Chapter 57: The Witch and the Noble Lady (2)
Chapter 57: The Witch and the Noble Lady (2)
Translation: Godtl
The day of the Red Moon, at dawn.
After the boisterous departure ceremony, the subjugation force entered the Labyrinth Demon Realm.
Generally speaking, Demon Realms are quite vast, but among them, the Labyrinth Demon Realm is exceptionally expansive.
Even with the full military strength that had filled the plaza during the departure ceremony, covering the entire Demon Realm was utterly impossible.
But there were Demon Realm scholars to handle such situations.
Demon Realm scholars, funded with substantial sums, research the structure and ecology of these realms.
They determine where monsters gather after navigating the complex maze.
Which passages to block to prevent monsters from rampaging outside the city.
Which reward rooms to establish as bases for efficient supply distribution.
Under this strategy, the subjugation force was deployed with flawless precision to designated locations.
Among them, the role of the Six Heroes—the core of the operation—was simple.
Sealing off the Abyss below the 7th floor.
Generally, below the 7th floor, Human Reason and natural order become distorted—a literal Demon Realm.
The monsters dwelling there are uniformly dangerous and troublesome.
If those creatures were to crawl up to the higher floors, the damage would be catastrophic, wouldn't it?
Thus, the six heroes each formed their own teams and were stationed at key strongholds to prevent any mishaps at the source.
That was what Penelope had understood, at least... but...
"Ugh..."
Penelope shivered in the Labyrinth Demon Realm's characteristically chilly, dry air.
It felt much colder than the last time she had visited.
No.
It wasn't the cold that bothered her.
Honestly, she was scared.
When Isolde had offered to let her join, Penelope had naturally assumed she would be part of the witch's team.
Just as the Silent Sword Saint Kailus led his knights, and the Queen of Monsters Ravina commanded her mercenary band.
But reality was...
"Hello, Lady Isolde. Have the others arrived yet?"
"Others?"
"The other team members, I mean."
"They're here."
"Where?"
"You."
At the departure ceremony, she realized there were no other team members in sight.
Against all expectations, she had ended up as Isolde's sole companion in a two-person team.
The pressure of that realization...
...was still weighing on her in real time.
Though Penelope had recently broken through her limits and grown significantly in skill, she was still only a 5th-Rank Alchemist.
Moreover, her actual combat experience was minimal—venturing into the Abyss was extremely dangerous.
But Isolde didn't seem the least bit concerned about Penelope's worries.
"Left here."
"Right here."
"Take the fourth path at this fork."
As if reading from a map, Isolde strode forward without hesitation, navigating the labyrinthine paths with ease.
Thanks to her, they reached the 6th floor before even half a day had passed.
And without encountering a single monster, no less.
The speed was incomparable to when Penelope had acted as a guide before.
Just keeping up with Isolde left her drenched in sweat.
Then, Isolde turned around.
"Now we're entering the 7th floor."
Incidentally, this was the first time Isolde had looked back since they entered the Demon Realm.
Over Isolde's shoulder, Penelope saw a faint, shimmering veil of light rippling in the wind.
A "portal"—the means of traversing between floors in the Demon Realm.
"Tired?"
Of course she was tired.
She had been using Wind Calling the entire way here, so physically, she wasn't exhausted.
The problem was mental.
Even if this was Isolde they were talking about, could just two of them—herself included—really handle the monsters of the 7th floor?
Was it really okay to entrust her life to someone she'd only met yesterday?
From the very beginning, she hadn't understood a thing.
From Isolde's sudden appearance, to her cleansing Penelope's magic circuits, to abruptly plunging into the Demon Realm as a duo.
At first, she had doubted Isolde's generosity—there had to be a catch.
Penelope had always been unlucky, and good fortune was always followed by hidden misfortune.
But this time, she decided to let go of her suspicions.
'What could someone like me possibly offer her?'
This wasn't self-deprecation—it was objective analysis.
What could the Witch of the Western Border, a hero among heroes, possibly want from Penelope that would justify this much effort?
"No. I'm fine."
She had already steeled herself the night before.
On the way here, she'd done some rough calculations.
Even if she was just a sidekick, wasn't it still just two people defending a strategic stronghold?
If they returned safely, she'd be guaranteed at least a 3rd Class Dawn Medal.
