Chapter 163: The Boy in the Ancient Castle

While chatting and discussing plans, the group wasn't idle.

Observing the island from different angles sometimes reveals things otherwise unseen.

For instance, the island's center, viewed from the beach, was originally blocked by a mountain.

However, from another angle, it became apparent that the mountain was hollow!

Strangely enough, atop this hollow mountain stood a massive castle, reminiscent of Stormveil Castle.

It was unclear if the castle was designed to be hidden on the other side of the island.

Bronie didn't know the purpose of this style lf construction, but it didn't stop the group from being drawn to the castle.

With a huge billboard erected by Vil-V, it was hard not to notice.

The next activity stage was set within this seemingly intentionally aged castle.

"Kevin, Su, you two are here too!"

Elysia leading the group was the first to spot two familiar figures at the castle's gate.

Su wore sunglasses again, as did Kevin.

Upon arrival, Elysia sensed a slightly odd atmosphere between the two.

"Kevin, Su, the sunlight isn't that glaring here. Why are you wearing sunglasses?"

Fu Hua pointed out their incongruity, deserving of her detective skills.

"Uh, it's just for some inconvenient reasons, don't mind the details."

"Because it looks cool."

Kevin's explanation was even less convincing.

Bronie suspected the two had probably given each other black eyes, and to avoid embarrassment, they kept their sunglasses on.

"Boss Kevin, can we stop joking around?"

Pardo couldn't take it anymore, while Bronie looked at Kevin.

"The castle likely has many traps and mechanisms, possibly targeting you. Previously, they planned to push you to the surface from the depths. Be cautious this time."

"Vil-V knows me too well; caution alone might not counter many things."

If Vil-V used overt schemes, could he counter them?

Kevin found it troublesome.

After all, Vill-V's numerous Kevin Killers was proof of Vill-V's knowledge about Kevin.

"Indeed, let's take it step by step. Vil-V has prepared three keys inside the castle to unlock the so-called treasure door. We can split up; what do you think?"

Bronie wanted to hear everyone's opinions. The castle seemed large, and upon opening the door, it felt even larger inside.

It seemed the internal space was more expansive than it appeared from the outside.

Given the involvement of the Aeon, creating a folded space wasn't impossible.

So, Bronie suggested splitting up to leverage their combat strength and improve efficiency.

"Splitting up can divert Vil-V's attention, making Kevin's team face tougher traps, but it might be easier for others."

Su agreed with Bronie's suggestion. Elysia then looked around.

"So, how do we divide the teams? I'm just a scientist, I lack Kevin's strength. Hua, Sakura, come with me?" Mobius chose her team first.

Kevin then called on Kalpas and Su. Kalpas, for his reliable combat strength, could disrupt Vil-V's plans, and Su, so he wouldn't suffer alone—sharing the burden of Vil-V's malicious attacks!

Good friends share troubles together!

This left Bronie, Elysia, Pardo, and Bronya to form a small team.

Despite Bronya's slight combat shortcomings, Pardo was very reliable.

"Bronya has no objections! Just being with Sister Bronie is fine."

"Alright, I'll go left. Kevin, explore the middle second floor. Elysia, take the right."

Following Mobius' direction, Elysia saw strange symbols on the right corridor walls, like demonic runes.

"Okay~ Be careful, Mobius~"

Elysia waved, while Mobius began exploring the castle without looking back.

Kevin advanced silently.

"What's this? Why does it feel so eerie?"

Pardo wondered why Mobius assigned them here, given the unsettling symbols.

"Bronya believes there are no such things as ghosts..."

"There are!"

Bronie's response cut Bronya off.

"Oh? Have you seen one?"

Elysia was intrigued, while Pardo was scared.

"Bronie, don't scare me. Ghosts aren't real, right?"

"No, ghost-like beings exist, and with such a vast universe, it's possible that ghostly beings could form civilizations. So—"

"Yikes!!"

Pardo was terrified, amusing Bronie.

"Alright, Bronie, stop teasing! You must know what this is, right?"

Although Elysia didn't quite understand, she could see that Bronie seems to have figured something out.

"'Ordinary people should not enter this demonic path, or they will be devoured by the banshee.' This sounds like a warning to everyone not to enter this door..."

Bronya approached the door, carefully reading the words written on the magical formation.

These were characters from the previous era.

"Well, we have to explore anyway. Such threatening words can't stop us. Besides, so-called ghosts, aside from certain memetic lifeforms, are just special energy beings that conventional energy weapons can deal with."

Bronie didn't answer Elysia's question but instead opened the door first.

"Wow, there's more inside! Here, there, on the walls… the ceiling… what the heck is this!"

