Serena and the Mysterious Labyrinth - Chapter 70

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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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70. The Remaining Party’s Adventure

Let’s change time and place and return to the lobby of the 1st floor of Heuji’s Labyrinth. Right after Serena’s party left the lobby.

Heuji’s greatest beauty, the silver fairy of Hujihen, the self-proclaimed second-in-command of Hujihen’s social circle, Countess Philia Landriol, decided to learn magic as her master had told her.

‘If I can also use magic, I’ll be able to follow Serena-nim like he does, right?’

Philia couldn’t bear sending her master alone into dangerous territory. She didn’t care that she would only be a hindrance if she followed, or that her master was accompanied by capable Labyrinth Explorers.

Philia couldn’t endure the time when Serena wasn’t by her side. It was so severe that sometimes she felt it was hard to even breathe when her master wasn’t nearby.

“Grey! Teach me magic!”

“Hmm.”

If an adult told him to do something, he should say ‘Yes, I understand. I’ll teach you.’ But Grey closed his eyes, pretending to think.

Even to Philia’s eyes, her somewhat strange nephew shrugged his shoulders. He was quite lacking in courtesy, reverence, and respect toward adults.

“I have no choice. Aunt, please sit here. Lavenda, you come here too.”

“Me too?”

Usually, Lavenda does various chores while the exploration party is away. Surprisingly, there was a lot to do, so she was planning to work busily today as well.

Philia would stand around blankly and gradually help a little, but she had never done any work and lacked manual skills, so she wasn’t much help.

Grey just sat properly with his eyes closed. Lavenda was worried that the young child might have become lethargic due to stress from the labyrinth environment.

Lavenda pointed to herself. Grey nodded.

“Yes. Even learning a few 1st-tier spells would be helpful.”

“But don’t you need magic stones and gems to learn magic? I understand you have to keep trying until you succeed. Especially magic stones are needed for the Count’s alchemy, so shouldn’t we save them?”

“That’s fine. I want to check if you have a body sensitive to magic power before performing the ritual.”

When Lavenda hesitantly sat down as instructed, Grey told her to extend her hand.

Grey placed the magic stone attached to his staff on Lavenda’s outstretched hand.

“Stay still. Relax your mind. Don’t be too nervous.”

‘What if I have talent as a mage?’

Though they both start with ‘ma’ and end with ‘sa’, the status of a masseuse and a mage are different. Just when she thought she had become a mature working adult, Lavenda’s heart began to pound.

But Grey drove a stake through Lavenda’s pounding heart as he removed the staff.

“Lavenda, you’re insensitive to magic power.”

‘Of course. What business do I have with magic?’

Lavenda skillfully hid her disappointment and left to do chores again.

It was Philia’s turn. Grey placed the magic stone on Philia’s delicate jade-like hands. Philia slightly frowned.

“It’s a bit ticklish.”

“You can sense magic power.”

“Long ago, when Serena-nim was learning magic, I tried to learn alongside her.”

“But you didn’t learn it?”

“I kept failing at meditation and the magic theory was difficult… I tried to put in some effort, but when Her Highness the Crown Princess passed away, Serena-nim also stopped her magic lessons, and she was constantly busy after that.”

“I see. Then how much do you remember of what you learned?”

“That was years ago. Naturally, I forgot it all.”

“What? When was this?”

“Serena-nim was 12 years old, so it was 6 years ago.”

Grey’s expression hardened.

“Aunt. So you’re saying Her Highness the Princess was learning 3rd-tier magic at age 12?”

“Yes.”

“But she quit magic? What about other people? Didn’t anyone try to stop her?”

“Whether Serena-nim learns magic or not is her decision, so who would stop her?”

“Didn’t the Magic Tutor inform Her Highness’s fath… ah… His Majesty the King about Her Highness’s talent?”

“Serena-nim has been mature and intelligent since childhood, so His Majesty granted her freedom.”

“That’s not freedom, that’s… hah… Never mind.”

To think that excellent mage material was rotting away because of irresponsible adults. Grey clicked his tongue and put his hands behind his back.

“You remember how to meditate, right? Let’s start with meditation. It’s about sensing magic power inside your body and outside without the help of magic stones. Since this is a labyrinth, it’s full of magic power so it should be easy to feel.”

“Alright.”

She nodded vigorously and closed her eyes, but 3 minutes passed. Philia, who had been wiggling her toes since before even 1 minute passed, couldn’t endure it and opened her eyes.

“How long has it been? About an hour?”

“I’d say about 1 minute.”

“That can’t be! At least an hour must have passed!”

“Really, not much time has passed, so close your eyes again.”

“But an hour passed…”

“Don’t count numbers while meditating. Don’t think about other things and focus on magic power.”

“…”

This time she lasted over 3 minutes, but another problem arose. Philia couldn’t endure her leg going numb and opened her eyes.

