episode_0078

000

“Well- that being the case. The Homunculus who will be living with us in the mansion starting today. This is Inis…”

“”… …””

Laila introduces her Homunculus, Inis, in front of Sasha and Kuon who are sitting in the living room.

Both Sasha and Kuon looked surprised, their mouths open, seemingly unable to speak.

And the main culprit, Inis-

“Ah-ang. Papa. Shall I feed you?”

“Ah, no, it’s okay, just sit a little further away.”

She was clinging tightly to Cleon, who was sitting opposite Sasha and Kuon, and trying to put a grape into his mouth.

Still with the characteristic expressionless face of a Homunculus.

Laila frowns, her face twisted in a headache that had been continuing since a while ago.

This season, when the night air has become cold.

Both the dormitories built within the Academy grounds and the mansions are designed to allow students to study with peace of mind and comfort.

They were designed to block outside air and maintain a pleasant indoor environment.

There was no way there could be shoddy construction.

But, despite that.

The atmosphere that spread throughout the living room was too cold.

Only `Inis`, who couldn’t read the mood and was clinging to Cleon, trying to act cute, and.

“Wa- wait! You’re too close to him! Cleon is mine, so stay away!”

Galatea, who was pulling Cleon towards her from the opposite side, were the only ones emitting heat.

“Hey, Laila…”

“S- sorry… Originally, it wasn’t supposed to turn out like this….”

As Kuon was about to say something, Laila bowed her head in advance and apologized.

Since she was going to create a Homunculus anyway, she had planned to use it as a housekeeper to ease the burden on Kuon, who was balancing housework and academics.

Therefore, she had wanted a Homunculus type that was good with her hands, sharp, and diligent-.

But alas. A small ingredient, like a mischievous prank mixed in, exerted its effect to the maximum.

A bitch Homunculus, full of lewd thoughts in her head, was born.

Even if she racks her brain thinking about what she was thinking when she put such ingredients in the past.

`Come to think of it, the Succubus’s ability might be helpful in getting rid of annoying men…?`

She can only recall adding it to the recipe with such a lighthearted thought.

“Excuse me, Ms. Laila. Can I ask you one question?”

Sasha raises her hand in a strangely cold voice.

Seeing that the beast’s tail and ears that grew from her were unusually tense.

She seemed to be quite wary of Inis. In various ways.

“Is Ms. Inis Ms. Laila’s and Mr. Cleon’s daughter?”

“”No!””

Cleon and Laila’s voices rang out at the same time.

“R- right. I was curious about that too. Her hair color and eye color seem to be a mix of the two of you….”

As Kuon continued, Laila sighed and said.

“Of course, my blood and Cleon’s semen were used to create the Homunculus. Biologically, she’s completely unrelated. We just took elements from both of us. Of, of course, I don’t deny that we made her together…”

“S- semen…”

Sasha reacts to that word and swallows hard.

“That’s too much!? Even if you don’t acknowledge Master, acknowledge Papa~! I was born from Papa’s semen~!”

“Hmph~! Cleon’s only child is the one in my belly~ There’s no way someone as big as you was born from Laila!”

Cleon, listening to the two women arguing from both sides, felt his head ache just like Laila.

“Inis, Remote!”

As Laila shouted that, Inis’s body suddenly stopped.

Then, with an unnatural movement like a creak, she detached herself from Cleon.

“I don’t want to, I don’t want to~! I want to flirt more with Papa~!”

But her will didn’t disappear, as she whined.

“Stop being a baby! You’re not Cleon’s love doll, you’re this mansion’s management Homunculus!”

Laila said, as if scolding a child.

But the sight of her manipulating Inis with threads of magic stretching from her hands was a little comical.

“I’ll manage the mansion and Papa’s circumstances too~!”

“Ugh! What kind of power is this…! Come with me! I’m going to readjust you!”

Inis tried to forcibly escape from Laila’s control.

But somehow, due to Laila’s control, she was dragged, dragged to the underground workshop.

Galatea watched the scene, wearing the smile of a winner.

Both Sasha and Kuon became slightly awkward and averted their gaz gazes, blushing.

