Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 188

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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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188. Brownie > Muffin >>>> Insurmountable Fourth-Dimensional Wall >>>> Stollen

Brownie Nex. Could anyone have guessed from that sweet name?

Before becoming a royal mage and receiving a separate castle and title, her name was Brownie Baker.

She was Count Baker’s older sister and the aunt of lovely Muffin and the traitorous knight Stollen.

When Serena was looking for a teacher among the royal mages to teach her magic, naturally there were many applicants.

Becoming a tutor to royalty was a tremendous honor.

Even if it was just the whim of a foolish princess, they would have bragging rights to say ‘I once taught royalty.’

However, the applicants weren’t driven by ambition for honor alone.

Aside from assassination, how many adults believed they could brainwash or coax a young princess to manipulate her?

Having learned from teachers of subjects other than magic that there wasn’t a single trustworthy person in the world, Serena glared at the flood of self-introductions and recommendation letters, then chose Countess Nex, the only royal mage who hadn’t applied for the position of the princess’s magic tutor.

‘I had a severe case of protagonist syndrome back then.’

Magic was the core of fantasy. She had put on airs saying she couldn’t take someone with ulterior motives as a master when learning such magic.

It turned out to be an excellent choice.

Countess Nex, who was selected by the princess and dragged out of her research lab, initially showed reluctance.

But as soon as Serena succeeded in the ritual to become a mage on her third attempt, her eyes went wild and she taught the princess more enthusiastically than anyone.

Thanks to Countess Nex establishing a solid foundation, Serena was able to withstand Grey’s barrage of questions.

Such Countess Nex had 4 stars above her head. Currently unable to use her right hand, one star was empty, making her 3-star.

“It’s fortunate we have tiger grass.”

Burns don’t heal well even with recovery potions. Countess Nex’s hand still had blackened, charred areas.

Fortunately, the party had tiger grass purchased from the vending machine. The alchemist went straight to the workshop to craft a regeneration potion.

Countess Nex clutched her solar plexus and groaned in pain, her stomach hurting more than her completely burned hand that couldn’t feel pain.

‘She had a weak stomach.’

Serena recalled her master who would frequently clutch her solar plexus and groan even during lessons.

Having unintentionally wandered the labyrinth with Richard must have been quite stressful, as her originally pale complexion had turned even more blue, making her look like someone about to die rather than just a patient.

‘Suddenly falling into a labyrinth, being dragged around by Richard, betrayed by her nephew.’

A concentrated stress bomb that would upset even a healthy stomach had fallen on Countess Nex’s already tattered stomach – how could she endure it?

As soon as Countess Nex arrived on the 1st floor, instead of being surprised by the teleportation, she vomited blood.

“Kugh, urgh.”

“Countess Nex. We’ve arrived, so just hold on a little longer.”

The maid welcoming her master’s early return was startled to recognize Countess Nex.

“Lady Serena! You’ve returned so early! Oh my, this time you’ve brought Countess Nex?”

Philia didn’t care who her master brought as long as they weren’t someone who would threaten her position, but it was different if it was someone she knew like Countess Nex.

Philia hurriedly ordered them to prepare a place to lay the patient.

“There’s a patient here! Lay blankets near the fire!”

Lavenda, who had come out to the lobby to welcome the princess’s party, rushed toward the campfire, but the prince who was in the lobby had already beaten her to it.

Fortunately, the patient was a middle-aged noblewoman. Since caring for the patient would be entirely her responsibility, the masseuse consoled her disappointed heart.

“Who is this lady? Is she poisoned?”

Perhaps impressed by a party member being poisoned when they first came to the lobby, Grey asked if this was another poisoning case.

“Countess Nex. She’s a royal mage of Huji and my magic tutor. She wasn’t poisoned – she originally has stomach problems.”

“Wow! I see!”

So you’re the loser who couldn’t continue teaching magic to the princess!

Grey pretended to be surprised as if he understood. Serena expected ‘loser’ to come after ‘wow’ but it didn’t.

Serena watched Countess Nex sitting in a chair, spooning warm water to drink.

‘Miss Muffin is 5-star, Countess Nex is originally 4-star, and that traitorous bastard is also 4-star.’

Somehow these people with sweet names had savage abilities.

‘They’re all outstanding. Does the Baker family have good bloodline? If we check Count Baker, wouldn’t he have 5 stars too?’

Serena recalled Count Baker, who was plump with chubby cheeks and belly from eating well.

While Huaim’s child who actually ruled Huji earned stars through thievery and trap-setting, the retainers were earning stars through pure martial prowess – it was completely backwards.

‘What’s this about? Huaim’s ancestor was a hero who defeated monsters that brought chaos to the world, so why do they seem more like descendants of heroes?’

Of course, there was one outstanding swordsman in Huaim’s bloodline too.

A legendary sword master was living with both eyes – no, one eye – open.

Serena recalled the grades of the two who had been traveling with the traitor.