“Should we meditate lying down?”

“Then you’ll fall asleep. Hmm, this won’t work. Lack of concentration is caused by lack of stamina. Aunt, you need to build up your stamina first!”

Before moving her body, he had her do exercises so her muscles wouldn’t be shocked, then made her walk around the lobby. But it was inconvenient to walk because of the graves.

“I’m dizzy.”

“Hmm.”

“How about going back and forth between the restroom and lobby? That path has no traps since they were dismantled, and it’s safe.”

Lavenda showed Grey the 1st floor map she had received from Olive. The map, which kindly marked even trap locations, still had empty spaces remaining.

“If any Labyrinth Rats appear, I’ll take care of them. Just trust me.”

Lavenda held up her shovel and smiled brightly. Though Grey wasn’t impressed, Philia seemed to find her reliable and approached the door.

“Going around in circles in a narrow space makes me dizzy. As Lavenda said, I’ll go back and forth to the restroom, so you wait here.”

“I want to go together too.”

Although monsters don’t enter the lobby, it would be better to go together rather than leave a young child alone. Lavenda shouldered the heavy responsibility of their lives and led the way.

The incident occurred at the second crossroads. They should go straight ahead to the center to reach the restroom, but Grey, who was looking at the map, made an unexpected suggestion.

“While we’re at it, let’s complete the 1st floor map. Come this way.”

“What? That’s too dangerous.”

“It’s fine. Just trust me and follow.”

Grey strode off down a different path.

“Grey! Come back here right now!”

“Aunt, hurry up too. If you want to build stamina, you need to walk fast.”

Grey fearlessly went ahead.

“It’s dangerous, young master! There are traps!”

“1st floor traps are obvious.”

Grey triggered a trap that even Lavenda hadn’t noticed was there. The child recorded the trap’s location and type on the map and continued walking.

“Labyrinth Rats might appear! Do you know how big Labyrinth Rats are? Even if I kick them, they don’t die.”

“But they die to magic.”

A Labyrinth Rat appeared and died after being hit by a magic bullet Grey fired. Grey clicked his tongue and sighed as if something displeased him, then continued walking.

“One is fine, but if several appear at the same time.”

“It’s fine.”

Five Labyrinth Rats appeared and died simultaneously, each hit by one of five magic bullets created at the same time. When the one at the back tried to flee, a magic bullet chased the rat and managed to hit it in the head.

“Haah…”

After killing all the Labyrinth Rats, Grey sighed heavily again, as if something still displeased him. Uncharacteristically for a young child, he kept clicking his tongue and moved forward.

“Young master, wait a moment, let me collect the Labyrinth Rats!”

Lavenda put the Labyrinth Rats in the bucket she had intended for herbs. Grey waited for Lavenda, and once she had gathered all the rats, he strode forward.

“Is this really okay?”

When Grey looked worriedly at Countess Randy, his guardian, the Countess shook her head as if she had no idea.

“Isn’t it fine? The Shepherd conquered Vieta’s Labyrinth all by himself.”

“I suppose…”

Fortunately, no more monsters appeared after that. As a result of avoiding obvious traps while recording them on the map and advancing, the remaining party composed of a noblewoman, a masseuse, and a Grand Mage’s grandson succeeded in filling the blank spaces on the 1st floor map.

They had hoped to find more herb gardens or treasure chests, but there were none. All they found was a stone tablet fragment with strange letters carved on it.

“Wow, would Serena-nim be pleased if I showed this to her?”

“Won’t she scold us for wandering around recklessly?”

“Then we’ll have to keep it a secret.”

“I’ll hold onto the stone tablet.”

Grey stopped intermittently to carefully examine the walls, floor, ceiling, and other areas. In front of the sealed door of the leader’s chamber, he even traced the carved patterns with his fingers to confirm them.

“Noble… as expected, here too…”

The Child, who was concentrating to a degree that Philia could never imitate, only looked away from the door when his stomach clock rang.

“We’ve explored all of the 1st floor, so shall we go see the 2nd floor too?”

“Absolutely not!”

“That would be terrible!”

They had somehow ended up following him around the 1st floor, but absolutely not from the 2nd floor onward. As if anticipating the two adults’ reaction, Grey shrugged his shoulders and returned to the lobby.

Going around to fill in the blank spots on the map was the remaining party’s secret. They would say the labyrinth rat in the bucket was encountered while going to the restroom.

“The jerky tastes bad, but couldn’t we preserve it until Lady Serena arrives? Grey, do you know how to make ice?”

“Haha. I don’t have enough mana to use 3rd-tier magic.”

“Really? Lady Serena could do it at your age.”

“That’s right. As aunt says, she’s a genius, yet she stopped studying magic. Really… I can’t understand it.”

Though Grey looked displeased, Philia continued to irritate her nephew’s mood, either not caring or not noticing.

