Chapter 69 - Volume 2 Chapter 30 The Plan From Hereon (1/2)
—Raust—
Labyrinth runaway was a peculiar phenomenon specific to the labyrinth, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that it was as feared as natural disasters.
Monsters that originally only existed inside the labyrinth overflowed outside. That was probably the number one characteristic of labyrinth runaway.
Moreover, the monsters that came out from the labyrinth, even the goblins and hobgoblins, were in a mutated state despite it should only occur to super-high difficulty monsters and had more intelligence that let them move in a group.
Even for a small labyrinth, a labyrinth runaway could cause damage that would crush two or three surrounding cities.
That was the knowledge about labyrinth runaway that I got from the book.
And it certainly bore similarity to what currently happened in Labyrinth City.
From the hobgoblins that had extraordinary intelligence and ability to the lich that completed tactical-class magic by taking the orcs’ magic power.
Those were impossible no matter how you think about it, but if it was labyrinth runaway, then that explained everything.
However, despite knowing all that, I was unable to accept Master’s words.
「… I can’t believe the labyrinth of this Labyrinth City is going out of control!」
The possibility of labyrinth runaway popped up in my mind when I faced the flock of monsters, but I dismissed the idea immediately.
Because they exist in this Labyrinth City, and as far as I know, they have fulfilled their role without fail until now.
The next moment, Narsena unknowingly voiced what was in my mind to Master.
「The other day, we have defeated Phoenix, a super-high difficulty monster, the other adventurers are also hunting monsters in the labyrinth! There is no way enough magic has accumulated to cause labyrinth runaway……」
Labyrinth runaway was said to occur when the magic power in the labyrinth exceeded a certain amount.
Magic power overflowing inside the labyrinth would cause the creation of monsters that could live outside the labyrinth, and those monsters would overflow outside.
In other words, it was necessary to prevent the accumulation of magic power in the labyrinth, and the only way to do so was by killing the monsters in the labyrinth so new monsters spawned with the excess magic power.
That was why Labyrinth City was born around the labyrinth and adventurers descent into the labyrinth to hunt monsters.
Knowing that, Narsena and I couldn’t believe Master’s words because we knew the adventurers had killed quite a few monsters.
That was despite knowing what was told to us about labyrinth runaway by Master was based on her experience in quelling numerous labyrinth runaway.
Master nodded, agreeing with us who couldn’t hide our discomposure and opened her mouth.
「That’s right, yeah. If you think about it normally, there is no way that a labyrinth could run amok in this labyrinth city. After all, this is the biggest labyrinth we’ve ever found. There is no way that the monsters have not been carefully defeated.」
Master’s words affirming our belief that a labyrinth runaway couldn’t occur in this situation.
But then, why Master still said this is a labyrinth runaway, such a thought came to my mind for a moment, but Master still hadn’t finished yet.
「But what’s happening right now is definitely a labyrinth runaway. No, maybe there is another phenomenon similar to that, but that doesn’t matter now. The important thing is there is a crisis right now.」
After saying that, Master stopped speaking for a moment.
It was like she hesitated to continue.
But it was only for a moment, Master opened her mouth again.
「I think…… this is artificially caused.」
「Wha-!」
「Huh?」
I couldn’t hide my surprise after hearing what Master said next.
Artificially causing this situation? Someone causing labyrinth runaway?
I couldn’t believe that.
I looked at Master’s face, hoping she was joking, but what I saw was a serious expression on her face.
Still with the same serious expression, Master continued.
「I know someone who can do it without being suspicious. And that person has been doing something suspicious these days.」
「…Who is it?」
Master didn’t immediately respond to my question.
Instead, she asked a question.
「Hey, Raust. Do you know about Lost Technology?」
「……Hmm?」
Not catching the meaning behind the sudden question, I let out a confused voice.
However, deciding that there was no way Master asked something unrelated to this situation, I tried to recall the knowledge about Lost Technology I read in the book.
Lost Technology was advanced technology developed and left behind by civilizations from hundreds of years ago or more, one that we couldn’t even imagine now.