"Is it here, then?"

Shirley looked at the ground beneath her feet.

There was an artificial entrance built, located approximately where Shirley had seen.

"Let’s go down."

This time, Shirley, Karina, and Luna were accompanied by Alyssa.

After all, they were in a dense dark forest, and if they made too much noise, the Tree Queen would not ignore them.

They didn't need to worry about safety.

Alyssa was brought along to ensure that if there was any mechanism in the underground ruins that could only be activated by the heir of that civilization, they wouldn’t be left without options.

They walked through the rustic tunnel.

Shirley frowned, she was wearing high heels, and walking on that ground was tormenting.

So she used a spell to levitate.

Since the three were creatures of the shadows, they didn’t even need torches to light the way.

"Here... ugh... it's... stuffy..."

Karina chewed on jerky as she spoke with difficulty.

"It’s normal, after all, we’re underground."

Shirley observed the walls around her, it seemed that this place had only been explored for a few years.

Sometimes, it was possible to see weapon marks on the ground.

They weren't combat marks but marks left behind when something was dragged along the floor.

It seemed that those who had come out of there hadn’t returned for a deeper exploration.

Soon, they reached an empty space but found a dead end.

"It shouldn't be wrong, or maybe there’s some mechanism here."

"Should I check?" Luna asked.

After Shirley’s permission, Luna began to investigate but didn’t bring good news; it really seemed to be the end.

"Be careful."

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Shirley warned and released her magic, which spread out, causing cracks in the ground and walls.

"It’s not possible..."

The ground shook intensely for a few moments.

When the tremor stopped, besides the cracks created by Shirley, there was nothing else.

"Do you feel anything?" Shirley asked Alyssa.

Alyssa simply shook her head, frightened.

"The place you saw is below. How about we dig down to see?" suggested Karina, swallowing her jerky.

"Good idea." Shirley agreed.

Blood spread from Shirley’s right hand, transforming into a huge drill that began to spin rapidly.

Luna and Karina stepped back a little with Alyssa.

As they descended, Shirley noticed something strange in the soil.

The earth was softer, as if it had been dug before.

Following that sensation, Shirley continued to drill.

After a while, she felt the ground give way and fell into an empty room.

"What a horrible smell..."

The environment was permeated with the odor of blood that had been stored for a long time.

And strangely, she felt like she had smelled that scent somewhere before, but couldn’t remember where.

"Who are you?"

A cold, emotionless voice sounded behind Shirley, making her shiver.

So close, and she hadn’t noticed the presence.

If the person had attacked...

Shirley quickly turned around and jumped back, keeping her distance, and then realized it was a lovely girl.

She had light blue hair and a delicate face, like a sculpted work of art.

Shirley had to admit that her beauty was almost comparable to her own.

"Who are you?"

As a proud and powerful vampire princess, Shirley couldn't just reveal her name.

"My name is Alice."

Alice, without much concern, responded normally.

"Alice, a common name, but beautiful..." Shirley thought for a moment and confidently said aloud, "I am Shirley Bartoli, the eldest daughter of the great Bartoli family. Since you are so lovely, I grant you the right to call me simply Shirley."

Alice's expression didn’t change, which made Shirley a bit embarrassed.

"Um, you can talk, right? What are you doing here?"

Alice tilted her head and thought for a moment.

"I... forgot."

"Forgot? Have you been here for a long time?" Shirley was surprised.

She had descended quite a bit, and there shouldn't have been a direct passage to the surface, or was there some strange magical circle there?

"Yes."

"Princess Shirley, are you okay?"

At that moment, Luna came down with Alyssa in her arms, accompanied by Karina.

Even with the addition of three more people, Alice's expression didn’t change at all, as if she had no fear that they could harm her.

Could it be that she thought they couldn’t hurt her?

"This girl is..."

As soon as she descended, Luna felt that Alice was different.

Cold and lifeless, yet still a real presence, she wasn’t like magical puppets...

"Her name is Alice, she must be a good person..." said Shirley.

"Alice, would you like to join me?"

Alice seemed confused, not understanding what Shirley meant.

"I’m asking if you want to follow my orders and act with me." Shirley spoke seriously, not realizing how irrational it sounded.

"Why?"

As expected, Alice asked this question.

Unfortunately, Shirley had already anticipated it.

"Because I am the great Princess Shirley! A being as lovely as you should swear loyalty to me!"

Alice maintained a neutral expression, while Luna looked serious and Karina continued chewing jerky in silence.

Alice recalled a conversation she had with Anna.

— Looking for the meaning of life.

She didn’t believe she could find the meaning of life in this dark, enclosed space.

Thinking simply, following that person out... seemed to be the right choice.

"Ok."

Alice replied.

"Great!"

Shirley nodded.

"This trip is going very well, better than the last time. Now, let’s explore what’s hidden around here!"