Chapter 250: Intertwining Intentions 11

​Hardly anyone knew that a massive labyrinth lay beneath the royal palace. After walking a distance that would have left any ordinary noble lady clutching her aching feet and unable to move, Liliana and her companions finally reached their destination.

​"We’re here."

​Ben raised the lantern in his hand. The flickering candlelight couldn't illuminate much, but even so, it was clear that the space they stood in was a cavern so vast it was hard to believe it was underground.

​"It’s freezing... and honestly, I’d rather not stay here any longer than I have to," Petra whispered, shivering as she rubbed her arms.

​It was impossible to tell if the rock itself was pitch black or if it only appeared that way because no light reached this depth. Etched into the raw cliff face was a sorcery array radiating outward, pulsing with a sinister, overwhelming amount of magical power.

​"Whoa... I’ve never seen an array like this before," Petra muttered, stunned. Liliana nodded beside her, equally breathless.

​When she had seen it in the otome game, she hadn't thought much of it. But now, having gained a fundamental understanding of magic and sorcery in this world, seeing it up close made her realize just how abnormal the seal binding the Demon King truly was.

​Normally, a sorcery array consisted of characters written on paper or carved into stone. However, the one before them was different. In the center of the massive rock face was a large depression from which cracks radiated like a spiderweb. These fissures were studded with glowing gemstones that flickered rhythmically, like the pulsing veins of a living creature.

​In the spaces between the chaotic cracks, strange patterns shimmered—patterns that hadn't been carved or painted. Liliana knew instinctively, without being told, that these characters had been etched by magical power itself.

​A faint trickle of magic leaked from the massive array. Yet, surprisingly, that power lacked the foul, miasmic quality one might expect.

​"What is this power? Is it the magic woven into the seal to keep the Demon King down?" Petra asked.

​"I’d say the probability is high," Ben replied. "But the sensation is a bit different from the magic we possess."

​"Yeah, it doesn't quite feel like 'magic,' does it? But then again, if I had to name it, magic is the only word that fits..."

​Petra seemed slightly unconvinced by Ben's answer, yet she didn't disagree.

​Liliana focused her senses on the magic leaking from the array. As Ben pointed out, it wasn't a sensation one encountered often. However, to Liliana, it felt strangely... nostalgic.

​Have I encountered this magic somewhere before?

​Magic was invisible, yet she felt a distinct sense of déjà vu. She was certain she had felt a similar power once in the past. She just couldn't remember where. It was only natural; she didn't exactly spend her daily life scrutinizing the 'texture' of people's magic. If it were someone she met frequently, she might have a clue, but if it were someone she had only crossed paths with once or twice, she couldn't possibly identify them by magic alone.

​While Liliana observed the surroundings in silence, Ben stepped closer to the array. Petra cried out in a panicked voice.

​"Hey! It’s dangerous to get that close without thinking!"

​"It’s fine. Look—it’s probably because the spell here is beginning to break that the magic is leaking out."

​Ben glanced back at Petra over his shoulder for a moment before pointing to a section slightly above eye level. Indeed, the pattern in that specific spot was distorted. It seemed the leak was originating from that very warp.

​"To put it simply, the seal is starting to come undone. But since it’s just a small fray, I should be able to repair it without much trouble."

​Ben spoke casually as he set his lantern at his feet. Petra had looked like she wanted to stay as far away from the array as possible, but seeing Ben move, she seemed to summon her courage and shook off her hesitation. Staying on high alert, she walked slowly to stand beside him and picked up the lantern he had put down.

​"At first glance, it looks like this is the only frayed spot," Petra observed.

​"Yeah, I see it that way too."

​Ben nodded at her words. With solemn expressions, the two of them faced the massive sorcery array. They proceeded to repair the seal with meticulous care, ensuring that their work wouldn't adversely affect the rest of the structure.

​In the silence, where even the sound of their breathing felt loud, Liliana watched them while scanning the rest of the cavern. Once her eyes adjusted to the dark, she could make out a bit more of the landscape.

​I thought it was a cave, but... it feels more accurate to describe it as a massive hole in the ground that was buried under rubble.

​Given the scale, the impact that created this hole must have been cataclysmic. It was a depression so deep one might think a meteor had plummeted from the sky. Though it was just her own perception, they had been walking downhill ever since entering the dungeon, descending several flights of stairs. They were very, very deep underground.

​Legends say the Three Heroes sealed the Demon King, but I wonder what actually happened.

​The game never detailed how the Demon King was sealed. Consequently, Liliana had assumed he had simply been locked away in a subterranean vault. But seeing the site with her own eyes, she doubted that. It seemed more plausible that after a fierce battle with the heroes, the Demon King had been sealed within the very crater created by the conflict.

​As Liliana surveyed the area, Ben and Petra steadily mended the fray in the seal. Realizing there was nothing she could do to help, Liliana decided to simply watch over their work.

​◇　◇　◇　◇

​After completing the repairs, Liliana, Ben, and Petra headed to Riley to report. Seeing the relief on Riley’s face when he saw them, Ben briefly explained that while the seal had weakened, they were able to restore it.

