NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 82
– 1 –
The “Alraune Swamp” governed by the Alraune Queen was located approximately two days southeast of Solemio, the closest city to my Dungeon.
If measured from my Dungeon, it would take about four days.
Of course, by carriage, it was less than two days, so it was definitely an accessible location if we wanted to meet—but…
The geography here was problematic.
“There’s really no place to set foot.”
“I could go up into the trees… Want me to move you?”
“I’m alright.”
“Such a disappointment…”
This place was literally a swamp.
Throughout the year, it frequently flooded and drained, making every area swampy if it wasn’t completely submerged.
There was truly not a single place visible to set foot.
Bringing a carriage here would mean needing to get down several times to remove the wheels just to move a hundred meters.
“It’s fortunate that it’s a shaded area, Lady.”
“That’s true.”
The reason I could walk here was that the swamp was filled with large trees, creating deep shadows just like the swamp itself.
Now, my magic proficiency had risen to a degree where it was as easy as breathing to solidify shadows to stand on them.
So I was walking on the water by stepping on shadows.
Of course, this was a challenging feat for an ordinary mage.
It was something only a Dungeon Lord, overflowing with mana and the talent to use that mana as if breathing, could accomplish.
– Clack.
– Clack.
As soon as I could do this, the soldiers who often accompanied me looked a bit gloomy… I understood why, but I didn’t want to act like I did.
What’s sad about not being able to act as a stepping stone? Come on, guys.
Anyway, as I passed through the swamp by stepping on shadows and reached a more watery area rather than a muddy one.
“I’ve been waiting. O Queen of the Dungeon.”
I could finally see the true form of the Alraune from this world for the first time.
– 2 –
Alraunes are typically depicted as women with lower halves shaped like flowers or wearing dresses that resemble flowers.
In this world, both forms were mixed together.
“I’ve been waiting. O Queen of the Dungeon.”
The Alraune in a red dress welcoming me seemed to be a Rose Alraune, a beautiful woman with green skin accompanying a large red flower.
That is correct. I wasn’t mistaken.
She was connected to a colossal flower, slowly moving through the ground.
‘How does she move?’
I had heard from Evangeline about her appearance, but seeing it now truly sparked my curiosity.
No matter how I looked at it, she appeared to be crawling through the ground.
Using roots? A stem? Or perhaps… tentacles?
“Our movement is powered by magic, O Queen of the Dungeon.”
“You must be staring intently.”
“It’s alright. It’s not the first time. Every Dungeon Lord or human who sees us for the first time has looked at us with those eyes.”
Of course, what happened to those humans, one only needed to see that this swamp is now referred to as the “Alraune Swamp of Central Continent” to understand.
They are powerful magicians, capable of controlling plants, earth, and light, and they are fairies and witches…
“Humans with curiosity tend to be delicious.”
“Indeed. That sounds nice.”
Lastly, they were also monsters.
Any Alraune could ultimately devour humans, so one should not let their guard down before them.
If you don’t want to inadvertently be enchanted and crawl into their mouths, that is.
“Certainly. Honey made from melted humans and toxins is particularly sweet. I hope there will be an opportunity to serve you.”
Whether to literally melt and eat or metaphorically be consumed as a means of reproduction.
“I’m fine. I can live without food.”
“Oh my! Taste is the pleasure of all sentient beings.”
“I can agree with that, but I still think I’m fine.”
“Hey…”
The Alraunes, possessing great power and being dangerous yet not actively attacking humans, simply had not become targets for extermination; they fundamentally had carnivorous tendencies.
… It’s not for no reason that they are often seen in all sorts of adult content, especially corrupt or tentacle-related.
“Well then, will you guide me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Then, I will show you the way.”
After responding appropriately to her statement and moving into the main topic, the red Alraune returned with a slightly stiff expression, serious and polite, deeply bowing her waist and extending a hand toward the direction we would go, then glided toward that direction as if brushing the ground.
Her body slightly lifted from the ground, the rose-shaped flower, which looked like it was her main body, also stood erect as it moved smoothly.
‘Was she really burrowing through the ground using roots and stems?’
Although it was not immediately visible, the ground bulged and swelled, giving clues as to how that large body moved.
“Our Queen has long awaited the meeting with the Queen of the Dungeon.”
“I’ve heard as much.”
I had heard that from Kamaya and also from Ent.
They wanted to meet me, although I wasn’t sure where they had seen me.
“After seeing the Queen from a distance, you boasted about her beauty, making everyone curious. Now that I see her in person, I understand why you boasted.”
“Indeed.”
“You are truly elegant… and also quite cute.”
The eyes of the red Alraune sparkled as she paid her compliments.
