It is an early morning, but Nagusa has hardly slept. Instead, she has been poring over the table, where all kinds of books, notes and scrolls can be seen scattered around
11:24:47
she peers through her glasses, occasionally checking and double checking the text across the various documents, eyes flitting across the words
11:25:47
Gelöscht
-Despite the early morning, Hana is already awake, she lays in her bed for awhile more, before she hears some sounds coming from the living room, so she decides to get up to see what's the commotion about-
11:27:57
for once, Nagusa isn't going around to rouse her sleepy apprentice, having lost track of time, buried deep in her research
11:29:05
Gelöscht
-She arrives at the living room, where she sees Nagusa busy with all these books and scrolls, she gives her a perplexed look- Good morning...? -She asks-
11:30:09
momentarily distracted, Nagusa looks up from her work
11:30:25
Oh, hello Hana. Why are you up in the middle of the night?
11:30:43
Gelöscht
Well... You were making too much noise... So I came to see what happened
11:31:02
she glances out the window and sees that it is light
11:31:50
oh, it is morning already, huh...
she stifles a slight yawn
11:32:01
Gelöscht
What have you been doing all night?
11:32:21
Hmm, perhaps you can help
she mumbles slightly
11:32:36
Sit down and make some tea? this might take awhile
11:32:48
she starts moving the documents aside in a neat pile, making some space on the table for both of you
11:33:19
Gelöscht
Shouldn't you go and rest? You look tired
11:33:33
Hmm, I would, but there is something I need to go and see for myself... and a nice cup of tea will help me wake up, i suppose
11:34:22
Gelöscht
Hmm, by yourself? Where are you going?
11:34:54
Help me get some tea, dear, and i'll explain to you. Perhaps it best if you come along too
11:35:44
she sifts through the pile and pulls out an old scroll, with undecipherable symbols written on it
11:36:19
Gelöscht
Hmm alright... -She gives you a concerned look as she heads into the kitchen to prepare your favorite tea, returning moments later with a teapot, placing a cup on the table and filling it with the freshly brewed tea-
11:37:23
Nagusa takes the cup and takes a long sip, some colour returning to her face
11:37:48
she lets out a long, soothing sigh
11:37:54
thanks, dear. Have a look
11:38:15
she smoothes out the parchment on the table
11:38:27
There was some movement at the base of the mountain at the edge of the forest yesterday, and from what I have heard from my last guest, a strange cave has opened up
11:38:55
There were some strange symbols near the entrance that he could not read, and when he tried walking in, he was filled with a strange sense of dread and fear
11:39:28
It took me some time, but I managed to calm him down after a long night, and he left me with a sketch of the symbols he made before he fled in fear
11:40:37
Gelöscht
A strange cave...? -She moves closer to you, sitting beside you and taking a look at the parchment- Hmm.... That's strange... What did the visitor see when he went in? Perhaps we should get Arthur to check it out?
11:42:06
hmm, I spent the night looking it up
11:42:40
It seems to connect to a part of the underworld, actually
11:42:48
perhaps you might know something about it?
11:42:55
she moves aside, showing you the symbols on the parchment
11:43:06
There are only three symbols I could decipher, this seems to be a strange and ancient language
11:43:37
Gelöscht
The... Underworld...? You mean...? The realm of the demons? -She takes a look at the symbols, her eyes glowing dimly, as she studies the three symbols- Hmm...
11:45:24
These three symbols, as far as I understand them, read
11:45:47
"lost" "tower" and "souls"
11:45:54
the other symbols, i have yet to decipher them
11:46:07
And it seems that these symbols are some kind of language used in the underworld, or at least that is what is told in the ancient legends i could find
11:48:31
she gestures vaguely at the pile of books
11:48:39
Gelöscht
Lost...tower...souls.... -She continues staring at the symbols, they look very similar, similar to the language of the ancients, however at the same time, it doesn't- This language... Or these symbols, look slightly similar to the language of the ancients, however the way they are depicted makes no sense to me, but if this symbol was found in the Underworld then it would make sense, after all, the demons did leave the mortal realm... Perhaps this is a place that's inside the Underworld?
