ALRIGHT!! FREEDOM!! Have being trapped in underground locations turned into a small trauma for me? I'm always unexplainably happy whenever I get out of one of those. I blame you, Water-Knot!

"Here, take my hand," I said to Iron as we pulled him up from the hole. It's a good thing he's not as heavy as he looks like. Being a hollow suit of armor gives you that advantage.

"Now, just to confirm, you guys didn't leave behind any trails, right?" - Garami

"No, ma'am." - Iron

"We made sure to collect and burn those silk strings you left behind in Springwood's lair. Even if we did do our fair share of the plan." - Noire

Ah, right. The slingshot. I had completely forgotten about them. But in my defense, I just survived a nightmare for any with crab-o-phobia (I don't know if that's a real thing), so give me some slack.

"Yeah, good job or whatever. Where are we now? Let's find a way back to the base before Springwood or some random monsters decide to make the drop on us." - Garami

All I can see here is that we're close to the volcano now, with many rock formations generated from many centuries' worth of cooled-down lava. I bet there are more than a few monsters who could be hiding behind the many corners here, ready to sink their fangs into some fresh adventurer meat.

"Hehehehe~~. To think I would be able to evolve so early in my career ~. It was obvious that it would happen eventually, but think this day would arrive already~!" - Noire

You know, I've not exactly been treating evolution as a minor deal, but I am losing when compared to the original inhabitants of this world. Even Iron looks giddy about his maxed-out level. I wonder if I could do the same with Mira and Alf. Revi needs to learn how to properly use her skills, along with integrating into today's society, so she's off that crash course. And that makes me once again impressed by how easily Iron joined everyday life despite being practically from the wildlands.

As for me, I can't say I'm 100% happy about this. I mean, being able to evolve is good and all, but there's a little something I'm missing before I can unlock the evolution path I've been desiring ever since I got out of the Water-Knot and didn't have to put every waking moment and decision into surviving. But where can I find that? I've been on virtually every civilized and non-civilized spot of dirt in this huge water bowl of a country! Where is that place?

"Ehm, Lady Garami? Do you know where we should go?" - Iron

"Uh, right. Bloom, what's the sitch?" - Garami

"Well, we are currently...oh. Just northwest of the island. We can return to the Union's safe house if we keep walking south." - Bloom

As expected of my navigation fairy~. She knows how to use that map skill better than me. Wait, then this is that nasty spikes-like rock formation I saw from the docks when we arrived? Damn, we're closer than I thought. I bet that we were gonna have to force ourselves through a gauntlet of pain, doom, magma, and horrible monsters that lasted through the whole island because the hole was located on the opposite side of this blasted (volcano-blasted) rock.

"Then let's get our compasses out and...why is this thing buzzing?" - Garami

When I was about to take the explorer tools out of my Storage, I noticed that the terminal thingy was making some noise. Please don't be a bomb, please don't be a bomb...

"Is this a...radar?" - Noire

"What is a 'radar'?" - Iron

"A device used to locate objects through using radio waves, allowing one to observe objects that the eye cannot see." - Noire

"Meh, this thing here feels more like a Geiger counter to me." - Garami

"Okay, now I give up. What is that supposed to be?" - Noire

"Something I hope this gizmo isn't, but knowing my luck..., maybe it isn't?" - Garami

I did have bad luck with the unexpected number of crabs before, but in the end, that led to my level taking a rocket trip to the top. Though relying on luck alone...

"Now I am confused. Which one is it?" - Iron

"Ah, whatever. It seems to be pointing south anyway, so we can take a look while going back to the rest stop." - Garami

In the end, I gave up thinking and followed the beeps on the terminal. While focusing on having [Danger Sense] working overtime. The gizmo led us to what appeared to be an unremarkable stone wall, but when I touched it, my hand went right through.

"Garami, enough with your ghost earrings already." - Noire

"Sorry, but they are innocent this time." - Garami

Curious about my statement, Iron tried to push on the wall himself, leading to him walking right into it. A few moments later, he popped his head out and told us it was safe to enter.

The illusion wall was hiding what looked like to be...what is this? A shrine for a demon-worshipping cult? Meh, probably not. It feels more like a...

"Holy Molly! It's a Demon's Sarcophagus!" - Garami

"A what now?" - Iron

"Riiiight. I think I heard about them in Solomar. " - Noire

I bet you did! Demon's Sarcophagi are something akin to power spots for demons. They are created in locations that have dangerously high amounts of demonic aether and are used to contain said aether so it won't birth too dangerous wild demons or mutate the wildlife nearby. Another function of it is to grant demons a "certain something"...

"Hold on, you two. There's something here I need to take care of." - Garami

"Is it going to take long? If so, I want to return to the cabin on my own." - Noire

"Sure, you do that. Iron, you act as her escort." - Garami

"Is that fine?" - Iron

"No worries. I'm the sneaky one and I'm for sure not gonna let any random mob take me down before dinner." - Garami

"Speaking of dinner, it's getting late. I need to tell Revi we are having beef tonight~." - Noire

Ehh...there is no beef in the rations we brought with us, so good luck with that. I'll leave that headache to Iron and the rest.

After the two left the hidden room, I started taking out the books and documents I had purchased in my free time and had Bloom help me go through them. To activate a Sarcophagus, you gotta do this and that, turn this lever, and make sure the idol is intact...what idol?

