Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 238

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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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238. Something More Precious Than World Conquest

Low bent his large frame to pick up the potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn rolling around the basement floor.

As Low was putting a dirt-covered sweet potato in Duri’s mouth, he suddenly opened his eyes wide.

“Hueok!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Th-these sacks containing potatoes and miscellaneous things! I’ve seen them several times while exploring the labyrinth, but surely that’s not all!”

He was just disappointed that the mountain lodge basement, which reminded him of his hometown, contained potatoes and sweet potatoes just like a real hometown house. In fact, the magic sack the party discovered was an amazing item.

“With just this, we wouldn’t have to eat those disgustingly tasteless emergency rations for adventurers!”

The sack form made it conveniently portable, which was its greatest advantage. If you wore it on your waist while conquering the labyrinth, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn would somehow appear in the sack.

“Waaaah. Not all the sacks I threw away after taking only the contents were magic sacks! Pr-Princess! Please tell me that’s not true!”

“If the mage you traveled with couldn’t sense magic power, it would have been an ordinary sack.”

“What proper mage is there among the mages wandering the labyrinth! Waaaah! What a waste!”

His words were harsh when they were treating even half-baked mages preciously because there weren’t any. Since the topic came up, Serena asked someone else a question.

“Are there really so few proper people among labyrinth adventurer mages? There should be mages who seek the labyrinth for magic training or curiosity, right?”

“Most such mages enter under Duke Pein’s command. All other proper mages also have clear affiliations. Most mages looking for parties are either beginners or have problems with their skills or character.”

‘Ah.’

In the Empire, an advanced nation in labyrinth conquest, the Grand Mage was in charge of overall labyrinth conquest. Any normally thinking mage would visit the Grand Mage first.

‘Rather than recklessly entering the labyrinth, they’d first visit Duke Pein to request research reports and materials. And receive training while they’re at it.’

It was win-win since the Empire could secure rare mages, and mages could solve both safety and scholarly passion. If they caught the Grand Mage’s eye and became disciples or received a word of advice, that would be icing on the cake.

“Occasionally there are mage lords who are party leaders themselves. But most aren’t in their right mind. Novices get starry-eyed at mages and make a fuss about giving their liver and gall bladder. But from my level up, we prefer traveling without mages.”

What about when monsters immune to physical attacks appear? Labyrinth adventurers of Low’s caliber have at least one magic weapon. Or they can seek cooperation from verified mages or parties with mages when the time comes.

Anyway, for such reasons, it seemed there were considerable magical tools whose true value went unrecognized. The Mysterious Stranger groaned while peeling potato skins.

“Sob sob. Let’s look at empty sacks again too. Sob sob.”

Duri rubbed the Mysterious Stranger’s bald head with her bear paw, telling him not to cry.

“Sob sob. Your claws are scary, so don’t do that.”

“Woong.”

Duri tried to comfort him by licking with her tongue. Low looked serious.

“Teeth are even scarier.”

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and even corn. After finishing their carbohydrate-rich meal, the group assigned night watch shifts again. Serena, who had the most comfortable journey thanks to her magic shoes, wanted to join the night watch but was flatly refused.

The Princess, who had taken bitter muscle pain medicine, got into her sleeping bag. She heard the hunter’s sighing soliloquy as he checked the weather through the window gap.

“The wind doesn’t seem normal.”

‘Cold.’

As the hunter said, the wind was stronger than yesterday, so even lying next to the brazier, her body trembled. Serena checked the remaining magic power in her temperature control amulet. It was sufficient.

‘Since I left it to an expert, the magic power efficiency is definitely different.’

The temperature control magical tool made by Countess Nex doesn’t maintain the human body at an appropriate temperature, but maintains the minimum temperature needed to endure the external environment.

It stops working when the wearer is moving in cold weather, then resumes when they rest.

If Serena had made it, it would have continuously maintained only a warm temperature, and by now the magic stone’s power would have been completely worn out.

