Rogue Villain-Chapter 337: Into The Alchemaze
After a while, Ackster exhaled with enough force to blow away all the dust that had settled due to the hall’s state of disrepair. He got up and stretched his body, emitting popping sounds.
He wasn’t quite yet finished with refining the demon core into his Ichor. But he was mostly done. And now, it was just the finishing touches that would take a lot of time. Fortunately, he didn’t have to oversee and micromanage the process personally. Smelting Furnace had it covered.
Ackster looked around.
"Where is everyone?"
Only Mara and Karandiel were still nearby.
Mara and Karandiel exchanged glances before Mara spoke.
"My Lord, congratulations on your success. Mastrax took off, saying he wanted to slay more demons. Kargas decided to keep an eye on him, considering he’s the only one besides you that can kind of do that. Shortly after that, Makkel got tired of waiting around since he wanted to put his newfound strength to use. Wilma said she might have found an opportunity for her growth and followed him."
"I see. So more than half of our party is wandering around the Alchemaze doing whatever they please."
"Yes, My Lord."
Ackster didn’t need to wonder why Mara and Karandiel stayed behind. They didn’t have any pressing reasons for entering the Alchemaze’s depths like the others. To them, it was more important to stay behind to guard and wait for Ackster.
Ackster frowned. He had asked them to scout or secure the perimeter. He meant their immediate surroundings, not the Alchemaze’s perimeter. It seemed that while his party members listened to his orders, they were also prone to following themselves if they got bored or had better things to do.
It wouldn’t necessarily be a problem during battle. But there were still several years left until the long-awaited battle against the end of the world. A lot could happen in that time. If these fuckers decided to chase butterflies when Ackster wasn’t there, they might end up dead, meeting The Hero, or realizing they didn’t want to follow Ackster.
Ackster sighed.
"It’s this way, right?"
Ackster pointed at the only part of the grand hall that wasn’t made of the yellow stone with demon-suppressing properties. It had to be the real entrance to the Alchemaze, while the sealed demon and the yellow stone were a later addition made by another civilization that came after the Alchemist.
After all, there was no way the Alchemist would be unable to kill a demon. Even if the Alchemist decided to spare the demon, it would be to put it to use in the Alchemaze somehow.
Mara and Karandiel closed up behind Ackster as they let him lead the way.
They finally entered the real Alchemaze.
Even before they found the entrance, they had already fought and killed a demon. Mara and Karandiel were nervous. The Alchemaze was one of the greatest mysteries of Millmeria, and it was filled with countless incomprehensible dangers.
However, just a look at Ackster’s broad back was enough to comfort them. Although the Alchemaze was mysterious and dangerous, Ackster was just as mysterious and powerful, at least in their eyes. They had seen more of what Ackster could do than they had heard about what the Alchemaze actually contained.
Neither Mara nor Karandiel thought the rumors about the Alchemaze were blown out of proportion. If anything, they might not even represent a fraction of the real danger the maze possessed. But they were confident Ackster, who manhandled Mbelg like he was a stray dog, could stride through the Alchemaze unhindered.
Ackster found and followed Mastrax’s, Kargas’, Makkel’s, and Wilma’s traces. Kargas and Wilma had been considerate enough to leave behind markings for Ackster and the others to follow. It was most likely also so that they could find their way back.
However, Ackster wasn’t sure which duo to follow. Before long, a fork appeared in the tunnel leading to the Alchemaze’s depths. Of course, Mastrax and Makkel had chosen different paths.
Following one duo would put Ackster further away from the other.
Ackster sighed. He hadn’t come to the Alchemaze to go on a wild goose chase for his own party members. He had come to the Alchemaze to find a way to grow even stronger while nourishing his comrades.
Ackster looked at Mara and Karandiel.
"I take it you two are coming with me no matter where I go?"
"If you permit, My Lord."
"Of course."
Ackster turned to Karandiel.
"I was kind of planning on not letting you out of my sight again."
"Sounds good. Let’s go."
Ackster headed into the path in the center that neither Mastrax nor Makkel had chosen.
Since they went out looking for trouble on their own, the others could also handle it on their own. Having to deal with things without Ackster there to oversee them would also force the others to rely on themselves instead of their mighty leader.
Maybe it was a good thing that Mastrax and Makkel had taken off. It would promote their growth more than letting Ackster carry them. It was more dangerous since Ackster couldn’t save them. But at the same time, he wouldn’t be able to save them all the time. They also wouldn’t get caught up in the trouble Ackster brought upon himself.
The path Ackster chose was made of the same bluish-grey stone blocks as the initial tunnel and the other paths. There were a few torch sockets along the way. But unlike the demon-sealing addition to the Alchemaze, there weren’t any torches that lit up automatically.
Fortunately, Ackster didn’t need light to see. Mara also had the eyes of a dragonling with talent enough to be personally taught by a dragon. She did just fine. Karandiel could infuse her eyes with her light mana, which made them glow slightly, but that was enough for her to see.
They walked through the darkness while staying on alert. The Alchemaze was supposed to have traps at every other step. Relaxing and daydreaming wasn’t wise if they wanted to get out unscathed. They might also miss clues to secret rooms of treasure and whatnot.