‘Pigtail is 5-star. The traitor Stollen is 5-star but one is a grey star. 4-star.’

Pigtail was a full 5-star, but since they’d just met, it wasn’t her concern. The princess’s head was completely filled with the arrogant and detestable Stollen.

‘Filthy traitor. Having ability makes it even more infuriating.’

Born into a good family with good talent, receiving good education and even becoming the grand duke’s escort knight, yet betraying family, relatives, and lord.

‘It hurts. The betrayal hurts.’

It felt more betraying than thinking you were biting into a chocolate cookie only to discover it was a raisin cookie.

‘Stollen. I should have known from when his name was Stollen. Stollen, less tasty than muffin. Pink mold bastard.’

Pink mold wasn’t just any escort knight. In childhood, he had been Seraph’s playmate.

What would happen if Seraph, already blinded by revenge and rage, learned of this betrayal?

‘At least I can understand another’s sword stabbing my belly. But my own sword betraying me and trying to stab me feels disgusting.’

Richard hadn’t even seduced him. Pink mold had betrayed on his own.

‘Seriously, what is this? Does he emit pheromones that seduce knights?’

When things went wrong, her head always hurt, but this time her stomach hurt too. Serena placed her hand on her solar plexus like her master and ground her teeth.

‘If not for curse resistance, I’d want to pray for him to die miserably before meeting Seraph. This isn’t a curse!’

Meanwhile, Countess Nex’s treatment was finished.

“Fortunately we could use the regeneration potion in time. If she doesn’t use her hand for a few days, it should heal. Her mana flow is unstable from forcing magic, but this should also stabilize with rest.”

Count Randy, who had examined Countess Nex’s burned hand, handed his place over to Lavenda who was waiting with bandages and disinfectant.

Lavenda quickly wrapped the bandages. She was originally skilled with her hands, but her technique had improved remarkably from changing Neet’s bandages, making her fast and meticulous.

Countess Nex, who should have fainted by now but was maintaining consciousness through willpower, called to the princess in a crawling voice.

“Lady Serena. About Stollen’s matter, I’m truly… ashamed.”

“Stop. You didn’t betray anyone, so don’t strain yourself and rest.”

“I truly didn’t know. I’m really… really sorry…”

When Serena forced her eyes closed, the middle-aged lady with stomach pain fainted with furrowed brows.

The 2nd group and remaining team, who had heard about the traitorous knight from the strategy team (mainly Olive), were normally surprised.

They weren’t very shocked. They were all foreigners.

Only Philia, who was a Huji citizen and knew the traitorous knight, fell into shock and horror.

“Stollen Baker betrayed? Did the Baker Count family betray?”

“It was the traitor’s independent decision.”

“Th-th-this traitor! Does he even know his younger sister is traveling with Lord Seraph right now?”

Philia excitedly paced around the lobby frantically.

“Death penalty! Definitely death penalty! Not just beheading – he should be sliced with a guillotine!”

A beauty excitedly speaking of cruel execution methods was more frightening because of her beauty.

Philia’s blue eyes, more beautiful than any jewel in the world, focused on Countess Nex collapsed near the campfire.

“Don’t tell me Countess Nex also betrayed!”

“Countess Nex was prepared to die to protect me. She didn’t betray.”

“That’s a relief.”

Philia was genuinely relieved, calmed her excitement, and approached her master with open arms, thinking she must be hurt by the knight’s betrayal.

Serena also felt like receiving comfort this time, so she allowed the maid’s approach.

Beautiful or not, a friend’s embrace was warm and soft.

Serena soothed her aching stomach with her friend’s body temperature and eased her aching head with the familiar scent.

Ralph, remembering the princess’s composed appearance when Lucas betrayed, asked Count Randy in a small voice.

“Did the knight who betrayed have a deep friendship with the princess?”

“Though Lord Seraph says no, they were friends. Sir Stollen, being older, indulged Lord Seraph’s whims well. Lord Seraph seemed to rely on Sir Stollen too. Naturally, he was also close with Lady Serena.”

“H-how could that be! For such a person to betray!”

Even being struck in the foot by a trusted axe had limits. This wasn’t the foot but the neck or head being struck.

“I can’t believe it either. To think all the affection Sir Stollen showed Lord Seraph and Lady Serena was false!”

Those words somehow stimulated the part Ralph had found strange.

“That’s right!”

“What do you mean?”

“That traitorous knight seemed to care about the Princess and Prince! When we parted, didn’t he wish for both of them to be safe?”

“Isn’t that just hypocrisy to cover up his ugly betrayal?”

“Uh, maybe!”

After Ralph’s righteous and innocent mind worked hard, he presented a righteous, innocent, and hopeful hypothesis.

“He might have approached Duke Oren while pretending to betray the Princess and Prince!”

Ralph’s eyes sparkled as he explained his thoughts in detail.

“Duke Oren is too strong! We can’t win in a direct confrontation! So to fight and defeat Duke Oren, we need a strategy!”

