"Kurt?　Did I just hear you say lowest level?

　Marise's voice is shaking as she asks.

You heard me right.
"Are you insane?　The lowest level of the Treasure Labyrinth is a place that no one has ever reached before. I can't believe I'm going to that place. ......

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

"......Well, if it's Kurt, I guess I can do it.

　He exhaled.

"That's right, Marise. Because it's Kurt, right?
Nothing is impossible with Kurt.

　Lara and Cynthia seemed to know what they were doing.

...... No matter how impossible it seems, it's Kurt. I'm starting to think I can handle it.
"Hmm. Nothing is impossible for me, and it's good that Marlies understands that, but ...... what is it?　I don't know what's wrong with me.
Of course, we'll come with you.
Of course. And ...... even though it's on a much smaller scale, the experience of going to the bottom of the underground labyrinth will be invaluable.
How can you call the Treasure Labyrinth a small-scale ......

　Marise's mouth is watering.

　In my opinion, Lara, Marise, and Cynthia are already at a level where they are unbeatable in the upper levels of the Treasure Labyrinth.
　In the case of Lara and Marise, they were able to defeat the Dark Demon with their own strength.

　The normal route is not enough for them to gain enough experience.
　If that's the case, it would be a reasonable decision to ask them to follow you to the lowest level.

So, ...... when are you planning to go?　We need to be ready. ......
Today.
Today ......?

　Marise's expression hardened.

"And more importantly, I'm going to get to the bottom level today.
...... Are you serious about that?
I'm serious.

　Crossing my arms, I assure Marise.

　Again, "That's absurd! What can I say, will he object?
　If you're not sure what you want to do, you can always ask for help.

"...... I understand. I'm sure you'll be able to do it if Kurt says you can.
I'm glad you believe me.

　But I don't know.
　But what is this feeling that I can't seem to grasp?

　I'm Lara.

　I took Lara, Marise and Cynthia to the Treasure Labyrinth after school.

I knew something was wrong from the start.

　When we arrived at the third level, I looked back at the three of them and started talking to them.

"Weird ......?　You mean these three layers?

　Lara nodded her head.

I'm not sure. The third level was even included in the scope of the exchange war with the Empire. I'd say it's less dangerous than the lower levels, and a number of my students have been there before.

　To be honest, until we got here, there were no proper traps and only very weak monsters like lizardmen.
　The same is true of the third level.

　However, there was one thing that was clearly different in the ...... third level.

"So, ...... why is there a behemoth like that?

　That's right.
　When we first set foot on the third level of the Treasure Labyrinth.
We encountered a behemoth that seemed to be classified as a "disaster class.

　A thousand years ago, behemoths were weak monsters that children hunted for practice, so we didn't notice them until too late.
　In this age, even a single behemoth can cause tremendous damage to a village or town.
　That is why it is designated as a "disaster class.

I thought it was a coincidence at the time. In the first place, I didn't pay much attention to the lower level demons, Evilbird and Behemoth, because they were similar to me.

　However, when I dove into the Treasure Labyrinth many times since then.
　I had encountered the ...... behemoth several times, though much less frequently.
　If you think about it, this is strange.

　Why would a demon that is feared as a "disaster class" appear in a mere third level?

　The Behemoth is clearly a deviant from the demons that appear on the third level.
　This is where I think the clue to the Treasure Labyrinth is hidden.

"First of all, ......, do you three know that labyrinths can have hidden passages that allow you to take shortcuts?
""What?"

　"What?" The three of them said in unison.

You might think of a path when you say "hidden passages ......". But it's not like that in general, there's a kind of transfer device that connects dimension to dimension. It allows you to move between different layers in an instant.
"Qu, Kurt!　Is that true?



　Lara rolls her eyes, as if she hadn't heard that before.

　Oh well.
　A thousand years ago, I discovered that these hidden passages existed in what the world called the underground labyrinth.
　It was revolutionary for adventurers, but few could use it effectively.
　Because...

"We must show the labyrinth our power.
What do you mean?
Let's say we want to find a place where we can go from one level to thirty. Then we need to show the labyrinth that we can get through thirty layers.
It's as if the labyrinth is testing the adventurer.
Marise. That's a very good point.

