Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready.

Author: Cireng

Chapter 127 — B-Rank Labyrinth: Tower of Trials (3)

Tower of Trials – 3rd Floor

“You’re getting better and better.”

The pig beastman swordsman grinned while holding his greatsword.

An opponent who had become quite familiar after their previous 178 attempts.

He was still far from easy to defeat, but through repeated challenges, they had finally reached the point where they could fight him on nearly equal footing.

“Come at me again!”

The pig beastman swordsman radiated an overwhelming fighting spirit before driving his greatsword into the ground. Like a true warrior, he was giving them the first move.

“Let’s go again.”

Unlike his usual self, Bartimir spoke in a calm voice.

“Blackie and I will hold him from the front. Marlin, keep looking for openings and harass him whenever you can. Sleepyhead, support us. Any questions?”

“I have one.”

Holding the dagger [First Breath], Marlin raised her hand.

“You give everyone else nicknames, so why am I the only one you call ‘Marlin’?”

“Because you’re Marlin.”

“So… there’s no reason? Give me a nickname too.”

“What a fussy child you are.”

“You’re even saying the exact same things Karr says…”

Chuckling helplessly, Marlin had her head casually pushed down by Bartimir.

“Blackie, let’s go!”

“Understood!”

Pendrick and Bartimir charged forward simultaneously.

“Come on!”

Bartimir struck first, smashing his fist into the pig beastman’s torso.

BOOM!

The impact sounded as though he’d punched solid rock. The pig beastman’s expression twisted ever so slightly.

“What extraordinary martial arts!”

It was [Rock Shattering Art], the martial technique she’d learned from Dilmo, the gnome vice guildmaster of the Gray Wolf Guild. Thanks to countless repeated attempts, his once-clumsy proficiency had risen to an astonishing level. Compared to before entering the labyrinth, its power had become incomparably greater.

“I’m going too!”

Pendrick followed up by swinging his single-edged sword.

Clang! Clang!

His blade collided head-on with the pig beastman’s greatsword again and again. The rank of martial-type Mysteries scales with their owner’s level. And Pendrick’s trait, [Master of the Sword], raises the rank of every sword-related Mystery by 2.

In other words… The [Raging Gale Swordsmanship] used by Level 4 Pendrick was currently displaying the power of a 6th-Rank Mystery.

Slash!

Pendrick’s swift blade cleanly cut across the enemy’s thick wrist, leaving a wound.

“Remarkable!”

The pig beastman warrior, no longer able to fight comfortably, spoke with genuine satisfaction.

“You’re improving endlessly before my very eyes. What incredible talent!”

“Thank you for the compliment!”

Even Bartimir could clearly see Pendrick’s astonishing rate of improvement. It was all thanks to the homework Karr had assigned him.

‘He’s definitely finding his own path now that he isn’t relying on an overwhelmingly powerful weapon.’

Pendrick’s assignment: Reach the tenth floor using nothing but [Raging Gale Swordsmanship], without relying on Astrimia.

“Haaah!”

The swordsman swung his greatsword horizontally.

Pendrick swiftly blocked the strike.

The pig beastman’s relentless offensive immediately followed.

Although Pendrick had seemed to be overwhelming his opponent at first… he was quickly forced back into a disadvantage.

“Sir Pendrick!”

At that moment, Marlin, hidden with [Brites Stealth Technique], appeared beside the pig beastman.

“Not happening!”

Without even looking at her, the experienced warrior simply shoved her away with his body.

“…Hm?”

The tiger beastgirl who had been knocked away suddenly disappeared. An instant later, a throwing dagger flew straight toward the back of his head.

Thunk!

Thanks to the stealth-oriented [Brites Throwing Dagger Technique], the surprise attack succeeded.

“…Stings a little!”

However, the enormous gap in the strength of their souls was simply too great. The pig beastman merely winced in pain. He didn’t even stagger.

Even so, every time an opening appeared, Marlin continued using the martial Mystery [Rabbit Division], taught by Yallen, to create clones while distracting the enemy with her throwing daggers.

‘She’s got incredible potential too.’

Marlin’s assignment: Become accustomed to using [Rabbit Division], [Brites Stealth Technique], and [Brites Footsteps] simultaneously.

At first, she couldn’t even control her clone properly.

Now… they moved almost like twins.

