Vol 2 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2: Chaotic Labyrinth

——How many days had it been since he’d last left his room?

Silently, Stefan Klose pondered this question.

He was a subordinate of the “s.h.i.+nki who Supports the Heavens,” a young member of the Sky’s Oath Legion.

The youngest child of the acclaimed Klose military family, he’d attained a first rank adventurer qualification at the age of fifteen. At the time, he’d been bestowed with a great gift in recognition of his status as a prodigy: a celestial Dragon Fang weapon, one of only twelve.

During the tragedy a month prior, when Void Beasts from deep within the labyrinth had been teleported to higher levels, he’d lost all the members of his party.

Although he’d suffered grievous injury in the aforementioned incident, he’d nonetheless survived. Because the elites of the Oath Legions were few enough to begin with, the loss of his party had been sore indeed – something he had been held responsible for.

However, even as he’d been censured, he’d been shown some measure of sympathy.

The labyrinth was a world beyond human understanding. When something unexpected happened, it was impossible to guarantee the safety of even the most experienced of adventurers. Furthermore, witnesses had attested to the presence of a Void Dragon even. Stefan, though highly skilled, was yet young; to blame him for everything would be cruel, some had suggested.

The sympathy and criticism of others mattered to Stefan not a whit; he had simply debriefed his superiors and then placed himself under house arrest. Even after making a full recovery, that had not changed.

Truth be told, it wasn’t as if he felt it a matter of practicality nor was it part of some greater plan for the future. He’d simply lost all motivation to continue.

To be blunt, he just didn’t care one way or another.

His comrades were all gone.

The target for which he’d sought strength and power for so long was similarly gone. The man who had killed his master was dead.

As far as he was concerned, there was no reason to ever set foot in the labyrinth again. It felt meaningless to seek after Reliquia to offer the s.h.i.+nki.

Going further, he wasn’t even sure there was a need for him to continue on as a member of the Oath Legions.

If he were to withdraw, he’d likely be reprimanded by his house for damaging the family reputation, but he’d never cared about such things in the first place.

——These thoughts had consumed his mind for days. The situation continued, unchanging, when suddenly…

“Hey Stefan, feel up to a raid?”

Karsten asked the same question each time he visited.

He was a man in the prime of his life who wore his hair closely-cropped. His appearance would not have been out of place on a farmer selling vegetables in the marketplace, but he was a party leader of the Sky’s Oath Legion.

Rumor had it that he was the man responsible for suggesting that adventurers be recruited solely on basis of merit and not on who they knew or who their family was. This policy had been responsible for the growth of the Sky’s Oath Legion into the dominant force it was.

His words and manner might have made him seem a rather frivolous person, but he was very popular.

“…I’m still reflecting on my actions.”

“I know, I know. The problem is, something’s happened in the labyrinth again, and we need someone to scope out the situation. You’re fully healed, aren’t you?”

“My party is no more.”

“No problem. I have two new members to introduce to you.”

Stefan sighed.

“…I apologize, but I must decline.” In an even tone, he continued, “I’ve been thinking. What will I do next? What should I do next? I have yet to find an answer to that question, though. ——Lost as I am, I doubt I could be of any service to anyone.”

“Hmm…”

Karsten hawed and shook his head.

“This is pretty despicable of me, I have to admit, but I was going to have to let you know sooner or later…”

Stefan frowned. This was very much unlike Karsten’s normal, open self.

“What’s happened?”

“——To summarize the situation, the layout of the labyrinth seems to have been distorted. Neither the precise effects nor the scope of the phenomenon are known. Unfortunately, there were adventurers in the labyrinth at the time whose whereabouts are currently unknown. It’d be fantastic if they’re simply lost within, but the possibility that they are now trapped cannot be ruled out.”

Unfortunately for him, Karsten’s words hadn’t changed Stefan’s mind in the least. Suddenly, he was struck by a thought…

What was it that Karsten was having such difficulty voicing…? It couldn’t be——

“Yes. I see you understand.”