The pink mold who encountered Duke Oren in the labyrinth!

He wants to avenge His Majesty the King, but he can’t win fighting alone!

For now, he pretends to be on Duke Oren’s side, waiting for an opening, and when Duke Oren shows a weakness, slash!

Wow! Pink mold, the hero who saved the nation! You’ve avenged His Majesty the King! Well done!

Oh, Sir Pink Mold! I didn’t know you had such intentions! I’m sorry for misunderstanding!

Not at all! As a knight of the Huji Royal Family, it was my duty! I’m glad the Princess and Prince are safe!

“Isn’t it something like this?”

It was a story lacking plausibility, but honestly, Shullen’s betrayal was equally lacking in plausibility and foreshadowing.

How wonderful it would be if things really ended like that.

‘But that’s impossible.’

It was a story with slim chances of realization. Still, it was so bright and hopeful that she didn’t want to dismiss it outright.

People prefer happy endings where a deus ex machina descends over perfectly crafted tragedies.

Serena felt the same way.

What mattered was a positive mindset. Serena hid her bitter smile and spoke to the knight.

“It would be wonderful if it were as you say.”

***

When the lobby grew dark and people’s biological clocks signaled dinner time, Countess Nex woke up to the sound of cooking.

“Mmm.”

“Are you awake?”

“Lady Serena? Are you safe? Where is this?”

“This is the 1st floor lobby of the labyrinth. It’s a safe zone where monsters don’t come, so you can rest assured.”

“The 1st floor but we’re in the labyrinth? We need to get out of the labyrinth quickly!”

“There are circumstances.”

Countess Nex was in no condition to undergo the initiation ritual (seeing the blocked exit) due to her mobility issues.

Serena postponed explaining the assault team’s situation and first inquired about the newcomer Countess Nex’s circumstances.

“I was researching magic in my laboratory as usual. I dozed off briefly in my chair and woke up when my body swayed, only to find myself among strange bookshelves. I was confused and walked around looking for people when I arrived at a lounge. Thinking this might be the labyrinth I’d only heard about, I was hesitating whether to go up the stairs or not…”

“Did you meet Duke Oren?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Just thinking of Richard made her stomach churn, and Countess Nex’s brow furrowed deeply.

“I really didn’t know His Majesty the King had passed away. Duke Oren! To do such a terrible thing!”

“I know. I didn’t know either.”

“Shullen too! I really didn’t know. That child who betrayed the Princess and the family, I swear by the Great Wisdom, I will execute him with my own hands!”

“Even if the traitor is detestable, I have no intention of staining your hands with the blood of a young relative. I’ll gratefully accept just your sentiment.”

“Lady Serena! Thank you, sob!”

Countess Nex’s eyes reddened with emotion at the Princess’s magnanimity. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she spoke quickly.

“Ah, that’s right! Lady Serena, you must have seen it too, but Duke Oren! That traitor’s martial prowess is extraordinary! It’s too dangerous!”

Countess Nex unintentionally reported to the Princess what she had learned while traveling with the enemy’s leader.

“The traitor was as relaxed as if he had no enemies in the world. When monsters appeared, he would cut them down with a single stroke, and he cut down everything that blocked his path without ever being stopped once. Even in the labyrinth where I kept returning to the same place no matter how much I walked, he showed no fear at all. He seemed to have no fear, overconfident in his strength.”

‘It’s not strength he trusts, but regression.’

Richard’s strength was information Serena already knew. The Princess asked about something else.

“Do you happen to know the rules for using the library on the 8th layer?”

Countess Nex looked apologetic.

“I’m sorry. The traitor seemed to know everything, but he didn’t give me any warnings except to be quiet. Ah! I do know how to create stairs to the next floor!”

“Kyaa! What what? Yo?”

The guide, who had been listening to the conversation between the Princess and the royal mage while eating, couldn’t contain herself and interrupted.

Serena warned Olive and waited for an answer.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know if you noticed, but each bookshelf has different book classification and arrangement rules. And there are books placed that don’t follow the rules. If you find and pull out books that are incorrectly classified or arranged, stairs to the next floor will be generated.”

“As expected, books are important on this layer.”

Count Randy also seemed to think that books were the key to conquering this floor, as he nodded while stroking his chin.

When asked about other monsters or powerful enemies that appeared, Countess Nex couldn’t answer.

Richard had ended all battles with a single stroke, and Countess Nex was too overwhelmed just climbing stairs and walking to have the capacity to observe her surroundings.

“When I got blisters on my feet from my shoes, the traitor went back for the first time and went up the stairs near the fireplace. When we got there, that place was.”

The 7th layer was a town square where wooden dolls replaced people, and though scary, the atmosphere was bright with a festival in full swing.

But Countess Nex wrapped her arms around herself as if recalling something frightening.

“Dolls, countless dolls were fallen, making the square look like a massacre had taken place.”

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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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