Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 107

In front of my eyes, there stretches an underwater temple.

Its solemn appearance evokes a definite sense of history to the observer.

From afar, it looks like an ancient tomb.

These structures couldn’t have formed naturally. Undoubtedly, there must have been a civilization here.

“Well then, let’s start the investigation immediately. If you notice anything or have any questions, please let me know.”

“Understood.”

I nod, and Saffy smoothly proceeds towards the central temple.

“…Saffy seems unfazed.”

“Many famous scholars have come for investigation but have found nothing. Since we are not experts, the chances of us discovering something are low. So, Shuu-san, you should relax and enjoy the view.”

Lumia says this with a wry smile and looks towards the outskirts.

Certainly, Saffy said she would reluctantly come because she was asked to. The one who requested probably didn’t expect much.

I’ll also try not to be too anxious and just enjoy the sightseeing.

I’m using my detection skill to look for monsters, but so far, there doesn’t seem to be any particularly dangerous ones around.

Perhaps due to being at the dark bottom of the sea, the temple looks somewhat eerie.

I feel like I might be falling into an illusion where it’s not advisable to step further from here.

The outskirts of the temple are adorned with large pillars that seem to reach up to the sky.

Beautiful carvings are engraved on them, giving off a sense of sanctity.

I try touching them, but there’s nothing particularly unusual. They’re covered in magic, so the sensation is somewhat dull, but they’re definitely made of stone.

The ground is cracked in many places, probably due to tectonic movements.

However, I can see what seems to be a paved road on the ground.

Peering into the cracks with a light ball reveals only darkness.

It seems the cracks extend quite deep. With water magic, I shouldn’t fall, but it’s probably best not to get too close.

As I progress between the pillars, I can see buildings resembling houses scattered around. Many of them seem more decayed compared to the central temple and the pillars.

Entering one of the houses, there’s nothing but debris; naturally, there are no people.

However, in place of people, it seems fish have made it their home.

【Goteiuo】

A fish that lives in the deep sea. Despite losing its vision, it is sensitive to presence.

Contrary to its eerie appearance, it is very delicious when eaten.

It has a strong umami flavor, and even its roe and intestines can be eaten.

Peering out from the crevices of debris was a fish called Goteiuo.

It has a gray body with black spots floating on it, and its body surface slightly shines green. Furthermore, its large, cloudy eyes and honestly, its appearance isn’t very good, but it seems to be quite delicious as food.

I thought about catching one for a trial, but it quickly retreated.

It’s very wary.

Since it went deep into the crevice, it’s difficult to catch it, so I give up.

There don’t seem to be any utensils inside the houses.

Since researchers have come for investigation many times, any noteworthy items would probably have been collected.

In that case, the place to focus on is probably the temple sitting in the center.

Leaving the houses, I head towards the central temple.

The entrance to the temple is very large, with a width that could accommodate two carriages passing side by side.

Strange-shaped characters and murals are drawn on the surface of the door.

“It seems like this door won’t open just by pushing it.”

“…Seems like it.”

“It seems no one has ever entered this temple.”

As I touch the door, Saffy and Lumia arrive.

“So, no one knows what’s inside?”

“That’s right. But, since there’s a door, there should be a way to get inside.”

Saffy shrugs her shoulders as she gazes at the door.

Even she hasn’t made any significant discoveries so far.

It’s such a large structure. There must be something inside.

When you’re told that no one has entered, you start to want to go in. But, I have no clue how to get in.

“This hole in the center is intriguing, isn’t it?”

“I see. It seems reasonable to assume that something was there. Perhaps it’s an ancient item serving as a key…”

In the center of the door, there’s a round hole.

It feels like something was meant to fit there, but I don’t know what.

However, I have a feeling that it’s a crucial component.

As Saffy mentioned, could it be an ancient item?

I activate my investigation skill by searching with an item, just to see.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, there’s a response from behind.

