Chapter 120
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Traveling Together
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*Thwack, thwack.*
An Armored Bear stood parked in the middle of the Labyrinth, chewing on a mana stone.
Beside the carriage.
A campfire was blazing.
The large tent wasn’t enough.
A massive dining table had been set out.
Dion’s party was having another bustling meal.
“Tonight’s menu is pizza made with poisonous mountain goat cheese, stone-horned ox stew, and for dessert, man-eating tree fruit pudding, served with Arod wine from the Garden City.”
“…The ingredients alone sound horrific, yet I can’t fathom why it’s so delicious.”
“That’s because our Parsha is such a good cook.”
“Flattery will get you nothing but more food, so feel free to stuff your face.”
“It really is a taste that leaves you with no choice but to shut up and eat…”
“Truly a skill worthy of the Lord’s handmaiden. I, Kael, son of Chavera, am thoroughly impressed.”
“Gahaha, what a stroke of luck to enjoy such luxury in a Labyrinth.”
The dark elf maid served the food with a deadpan expression.
Dion, smiling brightly, was waited on by her.
The Vault Keeper, feeling a sense of self-loathing for enjoying such a meal, couldn’t stop eating.
Kael, never missing an opportunity to flatter, even during dinner.
Naru, whose rabbit ears twitched with every bite, and Laja, who was gulping down his wine.
Even Gachu, the goblin driver, was shoveling food into his mouth with tears streaming down his face.
Everyone at the table was savoring the evening meal with joyful expressions.
It was a scene utterly unbelievable for the middle of a Labyrinth.
This was possible for three reasons.
The first was Kael.
If his blood fiends hadn't been patrolling the perimeter, providing security and a guard, everyone wouldn't have been able to relax and enjoy their meal.
This was precisely why summoners were essential in a Labyrinth, especially for long expeditions.
The second, of course, was Parsha.
As befitting a dedicated handmaiden of the Unlight family, she was a [Perfection]-level 【Maid】☆☆ even before being a high-ranking Awakened One.
She was an all-around domestic expert, capable of perfectly handling even monster meat that would be difficult for anyone but a cooking-class Awakened One.
And the third was the Vault Keeper.
Her shadow was the ultimate ‘vault,’ capable of storing any number of ingredients for hundreds of years.
Indeed, from food ingredients to the tent and even firewood.
The reason they could use everything so lavishly was largely thanks to her pulling out whatever was needed on the spot.
Thanks to her, the party, especially Gachu, a poor driver, shed tears of gratitude at every meal, experiencing a luxury he had never known in his life.
…Though not everyone felt the same.
“Parsha, could you take a few more plates inside the carriage?”
“Are you asking me to look after a freeloader who went inside to eat alone because he had no appetite?”
“Yes. He’s a big guy, and he only had one plate. He must be hungry.”
“How generous of you to worry about a guest’s stomach when we’re all just trying to get by.”
Perhaps because he was uncomfortable after what had happened before the meal, the masked man had taken his dinner and retreated into the carriage.
Parsha’s expressionless face still revealed her displeasure at having to cater to him.
But what could she do?
She was his exclusive handmaiden.
And now, before that, one of his Vassals.
She was in a position where she had to obey Dion’s orders.
In the end, after a few more words, Parsha filled a large bowl with stew and pizza and headed for the carriage.
Dion then rose from his seat.
“My Lord? Where are you going?”
“I’m getting full, so I’m going for a little walk. You all finish up and clean.”
“Yes, leave the cleanup to me, Kael, son of Chavera.”
“…Understood.”
Naru spoke softly.
Kael, with a look of disappointment.
Only the Vault Keeper seemed anxious.
As they continued their meal as instructed.
Dion picked up a teapot Parsha had prepared and began to walk leisurely.
To a corner of the camp.
Far from the campfire.
Where the light of the mana stones barely reached.
A place where a particularly deep shadow was cast, upon a rock slightly smaller than a giant turtle's shell.
He walked until he was behind a petite girl with a bushy tail, who was sitting there, gazing up at the darkness.
“What are you doing, little fox?”
A truly unexpected voice.
But the little fox didn’t startle at the surprise attack that would have made even a high-ranking Awakened One jump.
