The Second Labyrinth (2)
“You bought that separately?”
“Yes.”
Deviating from the plan carried considerable risk. Without a clear benefit that outweighed the danger, it was wiser to stick to the original strategy.
Princess Reciel first asked the guide why he had purchased the labyrinth map.
“Why?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking why you bought it. Why stop on the path we were already taking and switch to one others have traveled?”
“Information came in that this route was better, so…”
“That alone isn’t convincing. If there’s a compelling reason we must take that path, explain it properly.”
“A guide’s job is to find the safest, most comfortable route for the team. I don’t see how obtaining a map separately and suggesting a different path is strange.”
I could understand why the guide felt wronged. He had simply done his duty to the best of his ability. Still, what if the place he was leading us held a trap? In our current situation, straying from the plan was far more dangerous.
“There is a reason we cannot take the path you suggest. There is no guarantee the alternative route will be any safer.”
At least Princess Reciel had not openly voiced suspicion toward him. The possibility that the guide had been swayed by Prince Loras and was attempting to lure us into a trap was not zero.
“…Understood. I will proceed with the original plan.”
When the highest-ranking member of the expedition—the princess herself—ordered him to follow the original route, the guide had no choice but to obey.
“I know this situation arose because you performed your duties to the best of your ability. I am grateful for your hard work.”
At Princess Reciel’s gentle reassurance, the guide’s gloomy expression brightened. Though his diligent preparations had come to nothing, her acknowledgment seemed to comfort him.
“Our princess has grown so much. She’s become quite skilled at handling people.”
At someone’s murmur, I found myself nodding along. In truth, I had been thinking for a while now that her masterful use of both carrot and stick bore a striking resemblance to a certain someone. Given her relationship with that person, it was hardly surprising she had picked up the habit.
“She resembles Princess Canaby.”
“Oh~?”
My comment drew immediate sounds of agreement from those around us.
“Now that Priest Arthur mentions it, they really are alike. I knew something felt familiar.”
“It makes sense for Princess Reciel to take after her. She respects and admires Princess Canaby, after all.”
“I wonder what she’s doing right now… I hope she’s well.”
Perhaps because they were Princess Reciel’s close friends, their regard for Princess Canaby was remarkably high.
“It looks like we’re moving again. Shall we go?”
The labyrinth expedition resumed travel along their original route. They retraced the path they had taken earlier at a much faster pace than when they first descended.
“From here on, everyone stay alert and watch your surroundings.”
At the leader’s command, the party checked their weapons. We had already explored this far, but we had no idea what dangers might await ahead.
“There are no traces nearby. It seems the others all headed toward the route the guide mentioned.”
According to the guide, the shortcut was already widely known among the other groups. Anyone with ambition would have no reason to avoid a faster path, which naturally left the alternative routes relatively empty.
“It’s actually for the best. The fact that no one has come this way means we have a higher chance of discovering something valuable.”
The deeper we went, the harsher the cold became. It was so frigid that icicles were forming on the men’s beards.
“Hoo… Hoo…”
The entire party had grown quiet, as if they were climbing the Himalayas. Simply walking was rapidly draining everyone’s stamina.
“It’s snowing! Watch your step so you don’t slip!”
“Ugh, it’s getting even colder!”
“My feet are sinking in! Be careful, everyone!”
With the addition of foul weather, despair settled over us. Walking was already difficult, but now heavy snow fell accompanied by fierce winds. Visibility was nearly nonexistent. Each step made our bodies sway unsteadily.
“This isn’t sustainable! Leader!”
At someone’s desperate cry, the leader walking at the front finally halted.
“We rest here for thirty minutes!”
We would have to spend the next half hour praying the storm would ease even slightly. At the leader’s decision, the party members promptly sat down wherever they stood.
“Ah… I can’t feel my feet at all.”
“Who would have thought the day would come when snow felt more terrifying than monsters?”
Some even sniffled that they would rather fight monsters.
