Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139844414118669/episodes/822139846012203296
A short distance from the entrance to the Primordial Labyrinth.
The makeshift base set up there was filled with a tense atmosphere.
Inside the barrier designed to keep monsters at bay.
Standing before us students, lined up in orderly rows, was the Headmaster, his white beard swaying as he appeared.
His piercing gaze slowly swept over us.
“Ladies and gentlemen,”
His low, calm voice echoed throughout the area via a sound amplification spell.
“The Primordial Labyrinth is not merely an underground structure. It observes, selects, and adapts. It is a monster with a will of its own.”
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
“It watches for the strong and tramples the weak. It remembers intruders and devises countermeasures. Therefore, a simple war of attrition will not work. If you display your strength, you will only receive a stronger reaction in return.”
The Headmaster fell silent there.
He closed his eyes, and for just a moment, silence reigned over the room.
Eventually, the Headmaster quietly opened his eyes and declared.
“Currently, that ‘attention’ is focused on a single point—a single student.”
A murmur spread through the room like a wave.
Most of the murmurs asked, “Who?” but I knew exactly who the Headmaster was referring to.
I’m sure Lady Elisia, listening from the front row, knew as well—
“While he absorbs the labyrinth’s consciousness, you—the main force—will infiltrate from various routes and destroy the core that awaits at the deepest depths. This is the plan for this operation.”
It was a brief explanation. There were almost no unnecessary words; that was all.
And with that, the operation began.
■
At the bottom of the stairs, the vast hall had the same layout as during our inspection.
High ceilings, a floor patterned with geometric designs. In the back, countless doors were arranged in a fan-shaped pattern; most were closed, but I could see a few were open.
But the only thing that was the same was the layout.
“…It’s been ravaged.”
I nodded in response to Yu-san’s words as he walked beside me.
The floor was gouged out, and deep cracks ran through the stone pillars. In some places, I could even see scorch marks.
And the biggest difference was the magic circle glowing in the center.
The one that had only glowed faintly when I was here before was now flickering while emitting an intense red light. Just like “back then.”
“Did Rai do this?”
“I’m sure… that’s what I think.”
I replied to Ciel’s words and let my gaze sweep the area.
There were no monsters in sight. Not even a single corpse remained.
But there was no need to wonder what had happened here.
My gaze was naturally drawn to the center.
To the center of the countless doors spreading out in a fan-shaped pattern. On the massive, wide-open door, three deep, gouging gashes remained.
“Lord Rai is on the other side of that door, isn’t he?”
“……Probably. But—”
Lady Elisia fell silent, her gaze fixed on the door.
Surely she, too—no, everyone present—must have understood.
A torrent of magical energy was pouring out from beyond the door.
Purple lightning streaked through the air, faintly illuminating the stone walls before vanishing. A moment later, a low, rumbling roar echoed deep within their bellies.
A shiver ran down their spine.
Was that caused by the battle?
Or was the labyrinth itself groaning? I couldn’t tell.
The only thing I knew for certain was—
That deep inside, something beyond the bounds of common sense was clashing.
The magic raged, more like a storm than a mere current.
My instincts told me that if I stepped inside, I would be swallowed up instantly.
“……”
My throat burns.
But I can’t look away.
(…You’re still alive, aren’t you?)
I stare at the door as if asking a question.
A purple lightning bolt streaked across the sky once more.
In that instant, for just a split second—I felt as though a familiar wavelength of magical power had mingled with it.
“All hands—forward!”
Lady Elisia, who had been staring at the central door for a moment, turned around, and her dignified voice echoed through the hall.
The S-class students took the lead, followed by students from the A, B, and C classes, who lined up behind them and began to march. The students who had begun their march then disappeared one by one into the countless doors surrounding the central one.
Footsteps struck the geometric-patterned floor in a steady rhythm.
The hems of their uniforms fluttered, spreading out like a fan of white.
Over 4,000 students were sucked one after another into the doors.
“……!”
“……! Ugh… sniff…”
Some walked while wiping their eyes.
Others trembled, biting their lips.
There were even backs gripping a friend’s sleeve just a little too tightly.
There was no way they weren’t afraid.
Everyone could feel the magical power overflowing from the central door. They understood there was no guarantee they would return safely.
Yet they pressed on.
Perhaps they have something they want to protect.
Perhaps they have a burden they must carry.
Or perhaps—it is precisely because they have given up on living that they are able to move forward.
Eventually, the only ones left were our group, along with the students from Class D and a few from Class C stationed at the rear of the great hall—those entrusted with supplies and medical care.
