Chapter 66 – Pitching Camp (End)

Hearing his words, everyone’s spirits were all roused,

At this time, the sky was already truly dark. The night winds blew. Although it was springtime, it was still chilly.

And everyone’s current position was at a small open space. Although the surroundings of the open space had trees, it nevertheless wasn’t able to used for blocking out the cold or sheltering from the winds.

For the sake of easier movements, everyone didn’t wear too much. Currently, they weren’t able to warm themselves with a open fire either in this narrow location. This narrow location was neither suitable for pitching camp, thus, after being aware of the winds while waiting, they naturally felt uncomfortable.

Hearing that there was some ruins ahead of them, thinking that they could have temporarily have a place to rest, everyone at this time naturally couldn’t wait any longer; they all got up successively, expressing their desire to go there.

“How far are the ruins from here? How’s the situation of the surroundings? First tell us the situation in details.” however, as a competent Commander, Howard still persisted in querying it clearly first before deciding.

Two members of the group of people that went to investigate was from Howard’s squadron, they presented the details of the situation for their Commander to listen. Similarly, the few people of Lancas’ squadron, had also spoken to their own Commander and team members of all that they had seen of the situation.

In light of what they all said, the ruins that was discovered by them was roughly 10 minutes away from their current location. Although mid route the pathway wasn’t easily tread, but luckily, it wasn’t at all a too far of a distance. And the surroundings of the ruins had quite a bit of lush trees; which was also why they did not discover the ruins existed at the very start. Because of incidentally finding the ruins afterwards, they then carefully examined the surrounds; but they did not discover any traces of a haunt of magical beasts at all.

According to their descriptions, this ruin ought to have been quite the imposing establishment in the past. Although it was currently abandoned, with many an area being utterly destroyed, there were yet a few rooms which could still be temporarily used reluctantly to dwell in.

“I believe that this place is quite appropriate. Commander Lancas, your thoughts?” hearing all this, Commander Howard had already understood the approximate situation, furthermore thinking that it was a place they could go to; seeing Lancas standing by his side, he inquired with a smile.

“I also think it’s appropriate. The sky is about to turn completely black. Before we can’t even see the roads at all, selecting a good campsite is a necessity. Hearing their descriptions, the ruins ought to lack any dangers. We should go there then.” Lancas nodded his head, expressing his opinion.

Consequently, the two squadron Commanders each instructed their own members respectively, getting them to hurriedly tidy up and get ready, before advancing towards the ruins. The location of the ruins was said to be only a travel of more or less 10 minutes, however, because it was dark, everyone that went all found it rather difficult.

It was unknown whether the geography situation of the area was naturally formed, or whether it was deliberately made by man. Many places that would appear safe, would frequently have hidden unexpected dangers appearing.

Although there was a small pathway linking directly to the ruins, travelling along the road, quite a few people would still furrow their brows.

Without mentioning how narrow the road itself was, weaponry fragments would appear on this road from time to time; frequently making the members stumble and fall suddenly, or perhaps make them stagger about.

Even though they were warned by the investigating members, and everyone had all early on prepared themselves for it, the various kinds of circumstances that appeared on this road, still yet made everyone’s moods, which was originally great, be greatly reduced.

A lot of them were all thinking, at the end of this road which was almost hard to walk through, that in such a remote location where the ruins were located, could it actually allow them to spend the night in safety at all?

Everyone’s confidence, while they unceasingly travelled this small path, was lessening as they went on. And afterwards, when everyone had finished travelling the road which they all felt was quite long, which was really quite short, the place that was called a ruin by the investigating team, had finally, appeared in front of them.

A type of vicissitude mood washed over everyone.

“The ruins you spoke about, is this it?” Commander Howard lifted his head slightly, observing the worn out area. While lamenting at the decline, he also marvelled at the former glory.

A dilapidated palace. A ragged altar with weeds growing atop of it. There was also a statue of a God, lacking arms, shoulders and a foreleg, that was long since unrecognizable in front of the palace. This all demonstrated the merciless passages of time.

Although what appeared in front of them was currently only a small historical remain, the remaining indications of the architectural designs was still clearly seen. Before it was abandoned, it was still quite possible that this place used to be a Shrine.

Whether it was caused by mankind, or whether it was the ravages of time, this location had long already become a genuine ruin; abandoned by both the world and mankind. However, the former streaming colours of its former glory, remaining on top of some tiles was still shown to everyone, making everyone stare blankly for a good while.

Rumont who stood among the crowd, also stared at the ruins peacefully.

While everyone else was still exclaiming over the former glory the ruins represented, he had already noticed at this ruin, the other values of this temporary campsite.

He walked over, feeling over the dilapidated pillars and walls of the building, discovering that, after passing through the ravages of time, they were still as firm as in the past. And apart from the few hallway rooms at the very front that were no longer liveable for people, the back of the building still seemed to be dwellable for a while.

