Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 211

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

211. A Surprise Gift

The 2nd group attack team said they found them together when they discovered the stairs and brought back a bunch of mushrooms.

They were the red-spotted mushrooms that had wiped out Serena’s sibling and the priest’s party.

“Mushrooms are dangerous. Are you certain these mushrooms are safe?”

The 5th Prince, who guarded the lobby’s bathroom and cooking pot, was wary of the new ingredients.

‘I thought he’d definitely like them, but this is unexpected.’

Whether in her past life or current life, the danger of mushrooms was common knowledge even a three-year-old would know.

She briefly wondered if the Number Siblings and Low, who were bigger than three-year-olds, lacked such common sense.

But they had their own logic.

“Mushrooms dangerous, we know! That’s why Duri smelled them!”

“Woof.”

“If Duri says it’s okay to eat, then it’s fine!”

“Hehe. I tried to stop them, Your Highness.”

‘Leaving ingredient identification to a bear’s sense of smell and instincts? I can’t trust that.’

Serena grilled these mushrooms over the campfire to test Duri’s sense of smell and had her smell them again.

Duri, perhaps hungry, was sniffing the mushrooms with her black, pretty eyes shining when she suddenly frowned.

“Groan!”

Duri swatted her hand and knocked the grilled mushroom Serena offered into the campfire. She had detected that the cooked mushroom had become toxic.

‘Oh, keen nose. No, bear nose.’

The Princess was genuinely impressed, but anger flared in the maid’s lake-like beautiful eyes.

“How rude!”

When Philia’s scolding fell, Duri whimpered and cowered.

By medieval fantasy standards, she had learned that abuse and beatings would follow.

The sight of the tall, thin boy-like figure bracing for the harsh whipping that would fall made viewers’ hearts ache.

Only Philia remained unmoved and scolded the Number Siblings.

“You two! Train this bear properly!”

“Yes, we’ll keep that in mind!”

“If bears could detect all poisons, why would other bears get caught in traps and get stomachaches from eating bad things? Don’t blindly trust Duri’s sense of smell. When you find ingredients, never eat them until they’re confirmed safe.”

“Lady Serena is right. In the labyrinth, you must be careful even when drinking water. Listen when Low tries to stop you.”

Serena gave repeated warnings along with Count Randy.

That day’s menu in the lobby was abundant. Instead of the tiresome condor meat they’d been eating, rat meat was served.

Prince Willow was flustered seeing the rat carcass that was similar in size to a decent hunting dog. It was a normal reaction for royalty.

Fortunately, the Prince composed himself after seeing the rat meat Low had prepared.

“Haha, it’s meat after all, isn’t it? Better than starving. I’ll cook it with a grateful heart.”

Excluding the disgusting impression that rats as creatures carry, rat meat was more tender and tastier than condor meat.

Countess Randy completely forgot that she had whined about not wanting to eat rats in the early days of falling into the labyrinth, and happily tore into the rat meat.

“The seasoning blend is unique and delicious.”

“I was worried it might not suit your taste since it’s Imperial-style, but if the Countess’s tongue is pleased, wouldn’t that be my pleasure as well?”

“I’m glad you like the Imperial seasoning, Aunt! How about you, Your Highness Princess? Does the seasoning suit your taste? The Empire is a gathering place of continental cuisine! I’d love to enjoy an imperial banquet with Your Highness!”

Serena ignored the old man who constantly butted in without knowing when to join or leave.

Even Prince Willow ignored Grey.

“I made the rat meat porridge for Countess Nex and Neet with mild seasoning – does it suit your taste?”

“Cough. Yes, it’s delicious.”

“It’s also easy to swallow and tasty for me. The banquet I had with the traitor was burdensome…”

At the appearance of a word that didn’t fit the labyrinth, Serena expressed doubt.

“Banquet?”

“Yes. The traitor had a magical tablecloth that would set a banquet when spread on flat ground. Usually, it would set a Huji royal banquet.”

“Wow! Banquet! I. Want. It. So. Much! What does it look like? Where is it stored? Does it seem easy to steal? Does it need magic stones to use?”

Under the Guide’s barrage of questions, Countess Nex seemed burdened and didn’t answer immediately. She also had a personality that avoided conversation with strangers.

Countess Nex felt it was necessary information and slowly opened her mouth to answer only the last question.

“I’m not certain, but… it would probably need magic stones. However, the traitor didn’t seem to lack magic stones. During my time traveling with the traitor, High and I… the betrayer solved our meals with that.”

Enjoying banquets in the labyrinth. It was a luxurious story, but it didn’t seem to be a pleasant memory as Countess Nex furrowed her brow.

“The traitor didn’t eat the banquet meals. He solved his meals with bread or jerky he carried. At first, I suspected the banquet might be poisoned, contain harmful substances, or be fake meals that only pleased the mouth without nutrition, but…”

“That wasn’t the case?”

