Episode 148
EPISODE.74
.
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Several alarms popped up simultaneously.
Hwaak-.
Light green translucent windows instantly fill Russell’s eyes.
By extinguishing the windows through his intention, Russell opened a subspace.
I recalled the information about the item I was looking for in my head.
‘Footsteps of the Earth Dragon.’
Immediately after, something was caught in the hand that was placed in the subspace.
‘what?’
If you just look at the feel of it in your hand, it’s a round cylinder with a thickness that fits perfectly in one hand.
Moreover, the length was not short either.
Like the objects that had previously revealed traces of dragons, it had a completely different feel and shape from what I thought of as a ‘map’.
‘This is not a map, but rather… … .’
Isn’t it a shape close to a single peak?
With that thought in mind, I pulled my hand out, and something long came out along with the movement.
Sure enough, it was something in the shape of a single rod.
The length is about three spans.
Although it is described as a single stick, it is not strong enough to be used as a weapon.
Rather, it has a rather old appearance, so you have to worry that it might break if you swing it incorrectly.
Moreover, the outer surface of the single pole is engraved with patterns in the form of unknown protrusions.
‘hmm.’
Russell, who was holding them up to the light, sighed lightly.
‘I don’t think it’s a text message.’
I looked into it to see if there was any information that would tell me where the earth dragon was, but that wasn’t the case.
‘Then what is it?’
I tilted my head to the side and put down the dagger, and it rolled several times on the desk.
Tak, degurrrrr-.
‘-!!’
As Russell watched the rolling dromedary, a thought quickly passed through his mind.
‘Could this be a map?’
Some people might ask this.
Where in the world is there a map that has the shape of a single peak?
However, contrary to what ordinary people think, this type of map is not often found.
Although Russell was not an expert in archeology, he also had some knowledge.
I remember seeing this type of map in a book some time ago.
‘Yanggakdo (陽刻圖).’
A map engraved using embossing, one of the printmaking techniques.
There were two main reasons why it took the shape of a stick rather than a flat shape.
The first was to hide the fact that this was a map from others, and the second was -.
‘If there is another purpose other than guidance.’
Russell thought so and opened the lid of the inkwell.
Pong-.
Once you know that this is a relief map, it is not that difficult to extract a map from it.
‘First, apply ink thoroughly to the surface of the single rod-.’
Roll it out on a clean piece of paper.
Grumble-.
Then, black marks of ink follow the engraved patterns, and a map begins to be completed.
‘uh?’
However, the appearance of the map was a little unfamiliar.
Unlike a typical map that shows the shape of the terrain or elevation, there were only a few dots on the paper.
‘This-.’
Somehow, the dots looked quite familiar.
Several dots reflected in Russell’s eyes are connected by a thin solid line.
Russell soon realized the identity of the map and muttered without realizing it.
“Is it an astronomical map?”
What is astronomy?
Unlike typical maps that record the terrain as if looking down from the sky, it was a map made from the ground looking up at the sky.
To that extent, what is engraved there is not topography but astronomy.
In other words, it is a constellation.
As soon as the map was completed, a mission window appeared.
[mission]
Go to the location indicated on the astronomical map and enter the Earth Dragon’s abode.
If you get close enough, the light will show you the way.
[compensation]
Horn of the Dragon God King (Purification of the Earth).
——————
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Perhaps because it is related to the earth dragon, the reward this time was the horn of the Dragon God King, which is related to the earth.
Russell tilted his head as he checked the details of the mission that appeared before his eyes.
‘But why is it a relief astronomical map?’
If it were simply to indicate the location, there would have been no problem even if it had been an ordinary map, like Pompeo Volcano or the Kuril Islands.
‘Is there a reason why it needs to be expressed using a cylinder and an astronomical diagram?’
Wiping off the ink on the cylinder and relief chart, Russell looked at it and the astronomical chart alternately for a while.
I was wondering if there would be more to speculate about.
After a moment, Russell shook his head.
I shook off the distracting thoughts.
‘It’s not a problem that can be answered just because you’re thinking about it now.’
Anyway, you will find the answer when you go to the location on the map.
What I had to do from now on was not to worry about unanswerable questions, but to find out where the location was on the astronomical chart.
‘I guess-.’
I thought I should go out and buy an astronomical chart as soon as the sun came up.
.
.
Fortunately.
It didn’t take long to find the location on the astronomical chart.
Unlike general maps where you have to compare terrain in various places in detail.
‘Based on the location of the flock… … .’
An astronomical map that started with one central constellation was more convenient for specifying the location.
Just one thing.
The problem was that compared to maps, which can accurately indicate locations, astronomical maps were too broad and vague.
Same thing this time too.
“-Nadia desert, in the middle of it?”
All I could find out through the astronomical map was that the location was in the center of the desert.
It was not possible to find out exactly where in the desert the earth dragon’s abode was.
‘Looking for a needle in the desert…? … .’
