episode_0033

We ran with all our might.

Monsters from the depths of the maze blocked our path.

However, they were fewer in number and less aggressive than what I remembered from 20 years ago.

Perhaps Pratia had intervened in some way.

Of course, even so, the monsters on the 49th floor were strong.

“Lower your stance and run!”

I leaned forward so much that I almost stumbled and ran.

It was difficult to maintain balance with Dmitri at my side, but not impossible.

There was no time to see if Spect did well or not.

Just after I spoke, a huge monster resembling a crow stood in front of us, swinging its front leg menacingly.

Something brushed past above my head, even felt inside my helmet.

Perhaps part of the helmet was nicked.

I couldn’t confirm it now, but if it was Calcia’s blade, the crow-like monster that occasionally appeared from the 40th floor onwards, it might be possible.

Even when the Retributors and I came, I avoided a direct confrontation with that creature and never clashed weapons during fights.

The moment the highest-grade protective magic shield turned into rags is still vivid.

Anyway, right after dodging Calcia’s attack, I glanced sideways.

Spect was running alongside me unharmed.

“Aren’t they going to chase us?!”

“No!”

Calcia doesn’t turn around.

While possessing brutal cutting abilities and aggressiveness from the front, it hardly pays attention to its back or sides.

“Just two more floors to the 30s!”

Maybe we can rest a bit once we get there.

I’m not sure about the specific range where Lindberg, the demon, can operate…

“Absolutely not! There’s no escape!!”

A scream echoed from behind.

At least they can follow us up to this point.

“To the left!”

Spect shouted.

Glancing over, I saw a black slime-like creature emerging.

“Just ignore it and keep going! Even if you collide, ignore it!”

“Yes!”

Without hesitation, Spect pierced through the black slime appearing in front of him.

That was a Blackwood monster, flexible enough to pass through like that just now but capable of turning its entire body into acidic substance that melts even magically armored clothing during battles.

However, intelligence is sacrificed for such a dangerous ability; its reactions are a beat slower.

In this manner, we gradually broke through the maze and made our escape.

My knowledge of the maze and monsters, along with Spect following my orders without question.

Moreover, we’ve come this far not to conquer the maze but to escape, disregarding almost everything.

With some minor injuries, we mostly avoided fights and headed towards weaker monster areas, allowing us to catch our breath.

“Come here! Come this way!”

The voice from behind was losing strength.

As we entered the 30th floor, the pursuing voice completely vanished.

Even if it’s a demon from the depths, breathing would be difficult coming up this far.

While the 30th floor also houses strong monsters, it’s a level manageable even on the surface, so Spect and I should be able to rest briefly before heading back.

“It should be safe from here. Let’s go over there and rest a bit.”

“Yes.”

“Oh…”

Dmitri called from the side.

“Oh, right. I forgot.”

I released Dmitri, who was tucked at my side.

“Phew… We made it… It was so terrifying.”

“You managed to end it as if it was just a bit scary.”

“Pardon?”

“If you face such a monster, it could drive you insane just by encountering it. Like a dragon…”

“As, as Sir Rashwood will protect me…”

“Huh? Oh, of course.”

“Hehe…”

We sat in a monster-free area for a while to catch our breath.

“I’ll keep watch.”

Spect said.

“No, you need to rest. You look terrible.”

I have almost no injuries, but Specter has been a mess since we started our escape.

“Did you never make it to the 50th floor in the first place?”

“No. I was waiting at the entrance of the 50th floor. It wasn’t particularly dangerous when Mr. Rasiud and the Viscount entered, but monsters started attacking shortly before you all escaped.”

“You managed to hold off the monsters on the 49th floor quite well.”

“It was only for a short while. But my injury is largely due to carelessness. There were no monster attacks up to the 49th floor. It’s my mistake. So, as a form of reflection, I intend to take the fall.”

“It’s a good attitude, but you should rest when you need to. Reflection can come later, once we’re outside.”

“It’s fine. I will do it.”

Stubborn.

Perhaps… Did Dimitri notice that he likes me and is trying to give us some time alone?

…No, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

He just seems like a really stubborn person.

Well, he did refuse even the King’s offer during the previous tournament, showing no interest except for the prize money.

His true intention was probably just not to be swayed by position or authority.

In my attempt to speak strangely…

“Well, okay then. I understand. I’ll ask for your help.”

There’s no time to waste on someone so stubborn.

We need to rest quickly now.

I lay down on the ground.

Dimitri hesitated before sitting down next to me quietly.

“…”

A moment of rest.

One must strategically think about how to escape and what to do next.

But one undeniable fact hindered those thoughts.

It’s hard to ignore when you’ve come this far.

What emotions Dimitri harbors towards me.

I think it’s more admiration than love.

Neither would be an appropriate emotion.

