Here’s the English translation of the provided text:
**Side: Maruca**
Since Wing Crest was looking for Labyrinths like the Solpreza Labyrinth in Valentia, my husband, King Rai of Amister, introduced us to this Instant Labyrinth. As a condition, we were allowed to accompany them, but the Instant Labyrinth is a young Labyrinth, only about ten years old, and we knew nothing about its depths beyond the fourth floor.
Given that B-rank Monsters appeared from the first floor, it was thought to be at most ten floors deep. Yet, the deepest layer has just been discovered, and I never imagined I’d be present to witness it.
“We’ve inadvertently confirmed the Guardian’s Chamber, but this presents a difficult decision,” Rai mused, clearly troubled. Considering his position as King, he was undoubtedly right.
“I believe we’re in agreement that it should be cleared, both as Hunters and as King. However, considering what the Guardian turns out to be, even Yamato and his group will likely struggle.”
Slay, the leader of the Gracious Lynx and the leader of the Instant Labyrinth Investigation Alliance, also wore a troubled expression. For Slay’s Alliance, confirming the deepest layer alone made this Alliance a great success. Naturally, defeating the Guardian would be ideal, but it’s difficult to face such an opponent. After all, the Guardian of the Instant Labyrinth was the A-C Rank Monster, Mithril Colossus.
“About that, we intend to fight,” I said, looking at Yamato. “Yeah. We didn’t originally plan to clear it, but since we’ve come this far, Amister would want to obtain the Labyrinth Core here, wouldn’t it?”
“Indeed, that’s true, but the Guardian is Mithril Colossus, you know? While it has a body of Magic Silver, like Mithril Puppet and Mithril Golem, considering it’s a Catastrophe Species, its hardness is likely above Jade Silver. It might even surpass Divine Metal.”
Rai and Slay’s concern stemmed not only from it being a Catastrophe Species but also, primarily, from its hardness. While it has a Magic Silver body, its hardness rivals Jade Silver, let alone normal Mithril Puppets, higher-class Mithril Dolls, rare Mithril Golems, and aberrant Mithril Gargoyles. Furthermore, it’s unfair that it constantly uses High Class or greater magic without suffering magic fatigue or degradation. And yet, the Magic Silver obtained upon defeat is no different from ordinary Magic Silver, making the rewards meager for the effort. Of course, being Magic Silver, it sells for a decent price.
“We’ve taken that into account. Besides, Prim and I can’t go all out unless we have an opportunity like this.”
“I’ve also modified the Unique Magic I used in the Solpreza Labyrinth, so this is the perfect opponent to test it out.”
…I wonder what these two are even talking about? I mean, they can defeat Demise Species solo, so it’s understandable they wouldn’t go all out against ordinary monsters. And modifying Unique Magic implies they want to test if it’s complete, right? And Mithril Colossus is the perfect opponent for that? I absolutely don’t understand what they’re saying!
“N-no, wait. What are you two talking about?”
“Mithril Colossus is an A-C Rank Monster! Even with alloy weapons, it would require dozens of High Class individuals to defeat. And you think that Mithril Colossus is the perfect opponent?”
Indeed, Slay and Caesar also didn’t understand a word they were saying. This is a natural reaction, but Wing Crest let out a deep sigh, weariness etched on their face, as if to say “it’s no use stopping them.”
“We’ll run if it looks bad. Though, we don’t plan on losing.”
“Exactly. Besides, it’s good to know the Guardian’s power, isn’t it?”
That’s undoubtedly true, but if you’re the ones fighting, it won’t be of any use to us.
“Alright. But if things get dangerous, we retreat immediately. No arguments,” Rai sighed, resigned, but not forgetting to set conditions. However, I doubt these two will listen.
“Rai, isn’t it pointless?”
“I know. But if I don’t say it, they might just charge in by themselves. Besides, I’m curious about the Guardian, too.”
Elis seemed to share my doubt, but Rai felt the same way. Still, it’s good that he prevented them from barging in alone while leaving us behind.
“Slay, what will you do? You can’t use Escaping in the Guardian’s Chamber, so if you’re going to withdraw, now is the time.”
“I’m very curious about their true strength. So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to accompany them. Of course, I’ll provide support.”
