Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 303

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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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303. The Young Knight Dreams of a Vegetable Garden

Thud.

The undead’s hand landed on the shoulder of the red-haired girl who was sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed in meditation.

Sesi, who should have been startled enough to faint from the touch of a corpse’s body temperature, frowned and mercilessly pressed a pressure point that would hurt when pressed.

“Urgh!”

Sesi covered her surprise at the unexpected contact with intense pain. Even as she continued rubbing the painful pressure point, she maintained her meditation.

The Chicken Leader had moved when Krom’s hand landed on Sesi’s shoulder, but became docile when Sesi pressed the pressure point.

Grey, who had been carefully observing the two with cold gray eyes, shouted.

“Good! That’s exactly it, Sister Sesi!”

The Old Man smiled with satisfaction and nodded greatly, pleased to see Sesi’s efforts.

Sesi’s lips curved upward at the praise. Thinking it was bad for meditation, Sesi pressed the pressure point again.

That’s not how you do it.

Lavenda couldn’t leave Sesi’s side while cleaning and kept showing anxious expressions. Serena understood Lavenda’s concern.

‘Pressure points that always hurt when pressed? Those are vital points.’

It was impossible not to worry when a non-expert was jabbing vital points with fingers that had better grip strength than others.

As a masseuse and as an adult concerned about a teenager, she would want to stop it, but it would be difficult to intervene since Grey, who was the Prince’s uncle no less, approved of it.

Serena stepped forward for the troubled masseuse.

“Your spirit of sacrificing yourself to maintain composure is admirable. However, it could be harmful to your body, so let’s find proper medicine when the Count returns. Save relying on pain as a last resort.”

Sesi’s vivid blue eyes flashed open.

“It’s true that the whip hurt the most the first time, and gradually hurt less.”

“It might also be good to knock out Sister Sesi the moment she gets startled. We should discuss that when Sister Hana returns.”

“That requires caution. If the tamer loses consciousness, the magical beast could break free from control and truly go berserk.”

“Of course we’d have to experiment first. That’s such an obvious thing.”

Grey, who had said this much, sensed his approaching sister-in-law and changed his words.

“I might forget, so my small body trembles at Princess’s thoroughness in pointing that out.”

It wasn’t empty words – Grey’s small body really trembled.

“I’ll go do magical research now!”

Grey’s cheeks trembled as he forced a smile and ran to Countess Nex.

This too wasn’t just talk but the truth. The two mages from Huji and the Empire seemed to have good ideas and were constantly researching something together whenever they had time.

‘Countess Nex is an excellent mage and Grey goes without saying. What exactly are they researching together?’

It was also interesting that Countess Nex, not Grey, was the center of the research. Research where the Empire’s Grand Mage played a supporting role?

Serena was curious about the research content, but deliberately pretended not to be interested, fearing she might end up as a graduate student if she showed interest.

‘I’m already overwhelmed just improving the proficiency of the magic I’ve learned.’

It hadn’t even been a year since entering the labyrinth, yet Serena had learned much magic. Learning too much magic in a short time tends to lower proficiency and disturb or distort mental images.

Therefore, Serena meditated whenever she had time to organize each magical theory and arrange and strengthen her mental images.

While each person was strengthening their foundations or resting until the 2nd Corps raid team returned, there was someone devoted to other work.

“Thank you for lending me the Chicken Leader!”

That was Ralph.

Using store coins to upgrade the herb garden could restore the herb garden that the Labyrinth Chicken had torn up. However, vegetables weren’t urgent, and it was left alone with the intention of teaching Sesi a lesson.

But Ralph seemed bothered by the ruined herb garden.

The young knight from a farming family couldn’t give up his dream of labyrinth farming and plowed the ruined herb garden and planted seeds.

“Sir Knight~ I told you farming won’t work.”

Previously, Ralph had often planted leftover seeds or roots from fruits and vegetables in the herb garden. As someone with farming experience, he had lovingly tended them, but the seeds never sprouted.

