Chapter 7

In this world, there exist five labyrinths known as the "Five Generals' Mazes."

These were created by the Demon King as strongholds for the Demon Army.

Each is guarded by a powerful demon known as a "Demon General," making it difficult for even a nation's military to breach them.

This "Naraku Labyrinth" is one of the Five Generals' Mazes.

Many creatures with earth-related powers are spawned here.

The labyrinth's core is guarded by a creature or demon known as the "Earth Demon General."

I believe there used to be fifteen levels in total.

It is a vertical shaft that continues downward, with the characteristic of having a fragile foundation.

If a strong impact is given, the floor collapses, so one must be careful during battles.

I don't know if it still has fifteen levels, but for now, I will keep going down.

Using a magic stone, I activate a body enhancement magic.

At the same time, I use a concealment magic to hide my presence.

"Grwaaah!!"

However, some creatures have sharp senses and notice me.

A Mud Ogre, a monster made of mud, approaches with a loud thud.

"Huff"

"Kyaaah!?"

I dodge its log-like arm and cut off its head with my holy sword.

With such sharpness, the Mud Ogre collapses to the ground with a single strike.

"A monster of this level can be defeated with just body enhancement and swordsmanship."

I have a good grasp of the movements of the monsters I've fought so far.

Thanks to the "Ring of Strong Demons" and the magic stone, I can move much more freely than usual, and I am fully capable of fighting.

I walk through the labyrinth, testing my current strength.

Even with the use of a magic stone, I can't cast high-powered magic like I used to.

Against lower-level monsters, it might work, but against higher-level ones, it would only serve as a distraction.

For now, I will focus on using my sword, with magic as support.

I ignore the monsters that don't notice me and quickly defeat those that do.

Due to changes in the internal structure, it was a bit difficult to find the stairs leading down, but I can say it's going quite smoothly since I haven't had any significant battles.

"―――"

"Raaaah!!"

"Voooh!!"

I thought it would be smooth sailing.

When I reached the eighth level, I encountered an overwhelming number of monsters.

There were so many that it felt like a Monster House, all gathered around the stairs.

Countless monsters, including Mud Ogres, Skeletons, and Earth Lizards, attacked me all at once.

"Damn."

I dodge their attacks and cut them down.

Each one isn't very strong.

I can handle them with my current strength.

The problem is their numbers.

"…This is troublesome."

Just as I was about to reach into my pouch for my next move, the monsters in front of me were suddenly blown away and crashed into the walls, crushed.

"Aaaah, it's been a while since I've seen a human."

A particularly large Mud Ogre appeared.

Shaking its fat body, it approached with a lecherous grin.

"Hehehe. I prefer young women, but a man will do. I'll crush you to pieces."

"A rare breed, huh."

Most monsters are unintelligent and can't speak.

But occasionally, there are intelligent monsters that can speak.

These rare breeds are stronger than ordinary monsters.

"Get out of my way, you trash!"

Laughing, the Mud Ogre punched the surrounding monsters.

Even other Mud Ogres, who should be its kin, were crushed to death.

"Hey, aren't those your allies?"

"Huh? These useless pieces of trash don't matter to me."

"I see."

Monsters are inherently like this.

Except for a few, they kill even their kin to satisfy their desires.

Even with intelligence, it doesn't change.

Ah, right.

We humans and demons aren't much different, are we?

Even knowing this, right now...

"―It's a bit unpleasant."

The Mud Ogre lunged at me.

A single strike that would turn an ordinary human into a meaty lump.

I deflected it with my holy sword.

This is the "soft sword" technique I learned in battle.

A sword art I acquired in the Heroic Age, where I control and cut with softness.

"Huh!?"

The Mud Ogre, who had absolute confidence in its strength, was shocked.

In that moment of shock, I slashed its torso with my holy sword.

"Gyaaaah!"

With a final scream, the Mud Ogre collapsed to the ground, its body split in two, and died.

"Kiiii!?"

The surrounding monsters were terrified by the death of the rare breed.

I took advantage of this and escaped from the scene.

◆

A few hours later, I had descended to the eleventh level.

However, the number of monsters chasing me from behind kept increasing.

They were coming after me like a hundred demons in the night.

It's a good thing I prioritized mobility and wore light armor; if I had worn heavy armor for defense, it would have been a disaster.

"――Shaaaah"

A huge monster appeared, blocking my path.

It was an Earth Spider, a creature with a spider's lower body and a golem's upper body.

