A Warrior Exiled by the Hero and His Lover

I couldn't process what the chief in front of me had said.

What do you mean you have never opened the tower?

You're the chief, yet you don't know what's inside?

"That tower has always been closed and I've never been inside. If it were to be opened, it would be a historic moment in this town. Hahaha."

"You've never been inside!!!?"

"I don't know what's inside. I've lived on this land for generations, but I'm still not sure what kind of building it is."

I was stunned.

This is an important moment for us.

In other words, that tower is an unexplored site.

Excitement takes hold of me.

If you give me the freedom to open it, then I will do whatever it takes.

I want to see what's in there.

This is like a romantic feeling, isn't it?

"What would you do if we found treasure inside? Half may be.... too much, but I think I'm entitled to 30%."

"30% is okay. If you can open it."

Kaede froze at such words.

Since they are convinced that it can never be opened, this is our chance.

"Chief, this guy is an extraordinary human. If he accepts that kind of thing at face value, we'll be in trouble if he opens up."

"It's alright. Even the Great Thief that came here long ago couldn't open that tower. No matter what you think, he can't open it."

"But what if he makes it?".

"You are very brave, but you worry a lot, Alusha. That's why there's no one who wants to marry you."

"T-this is different, brother!"

It seems they are siblings, and Alusha's words made Kaede's and my eyes light up.

I don't know if Frau knew this, but she was playing with Panda as if she didn't care.

"Anyway, if I open it, will you accept it?"

"Of course."

As far as I'm concerned, we'll be able to see the tower up close, and if we can open it, all the better.

I only went through the elf village because I wanted to see the tower from the outside, but this unexpected change of events makes it better.

It is ridiculously large.

The tower I was looking up at was like a white wall.

I can't find anything that looks like a window, and the only thing I can enter through is the huge door opposite.

The door is made of metal and its design is reminiscent of the door of the temple of the sacred weapon.

The time when it was built is probably the same as that of the temple.

The door has a lock.

This is very different from the temple doors.

"How will we open it?"

"Kyui"

Frau, riding on Panda, approaches.

I look through the keyhole, but I can't see the other side.

I knew it was different from those simple locks.

I don't know how it works even with the "Great Thief" skills.

I knew from the beginning that it would be complicated, but this is beyond me.

It appears that it can only be opened with an original key that cannot be duplicated.

"Have you used your assessment skill yet?"

"Yes. It has been described as closed and unopened for thousands of years."

"So it's an untouched ruin."

This is exciting.

I wonder what will turn up.

"What is it, human? Open the door."

"Wait a minute."

"It's useless anyway."

Alusha was watching us, she's about to give up before she even tries.

It was an impossible challenge for many people of all races for several years, so it may be inevitable to have that attitude.

But it hasn't been challenged by me yet, that's the difference.

I will use a piece of wire that can be found anywhere.

I inserted it into the keyhole.

Then I activate the Super Versatile Key.

Clank

In just one second, the lock was unlocked.

So it's true, the Super Versatile Key can open anything.

"It's open."

"See, I told you it was impossible, let's just drop it and go."

"I said It's open."

Kiiiig

The door opened slightly.

Alusha was so shocked that she fell to the ground on her knees.

Her face was beyond shocked and she looked like she was about to cry.

"How did you… do that?"

"It's a pity, Alusha. We'll be keeping 30% of any treasure."

"Nooooo, please don't do this!"

"Hey, don't hold on to me! That's what your chief said!"

Alusha, with tears in her eyes, went after Frau to plead with her saying; "Tell him it was a joke, we never imagined he would succeed!"

Considering that I will take 30% of this tower's fortunes, her attitude and sadness are understandable.

But it's too late. I opened it.

And I have a great interest in the treasure that sleeps in the tower.

Once the door was open, I decided to go in.

"Ugh!"

"Iagh!?"

"What's that?"

"Kyui?!"

Behind the door was a large chamber

There was something huge in the middle of it.

A beast egg more than 5 meters high.

The surface was green with multiple protrusions and, although seemingly gelatinous, appeared inelastic.

I reached out and touched it with my fingers.

A hole was easily punctured and a foul odor was emitted from the inside.

"Ugh, this thing is rotten!"

"Was it in bad shape? The assessment says it's dead. I can't stand the smell - ugh!"

Kaede walked away from the egg.

It was more complicated for her to be close because her sense of smell was superior to mine.

I looked around me; Frau and Alusha were also moving to the corner, holding their noses.

"Kyui..."

"I'm sorry to hear that, buddy."

I petted Panda, who looked depressed. 　 It is so large that it must have been the egg of a very powerful animal.

He is quite sad that he could not become your friend.

However, is there only this in this tower?

"Lord, there are stairs over there."

"Really? We're going up."

All of us climbed the stairs.

"Aaaaah!"

The second floor was full of water everywhere.

The entire floor appeared to be a shallow water tank.

Clean water flows from the wall. On the other side of the floor, a scaffold led to a stairway to the bottom.

"There don't appear to be any living creatures. And it looks like it can be used as drinking water."

"Have a sip."

I drew water with both hands and drank it.

"Yes, it's drinking water."

After getting confirmation, Frau, Kaede and Alusha decide to take a sip as well.

I wonder if it is extracted from underground. It is cold and refreshing.

"I feel like taking a dip in this water."

"Stop Frau, this water is important for my people."

"Really?"

Alusha drinks water again and again with a big smile.

It's a little creepy.

"In this village, we have to walk a long way to fetch water. I had no idea there was such an abundance of drinking water right under our noses."

"Good to know - but what's wrong with this place?"

"The story goes that the treasure of the elves is to be found here."

Hmmm, treasure.

The "Great Thief's" sense of smell certainly tells me that there is treasure.

There is something big here.

We went up to the third floor.

"Haaah!"

A scream escaped at the spectacle before us.

The third floor was lined with countless shelves, each containing an overwhelming number of scrolls.

Each shelf was marked with a plaque describing the contents of the scrolls.

But I can't read the ancient scripture.

"Appraisal, detection, clairvoyance, dissolution? It seems there are skills I've never heard of."

"Can you read ancient writing?"

"Yes, that I can."

Ancient writing is writing that can only be read by highly intelligent scholars.

What kind of beautiful slave do I have who can read and understand it so easily?

"There is a magic scroll here."

"Really!"

Kaede runs when Frau calls her.

......Maybe I'm the only one who can't read ancient script in this party?

I looked back and saw Alusha with wrinkles between her eyebrows.

Looking at the shelf again and again, he wondered, "What kind of parchment is this?"

You can't read either, can you?

For the first time since I've been here, I feel close to you.

"So many scrolls, it's a real treasure. As an elf you must be happy."

"That's right. I know it's late, but I thank you. If you hadn't opened the door, we wouldn't have had so much drinking water or this pile of scrolls. Toru-Sama is a good human."

"Thank you."

Apparently my actions have made her trust me a little.

But I guess even I'd be tempted to say that with all these scrolls.

The power to protect the village lay dormant here, no doubt it is the treasure of the elves.

"Master, there are still stairs."

We will now go to the fourth floor.

There was a heavy door at the bottom of the long stairs.

In addition, it is locked.

Here again, the super versatile key comes into play.

I pulled out the wire and inserted it.

Glank

The lock was unlocked and the door opened silently.