Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?
Chapter 552 - 379: The Fran Guard Oath No Longer Exists_2

Chapter 552: Chapter 379: The Fran Guard Oath No Longer Exists_2

"Dal?"

Luluwo said "ah?" in surprise, not expecting to encounter Dal here.

"You, you guys..." Dal looked utterly exhausted. He glanced at everyone before falling unconscious.

A while later, when he woke up, he heard Leon’s voice.

"Another intrusion? Ever since Lake Lienia appeared, the probability of intruding into others’ dungeon worlds has greatly increased."

"Yeah, if the number of teammates when teleporting from the Lake District to another area doesn’t exactly match the area’s maximum limit, there’s a chance of bumping into other adventurers. It feels like the probability is increasing lately, oh, he’s awake."

Seeing Dal regain consciousness after the healing from Ceder, everyone didn’t need to ask to know what he’d been through, likely just being tormented in the Painting World.

However, others would be kicked out of Sain Dungeon immediately after exiting the Painting World due to insufficient spiritual power, yet Dal could still remain in the dungeon, indicating his spiritual power is much stronger than the average person.

"President?" He was astonished upon seeing Ceder after waking up.

"Don’t get up too quickly; it’s better to lie down a bit longer," Ceder said, converting a potion into gas and injecting it into Dal’s body, "Are you interested in telling us what you discovered inside?"

"Discovered something... right!"

Dal’s emotions suddenly became somewhat agitated. He reached into his waist pouch and handed something to Ceder.

It was a Wolf Blood Sword Grass, the oath item of the Fran Guard, similar in nature to the Dark Moon Sword’s ear.

He said solemnly, "The woman in brass armor reacted to the oath on me. If you bring this, perhaps you can..."

"We know that the Brass Woman reacts differently to various oaths."

"No, it’s not the same!"

Dal waved his hand and said:

"In the time setting of Yanor Londo’s Painting World, Fran Guard hadn’t appeared yet!"

"What?"

Even Ceder was taken aback.

People haven’t managed to compile a clear picture of the history Sain Dungeon reveals yet, but it’s generally felt that the time depicted in the Painting World is earlier than that in the dungeon’s various areas, as Artorias appears in the Painting World while the Fran Undead Team, inheriting his legacy, appears in Fran Fort within Sain Dungeon.

The time span between Artorias heading to Ulashiro to combat the Abyss and the Ancient Wolf of Fran establishing the wolf blood oath with the first Undead Man, founding the Fran Undead Team, is unknown.

Currently, apart from the Great Tomb and Forest Area without clear stories and Lake Lienia being relatively isolated, Fran Fort, Deep Church, Casas, Yilushier, and others follow a singular timeline.

The time of Yanor Londo’s Painting World is undoubtedly earlier than these, but looking at the desolate Royal City, it certainly occurred after Gwyn’s Fire Transmission, possibly even after Artorias had already set off for Ulashiro.

"Wait a minute, did the Brass Woman show any signs after recognizing your oath?" Luluwo inquired.

"She... she seemed puzzled, unable to comprehend. She told me to find someone wiser than her in the city, but I couldn’t find anyone," Dal replied.

"Do you think she might realize she is a residual shadow?"

"Impossible; historically, residual shadows that realize their identity in the dungeon never become lifeless puppets immediately," Dal said, frowning.

"Is this your first time coming out of Yanor Londo? You might not know some things," Leon relayed the intelligence gathered over these days.

A moment later, Dal understood.

"So the Brass Woman means to direct me to Gwendolin..."

Luluwo looked at Ceder and asked, "President, are you interested in getting involved in this matter?"

"The Dark Moon Priest Ring binds one’s identity, so I can’t get it yet. Verify this with the Dark Moon Sword Oath Takers."

He stuffed the Wolf Blood Sword Grass into his pocket, "Biting off more than I can chew. My goal this time is clear; defeating the boss is all I aim for."

