Chapter 1388: Variation (27)

Lennok walked through the center of a massive underground waterway that stretched endlessly downwards.

Flickering flames subtly illuminated the dark corridor, faintly lighting Martina who led the way.

“The First Gate leading into the depths of the Central Front has long been a subject of contention.”

“……”

“One can cross the Veil without passing through the Gate, but the higher the caliber of a soul, the greater the toll and loss when forcefully breaking through the Veil.”

Martina’s words continued calmly in the silence.

“The mana concentration inside and outside the Veil differs drastically, leading to various side effects if the osmotic pressure isn’t artificially regulated through the Gate. Thus, for powerful Transcendent beings, and for larger factions, passing through the Gate is indispensable.”

“……”

“Therefore, as the Guardian protecting Gateway City, I have always—”

“Alright, alright. That’s all well and good, but tell me this.”

Freya, walking behind with a sullen expression, cut her off abruptly and asked.

“You said you were a Guardian Spirit Beast born in this city. Who taught you about Gateway City?”

“……”

“You claim you knew you had to protect this city from birth. So, you couldn’t have learned it from the patrol units, could you?”

“I don’t know. I have no memory of it.”

Martina replied.

“From the moment I awakened, I vaguely knew about this city. At the same time, I understood what purpose I had awakened for.”

“Do you really think that makes sense? You don’t know who told you, but you just ‘knew’ anyway?”

Freya’s eyes narrowed.

“You know that doesn’t make sense, don’t you? You’re just shamelessly answering that way, even though you know.”

“……”

“Hey, what kind of Guardian Spirit Beast to Cheonbeon calls his own master by name like a friend—Mmph!!!!”

“My apologies. It seems my companion has a slight bovine phobia and is a bit excited.”

Hylaea, holding Freya’s mouth shut with one hand and pulling her back, spoke calmly.

“We have no intention of provoking you, so let’s just continue.”

“Hylaea, what are you saying? I don’t have anything but a ridiculous crocodile phobia—”

“No, it’s fine. I too know that my memories are not complete.”

As Agneta’s spiderwebs bound Freya’s struggling mouth, Martina raised her gaze.

“Perhaps you, the rogues who shamelessly invaded Gateway City, find me suspicious enough. I understand.”

“This person, somehow subtly blaming us, isn’t she?”

“Let’s put an end to this unproductive conversation and discuss the plan further.”

Lennok glanced back at Hylaea.

“So, when are we departing for Paradise Lost? Hasn’t the schedule already been somewhat delayed?”

Martina’s presence was a variable Lennok hadn’t even imagined, but it was also true that because of it, their schedule in Gateway City had become longer than expected.

Even if they departed from Gateway City right now, wouldn’t it still take time to reach Paradise Lost?

But Hylaea immediately shook her head at Lennok’s words.

“There will be no time spent on the journey from Gateway City to Paradise Lost. The schedule won’t be delayed.”

“I don’t understand what you mean. Do you imply that once we locate Paradise Lost, we can instantly cross over to it?”

“Since obtaining information about the Nether King’s legacy, we’ve also been preparing for quite some time.”

Hylaea said calmly.

“We’ve made prior arrangements to borrow various ‘Authorities’ from different places. If necessary, we can cross over to Paradise Lost as soon as we confirm the Black Coffin.”

“……”

It seemed strange that the other members, led by Hylaea, didn’t appear particularly rushed; had a way to travel to Paradise Lost already been prepared?

From her tone, it seemed as if they had been able to move immediately upon finding Paradise Lost’s location from the start.

Did Hylaea also consider the matter of the Nether King’s legacy the most crucial part of this plan?

“If the Black Coffin Martina mentioned is truly part of the Nether King’s legacy, it will undoubtedly be a crucial key to this endeavor.”

Leaving Lennok lost in thought, Hylaea moved forward.

“We can’t trust all her words, but if it’s true, it will be a great help. It’s sufficient as the final task to handle in this city.”

“We’ve arrived. This is the place.”

WHOOSH!!!!!

