“—Seldra Queenfilion surrendered herself to the flow.”
Therefore, nothing else will happen. From Cork, a port town on the Mainland, to Griad, the Allied Nations’ Frontier.
Without incident, the great ship convoy sailed the sea.
Even at sea, the festival continued day and night. The feast was perfect. By passing through the territorial waters of various countries, all sorts of shackles were shaken off more thoroughly than by land routes. Even the feuding knights of the South and North, for this time only, forgot their grudges and deepened their exchanges.
The further they advanced, the more the great ship convoy expanded in every sense. As they made port calls in coastal towns, their numbers increased, and by loading new guests and royalty, their prestige grew. The festive atmosphere spread not only across the continent but also to the islands of the great oceans, expanding further.
And the final destination of that voyage was the Allied Nations.
—Under the brilliant midday sun, the great ship convoy reached the largest port in Griad.
The welcome from the Allied Nations was as grand as that of the Mainland towns. Ships lined up, filling the nearby sea, firing celebratory cannons. The standing fleet rhythmically fired in succession, like playing music. Following that, cheers echoed from the city beyond, and fireworks were launched from the four countries besides Griad. These were not gunpowder-based, but special magic fireworks. Stars of a thousand colors twinkled, adorning the blue sky. It was less like flowers blooming in the sky and more like scattering the contents of a jewelry box onto a blue canvas.
Immediately after, magical snow began to fall. The scattered jewels descended until they were within reach. It was a fantastical sight that seemed to be the main event, captivating everyone. This phenomenon, unique to the Otherworld fireworks festival, used more magic than gunpowder.
Amidst this magical snow, which could be called a blizzard of magic rather than a shower of flowers, the passengers of the great ship convoy set foot on the land of the Allied Nations. The falling magical snow adhered to their skin in light flurries, but it was not cold. Unlike Hidaki’s Winter Otherworld, it did not accumulate. It was at this moment, when I thought this was truly a ‘Winter Otherworld’ in the literal sense—
—at that moment, with a *thump*.
I closed the book instead of turning the page.
“…Haa.”
Severing the ‘Purple Thread’ that had connected me, I sighed. Until now, I had felt the festival through Seldra’s perspective, but that was no longer necessary. Seldra had entrusted everything to me. For several days, I had been continuously spreading not only the excitement of the festival but also convenient rumors through remote magic, and no one had appeared to stop it. Such a massive flow could no longer be stopped by anyone.
In accordance with the ‘Purple Thread,’ I also ceased all my magic for the time being. Then, to experience the story with my own eyes and ears, I looked around.
It was the continuation of the book. The port town of Griad in the Allied Nations, where magical snow was falling, spread out before me. Of course, it was completely different from how I knew it. The sea was crowded with ship convoys, and on land, sailors and priests rushed about busily. Travelers, in a festive mood, were disembarking, happily discussing the festival events in the Allied Nations.
As the ‘Final Festival,’ I thought it was an ideal scene. Aristocrats, commoners, travelers, beastmen, Magic Stone Humans, knights, priests—regardless of their positions, nationalities, or races, everyone was gathered, trying their best to enjoy the ‘Final Festival.’
Incidentally, the carriages we arrived in were also being unloaded. However, in this crowded port, it seemed it would take time to reassemble the procession. So, we, the main performers of the triumphant return, were taking a short break in the shadow of a warehouse in a corner of the port. It seemed to be an area restricted to authorized personnel, with many Guild operators and priests around, but no ordinary people.
There, Seldra and Kuuneru were conversing about something. Since they weren’t far, I eavesdropped. Kuuneru, being older, was skillfully making self-serving proposals regarding the detailed arrangements for this triumphant return, and Seldra was countering to avoid losing control of the pace. Seeing the two of them getting along so well, I felt even more at ease.
“Despite everything, it looks like it’ll work out…”
The ‘Plan’ was disrupted by the boy Neil and Glen. However, the ‘adjustment’ for that deviation has now been completed. Or rather, I, who am accustomed to losing, had planned for these ‘adjustments’ from the start. As soon as one planned ‘adjustment’ was completed, the next one was already scheduled. From behind a corner in the port town, the priests of Fuziaze emerged as a group. Walking at the center was Fedelt, the representative who was overseeing a large part of this ‘Final Festival.’ He was a reliable adult who had helped me many times during Griad’s reconstruction, and he was here to help me again.