Seeing Stefan’s expression, Karsten nodded in confirmation.

“Your half-sister through your mother – the third-ranked cleric, Franka – is among those currently unaccounted for.”

Stefan headed to the city exit, toward the labyrinth entrance Karsten had indicated.

Each of the labyrinth entrances were currently watched by knights from the Church of the Five Holies, and closed off to any but those affiliated with the Oath Legions. They had judged the situation too dangerous for any but these most accomplished of adventurers.

Those standing guard recognized Stefan immediately, and so he pa.s.sed through unmolested.

He looked around, surveying his surroundings.

There was no small number of Oath Legion members a.s.sembled. The elites of each s.h.i.+nki’s Oath Legion had been summoned to investigate the situation, and they entered the labyrinth as he watched.

As he proceeded forward, cries of “Hey, look over there,” “Still alive, eh?”, and other such comments were heard.

The “genius” who had vanished from the public eye for the past month became the center of attention. Loudly, they called out insults and sarcastic comments which Stefan paid no heed as he made his way to the rendezvous point.

“Oh, hey, the Onii-san over there!”

Someone called out to him as he reached the corner just before the entrance itself, the designated spot.

A young girl was waving energetically at him. At her side was another young girl.

“Hey, hey, you – you’re Stefan Klose, right?” the girl asked, in a beautiful, clear voice.

She was a pet.i.te young girl of roughly fifteen or sixteen, with light, tawny hair and a bright, lively expression.

“…You guys are my new party members?”

“Whoa, amazing. So you’re just as cold as I’d heard!”

The girl giggled as Stefan frowned.

“You’re being rude, Lea…” the girl by her side remarked, in a subdued tone.

This girl looked to be about twenty or so, and was dressed in a long robe, with her long, black hair tied back behind her head. She was tall for a girl, but so slender she looked might break in two with a gust of wind. Hers was an ethereal beauty.

“Oh, my bad, my bad. You’re just so much like the rumors that I couldn’t help but say it out loud. ——But yeah, to answer your question, we’re new members of the Sky’s Oath Legion. I’m Lea. I’m a third-ranked support specialist. The frail girl by my side is Serafina, a third-ranked cleric. It’s a pleasure, Senpai.”

“…We’re in your care.”

“My name is Stefan Klose.”

Lea laughed aloud once more at his words.

“Yeah, I know that! You’re a famous person, you know? The youngest person to ever attain a first rank and a spear-user.”

“…”

Her estimation of him was too high by far. He was, after all, strongly considering giving up the adventurer mantle. He wanted to say as much, but realizing how childish such an action would be, he stopped.

“This is great, though. With you in our party, we don’t have anything to worry about. We’ve got this.”

Lea grabbed Stefan’s hand of her own accord, and shook it vigorously.

Although her words and manner were most brazen and ill-mannered… it was abundantly clear that she meant no harm. That was simply the kind of person she was.

Anyway, he was someone whose party had been annihilated under his watch. He didn’t have the right to be picky when it came to party members.

The girl ignored his reaction and continued to speak.

“I love to draw, so Serafina and I make a living mapping out the labyrinth. There’s only so much we can do with just the two of us, though.”

That was why the two had taken the exam for entrance into the Oath Legions, and eventually joined.

Of the maps and guides to each floor of the labyrinth, it was said that vast majority had been the handiwork of these two. Stefan personally relied on the Legion’s internal materials, so he’d never personally used anything they’d produced, but he’d nevertheless heard of them.

“Oh, by the way, let me just get the bad news out of the way first. I don’t want you to expect anything from us combat-wise. I’m pretty much only good at running away, but Serafina can be quite useful.”

“But… my Orisons… aren’t that battle-oriented…” Serafina whispered faintly, with her head bowed.

“We’re not here to fight anyway. Our priority is to investigate the abnormality.”

Lea nodded her head at Stefan’s words.

“Yeah, I’ve heard. Supposedly the layout of the labyrinth’s changed. The goal is to spread people out as much as possible and map the changes. That’s why we’re here. ——Oh, that reminds me. The situation’s already been explained to me; I’m to debrief you.”

