In the southern district, a monument-like structure emanated a foul stench that filled the air. Residents of the Alchemical City avoided it, wary of the nausea and dizziness prolonged exposure could cause.
This was one of the entrances to the city's vast sewer system—a labyrinth of filth. Yet, such a stench had never before plagued the city. After all, this was a place where even sewer entrances were crafted into works of art. Not long ago, such a foul odor would have been dealt with swiftly, following numerous complaints from residents.
But now, people could only hold their noses and take a detour.
When Ambrosius and Naomi arrived, they spotted the thief and the ranger entering the sewer from a distance.
Naomi couldn't help but remark, "They're so willing to endanger themselves, just to harm others."
The pair had braved the revolting stench to venture into the sewers, all to set up their sinister trap. The naïve druidess, unaccustomed to such malice, was visibly shaken by the sheer cruelty of it.
Ambrosius, however, was indifferent. He regarded Naomi with a calm gaze and remarked, **"Welcome to the real world."**
For centuries, Ambrosius had traversed this unforgiving world. Although his accomplishments fell short of true legend, his experiences with humanity's darkness were countless. Such petty schemes were hardly worth a second thought.
Naomi fell silent, her initial shock giving way to a quiet determination.
"Master Ambrosius, should we go in now?" she asked.
Ambrosius shook his head. "Not just yet. You're a druid—you can summon beasts, can't you? How about a raven?"
Naomi nodded. Summoning animal companions was a foundational skill for druids, and calling forth a raven was a basic ritual. The summoned raven, a projection from the wild, made for an excellent scout.
Ambrosius pointed to the sewer entrance. "Summon your raven and send it inside. Have it circle around beneath the sculpture."
Naomi quickly understood his intent—he suspected the pair might have laid traps at the entrance.
She couldn't help but think, **"This lich is so cautious... I really did choose the right person."**
Yet, a pang of doubt lingered. Druids and undead were natural enemies. Even if she succeeded in rescuing her kin, she feared she might not escape punishment for aligning with such a being.
But this was no time for hesitation. Ambrosius was her only hope. Whatever divine retribution awaited her could be dealt with later.
Following his instructions, Naomi summoned a raven and sent it through the sewer's entrance. However, as soon as the raven entered, Naomi's expression twisted in discomfort. Through her magical connection to the bird, she could sense everything it experienced.
The nauseating stench within the sewers was even more intense, nearly overwhelming her control of the raven.
Fighting back the urge to gag, Naomi guided the bird through its reconnaissance. It discovered no traps nor any sign of the two adventurers. Relieved, she recalled the raven and reported her findings to Ambrosius.
He snorted dismissively. "Amateurs. If it were me, I'd have left at least five magical traps at the entrance."
"So... should we enter now?" Naomi asked.
"Not so fast," Ambrosius replied. "What if their traps were too advanced for you to detect?"
Naomi frowned. "Then why didn't you investigate yourself? You don't even have a sense of smell!"
Her annoyance was palpable—why make her endure the stench if he didn't trust her findings?
Ambrosius, unperturbed, replied, "Caution is never a waste. Relax; no further scouting is needed. We'll take another approach."
With a wave of his hand, Ambrosius cast a spell, and their bodies dissolved into swirling mists. Naomi assumed it was another invisibility spell, but this time, they had completely transformed into vapor.
The spell was **Gaseous Form**, a magic that allowed physical forms to become incorporeal, enabling them to float and slip through narrow spaces while avoiding most physical and magical attacks. However, it also limited their ability to act beyond simple movement.
Naomi marveled, **"The versatility of wizards truly knows no bounds."**
Unlike other spellcasters, wizards relied on intellect, giving them unparalleled flexibility in their magical repertoire. Their depth of knowledge often compensated for any lack of specialization.
As drifting clouds, Ambrosius and Naomi entered the sewer. But as soon as they did, Ambrosius abruptly reversed the spell, returning them to their solid forms.
"What happened?" Naomi asked, startled.
Ambrosius looked around in astonishment. "What has happened to this place?"
Rot and decay permeated the air, an oppressive miasma of malice and corruption that seemed almost tangible. Even as a lich, Ambrosius found it deeply unsettling.
During their brief time in gaseous form, the corruption had begun to seep into their very beings. To avoid further contamination, he swiftly restored their physical bodies.
Naomi, however, was in worse shape. The short exposure had left her pale and trembling, barely able to stand.
Just as Ambrosius was about to cast a cleansing spell, Naomi raised her hand, and a faint glow emanated from her palm.
A small oakwood statue materialized—a relic imbued with divine power.
Pure green light radiated from the statue, washing over the area like a tidal wave. The vibrant energy created a sanctuary, cleansing the corruption and revitalizing Naomi in an instant.
Ambrosius, standing just outside the protective barrier, recoiled instinctively. To him, the divine light was far more threatening than the sewer's miasma.
He stared at the statue with a mixture of shock and curiosity. "A statue of Silvanus? Your tribe has been blessed by a deity?!"
Silvanus, the God of Nature, was revered by most druids. Yet divine favor was rare—faith alone didn't guarantee attention from the gods. The statue radiated undeniable divine power, marking it as a holy artifact, likely a treasured relic of Naomi's tribe.
Ambrosius's mind raced. Such an artifact would only be carried under dire circumstances. Its presence suggested one of two things: either Naomi's tribe had been annihilated, or she had stolen the relic in defiance of her people.
Either way, the situation was far more complicated than it seemed.
End of Chapter