Spread before Martina, who had stopped, was an underground cavern where the water flowing through the waterway plunged like a waterfall.

At the end of a path where waterways crisscrossed like a labyrinth, flowing throughout the city, stood three colossal gates.

Structures of a size one wouldn’t imagine existing in the middle of Gateway City’s underground waterways, easily towering over an average human.

Martina raised her hand and pointed to the three gates.

“If you choose one of those gates and pass through, you will find the Black Coffin you seek. According to my memory, it didn’t greatly matter which gate you chose.”

“Are you truly certain that is the Nether King’s legacy?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even properly know who this ‘Nether King’ is to begin with.”

Martina replied to Soryu’s words.

“All I remember is seeing the Black Coffin when I awakened beyond that gate. I haven’t personally checked its contents.”

“……Are you going to say you don’t even remember why you know that?”

Silence fell.

Martina’s utterly unyielding attitude, as if to ask why they would inquire about something she already knew.

“Enough with the pointless questions, let’s move.”

Lennok took a step.

“There are three gates in total, so we’ll divide the party and enter. The first one to arrive will retrieve the Black Coffin.”

“Ahem, wouldn’t it be better if I, being of the same bloodline as the Nether King, received the Black Coffin? Let’s have the first one to arrive hand it over to me.”

“Alright. Ermont, wait here with me. Shall the rest of you quickly divide into teams?”

“Huh?!”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but dividing the party here will be useless.”

Martina, observing the scene, said.

“From the start, the people who can pass beyond the gates are predetermined. It’s not something you can decide.”

“……Why didn’t you say that first?”

“I did say so. Didn’t I already state that it wouldn’t greatly matter which gate you chose?”

“You clearly need to re-learn the continental common language from scratch. Do you honestly think that means the same thing as what you just explained?”

Hylaea, giving up on the conversation, moved towards the gates at the end of the cavern.

“For now, we should approach the gates, investigate, and then decide. Which way should we go?”

“This way. There’s a staircase that spirals down around the waterway.”

“Staircase?”

Hundreds of steps were visible, spiraling down along the walls at the end of the waterway.

The horrific sight of the endlessly winding staircase was enough to evoke the nightmare of the Hanghasa Labyrinth.

“……”

Lennok wasn’t the only one thinking the same thing; Maiya and Ermont also wore awkward expressions.

Perhaps the experience they had in Jindun’s Cradle had left a deep impression on them.

In the subtle, unspoken camaraderie, Martina led the way without hesitation.

“Come down slowly. If you’re unlucky enough to fall and get swept away by the current, you might end up in the sewage treatment plant.”

“……”

Beside the silent Lennok, the other members passed him one by one.

“Looking at it like this, it’s quite a height. Was such a massive facility hidden beneath Gateway City?”

“This wasn’t newly built when Gateway City was restored, was it? Could it be traces of ancient ruins?”

“I don’t know. There isn’t an expert in this field among us to begin with.”

“A new archaeologist recently joined Pandemonium. It might be good to consult him later.”

“What, they took in another new recruit? At this rate, we could form a basketball team. Isn’t it a bit awkward to call ourselves a ‘select elite’ anymore?”

“It doesn’t matter, does it? They die off somewhere as quickly as they’re taken in. And one of those cocky black wizards is slated to die soon, too.”

“Freya, who is going to unluckily die, you mean? I’m going to tenaciously survive and—”

WHOOSH!!

Something flashed past beside the grumbling Ermont.

A speed so swift it made the conversing members’ heads turn.

Lennok, having dropped without even touching the stairs, was falling rapidly.

“……What are you doing?”

WHOOSH!!

Just before colliding with the water’s surface, he spread Gileon’s wings, narrowly reducing his speed.

The recoil unleashed a fierce gust of wind, making the waterway surge like waves.

Lennok, extending his wings and instantly landing before the gates, turned his gaze.

“Don’t just stand there idly, come down quickly. I think I’ve found something about the gates.”

“Are those the rumored wings? The ones said to belong to the Legion Commander……”

“What, are you just showing off that you’re the only one with good equipment?”