“We have been waiting for you, Kanami-sama. We will report immediately. Regarding the search for Noir and Shira Legacy, we were unable to find them. We apologize.”
The request I made before departing the Blood Land was being fulfilled. I shook my head at Fedelt, who bowed deeply.
“As I said when I made the request, I only wanted you to confirm that they were not found, so please don’t worry about it. More importantly, what about Sera’s situation?”
“As Kanami-sama predicted, Sera Radiant alone has not responded to the summons of the Seven Knights of Heaven for the ‘Final Festival.’ It appears she has been continuously missing since leaving the defense line of the Blood Land. Around the same time, three individuals from the Allied Nations, Dear, Snow, and Maria, also disappeared. Here is the investigation report.”
Upon Fedelt’s report, I expanded Dimension across the Allied Nations. However, it was only to confirm that Rainer and the others had not been captured.
—Frankly, I no longer trust either Dimension or the ‘Purple Thread.’ Magic is a convenient power. Seldra and the others even see it as the power of an omniscient god. However, it is not absolute. Even though Hidaki utilized it, the ‘White Thread’ was completely overcome by Tiara. Therefore, I believe that my powers, such as Dimension, Future Sight, Past Sight, and the ‘Purple Thread,’ can also be broken at crucial moments. In fact, Sera and the others have managed to escape Dimension.
What I should rely on is not my own magic. I trust the information meticulously gathered by my comrade Fedelt through his diligent investigation more than anything else and express my gratitude.
“Thank you very much, Fedelt-san. For fulfilling my request.”
“It’s all for Fuziaze. If Kanami’s ‘Future Sight’ showed them interfering with the ‘Final Festival,’ I wanted to capture them preemptively…”
Fedelt answered with a regretful tone, his patriotism unwavering.
I quickly scanned Fedelt’s report, holding my book to my side. Noticing my serious expression, Seldra and the others, who had been a little farther away, gathered around.
“Hey, Kanami. That confirmation just now… Even you can’t find Snow and the others?”
“Don’t worry, Seldra. I gathered companions for this very moment. …Soon, the last of my companions will arrive here too.”
After laughing it off to reassure them, I turned my gaze back to the shadows from which Fedelt had emerged.
An elderly Apostle hurried out.
The moment his eyes met mine, he cried out with joy.
“Oh, Kanami! You were here after all!”
It was Diplakla. Unlike Fedelt, he had no escort. He must have rushed here alone. He soon explained the reason himself.
“I’ve already heard the report that the ‘Fafnir Hermina Capture Operation’ was successful! The ‘Final Festival’ has also begun as planned! But what’s this rumor about you reaching the ‘Deepest Part’ at the end of this festival!? Some people are expecting you to become the ‘Ruler of the World’! I haven’t heard anything about this!”
He pressed me with a surprised and excited expression. It was precisely because his face showed everything so clearly that I couldn’t tell Diplakla…
Since it was difficult for me to say, I left the explanation to Apostle Sis, who was behind me.
“You’re here, Diplaklaaa! Ahahahaha! You finally know! Yes, yes, that’s right. Kanami and I have been secretly advancing the ‘Plan’ together! And not just a simple handover, but a ‘Plan’ to become a more perfect, a higher-ranking ‘Ruler of the World’!”
“A *higher-ranking* one…?!”
“Of course! Just switching over at the ‘Deepest Part’ as the ‘Ruler of the World’ wouldn’t be the true salvation of our Master, would it?! We *need* Kanami to fundamentally solve the flaws in the star’s circulation system! For example, by becoming the vessel to contain all the ‘Demonic Poison’ himself!”
“That’s the culmination of the original ‘Thief of Principles’ plan…?!”
“Yes! By eliminating all future worries after the handover, that is the true role of an Apostle! I’m sure I’ll be the one praised the most if I meet our Master now! Ahahahaha!”
