Chapter 400 – Labyrinth (1)
Unia, who had been gazing at the area where
"Hey... did you see that just now?"
"How could I not see it."
A lightning storm she had occasionally witnessed on Society's island amidst severe weather, it was like all of them combined into one grand lightning strike.
Even though they were outside the range, her skin tingled. She couldn't tell if it was actually happening, or if it was just how she felt.
"I don't have much aptitude for the electric series, so I can't say for sure, but if that thing had hit us just now? We'd be dead, right?"
"If even a trace of us remained, that would've been considered good fortune."
In terms of sheer destructive power, the mana sphere that had utterly defeated Unia during the duel seemed greater.
But, if judged solely by lethality, the lightning strike from earlier was undeniably superior.
"It didn't seem like Mado... then what the hell was it?"
Since 7th-tier magic is treated with extreme caution in the magical world, getting information about it outside of the magic tower or a great power was nearly impossible.
The same was true for the Society.
If someone tried to secretly smuggle out related books, they would surely be discovered in no time, and there was no compelling reason to risk such danger.
However, even without knowing the exact nature of the magic, Cain and Unia were professional Mages.
The siblings naturally recalled
And then, it happened.
Someone beckoned, calling her over, and Unia blinked.
"...Me?"
Verden tilted his head.
"Why are you suddenly speaking formally?"
"Ah, no, I didn't mean to... ahem!"
Unia coughed awkwardly as she stepped closer.
"So why are you suddenly calling me over?"
"I want to entrust Isabella's protection to you. It would be troublesome in many ways for us to directly look after her."
"Ah. Well, that does make sense."
A woman with no left arm, and a deep mark in her chest as if she had been pierced by a dagger.
How she was still alive was one thing, but since her whole body was covered in blood, it was only right to place her in the hands of another woman.
'Besides....'
Unia glanced sideways.
Asher's other name was Verden.
The swordsman of unknown origin bore the name Adrian Chambers.
And there were those ominous words spoken by Rayshen.
There was something between them, some hidden circumstances.
A dark, emotional secret far beyond mere disputes over interests.
Otherwise, why would Verden not attempt to sway Rayshen, but instead kill him outright? It was not a rational choice.
'First thing to do is report to the Society, and uncover their true identities.'
That was the proper duty of a collaborator.
"All right, senior. I'll take care of this woman named Isabella myself."
"Good, I leave it to you."
Verden slightly raised his voice, addressing beyond Unia.
"As you can see, Rayshen has been dealt with, so the temporary subjugation unit is hereby disbanded. Good work, everyone, and as for the loot we seized, it will be handled later, for now take your rest."
Strictly speaking, Verden only temporarily held command authority, he was not their superior.
Even so, none found his orders unpleasant.
"Oh, and be especially careful with Panian's Mole."
"Yes, sir."
"Understood, senior."
Heras and Cain, representing the elite unit of the Society, both nodded.
Thus, the first joint operation between the two groups successfully came to an end.
***
The true name hidden behind the alias Asher, Adrian Chambers, Coercion, experimental subject, Number 89, forced magic circle, and vengeance...
Every one of them was information uttered directly by Rayshen, who could be called one of the top brass of Bohemirn Magic Tower, not Verden.
Anyone with common sense could not help but take interest.
All the more so for a force hostile to the magic tower.
'The bait has been cast.'
Undoubtedly, the Society would not ignore this, but slowly extend their hand.
They would form countless hypotheses, secretly collect all kinds of data, and attempt to interpret the information Rayshen had left behind.
'And they will try to uncover the truth through me.'
Therefore, to learn the dark secrets of Bohemirn Magic Tower, the Society would not be able to cut ties with Verden.
With their ideological opposition to the selfish and greedy system of the magic tower, they would never forgive Bohemirn Magic Tower's atrocities.
The subjugation of Rayshen.
Through it, Verden secured not only his personal revenge, but also further solidified his cooperative relationship with the Society.
'Now, what remains....'
For Verden, it was purely personal.
Darkness flickered once.
Ignacia's spirit body.
The false body, which had been cut off during the battle with Rayshen, was once more remotely activated as he allocated computational power to it.
Then, by focusing his mind, Verden unified his consciousness with the spirit body.
"..."
When Verden opened his eyes, a dark, damp space came into view. A rift within the labyrinth, concealed with a concealment magic circle, serving as a hideout.
Looking around, he saw Rovellin's group lightly asleep.
'Fortunately, I'm not late.'
Only a few hours had passed, so it was to be expected.
With his original strength sealed, weakened as he was, and with no telling when they could rest again, it was the strategically wise choice to seize the chance when it came.
And since it would be some time before they could leave the labyrinth, there was no need to feel impatient, fearing another participant might escape with the dragon material.
Verden straightened his body, leaning his back against the cold wall.
A few deep breaths.
He silently recalled his resolve, then turned his gaze toward his long-time friend.
Two days from now.
'No matter what, I will get Rovellin out of this labyrinth.'
That was the final task to complete the plan at Gargant.
***
The Scales of Ignacia entered its second day.
Verden, together with Rovellin's group, focused on hunting demi-humans and abnormal species as much as possible, in order to raise their combat power within the labyrinth.
Of course, since it was a closed space, encountering other participant groups along the way was inevitable.
However, immediate battles did not occur.
A man with a bastard sword strapped to his back spoke.
"The labyrinth's collapse is still far off, so I see no reason for either side to waste strength now. How about we simply pretend we haven't seen each other."
