Chapter 181
Chapter 181
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 181
Chapter Title: Rotten Beyond Sticking
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Eve pressed a hand to her forehead, her head throbbing at the news that my expedition destination was the imperial forest reserved exclusively for the royal family. She let out a deep sigh, her eyes narrowing.
"You. You do know what that place is for, right?"
"Of course."
"And you're still going? You?"
"Mm."
The imperial forest reserved exclusively for the royal family.
Jefrin Academy prides itself as an 【Educational Institution for All Peoples of the Continent】. And the founding emperor, Hark, truly lived up to that promise.
However, his successor—the second emperor, Hark's son—clashed fiercely with his father upon becoming the second headmaster of Jefrin. He argued it was absurd for there to be no exclusive space for the imperial family. In the end, he secured a few areas designated for the royals.
Hark von Loengrin had threatened, 'Take care of it yourselves since you're my grandchildren. Or else, you're really dead.' As a result, the imperial grandchildren gained rights but also shouldered duties in exchange.
One of those was the imperial forest exclusive to the royals: 【Loengrin's Forest】. A truly abysmal naming sense, but at least it was straightforward.
In other words, these imperial zones boasted a history nearly as long as Jefrin's 300 years.
Why was that special?
Simply put, only imperial grandchildren could enter. And since they naturally amassed wealth and treasures just by existing, it became a 300-year tradition for each to leave behind unique items or set up their own twists during their tenure... turning it into the world's most luxurious yet utterly useless space.
For example, there were cornflowers infused with moonlight or water ash branches scented with fairy fragrance scattered everywhere.
So, in a way, it was a treasure trove. But if it were just a beautiful tale, the worst human scum prince in history, Wolfram von Loengrin, would've plucked them like dried persimmons. The reason he couldn't? There was a good one.
Some lunatic among the past royals had unleashed familiars inside.
Back then, collecting rare natural species must've been trendy. Around that time, all sorts of familiars, divine beasts, and fairies were released into Loengrin's Forest, mingling with the truly mystical ingredients there to form their own unique ecosystem.
Those lunatics.
As a result, Loengrin's Forest had devolved into a state no royal—much less anyone else—could manage. That was precisely why I called it an 'expedition site.'
"Honestly, danger-wise... it's about on par with that Fairy Paradise we went to before, don't you think?"
"Hmph. Needless worry. Who do you think I am?"
"Who said I was worried about you? You'd sneak in and snag stuff on your own anyway. Yeah! My worry's how much you'll clean out!"
"......"
Oops.
Busted.
This was why sharp kids were such a pain.
"You'd bring Filtia along, or use some outlandish method to conquer Loengrin's Forest. Then what? You'd gleefully strip it of 300 years' worth of history and tradition. Am I wrong?"
"...Wr, wron... "
"...You're not wrong."
This damn skill!?
"There we go. Admitting it honestly. You're destined to ransack that forest. Hmph."
"......So?"
"Huh?"
"You got a problem with me looting it? Eve von Loengrin?"
"...How can you so brazenly declare you're gonna steal... "
"It's an expedition site untouched for 300 years due to neglect. I have entry rights, and if I conquer it, shouldn't I claim the rewards?"
"Don't sophistry your way into convincing me!"
"Not sophistry. Plus, it'd be an achievement for you."
"......What achievement?"
I clenched my fist tight.
For treasure, I could sell my soul.
I could endure any humiliation.
Even if it meant... praising Eve von Loengrin!
"During Eve von Loengrin's reign, the imperial forest was cleared—a peerless geni... us. Eve... von Loengrin's glo... rious feat."
".........."
"What do you say... Deal? If I succeed, all the acclaim goes to you."
"Uh, hm. Not... a bad deal... maybe?"
"Right?"
"Knew you'd say that? I've got conditions too."
"......What conditions?"
"Two. Exactly two items out. No more."
"Hey."
"In return, Wolfram von Loengrin gets permission to enter Loengrin's Forest, and I'll aid him in hauling out treasures. Know my future path, and you'll see how scandalous that is—and how two is plenty. Got it!"
"......"
Damn, no retort there.
Sure, if Eve became emperor, she could silence all gossip with holy spears.
The world wouldn't dare chatter about Eve von Loengrin's scandals... But not now.
"Fine. Just two items out."
"Oh. And list what you're taking. Gotta vet them."
"......What? You know what's inside?"
"Obviously. Past student council presidents documented it all. Don't get ideas. Here."
With that, Eve handed me a pen and paper.
Wrong.
No escape.
"Heh. Fine, I permit this much."
"......"
This girl...
When did she grow up so much?
After that humiliating deal, I immediately assembled the expedition team.
But this site wasn't easy to enter—thanks to the 【Entry Qualifications】.
Obviously, imperial grandchildren like me and Eve passed. For others, tagging along with Eve might work for Silphia.
With me, Aila Trista and Nefti would make it.
The rest had ties to me but none to the royals.
Exception: Filtia. But that's just barging in with 'I'm going, what're you gonna do about it?'—different vibe.
Considering Eve's plea to stay low-key, I decided on one companion for this expedition.
So.
"Nefti."
"Yes, Senior! Heading to the cafeteria too? Menu's solid today."
No, I'd stuffed myself on burgers before coming here. Anyway.
"Time to ditch the Nefti act and return as Royal Guard Nefti."
