Chapter 110 : Chapter 110
Chapter 110
“……Shen. I am coming in.”
After a light knock, and receiving no response, Yujelia eventually opened the door.
The room was spacious and immaculate.
Through the half-open window, the curtains fluttered softly in the cold, desolate wind of the central continent.
Walking quietly across the room, Yujelia gently tapped Shen’s shoulder as he sat blankly by the window.
“Ah—oh. L-Lady Yujelia! When did you arrive?”
Startled, Shen turned his head.
Light returned to his deeply sunken eyes.
When his fresh, forest-green gaze settled upon her, Yujelia finally smiled.
“Just now. You did not answer, so I came in. I am sorry.”
“N-No, it is all right. I did not hear you. You were not waiting long outside, were you? I should be the one apologizing.”
Shen hurriedly shook his head.
Yujelia stepped closer and rested both hands on the window frame, gazing outside.
Not a single person was visible.
After a brief hesitation, she spoke carefully.
“Is there still no word at all?”
“……Yes. It must truly have been the Mana Storm that damaged the Communication Bracelet. I am certain of it. He is not someone who would remain silent like this.”
Shen’s shoulders drooped as he released a heavy sigh.
Unlike before, when he rarely explained himself, Aquila had recently taken care to provide an explanation for nearly everything he did.
If he had been able to contact them, he would have.
Certainly.
‘The Communication Bracelet must be broken! It is not as though he is in danger…….’
Biting the inside of his cheek, Shen forced away the anxious thought.
Yujelia glanced at him.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes. His complexion was pale.
“You did not sleep again last night, did you? You must eat something and rest, even if only a little.”
“I simply cannot sleep. What if Young Master contacts us while I am asleep…….”
“And what will you do if you collapse when he actually does contact you? Health comes first, and second as well. Do you not know that?”
“I—I know! I do, but…….”
Yujelia found herself scolding him despite herself.
The shock Shen had received after the incident at the plaza was beyond words.
The young master he had served for so long had vanished in an instant—while Shen himself had been present.
Though Aquila had occasionally displayed peculiar traits as Shen came to know him better, he had always appeared lively and amiable. Yet now Shen wilted day after day like a blanched kongseu stem.
To Yujelia, a priestess, he looked perilously fragile.
Seeing that he appeared even worse than yesterday, she bit her lip and rubbed her own tired face with both hands.
“I should have paid closer attention to Lord Aquila instead of focusing only on healing that day. Or at the very least, if I had heard what that man said, there might have been some clue…….”
During the plaza incident, Yujelia had not heard what Ark Batchel had said to Aquila.
Though she had seemed composed, it had been her first experience with a Mana Storm. She had been thrown by the explosion, and the ringing in her ears had been severe.
The moment she regained her senses, she had seen Shen vomiting blood, and Cahena unconscious from a heavy blow to the head.
She had at least felt reassured seeing reliable Heinen at Aquila’s side—never imagining that everyone there would vanish.
“N-No! It was not your fault, Lady Yujelia! You saved me, remember? The one at fault is that man—the Guild of Darkness member!”
Startled by her self-reproach, Shen looked at her with concern.
At the mention of the Guild of Darkness, the two exchanged glances and ultimately sighed in shared gloom.
“By now, Lord Lexenbert must have arrived in Labyrinth. No one will escape his blade…….”
When Lexenbert Fad Reschenhardt arrived in the capital, Denimarad froze over as though swept by northern frost.
It had been his first move without imperial authorization.
Some understood—a parent who hears their child has vanished cannot remain idle.
But the imperial family and nobility saw differently.
They feared Lexenbert.
No ordinary army could compare to him. Even the Imperial Knights could not confidently claim they would be able to stop him.
No—they certainly could not.
A Sword Master was no different from a calamity.
And such a man had appeared in Denimarad without prior notice.
Lexenbert did not excessively accuse the imperial family—yet neither did he absolve them.
He had realized that the hidden Sword Master Cahena had reported during the plaza attack was connected to the matter.
Cahena would not have fallen so easily otherwise.
Yet the imperial family found Lexenbert’s cold restraint far more frightening than open condemnation.
‘It is all the Second Prince’s fault! He was the one who summoned Aquila Reschenhardt here!’
Many who feared Lexenbert thought as much.
As a result, the honor of the Second Prince, Tirgan Delvion—who had summoned Aquila to Denimarad and failed to protect him—was tarnished.
So too was the Empress, who had permitted it.
Lexenbert had come to the capital for one reason alone.
Because Ianpel, the Saint of the Temple of the Sun, knew the location of the Guild of Darkness’ headquarters.
Imperial mages had determined that the magic circle discovered in the plaza was an ancient Teleportation Circle.
But they could not decipher its coordinates.
Even the empire’s greatest geniuses could not interpret its flow—it was far too complex.
Still, it was certain that Aquila had been sent somewhere.
Thus, Lexenbert sought the most likely location.
