The next morning, Milora, Anna-veil, and Patty were all ready, while Torina had called Lanifi, Lindas, and Laxis to discuss the suitability of their equipment.
Besides the fake fingers, Torina had placed a new order for them.
“I’m working on a new piece of equipment now, the style… like this.” Torina took off her sneakers and stretched her black-stockinged foot in front of the three, wiggling her toes.
“Look~”
“……” Lanifi and Lindas looked troubled, while Laxis stroked her chin and leaned in for a closer look, examining every stitch of the sock, every toe, her arch, her heel, her ankle—
“Gulp~”
“Eek?? Why are you biting!”
“Ah, sorry, couldn’t help it,” Laxis wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief and chuckled, “I thought you were rewarding us, but thanks for the treat.”
“I don’t get what’s in your heads… It’s the socks, the socks.
I want you to make me several pairs with these materials, all kinds of styles, as many as possible: pantyhose, garter socks, thigh-highs, over-the-knee, knee-highs, calf socks, boat socks, fishnets, footless socks, open-toe socks, all of them.”
“Wait, are you saying you want to use socks as weapons?”
“To be precise, weapon-shaped socks, with strong defense and mobility, capable of enchantment, with the best magic conductivity—I will provide the necessary materials.
This is celestial silk, this is Jotunheim soft steel and rune-spun silk I brought from home.
I trust you can understand my design intentions.”
“Leave it to me, I won’t let the captain down ❤” Laxis said with a smile.
——————
After arranging everything, the four-person team set off.
They rented the fastest carriage and traveled day and night towards Starfall Mountain on the northern side of the central continent.
Starfall Mountain is not part of any country’s territory.
It’s said to have been formed by a massive meteorite that fell from the sky, altering the plains’ landscape and gathering the world’s whispers.
In ancient times, the ancient elves established a nation on Starfall Mountain, understanding rune power through the world’s whispers and communication with the guardian beast Odin, creating a new magic system.
Hundreds of years ago, the ancestors of the Deville family trained on Starfall Mountain, becoming the orthodox inheritors of rune magic, and achieved great success with the Sword Emperor on the northern continent, eventually becoming a powerful noble family in the north.
Since then, Starfall Mountain has always been a sacred place for the Deville family, and the labyrinth within—”Niflheim”—is directly managed by the family.
Every year, when the rune power in the labyrinth becomes abundant, the Deville family opens the labyrinth to the outside world, inviting people from all over.
As long as they can secure a spot, they can enter the labyrinth to seek their fortune.
—That’s the original description of Starfall Mountain and Niflheim.
(In reality, it’s pretty much the same; there’s little difference between reality and the novel.) On the road, Torina sipped tea while comparing the novel with reality in her mind.
Members of the Deville family enter the labyrinth around the age of ten, led by elders, to sense the rune with the highest synchronization rate with them based on their affinity and luck, thus gaining the qualification to use rune magic.
Torina did the same, learning the runes of “Thunder” and “Water” at the age of ten, and later the rune of “Ice.”
And Milora…
She looked at Milora, who was seriously maintaining her rune short sword across the carriage, and fell into deep thought again.
According to the original plot, after being kicked, the Protagonist would first go to the “Cedron Mage Tower” to strengthen his body and magic, then tackle some monsters and complete some tasks with hidden depths, and finally head to Starfall Mountain.
The Protagonist would establish good relations with the captain’s family members there and even win over the captain’s fiancée.
In the end, he not only obtained the super-powerful “Star Rune” in the labyrinth but also gained the favor of the family members, laying the groundwork for the captain’s future betrayal.
Thinking of this, Torina couldn’t help but shiver.
Fortunately, the Protagonist is now on her side; otherwise, things would have turned sour.
“Attention, everyone!”
“Meow?”
“Hmm?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, pay attention.
Let me explain first, the Deville family will soon hold a celebration, opening the labyrinth to the outside world.
As a direct member of the family, I have recommendation slots, and of course, I’m recommending you three.”
“Thanks, we’re really lucky,” Anna-veil said sarcastically.
“Seems like I’m quite fortunate,” Patty smiled flatteringly.
“Yay!” Milora seemed genuinely happy.
“Let me explain the rules first.
At the foot of Starfall Mountain is the famous labyrinth ‘Niflheim,’ managed by my family.
It’s a space almost isolated from the outside world, filled with thick fog and white frost, where elemental spirits, fear demons, and wolf monsters roam.
If you’re sharp enough or lucky, you can find runes with high affinity to resonate with and use their power, which is something many people dream of.”
Anna-veil didn’t react much, as her combat style focused on spear techniques, and her use of magic was straightforward and crude, so runes weren’t much use to her.
Patty seemed interested but not overly so, maintaining a subtle distance.
Only Milora’s interest was piqued.
“So I can use rune magic like you!? Really?”
“Yes, and… ahem, as a member of the Deville family, I naturally know what the strongest rune is.
I’ll give you a clear target, but whether you succeed depends on your fate.”
“Yay!!” Milora was overjoyed, and seeing her so happy, Torina’s mood improved too.
She said, “Whether you succeed depends on your fate,” but she knew very well that the greatest opportunity was meant for the Protagonist.
As long as she got Milora into the labyrinth, it was a sure thing.
This time, there would be no system interference, the Protagonist was on her side, the two teammates wouldn’t cause trouble, and they were going to her family’s territory.
What could possibly go wrong?
乐！赢！
——————
Meanwhile, at the foot of Starfall Mountain, in Valhalla City—
The Deville family celebration was about to begin, attracting heroes from all over.
Some sought power in the labyrinth, some wanted to connect with the Deville family, some were bloodthirsty spectators looking for excitement, and some saw business opportunities here… a mixed crowd.
A convoy bearing the Deville family crest suddenly entered through the city gate along the main road.
Each carriage was uniformly black with red curtains, and pedestrians on the street quickly stepped aside, not daring to offend the convoy’s owner.
The convoy drove all the way to a mansion in the city center.
The carriage door opened, and two beautiful maids got out first, laying a red velvet carpet from the carriage door to the mansion entrance.
A long leg in high heels slowly extended from the carriage, elegantly stepping onto the carpet.
The next moment, the owner of the leg stepped out of the carriage like a graceful black swan.
She was a dignified black-haired, red-eyed woman, about thirty years old, but her face was as youthful as a twenty-year-old.
She wore a black evening gown adorned with black feathers, with exquisite jewelry on her hands and feet, exuding an aura of unapproachable nobility.
Her name was Morai Deville.
She was the eldest daughter of the Deville family and Torina Deville’s not-so-understanding sister.
