Free Web NovelChapter 232: Chapter 230: Pure Malice
"Press the hidden invisible button under the escalator."
"Step back two steps, then continue forward from the middle carpet, taking twelve steps."
"Stop, don’t counterattack, let the flames spray freely; they won’t reach you."
"Alright, move forward three steps this time."
"Keep to the left, hand on the railing at all times, you must hold it constantly..." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"..."
Listening to Rose’s directions, Hilia gradually became confused.
She had only one reaction—
Is this a route that a person could think of?
How the heck did someone figure out how to get to the second floor unscathed like this?
Were there any hints?
Hilia didn’t know.
Rose chuckled softly, "There are hints. Although the owner of the relic was full of malice, they did prepare a safe route. From the moment you entered, there was actually a way to reach here unscathed, it’s just that you chose to charge through instead."
Hilia: "..."
Rose continued, "The hints for this path are scattered across many rooms. The path you took covers only half the hints. Oh, and in this half of hints, some are hidden in trap mechanisms, some in the chandeliers on the ceiling, and others in the gaps between the floorboards, at the bottom of vases, or in the ashes in fireplaces."
Hilia fell silent again, dumbfounded.
You might as well have said you didn’t want anyone getting through unscathed!
This is ridiculous.
Rose said, "Actually, only the central tower is this troublesome. The other spires are only half as infuriating as the central tower. Explore a bit more, and you’ll piece the clues together."
Hilia: "... I think charging through isn’t a bad way either."
Rose shook his head with a smile, "You won’t make it through by sheer force. The attacks you encounter will grow stronger and stronger until you can’t withstand them."
Hilia was a bit skeptical, "As long as you prepare thoroughly, you can definitely power through, like with a hundred Tier Three defensive scrolls or something."
"Really? If you force your way from the first step, the attack generated by the last step will have the power equivalent to a Tier Four single-target attack magic. Can you withstand that?"
"Maybe... I guess?"
But whether she would be severely injured or even die afterward was another matter.
So far, Hilia had only experienced Tier Four magic in the form of group attacks. She hadn’t experienced single-target magic, but magic labeled as single-target... it’s not something an individual can withstand, right?
The young girl gave up arguing.
Rose laughed, "There is a chance to power through, as long as, before you climb the stairs, you stick to the right side of the steps; the attack from the last step won’t reach Tier Four level."
Hilia suddenly understood, "I see. Are the other spires like that too?"
"Most are like that, but some require staying to the left, others in the middle." Rose was aware Hilia had thoughts of selling this strategy and didn’t mind, so he directly revealed the information.
After all, the two young girls had suffered enough hardships.
With Rose guiding them, everything went smoothly, and before long, Hilia and Elina reached the second floor.
Red light dots emerged from the eyes of the cat-like guard statues on both sides of the second floor and shone on Hilia and Elina.
The voice came, "Congratulations on gaining the owner’s recognition, reaching the second floor. Go ahead; the owner awaits you atop the high tower. Here’s your token; with it, you’ll appear directly on the second floor of the central tower next time."
As the token appeared, the staircase behind them slowly shrouded in mist.
This symbolized that they could leave the relic directly.
Both of them breathed a sigh of relief.
"It’s finally... over."
Passing through the mist, they reappeared outside the relic.
At that moment, dusk was gradually falling.
They had fought inside the relic until twilight.
Upon seeing them emerge, a small commotion arose among the crowd.
"It’s those two elf priests!"
"They look like they’ve been through a big battle?"
"This relic is terrifying, I need to ask them what it was like inside."
"Dear elf maidens, please wait a moment..."
"..."
Seeing many people approaching, Hilia hurriedly shouted, "No need to ask, this relic is dangerous. Below Tier Two... no, below Tier Three, it’s best not to enter lightly."
A nearby mercenary hurriedly asked, "Is it true you can’t go in below Tier Three? There were Tier Two and even Tier One people returning this morning, weren’t there?"
"That was just their good luck. The relic is very dangerous; enter with caution."
At that moment, Hilia didn’t want to say much. After speaking, she quickly left with Elina.
Not long after they left, Emilia’s team also emerged from the relic, looking bedraggled.
This time, their situation was much better than yesterday’s; they didn’t come out limping, though each bore some injuries, and aside from Emilia, everyone else’s magic puppets were severely damaged to some extent.
But unlike their four unlucky teammates yesterday, at least they didn’t need to lie in bed for continuous treatment; they just needed to fix their magic puppets to continue exploring.
Unlike Hilia and Elina, who simply said a few words before leaving, when Emilia saw the mercenaries outside seeking information, she waved her hand to let everyone stop.
"Ask your questions if you have any; you have three minutes for inquiries."
Immediately, a mercenary asked, "I heard there’s a three-dimensional maze inside. Is that true?"
Emilia nodded, "It’s true."
"Did you manage to get through?"
"Of course." Emilia nodded proudly.
Though it took 20 gold coins to get the guide, she still passed, so it counts.
Another person quickly asked, "How did you navigate the maze?"
Hearing his question, others shushed him.
"You actually dare to ask that kind of question?"
"If you want to know, at least offer one or two gold coins, right?"
"Exactly, if it were me, I would’ve already paid up."
"..."
Facing the mockery from the mercenaries and the awkwardness of the questioner, Emilia merely smiled slightly, speaking softly, "It’s quite simple. Find eleven offering items and bowls, walk back, find the twelfth item and bowl, and offer them to the two guard statues..."
With a few brief words, Emilia directly unveiled the key points to passing the challenge.
Her easy declaration left everyone stunned.
All the mercenaries hoping to coax hints subtly found their questions stuck in their throats.
They hadn’t expected Emilia to reveal it directly and thought they could obtain clues through their ’wit’ by asking veiled questions.
Their bafflement didn’t last long, and soon, everyone cheered.
"Thank you, Captain Emilia!"
"We’re so grateful; we’ll always remember your kindness!"
"Now I can go on an adventure too."
"..."
Emilia motioned for calm with a downward gesture of her hand and said lightly, "Don’t get too excited yet. That maze is just an appetizer for the entire castle maze. It’s the safest and easiest trap. Once you enter the castle area, the real exploration begins. The traps there are countless, with chain reactions, making them unavoidable. So, if you’re planning to go, be prepared. Don’t consider it if you’re below Tier Two."
"..."
Even after Emilia left, the mercenaries present were still discussing. frёeωebɳovel.com
A moment later, the relic gate flashed again, and Pascal emerged.
Seeing many mercenaries outside, he snorted, ignoring those attempting to strike up a conversation.
Just as he was about to bypass them and leave, he overheard their discussion.
Hearing mentions of the Royal Mercenary Corps leader, he stopped, beginning to listen.
The more he heard, the worse his expression became.
"Emilia, are you out of your mind!"