11:51:16
hmm, that is the same conclusion I came to. That the passage must lead to the underworld
11:52:09
Gelöscht
Y-you want to go into the Underworld?! -She immediately stands up- Are you sure?
11:53:01
Well, to be honest, it sounds a little scary, but we do need to know if the forest is safe...
11:53:32
it is our home now... and Sunny has just built her shrine in there...
11:53:46
she trails off a little, and you can see that her fingertips are trembling slightly
11:54:14
Gelöscht
T-then shouldn't I go with Arthur instead? -She protests- After all, the Underworld is...
11:54:49
Gelöscht
-She pauses, taking a deep breath- It could be dangerous, and I wouldn't want you to be hurt
11:55:57
Well, I am the only the one here who knows where it is, and to be honest, I am rather curious what it is like too
11:56:53
Gelöscht
Well, it's probably filled with demons...
11:57:42
Can they be reasoned with?
11:58:22
Gelöscht
Well, it depends, but based on our meeting with Sir Roma the other day, it seems there are evil demons as well, and should we have to fight one... I'm not sure how would they react if they found out about me...
11:59:24
Gelöscht
Do you really want to go..?
12:00:58
how about this... we'll sneak in carefully just to observe, and if it is inhabited at all, we'll come back to get arthur and the lord and go back with a legion of soldiers
12:01:14
Gelöscht
Well we could go back with Arthur, but we shouldn't go back with a "legion" of soldiers... They would think that we are going to start a war or something...
12:02:06
hmm, good point. Will arthur be enough if it is indeed filled with demons?
12:02:26
Gelöscht
Well, just because they are demons doesn't automatically make them evil, however I have not seen any demons ever since I've awoken here, so I do not know anything about the state of the Underworld now...
12:03:15
wouldn't this be a good opportunity to learn more, then?
Nagusa smiles
12:03:54
Gelöscht
Well.. That depends... I'm not sure if I would like to make my existence known to the demons...
12:04:17
Well, I'm sure it'll be fine. We're just there to observe, we don't have to announce our presence like that
12:05:30
Gelöscht
Mmm... I understand... Are we going now..?
12:05:58
Oh, yes. I'll clean up this mess later.
12:06:33
Do you know if it is cold or hot in the underworld? It says in these legends that it is a surprisingly cool place
12:07:08
Nagusa stands up and walks over to the drawers
12:07:40
Gelöscht
Hmmm... I'm not very sure, depends on which part of the Underworld I guess, but should the weather be a problem, I'll just use some magic to protect us
12:08:40
about to take out a couple of shawls and scarves, Nagusa puts them back in the drawer
12:09:09
she instead walks over to the pile of books and scrolls, and after some deliberation, takes out a small pocket book and some handwritten notes from the pile
12:09:46
just in case we need some more deciphering when we're down there
she winks at hana
12:10:02
Gelöscht
What could we even decipher if we don't know the language... -She sighs, taking her backpack, filling it with supplies, a small amount of food and some water- Just make sure no matter what, you never leave my side, okay?
12:11:40
she describes in detail the location of the cave, at the base of the mountain on the edge of the forest it's a little far to walk, and lin is busy today so we can't use her motorcycle. would you be able to get us there?
12:11:51
oh of course. I have no wish to be getting lost down there alone
12:12:08
Gelöscht
Hmm... Very well... -She stands beside you, holding onto you arm, in less than a second, your surroundings are suddenly replaced by the forest trees, as the both of you are teleported to the entrance of the strange cave- Is this the place?
12:13:43
Gelöscht
your arm*
12:13:56
the familiar wave of nausea hits Nagusa whenever Hana uses her teleportation magic, and she takes a minute to close her eyes and recover
12:15:14
Gelöscht
A-are you okay?
12:15:39
Just a little dizzy... this is why I don't like to use teleportation magic...