Whether it was that Alraunes had no shame or she was simply particularly forward, I couldn’t quite tell, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
She had been sending me favors since the moment we met, confirming that Serha’s statement that all Alraunes are ditzy was indeed true.
Of course, that favor would only last as long as their survival wasn’t threatened.
“Hey…”
“Serha?”
As we proceeded with the guidance, I noticed something strange about Serha’s appearance.
She seemed entranced by something, fluttering her wings slowly as she followed behind.
“… Annoying.”
Turning my head, I saw Xue scowling and wearing an uncomfortable expression atop a tree.
I quickly guessed the cause of their behavior.
“Wake up.”
“… Huh! Your Majesty! I was…!”
“It’s okay. You seem to be enchanted.”
As I lightly infused some mana and tapped her head, Serha reacted as if waking from a sleep.
The reason she had displayed such behavior moments ago was clearly due to being intoxicated by the scent of enchantment.
I could easily guess who the culprit was.
“It would be better to reduce the fragrance if you can.”
One of Alraunes’ specialties is the scent of enchantment.
And since we weren’t deep within the Alraune Swamp yet, there was likely only one person who could emit that scent.
“Oh my. I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Seeing you inspires a bit… of those feelings…”
“I don’t care. Just reduce it.”
As expected, she was the culprit.
Upon my remark, she puffed out her cheeks, appearing overly flirty, ready to pop hearts.
However, unlike before, it wasn’t a particularly appealing appearance this time.
Xue was now in a state where her resistance to enchantment had considerably strengthened.
If she felt uncomfortable now, I could only assume that the former Xue might have succumbed to such enchantment.
Additionally, Serha also possessed quite a strong resistance, not crossing a line but still being enchanted was true.
And both of them were either my subordinates or collaborators who would become my subordinates.
“I-I’m so sorry…”
Whether she sensed my displeasure, the red Alraune apologized broadly, ending the conversation.
The way she shrunk up compared to before was almost pitiful, but I had long ago decided to file that away as a memory.
Thus, moving in silence for a moment.
“This is it. Your Majesty.”
Finally, the promised place, the residence of the Alraune Queen, was revealed.
Kawaah!
In the deep forest, the place that revealed itself was… like a ‘very small’ Horseshoe Falls.
– 3 –
Water was pouring down from all sides.
Kawaah!
Just like the famous Horseshoe Falls as part of Niagara Falls, the spot was enveloped with waterfalls behind it like a screen.
All of them were small in scale, but as the sound gathered and amplified, it became quite loud.
“I-I can’t believe there’s such a place…”
The area I stood with my back to the waterfall seemed to be a lake formed by groundwater surging up.
It probably stemmed from the Alrilith Strait beyond the Arilite Principality to the south or groundwater heading toward Misty Veil Lake to the southwest.
It was a hidden scenic spot that could very well be described as magic crafted by nature.
…
And the master of that scenic beauty was equally beautiful in another sense.
Flap.
A gigantic black flower of indeterminate species floated in midair, while a woman was there splashing the lake’s water onto herself, connected by six stems.
Her hair was black.
Her irises were hidden behind a prism of colors, but upon closer inspection, they were green.
Swish.
Her arms and legs were a bluish color, mixed with that of the Alraune that had come to greet us, but the parts that were her face and body looked rather like those of a human—white.
The flower, shimmering in black with a hint of iridescence, fluttered behind her like wings, cleverly concealing or revealing her body.
Whenever the petals would curl momentarily, her stunningly bare form would be revealed, showing just the right amount of curves and the transition areas that had tinges of green.
One could use her as a prime example of the aesthetics of concealment and revelation that artists would be eager to showcase.
“Your Majesty. I have brought the Queen of the Dungeon.”
“Oh! Already?”
If an uninformed person were to see this scene of her showering nonchalantly, they would have truly missed what was happening.
Seeing her, I indeed felt that the stereotype of Alraunes being playful had been reinforced.
She had already extended her sensing of mana to check who was coming and was acting casually.
“Wait. Wait a moment! Please give me a little time!”
After that, there was a commotion on the other side.
Wiping her wet body, shaking off the water from the petals, and applying something to her face.
However, immediately after that, as she approached, the Alraune Queen still utilized the petals like wings or a gown to cover herself.
Her body was barely revealed, shimmering under the sunlight without concern.
“I’ve met you before, but this is our first official meeting, isn’t it, Queen of the Dungeon?”
With monster-like confidence, she came very close to me.
No, perhaps there might have been an intention of enchantment behind it.
“My name is…”
Her mouth, drawn close to me, wore a smile imbued with deep affinity.
It seemed harmless on the outside, but there were two dangerous elements within that smile.
The treachery of a carnivorous plant luring prey to walk into its mouth.
And the seduction of a monster enticing humans to become monsters like themselves.