Well, she is a Viscountess, a very high status, and I am from the Ebony Tribe, a very unique background.

The Ebony Tribe is neither commoners nor nobility.

Instances of commoners marrying Ebony Tribe members… Oh, there was Sangcheol.

Well, it’s been 500 years, so not many people are seriously contemplating marrying someone nowadays.

But it’s different if the other party is nobility.

“…”

I glanced at Dimitri under my helmet.

She was also stealing glances at me.

It’s inevitable…

She’s in a situation similar to mine.

For starters, the fact that we don’t age.

And the fact that we don’t reveal our appearances to outsiders, whether by choice or not.

However she managed to live, my mere existence must have had some impact.

To be honest… it’s awkward.

She is nobility.

If we get entangled unnecessarily, it could lead to trouble later on.

Of course, this situation itself is absurd, and trouble is almost inevitable later on.

It was unavoidable, but…

“Hmm…”

What should I do?

Of course, it’s best to reject her as gently as possible to avoid hurting her.

Rather than hitting a wall, I need to make her give up on her own.

But she won’t give up easily.

As a noble, and as the ruler of this city, she must be fully aware that her actions could be objectively problematic.

It’s not the first time a noble has shown interest in me over the 500 years.

There were one or two noblewomen who subtly tried to seduce me for their secret desires.

But openly displaying romantic interest like her is a first.

Honestly… it’s quite perplexing.

I’m just pretending to be nonchalant.

Moreover, the fact that she is the owner of this Labyrinth City is also a problem.

If she tries to ensnare me using her power, then I will have no choice but to flee.

If it comes to that, even if you run away, we will definitely send people to track you down.

“Sigh…”

My head is spinning.

There have been too many events tonight.

“…”

Dmitri sitting next to me was fidgety.

“Why are you like that?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you so jumpy? Just relax and rest.”

“Oh, no… I’m not really struggling…”

“This is a labyrinth. You can stretch your legs and sit comfortably without anyone saying anything.”

“Right… It’s a labyrinth here.”

Dmitri cautiously stretched his legs.

Of course, he didn’t fully extend them; he kept them slightly bent to avoid exposing them.

“…Because this is a labyrinth.”

“Hmm?”

“So… what I want to say from now on is not as noble Dmitri but as your comrade Dmitri.”

She lowered her voice.

“…”

I glanced at where Spect had gone to check.

Can she hear us…?

“Tell me.”

“Do you know Mr. Lashwood?”

“I do.”

“Of course… I see. In that case, since you have more experience than me…”

“Sigh.”

I stood up.

I never thought it would come to confronting her directly like this.

No, she’s subtly aggressive…

…Dragging me all the way here and then calling it subtle isn’t quite right.

Rather than subtle, she should be considered one of the most proactive nobles I’ve seen so far.

Perhaps she has been raised in the castle since childhood.

“So, what do you want to say?”

“Don’t interfere.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Just… if you allow me to love you as I wish…”

“What’s there to allow?”

“Huh?”

“In the end, you’re not planning to do anything, right? Kidnap me or something?”

“No, I would never…!”

I quickly reached out and pressed my index finger against her lips.

“…!”

“You’ll hear me out.”

I pointed towards Spect with my chin.

Then I withdrew my hand.

“Ah…”

“That settles it, right? If you’re just harboring such feelings, then that’s it.”

“…”

“But you understand, right? You’re a noble. Moreover, you’re the owner of this labyrinth city. The problems you face will soon become issues for the entire city.”

“I know that.”

“Exactly. So, you’re making this timid confession… you compromised in your own way.”

“Well, I couldn’t help it… I know I was wrong, but still… it was unavoidable.”

“…”

If Dmitri were just a noble, I would have told her to snap out of it and avoided her, but now we are clearly comrades.

Moreover, I have received a lot of help from her in life-threatening situations.

As an adventurer, one cannot take a comrade’s feelings lightly.

Of course, this often leads to the downfall of mixed-gender adventurer teams due to romantic entanglements.

“I… I can’t bear a child with this body.”

“Well, even if that’s the case, doing it with me using that body…”

“Huh? Oh, no, I mean, that’s not what I meant…!”

“It’s a joke.”

For nobles, pregnancy is not a matter of reproduction or pleasure.

Like breeding animals or working at a desk, it is a serious and careful matter.

And it is clear to everyone that Dmitri cannot fulfill that role.

Not being able to leave offspring as a noble is not just a flaw but a fatal defect to overcome.

“Oh, even if it’s a joke, that’s too much!”

“Adventurers make jokes like that all the time.”

“Don’t tarnish my dream…”

“Your dream…”

“…Because of this body, I dream even more. And tonight… I achieved my dream.”

“Congratulations. So?”

“If someone appears in the future who can take over the labyrinth city after me… would you be willing to accept my heart then?”