Sis stated triumphantly, striking a peace sign after her joyous laughter. Compared to a thousand years ago, her gestures seemed heavily influenced by Tiara and Dia.
“In other words, Diplakla! The competition is my victory! The best Apostle is me! The Apostle of Justice is also me! Do you have anything to say for yourself!?”
“…Hmph. Indeed. You win. And I lose. Well done, Sis.”
Diplakla nodded in agreement. Even though there was no competition, there was a clear look of regret on his face as an Apostle. However, the joy seemed to outweigh it. He nodded repeatedly, savoring the fulfillment of his long-held vow.
“In any event, it’s finally over… The story of the ‘Foreigners’ and the ‘Apostles,’ which has continued for so long since a thousand years ago… Yes, yes, yes! Sis, you truly did well! As a fellow Apostle, I am proud of you!”
“Right? …But, somehow, it feels a little different than I initially expected. Is it because I’ve changed?”
Sis, fiddling with her peace sign fingers, blushed. According to her plan, she intended to taunt a stomping Diplakla to her limit. However, she seemed confused that she had no desire to do so.
Leaving the unusual expression of Sis behind, Diplakla turned back to me. This time, he was quiet and solemn, with a composure befitting an Apostle.
“Kanami, you’ve been progressing properly, haven’t you? When that ‘final battle’ ended that day, you didn’t abandon us, did you?”
“I apologize for making you worry. There was a reason I absolutely had to keep it hidden from you, Diplakla.”
“Yes, I understand. Even if I wasn’t informed, as long as things were progressing, that is enough. If the world is saved, nothing else matters. Do not concern yourself with me—”
His eyes welled up with tears. This was an emotion that surprised even his colleague, Sis.
“Di-, Diplakla…”
Sis immediately composed herself. Recognizing Diplakla as a true comrade, she began to speak about the ‘Plan’.
“Diplakla, I’ll tell you about the new ‘Price’ early. First, once this ‘Final Festival’ ends, Kanami will be ‘erased from existence.’ Both past and future, forever. This will be the ‘Price’ for his very existence, allowing him to become a higher-dimensional ‘Ruler of the World.’ This also fulfills the two conditions of ‘Eternal World Residency’ and ‘World Salvation,’ which were the ‘Price’ for summoning the Aikawa Siblings. Can you feel the connection now?”
“…Hmm. Indeed, the transaction with the ‘World’ appears to be proceeding normally.”
“Honestly, we Apostles have walked an incredibly twisted path to reach this point… But all of that will be resolved by this ‘Final Festival.’ Just as I’ve always said, Kanami will become the sacrifice to save the world. He told me he would gladly be the foundation. So this current path will never stop. I won’t let it.”
“With this, the contamination from the ‘Demonic Poison’ will finally end, won’t it? And all of our roles as Apostles…”
“Yes. We Apostles no longer need to worry. Our Master will also be freed from that hell. However, the ‘Foreigner’ we summoned in his place… from now on… will continue to watch over *all* souls, alone, in that place… ……”
Sis hesitated to continue. However, I corrected her sense of responsibility.
“Sis, I’m not becoming the ‘Ruler of the World’ because someone told me to. I’m moving forward because this is a step towards being ‘happy’ with Rustiara. …Thank you very much for summoning me to this Other World. It’s thanks to you that I met Rustiara, my ‘One and Only Destined Person’.”
“……!”
With those words, Shis looked down.
Without meeting my eyes, she pointed her fingertip in a certain direction.
“Even after saving the world, never stop. Keep going further than I could reach, and achieve *happiness* with Rustiara Fuziaze. …You must. If you don’t, I won’t forgive you.”
I looked in the direction Shis’s fingertip was pointing.
Though blocked by buildings that looked like warehouses, I knew a labyrinth lay beyond.
“I will. I will surely achieve *happiness*. …Diplakla, I will enter the labyrinth immediately. I intend to go straight to the *Deepest Part* and place the Connection. I will call everyone to protect me and finalize this Changing of the Guard ceremony.”
“Protect… meaning intruders will appear. Those who don’t wish for you to be an ‘un-event’ will come to interfere. Yes, you can see it with your *Future Sight*.”