12:15:58
she grumbles a little but opens her eyes and moves toward the entrance of the cave
12:16:13
Gelöscht
Well you should get used to it, I think we'll be relying on it alot more from here on out~ -She giggles as she follows you-
12:16:55
blehhh~
she sighs
12:17:15
Not too far from the entrance, you come across the strange symbols etched into the rock. The guest had apparently copied them quite well, but had omitted one or two of the symbols in his haste
12:17:58
Gelöscht
More symbols... Hmm...
12:18:19
Oh no, dear. these are the ones that I was given, remember?
12:18:31
Gelöscht
Hmm, these symbols still make no sense to me
12:19:24
It seems the order is wrong. It actually reads "tower lost souls" rather than "lost tower souls""
12:19:38
well, i guess it doesn't matter
12:19:52
shall we continue?
12:20:03
Gelöscht
Of course, but a tower with such a name could never mean something good...
12:20:51
Oh, I figured it was the strange naming conventions demons always like to have
Nagusa giggles as she continues inward
12:21:23
[The path descends rather steeply, at as you round the bend, becomes pitch black as there is no longer any source of natural light]
12:22:04
Gelöscht
Hmm... -Hana puts out her arm, producing a white flame from her hand, lighting up the area-
12:22:45
ooh, that is very handy
12:23:07
I was thinking of turning around to get some firewood to use as torches
12:23:22
... is it taxing on your magic to keep it burning, dear?
12:23:37
Gelöscht
Of course not, such a weak flame is easy to handle, also... weren't you the one who didn't want to receive a mystic eye from me? You could have some cool magic that you could easily use if you wish... -She continues walking forward, keeping an eye on her surroundings-
12:24:45
I have no magic to use it with, my dear. And magic depletion is... not a good thing to experience
12:25:32
[The path continues to twist and turn, always going down and down, deeper into the earth's core]
12:25:59
[As you round yet another turn, you are both hit by a wave of terror and dread. even closing your eyelids does not prevent your worst nightmares from dancing in front of your eyes]
12:27:06
Nagusa stands stock still, steadying herself against the rock wall and focusing on putting one trembling foot in front of the other
12:27:55
Gelöscht
-Hana turns to look at you, before looking at the other end of the cave- G-go away! -Her eyes glow white, as she sends a shockwave throughout the cave, keeping away the dark magic as she walks over to Nagusa- A-are you okay? -She places an arm on Nagusa's shoulder-
12:29:57
nagusa pants slightly
12:30:20
That... Guest wasn't joking....
12:30:36
I don't sense any presence though... Do you...?
12:30:47
Gelöscht
Hmm... Looks like this place is cursed... It reeks of dark magic...
12:31:23
That must be it...
12:31:32
she recovers a little and steadies herself under her own power
12:31:45
I wonder if magic can be set to be triggered automatically?
12:32:00
I've only ever seen it casted
12:32:12
Gelöscht
-Her eyes now start to glow green, as she envelops you in a veil of magic, rejuvenating you as well as negating the effects of the dark magic-
12:32:21
Gelöscht
Well that depends
12:32:28
Gelöscht
Magic can be used in anyways you could imagine, it has infinite possibilities
12:33:00
Well it's a good thing you came with me, then. Thank you
12:33:20
Gelöscht
Hmph... I told you I should have came with Arthur...
12:33:32
It seems you are more than enough, dear
she smiles lightly
12:34:00
Gelöscht
H-hmph! T-that compliment won't get you anywhere!
12:34:16
[the tunnel continues to lead downward, until it eventually levels and opens into a huge cavern, so large that you cannot see the end of it, not the ceiling]
12:34:46
[there seems to be some sort of unnatural blue glow, illuminating the place with an eerie glow]
12:35:14
[there is a single rock path leading to a massive tall structure in the middle of the cavern, and there doesn't seem to be anything else of interest in it]
12:36:00
Nagusa stares at it, not quite what she expected
12:36:57
Gelöscht
Hmm... Looks like we have arrived... -The air is still, and the atmosphere is silent, there seems to be nothing but only the two of you- Could that be it? -She looks at the tall structure, her eyes continue to glow as she scans the area for potential threats-
12:39:01
Nagusa looks around carefully herself
12:39:21
I don't sense any presence... Shall we approach that thing?
