Rhodoth and his team's search for the lair of Phylicius continues.

One team is now investigating the ground or bedrock where the lair may be located, and another team is investigating the area around the large rock known as the <>.

"......<>, do you remember these large rocks?"

"The information we have on the landscape shows these rocks sticking out, but the sizes don't match up. The rocks in the information were much larger."

"Well, if you go to ......, then maybe it's not here?"

Rhodes considered this possibility and thought that if he had not found it after a day of searching, he might have to send someone upstream to see if there was a similar large rock.

"But what did ...... Atkins say?　......<> or ...... maybe?"

The function of a river is said to be erosion in the upper reaches, transport in the middle reaches, and sedimentation in the lower reaches, and this is called the <>.

The area where Rhodoth and his colleagues are located corresponds to the middle to lower reaches of the Sitong River.

In other words, it is the area where the sedimentation process begins to become more pronounced.

"If sediment had accumulated over the past 750 years, this large rock would have been buried well.

In fact, it is not uncommon for large amounts of water to bury many things.

Many mountain hunters have told of caves near riverbanks that they used to be able to use, only to find the next year that they were half-buried.

"So you are saying that if there is a clue, it is the part of this big rock that is buried?"

"Maybe, that's all I'm saying," he said.

"But it's worth a try, isn't it?

In any case, this big rock is the only clue.

It's more likely than just looking around in the dark.

First, let's move the sand around the rock.

"Okay."

Using a combination of magic and manual labor, we move the sand out of the way.

It took about two hours to dig down about five meters around the large rock, although there were some fist-sized stones mixed in.

"How is it, <>?"

"Excellent. ...... Here it is, this big rock. The shape of the buried part matches the information we have.

I see.

It seems that the protruding part has been weathered over the past 750 years and is different from what <> knows.

So, what is the role of this big rock?

"It is a landmark to locate the <>. There should be a second piece of information 55 meters east of here.

"I see. Okay, let's go there.

Using a compass, he measured the direction. 55 meters was visible enough for him to see Rhodes on a large rock, and Zeddis at 55 meters. Rhodoth pointed in that direction.

Zeddis headed in the direction Rhodes pointed, repeatedly making corrections.

"There. ...... anything?"

No, nothing.

The area is a grassy area with fine gravel.

I imagined that this area had probably been buried by sediments.

So, with all hands on deck, we carefully removed the sediment.

After digging for about two meters, we saw the head of a metal stake.

"That's it. It was originally buried about 50 centimeters underground.

He was careful to avoid accidental discovery.

The stake was gold-plated to prevent rusting, and the letters <<3S>> were engraved on the head of the stake.

"There is a third piece of information 65 meters northeast of here."

It was also found in the same way.

It was a similar pile, except that the letters engraved on it were <<8X>>.

What does this mean?

"Remember, it is the key to open the last door. It's the key to open the last door.

Okay.

Rhodes figured it must be some kind of password.

He was to look for a place 40 meters north of there.

Finding it would be easier if he knew where to look.

After digging down about two meters, he found, again, not a pile ......, but something that looked like the entrance to a manhole.

"You finally found the entrance!"

"So this is the entrance ......."

Rhodes confirms to that this is the entrance.

"Are you sure this is the entrance?"

But the answer is surprising.

No, it is not. This is a dummy.

"What ......?"

"Master Philelicious has prepared this place in case of accidental discovery. You'll see once you enter that it's quite deserted."

"I see. ......"

Rhodes asked,

"You still need to follow it further. I have that information."

Mm-hmm.

One more thing. There's writing on the back of this lid.

Oh, there it is.

< were engraved on it.

You must remember this.

And from there, 200 meters to the east.

This was the longest distance.

There was an empty wilderness.

There was snow in places, and bushes grew sparsely.

Three meters below the ground in such a place.

This was the true entrance to the safe house.

A hatch about one meter in diameter was placed about two meters below the ground.

The time was 3:00 p.m., still enough time to search.

* * * *

Is there any danger inside?

"No more."

"No more." "I see. < ever been inside?

"Yes, we have. Yes, we helped set up the interior.

That's a relief.

Rhodes concluded that with 's knowledge and understanding of the interior, there was nothing to worry about.

However, he did not know what effect 750 years might have had.

Because of this contingency, he decided to have and enter the site ahead of the others.

"Momoko, please. Do you remember the letters?"

"I'm fine. I'll leave it to you.

"Ninth, take care of it."

I'll take care of it.

The two opened the hatch and descended the vertical ladder that hung inside.