I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 391

"Technically, it's within the mountain," Diana replied, lifting her chin with pride.

"We call this place Drag Velga. It's an ancient dwarven term, apparently."

She doesn't seem to know what it means, though.

Ian silently mused on the name as he shifted his gaze. The passage they had exited was at the far edge of the city.

To the right, a building partially obscured their view. Judging by its height, it was constructed with dwarves in mind—its roof barely reached above Ian's head. Unlike typical brick or mortar structures, it seemed they carved the building directly from the mountain's natural rock.

Quite the thorough defense against intruders.

Judging from the other buildings, this lone structure was likely designed intentionally to block the view of the city.

"A dragon must have helped build this place. There's no way even ancient dwarves could have constructed something like this," Lucia murmured, her gaze following the path that extended naturally from the passage. The buildings and roads lined the cavern wall in perfect symmetry.

"That much is obvious just by looking at the Mantra circuits," Ian added, his gaze fixed on the arched ceiling.

The polished, rounded ceiling lacked a single stalactite, and dense patterns of intricate magical circuits covered its surface. These circuits were a mix of countless spells, including many Mantra circuits. It was impossible to determine the number of spells interwoven there.

The faint light and warmth spread throughout the city, the fresh air devoid of any trace of corrupted magic. Those circuits likely sustained everything in this space. Perhaps it even held the cavern together.

"I was wondering how they survived here for so long. Now I see," Ian murmured.

Though the source of power for the circuits remained unclear, he wouldn't have been surprised if it absorbed magical energy from nearby to run indefinitely.

"How many people live here? It seems like hundreds could fit," Lucia added, her eyes scanning the streets and the visible residents. There were already over ten people in sight.

"I wouldn't know. I've never been interested enough to find out," Diana replied, shrugging as she walked forward.

Ian exchanged a glance with Lucia before following Diana's lead.

As they passed the entrance building, the city's layout became clearer. They were on the uppermost level, with one level above them and two more below.

The variety of residents was also clearer now. Humans, dwarves, and elves mingled freely, along with hulking figures that could only be orcs. A closer look might even reveal some beastfolk among them.

Not exactly bustling, but...

The people didn't look like they were merely biding time until death, either.

Lucia's gaze drifted across to the far side of the city. "Goodness. This isn't even all of it."

Ian turned his head to the right. The underground city occupied roughly half of the cavern. The other side featured four more levels, divided like massive steps.

On the topmost level, there was a long building that looked crudely patched together with clay. Thick stone pipes extended from the building to the cavern walls, resembling chimneys, with faint light flickering through its open windows and doors.

"They even farmland." Lucia was gazing at the lower levels, where humans, dwarves, and orcs were digging at the soil and scattering some unknown powder. Below them, ashen vines and spindly plants grew—by far the most ominous-looking part of the city.

"The bottom is for potatoes. The top is for corn—or at least that's what we call them," Diana said, seemingly recalling an earlier conversation with Ian. However, he had no interest in the farmland.

Ian instead examined the relatively flat ground where a stream ran between the city and the fields. Underground water flowed in from a large, gaping cave, and there were even two wells along the banks.

"We can wash up here, right?" Ian asked, hoping for a yes.

He and Lucia were in shambles after crossing the Black Wall, having bathed only twice since. Ragged shoes and clothes covered them, dirt and dried ichor caked Ian's White Phosphor Armor.

Diana turned to him with a smile. "Of course. That almost sounded like something a human would say."

"If someone wanted to, they could live here forever without ever setting foot outside," Lucia murmured, lowering her voice as the city’s residents drew closer.

Her voice was hushed because residents were approaching. Several of them had already stopped and turned to look, clearly aware of the outsiders' presence.

Diana, unfazed, replied casually, "Many do. But complete self-sufficiency is impossible. We still need supplies from outside to keep things running. It's a shared responsibility for those who venture out."

Her gaze swept across the far side of the city. "Instead, we don't have to dig like Moles here. Honestly, the only ones truly content living cooped up here are the Half-Pints." Her eyes lingered on the long building at the top level.

"As long as they can tinker around up there, nothing else matters to them."

"So that's a workshop," Ian murmured.

The flickering light inside the building was likely from forges. It made sense—this was originally a dwarven city. A workshop's presence was only natural.

Though he wasn't sure where they sourced their materials, it was a fortunate discovery. With luck, he might secure the equipment he needed.

Doubt gold will do me any good here. I’ll probably have to barter.

Their conversation ended as they passed through clusters of residents.

Humans and dwarves walked by, some giving Diana casual nods. Some humans and elves wore masks like Diana's. They ranged from simple wooden masks and half-masks that covered only the nose to metal masks.

One thing they all had in common was that they were armed. These were likely the scouts and enforcers of Drag Velga—the owls.

Something feels off.

As a strange sense of unease tickled at Ian's mind, his eyes narrowed.

"My goodness." Lucia let out a quiet sigh.

Ian turned to her and quickly understood the reason for her reaction. Among the crowd, there were a few children.

One child, perhaps six years old, caught Ian's eye. The small figure peeked out from behind a woman who seemed to be his mother, glancing at Ian curiously.

Born of the demonic realm. No, I suppose they should be called children of the underground.

