Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 200

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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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200. Heuji’s Treasure

Serena lightly gestured to forgive the Numeral Sisters and sighed.

She had wondered why Grey was watching her so carefully, but the reason was truly absurd.

‘Who would have thought it would end with tomb raiding as the twist.’

The finale was a fiery execution. She liked this part.

Grey seemed curious about the true meaning of the records written in the ancient book, so he glanced at the Princess and casually threw out a question.

“By any chance, are there no records or traditions related to House Huaim?”

“I don’t know. We’ve been plagued by tomb raiding for a thousand years, so we only keep punishment records.”

“Is Heuji’s tomb raiding damage that severe?”

“Severe indeed. How else would trap installation and dungeon design become the family’s recommended hobbies?”

“Ah! So tomb raiding was the cause of that strange hobby?”

“Impudent! Dungeon design is the most noble and refined hobby that only royalty can enjoy in Heuji!”

“Ugh…”

Low, who no longer showed reserve toward the Princess, carefully raised his hand. Serena permitted him to speak.

“This is a story I heard long ago. If current treasure hunters show off their skills by cracking Heuji’s vaults, in older times they used to flaunt their abilities by conquering some kingdom’s tomb. Back then I dismissed it as nonsense, but perhaps…”

“Ah! I know that story too! I heard it from a labyrinth rat I used to know.”

“Olive. What is a labyrinth rat?”

“A tomb raider. Among thieves, if robbers are the lowest, labyrinth rats aren’t even considered thieves at all. Taking things from dead people can’t be called theft, right? Even if tomb raiders are skilled, they’re still damn rats!”

“Being shunned even by fellow thieves, tomb raiders have strong camaraderie among themselves. They’d choose death over betraying a comrade.”

Serena clicked her tongue inwardly. Criminals who would all be executed if they came to Heuji talking about loyalty. How presumptuous.

“Acting all high and mighty when they disturb the peace of the deceased.”

“Hehe, I thought the same thing.”

“What did that damn rat say? Something about enormous treasure buried in some kingdom’s tomb? He said such legends are passed down in the labyrinth rat industry. Just like the crimson key legend among labyrinth adventurers, the labyrinth rat industry has legends about treasure in some kingdom’s tomb.”

Olive closed her round eyes and nodded her head vigorously.

“So it was Heuji~ No wonder the trap installation hobby developed.”

Serena couldn’t bear her rising blood pressure and grabbed the back of her neck. The top of her head was throbbing.

“You mean they dare to touch the royal tombs just to prove their skills based on absurd rumors?”

‘Don’t use other people’s ancestral tombs to show off your skills! You crazy criminals!’

Everyone bowed their heads with somber expressions at the victim’s anger.

A child’s clear voice broke the solemn atmosphere.

“Combining the stories from me, Olive, and Low, it means there’s a rumor circulating among tomb raiders and labyrinth adventurers who also do tomb raiding that there’s a treasure called the crimson key in the Heuji royal tombs.”

Serena immediately shouted.

“There’s no such treasure! It’s a false rumor!”

“Of course it would be a mistake by ignorant fools. But the fact that such false rumors spread in the labyrinth adventurer and tomb raiding industries is real, and it’s also true that empty-headed idiots who believed the false rumors insulted the Heuji royal family.”

For roughly a thousand years.

‘No wait. After we deliberately hid the mausoleum location, tomb raiding died down, so about 800 years?’

After hearing Grey’s summary, Olive put both hands on the back of her head and spoke in a drawling tone.

“I think I get it~ If Heuji vaults are romance to safe crackers, then Heuji tombs became dreams to those damn rats. The ones obsessed with that rather than treasure would be more persistent.”

To put it in perspective, the Heuji Royal Mausoleum had become something like the ultimate goal, final boss, or warriors’ Valhalla that any tomb raider in the industry would dream of at least once.

‘Execution! Execution without mercy!’

These crazy criminals defied common sense. They lived in the same world but had different common sense, so they all needed to be killed to eliminate their kind.

“Princess. Are you certain there really isn’t a crimson key or similar treasure in Heuji?”

“I’m certain.”

Serena spoke with conviction and emphasis. The suspicious old man didn’t believe her.

“Since Heuji has a long history, there might be treasures you don’t know about.”

“No. I’m certain. There are no treasures in Heuji that I don’t know about. Because.”

The Princess recalled her precarious and deadly childhood and declared.

“After that incident, I inspected all the royal treasures and created an inventory.”

Due to suffering from tomb raiding, only a few direct royal family members among the royalty know the location of the Royal Mausoleum.

In such a situation, people with Huaim blood decided to visit the graves together in full force.

Who would you bring as attendants at such a time?

Loyal retainers you could trust with your life? Or insignificant subjects?

Naturally the former. Harold II very naturally and logically brought trusted loyal subjects and confidants to the grave visit with his relatives.

What happened to the powerful figures who received the king’s complete trust?

‘What happened indeed. They all died.’

From the royal knight commander to the palace head butler, the king’s chamberlain, the prime minister, and so on. The major figures of the Kingdom of Heuji were also swept away and killed in the landslide.