Lea’s explanation could roughly be summarized in the following manner.

Currently, the stairways and roads of the Magna PortaGreat Gate had been thrown into disarray. The reason for anomaly was unclear, but something had warped s.p.a.ce, effectually rearranging the layout of the labyrinth.

When the phenomenon had occurred, clerics had reported having been struck by a strange feeling. Whatever it had been was undoubtedly the product of a ma.s.sive working of divine energy.

The changes began at the second floor, although it was unknown how far down the effect went.

From the initial reports, it seemed the habitats of the Void Beasts had also changed, although this had yet to be confirmed.

Moreover, it was currently unknown if the changes were purely temporary in nature or if they were lasting. Only time would tell, particularly whether or not it might occur again.

Lea finished her explanation without interruption. Stefan was stunned; her explanation was extremely well-done, and was both clear and detailed.

“Hmm… Things look pretty troublesome.”

Mapping out the labyrinth once more would be terribly time-consuming, and if, G.o.ddess forbid, the phenomenon should repeat itself, it was possible they would never return to the surface. Having come to this realization, more than a few adventurers had refused to enter.

(And that’s exactly why we have to do this.)

For all the adventurers trapped within who were desperately seeking a way back home.

“…Are you guys alright with this? The mission this time could prove quite dangerous.”

“There’s no such thing as a raid that isn’t dangerous. It’s okay. It’s precisely because it’s dangerous that we need to investigate the situation further, right? All of this is making my cartographer spirit burn, you know?”

Serafina nodded in agreement.

As far as Stefan was concerned, retreat was never an option.

“…Alright. Let’s enter the labyrinth now. You guys focus on drawing your maps, I’ll take care of any Void Beasts we run into. ——Let’s go.”

“S-So t-that’s why I’m s-scared.”

Edgar trembled.

“This is only the fourth floor, right? Void Beasts at this level should be pretty weak; there’s nothing to worry about.”

“But that caterpillar just now was huge,” Selim responded weakly.

“What’re we going to do if something even stronger than that comes out…?”

“Alfred-san will take care of it for us. Yuuki-sensei, you’ve been pretty useless until now, aha… ha.”

Edgar tried to laugh things off, but failed.

“…I want to go home…”

Selim’s words were almost a sob.

After the Void Beast had been killed, they’d continued forward once more. Unfortunately, the shock the two had suffered had been great.

Kaya, walking behind the two, also wanted to cry.

Although her reasons were different.

(What do I do? What do I do? It’s already started…)

Anxiety and fear had gripped her heart.

She didn’t know how he’d done it nor what his goal was, but she knew one thing – the changes to the labyrinth had been Jahar’s doing. The plan to kill Tina and Yuuki had already begun.

I don’t want to help. Let me go. Alas, escape wasn’t an option, leaving Kaya uncertain what she ought to do.

Interrupting her thoughts, a voice sounded in her head.

「——How are things on your end?」

“Ah——”

Kaya almost screamed. Frantically, she clasped both hands firmly over her mouth.

「N-Nothing’s really changed… I’m still together with Yuuki-sensei and Tina-san.」

「Where are you now?」

「On the fourth floor. We’re looking for the stairway to the next level.」

「You haven’t found it yet, though, right? Good. Looks like you guys are completely sealed in.」

Kaya felt like Jahar was laughing.

「W-What’s going on? Also, what’re you planning on doing next?」

「We’re still making preparations. I’m going to have to ask you to keep up what you’re doing already, s.h.i.+nki-sama. I need you to inform me immediately if you guys change floors. ——Oh, one other thing. I think you know this already, Kaya-chan, but let me remind you not to allow your true ident.i.ty to be discovered. If they find out who you really are, your end will be a tragic one. The predator will instead become the prey.」

「Oh…」

With that, the connection was severed.

The fear within her heart multiplied many-fold.

