novelFelicia's Determination
| ← Ch.057 | Ch.059 → |
In a school laboratory in town, two people are confronting each other.
One is a young woman, and the other an elderly man.
Both are dressed in white robes, signifying they are doctors or of a similar profession.
The woman is me, Felicia, and the elderly man is my professor.
"That's why I'm telling this to you. You don't have to go to the Lavabelle Tower!"
"Certainly, that's what you have taught. But let me ask you this, when will I ever get the chance to go? You are always like this!"
We two have been arguing for the same issue for a long time.
The man is a renowned professor of historical heritage, and I am a scholar working as his assistant.
The origin of our argument was a rumor that is flowing throughout the town.
『Death has disappeared from the Lavabelle Tower』
For those who had previously avoided the tower as the "Tower of Death", it was a shocking news. To the point that it was unbelievable.
Still, the rumors spread in an instant.
I'm not sure of this, but the reason this rumor started circulating was because of a mercenary group. That very group had successfully returned and even brought back treasures from the death tower.
Their corps was originally known for their uniqueness as they are only composed of women, but this time, they became famous for another reason altogether.
I still haven't confirmed if they really came from the Lavebelle Tower, but I think there should be a certain degree of credibility from them, as it was widely known that only women can enter the tower.
"If the tower really had changed, then maybe we can now examine that structure that has been wrapped in mystery until now. This is a golden opportunity, you know?"
"Y-yes, you're right about that. However......"
A structure so ancient we aren't able to determine when it was made.
Boosting over a hundred floors above the ground, it is said that this structure has the tallest height in history, and even with the present magic and architectural skills it was impossible to achieve.
This is why among the theologians there are also some that come up with the theory that it was made by god.
If a place made with such super-technology is opened, as a scholar I'm not going to let it go.
"Please, professor. Please allow me go"
"......"
"There may be discoveries waiting to be found in the history of humans if I go there! If I didn't go, someone else will and take the first credit!"
The rumors might be flowing in this town right now, but it will eventually spread throughout the whole country as time passes.
The Lavabelle Tower is just that popular.
If it does, then scholars will surely gather from different places just to do research on the tower.
I have to take the lead before it happens.
"The answer is still no. I'm not letting you go"
"Why!?"
"I have brought up and raised you when you were still a little sprout. In a way, you are already my child. And I just can't afford to put my child in such a dangerous place"
"But professor, aren't you also the one who told me that when you were young, you dived into dungeons and studied ruins personally. Why......"
Professor cut me off, and then began to talk as if warning me about something.
"That tower over there is not the same as any other dungeons. In the past, a number of excellent female scholars came in and not a single one of them ever came back"
"But there are people that came back alive this time!"
"Don't you think its too odd? Plus, recently, the sole man from the Bain House headed to that same tower, in order to monitor the resurrected Demon Lord"
"Doesn't that mean he has already subdued the Demon Lord? If he's a member of the Bain lingeage......
My teacher shook his head in my opinion.
"I don't think so. Rather, it's more likely that he is colluding with the Demon Lord to attract more women to go to the dungeon. He's said to be a lustful man after all"
True, I've also heard of such rumors.
Realizing the hidden danger in those words, I couldn't help but shudder.
If that is true, then it's certain that I'm going to be attacked.
"But still, no matter how long we wait, if I don't go, the mystery will still remain a mystery. I want to solve the mystery of the Lavabelle Tower, even if it costs me my life."
I swore an oath with my pride as a scholar.
"I see. Looks like convincing you further is futile now. You can do as you like."
My professor muttered as if he had given up on life, then sat down on an opposite chair and started interacting with his research materials.
I bowed to my professor, then left the room.
After a few hours of preparation, I came outside for a meal.
There was something I wanted to eat before leaving this town.
"Who knows, I may not be able to eat it for a while......"
Of course, I do not intend to get myself caught in the tower, and I have prepared some artifacts for that.
However, I don't want to regret it before it's too late.
The shop in my objective is just a couple of alleyways down from the main street.
When I opened the door of the shop, the smell of oil and spices in the stir-fry poked through my nose.
I was told by the friend I have brought here that this smell is bad, but I think she was just harsh.
But what about the taste after you eat it?
And so, I sit down at the counter and placed an order to the owner as I thought that way.
"Mister, Meal number 3 please"
"Aye!"
Suddenly, I was distracted by two people who incidentally sat at the same counter as mine.
Looking at their faces, I thought I have seen them somewhere, but I couldn't remember, so I called them out.
"Excuse me, have we met somewhere before?"
The man who was sitting on the side then turned his head and faced me.
He seems to be a little younger, maybe around 20 years old?
"Me? I think we haven't. Moreover, if it's a beautiful woman such as you, I'll never forget it even if I wanted to"
With what he had said, I blushed a little.
Even though my friends also said that I have a pretty face, due to my research, I never had a relationship with a man.
That's why, when I was told that upfront, I panicked a little.
"Hmm, I've definitely seen them somewhere......especially that woman......"
But when I was almost in the brink of remembering, *don* a tray was placed in front of me.
"here is your set meal"
When I looked again, the same thing was also distributed to the same two people I certainly should be familiar with.
"What a coincidence. You like that too?"
"Yes. But that luggage, are you going out for an excursion or something?"
The man asked as he pointed at my luggage.
"I am, this is for investigating archaeological sites. You may not know this, but I'm a legitimate scholar"
"Heeee, amazing, even more at such a young age"
"Aren't you even younger than me?"
"......Ah, right."
After thinking for a bit, the man turned to the front and began eating his set meal.
I also started my meal, as it wouldn't taste that good if it cooled down.
After eating quietly for a while, the duo finished their meal first.
They exchanged a few words, then they stood up and left.
"I couldn't hear them. I wonder where they'll go?"
As they we're about to leave, and because I wasn't able to hold back my curiosity, I spoke out to them.
"I, am going to the Lavabelle Tower"
Then, upon hearing those words, the man stopped, then after taking a look at me once more, he said.
"Oh really, to that tower?"
"Yes. I'm trying to ascertain the rumors that have been circulating recently. Also, I feel that it's my duty as a scholar to study that tower"
When I said that, the man thought for a bit, then he said to me.
"Well, you be careful out there, lass."
"Thank you for your worry, but I'm fine now. I have already prepared myself"
"I see"
He only said that much and left.
While remembering a bit of his indifferent attitude, I then ate the rest of the set meal.
Then I thanked the owner then left the shop.
"Now then, I'm all set to go to the tower. I wonder what kind of place is it?"
I started walking with my heart overflowing with expectations.
| ← Ch. 057 | Ch. 059 → |