Harold II lost not only his beloved family and relatives overnight, but also his trusted subjects and friends.

The old king fell into despair and became a living corpse, and government agencies and organizations that suddenly lost their heads fell into chaos.

Someone had to step forward to sort out this chaos and establish a new order.

There were those who stepped forward. All filled with personal greed, that is.

If the king continued to seclude himself like this, the throne would go to Kipan, who was a drug addict.

Since Kipan was weak and addicted to drugs, if done well, they could change the Heuji royal family.

The royal surname of a thousand-year kingdom would change! From Huaim to my family!

Power-hungry bipedal hyenas roamed the Heuji Royal Palace as if it were their own home.

What these hyenas first tore into was the vast wealth that had lost its owner and was waiting to be inherited by someone.

They couldn’t openly steal massive assets like territories, but they secretly siphoned off precious metals, artworks, and magical tools stored in warehouses.

The crimes became increasingly bold, touching not only noble family possessions but also items from the Heuji Royal Palace.

‘How absurd it was when the tiara went missing.’

Serena discovered this criminal activity thanks to a childish idea based on her young age.

‘I was born a princess, so I just wanted to play with jewels like a princess.’

Since Serena was the only female royalty in the Heuji royal family (everyone pretends the Crown Princess doesn’t exist), she could wear all the royal women’s jewelry as she pleased, whether for princesses or queens.

As soon as Serena learned this fact, she was excited about the prospect of playing with jewels. She ordered all the accessories listed in the inventory to be brought so she could play dress-up with national treasures.

She was particularly looking forward to a tiara case that was supposed to contain baroque pearls and diamonds the size of a child’s fist, but when she saw the case was completely empty, she was outraged and launched a comprehensive investigation.

The investigation results were tragic enough to turn a healthy child into an acute hypertension patient.

Most magical tools were still in their places, but a whopping quarter of the simple precious metals had disappeared without a trace.

Serena was furious. She wanted to hold the responsible parties accountable, but as a child, she had no power.

Fortunately, Harold II had ended his seclusion and was conducting state affairs at that time. Serena barged into the office while Harold II was working and cried her heart out.

Breaking into the king’s office required careful planning, but I’ll skip the details.

Harold II had no interest in his grandchildren, but his eyes changed when his deceased wife was mentioned.

After tearfully pleading that her grandmother’s treasures, whom she had only seen in portraits, had disappeared, Serena succeeded in getting rid of the thieves who frequented the palace.

She also received full authority from Harold II to manage and supervise the royal treasures, and catalogued and organized the royal treasures accumulated over a thousand years according to modern standards.

‘A human victory.’

She hated labor. But she had to protect the family treasures, didn’t she? Half of it would be Serena’s if you excluded the national treasures.

While at it, she also recovered the assets that the hyenas had siphoned off during the chaotic period, and physically beat down the dogs that bit their master, causing the royal warehouse to overflow and Serena’s assets to increase.

“I reviewed it five times back then, so I remember clearly.”

Serena had a poor memory and should have reviewed it ten more times, but she only did it five times because she thought she might die from overwork.

The Princess sighed.

‘What kind of national disgrace is this.’

Now that she had said it, it was embarrassing because it was a national disgrace.

When Serena coughed awkwardly out of embarrassment, a maid brought warm water mixed with honey. As Serena drank the honey water, she tilted her head.

Somehow the party members’ gazes toward her seemed strange. Lavenda had stiffened like stone and was mouthing ‘absolute monarch!’

“What’s wrong? Do you have any questions?”

“Me.”

The Guide politely raised his hand, unlike his usual manner. When Serena nodded, he spoke.

“Princess. By any chance, how old were you then?”

“I was 8 years old.”

Everyone’s faces except the Number Siblings and Philia turned to shock.

Everyone had a lot to say but couldn’t speak because they were speechless, while Heuji Jeolmi’s expression became dreamily relaxed.

“I was 10 years old then. I remember clearly. It happened not long after I became a maid.”</Human: You are an ELITE PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATOR for Korean web novels (COMMERCIAL QUALITY).

Philia gently clasped her hands together as if in prayer. The Party was struck speechless for the second time by her holy beauty.

“I was lonely because Lady Serena was always so busy, but after work was finished, I played with Lady Serena, adorning ourselves with jewels. How beautiful Lady Serena looked decorated with the royal treasures!”

“You’re the only one who could say that.”

Even though Philia was only 10 years old at the time, she was more dazzling than the treasures of the Huji Royal Family.

Serena chuckled softly and reached out her hand to her friend. Philia knelt beside her seated master and rubbed her cheek against the princess’s hand.

Serena gently stroked her friend’s smooth hair and urged her to stand up.

“It’s bad for your joints. Get up quickly.”

“Yes.”

“Guh!”

Grey’s voice cracked as if he had something to say, then he poked Prince Willow in the ribs.

“Kyaak! Ah, I understand. Your Highness Serena. The Empire’s ambassador has never made such a report though?”

‘Of course they’d hide it. It’s a national embarrassment, so why would they boast about it.’

“I merely cleaned up after a servant touched their master’s warehouse. It’s a household matter.”