"Bloom, did you see a singing and dancing eye candy anywhere?" - Garami

"They are not referring to that kind of Idol, Master. They are talking about the stone statues that need to be placed around the Shrine." - Bloom

I knew that. My brain is not corrupted by otaku facts, not at all, sire!

"Okay then, where are those blockheads?" - Garami

"They are...not here. Or maybe they are what used to be these rocks?" - Bloom

Great. We got a vandal somewhere. Or should I call them tomb robbers because we're dealing with a "sarcophagus"? Jokes aside, the culprit here is Father Time. Age has taken its toll on the more delicate parts of the Sarcophagus. Nothing I can't fix, but the stuff I can make through Alchemy won't be top-tier materials... Good enough for a make-shift patch-up. Didn't those documents also say how to create spare parts for this thing? Hmm...

---

Meanwhile, during a secret transmission taking place in the tunnels underneath Isla de Mina's surface:

"...Mind repeating that?" - ???

"It is what I said, sire. My rations have all turned to dust by the hands and claws of the Ogre Crabs." - Springwood

"...And you're sure there wasn't anyone else down there?" - ???

"Sire, I sincerely doubt there is anyone capable of discovering my simple tunnels, let alone bothering to investigate them." - Springwood

"Again, your confidence is pointed in the wrong direction..." - ???

"Did you say something, sire?" - Springwood

"No, it's nothing. Except for one thing: Springwood, you are given a new assignment." - ???

"Yes, your Majesty! However, what about locating the Demon's Sarcophagus?" - Springwood

"Leave it be. If you did not locate it after all that work, it might not even be on that island." - ???

"Wise words, your Majesty." - Springwood

"We will send you a ship to pick you up, so prepare for a long journey." - ???

"As you wish, oh king of demons." - Springwood

---

Later, Garami's PoV:

Kukukuku...

SYSTEM MESSAGE:

Special conditions cleared.

You have acquired the trait: [Empty Demon Vessel].

"MWA-HAHAHAHA!!" - Garami

"Whoa, that startled me. What is wrong, Master?" - Bloom

"Just felt for an evil laughter of satisfaction." - Garami

"Really? Because that sparky that appeared from the Sarcophagus didn't seem harmless." - Bloom

"I'm trying to forget about that, so don't remind me. Why must acquiring new traits be so hurtful?" - Garami

I managed to fix that ritual ground, but the process of obtaining the "talent", also known as the trait [Empty Demon Vessel], ended up being a little more painful than I'd expected. Why didn't the books warn me about that!? In any case, it was a good thing Noire and Iron left. My dignity as the Guild Master would have been in shambles if they had seen that...

[Empty Demon Vessel] is a trait for demons only. And its effects are...nothing. It has no effects. However, it is still crucial for demons with great ambitions, as it can unlock rarer and more powerful demon-type evolutions. Like the one I have in my sights~.

Anyway, it seems I've reached the docks, so there should be no danger of encountering any monsters here. The place is deserted due to a lack of people with the courage to settle down on this volcanic island full-time, but the buildings are enhanced with monster-repelling incense magitech. Expensive stuff, but Karion has used his authority as the Union Master to create his R&D group that makes both this and other magitech. The only thing they need to keep track of is how to obtain the materials for all their fancy gizmos...

Holy crap, that's HIM! I hid behind one of the buildings and snatched Bloom who hadn't noticed the danger with a web-line. She made a sound no lady should make when I dragged her into the safety of the shadows, but that's not so important right now.

"Ugh, Master! What are-*mumble-mumble*-!" - Bloom

I zipped her mouth shut with a mini-web bomb and gestured her to look around the corner, CAREFULLY. One look later and she jumped further into the shadow of the building that I had done, removed the web from her mouth, and started to shout as quietly as possible to me while panicking.

"S-s-s-Springwood! Springwood is at the docks looking at our ship!" - Bloom

"Tch. Is he planning on leaving the island already?" - Garami

This is bad. Anyone with half a brain cell can look into who owns the ship. The worst-case scenario, which is also the most likely one, will be that Springwood reaches the conclusion that we had a finger with his destroyed hideout!

"Bloom, look at what he is doing for me. I can't bear to watch!" - Garami

"Neither can I!" - Bloom

"I'll give you another bottle of honey if we come out of this unscratched." - Garami

"Honey!!" - Bloom

News from the week between the Tir na Nog raid and till we started exploring this island, but Bloom is a sucker for honey. Is it her fairy-shaped body that made her so hungry for sweets?

"Ehm...I think he is cleaning up the deck." - Bloom

"I knew it! We're...?" - Garami

Taking back my hasty reaction, I looked at the docks myself. Springwood, an old guy looking like a 50-ish-old human wearing a pale-green janitor uniform, is busy cleaning up the ship he has no right to stand on!

Is he trying to lure me out with this stunt? Grr, if this had been any other situation, I'd gone and clobbered him before taking him to the nearest city guards (not that there are any on this island). Either this guy is as devious as the devil, or just an idiot.

Not too long after that, a new ship came sailing to the dock. After a last look at the ship's deck (now sparkling even if it was in the middle of the night) and gave a self-satisfied nod to himself before jumping onto the new ship, which sailed into the darkness without looking back.

"......Okay, what was that about?" - Garami

Not that anyone could possibly answer that. In any case, it seems we're in the clear for now. But tomorrow, I'm having the guys inspect the boat from the bow to the term. I hate bugs, real or listening devices, roaming around on my stuff. Webs not included. They can walk into them for all I care.