Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 282

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

282. Food Tastes Better When Eaten Together

The aroma candle that the Mysterious Stranger had been carrying had become as small as the pencil stub Serena used to use.

‘This will be the last time.’

She had used the aroma candle quite frugally. Serena made a mental note to pay the candle’s worth properly as she lit the wick that had become as short as a candle.

The wick caught fire, and the heat melted the scented candle. A sweet fragrance spread around the candle.

“Cough.”

Neet closed her eyes and concentrated her consciousness. Around Neet, the High Priest of Effort spun around in circles, delivering sermons to provide buffs.

“Make an effort!”

‘Does he really have to do it like that?’

Effort was a desirable virtue that all humans should possess, but effort wasn’t everything. Listening to the praise of effort reminded her of the harsh words she’d heard in her previous life, making her feel uncomfortable.

‘Being stupid is something you’re born with! Being poor isn’t my fault! What am I supposed to do when I’m still poor even after trying hard!’

Though she harbored such complaints, seeing the priest sweating profusely from his shiny head made her complaints subside a little.

‘He’s been chased around by the Number Siblings without even being able to rest.’

At least the High Priest of Effort was qualified to preach about making an effort.

Neet slowly inhaled and exhaled with her eyes tightly closed. The pig’s head offered as sacrifice disappeared, indicating that the automatic response had progressed to magic acquisition.

Everyone in the lobby held their breath and watched Neet. Knight Marin kept his mouth firmly shut, and even Seraph kept rolling his eyes while pretending not to be interested.

How long had they been watching Neet like this? Seraph grumbled.

“Isn’t this taking too long?”

“Shh.”

The prince closed his mouth at his sister’s criticism. However, as the prince’s concentration wavered, other people’s focus also broke.

“Could she actually be sleeping?”

Philia, whose concentration was severely lacking in areas that didn’t interest her, thought based on her own standards.

“Tsk. The time when concentration could be broken by a little chatter is over, so if you’re bored, don’t say stupid things and go do what you need to do.”

At the Old Man’s arrogant words, the gathered people dispersed. Only the priest giving buffs, the magic users (excluding the prince), and the Number Siblings who were family remained around Neet.

“It’s really taking a long time.”

Countess Randy, who had no choice but to stay because both her beloved master and husband were watching Neet, whispered into her master’s ear.

Since a little conversation wouldn’t interfere with the ritual, Serena answered comfortably.

“Neet is being watched by the God of Magic, so she might be having an important conversation.”

“Miss Neet is young, so prolonged contact with great mysteries isn’t good for her…”

Hearing Countess Nex’s worry made Serena concerned about Neet’s mental health too. Contact with deities was really harmful to mental health.

‘I thought I was going crazy.’

When she heard Countess Nex say that magic should be acquired at a slow pace, she thought it was overprotection, but that wasn’t the case.

“Huh. Is Neet in danger?”

“A sick child shouldn’t have a hurting heart too! This is too sad!”

“Woo!”

When the expert countess worried, the family members became anxious. Then another expert, Grey, asserted in a clear voice.

“She needs to endure that much to become an excellent mage.”

Serena glared at the Old Man with her one eye.

‘Did he go crazy from seeing too many deities?’

Maybe the Old Man’s personality was ruined from seeing too many deities?

While Serena was having reasonable doubts, the High Priest of Effort who had been diligently providing buffs collapsed.

“Huff, huff. I absolutely cannot continue. Bindo has reached his limit.”

The naturally bald priest lay down on the spot. The Number Siblings rushed to the bald man like a flock of birds going to peck at grain.

“Bald old man! Get up! Make an effort for Neet!”

“Didn’t you hear that Neet is in danger? Hurry up and make an effoooort!”

“Woo woo woo!”

The High Priest of Effort, lying properly on his back, endured the Number Siblings’ urging while wearing a half-enlightened expression.

“Effort also goes by the name of giving up. Bindo has done his best, so I’m not ashamed.”

Unable to watch any longer, Serena stepped forward.

“That’s enough. Neet is fine.”

“Princess, did you sense something again this time?”

Perhaps detecting something from Serena’s calm tone, Grey sharply threw a question.

‘Sharp-witted Old Man.’

That’s right. Serena didn’t step forward to stop the Number Siblings’ abuse of the bald middle-aged man.

She saw the gray star above Neet’s head shatter and change into a brilliant yellow star, judging that buffs were no longer needed.

