Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Catacomb of Doom (1)
The next day.
Rudian headed to the academy student council room with Maria and Elvin.
It was time to finally get a definite answer from Luciella.
"Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you."
Inside the student council room were Luciella and her vice president assisting her.
SWISH!
After Luciella subtly gestured, the vice president, understanding her meaning, bowed slightly and left the room.
"Sigh…"
Once only the relevant parties remained, she let out an irritated sigh.
"We will accept your proposal in the name of Duke Vincent von Delphione. If you psychics sincerely dedicate yourselves to the well-being of our Delphione family and the Empire, we will become a steadfast foundation for your bright future."
This matter was not something she could decide alone.
Clearly, it had been thoroughly discussed and concluded with key figures like Duke Delphione and Sword Master Kaitel.
However…
‘She must’ve met the Third Prince.’
If it had only been the Third Prince at that meeting, she wouldn’t have made such a face.
"And Elvin Kepler."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Now that we’ve formed an alliance, as proof of this bond, you will become my uncle’s disciple. It’s unfortunate for Karen, but there’s no other choice."
"……"
Elvin remained silent for a long moment before reluctantly nodding.
"...Understood."
"So, what do you plan to do next?"
Though nominally the Psychic Luminous had submitted to the Delphione Ducal House, the Duke couldn’t directly command them.
It was more akin to sponsorship—a mercenary-like arrangement.
Before answering, Rudian wanted to confirm one thing through her.
"Ah, before that… What about the request I made?"
At Rudian’s question, Luciella pressed her temples and replied.
"Yes, I ‘twisted’ the report very meticulously."
The Information Guild’s report Luciella submitted to the Third Prince.
Originally, it would have contained detailed information about the suspect in the Viscount’s murder…
"That report will never lead to catching the culprit."
In the end, Luciella decided to follow Rudian’s suggestion.
Truthfully, she had hesitated until the end.
The Third Prince was her fiancé, someone she would spend her life with.
She doubted whether she was being deceived by the sweet words of an unknown group into betraying him.
However, her reservations shattered the moment she saw the fox-like woman beside the Third Prince.
Noticing her unease, Rudian stepped closer to her.
"Wh-what is it?"
Flustered by his sudden proximity, she stiffened slightly.
"Your Grace, even if you haven’t experienced it firsthand, Viscount Gude Belstad was a powerful dark magician. He was at least an 8th-level magician."
The artifact possessed by the Kepler family, the Hourglass of Time.
Only after experiencing its power did Luciella begin to trust Rudian and Maria’s words.
Luciella nodded quietly.
"...I know. He was once a promising talent of the Tower of Wind but eventually fell into obscurity. I have no intention of doubting your words now."
"That man offered his ‘adopted daughter’ to the Third Prince. Not his real daughter—an ‘adopted’ one."
"……"
Emphasizing the word "adopted," she immediately grasped the implication.
"You’re saying that woman is also connected to the demons…?"
"Yes."
That woman?
Though Rudian had sensed Luciella’s fiery personality, he hadn’t expected her to openly use such derogatory terms.
She must have harbored some pent-up frustrations.
"Demons…"
She tapped the armrest of her chair absently.
The Seoris Alliance Trading Company, led by Viscount Gude Belstad, would be in chaos after his sudden death, scrambling to elect a new leader.
Rudian urged her, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Release the Information Guild’s agents to monitor them. Check if the Viscount’s daughter is involved in the Seoris Alliance’s affairs. If a new leader emerges, it might be someone closely tied to her."
If not a subordinate, the demons themselves might intervene.
"It’s certainly impossible for a mere noblewoman to meddle in the guild’s major affairs."
If she had held a high position, it would be different, but that woman had clung solely to the Third Prince.
She couldn’t have had the time.
"Whether they’re demons or not, shouldn’t we remove the parasites clinging to His Highness the Third Prince?"
"...Parasites."
"Yes, parasites. Parasites must be eradicated."
Calling a supreme demon king—a major antagonist spanning over ten volumes of The Chronicles of the Seven-Colored World —a “parasite” was a bit harsh, but…
‘Well, they do act like parasites.’
Luciella’s eyes trembled as if she’d heard a sweet demon’s whisper.
In the original story, she was ultimately abandoned by the Third Prince.
What remained for a disgraced noblewoman after being rejected?
She lived a thoroughly discarded life until the Morian Empire was ravaged by demons.
Though she returned to the center of power after Chapter 1 ended, she faced the fully realized final boss of Chapter 2, Maria Kepler.
Considering her tragic fate, now was the time to twist that future.
"...You’re right. Parasites must be eradicated."
Muttering to herself with a dazed expression, Luciella seemed lost in thought.
-Who’s the real demon here?
-I agree
“Shut up”
As if realizing she’d shown vulnerability, Luciella coughed loudly and composed herself.
"AHEM! Well, returning to the main point… What should we do next?"
"Obviously, we must drag the demons lurking beneath the surface into the light."
Rudian’s plan was nearly complete.
