Tap tap——

Following the tunnel downward, Ronald's footsteps echoed back and forth off the walls of the enclosed space, making the atmosphere particularly oppressive and hollow.

Just as previously observed.

This underground tunnel wasn't naturally existing beneath the island but was developed later by the Casters of the Nine Commandments. As Ronald walked within it, he could even see construction traces left around the tunnel.

The main structure of the tunnel might have been created in one go through a spell.

But the detailed repairs were also quite meticulous, looking like the work of patient and careful manpower.

Descending all the way.

Ronald soon reached the middle layer of the three-tiered underground structure.

Arriving here, the environment finally started to resemble the ruins.

Although not as massive as a large city or modern capital, what appeared before Ronald was at least an underground cavity the size of a town.

Analyzing the condition of the broken buildings and the ground, you could vaguely discern the past presence of a plaza and the remaining foundations of buildings. Even slightly to the left of the entire central space, there was a relatively intact ruin of a church.

Ronald had seen many church buildings in this world, so he immediately recognized it from the other remains.

As for the issue of lighting in the darkness.

Not everyone in the Nine Commandments could see in the dark.

So in the four corners of the underground cavity: southeast, northeast, northwest, southwest, bonfires were artificially lit, burning fiercely. With some spell influence, the light from these fires was enough to illuminate the entire underground space.

"..."

"Leaving a fire burning like this underground, won't they feel stifled?"

Ronald muttered softly, then stopped at the entrance, looking around.

Although two Casters from the Nine Commandments had just escaped to this place from above.

Because of their fear of Ronald, they effectively covered their tracks, leaving almost no trace.

Unless he spent considerable time researching here.

Otherwise, in the short term, Ronald had no way to immediately discover their tracks.

So what about taking a more destructive approach to force them out?

For Ronald, who was once engaged in related work, destroying ancient ruins was something he couldn't accept under any circumstances.

Thus resulting in the final outcome.

Ronald could only seal the tunnel he entered from and step into the vast cavity, beginning his search through the ruined city for signs of the enemy.

On the run, the Casters from the Nine Commandments were naturally very cautious.

Knowing they were no match for Ronald, they prioritized hiding.

They actively suppressed their magic fluctuations to nearly nothing. Even with Ronald's powerful perception, he couldn't sense their presence dealing with such enemies.

Walking alone in the empty and cold underground, Ronald soon felt he was there for archaeological work, rather than hunting enemies.

After a meticulous search, Ronald found nothing.

But he simultaneously arrived at the ruined church.

This island is called the Sanctuary Ruins because, in the distant past, it belonged to a church organization as a secret building.

Therefore, this was certainly an important place.

With this thought, Ronald entered directly through the main entrance.

Upon entering, he first saw a chapel buried in dust, with only the messy footprints at his feet proving that the Nine Commandments frequently came and went here in the past.

Seeing this, Ronald crouched down and began to examine the traces in the dust.

The footprints varied in depth and size, difficult to identify in detail but did increase the likelihood that the enemy was hiding here.

So, nodding slightly, Ronald stood up and walked towards the back of the church ruins.

Pacing past the chapel hall and entering the back corridor from the left side.

Then, at a section of the corridor with a damaged ceiling, Ronald stopped again. Because in his perception, a faint magic fluctuation was flickering not far ahead.

This was no trap, nor was it the enemy's trail.

Because the nature of this power's magic was entirely different from the two Nine Commandments Casters Ronald was pursuing, rather similar to the church casters he had interacted with!

"Barrier?"

"Still functioning normally after being unmanaged for hundreds of years?"

Ronald scrutinized and his expression showed some surprise.

He wasn't only interested in this enduring spell that survived centuries but was also curious about another matter—why the Nine Commandments did nothing to it.

Knowing the Nine Commandments had been occupying these ruins for quite a while.

Even if this magical barrier was very concealed, it shouldn't have escaped their search.

Why didn't they destroy it and investigate its interior?

With these questions, Ronald moved to the precise location where he sensed magic.

There, an oval-shaped stone gate, resembling a stone cocoon, stood at the edge of the corridor.

A clean area had been cleared at its front on the ground, evidently noticed by the Nine Commandments Casters, who lingered there.

Thump thump——

Curious, Ronald walked forward, reaching out to gently knock on the gate.

As he did, dark golden luster shimmered across the gate.

Though the magic on the door didn't retaliate against intruders, Ronald felt a sense of unbreakable heaviness from the feedback on his fingers.

"Interesting."

A smile appeared on Ronald's lips. Immediately, he clenched his fist, mustering his strength and punched upwards.

Boom!

Deliberately restraining some force to avoid excessive damage to the ruins, Ronald's punch left the dark golden-glowed gate unmoved.

It seemed Ronald's punch was merely playful, causing no real impact.

This piqued Ronald's curiosity even more.

And of course, Ronald himself knew the strength of his blow.

Even with a mindset of not damaging the ruins, it wasn't something any random barrier could withstand.

Ronald pondered a possibility.

Perhaps the barrier's sturdiness was why the Nine Commandments people never got inside?

Knowing those guys held the Essence Theory.

Plus, they had the bearer of the Klein Shield.

If even the spells to decompose everything couldn't break this barrier.

Then what secrets were hidden in a place so strongly protected and enduring through ages?

Driven by curiosity, Ronald felt no need to suppress his thoughts.

He controlled his smile and adjusted his magic, reaching out gently to touch the door.