Kwuugung!
Lucart frowned as he watched arrows flying from all directions.
Just the existence of another space within the cave is astonishing, let alone such intricate traps.
He casually deflected the incoming arrows with a flick of his fingertips, adjusting their trajectory, and nodded.
‘Who could have made something like this?’
Humans cannot create traps of this magnitude. The only ones who are expected to be able to make such a device are the dwarves… Why do they really need it? You wouldn’t have made something that wasn’t beneficial to yourself, right?
‘That’s fascinating.’
Thud!
After shattering the last incoming arrow with one hand, Lucart looked beyond.
The next area was entirely covered in vines, from the floor to the walls and ceiling. Something squirming within, it would undoubtedly entangle anyone stepping on it.
However, using magic to burn it was risky. Because it was a small space, there was no room for smoke to escape.
Lucart paused, contemplating alternative methods.
And Shekina,
‘… Is he out of his mind?’
Mouth agape in disbelief.
In the game, the western dungeon is a place where even heroes have a hard time. The stone spears flying at me from all directions from the moment she stepped foot were impossible to destroy with most magic. It was not easy to avoid because the space was narrow, so she had to use the sword to destroy it with force. So when Shekina played the game, she failed quite a few times in this dungeon.
‘But how did he do that without damage?’
It seemed like a simple gesture, yet the arrows bent and shattered without inflicting any harm on Lucart.
She went ahead to inform him of the difficulties ahead, but instead of feeling troubled, she could only realize how great Lucart was.
“Boss, you’re truly amazing.”
Purposefully complimenting Lucart, Shekina clapped her hands together.
“Ah, let me do it this time. I know the way.”
This room full of vines won’t be easy, even for Lucart. This vine is impervious to magic like a stone spear, and since there is no bottom, if you take a wrong step, you will be caught and dragged down.
“Look, do you see the thornless vines? You can hold that to hang on and cross over those.”
So, they had no choice but to traverse like Tarzan, holding onto the vines. Shekina looked at Leckaits, wondering, ‘Do you need any help?’
“Is that also what the relics tell to you”
“… Yep!”
“You answering that too late.”
Lucart let out a laugh.
Wondering how long she would keep hiding and telling lies, Lucart decided not to ask further.
Even if someone who lied once tried to cover it up, it didn’t matter if they didn’t speak the truth.
He would find out. What thoughts were crossing the mind of this detestable homunculus, while she’s doing such funny things.
“Boss?”
Ignoring the grinning homunculus, Lucart reached out towards the vines.
Shekina, by observing the magic forming at his fingertips and the flow of magic, could discern the type of magic he intended to use.
‘That’s insane…’
Natural Extension.
The highest-level magic that eradicates everything relevant.
Shoooooo…
In the blink of an eye, the vines filling the space vanished entirely. Not even a trace remained; they simply ceased to exist.
‘……..’
It’s much stronger than what she saw in the game. No, it surpassed the level of strength.
‘Let’s not mess around.’
Shekina firmly resolved and followed Lucart.
“Is this the place?”
Lucart, standing in front of the door, nodded. Shekina vigorously agreed.
“Yep. But real, real magic doesn’t work on this. So, stay still.”
However, as if he couldn’t believe it, Lucart cast a spell. Of course, it didn’t work. Looking at the undamaged door, Lucart narrowed his eyes.
“Really, you don’t trust what others say.”
Shekina shook her head and walked to the side of the back gate.
Lucart’s suspicious gaze followed Shekina, but she paid no mind. Naturally, she anticipated that if she revealed her extensive knowledge of the dungeon, Lucart would become suspicious.
Well, so what?
‘Would he even imagine that this kid is actually possessed by the game and knows everything about it, enabling her to conquer the dungeon?’
No matter how much Lucart suspects and investigates, he won’t get any closer to the truth.
So, it was better to just show off competence. The more she could prove her competence, the less likely Lucart would be able to kill her.