12:39:43
Gelöscht
Well since we're here we should, the place looks abandoned anyways...
12:40:06
Hmm, yes it does. Why would someone build this thing then abandon it?
12:40:26
she moves slowly and carefully towards the structure, before being stopped by iron gates
12:40:50
Gelöscht
Well... the Underworld was created during the era of the Gods, who knows how many hundreds of thousands of years have passed, also there are beings who could live up to a few thousand years, so I don't see why not
12:41:42
[the iron gates are completely rusted, and the lock on it has also rusted away, giving away immediately on the slightest of pushes]
12:42:24
You would think it would continue to be inhabited, not abandoned...
Nagusa wonders
12:42:57
Well, let's have a look inside, shall we?
12:43:17
Gelöscht
Well, who knows, maybe the owner got bored, or worse, they made an even more powerful enemy, who probably wiped them out... But yes... We should, but remember to be careful, okay?
12:44:15
[the large, imposing doors are heavy, but are not locked, giving way to the combined effort of the two]
12:45:19
[the room inside is small and circular, consisting only of a stone plague in the middle. At the opposite end of the room a spiral staircase can be seen going up to the next floor]
12:46:31
Gelöscht
Hmmm... -Hana looks around the room- Well this is a strange place, there's nothing here...
12:47:33
Nagusa walks over to the stone plague, seeing as it is the only thing in the room
12:47:56
[the plague is written in what seems to be several different languages, including common language today]
12:48:54
Gelöscht
-She stands beside Nagusa, keeping watch over her as Nagusa reads the plague-
12:49:38
["calling all adventurers! Dare you brave the demons of the tower? Ascend through all the floors, beat all my prized residents, and you shall be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. Fail, and you shall be their eternal servant. Who dares to take on the challenge?]
12:50:16
*Nagusa traces the words as she reads them, her fingers caked in centuries -old dust
12:52:16
Gelöscht
Hmm... So I guess it was just like a battle tower... Looks like it's abandoned, since there's nobody here to greet us...
12:52:23
It does seem so... Perhaps it was eventually conquered...?
12:52:45
What happened to the residents?
12:53:07
Gelöscht
Well that's a possibility
12:53:15
Gelöscht
Or perhaps they just didn't get enough challengers, and left
12:53:24
Well, let's find out?
12:54:09
Nagusa starts to move toward the stairs, climbing up to the first floor
12:54:28
Gelöscht
Sure... But stay close, it could be a trap after all
12:54:30
Would you like to lead, dear?
12:55:00
Gelöscht
I'll be beside you -She grabs onto your hand and walks alongside you-
12:55:27
[The stairs spiral up and ends at a small landing. There is nothing to see other than a huge door opposite a small opening in the wall, forming a small window]
13:01:17
Gelöscht
Empty again...?
13:01:28
[A gold sign hangs next to the door, written in the strange symbols you have seen before]
13:01:58
well, we did expect it to be empty.
13:02:23
Nagusa takes out her little book and flips through the pages quickly, trying to read the sign
13:02:44
Gelöscht
-Once again Hana continues to monitor the area while Nagusa studies the sign-
13:03:04
Gatekeeper... Cassie... Countess...
13:03:14
Nagusa tests the door with a little push, and it opens almost immediately, swinging inwards silently
13:03:51
Oh! I guess it wasn't locked...
13:03:57
Gelöscht
Hey! What happened to being careful! -She quickly runs over to you-
13:04:14
I just gave it a little push...
Nagusa smiles sheepishly
13:05:21
Should we have a look inside?
13:05:41
Gelöscht
Sure, but once again... be careful...