“Yes, they will appear. That is the only significant opening I can create.”
In reality, the ceremony involved not only the succession of the ‘Lord of the World’ but also the subsequent ‘Magic Kanami’.
Noi and I had meticulously planned the ritual, a *Contract* that could not be revealed to the Apostles.
“While I am in the labyrinth, Shis and Seldra will continue their triumphal return.”
My body was continuously oriented towards the labyrinth.
However, I gestured towards the carriage currently being prepared for the others.
“Indeed, a triumphal return is also an important ceremony. It seems preparations are complete on that front, Fedelt.”
“Certainly, Lord Diplakla. There have been no delays whatsoever up to this point.”
Nearly everything had been decided in advance through the *Plan*.
And it was proceeding as planned.
Therefore, there was very little for Diplakla to do now.
“It is best to entrust the Allied Nations’ festival to Fedelt. In regard to Revannism, Shis’s ‘True History Faction’ now seems more essential than my ‘Reformist Faction’. …Kanami, should I accompany you to the labyrinth now that I have free time?”
“Please stay on the ground and assist with the triumphal return, Diplakla. Frankly, the monsters in the latter half of the labyrinth are strong and troublesome. It’s a dangerous place, one that I can only now reach.”
Even if the ‘Apostles’ are strong, they possess abundant magic power but are amateurs in combat.
If surrounded by monsters near the ninety-ninth floor, there’s a possibility they couldn’t defend themselves.
As Diplakla nodded in understanding, a companion waiting behind me began to voice her opinion.
“Yes, yes, yes! I’m free too, but I’m not going to the labyrinth! I’ll never go to a place with such a high risk of death until I die!”
“I understand. That’s why I gave the magic stones to the sanitation workers, right? Kuuneru, I want you to stay with Rouge as planned. As a figurehead of the *North-South Allied Nations*, she must be having all sorts of troubles.”
“Understood! Yay, everything’s totally according to plan for me! As expected, I love being by Rouge-chan’s side the most! Wait for me, my lovely, lovely puppet Rouge-chan!”
With that as a farewell, Kuuneru hastily ran towards the carriage procession.
Seldra, following behind her, called out before leaving.
“I’ll go with the flow and enjoy this triumphal return… But once it’s over and the Connection is established, call me immediately. I’ve decided to cooperate with you wholeheartedly.”
“I’m counting on you… But it’s also important to relax and enjoy yourself. I want you to gradually fulfill Seldra’s vow for your homeland.”
“Yeah, I’ll definitely enjoy myself. Otherwise, there’s no point in Kanami paying such a *Price*…!”
Even though I told him to relax, Seldra left with a stern expression.
The two Apostles followed, simply saying, “‘Deepest Part’.”
Finally, Fedelt bowed and left with a group of priests.
I followed the backs of those companions with my gaze.
Conveniently, I could see the procession lining up in the distance.
My companions boarded the grandest carriage among them.
The disembarkation process was finally complete, and the triumphal return was about to resume.
The populace gathered at the port buzzed with anticipation for the festival’s restart—and then, I looked away.
In a forgotten corner of the port, away from the cheers, I spoke to the girl who had stayed with me in the shadow of a warehouse.
“Well then, let’s go, sanitation worker.”
“……”
Behind the triumphal return, the two of us headed towards the labyrinth.
I beckoned to her, the girl wearing a mask, but she didn’t move readily.
“Someday, Neale will surely come to me. So, you should stay by my side. …Besides, the place we’re heading to is the *Lowest Level*, the same as your hometown. I think you’ll be more at ease in the labyrinth than on the surface.”
“……”
Using our shared interests, I made my offer, and she gave a small nod.
She, too, seemed to see only one person left, though her ‘Tampering’ score differed from mine.
We moved stealthily, from one shadow to another, towards the labyrinth.
Even then, the shadows were filled with people, and truly secluded spots were few.
As skilled as I am at evading people’s gazes, the cleaning lady was currently equipped with the cheat item, Tiada’s mask.
Along the way, several people’s eyes met mine.
