Labyrinth 4
I moved forward slowly.
Behind me, Serena’s presence followed at a precise, unchanging distance. It was the kind of gap that said she would stab me the instant I made even the slightest suspicious movement.
Wolfram strolled along behind her with an air of complete leisure.
I used Future Sight several times whenever the distance between Serena and me widened slightly, but the result never changed. The problem was clearly the faint purple mana flickering across her body. That subtle, wavering energy looked like proof that she was using some kind of ability.
“You won’t lose your way, will you?”
“We haven’t come that far.”
“Hah. That’s fortunate. It would be troublesome if you tried to pull any tricks by claiming you got lost inside the labyrinth.”
I didn’t answer.
Eleanor still couldn’t move properly. If it were only Lucrezia, she might be able to handle Serena, but once Wolfram joined the fight the situation would grow complicated. Above all, I didn’t want to show Eleanor’s current state to Wolfram. It was obvious what kind of reaction he would have.
Should I make some noise before we arrive?
But if I acted unnaturally, Serena would react first. The dagger that had been aimed at my nape was now pointed at my back, yet that didn’t make me any safer. I continued walking as casually as I could manage.
Before long we reached the area near the path where we had been resting. The soft sound of flowing water reached my ears.
Splash… trickle…
It was the sound of the stream running down the wall.
“We’re almost there.”
I deliberately spoke a little louder.
“Lucrezia.”
There was no answer.
“Lucrezia. It’s me.”
Still nothing. A chill ran down my spine. Had another monster appeared? Or had something happened to Lucrezia? In that brief moment, every kind of ominous possibility flashed through my mind.
“No response, I see.”
Wolfram’s mocking voice came from behind.
“Are you sure your companions are really here?”
“Shut up.”
I answered in a low voice and stepped deeper inside. After rounding the corner, the space where we had been resting came into view. At first I saw nothing unusual.
A pile of backpacks. The flowing stream. Traces of bodily fluids on the floor. And part of the outer coat I had draped over Eleanor. But Lucrezia was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Eleanor.
“Hah.”
Wolfram’s laugh echoed.
“So it really was a lie after all?”
That was when it happened.
Crack… crackle…
A tiny sound of cracking came from overhead. I reflexively looked up.
A massive ice pillar hung from the ceiling. It had nearly fused with the dark roof of the labyrinth, faintly glowing with a blue light. And beneath that ice pillar, someone was hiding their body.
Lucrezia.
She had used the ice pillar attached to the ceiling as a foothold, lowering herself almost upside-down as she stared down at us. Her blue eyes gleamed coldly.
Ceiling Ambush
The moment Wolfram noticed something and tried to look up, Lucrezia dropped.
Like a piece of ice sliding down, her body descended behind Wolfram’s back.
Tap.
The instant her feet touched the ground, Silver Fang moved. The tip of the silver greatsword pressed against Wolfram’s nape.
“Don’t move.”
Her voice was cold and sunken. Wolfram’s body stiffened. Serena moved at once as well. She didn’t miss my reflexive step backward and closed the distance instantly. The coldly gleaming dagger once again aimed at my nape. I twisted my body by reflex to create distance, but Serena was far faster than I expected.
Tap.
In the blink of an eye she had slipped beside me. The tip of her dagger touched the side of my neck.
“Don’t move.”
Her voice was low. I clenched my teeth. Behind me, Lucrezia held Silver Fang to Wolfram’s throat. In front of me, Serena threatened my neck. Just like in Tilen, we had once again frozen in place with each other’s lives in our hands.
“Let Kael go.”
“……”
Serena’s gaze did not waver.
“Lower the sword pointed at Lord Wolfram first.”
“If I move first, this man’s neck will fly off.”
“If I move first, Kael’s neck will be cut.”
The air grew oppressively heavy. Silver Fang rested against Wolfram’s nape, and Serena’s dagger touched my skin. Any slight increase in pressure would draw blood.
“Hah……”
Wolfram remained frozen for a moment before letting out a low laugh.
“This really is exactly like Tilen.”
His voice carried a trace of composure, but his expression was far from relaxed. It was probably because of the greatsword at his throat. No matter how much bravado he showed, if Lucrezia moved her blade even a fraction, his head would roll.
“It seems you people don’t understand the concept of conversation.”
“Conversation?”
I spoke quietly, conscious of Serena’s dagger.
“That’s rich coming from the man who drew a blade on someone first.”
“I was merely confirming the situation after a commoner suddenly appeared from hiding inside the labyrinth.”
