After a long rest and another night of walking, Dallion saw firsthand the importance of stocking up on food early on. The supplies that seemed endless while being carried had already halved and the lack of critters in the steps meant there was no chance of getting more.

There was no sign of Eury at present, but it seemed that things were going well enough for March to ease up with the discipline a bit. Small talk became more frequent. Topics were mostly related to things in the real world, but now and again, something relating to the exploration crept in. Apparently, the first guardian fight had been more difficult than before, forcing people to rely on more than basic attacks. There was even speculation that the next guardian could have improved just as much.

Another matter of discontent was Euryale. It wasn’t so much that people hated her, or she wasn’t pulling her own weight. Rather, several of the guild members were annoyed that she refused to use echoes, making her by far less efficient as a scout. The previous scouts, from what Dallion heard, used to place echoes of themselves in a few common items, thus keeping everyone in the party informed of anything going on. Euryale, in contrast, preferred to rely on face-to-face conversations, as one generally would in the real world.

The following day, a few groups were set out to try and get food. What they brought back was laughable—mostly birds and fish in such small quantities that they wouldn’t feed more than five people in total. March didn’t seem in the least concerned, spending her down time reading a scroll. Dallion attempted to see what was in it, out of curiosity, but all he saw were a series of unknown symbols.

You’ll need a few years to learn that, Nil said. Or the appropriate skills.

It’s always one or the other, Dallion thought. Any chance you can translate it for me?

Not with a single glance. Otherwise, I probably could. To save you the trouble, however, I can tell you exactly what she’s reading.

Dallion leaned forward out of habit.

Imperial History of the Fifth Divine, Nil said. A rather boring read, but it contains a lot of military strategy. Most of it is obsolete, but even so a reminder of her past. And before you say anything further, that’s not a story I would like to share. Some secrets can only be revealed by those that hold them. What I can tell you, though, is that her past has nothing to do with the artifact, or the Moons.

That was something, but Dallion remained curious.

“You should be resting,” Vend said suddenly, almost making Dallion jump from his spot. “Things will get dangerous pretty soon.”

“I can handle myself,” Dallion said to compensate for being startled.

“One day, though not yet.” There was no smile on Vend’s face. “Just get more rest.” He turned around to walk away.

“Vend,” Dallion said while the other was still close. “There haven’t been any minions so far. Does that mean anything?”

There was a moment’s pause, after which Vend turned around, nodding to himself as he did.

“You’re paying attention. That’s always good. We’re still in the area of the previous temple. It takes a few days to reach it, and a few days to leave its sphere of influence. After that we’ll go through a sort of wilderness of this world. Nothing to be scared about—we’ve already cleaned these parts. It’s only after we cross the hills that we’ll get tested.”

“You mean we’ll be attacked by minions.”

“Not only. As you’ve seen, there’s no food. We’ll spend a while in the hills trying to get what we could. The guardian knows that and probably already has done everything in its power to keep us hungry. The hungrier we are, the easier it would be for it to take us out. Usually about five people drop off around this part of the journey. Make sure you’re not one of them.”

Strategic thinking. Guardians hadn’t done anything of the sort in the past, at least not that Dallionhad noticed. Given that they spent their existences in small arenas in realms which didn’t have any viable food, they didn’t have to. The only thing that would happen if awakened remained in a realm for too long was for them to experience hunger. Apparently, that wasn’t always the case. A world realm also linked strength and fatigue to that hunger, and while no one was going to die from starvation, they wouldn’t be in peak condition.

Nil, could the Moons be considered the guardians of the world? Dallion asked. The real world?

A bit early in the morning for philosophical discussions, don’t you find, dear boy? The Order will erase your name for asking that. To be honest, though, at this point no one knows.

That’s true, but someone tried to defeat a Moon at one point.

I’m certain it’s been tried many times, but none have succeeded. The mention in history is the closest thing we have to an almost successful attempt, and even that account is highly questionable. You know how myths get exaggerated.

That was an interesting turn of events. What if that was the Star’s goal all along? If there really were a Moon weapon hidden in this world, he could defeat the moons and either replace them, or make them subservient to him.

Just so you know, it’s impossible to defeat a Moon, Nil said. You’re not the first to fall into the trap of shallow logic. You’re probably thinking that all it takes is to defeat the moons and you, or someone, will become ruler of the real world with the ability to do everything. Even if we consider that there is a way to defeat a Moon, there is one huge flaw in your plan.

Which is?

When the two Moons turned away from the world, the ability to use magic and other gifts disappeared. What do you think will happen if one of the more vital parameters vanish from existence?

That was a good point.

