episode_0083

Looking only at the Crown Prince’s proposal, it doesn’t seem bad.

However, it’s dangerous to trust everyone as they are.

Shouldn’t I at least figure out who this person is to some extent?

That’s why I didn’t immediately agree out loud.

“If I were to agree, what could you do for me?”

“Anything.”

“We’ve only met twice, aren’t you trusting me too much?”

“Ah, I get what you mean. For sure, to build trust, I should share a piece of information first.”

Tap, tap.

The Crown Prince tapped the table twice with his fingers, then calmly spoke one sentence.

“Soon, Black Mages will occupy the Labyrinth. The Guild that obtains this information will deceive explorers into believing a dangerous situation is occurring in the Labyrinth and will prevent them from entering as much as possible.”

It was shocking news.

It was a story I knew nothing about, but Grace, who was a little more informed, suddenly spoke with surprise.

“Could it be that the news about the space inside the Labyrinth being distorted and personnel being dispatched for investigation… is that?”

“That’s right. But it’s a lie. It’s an unavoidable lie because they can’t afford to lose the low-level and mid-level explorers, I suppose.”

“Then the rumor about the atmosphere inside the Labyrinth being unusual…”

“That would be the same story.”

“But I never imagined the reason would be that Black Mages are occupying it.”

“After all, there’s a limit to the information ordinary people can access.”

Tap, tap.

The Crown Prince looked directly at me and smirked.

“How about it? This should have been a little helpful.”

“That is true.”

If I had just gone inside knowing only that rumors were circulating, encountering Black Mages would be far too dangerous.

“Of course, this isn’t the end. Why are the Black Mages trying to occupy the Labyrinth, and meticulously so, for quite some time?”

“That’s also true.”

“From here, it’s paid.”

The Crown Prince clearly conveyed that he would only reveal higher-level information if I joined forces with him.

‘He’s right, I’m definitely lacking a lot of information.’

Aside from not belonging anywhere, the information an ordinary explorer can know is limited. Of course, there is also information I only know with the help of the Status Window.

After a moment of thought, I made a decision.

“Understood. I don’t know exactly what you want me to help with, but I will assist you within my capabilities.”

“Good.”

The Crown Prince seemed satisfied, his face momentarily brightening. Of course, it quickly returned to its cold and sharp state. Perhaps even he didn’t expect me to agree unconditionally.

“The reason the Black Mages are causing such a stir is because of the Evil God’s Apostle who ran away from home.”

“…I somewhat expected that. I thought it was strange how quiet it had been until now.”

After Noah fled to my house, it had been too quiet.

And it’s not like they didn’t know Noah was at my house.

“Should I say they were looking for a proper justification? Or should I say they secretly tightened the encirclement to definitely catch the prey?”

Like the calm before a storm.

Noah could enjoy peace only because they had tightened the encirclement, making her harder to catch if she escaped.

“Evacuate the Evil God’s Apostle. Or abandon them. If they stay with you, there will be bloodshed. Even you. I don’t want that.”

“…Yes.”

“You probably know that the Chief God’s religion, the Ariel Church, isn’t clean.”

“I know it to the bone.”

“It would take too long to explain in detail, so I’ll explain it simply. The Ariel Church doesn’t want the Labyrinth to disappear.”

“The Labyrinth will disappear?”

“If the Evil God is subjugated, the Labyrinth will disappear, and if the Labyrinth disappears, all sorts of vested interests will fall into chaos. Simply put, the Ariel Church is nothing more than an interest group. That’s why, despite their immense power, they aren’t subjugating the Black Mages and are leaving the Evil God within the Empire alone.”

I recalled the Saintess, Aria, whom I had seen recently.

Clearly, she knew I was the Apostle, so how did she act? Her actions were full of questions. She wasn’t helping, and sometimes she openly obstructed me.

“They want the Apostle to move as they please, under their thumb. If you die, you’ll be swallowed by the Evil God and speak for it, and if you subjugate the Evil God, they lose all their profits.”

“By profits, you mean cards, right?”

“Yes. While general card replacement is possible at the Guild, Curse Cards must be erased at the Ariel Church. Furthermore, the replacement magic arrays at the Guild were also created by the Ariel Church.”

“Also, if there’s no Labyrinth, there are no injured people, making it difficult to obtain wealth.”

“Exactly. The Ariel Church is one of the groups that benefit the most from the existence of the Labyrinth. If the Labyrinth disappears and the Evil God is subjugated, the Ariel Church will quickly lose power.”

The Ariel Church. It reminds me of a well-built corporation. The way they try to manipulate the world to keep their vested interests and privileges.

“Unfortunately, in the past, whenever the Ariel Church was corrupted, the Chief God would directly purify it. But now, lacking that power, they can only rely on a single Apostle.”

“…Yes.”

As expected, the Ariel Church is no help to me. I might receive minor assistance, but if that goodwill accumulates, it will ultimately become an obstacle when facing a major task.

It was a good choice to create my own clan after realizing I was the Chief God’s Apostle, rather than seeking support from the Ariel Church.

