Chapter 119: I’ll Have No Choice but to Help?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 119: I’ll Have No Choice but to Help?
What exactly are these beings we call the Three Villainesses?
“They are ancient things known as the Roa.”
At Helena’s words, Lafnel, who possessed knowledge of the Roa, muttered to herself.
“The Roa. Aren’t they something like ancient Spirit Gods?”
She perceived the Roa as Spirit Gods.
“They are Spirit Gods, yes. But they are also something wicked. The beings called Roa are the gods of folk religions, blindly worshipped by the ignorant before structured religions like the Goddess Church took root.”
Incomprehensible existences. A type of natural phenomenon.
Divine entities that sometimes devoured humans and other times toyed with them. However, they were far from being absolute deities. They weren't omnipotent gods, but rather minor divine beings found in folk beliefs.
“There are very few Roa that possess a distinct personality. It was believed they perished when mystery vanished from this land.”
“Is that the true identity of the Three Villainesses?”
“Indeed. No one knows when they were born or what their stories are. However, their power is formidable. Or rather, it was formidable—back in the past when they were still worshipped as objects of faith. Now, to be honest, they’ve become little more than superstitions.”
Currently, people perceived the Three Villainesses as mere minor spirits or mischievous fairies.
In the first place, ordinary people could neither feel nor see them.
As far as I knew, I was the only one with a Spiritual Eye who could see, feel, and directly communicate with them.
That must be why the Three Villainesses clung to me so desperately, even going so far as to grant me a contract that made me practically immune to curses.
“Right now, their power dwells within this child’s body. More accurately, he is bound by them. It is a powerful binding spell. A heavy chain is fastened to this child’s heart, so intense that no other curse would dare approach.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Instead of Helena, it was Lafnel who answered Moira’s question.
She had consulted with me before regarding my relationship with the Roas.
“I heard he entered into a contract of some sort. A contract that requires him to descend... to the deep layers of the Labyrinth.”
“Lafnel, you knew about this too?”
“We spoke about it two weeks ago. I promised him then that I would descend to the deep layers with him.”
Moira let out a sigh at Lafnel’s words. The fact that they had to go to the deep layers seemed to give her a headache.
“I think I get the gist of it. The Villainesses are trying to send Sion to the deep layers?”
“It seems they intend to use Sion for their liberation.”
“Liberation. Are the Three Villainesses bound to the Labyrinth?”
“Something like that. I suspect the clue to that lies on the 8th floor.”
Helena insisted that clues regarding the Roas would be on the 8th floor.
It wasn't definitive information, but it was an inference based on reasonable grounds.
“What exactly is the 8th floor? What kind of place is it?”
“From what I’ve gathered... the 8th floor is the Tomb of the Roas.”
Below Utopia.
Beneath it lay a deep, deep abyss.
“Utopia has grown so vast it could be called another world. It is incredibly difficult to explore, as it is essentially its own realm. Yet, even the 7th floor is small compared to the 8th. The 8th floor is an abyss whose end is unknown.”
Helena trembled slightly.
What kind of abyss had she witnessed? What could possibly terrify the strongest witch to such an extent?
It certainly wasn't anything ordinary. The 8th floor was a place beyond imagination.
“So the Roas that vanished in the past are buried there... Which means to break the binding spell on Sion, we absolutely have to go down to the 8th floor.”
“That is correct.”
At Helena’s confirmation, Lafnel bit her lower lip and asked, “If there’s a way to utilize them, couldn't we perhaps borrow the power of the Roas?”
Moira frowned at Lafnel’s question. She had already categorized the Roas as hostile entities.
“What if the Roas are the root of all evil? Couldn't they be the masterminds behind this entire situation?”
Moira’s point was valid. They were mysterious ancient beings, and every legend passed down about them described them as monsters that devoured humans.
It was only natural to be suspicious and hostile toward them.
“It is too early to judge; it seems not all Roas are like that. Some Roas actually wish to be extinguished.”
“What?”
“Below the 8th floor. There is something even deeper. Something that uses the Roas as a power source... to expand the Labyrinth.”
At Helena’s words, Moira rubbed her forehead as if she couldn't believe it and muttered, “The Labyrinth Lord? This is driving me crazy. That legend is actually true?”
The Labyrinth Lord. A being about which there was absolutely no information.
While there was at least some data on the Roas, information on the Labyrinth Lord consisted of nothing but rumors.
“Are you certain that what resides on the 9th floor is the Labyrinth Lord?”
“No, I told you I don't know that much. I only saw the entrance to the 8th floor. I am merely speculating.”
“Wait, if the Labyrinth Lord is on the 9th floor... then what’s on the 10th floor, which is supposed to be the bottom?”
“The Nightmare must be there.”
“...I suppose so.”
“Going all the way to the 10th floor to close the door. It’s madness.”
“If we don’t, everyone will die.”
“Will it erupt before we die?”
“It will inevitably erupt. And once it does, there will be no way to stop it. The liberated monsters will roam the entire world, slaughtering humans, elves, and Easterners alike. The goal is to kill it before it wakes up.”
“...Fuck. I can’t help but swear.”
“It is truly unfortunate, but we must accept it. And you there. The materials I wrote on the parchment are essential, so I would appreciate it if you could procure them.”
Allowing Lafnel into the Labyrinth and preparing the items listed on the parchment.
After finishing her piece, Helena sent a telepathic message to me.
—I am reaching my limit.
‘Are you out of strength?’
—Indeed. Having said this much, those two should have a general idea of the situation. Let us switch back now. Borrowing someone else’s body for too long is not something a person should do.