But let us say that they remain, only considering you as their master. How do you challenge a moon? History speaks of emperors who had the strength and wisdom to conquer the world, but even they didn’t go against the Moons. Note, that some of them were of the same period in which the world items were created. If they really had the means to destroy a Moon, why not just do it?

There was no way to answer that question. Maybe it was a bit early to start plotting ways to enter the divine realm, if there was such a thing.

I think I’ll get some sleep, Dallion said.

Wise decision.

Sleep came and went, after which the party was back on the move. The steppes vanished, replaced by hilly terrain. The hills brought rivers, small forested areas, and even more abandoned villages. On occasion Agnii had a few people go and get some materials from such a village—stone and lumber, mostly. Dallion had asked several times to be added to the group. But March had refused. His goal was to be close to the party, in case Lux was needed.

On the third day, sections of paved roads became common, as did the presence of animals; the time of provisions was over. Hunting parties were set out, gathering food. Some were cooked and eaten on the spot, while some Agnii used to make provisions for later.

One other thing that the party came across were statues… statues with a note beneath them.

“Seems we’ll be facing something new.” Vend skimmed through the note he had taken from under the petrified hoof of what appeared to be a minotaur. “She says there’s more. No minions, though.”

It didn’t take a genius for everyone to realize who was the “she” he was referring to.

March took the note from Vend and started reading.

“She says it’s stronger than it looks,” Vent went on. Some of the other party members had also approached, examining the creature’s clothes and gear.

In Dallion’s mind, this was very much what a minotaur was supposed to look: Mace, dual swords, and a light leather outfit of Roman design. Interestingly enough, the creature also had a pouch. All that suggested that it was sapient and likely intelligent as the other races.

“It’s worldspawn,” the captain said, rolling up the note. “Must have come from beyond the fourth temple.”

“I warned you that would happen,” Agnii said, arms crossed. “Remove the stinkies and it gets much easier for anything bottled up to escape.”

“I doubt it’s a threat.”

“Not for the moment, but it creates a vacuum further down. Whatever pushed these out has gained a stronghold and will be all the more difficult to defeat. For all we know, centuries could have passed between expeditions.”

“I’m aware of that. That’s why we’re pushing on. I’ll make sure we reach the seventh temple by the end of the festival.”

The crafter captain didn’t say a word, but it was obvious she didn’t agree with March.

“Are these another imprisoned race?” Dallion asked. “Maybe they’re the ones who build the villages?”

“No,” Vend replied almost instantly. “They’re from here, but most likely nomads, semi-savage too.” He pointed at the petrified armor. “Light armor, weapons, but few clothes, and above all—no shoes.”

“They could have been a scouting party,” Dallion said out of stubbornness, even if he knew he had lost.

“Unlikely.”

“I can try to unpetrify him so we find out,” Dallion offered. Several people stared at him. “If Lux can heal, maybe he can heal that as well? Of course, it’ll mean that you’ll have to capture him afterwards.”

“That’s—” Vend began, but was quickly interrupted.

“Do it,” March ordered.

“Are you sure about this?” Agnii asked. “We’ve no idea how strong it is.”

“I’ll take care of that. All you need to do is form a circle around it and keep it from escaping.”

“Your call,” the crafter shrugged. Meanwhile, the rest of the party had already started to gather around.

Lux, Dallion thought.

The firebird appeared with a chirp and spread its wings. The familiar seemed to enjoy the attention he had been getting lately, possibly a bit too much.

“Lux, try to heal it,” Dallion said out loud so that everyone could hear. And please don’t embarrass me.

Slowly flapping its way to the statue, in a semi-successful attempt to appear majestic, Lux then landed on the minotaur’s head and began his thing. Blue flames enveloped the creature’s entire body.

What are the chances of this succeeding, Nil? Dallion asked.

At this point, I haven’t the foggiest, but it will be interesting to see. Keep in mind that even if you don’t succeed, you’d have demonstrated that the condition cannot be cured. Not in this fashion, at least.

There had to be a way. By the logic of the world, once a creature was dead, it poofed out of existence. For the statue to still be here, it meant that the creature had to be still alive in some form. What form, now that was a question Dallion didn’t want to dwell on.

Ten seconds passed, then thirty, then fifty. The entire party stood around the statue, ready to react at the slightest excuse. However, nothing was happening.

Lux, can you feel anything?

The firebird chirped loudly, indicating it did. If that were the case, though, why couldn’t Dallion sense anything?

Music, he thought, concentrating on the statue.

According to his skills and senses there was nothing there. He didn’t feel the void, like when looking at a chainling, nor was there the extreme calm normally associated with objects. For all intents and purposes, it was as if there was nothing but air in front of him.

PETRIFICATION EFFECT REDUCED BY 25%

A red rectangle suddenly appeared.

This changes everything, Dallion thought.