Once only Jackson remained at the entrance, he finally began turning the handle with full concentration.
However, because the makeshift tool did not fit securely with the handle, it kept slipping apart whenever he turned it. The Stone Gate would make a sound, then return to its previous position once the connection came apart.
Jackson exerted himself for quite a while, but it all came to nothing. Fortunately, he adjusted in time, pressing one end of the tool firmly into place before slowly turning it. Only then did the handle and tool stop disconnecting.
Amid a series of "Click!" sounds, the entire cliff face trembled. At last, the stone door slowly opened with a succession of clicks. The door seemed to have tracks beneath it, sliding slowly outward. As it moved, Jackson had to shuffle sideways along with it.
And if he failed to keep the handle turning for even a moment, the entire gate would slowly close again. Jackson could only brace the tool with all his strength and continue turning the entrenching shovel's handle.
Who knew who had made this mechanism? It really felt rather stupid. If it wasn't held open, it automatically closed—an ancient version of an automatic door.
Although the gate was huge and the tracks inside were fairly long, they only extended across the width of the gate itself. After spending more than ten minutes, Jackson finally opened the entire door.
With a bang, the stone door slid to one side, revealing the whole passage. It seemed to reach some kind of locking position, and the door was immediately fixed in place.
Only then did Jackson dare slowly loosen his grip, no longer needing to hold the tool in place with all his strength.
However, there was no longer any gap between the entrenching shovel's