The entire visible world was blanketed in white; nothing could be seen.
“Priest, I can’t feel my feet. Could you take a look?”
“Of course. Gladly.”
Though I marched with the others, it was unfortunate that I could never fully rest during breaks. When I removed the man’s boots and socks, his feet came into view. The discoloration made it clear he wasn’t exaggerating.
“You’ll need treatment.”
“Ugh… I wore the thickest socks I had. Why is this happening?”
“You have flat feet.”
“Flat feet?”
“Yes. It causes quick fatigue and makes prolonged running difficult.”
Unless he somehow changed his feet entirely, this man would inevitably become a frequent patient of mine.
“I always thought I was just being whiny. I didn’t realize.”
“Haha, on the contrary, I consider you remarkably resilient. You’ve endured all this time with those feet, keeping pace with everyone else.”
“See! The priest says I’m not a whiner! Wow, what a relief.”
“We had no idea. Sorry about that. We won’t tease you anymore.”
It seemed the man had been frequently mocked by his comrades for complaining about his feet.
“Thank you! I feel much better now.”
“If it hurts again, don’t endure it—come see me right away.”
“Yes!”
After treating his feet and seeing a few more patients who came forward, I finally had a proper moment to rest. I was chewing on jerky to restore my energy when another man approached and offered me something.
“Have some of this.”
“Thank you. Care for some jerky?”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
We shared our simple snacks and chatted lightly. As I looked around at the others resting, I noticed they were getting along far better than expected. The extreme divisions I had witnessed upon first entering the labyrinth were nowhere to be seen—a significant achievement in itself.
“Wait! I sense something!”
“A presence?”
Shing!
How long had we been resting? Everyone had let their guard down, so the presence went unnoticed until someone detected it and alerted the entire party.
“Which direction?!”
“It’s too close! From above? No—below us!”
The moment those words left his mouth, the ground began to shake violently.
“Whoa?!”
“Priest Arthur!”
As I staggered, Melody seized my waist in a firm grip. Thanks to her, I regained my balance, but something immediately clamped onto my ankle and began dragging me downward.
“Ugh! What is—?”
Slash!
“They must have approached while hiding beneath the snow. Don’t let them pull you under!”
Melody must have spotted whatever held my ankle, because she severed it cleanly with her sword.
“Is that… a monster’s arm?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. I cut it off.”
Just as she had carried me back to my quarters when I was drunk, she once again lifted me effortlessly, swung me onto her back, and began running. She clearly meant to move me to safety.
“Ugh.”
The world spun wildly around me. I eventually squeezed my eyes shut and waited for the dizziness to pass.
“Stay here.”
I heard Melody’s voice as my feet touched solid ground once more. When I opened my eyes, I saw the situation around me…
“When did she get over here…?”
I was standing quite far from my original position. The realization left me disoriented.
“Don’t move.”
“!!”
Melody’s hair whipped through the air. She was already engaged in combat with a monster in a spot I hadn’t even noticed. Her command seemed to root me in place; my body refused to budge. Fortunately, obeying her meant no monsters targeted me directly.
I could finally see what had grabbed my ankle from beneath the snow. The creatures resembled plump moles with thick brown fur and long, threatening claws that they swung at Melody. But—
Sliiice!
Their claws were brutally severed by her sword. Panicked, the monsters tried to burrow back into the snow, but Melody refused to let them escape. She kicked off the ground, launched herself in a tremendous leap, and landed on one’s back. Her blade sank precisely into the crown of its head.
Crunch!
When she drove the sword deeper with all her strength, a sickening sound echoed as it plunged deep into the creature’s body. Melody planted her foot on its shoulder, yanked the blade free with a wet squelch, and shook off the sticky blood in one smooth motion. Then, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, she spun and swung her sword again.
Kyaaaack!
The monster with a blade buried in its throat let out a short, dying shriek before collapsing limply.
Slash!
Once more she drew her sword cleanly from the corpse, confirmed I was unharmed, and hurried back to my side.