The God of Madness, Dionysus (1)
Sisyphus stepped into the 8th floor of the labyrinth. "My goodness, the skeleton soldiers are endless." At Cassandra's fingertips, green mana elegantly traced a formation. In battle, speed is synonymous with survival. There was no time to leisurely draw large-scale formations like when she was casting prophecies. Circles, triangles, hieroglyphs—she drew them swiftly, each roughly the size of an apple pie. By overlapping a second circle, the rank increased. It was a simple technique, merely refining mana to imbue it with explosive force and velocity. It was the most basic form of combat magic, yet its efficacy varied wildly depending on the caster. And in her hands, the power was more than sufficient.
Whoosh— Bang! The magic bullet fired from Cassandra's fingertips, shaped like a pistol, precisely pierced and shattered the spine of a skeleton soldier. The creature, split in half, was neutralized, forced to crawl on the ground.
Flash! Clea sprinted, her feet dancing through the air with sparks trailing behind her. She vaulted over a furnace spewing flames, diving straight into the thick of the skeleton horde. Crunch! A golden semicircle was traced in the air, and her kick built a mountain of bone.
"Sisyphus, this way!"
"Hmph."
Once Clea identified the path, it was time for Sisyphus's charge to shine. Thud-thud-thud— Boom, boom, ka-boom! His deltoids showed no mercy. He plowed through the horde like a bull, smashing them to pieces.
"The door is closing!"
"Not on my watch."
Whoosh! Sisyphus grabbed a pile of bones created by his charge and hurled them. The fragments wedged between the massive doors, creating a gap.
"Good, let's move."
Just like that, another trap was cleared. Having escaped their prison, Sisyphus's party was surging toward the deepest part of the labyrinth without hesitation. The next room appeared to be a sort of arena. The stone floor was so deep it was difficult to climb, and chains were everywhere. Statues and suits of armor filled the space. As they descended, it felt less like a prison and more like a grand art gallery.
"I don't see a path forward."
"Must be this."
Click. Sisyphus grabbed a wooden handle visible nearby and turned it. Rumble! The entire arena space vibrated violently and began to rotate in a circle. The structure was designed so that the interior and exterior walls moved independently, revealing different corridors.
"My god, aren't you tired? That doesn't look like something meant to be pushed by one person..."
"It's perfect. The stimulation is just right."
Rumble. A door leading to the next corridor appeared. Crash! Sisyphus kicked the iron bars to pieces.
"I have no idea how they built a structure this massive. How many laborers did they grind into dust for this?"
"They said it was a space twisted by mana."
"That must be part of it. To think how much mana must be leaking to cause this."
Sisyphus had never handled mana, so he had no intuition for it. But if it could exert such massive influence, he could understand why Olympus was so desperate to hoard it.
"What's this?"
While walking through the corridor, Sisyphus noticed something strange. Among the rows of bronze armor, one stood with a twisted posture.
"Why is this one slacking off?"
Tap. Sisyphus struck the helmet.
"Ugh!"
A scream came from inside. It was even more suspicious. Sisyphus lifted the helmet. A bald head gleamed underneath.
"Eek!"
Sisyphus grabbed the armor as it tried to flee and hoisted it into the air.
"H-how did you get in here?! Rotating the arena with just three people—that's impossible! It's not just heavy, it's—!"
Daedalus, caught in Sisyphus's grip, thrashed about.
"Hey, didn't I tell you I'd kill you if I caught you?"
"Please, spare me just once, sir! I think I must have lost my mind for a moment!"
Daedalus began to beg like a fly.
"I thought you might be tired from the long walk, so I guided you to take a break. Wasn't it a comfortable room? I specially guided you to the best one, heh, gack."
"Once, there was a prisoner scheduled to be executed by hanging. The hanging was to last ten minutes. It meant if you didn't die in ten minutes, you lived. So, they say that prisoner trained his neck muscles until the day of his execution."
"Yes...?"
"On the day of the execution, they say the man's neck had become three times thicker than his thighs. The rope snapped, and the man survived."
Sisyphus gripped Daedalus's neck.
"Shall we test if your neck can hold up?"
"No, no! I know a shortcut to the 10th floor! I'll guide you right away!"