Ermont and Freya grumbled, unable to refute Lennok’s words.

Before long, the party reached the end of the underground cavern and stopped before the three gates.

Among the members gazing up at the gates, several soon began to react.

“……Hold on, this.”

“I had a hunch, but that’s it, isn’t it?”

“The form is very different, but there’s no mistaking it. More importantly, the method itself is……”

Several members exchanged gazes with strange expressions.

Ermont and Sarin only then caught on to the implication and wore puzzled expressions.

“I don’t understand anything. Did you find something?”

“What is it? Why are you discussing something only you know, making us feel excluded?”

“Anyone who participated in the [Gate] assault operation in Kabahim will remember.”

Soryu, toying with the royal family’s treasured sword as if recalling that time, looked up at the gates.

“Back then, when we went to meet the Director, there was a similar passage to this.”

“……Ah.”

That time, after finishing all matters in Kabahim, when they arrived at an unnamed island in the Northern Continent to meet the Director.

The members of Pandemonium had split up in the dark passage located inside the island, each meeting the Director.

Even then, the criteria by which the party was divided were not self-determined, but rather they were automatically separated by specific conditions.

And the being who created the passage used to meet the Director at that time was none other than—

“Myeong made these gates in the underground of Gateway City?”

Freya asked with a bewildered expression.

“I heard his mind wasn’t even sound during the later stages of the Gabihaeng, so when in the world……”

“It must have been when the Nether King visited this city for the Gabihaeng.”

Hylaea said in a calm tone.

“The fact that Cheonbeon diverted the Gabihaeng means that he succeeded in awakening the Nether King’s consciousness, however briefly, in some way.”

“……”

“If the Nether King left these gates here after the battle between Cheonbeon and the Conjunction Spell Master, it makes sense that this place wasn’t damaged. The problem, of course, is……”

“The question of why the Nether King left the Black Coffin here during the Gabihaeng.”

The Conjunction Spell Master said in an unperturbed tone.

“Timewise, it’s clear he made his move immediately after I died at Cheonbeon’s hands. There must be a reason why he acted that way.”

“……”

“The fact that Cheonbeon left the Black Coffin without recovering my body or intervening with the gates while diverting the Gabihaeng clearly means he had a good—”

The Spell Master frowned at the gazes directed at him.

“That’s a nasty expression. What is it?”

“Nothing, just surprised you’re so nonchalant about your own death.”

“Do you think I would have returned to this city if I cared about such things? Stop with the useless worries and move.”

The Spell Master said so and moved without hesitation.

“Considering the last time, the party will automatically divide just by approaching it, won’t it? I detest wasting time.”

“No, wait a minute. First, we need to hear in detail what happened in Kabahim—”

WHOOSH!!!

Before Hylaea could finish speaking, a darkness erupted from beyond the gates, engulfing the party with incredible speed.

The members, instinctively ducking their heads, had their vision dyed pitch black by an overwhelming dark mist, causing a jumble of sensations.

How much time had passed since Lennok released his Targeted Resistance and surrendered to the flow?

Before he knew it, Lennok realized he was standing in a solid and complex labyrinth.

“This place is……”

THUD……!!

A cold exterior, as if the floor and walls were constructed from several layers of incredibly hard alloy.

The entire labyrinth felt ponderous and heavy, as if it were clad in extremely sturdy armor.

It felt less like a simple labyrinth and more like a fortress or part of an evacuation facility built in preparation for war.

Behind Lennok, who was silently looking around, someone groaned and stood up, clutching their waist.

“Ugh…… My stomach’s churning, but it’s a similar feeling to last time. Is it because the passage was made when the Nether King wasn’t in good condition?”

“……”

The figure of a woman slowly loosening her body while casually tying up the fluttering sleeves of her blouse.

“Well, at least I’m not alone this time, thank goodness. Last time, I struggled until I met the other members…… Huh?!”

Freya stared at Lennok with a startled expression.

“What, it was the Tower Lord? But why?”

“That is a question I cannot answer.”

