On February 17th, the Nostalgia investigation team began their survey of the Dodora Ruins on the eastern coast.
This was a site that even Laojun had not yet explored in detail.
"I wonder what we’ll find here," Elena said, her voice bright with curiosity.
Donald spoke up, his tone dampening her enthusiasm. "Hmm. In my experience, ruins located so close to the sea rarely amount to much."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Barring exceptions, mineral resources are scarce near the coast, which makes it difficult for industry to flourish."
"I wonder about that," Elena replied skeptically. "Regardless, let us take a look."
Though they were called "ruins," the site was essentially the remains of an ancient city. They were referred to as such because centuries of weathering had rendered the city nearly unrecognizable, though the scale of these sites varied wildly.
It had been approximately 240 years since the Former Leonard Kingdom was wiped out by "magical consumption fever." In that span of time, the vast majority of its cities, towns, and villages had been reclaimed by the earth.
"The choice of building materials is one factor," Elena remarked to Donald, seeking his professional opinion while surveying the remnants of a structure.
"Indeed," Donald replied, running his hand over a standing wall. "This stone is quite soft. I recall Port Rock Town in the Kingdom of Elias used similar masonry."
"Yes, you're right."
It was a lightweight pumice tuff known as Oya stone. While easy to work with and offering excellent insulation and fire resistance, it was brittle and highly susceptible to weathering. Elena and her team concluded that this was likely why so few buildings remained intact here, though other environmental factors were surely at play.
"Diaa was so impressive, yet this place is quite different," Elena murmured as they continued. Since Diaa was the former capital, its scale was incomparable to a place like Dodora.
"Between the sea breeze and the heavy rainfall, it’s no surprise," Donald muttered back.
Because Oya stone absorbed water easily, frequent rain accelerated its deterioration. Most of the buildings had collapsed into piles of rubble overgrown with shrubs and vines, their original shapes lost to time.
However, among the wreckage, a few buildings remained almost perfectly preserved.
"The building material is different here..." Donald noted, touching a stone that was significantly harder than the rest.
"Perhaps they were built in a different era," Elena suggested. "If that’s the case, we might actually find something of value."
Leading the way, Elena stepped inside one of the preserved buildings.
The doors had long since rotted away, and the windows were nothing more than gaping holes. Trash, dust, and debris had blown inside unchecked, and shrubs had even begun to take root in the corners.
"It seems as much time has passed here as everywhere else."
"True."
"But the building itself hasn't weathered. Why? Because it was constructed with a different material. And for what purpose?"
"It was likely built with a specific objective in mind," Donald replied.
The two of them drew closer to the truth through their idle speculation.
"Given the location, could this have been the manor of a lord or some high-ranking official?"
"There is a high probability of that."
"Then there should be something left behind..."
"I agree. Perhaps there is a hidden room or a basement."
Donald concurred with Elena’s assessment, and they decided to search for any subterranean chambers first.
"Grand Search."
Elena cast a high-tier beginner earth-attribute spell. While primarily used for locating underground mineral veins, it could also detect the presence of hollow cavities. After several attempts, she found what she was looking for.
"There is a hollow space directly beneath us."
Elena had successfully located a basement. However, the entrance remained hidden.
"There’s a chance it was designed as a sealed room," Donald suggested.
"That’s true."
Having heard from Jin that the Former Leonard Kingdom had been devastated by magical consumption fever, they both realized the basement might have been constructed as a sanctuary to escape the plague.
"If the people of that era took refuge inside..." Donald shuddered at the thought of what they might find.
Meanwhile, on Hourai Island, Laojun took notice of the discovery and promptly confirmed the situation using a Peeping Telescope—a Peeper.
This was a precautionary measure in case something dangerous or harmful had been sealed within. However, his concern was quickly alleviated.
It is merely a Repository... In that case, I can leave this to the Nostalgia faction.
Relieved that there was no immediate threat, Laojun decided to let the investigation proceed naturally.
"In any case, we need to investigate," Elena said, her voice firm.
"I... suppose so."
"But Donald, please step back for a moment. It will be enough for me to go in alone first."
"But Elena..."
"It’s fine. Besides, what kind of danger could possibly be lurking in a basement from 240 years ago?"
To put Donald at ease, Elena deliberately chose to ignore the strange incidents that had occurred at places like the Botzfa Ruins.
"Understood. Please be careful."
"I will. If it looks safe, I’ll call for you immediately."
With that, Elena began to create an opening in the floor. She intended to break through the basement ceiling. Rather than using Craft Magic, she employed the earth-attribute spell "Dig." Since stone was easily manipulated with earth magic, it was a practical choice—though in truth, Elena possessed almost no proficiency in Craft Magic.
After about fifteen minutes, she had carved out a hole just large enough for a person to pass through. It had taken time because the floor—the basement's ceiling—was nearly a meter thick.
"This will do for now. I’ll scout the interior."
Without hesitation, Elena dropped into the hole.
After falling about five meters, she landed softly on the floor.
"This is..."
She found herself in a vacant room. It was, in fact, an antechamber leading to the actual repository. Seeing no immediate danger, Elena called up to Donald.
"What is it, Elena?" Donald asked, practically running to the edge of the hole. A guard followed close behind him. "Oh, you’ve made it through. Elena, are you alright in there?"
"Yes. There is nothing in this room. However, there is another chamber further ahead. I don't sense any magical anomalies, so I believe it’s safe."
Donald’s face lit up with excitement.
"Then I may join you?"
"Yes, come down."
"Understood."
Donald ordered the guard to lower a rope into the hole.
"I’m going in. Keep watch here. If we don't return within a reasonable time, use your best judgment."
With those final instructions, Donald disappeared into the darkness of the hole.