episode_0003

I went to the library, borrowed a bunch of books on mazes, and returned to my room.

I couldn’t give up my evening prayers, so I visited the library after the prayers, and it ended up being quite late.

I needed to sleep now in order to wake up early the next day, but I opened my book without turning off the lights in my room.

The bishop had told him to decide by the next day, so it was now or never.

“Actually, the answer is already set.”

Even if you refuse now, you will only be able to live comfortably for a few months, and eventually you will have to go to the labyrinth to practice.

How could I rebel against what the church has decided?

If you want to be picky, then you have to be picky. That’s what a scrappy priest can do.

“So what kind of place is the Labyrinth?”

To know what a labyrinth is, you must know about ‘labyrinth’.

“A place to confine something.”

Something that will keep you from coming out forever.

It is speculated that in our world, labyrinths were created to seal monsters.

“Then there must be monsters swarming inside the labyrinth. Monsters that are 300 years old, I mean.”

Was the seal really a good thing?

Wouldn’t it have been better to just steadily hunt the monsters inside the labyrinth?

But since it is said that if you don’t seal it, it will spit out monsters, it must have been a situation where it couldn’t be helped.

“Is there a labyrinth so there aren’t many monsters outside?”

There are monsters in the world, but it is difficult to see them in places where people live.

They are known to live in dense forests where no humans live, fighting and squabbling among themselves.

It is very rare to be killed by monsters.

‘I never really thought seriously about why there weren’t many monsters.’

And when I learned of the existence of the labyrinth, I felt like I understood why the world was peaceful.

“This is a labyrinth map. How fascinating.”

Surprisingly, the book I borrowed from the library contained detailed information about the labyrinth.

It was a truly unexpected discovery, especially the presence of a labyrinth map that had been used in the past.

“There’s a book like this in a small town library?”

It was a place with so many storybooks that it would not be an exaggeration to call it a children’s library, even though it was called a library in name only.

According to the librarian, this is the first time this book has been loaned out in 60 years.

For reference, the library was built 60 years ago.

“Hmm.”

I concentrated on reading the book again.

The monsters that come out of the labyrinth have extremely horrifying appearances.

I heard that there are people who hunt monsters to make a living, and I think that’s really amazing.

The problem was that I was destined to become one of those great people.

“Of course I didn’t catch it myself… .”

Simply treating an illness is tiring, so how much more tiring would it be if you were treating people in a labyrinth?

‘Plus, dealing with people is really hard.’

Those who hunt monsters will eventually be mercenaries or knights, and since they are people who do rough work, it was obvious that their personalities would be quite fierce.

‘It might be better to go to the labyrinth as late as possible.’

The fierceness and ugliness conveyed in the picture is truly terrifying.

No matter how devout the believers were, it seemed unlikely that they would be able to protect the frail priest from them.

I continued reading the book until daybreak.

Finally, I turned the last page of the book and sighed deeply.

If the labyrinth really was the place described in this book, then I, as a healer, had no choice but to be dragged into the labyrinth.

Because it was obvious that the Church would send healers to exert influence in the Labyrinth.

‘Monsters are both a threat to the world and a source of income.’

The most important part here is that it becomes ‘money’.

Under the pretext of protecting the world’s safety, all sorts of people will move to conquer the labyrinth.

The labyrinth is a neutral area not included in any country.

Until the Labyrinth closes again, the Neutral Zone will have enormous political influence.

“Even if an official document saying that voluntary support is being accepted arrives, if the support is not satisfactory, they will immediately be forcibly drafted.”

Wouldn’t it be better to go with support rather than being dragged along?

I thought I knew why the bishop had said he would give me time to think without saying anything else.

‘I’m sure you thought I would understand the situation and accept it.’

You knew it would happen without me having to say anything, so there was no reason to talk so much.

‘As expected, the bishop can’t be defeated.’

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I realized that I was the one who was kicking my feet hard on his palm, just like I always did when I was little.

◎ ◎ ◎

“I will go.”

“Just sign here.”

As soon as the bishop opened the door and came in, he handed me a piece of paper and asked me to sign without any hesitation, even though I suddenly said that I would be leaving.

“But am I going alone?”

I couldn’t understand why I was the only healer who went to Palmer Church, even though I wasn’t the only one there.

“No one supported him except Priest Arthur.”

“Not even one person? That’s weird. If you have to go anyway, it would be better to go early and reserve a seat.”

If you look at the situation, you’ll probably be able to figure out what will be more advantageous later on.

