"So this is the famed Age of god's magic that gave even Master trouble"
Ken, Yue, Hagime, Shia, Riveria and Tio, now stood in a large magic circle that scanned their memories for proof that they cleared the trial as intended before information and spells of this magic was imprinted to their minds.
"It sure is. With this magic most of my plans will come into fruition"
"... Know some restraint, Ken"
"I know Yue... but there will be no restraints in our future battles, only great caution as today has taught me "
""... ..."". " I've found the proof of clearance"
"Now that Shia has found it, let's blow this place up"
"Master, I know this Ancient magic gave you trouble but... this will cut off future generations of this world access to a great magic. Whether good or bad consequences is for the future people to decide "
"...True". "Agreed ~". "... ..."
Yue and Shia agreed while Riveria keep quiet to this topic that could be seen from various standpoints. Ken just smiled before addressing them;
"You're not seeing anything apart from magic. You may not know this but an active volcano shouldn't be in a desert because solidified lava and volcano ash can be very potent soil.
And I don't know how a place so close to the sea with an active volcano inland become a sandy desert but I know this labyrinth is preventing vegetation from growing. Do you want powerful magic for future generations or better living conditions?
Secondly, Space and Time magics are the most difficult to counter if the gap is not wide enough. And from the structure of this labyrinth with only fifty floors, anyone with air supremacy would be able to gain access to such unpredictable magic"
After some back and forth arguing about this the party ended up agreeing on destroying the keystone to release the volcano not because of his speech that was obviously born of the unpredictability of space magic which was convincing.
They agreed because Ken promised to build a difficult labyrinth to house the discovery of Space and Time magics after their goals were achieved and that sounded better than being the last to wield such amazing Ancient Magic, even though it was meant to be that way.
An Atavist will be born with one of the Ancient Magics with or without the Labyrinths, even if it takes centuries.
Atavist is a term used for individuals in Tortus who have the ability to either directly manipulate their own Mana, or can use any Spell without the need for any magical circles or incantations.
In many cases, an Atavist may also be able to use a special or unique Magic or Skill, which exists outside the normal system. Most Atavists can use special magic skill that is a degraded version of Ancient Magic while in rare cases, some Atavists are born with the ability to use one of the seven Ancient Magics.
The Liberators weren't given the Ancient Magics, they were all born with the abilities to use them long after the previous wielders died.
But Ken and party didn't know that they're unofficial Atavists and that there wasn't any need to give out Ancient Magics with the fear that they might be the last wielders.
What Ken and the rest also failed to get was that, Firstly not everyone could gain access to an Ancient magic and be able to tame a Wyvern effectively attaining Air Supremacy to clear this Labyrinth.
And Secondly, not everyone was as monstrous as them to pass the sandstorm to get here. And even if they did the temperature alone could kill most if not all, not adding monsters and navigating the complicated labyrinth of 50 floors.
Destroying the keystone didn't matter as much since the Labyrinth was made to regenerate from more damage than hot magma. So maybe if the raging volcano calms down after the keystone is destroyed, someone might find it again.
As the party started looking around with the awful thought of heading up on foot after they left the large cylindrical structure, Ken summoned a black jet plane which was inspired by the Avengers Quinjet Mk1 from his life as Shawn.
"I present to you FS-2 Jetmarine, which will save us some trouble" proclaimed Ken as he looks at Hagime's surprised but worried face before addressing.
"You don't have to worry, it's a pressurized aircraft capable of flight and submarine maneuvers with the best offensive and defensive skills granted by Creation magic. In addition to that there's a cargo bay capable of carrying more people and goods. Don't be surprised yet, it's mother has more facilities than this one which is used for short distance travels "
The cargo door opens for everyone to come aboard with astonished and curious looks. Hagime stands at the opened cargo door of the now flying plane which moved like any modern VTOL aircraft would and drop a grenade which destroyed the keystone. With the explosion as signal, Ken closed the cargo door and piloted Jetmarine through the escape route Freid made, safely escaping.
And on this day for the first time in over a century, Gruen Volcano erupted in all it's glory as it released immense amounts of lava and volcanic ash that will soon change the established ecosystem. And who knows, maybe in a hundred years the Crimson desert shall be called the Evergreen jungle.
----------
Ken's party who were safe distances away from the eruption landed four meters away from Ankaji.
"Take the Treasure trove and give a sufficient amount to Ankaji, the rest is for research..."
Hagime nodded and left through the hanger without further questions because the atmosphere was weird throughout their way here. After the whole fight and intrigue about another Ancient magic, the mood of the girls changed as the silence brought replays of Ken's dangerous situation.
"There's no need to look at me like that... I can feel your worries from here"
"... ...It doesn't always feel that way. The way you act always differs from who you're with and sometimes it takes time to register what you do or say"
"I... know, I really do. I... just can't believe I almost died again with more regrets. And now I'm glad am forced to speak my deep thoughts thanks to this situation... I can't always keep quiet"
"Huh...?!"
"Do you say "died again", Master?"
"What does that mean, Ken" (Shia)
" *sighs*... You know that I, Hagime and the other heroes came from another world right? Then I hope it doesn't come as a shock when I say I remember my memories from my past life on another world different from the heroes' world"
"W-what...?!" (Shia). "Reincarnation!?" (Riveria)
"Are you say reincarnation is real, Master?"
"So this concept isn't foreign to this world?"
"... ...It's been circulating around for centuries before I was born but it gain popularity among the humans and those fearing the unknown afterlife. The idea that death isn't the end and that you've lived before and will live again was very appealing especially to short lived races that searched for longevity "
"Our interpretation of this concept in our worship of the Great Tree was fundamentally different, so the majority in the beastkin nation liked the human idea of living again than the idea of 'living' as a tree or plant with the Great Tree"
"Ive heard it before but our Haulia tribe weren't fervent worshippers of the Great Tree to begin with"
"Well... I don't know if it was the intervention of a powerful entity who either picked me from the afterlife into a new body or unlocked my memories after my reincarnation.
I also don't know which one is worst; reincarnating with my past regrets or being played around by someone or maybe both but it happened"
Wanting to know more about the person they're gradually falling for despite his failings and scars, the girls leaned in with a "go-on" light in their eyes which causes Ken to smile wryly.
"Since you insisted, let me start from the beginning... ...My name was Shawn Spencer who lived in Bucktown in the state of Chicago...."