaaa-!

“Did they just say blood?” Christelle turned pale as she whispered.

I was going nuts, realizing that I had not heard wrong. I urgently looked for the Imperial Crown Prince. I didn’t care about the bastards who tricked a ten year old kid to come with them, but we had to save India.

It wasn’t hard to find the black hair sticking out like a sore thumb in this room of gold. We quickly ran over to him. My legs kept sinking into the gold, but every second mattered.

‘Hey, crown prince!’

– Clang, clang!

“Your Royal Highness. Did you happen to see a child on this side?”

“We’re looking for traces of India.”

“We didn’t see anything over there. But I don’t see any paths other than the hole we fell through.”

“Your Royal Highness, you spot children like a ghost.”

We quickly rattled on. Crown prince Cédric scowled. Rhea and Perry were running around chaotically around him. I cautiously looked at the crown prince before putting my palm on the foreheads of the two red pandas.

The punks instantly rolled onto their backs, acting cute.

‘Which family’s red pandas are acting so frivolously in a tomb?’

“……I don’t sense anything right now. There are no traces of blood or footprints either.”

“Haaaaa.”

Maybe I should be feeling relieved. They should keep that smart girl alive until they find the treasure.

“There is no way those things would be intact if tomb raiders already got here.” He motioned with his chin. We immediately turned to look before we gasped so much that our eyes almost popped out.

There were jaw-dropping pieces of art in the front of the burial room. There was a golden statue of a monkey with diamonds for eyes as well as sculptures of angels carved out of sandstone. They were around three to four times the size of normal people. Some had purple quartz at the tip of their wings while an archer, who was half hidden by the pile of gold, was pointing an arrow with an emerald tip toward the sky. To the left of the large altar was an angel sprawled out like a Korean totem pole, with a beautiful sapphire necklace. Finally, the largest of the four angels had a greatsword with an embedded ruby, standing to the right of the altar. I didn’t know what kind of magic was used, but the satin cape and silk clothes were all in pristine condition.

We blankly looked at them for a while.

“My goodness……”

This really was the burial room. They were protecting the corpse of this mysterious king, although we had no idea exactly where he was buried.

“If the tomb raiders did not make it this far, then it is highly likely that they are imprisoned in a different part of the tomb. We fell for a long time earlier, so this underground area should be pretty large,” I assessed the situation as calmly as possible.

Christelle immediately nodded her head. “I agree, your highness. The problem is that we also don’t know where the rest of our friends are. They should have been able to get away from there since teacher is with them, but-”

It was at that moment.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

I heard some extremely desperate screeches somewhere above us, and then…

“……Aaaaah! Toofasttoofasttoofasttoofasttoofast!”

“Indiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

– Chhhhhh! Splash!

Our friends fell like rain from above! We gasped and ran down the hill of gold at full speed.

‘Kiiiiii, kiiiiii!’ Perry and Demy used their noses to push Rhea, who kept slipping on the gold. This was not the time to laugh, but I couldn’t help but chuckle because I was happy that we were all gathered in one place. Furthermore, they fell from a completely different direction from us!

“Sir Johann!”

“Your highness.”

The Holy Knight, who was standing up straight, greeted me in his usual tone. Not a single strand of hair looked out of place. Sand, Joanne, and Marian were all squished unlike him, but at least they all looked safe.

I quickly checked on the child’s condition and gave her some water. Marian was snickering the whole time as if something was funny.

Christelle helped our friends get back up. ‘Eeeeek!’ The artist and priest looked around before their jaws dropped and their eyes opened wide. It was the same reaction we had shown when we first got here.

“Hahaha.
‘

I ended up laughing out loud. ‘It’s going to take us all day to get out.’

*

“That should mean that there is more than one door.”

“Yes. There were at least two doors heading from the room we were in to the burial room. That should mean that there are also doors that lead to other areas too. An ancient tomb like this should have plenty of traps as well.” Gerrit’s daddy continued to speak.

We sat around in a circle in front of the altar and started to discuss a plan. Demy and Perry, who were laying down in the middle of the circle, seemed to be enjoying the gazes.

