459 455. Epilogue.txt (1/2)

If it's a special underground space called the Second Labyrinth, the threads won't reach it.

That's why I'm heading to Daryl, a city in the middle of the ”mainland”.

A year ago, the Palinclone Legacy triggered the ”World Order Repatriation Camp”, and this is a place that has received both the damage and the benefits of the camp.

There were many cracks in the ground, but with the steady clearing of land and the planting of trees, the area is beginning to look more presentable as a city.

The large hole in the center of the city is connected to the Second Maze, and until a few months ago, visitors who came for that purpose flooded into the city, and the continent called it a labyrinth city.

However, the situation in Daryl changed after Maria, the Witch with the Grim Reaper, visited the city and changed the entrance to the lava field.

With the establishment of the North-South Alliance, the city, which had been a base of operations for the North, was expected to function as a relay point between the North and the South.

Hence, the present.

Daryl was not a labyrinthine city but a trading city, and the characteristic large number of simple tents had been preserved, while the heat from the open-air bazaars had doubled.

The trading city of Daryl is famous for its lack of walls and gates. The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you're in the right place at the right time. From the shadows of the city I hear the voices of certain children.

There is information in their voices that is not unrelated to us.

The old knight was so happy!　”There's some kind of communication on the 'magic stone line'!

The red sea in the west has vanished into thin air. So I heard that the last group of Allied heroes that came through here will be passing through town again.

If you go through here, we'll get you a new mask: ....... I want one with ears like everyone else: ......

I'm getting ready for this!　Thanks to the orphanage those guys have prepared for us, let them see us doing well!　I wonder if he'll notice!

That's what I was talking about.

And then I saw it.

I saw a group of not only beast children, but also a group of children mixed in with the children of the 'Jewish Stone Humans' (Jewelculus), wearing a wide variety of masks.

Not only did they wear them on their heads, but some people wore them around their necks like pendants.

The special decoration was the same for the travelers from outside the city - and the same for those who came from outside the city.

I've heard that they're going to have the greatest festival in human history to celebrate the end of the 'boundary war' that has been going on for so long. Rumor has it that the Senate is deeply involved in this event.

'Isn't this the first time you've been out not only for reconstruction, but also for a festival?

That's how hard it was, isn't it? Last time I saw that awesome freezing spell.

'Honestly, it doesn't feel like much. The whole continent was put on ice and told that they were being shown the same 'hallucinations' ....... In the end, my house and things were safe, you know.

'The war ended on its own, and we had a 'North-South Union,' which could only be a good thing.

They wore masks of some sort and walked around talking about such things.

The voices of the city's merchants, who must have settled in the city, mixed in, discussing the new calendar and the establishment of the state religion.

As I couldn't move, I listened while they moved.

All of them were small fragments of conversations as we passed each other, but I could definitely feel them.

I spilled my thoughts on it.

It was a strange atmosphere.

Now, Glenn and I have finished passing through the city and have crossed the lava field as an example, and we are in the dimly lit ”Second Labyrinth”.

Glenn responds to my impressions as if to explain.

”The 'End of Season Festival' has begun. ...... It is nominally a re-creation of the Nativity that took place within the Winter Dimension, a ritual that was performed in the world of the Winter Dimension. ......

After all, it seems that this is not just a celebration of victory, but a 'price' will be paid.

From now on, the continent will be enveloped in a kind of boundary.

The 'plan to make everyone happy' that Kanami confessed to Rustyala included the completion of the real 'magic (...)' of 'the one who steals the reason of the dimension'.

If the earthly rituals are involved in the 'magic kanami' as an example, then the preparations on the other side must really be all set.

''I see. However, the speed of this arrangement is extraordinary. I'm sure that the cancellation of the ”blood-land” was considered a definite issue. ...... As fate would have it.

I couldn't stop the flow of this, so I was carried through the dimly lit labyrinth with a sense of defeat.