"......Pardon?"
"Gear up for the expedition."
"...Hehe. I've been waiting for those words, my lord! Let's go!"
Nefti approached with sparkling eyes.
This girl too. That exciting, huh?
Nefti, eyes gleaming during prep, voiced a question once ready. Doubts grew en route to the site, and just before leaving the academy, she asked outright.
"Senior? No rendezvous with others?"
"Nope."
"Aha. Hehe. Hm? No, wait—not that two's better for safety... Senior?"
"What. Spit it out clearly, no mumbling."
"I'm thrilled you trust me, but wouldn't others make it safer? Even Patrasche isn't here..."
"This time, it's just us. That's the site."
"That kind of site?"
"Mm."
I gave a brief rundown on the expedition site.
Direct imperial forest. Royals only. Fiancées or Royal Guards might squeeze in.
"So why me over Aila... Am I somehow better...?"
"Doesn't suit her or this site."
"Ah. Okay."
Nefti pouted briefly, then slapped her cheeks twice and nodded.
Shortly after passing Jefrin's Eastern Forest, we reached a clearing.
It was a clearing in the game too—just a clearing.
"Glory to the eternal empire of great Loengrin."
Recite that as an imperial grandchild, and a door appears.
A flat, emotionless voice echoed across the clearing.
"My loyal Royal Guard. Requesting accompaniment."
"Mm."
A lavish door of marble inlaid with countless gems swung open automatically.
Just before entering, a odd unease hit me.
Why am I going first? Tank should lead. Who initiates?
"Hey. Nefti."
"...Senior. C-can I enter?"
"Hm?"
"I-it's so... opulent, and inside must be amazing. Royals only—my legs are shaking. Even dukes and marquises can't enter, right?"
This girl shows her commoner side in weird spots.
I grabbed Nefti's hand and pulled her along.
"S-Senior!?"
"S-Senior!?"
"I told you I'd show you sights no one's seen from my side. Remember?"
"......Yes."
"Then don't freak at every little scene."
"Y-Yes!"
Blushing, Nefti let me lead her in by the hand.
"Um... H-hand..."
"What?"
"N-nothing. Okay..."
This girl, really.
She's embarrassed by her narrow worldview, blushing like that—needs to act bolder.
Inside the door... well, it was a forest, no matter how you sliced it.
A forest crammed with every shade of green imaginable, but strictly speaking, it diverged wildly from the mundane woods we'd seen.
Dreamlike.
Yes, truly dreamlike: trees bearing jeweled fruits, stems blooming with eight-colored petals.
Valleys of paint in four swirling hues, rainbow reeds blooming wildly beside them—truly breathtaking.
"...Wow. A place like this exists."
"Hm."
Sure, beautiful on the surface, but the land twisted into a maze by default. Plus, familiars and divine beasts dragged in by royals meant traps galore. Fights inevitable.
And the map structure? Filthy.
"Senior. What's that door?"
"Treasure vault of treasures hoarded by imperial student council presidents over 300 years."
"Ah? Right. I'll open it."
"No. Won't open."
"......Pardon?"
Nefti spotted our final goal.
"Inside are treasures stashed by past Jefrin student council presidents who were imperial grandchildren. But... annoyingly, they tossed in familiars and divine beasts too. They're pissed now. Caged beasts who love freedom and illusions—how mad are they? Got it so far?"
"Yes...... But?"
"They love contracts, pranks, bets though. Clear their traps, and they won't hold back rewards. Cocky, since it's royals' stuff originally. So the door won't open from outside. Must beat all traps."
"Got it. So... we're doing this epic expedition, just us two."
"Mm. ...Yeah. Nefti, cast 【Guardian Formation: Self-Sacrifice: Damage Dispersion】 on me first."
"Yes!"
【Guardian Formation: Self-Sacrifice: Damage Dispersion】
[A portion of damage taken by target shifts to caster]
Good. Now 【Some of my damage goes to Nefti】.
Classic structure: From start to vault, loop around smashing monsters and traps.
But back from vault to start? Hit one button on the wall—boom! Iron gate opens to the entrance.
So hardcore players thought:
【Just hit the inner vault button from start, door opens right?】
After countless fails... only one ever opened it.
Who?
Asking now?
"Nefti. Dagger."
"Ah... Yes!"
Nefti's dagger was bizarre: hilts joined, blades protruding top and bottom. Just fused iron daggers.
Key: Gained 【Hit detection on both sides】.
Ready.
Shift to seventh grid crease right of door, half-step left, backpedal toe 1-motion...
【Backstep】 【Basic Attack】 【Backstep】 【Basic Attack】.
Hugs the wall perfectly.
I'm clipped into the wall now.
Damage on me hits Nefti, so HP buffer.
Plastered to door—can't hit inner button normally. Devs patched awareness; useless.
Opposite instead.
Face away from door, tight clip.
【Dual-sided weapon】.
Not door side.
Opposite.
Swing at air!
Rumble rumble boom!!!
Clip into door, air swing, but back blade hits, pierces door's no-pass judgment, presses button—glitch.
My never-shared Bug #8.
"Good. Door's open."
"......Huh?"
"In we go."
"......Senior?"
"What. Timid again?"
"N-no... Our adventure's... like this?"
?
That matter?
Nefti puffed her cheeks for the first time.
What the heck.