“Confirming, yet you put a knife to my throat.”
“That much is appropriate when dealing with an insolent commoner.”
I ground my teeth. But reacting emotionally now would only make things worse. Lucrezia seemed to understand this as well; although her eyes looked ready to cut Wolfram down at any moment, she kept her sword still.
“Kael.”
Lucrezia spoke without looking at me.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. For now.”
“Serena, was it?”
Lucrezia’s gaze shifted to Serena.
“The moment you push that dagger even a millimeter deeper, Wolfram’s neck will fall with it.”
Serena did not reply. I could only feel the hand gripping the dagger tighten slightly.
“The same applies to you.”
Serena spoke quietly.
“If you injure Lord Wolfram in any way, I will cut this man’s throat.”
Neither side yielded an inch. The tip of Silver Fang touched Wolfram’s neck, and Serena’s dagger rested against my nape. Right in front of the resting spot where Eleanor lay sleeping, another razor-thin standoff unfolded.
Then Wolfram twisted the corner of his mouth upward.
“Fine. Let’s do this, then.”
He spoke slowly, mindful of the greatsword at his throat.
“We lower our weapons at the same time. Then we will check this resting place you spoke of.”
“How can we trust that you’ll keep your word?”
When I asked, Wolfram snorted.
“That’s what I should be saying. I was the one who said we needed to confirm whether you had lied first.”
“Eleanor cannot move properly right now.”
Lucrezia’s voice grew even colder.
“If you behave rudely toward her, this will not end here.”
Wolfram’s eyebrows rose slightly. He seemed to realize something then and tried to smile mockingly, but the moment Silver Fang pressed a fraction deeper into his neck, the smile vanished instantly.
“Watch your tongue.”
Lucrezia warned in a low voice.
“This time it won’t end like it did in Tilen.”
“……Very well.”
Wolfram yielded surprisingly easily. Lucrezia glared at Serena and said,
“We put away our weapons simultaneously.”
“How can I trust those words?”
Wolfram sneered. Yet because of the blade at his throat, his voice lacked its usual composure.
“The same goes for us.”
Lucrezia answered coldly.
“If Serena lowers her dagger first, I will lower my sword. In exchange, we both step back at the same time.”
“Serena.”
Wolfram called shortly. Serena paused for a moment, dagger still touching my neck, and stared at Lucrezia.
“On three.”
Serena spoke briefly.
“One.”
I swallowed hard.
“Two.”
Serena’s fingertips moved minutely.
“Three.”
Both of them withdrew their weapons at the same time. Serena’s dagger left my neck, and Lucrezia’s Silver Fang pulled back from Wolfram’s throat. I immediately stepped backward to create distance from Serena. Wolfram also retreated a step with a displeased expression. Fortunately, no one swung their weapon again.
“Hah.”
Wolfram stroked his nape with his hand and laughed quietly.
“What a truly murderous welcome. You called it a resting place, but it feels more like a trap.”
“You were the one who pointed a blade at Kael first.”
Lucrezia answered indifferently.
“Hmph. I’d like to argue further, but I’ll let it go at that.”
She no longer looked at Wolfram. Instead she raised her head and gazed at the ceiling. Slowly, she lowered the ice platform she had created up there.
Crack… crackle…
The blue ice slid down with a low sound. Eleanor lay upon it. She was wrapped in the outer coat I had given her, but it wasn’t enough to cover her completely. A pale shoulder peeked out from where the coat had slipped. Eleanor still seemed to be asleep, eyes closed, breathing faintly.
“Haa……”
A slightly excited breath. The sound echoed softly inside the cavern. I hurriedly adjusted her coat again. At that moment I felt Wolfram’s gaze.
He said nothing. But it was painfully obvious where his eyes were directed. His gaze slowly traveled over Eleanor’s body.
“……”
I instinctively stepped in front of her. Only then did Wolfram withdraw his stare and snort.
“Hmph.”
This time he added no further comment. He seemed to realize that any more words here would result in Lucrezia’s sword truly taking his head.
“Serena.”
“Yes, Lord Wolfram.”
Serena answered shortly and followed him. Wolfram walked to a corner a little farther from us, leaned his back against the wall, and sat down.
Serena stood a little ahead of him, keeping watch on the surroundings. It looked like they intended to rest, but they had not fully lowered their guard. Neither had I.
I sat beside Eleanor and once again straightened her coat so it wouldn’t slip. Then Lucrezia quietly approached my side. She glanced once toward Wolfram before speaking in a low voice.
“Kael.”