"As if I'd trust you."
"I swear it on the River Styx! I will never betray you and will guide you to the 10th floor!"
"Hmm."
That was a significant statement. An oath on the River Styx was not a simple promise, but a binding covenant. It was enforced by the world's authority and had to be fulfilled. If the oath was broken, the oath-taker would die instantly, their soul dragged to the River Styx. Even Zeus, the supreme god of Olympus, was not exempt from this. The anecdote of his wife, Hera, tricking Zeus into killing Dionysus's mother, Semele, through a Styx oath out of jealousy was famous.
"You'd swear it, then."
"Yes. I was moved by your valor as you broke through the labyrinth without hesitation. I swear on the River Styx, I will guide you to the shortcut to the 10th floor and never betray you!"
Whoosh! A black formation was etched onto Daedalus's neck. It meant the covenant had taken effect.
"Are you planning to lead me to the Minotaur King?"
"Yes? Uh..."
Squeeze. Sisyphus grabbed Daedalus's head. The inventor broke into a cold sweat, his thoughts laid bare.
"The scheme you're cooking up is obvious."
"W-well, you see..."
"You're a useful fellow. That's exactly what I wanted."
"...Yes?"
"Guide me immediately."
Daedalus blinked, beginning to regret his life choices. He had truly messed with a madman.
"We've arrived at the 9th floor. Shall we set up camp?"
"Everyone is exhausted. We should rest here."
Theseus's party had discovered the stairs to the 9th floor. Theseus assessed the party's condition and made a decision.
"No, let's return once. Idas, your sword and shield are damaged."
"That may be, but I can hold out."
"We're also out of water. Since we know the path accurately, it's best not to overreach. Traps are increasing, so let's camp in a safe place."
"Yes."
Theseus's judgment was rational. The party had worried she might be impatient to subjugate the Minotaur King, but she was calm. Thanks to the artifact Ariadne had given her, returning was not difficult. The party returned to the 5th-floor portal and headed straight back to the city. Returning after a week, the city's atmosphere had become even more bizarre. The smell of alcohol in the air was thick, and the people on the streets were even more out of their minds.
"Princess, what a coincidence."
"Ah, Hero. Fufu, in Crete, twice is a coincidence, but three times is fate."
Theseus ran into Ariadne. She was tending to the sick in the city.
"Volunteering again?"
"Yes. Lately, the number of people falling ill has increased."
Ariadne sighed.
"I'm glad you're safe, Hero. Were you alright in the labyrinth?"
"We reached the 9th floor."
"That's amazing. As expected of Theseus."
"Has some plague broken out? Are you alright?"
"Of course, I've had a healthy constitution since I was young. I'm fine."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Ariadne coughed. She turned her body away in a hurry, but Theseus had clearly witnessed it. There was blood on her hand.
"Hey."
"...I'm really fine."
Her complexion looked terrible no matter how she looked at it. Theseus pulled a potion from her pocket.
"Drink this. It's a potion I found in the labyrinth. You have mana, so it should work well."
"Yes? How could I take such a precious item..."
"Don't argue."
"...Thank you."
After forcing her to drink the potion, her complexion improved slightly. Was this the effect of the strange atmosphere? It had been two weeks since Theseus arrived in Crete. The atmosphere had certainly changed since she first arrived. According to Ariadne, it had changed rapidly recently, so something was definitely happening.
"Get some rest. You said you wanted to be a king without shame. It's useless if you collapse now."
At Theseus's scolding, Ariadne smiled brightly and replied.
"If there is no 'me' now, there is no 'me' in the future."
At those words, Theseus finally realized why she had been unable to help but feel respect for Ariadne. While aiming for a high place in the future, she was desperately throwing herself into the present. She was different from Theseus, who was trying to protect the present while worrying about the future. Theseus could never be as faithful to the present as she was. She was constantly doubting whether this was suitable for her future self, whether it was the most efficient path.
'Is that why Sisyphus made me exercise?'
It was a message to be faithful to the present rather than worrying about useless things. What good was it if a great hero told her the truth? She wasn't ready to accept it yet. What was the best way for her to be faithful to herself as a hero in Crete? The answer came quickly. Theseus knelt on one knee in front of Ariadne.