Their group numbered five in total.
And since among them was a Mage who looked to be a War Mage, they were clearly dispatched from the Arnak Empire.
Outnumbered as they were, and given that they hailed from a great power, confronting them would be far from easy.
'Better avoid a direct clash.'
And judging from how their eyes mostly lingered on Rovellin, it seemed they had recognized that the group before them belonged to Bohemirn Magic Tower.
Indeed, unless they were extraordinarily ignorant, there was no way they would fail to recognize Rovellin's face.
"Very well."
"Then we'll be on our way."
Step, step.
By mutual agreement, they kept their distance, and moved toward opposite directions.
There was no ambush from behind.
Thus, as the sound of footsteps faded away, they pursued only those corridors with as few people as possible.
And at last, they discovered the first treasure chest.
A silver chest that gleamed brightly.
In every way, there were no traces of human touch upon it.
Hezen spoke.
"I shall───"
"I will open it."
Verden stepped forward readily.
Even if it was called a treasure chest, one could not simply assume it to be safe.
Taking on such risks was precisely the reason Verden had entered the labyrinth.
Hezen, perhaps thinking the credit was being taken from him, replied with an unpleasant tone.
"Why do you have to be the one to open it?"
"Because my reflexes are faster than yours."
"..."
At such a rational and valid reason, Hezen fell silent.
"Permission granted, Alan. I'll cover you from behind, so be careful."
"You heard Lord Rovellin, Hezen? So don't interfere and step back, will you?"
"Hmph."
The three of them stepped back a few paces, aiming their staves at both the corridor and the treasure chest.
A space of stillness.
Verden, never letting down his guard, cautiously laid his hand upon the chest.
Creeeak.
The hinges groaned aloud.
And then, as he flung open the silver chest, he immediately leapt back.
...Silence.
Even after waiting, nothing happened.
No unusual sign, no suspicious presence could be felt.
Certain now that there was no trap, Verden and Rovellin dispelled their magic power, slowly approached, and peeked inside.
"...More ordinary than expected."
Inside the glittering chest lay four items.
Verden carefully drew them out one by one, examining them closely.
'The first is a backpack-shaped spatial bag.'
Its quality was low, so the storage capacity wasn't much. It seemed designed to hold whatever treasures were gained from the chest.
Since the rule stated that treasures could not be used inside the labyrinth, for now it was nothing more than a cumbersome burden.
It was, in a way, a measure to prevent interference with the flow of the auction.
'The second and third, a circlet, and a single top-grade magic stone.'
After using
For Rovellin, Hezen, and Arril, all of whom hailed from Bohemirn Magic Tower, the same held true.
Even so, considering their worth, the two together amounted to several hundred million Elk, so objectively, they were no trifles.
'Lastly, the fourth....'
Verden drew out a magically preserved glass frame.
Within, a piece of paper bore the words:
[Enjoy without limits!───Ignacia, off the record]
His head tilted naturally.
What was this.
Ignacia's autograph?
'Why place such a thing inside a treasure chest?'
Well, since it was something made by a Transcendent herself, it could indeed be called precious... but would any of the participants consider an autograph a treasure?
After all, these were people who came with solemn resolve, to obtain a dragonbone.
And yet, one did.
"Th-the Transcendent of Illusion's autograph?!!"
Arril snatched the frame from Verden, exclaiming in awe.
Eyes sparkling.
Her shoulders heaved with rapid breaths.
'What now.'
As Verden looked blankly at Arril, Rovellin sighed and added explanation.
"Arril tends to idolize famous figures passionately. Just the other day, she said she wanted to see who the Shinseong of the Eastern Continent was, and spent the whole day... anyway, please understand."
The Shinseong in question, Verden, silently nodded.
There are all sorts of eccentric types in the world.
In truth, such a hobby was tame and even positive.
Thus, they stowed away the treasures from the silver chest into the spatial bag. Arril slung it over her shoulder, volunteering as porter.
With this small gain, Rovellin's party moved on.
Proceeding with alternating short rests and continued exploration, before long, over ten hours had passed, and the second day drew near its end.
During that time, they had hunted stronger monsters, acquiring among other things a staff capable of casting 4th-tier magic twice, thereby raising the level of their equipment.
They also found two crude chests made of iron and wood, but the contents were only mid-grade magic stones and equivalent magical items, yielding little profit.
'So the value of the chest dictates the level of the treasure. Simple enough.'
Which meant, from a general perspective, they now needed to search for something higher than a silver chest, likely a golden chest.
It might be where the dragonbone rested.
And then it happened.
Rovellin's party encountered another group of participants, fully armed.
Though they intended to pass by without conflict, as with the Arnak Empire earlier... this time, that was absolutely impossible.
Because, right beside those participants, was a golden treasure chest.
The theme of the labyrinth was competition.
"Hold it right there."
Rovellin thrust his staff forward.
***
A forest cloaked in green rustled.
An exalted being rode the mountain breeze, alighted atop a peak, and gazed toward the horizon.
There lay Gargant, the grand city of man.
"Verden is there... hmm, at this rate I cannot enter."
Her domain could not reach.
She could force her way in, yes, but merely stepping beyond the great forest had already been the first time in centuries.
To interfere any further with the world was something impermissible for one who observes.
That was the vow.
"Then it is best to wait for a time."
Having made her judgment, the consciousness of the 'World Tree' descended into the heart of nature.
As she leaned quietly against an ancient tree, closing her eyes without a sound, animals and plants, drawn to her presence, warmly embraced her.
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