The Treasure room

Amy observed the room and its artifacts. But it seems that Lisa doesn't see the same way as she appears quite bored and is just kicking stuff. So far, she is unsure if it is here. This place is far too intricate just to house ancient junk. Then she found a small scroll box. It is quite overlooked in a sea of worn-out items. But it displeases her that all these items are overlooked despite its appearance. Only if it is flashy or powerful are they wanted. Items that are given a spotlight are always unusual. It is the same when she created the Hollylock Set, she created them because of their use and admittedly, its appearance was not exactly what she expected. It stands out as a flashy looking weapon set. The same goes for people.

She forcibly opened the box and saw the familiar black paper, rolled up. She opened it, seeing it is written in Infernus and chuckled to herself.

"I finally found it." she whispered. "I finally found it."

Then there was banging sound and Amy took the scroll, placed it back in the box and send it to Alabaster without anyone noticing.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to open the damn door."

"Door?"

Amy sees only the stone wall but with Lisa's constant banging, she noticed a crack. Looking inside, she saw a color that isn't stone-like. Immediately, she knew what this room is.

"Careful, if you make a wrong move then we'll all die."

*

After a couple more tries, Lisa opened the entrance to a treasure room filled with treasure; gold and jewels that pile like small hills. Everyone's greed is evident as they scramble to collect it. They don't even have the face of joy or of discovery but pure, unadulterated greed. Amy had to disable and purify all traps including poisonous gas, acid and even the trip wire that will bury the treasure into the abyss. It took over an hour with Lisa's support to get rid of those traps. The Islands are known for their love of their religion rather than gold but there is no doubt that they are rich in resources, and they build these. The treasure is a small part of it but many explorers and treasure hunters have lost their lives finding it because of all these traps. Since many outsiders love treasure, they build treasure rooms to put their gold and gems in as bait to lure them in to their doom. The place is to guard the real treasure, the one item that is unguarded and hidden among the less valuable items.

The Black Page of the Grimoire, the demon contract written in gold. Due to Amy's purification power, the curse that would make this so insignificant is repelled and she finds it. But now that the treasure room is emptied out, it is only a matter of time before the locals find out.

"This is quite amazing. I wonder where all this wealth is going to?"

"Hopefully it could be used to better the world instead of filling their own pockets or worse, funding war." Amy answered.

Lisa's expression is a bit pained. She knows the feeling.

Amy furrowed her brows. All these people are from different institutions that used school funding to fund this expedition. If they present their discoveries to the state, then expeditions for treasure and gold will be inevitable. It will also be a matter of time before the other nations take notice of it and join the race. Hopefully, they will use that wealth for their institution and even more so that no one discovers it. It is already bad enough for these people are misinformed of their religion and history but add in oppression? That is a terrible fate. Something she learned in the history of her original life.

Once upon a time, she may have given into the same greed. Those faces are both a reminder and a message depicting human nature. She would have followed the norm, joined in and collect as much of the treasure. Money is important but it is not worth whatever might come next. She isn't feeling this because she herself is rich but because she knows how worthless money is without the concept of spending, market and comfort. There are consequences to this and she cannot bear that guilt.

"I'm gonna head back to the ship. You can convey that message to the others." she said and turn to leave.

Lisa nodded understandingly and lets her leave.

Amy watched as the expedition team used their rings to take the treasure before leaving in apparent disgust. Is wealth more important than their lives, their research? As she walks back, the noise behind her grows quiet until she cannot hear anymore and it's pitch black, but she welcomes the darkness, it keeps her eyes away from the image of their face away from reality. 

This isn't even the first time. She saw many things that disgust her but overlooked it. Why this one was disturbing was a mystery since she can't remember.

"You found it."

"I did." she said.

"Ignore those people. They are not worth your time. Just think, you are already four months in. You found a piece of the map to the ruined realm and even found the Demon contract we've been looking for the past few years. You can do this." Alabaster says encouragingly. 

"Treasure hunting is not what this expedition is about. I looked forward to something new and possibly a change in scenery. But the places we've gone to are secluded, I rarely meet any people, interacted with them or see or learn any new cultures. I understand if it is for the sake of research since it is about finding ancient writings. Instead, I noticed throughout this trip that everyone is disappointed except me and Lisa. I came here with a motive, not for treasure. I don't know why I'm so disappointed. I never had this mindset before."

"People are motivated by greed. Why is there a need for self-improvement or innovation if there is nothing to come out of this?"

"Sometimes I think you are a better man than me." she sighs in disappointment.

"Not at all. We're the same, you and I." he said in assurance, "I will wait till you and Boris come to my mansion. It is time to talk to the succubus."