Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 247

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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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247. Pocket Money

After handling a series of matters, Serena finally managed to sit down in a chair.

“Princess~ What happened?”

“I’m curious too!”

Olive and Grey, curious about the detailed circumstances, gathered around the Princess. Philia simply wanted to be next to Serena, so she took the closest seat.

Before explaining the situation, Serena observed what the priests were doing. Everyone must be tired, yet instead of resting, they were actively seeking out work to do.

“Everyone. Is there anything I can help with?”

“I’ll also take a look if there are any sick people.”

“*Sniffle* I can also help if there’s anything to rot *sniffle*.”

“Hehe. Anyone who feels their results are poor compared to their usual efforts, come to Bindo. I’ll teach you how to make proper efforts.”

The High Priest of Earth was well-known for being diligent, but the other priests were no less so.

Even the Knight, who had been staring blankly at the fire with vacant eyes, pleased by the unextinguishable campfire, stepped forward.

“Please leave anything related to fire to me.”

“Knight Marin! I told you not to speak!”

Muffin glared at the Knight, even forgetting her grief over losing her family. Knight Marin, perhaps afraid of getting hit by the Priest of Corruption, lowered his gaze and focused on admiring the fire.

“That child looks very sick. May I share the grace given by the Light?”

Priest Rihua pointed out a patient she had been watching since coming to the lobby.

Hana and Sesi hid their sibling behind their backs. Even though their misunderstanding about priests had been cleared up, this was their first time meeting real priests, so they were frightened.

The Number Siblings looked for the highest authority in the lobby.

“Princess? What should we do?”

“They are all good priests, so get examined. Priest Rihua, please examine Countess Nex as well.”

Countess Nex familiarly explained her symptoms to Priest Rihua and received treatment with divine magic. Seeing this, Hana brought out Neet, who had been hidden behind her, to the priest.

“Neet gets hurt again even after being healed with potions, but does the priest still need to look?”

Having heard Neet’s condition from Countess Nex, Rihua smiled kindly.

“Of course. With the sacred power of Light, I can make recovery faster for a certain period. While the blessing remains, wounds won’t form easily, and even if they do, they’ll heal quickly.”

“Wow. If I had known this, I would have found a priest quickly. Neet, I’m sorry.”

Sesi made a tearful face, thinking she had caused her sibling unnecessary suffering due to ignorance.

“*Cough* Sister didn’t know either. It’s okay. We just need to know from now on.”

The reason the Number Siblings had suffered losses for most of their short lives was because of the Leader. The adults who knew the siblings’ circumstances cursed the Leader inwardly.

“I have placed Earth’s blessing on the bread tree and fruit trees. It’s a blessing that makes fruit grow quickly for a certain period. Since this is a labyrinth, the time for new bread to grow on the bread tree will be shortened.”

The High Priest of Earth, without anyone asking, cast blessings on both trees and then went looking for the next target.

“I heard there’s an herb garden. Would you guide me there?”

“Yes, Priest. I’ll escort you.”

Lavenda headed to the herb garden together with High Priest Hazel.

“Miss Muffin. Can you perhaps control the degree of decay as well?”

“*Sniffle* Yes. Is there something to rot?”

The Alchemist wondered if it was okay to make a request to someone who had just heard news of their family’s death and seen their grave. The conflict showed clearly on his face.

Muffin washed away her tears with the hot spring water and spoke cheerfully.

“The living must live on. I’ll help you. I want to work a bit right now.”

“…Then I have a request.”

Count Randy guided the Priest of Corruption to the workshop. The Effort Priest grabbed Ralph, who seemed easy to approach, and preached about the importance of effort.

“…”

Everyone had found something to do, but he had become weaker and had nothing to do. The eyes of the Fire Knight, who had been admiring the campfire, grew dim.

Suddenly, a frying pan appeared in front of the dejected Knight Marin. Sliced bread was placed on the frying pan.

“I heard you serve the great Fire. Could you ask the heavenly Fire to toast this bread crispy without burning it? I can’t control the heat as I see fit, so it’s quite difficult.”

“Yeeees.”

Knight Marin tried to answer Prince Willow energetically but quickly swallowed his words. Fortunately, it seemed to be judged as a scream, so the time displayed on the seal didn’t reset.

The Fire Knight began toasting bread with a beaming smile.

Serena also explained the 10th floor story she had postponed to the Guide and the Old Man.

The Old Man, having heard the circumstances, nodded.

“So that’s what happened. Then, Your Highness.”

Grey lowered his voice and only moved his lips.

“About Baker’s matter.”

Serena nodded before the Old Man finished speaking.

“Bury it.”

Stollen Baker had betrayed the Princess and Prince, but he died instantly, so there was no substantial damage caused.

Of course, he did present extreme stress, headaches, stomach aches, and feelings of betrayal to Serena and the Countess, but there was no need to increase the number of victims unnecessarily.

