Alice in the Land of Steam

Arnor longed to move forward.

The trail of the Grey Fungus, the depleted yet regenerating mines, and the Nibelungen, perhaps within reach… all these clues intertwine, leading to a long-awaited ending. This concerns not only his own mission but also the future of the entire Jihad Army. For a warrior with such lofty beliefs, whose goal since joining the Jihad Army has always been the liberation of Atorica, what could be more important than this?

Just as a miner feels joy upon discovering a precious mineral underground, even to the point of momentary inability to think clearly, even though he knows very well that sometimes it is not for his own benefit, and he may not even be able to gain any profit from it, what does it matter? This is an instinct, or even a behavior more than instinct, which, together with emotion and reason, shapes everything about mortals.

If I can do it, I will definitely do it without hesitation.

However, it is not so easy to do.

Reason told Arnor that the risks ahead far exceeded expectations, and that Linger and his group had already completed their pact with the Holy War Army. What reason did he have, and from what standpoint, to ask these allies to venture into the unknown abyss that even the Gray Fungus might fear, based on the Holy War Army's speculation?

He sighed heavily, silently placed the ore back on the ground, stood up, dusted off his hands, and glanced at Ling, Xinuo, Navril, and the others. The request lingered on his tongue for a few moments, but he ultimately swallowed it back.

He cannot be so selfish.

Just as he was about to speak, suggesting returning to Cloud Whale Sky Island and ending the exploration, Ling Ge, who had been quietly observing him, spoke first.

“Mr. Arnor,” the young man’s calm voice broke the silence in the corridor, “you seem to think that our cooperation has come to an end?”

Arnor looked up, meeting Linger's calm eyes that seemed to see right through people. He hesitated for a moment, then finally smiled wryly and said, "We have explored all the suspicious locations marked on the map. Since we have found nothing, it is natural to return to the Feather Mine and report to Lady Cheryl. Of course, as agreed with Lady Cheryl, you have all fulfilled your duties, so there is no need to worry about it."

He was worried that Ling and the others might misunderstand, so he said a few more words, but it was completely unnecessary. After all, before leaving the Feather Mine, Cheryl had already told Ling and the others the exact location of Paradise Country, Assyria. Moreover, it was precisely this honesty and trust that made the young people feel that perhaps they could do more, rather than returning empty-handed and disappointed.

"So, what should we do with the clues that are already right in front of us?"

Ling shook his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the ancient ruins and the glittering veins between the cracks, and said, "Since the unusual migration of the Gray Fungus is related to Nibelungen, can we just sit idly by? If we let this go easily this time, we may not have a better chance next time."

Arnor was well aware of this, but his concerns were even greater: "The risk is too great..."

He frowned, an expression rarely seen on him: "Deepening two thousand meters below, venturing into uncharted territory, the unknown threats may far exceed our imagination. Moreover, this is the Dark Cloud Abyss, the oldest, most mysterious, and most dangerous forbidden area in the Atoliga continent. Relying on just a few of us is simply not enough to ensure safety..."

"So, how many people are considered insured?"

Lin Ge interrupted him, asking in return, "I think even 10,000, 100,000, or even 1 million people would be far from meeting the standard, wouldn't they? After all, this isn't something that can be solved simply by having more people."

Arnor nodded silently; Linger's words had perfectly captured his inner concerns.

Even knowing that the Nibelungen might be buried at the bottom of the Dark Cloud Abyss, Lady Cheryl would likely take no action, and more likely, she would shelve the plan. After all, exploring an unknown underground region is no easy task. The excavation and construction of the Feather Mine cost at least 100,000 lives, but the Holy War Army doesn't have that many cheap lives to spare, and Lady Cheryl is certainly not an imperial ruler who treats human life as worthless. Moreover, even if the members of the Holy War Army were willing to die for their cause, would the Empire simply stand by and watch them take action without intervening?

If it's just about stopping them, that's fine. But the worst-case scenario is that news of Nibelungen leaks out and attracts the attention of the Empire. That would be a real dilemma. The cold-blooded and ruthless Empire wouldn't care how many lives are sacrificed. Or rather, in their eyes, mortal lives are just consumables; leaving them unused is a waste.

We'd rather give up Nibelungen than let it fall into the hands of the Empire... That must be what Lady Cheryl is thinking.

However, for Janor, who had personally participated in the entire exploration process, was full of expectations from the beginning, and had finally seen hope, making such a decision was really hard to bear.

If only there were a way to have the best of both worlds.

“If that’s the case,” Ling said, “why should we place our hopes on the unknown future instead of the certain present?”

Arnor paused, not quite understanding, and asked, "Mr. Linger, what do you mean?"

Ling didn't answer immediately, but first glanced at his companions beside him. Ovira was looking at a map with a serious expression; Xino was holding the Holy Lance White Thorn with a calm expression; Countess Neville had a faint smile on her lips... No one raised any objections.

His gaze then returned to Arnor: "Just as you thought, Mr. Arnor, we can assist you in continuing your search for the Nibelungen, even if it takes some time or involves more risks, I think it will be worthwhile." "However," he paused slightly, then added, "this is merely my personal suggestion. As for your choice, I think you should have your own consideration. If you are undecided, perhaps you could consult others? We are not in a hurry; in any case, caution and prudence are the most important."

Arnor immediately understood what Linger meant. He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement and unease, and solemnly said, "I understand. I cannot make a request on behalf of the Holy War Army on my own regarding such a significant decision. I must contact Lady Cheryl immediately to report the situation here and our speculations to her, so that she can decide whether to formally make further requests to you, and... what price we are willing to pay for it."

