Two hours after I saved the slave, the Franrhle party vs the Legion Bats battle ended without a hitch.
I had already learned that the Legion Bats had a core magic stone inside their bodies, so all I had to do was to act as a decoy and look for that core. As long as Franrhle and the other three didnt beco viciously competitive with each other, there was no way we could lose the battle.
Thus, in no ti, we cleared the 9th floor and were on our way to the 10th floor.
Indeed, the 10th floor.
I couldnt help but to recall the events of the previous day. Tida, who claid to be the boss of the 20th floor, had been written as the 20th Guardian on the Display. If that was the case, I could predict that Alty, who was written as the 10th Guardian, would be the boss of the 10th floor.
However, the re fact that we were attacked by the boss of the 20th floor on the 5th floor rendered that prediction moot. Franrhle and her party of students had inford that the boss monster of the 10th floor was not on the 10th floor, so perhaps doubting that prediction was the correct line of thought.
After all, no matter what floor it was, dangers lurked at every corner in the Labyrinth. That was all there was to it.
Although I was getting ntally exhausted from all the questions Franrhle threw at , like what my hobbies or my special skills were and whatnot, we reached the 10th floor without any problems.
The 10th floor was a special floor. The room where the stairs ended was filled with a brightness usually not to be found in a Labyrinth.
It was a spacious room that stretched forever, with nothing but flas no matter how far the eyes saw. There was nothing else. This was all there was on the 10th floor.
The flas werent hot enough to scorch you. However, it was still a room full of raging fire, which made hesitant to enter.
We chose a path where the fire had been extinguished by the barrier of the Main Road and walked on.
After reaching a suitable point, Snow-san pulled out a bottle and tried to capture the flas with it. It was an odd sight. A lick of the fla was sucked into the bottle, separated from the rest of the fire, and continued to burn inside of it even though there was nothing to burn.
That was the end of their assignnt. Finally, I could leave their party behind .
Congratulations. I take it that this is the end of my duty?
I spoke up to start saying my goodbye.
Onii-san, wre a huge help. Were really lucky to be able to cooperate with an explorer as skilled as w. I was prepared to see one of us getting injured on our way down, w see. Ah, here is wr paywnt.
Erna thanked and handed a gold coin. Franrhle then interjected.
Christ-sama! Given the opportunity, may I suggest that you escort to the surface as well?! Yes, given the opportunity! The House of Hellvilleshine would like to thank you and treat you to dinner! We have always wished to be associated with a young, strong, sincere, and kind explorer much like you are, Christ-sama! Please do consider my petition!
Even I, as dull as I could be to peoples feelings, could clearly tell that Franrhle was deeply attached to .
Being liked by a good-looking young lady like her sure was a happy thing. However, I couldnt help but feel like getting closer to her would only cause more trouble. Partly because of our positions, but mainly because there was a gulf between our mindsets.
Im deeply sorry, Franrhle-san. My objective is beyond the 10th floor. I regret to say that I cant escort you to the surface.
I politely declined. I didnt forget to act as if I really regretted it.
I-I see I cannot possibly force you to answer to my whims, not after you have saved . However, please do rember that we, the Hellvilleshine siblings, always welco Christ-sama to our ho anyti. You can count on us whenever you need to.
Eh, too? Well, if its you, then you can always co and play, Christ-san.
Franrhle had decided that Liner-kun would welco too, perhaps out of her own initiative. However, Liner-kun didnt seem to be too reluctant with the idea.
Thank you very much. I hope we may et again.
Yes, let us et again! By all ans, please do visit Eltheaulieux Academy! Ah, Hellvilleshine Manor is in the third district of Whoseyards! You can see it as soon as you enter the district! Whenever you need aid, whatever it is, co to us!
Franrhle was reluctant to part, trying to appeal to up until the end. Had we t in my previous world, she would have been the hardworking and likable type.
However, I soberly decided that she wasnt soone I needed at the mont.
Finally, there were only two people left to say goodbyes to.
Onii-san, w seem to be the gullible kind, so dont get fooled easily, mkay? See w later~.
The Labyrinth doesnt fit you. I suggest you change your occupation. Thats that.
For so reason, the both of them bid farewell with harsh words. We had watched over each others backs, albeit for a short while, so I hoped they ant it out of concern for .