Similarly discovering this point were the two squadron Commanders.

“Not bad. The ruins looks like it’s very beaten, but after tidying, it should accommodate us.” Commander Howard nodded while looking it over.

There was even a few people, when they were tidying the junk of the ruins, discovering a room at the back of the ruins. “Come quick! There’s a chamber here!”

Everyone that heard the news went over, discovering, that was really was a chamber, by the side of a large hallway. Because the colour of the door and the hall was similar, thus, at the initial beginning, nobody had discovered it.

At this moment, the chamber door was opened by them. Looking from the outside, the inside was absolutely empty, there was nothing at all.

Probably because it was sealed for a long time, being opened suddenly, a type of pungent air rushed out of the chamber, dashing towards everyone. Everyone quickly covered their nose, waiting for the vapours to clear away, before congregating at the entrance and looking inside again.

The space of the chamber wasn’t small, probably because the four walls were made of masonry, thus, when the other rooms were all already dilapidated, this room was basically preserved intact as before.

The floor was also of masonry, although it was presently fill with dust, but looking at the degree of preciousness of the masonry, of the masonry that this room was entirely made of, as one could well imagine, the use of the room was sure to be out of the ordinary.

However, at this moment, the functional value of this chamber was what everyone had noticed at this present time.

“Commander, it’s not bad, it’s also sealed off and safe. We should rest here tonight.”

“Yeah, this really isn’t that bad. I never expected that within Briar Forest, there was still such a place. I really never noticed it in the past.”

In regards to the origins of this ruin, everyone wasn’t too clear, however, everyone was all happy at being able to have a good sleep tonight.

“Okay, we’ll rest here tonight. However, before we rest, we should clean the chamber up first.” consulting with Lancas, Commander Howard gave a haha laugh.

Once everyone heard this, they immediately bustled about with cleaning the area.

Quickly, the chamber was completely cleaned up. The floor which was originally full of dust, wasn’t beautifully polished by others and was only given a simple sweep, yet the precious masonry could still show off its former glory.

“Say Rumont, we frequently come to the forest, how come we’ve never discovered this place before?” Fafnir felt up the walls, while also looking at the exterior establishment, not quite understanding as he shook his head.

Rumont simply laughed: “what’s so odd about it, this place is so remote, the road is also difficult. If it wasn’t because we encountered goblins, we simply wouldn’t have been able to come here. What’s more, there’s thick trees all around the ruins, if it wasn’t in front of us, we simply wouldn’t be able to discover it. It’s quite normal that we never knew in the past eh.”

“That’s true.” Fafnir nodded. “If we knew in the past, we would have long since had a look. It’s not far from town either, coming and going is also pretty convenient.”

While it was spoken carelessly, it was interesting for the listener.

And it was after Fafnir had spoken this, that Rumont quickly fell into contemplation. In fact, since always, in regards to the Baron’s promise, Rumont was always nurturing a half-believing and half-doubting attitude.

Although it was said that no matter from where it was said, the chances of the Lord Baron acting shameless wasn’t large. However, if he really wanted to act shamelessly, as a low Ranking Druid, he was really helpless———if nothing else, solely on the hundreds of Warriors in the barracks, as well as the several Rank 4 or 5 Warriors, it was sufficient enough to suppress him.

However, as a Druid, if Rumont wanted to better himself further, not only did he require himself to strive on, it still required various kinds of external pressuring factors to push him. So to speak, he required a place that belonged to himself.

Thinking of the current small town, of all the lands that the Lord owned that he was capable of being bestowed, they were increasingly more scarce and expensive; Rumont didn’t dare raise his hopes towards that piece of land.

These ruins weren’t far from the town, if it wasn’t because they were delayed by a battle so to speak, it would only take the greater part of a day to reach this place. The safety could be guaranteed with some difficulties. If it was altered a bit, it could become his own base for a Druid.

If the time ever comes when the Baron wasn’t willing to give him some land so to speak, then he would occupy this area. After all, this place could be considered to be ownerless. Compared to the subjected restrictions in town, expanding his own powers in this place was honestly as Rumont saw it, even more suitable for him.

So long as he cleaned up the building completely, he could then wholly begin. The area here wasn’t small, even if he saved some areas for a medicinal garden, it was still absolutely enough.

Such a large piece of land within the town would practically be impossible to obtain. Even the Rank 5 Jeff had searched for a location within the forest to establish his own Druidic base. It seemed that if Rumont wanted to establish his own suitable base, he could also only decide on within the forest.

And this place, no matter if it was the geographical location, environment, or even the space, it all allowed him to be satisfied.

Exactly when Rumont was surveying this historical remnant, having his own thoughts, practically at the same time, in an area not too far from him, Commander Lancas was also surveying the remains. Furthermore, his face similarly showed an expression of having certain thoughts.

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