"I've always been curious—shouldn't the Academy be flush with coin? Especially now that I hear they've been... what's the word... brought under the wing of the Carian Royal Family? With the backing of the royals, surely they shouldn't be short on research funds."
Ripp glanced at Edwin before explaining, "Even if the Academy has deep pockets, funding is allocated based on different standards. Besides... the magic the Carian Royals research is fundamentally different from what I wish to pursue."
"Furthermore, the relationship between the Royals and the Academy has a long history. Your information is outdated. Also, I have temporarily left the Academy; I am currently a traveling mage."
"Of course, I can return whenever I wish, but I have absolutely no desire to look at those royal family members and their obsession with so-called Lunar Magic!"
As Ripp spoke, his tone grew increasingly emotional. Suddenly, Kellot raised a hand, signaling the group to fall silent.
They took the hint immediately. Edwin realized Kellot had likely spotted something, so he lightened his step and crept toward the front. Upon seeing the opening above, Edwin's eyes narrowed. He silently drew a dagger and gripped it tight.
Swish—Assassin's Approach!
Edwin's silhouette became ghost-like, a blur of movement as he leaped several times to reach the upper level. He didn't linger; he swiftly moved to a corner before beginning his reconnaissance. After a quick scan, he locked onto several Omen figures. They were massive, muscular, and covered in hardened horns. They even carried standardized weaponry—gear that the Omens in other sectors didn't possess.
Edwin instantly realized something was off about this area. These Omens were far superior to those they had encountered elsewhere, both in stature and equipment. His combat-hardened experience told him these weren't creatures living in a state of idle complacency; they radiated a thick, metallic scent of blood.
After observing a bit longer, he identified an exit and burned the layout of the area into his memory before dropping back down into the sewer pipes. As Edwin's figure became visible again, Bohr stepped forward, extending his hands toward a minor scrape on Edwin's arm.
Accustomed to this routine, Edwin accepted the healing while addressing the group: "It's dangerous up there. Something isn't right. There's a pack of powerful Omens stationed there—it looks intentional."
"Intentional? That explains a lot," Kellot said, his eyes narrowing. "This area is very likely the location of the Leyndell Catacombs. The only problem is finding the actual entrance."
Kellot signaled for the group to retreat slightly to avoid detection by the Omens above.
"Let's stick to the pipes. We'll bypass the Omen territory and head toward that interconnected pipe chamber described in the structural map," Ripp suggested, pulling out the parchment.
After a moment of thought, the group agreed. The risk of going above was too high; being discovered would lead to a brutal fight, and Edwin's report confirmed those Omens were not to be trifled with. Traveling through the pipes was exhausting and filthy, but it was far safer than the alternative.
Thud—Rumble!
"Phew... finally broke through... That wall was remarkably sturdy."
Mohg wiped away non-existent sweat and crawled through the dust into the Leyndell Catacombs.
"Hey..."
Morgott's eyes widened. He started to say something, but seeing Mohg already inside, he followed with a sigh of resignation. Before entering, Morgott scanned their surroundings one last time. Only after confirming that no Giant Crayfish were headed their way did he step inside. The first thing he heard was Mohg's bizarre commentary.
"There aren't any skeletons on the floor... I'm not used to this."
Smack!
"Hiss! What was that for?" Mohg rubbed his head, turning to Morgott with a look of pure confusion.
"If a catacomb was littered with skeletons on the floor, it would be a disaster, wouldn't it?"
Morgott rolled his eyes. In a proper catacomb, deceased bodies were settled in their rightful places, and their souls were guided through the tomb to return to the Erdtree. The white candles lining the halls were part of that guidance.
Mohg rubbed the back of his neck and walked toward the elevator.
"Let's go. We'll head up first and see. The other path leads to the main burial chamber."
"Wait, a catacomb isn't exactly a safe house. Running around blindly is a good way to find trouble," Morgott warned, his eyes narrowing.
"It's fine. We aren't here to desecrate the dead; we're just passing through," Mohg said with a wave of his hand.
Morgott's expression darkened, and he felt a slight flush of embarrassment. In a sense, they were desecrating the dead—after all, they had literally tunneled into the place.
However, Morgott didn't argue. He was equally curious about the catacombs, so he stepped up beside Mohg. Mohg, meanwhile, was silently observing the environment. Many of the alcoves in the walls were different from his memories; they were all filled with actual corpses.
Furthermore, he hadn't seen one of the "specialties" of the Leyndell Catacombs: the zombies, or "Those Who Live in Death." Beings whose souls and consciousness had faded, yet whose bodies refused to die, eventually becoming husks that wandered in search of death or the Erdtree. Those who rotted to the extreme became Putrid Corpses.
Those were the "slimes" Mohg and his brother had encountered in the sewers, though Mohg wasn't entirely sure how they formed here. Perhaps the Golden Grace hadn't been stripped from them, only their Runes—the inherent power and soul within.
If there are no zombies, what exactly is the primary defense force of the Leyndell Catacombs right now?
Mohg squinted with curiosity. In his memory, the catacombs had been picked over by countless looters... but he didn't have much time to ponder it, as the elevator reached the upper floor.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (202 Chapters – Ongoing)
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