13:05:59
Nagusa walks in slowly, looking around. There is a thick layer of dust everywhere, it is clear it hasn't been touched in ages
13:06:38
There are clear signs that it had once been inhabited. There is a small seat in the room, like a throne, and various posters and dangerous-looking equipment scattered around
13:07:21
Do you feel... something...? I think I feel the faintest traces of dark magic, like someone very powerful once lived here...
13:07:58
Gelöscht
Well yes... There seems to be residue of magic in the air... Not just dark magic but all different kinds... Seems like people came here to accept the challenge after all...
13:09:22
Well, I can only hope they are well, wherever they are...
13:10:22
It seems like the owner of the place has either left or passed on, too...
13:10:52
Gelöscht
Hmm, probably...
13:11:04
Well, let us not linger. There seems to be no danger here.
13:11:32
Gelöscht
Oh? You don't want to take some of these things back with us? -She points to the strange weapons and other equipment-
13:12:17
are we common thieves dear? What if they were cursed? aren't you the one who wanted to be careful?
she giggles slightly
13:12:49
Gelöscht
Well.... if the owner isn't alive anymore, then we should be free to take these things, also, there's no need to worry about curses, these weapons aren't cursed, they were probably used by the guardian of this floor
13:14:09
well, if you're sure... go ahead, i suppose. I have no need for weapons back at the shrine, nor would i be able to wield them
13:15:01
Gelöscht
Don't you want to take a look at the posters? Or maybe there could be diary laying around
13:15:29
They're all heavily caked in dust. And i have no wish to be rummaging through someone else's belongings, it feels like a violation somehow
13:17:07
perhaps we will gain more clues on the other floors?
13:17:15
Gelöscht
Fine... If you say so...
13:17:30
Nagusa leaves the room, backing out the way she came in, bowing once to say her goodbyes before continuing to walk up the spiral staircase, leaving the door open
13:18:18
Gelöscht
-She follows closely, walking beside you again-
13:19:24
[The Second Floor is similar to the first, with the tiny landing, open window and door. However on this floor, the door is already wide open]
13:19:42
[There is a sign on the wall outside the door as always, but there is nothing written on the sign]
13:20:05
Huh... that's surprising...
13:20:16
Gelöscht
Hmm... another empty room? But it seems to be more empty than just now...
13:20:56
hmm... won't hurt to enter, i guess
13:21:43
[This room is also caked in dust, but is completely empty. There is no trace of furniture, or indeed anything that makes it seem like it was once lived in]
13:22:43
Does the tower have empty floors?
Nagusa ponders out loud
13:23:10
Gelöscht
Maybe some of the guardians retired early?
13:23:27
huh... so the adventurers get a free pass?
13:24:19
Gelöscht
Well, maybe they got bored?
13:24:55
Yea but what happens to the adventurers that beat the first floor?
13:25:34
do they just move on?
13:25:41
Gelöscht
Probably?
13:25:49
Gelöscht
Or maybe this guardian cleaned up the place before leaving? -She giggles-
13:26:09
Pretty easy to be an adventurer, huh?
she giggles a little bit
13:26:14
well, let's see what's next then
13:26:27
Nagusa backs out onto the staircase landing again, walking up to the third floor
13:26:47
[This floor is similar to the other two, with the simple landing, small window and large door. This door is also open, too]
13:27:18
Another open door?
13:27:25
Gelöscht
Looks like the guardians didn't enjoy their job here~ Hehehe~
13:27:56
Nagusa pokes her head in to ascertain that it is, indeed, an empty room
13:28:30
Yep, it is as abandoned as the one downstairs
13:28:40
Gelöscht
Hmmm, maybe we could clean this place up, and it could be our holiday destination?
13:29:04
Oh, that would be quite the idea. Once we do something about that dark magic out front...
13:29:46
Gelöscht
Well I'm sure that's something Arthur could easily fix, he is an expert at dark magic after all
13:31:03
Oh, then remind me to make a request to him once we are above ground once more
13:31:23
Nagusa nods to herself then starts climbing the stairs to the Fourth floor, wondering if she'll find it abandoned too
13:31:43
[Other than the same landing and window on the Fourth floor, the door is surprisingly shut. The sign on the door reads "Sister Silvena - come and repent your sins" in plain common language]
13:33:06
Common language? this is surprising...