“…Let’s rest for today. Both Laila and I will be busy with work for the Execution Department tomorrow. You two should also try not to get too close to that area.”

As Cleon said that and stood up from his seat, Kuon quickly stood up from her seat.

“Cleon, wait a moment.”

Saying that, as Cleon turned to her at the sound of Kuon calling him.

Suddenly, he felt a soft, warm touch on his lips.

He saw Kuon’s face, with her eyes closed and blushing, kissing him.

Cleon was slightly surprised, but he didn’t refuse and let her do as she wanted.

A moment later, a warm ripple of magic spread between the two of them, and Kuon’s divine magic.

Covered Cleon’s body like a veil, and soon permeated into his body.

When the magic transfer was over, Kuon moved away from Cleon, still blushing deeply.

Watching that, Sasha was seen covering her eyes with both hands (though there was a small gap), feeling embarrassed.

“L- lately. I feel like I’m putting too much burden on Laila and Cleon… A blessing to ward off bad luck… It’s magic.”

Kuon replied hesitantly, touching her index fingers together.

“…I, I’m not as smart as Laila, and I’m not good at magic. But if Cleon is having a hard time, I want to help, and I want to be with everyone.”

Then, she placed her fist slightly on her chest and smiled warmly.

“So, Cleon. You have to be careful tomorrow, okay? No matter what happens. I’m on your side.”

“M- me too!”

Sasha also quickly raised her hand and rushed to Cleon’s side.

Galatea subtly approached from behind and took his left hand.

“…Thank you.”

Cleon said that, reaffirming his bond with his comrades once again.

That with these comrades, he could surely overcome any difficulty.

He etched that into his heart.

001

A large open space on the way from the Theology Department to the dormitory, where the Execution Department members are expected to be hiding.

The first to move was the head of the `Intelligence Department`.

Using her ability to assimilate with the world itself using special stealth magic, she possesses the ability to infiltrate any desired location without being caught by any surveillance network.

She uses an underground detection device prepared by the Magic Tool Department to check underground.

The reaction is `black`.

As Laila expected, there was something large structured underground in the open space.

When the detection results are transmitted to the other heads through communication magic.

Aruru, who is in command, transmits the next instructions.

The heads of the departments are slightly lacking in combat ability to participate directly in the operation.

Economics Department, Astrology Department, Law Department, Philosophy Department, Music Department, Art Department.

The 6 heads were each holding barrier stones and standing in a circle at a certain distance from the open space, maintaining a certain interval.

When they activate the barrier stones simultaneously.

A barrier that prevents the exit of beings except those permitted is activated around the barrier stones.

A barrier like a black curtain covers the surroundings.

“The barrier is properly completed. What we need to be careful of are the guys trying to come in from the outside. We’ve set it up specifically to prevent going out from the inside. It’s conversely weak against coming in from the outside.”

“For that part, we’ll have to trust the professors and the head in charge of that side.”

Aruru replies to Laila’s words and finishes preparing for the entry in her combat uniform.

Cleon was also with her, and he was wearing his adventurer-era armor for the first time in a while, with his master’s sword at his waist.

“…As much as I want to, I also want to go in.”

Laila says that, but Aruru shakes her head.

“I’ll be in charge of the现场指挥 (on-site command), but you said the connection with the outside is cut off, right? Then the only one we can leave this place to is Laila.”

“Right. And your magic is too powerful for fighting in a narrow space.”

Cleon also agreed with Aruru’s opinion and nodded.

Of course, the arrangement also considered the fatigue accumulated from making magic tools for this operation to some extent.

“…Alright. There shouldn’t be too big of a problem with you two, but if something happens…”

At Laila’s worried words, Cleon pats her on the shoulder.

It was an expression telling her to trust them.

Then, Laila also nodded with a wry smile, as if she couldn’t help it.

Cleon moves forward with Aruru towards the front of the barrier.

Cecil and Rail, who had already finished preparing for the entry, were there.

“Ms. Aruru. The students from the other departments have also finished preparing for entry.”

As Cecil said that to Aruru, she made a slightly awkward expression when her eyes met Cleon’s.