In this Naraku Labyrinth, it is one of the most dangerous.

"Kiiiiii!!"

The Earth Spider's mouth opened, and a white ball was spat out from inside.

It was the Earth Spider's web, which has a strong adhesive property.

It hit the ground in quick succession, bouncing and blocking the passage.

"…There's no choice."

I took out multiple magic stones from my pouch.

While dodging the Earth Spider's attacks, I made the magic power in the stones I was holding go berserk.

"―'Destruction'"

I threw the berserk magic stones at the monsters chasing me from behind.

The stones emitted a blinding light and exploded with a loud boom.

The monsters caught in the explosion were blown away.

However, the waves of monsters kept coming, and this wasn't enough to defeat them.

Just as other monsters were about to trample over their fallen comrades and rush at me,

"Grwooooh!?"

With a loud thud, the ground collapsed violently.

The monsters were swept up in the collapse and fell one after another.

"Whoa!!"

To escape the Earth Spider approaching from behind, I jumped into the hole with force.

I used additional magic stones to enhance my physical abilities and leaped onto the monsters and rocks.

"Whirlwind"

As I approached the ground of the next level, I used a magic stone to create a whirlwind.

It softened the impact of the fall, and I managed to land on the ground.

"Maybe I overdid it a bit…"

Around me were the remains from the upper levels and the crushed bodies of the monsters that had fallen.

Among them was the Earth Spider that had been chasing me.

This reset the situation of being chased by a large number of monsters.

It was a bit dramatic, but the shortcut was successful.

"I couldn't have done this alone."

This is the twelfth level.

The number of levels might have changed, but if it's the same as before, there are only three levels left.

The labyrinth core and the Earth Demon General guarding it are close.

If I'm not surrounded by the monsters in this labyrinth, I can handle them.

With a large number of magic stones and magic-imbued items, I can take advantage of the Earth Demon General's weakness and seize the labyrinth core.

"Hmm… that's it."

Near the crushed Earth Spider, there was a white ball about the size of a softball.

I remember that Earth Spiders produce a 'cocoon ball' containing a highly viscous liquid.

It's difficult to handle, but it might be useful for something, so I put it in my pouch.

"Alright…"

After checking the remaining number of magic stones, I started walking towards the next level.

As I progressed, the concentration of magical essence in the air became much denser.

The magical essence glowed brilliantly in the air, creating a somewhat fantastical scene.

However, I didn't have the luxury to be captivated by it.

"――…"

Magical essence is a gas that creates monsters and is also necessary for their movement, similar to oxygen.

In the lower levels where the magical essence is denser, there are more and stronger monsters.

To avoid being spotted by a large number of monsters as soon as I descend the stairs, I need to be more cautious and proceed carefully.

At moments like this, I'm glad I learned other skills besides the power of a hero.

Swordsmanship and the ability to navigate labyrinths have been useful here.

…But thinking about the person who taught me makes me feel quite depressed.

I avoided a passing Earth Spider by lightly shaking the ground and continued towards the area with denser magical essence.

After some time, I finally reached the thirteenth level.

"Just a little more."

In the lower levels of the labyrinth, there is a transfer array that leads outside.

It's a one-way exit, but using it will allow me to escape the labyrinth.

First, I need to confirm the positions of the labyrinth core and the transfer array.

Then, I will avoid the Earth Demon General and seize the labyrinth core.

Finally, I will step into the transfer array and leave the labyrinth.

This is the best plan.

The last time I came, a giant golem claiming to be the Earth Demon General was guarding the labyrinth core.

It was quite strong, but its movements were slow, and its intelligence wasn't very high.

Last time, I fought the Earth Demon General head-on, but this time, I just need to get the labyrinth core and escape quickly.

Due to the many uncertainties, I would prefer to use the labyrinth core after escaping, but in the worst case, I might have to use it mid-way to regain my strength.

I simulated and prepared several plans.

Just as I was about to proceed after consolidating my thoughts,

"―――"

The ground shook.

No, it was the entire labyrinth that was vibrating.

"This is―"

The atmosphere in the labyrinth suddenly changed.

The agonized roars of the surrounding monsters echoed.

I have experienced this phenomenon five times before.

"The labyrinth core has been stolen."

What timing.

Someone has beaten me to it.

Explosions echoed continuously from the lower levels.

Someone is probably fighting the Earth Demon General.

They seem to be moving while fighting, and the explosions are gradually getting closer.

"What should I do…"

The labyrinth core is essential to regain my strength.

