Reincarnated as the Villainess's Unlucky Bodyguard

Chapter 143 The Journey Begins

The morning was crisp, with soft rays of sunlight cutting through the mist that cloaked the demon palace grounds. Liria adjusted the strap of her sword sheath, her movements smooth and calculated. Though she was calm outwardly, an undeniable weight settled in her chest. She glanced over at Enara, who was fussing over her own pack while sparing a glance toward her mothers.

"You know," Enara began, a slight pout forming on her lips, "you don't have to look so smug about this, Liria. You're dragging me away from comfort, and I'm just supposed to be happy about it?"

[Oh no, heaven forbid Her Royal Highness breaks a nail while embarking on a legendary quest,] the system chimed in mockingly, its tone dripping with sarcasm.

Shut up, Liria thought bitterly, her jaw tightening.

Nyssara and Verida stood nearby, their gazes locked on their daughter. Nyssara's lilac eyes were soft but resolute, while Verida's golden stare carried a sharp edge of worry she tried to mask.

"Enara," Nyssara said, stepping closer to her daughter, "we're trusting you to stay safe. Stick close to Liria and Daena, and for the love of the stars, listen to them."

"I always listen," Enara retorted, her tone exasperated.

Verida crossed her arms, arching a brow. "Oh, really? Shall we recount the incident with the flaming cauldron last month?"

Enara flushed, her indignant expression betraying her guilt. "That wasn't entirely my fault!"

"Of course not," Verida replied, smirking. "And I suppose the cauldron just decided to spontaneously combust on its own?"

Nyssara sighed, stepping between them and placing a gentle hand on Enara's shoulder. "Enough. Let her go with some dignity."

Enara muttered something under her breath, though it didn't escape Nyssara's sharp ears. The queen consort gave her a pointed look, silencing any further complaints.

Nearby, Daena stood with her arms crossed, radiating her usual intimidating aura. She glared at the group from a distance, muttering something to herself about wasted time.

Just as they were about to head out, a new voice rang through the courtyard. "Leaving without a proper send-off, are we?"

The tension in Daena's shoulders doubled as Seraphis emerged, her elegant form swathed in deep crimson robes that shimmered like liquid fire. Her presence, as usual, was both commanding and irritating.

"What do you want?" Daena growled, stepping forward to place herself between Seraphis and the others.

"Relax, Daena," Seraphis said smoothly, her sharp gaze flicking toward Liria. "I'm merely here to wish my apprentice luck."

Liria groaned inwardly. Apprentice? Really? When will she let that go?

[Honestly, she's persistent. Almost admirable... if she weren't so annoying,] the system added dryly.

"You're not her teacher," Daena snapped, her wings flaring slightly. "And she's not your anything. So why don't you slither back to your tower and stay out of our way?"

Seraphis ignored the jab and instead handed Liria a small pouch. "A few useful things for the journey. Call it a gesture of goodwill."

Liria hesitated before taking it, her expression guarded. She didn't trust Seraphis, but she wasn't about to reject something that could potentially be useful.

"Thanks," she muttered begrudgingly.

Daena shot her a sharp look, but before she could say anything, Seraphis turned on her heel and began to walk away. "Do try not to die," she called over her shoulder, her voice laced with amusement.

As Seraphis disappeared, Daena's fists clenched. "I swear, one day, I'm going to—"

"Not now," Liria interrupted, her tone firm.

Daena scowled but relented, muttering curses under her breath as she moved to stand at the head of the group.

The journey began with a mixture of quiet determination and thinly veiled annoyance. The landscape shifted from the lush greenery surrounding the palace to rocky terrain that seemed to stretch endlessly.

Ananara, now perched on Liria's shoulder, was the first to break the silence. "I don't understand why you mortals insist on walking everywhere. Surely there's a faster way."

"Why don't you grow legs and walk yourself?" Liria shot back, her voice laced with irritation.

"Shut it," Liria hissed. She took a step forward, meeting the Gatekeeper's glowing eye. "Fine. What's the riddle?"

The Gatekeeper extended a hand made of stone and metal, its massive fingers curling as it spoke. "Listen carefully:

I am not alive, yet I can grow.

I have no lungs, yet I need air.

I have no mouth, and yet I drown.

What am I?"

The creature fell silent, its single eye glowing brighter as it waited for an answer.

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

"Seriously?" Enara whispered. "A riddle? Who comes up with this stuff?"

"It's not that hard," Ananara said smugly. "Even a mortal could figure it out. Though I doubt you will."

Enara glared at the pineapple familiar but chose not to engage. "Liria, any ideas?"

Liria frowned, her mind racing. The words of the riddle repeated themselves in her head like a chant. Not alive but can grow. No lungs but needs air. No mouth yet drowns.

"It's something... simple," she muttered, half to herself.

Daena crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing at the Gatekeeper. "We don't have all day, Liria. If this thing decides we're taking too long, we're dead."

"No pressure, then," Liria said dryly.

[You've got this,] the system chimed in, though its tone was more amused than reassuring. [Unless, of course, you don't. In which case... well, good luck.]

You're so helpful, Liria thought sarcastically.

"It's a fire," she said suddenly, her eyes lighting up with realization.

The Gatekeeper tilted its head. "Explain."

"Fire isn't alive, but it grows when it has fuel. It doesn't have lungs, but it needs air to burn. And if you drown it pour water on it it dies," Liria explained, her voice steady.

The creature was silent for a long moment. Then, its single eye dimmed slightly, and it nodded. "Correct."

Enara let out a sigh of relief, while Daena kept her hand on her weapon, still wary.

"Well done," the Gatekeeper said. "You may pass."

As it stepped aside, the entrance to the cavern seemed to widen, the shadows inside shifting ominously.

"I don't like this," Daena muttered. "It's too easy."

"Easy?" Enara said incredulously. "You call that easy?"

"Compared to what's probably waiting inside? Yes."

Liria stepped forward, her sword still in hand. "Let's just get this over with."

[Oh, this is going to be fun,] the system said, its tone practically gleeful.

Ignoring it, Liria led the group toward the cavern entrance. Behind them, the Gatekeeper watched silently, its glowing eye following their every move.