The Journey Begins 1
The moment they heard me, all the bugs came rushing toward me as if they wanted to follow along. Miel hopped up and down on my hair, gesturing wildly that she absolutely had to come too. Cecilia spread her flaming wings brightly and circled above my shoulder, while Lote orbited me protectively as usual. Surprisingly, even Glessia charged at me with unprecedented enthusiasm—she, the usual lazy slacker, her eyes sparkling as she clung to me. Her massive body barreled in so suddenly that I lost my balance and toppled right over.
"Eek!"
This lazy bum wants to come too?
I was a little puzzled, but thinking about it, Glessia had grown strong just to eat my honey. She might want to tag along more than anyone...
Hmm... what to do.
Cecilia was like my daughter, and she blocked my weakness—fire—so she had to come. I was worried Lote might get bullied by the other bugs without me; she was my precious shield too. I wanted to leave either the combat powerhouse Glessia or the great leader Miel to guard the house. But it was like they could read my mind—they clung even tighter. Miel burrowed into my hair so I couldn't shake her off, and Glessia wrapped her huge legs around me, making it impossible to move.
"Aigoo, fine! Let's all go together!"
At that, all the bugs danced for joy.
"No! I was talking to the Aces!"
The bugs except the Ace Four froze in place.
"We're going to wake up Master, so you guys guard this place with your numbers!"
With the strongest four leaving, the rest absolutely had to stay. Their compound eyes brimmed with sorrow as they gazed at me.
"Don't look at me like that! When I get back, I'll make tons of honey, so wait for me!"
I led the dejected bugs and the ecstatic Ace Four back up to the deeper levels. The humans were still waiting right there for us. The moment Levy saw me, she approached cautiously.
"Um... where did you go?"
Her voice was full of curiosity, but thankfully, no one asked about the honey incident. I still felt too embarrassed to even think about it.
"I went to the deepest level."
The humans' eyes went wide at my casual reply.
"The... deepest level? Does this labyrinth even have one?"
Roderick asked in a stunned voice.
"Of course. It's Master's floor."
I tilted my head up to look at him.
"You'll never set foot there in your lifetime."
They exchanged glances at my words. Karl spoke up hesitantly.
"Who... is your Master?"
"Huh? My Master's obviously Frostia."
In an instant, all color drained from their faces. Liandel gripped his crystal staff tighter, and Levy froze mid-breath.
"F-Frostia? Isn't that just a legend?"
Liandel's voice trembled.
Why don't they know?
Brian's party and Arthur's party had actually met Master... Was it a secret?
"Master's obviously real. And you always add 'nim' after Master's name."
I glared at him firmly. Liandel nodded frantically.
"Ah, now I'm going to see Master."
"W-Wait a sec. So... Frostia isn't here right now?"
Torben fiddled with his beard as he asked.
"Nope. Master's with Nis right now."
At Nis's name, they were shocked all over again. Terry pulled out his notebook and started scribbling furiously.
"Nis... is real too?"
Elina's eyes widened.
"Duh! And add 'nim' for Nis too!"
I bared my teeth a little, and they nodded vigorously.
"This dress is from Nis too."
I lifted the hem of my dress slightly.
"Gasp..."
"Whoa..."
They seemed stunned by every word I said. Liandel opened his mouth, but I held up a hand to stop him.
"I'm busy, so let's talk on the way out. I miss Master already."
They looked like they were dying to ask more, but my firm attitude kept them in check. I turned and waved to the bugs.
"Bye, kids! Guard this place good!"
The ones left behind sent sad looks at first, but soon accepted reality and waved their wings and antennae to see us off. And so, with Miel, Cecilia, Lote, Glessia, and the humans, we headed out of the chamber. Walking on my own two feet down a path I'd only ever seen on my territory radar felt strange. Striding along like this... Moving with my own legs was still so amazing.
The humans' barrage of questions resumed on the way.
"Pardon me... what happened to the Saint and the Hero? There were rumors they came here..."
Karl asked carefully.
"Oh, Seraphina and Beatrice? I made sure they really understood Michael's teachings. And I gave them gifts too."
I answered with a light laugh. Karl's eyes sparkled like a boy's—he was clearly thrilled by tales of legendary heroes.
"Um..."
Elina spoke up quietly.
"I used to be a healer at the Temple of Light. About Michael's teachings... could you tell me what they are?"
"You guys seem clueless. Michael is a goddess who loves blood and slaughter. So I offer her blood, and she blesses me."
I puffed out my chest proudly.
Their faces twisted oddly at my words. Elina especially looked shocked.
"I can definitely feel holy power..."
she murmured.
Hah, unbelievable.
I sighed. What had Seraphina and Beatrice been doing without spreading Michael's will outside?
Guess I have to enlighten them myself.