A 3rd Class Dawn Medal granted a 15% reduction on total annual tax payments.
Considering the income Y&P Trading Company would generate once the bottling system was fully established, this was a golden opportunity to save a fortune in taxes.
"I'm going in."
"Alright."
Penelope resolutely followed behind Isolde, stepping forward with determination.
After the slight dizziness that accompanied teleportation through the portal—
"Wow."
Penelope let out an unladylike gasp of amazement.
Truth be told, the journey up to the 6th floor had been monotonous beyond belief.
The Labyrinth Demon Realm simply repeated the same simplistic structure of maze-reward room like an ant colony.
But from the 7th floor onward—the starting point of the Abyss—everything was completely different.
The suffocating sense of confinement disappeared as if it had been a lie.
In its place appeared an impossibly vast space that felt utterly unreal.
The ceiling stretched into an unfathomable darkness without end, and beneath that void lay massive cubes.
Each cube measured roughly 30 meters in length, width, and height—so numerous they were beyond counting.
Smooth black mineral cubes glowed faintly in the dim light, stacked haphazardly to form what resembled an enormous three-dimensional maze.
"This is... incredible."
"The Spirit Demon Realm is prettier."
Awe blossomed within her at the mystical spectacle.
Now she understood why the Abyss was called a space that defied natural laws.
This was a sight you couldn't buy with money.
When we get back, I'll brag so much to Jurgen and Serena about thi—
Wait.
No.
Just Serena. Not Jurgen.
"Is that entire space itself the maze?"
Just as Penelope was about to barrage Isolde with questions—
Krrrrrrrk—!
An unnatural movement occurred.
From one of the 30-meter-long cubes, a pale light suddenly began pouring forth.
With a thunderous roar like a toy cube rotating, the reassembled stone mass abruptly took on the crude, humanoid form of a torso.
—UOOOOOH!!!
"A m-monster...!"
As Penelope shuddered at the roar that vibrated through her very bones, Isolde added dryly:
"Official designation: Transformer. Stone Statue species, Crisis-grade monster."
Yeah, no kidding.
Penelope was too stunned to speak properly.
This was her first time seeing a proper monster in actual combat.
And of course, it had to be Crisis-grade.
The ground-shaking thuds with each movement of its massive body were more than enough to induce terror.
And then...
Those dark stains now visible on the ground...
Their shapes looked suspiciously like crushed human bodies.
Surely not?
"As you can see, it specializes in mass-based attacks. Get hit, and you're paste."
Yep.
"And despite being a tough golem, it doesn't even have a core. To finish it off, you need to smash it thoroughly enough that it can't regenerate."
Penelope suddenly realized something.
Wasn't this explanation getting oddly detailed?
"You handle it. You can do that, right?"
"Me? That thing?"
"Yep."
Right.
Nothing in this world comes free.
Penelope steadied her wavering focus.
No need to panic.
A Crisis-grade was well within the capabilities of Penelope, a 5th-Rank Alchemist.
Besides, Isolde was standing right behind her.
She still couldn't quite grasp what kind of person Isolde was, but surely she wouldn't just stand by and watch Penelope die before her eyes?
This was a perfect opportunity to safely gain real combat experience.
Penelope drew a Flame Seed from her palette.
It was a catalyst capable of stacking four codes.
—GROOOOAR!!
The Transformer, which had momentarily crouched, began charging forward with speed belying its massive frame.
THUD, THUD, THUD!
Each step shook the very earth.
Penelope calmly channeled her magical energy, extracting elements from the catalyst.
"...!"
Then she raised one eyebrow slightly.
Just what had Isolde done to her yesterday?
Using magic now, she could feel her magical energy flowing with astonishing purity.
The entire process was as smooth as well-oiled gears.
Her magic circulated flawlessly through even the most distant circuits in her body—ones she normally struggled to utilize.
Confidence surged wildly within her.
Who was she?
Penelope Rosemore.
The divinely gifted alchemy prodigy who had even repelled the infamous killer, the Undertaker.
If there was no core as Isolde said, she needed to thoroughly destroy the components forming its body.
To do that, she had to distribute firepower evenly while maintaining destructive force.
She visualized the approach and derived the optimal solution.
There was a spell she'd been wanting to test anyway.
Compression.
