Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 180

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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180. Heuji’s Labyrinth 8th Floor (1)

Huff huff.

Today was the day Serena and the attack team would go to the 8th floor.

Huff huff.

Before breakfast, while doing a lap around the 1st floor to warm up, rough breathing sounds came from the herb garden.

Huff huff.

The rough and wild breathing sounds lured the princess.

For some reason she didn’t understand, her feet naturally headed toward the herb garden.

In the herb garden, Count Alpha was doing push-ups with his upper body bare.

Every time Count Alpha bent his arms, his arm muscles swelled as if they would burst.

She didn’t know how many push-ups he was doing, but the knight’s sweat-soaked upper body and the sweat drops rolling down to the floor were quite a sight for the princess.

It was disappointing that she couldn’t see his back muscles since he was carrying Low and Ralph on his back.

‘Huh, let me get a grip.’

Serena, who had been blankly watching Count Alpha, cleared her throat and brought up the main point.

“Count Alpha is also participating in today’s exploration, so won’t you be tired if you exercise beforehand?”

That’s right. Sir Sirius Alpha had finally succeeded in joining the 1st team attack group.

‘But still. He’s a monster subjugation specialist.’

The Empire had expanded its territory through conquest wars to claim labyrinths.

The combination of wastelands devastated by war or emptied by population movement, suddenly expanded territory, and insufficient administrative personnel increased the number of monsters, and special units dedicated to monster subjugation existed to deal with them.

The Black Wolf Knights that Sir Sirius Alpha belonged to was precisely the Empire’s representative monster subjugation unit.

His coming to the Huji delegation as the 5th Prince’s escort was due to his friendship with the prince, not because he was originally the prince’s escort knight.

How could such a high-grade axe be left stuck in the lobby to rust or have its handle rot?

After much deliberation, Serena accepted Count Alpha into the 1st team party.

Count Alpha stopped exercising and answered Serena.

“It’s light exercise I do every day, so it’s fine.”

‘Sweat is flowing like he’s been rained on, but it’s light exercise? He does that every day?’

“Count Alpha is amazing! I’ll also follow your example and exercise every day!”

“That’s a commendable attitude, Sir Hanson. A knight must remember that his body is also a weapon and maintain his body as he would maintain his sword.”

“Sir Knight has done 10 more, so please stop now. It’s my turn.”

“My apologies.”

At Low’s urging to quickly switch places, Count Alpha stopped exercising.

As soon as Count Ralph got down from his shoulder, Low lay face down on the ground.

Then Count Alpha and Ralph climbed on top of Low who was lying down.

Since there were no exercise equipment to increase weight, they had no choice but to use people.

‘Should I buy exercise equipment?’

A labyrinth exercise equipment set that could freely adjust weight was only 2 coins. It consisted of various equipment that looked like what you’d see in a gym.

It was disappointing that the product description clearly stated that dumbbells or weights couldn’t be used for attacks, but seeing the sweating muscle men, it seemed they’d be happy if she bought it when she had spare coins.

‘It takes up a lot of space. If I’m going to buy it, I’ll need to expand the lobby first.’

Seeing Serena lost in deep thought, Grey approached and whispered, wondering what she was thinking.

“Your Highness Princess. If you marry His Highness Willow, Brother Sirius will come along too.”

One plus one! Don’t miss this deal!

Serena was appalled by the Imperial’s idea of selling off the groom while offering his married friend as a bonus.

“Good heavens! Count Alpha is a married man, yet you have no shame in what you say.”

“Count Alpha would also gladly receive Your Highness Princess’s favor for the Empire’s sake, ugh!”

“Gladly? Gladly? How beautiful, noble, intelligent, generous, merciful, and brilliant is our Lady Serena? She’s the most beautiful, wealthy, and noble princess on the continent, yet he’d gladly accept her favor? There are countless people who want just one glance from Lady Serena! You insolent thing!”

“Aaaaah!”

Philia pinched Grey’s ear and twisted it mercilessly.

Though this was Grey’s second time, he was flustered by the unexpected assault and couldn’t shake off Philia’s hand.

The herb garden had a high population density due to people who came to watch Count Alpha exercising shirtless.

Philia grabbed Grey’s ear and headed to the lobby to scold her nephew in a less crowded place.

Grey was dragged away by his aunt while screaming.

Count Randy, who had been watching that scene with a troubled expression, apologized for his nephew’s rudeness.

“I’m sorry. It’s because Imperial and Huji cultures are very different.”

“Philia’s scolding will suffice.”

The alchemist breathed a sigh of relief. The count gradually read the mood and whispered quietly like Grey had done.

“If you marry Lord Willow, you can have various types of Imperial beauties.”

“I don’t need them.”

Serena flatly refused.

***

Serena picked up her bag and stood up.

Count Alpha started to extend his hand as if to take her bag, then awkwardly withdrew it, remembering that he shouldn’t do that.