“We’ll examine you as soon as you get back.”
“Please don’t push yourselves too hard!”
As they lined up the stretchers and opened the boxes containing healing potions, they said.
They were trembling just as much as we were. Tears welled up in the corners of their eyes. Even if they couldn’t go to the front lines, as long as we were still inside the labyrinth, this place was no less a danger zone.
It’s only natural to be afraid.
“—Shall we go too?”
At Lady Elisia’s words, we began our march as well.
Yu gripped his sword more firmly, and Ciel placed her hands on the hilts of her dual blades. I, too, manifested my greatsword, slung it over my back, and began to walk.
(……Lord Rai)
I looked at the massive central door one last time.
Deep within the door, where purple lightning still flashed and a thunderous roar echoed, I thought of the one who continues to fight for us even now.
“It’ll be fine.”
Lady Elisia stood beside me.
Her gaze, like mine, was fixed on the central door.
“Rai is strong. I’m sure he’ll be all right.”
Were those words meant for me?
Or was she trying to convince herself?
I didn’t know, but her voice was firm and unwavering.
“Let’s finish this quickly and go pick him up—and then…”
For just a moment, Lady Elisia’s deep purple eyes narrowed.
Her expression was calm. Yet, only her eyes were not smiling. They were clouded, devoid of light, much like the darkness leading beyond the door where Lord Rai had vanished.
“…Once I bring him back, it looks like we’ll need to have a little talk.”
Her voice is soft. Yet there is not the slightest hint of jest in it.
“Leaving your fiancée behind to act as a decoy all by yourself? You preach to others not to give up on life, yet you’re the first to rush headlong into danger. —Really, you’re quite a troublesome person.”
Lady Elisia places a hand to her mouth and smiles softly.
Then her lifeless eyes pierce right through me.
“What do you think, Liene?”
“Yes, he really is a troublesome person. Lord Rai…”
I answered Lady Elisia’s question immediately.
“I know he’s doing it to protect us. …But even so, I can’t forgive him for trying to shoulder it all alone like that.”
A thick, viscous emotion swirled deep within my chest.
“If he’s going to protect us… I want him to do it right by our side. I want him to take us all in. If he’s going to leave us behind, I’d rather be with him in a dangerous place.”
My heart was pounding so loudly it was almost deafening, but I simply let my true feelings slip out quietly.
Lady Elisia blinked slowly.
“…I suppose so.”
A gentle voice.
Yet, the depths of her eyes remained dark.
“He’s too kind. He seems to think that if he gets hurt and bears the burden himself, everything will work out…”
A purple lightning bolt erupted beyond the door. A deafening roar echoed once more.
“At the very least, there’s someone here who doesn’t agree with that way of thinking.”
Leaving only a smile at the corners of her mouth, the warmth drained from her instantly.
Seeing her stare at the central door—where Lord Rai must be—without even blinking, I felt several students walking nearby shudder.
“His life does not belong to him alone. I, his fiancée, am here. …And you, his personal maid, are here as well.”
My gaze met Lady Elisia’s.
“To head into a death trap on his own without understanding that… he really is a troublesome person.”
She chuckled softly. Her voice was gentle, and her mannerisms overflowed with grace.
Yet, the darkness dwelling within her eyes remained unchanged.
“After I go to fetch him, I’ll make sure to remind him properly.”
She chuckled softly.
A gentle voice. A sweet tone.
“That you don’t need to suffer alone,”
The next moment, the expression vanished from Lady Elisia’s face.
“I won’t allow you to suffer alone anymore.”
Lady Elisia’s gaze, as she spoke quietly, locked onto me.
Her lips curved into a smile, and I felt pierced by her deep purple eyes, devoid of any highlights.
“…Will you help me? Liene.”
“Yes. I would be honored.”
There was no hesitation.
The emotions swirling deep within my chest had already taken shape.
“Because Lord Rai belongs to us.”
My voice was soft.
But my resolve was unshakable.
“I won’t let you take advantage of my kindness and get hurt all alone… not anymore.”
I looked at Lady Elisia with a gaze that wouldn’t back down an inch.
“Heavier and deeper than the labyrinth, something you can’t escape… let’s remind him of that.”
For a moment, Lady Elisia’s smile deepened ever so slightly.
“You’re so reliable.”
Amid the deafening roar, our gaze returned to the front.
“Let’s go meet him.”
“Yes.”
I will definitely come to meet you.
So—please, stay safe.
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