Preparation for Entry

The heat of the coronation ceremony, which had made the capital sizzle, soon gave way to information about the labyrinth released by the Imperial Family, heating up the entire continent as if spring had already arrived.

The content released by the Imperial Family was simple. The founding Emperor had sealed the labyrinth due to its danger, but the new Emperor intended to give everyone a chance at a fortune, as a new era had begun.

With that, the Imperial Family distributed a document detailing the regulations regarding the labyrinth throughout the continent.

1. Anyone can enter the labyrinth.

2. Anything obtained within the labyrinth belongs to the individual who obtained it.

3. If one wishes to sell treasures and artifacts obtained from the labyrinth, they can use the auction house managed by the Imperial Family.

4. The first to clear each floor of the labyrinth will receive a great reward from the Imperial Family, and their name will be recorded at the entrance of the labyrinth.

5. All incidents that occur within the labyrinth are to be resolved within the labyrinth and not brought outside.

6. Those belonging to the Imperial Family can participate as long as it doesn’t interfere with their official duties, and those belonging to the Magic Tower can freely participate with the permission of the Tower Lord.

7. Since the labyrinth exists beneath the Imperial Palace, one must follow the rules of the Imperial Family outside the labyrinth, and those who do not comply may be severely punished.

– The labyrinth is scheduled to open at 10 AM on February 20, 623 of the Imperial Calendar. The order of entry will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of status or reputation.

Exactly three days after this document was distributed across the continent, the day before the labyrinth’s opening, an estimated crowd of 720,000 people (according to the Imperial Palace investigation team) gathered at the entrance of the Imperial Palace.

Adventurer Guilds, Magic Towers, mercenaries wandering the continent, nameless guilds, people seeking a fortune, villains, and criminals gathered with one heart.

Some were already forming parties and sharing information about the labyrinth, while others were creating alliances to establish their own zones within the labyrinth.

***

Modist’s basement.

Everyone from the rescue team gathered in preparation for the opening of the labyrinth tomorrow. Of course, Bella couldn’t participate. Now that she’s the Empress, it would be nearly impossible for her to attend our gatherings. Instead, Lamine, who would be Bella’s eyes and ears, attended.

As I confirmed everyone’s presence and was about to speak, Estelle suddenly raised her hand. Judging by her expression, she had something to say to everyone. When I nodded, Estelle lowered her hand and sighed.

“…The Order sent Konfision into the labyrinth.”

Everyone didn’t react much to Estelle’s words. Yunis had already predicted it, so no one was surprised. But everyone couldn’t help but look surprised at Estelle’s following words.

“I’ve been ordered to join him there too.”

“…Is the Order serious this time?”

At Yunis’s words, Raelan, who had been stroking his chin, looked at me.

“That’s a shame. I thought Estelle would be the one to make the biggest contribution in the labyrinth.”

As Raelan said, Estelle, as the successor of an assassin group, could play the biggest role in the labyrinth with her skills and experience. It seems the Order hasn’t forgotten that either. It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Estelle can’t refuse the Order’s orders because of restrictions.

“Don’t get hurt and come back safely.”

At my worried voice, Estelle shrugged, telling me not to worry.

“Instead of worrying about me, how about worrying about how to fill the void left by someone as outstanding as I am?”

I nodded silently at Estelle, who was grumbling to hide her embarrassment. Estelle’s absence will definitely be significant. To fill it, just anyone won’t do. As I was about to think about whether there was anyone suitable, Raelan said bluntly.

“Of course, I’ve prepared a replacement.”

“…What?”

Estelle looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, and Raelan said as if it were obvious.

“I judged that if the Order truly wants the Holy Grail, they would use all the cards they could. I already expected you to join them.”

With that, Raelan snapped his fingers with a ‘ttak-‘ sound. Then, someone came down the stairs of the basement. It was a familiar face.

“The Adjuster…?”

“Yes, I rushed over after receiving Raelan’s urgent call.”

Having said that, the Adjuster abruptly took out his staff and pointed it at me. Then, Ellie and Estelle, who were sitting next to me, immediately shielded me with their bodies and aimed their daggers at the Adjuster.

“I’m sorry, but I still don’t fully trust Raelan. The reason I came here was because of his promise to give me definite proof.”

At the Adjuster’s gesture, Raelan turned to me and said.

“The Adjuster wants memories. If he gets his memories, he’ll become our ally.”

The Adjuster’s joining will sufficiently fill Estelle’s void. As I tapped my waist with my fingertips, Estelle and Ellie, who were blocking me, stepped slightly aside.

As I stretched out my hand to create a snow globe, the Adjuster, who was watching, exclaimed.

“A fascinating magical structure. It’s similar to Nelson’s magic, but it has its own unique originality mixed in.”

