Counting Paladin Xenk, Aoko's adventuring party now had six members, with a much more reasonable mix of classes.
Judging from Xenk's words, actions, and current abilities, Aoko believed he was an Oath of Devotion paladin—the most strictly regulated of all paladin vows, but also the one with the strongest team-support abilities. That could only be good for their group.
"So, why did you leave the Harpers back then?" Xenk, riding beside Edgin, asked. "That was before you were caught and sent to Revel's End, right?"
"My wife was killed because of my work," Edgin replied, forcing a stiff smile.
"So, you're seeking the Tablet of reawakening to bring her back?" Xenk pressed.
"…That's right." Edgin's face darkened. He didn't like answering these sorts of questions, especially to a Thayan like Xenk.
"So, was the person who killed her ever brought to justice?" Xenk continued, seemingly oblivious to Edgin's mood.
"You mean those Thayans?" Edgin ground out. "Of course not. I don't even have any real leads."
"I'm sorry," Xenk said sincerely. "But I'd like to point out—not all Thayans are evil. Most of the Thayans you see outside are people who have been transformed by rituals. They're not living any more."
"I escaped from that ritual back then, but a part of me was lost forever," Xenk told Edgin. "In a way, our experiences are quite similar. We both lost the people most important to us because of Szass Tam's brutality. But what matters is how we treat what remains."
Aoko could see Xenk was trying to persuade Edgin not to become too obsessed with resurrecting his wife since he still had his daughter and Holga with him. But it was not working—Edgin's mood didn't improve at all.
"To be honest, I'm pretty curious about the Tablet of reawakening myself," Aoko interjected. "If the Red Wizard Blade is a curse even True Resurrection can't counter, then how did someone make the Tablet of reawakening in the first place?"
"I believe it's simply a True Resurrection," Xenk said, narrowing his eyes. "But the difference is, the True Resurrection on the tablet isn't cast by mortals—it's the work of divine power."
"Is there a difference between the spellcasting of a cleric and that of a god?" Aoko asked curiously. "I thought it was all just borrowed power from a deity."
"There's a huge difference," Xenk replied. "Even the most obscure god's power is beyond any mortal's challenge…"
"We're here."
Xenk stopped and dismounted. The others tied their horses to a nearby tree, and Aoko even marked the spot with magic so they could find their way back.
"There are many entrances to the Underdark, but I discovered this one myself," Xenk said, tying a rope to a thick tree. "It's well hidden—over time, plants naturally grow around the pit, covering the entrance."
With that, Xenk grabbed the rope and lowered himself down. There was no thud, as he landed on the hidden Underdark entrance beneath the vegetation.
"I'll go last," Simon said nervously, peering into the darkness. "Don't worry about me."
Aoko raised an eyebrow and jumped straight down without grabbing the rope, a fine whirlwind gently lowering her. That was one of the few uses her wind magic had in this world.
Honestly, using non-Weave magic here always felt like trying to breathe underwater—if not for her overwhelming magical output, these outside magics probably wouldn't work at all in Toril.
The pit was nearly a hundred meters deep; it took Aoko a while to reach the bottom. Xenk was standing upright, waiting for the others.
"The Underdark is huge. Our first destination is still quite far from here," Xenk explained once everyone had gathered. "For safety, I chose a path that avoids as many Underdark dwellers as possible. Stick close and stay quiet."
Aoko followed in silence behind Xenk, then Holga and Edgin, both holding oil lanterns. Simon and Doric brought up the rear; both were comfortable in the dark, presumably because of their races' dark vision.
"I'm sure you've all heard of the Underdark," Xenk said gravely. "But what you know is just a fraction of its dangers. No matter how much you think you know, do not act on your own."
He looked specifically at Aoko as he said this, but she was quite cautious and had no intention of acting rashly with a veteran guide around. She raised her hands in a salute, signaling she'd follow orders.
The Underdark's paths were rough and winding, but not as dark as one might imagine. Along the way, blue and purple phosphorescent fungi grew on the walls, glowing and dimming with a rhythm like breathing, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
Edgin and Holga murmured to each other, and Aoko was sure Edgin was badmouthing Xenk behind his back. Of course, Xenk, a high-level paladin with at least 16 Wisdom, probably heard every word, but he just smiled slightly and ignored it.
After about an hour of walking through the narrow caves, the party finally reached an open space. A grand underground city appeared before Aoko, taking her breath away.
"Menzoberranzan," Xenk whispered. "The largest city in the Underdark, built by the drow. About twenty thousand residents. Don't worry, though—the route I chose avoids drow patrols, at least until we reach the location of the Helmet of disjunction."
"Based on this route, is your hiding place near a duergar forge?" Aoko started to ask, but Xenk quickly interrupted.
"Don't move!" Xenk raised a hand, staring into the shadows ahead. "Mind flayers! They're brain eaters—small but tricky. We—"
Before he could finish, a crackling bolt of blue lightning shot from Aoko's hand, frying the group of mind flayers. The smell of burnt protein filled the air.
"You see, my Intelligence is pretty high," Aoko said awkwardly, raising her hand. "Better finish them off, just in case one's still lurking."