‘Already 3-star. Neet’s growth is the fastest.’

While it was good that her companion was getting stronger, Serena became a little anxious.

‘Even if it’s fast, isn’t this too fast? It’s just like how short-lived animals grow quickly.’

She hoped it was just groundless worry.

‘I hope her growth stops at 3-star for a few years.’

“Did Neet really acquire magic? Or are you just trusting Neet? Can’t you tell just me? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huuuh?”

While the princess was deep in serious thought, Grey chattered annoyingly in her ear. He was so persistent that he alone did the work of three Number Siblings.

“Huuuh!”

“Cough. Me?”

Neet, who had been absorbed in meditation without opening her eyes immediately after acquiring magic, misunderstood Grey’s call and opened her eyes.

“I wasn’t asking you, I was questioning Her Highness the Princess. Did you learn magic? Did you have a conversation with the great magic too?”

Neet, who had been dazed from just awakening from meditation, answered Grey’s barrage of questions firmly.

“Yes! Cough. I acquired 3rd-tier Lion Awakening. I didn’t get to see the God of Magic.”

Before Grey could say anything, the Number Siblings surrounded their youngest.

“Wow! Our Neet is amazing! Incredible! You’re a mage!”

“Woo woo woo!”

“Genius, genius!”

Duri lifted Neet onto her shoulders and spun around, while Hana and Sesi performed acrobatics beside them.

“Kyahahat!”

Neet hugged Duri’s head and laughed loudly. The laughter that reached the ceiling made not only those watching Neet smile, but also those doing other things.

“Good! Now that you’ve learned magic, you should use it! You said your conversation with the deceased Krom was finished, right?”

“Kyahahat, cough. Yes. Grandmother Krom said I could call her anytime.”

“Then let’s do it right now!”

Excited about seeing magic for the first time, Grey ran to Krom’s tomb. Even in his excitement, he didn’t forget to show respect to the tomb’s owner.

‘An arrogant Old Man who still maintains courtesy!’

“Uncle Grey. Ahem.”

Prince Willow called the Old Man, who had secured the best spot for observation, using a new title that reflected their changed relationship. His awkward expression was a bonus, as the new title felt unfamiliar.

“Everyone must be hungry, so how about we eat first? Seeing corpses kills your appetite, you know.”

“Your stomach will feel just as bad whether you eat before or after seeing them.”

“People with weak stomachs just don’t have to watch.”

The prince used honorifics while the attendant spoke casually. As if they had finally found their proper places, their conversation was smooth and natural. Count Alpha witnessed this unbelievable reality again and gritted his teeth.

‘For Count Alpha’s dental health, we should share some information.’

She couldn’t understand why they were hiding information from armed allies. Anyway, following the prince’s suggestion, people gathered to have a meal.

Prince Willow confidently presented his cooking. Wild boar boiled pork, fried rice, chicken stew, and even beef porridge for the patient. Plus salad and various sauces.

“The boiled pork was simmered for a long time with spices and herbs to eliminate the gamey smell.”

‘There was a reason the preparation took so long.’

Even if the menu had been unified to just chicken porridge, it would have taken a long time with so many people, but Prince Willow seemed excited by the crowd and got ambitious.

“Continuous chicken porridge would be nutritionally unbalanced and boring. I braised pork with different seasonings, so put it on top of the porridge when you eat.”

‘It is delicious though. Why is he so serious about this?’

The prince of our country was serious about stealing and setting traps, while the prince of another country was serious about cooking.

“If only you put this much effort into studying. Tsk.”

Whether Grey made a displeased expression or not, the prince smiled brightly, apparently enjoying people’s compliments.

“Wow, this is a real feast!”

“To treat us so graciously like this. Thank you so much.”

“Haha, don’t say such things. This abundant feast is thanks to the blessings of The Land.”

The Prince sent a loving gaze to the fresh tomato before putting it in his mouth.

“With so many people, isn’t it difficult to make such a variety of dishes? How about dividing the group for meal preparation next time?”

Since they couldn’t leave the Lobby, she wondered if he was putting his heart into cooking, so she tried to lighten the Prince’s burden, but somehow Prince Willow’s expression didn’t look good.

“Your Highness Serena. Are you perhaps displeased that we’re not sparing the ingredients?”

“That’s not it. I’m just worried the Prince might be struggling.”

