Chapter 17: Labyrinth Partner
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 17: Labyrinth Partner
“It’s evening, but there are more people here than I expected.”
“I agree.”
The Cathedral was still bustling with people.
It was likely because casualties had been mounting steadily since the Labyrinth Eruption.
“By the way, Porter. Is the Cathedral in the Labyrinth City usually open this late?”
“Yes. The Cathedral here operates twenty-four hours a day.”
Once you enter the Labyrinth, it’s difficult to keep track of time.
Some people buy expensive watches or go through the hassle of using hourglasses, but most adventurers simply rely on their internal clocks to estimate how many hours have passed.
Because of that, many people lose their sense of time, and their days and nights end up flipped. It’s quite common for someone to step outside only to realize it’s the middle of the night.
That is why the Cathedral stays open around the clock. They have to resurrect the dead as quickly as possible before decomposition sets in.
“Wow. It’s so grand. The ceiling is covered in paintings...!”
“Yes. They have plenty of money, after all.”
As we entered, priests and nuns were scurrying about busily. Passing them by, the Young Lady stared at the interior with her mouth agape.
The ceiling was adorned with paintings reminiscent of Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, and the decorations throughout the hall were incredibly lavish.
Since they made a fortune from resurrections, it was only natural for the interior to be so opulent.
“The entrance to the basement should be around here somewhere.”
“The basement?”
“Yes. The resurrection rooms are downstairs.”
I was sure we had to go down, but it had been so long since I’d been here that I’d forgotten the exact spot.
After asking a particularly busy-looking nun for directions, we finally found the entrance to the stairs.
“So this is the resurrection room.”
“Yes. This is where Rika will wake up.”
After wandering for a bit, we arrived at the resurrection room in the Cathedral’s basement. Upon entering, a priest dressed in sanitary robes greeted us.
“You’re in luck. The body is in relatively good condition.”
“There won’t be any issues bringing her back, right?”
“Yes. The head is intact, and the limbs are all attached. A few internal organs are missing, but we can fill the gaps with those of a cow or a sheep.”
“A cow? A sheep?”
When the priest suggested replacing Rika’s missing organs with those of livestock, the Young Lady stared at him as if he were talking nonsense.
“Yes. We must fill the empty spaces. It’s essential if you want the parts to graft properly.”
“I see...”
“If you find animal parts distasteful, we can use monster organs instead.”
“No, no. That’s fine.”
The Young Lady shook her head vigorously. Livestock was definitely better than monsters.
“Now, regarding the cost. She is a novice who has never undergone mana adaptation. This is also her first resurrection. Her rank is quite high, but she hasn’t reached the level of manifesting Sword Aura yet. I’d say 140 gold coins should cover it.”
Fortunately, it didn't exceed 200 gold.
“Do we have to pay the full amount right now?”
“No, it can be paid back over time. However, please be aware that until the debt is cleared, the resurrected person’s identity belongs to the Church.”
“I understand.”
The Young Lady nodded. A document was produced shortly after, and she signed her name and pressed her thumbprint onto it.
“Excellent. You’ve chosen the deferred payment plan. We shall begin the resurrection now.”
“Right...”
Rika’s body was placed into a Coffin of the Heavens. Using a specific holy incantation developed by the Goddess Church, they would bring her back to life. This was known as the Resurrection Spell.
“If you return tomorrow morning, the process will be complete. Safe travels.”
The priest bowed his head as he saw us out.
“Young Lady, could you wait for a moment?”
“Hmm? Why?”
“I need to hand over the belongings and bodies of the adventurers I found in the Labyrinth.”
“Oh, right. I’ll wait for you.”
I sought out the busy nun again, handed over the bodies, and received several small certificates of confirmation. If I took these to the Guild, they would increase my reputation.
“Let’s head back now. Everything is taken care of.”
“Yeah. You worked hard. Thank you again for saving my teammates.”
“It was nothing.”
I did it for the money, after all.
“On that note, Young Lady.”
“Right, the payment.”
“Yes.”
I liked how well the conversation flowed. She knew exactly what I was going to say.