This was a labyrinth. Even if party members took good care of each other, since you never knew when or how you might get separated, everyone had to carry their own luggage.

In a labyrinth, the only time it was acceptable to carry someone else’s bag was when the bag’s owner had died.

“Lady Serena, do you really have to go?”

“Philia. Isn’t it time to end that topic?”

“Still. You haven’t even eaten chicken skewers with me.”

Philia had been continuously sulking after hearing about Serena buying and eating chicken skewers with party members on the 25th floor.

“Grey gets to, so why can’t I?”

“Because the environment has changed and it’s dangerous. I won’t let Grey go down anymore either. This time I’m just going to check the atmosphere of the floor and come back, so I’ll return quickly.”

Though she was working hard on physical training, her muscle development was disappointing, and her magic training was making sluggish progress.

At this rate, the time she could spend by her master’s side would continue to decrease.

Tears welled up in Philia’s eyes. Though it hurt her heart, Serena pretended not to notice and looked away.

“Sirius, have a safe trip. Think of your family and don’t do anything dangerous.”

“Your Highness Willow. Are you really alright without an escort?”

“Of course. What assassin in this labyrinth would harm me? I have the power to protect not only myself but also Miss Lavenda and Countess Randy, so don’t worry.”

So said the prince who was 3-star combining magic and swordsmanship.

‘Just knowing how to use magic gets you 2-star immediately. Combining magic and swordsmanship for 3-star? That means he’s mediocre at both.’

How could such an unreliable prince be rumored to be a genius swordsman and all-around talent?

In a class-based society, rumors about the ruling class really couldn’t be trusted. False and exaggerated rumors were rampant.

“Well then, have a safe trip. I wish you good fortune.”

Low bowed his head in greeting. Low and the Number Siblings were also scheduled to leave for the 3rd floor after lunch.

Didn’t they say bears need to eat about 20 kilograms per day?

Duri ate like a bear, so their food consumption rate had increased fourfold. They needed to catch plenty of Labyrinth Condors or bats on the 3rd floor to use as Duri’s food.

“You all have a safe trip too. Listen well to Low, who is experienced.”

“Yes.”

“Got it.”

“Woof.”

“Cough, have a safe trip. I’ll study hard too.”

“I’ll be back, dear.”

“Sniff.”

“Don’t cry. When you cry, my heart tears apart.”

“You too, don’t get hurt.”

Watching Count Randy and his wife confirm their affection as always, Serena left the lobby.

She didn’t touch the statue.

Why?

‘I kept saving right before leaving the lobby, so I’ve been acting strangely too often before departing for attacks. It becomes dangerous if it becomes a pattern.’

Even if they couldn’t imagine the princess was regressing, she still couldn’t feel at ease.

‘If the princess suddenly delays or acts strangely right before an attack, people might start thinking that labyrinth conquests become easier.’

In fact, Olive had begun to expect something whenever Serena acted strangely or offered prayers.

‘If it becomes a pattern, someone will notice. I need to do random saves.’

So Serena saved right after opening the 2nd Floor elevator and didn’t touch the statue.

Though there was a two-day gap, it was fine since they only rested and checked equipment during those two days.

When Serena chose the 6th Floor, light enveloped the princess and her party. As the light faded, the party found themselves on the 23rd Floor of Heuji’s Labyrinth 6th Floor.

“Huh.”

Count Alpha inhaled sharply, finding it hard to believe even after experiencing it firsthand.

What could this brilliantly handsome knight be thinking?

That he must capture this princess and marry her to his master?

Was he thinking of using a honey trap? No, wait. Maybe a muscle trap to win the princess’s favor?

‘My master seems to have someone he’s interested in though.’

Whether the prince’s heart changed again or not, it had nothing to do with Serena.

Royal marriages are decided for the benefit of the nation.

Since Heuji City had fallen and the country was in danger, Serena couldn’t marry royalty from a powerful nation like the Empire.

‘It would be like offering up the entire country. The Eastern Kingdom Alliance would be better. It’s far away. There’d be less interference.’

Prince Willow was just the most likely candidate for engagement, but Serena had many other potential fiancé candidates.

That’s how royal marriages work. If you’re of similar age, you automatically become a candidate.

Serena recalled the portraits and personal details of various noble young masters, princes, and imperial princes, then pressed her forehead.

‘Oh, my head. I just want to live comfortably without working, so why do I have to suffer like this?’

Unlike princesses in various stories, she had planned to be obedient without running away or refusing political marriage, but the labyrinth had completely overturned Serena’s life plans.

‘If you’re really my ancestor, you really shouldn’t be doing this.’

What ancestor in the world would interfere with their descendant’s peaceful and comfortable life?

Grumbling, she went down the stairs and arrived at the 24th Floor. The sky on the 24th Floor was still red.

“So this is what it means for time to pass on the 24th Floor.”

The young knight who had left the pickpocket expedition stared at the color-changed sky with wonder.

“It seems like the vault is the condition, so let’s ignore it and keep going.”

