Chapter 164: Chapter 162: Scrolls Galore, Use as You Like!
"How’s your preparation going?"
The ready Hilia encountered the ready Benovia and her group.
She carried a bag on her back, and Encore also carried a bag, Encore’s bag was even larger than hers, presumably filled with potions.
Benovia, Phil, and Doris each carried small bags, no one knew what they had prepared.
During this time, aside from earning money, Hilia called Doris home to send ice materials to the camp, updating the hardware of the Magic Puppet.
Now, the Magic Puppet’s Ice Magic receives bonuses from the materials, reducing Magic Power consumption while increasing the spell’s power.
However, the Heart of the Magic Puppet is water attribute, which slightly affects it.
"Everything is ready; we can set out at any time."
Everyone showed a confident smile.
It was a month after the trial.
The students organized by the school were shining outside the lighthouse, achieving purifications mercenaries couldn’t accomplish; most teams could do it.
In a month, they pushed the lighthouse’s front line toward the Golden Coast a lot, almost reaching the fence.
Of course, the killing of the Sea Sirens allowing smooth expansion was one reason for their progress.
Before leaving, Doris, as the team leader, reported to the school, and Abros, as the mentor, admonished, "Be careful, remember my principle of not touching unknown things, return by dusk, conquering need not be done in a day; you can return to rest and go again..."
They needed to enter the lighthouse, and Abros gave many precautions before finally letting them leave.
Things went smoothly; soon, they entered the ruins, traveling deeper along the previous path to the Golden Coast, clearing some demons, reaching the foot of the lighthouse.
They looked at the towering structure before them.
Rose’s apparition appeared beside Hilia, saying, "The lighthouse has ten floors. Except for the first, each floor has a Tier Three demon guarding it. The demons on the seventh, eighth, and ninth floors have combat power akin to Sea Witch Terksey, but it’s daytime now, weakening their power further. Go, embrace your final trial."
Filled with fighting spirit, Hilia discussed tactics briefly with her companions and approached the lighthouse.
The lighthouse door silently opened, like a gaping maw welcoming their arrival.
As they stepped inside, a bat-like demon leaped from above the door, extending its sharp claws toward them.
Luckily, Benovia was prepared, raising her shield to block the demon’s strike—she equipped her Magic Puppet with a shield and Longsword.
The others followed up with their magic, slaying the demon.
Doris said, "Sneaky attack; the monsters here are controlled by the Lighthouse Master, everyone be careful."
Hilia looked ahead and reported the positions of the monsters shared by Rose, "Below the stairs, under the first-floor chandelier, behind the left cabinet, stair corner, near the second-floor stairs, each with a demon."
Doris widened her eyes, "Why don’t these demons just jump out? Why are they all hiding?"
Hilia complained inwardly, "These demons are so disgusting?"
Rose, sharing her vision, was also speechless, "The Lighthouse Master must have studied under Hidetaka Miyazaki to think of such malicious tactics."
"I’ll pinpoint more locations; let’s continue advancing, everyone."
With Rose’s shared vision, Hilia seemed to have x-ray vision; hidden demons posed no threat anymore.
Even due to concealment, they wouldn’t attack until approached, making handling them easier, swiftly clearing them to reach the second floor.
The scene on the second floor was similar to the first, with all demons hidden, even the Tier Three demon.
This seemed to be the Tower Guard’s activity space, strewn with broken toys.
"Wait, let me see where the demons are hiding... behind each pillar, the Tier Three demon is hiding on the chandelier," Hilia looked at the chandelier.
The chandelier was rusted, the iron frame remained, looking up from below, nothing noticeable.
Doris couldn’t help but comment, "Why build so many floors in a lighthouse? Were the guards partying here?"
Benovia said, "Maybe the current Lighthouse Master renovated it, not its original appearance."
"Indeed, the lighthouse wasn’t this tall before, it was remodeled," Hilia nodded.
Doris glanced at her, "You know so much, it’s like you’ve been here."
"I’ve visited in my dreams," Hilia rolled her eyes.
"Hmm, prepare for battle."
"..."
Lacking surprise, the second-floor demons posed no threat.
After clearing, they searched the floor, confirming no significant items, moving to the next.
The third floor mirrored the second, hidden demons disposed of easily.
Some artifacts appeared on the third floor as well, but they didn’t know their purpose, opting not to touch them.
For those seeking to pass the trial, handling artifacts and documents wasn’t necessary.
Better to wait for success and call archeologists later.
After inspecting the third floor, they reached the fourth.
This floor differed from those below.
Monsters weren’t hiding; they attacked once they appeared.
The narrow lighthouse interior forced Hilia and her team to retreat to the third floor.
The monsters, however, didn’t pursue, returning to the fourth floor to await their reentry.
"The fourth floor changed tactics; did it notice we can spot hidden monsters?"
Everyone looked at Hilia.
Hilia was puzzled, "Why are you looking at me?"
Doris turned away huffing, "Though I’m the captain, I have granted command to you, you decide our strategy."
Hilia looked at the fourth-floor entrance, "What strategy do we have other than charging... wait, there might be another way."
She opened her bag, taking out some scrolls, distributing them.
"Use the scrolls, control the Magic Puppets to attack first, reducing their numbers before we enter."
"These scrolls..."
"Chosen based on your tactical habits, they’re not identical," Hilia waved enthusiastically, "Today, scrolls are unlimited, use them freely!"
"Alright! Let’s go!"
