Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Labyrinth Depths
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Labyrinths and dungeons were similar yet profoundly different.
While dungeons had only faint traces of artificial elements mixed into their natural environments, labyrinths were entirely man-made.
Unlike dungeons, labyrinths crafted intentionally by someone harbored additional dangers beyond monsters.
Namely, traps, pitfalls, and barriers.
"Follow exactly in my footsteps from here on. Stepping on the wrong spot will drop you into a trap."
"From this point, never lean against the walls. Anyone who wants to get skewered by the spikes shooting out can test it."
"Don't lock eyes with those statues over there for more than five seconds. Those with weak minds will get entranced."
Fortunately, Entler, who had served as a knight for the Evergrow Count's territory across generations, knew every nook and cranny of the labyrinth like the back of his hand.
Thanks to Entler’s intimate knowledge of trap locations, pitfall placements, and the monsters that lurked, the subjugation force never once fell into serious peril.
* * *
"Dissect the monsters and secure the byproducts and mana stones. I'll go on reconnaissance."
"Yes, Lord Entler!"
While the porters handled the work with practiced efficiency, the mercenaries nursing minor wounds received emergency treatment nearby, and beside them, the templars offered prayers.
It was their ritual after every battle, and true to form for superstition-prone mercenaries, some hastily made the sign of the cross and even mumbled along to prayers they barely knew.
Of course, Eugene always slipped away to a spot where the prayers—somehow grating on his nerves—couldn't reach him.
"Wow! This labyrinth actually has water coming out?"
Mirian chattered away as she watched mercenaries filling leather pouches from the underground stream flowing from a lion-headed statue.
Eugene was just as intrigued.
Unlike dungeons, labyrinths came equipped with the bare minimum provisions for human habitation.
"If it weren't for the monsters, a labyrinth might actually be livable. In the worst-case scenario, I could hide out in one and survive...."
"It's certainly a fitting place for evil beings to lurk. Don't you agree, Lord Eugene?"
"Well... something like that."
Eugene startled and looked up at the voice of the templar who had finished praying and approached.
"To think the demonic energy here is so thick! A demonic realm like this must be purified in the name of God as soon as possible."
"Are you alright, Lord Eugene? If the demonic energy is making you feel unwell, please tell us anytime. We'll pray for you. Demonic energy can be countered with the power of prayer."
"No, I'm truly fine."
Eugene shook his head vigorously.
"Hey! Brothers, didn't you see it earlier? Lord Eugene slicing through those vile beasts several at a time with single strokes? Nothing but the power of faith could make that possible."
That was due to Eugene's superhuman strength and the razor-sharp Wolfslayer, which could rightly be called a famed sword, not faith.
"By the way, thank you so much for your help back there. Without you, Lord, I would have suffered a grievous wound."
"That was just... in the heat of battle...."
The templars raised their voices, ignoring Eugene's words.
"Superb skill, profound faith, and burning camaraderie! Lord Eugene embodies the spirit of a templar. Don't you agree, brothers?"
"No need for further words. Lord Eugene is a brother in true faith."
"Kekekekeke... kuh! Gah! Cough cough!"
Mirian burst into wild laughter at the templars' fervent response, eventually choking on her own mirth.
'Why are these guys acting like this?'
Eugene sighed inwardly.
He hadn't done anything special, so he couldn't fathom why the templars took such a liking to him.
But it was only natural for the templars to revere Eugene so.
Even if this labyrinth had grown somewhat safer from repeated subjugations, the fact that no one in this subjugation force had died yet was thanks to Eugene.
He had fought without a second thought, but in doing so, he had saved a templar and several mercenaries from certain death.
And unlike other knights, Eugene never boasted of his feats.
For templars, who prized humility as a core virtue, this was impossible not to admire.
And that wasn't all.
Eugene had told the templars he joined the subjugation force not for monster hunting, but to rescue a "friend."
To templars, whose judgment of character was somewhat clouded by their devotion to prayer and asceticism, this was ample reason to see Eugene as the incarnation of honor and loyalty.
In the end, the templars came to believe this noble knight would understand their sacred purpose.
"Lord Eugene. We say this trusting in your noble friendship, your valor, and your steadfast devotion to God."
The templar named Robin glanced around before suddenly lowering his voice.
"You know one of the upper-tier monsters in labyrinths is the minotaur, right? Yet in this Morrison Mountain Labyrinth, not a single minotaur has ever been sighted. Not once in over ten years."
"Is that so?"
"Everyone who's seen it has died. Meaning it might know humans all too well."
"I see."
Robin pressed on excitedly as Eugene responded half-heartedly.
"It's extremely dangerous. We can't just leave it be. Moreover, didn't your friend from the last subjugation fail to return? So we're going to take down that minotaur...."
Just as Eugene's interest piqued at Galpredic's mention—
"Lord Eugene! Lady Romari!"
Entler returned from reconnaissance with a few mercenaries, calling out to Eugene and Romari.
"Excuse me a moment, Lord. We'll talk later."
"No, I spoke too much out of turn. Haha."
Robin exchanged awkward glances with his comrades and smiled, and Eugene sensed he wouldn't say more. Hiding his regret, Eugene moved on.
* * *
"No anomalies in the plaza ahead. We'll set up camp there."
The true mission of this subjugation—especially with Galpredic involved—was to confirm the fate of the missing personnel.
Thus, unlike usual, Entler planned to secure a base inside the labyrinth before launching search patrols.