“Why are you here too… Aren’t you entering with Riomesu?”

“It doesn’t really matter which side I enter from. We’ll all get separated once we go inside anyway.”

Aruru says, as if it’s okay.

According to Laila, if Ariadne allows an unpermitted person inside.

A defense mechanism is activated that moves the person who entered to a random location.

Therefore, only individuals who have a definite means of protecting themselves participate in the entry.

“To be honest, I’m worried about you two as well…”

Aruru looks at Cecil and Rail with a worried expression, but.

Rail shakes her head and replies.

“We are your attendants who have polished our swords to assist and protect Ms. Aruru. We will use our lives for Ms. Aruru.”

Cecil also nods with a resolute face.

“…Thank you, both of you. You really have to be careful once you enter. Try to move with the goal of regrouping as much as possible.”

“Yes.”

When the instructions were finished, Laila’s magic sound announcing the operation time was finally heard.

Another magic inscribed on the machine installed by the Intelligence Department is activated.

A large dimensional portal opens, creating a path to enter Ariadne.

“…Let’s go!”

At that signal, students from the entrances in each direction throw themselves towards the opening.

A sense of weightlessness wraps around their bodies, and a slightly dizzying energy overwhelms them.

Cleon bites his lip to maintain his composure as much as possible.

He passes through the dimensional passage, which feels both long and short-

Soon, gravity is felt once again, pulling him down to the floor.

With a thud! sound, Cleon, who somehow succeeded in landing, first draws his sword and looks around.

Walls, floor, and ceiling made of stone. A passage that seems to extend indefinitely.

And the air that feels strangely warm and humid.

“…It’s no different from an underground dungeon.”

It was the kind of air with a strange tension that he had experienced countless times while adventuring.

He felt the sense of being an adventurer, which he had slightly forgotten while staying in a safe(?) place for a month, gradually returning.

Looking around, he saw no human figures other than himself.

Cleon thought that he was the only one who had fallen here.

Then he takes out something like a compass in a small case from his pocket.

This was also one of the magic tools Laila had prepared, and due to material or cost issues, she could only make one.

But its effect was quite useful even here.

`Needle of Life Compass`

A magic tool that always points in the direction of the closest living being other than the user.

It cannot distinguish between friend or foe, but it can detect any living being without problem.

So, it was quite a suitable item to get started.

The needle, having received Cleon’s magic power, spins around to detect nearby life forms.

After a moment, as if it detected something.

The needle stops, pointing beyond the passage.

Cleon slowly begins to walk, taking a step without lowering his guard.

The interior of the labyrinth had a strange atmosphere, with magic lamps that never went out always shining at maximum brightness.

Thanks to this, if there wasn’t a wall blocking the way, it felt as if his vision could reach far into the distance.

Perhaps, these magic lamps are also not real magic lamps, but a part of Ariadne.

Judging based on the story he heard from Laila.

Ariadne itself felt less like a simple magic tool and more like a living being with will.

That’s why- he felt it was a bit strange for it to change owners so easily.

No matter what, the stories Laila told about Beatrix, the Minotaurus, and the Execution Department flashed through his mind.

He shakes his head to clear away the distracting thoughts, and as he moves forward-

He hears human footsteps coming from beyond the corner just ahead, turning to the left.

The needle had somehow turned about 45 degrees to the left.

Click, clack.

The footsteps were the sound of shoes. Judging by the regular but light steps, they were the steps of a woman who had received some training.

But she couldn’t silence her footsteps, so it seemed she wasn’t very experienced in real combat.

He timed it and spoke from the front of the corner.

“Stop.”

“… …!”

He felt her recoil in surprise from beyond the wall.

“Which side?”

Cleon’s words were simple in meaning.

Are you with the Execution Department, or not?

Any human in this place had to belong to one side or the other.

After a brief silence, Cleon grips the sword in his hand more tightly.

The next moment, focusing his nerves to be ready to pursue or counter the opponent at any time-

“Um, excuse me… Are you… a student from the Academy…?”

The reply that came back was slightly unexpected.

“…No, I’m an instructor. Who are you?”