On the contrary, when the location was identified as a desert, it became somewhat understandable why the location was recorded using an astronomical map.
‘In a place where the location and height of the sand dunes change every time the wind blows, it would be virtually impossible to leave a map of the exact location.’
That’s why adventurers and merchants also use astronomy as a guidepost when traversing the vast desert.
‘Nadia Desert.’
Russell repeated the name again.
The west side of the kingdom.
Unlike the Takl Desert, which is located on the border between the empire and the kingdom, Nadia is a desert located in the north of the kingdom.
‘The area is… … , It was similar to the Takl Desert.’
It is said that a fairly prosperous country existed there in ancient times, but now the reality is that the entire country is covered with sand.
Now, the only things walking through the desert were various types of monsters and merchants who traded with the northern countries.
‘I think I heard that Marcherin Merchant Marine was establishing a trade route with you a year ago.’
A report received as a shareholder with a stake exceeding 10%.
Recalling the contents of the report, Russell tapped the desk with his fingertips.
Tuktuk-.
‘They say it’s not a route that goes through the center, but you can still get some help.’
Russell took a moment to recall the travel route in the report and make a schedule, then sat down and adjusted his posture.
I picked up a pen.
It’s been a few months since I returned from my last outing. It’s been a while since I felt like I had to fill out an application for study abroad.
.
.
Just by filling out the application form, it was never possible for anyone to start studying abroad right away.
First, the research application had to be reviewed by Daria, the teacher and owner of the tower, and approval had to be given.
This approval could come as quickly as one day, but depending on the situation, it could take more than ten days.
furthermore-.
Daria wasn’t the only one Russell had to ask permission from.
Guinevere palace.
Now well known as Hecate’s residence, this place was famous for having a garden so beautiful that it was one of the most beautiful even for the royal family.
Of course, as it was the royal family’s home and the residence of the first heir to the throne, the garden was not open to the public.
A man and a woman were walking along the garden path of Guinevere’s palace.
A woman with purple hair and eyes of the same color, and a man with black hair and red eyes.
It was Hecate and Russell.
Tap, tap, tap-.
A few maids and royal knights followed the two from a short distance away.
“Hmm.”
Hecate, who was walking in step, swept Russell up and down with meaningful eyes and asked.
“… … “If I’m not mistaken, it looks like you’ve grown taller in the past few months.”
“Do you mean height?”
Hecate circled around Russell, who tilted his head several times.
He then stroked his entire body up and down several times, then nodded with a confident voice.
“okay. “It seems like my eyes were reaching up to your uvula when we were doing the ceremony, but now they are only reaching your shoulders.”
Hecate, who was showing off her hand, probably felt very happy about that fact, smiled brightly.
A smile so beautiful that it overshadows the flowers blooming along the garden path. Russell shrugged her shoulders at that laugh.
“Are you that happy that I’ve grown taller?”
“You are asking the obvious. My dear. Are there any women who don’t like their companion’s appearance to be more imposing? furthermore-.”
“… … ?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Hecate cleared her throat with a slightly red face at the sight of Russell tilting his head and looking down at her.
‘How can I say, out of embarrassment, that I have finally achieved the difference in physique between my lovers that I wanted?’
Even so, Hecate is quite tall among women.
‘That’s why I thought that this height difference should only be desired in one’s heart for the rest of one’s life.’
For her, something she had longed for for a long time has come true.
like that.
Like lovers, we talked about trivial things for a while. She was walking in step with her Russell when she suddenly stopped walking.
“however… … .”
He trailed off and began to rhyme.
“When I asked Sir Daria, she said that you applied for study abroad again. “Is this true?”
Is it because I thought that something was coming?
Thud, my heart feels heavy, as if a rock had fallen.
“yes.”
Russell nodded obediently.
It was only a few months ago that I returned from my last study abroad trip. But then again, I’m planning to go abroad for research.
It was also true that I felt sorry for somehow not being able to fulfill my role as a fiancé.
Were those feelings revealed on the outside?
Hecate stretched out her hand.
“My dear.”
“… … .”
“As I said before, I am not a narrow-minded woman who does not even understand what happens outside of a man’s life.”
I lightly traced Russell’s face with my finger.
“However, the reason why I am so petty is because I am worried about you.”
Hecate asked as she said so.
“So, considering my feelings, I hope that you will give me news periodically.”
“I will. Hecate.”
Unlike the Kuril Islands, which were far from the mainland, the destination for this outing was the Nadia Desert.
Maybe it was after we entered the desert, but at least we were able to communicate well before then.
‘Even after entering the desert, we will be able to communicate to some extent through the upper level.’
There may be a time gap of a few days, but it is much better than being completely cut off from contact.
“And, if I have one more favor to ask you personally-.”
Immediately after, a coughing sound was heard.
“Isn’t this your face that I won’t see for a while? so… … .”
A slightly red face.
Hecate muttered in a hushed voice.
“Let’s go back after dinner tonight.”
wizard who swallowed a dragon