Ralph cheerfully replied to Olive, who called it a waste of stamina.

“This time will be different!”

“Why?”

“The seeds I planted this time are seeds given by the Minotaur God!”

That’s right. The seeds Ralph planted this time were vegetable seeds for home gardens purchased from the vending machine. Since selling products that couldn’t sprout would be fraud, this farming had a high probability of success.

“Hmm~ Those might actually sprout.”

“There’s one more reason!”

“What?”

Ralph clenched both fists.

“The blessing that High Priest Hazel cast on the field still remains. Since the Chicken Leader’s claws tilled the soil deep into the field, this farming will go well!”

“Ooh.”

The Guide’s mouth formed a circle in admiration, perhaps finding Ralph’s bold declaration plausible.

Grey, who was doing magical research with his ears open, interfered while concentrating on research without turning his head.

“There actually was a scholar who tried farming in a labyrinth using seeds brought from outside the labyrinth. There was a labyrinth with fertile plains spread across shallow floors. If you completely conquered that floor, it would become perfect farmland without natural disasters, pests, or saltwater.”

“What happened?”

Ralph’s eyes sparkled at the mention of a predecessor. Grey moved only his mouth without turning his head.

“Wheat and barley are pollinated by wind carrying pollen, right? That floor had no natural disasters but also no wind, and no pests but also no butterflies and bees to carry pollen. Even when they created wind with magic, it wasn’t as good as actual natural wind, so the yield was terrible.”

The story continued that although the soil itself was indeed fertile, it wasn’t cost-effective to transport the soil outside the labyrinth, so all labyrinth farming research was abandoned.

The young knight’s eyebrows drooped. Grey, anticipating Ralph’s disappointment without even looking, encouraged him.

“The seeds Brother Ralph planted are mostly leafy vegetables. They’ll grow well.”

“Though the herb garden restoration will be faster than their growth~”

“Lettuce grows quickly!”

“The seeds Count Ralph planted will grow well without losing to existing plants. I look forward to it.”

Prince Willow, who had been troubled by the absence of vegetables from ingredients, wished for a bountiful harvest.

“Thank you! I’d like to spread fertilizer too, but it’s unfortunate there isn’t any.”

“There are lots of worm corpses – couldn’t you burn them or grind them up and spread them?”

Sesi mentioned the pile of worm corpses that she gradually brought and burned in the lobby. Ralph and Krom, who had farming experience, simultaneously shook their heads.

“Want to ruin the soil?”

“You can’t just spread ashes either. You have to age them with dry grass before spreading. It’s fine short-term, but if you repeat it long-term, the soil becomes hard as stone. And the worms were soaked in saltwater, which damages the land.”

Sesi hung her head dejectedly at the experienced farmers’ firm refusal.

“Um! *Cough*. If the problem is soil getting hard, wouldn’t it be okay since this is a labyrinth? *Cough*. The soil gets restored even if it hardens. If you wash off the salt and then burn them, wouldn’t it be fine? *Cough*.”

Ralph’s eyes widened at Neet’s words, spoken out of concern for Sesi.

“That’s… right! In the labyrinth, there’s no need to worry about the soil! The salt will drain out quickly too!”

“Miss Neet, that’s a really good idea.”

“That’s exactly it, Neet. It’s useless to just have a good memory. You need to be able to combine the information you know and use it appropriately like now. Very well done.”

Countless praises poured down on Neet. Neet, who had simply combined things she remembered out of concern for her sister but received a shower of praise, felt so good that she conversely shrank back.

“Did I… do well?”

“You really did well. Mages need that kind of creative thinking that isn’t buried in existing common sense.”

“I was worried because your memory was too good, but now you know what to do, right?”

“Miss Neet. Uncle Grey is stingy with praise. He’s really praising you because you did well.”

But Neet didn’t easily feel reassured.

She hadn’t learned new magic, hadn’t puzzled over anything difficult, and was being praised just for combining two pieces of information from memory? The child who grew up abused couldn’t accept it.

