Sabido’s figure appears from behind the throne with his distorted six eyed face. His black mantle bordered in purple is draped over his purple carapace armor.
The mantle flutters dashingly as he walks.
“Was it you who killed Kuna?”
“…Aah.”
Six eyes flow over Henkai, Rollo, and .
The shape of his eye sockets is complicated and I cannot read his expression.
Henkai stares at the demonic being, Sabido.
Rollo’s hackles rise and she raises her bone swords in the air in precaution.
“Hou, I was suspicious when Kuna’s thought waves were interrupted but it seems she really did die. You who defeated the Kushanan race, known for being very cunning even amongst demonic being, are you really human?”
“I wonder?”
Then, I turn the black spear point to Sabido.
“Fumu, you suddenly wish to fight ?”
His six eyes twitch.
“I don’t have to fight?”
“Fuu, you said sothing funny. Didn’t you co to fight? I am good either way.”
Then, I guess I will give up on fighting him. Henkai does too.
Thus, I loosen my posture with the black spear.
“Well then, I’ll stop. I only ca to get my things.”
“Oh? Fu, fuhahaha, you didn’t co to fight. Interesting. After all, you aren’t normal. I like you. Would you tell your na?”
“Shuya Kagari.”
“Shuya… Shuya. I am called “Sabido of the Purple Darkness” one of the seven demon commanders of the dark god. Would you make a contract with ?”
Seven Demon Commanders of the Dark God?
Is it like the Four Heavenly Kings? (TL:Wikipedia)
I don’t tsukkomi.
“Contract?”
“That’s right. I have contracted with human magicians in the old days.”
“N~, I’m not interested.”
“You decided fast. Would you like a magic tool?”
A magic tool, sothing in the sa class as this ring…
It would be bad if I got cursed so I will decline
This ring is enough.
“I already have ‘this” so I don’t have a particular need of one.”
Sabido’s six eyes notice the ring on my hand.
“Hou, that reminds , you have the magic tool ring. The shape has changed…it looks like you managed to master it…”
“However, are you the master of this labyrinth? Is it okay to let us go after seeing you?”
In response to my question Sabido opens his mouth.
“-I surely am the master of this labyrinth. I am the ‘manager’ here. I have certainly slaughtered people before, it ‘won’t beco hunting’ if from the perspective of a demonic being. Yet, that is the official stance. You, I understand that Shuya in particular is not normal. …I can judge that there are no guarantees to my safety either. I don’t want to waste my life? Besides…the purpose of the labyrinth has already been achieved enough. There’s no need to overdo it.”
Purpose?
“What purpose?”
“…Offerings to Rivguraf, the god of darkness. To nourish the labyrinth, not only that dwarf there, but other humans have contributed greatly.”
Rivguraf, God of Darkness.
One of the gods living in hell.
At any rate, this guy is different than how he looks, he is wary and prudent…
“…This is surprising. I thought I would be attacked with no discussion.”
“Hah, if it was other demonic beings, it would be like that. Still, there are other reasons. Do you have a stone ball of return? Because that is here.”
It is natural, since Kuna sold them.
“This stone ball?”
“Fumu. With that you can return instantly.”
“I’ll do that. Well then, I guess if I return now that I’ve retrieved my favorite black tanza spear. Let’s return, Henkai. Take a stone.”
“Understood. I’ll take it-“
Henkai disappears the mont he grasps a stone.
Quickly, I as well.
“I’ll be going-“
While Sabido’s voice sound I grasp the stone.
The mont I store mana in the stone-the sense of air in my ears.
I return to the labyrinth entrance suddenly.
It seems I could return to the surface safely. It is still bright outside.
Henkai is looking around the area restlessly.
I am right in front of a stair case descending into the labyrinth.
“It seems you’ve returned.”
“Aah, I’m back after a long ti. But, the six-eyed demonic being from earlier surprised .”
“Well, it was my first encounter with an intelligent six-eyed being. But, as boss like character, his actions were understanding…”
Henkai’s temple twitches.
“Huh? Boss Character? Maa, there are various kinds of demonic beings. When I fought against the Elves, we were thoroughly deceived…that demonic being is scrap.”
Henkai talks a little about the demonic beings.