At this rate, by the time they reached the fifth floor, she’d probably become a fully-fledged thief.

“Looks like there’s hardly any room for me to step in.”

Watching everything unfold while holding his bell, Lucius smiled awkwardly. Bartimir, who had temporarily stepped back, slapped the sleepy-eyed priest firmly on the back.

“Then at least cheer us on. Dance like a bard who’s mastered performance-type Mysteries.”

“…I’d rather not.”

“Then at least bless my strength.”

“Understood.”

‘Ding.’

As the bell rang, tremendous power surged through Bartimir’s body.

“I’m going too. If things look dangerous, heal me immediately.”

Without even waiting for an answer, the demon who collected calamities charged forward.

He had just spotted the perfect opportunity.

— Marlin, right thigh! Blackie, roll!

Thunk!

A throwing dagger buried itself in the pig beastman’s thigh.

Pendrick pretended to meet the incoming attack… then immediately rolled aside to evade it.

“…Urgh?”

For a split second, the pig beastman failed to control the force he’d put into his swing. His body tilted ever so slightly.

At last… their chance for one decisive blow had arrived.

“Hyaaaaaah!”

With an exaggerated battle cry, Bartimir thrust forward his right hand, wrapped in hardened emonic energy produced by [Flow Condensation Syndrome].

Due to the curse [Scattered Bankruptcy]… the solidified demonic energy blasted violently forward.

BOOOOOOM!!

The pig beastman was struck head-on. His body flew backward through the air. The entire section of his chest that had taken the hit had been torn to pieces.

“Yes!”

Bartimir triumphantly raised one hand.

His assignment: Properly integrate [Rock Shattering Art] with his existing combat style.

“…Not bad!”

The pig beastman slowly stood again… but he was no longer in good condition. The resilient swordsman soon dissolved into smoke and disappeared.

— Excellent! I shall send you to the fourth floor!

At last… they had earned the right to challenge the next floor. A hard-earned achievement born from six straight days of repetitive training.

— Fourth floor! Do your best!

A moment later, the team was transported onto a towering rocky hill.

Grrrrrr!

This time… Their opponent was a massive white wolf.

“A Snowfield Wolf? That’s nothing.”

Acting captain Bartimir patted each teammate on the shoulder.

“Everyone’s doing great. Just keep it up. If we do, we’ll finish our homework and clear this place too!”

“Yes! We can do it!”

Even though they’d just finished a brutal battle and were breathing heavily… none of them lost the smiles on their faces.

“Let’s go!”

There wasn’t the slightest trace of anxiety.

Karr, the cultist who knew more about labyrinths than anyone, had sent them here without giving even a single warning that they might die.

“O Artein!”

Blessed by Lucius… the team threw themselves back into battle with renewed vigor.

“All right!”

Their momentum was utterly unstoppable.

***

Only one phrase could describe our progress through the Trial Sewers.

Like a hot knife through butter.

“Mwahahaha!”

A troll ranger who had appeared as our latest opponent fired an arrow.

Ping! Ping! Ping!

The arrows ricocheted wildly off the ceiling, walls, and floor as they surged toward us.

The hunter-class Mystery: [Rapid Ricochet Volley].

“Welcome!”

I dashed forward. Becoming a living quiver, I intercepted every single arrow. Making sure none of them reached my companions.

“Magnificent! Now ‘that’s’ the spirit of the Northern Continent!”

While the troll admired my textbook Northern-style “defense,” Rosalia rose from his shadow and launched a kick from behind.

CRACK!

The spinning kick slammed into the troll. He rolled across the floor with a twisted expression before leaping backward.

“Excellent, both of you!”

Without holding back his praise, the troll immediately loosed another arrow. This one was on an entirely different level. It contained over three times the power of a normal shot.

[Power Shot].

Its target… Rosalia’s head.

“Hup.”

I immediately leaped into its path. The arrow pierced directly into my abdomen. An agonizing pain surged through me as though my internal organs had been completely destroyed.

At the same time… the assassin received the precious opening she’d been waiting for.

“…”

Rosalia, who had already closed the distance, spun into another kick aimed at the troll’s head. As expected of a veteran hunter, the troll easily dodged and attempted to strike the assassin with his bow.

At that very instant…

CRACKLE!!