13:33:24
Gelöscht
Hmm... Do you think they're still inside?
13:34:11
Nagusa tests the door, but it is locked securely shut
13:34:26
Oh, we might have found our first actual resident
13:34:52
Gelöscht
Hmmm.... What should we do?
13:35:20
There's no dust on the door either, so I guess they must actually still be living here
13:35:20
Should we knock, or leave a note?
13:35:35
Gelöscht
If we knock, they might think we are here to fight them
13:36:10
best to leave a note then
13:36:25
Gelöscht
Sure...
13:37:36
Nagusa takes out a small piece of paper and scribbles "Hello, Nagusa of the Moon Shrine here. We paid a visit but didn't want to disturb, so we're leaving a note. Come visit us at the Moon Shrine whenever you are free!"
13:37:49
She attaches the note just below the sign of the owner, hoping that they will see it soon
13:38:18
Gelöscht
How would they know where the Moon Shrine is?
13:38:22
She attaches another note detailing the location of the Shrine, the notes taking up more space than the sign itself now
13:39:41
Gelöscht
Well... Let's hope they are not evil.... And they don't come to us looking to fight us...
13:40:38
hmm, i don't think so...
13:40:47
Look, put your hand on the door and feel
13:40:58
Gelöscht
Feel..?
13:41:15
The magic doesn't feel evil or dark... in fact it feels somewhat... holy...?
13:41:16
Gelöscht
Well... Once again, even if they're an angel, it doesn't mean they can't be evil...
13:41:49
that is true, but in that case wouldn't we feel evil or dark energy?
13:42:23
Gelöscht
Magical powers are just a catalyst, Arthur was born from dark magics, but is he evil?
13:42:59
hmm, that is true
13:43:13
well, we'll just have to have faith, then
13:43:19
Nagusa starts climbing the stairs again
13:43:32
Gelöscht
-Hana follows suite-
13:43:52
[The fifth floor is largely the same, and this door is shut tight too]
13:44:13
Nagusa stiffens and instinctively moves away from the door
13:44:32
Gelöscht
What's wrong?
13:44:52
There is very strong magic protecting this door... it's pulsing...
13:44:53
Gelöscht
Hmmm...
13:45:04
Gelöscht
I guess some guardians do live here after all...
13:45:26
[The sign for the owner is in the strange symbols again, but there is a small note on the door that is written in common language, except slightly broken, as if someone not fluent in the language has attempted to write it]
13:46:22
["Demon Goddess is away at very important tournament. Do not disturb! Will be back soon!"]
13:47:06
Nagusa peers at the sign from a distance, deciphering the symbols, before her eyes grow wide
13:48:15
Gelöscht
Hmm? What do you see?
13:48:25
This... this is sis' Eva's room!
13:48:36
I did not know this was where she lived!
13:48:45
ah, sorry, dear. This was even long before I met you
13:49:23
I'm not sure if you have met her, but sis... demon goddess eva was a frequent customer at my old place in the forest
13:49:50
Gelöscht
Oh...? Demon Goddess...?
13:50:12
one da a few... loud, aggressive louts came demanding for service, and she drove them off with her powers
13:50:18
We have had a bond since then, and we consider ourselves sisters, even if we are clearly different
13:50:47
I did not know she lived here... it must have been lonely...
13:50:57
Gelöscht
Well... It's only natural for a demon to be living in the underworld, also she isn't lonely, there seems to be another guardian here.. Sil...Sil...what was her name again?
13:51:38
Silvena? I suppose so
13:52:15
Let's hope the other floors are occupied too
13:52:23
Nagusa writes another note: "Dear sis, we did not know you lived here, but we came to visit and found your room. Perhaps you'll show us around next time? Love, Nagusa"
13:53:07
Gelöscht
Let's take a look shall we?