"Is everything beyond the plaza uncharted?"
"No. Further in, the passage splits into three. One was confirmed long ago to lead to a dead end after a ways. But the other two...."
One had wiped out a reconnaissance team, leaving only one survivor, and the monster they encountered was a cyclops.
And no one had returned from the final passage.
In other words, one of those two led to the heart of the Morrison Mountain Labyrinth.
Since that incident, protocol dictated halting exploration upon encountering upper-tier monsters, so no subjugation force had ventured further.
That's how it remained uncharted territory.
"According to Lord Lugates's testimony, Lord Galpredic ignored warnings and entered uncharted areas. But no one knows which path he took."
"......"
Eugene nodded silently.
But he couldn't bring himself to believe Entler—or more precisely, Lugates's testimony.
Galpredic had a fiery temper, but in demonic realms, no one was cooler-headed than him.
Eugene was certain he wouldn't charge into uncharted territory on a whim, and if he had, there must have been good reason.
"Morale among the mercenaries and all—let's just check the cyclops passage for now."
"What if we encounter the cyclops?"
"As planned, Lady Romari steps in first. We'll gauge how much magic affects it and decide whether to fight or flee."
"I'll follow your lead as subjugation captain."
"Good. Anyway, Lord Eugene, keep an eye on those ragtag bunch."
At Entler's words, Eugene glanced at the templars huddled together whispering. They beamed when their eyes met, which somehow looked pitiful.
"I'll handle those guys."
"Right. Templars from Saint Lagren Monastery are infamous for their stubbornness, yet they listen to you oddly well. Must be your strong faith. Thinking of becoming a holy knight?"
"......Not at all."
"Khuh!"
"Hm? Lady Romari, what's wrong? Feeling unwell?"
"Oh, no. Just a tickle in my throat. I'm fine."
"Good to hear. Your performance is key this subjugation, so take care of yourself. I'll go relay orders to the mercenaries."
"Sure."
As Entler headed to the resting mercenaries, Eugene turned to Romari.
"One more hint about my identity, and you know what happens?"
Romari nodded rapidly as Eugene tapped Wolfslayer.
"I'll be careful. By the way, what were the templars saying earlier?"
"Seems they're here to hunt the minotaur in this labyrinth."
"The templars? Minotaurs in labyrinths are a given, so why now.... And three of them is too few."
"No idea. Anyway, I'll watch them. You focus on finding Galpredic's traces."
"I've been at it nonstop, but nothing yet."
"Work harder."
"We, well, maybe the plaza has something. The last subjugation lingered there, they say."
"Fine. I'll trust you."
Compared to their first meeting, Eugene's demeanor even felt merciful, and Romari breathed a sigh of relief.
'I shouldn't irritate him. Once this is over, no more dealing with him. I'll play nice till then.'
The Pilgrim Shadow School cared little for nobles or knights in the capital, but origin vampires commanded respect beyond fear, so Romari steeled herself once more.
* * *
The plaza at the end of the long passage was quite spacious.
At its center stood a massive rectangular structure with steps on all four sides, perfect for the subjugation force to occupy.
"Put monster byproducts in the center. Use secured resources to build barricades."
"Yes, Lord Entler."
Porters, slaves, and even mercenaries bustled about.
Meanwhile, Eugene, who had descended the structure with Entler and Romari, pointed to a gaping hole in one corner of the plaza.
"That the way to uncharted territory?"
"Yes. Just in case, we'll form a scout team to— Hm?"
Entler narrowed his eyes.
The templars, who had been milling about pretending to investigate, were casually heading toward the hole.
Sensing the gaze, they suddenly bolted.
"Those mad fools!"
"Leave it to me."
Eugene stepped forward before Entler could gape.
"I'll come too!"
Romari swiftly followed Eugene's glance, then shouted to the flustered Partek.
"Obey Lord Entler's orders until I return!"
"Yes, sir!"
As Eugene crossed the plaza, Romari caught up using magic and whispered.
"Lord Eugene, did you let the templars go on purpose?"
"Yeah. It's the only way we can head to uncharted territory alone."
"As expected! Cunning—no, brilliantly clever, as befits a noble of the darkness clan's elite."
"Cut the nonsense and look for Galpredic's traces."
"Yes, sir!"
"I'll look too!"
Vampire, spirit, and mage dashed through the labyrinth.
* * *
"Huff! Huff! Still chasing?"
"Seems they've given up. Catch your breath, brothers!"
The fleeing templars halted.
"Whew! We owe Lord Eugene an apology. But unlike Evergrow knights, he's a man of deep faith—he'll understand."
"Indeed! A true knight eradicates evil in any situation. The Lord Eugene we saw would surely do the same."
"Yes. We follow God's will."
Having rationalized themselves through prayer and the sign of the cross while catching their breath, the templars exchanged glances.
Before them lay passages splitting in three directions.
"Now. Let's begin, brothers."
With grim nods, the templars drew something from their bosoms and swallowed it in unison.
"Urgh!"
"God...."
A surge of vitality coursed through them, sending shivers of ecstasy.
But their appearance was hardly that of noble templars devoted to God and church.
Their sclerae turned bloodshot red, and thick blue veins bulged from their foreheads and necks.
"Forward. In the glorious name of God...."
"In God's name."
Making the sign of the cross, the templars drew shields and shortswords from their backs.
Clank clank!
Radiating eerie heat from their bodies, the templars headed for the central passage—no one had ever returned from it alive.
(To be continued)