"I swear on the River Styx, Ariadne."
"Yes?"
"I will subjugate the Minotaur King for you and return."
She would collapse the labyrinth that was causing this city pain and liberate it. For the princess she respected.
"I'll be cheering for you, Hero."
Ariadne replied with an unadorned smile.
"Hero Theseus!"
At that moment, a frivolous voice called out to Theseus.
"Congratulations! You have received the call of Olympus."
It was someone who appeared to be a believer of the Dionysus cult.
"The God of Madness is looking for me?"
"Indeed. As a strong hero who has reached the deepest part of the labyrinth, you have earned the qualification to have an audience with Lord Dionysus. Enjoy the glory!"
'The God of Madness.'
Theseus narrowed her eyes. He was the mastermind who had managed the Labyrinth of Crete all this time and plunged Minos into this chaos. It was a chance to see the face of the god who had caused Ariadne such pain. She followed the believers to the outskirts of the city. Crossing a magical barrier, a temple appeared. She was stripped of all her weapons and, after passing through several layers of security, finally gained the opportunity to enter. Far away, on the upper seat of an altar covered in silk cloth, she saw the shadows of numerous courtesans and a robust man rolling around.
"Do not cross that line. I cannot guarantee your life. Do not open your mouth until permitted."
The believer pointed to a line drawn in front of Theseus's feet and warned her sternly.
—Is it you, Theseus of the Arrow Rain?
A voice came from behind the silk cloth.
—It has been three years since a hero reached the 9th floor of the labyrinth. I shall commend your courage.
Clap, clap. A mocking sound of applause followed. The distance to the shadow of the God of Madness was roughly two hundred paces. It was a distance where the voice was barely audible.
'...Could I kill this guy here?'
Killing the God of Madness might be faster than clearing the labyrinth. Theseus ran a simulation in her head. A god of Olympus could use an absolute magic called 'Oracle.' The speed of an arrow rain, the time it would take for the God of Madness to respond with an Oracle. '...It's difficult from here.' At the very least, fifty paces. She had to get within that distance.
"O God, it is said that the Hero Theseus also escaped Daedalus's prison and performed great feats."
—Surprising. In recognition of your feats, I permit you to approach one hundred paces closer.
Step, step. Theseus approached Dionysus as he said. A line was drawn again.
'Fifty paces to go.'
She might be able to shoot him by a hair's breadth.
—I permit you one question, Theseus. Ask me anything.
Theseus paused for a moment, then opened her mouth.
"...Is the plague-like air spreading in Crete your doing? What is your intention?"
"Listen here, what insolence is this, not using honorifics!"
—Stop. A hero should be full of spirit.
The God of Madness behind the cloth rose to his waist.
—Have you also smelled the incense, my wine?
"Yes."
—How was it?
"Not my taste."
The God of Madness laughed heartily.
—You are someone who doesn't know how to enjoy entertainment. Why spend your one and only life so gloomily? Hmm, what a pity.
"Don't evaluate other people's lives so carelessly."
—Since there are so many gloomy people in the world like you, I have no choice but to bestow my blessings.
"Blessings, you say?"
—Indeed. The intoxication spreading in Crete is my gift. A gift to turn your eyes away from the reality of the labyrinth's terror and dream happy dreams.
"People have been hurt because of that. How do you explain this?"
—Ah, that grass? It has good medicinal properties.
Only then did Theseus's gaze turn to the ornamental plants decorating the temple. They were strange, unfamiliar shapes.
—It's called opium. If you mix it with wine, you'll not only get drunk, but you can also become very happy.
"This is just poison."
—Wouldn't it be an honor if, upon returning to dust after a happy life, you could be used as mana for Olympus?
Theseus's eyes became terrifying. Instinctively, she almost pulled out an arrow. '...Not enough yet.' Starting a fight here would only lead to a dog's death. She was still fifty paces short.
"Why is Olympus so obsessed with mana?"
—I said you had one question, Hero.
"Then I suppose you won't have any complaints if I return after achieving more merit."
Stabbing that guy would come after clearing the labyrinth. Theseus turned her body without hesitation.