89-89 Reunion (1/2)

──── I thought I was dead.

I managed to land on the ground, and as I looked around, someone called out to me from behind.

”...... Hey, [stakeout]. What the hell did you just do ...... to me?

I turned around and saw a group of people in armor behind me.

I've seen that armor before.

They must have been the soldiers who entertained me earlier.

As I was looking at them, the man in the strange armor who called me [Stake Driver] came walking up to me.

I remember this man's name.

I think it was ────.

”You are Sigil of ────[saving].

”────[moment]. It's [moment]. Just call me Sigil. There's no need to try to remember two names. ...... Why are you falling from the top?　I thought I told you to wait downstairs. ...... No, what was that monster back there anyway? I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm not sure about that either, to be honest. ......

I believe that the demon was a skeleton.

I'm not sure if that's true or not.

I'm getting less and less sure.

Astira said it was a skeleton, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I can call it a skeleton.

That thing I just saw was hardly a bone monster.

It's more like a creepy ”meat on the bone” monster.

But I don't have any knowledge about it, so I don't know how to explain it. .......

As I was struggling for an answer, I heard a small moaning sound coming from behind the big hole where the monster had fallen.

I thought I was going to die. ......!

I looked and saw a familiar woman crawling out of a large hole in the floor.

It was Astira.

When she found me, she looked at me with a slightly tired look on her face.

”...... Noor ......?　What was that, ......?　Why is that thing suddenly falling down like that ......?　I was almost caught in it. ......

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure if she was following that monster up that hole from the back of the labyrinth.

And then I knocked the monster down. ....... I see.

I was so desperate to protect myself that I didn't pay attention to that.

Well, even if I had noticed, I don't think I could have done anything about it. .......

”I'm sorry, I didn't pay that much attention. Maybe it's my fault.

It was you, after all. ...... Well, I was able to dodge it just in time, so that was good. But when it came at me from above, I really thought I was dead.

Astila laughed a little, then looked around and made eye contact with Sigil, who was standing beside me.

Oh, there's a person at ...... hello. Uh, ...... who are you?

”Your eminence, ────?

Just in time. Sigil, you should ask her about that monster. She'll know a lot more than I will.

I was a little relieved when she appeared, but Sigil and the other soldiers in front of me all knelt down facing her.

”Your Eminence, have a safe trip.

”...... Well, well, ......?　You mean ...... me, your eminence?　Who the hell are you people, ......?

”...... play. There is no other master that we serve, except you.

Astila seemed puzzled by their actions.

Regardless of her state of mind, Sigil continued.

”──── Your Eminence. I have something to report first. We were ordered to capture the man, but our port side alone was no match for him. I must first apologize for returning without fulfilling your orders.

Sigil and the others bowed their heads to the ground and waited for Astira's answer.

”...... Well, ......, what is this? I'm not sure what you're talking about ......?　Hey, Noor ......?

”......No, you don't have to ask me. ......?

As Astila and I were both puzzled, we heard a familiar voice again.

──── Let me explain that to you.

The owner of the voice was the Prince of Mithra.

Lean was right behind him.

”Dr. Noor, be safe.

Lean too.

When Lean and the others came to us, Sigil looked up and asked the prince.

”Your Highness. What the hell is wrong with ...... your eminence? You seem a little out of sorts.

”Yes, that's right. Your mother is a little confused right now for some reason.

”...... Well, ......?　Your mother is ......?　Am I ...... or ......?

As Astira tilted her head in confusion again, the prince leaned closer and overheard her in a quiet voice.

──── I'm sorry, but I need to talk to you right now. I hope I can explain the situation to you in due course. ......

”......Well, okay. I'm not sure, but I'm your mother now, aren't I ......?

”...... Yes. You are my ”mother” and the ”Pope” of this Holy Mithraic nation. In this situation, it's better to keep it that way (・・・・・・).

”......Kyo......KyoKyo......?　......Wow, I get it. ......Anyway, leave it to me. ......!　I'm still pretty confident in my acting. ......!

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who can't wait to get started.

”At ......, Mother. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

”Yes, ...... yes. Yes,......, well,...... my memory is a bit foggy at the moment,...... so I'll leave the rest to him,......, Mr. Tyrence!

””...... you?”

The six people who were kneeling down to her all tilted their heads and looked at each other.

The six people kneeling before her all tilted their heads and looked at each other. ”......It appears that Your Eminence is quite confused. ......Tirens, what the hell is going on down there?

”It's a genuine emergency. I won't go into details, but the Labyrinth of Sorrows is currently active. That's why there's been such an upheaval in the city.

The Labyrinth of Sorrows?　No way. ......?　Didn't you already go through ......?

I don't know why, but the Dungeon Master is back, and your mother was injured in the fight. On top of that, demons are still sprouting up at an alarming rate,......, and we need to deal with them quickly. How many available soldiers do you have now?

The prince looked around.

There were many soldiers in armor lying around in the large domed room.

There seemed to be at least several hundred of them.