Kaya and Tina belonged to opposing factions, enemies in a struggle to the death. It didn’t matter how hard or how long Kaya thought on the matter, it wouldn’t change anything. To Tina, she was nothing more than a hated enemy.

Moreover, for the sake of victory, she was planning on ambus.h.i.+ng them.

If that secret were discovered, forget Tina and Yuuki, even Alfred and Franka, as well as Edgar and Selim – all would be disgusted by her actions.

And then… death would come. It was only fitting that such a fate would await one who had sought the lives of others.

A weak s.h.i.+nki – one who didn’t even have an Oath Legion under her, one who jumped at her own shadow and could never decide on a plan of action – had no hope for victory. So Jahar had informed her. The right to “choose” was a right belonging solely to the “strong.”

For that reason, Kaya had entered into an alliance with the “s.h.i.+nki who Scatters the Stars,” even knowing how unequal their relations.h.i.+p was. Kaya needed to labor diligently to improve their relations.h.i.+p, to serve her fellow s.h.i.+nki as best she could, and thus be rewarded for her efforts. This was her first priority. Kaya wasn’t good at dealing with Elfriede, but she needed to do her best here.

Jahar’s words were pretty much dead-on. These things were necessary to claim victory.

However, Kaya was afraid. Both of killing and of being killed.

Regardless of the morality of her actions, Kaya lacked the courage to trade her life for another’s.

“Something wrong, Kaya?”

A voice sounded in her ear. Tina had approached her without her noticing.

“You don’t look too good. Are you scared?”

“…”

Kaya didn’t know how to respond, so she nodded instead.

“Yeah, I understand. You don’t need to worry, though. We’ll make sure you guys get home safely. Although back on the surface, Master’s just a pretty pathetic merchant, but here in the labyrinth, he’s more than reliable.”

Looking at the young man in question, Tina’s expression was both proud and pleased.

“That goes for the two of you too, Edgar and Selim! There’s no need to look so down. If you’re never looking up, then life never will either.”

Tina looked pretty worn out herself. That notwithstanding, it looked like her primary concern was to cheer everyone else up, to help them all feel better.

Deep within Kaya’s heart, a feeling of guilt so strong that she couldn’t ignore it rose to the forefront.

“——Please wait just a second.”

Alfred gestured for them to stop.

The party drew to a halt.

When something unexpected occurred – such as running into a Void Beast – the haste of one’s actions determined life and death. Edgar and Selim understood this as well.

Luckily, it wasn’t a Void Beast that they’d encountered.

Yuuki walked to the front to see what had happened and made an unhappy p.r.o.nouncement.

“…This isn’t good. It’s the stairway down.”

Everyone well understood the reason for the gloom that settled over his face.

They’d already explored the entire area, and what they could reach of the fourth floor, they’d already seen. This corner had been all that was left.

However, this, their last hope, had revealed not the stairway up, but rather the stairway down.

“Sealed in” – Kaya remembered that those had been Jahar’s words.

“Heh. Looks like this labyrinth doesn’t want to see us leave. We haven’t heard anyone else make mention of the stairway up either.”

“I-It’s still too early to decide that. Maybe there’s a hidden room or road or something.”

“Even if there was, we have no idea where to even begin to look for such a thing. Anyway, we’d already taken that into consideration and having been watching carefully as we’ve made our way.”

“Oh…”

Yuuki’s responses made Franka lose hope as well.

“So what should we do now, Yuuki? Should we head down and take a look? Given the situation, the level of danger ought to be roughly the same no matter where we go.”

The rules binding stronger Void Beasts to lower levels was a thing of the past given present circ.u.mstances. Whether they stayed on this floor or descended further, the danger they faced was more or less the same.

“Yeah, you’re right. It’s just that I have a bad feeling about heading further down. It’s almost like we’d be playing right into someone’s hands.”

Kaya knew just how accurate his a.s.sessment was, but she, of course, said nothing.

Yuuki thought for a moment before deciding.

“Alright, let’s take the stairs.”

“Is that okay?”

“Nothing will change if we simply wait here. ——Are you still okay to go on, Kaya?”