Warlock Apprentice

No one could make out whoever was making that noise wanted.

Dokibell decided to slow down its steps and tread more carefully.

Meanwhile, Angor found the humming voice to be quite enjoyable, if he temporarily forgot the depressing air haunting the chapel.

He felt… attracted to it.

Even though he couldn’t play music, he received lots of education for nobles that instructed him how to evaluate one. He could tell that the melodies hid a whiff of sadness even though it didn’t mean to sound that way.

“Deep regard and hidden sorrow… Is someone recollecting a lost friend?”

When Angor was still relishing the aria, Dokibell had arrived in front of a strange stone tablet.

“Hey, this wasn’t here the last time I came.”

Everybody took a look. They wouldn’t have seen the broken stone as a “tablet” at all if not for the monumental inscription on it.

Angor couldn’t understand the strange language. But he did sense more sadness overwhelming his mind when looking at it.

“It’s Abyssal—the native language used in the Abyss Plane,” Madelyne explained in a small voice.

Till now, wizards had discovered three strains of dialects in the outer levels of Abyss—Demonic, Ancient Demonic, and Abyssal. As their names suggested, Demonic and Ancient Demonic were both used by demons. Though the latter one was also a powerful tool that only certain demons carrying ancient powers could use.

The Abyssal, on the other hand, was a more “general” language similar to the universal tongue used in the wizarding world. Most residents in the Abyss, including demons, could use it.

“Here lie the loyal warriors of the Undying Brigade,” Madelyne read the words aloud.

Brofen frowned. “Are you guys thinking about the same Undying Brigade as I?”

“I’m not so sure,” said Vifet. “Rumor has it that these folks were on a mission far away and never returned. Is this their grave?”

Angor carefully listened to the wizards discussing and managed to learn what he could.

The survivors of Cinder Rock were heading to Undying Street, a settlement established by the joint effort between humans, half-demons, and a small number of other native inhabitants of the Abyss. The name “Undying Street” was used to pay respect to the Undying Brigade.

But why did Dokibell claim that the tablet wasn’t here a while ago? Did someone recently put it here?

“Should we find another route and walk around this part?” asked Brofen.

“There isn’t another route around here.” Sennefer shook her head. “We’ll just go ahead. The Undying Brigade is made of half-demons. Whoever’s mourning them shouldn’t be anyone too strong. Besides… The brigade greatly helped us when we built the Undying Street. If possible, we shall bring their remains back.”

Dokibell kept moving forward as Sennefer ordered, but as silently as it could, for they wouldn’t want to disturb the resting souls and anger who set the grave.

The area suddenly grew dark without any forewarning, as if someone turned off the lights.

Sennefer quickly stepped out of the chapel and gazed at the black sky.

While it was true that the Abyss was constantly murky, it was still rare for it to become completely unlit like a moonless night.

“Curse it. I’m afraid we stumbled into an alien dimension…”

This much was obvious. The violent primal mana in the environment had quieted down, which shouldn’t happen if they were still around the Veiled Coast.

Following another order, Dokibell tried moving back. But no matter how far it went, they could not escape from the darkness.

“If that’s the case, we’ll keep moving forward,” said Sennefer. “Toward the source of the sound.”

The area might have changed greatly, but the humming sound persisted. In fact, it just grew clearer.

Dokibell spent a minute moving to the direction of the sound, and people saw a lot of gravestones and stone coffins scattered along the path.

“Now this looks more like a graveyard…” Brofen commented.

“Anyhow, we have to check what awaits us.”

The symbols and texts on the gravestones had further confirmed it for them, that the Undying Brigade indeed rested here. Though they all agreed that they shouldn’t touch the graves for now.

A moment later, Dokibell stopped in front of a house and waited for further instructions.

A lighted house in the middle of a graveyard wasn’t a strange sight because it was probably where the grave keeper lived.

However, it wasn’t just an ordinary cottage. It was a pub house.

It didn’t have a sign, but the bar-style salon door and the bright designs already nailed it. Not to mention that the word “Bar” was written on its roof, using Abyssal.

Across the entrance, people saw several bar stools placed in front of a counter. Someone was mixing alcohol there. However, they could only see a pair of pale white hands with red fingernails.

The humming sound came from right inside.

Everyone fell into silence as they wondered why such a place existed. Was it meant to serve drinks to ghosts?

“A trap, huh?” Sennefer jumped off from Dokibell and walked to the bar without a second thought.

But she stopped in her track as she heard something nearby that sounded like stones grinding against each other.

Not far from her position, a stone coffin had its lid moved aside by an armored hand, after which a human-shaped figure covered in full armor sat up from it. The armor seemed badly worn out, and the greatsword on his back was snapped.

Sennefer, as well as those waiting on Dokibell, prepared to engage the enemy. But instead of attacking them, the armored man ignored them and walked into the pub, leaving a trail of footprints under his iron boots.

As soon as the figure entered the house, the humming sound halted briefly as if the bartender was greeting the guest.

“A tavern for actual ghosts?” Angor stared at the strange sight agape.

“Humph. Foolish tricks.” Sennefer went ahead again.

She failed to enter the bar, however, as a light barrier suddenly appeared at the entrance and bounced her away. It seemed the protection didn’t mean to injure. She easily regained balance and steadied herself.

Furious, Sennefer ignited one of her fists and punched at the barrier.

Her attack was perfectly reflected back her way. Thankfully, she did not use her full strength, or she might have been wounded for sure this time.

Whatever just happened, it was clear that the owner of the pub did not intend to welcome Sennefer.

Sennefer looked a bit fearful right now because she clearly felt a terrifying aura coming from the house. It felt as strong as Mister Monkey, which meant she would have no hope against it even if without her curse.

She didn’t know whether there was a mighty presence inside the bar right now, or that it was just the strange barrier. However, she did know that it was foolish of her to use violence so recklessly.

“… I apologize for my rude behaviors. I was too desperate to get something nice to drink. Please forgive me.”

She didn’t hear any response. However, the humming sound had stopped.

“May I have the honor of becoming your guest?” Sennefer continued.