Chapter 63: The Castle.
The group entered. The castle ahead was towering, piercing straight up.
A space that wasn't too small served as the castle courtyard. A bit further was a door already open. Light from inside radiated attractively.
Kazuka walked, pointing toward the entrance.
"Hope there's nothing inside."
Airi nodded.
"Keep praying like that."
Upon stepping through the door, the inside was an incredibly vast space.
On the high ceiling was a massive chandelier, glowing brightly and shining down. Around were small pillars holding glowing stones.
In the middle of the hall was a large, long table. A series of long chairs with gold patterns looked as if they were made of gold. Extremely luxurious.
Surrounding them were vases, swords… and displayed items that were very eye-catching and precious.
The group stood frozen, everyone amazed by the scene.
Kazuka walked to a vase placed in a glass box, its appearance very elegant. He got close, eyes curious.
"These must be very valuable, right?"
Suddenly, a black vortex appeared right in front of the group.
Surprised eyes immediately turned to alert, staring at the small whirlpool.
The whirlpool grew larger. A body was created from that vortex. A girl with a young appearance appeared; a light breeze blew.
The girl had neatly tied black hair and long dangling earrings. She wore a maid's outfit. She seemed to be the maid of this place.
The maid bowed low to the group, showing respect to the guests arriving at the castle.
The group stood silently watching, a bit confused.
The maid slowly raised her head, showing a soft smile, her attitude very professional. Her hands were lightly clasped.
"Welcome, guests of Velmoura Castle. I am the servant here; you may call me Lilith."
Kazuka walked from the vase toward the group to observe.
Airi, having lived in such places, stepped forward despite the group's suspicion of this maid, Lilith.
"So, Lilith, who is the master of this castle?"
Lilith bowed low, expressing sincere apology. She spoke while raising her head:
"Forgive me, the master of this castle is very mysterious. He does not want me to reveal anything about him."
Airi was suspicious; she started another question:
"Then why is there a castle here, in such a remote place? And hidden underground too."
Lilith smiled, answering slowly:
"Because the master likes peace and quiet, he chose this place."
Airi: "So this place isn't a Dungeon Trace?"
Lilith nodded lightly.
"That is correct. This is not one."
Airi thought in silence.
"Something feels off."
Aoto from behind walked forward and gave a light bow.
"Then please excuse us. We only thought this was a Dungeon Trace and wanted to see if there was any harvest. We'll take our leave."
Aoto immediately turned to go, but his eyes still flicked back.
The group saw Aoto's expression and remained silent. Everyone understood Aoto was calculating something.
Airi also had to turn and walk toward the four waiting behind.
Lilith: "Are you perhaps unable to escape the fog?"
Aoto turned back and flashed a bright smile.
"I knew there would be something."
"That's right, we are lost."
Airi also turned back and stood silently listening.
Lilith: "Only in this place is there a way to escape the fog."
Aoto frowned, eyes suspicious as he looked at Lilith.
"So you have a way to help us?"
Lilith calmly replied:
"One could say yes, but one could also say no."
Aoto was slightly annoyed, but he remained calm.
"Be more specific."
Lilith: "This castle used to have a way out, but we lost an item here, so currently there is no way."
Aoto: "More details."
Lilith: "There is a teleportation gate here that will transport you outside. But it needs a stone to activate, and it is located somewhere in this castle."
"If you want to escape, you must help me find that stone."
"I will clarify that this is a trade."
Aoto had a thoughtful look that didn't show on his face.
"Sounds suspicious? As if she was waiting for us."
"Then how did you go out when it was lost?"
Lilith replied calmly without hesitation:
"I don't go out."
Kazuka looked up, puzzled:
"Then what do you eat to live?"
Lilith smiled.
"I have raised a few monsters throughout my time here."
The group's eyes widened in surprise.
Aoto and Airi remained calm, facing Lilith.
Airi: "How did your master get out?"
Lilith: "My master left a long time ago and has not yet returned. I am waiting for him."
"If you don't want to find the stone, you must wait for my master to return to escape."
Airi: "Then when did your master leave?"
Lilith: "I cannot remember clearly, but he created this place and left around... 55 years after the Unification ended."
The group's eyes widened. No one could stay calm hearing that.
Aoto shook his head a few times.
"Wait... wait. If so, do you know what time it is now?"
Lilith closed her eyes and shook her head slightly.
"Forgive me, but I do not know."
The group's expressions changed, feeling a bit of sadness for this maid.
Airi looked down, her voice hesitating.
"Lilith? Don't be shocked after hearing this."
Lilith calmly nodded.
"I understand."