Grey also seemed to agree with Serena’s opinion, as he didn’t argue with his cold gray eyes.

Olive didn’t continue the related topic and changed the subject.

“How was Radish? Did he make things comfortable for you?”

“Yes. Without Low, it would have been ten times harder than now. We wouldn’t have been able to time it right and wouldn’t have been able to save Seraph and the priests either. Low’s contribution to this conquest was great.”

When Serena praised Low highly, Olive, who was Low’s recommender, boasted in his absence.

“Hehe. This is all thanks to my eye for people~ You can praise me more.”

“Please be sure to praise Mr. Low when he returns, Princess!”

“Of course I will. Those who have made contributions should rightfully be rewarded.”

Serena was answering Ralph, who wanted to secure Low’s share from his wicked(?) ex-girlfriend, when she was startled.

Since returning to the lobby, things had been happening continuously, so she hadn’t properly looked at Ralph, but the number of stars above the Young Knight’s head was different from before conquering the 10th floor.

‘One, two, three doesn’t end there but four! Four stars! 4-star!’

The Young Knight’s stars had increased by one, making him a 4-star knight from a 3-star knight.

His height or muscles hadn’t suddenly increased, no new magic weapon had appeared, his freckled and innocent face remained the same, but the stars above his head had increased by one.

If Serena suddenly acted like she knew about this, there would be people wondering if the Minotaur God informed her of such things too.

Serena put effort into managing her expression and asked Ralph in a calm tone.

“Has Count Ralph been well during this time?”

‘What happened to you! Report quickly!’

One gray star was trembling as if it might break at any moment, but she hadn’t expected him to grow precisely when she wasn’t there.

While Serena tried hard to hide her regretful feelings, the Young Knight, unaware of his lord’s inner thoughts, replied energetically.

“The lobby was peaceful without any incidents! Oh, right! Neet learned two new spells!”

“I see. That’s fortunate. How did Count Ralph spend his time?”

“I meditated while reflecting on Count Alpha’s teachings and did basic physical training! And I also trained in shield techniques! Prince Willow helped me!”

‘The Prince helped with training?’

Since they were both 3-star with similar skills, perhaps that helped with growth?

‘I don’t think that’s it.’

Serena listened to Ralph’s words praising the Prince’s swordsmanship with one ear while praising the knight’s efforts.

“Hehehe. Since you make sincere efforts, the great Effort will cheer you on.”

Even in Serena’s eyes, the hardworking Young Knight was admirable, so how admirable must Ralph look in the eyes of the naturally bald priest who serves the God of Effort?

The High Priest of Effort searched his pockets as if he was going to give pocket money. Unfortunately, the High Priest of Effort’s pockets contained only dust.

The naturally bald priest stared sadly at his empty pockets, just like when he looked at his head that had started balding since he was Ralph’s age.

“Bindo’s wallet is gone! I definitely put it here?”

“Didn’t you drop it while mountain climbing?”

“This can’t be! I should have made an effort not to lose it! Ah, Effort! I’m sorry! My effort was insufficient!”

The High Priest of Effort went to find the lobby manager to make an effort not to lose his wallet in the future – that is, to put buttons on his pockets.

Serena narrowed her one eye and looked at Olive, who was rolling an unfamiliar wallet in her hands.

“Olive.”

The thief shrugged her shoulders.

“I told you. Even if just wind blows, I’ll make them tremble while clutching their wallets.”

“The Effort Priest wasn’t there then. Return it.”

“Aww~ The priest’s money must have been earned through effort too, it’s quite heavy. What a waste~”

Though grumbling with pursed lips, the Guide obediently returned the wallet to the priest’s pocket. The naturally bald priest, who had been diligently working to put buttons on his pockets, discovered the wallet in another pocket and rejoiced.

“Hehehe! Bindo must have gotten confused with age!”

The High Priest of Effort chuckled and gave pocket money to Neet and Ralph.

“Bindo gives this because your diligent efforts are admirable. Buy some snacks.”

“Ah, why only give it to Neet?”

“Me and Hana unnie and Duri unnie work hard too!”

“Wooong!”

The High Priest of Effort ignored the protests from Hana, Duri, and Sesi and also gave pocket money to the Mysterious Stranger.

“Th, thank you?”

Lavenda, who unexpectedly received pocket money, tilted her head in confusion but pocketed the money. Cash could be used for Count Randy’s alchemy and deals with the Golden God, so the more the better.

“Hehe, Count already has everything he needs so no pocket money necessary. What about Ying? Did your junior give you pocket money?”

“I gave it to her.”

“Hehehe.”

The High Priest of Effort found it so amusing that the senior had received rather than given pocket money that he laughed heartily.

The Effort Priest who had made a round of the lobby looking for diligent children to reward returned to the Princess. The naturally bald man also gave pocket money to the Guide.