Seeing that Bronie wasn't attacked after opening the door, she felt a bit calmer.

"Hmm? This one is different, 'Fifty meters more, keep going'..."

Elysia's sharp eyes noticed content that was completely different from the graffiti style.

"Wait, do they want us to go in or not?"

Pardo couldn't help but comment, instantly breaking the scary atmosphere.

"Yes, the combination lock on the floor and the traces of moving paintings on the walls suggest that this castle was once used for an escape room game. These areas were unlocked, leaving marks to guide companions."

Then Bronie heard a familiar jazz tune.

"Bronya hears it too. It's the background music from Bronie's game Persona... in the jazz-themed club..."

With Bronya's words, Pardo realized it too.

"Let's go~"

Elysia guessed what lay ahead, surprised that Bronie knew more about the Flamechasers than she did. She identified the owner of the graffiti from the information on the walls.

To avoid spoiling the surprise or to preserve the impact of the character's appearance?

Whatever, Elysia thought, stepping deeper into the corridor.

The jazz music grew clearer. It seemed to be from a phonograph record, creating an elegant atmosphere.

Opening the door, they found a bar inside the castle at the end of the corridor!

A boy sat at the bar, sipping something.

Hearing the door, the boy turned around.

Familiar black horns, a cold face, and hands bandaged over Honkai beast claws.

"Kosma, what happened to your hand? Did you get hurt, or did you fall into one of the castle's traps?"

Elysia was very concerned about Kosma, temporarily ignoring the milk on the bar. The bandages couldn't hide the Honkai beast claws, worrying Elysia.

"No..."

Kosma didn't know how to explain the bandages, as he was wrapped out of boredom in the bar.

He found them and, remembering some fun outfits from current-era anime, tried wrapping his hand with it.

The beastly claw outline gave his arm a mysterious aura.

It's super cool!

"Were you summoned to this dark castle too?"

Not knowing how to answer, he continued to act.

Using more awkward acting to cover it up!

"Wow, cool~".

Bronya couldn't help but admire. She always thought Kosma's Honkai beast parts were cool, but heard that previous civilization people viewed MANTIS' Honkai beast parts as monstrous.

So Bronya didn't dare mention it to Kosma.

Plus, Kosma didn't talk much, usually silent, making it harder for Bronya to interact with him.

She hadn't expected this side of Kosma.

Bronya, at the right age to enjoy such fun, was delighted!

"Really! Ahem… No… have you also fallen into this desperate abyss?"

"Kosma, are you imitating characters from your cartoons? So, were those ghost symbols outside all your doing?"

Pardo breathed a sigh of relief, realizing many things upon seeing Kosma.

The earlier scares were self-inflicted!

All Bronie's fault, with her mischievous grin and ghost talk.

"Firstly, that's not a cartoon. It's the materialized Revelation of the Real and the True Worlds. Secondly, those are words guiding Griseo home, veiled by illusions to warn away the unworthy. Griseo is smart; she'll see through it..."

"Enough, Kosma, stop it! I get it!"

Pardo finally understood; those ghost symbols were Kosma's guides for Griseo!

"So that 'keep going' was for Griseo!"

Elysia realized.

"Who would get that!"

Pardo couldn't help but complain.

"Those warnings weren't to scare us; there's really a banshee on this ship..."

Kosma's serious declaration made Pardo's tail stand up.

"Kosma, joking seriously isn't like you!"

"No, there really is. I'll prove it..."

Kosma walked to the bar, trying to grab a bottle.

Just as his hand neared, a slender hand took the bottle from behind the bar and disappeared.

"Did you think I wouldn't want a drink? This milk is the only thing the banshee fears..."

Bronya was stunned, and Bronie stifled laughter behind Elysia.

"So, how long have you been waiting here?"

Elysia looked at Bronie, thinking about Kosma searching for Griseo, meaning he hadn't found her yet.

"After the castle escape puzzles, Griseo and I were separated by traps. I've been waiting here for half an hour. At least the snacks are sufficient."

"Adorable, Kosma~"

"Adorable?"

Kosma wondered if his actions were childish or if the banshee issue was a misunderstanding.

Or maybe his behavior appears childish to Elysia!

Elysia's words disturbed Kosma's mind.

"It's clear now."

Bronya stepped forward, knowing Kosma was crushed by Elysia's words. If she didn't act, they'd miss Kosma's performance!

"What?"

"Behind the bar, there's space. The bottle was taken to prevent underage Kosma from drinking."

Bronya tried to take a bottle, but a hand took it into the hidden space.

"Is it really like that!?"

Kosma was shocked, realizing why Elysia called him adorable!

In despair, he thought of hiding in an unknown corner upon returning to the Elysian Realm...