“Haha, then this is perfect. Serving delicious food to everyone and eating together is my greatest joy.”

Prince Willow smiled contentedly as if just watching people eat filled his stomach.

“Actually, I’ve rarely eaten with others except at banquets. Even with Uncle and Sirius here, I can count on my fingers how many times we’ve eaten together. That’s why I enjoy occasions like this.”

Grey, who had been twitching his lips wanting to scold the Prince, seemed to have much on his mind as he focused on his meal. Count Alpha similarly changed his expression.

“Did Your Highness eat alone?”

“Haha, yes. I always ate alone.”

“We always ate together. Why did Your Highness eat alone?”

To the question from the affectionate sworn siblings who shared even a single bean despite not being blood-related, Prince Willow answered.

“Hahaha. His Majesty the Emperor worries about me and my Older Brothers and Older Sisters. I heard that before I was born, the family used to gather around one table. But it changed after I was born.”

“Huh? Isn’t that not worry but ostracism?”

To the Guide’s rude retort, Prince Willow shook his head.

“Miss Olive. Please watch your words. There’s a separate reason for eating separately. There was an incident that made the entire Continent aware of the danger of putting all eggs in one basket.”

The reason the family doesn’t eat together. As the Prince explained the reason, he looked at the Huaim Siblings. Seraph spoke bluntly.

“You’re saying it’s because of Heuji?”

In this world, there are people who smile when eyes meet, and people who get angry asking if you’re picking a fight.

Prince Heuji belonged to the latter type of human, while the Empire’s Prince belonged to the former. Prince Willow gently deflected the confrontation.

“When I recall the tragedy that befell Heuji, I cannot hide my sorrowful feelings.”

What could you do when he distorted his cheerfully laughing face and moistened his eyes as if truly grieving? You had to accept it.

“Even so, not even using the same table as family is strange.”

The Young Knight, whose experience was insufficient to know there were various types of families in the world, spoke honestly. Prince Willow agreed with a smile.

“Hahaha, that’s exactly what I mean. But what can I do when His Majesty worries? That’s why I like occasions like this. Since I’m moving to fulfill my own enjoyment, it’s not difficult at all.”

The royal siblings of Heuji, where that tragedy actually occurred, occasionally ate together.

‘The Empire is quite dramatic. Or maybe it’s because he lost his wife twice?’

The Empire’s Empress died after giving birth to Prince Willow. Since the timing was similar to Heuji’s tragedy, it might have become a catalyst for the Emperor to obsess over his family’s lives.

‘He watched neighboring royalty under strict guard get wiped out in a landslide, and witnessed the Empire’s second most noble Empress die twice. Is it reasonable to be dramatic?’

The Number Siblings, finding the imperial family story fascinating, asked various questions.

“Then the family doesn’t even gather together?”

“Family gatherings? Hahaha. It’s legally forbidden for three or more royalty within the top 10 succession order to gather. Even when the court holds banquets or there are events with royal participation, we attend at designated time slots.”

“So even though you’re family, you don’t eat together or play together? That’s too lonely.”

“Miss Sesi’s heart is as beautiful as the roses blooming in the Imperial Palace Gardens. If the opportunity arises, I’d love to invite you to the Imperial Palace. The roses there are exactly the same color as Miss Sesi’s hair.”

The Prince’s lips, having eaten the boiled pork, glistened with pork fat. Sesi wrinkled her pretty face.

“Ugh, greasy. It’s not Your Highness that’s greasy, but the pork fat. Hehe.”

“Is the fat greasy? Hmm, should I add more spices?”

“There’s no gamey smell and it’s very delicious.”

Perhaps worried about his friend who grew up lonely, Count Alpha flattered the Prince. The Prince smiled brightly.

“Really? Low helped with preparing the meat!”

“Hehe, it was an honor to help. But to cook wild boar meat like this. It’s so delicious I could cry!”

It wasn’t empty words – the boiled meat was truly delicious. She had heard several times that wild boar meat had a strong gamey smell, but she couldn’t tell the difference from regular pork.

Still, what was disappointing wasn’t the food but Serena. More precisely, it was a matter of the soul.

‘It would be perfect with kimchi. Should I eat some cup noodles later?’

Wouldn’t vending machines sell kimchi someday? The Princess harbored hope. She firmly believed this hope would become the driving force for conquering the Labyrinth.

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