Airi: "Calculating by the reigns of the Demon Kings since the start of the Unification... currently the 43rd Demon King is ruling the Demon race."
Airi raised her head to observe Lilith, but Lilith's face was extremely composed.
Lilith flashed a soft smile. Her eyes showed no emotion at all.
"So that's how it is. Actually, the master also told me I didn't need to wait. But I still want to."
Airi was confused and heavily shocked by Lilith's words.
The group behind was also in heavy shock, expressions bewildered.
Airi: "Then why do you have to wait?"
Lilith: "I want to wait... that's all. Please do not mind."
Having finished speaking, Lilith leaned and pointed both hands toward the large table, smiling. Her attitude was very respectful.
"You must be hungry. Please sit. I will help fill your empty stomachs, but you will need to wait a little."
Aoto stood silently, eyes suspicious.
"One could call it loyalty, but forget that. The problem is this girl is human; she can't live that long."
"But she radiates the energy of a Demon, mixed with Vampire. And this energy feels very similar to the description of Dragon energy."
"But how on earth can one person possess this kind of energy? It's absurd."
The group walked past Lilith and headed to the dining table. Aoto still stood there deducing.
Lilith approached and smiled.
"This guest, do you not wish to dine?"
Aoto was slightly startled. He regained his composure, eyes staring at Lilith.
"Oh no, I do want to, but may I ask you a few questions?"
Lilith nodded.
"Of course."
The group had already sat in their chairs. Kazuka waved and called out to Aoto:
"Hey Aoto, come over here."
Aoto leaned over and said:
"Wait for me a bit."
He returned, his eyes serious.
"Surely you know I am an Elemental, right?"
Lilith nodded lightly.
"Yes, I know."
Aoto emphasized:
"Then you also know, the Elemental race is most famous for the 'Nightmare of every living creature', don't you?"
Lilith stiffened for a moment but quickly returned to her cheerfulness. But that brief moment was enough for him to see.
"Forgive me, I do not know."
Aoto quickly bailed himself and everyone out.
"Relax, I was just asking for confirmation. We certainly can't defeat you."
Lilith smiled.
"You overestimate me."
Aoto: "The fact that you are a human yet lived so long is too suspicious. Furthermore, there are many different types of energy sensations."
"If you are his maid, then Master Loid Kencho must have given you the hearts of all three races. Am I right?"
Aoto froze, realizing he had said too much and might be in danger.
"I'm stupid. Saying that, will she kill me and the whole group? Hope not."
Lilith forced a smile; she had been caught.
Aoto continued to damage control, trying to save the situation after his mouth went too far:
"I was just confirming my curiosity. We won't reveal anything here. I am very sorry."
Lilith waved it off.
"Ah, it's fine."
But Lilith's face turned serious. Her eyes were sharp and cold, looking at Aoto as if threatening him. Then she returned to normal.
But in that instant, Aoto already had goosebumps.
Lilith: "I hope you do so."
Then Lilith turned away. She walked past the group's table and into the kitchen.
Aoto let out a sigh of relief. His terrified face only now showed. He slapped his own mouth once as if to punish himself.
"Better not talk nonsense next time. We almost died."
Aoto walked to where everyone was sitting. He went to where Takeshi and Kazuka were sitting and pulled out a chair. Then he sat down.
Kazuka asked curiously: "What did you say to her?"
Aoto sighed.
"Just asking if there are any good dishes."
Kazuka leaned in, staring into Aoto's eyes, his voice interrogating:
"Is that so?"
Aoto forced a smile.
"Really."
Kazuka sat back properly.
"I'll believe it for now, but it's clear that's not it."
Aoto could only force a smile.
Aoto exclaimed:
"This table is huge. Looking from this side to the other feels so far."
Takeshi leaned over to join the conversation.
"Of course it's big. It seems the background of this castle's master is not ordinary."
Airi, sitting nearby, spoke up:
"She looks too dangerous."
Ayaka: "We can only stay alert. Hope she doesn't attack us."
Elyssia sat in the middle, rubbing her hungry stomach.
"You guys can feel her energy radiating very differently, right? But I don't think she'll do anything. Everyone, don't be curious and wander around or touch things here."
Elyssia sighed.
"I'm so hungry. Hope she cooks fast."
Aoto leaned back in the chair. The soft feeling made him comfortable.
"Likely, this is one of Loid's bases. Then it's possible 'it' is here..."
"But better not be curious. Curiosity is certain death."
Lilith was in the kitchen. It was just a kitchen, but the space was enormous.
Equipped with ovens and all other tools inside.
Lilith was cutting meat. Her face was very serious. She seemed quite annoyed at being caught by Aoto.
