The next day, the sky was still gray.
　It had weakened since last night, but the rain was still continuing.

　After preparing our equipment, the four of us stepped out of the tent and turned our prepared feet to the 'Great Labyrinth' - the ruins created by the gray goddess Callwood-sama.

(....Large.

　A huge 50-medium cliff.
　Dug into it, the great statue of the goddess and the entrance to the ancient temple is right in front of you.

　Two soldiers of Arun's army are standing upright and steadfast on either side of the entrance, which seems to lead us into the depths of darkness, and they salute us in the rain.
　Returning our greetings, we walked into the temple.

　As soon as we entered, we found a high-ceilinged passage.

　Illuminated by the magical lanterns that were set up at regular intervals, the corridor stretched far into the back of the temple.

　Click, click, click.

　With the sound of footsteps echoing loudly, what we eventually arrived at was a huge hall.

(........................It's so big.

　It's as big as a domed stadium.
　Even though there are a number of magic lights that serve as lights, there are also parts that have been submerged in darkness.

　In the part illuminated by that light, General Dardios, Frederica-san, Berland-san, Rapt and Recto Alice, and the three hundred elite soldiers of Arun's army who had acted together from the divine imperial capital Astilio, were already assembled.

(Ugh?　(We're the first and last.)

　I'm a bit impatient.
　But the other three seem to have calmed down, moving closer to them.

Good evening, General.
I don't mind.

　General Dardios didn't seem particularly bothered by Mr. Kilt's apology, either.

　Then he spoke to the three hundred assembled elite soldiers in a heroic voice that reverberated throughout the hall.

'O proud and glorious knights of Arun!　What is about to begin is the first step in the fight to protect our country and humanity!

　He tells the elite soldiers.

　How dangerous the ruins created by the Gray Goddess are.
　And he continued to tell them in a hot and powerful voice that shook the souls of those who listened to him that some people would surely die as a result of the search for the Great Maze, and that it was a mission that had to be done for the cause.

(..........)

　As I listened, a shiver ran down my spine.
　It was just like when Kirto Amandes, the "Golden Mark Demon Hunter", gave his speech, or even more so, something that was close to my heart.

''-- To our Arun, glory be!

　Finally, the general raised his sword high and shouted.

''Oh, oh, oh--!

　Chattering.....

　The ancient hall trembled violently as the three hundred warriors who responded echoed with a heroic roar.

''Huh!''

　My skin is frosty.

(This is.........the Arun Divine Kingdom, the most powerful and acclaimed general, Adbaldo Dardios!

　My eyes are riveted on their appearance.

　There was no hesitation or fear in the eyes of the 300 elite soldiers.
　With the look of a brave warrior, the words of their beloved general roused their will to fight like a blazing fire.

(I, too, will do my best........!)

　sizzling sound

　With my small fists clenched, I myself burned my fighting spirit to challenge this "Great Maze" -.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　At the back of the hall, there was a staircase that led to the basement.

　It was a large staircase that could hold about ten people in a row. Some of the handrails and pillars were broken, probably due to the long history of the stairs.

　Three hundred elite soldiers descend from the stairs to the inside of the ancient ruins.

　And yet...

We're not going to go!

　What was announced by General Dardios was like pouring cold water on his copious fighting spirit.

　He turns his craggy face stern and says

''At this stage,''
What's this all about?

　I was puzzled, but the general told me in a warrior's voice.

　The "Great Labyrinth" built by the Gray Goddess Callwood is estimated to be more than thirty levels underground. And from the shallow levels, there are many traps and demons, and based on past investigations, the internal structure that is currently known is up to the 10th level.

　The desired "divine armor" is probably enshrined in the lowest level.

The Golden Mark Demon Hunters and the Divine Attendants are the main force in this investigation team, and it is said that they are the personnel that will be saved to the greatest extent possible.

　In other words, the 300 elite soldiers will be our exposers.

These people should be able to reach at least the tenth level. After that, they must traverse as many levels as possible without you.
..........

　Until then, we're staying on the ground.

...that doesn't make sense.

　In the past, the survey team had been decimated by the tenth level. These 300 elite soldiers will surely take a toll on this investigation as well.

　If we leave, that sacrifice should be reduced.

　He nodded at that appeal.