“Seems like it. What will you do from here on out, Henkai? I’m returning to 【Hector】”
When I casually ntion to na of the city, Henkai eyebrows scrunch up and he makes a confused face.
“Huh? 【Hector】? That battle ground…it beca a town?”
“Aah, wait a mont. I’ll show you a map of the area now and how things have changed to save the explanation.”
Saying so, I take a map out from behind and show him.
“I understand…the big river is Haym River extending in south Maheim, 【Mount Burdock】 is the sa. The topography doesn’t seem to have changed much. However, that battlefield is now a fort city… the cities to the north and south both have different nas than the major cities I know. …There is no place nad 【Rock City Yogoru】 or 【Langur Kingdom】. Everything from the past seems to have fallen to ruin…but, the blasted elves seem to have fallen equally too. The Elven 【Great Empire of Befarittsu】 country is gone too. I rember the 【Tower City Senaapua】 and the 【Labyrinth City Pernette】, Elven territory exists here. Is there a country? After all, the Elves are divided inside…”
According the Henkai’s explanation, the country in the mountains and rivers is in ruins. Such a word floats by.
Was Henkai trapped for hundreds of years?
He seed to have fought the Elves in the past, but if he saw the present condition of Elves and Dwarves he would be shocked…
There is a Dwarf Empire underground. So…
Should I say like it is no big deal?
Ma, even if I, an ordinary human says that, he may not be able to believe it.
However…I might give him a hint.
“There is a rumor, there is a Dwarf country underground…”
“…Hou. I will rember that.”
Ah, did you already know about it?
I will try asking.
“Henkai, bringing it up now might be in bad taste, but have you heard of ‘Genju’s Sake Ball of Light’ or the ‘Wisdom Tree?'”
“N? I don’t know about the ‘Wisdom Tree,’ but I have heard of a legendary “Sake Ball of Light.” Isn’t it the Sake of Life? I’d like so of that. From what I’m told, isn’t it originally a ‘fruit of sake’ that grows from a huge tree? If you eat it you’ll receive power, and any wound will be healed, amongst other things. I think the story goes that it was created by the gods ‘Arotoshu, god of life,’ ‘Gaia, god of earth,’ and ‘Sateyura, god of plants?'”
Hooo. This onion oyaji is excellent.
Clue Get!
“Ooh, you know about it? I’m looking for it, do you know where it is?”
Rollo seems interested too, and leaning her small body towards Henkai while she sits on my shoulder.
“You want to know? Ahaha, searching for it? It’s doubtful whether or not such a thing exists. It’s a legend, a fairy tale. As for where it is, I don’t know. To start with, it’s sothing I heard about when I was young.”
Gaku…
“Is that so?”
“Nya.”
Rollo raises a small voice too, and crawls into my hood looking disappointed.
“Crap. You seem to be seriously looking…”
“No, it was difficult to even hear about this story. Well then, I’ll return to 【Hector】.”
“Is that so? I’ll return this map. It’s bad, but… will you take to 【Hector】? I’ve been under your care, and you’ve taken good care of .”
“Aah, it’s fine. It’s right here…co on.”
“Right here?”
I say so to a confused looking Henkai while coming down the stairs.
“Into the labyrinth?”
“Yup. Don’t be surprised. There are a lot of adventurers.”
“Understood.”
When we co down the stairs the crowd is the sa as before.
Henkai looks surprised but says nothing and follows.
When I appear in front of the magic formation that leads to the guild, the adventurers are jumbled together.
“When you walk into the magic formation you will appear directly in the city’s adventurer’s guild.”
“Ooh, it’s surprising a tastasis formation is prepared. Was is that Kushanan’s doing?”
“Aah, it seems so. Kuna died, but the magic formation still seems to be functioning.”
“I see. There humans standing around together with Elf shits, is it because they can enter the labyrinth?”
“Kuna was an adventurer too. -Ah, how do I explain to the guild that I killed her…”
“You should say she was a Kushanan demonic being.”
Henkai talks while he crosses his arms across his breast plate, floating a questioning expression.
“No, that Kuna woman was a B ranked adventurer? Like that, I tead up with her, with the woman who built the tastasis magic formation? How do I face the guild and explain that the human who contributed was a demonic being? My words are only that of a re adventurer, will they really believe ?”