We quickly learned about how our friends arrived at this place. Unlike us, who fell in a straight line through the door the crown prince destroyed, Sir Johann’s group escaped through a different door. They rode an extremely long and windy slide down. That was the reason Marian had been so happy.

The child was now munching on a ghoriba that Monica had packed for her, while seated next to Sir Johann.

Christelle spoke in a serious voice, “Shouldn’t we be able to go back up if we use teacher’s power? We can all fly together.”

“It is possible, but we don’t know when we will run into another moving stone wall. We need to fully prepare for it.”

“Can’t we just destroy them all? We can’t? Okay.”

The Cardinal answered and Joanne let out an intense suggestion before scratching her neck. I smiled bitterly.

“I understand how you feel, Joanne. But we still can’t harm an ancient person’s resting place since we came in here without permission. We’ve already caused all sorts of issues, but…… The ghosts are watching us too.”

“Yes, I can feel it. Although I have no powers, even I am getting goosebumps.” She discontently crossed her arms. The eerie noises continued to come from above. It was even eerier now as an odd laughter started to mix together with it. The sticky mud-like gazes continued to get close and far.

– He’s finally here……!

– Hahahaha!

– So pure and holy!

– Ah ah, ah ah……!

Swoooooooooosh–! A formless aura swept through the room and left. Our veil fluttered in the air. Marian flinched and stuck even closer to Sir Johann. I didn’t know what happened, but he must have looked very reliable when they were up there.

Christelle glared at the ceiling and scowled. “Maybe this is how they drive people crazy? They don’t even come near us. I feel like normal people would go crazy in just a few hours.”

“My thoughts exactly. They keep talking about holy blood or what not? Who are they talking about?” the young Baroness grumbled. The Holy Knights all turned to stare at me.

‘What? Why are you all suddenly looking at me?’

“Are you hungry? Should I give you some ether?”

“Holy blood is said to be talking about a priest.” The clear voice came from below. I anxiously looked down at Marian.

The child had some cookie crumbs around her mouth as she smartly continued. “I read it in a book. They said there are only a few people in the Church of the Almighty God who can be called holy. They have to at least be at the Archbishop level.”

“Mm……”

“So apparently those esteemed individuals are called ‘holy plates.’”

“Then aren’t Holy Knights included in that?” I asked and the little theologian scowled.

‘I must have made a big mistake.’

“Your highness, the Almighty God cherishes the priests. Holy Knights were said to exist in order to protect them. This information can be found in the basics of the Church of the Almighty God.”

“Oh oh, oh yeah, it did. Sorry. Uncle didn’t pay too much attention in his classes.” I nodded my head and apologized.

Now that I thought about it, I did recall reading something like that in a book. Priests were existences the Almighty God sent down to the continent to help humans while the role of the Holy Knights were to protect the Almighty God with their lives. This was the reason there were people who claimed that Holy Knights could not receive the Almighty God’s love. I heard that they were treated very differently out in the world as well. For example, as an Archbishop, people addressed me as, ‘your grace.’ However, Christelle and the crown prince did not receive such distinctions. It was the same for Sir Johann. It was because they were all Holy Knights and not priests.

Of course, the people of the Empire loved them unconditionally since they were the first Holy Knights ever in the Empire.

“But you see… There is no reason for these ghosts to come after me.”

– Ahahahaha……!

I tried my best to stay calm despite the sneering of a ghost.

The Holy Knights had looks that seemed to be saying, ‘are you sure about that?’ And they all tilted their heads.

‘Please don’t do that. All three of you are becoming so similar.’

“You remember how ether does not work on ghosts? That means that in addition to not being able to attack them, we are unable to help them either. That is why these respected ghosts should find no value in someone like me.”

“Hmm.”

This was something true in the QNW world. I won’t deny that I was deeply involved in the storyline now. I already assumed from early on that the story itself must have changed quite a bit since I transmigrated into this world. But there wasn’t enough reason to suddenly push me when there was the main couple doing their jobs properly as the main characters. There hadn’t been anything to suggest something like that. Unless it is using Prince Jesse as the MacGuffin to bring the two of them closer……

‘Huh? Maybe that is possible?’