“No, there must be some criteria for dividing the party like this. I’ve never even seen you before today……”

Freya said with a sullen air.

“Don’t tell me it’s just the two of us here? Where are the others?”

“……Over here.”

At that moment, a subdued voice came from behind Freya.

Seeing Hylaea clutching her head while leaning against the labyrinth wall, Freya’s face brightened.

“Hylaea! I’m glad you’re here too. Right, there were eight of us, so at least three should stick together.”

“I originally had no intention of entering this place, you know.”

Hylaea, rising with difficulty, shook her head.

“I was planning to monitor Martina from outside the gates, but I ended up coming in with her. This is troubling.”

“Monitor? How are you going to monitor that woman?”

Freya wore a bewildered expression.

“Didn’t you see that woman fighting earlier? If she really wanted to, she could just blow a breath and turn you into a barbecue.”

“……Of course, I wouldn’t even be a match for her in terms of raw power, but I could at least detect if she tried anything suspicious. Anyway, let’s talk about what we’ve learned about the labyrinth first.”

Hylaea, forcing a wry smile, looked around the labyrinth covered in hard alloy.

“It’s a facility so vast it’s hard to believe it’s underground, but I can guess its purpose. If Martina truly awakened here, then this place must have been some kind of facility to imprison her.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Are you suggesting the entire labyrinth might have been a prison to confine the Guardian Spirit Beast?”

“Think about it. Would the maddened Nether King have had the luxury of creating and maintaining such a complex labyrinth during the Gabihaeng?”

Hylaea said.

“The three gates we encountered when entering the labyrinth. The fact that it divided our party into three didn’t seem to have much meaning. It’s evidence that the Nether King didn’t have enough leeway, to the point of having to reuse spell formations he had created a long time ago as assets here.”

“That’s……”

“All the Nether King likely did was leave the Black Coffin inside this labyrinth and place a spellcraft that only Pandemonium members could pass through. The labyrinth itself was probably a type of ruin that already existed beneath Gateway City.”

The black magic that created the shadow passage, left on the island they visited after finishing the matters in Kabahim.

Perhaps Myeong, who came to Gateway City, didn’t even have the luxury to adjust that spellcraft to suit this labyrinth.

Hylaea’s conjecture, combining small clues to distinguish the labyrinth’s creation period from Myeong’s intervention, had a rather plausible aspect.

“The structure of this labyrinth is extremely complex, yet our entry into it wasn’t particularly difficult. It’s evidence that the labyrinth’s design was created more for isolating something within it, rather than keeping intruders out.”

“……”

“However, if this labyrinth was indeed created to imprison a powerful Transcendent like Martina, then the internal security facilities and defenses are likely to be extremely stringent. Especially in the case of such a labyrinth……”

Hylaea glanced away and continued.

“The system for repelling intruders might also be equipped to a very high standard—”

WAAAAAANG—!!!!!

At that moment, red warning lights flashed from all directions, and the entire labyrinth began to shake violently.

Barrier walls made of solid alloy surged up between the walls and floor, and complex magic circles flashed.

RUUUUMBLE!!!!

Simultaneously, colossal knights clad in heavy armor rose from behind the barrier walls, their eye-gleams flashing.

Their overwhelming physique was enough to mistake them for giants rather than ordinary humans. Even the spear-swords in their hands were enormous, as if they could slice through a tank.

The giant knights glared distinctly at the party standing in the middle of the labyrinth, their ominous eye-gleams flashing from beyond their empty armors.

But Freya’s gaze was not on the knights’ imposing stature, but on the armor they wore.

“Hold on, that armor’s design. It looks familiar……”

“Freya. Your profession certainly gives you a keen eye for such things.”

Hylaea said with a stiff expression.

“Those knights’ armor. It’s almost identical to the heavy armor Martina was wearing.”

“……!!”

The significance of the knights guarding the labyrinth that imprisoned Martina, wearing armor identical to Martina’s own.

There was no time to delve into that fact or ponder it deeply.

