Chapter 16: AI Solver, Dimensionality Reduction Attack!
"I... I do know how to get out, it's just..."
Hill knelt on the ground, somewhat hesitant.
"Just what?"
Asmodeus asked with a frown.
Hill looked up, a hint of shame on his face:
"The Seal Gate on this floor is locked by the legendary ancient artifact, the 'chaos cube.' It is said that only those with extraordinary wisdom, who can see through the laws of all things, can unlock it. As for me... I really can't do it!"
"chaos cube? What's that?"
Hearing that name, even Asmodeus showed a puzzled expression.
Hill didn't explain further, quickly got up, and led the Demon Lord to the tightly shut crystal door at the end of the room—he fumbled along the doorframe for a moment and pressed a raised rune.
Click.
A secret compartment slowly opened.
Then, Hill carefully took out a glowing, multi-colored... cube from inside.
"This is it."
Hill held it with a look of awe, as if holding the truth of the world:
"This is the core of the seal! To open the door, you must, without damaging it, turn all six of its chaotic faces into a unified color—but this is too difficult! According to rumors, only a human sage a few hundred years ago managed to solve it. Other than that, even the Elven Prophets and Human Archmages are powerless against it!"
"Hmm?"
Hearing Hill say this, Asmodeus looked at the colorful cube, his brows tightly furrowed, seemingly pondering what kind of profound magic array it was.
However, at this moment, a small head peeked out from behind the Demon Lord.
Lilith blinked her big eyes, looking at the so-called "ancient artifact," completely stunned.
"This... isn't this just a Rubik's Cube?!"
"It's just an ordinary 3x3 Rubik's Cube, just made of crystal. What kind of artifact is this?"
Lilith's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"After all that... the blurry words on that stone platform earlier actually said [Room where you can't leave without solving the Rubik's Cube]?"
"So all those things I imagined before—'having a child,' 'defeating the enemy,' 'finding the main body'... I completely overthought it! Tsk tsk."
Thinking of this, Lilith's cheeks flushed slightly; it turned out she had been overthinking it the whole time.
On the other side, noticing Lilith's strange expression, Asmodeus turned his head and asked curiously:
"What? Do you know this thing?"
"Uh... I do know it..."
Lilith scratched her cheek, explaining awkwardly:
"This is just a toy. In my hometown, many children and adults play with it... Haven't you all seen it?"
"A toy?!"
At these words, Hill's eyes widened in shock.
A trace of surprise flashed in Asmodeus's eyes. He then took the Rubik's Cube from Hill's hand and handed it to Lilith:
"Since you know it, you solve it then."
"Ah? This..."
Asmodeus's expression was very serious, but looking at the completely scrambled Rubik's Cube, Lilith nervously recoiled her hand:
"Well... actually, I'm not really..."
Before she could finish, Hill suddenly interjected:
"Speaking of which, Demon Lord, who is this elder sister?"
As he spoke, Hill sized up Lilith with his big eyes—to be kept by the Demon Lord's side all the time, and even held so intimately in his arms, this woman's identity was definitely not simple.
In response, Asmodeus's expression was calm, and he skillfully and naturally put an arm around Lilith's waist.
"Oh!"
Lilith let out a cute sound as she was suddenly embraced.
The man's arm was strong and powerful, and with just a slight exertion, he easily pulled her slender, soft body into his embrace, forcing Lilith to lean against him, her face completely red.
"She is Lilith Augusta, my summoned companion, and the sole future Queen of the Demon Realm."
"Queen... Queen?!"
Hearing this, Hill was greatly alarmed and immediately fell to his knees with a thud, performing a full prostration to Lilith!
"Y-Your Highness the Queen! This subordinate was blind! I apologize for my offense just now, please forgive me, Your Highness!"
"You're the Queen, your whole family's the Queen!"
Lilith, being called Queen, wasn't happy about it. After all, she didn't want to be the Demon Lord's wife for life after getting out of the labyrinth!
It's just... although she was very reluctant in her heart.
But seeing the little shota in front of her so respectful, prostrating at her feet like a puppy, trembling... a strange feeling she had never experienced before gradually welled up in Lilith's heart.
"Eh? Eh? Why does it seem like..."
"It's not bad?"
'Yes! That's right!'
'Lowly and humble ants are merely servants to our King of the Demon Race! They should kneel at my feet and kiss my toes with the most devout posture!'
'Hmph! Submit! Worship! Kneel on the ground and gaze upon my figure!'
'After all, I am the King's woman! I am the noble Queen! Ah ha ha ha ha~~~'
Of course, these were not Lilith's direct thoughts, but rather the subconscious thoughts a demoness favored by the Demon Lord should possess, merely flashing through her mind.
In reality, Lilith didn't know why she was so excited, and could only mutter to herself:
"Although I don't want to be Asmodeus's wife, being worshipped and called Your Highness the Queen... actually feels pretty good?"
"Hiss... it seems being the Demon Lord's wife isn't all bad?"