​"I see," Riley said, nodding. "That’s good to hear. And I’m glad the three of you returned safely."

​"Thank you. However, there’s no telling when the seal might weaken again. I believe we should remain vigilant," Ben replied curtly.

​Riley’s expression tightened as he nodded. "That’s a fair point. Is that sorcery array in the Ministry of Magic the only way to detect a weakening in the seal?"

​Ben and Petra exchanged a look. After a moment of thought, they both nodded.

​"For now, that’s all we can think of. If miasma starts spreading, we’ll know for sure the seal has broken, but by then, it would be too late."

​"—Because the miasma won't spread until after the Demon King has been resurrected?"

​"Exactly," Ben confirmed.

​Despite this, Riley didn't back down. "I won't force you, but if it’s possible, could you look for another method? Even if we have to rely on that array, it’s too unreliable if it only appears or disappears based on the amount of magic or its instability."

​"You’re right about that," Ben agreed.

​The sorcery array on the wall of the Ministry of Magic was incredibly unstable. It couldn't be seen unless the observer had a high level of magic, and even then, it flickered in and out of existence. It was far too fickle to serve as a definitive indicator of the Demon King's return. If a more certain method existed, searching for it was the only logical path.

​"It’s a lot to ask, but I’m counting on you."

​Requested again by Riley, Ben nodded. "Understood. I don't know how long it will take, but I’ll do my best."

​At his solemn words, Riley’s grave expression finally softened. A wry smile touched his eyes as he shrugged.

​"To be honest, I suspect that if you and Petra-dono can't find it, no one can."

​"You overestimate us."

​Riley’s words were a clear acknowledgement of Ben and Petra as the finest talents in the kingdom. Ben furrowed his brow slightly in protest, but since he himself took pride in being one of the kingdom’s leading mages, it didn't exactly sound like he meant it.

​Riley’s smile deepened, but he didn't push the subject further.

​"If anything else happens, let me know immediately. I’ll clear my schedule as much as possible."

​"Thank you."

​The tension finally bled out of Ben and Petra’s shoulders. Dealing with the Demon King’s seal alone must have been a heavy burden for the two of them. Petra offered a small bow in gratitude.

​The trio watched as Riley left the drawing room. Once he was completely out of sight, Petra turned to Liliana.

​"Don't you need to go after His Highness?"

​"No, I have no urgent business with him today."

​Riley’s schedule was usually packed. While it changed occasionally, the moment Liliana decided to accompany them to the dungeon, their teatime was effectively cancelled. This happened often, and their relationship was such that neither of them took offense.

​"—That’s not really what I meant."

​Petra wore a complicated expression. Liliana tilted her head, unsure of what Petra was trying to imply, but Petra simply shrugged.

​"Well, whatever. Everyone has their own way of doing romance. It’s not my place to say anything."

​"—Oh."

​Liliana gave a rare, hollow response.

​The word "romance" was a concept that didn't exist in Liliana’s life. Of course, she understood it was a common theme in courtly literature and troubadour songs, and she knew that romantic feelings could lead to marriage. But applying that word to herself and Riley felt nothing but wrong.

​However, Petra didn't seem to notice Liliana’s inner turmoil and walked on ahead.

​Liliana watched Petra and Ben walk side by side with a dubious expression before giving up on the thought. She had always been bad at processing anything related to emotions. Even with courtly literature or songs, she would exhaust herself just trying to figure out what the intent was.

​For a long time, she had assumed it was because she lacked emotions entirely. But according to the journals she had found in the hidden lab, that wasn't quite accurate. Because her emotions had been suppressed since birth, her emotional responses had simply become incredibly sluggish.

​Perhaps due to that influence, Liliana didn't believe she felt anything romantic for Riley. If she had to categorize him as someone she liked or disliked, he was certainly someone she 'liked,' but she didn't possess the obsession or jealousy shown by the heroines in those stories. Her heart didn't ache just thinking about him.

​And if Riley ever fell in love with Emilia and wanted to push Liliana away, Liliana knew she would step aside without anger or sadness. She could even take steps to dissolve the engagement before it reached that point. However, with so many uncertainties regarding the Demon King's resurrection, she felt she shouldn't introduce any more deviations from the otome game than necessary.

​Still, we managed to mend the seal. I think it should be fine for a while, but...

​A strange anxiety had taken root in Liliana’s heart. Because...

​In the otome game, even Belasta Draco couldn't mend the Demon King’s seal.

​The sorcery array Ben had repaired—that array had certainly appeared briefly in the game. But back then, Belasta couldn't fix it. It might have been because the destruction had spread too far. It might have been too late. Or perhaps, this time, they had discovered it earlier than in the game.

​Belasta Draco was said to be the prodigy of the Draco family...

​That was what the setting materials said. In other words, there was a possibility he was even more capable than Ben Draco. If that Belasta couldn't mend the seal, had Ben and Petra truly succeeded?

​To Liliana’s eyes, it didn't look like they had failed. But there was always a chance of the worst-case scenario.

​I have to check.

​Liliana bit her lip softly. Normally, one would panic at the lack of a way to verify such a thing. But Liliana had one final card left to play.

—-

Toc

Chapter 251