The First Labyrinth Expedition
The anxiety Canaby must be feeling was probably much like lying on a bed before being wheeled into an operating room. After all, surgery carried the risk of death—what certainty was there that one would wake again? In the end, all we could do was stay by her side and remind her she was not alone.
"Has the medicine for Princess Canaby been prepared?"
As the day of reckoning drew nearer, we shared updates on our situations whenever possible. Truthfully, what worried me most was the "medicine" Princess Reciel had mentioned. The notion that a single pill could keep a person asleep for an entire year was hard to believe. We had trusted the plan because royalty had vouched for its existence, yet if the drug failed to work, every preparation we had made would be rendered useless.
"Of course. Without it, the entire plan would collapse, so we cannot afford to be careless with it."
"Honestly, it's difficult to believe a medicine exists that can suspend the body for a year."
We believed it only because it came from royalty. Had some passing commoner claimed such a thing, they would surely have been branded a fraud peddling fake remedies.
"Because it is as precious as its effect, even members of the imperial family may use it only once in their lifetime. One year for my sister, one year for me—two years at most. Long ago, an ancestor fell gravely ill, and this medicine bought the time needed for treatment."
There was no way the empire would have left such a valuable drug untouched. I wondered whether the Deltrack Empire might secretly be pursuing forbidden research into eternal life.
"You're not entertaining any strange suspicions, are you?"
"Pardon? What suspicions do you mean…?"
"Our empire does not engage in forbidden or illegal activities. This medicine originated from the Labyrinth when it last opened."
"Ah!"
At the mention that it had come from the Labyrinth, everything fell into place.
"Of course, when it was first discovered, extensive research was conducted. Perhaps things that should never have been attempted were tried. But now, no one dares to study it further. The medicine cannot be manufactured indefinitely, after all. Its creation requires ingredients that grow only inside the Labyrinth."
"…Does that mean that now, with the Labyrinth open again, research could resume?"
Princess Reciel's eyes widened; she clearly had not considered that possibility.
"Oh…?"
"Did the imperial family perhaps instruct you to retrieve a specific item?"
"There are records of past research that ultimately failed. After seeing those failures, they would never attempt it again."
That was what she wanted to believe. Even though the Sun God had expressly forbidden research into eternal life, foolish humans continued to overstep divine authority. History had shown me clearly what fate awaited those who challenged the gods.
Most who pursued eternal life ended up dying before they could even enjoy their natural span.
Perhaps the gods, in their displeasure, simply reclaimed such people early. To touch what was forbidden was to forfeit the blessings they had been granted. Only after losing something did one truly understand its value. To stray from the divine embrace meant facing the world's harsh storms alone.
"The gods are merciful, yet they will not overlook the wickedness of the foolish."
"If the imperial family ever attempts such a thing, I will stop it by any means. I swear it upon Him."
I was not certain whether Princess Canaby, whose life was already in danger, or the still-young and powerless Princess Reciel could truly prevent it. But the fact that she had made such a vow told me her resolve was genuine.
"I can only pray that the Deltrack imperial family does not commit such a grave folly."
The Panic Room—the space where Princess Canaby would sleep for a year—contained nothing but the bed I had prepared beforehand. I had also stocked it with long-lasting preserved foods, just in case she woke earlier than expected.
"How empty."
The moment Princess Canaby stepped inside the room meant for her, she muttered without enthusiasm at the barren space.
"If I had known it would be like this, I would have brought something! I did not expect much, but this is rather excessive!"
"Pardon?"
I had thought my preparations more than sufficient, yet both princesses immediately voiced their disapproval.
"Not a shred of sentiment!"
"Enough. I will only be sleeping anyway—what does it matter if the room is empty?"
Why did the one claiming it was fine look so displeased?
"This simply will not do. I shall fetch some items."
"Frequent comings and goings will only draw attention. Do not return until I awaken."
"I must at least confirm that you are safe!"
"They will be desperate to find me. Any conspicuous action risks being followed."
"……"
"You promised to protect me. If you act as you please, you will not live out your natural life."
"Still, please do not forbid me from coming at all for an entire year. At least once every few months, I want to see your face and gather strength."
"If Priest Arthur agrees, then do so."
