Sparks flew from the clashing metal, and the chain snapped. The iron shovel in Shade's hand also turned to dust and vanished.
"The fundamental rule of this wasteland is that every burial site requires a shovel to open. This place counts as a special burial site too."
Shade briefly explained his actions, then undid the chain and pushed open the iron gate with a creak. The sound seemed to ring directly within their souls, and goosebumps immediately rose on Miss Liard's skin.
"Stay close. Be careful."
Shade and Miss Violet still took the lead. Inside the gate, the temple courtyard contained only a number of gravestones, with nothing worth inspecting. They had intended to head straight up the steps to the temple entrance, but at that moment, the rattling of chains and heavy footsteps came from the right side of the temple building.
As the group looked towards that direction, a tall figure slowly emerged from around the corner. It was a humanoid creature three meters tall, wrapped from head to toe in a tattered black cloak, with a black iron coffin strapped to its back by chains wound around both the coffin and its body.
Its left hand gripped one end of a chain, while its right held an enormous iron shovel proportionate to its height. Aside from its stature, it did not look much different from an ordinary human. Its cloak had a hood, but it was not wearing it, and four eyes were arranged in pairs on either side of its head.
"This is the Gravedigger of the Coffin."
The Hound gave a quick warning, then took his daughter and hid beneath Miss Liard's skirt at the very back of the group.
The Gravedigger's four eyes fixed on the group at the gate.
"You are all grave