Overlord: Start from the Goblin Lair.

"Speaking of which, what do you think?" Sylvia looked curiously at the Elf Mage who had reunited but not completely, "Are you not planning to return to Avandor?"

"It's hard to say," the two Gillianis said in unison, "Maybe I will go, maybe I won't, it depends on what happens in the future."

"Anyway, it can't get any worse. The worst that can happen is that I'll just transform into a lich," Sword Song Lion Armor said casually. This transformation, which countless spellcasters who have reached a dead end have tried their best to complete, is just a backup measure among backup measures for them. "If the next few centuries are good but not the best, I don't mind reuniting and going to the Wilderness to enjoy myself for a while."

"What do you mean by living a good but not the best life?" Ivy asked, but got no response from the other party. Instead, Gillianis looked at the half-elf with a look of pity.

"Rather than asking about our ending, you'd better consider yourself," the moon elf's eyes were filled with inquiry and slight uncertainty. "The existence of half-elves is like a loophole in the order of reincarnation, and the gods have never explained this. So, who are you?"

"An elven soul with a weakened connection to the gods? A true elf trapped in a half-elf body? Or a human in an elven-like form?"

"Me?" Ivy raised her eyebrows and laughed heartily. "I think I should be Ivy. My parents' rebellious daughter, an adventurer running around, and... everyone's companion."

The half-elf warrior glanced at Ron specifically.

"My body and my spirit together make me who I am. No single part of me can fully represent my identity!"

"Interesting," the moon elf nodded. "No wonder young elves see the half-elf form as a novel experience rather than a threat. It is indeed very interesting to see the world from another perspective."

"Thank you for your optimistic attitude, Miss Ivy. You don't have to think too much about this in the future. I will help you find the answer. It should be soon, before you get old."

"I always find it particularly annoying for you guys who take centuries of lifespan so lightly - I'm not talking about you, Aunt Anna, of course." Ivy rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay, if you really find it, don't tell me. I'm too lazy to listen."

Having solved the biggest problem, everyone relaxed and walked noisily towards the deeper caves underground following the guidance of the Sword Song Lion Armor. Of course, they did not forget to bring Count Richthofen with them. The vampire was tactful enough not to interrupt. As an undead creature, he had lost his right to speak in this regard. After his death, what was waiting for him was probably only endless nothingness and loneliness.

This was his end.

Perhaps the power of the Sword Song Lion Armor when it was in physical form was still in effect. When Ron and the others passed through the increasingly dense forest of red mold, all the fungi seemed to have turned into mimosas. They would curl up immediately if they touched anyone, not daring to move at all. In the darkness, some spore people and thorn beasts watched them from a distance, and once they found themselves discovered, they would quickly flee into the distance.

"These are all the achievements of the teacher. In his opinion, if one wants to become one of the 'legitimate' lords, one should at least have a group of obedient subjects," Sword Song Lion Armor explained, "But unfortunately, his idea is probably wrong. Neither he nor I can pass that test."

"Now the only person here who has had relevant experience is this dead guy."

"Hey, hey," the vampire count laughed awkwardly when he found that the topic was brought to himself, "Actually, there's nothing strange about this. After all, I was a real count before."

With a title, a castle, a fiefdom, and even a living person at that time, he could certainly pass the test. But now it seems that it is not a good thing. Ron and others soon found the special checkpoint. Ron looked up and down at the metal wall in front of him, which had not been touched for a long time and was covered with the most primitive form of red mold. It was six meters high and three meters wide. The thickness was unknown, but judging from the senses alone, it should not be too thin.

"Mr. Earl, have you been inside? What's in the back?"

"The source of power," the vampire Count said solemnly after revisiting the old place, suppressing his smile, "It is the fire left by the previous generation of delusional forces before me. They once had a very glorious civilization, but in the face of the supreme power, they were ultimately unable to escape."

"At the time, I thought I should be able to avoid repeating the same mistakes. After all, what they encountered had not appeared in our plane for many centuries."

"Unfortunately, it's not that, there are other things, even the whole thing itself seems like a trap," the vampire who was reduced to a prisoner smiled bitterly, "but to be honest, I don't believe it, and I still don't believe it now."

"That power was once so close to me, how could it be a trap?"

"Perhaps it is because the power is so close to you that it is more like a trap," Driver grinned. "Before falling into the pit, every prey feels that it will soon be able to eat the food - some even start chewing it."

"For example, me," the Vampire Count's pale face turned even paler, "May I ask you what you are going to do to me?"

"I'll be nailed to death with a stake or something? Let the sun burn me to ashes? Or..."

"That depends on your performance." Ron took two steps back, and Driver stepped forward and slowly cut away the red mold on the surface of the metal wall with a dagger enchanted with strong acid. "Your best result will be worse than just letting you go."

"Being a prisoner is better than being truly dead," the vampire smiled, "Even if you intend to seal me away, I will still see the moon one day in a few years."

Sera snorted, stepped forward and pushed him: "You have a good attitude - go, how do you open this wall?"

"Just as the great wizard said, only the current ruler can open this door." The vampire staggered and managed to stand firm. "I am a waste now. Only Sir Ron can open it."

"Just put your hand on it. This thing is quite sensitive. The power of the previous generation before me was amazing, and their creations have not been damaged at all until now."

Ron didn't believe the vampire's words, and he carefully put his hand close to the metal wall, ready to withdraw his hand and jump away at any time. But to his surprise, before his hand completely touched the wall, the entire metal had already responded.

A faint red light slowly lit up along the hidden patterns on it, followed by light green. When the entire wall was enveloped in the light green light, accompanied by the sound of a "click" mechanism, the wall gently slid to one side, revealing the space behind it.

The door opened. (End of chapter)