Volume 15 Chapter 12 Ruins Exploration Part Ii
The next day, Al teleported to the storage of the button-shaped magic bag from the morning.
This method has the downside that one cannot teleport alone, but by using the 'Floating Eye' spell beforehand, Al could check the safety of the teleportation destination, making it safer than using a teleportation magic tool.
"Alright, let's continue from yesterday. I'm sure there's something here. After all, this is the building made by the person who created that button-shaped magic bag, right?"
'Yeah, there has to be something!'
Encouraged by Glee, Al smiled brightly. Then, he cheerfully ran up the stairs and began exploring the ruins of the building buried in snow, making sure not to miss anything.
* * *
About 30 minutes into the exploration, Al's 'Detect Magic' spell, which he had increased the accuracy of 4 times, reacted immediately. It was under what seemed to be a collapsed wall and rubble.
Using the 'Physical Boost' and 'Carrier' spells, Al skillfully avoided the rubble.
"Wow, it's all falling apart, but what is this?"
Relying on the response from the 'Detect Magic' spell, Al found what appeared to be the remains of 2 human bodies under the rubble.
It seemed that a long time had passed since their death, as they had almost returned to the earth, and without the remnants of what looked like clothing still in human shape, it would have been hard to tell.
From the bodies, 2 button-shaped magic tools were found, along with what seemed to be a small leather pouch containing a pile of rusty and worn-out coins.
'Only the button-shaped magic tools are in good condition.'
"They must have a 'Retention' spell on them. I wonder how many years have passed... It's definitely been a long time, but..."
Al answered Glee, who spoke with a curious tone. From what Al had heard from Riana before, when the Tempest clan had to abandon their land, a big earthquake had occurred first.
Could it be that the collapse of this ancient ruins building, including this storage, was also caused by that same earthquake? If so, that would mean these bodies are from 250 years ago.
However, judging by the level of decay, it seemed that this area hadn't been buried in snow the whole time.
'Hmm, maybe it gets a bit warmer in the summer?'
"That could be true..."
Glee also seemed unsure. With so many unknowns, Al sighed. But he shook his head lightly to clear his thoughts.
"This must be the same button magic bag... Given its condition, the chance of it being a trap is low. I'll try to see if it works the same way."
'Okay.'
Al picked up one of the buttons from the magic bag and, just like he did when he teleported here, he tapped it twice and placed 3 fingers on the edge, turning it to the left.
The magic tool responded obediently, conveying the information about what was inside. According to it, there were 300 gold coins and ten spellbooks.
"! Huh? Wait, wait... this is amazing!"
Al's eyes widened. Even having 300 gold coins is amazing, but there are ten spellbooks... Al trembled a little as he took out one of them, the first volume.
'Magic Missile.'
"..."
Al fell silent. If this is a magician's collection, it makes sense that some of the ones he has would overlap. He hoped there would be at least one new spell he hadn't seen before...
Thinking this, he checked the titles of the spellbooks in order.
'Light.'
'Detect Magic.'
'Detect Invisible.'
'Detect Illusion.'
'Retention.'
'Shield.'
'Transport' new!
'Stealth' new!
'Magnifier' new!
Al gasped. There were 3 spells he hadn't learned yet. The 'Transport' spell was probably at least a 4th-tier spell.
The presence of the 'Stealth' spell suggested that this collection of spellbooks belonged to a magician who could create this magic bag.
The 'Magnifier' spell, by its name, must have been used to write the magic circuit for making the magic bag.
Previously, the magic tool he borrowed from Malachi the golem might also be based on this spell for examining the magic circuit.
'Report to the magician's guild?'
Glee asked. Al quickly shook his head. If he did that, the spellbook for the 'Transport' spell would be taken away before he could even learn it. He couldn't let that happen.
First, he needed to learn it. After that, he could think about what to do, but it would be better to keep it a secret.
As for the 'Stealth' spell, since it would allow him to carry magic tools secretly, it seemed like it could be considered forbidden magic. He couldn't make that public either.
After thinking this far, Al looked around. Where was the warehouse assigned to the magic bag that held these spellbooks?
If he had made the button for this magic bag himself, there should be a storage warehouse nearby. However, there was only one magic response left in the underground warehouse.
'Floating Eye.'
Al created an eye and sent it into the magic bag. The warehouse assigned to this magic bag was small, measuring one meter on each side and only one meter high.
When he tried to move the eye, he could change its direction of sight. Given the level of fatigue, it should be somewhere not too far away.
'Well, you're going to check all the places where there used to be buildings anyway. You'll find it eventually, right?'
Glee might be right. Al decided to put off searching for the small magic bag's warehouse and opened another magic bag with a different button.
Inside, he found a flying carriage.
"A flying carriage!"
Al jumped up and started swinging his fists in excitement. The magic bag from earlier and this magic bag were both amazing.
However, it seemed that there was only one carriage inside. It was a bit disappointing that there was nothing else, but one treasure chest was enough, and maybe there just wasn't much to put in a big warehouse.
'What are you thinking? Come on, hurry up and take it out!'
"Okay, I'll take it out."
Al moved to a nearby open area and pulled out the flying carriage. It was a large carriage with 4 big wheels, big enough for about 8 people.
The body was painted a deep navy blue with silver decorations, looking so impressive that it wouldn't be surprising if royalty rode in it. If it were to be pulled by horses, it would probably need 4 or maybe even 6.
Strangely, there was no driver's seat, and the front of the carriage had a large window. Almost transparent panels were attached to the window area.
"It's amazing. I wonder if it can really fly in the sky at this size?"
'Isn't it awesome? Hey, is this transparent panel made with the "Carrier" spell?'
Al touched the transparent panel at the front of the carriage. It felt cold and hard.
However, it didn't react to the 'Magic Sense' spell, so unlike the transparent sphere he made with the 'Carrier' spell for warmth when flying high to find the research tower, it must be some kind of material.
Using the 'Analyze' spell, he checked the material index and found it was soda-lime glass. It was the first time Al had heard of it, and he didn't really understand, but it seemed to be some kind of mineral.
"Having this on the window might keep it warm?"
Al carefully turned the knob on the carriage door. It wasn't locked. He opened it and stepped inside.
The floor of the carriage felt bouncy, and it swayed slightly with each step, making it feel like he was floating.
In front of the transparent window, there were 2 chairs facing forward, and in front of them, there were 2 stick-like rods attached. Many small rods were sticking out from the sides of the seats.
There was also a long bench facing the opposite way, just like the carriage.
"Maybe these forward-facing seats are instead of a driver's seat? I have no idea how to move it. I'm scared to touch anything randomly, so I should ask Malachi or Riana if they know how to use it."
'Yeah, that sounds good.'
Al put the flying carriage back into the button-shaped magic bag. He used the 'Floating Eye' spell to check the warehouse assigned to this magic bag.
This one was about 20 meters (66ft) on each side, with a ceiling height of 5 meters (16ft), almost the same size as the one he used when he arrived.
'There was one reaction in the underground warehouse, right? That must have been the flying carriage!'
Al nodded at Glee's words. That could be true. That meant there were no more magic tools or spellbooks in the underground warehouse.
Still, he had already obtained a valuable spellbook, and if he learned these spells, he might even be able to create a magic bag. Plus, having 300 gold coins was a nice bonus.
'The remaining stuff is on the ground, and then there's the storage underground. Just one more push!'
Glee's encouragement made Al nod vigorously. There might still be more discoveries to make. With that thought, Al resumed the exploration.
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