She simply answered calmly.
“I am watching the stars.”
“You mean the mana stones?”
“Ah, yes. The mana stones on the ceiling, that is.”
Why was it?
Only after being corrected.
As if waking from a long dream.
The fox girl smiled wistfully at the mana stones dotting the distant, dark ceiling.
Dion smiled warmly and offered her the teapot he had brought.
“Care for another cup of tea?”
“I was just feeling thirsty, so I couldn't ask for a better offer. How could I refuse the tea you offer?”
*Trickle.*
And so…
He sat down beside the little fox, who accepted the tea he poured.
She cradled the warm cup in both hands.
Dion, having also poured a cup for himself, suddenly spoke.
“You ate so little. Aren’t you hungry?”
“This young one is small. Unlike you gentlemen, a little is enough to fill my belly.”
“Hmm, true.”
Unlike the masked man.
She was usually a light eater.
Dion readily nodded at the girl’s words, as she would only eat a small amount no matter how delicious the food was.
Indeed, the amount she ate today wasn't much different from usual.
However…
“You left the table especially early today. Was something bothering you?”
“Not particularly, no.”
“Really? It wasn't because of what happened earlier?”
“……”
Was it because the question was unexpected?
Or because it hit the mark so squarely?
The fox girl, holding her teacup, flinched for a moment but then quickly smiled.
“To be honest, it was a little.”
“……”
“This young one is rather insensitive, you see, and often hurts others’ feelings without meaning to.”
Even if one knows the heavens.
It is hard to know the depths of the water.
And harder still to know the heart of a person, she said.
*Slurp.*
She took a sip of tea and smiled wistfully. Dion watched the little fox for a moment.
Then, he raised a hand.
And…
*Pinch.*
“……?”
Like a pigeon struck by a slingshot.
No, perhaps a fox struck by an arrow.
The fox girl blinked, seemingly unable to comprehend what had just happened to her.
Dion had grabbed one of her cheeks.
And was stretching it out.
He smiled.
“Smile.”
“……??????”
“No matter how cute you are, it’s not cute when you say things like that with that kind of face.”
Ah, she thought.
As if she finally understood.
She wore a look of comprehension for a moment.
Then, she seemed to think, *no, wait, this is still a bit weird.*
The little fox blinked a few times, her eyes darting around, before she could offer a rational rebuttal.
*Streeetch.*
“I said, smile.”
“……Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Ah, um, well…”
“Well?”
“L-Like this?”
Flustered.
Confused.
She slowly raised the corners of her mouth.
Even with one cheek being held, she managed an awkward smile.
Dion watched her for a moment.
Then, he grinned.
“Good job.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And I think so too.”
“……?”
“What you said before. That the Five Heroes were originally no different from the Three Useless Masters, the worst trash of the demonic orthodox path.”
“That was a careless slip of the tongue by this young one…”
“Shh. If you want to walk the grand path, you shouldn't say things you don't mean.”
“……?”
A literal question mark.
As if she didn’t understand what he meant.
Dion spoke to the fox girl, who was blinking blankly.
“Like I said before, I don’t think the Five Heroes were that perfect.”
“But…”
“That’s why I think the Five Heroes were even more amazing.”
“……?”
“They grew up without proper support, ignored by everyone, yet they saved Odobaekryeong and became legends.”
Why was it?
It was a statement that should have been obvious.
Common knowledge known to everyone in Odobaekryeong.
And yet, hearing those words from Dion, the little fox couldn't help but perk up her ears.
“And even while everyone ignored them, there must have been people who believed in them.”
“……”
“I believe the Five Heroes surely fought for people like that.”
“That’s…”
“Why? Too much of a presumption?”
“……”
Silently.
By closing her mouth.
The fox girl tacitly affirmed his guess, and Dion didn't bother to deny it.
He just smiled warmly.
But why?
Why did the boy’s smile alone cause a strange stir in her ever-tranquil heart?
It was too faint to be intuition.
Too intense to be déjà vu.
A strange sensation that she couldn’t clearly define, even with her traits and vast experience. After a long silence.
The fox girl finally found herself speaking.
“Perhaps you are right.”
And so…
Sharing warm tea.
Dion and the fox girl spent a quiet time together in the middle of the Labyrinth.