An unexpected turn of events; who would’ve thought the Fran Guard oath could impact the residual shadows in the Painting World.

Then what about Gwendolin? If someone indeed brings Wolf Blood Sword Grass to meet him, what will happen?

Thinking of this, Ceder suddenly felt the youthful pulse of adventure and yearning for the unknown. He turned to the three and said seriously:

"I might not return for several days once I leave. The Guild’s matters will be left for the Vice President to handle, but if you need to report anything, go to Jina, also,"

His expression was like someone impatiently awaiting the next episode, advising:

"Before I return, make sure to inform me of that God’s reaction to the Fran Guard. You must strive hard!"

"Um, we’ll try our best." Leon only nodded, feeling he’d been given yet another troublesome task.

"Don’t just try; give it your all! If you manage this, I’ll teach you something good. By the way, want to hear some of Gapar’s old embarrassing stories?"

Leon straightened his back and declared, "Guaranteed to complete the task!"

Honestly, he was only interested in what Ceder could teach him.

Ceder chuckled; after explaining, he cast a Healing Magic on Dal and waved goodbye, stepping into the Painting World.

With this departure, he probably wouldn’t come out for at least three or four days.

Speaking of which, has that hero not come out yet?

————————————

Shortly after, at the twilight of Yanor Londo.

Standing before the bonfire, Brass Woman heard intense combat sounds from the giant guards outside. She knew another outsider warrior had intruded into the lonely city.

If she were in a good mood, she’d greet the warrior to remind them of the bonfire where they could rest; if not, she’d ignore them.

But this time, the giant guards’ battle lasted unexpectedly long, surpassing a dozen minutes while the sounds of fighting persisted outside.

Curious, she was about to peek out when a pair of exquisitely crafted shoes caught her eye.

The visitor was an elderly man with white hair, a menacing appearance mismatched with the smile at the corner of his mouth, enough to scare a child, yet his eyes were kind.

He wore a luxurious magician’s robe lit with runes of various colors, looking both noble and mysterious, but half of it was charred, a style unrecognized in any country familiar to Brass Woman.

The elderly man carried a sweet fragrance, excessively sweet enough to cause dizziness but also sparking a yearning impulse; likely the scent of some fruit?

Brass Woman was about to speak some routine words when the elderly man suddenly pulled out Wolf Blood Sword Grass from his pocket, saying:

"Are you aware of the Fran Guard oath? This is their oath item."

Brass Woman visibly paused as she took the Wolf Blood Sword Grass and fell into a state of bewilderment.

"What is this... Fran Guard? An unfamiliar term, what on earth..."

Watching her confusion, the elderly man, Ceder, shook his head and moved on without waiting for her to say anything.

Behind him, the giant guards were embroiled in fierce combat over an Enemy Attraction Skull, strange given that such formidable monsters as giant guards shouldn’t be drawn by the skull.

Upon closer inspection, the Enemy Attraction Skull was unlike the usual; it carried a multitude of enchantments researched by Ceder, from attracting enemies, creating illusions, to inflaming hatred, and to augment its effects, it had been soaked in Rainbow Fruit juice for over a month!

This could no longer be considered just an Enemy Attraction Skull; it could be regarded as a wholly new tool!

The rotating stairway mechanism rumbled, leaving the illusion-shrouded Stone Statue Ghost behind. By the time it awoke, Ceder had reached the lower level.

Hearing footsteps before Gwyn’s statue, Solar turned and saw him.

"Hello, I’m a traveling magician, but not from Bieheim."

Ceder raised his hat slightly in greeting and enthusiastically said:

"May I assist you in completing the trial?"

Solar regarded him for a moment, as usual radiating a bright personality, unquestionably agreeing to his request.

Ceder was equally delighted.

From the start, he didn’t expect to defeat the Ornstein and Smough duo, and practicing only support magic on the way with Leon and the others to Yilushier was meant as preparation for now.

With Solar as an ally, why would he need to fight alone!