However, no one recognized me as Aikawa Kanami. No, they might have suspected it. But, this was the triumphant return of the heroes, the main event of the festival. No one bothered to call out to confirm.
In other words, that’s how it is.
As long as a proper substitute is in place, I’m not indispensable.
With that reaffirmed, we… arrived in front of the labyrinth entrance.
Come to think of it, this was my first time entering the labyrinth from the Griad country’s side.
However, it looked much the same as the entrances in Valt or Fuziaze countries.
A “Magic Stone Line” ran through a cave-like hole, and several knights stood guard. A chain-like barrier, similar to caution tape, was strung across the entrance, completely sealing it off.
It would be impossible for ordinary people to enter.
But we are not ordinary people.
It was easy to sneak in using Dimensional Magic, avoiding the knights’ eyes. I lightly distorted space, causing the knights to feel dizzy, and then shortened the distance itself.
He walked normally, and the cleaner and I passed the “No Entry” tape and entered.
—And then, the first floor of the Labyrinth.
The damp stone corridor was dim and smelled strongly of mold.
The interior was exactly the same as when I entered through another entrance.
It was time for some nostalgic Labyrinth exploration.
I followed the “Seidō” where the “Magic Stone Line” ran and headed straight in.
Behind me, the cleaner walked, looking curiously at the surroundings.
“This is the purification facility for the ‘Demonic Poison’ after a thousand years…. It looks similar to Fanian’s institute?”
“It’s similar, that’s why I wanted you to come. I think there might be improvements that only you can see, so please take a good look. …Actually, I could have used a shortcut with a Connection, but everything disappeared when I fought my sister, so I apologize for that.”
In the past two months, Connections have been established in various parts of the continent.
However, all of them were for reconstruction purposes, and none were installed in the depths of the Labyrinth.
Today, it had to be cleared normally.
Going from the first floor to the hundredth floor recalled the memory of rushing up from the 66th floor to the ground.
It was undoubtedly hard work and would take time.
However, in case this final exploration took several days, the “Final Festival” was scheduled with plenty of time and a flexible, extended schedule.
As I walked, feeling relieved compared to the “Blood Land” I had just left, I spotted a monster a short distance from the “Seidō.”
“That is…”
It was a beast-type monster.
It was about two meters tall.
Its fur was a vibrant green, and it had ferocious fangs—a wolf.
I had seen it before.
I had fought it before.
It was the Giant Wolf, the monster that was my first boss monster encounter in the Labyrinth.
It was the monster that had almost killed the Labyrinth’s creator, and it was one of the reasons I had this burn scar on my left cheek.
“Nostalgic.”
I couldn’t help but voice my thoughts.
In reality, there were ways to cut through monsters and paths by consuming a large amount of magic power.
The polite reason was that I had a companion, the cleaner, with me now… but that wasn’t it.
—This would be my last Labyrinth exploration.
So, I ‘gazed’ at the monster with nostalgia.
[Monster] Emerald Fang: Rank 7
For some reason, I felt like trying to deal the maximum damage one last time.
However, the cleaner’s gaze behind me was painful, so I held back.
“……”
Her spirit of animal protection was strong. She probably wouldn’t think it was good to unnecessarily kill a monster that wasn’t approaching me due to the “Seidō.”
“Shall we move on? The path is long.”
I avoided wasting unnecessary stamina and magic power.
—Once I decided that, the time spent didn’t amount to much.
Without taking much time, we reached the second floor.
Since we were following the “Seidō,” we rarely encountered monsters.
It was an exploration of simply continuing to walk on the “Seidō,” which dimly lit the dark corridor.
Thanks to the two months of entrance closure, there were no other adventurers.
I had prepared it so that nothing would happen, but it had become a remarkably quiet exploration.
By this point, I was completely detached from the lively clamor of the “Final Festival” on the surface.
And so, I continued walking with nostalgia, reaching the third floor.
As we proceeded to the fourth and fifth floors—
“Haa…”
I let out a deep breath.
I wasn’t tired.
I had gotten plenty of sleep and rest during the intervals of my triumphant return.
Even though I had maintained the “Purple Thread” for a long time and used remote magic extensively, my HP and MP were full now.
