Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 175 - C-Rank Labyrinth – Giant Hunting Grounds (5)

Chapter 175 – C-Rank Labyrinth – Giant Hunting Grounds (5)

 

A massive hole had been torn open in the sky. By a single arrow fired by Brightfeather.

Ruuuuumble—!

The heavens, now bearing a deep wound, let out a violent scream. Hungrily devouring the wind, the hole continued growing larger.

“Woooow…”

Brightfeather stared open-mouthed at what he himself had accomplished.

“So… what happens now?”

“You’ll find out if you keep watching.”

KRAAAAAAA—!!

Moments later, a gigantic vortex began swirling around the hole in the sky. Its sheer majesty was something even high-tier Mysteries would struggle to imitate.

Despite being quite far away, our bodies were slowly being pushed backward.

“Th-The gate opened!”

“Wooooah! Emergency!”

The giants cried out in shock.

“Aaaah!”

Brightfeather, who had been blown even farther back than I had, flailed helplessly while screaming. I hurriedly produced a thick yet non-sharp strand of spider silk for him to grab.

Then…

“……!”

Brightfeather, who had been tossed about in midair, opened his eyes wide.

“Karr… Captain!”

“You can call me whatever you’re comfortable with. Golden Golden Sparkly Sparkly Karr Karr?”

“…Is that really comfortable?”

While pulling Brightfeather back with the spider silk, the vortex gradually subsided.

And that wasn’t all. Beyond the landscape that had previously shown nothing but endless wilderness, fresh green mountains and fields appeared.

“I knew it! I had that feeling! I totally, totally did!”

His vocabulary and expressive ability were honestly worse than Abel’s. But his emotions came through abundantly.

Giving him a thumbs-up, I surveyed the sky.

[↑ Exit Gate]

Truthy kindly indicated the location of the gate that had appeared in midair.

It was nearly the same color as the sky, making it difficult for the pitiful eyesight of a half-elf like me to see.

“Sir Brightfeather. Can you see it over there?”

“Wow, there’s actually a gate up there…!”

Once I pointed out the direction, Brightfeather, whose Birdfolk eyesight far surpassed mine, found it immediately.

“It’s time to leave.”

Our exploration of the labyrinth within the labyrinth, Endless Wilderness, was complete.

However, we still hadn’t fulfilled the completion conditions for Giant Hunting Grounds.

“Shall we?”

“Yes!”

We flew toward the gate suspended in the sky.

“That was magnificent archery!”

“Woooo! That was amazing!”

Our companions, who had been fighting the giants, quickly regrouped with us.

Sylphren, who had continued darting about until the very end to distract the giants, soon caught up as well.

“…You really did it.”

Apparently still unable to believe Brightfeather’s feat, he even removed his goggles and stared blankly at the gate with his own eyes.

“What did I tell you? I’m a cultist who understands the hidden potential of every explorer.”

“…I suppose I can’t deny it anymore.”

Sylphren awkwardly wiped the sweat from his palms onto his clothes.

Then, his expression suddenly tightened, and he hurriedly urged Bingbing to move.

Whoosh!

A massive bolt shot upward through the exact spot where Bingbing had been flying moments before.

It wasn’t just one.

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

“How dare you!”

Bolts rained toward us in succession. The giants had produced enormous crossbows and were firing volley after volley. 

Their marksmanship was atrocious. Even to someone like me, who knew almost nothing about archery, it was painfully obvious.

“Sir Brightfeather. Show them what true archery looks like.”

“Yes…!”

The obedient parrot Birdfolk rapidly fired arrow after arrow adorned with beautiful feathers.

[Rapid Fire].

“Ow!”

“That stings!”

“My eye!”

The giants writhed dramatically after being struck. Being such a resilient race, they were strangely unaccustomed to pain.

“Amazing! You’ve truly impressed me!”

‘Clap! Clap! Clap!’

When I began applauding, Bartimir and Reficul immediately joined in.

“You’re incredible!”

“Truly the greatest archer!”

“Thank you!”

Brightfeather neither grew embarrassed nor acted modest. He accepted the praise proudly.

After all, wasn’t praise simply another form of adornment for the heart?

“They’re getting annoying.”

“Bingbing!”

“Fweee!”

At Sylphren’s command, Bingbing fired a rapid volley of feathers downward.

[Feather Blades]… a specialty of birds and Birdfolk alike.

“Ow!”

“That hurts!”

The giants immediately ceased firing their crossbows, making a huge fuss after being struck by the sharp feathers.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, we arrived before the gate.

A gigantic sky-blue portal, clearly built to match the size of giants, rippled through the air.

“They’ll follow us immediately. We need to hurry.”

Without wasting another moment, we passed through the gate.

E-Rank Labyrinth Endless Wilderness Cleared.

