Chapter 126: The Tunnel

The three who emerged from the cave surveyed their surroundings.

It seemed they had arrived at a tunnel connected to the cave.

By now, it also meant they had reached the third layer of the Nasca Labyrinth.

No sounds could be heard from Anatoli’s group behind them anymore.

They were probably still inside the cave, desperately searching for the correct path.

There were obvious signs of artificial excavation in the tunnel.

Broken sections of mining rails remained on the road, and fragments of ore were still embedded in the walls.

Perhaps, long ago, this place had once been a mining site, abandoned after human extraction, and later formed into this underground labyrinth.

Inside the tunnel, the luminescent mushrooms from earlier had disappeared completely.

Now, it was up to Alice to hold a sphere of light to illuminate the path for the three of them.

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The temperature on the third layer was noticeably lower than on the second.

Judging by Liyakade’s sense, the temperature had already dropped below zero.

Alice and Field both increased their output of Magic Power slightly to keep themselves warm.

So, Liyakade asked Field to raise a floating flame as well.

Not only could it provide light like Alice’s orb, but it also kept the three of them warm.

Liyakade scraped a bit of ore from the cracks in the wall.

“Yellow Jade.”

Liyakade looked at the translucent yellow mineral at her fingertips and exchanged words with Alice and Field beside her.

“This kind of ore can be used to make wands or accessories, but its quality seems pretty low. If Yellow Jade is used as the main material, the equipment produced would probably be around LV.10 or so.”

Field, who had been knowledgeable since childhood, glanced at the Yellow Jade shard in Liyakade’s hand and commented.

“That’s right, but this kind of Yellow Jade can still fetch a few coins…maybe?”

“Wow, so that’s what you were thinking!”

Hearing Liyakade’s words, Field finally realized why Liyakade was interested in such low-grade ore—it was to sell it for money!

“Even if you dug out this entire chunk, you couldn’t sell it for more than a few gold coins.”

Field said, exasperated.

“Truly, you’re blinded by money, Liyakade.”

“I’m…I’m not blinded by money! It’s called thrift!”

Liyakade hadn’t expected her little scheme to be seen through by Field so easily.

But, as Field said, this kind of Yellow Jade wouldn’t sell for much.

Liyakade simply tossed the Yellow Jade aside.

“It’s fine, Miss Liyakade. Her Highness Field is Royal Family; of course she wouldn’t understand our thriftiness.”

Alice patted Liyakade’s fragrant shoulder in comfort.

“Sigh, Alice, you really understand me. I’m strapped for cash right now, so what’s wrong with being thrifty?”

“By the way, Miss Liyakade.”

At this, Alice suddenly changed the subject.

“I just happen to need a thrifty and housewise wife. How about…”

“What are you talking about!”

At those words, Liyakade instantly jumped up and flicked Alice’s forehead, her face turning red as she retorted.

“Besides, aren’t you a girl yourself? Why are you looking for a wife too? Idiot.”

“Ugh…”

Alice rubbed her aching forehead.

“Then, Miss Liyakade, tell me—if two girls get married, what should it be called?”

“Uh…I really don’t know.”

Liyakade scratched her white head.

She’d never considered this question before.

“Hey, who says Royal Family can’t be thrifty just because they’re rich? I want to marry a thrifty, housewise wife like Liyakade in the future too.”

Field heard the conversation and nudged Liyakade with her elbow, grinning.

“Just say you want to marry me already! Why beat around the bush!”

The shy Liyakade’s face flushed as she pointed at the two of them.

“You two, that’s enough! We’re still in the underground city! Don’t get so relaxed!”

“Okay, okay.”

Right now, Liyakade felt that even without the power of Demon Race blood, staying with these two in such a cold environment, she probably wouldn’t feel cold at all.

Because every now and then, they’d make her burn red.

After calming down a bit, Liyakade took out the Magic Detector given by Darkness.

Although Liyakade already had some doubts about Darkness, it was only suspicion.

From entering the Nasca Labyrinth until now, nothing unexpected or dangerous had happened.

So Liyakade assumed she was just overthinking it.

If she thought Darkness was suspicious and decided to turn back, only to find out Darkness was just an ordinary client, then the three of them would have to return to help Darkness find the ring.

Failing the mission would also affect the reputation of their Yorozuya.

So, it’s better to help Darkness find her lost Storage Ring first.

When Liyakade took out the Magic Detector, the pointer aimed deep into the tunnel, the light growing brighter.

They must be close to the Storage Ring.

“Let’s go. Seems our luck isn’t so bad; the Storage Ring wasn’t taken deeper down.”

After determining the approximate location of the Storage Ring, Liyakade called to the others, heading into the depths of the tunnel.