A bolt of black lightning erupted at maximum output. It charged forward so recklessly that it looked ready to swallow both Rosalia and the troll.

“…Ghhh!”

The hunter convulsed as the lightning roasted him alive.

Rosalia calmly dissolved into shadow, avoided the attack entirely… then emerged once again beside me.

Though his entire body had been charred… the troll remained standing.

He looked at me.

“So… The elf’s approach was merely a feint. How do the two of you coordinate so perfectly?”

“Because we’re as close as real siblings. The best big sister and little brother imaginable.”

“…”

Rosalia stared at me.

I answered brightly.

Not aloud… but through our minds.

— Why are you looking at me like that, Big Sis?

Telepathy transmitted through [Yay Yay, Friends Forever!].

As long as we had this… One of us could defend. The other could attack.

Together, we’d become the strongest possible duo.

— Shall we continue?

The Trial Sewers could easily be cleared with just the two of us.

Crunch!

At last… Rosalia’s rising kick shattered the troll’s jaw. The headless troll dissolved into smoke and vanished.

[19th enemy defeated!]

[Enemies remaining until labyrinth completion: 1]

“Excellent work. You were truly amazing.”

While applauding, I glanced sideways at Abel.

Receiving my gaze, he immediately spoke.

“I’m genuinely amazed. How is it that every single battle leaves me astonished? I want to become an explorer like Lady Rosalia someday.”

A bit of flattery befitting a child from the slums.

Excellent social instincts. I wouldn’t even have to teach him.

“…”

Rosalia calmly accepted the praise before lightly tapping my wrist. Then she pointed toward the darkness deeper inside the tunnel.

“You want to hurry up and beat the last enemy? Very well. Let’s move.”

We began advancing through the sewers again.

“Only one remains now.”

The tunnel gradually sloped downward.

The farther we walked… the damper the air became. A foul sewage odor also began creeping into our noses.

“…The smell is getting worse.”

After walking a little farther, Abel frowned deeply.

“Here. Try this first.”

I took a strongly scented herb from my subspace.

Tear Mint. A herb distinguished by blue leaves shaped like teardrops. It was famous for its intensely refreshing aroma.

‘Rub. Rub.’

I gently rubbed Tear Mint around Abel’s nose. This would block the stench while also slowing the rate at which his mental strength deteriorated.

“That’s much better. Thank you.”

“Would you like some too, Big Sis?”

“…Just a little.”

Like close siblings, we walked together while happily applying herbs to one another.

The deeper underground we went… the stronger the odor became. It now seemed permanently lodged inside our noses.

‘Splash… splash…’

Groundwater flowed across the floor.

That meant… we were almost there.

“Patron.”

While we continued walking, Abel spoke carefully.

“Even though we’re exploring a labyrinth… You don’t seem very happy. Are you feeling ill?”

“…Was it that obvious?”

This expedition simply wasn’t all that exciting for me. The Trial Sewers had always been straightforward.

Besides… I’d already experienced labyrinths capable of producing far greater suffering.

The Nightmare World, where we struggled with too few people.

The Sanctuary Purification Plant, where I’d lost an arm.

The Battlefield of Sun and Moon, where I fought explorers with far more experience than myself.

‘They were all wonderful…’

The problem was… my body had already reached the point where a mere small-scale labyrinth couldn’t satisfy it anymore.

“…Honestly… I’m getting sleepy. I feel like yawning.”

Endless peace was poison. It was punishment. If I were imprisoned in the underground prison of District Three… I’d probably lose my mind within only a few days.

“But this labyrinth is focused on helping the team grow. So I’ll endure it. Isn’t it admirable to put the group’s benefit above my own? Doesn’t it make you want to pat my head?”

“…”

Abel merely pursed his lips… Then looked ahead.

“I think we’ve arrived.”

“I see.”

Before us spread a lake formed by a massive accumulation of water.

A space created by ancient geological changes.

Unlike the perfectly straight tunnel, the walls here were uneven, like those of a natural cave.

“Stop here!”

I stretched both arms sideways, stopping the team.

“If we take one more step… the final enemy will appear. But we’re starting to feel like taking a break, aren’t we? Right, Big Sis?”

“…”

Rosalia shook her head. Unable to admit she was tired in front of her younger siblings… So naturally, I interpreted the opposite.