“Yeah.”
“Eleanor’s condition has worsened since earlier. And it doesn’t seem like she’s simply sleeping.”
I swallowed.
“Worsened?”
Lucrezia nodded.
“Her body is still weak, but her senses seem to have grown even more sensitive. Her breathing is rougher than before, and her temperature has risen slightly. She hasn’t woken up at all.”
I looked down at Eleanor’s face. Her cheeks were indeed redder than earlier. Though her eyes were closed, her brows were faintly furrowed, and her fingertips weakly clutched the edge of the coat.
“Is the bodily fluid still inside her?”
“That seems highly likely. I thought it would settle with time, but it may be spreading even later than expected.”
Lucrezia’s expression hardened.
“If we wait, it might improve as Eleanor said, but judging by her current state, the possibility of it worsening is higher.”
“Then we have to return to Tilen.”
“For now… let’s watch a little longer to see if Eleanor improves before we move.”
“Damn it… of all times……”
I clenched my teeth. I could sense Wolfram and Serena’s presence in the distance. Eleanor, unable to move, and Wolfram sharing the same space. The situation was growing more complicated.
Wolfram and Serena rested in the corner for some time. After a while, the two stood up again.
“Where are you going?”
When I asked, Wolfram snorted.
“Do I have to report my every move to you?”
With those words he took Serena and disappeared deeper into the passage. I stared in the direction they had gone for a long time. I wondered if they might be trying to attack us from behind, but there was no justification to stop other knights from moving freely inside the labyrinth.
Lucrezia seemed to share my thoughts. She quietly placed her hand on the hilt of Silver Fang and watched the direction they had vanished. Much later, Wolfram and Serena returned to the resting place. Their clothes were more disheveled than before. The end of Wolfram’s sleeve was torn, and Serena’s uniform had shallow scratches and dust on it.
It looked like they had fought a decent battle. Yet Wolfram returned to the corner as if nothing had happened and sat down. Serena silently followed and stood by his side.
I watched them for a moment before turning my gaze back to Eleanor. She was still asleep.
“Lucrezia. How is Eleanor’s condition?”
When I asked, Lucrezia placed her hand on Eleanor’s forehead and answered.
“It’s a little better than before. She hasn’t woken up yet, but her breathing has stabilized somewhat.”
“That’s a relief.”
I let out a small sigh. With the tension easing slightly, my body finally felt heavy. There was no longer any reason to move hastily.
“Haaam……”
A yawn escaped me. I had no idea how much time had passed in this resting place. Since Eleanor’s attack, it felt like an entire day had flown by. Fatigue washed over me. When I turned my head, Lucrezia’s eyes also showed clear signs of exhaustion.
“Lucrezia. You sleep first.”
“What about you, Kael?”
“I’ll take the first watch. You’re very tired too.”
Lucrezia looked at me for a moment, then quietly nodded.
“Don’t push yourself. If you notice anything strange at all, wake me immediately.”
“I will.”
Lucrezia settled down close to Eleanor. At first she sat leaning against the wall while hugging her sword, but before long she quietly closed her eyes. She wasn’t in a deep sleep. After confirming that, I sat near the entrance of the resting place and laid my sword across my knees. Only the soft sound of the stream filled the cavern.
Trickle… splash…
Occasionally the cry of some unknown monster could be heard from far away, but no presence approached. How much time had passed like that?
“Mmm……”
A faint sound reached me. At first I thought Eleanor had woken. I reflexively turned my head. But Eleanor was still asleep.
The sound had come from the opposite side. From the corner where Wolfram and Serena sat. Low breathing and a suppressed moan leaked out from there.
“……”
I frowned. When I turned my head, I could see the two of them in the darkness. Wolfram sat leaning against the wall with Serena’s waist in his arms, pulling her onto his thigh. He was kissing her deeply, making wet, sloppy sounds. At the same time his thick hands kneaded and squeezed her ass as if trying to wring it.
“……Hah.”
I swallowed quietly. In the middle of the labyrinth. In a resting place where monsters could appear at any moment. To be doing that here of all places. It was absurd.
I tried to look away. But at that moment Wolfram’s eyes turned toward me through the darkness. When our gazes met, the corner of his mouth twisted upward. As if he wanted me to watch on purpose. Then he pulled Serena’s waist even harder.
“……”
Before I knew it his hand had slipped inside Serena’s top. Beneath the slightly lifted hem, her back was exposed. Even from a distance it looked firm yet smooth, pale and soft. Just what reason could a beauty like her have for calling this man “Lord Wolfram” and obeying him?