　In fact, I knew of the existence of hidden passages, but I didn't know why they had been prepared.
　As Marlies said, the labyrinth is a test for adventurers. ...... is the best idea I've come up with so far.

　The labyrinth does not require everyone to go to the lowest level.
　You can pick up demon materials and other items on the way to the bottom.
　However, if you want to get to the bottom of the ...... labyrinth as quickly as possible, there is no reason not to take advantage of this.

I call it the "Secret Path". This time, I'd like to take a huge shortcut through the labyrinth by going through the Secret Path.
I understand what Kurt is trying to say. But where can I find ...... it?
I'm going to try that now.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

Oh.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm going to try.

I'm sure Cynthia has noticed. I'm sure you're aware of that. Yes, this is the magic tool that Maynard, one of the Four Great Sages, had.

　Maynard had used it to lure demons to the capital.
　I've been picking up these grimoires since then and analyzing them to see if I can use them in some way.

But I figured out how to use it in 1 0 minutes.

　He fiddled with the magic tool, which at first glance looked like a necklace, and activated the device.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

Did you really use it?
Yes. Lara and the others may not be able to detect it yet.

　For the past 1000 years, I've had a problem that the stronger the demon is, the more it runs away from me, making it difficult to fight.
　But with this device, .......

"Whoa!　A behemoth is coming this way!
And there's two ...... behemoths, no, three!

　The earth rumbled, and I could see the behemoths running from beyond the horizon.

"All right, ......, the four of us will hunt the behemoths now.
"Wow, we are?

　Marise's expression tightened.

"Yes. Our goal is thirty behemoths.
"Thirty?　Are you insane?
Yeah. I'm fine. I'll help you out this time, but if the three of you are good enough, you should be able to take out twenty or thirty Behemoths.
And yet, against a ...... "disaster class"...
I'm vouching for the Marlies' abilities. Don't you trust me?

　They were scared at first, but when I said that, their eyes changed color.

"Yes, I do. Well, if you say you can do it, then it must be possible.
I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.　I'm not sure what to make of that.
...... Cynthia will do her best too.

　I'm sorry. That's good.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　Cynthia still doesn't fully understand how to use the fallen magic, but with ...... us, she should have been able to catch up quickly.

"Okay, ......!　We'll fold in one fell swoop!

　After that, we worked together to hunt the behemoth.
　Soon, the behemoths were defeated and their numbers dwindled.
　However, one behemoth after another was attracted by the magic tools.
　To be honest, I could handle a behemoth on my own, but I thought it would be a way for the three of us ...... to gain experience, so I didn't take any active part in it.


　And within 30 minutes, .......


"Oh, oh, oh. We really did kill thirty behemoths. ......!

　The bodies of thirty behemoths were piled up in front of us.

Now, ...... here's the thing.

　If I had been right, this would have triggered the Secret Path.

　Just when I thought that.

"The behemoth's corpse is glowing!

　Just as Marise had said, the behemoths that had been piled up like a mountain began to glow.

　All right!　
　It looks like we were right on target.



"So defeating a lot of ...... behemoths was the key to the Secret.

　I say to myself.
　The light from the behemoth gradually turned into a large ball.
　Analyzing the magic power, ...... it seemed that if I jumped in here, I could get to the 57th layer in an instant.

But why would something like this appear just by defeating a behemoth?
"I told you, this is a test from the labyrinth. We showed our power to the labyrinth by killing a lot of behemoths.

　Depending on the labyrinth and its layers, there are a variety of conditions that must be met in order for the Secret to appear.
　In order to find it, you need not only power but also wisdom.
　In this case, there was a behemoth that clearly deviated from the other demons. The key to the emergence of the "secret path" was whether or not you could recognize it.

"Okay, ......, let's get in here and get to the 57th layer.

　And from what I've read, there's a good chance that there's another "secret" at layer 57.
　Underground labyrinths are designed so that if you have the right skills, you can quickly reach the lowest level through the "secret".
　You have to keep your head on a swivel to be able to find it again.

I don't know. You never know what's on the fifty-seventh level. ......
"Come on, Lara. It's okay. The fact that this appears is like an endorsement from the labyrinth that the 57th layer is easy to conquer. You should be confident.

　I said, and the three of them nodded vigorously.