It might be different if she had pulled the soul out with a Spirit Chain and placed it in an empty shell.
But it seemed that possessing a body that already had an owner was exhausting if done for too long.
“Cough. I-I’m back.”
“Are you back to yourself?”
“To think Helena was inside your body. Since when? You didn't... see anything, did you?”
“No. I just happened to run into Helena during this Labyrinth run.”
“I see... That’s a relief.”
Moira wiped away a cold sweat, worried that Helena might have seen our sexual encounter.
Lafnel didn't miss this and began to pry.
“What’s a relief? And why are you sweating? What is it that shouldn't be seen? Are you hiding something?”
“Hiding? I’m not hiding anything. It’s nothing.”
“No, it’s suspicious. Earlier, you were hugging this boy and spinning him around like you were lovers. I let it slide because the situation was serious, but... your reaction is definitely suspicious.”
“What is this old hag talking about! Why are you prying into whether something happened between Sion and me?”
“It’s just... suspicious.”
“You’re picking a fight over nothing. It’s nothing, so don’t worry about it. More importantly, now is not the time for such talk.”
“That is true.”
Moira quickly changed the subject. She didn't want Lafnel to find out about her relationship with me.
There were likely many reasons for that.
“For now, we need to wipe out the remaining heretic remnants in the underground city before proceeding. Can you go back in next week? I know it’s a lot to ask.”
“I can. I consumed the Giant’s Essence, so I shouldn't have any problems with my physical stamina.”
“Giant’s Essence?”
“Yes. After killing a giant, I let the bracelet drink its blood, and it gave me the essence.”
“Ah, that bracelet.”
Moira nodded after looking at the Bracelet of Growth.
“Then we’ll prepare for the next expedition. First, we need to settle the matter with Lafnel.”
Moira said she would try to schedule a meeting as soon as possible.
The meeting regarding Lafnel’s entry into the Labyrinth would likely take place within the week. If it was approved, we could immediately take Lafnel and begin the conquest of the Garden Section.
Since we had drastically reduced the number of Dungeon Trolls, we could set up an alchemy workshop in the underground city once the summoning of the Three Villainesses was complete.
Helena had said that the help of Lafnel and Tower Lord Mabel was crucial for summoning the Three Villainesses, so I absolutely had to make her Labyrinth entry happen.
“Then, I’ll be going now.”
“Right. The situation isn't great in many ways... but don’t give up.”
“Yes. Thank you for the encouragement, Moira.”
“It’s nothing. Come visit when you have time.”
“Will do.”
Lafnel and I stepped out of the Guild Master’s office.
Everyone had a mountain of work to do, so we couldn't delay any longer.
“First, I need to find a place to stay. Can you look after my luggage for a while?”
“Yes. Contact the guild when you need it.”
“Understood. You’ve worked hard. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to breathe the Labyrinth air again.”
“Just make sure you don't cause any trouble.”
“Not you too! What do you take me for? I’m not a troublemaker! Everything I did was with good intentions. Hmph.”
Lafnel lamented that the world didn't understand her values. Was it really that the world didn't understand, or was she just a troublemaker?
“Haha... Then I’ll be going too.”
“Right. Are you going home?”
“No. I think I need to stop by the Magic Tower.”
“The Magic Tower. Be careful. Rumor has it the Tower Lord hasn't been in her right mind lately.”
“Huh? Really?”
“Yes. It seems a few of her experiments went south. Don't get on her bad side for no reason. That girl is quite the piece of work.”
“I see. Understood.”
Lafnel headed toward the northern part of the city. There were many quiet, secluded inns in that area.
‘Should I skip the Magic Tower?’
What should I do? I needed to talk to her about the Ability Fixing Bracelet.
And Helena had said that the Tower Lord’s help was needed to summon the Three Villainesses. I had to persuade her one way or another.
“Huh...? What are you doing there...?”
“Oh? Rien?”
“It’s been a while... How have you been, Porter?”
While I was debating whether to go to the Magic Tower, I ran into Rien.
Where was the witch from the Young Lady’s Party heading?
“Me...? I’m on my way to the Magic Tower.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah... I’ve been taking classes lately.”
“Classes?”
“Mhm... There’s a scroll master named Lord... I’m learning how to draw scrolls from him.”
“Wait, Rien, you already know how to make scrolls.”
“The knowledge from outside is a bit different... The scrolls in the Labyrinth City... are more effective...”
“Aha.”
“So, where are you going, Porter...? Leah went to Yuria’s house earlier... Did you miss her...?”
“No. I just saw her. And I’m... debating whether or not to go to the Magic Tower.”
“Huh? Why debate...? You can just go...?”
“Well, I heard the Tower Lord is in a bit of a strange state. And I need to see her.”
“Really...? Lady Mabel... has been in a bit of a bad way lately...”
“Gasp.”
“But don't worry too much... She’s just shut herself in her room... She might actually be happy to see you...?”
“She’d be happy to see me?”
“Yeah... Two of the specimens she was managing... died recently. A new specimen is always precious...”
Holy crap, I was being treated as a specimen?
“Hehehe... Let’s go together...”
“Agh! No! I don't want to be a specimen!”
“Aren't you already halfway there...?”
“That’s...”
Perhaps because it had been a while, I headed toward the Magic Tower with a strangely softened Rien. More accurately, I was practically dragged there.
I was deeply worried about the Tower Lord’s condition, but I didn't have time to waste.
I had to talk to her, at the very least.
She wouldn't actually treat me like a specimen, right?