?


    "Come on. I''ll carry you!" Frank said, dropping to a crouch without hesitation.


    "That''s no good, right?" Aldained, but her body was honest as she walked behind Frank and climbed over him.


    "You''re so light!" Frank got up easily.


    Alda smiled shyly. "My vitals were sustained solely on IV drips. I naturally lost a few pounds."


    Frank smiled but said nothing.


    They were soon in front of the cave, and Alda looked around before eximing, "This is it! I''ve been dreaming of this ce frequently!"


    "Have you been here before yourself?" Frank asked in curiosity.


    Alda quickly shook her head. "I''d usually be in the office. I wouldn''t have the time to y."


    Frank was left further puzzled-how could she dream of a ce she had never been to and even remember it with such vivid detail?


    It seemed that he must go in for a look...


    Still, before he stepped inside, Alda stopped him, "Mr. Frankton! Shouldn''t we get more people here? I''m still afraid, after all!"


    "Don''t worry. I''m more than just a doctor!" Frank replied and strode into the cave.


    Behind him, Alda turned on the shlight she had prepared before him as she followed, and Frank could see the mural paintings with the light.


    It seemed to follow a chronological order, narrating how a group of foreigners came to this ce, were beaten by the locals, and then assimted... However, it was amon enough old tale, especially in a historic region like Shagan.


    As such, Frank did not pay it much attention, and continued toward the end of the cave.


    A giant, craggy boulder stood there, blocking further entry.


    It was also damp because of the climate, making it appear as if it was shedding tears, giving Alda the creeps.


    "Don''t worry, I''m here," Frank quickly assured her, sensing that she was shaking.


    "Yeah!"


    Alda was at once spirited-what was there to fear when Frank was here with her?


    Frank then asked, "Do you remember how to reach the tomb?"


    "Not really..." Alda hung her head in embarrassment.


    Frank chuckled and let her stand while he touched the walls.


    He could clearly hear air movement from


    that ther side, which meante the boulder. Content belonge


    was empty space behind


    That also meant that the boulder was a door, and he had to find the switch!


    Picking up a couple of pebbles, he scratched it along the cave walls and listened to the echoes.


    Soon, he found it-walking six steps ahead, he leaned down and knocked a spot around three feet high. And it really sounded different!


    Frank searched downwards to find a hidden rock and turned it to the right.novelbin


    There was a loud crack, as the gears of a contraption began to move audibly, and the boulder shifted upward! "That''s amazing!"


    Alda was earnestly impressed, as she did not expect Frank to clear the trap door so easily.


    Then, remembering what he had


    said yesterday, she asked, "I thought


    you said any contraptions would be


    old..."


    swno


    I


    "This one''s probably new," Frank said, as he could hear the shrill. as the gears moved without creaking.


    any


    No matter how meticulous the ancient craftsmanship was, there was no way the gears would not rust.


    It was clear that this was the operating base of those people Frank was looking for.


    "Come on!"


    Frank picked up Alda, carrying her on his back again, and strode into the tunnel.