As soon as the snow globe was completed, the Adjuster immediately reached out and closed his eyes for a long time, digesting the memories. Finally, the Adjuster, who opened his eyes, lowered the staff he had been pointing at me and said.

“…Another world, I can’t believe it, but I have no choice but to believe it. I could see the binding magic that I haven’t completed yet in the memories.”

He seemed to be referring to the binding magic that was activated when Roel killed the Adjuster. As if evaluating the snow globe, the Adjuster’s originality was clearly revealed in the magic created by his future self. That became proof that the memories were not fake.

“Will you join us?”

At my question, the Adjuster smirked.

“Of course, I will. How could I miss out on saving the world? Please take care of me, everyone. Feel free to call me Konrad.”

Konrad quickly became close with his comrades. Ellie, who was also a magician, respected the great mage Adjuster, and Yunis was pleased that a capable colleague had joined. Estelle stuck to him like glue, smelling money and trying to extract information, and Lamine quietly listened to Konrad’s words as usual.

Raelan, who had brought Konrad, was pondering something with a face that showed no interest at all, resting his chin on his hand. As if he had finished organizing his thoughts, Raelan got up from his seat and approached me, whispering so that others couldn’t hear.

“What are you planning to do about the Saintess?”

At the unexpected question, I was silent for a moment. I hadn’t forgotten my promise to save the Saintess. But right now, reviving Luna was the priority. As if sensing my worries, Raelan said.

“The deaths of the Immortal and the Emperor have eliminated the opportunity for the Holy Sword’s seal to be broken. The Saintess’s predetermined ending has changed. But Roel, who killed the Cloud Whale and the Fairy King to become stronger, won’t give up on the Saintess, who is a condition for breaking the Holy Sword’s seal.”

As Raelan said, if Roel had the Saintess in front of him, he would swing his sword without the slightest hesitation. I sighed and answered.

“…We need to find another way to break the Holy Sword’s seal.”

“What if there was one?”

At Raelan’s words, I looked at him with slightly widened eyes. Could it be that Raelan had found another way? Raelan, who received my expectant gaze, twisted one corner of his mouth.

“If that method involves using the Holy Grail, what are you going to do?”

Realizing the meaning of that question, I bit my lip and glared at Raelan with eyes full of disappointment.

“Will you revive your beloved Luna using the Holy Grail, or will you break the Holy Sword’s seal and eliminate the reason to kill the Saintess? I’m curious about your choice.”

“…Of course, it’s Luna.”

I know that saving the Saintess would be a great blessing for everyone. But I chose Luna. A world without Luna had no meaning to me. Even if it meant breaking my promise with the Saintess, I would choose Luna.

“The Holy Grail is an object that grants wishes using the power of God. Then there would be a possibility that it could break the seal of the Holy Sword, which also contains the power of the same God. Knowing that, choosing to revive Luna means leaving the Saintess to die.”

“…Even so, I will revive Luna.”

Not just the Saintess, but even if it cost me my life, I would choose Luna. Luna is more precious than anything else.

“That doesn’t mean I’m giving up on the Saintess. I’ll find another way, not the Holy Grail… I’ll definitely save everyone. Because I promised.”

“Definitely?”

“Yes, definitely.”

Raelan, who had been looking into my eyes for a moment, smiled with satisfaction.

“You’ve grown. You look much better than before, when you were afraid of chasing two rabbits and losing them both.”

Raelan, who put his hand on my shoulder, twisted one corner of his mouth.

“Considering you ran away from the Transcendence Academy because you were afraid of losing your friends like Luna.”

“…”

“For your information, the students of Transcendence Academy have also decided to participate in the labyrinth.”

At those words, I looked at Raelan with disbelief. Seeing him shrug as if it were true, I hid my embarrassment and said.

“…Headmaster Nelson wouldn’t allow students to go to such a dangerous place.”

“No, he allowed it. It’s only natural for Transcendence Academy, which receives support from the Imperial Family, to participate. However, considering the danger, it’s conditional on participation from the second year onwards.”

I felt a sense of betrayal for a moment. I thought Nelson would oppose it for the safety of the students, even if it meant fighting with Bella.

“…Many students will die. I need to tell Bella to stop the Academy’s participation, even now.”

At my urgent words, Raelan shook his head.

“The students will be carrying out the task of cleaning up the areas that the advance team has passed through. They’re just providing rear support to the Magic Tower and the Adventurer Guild to gain practical experience. There won’t be many direct battles. Professors and knights will be with them, so it won’t be a dangerous battle either.”

I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief at Raelan’s words. I felt a little ashamed for feeling betrayed by Headmaster Nelson.

“But your precious friends are different.”

“…Yes?”

Raelan gave a sinister smile.

“Do you think the Order that killed Luna would miss this opportunity?”

Instantly, my fists clenched.