“N~, it’s impossible.”
He agreed quickly.
After all, this is how it is.
“…Right? Ma, I’ll make sothing up…that’s right. I’ll go with her dying after being surrounded by a horde of hoguts in the labyrinth. Henkai, make up sothing suitable if you’re asked about our relationship at this guild.”
“I got it. If the adventurer’s guild becos troubleso, Shuya will be silent. Also. Because I was held captive for so long, serving as rehabilitation, if I enter the city… What happens to shit Elves, besides, I’d also like to see the outside world. So, I intend to disappear in the town imdiately.”
Henkai’s eyes look dark for a mont.
Is he going to be okay? Ma, I am not worried…
“…Sorry. Thank you.”
“Fuhaha, isn’t it you who helped ? This doesn’t matter.”
“I guess so.”
“Well then, I’ll go first. I won’t forget your kindness. Shall et again? See ya.”
“Ou.”
Henkai disappears in the magic formation, shaking his onion head and laughing.
Henkai.
He had a strange onion head, but he was a bold man.
Well, I already ca up with a proper reason…
I will explain to the guild, but what if I am caught?
Will I be released if that happens?
Will the guild master co out, and have it turn into an investigation?…
No way, if it cos out that I killed her, the criminal information will be recorded on my guild card in real ti-.
Ma, this is this, and that is that. As expected, things happen rapidly.
I can expect that won’t be on my adventurer’s card.
If sothing was going to happen with my card, it would have been my not being human coming out when I registered.
Blood and Mana.
It is related to Orimiru, the god of Order, perhaps, whether it happens…
Ma, worrying about it more will not help.
As I though before, should I say she died?
After collecting such a though, I set foot in the magic formation.
When I tastasize in the guild I cannot find Henkai.
He seems to have disappeared into the city like he said.
Being a little nervous, I start looking at the state of affairs around .
The guild is more crowded than usual…or should I say, it seems to be busy with bloody adventurers, the guild staff is working.
And, adventurers carrying injured are appearing one after another from the tastasis formations.
While wondering, I got to a receptionist.
“I’m mad- Shark, Kiki!”
I hear a high pitched feminine voice coming from inside the guild, but I ignore it from now.
There is no available receptionist.
Sothing is going on.
The inside of the guild has been noisy since a while ago but there is no helping it so I line up.
I am waiting while leaning the spear on shoulder because there are so many people in the line.
While I am waiting, I produce the request items from the item box.
At this point I attract the attention of all the adventurers in the line, so I try to smile and gloss over it-
“Nii-chan, is that an ‘item box?’ Did you get it in Pernette?”
An adventurer lined up behind talks.
I should make up a proper story.
“No, but it’s sothing like that.”
“I see. There are other labyrinth cities in Radford Empire, Hesfurato Holy Country…”
With such a feeling, the conversation continues safely with slight smiles.
After so minutes have passed, it becos my turn.
The receptionist is not the middle-aged man Kuna that I saw before entering the labyrinth. Instead it is a pretty Nekomimi that attracts attention.
“Here are the request items and card.”
“Yes. I’ll take them.”
Receptionist-san receives the request items and my card before heading back.
After a few minutes, she cos back with my card and money.
“Um, you had a party?”
After all, the question ca up.
“I did make a party, but Kuna was killed by a horde of Hoguts.”
As soon as I said it, the atmosphere froze-
Not only receptionist-san, but the surroundings beco quiet.
“…Eh, did ‘that’ Kuna-san die?”
“Aah, I tried to help, but we were outnumbered, and the Hoguts also attacked . I saw her die, skewered on the end of a huge sword.”
The nekomimi seems to collapse, and receptionist-san shakes her hands a little.
“…Is, is that so…if it was a swarm of Hoguts, one of the B ran Hoguts. You plunged deep into the labyrinth…”
“Aah, it was like that.”
Now that, how will this turn out…
Will it be the worst-case scenario where it is revealed that I killed Kuna?
If that happens, that ans…
“…This is unfortunate. If it is that the collection of her belongings is impossible. I understand. Then, here is your reward and card.”
Oh, that was unexpectedly easy.
-But, why are receptionist-san’s eyes frightened?
Why? Ma, but, if everything is okay, am I good?