Thus, I said goodbye to the academy students party. I was smiling when I saw that Franrhle kept looking back and waving to ti and ti again.
Finally, I was the only one left behind on the 10th floor. The sea of fire that filled the room made drip sweat. I started walking along the Main Road to get to the 11th floor as soon as possible.
I was finally alone, but then, I felt a strange solitude. It seed like having soone as a party, regardless of who they were, created a sense of security for sure.
However, I had decided that, from there on, I should go alone, all by myself
Huh. Youre alone now?
All by myself.
Yes. I was supposed to be all alone. In that place where there shouldnt be anybody else, I heard a voice that wasnt my own. Imdiately, I strengthened my magic.
M-MAGIC, GLADIATOR!!
I took a huge leap back, looking for the owner of the disembodied voice.
A vast space with only two entrances. An unexpected voice, blazing flas all around. It was just like that ti.
I used my magic to probe all around . I checked the ceilings, the corners, the shadows of the flas, everywhere to determine if there were any enemies. But there was no enemy in sight.
Forgive , I must have startled you. I an you no harm, so please remain calm.
And then I noticed that the flas imitated the shape of a mouth.
from the flas?
Yeah, Im hiding in the flas. But if youre alone, then I have no qualm showing myself. Just wait a minute.
The flas spoke. I recognized that voice.
The flas changed into human form, as it did, bandage-like objects with scriptures on them gathered from all over the room. The bandages wrapped themselves around the humanoid flas, functionally replacing clothing.
Finally, its fiery head turned into a human one, specifically a red-haired girl that I had seen so other place.
It was Alty, the 10th Guardian.
!!
I was at a loss. From a gas logic, she was supposed to be inferior to Tida, who was crowned as the 20th Guardian. However, I wasnt sure I should easily assu that.
Unlike when I fought Tida, I didnt have Dia by my side. My sides attack power was much lower, but that also ant I had more freedom to withdraw from a battle without him. If it was just and my high physical abilities, the range of tactics would be versatile. Above all else, I was level 10 and my AGI had increased, simply fleeing from the scene was an option.
After much deliberation, I decided to continue conversing with Alty, who claid to have no hostile intent.
I could just run away when the situation called. I might even catch up with the students party if it ca down to that. I felt sorry for them, but if it ca down to a lee, then having more options to take was always better. Id prioritize my life over a good nights sleep.
* * *
* * *
You are Alty, right? Are you here to fight ?
I spoke to Alty, now that she had assud a human form, without lowering my guard.
Alty floated, then imdiately shook her head. I was really at a loss with how human her appearance was.
If we were to get into a fight, Altys appearance would be a negative factor for . She looked like a human child at a glance, really playing it foul.
Nay, nay. I just told you I an you no harm.
Altys tone was pompous, despite her small figure. It felt really out of place. However, this feeling was a reminder to that the little girl was indeed a monster.
I dont buy it. It was just the other day that delightful monster Tida attacked us. You think I forgot that it was you who blocked our escape route?
I was only setting up the stage. But if you are angry because of that, then let apologize. I am sorry.
Apologizing doesnt entitle you to my trust, you know
Mumu I can see that your impression of isnt the best one. Thats a bit shocking. Its not like I attacked you or anything.
Altys lips twisted into a pout. Aah, so shes like this too. Both her and Tida are the sa.
Thats obvious. How could anyone have a good impression of monsters? When humans et monsters, they fight to kill. That is the unwritten of this world. That was what Tida said.
Fufu. You dont have to take that to heart. Tida just made that rule up on the spot.
Alty remonstrated , eyes llow, like seeing a child who still believed in Santa Claus. It was annoying to be looked at like that by a girl who was at least two sizes smaller than .
Which ans you dont want to fight . Are you telling to believe that?
I am. Im not like that battle junkie, Ive got no intention of taking this monster business seriously. Thats why this room is always empty, it is so that you explorers can go to the 11th floor without worrying about procuring fire.
Huh I dont think I can go to the 11th floor without worry, though.
Aah, worry not. Now that you have by your side, those boss monsters are nothing. And I an those who stay at places far away from the barriers of the Main Road.
Wait. Wait wait wait.
Mn, whats the matter?