They needed a clear demonstration. I activated Divine Radiance, and dazzling light poured from my body. My surroundings lit up like sunlight streaming in.
"I've even talked to Michael directly. And this light is her blessing to me."
They shielded their eyes from the glow, unable to hide their awe. Elina nearly dropped to her knees.
"Th-This... this holy power defies logic..."
she gasped in admiration.
"See? I'm right, aren't I?"
I grinned smugly. They exchanged looks and slowly nodded.
"We... believe you."
they replied cautiously. It felt good to spread Michael's will after so long. I'd proven it definitively!
"What... is Frostia like?"
Levy mustered her courage to ask.
"Master is..."
Just thinking of her filled my heart.
"So beautiful, so kind, and above all, so strong. She rules this great labyrinth, the Sia Kalt mountains, and even Set Hanryeong. She named me, strokes me gently..."
Praise poured from my lips endlessly. Before I knew it, I was dancing a little while gushing about Master. Levy's eyes sparkled as she listened.
"She sounds amazing!"
Her honest admiration made me feel great. I liked this girl. She might even be worth bringing on the journey to wake Master.
Come to think of it, something important.
"Where's Desmeer?"
I asked suddenly. They went quiet at my question. I turned to the smartest-looking one, Liandel.
"Where's Desmeer?"
He pondered a moment, then raised his blue crystal staff. A blue light spread from the tip, drawing a map in the air.
"This is the Sia Kalt mountains where we are now."
He pointed to the northernmost part. My eyes widened. The map was way, way bigger than I'd imagined—far beyond what I'd seen in the game. The areas from the game were just tiny kingdoms at the right edge.
"So, where's Desmeer?"
Liandel's face grew troubled as he lowered his finger—from the north, through the center, down and down...
"Desmeer Sea Trench is here, on the opposite side of the continent, in the southern ocean."
My face went pale.
"That's ridiculously far!"
On the map it was just a few finger-widths, but in reality... an unimaginable distance.
"How long to get from here to Desmeer?"
Liandel calculated briefly.
"Normally... about a year and a half."
"What!? A year and a half!?"
My voice shot up an octave. That couldn't be right!
Wait! There's teleport!
"Towns have teleport magic circles, right?"
Liandel looked baffled.
"Pardon? Teleport...? That's legend-level magic. Most people travel by carriage."
No... teleport? And carriages?
My brain froze. In the game, it was just a loading screen skip... not actual teleport?
"Can't we fly?"
Roderick shook his head.
"The skies are crawling with wyverns. No way. Even high mages don't fly."
"If I protect the mage?"
"Fly spells guzzle mana. Can't sustain ten minutes. Plus, mana recovery is terrible in the air—you'd crash eventually."
Liandel explained, shaking his head.
"..."
Did I really have to give up? As a last hope, I glanced at Glessia. Even if I was small, riding her seemed impossible. Being carried on those spindly legs? No way... Glessia avoided my gaze like she agreed.
"Haa..."
A deep sigh escaped me. A year and a half... Master was passed out drunk; I couldn't take that long...
As I moped, the humans stopped asking questions. We ascended the lower levels in silence when suddenly, a massive shadow loomed before me. A gigantic crystal basilisk coiled to block our path. Its body gleamed transparently like ice, sharp fangs bared as it glared at us.
What confidence—facing me and the Ace Four?
"Gasp!"
The humans behind me recoiled at the sight.
Right, they fled from this thing.
I casually raised one hand. Roots could sprout from imagination alone, but this looked cooler! In an instant, a black root burst from the ground, piercing the basilisk's nape precisely.
"Kreeeek!"
It let out a short screech and collapsed. The humans' jaws dropped in unison, their eyes filled with a mix of terror and awe.
Transparent blue blood flowed from the fallen basilisk. Then, the Crimson Bind at my waist began to vibrate.
"Hm?"
Curious, I drew the sword. Its blade glowed red, drawn toward the blood like a sunflower to the sun—the sword craved it.
"Oho!"
I smiled delightedly and approached. Bringing Crimson Bind near the pooling blood, the sword moved on its own, sucking it up. The blue blood stretched like red threads into the blade.
"Hehe, this blood must be good stuff too."
The blade glowed brighter red, the hilt's gem deepening in hue. Once it absorbed everything, a satisfied vibration hummed through Crimson Bind.
"Cr-Crimson Bind... the legendary lich sword from the tales..."
Liandel's voice shook violently.
"Oh? You know it?"
I held it up, and he stepped back.
"The vampire dagger from legends... Where did you get it...?"
"It was in Master's treasure vault. Perfect size for me, so I took it."
Their shock deepened. I just laughed and sheathed Crimson Bind at my waist.
"Let's go."
I said casually.
"We need to get out of this labyrinth."