novelraw Chapter 246 : Chapter 246
Chapter 246 : Chapter 246
Volume 4 Chapter 34 – Don’t Touch Those Coins!
“Plop.”
Wenfu slumped to the ground as she watched the retreating monster disappear into the distance.
When the two monsters had been fighting earlier, the red cloths wrapped around their heads were briefly blown aside by the wind. What lay beneath was horrifying—no facial features at all, only two deep eye sockets in the middle of a flesh-colored, featureless face. It was ghastly and grotesque.
The deeper they ventured into Ruglian, the stranger the Demon Race they encountered. The Beastmen and Wolfmen from earlier still needed to eat, but these new creatures didn’t even have mouths. How were they supposed to consume anything?
Still, at least these faceless monsters didn’t seem interested in humans or elves—only in each other. Why? That remained a mystery.
One thing Teresa had noticed: after the victor defeated its opponent, it snatched the gold coins from the loser’s headband—then looked at their group, shook its head, and left.
Were they killing each other over coins? But why would these monsters value gold?
And more importantly, was there a connection between these monsters and the well of coins they had just escaped? After all, the well had been part of the barrier separating Demon Territories.
Counting back, this was already their fourth Demon Territory.
Teresa scanned her surroundings. What lay before them was a field of crumbling ruins, the remnants of what must once have been a grand and bustling city.
By the usual logic, the barriers dividing territories were always at the border zones between regions.
But this time, the barrier was much more obvious.
Astrid lifted her gaze. Using her elf vision, she spotted something in the distance—a towering fortress gate, jutting above the hills and rising into the clouds. Amidst the decay, it stood out like a lone crane among chickens.
“That gate... it looks familiar…” Felicia frowned, puzzled.
“Familiar?”
“I think… I saw a painting of it once.”
She pictured a busy marketplace, and above the mountain ridges beyond it, that very gate stood tall.
“Is that… Tiansuo Gate?”
“Tiansuo Gate? As in the Ancient Empire’s Tiansuo Gate?” Teresa asked.
“Exactly. I saw a painting of it in our family gallery,” Felicia said, rubbing her temple as she tried to recall.
“This gate was the Imperial Gate—known as the most impregnable fortress in the world. The Empire once lured the elite forces of an enemy nation into it, then annihilated hundreds of thousands of them. The Empire spent their military strength in one fell swoop and rose to dominance on the continent. From that day on, this gate was hailed as a sacred stronghold, reinforced over generations. It became an unbreakable, indestructible wall.”
“I can believe that.” Teresa hadn’t seen Tiansuo Gate herself, but a name that was renowned had surely crossed her ears before.
Even though the Empire’s lands had been lost for over four centuries, and the gate had suffered through countless wars, it still stood. That alone made it a miracle of architecture.
“Behind Tiansuo Gate lies Tiansuo City, the former imperial capital… Are we really already this far from home?”
“There must be tons of demons living there.” Felicia’s tone turned serious at that thought. But along with the gravity, a spark of excitement lit in her eyes.
For the others, this place might be just another ruin. But for Felicia—who carried the bloodline of the Ancient Empire, even if only from a side branch—Tiansuo City was more than a name.
It was a sacred city, the symbol of human civilization.
And now, seeing Tiansuo Gate still standing, something primal stirred within her. She needed to go inside—needed to see whether the city behind it still endured.
In an instant, the fatigue of days without sleep evaporated.
She hadn’t expected to find this during their venture into Ruglian.
“Are we going to check out the gate?”
“Of course,” Teresa nodded. “But first, something else has been bugging me.”
Felicia blinked. “Something odd? What is it?”
Teresa narrowed her eyes. “Who built the barriers separating the Demon Territories?”
“Huh? Isn’t that obvious? The Demons, of course,” Felicia answered without hesitation. Wenfu and Astrid nodded in agreement.
After all, only Demons inhabited Ruglian. Who else could have built them?
And really—who else could carve up the Demon lands like a cake?
But… was it really the Demons?
Right now, it seems like the only possible answer.
But Teresa’s instincts whispered otherwise.
Something didn’t add up.
***
The Brilliant Sun and Moon team decided to set up camp at the base of the mountain to rest before ascending.
It wasn’t just strategic—it was necessary. Both Felicia and Wenfu, as a human and a demihuman, were completely out of energy after so many sleepless days.
While they rested, Teresa, Astrid, and Yimi had time to kill. So they… started playing truth or dare outside the tent.
Astrid could hardly believe it. These two carefree Gold Elves were playing a party game in the heart of demon-infested Ruglian. What would the local monsters think?
“Ara, I didn’t think I’d lose.” Teresa tilted her head playfully, seeing the results of their rock-paper-scissors.
“Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“How surprising,” Yimi quipped, expressionless. “I thought someone with so many secrets would avoid the truth at all costs.”
“Now, now, Little Yimi. When have I ever been full of secrets?” Teresa smiled, all sweetness and innocence. “Go on. Ask your questions.”
“I’ll go first,” Yimi said, diving straight in. “Do you have someone you like?”