“Oh, you’re giving me some too? Yo? What a nice priest you are.”

Olive happily received the pocket money. Even while receiving money from someone she had pickpocketed, she showed no signs of shame or awkwardness.

As Serena admired the Guide’s thick skin, the High Priest of Effort added to Olive:

“Effort says your constant efforts are pleasing to watch.”

“Puhaha. What does that mean? Yo? The heavenly god saw all my efforts?”

“That’s right.”

“And it was pleasing to watch? Really?”

Olive crossed her arms and spoke with apparent joy. Her green olive-colored eyes weren’t smiling.

“You did make efforts, didn’t you?”

“Well, that’s true~ Really? For real? Is that really okay?”

Olive kept grinning and expressing doubts, but the naturally bald man didn’t answer further.

The High Priest of Effort also gave Serena a single copper coin.

“Princess is a bit lacking, but I’ll give this with the meaning that you should work harder in the future.”

The naturally bald man closed his wallet and put it in his buttoned pocket. The smile naturally disappeared from the Old Man’s face, who had been holding out his hand expecting to receive pocket money too.

“Priest grandfather! Why aren’t you giving me any? Am I lacking in effort?”

The Old Man protested like the Number Siblings. Though his intentions differed from the Number Siblings, the outward appearance was much the same.

“This is an incomprehensible outrage! Are you saying I haven’t made efforts? I’ve been a bit lax lately, but how can a person live their whole life making efforts!”

Regardless of the unsightly scene Grey was making, Serena actually agreed with the Old Man’s words. If someone had worked hard their whole life, shouldn’t they be able to live comfortably in their later years?

“Hehe, young master needs to work a bit harder to receive pocket money. Hmm? Uh-hmm? Uh-uh-hmm?”

The naturally bald man looked at Grey closely and tilted his head.

“Aren’t you a young master?”

Only then realizing why he hadn’t received pocket money, the Old Man laughed loudly and shamelessly.

“Hahaha! I am a young master! Did I look like a young lady because I’m too pretty? Hahaha!”

“Haha! My nephew is quite pretty!”

Count Randy quickly rushed out of the workshop to help the Old Man. Neet, who didn’t understand what was happening, also took Grey’s side.

“Cough, Grey oppa is pretty, but if you look closely his eyes are sharp and cool. He’s definitely an oppa.”

“Whether the doctor young master is pretty or not isn’t important. Why didn’t we get pocket money?”

“That’s right! How petty!”

“Woong!”

“Hehehe.”

“Don’t you know there’s etiquette even in beggar charity? Give a little to everyone, or don’t give at all, or secretly give to just one person! Openly giving to only one person shows no etiquette!”

“Give us pocket money too!”

“Woong!”

There’s etiquette even in charity. Whether Hana’s words were true or not, the Number Siblings who didn’t receive pocket money protested fiercely.

The High Priest of Effort chuckled and gradually backed away before completely fleeing outside the lobby. The Number Siblings rushed after the priest in a group.

“Phew.”

Grey, who had luckily escaped the suspicion of not being a young master, patted his chest in relief and then approached the Prince who was diligently chopping onions and kicked his butt.

“Argh! Why are you taking it out on me!”

“How little effort must you have made to not receive pocket money!”

“You didn’t get any either…”

“I had a reason for not getting any! How much must Your Highness have been lazing around for him to not even look at you! Even Olive noona got some!”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding, so I’ll speak a word during my vow of silence. His Highness the Prince has been diligently preparing meals without resting for even a moment.”

“Knight Marin! That’s exactly why Knight Marin didn’t get pocket money either!”

Muffin and Rihua screamed and covered the Knight’s mouth. High Priest Hazel, who also hadn’t received pocket money, laughed awkwardly.

“I have been living leisurely, relying on the earth’s mercy. I should be more diligent.”

A priest who looked for work as soon as he arrived at the lobby was considered leisurely?

‘I think he just didn’t give it because they’re in the same industry.’

Wouldn’t it be awkward to give pocket money to servants of other gods? Serena claimed to be an apostle of the Labyrinth but wasn’t an official priest, so she received pocket money.

‘Or maybe he gave it as an excuse to deliver Effort’s message.’

Originally a bit lacking to receive pocket money, but given with the meaning to work harder in the future.

She could feel the heavenly will telling her to make efforts.

“Hmm~”

Olive was playing with the copper coin she received from the Effort Priest with her hands, her lips curved upward but her eyes weren’t smiling.

Since she usually complained that gods don’t give her power, Serena expected her to be happy hearing that a god was watching and found her efforts pleasing, but this was an unexpected reaction.

As she was about to put the copper coin in her pocket to give to Lavenda later for the common fund, Ying quietly approached. Ying took advantage of the moment when the sharp-eared Guide was focused on the coin to speak quietly.

“Keep the coin.”

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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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