Count Alpha, who was experiencing the 24th Floor for the first time, glared at the wooden dolls that replaced people. His gaze was so murderous it could have burst the dolls if looks could kill.

“Black knight, relax too~”

The party arrived at the 25th Floor.

“Should we buy chicken skewers and eat them before we go?”

“My wife will be angry.”

“Can’t we wrap them up and bring them to her?”

“Tsk tsk, knight. The countess isn’t angry because she wants to eat chicken skewers, but because she can’t eat them with the princess in the festival atmosphere! In the square! Chatting together!”

“Is that so? I didn’t know.”

“If you’re going to date in the future, you should know things like that~ Knight, do you have someone you like? Like a childhood friend you played with since you were young but suddenly felt distance from~”

“Uh, no!”

Ralph answered loudly, but somehow his freckled cheeks were as red as the blood fountain that had appeared as an anomaly on the 25th Floor.

‘A childhood friend who suddenly became distant. He has one.’

This was quite an interesting topic. The guide seemed excited that a fish had caught on her hook without bait, giggling with delight.

“Wow, you do? You do have one? What kind of person? How old? How long have you known each other? Don’t tell me she lives next door? Then Olive would find it really interesting! How old were you when you felt the distance? Tell this big sister and I’ll read that girl’s heart for you!”

The excited guide’s voice grew louder and louder.

The guard dolls patrolling the 25th Floor seemed to judge her as a cheerful citizen and ignored the guide.

“Olive.”

A low, serious, and stern voice stopped Olive’s excited chatter.

“While you’re free to speak as you judge it safe, we are currently escorting Her Highness Princess Serena of Pakling. Please pay more attention to safety.”

“Ah, okay.”

Would Olive really quiet down just because someone told her to? Absolutely not.

The guide had a strong rebellious streak. She was the type to either chatter more loudly or make snide remarks quietly.

But Olive uncharacteristically shut her mouth.

‘Why is she suddenly quiet? I don’t like it, she’s not doing her usual babbling.’

The guide looked over the black knight and then fell silent.

Serena was curious about why Olive had quieted down, so she observed Count Alpha walking ahead from behind and soon realized the reason.

Count Alpha had the best physique among those in the lobby, belonged to the monster subjugation unit, and was a strong knight with four stars.

But beneath his heavy armor, the knight’s shoulders were more tense than usual, his eyes trembled aimlessly, and his hand moved toward his axe handle at every small sound or sign.

‘He’s not scared, but he’s tense.’

Count Alpha had been separated from the other knights and wandered the labyrinth alone for several days.

She had only thought his appearance of tearing into raw chicken was pitiful, but hadn’t fully understood the knight’s feelings as he drank chicken blood and chewed raw chicken flesh to survive.

‘No wonder he woke up early at dawn to exercise intensely. It was because of tension.’

Everyone has different ways of relieving tension.

Count Alpha seemed to prefer quietly composing himself rather than engaging in trivial conversation.

Olive had noticed this and kept her mouth shut. It was an admirable attitude for a party guide.

‘She probably took good care of things when dating too. Is that why Low still can’t get over her?’

She’s quite charming, but the problem is she only takes care of others when she feels like it.

‘Well, if she took care of everything, then she’d really be an octopus.’

Walking while thinking such trivial thoughts, they quickly reached the stairs.

Serena took a deep breath and recalled her previous conversation with Grey.

‘He said there are too many book-shaped monsters to know the type without seeing them directly.’

As they descended the seemingly endless stairs step by step, the smell of food and sound of fireworks faded, and a different scent tickled their noses.

The smell of dry paper, leather, and ink mixed together.

Count Randy’s face became peaceful at the fragrance that made the heart calm and serene.

“Oh, the smell of books.”

Olive didn’t seem to like books much, showing an indifferent expression.

Ralph seemed to like books as his expression brightened, while Count Alpha hardened his brilliantly pretty face like he was angry, perhaps due to tension.

Ying? Ying was expressionless as always.

Serena didn’t enjoy reading books, but she liked the smell of books and library atmosphere, so she breathed deeply to take in the book scent.

Her heart became calm in a different way from the plant fragrance of the 5th Floor.

Serena’s foot stepped onto the 26th Floor of Heuji’s Labyrinth 8th Floor.

The floor of the 26th Floor was very soft.

Since she was looking down at her feet while descending the stairs, the first thing that caught her eye was the soft carpet.

Next came the flickering firelight, warm heat, and the sound of burning wood.

‘It’s warm.’

Flames flickered in the fireplace, consuming the logs. The warmth from the fireplace reached even the party gathered in front of the stairs.

It was very warm and gentle.

There were comfortable-looking sofas and rocking chairs, a teapot full of warm tea, and a plate of delicious-looking cookies on the table.

The peaceful and gentle scene, as if visiting a friend’s house, calmed their hearts for a moment.

But the party was overwhelmed by the sea of books that spread out behind the cozy fireside.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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