Everyone in the Alliance seemed very interested in the full power of an Ancient Class. I understand that feeling, but these two, who can even do the impossible for a Grand Hunter’s Master, are hardly good role models. They might end up disheartened instead. Also, regarding support, while Slay’s support would normally be welcome, against Yamato and Prim, it would only be a hindrance, unfortunately.
“Rai, shouldn’t you tell them about that?”
“It’s not something I want to spread, but given the situation, it can’t be helped.”
“That thing, you mean?”
Yamato and Prim both conspicuously averted their gazes, which I took as a sign they understood perfectly what was about to be said.
“Do you know about the Alliance in N, about a month ago?”
“Yes. It’s said that the Orc King and Orc Queen appeared and paired up. I heard it was successful?”
“There’s more to that story. Or rather, it should be said that the original story was downplayed to become that one.”
“Yes?”
“N-no, please wait, Your Majesty. The Orc King and Orc Queen pairing up is a huge problem in itself! Isn’t abandoning N a situation that requires emergency consideration?”
“Y-yes. What do you mean by a downplayed story?”
Plum and El are confused, and the other members are similarly bewildered. It’s true that the King and Queen mating is a massive issue, and the Provincial Governor reported that abandoning N was considered.
“There’s no doubt the King and Queen were there. However, there were actually two Kings and three Queens. Furthermore, reports indicate there were two Princes and six Princesses, and their corpses were confirmed at the Hunter’s Guild in N.”
“…Huh?”
“Not only that, but the ones who actually paired up were the Orc Emperor and the Orc Empress. Their corpses were also confirmed in N, and their Magic Stones were presented, so there’s no mistake.”
“…”
They’ve gone silent. I hope they haven’t fainted standing up.
“This story isn’t over yet.”
“T-there’s more!?”
Yes, there is.
“It is said that Yamato and Prim here defeated that Orc Emperor and Orc Empress individually. The Orders and Holy Graves of N, who participated in the Alliance, confirmed this with their own eyes.”
“!? ”
Eyes like that of inhuman beings were fixed on Yamato and Prim, but they merely averted their gaze, not escaping the stares. Their Evasion Skill has improved, it seems.
“A D-demise species, solo…”
“I-impossible…”
“Even when I first heard the report, I had no idea what they were talking about. But the Magic Stones were presented, and I confirmed the corpses when I visited N.”
Both I and Elis had the chance to see the corpses of the Demise Species. As reported, they had a massive blue body with dragon wings, but what was most striking was their presence. Seeing it, even as a corpse, I couldn’t believe it was something that could be dealt with.
“Therefore, we do not believe Yamato and Prim will be outmatched by Mithril Colossus. Given the opponent, they will likely struggle.”
“Additionally, the Guardian of the Solpreza Labyrinth is an A-rank Gold Dragoon. Its roar contained magic that would paralyze us, yet it was ineffective against these two, and they defeated it quite easily.”
Not only Rai but also Elis and I don’t believe Yamato and Prim will lose. Mana added details about the Solpreza Labyrinth Guardian battle. We had already heard about it, and it was apparently reported to the Valentia Hunter’s Guild as well, but I was quite surprised to learn that the Gold Dragoon’s roar had such an effect. It’s hypothesized that A-rank or higher Dark Element Dragoons’ roars might have such an effect, given the paralyzing property and its ineffectiveness against the M-rank Dark Element Dragoon’s roar. It’s also confirmed that the A-C Rank Monster Disaster Dragoon’s roar did not have such an effect.
“Now, have you all calmed down?”
“Y-yes…”
“Let me ask again, would you like to accompany us?”
When Rai asked again, everyone nodded. They also understood the condition of not interfering. Wing Crest seemed to have no objections either, so it’s decided that everyone present will participate, or rather, observe, the Guardian battle.
“Before we enter, let’s take a short break. I’m getting hungry.”
“Come to think of it, it’s almost lunchtime. Let’s have lunch before we go in.”
As the saying goes, “A hungry man is no fighter.” Everyone had fought fiercely on the sixth floor, and fatigue had accumulated. Not just for that reason, but we ate a proper lunch and took a break afterward. After the rest, Yamato changed into his Arc Order’s Coat. The Crest Armor Coat, standard issue for Wing Crest, would have its lifespan shortened if Yamato exerted his full power. Prim is similar, but she uses a prototype made from Dragoon hide, so she doesn’t have to worry about magic degradation. Then, mounted on Jade and Fluorite, they donned Wing Burst and Extreme Flame Wing respectively, and with Yamato and Prim leading the way, we entered the Guardian’s Chamber.