The inside of the Second Labyrinth is no different than the labyrinth in the United Frontierland.

Monsters will occasionally appear, but at such a shallow level, they won't even become enemies. Although the 'Black Thread' didn't move within the labyrinth, there were no beings that could catch up with Glenn's high level of sprinting.

While moving, Glenn opens up to me, who is pondering.

'Sorry ....... I'm sorry,” he said, ”but I didn't dare to take that dare before the war, I had to put my body on the line.

He was regretting that he challenged Seldra-san in ”Blood Land” and lost completely. So he seemed to apologize and vow to carry me through with all his might, even if his life expectancy was reduced.

However, from my point of view, the defeat was a deserved result.

After all, that person I admired--

'Glenn, you were dealing with the wrong person. Mr. Serdra is the 'strongest' living being, except for the 'gentiles'. Quite frankly, it can't be helped.

I don't know what's wrong with you, Fafner. You won against Serdra (・・・・・). I could have killed him in the last minute, but I didn't. ......

...... Is that right?

While I'm challenging Kanami, details of the battle that was going on on the ground are coming out.

I don't think it's a lie or a pretense.

I'm relaying Kanami's memories, but I saw The Eighty-First Tribulation.

Seldora-san is not only weakened by the interpolation of ”The Untried”, but also a change in ideology and values is probably happening. As a result, it is very likely that he prioritized conversation rather than fighting Glenn.

Perhaps, but Seldra-san continued to be attacked unprotected, and when she was about to be defeated by Guren - that bloodsucking species Kounel intervened and took away the magic stone of 'The One Who Steals Blood's Reason'.

She's a high level demon like me.

It's not surprising that she's hiding a trump card that will work if she's dealing with an exhausted Guren.

And yet, we neglected to be vigilant about Kounel.

No, we were probably neglected because of her power.

When I guessed the flow of Kounel's victory, Glenn growled evasively.

”The clan sacrificed the 'Immortal Killing Poison' and was able to make good use of it ......, in vain ......!

I can't find the words to put it on.

I know I don't need half-hearted comfort.

But there was a word (thing) I really wanted to check with Glenn.

It seems that he used the trump card that even I had been hiding from him, ”Immortal Killing Poison”, on Seldra: .......

A poison that cost the clan.

I had just heard a similar story just now.

''Glenn, the reason why you're so obsessed with Mr. Seldra is .......

............

Could it be that the name of the family you were born into is 'Fillion'?

............?

The question took Glenn by surprise.

I realize from his expression that he's right.

I guessed it on a hunch, and I'm even more surprised than he is.

On that day a thousand years ago, Serdra-san should have destroyed the 'Chiryuu no Sato'.

He devoured it to death, including the girl who was Seldra-san's cousin.

Were there any survivors?

No, even if there were, it's a completely different 'fillion' when Guren isn't a dragonborn (dragonewt). However, it's possible that after cross-breeding, the dragon blood has been diluted: ....... It would take some verification to confirm the blood relationship. From various angles, many times carefully .......

In Glenn's village, what's the lore on the continent?　Wasn't there some special oral tradition about Mr. Seldra and Kanami?

You can find out more at ....... But you'll have to meet your leader before you can explain it to her. She believes in the same thing I do. ...... has arrived.

As he said that, Glenn's sprint stopped.

He released me from the restraints of the 'black thread' and lowered me to the ground.

While wobbling, I was still on the ground.

Because I was in a state of restraint the entire time, I was able to rest on his shoulder. So I lent my shoulder to support Glenn, who had become even more wobbly than I was after moving up to this point.

Then I see what was at the end of the labyrinthine corridor.

'Inside the labyrinth, a house?'

The surroundings were of the cave type, typical of the labyrinth's lower levels, craggy and rocky, filled with dampness and humidity. However, it was a wide, open space.

It must be a special boss area.

But sitting in the center of the place was not a boss monster, but a building.

A house.

