Through the Secret Path, you'll reach the 57th level.

It's just like the first layer.

　Lara shouted as soon as we arrived.
　The fifty-seventh level was a maze of intricate paths that lived up to the name of the "Treasure Labyrinth".

Are we going to conquer this place and find a way down to the fifty-eighth level?
No way.

　I replied to Marise.

　In my experience, there's a good chance that the same thing is hidden in the fifty-seventh layer that we reached with the Secret Path.
　Otherwise, descending to the fifty-eight or fifty-nine layers again from here would take up too much time.
　The shortcut would be meaningless.

Now, ......, here's the Secret Path.

　Use detection magic.

　Then I noticed something.
　I could point it out to you right now: .......

"Cynthia.

　Before I do, I turn to her.

"Cynthia, try using your detection magic. Finding traps and hidden passages is also the job of the Ochirin magician. I'm sure Cynthia will be able to find something.
"...... Okay.

　Cynthia looks a little surprised for a moment, but then deploys her detection magic.
　It didn't take long.

"This way.

　Cynthia walked straight down the path and we followed her.

"...... here.
Cynthia?　It's a dead end. ......
I can't feel anything with my detection magic.

　Lara and Marise looked puzzled.

Lara and Marise look puzzled, "Well, they have no choice. It's pretty cleverly hidden. Cynthia is the only one who could find it.
"?

　The two were puzzled.

　Cynthia, meanwhile, in a fluid motion, touched a part of the wall that had become a dead end and sent magic into it.
　Then .......

"Oh!　The wall's gone!
It looks like the path continues.

　Lara and Marise are surprised.
　To their amazement, Lara and Marise saw the wall turn into a mist and disappear.

Good job, Cynthia.
"Hmm.

　Cynthia replied shortly, but her cheeks were tinged pink and she looked somewhat pleased.

It seems that the 57th level of the Secret Path is just ahead.
"Isn't this itself a secret?
No, it's not. If it were, it would be too warm.

　As we walked along the path we had created, we came to an open area.
　It was empty, but it looked like a large room.
　But there are no more paths, and no items seem to be hidden.

Is it off?
"No. ......

　I tried to continue, but...


"Well met, seekers. The labyrinth welcomes you with open arms.


　There was no one in the room, but suddenly a man's voice rang out in the room.

"Enemy!
"Lara. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. ...... It seems to be the master of the fifty-seventh layer. Isn't that right?

　I asked.

I'm not sure.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

It's not real, like ....... In other words, the will of the fifty-seventh layer is speaking to us.
"How is that possible?
It happens in the labyrinth.

　The voice seemed to be curious about us.

"Is there a secret path here?

　I asked the owner of the voice.

The Secret ......, or whatever you humans call it, is a shortcut to the 99th level, and it exists in this room.

　That's right.
The Treasure Labyrinth is said to have up to a hundred layers.
　So if it's up to the 99th layer, it's probably only one step away from the bottom.

"Do you seek a shortcut?
"Yes.
"Good. Then answer my three questions and I'll give you a shortcut.

　Three questions?

What are they?


There's no need to panic. I'm going to write three magic circles on the ground here in order. The magic circles will lock you in this place forever. When you've unlocked them, I'll grant you a shortcut.

　I see.
　If I'm to believe him, it looks like we're not just going to fight this time.
　If you believe his words, it seems we're not just fighting this time.

Forever!　That's a big deal. ......
"If we don't solve it, we'll be in this place forever, right?

　Lara and Marise are upset.
　Even though the Master sees this.

Lara and Marise are upset. If that happens, let's stay here and compare wits with me forever. After all, it's been a thousand years since I've seen a human being. Indulge me.

　He said excitedly.

"Do you want to do it?
'Yes, of course. Lara and Maryse, don't worry.

　I said, and they nodded as they huddled together.

'Okay, first question. Let's start with this.

　A light emanated from the ground.
　And then there was a huge magic circle.

'What do you think?　It may be difficult for humans to understand, but if you can't solve this one, you'll never be able to solve the other two.
"Hmm, what part of this is difficult to solve?

　In an instant, I find a break in the magic circle, pour my magic power into it, tamper it, and release it.
　The light emitted from the magic circle became weaker and weaker, and then it disappeared with a cracking sound like glass breaking.

"What's wrong, is this it?
"No way.

　The second question was posed by the master.
　It's the same kind of magic circle as before.
　But.

"Hmm. ...... I don't understand it at all.
"Me neither.

　"Me too." Both of them looked at each other with difficulty and were at a loss.

　It's a little more complicated than before.
　If they were not familiar with the field of magic removal, they would not be able to find a way to solve the problem.

　But there was one person. But one of them raised her hand.

"Cynthia ...... can do it.
"Even Cynthia thought it was a bit difficult, but there you go. Okay, try it, even if you fail.
"Yes.

　This time, Cynthia tried to unlock the magic circle.
　As I've said many times before, the magic power she possesses is a magic power that is also good at analyzing magic formulas and magic circles.

　Cynthia poured out her magic power and carefully tried to break the magic circle one by one.
　It must have taken her about fifteen minutes.

It was about fifteen minutes, and she was wondering if she would ever get to the right answer.

　At the same time as the magic circle disappeared, the master shouted in surprise.

It's ...... done.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　It seems that you used a lot of concentration as well as magic power.

Cynthia, you're amazing!
It's true, ...... I had no idea what I was doing.

　Lara and Marise also hugged Cynthia happily.
　Cynthia's face remained expressionless, but she didn't seem to be disappointed when she didn't resist them.

But I'm not so happy. The last problem is a conundrum. I'm willing to give you the right to turn back now.
"Are you so afraid we'll break the spell?　Write the spell quickly.
"Don't regret your words.

　A slightly annoyed voice from the Master.
　Soon, a magic circle was drawn all over the ground of the room, and a bright light shone out.

What the hell is this?
Is this really a magic circle?　I don't even know what that is. ......
Cynthia can't do this either: ......

　The three of them looked at it and shouted in frustration.

　Hearing this, the master seemed to be in a good mood.

"Ho ho ho!　What do you think?　It's the magic circle I've been working on for a thousand years!　No human could possibly solve it!　You see, even if you can't solve it, there's always time. In a thousand years, maybe you'll be able to solve it!
"What are you talking about?

　It's true that this one is of a much different quality than the previous two.


　But .


"This is a realm I arrived at a long time ago.


　A thousand years ago.

　The master's magic circle was instantly undone and extinguished by me.

......!　I'm sure you're not the only one who's had this problem.

　Was this completely unexpected?
　The master seemed to be unable to hide his surprise.
　The magic circle had some old magic formulas mixed in as dummies, but they were only a distraction to me.

　As I was doing this, a sphere of light appeared in the center of the room.
　It seems that if I jump into this sphere, I can get to the 99th layer.

See you later. I'll play with you again when I'm free.
"Good. ......!　I'm sorry, but you're a horrible person. ...... No, you?　Are you really human?
"Don't be afraid to ask.

Before you use the Secret Path to get to the 99th level...

Oh, that's right. This labyrinth is a thousand years old, right?
"That's right.
Then do you know what's been happening on ...... for the last 1000 years?
"On earth?　I've been guarding the 57th layer for a long time. I've never heard of anything on earth. ......

　I thought maybe you might know something about it. .......
　At this rate, he won't know the reason for the decline of this world.
　I was a little disappointed, but I jumped into the sphere of light and transferred to the 99th layer.