“Aunt, since you’ve activated your body by walking, you should be able to meditate better than before.”

“I’m tired though.”

“Quickly.”

Countess Randy leaned her back against a tomb, sat with her legs stretched out straight, then closed her eyes. Breathe in and out, calm the mind, don’t count numbers, I wonder if Lady Serena is doing well, I hope she wasn’t hurt, what if someone becomes closer to her than me while going through life-and-death dangers together, then what would I do, should I kill that person after all. Maybe killing is too much, but I can’t let someone become closer to Lady Serena than me.

As a result of shaking off such idle thoughts and forcibly emptying her mind.

Philia fell fast asleep. Lavenda covered the Countess with a blanket. Grey wanted to wake Philia but restrained himself upon seeing her beauty.

Thus, the remaining party’s escapade seemed to be buried in darkness as their secret alone.

“Did you explore the labyrinth?”

But it was exposed to the world when the Princess returned earlier than expected and asked an equally unexpected question, leaving them flustered.

***

“I told you not to do dangerous things!”

The Countess, who had been excited that her master returned sooner than expected, became dejected when their secret was discovered and she was scolded, then burst out with the anger she had been holding back.

“But Lady Serena is doing even more dangerous things! I wanted to help too!”

“Philia, I am.”

“You say the Labyrinth God favors you? Even so, monsters and traps don’t avoid only Lady Serena! Even now, you’ve returned soaked in sweat looking half-dead from whatever happened! You look like you’d collapse if I just touched you! I wanted to be even a little help to Lady Serena, waah!”

Tears welled up in her beautiful blue eyes, more beautiful than the moon reflected in the lake or the sky the party had seen from the 3rd layer.

“Do you know how agonizing it is for me to stay comfortably in a safe place while Lady Serena goes to dangerous places? How wonderful it would be if I could take your place instead. What if something happens to Lady Serena? Even when I die, I want to be by Lady Serena’s side…”

A beauty’s tears are more powerful than her smile. Seeing the most beautiful woman in Huji crying sadly, people began to take Philia’s side.

“I know you were startled, Princess. But it’s not something to get that angry about, right? If it’s labyrinth rats, Miss Potpourri could fight them alone, and traps are easy to find.”

“I know how to use magic! I caught all the labyrinth rats!”

“Th-that’s right. I didn’t need to step in at all since Gray Young Master caught them all by himself. He discovered all the traps too.”

“The Shepherd conquered Bieta’s Labyrinth alone. With three people, it’s excessive force.”

“Agreed.”

“Lady Serena. Please forgive the Countess. The already frail Countess must have suffered from lack of stamina being trapped in the narrow lobby unable to move. Since she says it was for physical training, it was unavoidable.”

‘This bastard.’

Even Count Randy took his wife’s side. Serena sighed. Serena wasn’t angry to begin with, just surprised.

Don’t you get angry first when someone precious to you does something dangerous? Following Seraph, she was furious thinking Philia was also throwing herself into danger.

“Don’t do that next time.”

“Sob, will you stop conquering the labyrinth, Lady Serena?”

“I have to do that.”

“Then I don’t want to either.”

“From the 2nd layer onward it’s very dangerous, so absolutely not.”

“I know that too. I want to walk around the 1st floor since I need to build up my stamina.”

“Yeah, that much is fine.”

Philia smiled brightly with tears still in her eyes. Serena wanted to wipe away her tears, but her arms were trembling so much they wouldn’t rise above 40 degrees.

Serena gave up and hugged Philia instead. Though she must be reeking of sweat and decay from climbing the stairs, Philia smiled happily.

Several people who were pleased seeing the harmonious master and servant wondered ‘Doesn’t she worry about her husband?’, but seeing that husband Count Randy smiling brightly, they dismissed the thought. They were a very well-matched pair.

“Your Highness Princess. I have something I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

“How did you know we walked around the 1st floor?”

“The Labyrinth God informed me that the 1st floor had been perfectly conquered.”

“Wow, the God tells you things like that too? Amazing!”

“He grants even greater things.”

When the Princess raised her trembling hand, the lobby expanded. The tombs that had stuffily occupied more than half the lobby were arranged along the edges, and the fountain and bonfire moved to the center of the lobby.

This wasn’t the end.

The lobby expanded once more, and the tombs that had moved to the edges were gathered in one place. The fountain and bonfire that had moved to the center were also pushed to the edges.

And in the center of the lobby appeared an outdoor hot spring with steam rising from it. Everyone doubted their eyes and pinched their cheeks or noses, but what they saw was real.

Serena lowered her trembling hand.

‘Sorry, I splurged.’

Though not as much as the tombs, the hot spring that took up considerable space cost 1 Shop coin. At this cheap price, Serena absolutely couldn’t resist the impulse purchase.

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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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