“It’s fortunate that we understand each other quite well. Among mages, there are so many eccentric people…”

I couldn’t quite laugh at the Crown Prince’s jibe.

Because the mages from the Magic Tower came to mind.

“Lastly, a piece of advice: I cannot publicly support you. So it would be good to find someone who can back you up, at least. Well, I’m sure you know that without me saying it.”

Snap.

As the Crown Prince snapped his fingers, Laze the Light-Speed had returned to his side without a sound.

“It’s time. It’s time for the attendant who sensed something was off to come in.”

As the Crown Prince nodded and moved, Laze the Light-Speed confirmed for the last time.

“Should I take them outside?”

“Return them to their original spot.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Wait…”

Before I could say anything, Grace and I were instantly transported.

We found ourselves back where our clan members were.

“Wha, what? How did you get here?”

Mark’s bewildered gaze immediately turned to Laze standing beside him.

“Th-the Light-Speed Laze?!”

“Nice to meet you. I was just chatting with your clan leader for a bit and brought them back.”

“Oooh! Laze-nim, could I perhaps get an autograph…”

“It’s already there?”

An autograph-signed piece of paper was already in Mark’s hand.

“Oooh! As expected, your autograph is fast too!”

“Right. Have a good time!”

Laze vanished in an instant.

My mind was half-gone from the sudden shift in situation, unable to fully process it.

Too much information had flooded into my head.

My head throbbed.

“Haa…”

A deep sigh escaped me.

Indeed, it seems my fate is not to live peacefully.

“Anything else you want to see at the auction?”

“No. I’ve bought everything I needed to buy.”

“Then let’s go back.”

First, I need to meet with Noah.

*

On the way back to the clan building.

The scenery had always been similar until now.

Was it true that the more you know, the differently the world appears?

Today, in particular, the gazes watching us felt a little ominous, or maybe it was just my imagination.

Upon returning to the clan immediately, I found Noah drinking and playing with the clan members.

Despite not being the same clan members, they had grown quite close.

I called out to her.

“What is it? You look troubled.”

“Well…”

I calmly and clearly relayed the story.

That Black Mages would occupy the Labyrinth, and their target would be Noah, the Evil God’s Apostle.

“Is that so? I thought it was strange that I hadn’t been caught until now. I originally thought I could last quite long, even staying for just a month.”

“That’s true.”

When she first wanted to escape to this place. I never thought she would stay this long either. I even wondered if the world was this incompetent, but to think it was all a process of building a snare.

A saying came to mind: slowly increasing the water temperature to kill a frog.

Aren’t we in a similar situation to that frog?

“Certainly, just wandering around aimlessly would make me harder to find. Then, when I’m feeling secure, they’ll deliver a decisive checkmate.”

“But where did you get that information?”

“Ah… there’s something like that.”

I bit my tongue because the fact that I had a connection with the Crown Prince should not be revealed yet.

“Well, I guess you handled it well. But I have a good idea, want to hear it?”

“What is it?”

“Ah, well, I thought this situation might happen, so I learned some new magic at the Magic Tower.”

“What, you went to the Magic Tower? When?”

“Obviously when you were in the Labyrinth, right? I’m scared staying home alone. Who knows when they might kidnap me?”

Certainly, while I was here, I thought they wouldn’t dare intrude and take her, but if I was alone, they might. I thought she hadn’t been caught because she was fine until now, but something like this had happened.

“Ca-can you trust the Magic Tower?”

“The Tower Master said you’re his disciple?”

“…? Since when?”

“Since I first came here.”

“…?!!??”

No, since when did that old man start making preparations?

It’s highly likely he’s been watching me for longer than I thought.

I should visit him sometime and protest.

“So, there, you received alcohol from the Tower Master and were treated with great hospitality? He did everything I asked?”

“I see.”

They say to target the people around someone to conquer them. As expected of the Tower Master, he’s not an easy man.

Still, I should probably thank him for helping, I’ll express my gratitude sometime later.

“So, what did you learn?”

“It’s an exclusive magic specifically prepared for me by the Tower Master himself!”

“Show me.”

As soon as I said that, Noah suddenly spread her arms and approached me.

Grace, who was just watching that scene, suddenly cut in.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“…? I’m using magic?”

“But why are you trying to hug him?”

“Because that’s how the magic works?”

“Just what kind of magic is it?”

“Ah, shoot! Just do as I say!”

When Noah spoke firmly, Grace stepped back slightly.

Then Noah approached with a playful expression, spreading her arms.

Unfolding my senses to read, I saw she was covered in mana from head to toe.

What on earth is she trying to do?

Is it an assassination?

As all sorts of thoughts ran through my mind.

Noah hugged me.

“…What?!”

Grace’s face turned red, and she frantically tried to pull her away.

But I remained still.

Because her mana had started to seep into me.

“…M-my body is disappearing?”

Noah’s body was slowly vanishing.

It looked that way to the eye, but what was happening internally was entirely different.