“First, for rescuing Erika and Rika, that’s 30 gold. Correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
It was 20 gold for a survivor and 10 for a body.
“And for rescuing me... the family will likely prepare a separate reward for that.”
A reward from Count Lionel. It was highly likely it wouldn't end with just gold coins.
“For now, take this.”
The Young Lady pulled a leather pouch from her tunic and handed it to me.
“I’ve filled it with 30 gold coins. Can I give you the payment for my life later?”
I nodded and took the pouch. Peeking inside, I saw the glint of gold. She had probably given me almost all the cash she had on hand.
She likely hadn't expected to need this much money in such a short time. Very few people carry hundreds of gold coins on them, anyway.
It seemed she had already sent word to her family. I’d probably receive the payment for her life soon enough.
Besides, 30 gold coins was by no means a small sum. Plenty of people risked their lives just to earn that much.
With this, I can buy a slave.
The task was nearly complete. Most of the business was handled, and I had received most of the payment.
My connection with the Young Lady would likely end soon as well.
“Here is your adventurer badge.”
I pulled out the badge and the family seal I had taken as collateral. I went to hand them back but then pulled my hand away. It wasn't because I hadn't received the full payment yet.
“What? Why are you taking it back?”
“Listen, Young Lady.”
“Yes?”
“You’re going to keep going into the Labyrinth, aren't you?”
“Well... yes.”
“Even after going through all that? You’re really going back in?”
“...”
When I looked her straight in the eye and asked, she avoided my gaze and didn't answer.
“Young Lady. We haven't known each other long, but I’m telling you this because I’m worried.”
“Do you really have to say those 'worried' words?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, but I must.”
The Young Lady glared at me as if telling me to stop. But I had to say it. I couldn't help it. I didn't want her to die.
“You aren't cut out to be an adventurer. Why don't you give up on this dream and go back to your home, to your family?”
I knew I was overstepping. I knew I wasn't in a position to tell someone to abandon their dreams.
But still.
If she kept going into the Labyrinth like this, I felt certain that one day, I would find her cold corpse in some dark corner of the depths.
“Look, Porter. Who are you to tell me not to enter the Labyrinth?”
“....”
“Do you think you’re some kind of hero just because you saved someone weaker than you? Do you feel like nagging and meddling now? Why are you interfering?”
Her words were sharp. But I couldn't argue back. She was right; I was meddling.
“If you and I were complete strangers with no connection at all, I wouldn't have bothered with this advice. I wouldn't have cared.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It was only for a short time, but I’ve grown quite fond of you. That’s why I’ve reached this conclusion. Young Lady, if you keep heading into the Labyrinth, there will eventually be a moment where you won't be lucky enough to make it out alive.”
“In that case, I can just be resurrected...”
“Young Lady, resurrection isn't absolute.”
“I know that.”
“No. You don't.”
Did she think it was okay to recklessly enter the Labyrinth just because she was rich and had access to the miracle of resurrection? No. Not at all.
How many people who die in the Labyrinth actually get resurrected? If there are 100 bodies, 50 of them will never come back.
More importantly, the recovery rate for bodies in the Labyrinth isn't that high. It was only because of the Labyrinth Eruption that a rescue team of Gold Badge adventurers was formed to recover so many.
Normally, in the Labyrinth City, there are more cases where people want to recover a body but can't, or the body is too damaged to be saved. Not everyone has a subspace pocket.
And resurrection only works on relatively intact corpses. It’s not a guarantee for everyone.
Even the sewers in the upper levels are places where it’s hard to recover a body properly. If you die in the sewers, you’re usually eaten by monsters that scavenge on corpses.
And the Underground City? Even worse. There are very few monsters that would turn down a human meal.
“Young Lady. I know you’re a noblewoman who doesn't care about social stigma and is very open to resurrection. But there are cases where bringing someone back is simply impossible.”
“...”
“Do you know where I went after I told you to wait earlier?”
“...I don't know.”
“The crematorium. I handed over the bodies of the adventurers I found in the Labyrinth to the crematorium. Do you know why? Because they were so horribly mangled that they couldn't be brought back.”