No matter how much I thought about it, no clear answer came. While I was pondering, Wolfram had already begun removing Serena’s top. Though I couldn’t see clearly, the exposed white shoulder and the top hanging off her meant she was showing her entire upper body to him.
Soon Wolfram’s head disappeared beyond Serena’s chest.
“Ahh… Lord Wolfram…”
Slurp! Suck!
Along with the loud sucking sound, Serena’s moans grew louder.
“Hehe… Serena. You taste good no matter when I suck on you.”
Wolfram lifted his head slightly. Saliva glistened at the corner of his mouth. He glanced at me once, sneered, and buried his face in Serena’s chest again.
Serena followed his gaze, turning her head to look at me with moist, watery eyes as she let out a moan.
“Hngh! It feels so good…!”
“……”
I felt my pants tightening. I wanted to believe it was the voyeurism—one of the two sexual perversions born from my contact with the Apostle of the Abyss—that was arousing my body.
Either way, because my cock had grown painfully hard, I shifted uncomfortably and turned my head away. It was ridiculous that anyone would be consumed by lust and do such things inside a monster-infested labyrinth.
“Haa… haa…”
I turned to look at Lucrezia, who was sleeping soundly. Her previously vigilant posture had grown more relaxed as she fell into deeper sleep.
And Eleanor too… wait…?
“Haa… haa…”
Until a moment ago I had thought that sound was coming from Serena. Why hadn’t I realized it was coming from behind me, not in front?
“Eleanor…?”
“……”
At some point she had regained consciousness. Eleanor’s eyes were half-lidded as she let out heated breaths. Her gaze was fixed not on me, but somewhere else.
Sluuurp!
“Hngh… haang!”
“Serena. Your sensitivity is especially good today.”
“No… Lord Wolfram… haang!”
Her eyes were locked on Wolfram and Serena’s act. The coat I had covered her with had already fallen to the floor, and her dazzling upper body was laid completely bare in the cold labyrinth.
One of her hands was caressing her own swollen nipple, while the other had slipped behind her back, stroking near her pussy over her clothes. Clear fluid trickled down through the gap in her short bottoms, and her mouth was filled with excited gasps.
“Haa……”
“Hngh! Haang! Lord Wolfram!”
Moans from both sides assaulted my ears at once. At some point Wolfram had removed Serena’s bottoms and was now pumping his thick fingers in and out of her pussy.
Every time he did, a gush of love juice poured out, showing just how aroused Serena was.
And Eleanor had already slipped her hand inside her own bottoms, wriggling her fingers. The wet sounds alone were enough to tell exactly what she was doing.
Squelch… squelch…
“Haa… Lord Wolfram…”
When I turned my head again at Serena’s moan, Wolfram had already taken out his cock and was pressing it against the entrance of her pussy. Even from a distance, Wolfram’s cock looked large, especially the glans, which was incredibly thick. Compared to a normal shape, the upper part was round and broadly swollen, tapering relatively thinner toward the base.
It made a stark contrast with Serena’s slender body.
Squish…!
The glans forcibly spread her pussy lips as it tried to enter.
“Aah… it hurts… Lord Wolfram.”
“Serena. You’re always so tight.”
“Ahh… Lord Wolfram…”
Sluuurp! Sluuurp!
The two kissed fiercely while embracing each other. Meanwhile Wolfram slowly gripped her waist and pulled her downward. Serena’s legs trembled as his cock gradually sank deeper into her pussy.
“Haa… haa…”
Eleanor’s rough breathing grew louder as well. Her hand moved more violently, and her eyes remained fixed on the two of them as if nailed in place.
I had to stop them.
Whether it was those two or Eleanor, I had to stop at least one of them. But……
I simply stared, transfixed, at Eleanor as she pleasured herself. I was clearly her lover, yet……
Even now I could walk over, touch her as much as she wanted, caress her, and go further—insert myself into her pussy just like Wolfram and satisfy her completely. But I just watched in silence. As if I were a third party who couldn’t possibly intrude between the three of them……
And then……
Thrust!
“Haaang!”
Serena’s pussy swallowed Wolfram’s cock all the way to the root. It didn’t look like they had any intention of stopping. And as Wolfram kissed Serena, I could feel his gaze piercing this way—specifically, staring fixedly at Eleanor as she masturbated alone.
Wolfram pulled his tongue from the kiss and silently moved his lips.
Though far away, I read what he said.
Cuck boy.
At that moment, my cock stiffened painfully upright.