Chapter 291 - The Well 2

"You're telling me that that's the gate to hell?"

Rynold rubbed his eyes manically, desperately trying to regain his vision. All he could see at that point were bright spots, filling his point of view more than he would have liked.

"Yes," the man answered, indifferent to Rynold's frustration, "What had supposedly blinded you was the warding and seals built into the structure. They amount to the hundreds, each more powerful and binding than the last. Really, I think it's excessive. However, it is necessary."

"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one," Rynold scoffed as he still couldn't see straight, "So, that's what I saw? The crazy number of magical seals and runes that are keeping the hold plugged up? And, heh, I'm guessing that's your job too, huh? Maintaining all those seals and watching over this thing as long as you're able to."

"Well, you aren't entirely mistaken," the man looked over the well once more, looming over the gateway to hell at the bottom, "The runes hardly any need for maintenance. They don't need my monitoring whatsoever, as they are able to contain the gate without my assistance. My burden is to watch over it. And, if unforeseen circumstances occur, I must act upon it."

Rynold looked to the man, his eyes finally allowing him to see. Well, sort of, seeing as how the bright spots still hadn't gone away. Regardless, Rynold thought that he knew what was going on here. The man was, more or less, the gatekeeper. It was, if anything, a high order. Rynold wouldn't undertake such an order, not even on his best day.

"What's that supposed to mean? Unforeseen circumstances, that part I get. But, what're you supposed to do about it if it happens? Even you alone can't stop all hell from breaking loose. Literally, heh."

"Fortunately, I would not have to," the man looked at Rynold as he answered, his face not at all expressing any emotion, "I am to send out a message to... concerning parties if such a day would come. Until then, however, I am to stay here and guard this place against any intrusion from the outside. While you are able to sneak your way here, I must undertake a rigorous check of the protective runes outside. You may not be a threat, young one, but if you made it here, what is stopping others from doing the same?"

"I guess it's a good thing that I'm the one who got past it, huh? If I were anybody else, you'd have a lot of trouble in your hands. But, now that I think about it, there's a whole lot of bad things out there. Sure you'll be alright going out by yourself?"

"Your concerns are acknowledged, but not at all necessary," the man responded, his tone unchanging, "I am simply heading out to check on the runes. I have no intentions to fight the creatures living outside these walls. It is far from the first time I've done so."

"No, no. I believe you. Your level of magic is infinitely higher than mine. So, trust me, I get it. And, if it helps, I'll tell you how I got in. There's a rune outside that allows passage through the walls. It's a tight fit and practically a crawlspace. But, if you make your way through it, it leads to the boiler room. I don't exactly know where that is, but I assume you do."

"Indeed," the man nodded, pausing for just a moment. It was as though he didn't know about the secret passageway Rynold used to get in, but it wasn't anything he couldn't fix. "I shall do the necessary corrections to the warding. Hopefully, there wouldn't be another time. Intrusions like these..., it's hardly something I would like to have happen again."

"Yeah, I get the idea," Rynold nodded, not noticing the slight concern in the man's eye, "Anyway. While you're out there doing that, I'll look for the ring. I'm just hoping that it's actually here. I'd hate to think that I wasted all this time looking for this thing and come up short."

"Please, allow me to assist you," the man held his hand out in the name of friendship, "It will narrow down your search significantly. Well, assuming you have a reference for this ring you are looking for or, at least, some description."

"I'll do you one better," Rynold smiled and pulled out the piece of paper the Mech God had handed to him before, "I have this. It's what the ring's supposed to look like, apparently. As for what it does, I don't really know. The guy never told me. But, hey, who am I to question him? Besides, whatever it is, I'm sure it would help with my..., situation."

Rynold chose his words carefully, avoiding talking about gods and whatnot. While he wanted to trust the man before him, Rynold wasn't sure if he should. After all, every Magic User out there had their own ideologies and beliefs. More often than not, they didn't care about the gods. But, there was a select few who praised them as well. And, there were even some who hated them. So, out of concern for his safety, Rynold maintained some discretion.

Be that as it might, Rynold needed some help. The man took the paper from Rynold's hand and inspected it. He didn't say a word while he did, though, and Rynold just waited for the guy to finish up. Unfortunately, it took a lot longer than Rynold expected.

"So," Rynold broke the silence after a few minutes, "In my head, I've been referring to you as 'the old man.' If you're helping me, I should at least know your name."

The man looked to Rynold as if he had said something odd. To which, Rynold wanted to take back what he said. Although, it was high time Rynold knew the guy's name. It, for better or for worse, was the polite thing to do.

"I have seen this ring before," the man ignored Rynold's attempt and instead focused on the small piece of paper in his hand, "It's, well, an antique. While the ring dates back to hundreds, if not thousands of years, it is hardly of any use. It contains no magic whatsoever, no traces of Mana. It serves no other purpose apart from being a ring."

"I'm not surprised," Rynold sighed and nodded, expecting something like this to happen, "But, even so, I need to get it. I admit, it sounds a bit strange to come here for something like that. But, hey, a job's a job. And, if it has no Mana, that just means it's easier to get. So, you have any idea where it is? Telling me which floor it is would already be a massive help."

That said, the man handed back the piece of paper to Rynold. He then looked to the very top of the castle, then back down to its entrance. He squinted, as if deep in thought, then promptly turned around, avoiding Rynold's gaze altogether. Rynold waited for a response, seeing as how he couldn't really rush things.

"The top floor, where my study is," the man said after a few minutes of contemplation. He turned around and looked at Rynold in the eye, telling him where he needed to go. "Outside it is a room, my quarters to be precise. You may find it there, in a jewelry box on the highest shelf of a bookcase in the corner of the room. If it's not there, it might be in a different place altogether. I suggest you look to the attic if you don't find it the first time. Please, try not to destroy my house in the process. Any more than you've already had, of course."

"Right," Rynold smiled as he took back the piece of paper, "Oh, good luck in your endeavors too. The name's Rynold, by the way. Thanks for the help. And, well, hospitality considering what I did."

"Alright, I shall be on my way," the man answered, nodding in acknowledgment, "If you've found it, please wait for me in my study. I assume you're rearing to leave once you've had, but I'd like it if you said goodbye to this old John first."

Rynold smiled at the old man and nodded, agreeing to his suggestion. He then turned around to the castle doors once more, in search of the thing he had been looking for ever since he got here.

'The top floor, huh?' Rynold thought as he made his way towards the stairs, 'If I had spent the time looking for it there, I might be done by now. Ah well, what can you do? Besides, it's not like this place is anything dangerous. Better in here than out there, I guess.'

With that in mind, Rynold made his way to the top floor in a matter of moments. He rushed through the hallway and soon entered the place where the man told him to go. The door was open, unlike before, and Rynold slowly walked towards the bookcase at the corner of the room.