Mage Legend

After dusting off his hands, Lynch said, "This is a script never used by surface races; it comes from the Abyss Hell, the world of demons." Then he added, "But don't worry, it records warnings to demons, barring them from returning to the mortal realm to endanger nature's peace. This might have been left behind during the demon expulsion."

"Why store such things deep in the Ridge Mountains?" The Dwarf scratched at the stone wall, unexpectedly removing it completely. "I always felt this wasn't the passage wall; there should be something behind it. Turns out I was right."

With the aid of the faint light from his magic wand, Lynch could better examine what lay behind the first stone slab. The inscriptions on it were clearly better preserved than the first, shielded from the damp environment outside, and some characters even retained their color. Lynch's lips kept trembling as if he was silently reading the content. His face grew increasingly flushed, as if discovering something exciting. Behind the second slab was a third, and only then came the true stone wall.

"What is recorded here are the experiences left during the time of the demon expulsion," Lynch said. "That period of history was buried in dust, even mages aren't clear about the processes. These three slabs do reflect some information."

"So it's not a treasure hiding spot, my excitement was for nothing." Morgan tidied the area as it was and then reapplied some moss as camouflage.

"Besides history, what else could it be?" Zilvra asked. "Why conceal it so secretly?"

"It mentions many creations considered nonsensical, even arcanists regarded them as mere legends," Lynch said. "If what's recorded on this slab is true history, then magic during the demon expulsion war was more advanced than we originally imagined."

"And what can you learn from it?" Zilvra chuckled, "Don't tell me you gained a rich imagination and more daydreaming!"

"Then I won't say," Lynch smiled, "Let's continue ahead."

Along the way, they found more of these stone slabs in the passages of the Snake-men, seemingly the scaly creatures lacked the Dwarves' keen observation ability, unable to discern the secrets of the natural passage walls. But as Lynch later discovered, the moss used for camouflage on the stone walls was all of one species, and the soil at their roots differed from the dirt on the stone walls, suspicion arose as well. Clearly, these slabs were purposely placed here by the Snake-men, hidden with various methods, not removed from the cave. This could be to avoid the Dwarves' notice, not wanting them to be aware, but what exactly did the Snake-men want to keep hidden from the Dwarves?

The road extended forward, and Lynch gradually gave up searching each slab. The recorded quantity was too vast and diverse. Lynch simply did not have the time to browse them all. However, the mage did reap ample rewards, greatly improving his Abyss Language proficiency.

At a corner, the three decided to take a break. They chose a dry and flat land to sit down, opened their water pouches to moisten their parched throats. Lynch seized the moment to jot down the newly gained information in his notebook, while Zilvra laid against the wall and began to polish her thin sword.

"Zilvra, that weapon of yours doesn't seem that mighty," Morgan remarked after pacing a few times to ensure no one was around. "A warrior should wield massive weapons to deal with foes head-on with force."

"That's called clumsy, Dwarf," Zilvra responded in a low voice, not even lifting her eyelids, "And your voice might carry far, so better stay put obediently."

Morgan helplessly leaned against the stone wall, his warhammer striking it and producing a dull echoing sound. All three adventurers focused on the wall behind them, for the sound indicated that it was likely hollow.

Lynch's Eye of Insight couldn't see through the stone to the other side, sparking his great interest. Morgan felt around the stone, hoping to find gaps between the rocks to pry open the hidden door. Zilvra pressed her sharp ear against it and gently tapped with her knuckle.