“Are you saying... that I’m going to die?”
“No. I’m saying don't die in the Labyrinth needlessly.”
The Young Lady stared intently into my eyes.
She was pretty. Her eyes were incredibly beautiful. How could a person’s eyes sparkle like that? It was as if they held the stars of the night sky.
She was probably the most beautiful person I knew. Her face was too precious to be wasted in a hellhole like this Labyrinth.
To be more honest, I had developed a bit of a crush on her. Why? Because she was beautiful, of course.
So, I didn't want her to die a painful death in the Labyrinth. Even if it was only for one night, we had shared a bed and held each other. We had shared our warmth. We had a brief intimate encounter.
All those circumstances and the useless emotions they birthed made me worry about her.
I guess she’s not listening.
I wanted her to live, but she looked resolute. She would go back into the Labyrinth. In fact, the more I tried to stop her, the more her rebellious streak might drive her back in.
Still, I had to say it. So that I wouldn't have any lingering regrets. Now that I’d said my piece, I wouldn't have to live with the regret of not trying to stop her if she did die.
Yes, this was enough. We were just a one-night stand, after all. We weren't that close. I shouldn't put too much meaning into a brief encounter. She and I were nothing...
“Hey, Porter.”
“Yes?”
“You’re worried about me, aren't you? Worried I’ll just drop dead somewhere.”
“...I am.”
“Then, can’t you just keep protecting me?”
“What?”
The Young Lady took a step closer to me.
“You protect me. Don't tell me not to go into the Labyrinth. Just come with me every time I go. You can just save me gallantly like you did yesterday whenever I’m in trouble.”
“No, that’s...”
“Why are you telling me not to go? Who are you to say that? If you hate the idea of me dying that much, then just follow me around and keep me safe.”
“The thing is...”
As I’d said many times, I made it a rule not to sign exclusive contracts. There were many reasons, but mostly, I hated losing my freedom. And I hated the idea of someone I was deeply connected with dying in the Labyrinth.
“I’ll agree to whatever conditions you want. I won't pester you for an exclusive contract. I’ll only go into the Labyrinth on the days you want. So, let’s go into the Labyrinth together.”
“No, why are you so obsessed with the Labyrinth, Young Lady?”
“I’ll tell you that... once you become my Labyrinth Partner.”
What even is a 'Labyrinth Partner'? It sounds like a 'sex partner' or something...
Sigh, this lady is really driving me crazy. My head was spinning. She was offering to meet all my conditions just so I would go into the Labyrinth with her.
“You’ll really meet any condition I set?”
“Yes. If you want... we can even do this and that...”
“Pardon? What was that?”
“O-oh, nothing. Never mind.”
Why was her face turning red? What exactly did she mean by 'this and that'?
“First of all, Young Lady.”
“Yes, yes.”
“We have to ask your other teammates for their opinions. If they don't want to go back into the Labyrinth, then you have to give up too. Don't even think about looking for new party members.”
“Okay... I understand.”
“And.”
“What else?”
“I’m going to buy a slave.”
“Huh? Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden...?”
“I’m saying don't interfere with my private life. My dream is to collect lots of slaves.”
“Well, I don't really have a reason to interfere. We’re just Labyrinth Partners.”
“Yes. That’s all I need. And this isn't an exclusive contract. Also, I might set some very strict standards of my own.”
“That’s fine. If I can have a porter as capable as you as a companion, I’ll allow whatever conditions you want.”
“Fine. I understand. Then, the first condition.”
“Yes.”
“Don't you dare go into the Labyrinth without me. You’re too much of a rookie, Young Lady.”
“Got it. I didn't really plan on going in without you anyway.”
Her willingness to accept all my conditions was quite satisfying. Honestly, I’d prefer it if she didn't go in at all, but since she was determined to go, I had no choice. I’d have to tag along for a while.
“Let’s discuss the details over dinner. I feel like I’m going to collapse from hunger.”
My stomach growled. For now, I needed to eat and talk about the future conditions.