I can't let someone else take it.

However, if they are fighting the Earth Demon General, it will be troublesome.

"―――"

A chill ran down my spine, and I jumped back reflexively.

In that instant, a huge rock spike pierced the spot where I had been standing.

"What―"

Cracks spread in a circular pattern from the spike.

They quickly expanded, and the ground collapsed.

"Damn it!"

I used the same wind magic as before to reduce the impact of the fall and landed on the next level.

In front of me was a towering rock formation.

"…It seems an insect has sneaked in."

A voice resonated from the depths of the earth, echoing through the labyrinth.

The moment I heard it, I realized.

The rock formation in front of me was not a rock formation.

"…Rock Cave Dragon."

Two enormous eyes, each as large as a human head, and a nose that looked like a hole.

A huge mouth lined with sharp, stake-like teeth.

The dragon, covered in rock, was as large as a mountain.

Compared to the Earth Demon General golem I fought before, this dragon exuded an overwhelming presence.

Fighting it head-on would be a troublesome opponent.

"Troublesome, one after another."

The dragon was blocking the passage, so I couldn't escape forward.

Looking behind me, fortunately, there were several passages.

I thought I would retreat for now, but at that moment,

"Human, provide cover!"

A girl's voice echoed from behind the dragon.

There was a wall in the direction the voice came from.

It seemed the owner of the voice was cornered against the wall.

"Damn, clever!"

As the dragon shook its body in frustration, it suddenly exploded violently.

The girl must have attacked it with magic.

She was probably the one who stole the labyrinth core.

"I can't let you die with the labyrinth core…"

I immediately made a decision and took out a magic stone.

"Dragon, look this way!!"

"!?"

Using the magic stone, I cast a magic spell.

I used lightning magic, which spread in a web-like pattern over the dragon's face.

"Gr…!"

The golden lightning, though not very powerful, was blinding.

Covered in the web, the dragon's movements slowed for a moment.

"Good job!"

In that instant, the owner of the voice darted through the gap between the dragon and the wall and ran towards me.

As we passed each other, she forcefully grabbed my hand.

"Come with me!"

"Hey, hey!"

The girl started running without giving me a chance to object.

Her strength, which I couldn't have imagined from her frail body, overpowered my resistance, and I followed her.

"―I won't let you escape, traitor―!!"

The dragon's roar echoed from behind.

Its massive body trembled, and a giant arm, capable of crushing even an Earth Spider, swung down.

"Damn―"

A shockwave like an explosion ran through me, and the ground shattered violently.

Cracks spread, and the ground began to collapse.

"Damn…"

"Ugh, ohhh"

Because the girl was holding my hand, my reaction was delayed.

By the time I felt the sensation of falling, I was headfirst.

"Damn it!"

As the ground rapidly approached, just before I hit it headfirst,

"Whoa"

Something soft enveloped my body.

Looking up, I saw that the girl who had fallen with me had caught me.

She easily landed on the ground while holding me.

Is this person really human…?

"Hmm. I think this is the opposite of the usual situation, don't you think?"

While listening to the girl's exasperated words, I looked up to be on guard for any pursuit.

I couldn't see the dragon from the hole we fell through.

"That big brute won't come this far."

The girl, still holding me, looked up and muttered.

There was no sign of the dragon pursuing us, and there were no monsters around.

The danger seemed to have passed for now.

"Still, you have a pretty frail body. Are you eating properly?"

As the girl lifted me with ease, she said this.

She's quite carefree.

And she's still holding me.

"…Can you put me down?"

"Oh, right."

She finally put me down on the ground as if she had just remembered.

"…Thank you. I owe you one."

"No need to thank me. I was the one who was saved. Your timely arrival helped me escape. Thank you, I appreciate it."

With her arms crossed, she spoke in a condescending tone.

While inwardly wondering who she thought she was, I finally got a good look at the girl.

"Y-You…"

She had long, silky silver hair that reached her waist and golden eyes that exuded a sense of authority.

Black markings were visible on her skin through the torn parts of her clothes.

Her appearance was human-like, but the magic power she emitted was that of a demon.

As I had guessed from her physical abilities, this girl was not human.

"Hmm?"

Before that, I recognized this girl, who was casually tilting her head.

―Elfis Zark Gildegard.

The demon I had fought many times thirty years ago was standing there.

Next Chapter → 10/5 21:00

Heroine: "L-o-n-g t-i-m-e n-o s-e-e"