Arctic.
At the entrance to the underground mausoleum.
Once Yukari and the others entered the dimensional rift, Natsuki Minamiya's figure slowly emerged from the air.
She looked toward the dark void ahead and furrowed her brow.
"This is… so-called archaeology?"
Taking out her phone, she glanced at the message sent by the client, her expression growing gloomier by the second.
All she wanted was to make a little extra money to buy some expensive black tea.
How did this turn into something this dangerous?
"The Fourth True Ancestor…"
She mouthed the words, her expression serious.
This wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Still…
She looked again at the unpaid balance and sighed helplessly.
"Well, since I'm already here…"
It would be a complete waste to return empty-handed.
Besides, the client hadn't set any real conditions. All she had to do was follow the group and assist in the archaeological work.
To be honest, she didn't fully understand what the client was after.
Was it really just archaeology?
Or was she being dragged into this chaos surrounding the Fourth True Ancestor?
After pondering for a moment, Natsuki gave up on thinking too deeply.
With her space manipulation abilities, she had nothing to fear from some mysterious plot.
But…
If she didn't get paid afterward, she would definitely make that client regret it.
Decision made, Natsuki stepped toward the dark dimensional rift without hesitation.
---
Underground tomb.
Yukari and the others entered.
In the next instant, an icy blue brilliance filled their vision.
A frigid chill swept over the entire space.
As the only ordinary person in the group, Akatsuki Kojou shivered violently, his whole body trembling from the cold.
He exhaled, and a puff of white mist drifted into the air.
"Isn't this a little too cold?"
Kojou rubbed his arms in an attempt to warm up, his teeth chattering.
But...
No one responded to him.
Everyone else here wasn't exactly normal.
Kojou: "…"
He gave them all a blank stare.
Then he zeroed in on Gajou.
But seriously? You too?
Even he had betrayed the ranks of ordinary humans?
It was only now that Kojou realized something was off.
His so-called archaeologist father…
Was somehow involved with vampires?
And this underground mausoleum definitely wasn't ordinary.
Don't tell him this was what Gajou's usual "archaeology" jobs looked like?
Thinking about that, Kojou's expression became complicated.
Dad, you're definitely hiding something big.
Right!
And what about Nagisa?
He suddenly thought of his sister and looked over.
Nagisa floated peacefully in the air, completely unaffected.
Kojou: "…"
So he's the only one freezing?
Kojou curled up and sighed in frustration.
He felt like a husky trying to blend in with a pack of wolves.
Gajou looked around cautiously, scanning the surroundings.
Liana seemed a bit relieved as she sensed the cold.
"This level of cold must be the power of the Twelfth."
Which meant…
This really was the tomb of the Fourth True Ancestor.
Thinking that, her excitement grew.
The hope of reviving her family was right before her!
Liana's breathing grew rapid. She quickened her pace, moving deeper into the tomb without even realizing it.
Seeing her reaction, the others followed closely behind.
Soon after…
A crystal-clear ice coffin appeared before them.
Inside it, a delicate figure lay in what appeared to be a peaceful slumber.
Her golden hair shimmered faintly, her features were flawless, and her slim figure made her look like a fairy-tale doll—like a Sleeping Beauty resting in eternal stillness.
"This is…"
Gajou's pupils contracted sharply. A powerful wave of emotion surged in his chest.
"Her Majesty, the Fourth True Ancestor!"
The moment she saw the girl and felt the pressure in her bloodline, Liana instantly understood the girl's identity.
Without hesitation, she dropped to one knee.
"Liana Caruana, Sixth Head of the Caruana Clan, pays her respects to Her Majesty, the Fourth True Ancestor!"
Her solemn voice echoed through the chamber.
But…
Silence.
A heavy, suffocating silence filled the tomb.
"?"
Getting no response, Liana's expression grew uneasy.
Yukari stepped forward, touching the ice coffin lightly. Her gaze landed on the sleeping girl inside.
"She hasn't awakened yet."
Upon hearing this, Liana's eyes lit up with surprise. She looked at the girl in the coffin even more intently.
But…
There was no reaction. The girl remained still, eyes closed.
Liana frowned slightly. "Is there any way to wake Her Majesty?"
Gajou shrugged. "That's way beyond me."
The Fourth True Ancestor was right in front of them…
But there wasn't the slightest hint of awakening.
Even with so many people intruding into her tomb.
Hearing this, Liana remained silent.
Compared to her frustration, Yukari was much more relaxed.
In fact…
She felt a little relieved the Fourth True Ancestor didn't wake up.
After all…
She really didn't want to clash with a legendary figure today.
Turning to Himeragi Yukina, she said, "Yukina, contact Lord Lynn."
"?"
Liana instantly frowned and asked coldly, "What do you mean?"
Yukari didn't lower her voice, drawing the attention of Gajou and the others.
She said lazily, "You want her to wake up, right?"
"As your partner, I'll help share the burden~"
Liana hesitated for a moment, then asked seriously, "This Lynn you speak of… can he wake the Fourth True Ancestor?"
"Of course."
Yukari nodded with a confident smile.
Well…
Master should be able to, right?
Besides, this was just a convenient excuse to bring him here.
Once Lynn arrived, what happened afterward was none of her concern.
Her mission ended with getting him in front of the Fourth True Ancestor.
Liana didn't know that.
In fact, she felt somewhat grateful.
Meanwhile…
Gajou gave Yukari a look filled with suspicion.
This woman…
Was she seriously trying to trick someone?
People sure are easy to fool sometimes.
Gajou shook his head but didn't say anything.
Well…
Maybe it's easier to remember a lesson after learning it the hard way.
As Liana's "investor," he felt it was necessary to let her experience this kind of growth.
On the other side, Himeragi Yukina pulled out her phone and sent a message to Lynn.
Suddenly.
Footsteps echoed through the underground tomb!
Liana, Yukari, and the others instantly became alert.
"Hehehe!"
"So the Fourth True Ancestor is hiding in a place like this!"
Before anyone appeared, a rough voice rang out.
The next moment, a group of people in green military uniforms blocked their path!
Then…
A tall, burly man emerged from the crowd. He looked them over, his mouth curling into a sinister grin.
"Thanks for leading me to the Fourth True Ancestor."
"Now that your job's done…"
"You're no longer needed."
"So…"
"Could you kindly die?"
(To be continued.)