However, after moving a short distance, Liyakade suddenly stopped.

“Hm? Liyakade, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Liyakade halt in front, Field asked in confusion.

“Shh! Someone’s ahead. Extinguish the fire.”

Liyakade reached out her hand, whispering a warning to the others.

Upon hearing her, both immediately extinguished their light or flame.

From afar, Liyakade heard footsteps and breathing from the other end of the tunnel.

Her nose twitched, catching the scent of blood on those people.

The aura was familiar—the same rough, fierce men who had mocked them when they first arrived at the Camp.

Even back then, Liyakade had noticed the strong scent of blood on them.

“Is it the group that was chasing us earlier?”

Alice, in the darkness, leaned against the wall and gripped Liyakade’s hand, whispering.

“No, it’s another group. Also…they seem pretty hostile. We should avoid them if possible.”

Liyakade planned to hide and wait for them to pass.

After all, there was more than one fork in the tunnel.

Once the group moved on, they could continue safely.

But unexpectedly, the group began heading their way.

“They seem to be coming toward us. What should we do?”

Field also sensed the group’s approach and looked to Liyakade for guidance.

“No choice. We might not be able to avoid them, but it’s fine—if they cause trouble, we’ll just beat them down.”

Seeing the situation, Liyakade signaled for Field to reignite the flame.

Since they couldn’t avoid it, facing them head-on was better.

Soon, the dim tunnel ahead brightened as several burly men carrying torches approached.

These were none other than Manuel’s group, who had entered the underground city from the other side.

“Yo, isn’t this Princess Field?”

Manuel noticed the glow and, recognizing them, greeted Field in a friendly tone.

“Didn’t expect to run into Her Highness in the dungeon like this.”

Though they had already plotted against Liyakade’s group, they didn’t plan to cause immediate conflict.

Their intent was to join Liyakade’s party and slowly manipulate them.

If possible, it was better not to kill them but to train Liyakade and the others as their forbidden property, then bring them out of the dungeon to enjoy at leisure.

“Mm, we’re moving on.”

Field merely nodded, then quickly tried to pass by Manuel and his group.

Although Manuel and his henchmen temporarily masked their wicked desires, Field could still feel their gazes lingering on inappropriate places.

This made Field very uncomfortable.

“Hey, don’t rush, Princess Field.”

Manuel blocked their path as Field tried to pass.

“It’s dangerous for just three of you to move without guards in the dungeon. Why not let us protect you? Just a bit of payment—100 gold coins. It’s a great deal, right?”

Manuel put on a mercenary’s face and even quoted a price to show they were only a mercenary group.

But Field had already seen through their dirty intentions from their eyes.

Especially the way they looked at Liyakade.

Perhaps because of the collar on her swan-like neck, the leg ring on her thigh, and that unusual silvery-white hair, they thought Liyakade was a rare plaything bought by some noble.

Their gazes lingered more on her.

This made Field even more upset.

No matter how wild she got with Liyakade, these scum had no right to imagine such things.

After hearing Manuel’s proposal, Field grew even more impatient.

She’d only wanted to bypass them, but they shamelessly suggested teaming up.

Field felt like beating them up on the spot and giving them a little surgery to clear their filthy minds.

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“Liyakade? What do you think?”

Field turned to Liyakade, waiting for her answer.

“Um…”

Liyakade blinked, exchanged glances with Field, and then spoke in a sweet, sticky voice.

“Field onee-sama, it is a little dangerous for just the three of us. Maybe we should let them protect us.”

“Fine. As for the gold coins, we’ll pay you when we leave the dungeon.”

Field replied coldly, then started walking deeper into the tunnel.

“Follow us.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Manuel, who’d succeeded in teaming up, bowed and flashed a lewd grin from his lowered face.

He couldn’t help but marvel at how naive these three girls were, trusting strangers so easily.

Seeing Field’s cold, proud demeanor, Manuel was already impatient to press her beneath him and see the princess beg for mercy.

However…

Liyakade’s agreement to team up wasn’t because she failed to see through Manuel’s intentions.

When Liyakade saw Manuel, she suddenly remembered he appeared in the original work as well.

She knew Manuel was a notorious criminal and that the current face was only a human skin mask he wore.

Field’s thoughts were simple—beat them up and strip them of their ability to reproduce, then throw them into prison as eunuchs.

If they were wanted criminals, whether they ended up executed or with a life sentence wasn’t her concern.

But Liyakade’s thoughts were more complicated.

She felt the clear discomfort and offense when those gazes landed on her.

But it wasn’t enough to inspire killing intent.

However, when those filthy eyes turned toward Alice and Field, harboring wicked thoughts about them, Liyakade made up her mind.

She would make sure all of these people died in the Nasca Labyrinth.