There are more people with heavy butts than you think.

“If you don’t want to support, you don’t have to. If you want to change it now, change it.”

“… No. I already decided to go. But if I leave, the senior healer position will be empty, is that okay?”

“I’m going to do something big, so if you hold me back, it’s useless. Don’t worry about this place. I have to go somewhere far away, so prepare well and go.”

“Yes. The departure date hasn’t been set yet, right?”

“Yeah, but there probably won’t be much left.”

The bishop put the signed paper close to his chest.

It will take time for that paper to travel to the Church, and for the Church to give orders to go to the Labyrinth.

As the bishop said, we need to prepare by then… .

‘What should I do to prepare for going to the labyrinth?’

I had read books about mazes, but since it was something unknown and I had never experienced it myself, I couldn’t think of anything I should prepare for.

“Bishop, how many holy waters should I take with me?”

Since you never know what might happen inside the labyrinth, I think it’s best to take as much as you can.

After all, the holy water made by the bishop has a long shelf life and is also effective in exorcism.

‘If you say you’re going to take it with you to the labyrinth, I think you’ll make it for me.’

But my plan to go after thoroughly preparing was suddenly ruined when the person who took me away showed up.

As the bishop said, the day to leave for the labyrinth came much sooner than expected.

“Meet Bishop Sun’s Paper.”

“May the protection of the sun god be with you. I don’t know what brings you here, but please come inside. Welcome.”

The people of the diocese who greeted the bishop explained why they had come there.

“The reason we came here is to take away Father Arthur.”

me?

“To take the priest Arthur away… . It must be something related to the labyrinth.”

“Yes, Bishop. We are heading to the labyrinth.”

already?

“I’m worried that Priest Arthur might not be fully prepared yet.”

The bishop’s gaze is turned towards me.

The gazes of the people standing on the other side naturally followed and were fixed on me.

Those people would now know who Priest Arthur is.

“We are fully prepared to make sure that you will not feel uncomfortable during your stay. You can just come in person.”

“It seems that the day the labyrinth opens is not that far away.”

“… I’m sorry, I can’t tell you the exact date for security reasons. ”

It was unusual for something to have to be kept secret even from the bishop in charge of the church.

This also means that the church considers the work of the labyrinth important.

“What would an old person do with that information?”

“Thank you for your understanding. In fact, I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have Father Arthur’s support.”

“Our Arthur priest’s skills are excellent.”

“He is a very skilled person, but it was a headache because there were only a few healers supporting him.”

It seems that organizing the group to go into the labyrinth was more difficult than expected.

‘What, there weren’t that many healers supporting you?’

Did I apply for nothing?

As I listened to the bishop’s conversation with them, my heart began to pound.

“Since there is not much known about the labyrinth, it seems that many priests wanted to move cautiously.”

“… Yes, I think so.”

I felt that there was a lot of meaning hidden in that short silence.

If it weren’t for the book, I wouldn’t have been able to make a quick decision because I didn’t know anything about mazes.

“What a pity. If I were 10 years younger, I would have signed with Father Arthur.”

“… … .”

By the way, the bishop’s pure white hair and wrinkles haven’t changed much whether it was 10 years ago or now.

“It’s a shame for us too. If the bishop had been here, it would have been really reassuring.”

After a brief grooming conversation like that, his gaze turned to me.

“Arthur Priest.”

“Yes, Bishop.”

The bishop finally called me, who was about to be dragged into the labyrinth.

“Brother! It’s really nice to meet you.”

Even though we had been making eye contact for a while, he was happy to see me as if he was seeing me for the first time.

“May the protection of the sun god be with you. I am Arthur the priest.”

“I am a Paladin, Rapel Ewut. Please call me Sir Rapel.”

“Yes, Sir Raphel. You are going to the labyrinth.”

“Yes, thanks to your support, I was able to expedite the schedule. Thank you.”

“I wonder if I alone played such a big role. I don’t know what to do with myself when I hear praise the moment I meet you.”

What difference would it have made if I had applied alone?

Please, it has to be that way.

But Sir Raphel trampled my hopes mercilessly.

“No. You were a great help. There were eight healers who helped me, but the only chief healer among them was Priest Arthur.”

“… … .”

So, what Sir Raphel said just now was that I would have to lead the healers from now on.

Even if you take off the trainee healer tag, you’re still just a chick from my perspective.

‘I’m the oldest?’

There was a moment when I wanted to go back in time and slap myself in the face for making that choice.