13:53:33
she sticks the note onto the sign, being very careful to avoid the door
13:53:34
Nagusa starts to climb the stairs once more to the next floor
13:53:55
[The Sixth floor is the same as all the others, door, landing, window. The door appears to be shut, and there are demonic symbols on the sign]
13:54:49
Wrath... Demoness... Jinx...
Nagusa slowly deciphers the words written on the sign
13:55:21
I guess the place isn't as abandoned as we thought?
13:55:33
Gelöscht
Hmmm.... Looks like it, but it also looks like it doesn't operate as it used to
13:55:57
Nagusa tests the door by giving it a little push, and it swings open immediately
13:56:22
The inside of the room is grand, but caked in dust. A red carpet runs right through the middle of the room leading up to a majestic throne, and there are large, well-made chairs on both sides of the red carpet
13:58:05
Gelöscht
Hmm.... This room looks special....
13:59:10
[Behind the throne is a raised platform that contains a large, canopy bed. It is completely covered in dust, but looks majestic and it is clear whoever sleeps in it commands a view of the entire room]
13:59:44
but it looks like the resident is no longer here, either...
14:00:04
Gelöscht
I guess so, we should ask Sil and Eva if we get the chance to meet them
14:00:26
yes, i'm sure they must have lots of stories to tell, or experiences with their fellow residents
14:01:07
Nagusa backs out of the room once more, being careful not to touch anything, bows politely once, then starts ascending the stairs
14:01:38
Gelöscht
-Hana follows closely behind Nagusa- Hmm, maybe the owner could still be residing at the top?
14:02:17
[The Seventh Floor greets you with the now familiar scene of door, window and landing. This door is also shut, with a plaque by its side]
14:02:27
Hm, that is possible. Would an owner allow for the tower to be abandoned like this though? wouldn't they try to recruit more residents?
14:02:56
Gelöscht
Maybe they just couldn't find new ones? And just let the original residents stay if they wanted to?
14:03:42
They're clearly not here any more, though. And it seems some of the floors were never occupied to begin wtih
14:04:29
Nagusa deciphers the sign Consumed... demon... Jeanne...
14:05:01
Gelöscht
Hmmm, perhaps they couldn't get enough residents, and just decided to turn this into a common home? Hehehe~
14:05:06
Well, with a declaration like the one we found on the ground floor... that's a bold statement to make without being able to attract any residents
Nagusa giggles a little
14:05:46
She tests the door. This one swings open immediately too
14:06:15
Gelöscht
Hmmm, maybe the "fights" they were talking about were not actual "fights"? But refer to something else?
14:06:25
well yea, but it's still impossible to have them when there are literally no residents
14:08:02
Nagusa walks in, and stops almost immediately
14:08:17
Gelöscht
Hmm? Something wrong?
14:08:42
[The room is filled with an array of staircases. There must be some dimensional magic at play here, for there is no ceiling and no floor as far as the eye can see]
14:08:50
[instead, the stairways connect and reconnect, forming a veritable maze, leading to somewhere in the distance]
14:09:28
wow... this is like a labyrinth... you could easily get lost in here...
14:09:40
Gelöscht
Hmm... Maybe we shouldn't go any further....
14:10:04
yea... probably not a good idea to get lost...
14:11:17
Nagusa backs out quickly, wondering how many adventurers got lost in the endless labyrinth
14:11:37
Jeanne, was it? Must be a master designer. I've never seen a room like it
14:11:53
Gelöscht
Hmm... I guess... Maybe they're still out there, somewhere...
14:12:32
hmm.. maybe we should get her to help design our shrine. After seeing sunny's shrine I can't help but feel we should upgrade a bit too
she smiles
14:13:41
Gelöscht
I guess, we should start looking for people who could help us with that!
14:14:42
Nagusa climbs toward the Eighth Floor
14:16:10
[This floor is like the other floors, but the sign is empty and the door is open]
14:16:51
Gelöscht
Well, that's to be expected~ Hehe~
14:17:26
Nagusa peeks in, just to make sure, but confirms that it is a barren room with nothing in it
14:18:21
so that makes...