He feigned ignorance of the shadow hiding in the dark, the one he had his handmaiden summon to discuss the Five Heroes, yet who refused to show itself.
***
And so.
After a long yet short.
Utterly peaceful.
And complicated journey.
What greeted the party upon their final return to Nangrang Castle was a witch, as ominous and beautiful as a crow.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Worked hard? It wasn’t a difficult task.”
“Who but you, Gongja, could call such a task easy?”
“No amount of praise will get me to lower my fee.”
“Do not worry. When my father returns, he will provide you with a generous reward.”
After Dion and Pandora exchanged brief greetings.
The masked man stepped forward.
“...I am indebted to you for your help.”
“Don’t mention it. This was a paid job, after all.”
“Uh… you were paid by the Lord of Nangrang Castle?”
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch, is there?”
“That’s, well, true.”
After a reluctant acknowledgment.
The masked man suddenly turned his head to look at the fox girl, who stood demurely with her straw hat on.
He then averted his gaze slightly, as if embarrassed, and spoke.
“And…”
“……”
“Um. Your thoughts on the Five Heroes… they seem worth considering.”
“…This young one also found Gongja’s story interesting.”
After the fox girl replied with a warm smile, Pandora and the masked man departed.
Laja cleared his throat and spoke up.
“Then we shall be on our way as well.”
“Hmm, already? If you have nowhere to stay, you’re welcome to stay in our domain for a few months.”
“Gahaha, a life of hardship is the fate of a fortune-teller and a plum blossom master.”
“If fate allows, we shall meet again, will we not?”
The giant lizardman, shouldering his pack with a hearty laugh, and the quietly smiling fox girl.
Laja and the little fox.
Dion didn't try to hold them back.
It wasn't just because there was no way to stop them if they were determined to leave.
He knew it wasn't the right time yet, and that for now, forging this ‘connection’ was enough.
He simply smiled and bid them farewell.
“Alright, then. See you next time.”
Was it because his words were unexpected?
Or because she sensed something?
After blinking a few times, the little fox offered a quiet smile and left with Laja.
They were using the gate in Nangrang Castle to head to the Malformed City, a place known for its particularly large crowds, even among Odobaekryeong.
And…
“Would it not have been fine to stay for a few days to rest your weary body, Master?”
“Fate is not something that can be forced, Dou.”
Unlike the boisterous demeanor he had shown while with Dion's group.
The giant lizardman spoke with the utmost politeness, using honorifics for the one he had been calling his niece.
The fox girl, dropping her awkward formal speech, continued.
“Besides, we should be grateful to the young master just for helping you overcome one of your three calamities. We couldn’t possibly impose on him further.”
“…Honestly, I never thought I would overcome a calamity in this manner.”
“Fufu, this old one didn’t know either.”
Taking out a small pipe with her small hand.
Placing it to her tiny lips.
The little fox spoke softly.
“I never imagined so many young ones who had surpassed the wall of transcendence at such a young age would be traveling together.”
“…There was more than one?”
“For even you not to have noticed, they must be remarkable young ones indeed.”
Originally, when escaping the Form-Shaping Chamber.
Laja would have been forced to use his power, and his pursuers would have caught his trail.
But thanks to Dion’s party, not only was he able to conceal his presence.
He could use the aura of transcendence as a shield to evade the pursuers' divination for the time being.
They were truly helpful young ones, she said.
The little fox then murmured to herself.
“…Though there were other young ones who were even more unusual.”
“Even more so, you say?”
“Mm, pay it no mind. It might just be this old one’s feeling.”
They clearly hadn't seemed to have surpassed the wall of transcendence, yet they were difficult to grasp even with her own perception.
Recalling the strangely unsettling slave girl.
And the unreadable boy.
The little fox shook her head.
But even Laja and the little fox, who moved according to their readings of fate, had no way of knowing.
That just a few days later.
After the masked man Dion had brought met the Lord of Nangrang Castle…
—A rumor that Muyonggong, the Useless Master of the Three Useless Masters, had returned to the Geogwiyeokga Clan would shake the Malformed City.
And that this would finally ignite the war between the Demonic Ghost Alliance and the Anti-Demonic Alliance.