“I, I’m… Tina. I’m a student from the Culinary Department…”

“…What?”

Cleon couldn’t help but let the strength drain from his sword at the somewhat dazed reply.

In the first place, the Culinary Department is an outside department in this operation, to the extent that they didn’t even participate in activating the barrier stones.

By now, they should be in other buildings preventing people from approaching the open space.

Why was a student like her here?

Perhaps, was it a trap by the Execution Department to make him lower his guard?

“Proof…?”

“Pr- proof…? U- um… Well, I have cookies, would you like some…?”

Slightly, a hand holding a cookie stretches out from beyond the wall.

Cleon is flustered, but in an instant, he uses Laila’s emotion magic to check the inside of the cookie.

It seemed to contain no poison.

Then he picked up the cookie and put it in his mouth.

A crisp and warm texture, as if freshly baked.

And the scent of cacao and butter spreading as it melts gently in his mouth.

It was simply an excellent cookie.

“… …H- how is it?”

“It really seems like you’re from the Culinary Department…”

As Cleon replied, his suspicion of her slightly waning.

“Ah, no! The taste…”

“…It was delicious.”

Hearing that reply, Tina’s hand clenched tightly.

Perhaps, it was an expression of joy.

“T- then, can I come out now…?”

Tina said that and appeared before Cleon could say anything.

What appeared from beyond the wall was-

A girl with a cute impression, her ashen hair styled in a unique way with the left side curled into a bun and a side tail coexisting.

Her eyes were black like Cleon’s.

She didn’t look like she was from the Black Horse Tribe.

Most characteristic was that at first glance, she was outwardly just cute.

Perhaps there was fat gathered from tasting as a Culinary Department student?

And perhaps it was concentrated in her chest and hips?

Her voluminous figure, for a girl whose cuteness was the first thing that caught the eye, created a decadent charm as an accent.

“Ugh…!”

Seeing Cleon’s appearance, she slightly contorted her expression in tension and stepped back.

A young man from the Black Horse Tribe, gripping a fierce-looking red sword and wearing worn-out adventurer’s armor.

Cleon quickly returned his sword to its sheath and tried to reassure her.

“…Sorry. I scared you.”

“Ah, no… It’s okay. Really.”

Tina sighed at Cleon’s words and shook her head.

But the unsolved question remained.

“Why is a student from the Culinary Department here?”

“Well… I was, brought here. About two months ago.”

Tina drooped her shoulders.

Then she began to tell her story.

Tina was a regular Culinary Department student from a commoner background, who, as always, was practicing and sharing the finished food with others.

She said she was noticed by the Execution Department and kidnapped.

The reason for that was something Cleon found absurd.

“…Because it became difficult to go outside, and they needed someone to cook inside the labyrinth…?”

“Yes… Haha…”

Perhaps they were a group of idiots after all?

Cleon sighed slightly.

“Are there any other students kidnapped besides you?”

“No, there aren’t! Fortunately…”

Tina shook her head at Cleon’s words.

Then Cleon explained to her what was happening now.

“…Then, the heads and the Execution Department are going to fight?”

“Yes, that’s right. I want to take you outside, but to find the exit, we need to find someone from the Execution Department who has control over Ariadne.”

Tina made a face as if she was thinking for a moment, and then finally nodded and said to Cleon.

“Then, shall I guide you?”

“…You?”

Cleon’s face became surprised at Tina’s suggestion.

Since she didn’t seem to have combat ability, it would surely be better for her to hide.

“It feels safer to be with Mr. Cleon than being alone. And I, I’ve somewhat memorized the paths around here.”

“…That’s a reassuring proposal…”

If she had a grasp of the labyrinth’s paths, getting her help would be faster.

The Needle of Life Compass quickly proved useful.

He expressed his gratitude to Laila in his heart.

“Alright. Then, don’t leave my side.”

“Yes! I’ll be counting on you, Mr. Cleon!”

Saying that, Tina extended her hand to Cleon.

Cleon took her hand and shook it up and down, shaking hands.

“Oh, huh. Weren’t we going to hold hands…?”

“Then it’s hard to fight…”