CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153: THE MINOTAURS OF THE HIGHMOUNTAIN TRIBES

Ilthreza leveled her threat, but fortunately, Ines—as a succubus—was no stranger to dealing with dark elves.

She quickly waved her hands and wore a placating smile. "Honored Mage, my lord, I have no intention of being your enemy. A magical accident brought me here by chance, and I unwittingly trespassed into your territory..."

Seeing Ilthreza’s expression grow darker by the second, Ines realized flattery and evasions wouldn’t be enough to placate this dark elf. She quickly shifted to offer collaboration: "Did you encounter a foe you cannot defeat? Perhaps I could join you and fight by your side? After all, dark elves and succubi ought to be allies—especially when facing certain self-righteous enemies masquerading as the embodiment of justice..."

So saying, she lifted her hands, chanting an incantation. Several fiendish spirits appeared, forming two wide circles around her.

This was the fifth-level version of the 3rd-level spell "Spirit Shroud," greatly boosting her single-target spell power. Ines showed, by this, that she was a potent spellcaster—capable of casting 5th-level spells—and could dramatically enhance Ilthreza’s combat strength.

"As you see, I possess fiendish vitality and am also a powerful spellcaster," she said, full of confidence. "With the might of Spirit Shroud, paired with Scorching Ray, I can inflict a devastating blow on any foe instantly!"

"So, shall we cooperate?"

Her former body—and pride—had both been destroyed by Charles. Realizing the material world was even more perilous than she had imagined, she now possessed a new body with even mightier spellcasting abilities, ready for whatever move came next.

Ilthreza stared coldly. "Then, what’s your price, succubus?"

She didn’t have the luxury to probe whether this succubus might be harboring deeper plans or traps. Desperation was closing in—Theresa was still hunting her, and if not for having no other recourse, she would never have dared returning to the Underdark.

Her kin among the dark elves would never forgive her. On the command of the Demon Queen of Spiders, they continued to hunt her. Returning to the Underdark would mean eternal torment.

"It’s simple. Later, I need you to help me put on an act." Ines finally exhaled with relief, then smiled. Her mind worked quickly, a new plan fully formed in an instant. "I need a certain minotaur to believe that I am his truest ally..."

"Deal!"

Ilthreza agreed instantly, then turned away, her skin glowing with arcane power. "Use every spell you have—let’s kill her together!"

Ines, elated, let her tiny wings flutter and landed beside Ilthreza. Surrounded by her fiendish spirits, the succubus brimmed with satisfaction. A Drider that had escaped the Demon Queen of Spiders’ control and made it to the surface was an extraordinary rarity. Whether she would ask favors, forge an alliance, or seize the Drider for study, it was all of great value.

Whatever happened next, a good start to their relationship could only help!

This expedition was already immensely rewarding. Now all she had to do was wield some powerful spells, make the hunter give up her pursuit, and—

That’s what Ines thought, full of optimism. But suddenly, a brilliant light shone ahead in the cavern—and the beautiful silhouette clad in opulent milky white nun’s robes, so familiar to her, appeared before the two of them.

Theresa.

The moment Ines saw Theresa’s icy, emotionless face, her own smile froze.

An instant later, Theresa lifted her hand and a dazzling multicolored rainbow filled the cavern. Ines and Ilthreza screamed as they spun and ran for their lives, each blaming the other between gasps:

"Aren’t you supposed to be able to destroy any foe? Hit her!"

"How was I supposed to know it was her?! Facing that woman, all I can do is run!"

"Useless coward!"

"And just what are you doing, running too?!"

A volley of guiding bolts streaked from behind, slamming into cave walls or into their backs, drawing more agonized shrieks and making the two women run even faster.

...

Torun now felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

When he first glimpsed Charles’s white hair, murderous thoughts had already filled his heart. But injured as he was, and seeing his target was a powerful and dangerous paladin, Torun had repressed his urge and instead disguised himself as a Mountain People friendly to Liberl Port, seeking Charles’s cooperation.

It had worked well. Charles clearly believed his story and had fought shoulder to shoulder with him, the two becoming a seamless team. Torun congratulated himself on his wit and improvisational skill.

He intended that, upon reuniting with his fellow minotaurs, he would turn on Charles, slay him, and take his head as a trophy—earning him prestige and support among the tribes who hated Liberl Port.

But plans are made to be ruined. What Torun never expected was another third-party adventurer—this time, a Mountain Dwarf—would also be present in the cave.

This Mountain Dwarf wasn’t a simple drunkard but had some genuine knowledge of the Alliance of the Mountain Purifiers. Torun’s fundamental goal was to win over the dwarves, so he could only grit his teeth and recite the alliance’s slogans about "purely seeking mountain safety and never provoking conflict." Noble words that none of them really believed—after all, if not for expansion, why unite at all?

Still, his second lie worked—Bruno seemed convinced, and eagerly promised to clear the dwarves’ prejudices back home.

But as long as Bruno remained present, Torun dared not move against Charles. Were he to do so, the lie would collapse, and not only would his main objective—an alliance with the Mountain Dwarves—fail, their relations would sour for years.

Especially since dwarves were known for their grudge-holding—sometimes for centuries—against those who deceived them.

So, as long as Bruno was here, Torun could not attack Charles.

Which led to a new problem:

When he finally met up with his comrades, the other minotaurs, what would he say?

What story could he spin to keep his rage-filled kin in line, so they would play along with his ruse?

Torun had no answer, but the moment of truth arrived.

After dispatching three ghouls, the trio prepared to advance again. Just then, from ahead—heavy footfalls echoed, and a group of minotaurs emerged from around the bend.

They, too, carried massive weapons—greatswords, greataxes, warhammers, and giant clubs. But, compared to Torun’s steel ax, their arms seemed crude—some wielded stone axes and wooden mallets, clearly far less deadly.

Their faces were tense with wariness, but upon seeing Torun, their expressions turned to joy: "We finally found you, Warchief!"

But then they saw Charles behind Torun, and their faces snapped back to suspicion. "Warchief, who’s that?"

With those words, these minotaurs gripped their weapons afresh.

Charles’s eyes narrowed—he could feel these minotaurs’ barely-concealed hostility radiate through the tunnel.

He shifted his gaze toward Torun’s figure, subtly stepping back and preparing himself.

"Calm down, Henry!" Torun stepped forward hastily, his voice firm. "This is Mr. Bruno, an important figure in the Mountain Dwarf Mining Consortium—an indispensable ally in our fight against the undead."

"And this, Mr. Charles, is a noble paladin. He saved my life during the quake—a true friend, beyond any doubt."

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