Feeling sulky from the criticism of the Panic Room, I decided this was the moment to intervene.
"Would you like to try lying on the bed?"
If there was one thing I had paid particular attention to in the Panic Room, it was the bed. Since Princess Canaby would have to lie there for a full year, I could not afford to be careless. Obtaining a bed fit for royalty had been impossible, so I had acquired one used by high-ranking nobles.
"Hmm."
At my suggestion, Princess Canaby sat on the edge of the bed. Princess Reciel approached as well, pressing the mattress firmly with sparkling eyes.
"I was worried there might be no thoughtfulness at all, yet you did pay attention to the bed."
"It is furniture that will see long use, so I believed it warranted care. Does it meet your expectations?"
"Thanks to you, I believe I shall sleep comfortably. Thank you."
Princess Canaby had finally acknowledged my efforts. Relieved, I smiled contentedly—only for her to remove her shoes and lie down upon the bed.
"There is no point in delaying any further."
"Already? Let us talk a little longer before you take it."
It seemed Princess Reciel had only now realized she would not speak with her sister for an entire year. Clutching Canaby's hand tightly, she prevented her from taking the medicine for quite some time.
"Are you feeling calmer now?"
Now that the moment had come, Princess Canaby appeared strangely composed. She gently stroked Reciel's head while the younger princess trembled with emotion.
Princess Reciel's eyes had turned red. In a shaking voice, she spoke.
"I will succeed. No matter what."
"Of course. You can do it. I believe in you."
"When you open your eyes after a short sleep, everything will have changed. Still, do not be too surprised—especially if I have grown much taller."
"I should be watching you grow beside me. I am sorry for leaving you alone."
To give the sisters privacy for their final words, I quietly stepped away. The Panic Room had been built with the assumption that people would enter and exit, so finding another space was simple. Alone in an adjacent room, I sat on the floor and offered a prayer. Once Princess Canaby fell asleep, we would truly begin our exploration of the Labyrinth. Whether we could lift her curse, or what trials awaited me, remained unknown.
Sun God, grant these pitiful sisters the warmth of Your light upon the path ahead.
As my prayer ended, Princess Reciel came to fetch me. The farewells were finished; it was time to begin. When we returned, Princess Canaby lay upon the bed with a small, round pill resting in her palm.
"Is that it?"
"Yes."
"Do not worry. Sleep well. When next you wake, I will bring good news."
Princess Canaby offered no words, but her eyes conveyed trust. She peeled away the paper wrapping and swallowed the pill in one motion. Her gaze quickly grew unfocused, as though sleep were already claiming her.
"…I am sleepy."
"Lie down comfortably."
"Sister!"
"Do not act rashly… always… proceed with caution…"
With both hands resting upon her stomach, Princess Canaby closed her eyes. The steady sound of her breathing assured me it had not stopped.
"She appears to have fallen asleep."
"For now she is merely sleeping, but gradually all functions will cease. Eventually, she will not even breathe."
Witnessing a body halt so completely—even its breath—was a strange sight. To prepare for any unforeseen circumstance, I remained at her side until Princess Canaby's body had fully "stopped."
"She truly is not breathing."
"I once saw the former empress use it from afar when I was young. It looked exactly like this. I cannot tell you how frightened I was, thinking she had died."
Her skin had lost all color, turning deathly pale, and her body had grown as cold as ice. Anyone who saw her would assume a corpse lay upon the bed. Princess Reciel lingered beside her pale sister for a long while. Even I would have found it difficult to leave if a family member appeared in such a state.
"Your Highness, we must go now. Everyone is waiting."
"…Yes. We have spent days preparing; we cannot be late from the very beginning."
Forcibly tearing her gaze away, Princess Reciel left the Panic Room with me. Once outside, we checked our surroundings. Only the prayer room showed signs of life; the rest of the area was eerily quiet.
"I will fetch the luggage."
"Very well."
I sent Princess Reciel ahead out of the temple, retrieved my own belongings from the room, and stepped outside.
"Priest Arthur!!"
"Hm? No—why has everyone come all the way here?"
As I moved to exit the temple, an urgent voice called my name. Turning, I found the chick healers gathered in a flock.