“…Once, cranberry pie came out for dessert. The traitor brought it to his mouth, saying it was Lady Lyla’s favorite dessert…”

Because it was her dead cousin’s favorite dessert, Serena had never seen cranberry pie at royal banquets.

Either the pastry chef had lost motivation like with the rose garden, or the King found it unpleasant and wouldn’t allow it. It would be one of the two.

‘It could be both.’

When the atmosphere darkens during a meal, it can ruin a good appetite.

The Princess deliberately spoke in a bright voice to lift the mood.

“A tablecloth that sets banquets. What an interesting treasure. I wonder if it was obtained in the labyrinth?”

“For that level of treasure, you’d have to go pretty deep. It might have been obtained from a different labyrinth, not this one?”

“Ah! How regrettable! If only I had time, ingredients, and an oven, I could set a banquet for you all!”

“You’re already doing wonderfully, Lord Willow.”

Thanks to Serena’s efforts, the atmosphere quickly recovered. After finishing the meal, the Princess cleaned up the dishes and headed to her capsule bed.

“We need to go to the 9th floor tomorrow, so I’ll rest now.”

Though you shouldn’t lie down right after eating, Serena used the excuse of having to move tomorrow and lay down on the bed.

As she entrusted her body to the soft bed and closed her eyes, sleep didn’t come, but random thoughts popped up like moles in a whack-a-mole game.

‘Richard definitely loves his family. But why did he kill Grandfather and try to kill me too? Did his mind become strange, making him want to kill the family he loves?’

Why did he wish for the creation of a 10th-grade labyrinth? What about the story that you can only reach the true final floor of the labyrinth with the crimson key?

‘I don’t know about other things, but isn’t needing the crimson key to reach the final floor cheating? All the labyrinths known to be conquered still have one floor remaining.’

The Princess soon remembered that the Archer had said the exact same thing as Richard.

‘Ying seems to know something. But she won’t tell me. If she won’t talk, at least use her power more! Stop the High Priest from hiding her strength!’

All sorts of thoughts arose chaotically, but perhaps due to accumulated fatigue, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

The Princess didn’t resist and obediently surrendered to drowsiness for tomorrow’s sake.

***

“Chicken, did you sleep well?”

Lavenda, who woke up early, pulled back the blackout curtain over the chicken coop. Detecting the light, Chicken laid a golden egg then climbed onto the perch and crowed vigorously.

Cock-a-doodle-doooooo!

At the sound of the rooster’s crow, people with sensitive hearing woke up one by one.

Olive stretched languidly, yawned, and washed her face with hot spring water.

Ralph wasn’t particularly light sleeper, but he always woke up promptly to rooster crows, bell sounds, and shouting.

Ralph, Low, and Count Alpha finished simple washing and headed to the herb garden to exercise.

“Mmm. It’s been hard to wake up in the mornings lately. I used to wake up at dawn.”

Grey rubbed his eyes and grumbled.

“You’re probably growing taller. Don’t play late and go to bed early. Nothing is more pathetic than a servant who dozes while serving his master.”

“Growth spurt? Ah, that’s right! I’m having a growth spurt! Haha. Ehehehehehe.”

Grey couldn’t stop his hollow laughter at hearing about a growth spurt again after half a century.

Prince Willow, who was preparing breakfast, covered his face with the pot lid and laughed.

When there are many people, preparing meals is also a big task.

Prince Willow prepared the 1st attack group’s meal first. The Princess and her party, who finished eating before others, completed preparations to go to the labyrinth.

“Lady Serena, you must return immediately if it’s dangerous.”

“Of course. I’ll just check the atmosphere of the new floor and come back, so don’t worry too much.”

“Sirius. If you have the chance, please bring more rat meat or other meat. We’re getting tired of condor.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“You be careful too.”

“I will, Madam. My body isn’t mine alone. Half belongs to His Majesty the Emperor, and half belongs to Lady Serena and you.”

“Gasp. Your Majesty’s share is half? I’m so moved, Uncle!”

“Ugh! If you’re moved, why are you hitting my solar plexus!”

“Here are some handkerchiefs. Neet helped make them.”

Neet handed handkerchiefs to the party with her newly bandaged hands. Everyone gratefully accepted them.

Olive paused the moment she received her handkerchief, then grinned mischievously.

Serena also smiled warmly as she accepted her handkerchief.

“Thank you. But don’t overdo it.”

“Cough. Yes.”

Serena tucked the handkerchief into her clothes and headed toward the teleportation room.

On the way, the guide suddenly pulled out her handkerchief and shook it vigorously.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s something here~ Oh my.”

A small, light object fell from the handkerchief the guide had shaken. A decorative knot commonly seen in everyday life had been tucked between the folds of the handkerchief.

“Could this be.”

