Then I went through the labyrinth with Cynthia.

"That ...... looks a little different from the last time I was here. ......?

　Cynthia nodded her head as we walked.

"Hmm. I think it's because the places that are transported by the Secret Path are different each time.

"Secret Paths.
　It's a shortcut in a labyrinth that was originally designed to be taken one layer at a time.
　It's not easy to find, and you can't use it if you're not very strong.

Is that so?
"Yeah. So it's no surprise that things have changed since the last time I was here.

　While having such a conversation, you discover the "secret path" of the layer you're on, and continue on.

　The place we arrived at was .......

"A straight path?

　It was like a tightrope walk.
　There was only one narrow, narrow path.
　At the bottom of it, there is a big hole that I don't know how far it goes.
　If I fell in, I would not get away with it.

I guess this is where we're supposed to go.
"But this is such a narrow path ......, how am I supposed to get through?　I'm going to fall. ......

　Cynthia is looking into the hole.

　This entire layer is warded against magic.
　It's probably a mechanism to prevent people from easily clearing it by using levitation magic.
　However, I can use levitation magic by 'nullifying' the magic nullification. ...... Well, there's no need to waste magic power.

Cynthia, get on my back.

　I crouched down and turned my back to her.

What?
I'll carry Cynthia on my back and we'll go from here. What's the problem?

　Are you going to reject me and say, 'I don't want you to carry me? I don't think so.
　No, ......, I don't think so. It's hard to imagine Cynthia rejecting me now. But if you're doing something to offend her, that's probably not the case. You may have changed your mind.

　I'm sorry to say this, but as my mind was spinning with such uneasy feelings.

"Yeah, ......!

　Cynthia easily got on my back.
　Thank goodness ...... that she didn't hate me.
　A thousand years later, I still don't understand the female mind.

　After giving her a piggyback ride, I put my feet on the threadbare path.

"Amazing ...... Kurt!　What kind of sense of balance do you have?　I can't believe you can walk on such a narrow path with Cynthia on your back. ......
It's not so much that I have a sense of balance ...... as it is that I've trained my body all over.

　This is a piece of cake.

　You can use levitation magic even if you step off the edge.
　There is no danger at all.

And yet, Cynthia ......
What?

　I can't tell because she's on my back, but I'm sure she's twisting her neck at this point.

You're holding on to me a little tighter, aren't you?
"Yeah?

　Cynthia has her arms around my neck and is squeezing.
　I could feel her soft body against mine.

　....... I'm not sure if this shoulder blade is Cynthia's breast or not.
　It's a little smaller than Lara's, but not bad. ...... What am I thinking?

I'm not sure what to do.
No.

　I'm not sure what to do.

If you don't hold on tight like this, you're going to fall off.
"Oh, yeah?　I'll be fine. Even if you do, there are plenty of ways to get out.
That's not true.

　For some reason, I heard Cynthia gulp here.

　And then.


"Cynthia, you're scaring me.


　Cynthia, scary!

"............
"............

　We were both silent.

　That's right.
　Cynthia is a modest girl. I couldn't imagine ...... her saying something like that.
　And when she said "scary," she sounded strangely stilted.
　It's not that she's not feeling it, it's just that she's not used to saying it.

"〜〜〜〜〜〜

　Cynthia's body temperature rose.
　I could definitely feel it.



Kurt, forget what I said.
Oh, God.

　What the hell was that?
　For me, Cynthia's behavior is more disturbing than walking this way.

　But we managed to get to the other side safely.

There's a magic power here at ....... Press here and you'll get .......

　Press on a part of the wall.
　Then the wall disintegrated and a path appeared.
It's the Secret Path.

Let's go.
"Uh-huh. ......

　Cynthia is hiding her face with her bangs.
　I could see that her face was bright red.
　...... If you're embarrassed, you shouldn't have said anything.


　After that, we went through the "secret path" several times, and finally managed to reach the end.


"Razevala.

　We arrived at the room where Razevala had been last time.
　There, as before, I found Razevala kneeling on a pedestal, as if in prayer.

...... You're finally here.

　Rashevara stood up quickly.

　What?　I'm not sure what to make of it.

What is it, Razevala? What's going on? Bugnuba is ......".

　I had my doubts, but when I tried to get to the point.

"I'm sorry, but you need to leave.

　"I'm sorry, but you have to leave," said Rashevara.

"What do you mean, Razevala? You were asking for my help.
That's okay. Anyway, I can't let you and Bugnuba meet. I'll take care of it. ...... Go home now.

　Razevala's words were cold as ice.
　Then I sensed an unspoken atmosphere.

"Get out of the way for now. Bugnubba is probably sealed up in there.
I'm not moving.

　I'm not moving." Rashevara was adamant.

　I let out a sigh.

"Then I guess we'll just have to force it out.

　I took a step towards her.

"Huh.

　Razevara smiles.

It's been a thousand years since I fought you.
"Yes, it has.

　A sword appears in Razevara's hand.
　It's not just any old sword.
　It's a sacred sword.

All right.

　I'll summon the blade to my hand.

It's been a long time since I've crossed blades with you. I'll enjoy the dance of our blades.