Ejection.
Dispersion.
And finally, Penelope's unique code—Falling Flower.
Penelope stretched her hand forward and began the incantation.
"Fox Flower."
Crimson streaks, sharp as surgical incisions, shot forth toward the charging golem.
Penelope's unique code was "Falling Flower"—a destructive code that fed on ambient heat to intensify its flames. Though only a 4th-Rank spell, its firepower would suffice.
Whoosh—Boom!!!
A chain reaction where each explosion birthed new flames. The charging golem crumbled mid-stride, scattering embers like a shower of fiery petals.
Thud!
The massive golem collapsed lifelessly, its sheer size making even its fall thunderous enough to rattle one's insides.
"Yes!"
Easy enough!
It was far more potent than her theoretical projections. Confirming the golem wasn't regenerating, Penelope immediately sought Isolde's approval. Surely, such a performance deserved praise?
Her hopeful gaze landed on the witch.
"Lady Isolde, how was that?"
"What was?"
"...Never mind."
"About six hours left until Red Moon begins. There was a decent resting spot around here..."
Disappointment settled in quickly.
Well, did I really expect recognition from a legendary alchemist to come easily?
Besides, Isolde was that Han-bin's comrade. Her standards probably weren't even grounded in the human realm.
"Ah, this way."
Just as Isolde ambled forward with her usual lack of urgency—
Grooooooan—!
Krrrrrk—!
"...No way."
The same deafening roars from earlier echoed from all directions.
And sure enough—
Several of the cubic blocks composing the labyrinth began shifting in geometric unison, assembling into new forms.
"...You can't possibly mean that entire mountain of rubble is monsters?"
Were all the stone blocks making up this three-dimensional maze actually Transformers or something? She'd barely broken a sweat handling one—how was she supposed to deal with a horde?
Rooooooar—!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The vast chamber trembled under the combined weight of their roars and heavy footfalls.
Penelope understood now.
This was why they called it the Abyss—because Crisis-grade threats poured out like it was nothing.
"Nah. Just a few mixed in."
Isolde stepped forward leisurely.
In her hand was a mushroom.
A very concerning mushroom—crimson-capped with white speckles, the kind that would ruin your day if you absentmindedly rubbed your eyes after touching it.
But this was an alchemical catalyst.
Huuuum... Huuuum...
A palpable wavelength radiated from Isolde's body, layers of code stacking upon one another.
It was impossibly refined, resonating with the depth and gravity of an unfathomable abyss.
"Grow Mushroom Grow."
As Isolde's incantation concluded, a shimmering dust scattered.
And then...
Nothing.
At least, visibly nothing.
The golems, now dusted with the powder, charged forth unimpeded, intent on crushing Penelope and Isolde into paste.
"U-um... Lady Isolde?"
A misfire?
Just as Penelope debated whether to pull out her own catalyst—
Pop! Pop! Pop!
The lead Transformer's body suddenly sprouted vibrant mushrooms—some as large as human heads, others tiny clusters.
Like a signal, the rest of the golems followed suit.
Despite their bodies being made of unidentified stone.
Penelope knew instinctively.
This was Isolde Blackwood's unique code—Life.
Mushrooms erupted in explosive clusters, forming colonies in seconds.
The golems' movements grew erratic the moment the fungi took root, then halted entirely as their bodies transformed into cultivation beds for the thriving mushrooms.
Fifteen subdued in an instant.
"This... is the magic of a 9th Rank..."
She'd wondered if Isolde was a little off, but no—this was the real deal.
Then again, weren't geniuses supposed to be eccentric?
She couldn't even begin to grasp the mechanics. The sheer gap was so overwhelming that envy didn't even register—just the certainty that she'd never reach such heights, no matter how long she lived.
Isolde remained expressionless despite the display.
Even that was cool.
"Here."
Isolde abruptly shoved an empty woven basket into Penelope's hands.
"...What's this for?"
Isolde pointed at the mushroom-covered golem pile.
"Go pick some. We're having mushroom stew."
A moment later.
"Lady Isolde! Are these even safe to eat?!"
"They're edible."
"Really? They look extremely hazardous!"
"You can eat it exactly once."
While Isolde boiled water in the cauldron, Penelope—who'd been tasked with the errand—diligently plucked the mushrooms.