''Maybe.
Then!
But if that wears you down and makes it difficult to explore the middle levels and beyond, and if you don't reach the lowest levels, then all those sacrifices will have been in vain.

　............
　I couldn't help but choke on my rebuttal.

　General Dardios's large body crouched in front of me, his thick fingers gripping both my shoulders.

'This is how the battle began, but not all of the investigation of these ruins.
..........
With the Divine Armor that we have obtained here, from now on, you, the Divine Attendants, will have to risk your lives to confront the Children of Darkness. Then it is only natural that before that, we human beings must also risk our lives.

　His gaze is looking straight into my eyes.

''-Now, please, trust us, Lord 'Jingu'

　I bite my lip hard.

　Cock.

　I gave a small nod.　

　General Dardios let out a manly smile, tapped me twice hard on the shoulder, and then stood up.

　As if to replace him, Mr. Illtimina comes underneath me as I stand there with my fists clenched.

'Merle,'
Miss Illtimina.

　She laughed softly and pulled me into a hug.

''It's okay. The three hundred people who headed to the ruins are truly the elite chosen. Perhaps they will make it to the lowest level by themselves?
Yes.

　I'm sure that's not possible.

　But I was glad of the concern.
　So I nodded.

　Her fingers gently stroked my hair.

''Until the time when our strength is needed, let's wait and see, for now, while keeping our wits about us.
Yes, Miss Illtimina.

　I put a small hand around his back.

　Mr. Kilt comes over and puts his hand lightly on my head, with a pop. Solstice doesn't say anything, but she stays with us the whole time.

　Looking at the scene, Frederica-san smiled, and then looked at the stairs where her colleagues, the 300 Arun soldiers, disappeared.

''........Humans are really a bunch of idiots.
Yeah.

　Rapt and Recto Alice stood alone at a distance from us, muttering softly, with a slightly complicated expression on their faces.

　--This is how the first day of the 'Search for the Great Maze' passed.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It was the third day since we began our search.

　We gathered in the largest tent that served as our command center to check on the progress of the project.

"Hmm, so we're on the third level now?
It's like conquering one level a day.

　While looking at the report of the messenger soldier and the map of the interior of the ruins spread out on the table, Kilt-san and Illtimina-san are having a conversation.

(.........This ruin, was it this complicated structure?)

　The map was like a maze.
　With the central chapel at the center, passages split off in all directions, and at the end of the passages, they led to many rooms, and then the passages extended in all directions again.

　It was incomparable in scale to the Dior Ruins where Solstice and I had sneaked into a while ago.

(If it wasn't for the 300-man crew, how long would it have taken us to get through one level?)

　I can't even imagine what it's like.
　As expected of a man with a name like 'The Great Labyrinth'.

　General Dardios snorted.

''Even though we know up to ten levels of information, this pace?
It's been 15 years since the last investigation, and the demons inside seem to be breeding again.

　Berland-san replied with a difficult face.

　According to the reports so far, they had already encountered and fought with a large number of skeletons and undead, as well as skeleton kings and immortal (undead) ogres. It is said that a few people have been injured as well.

(...........)

　swoosh

　Unconsciously, I clenched my fist.

　Illtimina-san's white hand, which I noticed, touched my shoulder. Ah..........

''I'm sorry.''
No.

　She laughed softly and shook her head.
　Even her beautiful dark green hair danced softly.

'Our turn will come one day. Let's save that frustration for when we do, shall we?
Yes.

　I nodded and exhaled heavily.
　Even though I thought I'd broken it off, apparently I hadn't broken it off yet.

''Well it's hard to just wait and see.
..........

　Solstice's lips twitched and she muttered softly.

　-- Thus, another day passed.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It was the seventh day since the search began.

　The 300-man elite unit had finally reached the fifth level.

　Apparently, the further down the hierarchy they went, the more difficult the attack became.

　From what I've heard in detail, the 300 elite troops are working in 20 units of 15 men in pairs. In addition to the warriors in the vanguard and wizards in the rear guard, each squad is said to have a person who excels in the abilities of the Mahouka, a family of true treasure who are familiar with the labyrinth.

The 'Mahouka' is one of the titles of adventurers.

In the same way that the Demon Hunter is a professional hunter of demons, the Mahouka is a professional in exploring the labyrinth.

　It is said that only a few people with special skills such as the ability to map the places they walk on a three-dimensional map, and the ability to detect and disarm traps in the labyrinth, can attain this title.

