The timeline goes back to when Wof became a delver and received a commissioned quest.
The northernmost part of the continent. Great Prosforma Mountain.
On its slopes was a massive structure that looked like a cracked egg.
Inside the structure stood enormous white, blue, and red triangular prisms.
At the center of the prisms, a large black metal ring floated, with a white dome at its heart.
That white dome. That was the Delvers' Guild headquarters—the Grand Guild.
The Grand Guild Master's office, inside the dome.
Having just finished communication with Hydrangea's guild was Alhazad Abramirin.
The brown-skinned woman in a refined black coat with white pinstripes, standing at his side, asked:
"Grand Guild Master, if I may?"
"What is it?"
"That attitude toward the witch's disciple earlier. What was that about?"
"Are you dissatisfied?"
"Yes. It's not like you to promote someone and then issue them a commissioned quest."
"Originally, the special exception was for Class III. It wouldn't be strange to promote someone to Class V."
"Then wouldn't that commissioned quest be excessive?"
Alhazad Abramirin narrowed his eyes.
"Do you really think this quest—one that I myself gave up on—could be accomplished by a thirteen-year-old witch's disciple?"
"That—does the Grand Guild Master think it's impossible?"
"I do."
"Then why issue such a quest?"
"Delvers are not those who explore dungeons. They are those who explore their lives. No matter how impossible it may seem, this commissioned quest can serve as a guideline in exploring one's life."
"You've added color to her path?"
"I merely showed one young, capable delver a possible direction."
"Grand Guild Master... that could be perceived as rather spiteful."
At those words, Alhazad Abramirin laughed.
"Perhaps it is."
"You also said it was impossible—but why is it impossible?"
"...Saying 'impossible' isn't quite right. There should be a possibility. However, that is the correct way to put it. Because—there aren't enough parts."
"Parts?"
"And no one knows where they are."
Alhazad Abramirin said quietly.
---
The day of Alhazad Abramirin's commissioned quest challenge.
First, go to the Delvers' Guild to formally accept the quest.
Arance wasn't there. The one who handled it was that fairial receptionist.
Then the Improvised Wolf Pack headed to the city dungeon's Junkyard.
We immediately moved to the innermost part of the Junkyard.
Axe and Riv were gazing around with great interest at the sheer volume of junk.
"I'll be relying on you, Mineha."
I handed Mineha a card-shaped sacred emblem.
Mineha entered the middle of the junk pile and fitted the sacred emblem into the exact center of a perfect circle.
A small tremor ran through the ground, and the stone floor split open in two.
A descending staircase appeared. We nodded and headed down.
As we descended, the stone floor slowly closed behind us.
Riv produced a light orb. In the darkness, faded teal-colored floors and walls came into view.
Like a weak emerald, Axe murmured.
"What is this place?"
"Seems to be a holy chamber."
"A holy room? For one, it's pretty decrepit."
"This is just the corridor."
"Hmm..."
With the light orb illuminating the way, we advanced cautiously.
At the front was Riv. Bringing up the rear was Axe. I was in the middle, and Mineha sat on my shoulder.
Mineha suddenly spoke up.
"I wonder how this is structured in terms of floors?"
"Between the first and second floors? That's unlikely."
"Oh, really?"
"Hmm... probably... spatially... an inaccessible... place... third floor... or maybe the fourth... lightly punctured through..."
"A hidden area, then?"
"My goodness, what a ridiculous place."
"Hmm... there's something."
It was a black door. Axe lightly knocked on the back of it.
"It's metal."
"Think it'll open?"
"Shall I try pushing? Nnngh..."
Axe placed his hands on it and pushed. Slowly, it opened.
"Let me help."
"Yeah... Riv too."
With the three of us pushing, it opened wider. Beyond was a small bronze-colored space.
A black pillar stood in the center, with a white altar at the back.
"This must be the holy chamber."
"...There's something written over there."
On top of the white altar sat a stone tablet. An inscription was carved into it. Ancient script.
"Um, it says 'Offer a sacred egg upon the altar of the holy chamber.'"
I looked at the altar.
On it was a small pedestal shaped to hold an egg.
So we're supposed to place it here.
"A sacred egg?"
"Hey, could this be related to 'Haiyān's Three Eggs'?"
"Hmm... Three Eggs... what?"
"A children's song. Come to think of it, this quest was related to Haiyān. Brings back memories. My mom used to sing it all the time. So that means... the sacred egg refers to the divine egg from the legend about the elixir? Offering that up? There's no way we have one of those."
"...The elixir's... egg?"
"Yeah, the fairy-tale egg said to have an infinite supply of elixir."
"There actually was an egg filled with elixir once. But it didn't produce it infinitely. There seems to be a source somewhere, but no one knows where it is."
"...Hmm... we're stuck."
"Tch. That's it? Game over already? If only we had something..."
"I'll take a look."
Mineha detached from my shoulder.
Everyone was disheartened, a mood of resignation settling in.
Yeah. Of course.
You wouldn't think we'd need something like that.
I see. This really is impossible.
Even Alhazad Abramirin himself—it was clear this couldn't be done.
So then the prerequisite is having the egg?
Is there a similar tower somewhere that describes it?
Well, either way. I reached deep into my pouch and took out the egg.
I placed it—the divine egg of the elixir—on the altar's pedestal.
Then the black pillar glowed and split into top and bottom halves, rotating apart.
"W-What the—?"
"What's happening!?"
"Hmm... boy... that egg..."
"Wof...?"
Mineha's trembling expression and gaze pierced into me.
"..."
"Hey. Look."
When the pillar vanished, something was floating there.
It was elongated, with a sphere set in its center, somewhat resembling a key.
Axe picked it up. As he handed it to me, he noticed the egg.
"Wha—that is—!? No way..."
"..."
I took the egg in my hand. The instant I did, part of the left wall slid open, revealing a new passage.
That meant we could proceed further.
"Hey, Wof."
Mineha called my name. She'd grown taller.
Axe and Riv were silent, and I looked up at the tall woman before me.
"Hey, Wof. What was that egg?"
"The sacred egg of the elixir."
"Seriously? Then Rel being saved... that was how..."
"Hmm... so that's it."
Axe and Riv seemed to understand for some reason.
But I had a vague sense too. I'd given her portions in small bottles and such.
Mineha spoke in a trembling voice.
"Why do you have that?"
"...I found it in the Junkyard."
"That was recently—no, it wasn't. You had it before you met me."
"...Yes."
"And you kept it secret from me this whole time."
As she said this, Mineha stared at me.
"H-Hey."
"...It's fine. Let's move on."
Mineha broke her gaze from mine, as if closing her eyes.
"..."
Mineha went ahead. Axe followed after.
I couldn't say anything. I couldn't do anything.
That look Mineha gave me—it wasn't anger... it was just sadness.
"...Boy... let's go."
"Yes."
I stored the egg deep in my pouch.