240 ENTERING THE ROSE DUNGEON AT LAST
Lady Unna's expression remained grim as she observed the carnage. "Ordinary armies can't breach this place. It's protected by powerful magic."
Realizing the futility of sending more soldiers to their deaths, the commanders called for their most powerful assets.
High-tier mages of Svad rank and above were summoned—elite battlemages and spellcasters. These mages, some of the most formidable in Sodom City, advanced toward the gates, their presence a stark contrast to the fallen soldiers.
Magic arrows continued to rain down, but the mages weathered the onslaught with shields and counter-spells. Slowly but surely, they pressed forward, inching closer to the gates of Court La Mood.
The battle was far from over, and the true test of their strength was yet to come.
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"We can't break through this damned gate!" Father shouted, frustration evident in his voice as magic arrows continued to rain down around them. Only his powerful magic shields kept them from being torn apart.
"There's only one way to open this gate," Dassa said, her voice calm but resolute.
She stepped forward, holding the Rose Scepter aloft.
"Are you sure the scepter will work on the gate?" Colleen asked, his tone laced with suspicion.
"We believe this brothel is powered by the magic of the Rose Dungeon," Dassa explained. "If the scepter can control the dungeon, it can control this fucking gate."
With a commanding gesture, she willed the gate to open. To everyone's astonishment, the massive, magically reinforced gates of Court La Mood began to creak and groan before slowly swinging open.
"Now, everyone—move in!" Dassa ordered.
Hundreds of powerful mages surged forward, rushing into the brothel's courtyard. Once inside, the barrage of magic arrows ceased, leaving an eerie silence in their wake.
"Where do we go now?" Colleen asked, his eyes scanning the empty grounds.
"Behind the brothel buildings," Dassa replied, leading the way.
The area behind the brothel was unnervingly quiet. The usual hustle and bustle of courtesans, maids, and other inhabitants was absent. It was as if the place had been abandoned.
"Did they anticipate our arrival? Did they evacuate everyone already?" Father asked, his voice tinged with unease.
"Forget the maids and courtesans," Colleen snapped. "Focus on finding the dungeon."
Their path led them to a wide river moat surrounding a massive, heavily fortified building made of stone and metal.
"This must be the Rose Dungeon," Dassa said, her eyes narrowing as she studied the structure.
They crossed a bridge unopposed, their footsteps echoing in silence. When they reached the entrance of the Rose Dungeon, Colleen couldn't help but remark, "This is much easier than I expected."
"That's exactly what's troubling me," Dassa replied, her voice low. "It's too easy."
Despite her misgivings, they pressed on.
The dungeon's entrance was a massive door with no visible handles or mechanisms. Dassa raised the Rose Scepter and waved it over the door.
"Yes, the dungeon is responding to my scepter", Dassa said.
With a deep, resonant groan, the door began to open, revealing a dark, narrow corridor.
"Do you think they've booby-trapped this place?" Colleen asked, his voice tense with suspicions.
"Why worry? We have the Rose Scepter, it'll command the dungeon," Father replied dismissively.
They moved cautiously through the corridor, their footsteps echoing in the confined space. Eventually, they emerged into a vast, breathtaking rose garden. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers, and the garden stretched out before them in all directions.
"This is it," Colleen said, a note of triumph in his voice. "The Rose Garden. We've finally made it."
But Dassa remained silent, her eyes scanning the garden with a mixture of awe and suspicion. Something about this place was out of place, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap.
"What is wrong with this damn place?" Dassa couldn't help asking herself.
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[In the Rose Garden]
After the mages entered the rose garden, the corridor behind them sealed shut, trapping them inside.
"Our exit is sealed," Colleen complained worriedly.
"Why worry? We have the Rose Scepter," Father said confidently again.
They proceeded toward the center of the garden, where the Rose Demon once preached to her Roses and tormented her victims.
"I remember this place well," Dassa murmured, then hesitated. "But something is different."
"This dungeon was altered after Madame La Rosa's death, it isn't the same as when we were here," Colleen replied.
Dassa realized what had changed. She gazed at the ceiling where once stars twinkled, but now, massive stones encircled the chamber.
"What are these stones? They weren't there before," she asked.
A voice answered from the shadows. "They are foundation stones from the Sword Mountain Sect." It was Yun-Yun's voice echoing through the garden like it came from hidden surround speakers.
But she was nowhere to be seen.
"That voice," Dassa murmured.
"What is the meaning of this?" Colleen demanded.
"You wanted the Rose Dungeon," Leo 's voice echoed. "The Rose Dungeon you shall have."
"Is this a trap?" Dassa asked, her voice suddenly filled with disbelief. "Who is talking here? Leo?"
The ceiling darkened, crackling with energy. Bolts of lightning rained down, striking the mages randomly. The powerful surges shattered their shields. Many of them fell instantly and their bodies charred beyond recognition.
"These bolts will not kill me!" Dassa declared, fury taking hold. "Come here, Leo! I'll fucking kill you!"
Leo regarded her briefly, regret flickering in his eyes. "Your opponent is not me." His voice boomed out from nowhere.
From the garden's center, a figure emerged and snatched the Rose Scepter from Dassa's grasp.
"This belongs to me," the figure declared.
It was Lillsa or Sakema—the true Rose Demon.
"Lillsa! Why are you with them?" Dassa gasped.
"I have no choice," Lillsa replied. "They own me now."
She pressed the Rose Scepter against her chest. Her body twisted and grew, thorns bursting from her skin as she transformed into a demonic entity.
"At last, my thorns are returned to me. Hahaha.."