The Princess put back in her bosom the amulet with astronomical estimated labor costs, designed by the Duke (more precisely, he modified the Countess’s design, and the Countess was shocked), made by the Countess, and elaborately crafted by the Prince.

Whiiiiing.

The wind blew roughly as if to swallow the log lodge, and the mountain trees collided with each other, making ominous sounds.

Perhaps because she had lived forgetting the cold after being reincarnated as a princess? Encountering cold naturally brought back memories of her previous life.

Her childhood living in a basement apartment, sleeping embraced with Grandmother with a single electric blanket turned on.

When Serena burrowed into Grandmother’s arms because of the cold, Grandmother would wrap Serena’s body tightly in a cotton quilt so heavy and thick it was suffocating.

The day they went to the public bath once a week was as joyful as going on a picnic. It was embarrassing to say she was a kindergartener to save on bath fees, but with the money saved that way, she drank banana milk.

When they came out of the warm public bath, the bitter cold wind froze her not-quite-dry hair. Serena hunched her shoulders from the cold while sucking on cool banana milk and holding Grandmother’s hand as they returned home.

Even without parents, it was okay because Grandmother was there. Even being poor, she thought that was unavoidable. She could earn money once she became an adult quickly. She had to become an adult quickly and let Grandmother live in luxury.

Until she learned it was all lies, Serena had been an extremely filial granddaughter.

She resented the grandmother who made her regret her own filial devotion that had been so admirable. She deeply resented the grandmother who turned memories that were lacking but happy into shabby recollections rather than warm memories.

Serena bit her lip, then woke up startled by the pain. She had fallen asleep without knowing when and woken up.

Wondering why both sides of her body felt warm, she found a giant black bear sleeping next to her, snoring peacefully.

“Did you cough?”

Serena received the Imperial Knight’s greeting while rolling her one eye. Everyone except herself and Duri was awake.

‘Is it morning?’

When Serena tried to get up, Count Randy waved his hand.

“We can’t move today, so please sleep more, Lady Serena.”

“Can’t move? What do you mean?”

“The blizzard hasn’t stopped.”

The blizzard that started yesterday evening hadn’t stopped even now that morning had come. Low, who was standing by the window, slightly opened it for ventilation.

Fierce wind and snowflakes whirled in.

“Even if we depart after it stops, we won’t reach the next lodge before sunset, so we’re resting today.”

Whether the party was lucky or this was originally the 10th layer’s gimmick, the lodge’s supplies were sufficient to last several days.

‘It’s probably not a gimmick? If they hadn’t discovered the basement, parties without alchemists would have lacked firewood.’

Heuji’s Labyrinth mountain climbing team, forced to rest for a day, quietly went about their respective tasks.

The hunter maintained everyone’s snowshoes. The archer checked his bow and crossbow as always while preparing meals. Count Randy converted firewood to charcoal, and Serena replenished drinking water with magic. Duri, tired from night watch duty, caught up on sleep.

The person left with nothing to do this time was the Imperial Knight. Count Alpha searched for something to do in the cramped lodge, and when he finally couldn’t find work, he suddenly took off his clothes.

‘Why is he doing that?’

The Imperial Knight, who had removed his thick fur clothes and kept only light clothing, began doing good stretches for his overworked lower body. Stimulated by this, Low also removed his fur clothes after finishing snowshoe repairs and stretched to loosen and stimulate his muscles.

“Indeed. Was the secret to Low’s sturdy lower body mountain climbing?”

“The secret to Sir Knight’s enviable upper body is that axe, right?”

The two large men who had become friends while exercising together in the herb garden praised each other’s muscles. Low didn’t seem shy around Count Alpha, smiling brightly and revealing information no one had asked for.

“Mountain hunting is the real hunting. Hunting on flat ground isn’t real hunting. My hometown was a mountain village higher and more rugged than here, and hunters from our village were well-known.”

