***************
after leaving the Empire gate, Karina and Akira hitched a ride with a merchant to go south
they both boarded a wagon and it probably took several days to reach the south
'hey..I want to ask something about earlier..
'about what?
'what are black class criminals and ancient magic?
'you don't know?.. did you live in the forest for a long time until you don't even know about that?
'don't ask a lot about me.. just answer my damn questions..
'hmmm well let me explain it..
*************
ancient magic..
Ancient magic is a rare magic that cannot be learned easily unless one has talent from childhood
sometimes practitioners of ancient magic exist from the descendants of the practitioners, but the children who get the talent are very rare and will be affected by a short-term age curse that causes the practitioner to die when he reaches the age of twenty
and the child who gets the talent of ancient magic is sometimes born after decades of his ancestors death.
and because of that.. if the existence of an ancient magic practitioner is known.. it may cause his life to be endangered and the occurrence of conflict in the Empire because ancient magic is magic of a higher degree than ordinary magic,.
various abilities that the practitioner of ancient magic can obtain include being able to revive many human lives, being able to launch explosive magic on a very large scale than normal magic, being able to see the future and others whose powers have yet to be explored
but behind the great power there is a great risk that the practitioner of ancient magic will bear.. and that is the practitioner's life will be shortened and when the practitioner of ancient magic runs out of mana then he will face a strong pain until he dies.
'so ancient wizards are stronger than grand wizards?
'yes.. that's why the big Empire wanted to take advantage of the ancient wizard before his death.
'What does the Empire want to do to the ancient wizard?
'I don't even know..
'is that so..
Akira said in his mind
"there is something strange about the Empire.. why do they want to take advantage of Zuri being an Ancient mage... do they want to live forever?
Akira turned to the opposite direction from Karina's gaze and bit his lip
'why?
'nothing.. how about Black Class Criminals?
'oh..sorry i forgot to explain that too..
Karina scratched her head while Akira just frowned
*************
class level in the crime problem in the Empire
There are several levels of criminal class in the empire and can be explained in four colors
1)purple~a threat that is small in scale for some number of people that can be threatened
2) Orange~scaled threats within the city
3)Red~a tiered threat to several Empires that he can destroy
4)Black~great disaster to humanity
Karina explains that the great ancient mage can threaten only the Empire scale not a threat to humanity but maybe because the Empire is desperate to find this person so the Empire puts this ancient mage at the highest level
'is that all?
Akira felt anxious but could only make a surprised expression so as not to look suspicious in front of Karina while Karina only nodded her head when asked
'thank you for that information..
'that is not a problem
big for me.
Akira could only put on a smiling face while feeling worried about the situation he would face when his identity was revealed.
so for a while he will work in the shadows without anyone including the Empire and Clana knowing.
they both just sit and eat in the carriage while waiting to arrive
****************
two days later they both arrived at a forest in the south of the Great Dragon Empire
due to Akira always traveling a long way causing his stamina to increase rapidly even though he was not used to it at first.
after that, Akira has to think about the reason why the Empire is desperate to find him.. is there a hidden reason to capture him to the point of placing him in the highest position in the criminal class?
Zuri the great ancient mage is long dead while her husband, who is himself, is not the great ancient mage that the Empire is currently looking for.. so why must he?
that became a question mark in Akira's mind that time..
soon they both got down and started entering the forest..
'hey.. this is a normal forest, right.. why does the dungeon have to be here? In addition, this forest does not have a name nor does it want to be visited by people who pass by here..
Akira deliberately asked that stupid question
'be quiet idiot!..if people hear
your question was, of course they are suspicious of us then we can't make any profit idiot..
'I'm just asking.. why do you have to be angry?
'just follow me stupid!.. don't ask too many damn questions!
Akira made an innocent expression that annoyed Karina
because people rarely pass by there.. that is very lucky for both of them and to avoid any problems..
**************
tap..tap..
rustle.. rustle..
the sound of grass was heard as the two of them passed through the forest.. they walked for several hours and rested for a while
the two of them did not speak to each other at that time to prevent them from losing focus on their journey and they were always on the lookout for wild animals and forest monsters
and when they were resting Akira asked to make sure of something
'hey.. what kind of dungeon will we encounter?
'don't ask.. I don't even know what kind of dungeon we'll be going through later.. I don't know everything
Karina made an excuse that made Akira suspicious but Akira still put on a confused expression
at night they both take turns staying awake and wake up when the morning approaches
Akira that night was awake a few hours before morning came.. and that's when Akira saw Karina sleeping in an uncomfortable state
Karina was seen leaning against a tree which caused Akira who felt sorry for her to sit next to Karina and put Karina's head on his lap while Akira sat leaning back watching.
Akira couldn't stand the situation and fell asleep at that time..
Akira's reason for doing that is because he wants Karina to be healthy to facilitate their expedition in conquering the dungeon tomorrow.
**************
that morning..
'urhmm..hmm?
Karina opened her eyes and saw Akira's face falling asleep in front of her face
Karina likes to stare at handsome men's faces so she stays in that position to stare at Akira longer
'hmm? what am I doing right now?
Karina realized what she had done and started to get up while shaking her head and slapping her cheek
'hey wake up!
'uh? sorry my bad..
'its okay..
Karina wakes up Akira while the awakened Akira just apologizes for falling asleep
'wake up and let's continue our journey.. we'll be late..
'alright..
Akira woke up in a lazy state helped by Karina
and they began to enter the forest soon after that..
*************