Chapter 261 - How Simple
Kyoya and his party left their house in search of Rosa.
He obviously went first to the party's leader Rosa officially belonged to. Since it was the husband, it was decided that he would speak with Marcia alone.
While others waited in the beautiful garden Kyoya had pleasure to see already, Marcia crossed her arms as she looked at the agitated husband. It wasn't like he couldn't hide his emotions.
Kyoya knew that this would allow him to proceed with things faster.
"So Rosa is gone?"
As Marcia could read this much from his expression, Kyoya just nodded. Him being truthful to himself allowed both of them to reach quick conclusions.
"There weren't any reports about her family coming in. I wouldn't forget about them, so Rosa wasn't taken forcefully."
"Then, I have to keep searching."
Kyoya didn't bother wasting his time.
He quickly spun around and was ready to go, but as he opened up the doors, Marcia's voice rang out from behind.
It wasn't like the husband's aura never left any impression on her.
"I will go with you."
"Seriously?"
"I am serious."
And the leader also was fond of her party members. Though Rosa was usually quiet and pretty introverted, she always did her job right and was honest to herself and people around them.
But more than anything, Marcia hated when people threatened her party member's freedom.
"This item… is pretty convenient."
"It wouldn't be able to last even a second if I were to go all out, though."
It was quid pro quo!
What the leader took out was the stone mask that not only changed hair looks, but also masked her equipment. Her hair turned red and even got a different style while clothes didn't remind the former ones at all.
Her powerful aura was hidden beneath this mask's ability and so Kyoya left the house with the lady by his side.
No one was really surprised by that, but only Maria dared to comment out loud.
"How convenient."
"Maria…"
Because there was no powerful pressure whatsoever, Maria could freely speak but she believed that this person was exactly the leader. If the husband could take someone like that outside her office, then what will happen in the future?
She kept that to herself knowing that the situation was bad for such loud remarks.
The husband's party then left the Wings Free party's territories.
"Let's ask around."
"Yes, the husband."
Everyone agreed with the husband's next action. He emphasized on the husband's charm and asked adventurers around his level about Rosa and whether they have seen her. People usually wouldn't mind speaking to the husband, but he was kinda impatient and rash.
His wife also was looking at them and her eyes just couldn't really look different.
Most adventurers could read the word 'Filth' out of Xaya's eyes.
"Ugh, the husband… I am sorry, but I haven't seen her."
"Yeah… Me too… So, please?"
It was one thing to look at Xaya from far away and the other from such close distance. The adventurers couldn't withstand such presence and quickly answered the husband who set his eyes on the female adventurers.
This was when Xaya and the husband's aura clashed and no effect whatsoever enveloped the female adventurers. They answered the husband with genuine truth, then one of the adventurers uttered that he saw Rosa leaving for the upside down castle.
"I figured so… You are sure about that?"
"I am sure, the husband!"
"Thanks."
"Y-yeah… It's okay… No problem! Haha!"
The adventurer sighed with relief after Kyoya's party disappeared from the sight.
He then went to drink as he felt like his sweat drained up all liquid out of his body.
In the meantime, Kyoya asked the leader.
"What exactly looks like the situation of this castle? It was supposed to be the treasure for this floor, right?"
"We can barely investigate this place. And its presence continually threatens The Grooma Kingdom's system, so the situation is severe, the husband."
"We heard about some people trying to use 19th floor treasures to change the situation."
"Haha. It might sound silly, but aren't we at the top here? The key might be where we don't expect it to be. Though it's not my idea, I feel like it's worth trying various means."
"I see."
The husband's party was getting closer to the upside down castle as there was no other place where Rosa could possibly go.
-
In the meantime, Rosa was currently facing the shock of her life.
It wasn't like she hadn't heard rumors from the noble side about the upside down castle. She knew what her father faced here and how he wanted to deal with it, but her brother just stepped into the castle's court and openen the way below.
The hidden underground yet again spread itself before her eyes.
It was nothing in comparison to what Rosa saw on the 19th floor as this underground was filled with lightning attributes that honestly scared her.
However, her brother was stronger, so he was probably faring better due to it. There was also a blue tablet clenched by his hand, so Mervase was prepared for this place.
Rosa's mind was filled with thoughts as she kept going down in this unique place. What was about to pop off was not in her mind, but the time with the husband. Even Xaya and her aura going against Rosa sometimes popped off.
But more than anything, Rosa regretted one thing.
"I should've gone all out with the husband. Why did I stop?"
There were many reasons, but there was one secretive one.
Rosa felt like she would truly kill her future if she were to go all out with the husband that morning. Though it was the thought that was deeply rooted within her heart. Now, she regretted that heavily as she stepped forth to the unknown area.
And why would Rosa just go in and follow Mervase?
Not only was he prepared, but Mervase was just way above Rosa strength wise. She lost many years because of his wicked plan and now it was yet another regret. But nothing could be done.
Rosa just didn't feel like risking the husband's life and it was the only thing she could do right now.
"You just have to help me with a few matters, Rosa. Then, I will let you go."
"Sure."
It was the blatant lie yet Rosa acted like she believed her brother.
How could Mervase just let Rosa go after finding a unique information about this place? Was this really that easy to conquer now that he knew its mysteries? Rosa surely was not that naive and she knew that if a powerful weapon was needed, then Mervase would go for that sacrifice.
Still, Rosa just knew that it wasn't a 'what if' situation and Mervase already had a plan with her being part of it.
"Oh, look what we have found here."
"..."
Mervase suddenly let out happy laughter, his eyes on the creature in front of his eyes.
It was the humanoid manifestation of lightning whose eyes went wide after spotting the two humans in this place.
Its lips curled up to form a wicked smile, then it rushed forward at Mervase and Rosa with heavy steps.
Those steps thundered within the underground and completely overwhelmed Rosa who was just a 20th floor adventurer.
On the other hand, Mervase was confident.
Though he knew that this creature was stronger than him, Mervase could boast with his status even before its eyes. He was equipped with the equipment straight from his family treasure.
He wore his usual noble clothes that were enhanced on its own, but beneath those Mervase had another layer of security. A blue vest, golden earring and other accessories all flashed on his body, giving him a royal aura.
This aura was strong and influential as the creature stopped its charge.
"How simple."
Mervase hummed as he unleashed his lighting thrust.
Any outsiders would think that his thrust began with the thunder sound reverberating through the underground, but it was the thunder desperately following its lightning prowess. The thrust shook the creature heavily as the sword lodged itself within the creature's shoulder.
Then, Mervase repeated his words while adding spiciness to the situation.
"How simple. Do you want to know how these creatures work?"
"..."
"Haha. Their goal is to feed on our feelings. Those divine demons… They are way too simple. That's why… I shall use them as sacrifice to our lord."
Basking in his aura and that lofty blessing, Mervase used his lord's concept and began to devour the creature's power for himself.
It naturally began the thunder orchestra which would be better called the lightning storm.
"My fear, my sadness, my regrets… I will keep those to myself."
Sounding nonchalantly, Mervase ended the creature's life, then turned his face toward Rosa. He flashed his white teeth at her, then the duo continued to go further. The more sacrifices, the stronger Mervase became…
This concept was known to Rosa, but her shock caused her to stay mute all this time.
'How can he use so freely… Even a father shouldn't be able to have such privilege and yet… Is it because of this place? Is the Lord… looking over us? This castle… This fucking… castle…'