latelenovela Book 5: Chapter 116
Book 5: Chapter 116
Book 5: Chapter 116
Hundreds of glowing white crystals were embedded in the ceiling of a cavern, illuminating the ground beneath. Despite the fact the place was underground, lush greenery grew all around. Trees with various fruits growing from their branches dotted the land. In a certain region within the cavern, there were thousands upon thousands of grape vines growing in neat rows and columns. Amongst the vines, there were over two dozen humans toiling on their knees, plucking the fruits and storing them in baskets.
This sucks, Danielle said as she picked a bushel of grapes off a vine. They were larger than ordinary grapes, each one roughly the size of her palm. There were also smaller grapes that were normal-sized, but she had been instructed not to pluck those. As for who had instructed her, it was the cursed dragon who had taken them away.
Well, it sure beats being dead, Keith said and wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his arm. Despite the light being artificial, it still felt like the hot noon sun was bearing down on him as he worked. He suspected there was some type of magic used to raise the temperature high enough for the grapes and other plants to thrive. He plucked a grape off the bushel in his hand and stuffed it into his mouth. It took him a few seconds to chew and swallow due to the fruits large size. Honestly, this isnt so bad. I always wanted to start my own farm after retirement.
Im glad youre living out your dream, Danielle said and rolled her eyes. However, some of us had greater aspirations than to be farmers. I didnt risk my life and sacrifice my youth for all these years just to become some peasant worker.Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com
We might not be stuck here forever, Joseph said, chiming in from the side. Our companions are still outside. If Mary continues her operation, shell find us eventually.
And what? Danielle asked. She snorted. Theyre going to free us after slaying Grimmoldesser, his children, and his mother? Its more likely that theyll be joining us here until we all die of old age.
That might not necessarily be true, Keith said. Its possible well die of being eaten by a dragon instead. I saw that little holy dragon sniffing the mercenaries while they were buried.
Danielle glared at Keith. Youre not helping.
On the contrary, I think Im very helpful, Keith said and grinned. Its important to joke around at times like these.
Danielle frowned before getting back on her knees. She plucked a bushel of grapes off a vine and placed it into the basket beside her. Youre right, she said and sighed. Even if someone was fighting their way here, without a way to remove their curse, they couldnt be saved. As for what could remove the curse of a dragon, Danielle wasnt quite sure. She never heard about anyone being cursed by dragons, most likely, because the people who were cursed by dragons didnt live to tell the tale.
The crashing sounds continued, and plumes of yellow pollen rose into the air occasionally. A loud shriek echoed through the cavern before suddenly being cut off. Then, the forest fell silent. The mercenaries exchanged glances with each other, but they continued doing their jobs as grape pickers. If the quota for the day wasnt met, theyd be punished as a group, and no one wanted to be the reason why everyone was dragged down. If the dragons ever started demanding human sacrifices, the slackers would be offered up first by their own companions.
A few minutes later, metallic clanking sounds echoed through the vineyard, and the mercenaries turned their heads. A figure wearing black armor came into view. Blood flowed freely down the armor, leaving little puddles of red behind with every step the armored woman took. In her right hand, there was a sword. In her left hand, there was the large, severed head of a black mantis. Mary looked around the silent vineyard and frowned. She raised the head up, showing it to the crowd. Are there any more of these here?
Keith and Danielle exchanged glances with each other. Hi, Mary, Keith said after a bit. What exactly is that?
It was an invisible praying mantis, Mary said. It killed a scout, so I came in to deal with it.
Keith stared at the blood pouring out of Marys armor. Was she sure she was the one that had dealt with it? Why did it seem like she was on the verge of death instead? Well, uh, I dont think theres any more of those things, Keith said, but seeing as its invisible, its hard to tell.
Mary nodded. Then, she fell to her knees and exhaled. A rune flashed on her forehead, and the aura of a turtlesnake arose around her as she curled up into a ball. The mercenaries exchanged glances with each other once again, but none of them did anything.
If we beat her up now, do you think we can exchange her for our freedom? Keith whispered to Danielle.
Go ahead and try, Danielle said, inching to the side to give Keith a clear shot.
A wry chuckled escaped from Keiths mouth. The dragon had forced them to give up their weapons and armor. Even if Mary looked like she was on the verge of death, he wasnt brave enough to confront her with his bare hands.