It wasn't an alien shape unique to the labyrinth, and it was similar to a common household on the ground.

However, the material is neither wood nor stone, but something that looks like pitch black mud.

There is no doubt that it is built with magic, so I hesitate to enter.

But there's no time for us to stand still.

We move forward with Glenn on our shoulders, and though we are afraid, we open the door of the black house and are about to enter - when we are greeted by a cheerful and energetic voice that is not appropriate for the end of the battle so far.

'Ah, welcome back!　I've been waiting for--what?　Heeeeeeeeeee!

The little girl(ko) was waiting for us at the doorway with a smile like the dazzling sun.

But upon seeing us, she instantly raised her hands in the air, screaming.

She was a very expressive girl with her long chestnut-colored hair tied in two parts.

I can feel a purity that I would never see in the era I lived in.

''Nah......!

And yet, somehow I felt nostalgic and unnerving.

The girl's atmosphere, her smell, her behavior, tickled the back of my mind in a strange way.

It's different from the nostalgia that only the agent of Kounel's 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Blood' earlier could provide.

The everyday air of my hometown is palpable and the tension melts away from my body.

It's not just me who has been relieved of my wariness, but Glenn next to me as well.

I no longer have the strength to hold on to my body, and as I fall forward, I greet them as they return.

I'm late. I'm late ......, I'm sorry, I'm sorry ......--

Whoa, whoa!

Hurriedly, the girl runs forward and extends her hands to Glenn.

I've never seen him before, but he must be the leader of the example.

It's no wonder they can't get to the ”Blood Land”.

It's too weak. You can't get away with it.

You can't get rid of them.　No! He's got a hole in his chest!　Aaaaaaah!　Why do you persist until you get so much!　And if that's not possible, we're out!　I can still go, but I can't anymore!　The quickest decision to give up is the most important one!　All that stuff that doesn't get you excited, even though Mr. Glenn always said it without reading the air!

”He's lying in bed in Soko ...... and collapsing. Their leader is the recruiter of Fafner.

As he said this, Glenn pointed to a corner of the house.

The furniture in the house is no different from a normal house.

Only the floors and walls were black and bushy, and it looked like a fairly comfortable place to rest.

And on the bed in the corner, another face was sitting first in line.

Unlike the girl, it was a familiar face. It was the boy knight Ryner Helvirshain, the boy knight who had faced off against him before in the Great Sacred City's Hoozeyards Castle.

The boy who had been fighting as an equal with Lord Ragne stood up with a sigh and built magic in his hands.

''Glenn-san ...... and it's been a long time since your ancestors have been here, too. There are many things I want to say, but first of all, ....... --《Cure Fool》

It looks like the treatment is going to be performed by sacred magic.

The girl and I, who were supporting Glenn's body, hurriedly handed it over to Ryner.

The girl anxiously watched Glenn as he was carried to the bed.

However, she seems to realize that there's nothing she can do to help with the treatment, so she quickly shakes her head widely, turns to me, and begins to introduce herself forcefully.

'It's nice to meet you, my name is Shea Legacy!　I'm the leader of the party here!　Welcome, Mr. Fafner!

I took the name Legacy.

A girl with a family name named after an apostle bows her head deeply and wishes to me.

'I hear you're a great man of old, just like Dr. Eid!　Please, I hope you can teach us all a lot of inexperienced people. ......

I was an acquaintance of the ”One Who Stole the Reason of the Tree” id. When I was puzzled by her overly direct invitation, a new girl appears from behind the house.

She is dressed in black and has black hair and black eyes.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

The wrinkles between her eyebrows reveal her wariness.

I was involved in specialized research, and I see that she is a 'Jewelcrus'.

''Shea, I still disagree. Dr. Eid-sensei and this guy are two completely different things. It's an insult to my late teacher to let him into the party instead. This guy is related to the Neysha family who did a lot of that d*mn research: ......