14:18:47
she counts on her fingers
14:18:53
Three abandoned floors, two inhabited ones and three whose owners are no longer here...
14:19:17
Gelöscht
Or they could just be away on a long vacation~
14:19:46
Well, perhaps...
14:20:08
Nagusa starts to climb the stairs again
14:20:16
[The stairs abruptly ends as it reaches the new landing. It seems this is the final floor]
14:21:38
[Other than the usual, the door is shut, and there is writing on the sign next to the door]
14:22:41
Gelöscht
Looks like we are on the last floor...
14:23:36
It seems like it...
14:24:04
[There is only one symbol on the door]
14:24:44
Lust...?
Nagusa flips through her book and deciphers it
14:25:04
[There is a large note tacked onto the door, written in both demonic language and common language]
14:25:39
Gelöscht
Oh? Lust..?
14:25:41
["sometimes love comes out of conflict. After many encounters, I have decided to marry my love, Romantic Malaspina. Please attend our wedding function at the Malapsina Mansion on XX-XX-XXXX"]
14:27:34
Romantic.. Malaspina... the lord...?!
14:28:34
Nagusa tests the door, but it is similarly locked
14:29:18
Gelöscht
Looks like nobody's home...
14:30:52
The lord is living with sunny for now, isn't he? We should ask him some questions....
14:31:20
I think so? or at least, he visits frequently
14:31:43
Gelöscht
Hmmm... I guess so...
14:32:17
Well, I guess this is all there is to it
14:32:19
at least we know there is no danger here, other than the lingering effects of dark magic in that passage
14:32:36
Gelöscht
In that case, shall we head back to our home?
14:32:53
We never did find the owner of the place, did we?
14:32:54
Gelöscht
Hmm guess not, perhaps they are living at the lord's mansion?
14:33:08
well, it is time to leave, in any case
14:33:27
Do your teleportation skills work even from the underworld, or do we have to walk out first?
14:33:36
Gelöscht
Hehe~ Let's go then~ -She grabs your arm, and in the next second, you find yourself back in your familiar and comforting home, the air is now much warmer, the sounds of nature can be heard, compared to the dull silent scenery of the Underworld, the magical veil that was casted on you still surrounds you, so you don't feel any nausea from the teleportation-
14:34:48
Nagusa breathes a sigh of relief, and the adrenaline leaves her body as her legs start to grow weak and she sits on the floor of her own home
14:35:52
phew... that was actually... a little more stressful than i thought...
14:36:09
Gelöscht
I told you.... we're lucky that nobody was there
14:36:24
Gelöscht
-She sits beside you, taking out a bottle of water from her backpack and handing it over to you- Here, drink up!
14:36:48
she accepts the bottle and takes a long drink, her fatigue catching up with her as the stress leaves her body
14:37:56
she looks over at the pile of books and papers
14:38:13
oh, i still have to put that away...
14:38:20
Gelöscht
Don't worry! Let me take care of that! You should go rest! -She snaps her fingers, as all the books and papers are neatly returned to the shelves-
14:39:08
oh? ah right... I should...
14:39:40
Nagusa stifles a yawn as she stretches
14:39:50
I guess we'll be closed for today...
14:40:01
Gelöscht
Looks like it~
14:40:13
Gelöscht
Hey, why don't we go sleep together, you know, on the same bed?
14:40:26
Are you doing that to comfort me, or to seek pleasure for yourself, dear?
Nagusa smirks before yawning again
14:41:11
Gelöscht
To take care of you, of course!
14:41:33
well, if you insist, then i suppose you can help lay out the sheets while I go and take a quick bath
14:41:35
Gelöscht
Consider it done! -She snaps her fingers again, as the sheets neatly appear, laid on the floor-
14:42:06
Nagusa drags herself to the bathroom to wash up a little don't forget to put the sign out front that we're closed for the day
14:42:22
Gelöscht
Will do~
14:42:42
(happy to end here)
14:42:54
Gelöscht
(hehe, okay~)
14:43:01