Turning around, I see a spherical silhouette emerging from the house I entered earlier.

“What’s wrong, Shuu-san?”

“I just noticed something interesting with my detection skill…”

“Oh?”

Even though it’s a detection skill, it’s a unique one, so it responded. Ordinary detection skills wouldn’t have picked it up.

Curious, Lumia and Saffy follow me as I move towards the house.

Even if there’s no clue, there’s no harm in trying. Right now, curiosity outweighs embarrassment.

Through my vision, I continue to see the round silhouette through the crevices of the debris.

“…Could this be from that fish earlier?”

The sphere is floating inside the belly of the Goteiuo. In other words, could it have swallowed the item needed to open the door?

“Freeze.”

“Huh?”

Lumia seems surprised by the sudden use of magic but ignores it.

Even though I tried to catch the Goteiuo, it escaped deeper into the debris, so I hastily froze it along with the seawater. This is the quickest way.

Pushing aside the debris, I pull out the Goteiuo, now turned into an ice statue, and Lumia seems somewhat satisfied.

Confirming that the Goteiuo has died from freezing, I release the magic and notice its lower abdomen oddly bulging.

Pressing it with my hand, a glowing green orb emerges from the Goteiuo’s mouth.

【Green Orb】

An item necessary to open the door of the underwater temple. It reacts to the creator’s magic contained within the orb, serving as a mechanism to open the door.

Upon appraisal, it seems to be an item imbued with the magic of the people who built this temple.

By fitting this into that door, it appears to be the mechanism for opening the temple’s door.

“Could this round thing be…?!”

Looking at the Green Orb, Lumia’s voice rises with excitement.

No one can overlook the connection between the round hole on the door earlier and this sphere.

As Saffy speculated, this seems to be the key to the door.

Whether it was due to tectonic shifts or ocean currents that it got dislodged is unclear, but researchers would never expect a fish to swallow such an important item. It’s understandable why it wasn’t found.

“What do we do now?”

“Why don’t we try fitting this in there?”

When I cautiously ask, Saffy responds with a grin.

Even without words, Saffy’s expression suggests she finds this amusing.

Lumia doesn’t particularly object, her expression tinged with excitement.

At this point, there’s no choice but to try it out.

Upon reaching the door, I insert the Green Orb into the round hole at the center.

The Green Orb emits a strong glow, and emerald-colored light spreads throughout the door’s groove.

Then, with a heavy sound, the door of the underwater temple slowly opens.

It’s as if it’s welcoming back its master.

“Amazing, the door to the underwater temple opened!”

“I guess this item was the key after all. I didn’t expect it to really open up, but I’m sure he’ll be pleased.”

The underwater temple, untouched by anyone before, has now opened before our eyes.

“Now that the underwater temple has opened, shall we turn back?”

“What are you saying? We’re definitely going to take a peek inside, right?”

“But we don’t know what’s in there…”

While part of me wants to explore uncharted territory, there’s also a sense that we shouldn’t enter.

“You’re being quite passive. Are you still an adventurer? There might be materials inside the underwater temple that we’ve never seen before.”

Feeling somewhat daunted by the harsh natural environment of the seabed, Saffy’s words jolt me awake.

That’s right. Searching for materials in places like this is what I wanted to do.

This seems to be a place where researchers come and go, and we don’t know when they might come next.

If we’re searching for materials, now’s our chance. Since I’ve decided not to hold back in this life, I can’t miss out on adventures like this.”

“Saffy-san, I’m awake now. This is the perfect time for an adventure! Let’s explore the underwater temple!”

“Ah, Shuu-kun! That’s the spirit! After all, adventurers must adventure!”

“But, are there even materials in the underwater temple?”

As I laugh heartily, I don’t hear Lumia’s quiet mutter.

TL note:

I was expecting Bennett to jump out any moment yelling “Bouken da bouken~!” This is just Fontaine right?! Maybe I’m playing too much Genshin…