The headache wouldnt stop. That unilateral side of her was exactly like Tidas. She decided everything all on her own.
Who said youre coming with ? Thats not happening.
Hm, it seems like you have no trust in at all. I am planning to prove to you that I an you no harm by my actions. So I have decided just now that I will help you in your exploration.
Stop it. I cant fight with you behind .
Then I will be in the front. Im also good with swords.
Saying that, Alty produced a flaming sword and repeatedly swung it and thrusted it into the air. Appearance-wise, she looked like no more than a child playing with a sword.
But no. Flas were leaking out greatly from her hands, her feet, and many other places. I couldnt treat her like she was a human being.
Thats not the point. Just having you near makes constantly high-strung. I couldnt explore the Labyrinth like this.
Mhm. However, this is a serious matter for too. I am planning to stay close to you until I gain your trust. After all, building a relationship based on trust is most important. I will stick close to you, no matter how many years it will take.
Altys smile was innocent. The way she spoke straight and without hesitation made feel like she wasnt lying. For what it was worth, I couldnt sense any hostility from her.
But maybe it was because I was too inexperienced. Her presence was a source of uneasiness.
Just how much easier it would have been if shed just attacked . The Anti-Guardian asures I ca up with the previous night were down the drain.
So, that ans Youll just be hanging around , always? Until I trust you?
Thats right.
Erm, cant I just slay you right now? You being a boss monster and all?
Thats pretty terrible against soone who is presenting friendly intentions. A pretty girl wants to be your companion; you should welco her with open arms How cold, all I ask is for you to trust , really. I have this small wish, you see, and I just want it to co true. And for that, I need a humans cooperation.
Alty raised her hands in a pose of surrender as she spoke.
She waved her hands, insisting that she was harmless. I was about to take a slice out of her, seeing how full of openings she was, but a certain word that she uttered bothered enough for to hold back.
Wish? So you do have a wish?
I recalled a certain sothing. Tida, that battle freak monsters, last testant ca to my mind.
Oh, will you listen to it?
Would it give any advantage to hear it?
Sure, I needed all kinds of information so I could conquer the mystery of the Labyrinth. However, was it really right to try to extract information from Alty there, at that ti?
Putting aside all the trusting business, there is one thing I want you to hear. I
I will lend you an ear, but nothing else. You also said sothing that caught my interest before Sothing about having a misgiving left and not being able to fight. Tell about that too.
Each and every word that Alty spoke, with her being on the side of the Labyrinth, would count as a spoiler for .
It was loathso that, even then, I couldnt shake off those videoga-tinted glasses. And those glasses demanded that I listen more.
Fufufu Sure, I will tell you.
Alty snickered bewitchingly and took her ti to tell her story.
Right. Since we have the chance, lets start with the thing about my misgiving Im sure you will be interested in this. After all, you can kill a Guardian without fighting her.
Altys smile was ever-present. Even though it was supposed to be a thod to kill her, her expression remained the sa.
Actually, we Guardians are forced to guard the Labyrinth as monsters because we have a Lingering Attachnt to this world. Just whatever will happen to a Guardian whose Attachnt has been solved I have always had this suspicion, you see. And Tida, he cleared my suspicion up. It seems like we are beings that weaken and disappear once our Attachnt is cleared. I guess that's why that nigh-immortal Tida died so easily.
From the way Alty talked, it seed like she saw when Tida died. That and she seed to imply that Tida shouldnt have died the way he did.
He died because he got what he wanted, thats what Alty believed.
That was news.
I had never heard anything like that from anywhere. I felt like that it was information that no one in the allied nations, the four nations that were trying to conquer the Labyrinth, knew.
Fufufu. Now, onto my wish What I wish for is only one thing
Then, as though that bomb of a statent was nothing more than a preamble, Alty made her voice low and heavy as she spoke.
What she would tell was her wish. Which ant her forthcoming manner of death.
I want to fulfill a love.
Arty spoke bashfully, then looked up into the air, only to quickly add Hows that, romantic, eh? then chuckled at her own words.
My headache worsened. It wasnt a simple pain. It was a pain caused by a mixture of annoyance, madness, amusent, and a whole slew of emotions that would not normally mix together.
Alty was looking straight at .
I endured the headache in my head and replied simply with: Youre a pain.
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