The Mysterious Stranger gave a thumbs up. Seeing the twin brothers take 1st and 2nd place in Heuji’s hunting competition, it wasn’t boasting but truth.

“If the mountain terrain is so rugged, don’t you hunt with traps?”

“In our village, we hunt in a different way. We take the high ground above the prey and startle them, so the beasts flee downward, right? We chase the fleeing ones and throw spears to catch them.”

‘Isn’t that primitive hunting?’

She expected him to boast about efficient ways to find prey or methods of setting traps, but a simple and crude hunting method came out.

Count Alpha also seemed puzzled and asked the same question.

“Does the entire village hunt with spears rather than bows or traps for generations?”

“Yes. What did they say… Bows are expensive and break easily, and traps require skill and know-how to set up properly, right? Spears were the most manageable, so that’s how it became, I heard.”

The blizzard didn’t stop, and the group had to stay at the lodge.

Since all tasks were finished, the party roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn over the charcoal fire while indulging in conversation.

The main speaker was Low. Whether the mountain setting stimulated the hunter’s sensitivity, or others were gradually getting familiar, he freely shared personal stories.

The experiences of a labyrinth adventurer who frequented the Labyrinth Depths were quite interesting, so everyone listened attentively.

“On that damn mountain peak, there was a magnificent treasure chest! When we opened the chest, a height-increasing potion came out as a reward.”

Low happened to bring up the story of the labyrinth’s mysterious magic potions. This was when the alchemist should have burned with intellectual curiosity, but he didn’t.

‘How unusually quiet the Count is.’

Count Randy had a lot in his head, so he was quite talkative. It was strange that such a Count Randy was quiet, so glancing at him repeatedly, she saw the Count was spinning corn with a blank expression.

‘Is he tired?’

Or was he pondering because the God of Gold had bestowed an unexpected item?

Either way, it was beyond what Serena could help with. Serena focused on Low’s story.

“Do height-increasing potions come out often in the labyrinth?”

“How could that be? It’s an item that costs whatever you’re willing to pay.”

‘I thought so.’

The early villain in some manga Serena saw in her previous life tried to collect wish-granting orbs to increase his height. Because world conquest can be achieved through effort, but height can’t be increased even with effort.

‘That manga’s protagonist was also named Carrot.’

The hunter called not Carrot but Radish didn’t sell that precious height-increasing potion but drank it himself.

Labyrinth adventurers enter labyrinths to make money. Serena was curious why the Mysterious Stranger didn’t sell the potion.

“Why didn’t you sell it and drink it yourself? Were you dissatisfied with being short?”

‘Looking at his brother, his proportions seemed fine.’

Though her memory of High Sol was vague due to being wary of Richard and Shullen, the High Sol in her hazy recollection had been quite likeable. Since they were twins, Low Sol wouldn’t have been much different.

‘Rather, it seems like the medicine made his impression more fierce.’

At the Princess’s question, Low rubbed his bald head.

“The thing is. My brother has a personality that’s not shy with strangers, unlike me.”

“Right.”

“So he knows many people and has many friends. When those people mistake me for my brother and try to talk to me, then apologize… I hated it.”

Seeing Low’s deeply frowning face, a vivid scene played in her mind like a movie of what must have happened.

Wow, High! Long time no see! What have you been up to? Huh? You’re the younger brother? S-sorry.

For Low, who was already shy with strangers, the awkward silence that followed a stranger’s greeting must have been unbearable torture.

“I spent all the money I’d saved and even went into debt. But I don’t regret it. After getting taller and gaining muscle, the number of people who approach me first has noticeably decreased!”

Between a short, handsome man and a tall, fierce-looking muscular man, the former would be easier to approach.

‘People would avoid even making eye contact with the latter.’

“So that’s the story behind it. I understand the feeling of suffering from being born with an appearance that doesn’t match your personality.”