“Since Your Highness Serena was active in it, wouldn’t it be good to spread the word widely? Hahaha.”

Serena openly frowned and scolded him.

“Spread the word widely? I was the initial whistleblower and supervisor, and the actual work was done by the staff. It’s not even a good story, so what’s the point of letting it be known beyond the mountain range?”

Prince Willow deflated and let his shoulders droop.

“Huji is quite closed off.”

“Indeed.”

Serena glared at the Empire bastard who had derailed the conversation and returned to the original topic.

“Anyway, that’s why I still remember the list of royal treasures. There’s nothing like a crimson key among the royal treasures.”

She had endured national embarrassment just to say this much.

Olive rolled her round eyes as if thinking about something, then clapped her hands.

“That’s right! What good is some crimson key anyway? Our princess is the real treasure!”

“Ah!”

Philia’s eyes widened like someone who had been robbed.

“Lady Serena is my treasure, Huji’s treasure, and furthermore, humanity’s treasure on the continent! She’s the world’s treasure that even the great ones in heaven cherish and favor!”

“Thank you. You’re my treasure too.”

“Kyaaah.”

Philia’s cheeks flushed red as she collapsed as if she could die without regrets. Count Randy, who had been waiting in advance, supported his wife.

The Countess left her last words(?) to her beloved husband.

“I’m happy.”

“My lady. You can be even happier in the future, so please open your eyes.”

Heuji Jeolmi, who had gently closed her eyes, suddenly opened them wide.

“You’re right. I’ll be with Lady Serena in life and in death.”

Count Randy lightly kissed his beloved wife’s lips.

Grave robbing and the crimson key. Since the princess seemed to dislike both topics, the Alchemist took out the orb obtained from the 8th Layer from his subspace bag to change the subject.

“Let’s end this story here. Grey. Do you know what this is?”

“What is it?”

As Count Randy took Grey away, the rest of the people naturally dispersed.

Serena undressed and entered the hot spring alone.

As she immersed her body in the hot water, all the muscles that had been tense from hanging on the net gradually relaxed.

“Haah.”

“Lady Serena.”

An unwelcome visitor came to Serena as she enjoyed her solitary hot spring bath. Since it was a voice she couldn’t ignore, Serena permitted the intrusion.

“Um.”

It was Viscount Nex. The Viscount approached Serena in a hunched posture as if his stomach hurt, and whispered in her ear.

“I humbly report. Isn’t there a treasure vault that even Princess Serena hasn’t checked?”

“Was there such a vault? Ah!”

Serena was asking the question when she recalled the answer. Seeing that the princess seemed to remember, Viscount Nex nodded.

“Yes, that’s right. You haven’t been able to check His Majesty the King’s royal treasury.”

“There was no particular need to inspect that place.”

The Huji King’s royal treasury. This treasure vault stores particularly precious treasures.

The magical tool that saved the king’s life during Huji’s tragedy was also said to be a treasure stored in this treasury.

‘Though it was destroyed since it was single-use.’

The king’s treasury had security magic that was said to have been cast by a god a thousand years ago, preventing entry by anyone except the king, crown prince, and the administrator with the key.

There was only one key, which was buried in the mountain range along with the administrator.

When the king took items from the vault, it wasn’t theft since he was taking his own belongings, and Crown Prince Kipan was too timid to steal real precious treasures, though he might take minor ones.

Since thieves couldn’t enter the vault, there was no need to check if the treasures were safe.

“Why are you bringing up the treasury?”

Viscount Nex looked at Serena as if carrying all the world’s worries and concerns in his stomach.

“Actually, my master was the security chief for His Majesty’s treasury. After my master died during Huji’s tragedy, I’ve only been responsible for the magical security. My master once entered the treasury with His Majesty during his lifetime, and at that time.”

Viscount Nex bent his waist and clutched his solar plexus.

“He said he saw a very large, beautiful, flawless crimson jade orb. And His Majesty mentioned in passing that there was also something called a crimson key among the treasures passed down in House Huaim. I’m not certain, but I thought it would be good for you to know, so I’m reporting it.”

The princess’s cheek muscles twitched upon hearing her master’s words.

A hurricane, not just a gale, raged through Serena’s mind.

Despite the disaster alert going off in her head, Serena responded calmly and composedly.

“Thank you for letting me know. Would you like to bathe together, Viscount?”

“I’m honored, but may I decline? The regenerated areas of my skin are sensitive. I can’t endure hot water.”

“I wasn’t forcing you. You may go.”

Viscount Nex left in the same hunched posture as when he entered.

Alone again, the princess washed her face with the hot spring water to moisturize it, then suddenly started kicking frantically.

Splash splash!

‘Ah, really!’

Kicking underwater was difficult. Serena hit the water surface with her hands.

Slap slap!

‘I don’t know! I don’t know! I’m only going to conquer the Labyrinth! Don’t expect more from me!’

She was grateful for the taxes paid and said she’d only save 100,000 people, so why were there so many troublesome matters?

Serena buried her face in the hot spring and opened her mouth wide.

‘Uaaaah!’

Instead of sound, air came out and became bubbles that rose to the surface and burst.

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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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