Astrid, lounging nearby with her shiny black tights crossed, immediately sat upright. Her eyes darted between Yimi and Teresa, anxious but also… hopeful?
“I do,” Teresa answered instantly.
Astrid’s fingers clenched her dress hem tightly. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her violet eyes shimmered like a disturbed lake.
“Oh? You, of all people, actually like someone? Who is it?”
“I already answered your question.” Teresa grinned but offered nothing more. “One question only. No follow-ups.”
“Pfft, stingy.” But Yimi didn’t push further. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Astrid—eyes flashing meaningfully. “Your turn.”
“…”
Astrid didn’t understand the signal. But Yimi’s question and Teresa’s answer had already sent her thoughts into a whirlwind.
Teresa… liked someone?
Did that mean she already had someone she loved?
Astrid couldn’t help it. She had to ask. The question itched at her like a thousand ants crawling beneath her skin.
“Teresa,” she began slowly, choosing each word carefully. “This person you admire… who is it?”
She avoided Teresa’s gaze, trying to act nonchalant.
“‘Admire’?” Teresa repeated thoughtfully, then shook her head. “That… no.”
“Eh?”
“You literally just said you liked someone,” Yimi frowned. “What, having second thoughts already? That’s cheating.”
“I never said the two things were the same.” Teresa raised an eyebrow.
“I like a lot of people. But someone I admire? Not yet. Those aren’t the same thing, you know?”
“For example… I really like you, Little Yimi~” she added, a tone full of teasing ambiguity.
“Ugh, you terrible woman.” Yimi turned her head away, pouting.
Astrid felt herself relax… but also a little disappointed. She wasn’t sure why.
***
The game went on. Yimi lost the next round.
Astrid’s question was tame, but Teresa grinned mischievously and asked:
“Yimi, did you eat the mango cake I left on the table last week?”
DUN DUN DUN!
Yimi was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected that question at all. Trying to stay calm, she looked up—and saw Teresa’s eyes locked onto her like lasers, a soft smile on her lips but zero amusement in her emerald gaze.
“…It’s getting late. Wenfu and Felicia should be waking up. Let’s pack up,” Yimi said, standing up.
“Not so fast. Finish answering first.” Teresa gently pushed her back down. “Come on. It’s truth or dare. No lying allowed~”
“Astrid! I’ll help you with the packing—”
“No need,” Astrid said, glancing at Teresa. “I can handle it myself. Good luck, Yimi.”
“…”
Yimi swallowed hard. Teresa’s smile only widened.
A moment later, the tension passed.
***
The team resumed their journey.
Wenfu yawned as she stretched. It wasn’t the best sleep, but it was something. She looked to her side and blinked.
“Yimi, your little hat is so cute! Did Teresa give it to you?”
“…Mhm,” Yimi answered stiffly, clearly not eager to elaborate.
This Demon Territory was unlike the last few. Although the monsters here looked more dangerous, they were actually harmless.
The faceless monsters had no interest in non-demons. Even when the group crossed paths with them, they didn’t so much as glance their way.
Climbing the mountain was uneventful.
“Eh?” Wenfu tilted her head, feeling something underfoot. She looked down and saw a shiny gold coin.
Curious, she picked it up and examined it in the sunlight. It gleamed with pure gold, and featured the image of a bearded man wearing a crown.
It seemed to be made of solid gold… probably currency from the Ancient Empire?
Felicia seemed interested in the Empire’s history. Maybe she’d want to see it?
With that thought, Wenfu happily skipped ahead.
“Watch out—those faceless monsters are patrolling near the gate too.”
“No worries,” Yimi said confidently. “They don’t care about us.”
“Felicia! Look what Wenfu found!” Wenfu bounded forward and held up the coin proudly.
“Look! Isn’t this from the Ancient Empire?”
Felicia took it and studied it. “Based on surviving samples, yes. This is a genuine Ancient Empire gold coin…”
Yimi glanced lazily at the nearby monsters… and instantly panicked.
Every single faceless monster had turned their attention toward Wenfu.
They were staring.
“Something’s wrong!”
“Wenfu! Drop the coin, now!” Teresa shouted.
“Ah? Meow?! Where should I throw it?!”
“Anywhere! Just get rid of it!”
“O-okay!” Wenfu tossed the coin downhill.
The coin rolled down the mountain—and immediately, a thunderous stampede erupted.
All the monsters near the gate barreled down after it.
Every last one.
“Wha-what just happened?!”
“As I thought.” Teresa watched the chaos with a cold glint in her eyes. “They’re fighting over those coins.”
“But why?” Astrid asked, frowning. “What do those coins mean to them?”
“No idea. Just don’t touch anything from Ruglian.”
“Okay… Wenfu understands, meow…” Wenfu sniffled, clutching her skirt, looking utterly pitiful.
Soon, they reached the gate.
Astrid looked at Teresa with growing concern.
Teresa had already overexerted herself using [Sacred Oblivion]—multiple times.
If she kept pushing herself, what would the consequences be?
But just as they braced for another battle…
They gave the massive gate a gentle push.
It creaked open.
No guards.
No traps.
It opened… just like that.