Count Alpha, who looked like he could have ten lovers, sympathized with Low’s pain. Instead of widening his eyes thinking ‘What nonsense is this handsome guy spouting?’, Low nodded.

“The Imperial nobles were no joke. You must have had your share of hardships too, my lord.”

“Did I suffer that much? Even when I refused saying I didn’t want to?”

“Haah.”

The Imperial Knight sighed deeply enough to make the ground cave in, his gorgeous features filled with melancholy.

“Though it may sound strange to a Grand Princess from another country, the free love of Imperial social circles is actually disguised as romance… It’s difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t directly experienced the atmosphere of social circles…”

Count Alpha furrowed his brow. Serena was certain that deep wrinkles would soon form on this gorgeously handsome Imperial Knight’s forehead.

“You’ll understand more easily if you think of lovers as another name for alliances. Given my position, it’s difficult to refuse outright, but the problem is that some people occasionally put more weight on the ‘lover’ aspect than the alliance. Those who don’t know better even enjoy promiscuous and licentious lives without understanding the inner workings of free love.”

Why do you only have ten lovers! I can’t live with someone so unattractive! Divorce!

Why do you only have ten allies! I can’t live with someone with so little power and connections! Divorce!

When she replaced lovers with allies, the Imperial social circle culture that had been incomprehensible became somewhat understandable.

Only then did Serena understand what the old man who had encouraged adultery meant.

‘Count Alpha is the Fifth Prince’s close aide. So it’s one plus one.’

She had just thought it was a strange country where free love and adultery were rampant, but political power was also entangled in it. It was a more terrifying den of evil than Serena had imagined.

Moreover, those who didn’t know the reality of free love were truly enjoying freedom and debauchery. Serena offered words of comfort to the two who suffered from mismatched personalities and appearances.

“You’ve both had a hard time.”

***

A rewarding day passed with deepened understanding of the Mysterious Stranger, the Imperial Knight, and Imperial social circles.

Since the blizzard had stopped, the climbing group could go outside the mountain hut. Strangely, even though snow had fallen all day, it still only came up to the party’s knees.

Serena wasn’t surprised.

‘This is a labyrinth after all.’

The path to the next mountain hut was steep but short in distance. The party set off vigorously and arrived at their target hut while it was still bright.

“I can see the hut over there! I’ll go ahead and check. Huh?”

Low, who had been observing the hut’s situation through binoculars, removed them from his face. The hunter’s face hardened stiffly.

“What’s wrong?”

“The hut door is open? Huh?”

The hunter, putting the binoculars back to his eyes, untied rope from his belt and ran toward the hut. He didn’t enter the hut but cleared away the snow piled in front of the open door.

“There’s someone collapsed here! A priest? It’s a High Priest of the Land!”

At this ominous information, Serena’s spine went cold. But the frightening news wasn’t over. This was just the beginning.

“There are people collapsed inside the hut too. One, two, three. Five people in total. There’s one man. A man? Is it really a man?”

Low, Count Alpha, and Duri didn’t know, but the other three had a hunch. Count Randy also untied his rope and tried to run to the hut but was caught by Count Alpha.

“It’s dangerous.”

“Let me go. I must go see immediately! Those people are probably!”

“The blonde is definitely a man!”

“It’s Prince Seraph of Heuji and his party!”

With Hazel there, it was certain. It was Seraph and the martial priests. They had all been found collapsed.

Serena slowly knelt on the ground. Her knees, unaffected by the magic shoes, sank deep into the snow, and Serena buried her face in the snow as well. Only her feet wearing magic shoes stayed above the snow.

The startled Count Alpha lifted her up, but Serena’s body was limp and swayed like a doll.

“Your Highness! Are you alright? What’s wrong? Pull yourself together! Count! Her Highness’s condition is serious!”

“Hehe. Hehehehehehehe.”

She was so dumbfounded that only laughter came out. Serena threw her head back. Her mood was foul, but the damn sky was disgustingly clear.

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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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