Olive picked up the decorative knot and smiled wickedly.

“A token of love from Miss Potpourri?”

“Ah, I have one too.”

Ralph’s voice shattered the playboy’s wicked smile.

“I had one tucked in mine too.”

“I have one as well.”

Count Alpha and Count Randy also found decorative knots tucked in their handkerchiefs.

Ying silently held up her decorative knot, then tucked it back between the handkerchief folds and kept it close to her heart.

Serena checked her own handkerchief. A flower-shaped decorative knot, slightly more elaborate and carefully crafted than the others, was tucked in her handkerchief.

“Ah! The Princess’s is the prettiest! So Miss Potpourri’s heart belongs to the Princess?”

“Miss Lavenda is an ambitious businesswoman who yearns for business success more than romance. This was probably made by Neet.”

The pretty decorative knot faintly smelled of blood and the medicine Neet applied.

‘Why would a child with torn fingertips and loose nails make something like this.’

“Neet seemed to be losing sleep at night. She must have been making these.”

Ralph smiled warmly, touched by Neet’s thoughtfulness. Count Alpha’s lips also curved pleasantly, but Serena smiled just for show.

‘She should just sleep when she’s tired.’

The child was already in poor health and suffering in the labyrinth, which was pitiful enough, but thinking that she had lost sleep making decorative knots made Serena feel even more uncomfortable.

‘She seemed to be constantly watching others’ reactions.’

Neet’s magic progress had stalled at the beginning stage.

While they say starting is half the battle, she had successfully taken the first step but couldn’t take the next, so the stress Neet was carrying must be considerable.

‘I bought the trap tiles so she could escape the fear of possibly dying each day. Was that burdensome for Neet?’

When the Princess conquers the labyrinth, rewards fall in the lobby.

The people in the lobby already knew this pattern.

In that situation, Serena had received a reward from the god that didn’t help the lobby community at all and only benefited Neet.

‘If only I weren’t here, they could have received something useful for everyone.’

Wasn’t Neet, who was unusually smart and mature for her age, thinking exactly this?

And wasn’t she so bothered by this that she stayed up all night fidgeting with her bandaged hands to make decorative knots?

In the lobby lit by the eternal campfire, a sick child leaning against a tomb making talismans.

‘I want to get out of here quickly.’

Serena wanted to escape the labyrinth as soon as possible and return to emptying her mind and enjoying luxury, pleasure, and indolence as before.

When there’s a sick child, you just pay for hospital bills and medicine, and when there are orphans, you build an orphanage to house them.

Serena’s territory already had an orphanage that Serena had established with her own money.

She must have plenty of money, and though she built it for her own peace of mind, the taxpaying citizens praised the Princess’s heart as being like silk.

She wanted to sweep away all the unpleasant things with money and power and become a happy princess.

You can’t completely eliminate all children who watch others’ reactions from the world.

But it’s possible to reduce the number of children who fear being abandoned.

If there’s faith that even if they’re abandoned by their guardians, the country and society will accept them, children won’t lose sleep trembling in fear but can sleep soundly.

‘Though there’s no answer if the guardians deceive them.’

Remembering her grandmother from her previous life, who had blocked all the national benefits Serena could have received, left a bitter taste in her mouth.

She wanted to be grateful that her grandmother had raised her without abandoning her, but the more she thought about her grandmother, the more her hatred grew.

The Princess deliberately smiled brightly and hung the decorative knot on her magic staff.

It looked nice, like a flower was attached.

‘If this were a game, it would probably give +5 luck or something.’

Of course, this was reality and Neet hadn’t learned enchantment magic, so the decorative knot probably had no effect.

‘So what if it has no effect. It makes me feel good.’

Neet’s surprise gift made the party’s atmosphere as warm as a spring breeze.

“Ah~ If I also offered a surprise gift to the Princess like the bandaged child, would the Labyrinth God listen to my story a bit?”

“What story? The one about wanting a layer that’s easy to navigate with no traps but lots of treasure chests, and instead you fight many monsters?”

“You remember all of that. Petty people aren’t popular. Yo.”

“I only need to be popular with my wife.”

Assault Team 1 of the Labyrinth of Heuji chatted amicably until they arrived at the 8th layer and fell silent.

The party maintained their silence even as they stepped on the stairs leading to the 9th layer.

After descending all the stairs and arriving at the 31st floor of the 9th layer of Heuji’s Labyrinth, Serena raised her eyebrows.

‘Crossroads?’

It was natural for there to be crossroads in a labyrinth.

What surprised the Princess were the signs attached to each path.

‘That’s a picture of a treasure chest, and that’s a picture of swords clashing, so there must be combat?’

Each crossroad had pictures drawn on it, as if indicating what lay ahead on that path.

‘Is this allowed in a labyrinth?’

The Princess unfolded her magic map with bewildered feelings.

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