Noir-chan, let's trust Mr. Stealer of Reason, just like you. There hasn't been a single bad person among the Stealers of Reason so far.

'Because even if it's ......, me and Rouge will never agree on that. If she's alive, sister Hailey (hey) is definitely on our side too. All of the 'Magic Stone Humans' (Jewelculus) hate researchers and scholars.

Hmm. My sister Hailey has a big vessel, so I think she'll be fine.

Sia tries to taste the black ”magic stone human (Jewelcruise)” noir that directs its disgust at me.

As for the story, it looks like she wants me to fill the party slot vacated by the id left out.

I look around the house to make sure there are no other people in the house before I listen.

'What the hell is the purpose of this gathering ...... in the first place?'

Including Glenn, who came with me, there are four of us here now.

I had heard that the party was hostile to Kanami, but I hadn't been able to get a concrete idea or purpose across yet.

The leader, Shea, answers that question without pause.

''What? We are a party of labyrinth explorers. So it's the 'deepest' part of the labyrinth, right?

The most important word I was talking about just a few moments ago in the depths of hell came up lightly.

Just the exact same word, but it seemed as if it was a different impression.

'Oh, your face!　I have a face that says I don't look like an explorer!　...... I'm often told that. But I've been cobbling together and leading the labyrinth search for a year now in search of the miracle of the 'deepest'. By now, I'm about an intermediate explorer. Hey, Noir-chan.

Yeah, I'm not so sure about that: ......

A searcher of the labyrinth.

A concept that did not exist a thousand years ago, but nowadays it is a term that is common in many places as a profession.

In the frontier areas, the labyrinth is rooted in the lives of the people.

I see. As a seeker, you are aiming for the deepest part of the frontier. You want to achieve your goal, even if it means clinging to a miracle. That's why you and Kanami-san are working against each other--

'No, I don't want a miracle that badly. So, simply Kanami's brother is a competitor and a good rival (rival)!

Nah, it's a lot of work .......

You're a great kid .......

Even I've been brave enough to finally stop saying the word ”enemy”. I'm in awe of ”Kanami-san's favored adversary (rival)” and have yet to utter it even once.

And yet, this girl had easily gotten over that barrier.

In addition, the noir behind her was trembling and beginning to spin a curse.

'Kaanamie ....... I'll never forgive that man alone. If only he wasn't ....... Somehow, I'll make you crawl in front of me ......!　I'll also make you apologize for killing Uncle Palinclone at Shea's. ......!

What had Kanami done to her?

I don't know, but she seemed to hold quite a grudge.

However, hearing the names of the people Noir gave out now, I can guess that the purpose of this group is faint.

The Palinclone Legacy is one of the most famous in The One Who Stole the Reason, a thousand years later.

'So Shea had his uncle killed by Mr. Kanami? In other words, this was a kind of enemy vendetta--

I don't hold a grudge. I know Kanami is an incredibly good person because she helped me once. I also know that Uncle Palinkulon is a worse person than her: ...... I feel a little sorry for him, but even I, as a family, think so.

It seems the only grudge is the black kid there.

Then what kind of feelings does Shea have, and what kind of feelings does he have to aim for the 'deepest'?

If she wants to continue her family's legacy, I can understand a little bit.

”I heard from Maria and Rai. The one who caused the 'Greatest Disaster' on the continent was Uncle Palinclone ...... and that he and Kanami happily killed each other from the bottom of his heart until his death.” ......

She seems to have a complicated relationship with Kanami.

When I take pity on her, even though she has no magical talent at all, she is burdened with a heavy fate - Shea screams at me to throw everything on her back, as if she's going to throw it on her back.

'So, in my mind, it's over!　I would venture to say that my top priority this time is to get my uncle's mementos back from Kanami-san!　What is it, ”The One Who Steals the Dark Reason” ......?　I'm angry because they took that magic stone pendant without my permission and with my own face!　I'm really puffy!