As Freya’s expression dramatically shifted, the giant knights swung their weapons.

A colossal slash erupted, sweeping mercilessly through the center of the labyrinth like a fierce wave.

KRAAAAAANG!!!!

“Kyaaaaak?!!”

“Gah……?!”

Even after instinctively throwing her body back from a considerable distance, she nearly had her waist severed.

Freya, sprawling on the labyrinth floor, frantically pounded on the barrier wall imbued with Barrier Spellcraft.

“T-Tower Lord? We really need to dismantle this and get through quickly. Isn’t there any way?!!”

“The spell formations have been layered and twisted multiple times. It’s designed to intentionally disrupt the barrier structure, making it difficult to decipher.”

Lennok, examining the barrier spell circles on the wall, said.

“The concept itself is interesting, but the method isn’t very sophisticated…… It clearly seems intended to buy time.”

“No, this isn’t the time for commentary!!”

KRAAANG!!!

Freya screamed, watching the giant knights charge towards them in unison amidst a thunderous roar.

“Ah, if it were a Manipulation Spellcaster like Agneta or Victor, they’d dismantle a labyrinth facility like this instantly……!!! Why, of all people, is the mad Tower Lord with us?!!”

“If you’re hoping for a clever method, I’m afraid that’s out.”

Lennok smiled.

“There was something I wanted to confirm, you see. I was thinking a bit.”

“What are you talking about, forget it!! The Tower Lord didn’t do anything while the Guardian Spirit Beast was fighting, anyway. As soon as we arrived in Gateway City, all you did was beat us senseless!!”

Freya quickly cleared her throat and began to chant a Musical Scale Spellcraft.

“Hylaea. I’ll hold them off, so quickly try to dismantle the barrier wall’s spell barrier!! We can endure for a moment here—”

“No, it’s fine. I’ve generally got the direction.”

Lennok said so and walked past Freya.

“Considering the durability of this labyrinth, one shot should be fine.”

“What are you talking about, seriously!! If you’re not going to solve it, then get out of the way—”

CRACKLE……!!!

Before Freya could say anything, a brilliant blue lightning flash erupted before her eyes.

The intense afterimage of a thunderbolt she had never seen since meeting Adamant Thunder.

Only then did Freya realize what kind of magic Lennok had unleashed, and her mouth hung open in a daze.

FLASH!!

Overflowing currents spun sharply, brushing past Freya’s cheek and accelerating.

In a fleeting moment, it shot straight through the labyrinth and exploded with incredible speed.

[Spiral Thunder Strike]

BWAAAANG!!!!!!

Following the blue lightning that tore through the darkness, alloy walls and ceilings melted away, opening a path.

The complex barrier spell circles were enveloped by the lightning, vanishing and collapsing along with the barrier walls, unleashing deafening roars from all directions.

A lightning bombardment that obliterated the charging giant knights without leaving a trace.

Freya’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly, watching Lennok traverse this vast labyrinth vertically with a single spell.

“……”

“It took a little while to get the direction right, but fortunately, I seem to have hit it in one go.”

Beyond the cavern, where all the intricately tangled labyrinthine barrier walls and passages had utterly collapsed.

Lennok nodded, seeing the form of the [Black Coffin] far in the innermost part of the now-open labyrinth.

“The legacy the Nether King left in Gateway City. Found it.”

“No, this is……”

Freya, speechless, stared at Lennok and murmured.

“I, uh, I didn’t mean ‘solve it’ by ‘smash everything to bits’.”

“When you lack strength, your head suffers, you know.”

Lennok tilted his head.

“Or do you prefer a more circuitous route?”

“……Aren’t you a Grand Mage? Why do you like to just overpower everything with brute force so much?”

“Let’s go.”

Many things had happened, but all the tasks they needed to accomplish in Gateway City right now were finished.

With the Guardian Spirit Beast issue resolved, there was no reason to linger in this labyrinth.

As Lennok walked past Freya, a brilliant blue lightning trace shimmered from his fingertips.

“I’ll acquire that and then immediately move to Paradise Lost.”