Chapter 129 - Memory Garden 6 (2/2)

Aleister's red eyes scanned Woohyuk once again.

He was sensing that his opponent was no ordinary foe.

The Aleister of this imaginary world knew nothing about Woohyuk.

“If I was afraid of Lilith’s mutt, I wouldn't have come here in the first place.”

“A mutt… You’re not wrong, since I am acting according to Lady Lilith's revelations. So, what is this deal of yours?”

”That solution for this man’s life.”

Woohyuk pointed his vampiric dagger against Midas' neck.

Alaster, who saw his actions, showed interest in him.

“There are many Phrygian royalties besides Midas…”

”Angrboda won’t be happy if he dies though.”

“…That is true. She does consider Midas her lover.”

Angrboda loved the handsome Midas. She had asked Aleister to protect him in exchange for allowing him to harvest the flowers in the Memory Garden.

Woohyuk obviously didn't know that much, but he understood that Midas was quite an important existence.

“Midas will be useful in many ways for you if he stays alive. There is no one better to use to control the Phrygian Kingdom from the shadows other than him.”

“I admit it. The financial power of gold is enormous. And this garden needs to be maintained until the end of the experiments and research.”

Aleister honestly told his current situation, because Woohyuk had sparked his curiosity.

There was so much that he did not know about him, such as how he had broken into the witch's chapel or who he was.

“Then hand over the solution first.”

“I'll give it to you if you want. I have a lot of these in my lab anyway.”

Aleister threw the flask into the air with a cool look.

Then the flask was carefully delivered to Woohyuk through floating magic.

'I've got everything I need now.'

In truth, he wanted to study Angrboda’s secret garden a bit longer, but the situation at hand wasn’t ideal.

It would be wiser to withdraw right now.

The important question was whether the flask would be recognized as a reward of the ruins like the Hand of Midas.

Since the things that existed within the imaginary world were not real, they could not be brought out at will.

'Because Aleister had it on him, it could be seen as some kind of loot...’

First, it was necessary to find out how the system would classify it.

Woohyuk took the archaeologist's golden magnifying glass and looked at the violet solution inside the flask.

[Memory Flower Extract]

Category: Consumables

Effect: Alchemical material. By consuming it, you can enter your own imaginary world. All stats slightly increase depending on the individual's capabilities, and some of the potential abilities are temporarily revealed (the shape may change if taken outside the imaginary world).

'So it is recognized as a reward.'

If not, there was no reason to put that little message at the bottom.

When Woohyuk was satisfied, Aleister opened his mouth.

“You seem to know what it is. Did you get any information from Eteria Rodinus or Pronoia?”

”Who knows? Let's assume you’re correct.”

He didn't want to share details since he would soon be leaving this place.

Woohyuk kicked Midas, knocking him forward, and moved to the center of the garden, the initial starting position.

“Are you trying to run away? I have already blocked all the exits...”

“Do you really think so?”

There was one thing Aleister had overlooked.

He didn't know where Woohyuk had come from. And even if he knew, it was impossible for him to chase after the infiltrator, since Aleister was just a creation within the imaginary world.

[Historic Ruin: Would you like to leave the Memory Garden?]

[YES / NO]

As he touched the adventurer's watch, a system message popped up before his eyes.

Woohyuk did not hesitate and pressed the YES button.

Afterwards, a dazzling flash swallowed up everything in his sight.

***

“But Lady Leifina, why does Lord Asura care so much more about you than others?”

“What are you talking about…? The Lord has never really favored me.”

“Never favored you? During this incident, he was so worried that you would lose your memories. You didn’t seduce Lord Asura while I was away in Floren, right?”

“Seduce him…? That’s nonsense...”

While Woohyuk was exploring the Memory garden, Aris was talking to Leifina about a topic she normally wouldn’t mention.

She was being sort of jealous.

She thought she was more suitable for Woohyuk than Leifina since she was a demon king.

“What’s certain is that Leifina likes Lord Asura. That’s obvious to me since I can peer into souls.”

“I came to the same conclusion after using advanced analysis magic. Now that the subject of Lord Asura has come up, her heart is beating faster and she keeps leaking out some sort of aura of love.”

Alphone and Agnes, who were next to the other two, added their own thoughts after Aris.

Leifina stepped back in confusion.

“Tha, that’s not true. To quote My Lord’s expression, it is because I am a vir...”

“Ohoho, so you’ve told him that you’re pure? You’re trying to appeal to him, aren’t you? However, I am a young woman just like you in my heart. I have been having a one-sided affection towards Lord Asura for thousands of years.”

Aris placed her hand on her meager chest and tried to show off.

She was conveying that she wouldn’t lose to Leifina.

Leifina began sweating as if she had understood the message.

As the two women faced each other silently, a pillar of light shone in front of the divine tree and Woohyuk appeared.

He looked tired as if he would collapse anytime soon.

“My, My Lord!”

“Lord Asura!”

Leifina and Aris ran to Woohyuk with anxious expressions. They each grabbed Woohyuk’s arms and supported him while competing.

“Are you unhurt, My Lord? Just what happened inside exactly…?”

“But I’m relieved you’re alright. My heart was heavy as I feared you wouldn’t return, Lord Asura.”

Woohyuk's body was clean without any wounds.

The Memory Garden might’ve been a location where only spiritual and mental trials were given.

The gazes of the two relieved women crossed.

Soon enough, subtle sparks flew between their eyes.

Woohyuk spoke with a reproachful tone.

“Aris, did you bully Leifina while I wasn't here?”

”Huh? I, I...”

“She is my escort knight, so don't reprimand her too much for making small mistakes.”

This was definitely favoritism. Undeniable favoritism.

Aris shed tears in her heart.