Chapter 68 – The Silence of the Conquered.

The return portal in the Emperor's chamber hadn't launched them straight to the surface of the Ivory Citadel.

Mega-dungeons of that scale possessed rigid arcane laws: the emergency portal merely deposited them at the start of the second floor, requiring the squad to make the return walk on foot through the upper-floor galleries.

However, the walk back had none of the suffocating tension of previous days.

The second and first floors of the Labyrinth of a Thousand Amethyst Crypts were completely empty.

There was no sound of gargoyle wings beating against stone vaults, nor the hiss of venomous serpents lurking in quartz fissures. There was only the rhythmic, peaceful sound of the party's boots crunching on clean gravel, echoing off purple walls that now bore only ash marks and stripped ore veins.

Kael walked with his Volcanic Shield strapped to the back of his dragon armor, holding a strap with a single Strength 54 hand as if the hundred-pound piece of steel were made of light wood.

“It's a weird feeling walking through here without dodging ten ambush attacks around every corner…” Kael remarked, letting out an easy laugh that made his helm's metal vibrate. “We cleared this dungeon so well it feels like a walk in the park now.”

Aurelia-Elysia laughed softly, twirling her Mana Crystal Staff with nimble fingers. The amethyst atop the staff glowed with a soft light, fueled by her 790 mana points.

“I remember when we first entered four days ago…” Aurelia said, her lilac eyes filled with joyful nostalgia. “I was scared of running out of mana in the very first room. And now… I feel like I could cast barriers for three days straight without breaking a sweat.”

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Beside Diana, Rhea kept a stride so light and smooth that it produced not the slightest noise against the floorstones.

With Agility 103, the hybrid girl had crossed the mythical three-digit speed barrier. The air around her body seemed to warp slightly with every step, and she moved with the fluid grace of a living shadow.

Rhea leaned in and intertwined her left arm with Diana's arm, walking pressed against the Commander with her silver ears relaxed.

“One hundred Agility is amazing, Diana…” Rhea said softly, her amber eyes glowing with an affectionate smile. “I feel like I can dodge arrows before the archer even releases the bowstring.”

Diana looked sideways at the wolf girl, feigning a stern expression that no longer fooled anyone in the group.

“Maintain marching posture, Rhea.” Diana said, though she didn't pull her arm away. “We are still inside a Level 36 dungeon.”

“I know, I know…” Rhea laughed, squeezing her side hug even tighter. “But there isn't a single living monster on this entire floor. You made sure of that.”

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The Summoner's Decision

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Further back in formation, Seraphina walked holding the heavy pouch of silver coins with both hands against the chest of her purple robe.

The young Level 38 summoner observed the group's relaxed interaction with a thoughtful, serious gaze.

In the four days she had been with the Arcane Greed Faction, she had witnessed a squad that operated with the precision of veteran generals, yet shared hot rations, healed injuries with absolute devotion, and treated every member with unshakeable respect.

She looked down at the thirty silver coins accumulated in her pouch.

In less than a week beside Diana, she had obtained more money and power than in three months of risky solo hunts.

Seraphina quickened her pace, stopping beside Diana on the ascent up the first-floor crystal ramp.

“Diana…” Seraphina called out, adjusting her round glasses with a slight tremble of shyness in her fingers.

Diana halted her step, looking at the summoner. “What is it, Seraphina? Are your summons having mana issues?”

“No… it's not that.” Seraphina took a deep breath, fixing her posture with all the dignity she could muster. “Our temporary deal was supposed to end as soon as we crossed the labyrinth exit gate…”

She clutched her silver grimoire tightly against her chest:

“…but I don't want to go back to being a solo hunter. I want to join the Arcane Greed Faction permanently. If you'll have me.”

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The silence in the amethyst gallery was broken by the cheerful laughter of Aurelia-Elysia and Kael.

“Hell yeah! I knew it!” Kael celebrated, slapping his gauntlet against his shield. “Now we've got a Quartz Titan on the frontline!”

“Our team is complete!” Aurelia beamed, clapping her hands.

Rhea looked at Seraphina with a welcoming smile, her silver ears perked in approval.

Diana stared at the young summoner for three seconds in total silence.

Inside, Diana's greedy, strategic mind celebrated acquiring one of the most valuable assets in all the Second Circle: a Level 38 Summoner with an ancient terrain-control grimoire.

Yet Diana maintained her usual calm, imperious expression.

“Joining the Arcane Greed Faction permanently requires blind obedience to my tactical combat orders.” Diana declared, adjusting her leather gloves. “It requires daily training at the Bastion and an absolute commitment to march with us toward the Third and Fourth Circles.”

Diana extended her open right hand to Seraphina:

“If you are ready for that… your room in the stone manor is reserved. And we will buy back your family's core before the end of this month.”

Seraphina felt her eyes sting with emotion. She gripped Diana's hand tightly, a beautiful, relieved smile lighting up her face.

“I'm ready, Commander!” Seraphina answered with conviction.

—Another one for your empire, Diana… The System's voice echoed in her mind in black gold, with a tone of genuine approval. You now have a complete five-headed elite army. The conquest of the Second Circle is on the final homestretch.

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Return to the Second Circle's Light

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Two hours later, the party reached the colossal doors of the Amethyst Labyrinth's main entrance.

The guild guards manning the checkpoint operated the counterweight mechanisms, and the stone doors swung outward with a grinding roar.

The fresh, crisp mountain air and the purple-and-silver light of the Second Circle's sky bathed the faces of the five hunters.

In the outpost plaza, dozens of Level 28 to 30 veteran adventurers resting in tents stared at the gate in total shock.

No one expected to see the group that had entered days ago return whole, without casualties, wearing gleaming Shadow Dragon armor and radiating the crushing presence of those who had reached Level 35+.

Diana paid the exit processing fee and bought bottles of fresh juice and hot breads at the guild post for the descent down the mountain, paying one silver coin and fifty bronze.

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[FULL FINANCIAL AUDIT]

Previous Balance: 315 Silver Coins and 50 Bronze (31.55 Gold Coins).

Exit Registration Expenses and Return Snacks: -1 Silver Coin and 50 Bronze.

[NEW ABSOLUTE NET WORTH: 314 SILVER COINS (31,400 Bronze! / EXACTLY 31.4 PURE GOLD COINS!)]

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Three hundred fourteen silver coins stashed safely in the vault. Over Thirty-One Pure Gold Coins.

Diana led the descent along the mountain road toward the Ivory Citadel, with Rhea beside her, Kael and Seraphina chatting about summons in the rear, and Aurelia-Elysia humming a soft melody.

The siege expedition was completed with absolute perfection.

The Arcane Greed Faction was back in the city at Level 35+, with five elite members and power enough to begin the countdown toward Level 50.