“Imprint.”

Noah’s body slowly melted into the dense shadow.

I don’t know how this is possible, but in the blink of an eye, she vanished from this world.

Even reading and analyzing all the surrounding mana with my unfolded senses, I couldn’t find any trace of her anywhere.

Grace also sniffed around, using all her senses to search for her, but couldn’t find her at all.

“What happened…?”

“Yay!!!”

Suddenly, Noah popped out of the shadow again. She immediately sat precisely on my lap.

“It seems to have worked out. How is it? Don’t you think we can hide like this?”

“Well… honestly, I’m not sure.”

Will this really work? I don’t know exactly how the magic is implemented. But since her mana has seeped into my body, won’t there be a trace left behind?

“Well, we’ll know when it happens.”

Noah said, sinking back into my shadow.

Whether this will work, as she said, we will only know when the situation occurs.

*

Time flowed by, and a few days passed.

A sudden rumor circulated through the peaceful Labyrinth City.

Flyers spread to all explorers. It was the story that spatial cracks had appeared inside the Labyrinth, making it dangerous.

People of this era easily swayed and believed such rumors, even if they were just gossip.

It was natural to be cautious when one’s life was at stake.

Of course, explorers who needed to earn a living day by day went inside.

But after a few days passed without anything happening inside, the power of the widespread rumor weakened. Just as people were about to enter the Labyrinth again.

It was said that investigators were dispatched from the Guild.

Everyone flinched because of the abnormally fast-spreading news.

Even within our clan, there were people who believed in superstition and such stories. Of course, we had no immediate intention of entering anyway as our last exploration was arduous, so we decided to watch the trend for now.

And soon after, the incident occurred.

“Did you hear?!”

Kailek burst in, opening the door violently.

“They say the Black Mages have occupied the Labyrinth!!!”

“Really?”

I wasn’t surprised. I had already heard something about it from the Crown Prince.

“Right now, the Guild is in chaos because of it!”

“That’s fortunate. We didn’t enter the Labyrinth this time.”

“Indeed. I clearly said we shouldn’t enter, and I was exactly right!”

“I’m worried.”

“…So what do you say?”

“I don’t know either.”

For now, the first crisis has passed.

But this won’t be the end.

One day, while quietly repeating training and practice in the clan building.

What the Black Mages desired spread through the Labyrinth City.

[Return of the Evil God’s Apostle]

They said that only this would allow for negotiation.

Because the Black Mages had never acted like this before, the entire Labyrinth City was turned upside down.

And the conclusion reached by all the higher-ups was one.

Let’s return them.

“It’s funny. They could just form a subjugation force and send them in.”

“Perhaps there were people who thought that way logically. It’s obvious what would happen if that Apostle fell into the Evil God’s hands.”

Negotiating with terrorists is fundamentally against the principle. They shouldn’t be unaware of that.

But humans are…

They tend not to care much about distant problems.

As the situation dragged on, discontent accumulated among the explorers.

Furthermore, information, spread by who knows whom, that the Apostle was within the Labyrinth City became public knowledge.

And the anger of the populace sometimes erupted in strange directions.

Of course, I don’t think there was no instigation involved.

“Ivan Arcana, come out!!!”

Suddenly, a crowd of explorers had gathered in front of the clan building.

And the one leading them was the Saintess of the Ariel Church, Aria.

Backed by public opinion, and the myriad of vested interests in the Labyrinth City, Aria came to arrest me and Noah.

“Everyone, stay here.”

Leaving all the clan members behind, I stepped outside alone.

Familiar faces were visible. The old woman who runs the restaurant next door, the general store where I often buy goods, etc. All the residents from the surrounding area had gathered.

“What is the matter?”

“Ivan Arcana. The Ariel Church has discovered that you are hiding the Evil God’s Apostle. This act constitutes heresy, and the Church has the right to punish it.”

“Yes. She was at our clan building for a while.”

“…Yes?”

Aria’s expression momentarily crumpled at my unexpectedly confident response. Of course, she quickly returned to her benevolent Saintess face.

“I didn’t know she was the Evil God’s Apostle. I simply helped her a little because she was a wanderer who asked for a place to sleep.”

“Then it’s possible to call her out now?”

“Ah, she recently left the Labyrinth City.”

“Is that the truth?”

“Yes. She stayed for a few months, but perhaps feeling she was causing trouble, she said she was leaving for a distant place. Her room is also empty. If you have doubts, you may investigate inside.”

“……”

Aria immediately entered the clan building with the Holy Knights.

While she searched the building and questioned the clan members, I waited, held by the Holy Knights.

After a long time passed, the Saintess, Aria, came outside.

What would the result be?

I had done my best, but it was still a moment of tension.

She let out a deep sigh, then declared the result to everyone around.

“It seems to be true. Her mana has completely disappeared. And for quite some time.”

It seems I won the first round.

But this is not the end.

“Ivan Arcana. Would you please accompany us for questioning?”

“…Yes.”

From now on, it is even more important.