''........The search for ruins on this scale may not have been possible for the Warawas alone, without the 'Shimpo Family'.

　Our leader, the demon hunter, had spilled out once as he looked at the map.

　Also on the fifth day, the number of wounded increased.

　The severely injured were carried to the ground and treated by the wizards of the ground troops. Solstice was part of that treatment.
　I wanted to help, but...

If you treat him with an incomplete arm, there will be consequences!　Merle, back off!
..........

　That's what I was scolded for.

　After the treatment, those who still needed to rest were allowed to go straight to the ground to rest, while the rest of the people went back to the darkness of the underground ruins.

(............)

　Now we have no choice but to watch their backs.

　That night, we received a report that someone from among the 300 elite soldiers had finally died.

It seems they encountered 'Medusa the Petrified Serpentess'.
..........

　During the battle, he was petrified by the Eye of Petrification, and his entire body was shattered before he could break the spell.

　The victims were two.

　They were 2nd class specialization, and the families of the victims are said to receive a large amount of consolation money.

''.........''
..........
..........
..........

　The four of us watched in silence as she was wrapped in a black cloth bag and politely carried away from the ruins.

　--It's a good thing that I'm not the only one.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It has been 14 days since the search began.

The Great Maze is reported to have reached the 9th level. But the number of dead was also 21.

　I couldn't sleep much at that time.

　Impatience.
　Guilt.

　A feeling of wanting to fight, raging inside.
　Reason to suppress it.

　All sorts of things were swelling up inside this little body of mine.

'Can you eat it, Merle?'
Yes.

　Right now, I am having dinner with Mr. Illtimina and myself in our own tent.

　Kilt-san is discussing with General Dardios and Berland-san about the status of the search and their plans for the future.

　Solstice had gone with the ground troops to another tent to treat those who had been injured in The Great Labyrinth.

　What was offered to him was a warm soup.
　With a spoon, I take a bite and eat it.

(........doesn't taste very good, does it?

　It's not good.

　I don't know if that's how it originally tasted, or if my tongue has gotten funny.

　Zaaaah.

　Outside the tent, it was raining.
　Since I've been here, the skies have been only two kinds of rain or cloudy. I miss the sun a bit.

　Soup, another sip.

You don't have to do that, do you?
I don't want to leave you alone.

　It's the other life I'm talking about.

　It's not good.
　........But I have to eat.

　Illtimina-san looks at me with a troubled face, and then starts eating her portion of soup. She finishes it before I do, but she stays by my side until I finish it.

'Thanks for the food,'
Yes, you did your best.

　He pats me on the head.

(............)

　It felt good, but I couldn't feel like being honestly happy about it, though.

　Even now, there are nearly 280 Arun Knights fighting in the 'Great Labyrinth'. They are losing their lives on the horrible battlefield.

　What am I doing?

　I know.
　I won't be around for much longer.

　And when it's time, you'll give it your all.

　--I know in my head, but my heart just won't go with it.

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

　Mr. Illtimina talked to me a lot.

　But my response was scarce and her voice faded away. But still, she continued to be there for the past few days, worrying about me and being there for me.

(Sorry.)

　And thank you, Illtimina.

　I have to get it together for her, too.

　As I was scolding myself for that, the cloth at the entrance of the tent opened and Frederica-san, dressed in military uniform, appeared.

　She hadn't put on a robe to protect her from the rain, and her blue hair, which was tied up in a bun behind her head, was wet from the rain. She had run all the way here, and her breathing was a little sluggish.
　She sounded a little excited.

'I heard that the advance team finally made it through the tenth level!　--I'm sorry, could you guys come down to the TOC at least once?
!
I understand.

　We nodded, stood up hurriedly, and walked out of the tent.

　We were all gathered in the command center.

　Kilt-san, Soltis, General Dardios, Berland-san, Rapt and Lectoris, everyone's eyes were on the three of us as we walked into the tent.

''We're here, Marle, Illtimina.
Yes.
Sorry I'm late.

　We join their circle.

"....Merle?　Am I okay?
You're looking a little pale.
I'm fine.

　I gave a small smile to the two people from 'Divine Fangra' who were worried about me.　

　My heart is filled with strong emotions.

(-- Finally, it's my turn.)