That was precisely why, as relief piled upon relief, I let out a deep sigh.
Now, with the cleaner quietly and casually exploring the Labyrinth together, there was something I could finally begin to grasp.
The flow of the “Plan” was close to the best outcome among the futures I had envisioned.
Although I had unintentionally let Fafnir Helvishein and Glen Walker escape, that much was even appreciated.
Even I knew I was twisted, but it was precisely because things were deviating that I felt relieved.
I wanted things to go smoothly, but too much smoothness was frightening.
I wanted things to go well, but too much success was hard to believe.
Of course, though.
There were not only unexpected negatives but also unexpected positives.
Now, there was the cleaner behind me.
I had “connected” with her once, and we had communicated our hearts.
As long as she was fixated on Fafnir, our interests aligned, making her a companion in a pseudo-“Contract.”
Her abilities were more suited to being the “Labyrinth Master” than anyone else’s.
Like Seldra and Kuuneru, she was one of the living legends who continued to research with Hermina Neisha.
From now on, I would be concentrating on magic construction in the “Deepest Part” and wouldn’t be able to attend to other matters.
During that time, I wanted to leave the Labyrinth’s management to her.
Blood manipulation—no, gene manipulation was suitable for controlling, manipulating, and placing monsters in the Labyrinth.
Her unique communication abilities were also powerful.
She wasn’t simply good at raising monsters. She could communicate even with those who had lost their sanity, which is why she was so valued at “The Seventh Demon Obstacle Research Institute.”
She would surely improve the dungeon further, making it more formidable than Shiso Kanami a thousand years ago. After the story ends, it’s a classic trope for a dungeon to have recolored, powered-up monsters. And that, everyone—
“Dia and the others will conquer it. They’ll fight their way through floor by floor, cooperating with Maria and Snow. Rustiara, isn’t it interesting? I find it a lot of fun. Hahaha. It’s fun, Rustiara—”
“G-G-Guro-sama…?”
I pushed forward through the Labyrinth’s darkness.
Flipping through the book in my hand, I laughed while reading the “Plan” written within.
Indeed, the addition of new companions was always welcome.
Frankly, with just Seldra, the “Thief of Nothingness,” the Labyrinth’s defenses were already impregnable.
However, starting with Noi, the former “Thief of the Principles of Dimensions,” and her Apostles, Shis and Diplakla, as well as Kuuneru and Fedelt, who are skilled in country management, are cooperating with the “Plan.”
Adding the cleaner makes seven.
Seven strong companions to protect me.
The path ahead is dark, but I have no worries.
By this point, the only light source is the faint glow of the surrounding stones—but I can no longer even see that, so it’s not a problem.
Ever since I fought Seldra, my vision has been distorted and shifted, making everything look like coffee with colorful paints dripped in and stirred, rather than being underwater.
However, as if a transparent memory photo were placed on top of this distorted vision, Rustiara’s figure is always visible.
—The One and Only Destined Person is visible.
As long as that’s the case, I’m fine.
All I have to do is keep moving forward towards her.
Even if it’s dark, if I keep moving forward, forward, forward, Rustiara will be waiting for me.
No matter how painful and difficult it may be, a future with Rustiara will await me someday.
“Ahaha.”
So, whether things are going smoothly, according to plan, or well.
—It doesn’t really matter.
Either way, I’ll just keep moving forward.
That alone will get me there someday, so it doesn’t matter.
It may be a contradiction, but it’s not a contradiction.
I just keep descending, descending, descending, and as long as I continue to move towards Rustiara, I can feel Rustiara. It doesn’t matter if she’s the Protagonist or the antagonist. I just want to feel Rustiara. I just want to reach her. I just want us two to be happy—
“When the eyes of others disappear, the priestess’s symptoms worsen… No, was it when there were eyes that they were worsening? …It’s the same as me. She can’t calm down anywhere but the bottom of this dark labyrinth.”
“Hahahahaha—”
What a simple answer.
I want to show the me of a few months ago, the me who was despairing, the me of now.
The me of now can say it loudly.