"They’ve already infiltrated noble society. If my predictions are correct, they’ve likely extended their reach into the military. Mishandling this could trigger a civil war, and regardless of scale, the Morian Empire will suffer tremendous damage."
The critical point was minimizing the Empire’s losses.
If expelling the demons took too long, other demon-led forces like the Kingdom of Rohans would invade.
"How do we drag them into the light?"
"First, we must sever all their limbs."
The subordinate organizations created by Gude and other demonic underlings.
And the seeds of calamity they’ve sown for the future.
"Sever all their limbs, gather trustworthy allies, and strike them down in one blow."
"Easier said than done. To muster enough force…"
Ordinary forces wouldn’t suffice.
Since the demons’ combat ratings exceed 10,000, only the Empire’s most elite units could oppose them.
Rudian’s gaze shifted to Maria, sitting quietly.
With Maria here, they had a guaranteed trump card.
"Sigh…"
Yet, for some reason, she wore a liberated expression, as if freed from a heavy burden.
The reason lay in the psychic theory research Rudian provided to the Psychic Luminous.
‘...She won’t be combat-ready for a while.’
The dark circles under her eyes made it clear she’d spent sleepless nights.
Since her immediate strength wasn’t needed, Rudian turned back to Luciella.
"For now, I plan to raid a dungeon to strengthen our forces."
"A d-dungeon?"
"Yes, there’s a decent one nearby."
And one where a Demon King had laid groundwork for the future.
Though challenging, it wasn’t impossible to conquer. Clearing it with Elvin would yield experience and decent rewards.
However, Luciella’s expression twisted at the word “nearby.”
"Nearby? This is the capital! How can a dungeon exist here?"
"To be precise, it exists ‘within’ the capital."
"Inside the capital?!"
She glared at Rudian with disbelief, but what could he do? It was the truth.
The Morian Empire’s capital, Nevan, was a massive metropolis with a population exceeding a million.
Yet its administrative structure and population tracking weren’t as meticulous as modern systems, leaving gaps like slums and underworld districts.
‘Three dungeons I remember within the capital.’
Two were unrelated to demons and would atomize anyone below a certain level in seconds, so they were out of the question.
‘The Catacomb. This is the perfect starting point.’
Catacomb of Doom.
A massive underground cemetery in northern Nevan that had become a dungeon.
In the original timeline, the Catacomb appeared as Chapter 3 began, when Maria razed the capital and Luciella started rebuilding.
Existing long before The Chronicles of the Seven-Colored World, the Catacomb had become a hellish realm over time.
However, the capital housed protagonists like Abel and his allies, who effortlessly purified it, reducing it to a minor episode.
Though trivialized in the original, the Catacomb marked the start of Chapter 3 and held far darker secrets.
"Elvin and I will enter the dungeon and finish it."
The experience would be substantial, the loot worthwhile, and it’d alleviate future anxieties.
A triple benefit!
"A dungeon, a dungeon…"
Luciella lowered her head with a grave expression.
‘Is the existence of a dungeon inside the capital that shocking?’
Given the Delphione Ducal House’s role in governing the Empire, perhaps so.
But Rudian had no idea.
"That’s truly fascinating information!"
"...Huh?"
"Clearly, the dungeon must have appeared because of the cemetery’s evil energy! Like undead rising from battlefield corpses!"
"No, that’s…"
He almost said, ‘Actually, a netherworld entity has taken root there…’ But Luciella cut him off with a bombshell.
"Take me with you!"
"...What?"
His ‘What?’ this time was two tones higher.
Luciella suddenly stretched her shoulders and flashed a combative smile.
"My body’s been stiff—this is perfect. I’ve been itching to slash something lately!"
…He decided not to ask ‘what’ she wanted to slash.
He’d forgotten, but she was the unofficial strongest in the Maha Empire Academy.
A genius who reached the pinnacle of Expert-level swordsmanship through pure skill—no psychic shortcuts like Elvin.
Her kind smile had masked it, but she preferred swords over pens.
‘Wait, this’ll ruin everything…’
Rudian panicked.
While her joining would make the raid easier…
‘There’s something I absolutely need to obtain!’
The loot this time couldn’t be shared. If she joined, his plans would unravel!
"Leave the dungeon preparations to me. I’ll ensure everything is ready!"
"……"
Refusing outright was impossible, she was their supreme sponsor.
"Her Grace’s skills are formidable. Few realize it, but I know. Her help would be invaluable."
Elvin smiled obliviously, unaware his share would shrink.
As Rudian sighed and pressed his temples
"Then take me as well."
"……!"
Maria, who had been silent until now, stood and spoke.
"I’ve also been feeling stiff lately. This is perfect."
CRACK! CRACK!
As Maria cracked her neck, Luciella’s eyes sparkled.
"You too, Lady Maria?"
"Yes, the stress has been overwhelming…"
"Wonderful. This will be a fine opportunity to witness your psychic abilities firsthand."
‘Are you serious?!’
They were already dreaming of feasts before the hunt began—and these were women capable of seizing both the feast and the hunt.
‘Can I even secure my share?’
Rudian wept blood internally.