Thinking this, the smile on Lilith's face grew wider.
Her slightly upturned, rosy lips showed her smugness, like a cat full of pride due to its owner's doting.
"Hmph hmph~"
A smug hum seemed to escape her throat.
But the next second, the Demon Lord's cold voice pulled her back to reality:
"Since you recognize this magical artifact... Lilith Augusta, as my fiancée, do not disgrace me—I command you, solve it."
"Eh?"
"You know my full name?"
Lilith blinked in surprise.
"Could it be because there are outsiders? Does he think calling me 'Little Meow' would damage the Demon Lord's prestige?"
"So 'Little Meow' is just a private pet name... Ugh! This guy is definitely a pervert! Treating his fiancée like a pet! Damn it!"
Lilith gritted her teeth inwardly.
But she didn't dare to disobey the Demon Lord's command, so she obediently took the Rubik's Cube and meekly explained:
"Um... Demon Lord, actually I..."
Lilith wanted to say that she couldn't solve the Rubik's Cube, as no one could solve it without specialized learning.
But halfway through her sentence, Lilith's expression suddenly became blank, as if she had thought of something:
"Wait? Wouldn't the omniscient and omnipotent AI be enough?"
Thinking of this, Lilith's eyes lit up. She raised her chin again and answered with great confidence:
"Alright! Since the Demon Lord has said so, I'll try to solve it! After all, it's just a toy to me~"
"So! So strong! As expected of Her Highness the Queen!"
As soon as Lilith finished speaking, Hill's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Lilith, praised, became even more arrogant, her nose almost pointing to the sky. As she pulled out her mobile phone, she waved her hand at the two of them:
"Demon Lord and little brother Hill, please go rest aside. Give me some time, and I guarantee I'll solve it~"
"Alright, I'll leave it to you."
Looking at Lilith's firm and confident gaze, Asmodeus nodded in approval.
So, after the two sat down at a distance, Lilith began to take pictures of the six faces of the Rubik's Cube... or more accurately, the 'chaos cube,' with her mobile phone.
Click, click, click... Soon, the photos were uploaded to the [omniscient and omnipotent ai solver] APP, and the other party quickly responded.
[Analyzing Rubik's Cube state... Analysis complete]
[Optimized solution steps generated (total 21 steps)]
[1. Turn top layer right 90 degrees (U)]
[2. Turn right face down 90 degrees (R')]
"Hmph hmph, this is what you call a dimensionality reduction attack!"
Looking at the step-by-step diagram on the screen, Lilith quickly turned the Rubik's Cube with her fingers.
As the colors gradually returned to their places, her mood became incredibly joyful.
"As long as I solve this, I can leave this cursed place..."
"Then I'll sneak away and go find Old Song!"
"Just you wait, Asmodeus! How dare you kiss me! Once I'm out, I'll call my brothers to come kill you!"
"By then... all the humiliation you've given me... I will definitely..."
"Return it twofold!"
...Meanwhile · Rodel Holy Kingdom
The scene shifts.
Inside the magnificent Royal Audience Hall.
Alicia—or Old Song—was seated on a chair upholstered in red velvet. Her usually heroic and beautiful face was now filled with terror and bewilderment.
In front of her stood over a dozen 'pre-selected candidates' with graceful postures and varied appearances.
"Lady Alicia~ Have you made your choice?"
The Third Princess, like a salesperson, enthusiastically pointed to the candidates before her:
"Which one would you like to be your teammate?"
"Is it this tall Ice Archmage sister from the North, with an aloof and elegant demeanor like ice and snow?"
"Or this gentle Saintess Priestess sister from the Church, with an unparalleled figure?"
"Or perhaps this Cat-Person Assassin with healthy wheat-colored skin and wild charm?"
"Which one would you like to choose~"
"…"
The Third Princess introduced them excitedly, while Alicia's pupils trembled violently, and a drop of cold sweat slowly slid down her forehead.
She looked around.
Mature women, lolis, beast-eared girls, long black hair, blonde tsunderes... Although each one looked incredibly powerful and beautiful, they were... all women!
A uniform lineup of peerless beauties!
"What I wanted... was clearly a classic Brave One's story! At the very least, there should be one or two brothers to drink with, play finger-guessing games, and talk about dreams!"
"And... all that doesn't matter, the main problem now is..."
Thinking this, Alicia swallowed hard, her gaze meeting theirs.
The originally proud powerhouses now had flushed cheeks, shimmering eyes, and hearts in their eyes, staring intently at Alicia with gazes that seemed ready to devour her alive.
"Choose me! Brave One!"
The ice-skinned beauty magician covered her chest with one hand, finally unable to resist stepping forward and calling out.
This sentence was like lighting a fuse. Soon, other candidates also stepped forward, enthusiastically shouting:
"Choose me! Choose me!"
"I will dedicate everything to you!"
"Even my body!"
"Oh, Brave One! Let me serve you!"
"What is wrong with this country?!"