He looked at Ringer, his eyes filled with gratitude and complex emotions: "Thank you for your understanding and generosity, Mr. Ringer. Until we receive a reply from Lady Cheryl, we..."

“Let’s rest here for now,” Lin Ge decided. He looked around the relatively safe area deep in the corridor and said, “The environment here is fairly stable, far from the acid mist, and there are signs of water. Everyone has been exploring for days, so this is a good opportunity to recover our strength.”

His suggestion was accepted by everyone. Continuing to venture deeper into the unknown underground is no trivial matter; thorough preparation and clear planning are essential.

“I’ll contact Lady Cheryl right away.” Without further hesitation, Arnor bowed to Ling and the others, then turned and walked towards a relatively secluded corner to try and contact the leader far away in the Feather Mine. Ling didn’t know how he planned to contact her, but in this magical land of the Eastern Continent, anything was possible. It was just that the method might require a price or have other limitations; otherwise, many differences could be easily resolved.

The young man shook his head, not pursuing the matter further, and began arranging the campsite. Xinuo and Navra were responsible for guard duty, while the others helped clear a clean resting area. The Cloud Whale Sky Island slowly descended, hovering near the corridor entrance, issuing a warning to the lurking monsters in the unknown territory, deterring any watchful eyes from approaching.

In fact, the group could have chosen to return to Cloud Whale Sky Island to rest. The Fairy Slumber Inn offered warm beds, delicious food, and the landlady's meticulous care, which was definitely better than camping in the acid-fog-filled wilderness. However, a comfortable environment could also corrupt one's will. Arnor and his group felt they lacked such a strong will, so they politely declined, fearing that if they became accustomed to such treatment, they would find it difficult to adapt when going out on missions in the future.

Since they insisted, Linger didn't suggest it again, and to be considerate of their feelings, he chose to rest at the wilderness camp, even leaving the two little girls, Median and Leticia, behind. However, rather than being afraid, the two girls seemed more excited, wandering around the corridor, curiously observing the traces left by the gray fungus people, as if trying to glean something from them.

The werewolf girl, Selena, was also dragged around by the two, running about everywhere, but she didn't seem to mind at all, and even seemed to be enjoying herself. Seeing this, Ovira was worried about Shaymi, since she should usually be the last in the trio. However, Shaymi, as a nature-loving fairy traveler, resolutely refused to enter this harsh, barren wasteland, so the group left her at the inn.

Hopefully, she won't be replaced in Medien's heart.

Princess Beman thought so.

……

Just as Arnor was about to head to a secluded spot to contact Cheryl, his teammates, who had been silently following behind him, exchanged glances. Finally, the bard Edwin stepped forward, quietly approached him, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Arnor, before Lady Cheryl sends back a reply, perhaps Kalia and I should go down and investigate first. Even if we can't find the Gray Fung people's movements, memorizing the terrain map will be beneficial for our subsequent actions."

Kalia stared intently at Arnor, a rare sight for the usually quiet dark elf woman. When she spoke, her voice held a deep, magnetic quality: "Although Mr. Ring has agreed to assist us, we cannot completely rely on outsiders. Ultimately, we must resolve the Holy War Army's affairs ourselves. Besides, while Cloud Whale Sky Island plays an irreplaceable role in surface exploration, we are far more familiar with the underground environment."

Arnor was silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his companions, which were appearing and disappearing in the dim light. He saw the familiar light in their eyes, the light unique to the jihadist warriors—firmness, longing, expectation, and that stubbornness that refused to completely depend on others.

If it weren't for this stubbornness, the Atolicans would have succumbed to the iron fist of the empire long ago. Why would they still be so determined to resist the other side's rule?

Seeing that Yanor was still somewhat hesitant, Kalia added, "Don't worry about us encountering danger. If anything unexpected happens, we will act cautiously. Besides, even if the underground is dangerous and difficult to explore, at least we should find a relatively safe route, right?"

This reason convinced Janor.

Due to its unique geographical environment, the Dark Cloud Abyss region contains multiple paths leading underground. Some are naturally formed caves, while others are fissures exposed by geological activity. However, not every path is safe or effective. If one encounters an obstacle and cannot proceed, returning the way one came is simply a waste of time. But some paths have inherent problems, such as being too fragile and prone to collapse; being complex and difficult to discern; or even being monster lairs. In such cases, it is indeed necessary to scout ahead and identify a relatively safe path for subsequent actions.

After a moment of silence, Yanor took a deep breath. The heavy air, which seemed to carry underground dust and acid mist particles, made him make up his mind.

“Edwin, Calia, I understand what you mean. If you are confident, then do it. I will explain the situation to Mr. Ringer. As for Gordan and Selena, stay here with me and await Lady Cheryl's reply.” He paused briefly, then continued, “Although it is about finding a path and scouting the terrain, do not forget the most important thing—assess the risks. Safety is far more important than any other factor. If any threat is found that is beyond your ability to handle, retreat immediately. Do not linger. This is not an order, but a request from my comrades.”

Edwin nodded solemnly, and Calia nodded slightly in return.

After a brief rest at their makeshift camp, the two packed their necessary equipment and tools and quietly ventured deeper into the corridor. Because the area was so vast, no one noticed them for a time. It wasn't until Arnor contacted Cheryl and mentioned it to Ling that they learned someone had already gone ahead.

This was an internal decision made by Arnor's team, and Ling didn't object. Besides, he felt it was necessary; even if Kalia and Edwin hadn't suggested it, he probably would have asked Hino and the Countess to investigate. However, since they had this intention, the young man naturally wouldn't refuse. He understood the feelings of Arnor's group to some extent; completely placing one's hopes on others was indeed a frustrating thing. (End of Chapter)