Thanks to Brightfeather’s unparalleled performance.

“Don’t let your guard down just yet.”

My vision distorted briefly. Then, the true form of Giant Hunting Grounds came into view.

An enormous chamber proportioned to suit giant-sized inhabitants.

A gigantic cavern crudely carved from stone, lined with dozens upon dozens of objects.

Every one of them was the entrance to another labyrinth.

 

[C-Rank Labyrinth — Giant Hunting Grounds]

[A place where labyrinths used as prisons for hunting captives are gathered together. Located deep underground, this means that even after escaping a labyrinth, one must still struggle all the way back to the surface. A merciless structure.]

[For such dimwits, they’re remarkably clever whenever it suits their own interests!]

 

“Huh?”

“What?”

A giant lounging in one corner of the cavern, using a broad stone as a pillow while scratching the sole of his foot, shot upright in surprise.

 

[Hunting Grounds Warden Grangtum (Giant, 82 years old). A giant entrusted with overseeing the hunting grounds, one of giantkind’s favorite pastimes. Soul Rank: Level 6. An exceptionally powerful opponent.]

 

“The completion condition for Giant Hunting Grounds… is to reach the surface while avoiding him. Through that tunnel.”

There was only a single exit from the cavern… a long, winding tunnel opening to the east.

Naturally, the Warden Grangtum would pursue anyone attempting to escape.

“Pretty straightforward.”

“Convenient, isn’t it?”

Reficul chuckled and poked my cheek with His index finger.

“Enough acting cute. Tell Me the truly exciting hidden completion condition instead. You wouldn’t possibly be satisfied with nothing more than a simple chase.”

Perhaps it was because of [Soul Bond]. My lord could effortlessly see through even the sturdy mental barriers I used to separate truth from lies.

Transforming my right hand into black lightning, I answered,

“We have to kill that extremely powerful giant.”

The hidden completion condition of Giant Hunting Grounds: Kill Hunting Grounds Warden Grangtum.

Defeat the hunter who was meant to hunt down the explorers.

“Doesn’t that sound… far more exciting?”

It was simply too exhilarating a strategy to resist.

 

Hunting Grounds Warden Grangtum.

Class: Blood Warrior.

Soul Rank: Level 6.

 

That alone would’ve made him a formidable enemy. Being a giant only made him stronger.

“You little pests!”

Grangtum charged, wielding a sword that would practically qualify as a great-great-greatsword by human standards.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

His thunderous footsteps rapidly closed the distance.

“Oho!”

Reficul exclaimed in admiration before looking at me.

That gaze again. He wanted something.

Fortunately, this time the answer was easy. I’d already seen this question before.

“Would You like to experience Your limits while fighting that giant?”

“As much as I please!”

Already intoxicated by the positive emotions of anticipation and excitement, the fake Celestial flew forward with an exhilarated expression, holding the Drizzle Trident.

Grangtum, now only moments away, turned his head.

Their eyes met.

“Huh? Did we catch one of those white-winged things?”

The giant’s attention shifted entirely onto the fake Celestial. He ignored everyone else completely.

[Sin: Lust].

Unlike when I used it, Reficul’s Tenth Hierarchy version allowed Him to freely control both the intensity of love and the degree of attention directed toward Himself.

“Quiet down. You oversized brute.”

Reficul muttered softly, pointing the Drizzle Trident toward Grangtum.

“I shall offer you… as a sacrifice for the revival of the newborn Demon Realm.”

His voice and demeanor carried no affection whatsoever. And yet, there was still a trace of love.

“How exhilarating! Please… entertain Me!”

A burning passion directed toward a worthy opponent… one capable of providing the thrilling battle that would set His body and soul ablaze.

It wasn’t the kind of love I sought. But it was still a powerful emotion created through [Sin: Lust].

Naturally, it was one of my lord’s favorite kinds of positive emotion.

“Hahahahaha!”

Not as the fake Celestial, but as the ruler of the newborn Demon Realm, the Demon King burst into hearty laughter and charged Grangtum.

“Come!

“You white-winged thing! You’re not getting away!”

CLANG!

The trident collided head-on with the giant greatsword. Given the overwhelming difference in size, the fake Celestial was naturally pushed backward.

However, Reficul possessed something Grangtum lacked. Overwhelming real combat experience.

“…Huh?!”

Casually redirecting the greatsword, the fake Celestial thrust the Drizzle Trident into the giant’s jaw.

The attack looked almost completely lacking in force.

Even so, despite the enormous disparity in both size and level, the battle itself remained evenly matched.

“That should be enough watching.”

At my words, Sylphren finally looked away from the battle, having stood there with his mouth hanging open.

He pushed his goggles onto his forehead.

“That person… Isn’t a Celestial, right?”

