Arahnia was sleeping in her room so I chose not to disturb her. Instead, I went to find Isetta. She and a few other orphans had been hired by us to help with the auction so she was already here.
"So Isetta, ready to return to those ruins?"
"Oh, sir Abel! But isn't it dangerous?"
"Do you doubt my ability to protect you?"
"No, but there was a B-rank explorer there!"
"Firstly, I am also a B-rank adventurer. Secondly, rank doesn't necessarily translate to power. Explorers especially have higher requirements on detection and exploration skills and tend to be slightly lacking in the combat department."
"You are a B-rank adventurer!!! That can't be!"
I handed her my silver card that clearly displayed a large B. She received it like a sacred treasure and looked it over carefully before handing it back to me
"I'll go to the ruins with you."
"That was a quick decision. How come?"
"I have a little favor to ask... If I don't make it, please use your rank to vouch for some of the others so they can become adventurers."
So she was willing to risk her life to improve the chances of the other orphans. What did they feed those kids to make them so selfless? I ruffled Isetta's hair with a smile on my face.
"Don't be so quick to plan for your own death. I don't want to go through the hassle of getting a new cartographer so I'll make sure to keep you safe."
Those words seemed to reassure her and she went to get her equipment. I then teleported us directly into the central dome where we had left of previously.
The tent was still there and upon our arrival, the B-rank explorer stuck her head out of the tent but returned after seeing familiar faces. In a place like this, well-meant warnings wouldn't be given more than once.
I used another noise cancellation spell to keep the explorer from bothering us and sat down in front of the monolith. Isetta dutifully followed me but looked very unsure of what to do.
"Take a seat and write down what I say. I'll translate the monolith."
"You can read that?"
"Indeed. This is mind script, a script based on the movements in the mind when a memory is shown to us through our inner eye. It is one of the most advanced forms of writing and could potentially allow us to transcend all language barriers in written form."
"Inner eye?"
"I guess that explanation was a little on the complicated side. Let's put it like this. When I say the name Arahnia, an image of her pops up in your mind, doesn't it?"
"Yes."
"Now, when that image appears, your mind creates it in a certain way, a language comprised of what we identify as movement so to speak. By drawing these movements someone else can read them like words just that the language already exists in his head so there is no need to learn it."
"I still don't get it..."
"It is quite complicated after all. Don't worry too much about it. Are you ready to write?"
"Yes, sir."
"This is a ground trial for those of great valor. The first passage will test your foundation. The second and third will test the body and mind of a mage respectively. the fourth and fifth will test the body and mind of a high mage respectively. The sixth, seventh and eighth will test the body, mind, and soul of an archmage respectively. The ninth passage is for those who have transcended the limits of this world. The choice of which passage to take will test your ability to judge your own strength and capability. Shall only the greatest pass all challenges and lead the... Mind people to a brighter future."
"The mind people?"
"As I said, this script doesn't use words but thoughts and images. They refer to their own race with the thought that describes the mind itself. A good translation doesn't seem feasible."
"I see."
Isetta quickly finished up the translation and carefully stored it in her pack. We then stood up and looked at the surrounding gates. Each had a symbol above it.
"Are they in mind script too?"
"Indeed. The gate we entered through is zero. To its left are the odd numbers in rising order while the even ones are on the right."
I pointed at the one directly opposite the entrance.
"That one is number nine."
"We aren't going in there are we?"
"Goddess no, we'll only be entering the second gate for the time being. Make sure to note the number of the gate we use on your map."
With a nod Isetta prepared her map and we walked down the passage. After only about 100 meters we found a staircase descending downward and at the bottom, we were met with a metallic door. I was sure this was a door that required a certain amount of strength to push open.
I pushed the door open and let Isetta enter first then I let the for close behind me. After it had fully closed I tried to push it open again. Just as expected it was harder to open when one wanted to leave. Telling Isetta to add a note for this mechanism we continued.
This place was a real maze. Countless loops, dead ends, and traps made the whole thing a real pain. And then, there were the monsters. I judged the difficulty of the maze so far to be of the standard that a C-rank party could clear it.
Well, a fully trained, well-balanced, cautious, and advantageously equipped C-rank party that was. If your average group entered this place they would be wiped out.
Ahead, I could hear loud steps and the rustling of crude armor. The monsters that mainly roamed this maze were orcs and there were lots of them. We entered the room ahead and were met with a group of nearly a hundred orcs.
Okay, maybe a B-rank party would be more suitable for this place.