The automatons that have suddenly appeared look very deadly due to their sharp blades equipped as weapons, but it feels like they're about to collapse at any moment.

It was probably due to the corrosion after being trapped here for an unknown number of years.

Ordessa and Marsha who were equipped with heavy swords opened a path for the group as they take the brunt of the assault.

"How long?!" Drake asked Wallace. They were clearly aware about the consequences of taking those treasures but they couldn't help but feel nervous that this deep underground tunnel was about to collapse and be buried along with it. There was also the addition of the automaton guards blocking their path.

The pressure in this kind of mission was way different to others they've taken before.

"Just give few seconds more... Done! Let's get out of here."

While the two females were leading the path, the other mercenaries were using assistive magic spells to disable or restrain the automatons.

Archon - Water Bullets!

Archon - Mud Hands!

Wind Enchant - Haste! Haste! Haste!

They have been saving their mana pools for this event so they no longer bothered about the large expenditure of mana as long as they get out of here.

Wallace didn't take action as his role was only to be their baggage. The squad was aware that it is now up to them to bring Wallace outside.

"Careful! Fire Spear!"

Drake cast a spell to help Marsha on her fight against four automatons.

"We're moving so slow! Giovanni, use it now!"

"Alright, leader."

Giovanni quickly brought out a blue orb from his pocket. He powered it using his own mana and it was soon shining brightly like there's a whole blue sky trapped inside the orb.

'What's this?'

Wallace wasn't exactly sure about the artifact Giovanni brought out but he felt a strong surge of violent mana accumulating from it. It felt dangerous to some extent but the other members seems to not mind it and even waiting for it's eruption.

"Franco! Take Wallace!"

Drake shouted while fending off an automaton attacking him using a magic spell.

Franco was a big guy and quickly approached Wallace and carried him.

The young man wasn't sure what's happening but since there's no I'll intent coming from Franco, he let the big guy take him. As soon as this happened, Giovanni threw the orb behind them.

"Now!" He shouted as the squad quickly huddled together.

At this moment, only 2 automatons were destroyed and 4 of them were struggling from being trapped by some earth magic spells. The other 6 automatons on the other hand were still using their agile footwork and sharp blades to fight against the squad.

Some of the squad members were already injured fighting against them in narrow space. Giovanni's signal came in the right time.

[ 45... 44... 43... ]

The timer before the underground passage can fully collapse isn't stopping so they had to quickly act.

Drake activated another artifact as soon as they gathered together. A magic spell similar to a large Mana Shell covered them all.

At the same time, the blue orb that Giovanni threw erupted. The passage was instantly filled with a surging water.

Apparently, the blue orb was one of the so called one-time use Mana Artifacts that could not easily be purchased even with money.

If ever there's one being sold, it will be expensive and many magicians would compete with it.

After all, these types of one-time use Mana Artifacts were normally life savings tools that can either be used to kill an opponent, restrain them or used to escape.

There wasn't really an artifact that was officially called "One-Time Mana Artifact", it was just because of a very powerful magic being released that the vessel or the artifact would normally get destroyed after being activated. The name was only created by the consumers to differentiate it from the common mana artifacts. All in all, it's still a mana artifact.

It didn't take long before the group together with automatons were swept from the surging water. It must be remembered that this underground passage had several paths and rooms before they got here so they have to make sure that they won't get lost.

Wallace remained calm in this situation as he maintained his Divine Sense activated and had a better view about their situation. The automatons could not properly attack them and were also struggling in the water. The Mana Shell covering them did a great job from assisting them to avoid being drowned and to easily be swept by water.

They were still half-way from the exit and it seems that this surging water hastened the destruction of the underground passage as they all noticed that cracking ground, walls, ceiling.

"W-what should we do?" Mordred couldn't help but ask. He was probably the most vulnerable in this situation as he only specialized in scouting missions and disarming traps. His Mana Affinity hasn't even reached Inducement Control even though he was already 28 years old.

As for his only Mana Artifact, it was his Wind Ranger's Shoes that has five spells but it won't really help in this situation where the ground is cracking and the ceiling is collapsing, alongside the surge of water behind them. Even his weapon was only an enhanced dagger, it's not even an artifact.

Instead of answering him, Drake glanced at Barrett who had a grim face.

Based on Wallace's observation using his Divine Sense, this Barrett was the strongest magician in the group in terms of mana capacity. But he also noticed that Barrett's action against the black automatons was so minimal as if he doesn't want to expend his energy.

Anyway, Barrett quickly understood Drake's concern as he nodded gravely

'It looks like they've plan far ahead.' Wallace quickly thought about it.

Due to the explosion of water, the tunnel was about to completely collapse. They have probably miscalculated the toughnesss of the structure but they still seem to have readied a plan B for their escape, since they most likely be short in time on reaching the only exit at this rate.

"Everyone! Hold on tightly!" Drake instructed as another Mana Artifact was activated from Barrett. It obviously emptied his Mana Pool after he activated the spell as he lost consciousness. Luckily, the man wasn't heavy as Marsha supported him.

Immediately after that, the Mana Shell covering them glowed red as they were forcefully lifted up by an unknown force. Wallace on the other hand didn't missed Barrett's usage of another orb-like Mana Artifact that was quickly destroyed after the activated. The magic spell seems to have an effect to rocket them up in 45 degree angle. It was probably an artifact used to escape from an enemy.

But this also meant that they'll be colliding on the ceiling!

'Oh... so that's why Drake asked to hold on tightly...'

The force seems to be strong enough to blast them through the ceiling and escape the collapsing underground. The mana required to accomplish this was probably so enormous that even Barrett with the highest Mana Pool capacity fainted.

They were then thrown outside and created their own exit. Even some surge of water followed their way before dissipating completely. Soon, an explosion underground created a bit of an earthquake that affected the whole village.

The farm land had received the most damage as the ground cracked and an unknown force came from underground destroying previously beautiful place.

"We're alive!"

"Hahaha! We did it!"

"Anyone injured?"

"Quickly treat the wounds!"

"This needs a celebration!"

"Someone wake up Barrett."

"Let him be..."

"Urgh... Look at the village... it's a mess. I guess, we have to compensate them? We should have probably evacuated them, I didn't know it would be this strong..."

"That's natural, it wouldn't cost too much to compensate them after this haul, anyway..."

Wallace listened as the squad members were all celebrating. It must have been very tough for them before to see a lot of treasures but unable to get it due to the consequences. He wasn't sure how long they have been trying to accomplish this task but they look so satisfied finishing their mission.

Only a few seconds passed before Barrett regained his consciousness and celebrated with his members.

They then glanced at Wallace as if asking something.

"Don't worry, I filled the 5 cubic meter space." Wallace smiled at them to remove the worries on their eyes.

"Great! Let's see, let's see!" Mordred couldn't wait to see the treasures.

"Haha! Don't get too excited, we don't have to hurry now. We'll go to Marsha's place first and check all of them." Drake said calming them down.

But even before that, the group decided to make sure that no one was hurt in the village during the earthquake and they even offered help to anyone who needed.

***

Marsha's place was probably the best that this village could offer. It also didn't suffer any damage from the earthquake.

At the very least, it was wide enough to accomodate 10 people at once. The house was even separated by a fence from its neighbors. She only has two younger siblings taking care of the house and the small farm land they have.

As the squad rested for a bit and even changed to a normal and clean clothes, they gathered at the living room to have an inventory on their haul this time.

Wallace complied and brought out everything making the place messy.

Their eyes lit up as they quickly segragated the treasures.