“Correct. In reality, He’s actually a dinosaur. A Tyrannosaurus, to be specific.”

“Wow! So He was a dinosaur…!”

“…Laipe. Don’t believe everything people tell you.”

Sylphren vigorously shook his head before putting his goggles back on.

“Please give us our orders.”

“Very well.”

I glanced toward the tiny stone that served as the entrance to Endless Wilderness.

“In five minutes at most… the giants trapped inside will emerge. And then we’ll all be massacred.”

“Eek…”

“But! Who am I? Sir Bartimir?”

“Friend of the historically Magnamous Saint Seraphina! Key contributor to the Ash Wolf Guild’s Guild War victory! First conqueror of the Southern Continent Expedition! And the cutest half-elf!”

“Yes. Exactly. I’m that extraordinary an explorer.”

Using the telekinetic power of [The Hand That Holds the World], I lifted the tiny stone that served as the entrance to Endless Wilderness.

Immediately understanding my intention, my demon daughter struck the cavern floor with [Rock Shattering Technique].

BOOOM!

Stone fragments flew everywhere, leaving behind a massive pit.

“Teacher Dilmo said! Rock Shattering Technique was actually created for things like this!”

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Bartimir repeatedly slammed his fists into the ground.

With every punch, the hole grew deeper.

“That should be enough.”

“Okay!”

The moment Bartimir leaped out, I tossed the entrance stone into the pit, then buried it deeply using telekinesis.

The burial was complete.

“Tada. Now the time limit has become infinite.”

By sealing the entrance completely, I’d ensured they could never come out.

A delightfully devious strategy.

It had been used countless times throughout real history, making it a perfectly ordinary tactic that any layperson would recognize.

It absolutely should not be described using terms such as ‘burying people alive’ or other similarly cruel expressions.

“Amazing! So that’s why everyone’s calling you one of Pletica’s rising stars…!”

“And from now on… you’ll be exploring alongside such an amazing explorer.”

After briefly striking my ‘cool half-elf captain’ pose for Brightfeather, whose eyes were sparkling, I turned back.

“Now that we’ve bought ourselves plenty of time… let’s help Sir Reficul.”

The fake Celestial was still holding His own against Grangtum.

“You’re incredibly resilient! Marvelous!”

“Just die already!”

“Don’t merely ‘say’ you intend to kill Me. Put true killing intent into your attacks! And stop relying on brute strength alone!”

Apparently, He had a habit of turning every battle into a teaching spar. Which also meant He wasn’t taking Grangtum seriously at all.

“He may look relaxed… but make no mistake. He’s a dangerous opponent for us. One hit would kill us instantly.”

“…Waaah.”

“At least you’d still have enough time to leave some last words. So there’s no need to worry too much.”

“Eek…”

Every time I spoke, Brightfeather supplied an enthusiastic little reaction. It made explaining things strangely enjoyable. Quite like a colorful drummer enthusiastically accompanying a blond storyteller.

‘Recruiting Brightfeather was definitely the right decision!’

“Sir Sylphren. Please remain here. I think Sir Bingbing is getting a little tired.”

“Fweee…”

“He says he was just about ready for a break.”

“Understood…”

Sylphren glanced at Brightfeather, but didn’t add anything further.

He’d already witnessed Brightfeather shatter his cage… and perform brilliantly.

“Hahahahaha!”

The fake Celestial burst into booming laughter.

At first, He’d been utterly outmatched in raw strength. Now, the greatsword and trident clashed almost evenly.

Though He was still being pushed back.

“While Sir Reficul keeps him occupied… the three of us will attack simultaneously. We’ll strike the giant’s weak points all at once. Simple enough.”

Using [Illusion], I sent three golden crows toward three different locations.

The nape of the neck. The abdomen. The back.

The head and heart were actually the best-protected areas. Those three points were the true weak spots.

After all, giants were still ultimately a race of people.

Unlike monsters, whose lives were inherently tenacious, properly striking a person’s vital weakness could kill them instantly, regardless of level differences.

“I’ll take the back. Sir Brightfeather, the nape. Sir Bartimir, the abdomen. When I give the signal… attack.”

“Got it!”

“Yes!”

Even while I gave instructions, Reficul’s movements continued becoming faster and sharper.

“Grrrrrr!”

Grangtum, however, wasn’t simply going to let Himself be defeated.

Thanks to the Mysteries of the Blood Warrior class, he continuously reabsorbed the blood flowing from his wounds, gradually becoming stronger.

No matter how brilliantly my lord fought, He was still only Level 2. His current rank lacked the power to deliver a decisive finishing blow.

”Which is why… I’ll support You from behind.”

From my right hand, I carefully spun strands of spider silk, adjusting each one’s thickness and strength with meticulous precision.

At last, it was time to unveil Golden Crow Karr’s newest finishing technique.