Having confirmed the idea was feasible, Nolan used the same method to light up the remaining two torch mechanisms. But unexpectedly, it seemed that other than the environment becoming brighter due to the elemental light from the lit torches, there were no other changes.

"Weird, what's going on?"

Bennett felt a bit strange; all the torch mechanisms were lit up, and even if it wasn't related to the iron door, there should have been some other changes, right?

"Is it possible there are more than three torch mechanisms?"

Nolan stroked his chin in thought and said.

Based on his gaming experience, torch mechanisms were usually either three or four.

"This princess believes it to be so as well. There must be one last torch mechanism. Oz!"

Hearing Nolan's words, Fischl slightly lifted her fair chin and commanded her companion Oz.

"I understand, Miss."

Oz flapped his wings, unable to perform a nodding action. There was no expression on his bird-like face, but the tone carried a profound sense of respect.

Like the purging thunder of the darkest night, Oz's body flashed rapidly through the sizeable space.

Since two of the three discovered torch mechanisms were in different but relative positions, the yet-to-be-discovered torch mechanism should also be positioned relative to the remaining one.

Clearly, it should be above the wall behind them.

Unexpectedly, when Oz reached the edge of the wall, he did not find the last torch mechanism.

After some thought, Oz was not too surprised either. Anything could happen in a secret realm. Being unconventional for a time was understandable.

So he went to search elsewhere.

Watching Oz circling around the domed ceiling, Fischl couldn't help frowning lightly. "What's wrong, Oz? Still haven't found it?"

"Alas, Miss. I've searched the entire room up and down, but indeed did not found it yet."

Oz did not continue his fruitless efforts and flew back.

"Ah, If it's not on the walls then where could it be?" Bennett rubbed the short blond hair on the back of his head.

Fischl hugged her chest with both hands stacked over the soft area of her abdomen covered by the lacy black stockings. Her bright green right eye looked at the hole in the ceiling as she suddenly smiled.

"The answer, this princess already knows. The truth of fate must lie here!"

Fischl's fair index finger pointed at the huge pile of rubble formed from the collapsed dome.

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Oh? Little Amy thinks the remaining torch mechanism was originally inverted on the ceiling? That's not an impossibility.

Nolan thought for a bit and said:

"Mm, if it's not found anywhere else then the probability is highest here."

The three people and one raven entered the rubble pile again to carefully search for the possibly existent torch mechanism. The rubble pile was dangerous. Accidentally stepping on a loose rock could lead to falling over.

Luckily for their group of three with abundant adventure experience, this shouldn't be much trouble.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Just as he thought this, Nolan heard Bennett's voice. Looking over, Bennett had indeed fallen on his bottom. He was rubbing the back of his head, probably having bumped into a rock on the ground.

For a moment, Nolan couldn't help but sigh unsurprised:

For Bennett, no matter how experienced, things that were bound to happen still would.

"You alright, Bennett?" Nolan nimbly hopped between the rocks over to pull him up and asked with concern.

"Indeed, it's an unreasonably unfortunate situation, Sir Bennett."

Fischl, with a black butterfly hairpin on her head, slightly tied up some of her golden hair on both sides. She and her retainer, Oz, noticed Bennett's situation.

"Haha, it's okay; I've gotten used to it." Bennett, rubbing the seemingly swollen back of his head, said.

Seeing his actions, Nolan smiled amusedly, guessing Bennett didn't really often get his head bumped by various things as he claimed, leading to his habit of rubbing it occasionally.

Thinking this, he subconsciously wanted to see what had hit Bennett.

In the gap between two larger fragments of the collapsed ceiling, a torch with a slightly reddish rounded top poked out.

"Bennett, it seems your misfortune has some value after all. Look, everyone!"

Nolan smiled, pointing towards the torch.

"Oh, that's really it." Oz flew over to take a look and said, "This is turning misfortune into a blessing, resilient young man."

"Really?"

Bennett turned around, rather excitedly looking at the existent torch mechanism.

"Very good. With all the crucial elements gathered to unravel this mystery, I leave the lighting of this final clue to you!"

The corners of Fischl's lips curved up slightly, outlining a smile.

"No problem."

Bennett summoned his single-handed sword weapon. It seemed to be a somewhat dark steel-material sword. Although Nolan hadn't seen it before, it looked much better than his dull blade.

Unsurprisingly, it should be a two or three-star weapon.

Dense Pyro element attached to the sword body. Bennett gently tapped forward and lit the final torch mechanism, brightening the surroundings somewhat more.

"Did the door open?"

Everyone cast their gazes toward the iron gate at the passage, but it still seemed motionless.

"What's going on? Weren't they all lit already?"

Nolan shifted his gaze back to the torch mechanism in the gap between the broken stones on the ground. Indeed, there was an elemental light source resembling a fiery dandelion between the torch's tips.

The illuminated ground surface suddenly bore a huge light-colored shadow.

Nolan's pupils sharply contracted as he yelled loudly, "Watch out above! Retreat quickly!"

The very instant the final torch mechanism was lit, a Ruin Hunter had appeared out of nowhere in midair above them. Its sharp steel right arm was already poised to attack.

Below it and closest was Fischl. Only now did she realize the situation, but it was too late to dodge the ruin hunter's speed.

Getting stabbed by the ruin hunter's lance-like steel right arm would not be as simple as losing HP like in a game.

The Ruin Hunter charged like a knight on a horse!

In this extremely critical moment,

Nolan tensed his legs and exerted force to spring forward, knocking Fischl backward as the ruin hunter rushed over, his head barely grazing past the ruin hunter's body.

Through his short hair and scalp, he felt that stiff, icy sensation of steel scraping steel, making every cell in his body numb.

"Ah!"

Falling backward onto the ground covered in broken stones, Fischl couldn't help but scream in pain.

For an instant, Nolan felt a warm soft squashed sensation against both cheeks. His nose was slightly blocked by smooth thin fabric, unable to breathe. He opened his mouth with difficulty to exhale.

Then hurriedly, he braced himself and pulled Fischl up to her feet, and retreating to one side near the wall.

(End Of Chapter)