　Seeing that they were all assembled, General Dardios' gaze turned to Mr. Berland.
　He nodded.

We've finally reached our first target, the 10th level. Therefore, we will move our outpost there.

　I told him.

(...base move?

''From now on, we will be using that tenth-level frontline base as our base for the 'Great Maze Search'. I ask that everyone who will be our main unit move over there as well.

　That's right.
　We all nodded.

'Um ... we can fight our way out of there, right?

　I ask, fearfully.

　They look at me.

"No,

　Mr. Berland shook his head.
　Huh?

　General Dardios says to me for him.

"We still have over 270 men left in the advance party. "We have over 270 men left in the advance party, and they are only 10% attrition. It's not your time yet.
But!

　By that logic, we can't get out until more of our advance troops are killed.

(...wait for everyone to die until there are too many to hold the line?)

　swoosh

　I clenched my fists and glared at the General.

'That's right.'
I'm not sure...

　He read my mind and nodded.

　I couldn't help but try to hit him, but Mr. Kilt stood in front of me.

'Merle,'
Get out of the way.
Calm down, Merle. You know what you're really doing, don't you?　--This is the battlefield.

　I don't know.

(Guys, you're okay with that!)

　She said to me, "You can't be okay with this.

She said to me, "It can't be that easy. .... more than anything else, it is the position of General Dardios, who has to prepare for the death of his own people, that is hardest on anyone.
I'm not sure...

　Gasp, there was a shock in my heart.

(Ah.........)

　Anger fades.
　And shame floods the heart.

　He says in an unchanging warrior's voice.

'If you can take your time, there is another way. But now, with the threat of the Child of Darkness, we are in a race against time. For the sake of humanity's future, we must pay the price of gaining time.
..........
"All of us gathered here are already on the battlefield with that resolve.

　I was an idiot.
　I look down and say, pathetic and embarrassed.

"...I'm sorry.
I don't mind.

　He laughs.

"Your heart is in the right place.
..........
Please, I don't want Master Marle to be tainted like we are.

　Mr. Kilt and Mr. Berland chuckled somewhat self-deprecatingly and nodded.

(............)

　I don't know what to say.

　The general quickly tightens his expression and looks at everyone.

''However, beyond the tenth level, we are no longer in uncharted territory. We can't even predict what kind of unforeseen circumstances will occur in the future. I want everyone to be prepared to fight at any time.

　We nodded.
　Then, each of us tried to get back to the tent to get our stuff to move the base.

'Hey, monster woman,'

　At that moment, Rapt and Recto Alice approached Mr. Kilt.

(Hmm?)

　What a terrible thing to call them.

　General Dardios, who was by my side, laughed as he gushed, and Mr. Kilt himself gave a threatening look in that direction before turning back to the Raptors without seeming to be bothered.

'What is it?'
Don't make Merle suffer too much.

　He said something like that.

(Huh?)

　Unintentionally, I stopped near the doorway of the tent.
　Illtimina-san and Solstice, who were next to me, were also looking in that direction together.

　Kilt-san makes a troubled face.

''It's not that we want to make them suffer, either.
I know.

　Nodding.

But that's the Inu of God, isn't it?　Their love for their flock is etched into their instincts more than anyone else. ...The pain of death of a fellow human being is something we feel far more than we do.
..........
At the same time, the God Dog has a lot of fighting instincts. Merle's got a lot of fight in him. He's just too tired to control it.

　.... yeah, right?

I don't know if I can do it.

　I can't help but stare at the right hand of the divine arcane arcane.

　Recto Alice also continues in an indifferent voice.

''Living with the flock and fighting with the flock is the only way to be a 'Godgu'. That instinct will not change no matter what form it takes.
..........
Don't overindulge your human part, Merle.

　Mr. Kilt, General Dardios, and Mr. Barland had fallen silent.

　The two 'Divine Fangirls' looked at those humans and then left the tent through the back doorway.

(............)

　Somehow, Mr. Kilt's back looks smaller than usual.

　Queer.

Let's go, Merle, Sol.

　Iltimina approached me gently and took my hand.
　Me and Solstice obediently follow him.

　Zaaaah.....

　The rain has been swinging forever.

　The world is infinitely gray.

　In that dull-colored world, only the heat of Illtimina's hands, which were only connected to each other, was very clear - very clear.