Infinite Adaptation: Starting As A Level 1 Slime-Chapter 57: New Threat [PART 1]

That’s right. He had been unconscious for three days straight. She might have run into difficulties during that time.

He responded quickly.

「Mira. I’m here.」

「My Lord, I finally got through.」

Her voice carried a note of relief even through the mental link.

「Did something happen?」

「Yes. I was spying on the King and encountered some trouble.」

Lunaris paused.

The King?

This girl was really daring.

Spying on the King of one of the most powerful human nations - that was next level.

「What kind of trouble?」

「After being discovered, I attempted to escape. But I encountered quite the opponents. They rendered my escape methods useless. I am about to be captured.」

Despite the situation, her voice remained calm.

「My Lord, please do not worry. I will not say a thing until I am bones and ash. I simply wished to contact you to share my findings before...」

How can she say such terrifying things so easily?

Lunaris exhaled.

「Don’t worry.」

His voice was firm.

「As your Lord, I of course won’t let you die so easily.」

...

Mira leaped across rooftops.

「Does the Lord have a method?」

While I am prepared to die, I would be happy if I could serve the Lord a little longer.

She caught herself mid-thought.

No. I’m being too selfish.

「My Lord, you need not waste your strength on me. I am merely...」

A massive shadow descended from above.

Her instincts screamed.

She twisted her body, barely avoiding the strike.

The impact split the stone beneath, sending cracks spider-webbing outward.

A large man rose from the crater of his own making. He lifted his greatsword onto his shoulder and walked toward her.

"Did you think you could just come in here and leave as you wish?"

"What do you take our Astoria Kingdom for?"

Mira struggled to regain her balance.

"Grand Marshal, why waste words talking to her?"

A voice from behind.

Mira’s blood ran cold.

"Just capture her first and make her spill the beans."

A whip snapped through the air.

Mira threw herself to the side, the leather cord missing her by inches.

She looked forward. The Grand Marshal blocked her path.

She looked back. A woman with a whip stood ready for another strike.

She looked up.

A mage hovered above, hands raised, radiating an intense light that illuminated every corner of the area.

Dammit.

There were no shadows anywhere.

She couldn’t even use Shadow Movement.

How does that magic work?

The light didn’t leave any shadows at all. It was as if it had been specifically designed to counter her abilities.

The mage smirked down at her.

"Surprised?"

His voice dripped with condescension.

"This is a spell specifically made to counter cultists like you."

The woman with the whip stepped forward, a predatory smile on her face.

"You have nowhere to go."

She swung.

The whip shot toward Mira like a striking serpent, coiling through the air.

It was about to wrap around her when...

A massive aura descended upon the area.

Everyone froze.

The whip stopped mid-motion. The Grand Marshal’s advance halted. Even the mage above faltered, his spell flickering.

"What...?!"

They exclaimed in unison.

Then...

Behind Mira, space itself began to crack.

The air split apart like shattered glass, revealing a rift in space. Through the broken space, they could see a figure - a beastman standing before what appeared to be a statue. Behind them was what looked like the interior of a church.

A hand landed on Mira’s shoulder.

She flinched.

I didn’t even feel it approach.

What is...

"Don’t worry."

A familiar voice reached her ears.

"It’s me."

Every muscle in her body relaxed at once.

She turned.

Lunaris stood beside her, his expression calm.

The others watched with wary eyes, their weapons still raised but their bodies frozen with uncertainty.

Lunaris regarded them coolly.

"It was not my intention for us to meet like this."

His voice carried effortlessly across the area.

"But I could not allow you to bully my subordinate."

He placed a hand on Mira’s back, guiding her toward the portal.

"I hope we meet under better circumstances next time."

With that, he turned and began walking.

Mira followed without hesitation. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"You...!"

Elara’s face contorted with rage.

"You think you can just come and go as you please?!"

She swung her whip with all her strength.

"Princess!"

The Grand Marshal’s eyes widened.

"Don’t be rash!"

He rushed toward her, reaching out.

The spatial rift began to close...

And then it exploded outward.

A shockwave of distorted space rippled across the area, sending debris flying in every direction. The force knocked everyone back, forcing them to shield their faces.

When the dust settled, the rift was gone.

So were the intruders.

The Grand Marshal held the Princess steady, having pulled her back just in time. He exhaled heavily.

"That was close."

He released her and turned to the gathered knights who were picking themselves up from the blast.

"Search the entire district! I want every shadow checked, every building swept!"

His voice boomed across the night.

"Double the guard at the palace! Triple the patrols on the outer walls! No one enters or leaves the city without inspection!"

The knights scrambled to obey.

"Yes, Grand Marshal!"

...

Five figures sat around a large circular table, maps and reports scattered across its surface.

At the head of the table sat the King, his weathered face betraying little emotion. Behind him stood Princess Elara, arms crossed, observing the proceedings in silence.

Lord Varen slammed his palm on the table.

"This is unacceptable! A spy infiltrated the royal palace."

His face was flushed with anger.

"We must hunt down the Abyss Cult immediately. Their brazen behavior cannot go unanswered!"

Lady Serina remained composed, her fingers interlaced before her.

"And leave ourselves exposed to the Demon King? While the abyss cult has some ability, in the grand scheme of things, it’s just a nuisance. On the other hand, the Demon King is an existential threat. Our focus should remain on accelerating the Hero’s development."