We are all in Beast Carriages, but once inside, the High Hunters of Wing Crest, we of the Royal Family, and the Alliance are to dismount from the Beast Carriages. Otherwise, not everyone will be able to witness the battle, and Wing Crest has many non-combatants. As we entered the Guardian’s Chamber, the Mithril Colossus, waiting like a statue, slowly began to move.
“Well then, let’s get to it!”
“I’ll test just how hard you are!”
Yamato and Prim grinned defiantly and charged towards the Mithril Colossus. The Mithril Colossus fired a lump of Magic Silver from its arm, but it was either frozen by Yamato’s Nibbleheim barrier or burned away by Prim’s Blazing Flame, so not even stray projectiles reached us.
“This… is truly amazing…”
“Even against Mithril Colossus, they’re not just keeping up, they’re overpowering it…”
Slay and El exclaimed in surprise, and I felt the same. The Mithril Colossus moved with surprising speed for its massive size, but these two were faster, and its attacks never landed. Instead, their attacks continued to hit the Mithril Colossus’s massive body. The Mithril Colossus’s self-repair ability seemed high, so it wasn’t taking fatal damage, but the attacks were still outperforming its repair speed, so it might eventually be defeated.
“Mana, what do you think?”
“We’re in the phase of testing Mithril Colossus’s hardness. Yamato shouted earlier that it was tough, so just attacking normally wouldn’t get us anywhere. However, if we don’t ascertain its hardness, even using Unique Magic would be meaningless.”
“So you’re testing its hardness? With the way things are, it looks like it will eventually reach its core, doesn’t it?”
“There’s no way those two would choose such a passive strategy. If only it were that simple…”
Not just Mana, but a sense of melancholy began to emanate from Wing Crest. Indeed, considering the achievements and battle records of those two, they’re unlikely to engage in time-consuming, piecemeal attacks.
“Ah, it looks like they’re moving.”
“Indeed.”
As Lydia and Elis said, Yamato and Prim’s movements changed. They both created distance, but what are they— EHHHHH!!
“What is that…”
“What an incredible flame…”
The Alliance wore expressions of astonishment, and I imagine mine was the same. After all, Prim created a vortex of fire and lifted the massive Mithril Colossus into the air. Furthermore, the Mithril Colossus, hit by Yamato’s magic or Engraving Magic from above, was slammed to the ground as if by a waterfall and frozen solid!
“That’s Prim’s Unique Magic, Flare Tornado, and Yamato’s A-rank Water Engraving Magic, Tidal Wave. Rapidly heating and then freezing is something that would normally end things there.”
“As expected of a Catastrophe Species.”
I know Yamato uses Engraving Magic, an otherworldly skill, but Prim’s Unique Magic is something I’ve never heard of before. I assume this is the Unique Magic she wanted to test. However, despite taking such a powerful blow, the Mithril Colossus still retained its form. As expected of a Catastrophe Species, but to attack it so one-sidedly is truly incredible.
“Ah, Prim used Flare Penetrator.”
“Indeed. It seems she was aiming for the core…”
Prim then charged with Flare Penetrator, her signature Unique Magic, at the now sluggish Mithril Colossus. I know its general properties, but it’s not a Unique Magic that could do anything, even so. However, even with Flare Penetrator, she couldn’t pierce the Mithril Colossus’s core. Just how hard is Mithril Colossus? But now that the core is exposed, this is our chance! Immediately after Prim retreated, Yamato activated his trump card, Engraving Magic, towards the exposed core. The ice turned to mist, covering the core, and the next moment it was completely frozen, it burst apart. It burst apart, but towards the Mithril Colossus’s body, so not even a fragment flew towards Yamato, Prim, or us. However, with its core shattered, the Mithril Colossus froze instantly, its posture fixed, and it never moved again.
To defeat an A-C Rank Monster so easily is unbelievable, even having witnessed it. However, knowing their strength, I, Rai, and Elis could quickly accept it as reality. The Alliance members are stunned, but it’s understandable, as no one would expect a Rank A Catastrophe Species to be defeated so easily. Now, we just need to retrieve the Labyrinth Core and report to the Instant Hunter’s Guild.