“But your ether is at the highest level among everybody on the continent, your highness. I’ve never been to the Holy Kingdom, but I can guarantee it. It wouldn’t surprise me if you got caught up in some big incident.”

“……”

Christelle said something scary.

‘Jung Yeseo, isn’t it totally possible if you think about it? The Paten of Wishes is inside your body, dude. These ghosts from the neutral region may have some connections to the divine item of the Vatican!’

“Mm.”

I was at a loss for words.

‘Why do you only focus on one thing if something happens and never look at anything else? You biggest idiot in the whole world!’

“Eeeeeeven if that is the case. Nothing changes. Our goal remains one thing. We need to find the other area where India is imprisoned and safely return. I think this chaos in here is because we accidentally touched one of the tomb’s security devices. If we slowly and carefully search from here on, I don’t think we will be attacked by gho……”

– Screeeech!

I heard a faint cry of one of the red pandas. We instantly looked to the side. We then gasped!

“Rhea, how did you end up buried under there?!” I gasped while looking at the divine beast whose head was buried in the pile of gold and ran.

A child-raising home ends up like this whenever you look away. So, this was my mistake. She twitched her tail and leg that was not buried. But they were short and did nothing.

‘Aigoo.’ Christelle let out a laugh-like gasp.

It looked like my friends had already set out to search the area. I was thankful that they were so quick with action.

– Kiiiiii….

“Just wait a bit. Big bro will get you out soon. Just be still, good.”

– Clang, clang!

The little thing might suffocate if I take too long. I quickly dug through the gold with both hands and Sand rushed over to help as well. Demy and Perry sat next to us, making noises. I wasn’t sure, but it felt like they were cheering the buried Rhea on.

Thankfully, the little one was quickly rescued!

– Chhhhhh!

– Screeeech!

‘I’m free!’ It sounded like she was saying that. I smiled brightly.

“Okay then, let’s take a look. You couldn’t get out because you gained too much weight?”

– Kiiiiiiiiiii, kiiiiiiiiii!

Rhea got extremely angry and swung the thing in her front paw. ‘Hmm?’

“You went in there because you wanted this?”

– Cruuu.

She answered immediately. Sand and I exchanged glances as we chuckled.

There was a thin stick in her paw, which looked extremely luxurious, as if it was sculpted out of ivory or white jade. There was a white leather strap at the end gently sparkling like pearls…… ‘Huh?’

“It’s a whip. Were you getting it for big sis pink?”

– Pruu

“Wow, our Rhea is such a good kid. You were brave for big sis? But we can’t take it because it already has an owner. Let’s say bye bye. Bye bye.”

– Kiiiiiii!

She did not seem to like that.

Sand awkwardly smiled while looking at Rhea and said, ‘I’m really sorry, oh esteemed divine beast.’ He then slowly pulled the whip out of Rhea’s paw.

The incident happened at that moment.

– Swooooooosh!

“Eek!”

The whip in the young man’s hand started to move around on its own! Splash! I flattened my body down on the ground out of reflex and rolled with the red pandas.

“Your highness!” I heard Christelle’s sharp shout. Everything happened in an instant.

The astonished Sand quickly threw the whip away, but…

– Slap!

– Poooow!

A cherry-like red fog burst out of the tip of the whip. Everything turned red almost instantly and I could not see anything. After that……

– Ahhahahahahahaha! You finally brought yourself to me! Hahahahahaha!

A woman’s loud laughter echoed through the area. It was extremely loud, intense, and scary, unlike the whispers of the ghosts.

I got chills throughout my body and all of my hair stood up. Shhhhh, kaaaaaaaa! Ominous yin energy swirled around from all directions. Clang! I could hear the crown prince pulling his sword out from the other side of the blood-colored fog.

I clenched my teeth and immediately released my Holy Land. Paaaaat……!

– I’ve waited a thousand years for you, Pope!

‘Please! You got the wrong person!’

—
Translator’s Comments

I’d walk wait a thousand miles years if I could just…see you…

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