The Guild of Darkness.
He firmly believed they had taken Aquila.
He had also heard that a member of the Guild of Darkness had been seen in the plaza.
Moreover, because of the Curse of Deadly Poison incident, Lexenbert had already desired to participate in a campaign against the Guild of Darkness, should the opportunity arise.
Through proper procedures, even if it took time.
But once this incident occurred, he cast aside procedures entirely and headed alone for the capital.
He could no longer wait.
Meanwhile, the Temple of the Sun—one of the institutions that had summoned Aquila to Denimarad—shifted blame toward the imperial family and resolved not to miss this swiftly approaching opportunity.
‘The report that the demonic beast Fenrir appeared in Frost Forest.’
Ianpel recalled what Aquila had once told him.
Before Fenrir could grow stronger by consuming the mud of the Black Swamp, Lexenbert Fad Reschenhardt should head to Frost Forest rather than Labyrinth City, Labyrinth.
Ianpel had agreed.
Reaching Labyrinth might take at least a month. During that time, Lexenbert could be tied down and unable to move elsewhere.
All while the demonic beast grew in Frost Forest.
But if, as now, Lexenbert intended to subjugate the Guild of Darkness without regard for procedure, the situation changed.
The Guild of Darkness could be crushed swiftly.
Why not eliminate them first, then head to Frost Forest?
The thought occurred to Ianpel.
Aquila’s concern had been precisely that Lexenbert would be bound by procedure and unable to act.
Thus, Lexenbert’s sudden arrival and declaration that he would go to Labyrinth was, undeniably, an opportunity for Ianpel.
The imperial family would not dare participate under Lexenbert’s scrutiny. Other noble houses would hesitate as well.
Even if Labyrinth—virtually a lawless zone—voiced criticism, what could they say?
His son had vanished.
‘Hmm. It is rather unfortunate that this opportunity arose only after the third bloodline of House Reschenhardt disappeared.’
Ianpel wore an ambiguous expression—whether sincere or not, none could say.
The chance to eradicate the thorn that was the Guild of Darkness was sweet indeed.
Yet he too wondered whether Aquila and Heinen were truly there.
Though his saintly intuition insisted otherwise.
In any case, as their interests aligned, Ianpel decided to join Lexenbert.
His sole concern was where to hide Gilesha.
Everything else proceeded swiftly.
Less than a day after Lexenbert’s arrival in the capital.
Though Lexenbert had issued notice rather than seeking permission, support also played a part.
The Third Prince, Grancer Delvion, declared he would cover all necessary funds and supplies for the journey to Labyrinth City, Labyrinth.
The incident had occurred in Denimarad, seat of the imperial family. Since they had failed to protect those summoned, it was only proper they take responsibility.
Lexenbert did not refuse Grancer’s support.
The funds came effectively from Grancer’s private coffers, and he did not insist upon imperial participation.
The only house accompanying Lexenbert to Labyrinth was House Friadel.
At Orphe Fad Friadel’s fervent request.
Less out of guilt for ignoring Orphe’s earlier letter—and more because Lexenbert now understood his heart.
Thus, preparations were completed in a single sweep.
They departed by Wyvern Transport, to a place that would take over two days even by wyvern.
“I wonder if Lady Cahena will be all right…….”
Yujelia murmured.
Cahena was among those departing.
Shen was not.
His injuries had not fully healed—and there remained the faint hope that Aquila might yet contact them.
Shen said nothing about Cahena.
Not because he was angry over the wound she had inflicted, but because he could not fathom what she must be feeling.
And so, with everyone else gone, only Shen and Yujelia remained in Denimarad.
Waiting for a call that might come.
Shen bowed his upper body, pressing his forehead against his clasped hands.
‘Please—let Young Master be safe……!’
He offered the same prayer again today.
***
‘Perhaps it is the fruit of the Guardian Tree and the forest’s energy—but even camping feels refreshing.’
Aquila drew in a deep breath.
Even after entering Washerd Forest from Sliana Forest, they had faced no threats.
The spirits had illuminated paths that avoided monsters.
Thus, they strolled at ease—chatting, sampling forest fruit, simply walking.
With capable companions at his side, there had been no inconvenience.
Aquila felt comfortable.
Above all, the air was so pure that even the Mana he absorbed through Mana Breathing felt exceptionally clean.
Three days had already passed.
They seemed nearly at their destination.
The dense undergrowth had thinned, and well-trodden paths had appeared.
Ding!
【Note from Joreumi: Almost there.】
The Great Spirit spun ahead of them, scattering light.
Aquila had just placed a wild raspberry into his mouth, savoring its sweet-and-tart flesh, when—
“……I hear voices. We must be close.”
Heinen spoke first.
After walking a little farther, a broad road opened before them.
A properly maintained path.
And now, people were visible.
Aquila slowly took in the sight.
Near the entrance leading into Washerd Forest stood a dungeon.
At last, they had arrived at the Black Forest Dungeon.