The child didn't look particularly healthy, but they didn't appear malnourished either.

When Ian winked, the child flinched and darted further behind his mother. Ian merely shrugged and continued walking.

Regardless, the stares from the residents directed at Ian and Lucia weren't much different from those of the small townsfolk outside the wall—equal parts wary and curious.

Eventually, Diana approached a set of stairs tucked between two buildings, leading to the uppermost level.

"Is that where we're headed?" Ian whispered from behind her.

The top level resembled a plaza, with most of the space left open except for its edges. Large entrances and windows, a construction style suitable for a rock-sealed underground city, were cut into the cavern wall at the rear.

"Yes. That's the inner citadel of this city," Diana replied.

"Do people here get treated differently based on status? Like where they live, for instance?" Ian asked offhandedly.

Diana slowed her pace and glanced back at him. "So you really are from the outside, Ian Hope. That you’re wondering about that should mean you must’ve been pretty high in the ranks."

That wasn't why I asked.

Diana turned forward again and continued speaking. "Not entirely. Status exists, but ability matters most. If you fulfill your role and contribute, you'll be treated fairly. You wouldn't understand, but—

Her voice grew quieter. "After the world fell apart, the first to die, and in the greatest numbers, were the rotten and incompetent nobles."

"Yeah?"

Oddly enough, their society seems healthier than the ones outside.

He nodded and turned to Lucia. "So, status isn't all that important here."

Lucia seemed to catch his meaning instantly, her lips pressing together thoughtfully. Meanwhile, Diana reached the top of the stairs.

Beyond the open plaza, an arched entrance stood flanked by two orcs. Despite the apparent lack of necessity, the orcs were fully armored, standing motionless like statues with spears in hand.

"I meant to say this earlier, but it's surprising," Lucia whispered. "I thought dwarves and orcs didn't get along very well."

"In this place, such things don't matter. Though, they're still not exactly friendly," Diana whispered back with a shrug before coming to a stop.

Her gaze swept over the orcs guarding the entrance. "I am Diana Erenos. I need to see His Excellency."

One of the orcs looked at her without moving its body. Its lips, adorned with protruding tusks, twitched.

"What is your business?"

"I've brought survivors from beyond the Wall. Also, the Wanderers have returned. It's an urgent matter," Diana lowered her voice and whispered. Even though what she had said should have been surprising, the orcs showed no change in expression.

"Follow me," the orc said, gesturing to his companion before turning around.

Diana glanced back at Ian and whispered quickly, "Cooperate and wait here. I'll be back soon. Please don't cause any trouble."

Ian smirked. "I'll try my best."

"Please. Seriously." Diana gave him one last uneasy look before following the orc guard inside.

I mean it, Ian thought with a silent chuckle.

Though this whole situation had started with threats and coercion, Diana had brought them safely this far. Sure, she'd played a few minor tricks along the way, but considering her nature as a fairy, it was remarkable that she'd restrained herself as much as she did.

Ian figured he could return the favor by avoiding unnecessary trouble—for her sake and, of course, his own.

"Disarm yourselves completely," the approaching orc guard instructed. Despite his large build and intimidating features, his tone was unexpectedly polite.

"I'll set them down here," Lucia said calmly, pulling the flail from her back and a dagger from her belt before setting them beside the doorway.

Ian simply raised both arms slightly. "I'm unarmed."

"Then I'll need to verify," the orc replied, extending a massive, pan-like hand.

The orc's large, thick fingers began patting down Ian's body with meticulous thoroughness.

What the hell, this guy's way too thorough, Ian thought, his brow twitching involuntarily.

For the first time, he found himself sympathizing with the dwarves. It was obvious he had nothing hidden on him, yet the orc still went so far as to check his groin.

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"You're clear. Wait here quietly," the orc finally said, stepping back with Lucia's flail and dagger in hand.

Ian smacked his lips in irritation as Lucia sidled closer and whispered, "It seems like we're about to meet the ruler of the city. Are you planning to keep quiet?"

"Yeah," Ian replied with a shrug. Unless absolutely necessary, he refused to do anything that might lead to troublesome outcomes.

Besides, this place clearly operated under a different culture than the outside world. He had no way of predicting what consequences his actions or words might have, especially when dealing with lofty titles and statuses.

Lucia seemed slightly disappointed as she glanced at the orc out of the corner of her eye before adding, "I'll just speak for myself, then."

"Everything?"

"Yes. Except for one thing."

Ian assumed she was referring to her magic and nodded. "Hm. Fine. I could use an employer too."

Glancing down at her with only his eyes, Ian added, "Want me to introduce you?"

"What? No, please don't," Lucia replied quickly, shaking her head. "I wouldn't be able to stand it if you did that, Sir Ian. Even if others don't know, I know everything. Please don't embarrass me."

Then why me?

Ian let out a breathy chuckle but simply shrugged in response. It wasn't long before Diana and the orc guard reappeared from the corridor beyond the entrance. Ian clasped his hands behind his neck and smiled.

"That was faster than I expected."

"Yeah..." Diana replied, her expression somewhat fatigued.

She glanced between Ian and Lucia before nodding her head toward the entrance.

"Let's go. His Excellency, the Count, wishes to see you."