After all, the adventurer’s card does not seem to be so almighty.
It does not seem capable of recording murder.
However, even if the Kuna that set up the magic formation is guild dies, I am not brought in for questioning?
I thought soone like the guild master and an investigator would show up…
Maa, in the first place, the guild is a neutral “brokerage” like existence that does not get involved between adventurers, so sothing like that may not exist in the first place.
I collect the money and my guild card.
I look at the card.
Na: Shuya Kagari Title: N/A
Age:22 Race: Human
Occupation: D Rank Adventurer Affiliation: N/A
Battle Occupation: Spear Officer: Chain User Completed Requests: Seven
The number of completed requests has increased.
After I finish checking in with the guild I quickly leave.
Taking the opportunity, I look at the stable next door.
Oh, there. The popobumu seems fine.
When Rollo sees the popobumu too she jumps onto the back of his head.
It goes “bubobubo.” Its small eyes are cute.
I feel healed, because of Kuna’s smile my body was aching with fear from her bewitching smile.
Ti passes…
My thoughts are betrayed, with a *pyua* of my broken heart.
However, I am as proud as ever.
I stroke its firm skin.
“Bubobubo.”
Un, un. This is good. It seems it is being taken care of properly.
At this point, the manager walks over with a feed box.
“Ah, are you here to take your magic beast?”
“No, no, I just happened to pass by.”
“Is that so, good.”
“Why is that?”
“Ah, no, how do I say, seeing the face of this diligent person. Its small eyes, it’s strangely beco habit, it’s also smart so it’s beco cute…”
The plump manager talks with patting the popobumu with one hand.
This Pyutchi guy seems to be a good person.
It is good there is such a person.
This person is happy taking care of the popobumu.
“You’re feeding them now?”
I point at the box Pyutchi is carrying.
“Yeah, this one likes to eat a lot.”
“This guy is an omnivore, ah, is this enough for the feed?”
“Ah, it’s fine. You already gave a silver coin the other day.”
“Well then, I’ve kept you for a while. Make sure it doesn’t get fat.”
“Yeah, leave it to .”
Pyutchi happily lowers his head.
I return a smile and lower my head.
“Rollo, let’s go.”
Rollo runs after lightly slapping the popobumu’s head with a feeler.
After she jumps to my shoulder she creeps back into my hood.
The hood again. Maa, this is fine.
Her weight in my hood is a lovable weight.
I leave the stable.
Now then, I should return to the inn and check the contents of the item box.
N?
Behind there are four magic essence signatures, no six…
What? It increased…
I should check their appearances a little. Without looking back directly I test how far they will follow.
I avoid the inn and walk into an alley from the main street.
Then, I check behind again.
When I analyze the guys following …there are multiple untrained movents. But, there is a guy who is clearly better trained mixed in with those following.
“Rollo, it seems there is going to be a fight. Escape for now. Co back if I signal for you.”
Rollo shows her face from the hood and seems to understand without saying anything.
She jumps out and disappears into the shadows of the alley.
With this timing, it is probably related to Kuna…
When I begin to advance into a smaller alley- a duo runs up from behind.
When we et-
“Oi, you- what is the aning of this?”
“Why, only you returned, but ‘Kuna nee-chan’ didn’t.”
With a desperate look a skinny man and a muscular man talk.
Kuna nee-chan…these are the guys I saw?
-Ah, I rember. The n who guarded the front of Kuna’s shop.
Without ntioning her being a demonic being, I should tell them Kuna died.
“…Kuna died, done in by monsters.”
“Wh, what!?”
“You lie! You killed her. What organization do you belong too?”
Spitting saliva, he talks with a desperate face…
The skinny man and muscular man both pull out a long sword and a dagger.
“You…pulled a weapon? What do an by organization?”
“Don’t feign ignorance, this assassin.”
Noisy…an assassin organization.
-Nevertheless, there are multiple magic essence signs behind as well.
Since they are not interfering, after all… I am being watched?
“Telling a shaless lie, Kuna onee-san cannot be killed by a common monster. Onee-san is called ‘Dark Kuna.'”
Oh, Dark Kuna?
“She was called darkness like that? I had no idea. Ma, with this atmosphere you wouldn’t believe no matter what I say…”
I speak my mind, and the duo in front of my do not seem to believe .