Neet’s eyes, which had been looking down and reading the mood, stopped on Serena. Serena smiled sincerely and patted Neet’s shoulder.

“Well done, Neet. Thanks to Neet, Count Ralph is happy, and the farming will go well too.”

“Hehe, really?”

Only after hearing the Princess’s praise did Neet feel relieved and giggle. Even though her facial muscles moving with each laugh stimulated her torn wounds, she kept laughing as if it was okay.

“Hehehehe.”

“Neet really is the smartest!”

Sesi praised her youngest sister as much as her absent older sister and brother would have. The sisters swayed their bodies cheerfully in rhythm.

“Since we’re talking about it, I’ll go spread the ashes!”

“I’ll help.”

Ralph and Krom swept up and collected the ashes around the bonfire. The young knight, somewhat excited as he headed to the herb garden with a bucket of ashes, returned straight to the lobby.

There was no need to ask why he came back, because Ralph shouted loudly.

“The 2nd Corps raid team has all returned safely!”

Philia, who had been stuck close to Serena’s side for days feeling lonely(?), was the first to run to the lobby entrance.

“Honey! You’re back!”

“My lady! I missed you so much!”

The loving lovebird couple embraced each other and savored the joy of their reunion. Olive, who had been drinking plain water, smacked her lips as if she had eaten sweet candy.

“Ugh, so sweet, so sweet.”

Sesi and Neet also ran to the entrance to welcome their beloved family. The two embraced Duri’s fluffy yet rock-hard body while she was still in bear form.

“Hana! Duri!”

“Cough! I missed you!”

“We missed you too!”

“Woof!”

Hana gently patted Neet, and roughly tousled Sesi’s hair. Sesi giggled and blew kisses to her sisters and brother—free of charge for family only.

“Sirius! Welcome back, my dear friend!”

Prince Willow also spread his arms wide to welcome Count Alpha who had returned to the lobby. The Imperial Knight’s previously smooth brow furrowed deeper the closer he got to the Prince.

“Reporting my return.”

Whether he was happy or annoyed that his friend welcomed him, Count Alpha gave a brief reply and passed by the Prince to enter the lobby.

Prince Willow, who had been about to pester such a friend, spotted the Hunter who had no one particularly welcoming him and changed targets.

“Low! Welcome back!”

“Huh? Y-yes?”

“I’m glad everyone returned safely without injury. I’m not saying this because I doubt your skills. Since I’m bound to this lobby, I can’t help but worry about you all exploring the labyrinth.”

“Y-yes. That’s right, sir. Yes, yes.”

Building internal intimacy with the Prince who fed him was separate from his shyness around people.

Low felt burdened by Prince Willow clinging to him pretending to be close, so he looked around desperately for rescue. Everyone was focused on their own business, so the Mysterious Stranger’s distress signals were ignored.

Low’s wandering eyes landed on the Princess sitting in a chair. Low approached Serena with big steps like someone grabbing a lifeline.

“I’ll give my report to the Princess!”

“Wait! I’ll handle this report.”

Count Randy, who had been enjoying his reunion with Philia, stopped Low. He didn’t intend to steal credit, but seemed to think he was more suited to give the report.

Gloom settled over the Hunter’s grim face after the Alchemist stole his lifeline. Prince Willow knew Low’s personality yet still pestered him annoyingly.

“Haha! Mark will give the report instead! You just rest comfortably! Want some snacks?”

“If you’re offering, I’d be grateful…”

Prince Willow laughed heartily while patting Low’s back. Serena smiled bitterly to herself.

“Prince. You can’t play favorites with people. Give snacks to the entire assault team.”

“Understood.”

Only after the Prince left to prepare snacks could Low finally relax.

“So, what did you discover?”

“We were all so surprised!”

“Woof!”

Before the Count could answer, Hana and Duri excitedly shouted out. Serena straightened her posture.

‘They must have found something good?’

Count Randy answered with a beaming smile.

“An orchard.”

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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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