"Should I kill all those brats?"
"But Young Master didn't allow killing Elementals. Those brats, though of various races, are quite weak. Forget it then."
"Despite the fog, if I release a few strikes, I might destroy this whole place."
A moment of silence occurred.
Tears slowly fell onto the thin slices of meat she was cutting.
A sad expression was clear. Her voice trembled.
"Young Master... where are you?... I miss you so much."
Feeling unwell, she quickly wiped her tears. But on the table behind her were the onions she just peeled, and she brought her hands to her eyes.
A stinging sensation in her eyes made her quickly close them. She opened her eyes slightly and ran to the water tank, picking up the ladle and washing her eyes.
A feeling of self-pity from being alone for such a long time. Airi's words echoed in Lilith's head.
She burst into tears in her loneliness.
"Come back to me... Young Master..."
Loid's clear voice rang in Lilith's head.
"If you feel lonely, you can leave. No need to stand guard."
Lilith: "How could I leave? Where would I go?"
She slowly wiped her tears and returned to work.
"You will return... I will still wait."
Lilith reassured herself. Her eyes became determined and expectant. Her cooking actions were very professional and quick.
After waiting for a while, Kazuka stood up. He rubbed his stomach, showing he was very hungry. The group saw the movement and raised their heads.
"I'll go to the kitchen to see how she's doing. Might as well help her. Waiting like this is killing me."
Airi, with a serious face and a voice carrying a grave warning, cautioned Kazuka:
"When you go in there, watch your words."
Kazuka stepped away from the chair and turned back smiling.
"I'm not a child who needs to be reminded of that."
Airi followed him with her eyes.
"Who knows."
Aoto, Takeshi, and Ayaka had collapsed on the table and fallen asleep at some point. Only Airi and Elyssia were still awake.
But both were quite bored. Elyssia held her stomach from hunger with one hand, propping herself up on the table with the other.
"I'm so hungry, Airi."
Airi turned and smiled.
"Wait a bit longer. We haven't even waited the length of an incense stick and you guys are already collapsed and bored?"
Suddenly, Kazuka approached with a stack of bowls and plates. He walked slowly to the table and set them down. The sound was a bit loud, making Aoto, Takeshi, and Ayaka startle awake.
The sleepy faces of the three looked around in confusion.
Aoto dazed:
"Is the food here?"
Kazuka let out a sigh of relief and laughed loudly.
"Hahaha, get ready to eat."
Airi and Elyssia quickly stood up and took the stack of plates and forks.
Kazuka turned away, saying:
"Distribute them. I'm going to get the food."
In no time, a large spread of food was laid out. The group's eyes lit up seeing the food.
The large table was covered with various dishes, like a vivid culinary world. No wine, no extravagant luxury, just dishes meticulously prepared from fresh greens and various meats, radiating a savory aroma that evoked comfort and satisfaction.
At the center was a plate of meat and vegetable stew, simmered with carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions. The broth was rich, covered with a thin layer of glistening oil. Beside it was a tray of chicken, chopped and beautifully arranged, sprinkled with white sesame seeds and a few slices of fresh chili.
The meat was prepared in many ways: there was a plate of charcoal-grilled meat with charred edges, and a dish of thinly sliced boiled meat served with raw vegetables, rice paper, and a bowl of dark dipping sauce.
Vegetables were transformed in diverse ways: a plate of vibrant garlic-sauteed greens, though the type was unclear, it was very eye-catching.
The feast didn't need wine to be luxurious, just the subtle coordination between the green of vegetables, the golden brown of meat, and the scent spreading in the air.
The group's mouths formed 'O' shapes in surprise.
Kazuka glanced at the far corner of the wall where the bag of smoked meat and money lay.
"Great, so we don't have to eat smoked meat."
The group was like hungry tigers, immediately diving in to feast. Everyone tried to eat as much as possible.
Lilith approached and smiled.
"I only have this much to treat you with. I hope you do not mind."
Takeshi, while gnawing a chicken leg, spoke. His voice was a bit hard to hear:
"It's... fine. This is enough. Thank you very much."
Airi lifted a bowl of soup and slurped. She set the bowl down with satisfaction.
"Wonderful."
Airi then glanced at Lilith, who was standing there watching everyone eat.
"Aren't you eating?"
Lilith smiled and explained:
"I am a servant, you are guests. I should not do that."
Everyone eating stopped. Their eyes turned to Lilith, mouths stuffed with food.
Airi: "What does it matter? I used to eat with my maids before. Come sit and eat with us."
Lilith shook her head slightly in refusal.