Shekina, now by the door, ran her hand over the moss-covered wall. It seemed like random moss, but it was a puzzle. Knowing the already completed puzzle shape, Shekina quickly fitted the puzzle pieces together.
Kugugugung, a sound echoed as the door slowly began to open.
Lucart, who had been silently observing Shekina, shifted his gaze away and looked beyond the now-open door.
It was the same space as the cave room where the tiara was placed, resembling a decalcomanie. The only difference was that what lay on the altar was not a tiara but something very familiar to Lucart.
‘It’s the spear.’
Lost during the Celestial Demon War two hundred years ago. But why would it be here?
Lucart touched his forehead.
Lucart knew nothing about who had sealed his power or whether he had done so carelessly. However, upon seeing his own Noble Phantasm, the spear, hidden so deep… an ominous thought came over him.
‘I need to find out.’
Holding the spear, once his own, Lucart retraced his steps and left the item in the pocket dimension.
He needed to return to the castle as soon as possible to investigate this further.
Hastening his steps, Lucart momentarily forgot about the existence of Shekina, the homunculus.
“Agh!”
However, as he was halfway out of the cave, he heard a scream.
Only then did Lucart recall Shekina and, exhaling heavily, turned to look back. There was the homunculus lying on the ground.
“Ouch. Hurts.”
Like chasing a crane and catching a crow, Shekina had quite an injury from tripping while chasing Lucart. From knee to thigh, the flesh was torn, and it hurt.
“Ouch.”
Watching the blood dripping from the wound, Shekina took off a cardigan layered under the coat and tied it around her leg. It wasn’t proper treatment, but it should at least help stop the bleeding. Shekina quickly got up.
“Huh?”
Shekina noticed Lucart observing her.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you leaving?”
Lucart slightly furrowed his eyebrows. The sight of the homunculus walking towards him with blood dripping from her leg seemed somewhat eerie.
“You’re bleeding quite a bit.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“… Doesn’t it hurt?”
Oops.
Unconsciously, he asked a strange question.
Even though it didn’t matter whether this homunculus was in pain or not. Lucart glanced down at Shekina.
“Nah, it’s bearable. I’ll endure it until later for treatment.”
Shekina shrugged casually and answered nonchalantly,
“Crying over a wound like this doesn’t suit a tough girl.”
Saying so, she continued walking ahead.
“…….”
Lucart silently observed the small homunculus’s retreating figure.
The sight of her walking with a leg bleeding steadily.
What does it mean for pain to be familiar?
Lucart suddenly became curious.
***
Outside the castle with Martin, Merdes wasn’t particularly cheerful.
He was still bothered by Shekina.
“Did I say something wrong to Shekina earlier?”
Merdes said, shoulders slumped.
“We’re all the same homunculus… So, I thought it would be nice to consider us as a family. Did I overdo it?”
Martin quietly looked at Merdes.
In truth, Martin didn’t know why Shekina got so irritated. However, he was sure it wasn’t because of what Merdes said. According to him, there was nothing wrong with Merdes words that could be a problem.
Perhaps Shekina’s mood is off. Martin placed his hand on Merdes head, gently caressing and tilting it.
“It’s not the baby’s fault.”
“But…”
“You can ask when you meet the baby. Thinking about it now won’t help.”
“Hmm… You’re right.”
It was a rough comfort, but Merdes found his own acceptance.
“Try buy her some gift. It might help.”
“Oh! Would that work?”
Merdes smiled brightly. Would Shekina’s mood will be better with a gift?
“Want to choose together?”
Martin answered yes, and Merdes, who quickly felt better, began running around the commercial district at a light pace.
“Oh! Look at this! There are dolls! And here’s a store with trains!”
Observing Merdes, Martin smiled subtly. The current situation wasn’t too bad.
“Ah, and I got something today. There are people I want to meet, so I need to find them… Uh, huh?”
At that moment, Merdes’ eyes widened.
This was because the people coming out of what appeared to be a restaurant were very familiar to his eyes.
“Hey there! You humans!”
Merdes sprinted straight toward them.
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