If I just muster a little courage, The One and Only Destined Person is within reach—
If I abandon everything, the dead Rustiara will return—
That’s what I want to tell them.
I can no longer see anything due to the Curse.
My body feels heavy from the overwhelming Price.
It’s sad and painful, yet the continuation of the story is fun, pleasant, and my body feels light.
I will repeat that I’m fine and keep moving forward. I will reach the Deepest Part, become the new Lord of this World, and continue saving this world. I will save and save and save, and beyond that— I want to meet Rustiara. Ah, I want to meet her. I absolutely want to meet her. Someday I will meet Rustiara, and then—
“—Huh?”
Faced with this anomaly, I froze and closed the book in my hand.
An anomaly that forced even me, who had been narrowed down, to stop in my tracks appeared before me.
Even with my distorted vision, I can clearly see it.
My current location is the 9th floor of the Labyrinth.
In front of the stairs at the end of it.
The anomaly was the heat rising from the hole leading to the 10th floor—
Something was burning ahead, and an abnormal amount of heat was overflowing.
The magic power accompanying that heat was repelling all magical interference.
This was clearly not part of the Plan.
But my actions don’t change. I can’t change them anymore.
Without thinking, I descend the stairs.
A gust of hot wind swirled up from below, making my bangs flap and my body lose its balance.
It wasn’t enough to make me stop.
Without caring, I pushed forward.
—And then, the 10th floor.
Flames burning as far as the eye could see.
It was so bright it blinded me.
It was a brightness that seemed to mock me, who had been repeating how dark it was until just moments ago.
It felt as if I were standing on the sun.
And in the center of the floor, a particularly large pillar of flame was rising.
Crackling like a campfire.
In front of the flames, a girl was crouched down, facing away from it, in a sitting position.
She must have sensed that we had entered the 10th floor.
The girl stood up and turned around.
Her black hair swayed as she turned her cursed cloth-covered face towards me and opened her mouth.
“—Kanami.”
Maria was waiting for me.
She must have waited here for a very long time.
Perhaps she had just woken up from a nap.
After a small yawn, she smiled.
—This is strange.
There shouldn’t have been anything on the 10th floor. The Guardian, The One Who Steals the Logic of Fire, Arti, should have disappeared, leaving behind a cold, vast stone room.
However, it was pulsating vibrantly, as if its master had returned.
My mind, which had been completely dark, was forcibly turned blank.
A clear voice echoed through my blank mind.
“What do you call this situation? I’ve been reading magic history books nonstop lately, so I can’t seem to find the right words. Unlike everyone else, I’m not very knowledgeable about entertainment books…”
She chuckled and removed the cursed cloth, looking at me.
Our eyes met.
Her magical eyes, condensed from flames, burned beneath her eyelids.
With eyes that were no longer hollow, she looked at me.
Thump.
I heard a loud beat of my heart.
It wasn’t my chest.
I wasn’t thinking about anything anymore, nor was I feeling anything. There was nothing to leap.
The heartbeat came from Maria.
She placed her hand on her chest, sensing someone, just like me.
With a soul that would never again lie, she continued her words.
“—Welcome, Kanami. This, this tenth floor, is the 110th floor. The floor of Maria, The One Who Steals the Logic of Fire. You may consider this the 110th floor, not hastily made or borrowed without permission. And I would like you to undergo The 110th Ordeal, sooner than anyone else.”
Maria bowed grandly.
Her gesture reminded me of a Guardian from long ago.
“O-One H-Hundred… T-Ten…?”
Various questions were surfacing.
However, the most unbelievable thing was the number.
As the creator of the Labyrinth, I couldn’t help but tremble as I spoke about such arbitrary actions.
The final battle of Chapter 9 begins.
Even though this is the end of the chapter, the fates of Fafnir and Seldra remain unresolved.
All remaining Thieves of Principles will be resolved or disappear simultaneously in Chapter 10.
This means Chapter 9 was essentially a build-up chapter. I sincerely apologize for the deception…
The usual acceleration of posts at the end of a chapter… I apologize for this as well.
I’m still unsure about the transition into Chapter 10, so I think I’ll proceed slowly.