"That would not be right."
The group shouted in unison:
"Eat together!..."
"Eat together!..."
Airi stepped out of her chair and went to Lilith. She grabbed Lilith's hand and pulled her.
Lilith hurried to shake her head.
"I really shouldn't."
Lilith intended to resist, but she felt no danger and followed Airi.
Lilith was pushed into a chair by Airi. She was a bit confused, looking at everyone around.
Airi sat right next to her and pulled the chicken plate toward Lilith.
"Eat. We don't care about those things."
Everyone around looked at Lilith with expectations that she would eat.
After hesitating for a moment, Lilith took a piece of chicken and put it on her plate. She slowly brought it to her mouth and took a bite.
The group around broke into friendly smiles.
Elyssia, while eating, thought to herself:
"This group is alright. Definitely not bad people."
After dining for a while, the group followed Lilith up the stairs
The staircase had a design quite similar to human DNA, with two paths winding into each other and heading upward to higher floors.
With two paths going up from below and two going up above. Underfoot was a large red carpet stretching out. Each step was a soft sensation.
After going up, a vast hallway stretched into the distance. A series of rooms lined the path. The group's eyes widened in surprise.
Lilith turned around and flashed a smile, hand pointing behind her toward the rooms.
"You may choose any room you like."
Airi nodded.
"Thank you."
Lilith bowed at the thanks.
"It is nothing. If you need anything, you can go below. The room under the stairs is mine."
Having said that, she went down the stairs.
Airi turned back and said to the group:
"One room will definitely be very large. Can we just take two?"
The group nodded.
The group split: the boys took the room on the left, the girls took the room on the right.
Kazuka slowly opened the door. Inside was a vast space with golden light shining throughout the room from the glowing stone chandelier on the ceiling. In the middle of the room was an enormous bed; three people lying in it would still have room to spare.
Surrounding them were shelves and empty wardrobes. In the corner of the room was a desk. Chairs were placed neatly in a corner.
And there were shelves with sparkling treasures, making the room more vibrant. Vases and swords hanging on the wall looked very precious.
The three boys widened their eyes in surprise, slowly stepping in and observing everything around.
Kazuka: "So big."
Takeshi: "Beautiful too."
Kazuka had just leaned his sword against the wall when Aoto was already standing outside the door.
"Come over to the other side. We need to talk."
Takeshi followed immediately.
Kazuka complained, but followed anyway:
"What's the rush?"
Aoto looked into the girls' room.
Some were lying down, some were sitting on the soft bed.
"Let's discuss some matters."
Elyssia, standing by the door, turned and nodded.
"Come in."
The three boys stepped in. Each grabbed a chair and sat down.
Aoto was the one who spoke first.
"Let's talk about a few issues while we are here."
The group, with serious faces, nodded. Eyes turned to Aoto.
"What we need to do is definitely remain cautious. She is very strong; be careful in both words and actions."
"It seems Miss Lilith is the maid of Loid Kencho, the one who created the barrier for the Elemental race, and she is very dangerous."
Airi was very surprised by Aoto's words, but she remained silent and listened.
"We best not go to the upper floors. Curiosity will lead to consequences."
"She didn't mention it simply because if she did, we would be even more curious."
"We will only enter other strange rooms when she guides us."
"Is that all clear?"
The group nodded in agreement.
Kazuka spoke up:
"Alright, let me speak."
"Currently we can't escape and need to find the stone Miss Lilith mentioned. So I think we should hurry and find it."
"I certainly don't want to stay here for life."
Airi interrupted, her tone serious:
"Certainly. But we also need rest. Breathing that fog outside made me tired. I want to sleep."
Ayaka beside her nodded vigorously.
"Right, right."
Kazuka sighed and stood up.
"Fine. After we rest, we will search."
The three boys stood up one by one and walked out. Takeshi, going last, didn't forget to close the door.
The group was now fast asleep. Only Kazuka lay awake. He lay on the outside edge and turned his head away.
The three boys were lying on the large bed, covered with a warm dark-purple blanket.
Kazuka lay in thought:
He recalled the actions of everyone being slightly different. The image of Elyssia scolding him for being a demon surfaced.
"Are they hiding something from me?"
"Am I a demon?"
He pulled his hand out from the blanket and stared at his palm.
"But my energy is that of a normal person. Did she make a mistake?"
A bit of sadness appeared on his face.
"Then why is everyone acting so strange? Are they hiding something?"
Then he dismissed his own suspicions.
"They must have a reason for doing that. I trust them."
"What I need to do is prepare my spirit."
Then Kazuka slowly closed his eyes into sleepiness.