“It is impossible to believe you…”
“Aah, it’s like Luis says. You definitely cheated her. Oi! You guys!! Co out!”
N, they increased the number of people. The number increases by three people than five people.
They will not understand even if I explain at this point, just in case-
“For your information, I really don’t know about any organization, and Kuna was killed by a monster.”
Ma, the last part is a lie.
I lift the spear in my hand, and without adopting a fighting posture, raise my hands in the air.
With hands raised I sharpen my eyes, and stand at full height.
“Are you surrendering? Are you mocking us? Shit!”
Chi, the skinny man spits out swears, and having confidence in the speed of his dagger thrust, throws himself at .
Surrender? This guy is too stupid.
Grasping the handle of the black spear, I suddenly separate, instantly move the black spear point in the area again and grasp it-. Holding the black spear I grasp briefly, I parry aside the dagger held in the skinny man’s left hand, and pierce the spear blade in my hand into his chest at close range-.
“Gufuo.”
The skinny man collapses forward and hangs from the black spear.
“Wha- Luis!”
As the muscular man shouts and runs at to attack with his long sword.
I use the black spear with the body of the skinny man stuck on it.
I extend the black spear to hit the body of the muscled man.
Maintaining his montum, the muscular man collides with the corpse.
He falls rolling with the body.
He dies like that- when I pull the black spear from the body, I give a half turn and the knock the muscled man to the ground and his bounces repeatedly.
Probably because I flung him, the other three each attack with their respective swords and axes.
There is no need to use guidance magic chain for these guys-
The attacks of the muscled man on the ground is blocked and runs forward.
The reach of the black spear is long.
Despite running, I sink the black spear into the stomach of the ax wielding man with twisting lunge, defeating him.
“Gwe!”
I pull the black spear out a second ti and I move it to the right with the smallest movents, piercing through the man’s skull.
Continuing, I draw a low arch with the black spear to the man approaching from the left and forcefully slam the butt end into his stomach.
“Gwe.”
Holding his sides, the man groans.
The man leans forward and when he lifts his face I deliver a knee kick to it.
Furthermore, to the man leaning back from the knee kick, I deliver a spinning kick with a fighting moji enhanced foot.
The man who is kicked is thrown away and goes through a wide wall, falling inside an old house.
After the spinning kick, there is an audible voice to the rear saying “help.”
It is the muscle man that fell before.
The muscled man was injured by the black spear, but he still seems conscious. However, the man seems to have completely lost his fighting spirit, he cries while raising a miserable scream.
I will try asking this fellow for more details.
“…Muscle-san. What organization was Kuna in, I really don’t know?”
I put away the spear and takes out a knife, pressing it against the muscle man’s neck.
“Hiiii, I, I understand. Y, you, you seem to really not know.”
“That’s right. You said sothing about Kuna and Darkness, explain.”
“…We are mbers of the dark guild, 【Thorny Tail】. Onee-san is a founding mber of 【Thorny Tail】. She’s a leader of the dark guild.”
A dark guild…
“I see, so you thought I was an assassin from a different dark guild.”
“Th-“
The mont the muscle man is about to talk-several thrown knifes hit his throat and head, and he suddenly dies.
Out of place, soone starts clapping-
The ones who are clapping are a man and woman.
“Those movents. You seem to have killed ‘Darkness Kuna.’ Absolutely splendid.”
“Poru, Papa. This person’s movents earlier were really wonderful.”
“That’s right. Ange.”
The two have a mysterious atmosphere.
The man is wearing a tall top hat and his eyes sunken into his face.
He has a curling mustache and is wearing a man’s jacket resembling a tail coat and standing collar.
The woman has beautiful light blue colored hair and blue eyes, and she is wearing light blue clothing that looks easy to move in.
Going by their appearances, I need to be careful.
The two people seem able to use “Fight Moji” and have mana stored in their feet.
When I stare at two such people-
“Please give a mont. Would you accept an invitation to 【Bell of Twilight】 at once? It won’t go so easy?”
From behind the man and woman who were clapping cos the characteristic voice of a woman.
A single person appears from the shadow with a *Suu.*
The figure of an Elf with long ears.
The Elf also has fighting moji in her feet.
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