I approached the fallen giant soldier with caution and looked for anything else that I had dropped - and then.

''Isn't this what the Titan Soldiers had in their eyes?''
Jewelry. It's still in perfect shape....

　Igarashi-san brought a single gemstone. Is it a magical stone - no, unlike burning stones and the like, its shape is not rough and it is arranged as if it was cut.

　There is no doubt that this ruin and the floor used for transitioning were made by someone else. While there were almost no artifacts in Akebono's Field itself, only the fourth level is clearly different.

''Weapons and such don't seem to be too heavy to use...''
'We can't even send it to the warehouse at this size, so we'll just leave it there for now. There won't be anyone else coming here either... or not so much...

　If the explorers hadn't entered this place in the past, there would have been no wound on the giant soldier's head. In other words, what happened to the searcher who was sacrificed--''

''....Suzuna. It's not a good time to take it, but can I have you acquire the 'Spiritual Sensing' skill?
'Yes. I thought it would be better if I did, too. This giant soldier is probably...

　It has buried many explorers so far. What if the entrance to the fourth level was a secret mechanism to be hidden again after defeating the explorers who entered - if that was the case?

(Is this giant soldier some kind of ordeal or just a trap to kill those who stepped in... Either way, it's not a horrible story.)

　Suzuna manipulated the license and acquired 'Spiritual Sensing'. She then rang the bell she was holding in the direction of no one and clasped her hands together.

''........What, did you see?''
Yes.... a former explorer who was here before lost his life here. I understand that he fought with six of his Titan soldiers and was defeated against them, and it must have been a terrible tragedy.

　The reason why I felt like the giant soldiers were happy to see us is because they are cannibalistic monsters - none of the demons in the Labyrinth Country are willing to go up to humans, not a single one of them. To them, it's just a form of sustenance.　

　Then there is no need to condone them in the future. There may be exceptions among the demons that are not hostile, but in the current situation, we can't be lenient.

''........This looks like something that fell off when I attacked it. It's a metallic body, but when it was moving, parts of it must have been fluid.

　The metal that had dripped down like blood when the head was destroyed was now solidified. The sight of it reminded me of the term "metal life form". That would explain the eating and the fact that the wounds from the past had regenerated and remained as old wounds.

'I think it could be used as a material, but it's a lot of unknowns. Let's just take the pieces with us.
'Shouldn't you take the proof of your defeat with you?　Maybe pick up a few feathers.
''Well there's no point in bringing back this eye gemstone if the guild doesn't know what it is.
'The most definite proof of defeating a demon is sometimes the heart... let's strip the armor off for a bit.
Oh no...

　Misaki clings to me. Well, it's not unreasonable, and I'm a bit of a coward, but - Elitia puts her blade between the giant soldier's armor and pulls it off with a sliver.

　And what you see is a round pearl embedded in the giant soldier's chest.

''........Is this the heart?　It's not as graphic as I thought it would be.
They used their magical powers to make the metal body move like a living being. It's a kind of orb.
Orbs....I see. So this guy is like a golem after all?
'It's not like it's inhabiting a creature's soul, it's like it's made.

　As the "Eagle-headed Giant Soldier", the "Orb" was used to move the metal body. Whose hands made such a thing - there are many mysteries, but I'll take this as proof of the defeat.

''........Teresia, is that door going to open?''
..........

　The stone door is so large and tightly closed that I wonder if it was made for a giant soldier to pass through, and it's not going to open easily.

　But there's a small indentation so high that I can't reach it, even if I were to reach it. It's to the left and right of the closed border - you don't want me to put my finger in that one to open it?

''Brother, won't that hole hold the jewels you picked up earlier?''
'Yes, it looks like it's going to fit just right but I can't reach it by jumping.
I'll take care of it..........................
'........Elitia, are you out of magic?

　It looks like she tried to use the sonic raid, but nothing happened, and Elitia's face turns red.

''This much, if I'm a level 8, I can just leap... eeeeee!

　Elitia flies as fast as she can with a capacity that is as if she were measuring the height of a vertical jump. Frighteningly, she jumped up more than a meter, but she still couldn't reach it just in time.

''........What do you mean because you can't reach that hole?　I'm not losing. What's funny is how high that hole is.
'Well if you're here as a party, there's a way. You can gain more height by standing on my shoulders than you can by doing a vertical jump. Igarashi-san, are you okay with the heights?
'Wow, I can't. I'm heavy because I'm wearing armor and........no, no, I'm not saying I'm heavy. It's just that my armor is heavy.

　I think it's not so much because Igarashi-san's armor has been modified to reduce the weight of the armor - then it's the rogue Theresia that's relatively light.

'Alright, Theresia. I'll put my hand on the door, so you can manage to scramble up and try to fit the jewel in that hole.

　Theresia put her hand over her mouth, which was visible through the snake's mask, and seemed to be wondering what to do - indeed, it would be difficult to get on my shoulder suddenly, so I would need a foothold.

''Then........let's make a foothold in a group exercise. I'm the bottom and Elitia-san is also the vanguard, so please be the foundation. Then, if Misaki-chan can get on top........
Wow, this is kind of nostalgic. Do you have a flute, Suzu-chan?　Beep, and we'll all move forward.
It's dangerous, so don't talk to me anymore, okay?
Okay. Well, I'm going to get on top of it..........................
'If you bring me a magic potion I'll buy it the next time I find it, no matter how much I have to pay.

　While discovering that Igarashi-san's point of laughter is surprisingly loose, he does a gymnastics pyramid, albeit on two levels, to get a foothold. Elitia looks a little frustrated, but she firmly prods her hands on the floor and supports Misaki with Igarashi-san.

　Theresia takes off her boots and it's time to climb the pyramid and get on my shoulders. I don't feel the load as much as I expected, and I hear a click, click, click of the jewels being fitted in above my head - and.

'Whoa...!
Huh...!

　Suddenly the door starts to open from side to side, and I almost lose my balance - Theresia, who was on top of me, falls down and shifts into a shoulder carriage position, but I managed to avoid dropping her.

''Huh ... so, are you okay, Theresia? Didn't it hurt?''
..........

　It seems to be okay, and I can feel a hint of nodding. It's a good thing........but the softness of my thighs feels indescribable when I'm carrying them up.

It's a good thing that you have some experience in gymnastics.　I've dexterously moved onto the shoulder, though.
'I admire that too, but you need to pay a little attention to what's on the other side of the door. It's not just a matter of looking at it.
...someone in the back of the room........please be careful, everyone. I can't say for sure, but I'm getting a disturbing feeling.

　After setting Theresa down, we all look through the door. There is a short staircase at the back of the dimly lit room, and at the top of it is a large box-like object with a spotlight-like light shining on it.

　Is the unsettling presence a result of Suzuna's 'psychic sensing' or is it just a hunch? Either way, rather than proceeding unprotected, I want to take some kind of safe measure.

''Igarashi-san, you took the skill called 'decoy doll', right?
''Yeah, yeah ... come to think of it. If you'd used it first, it would have attracted the attacks of the Titan soldiers.
'No, it would still have been a comforting experience. It might be more useful in a case like now. Why don't we use the decoy doll here, since there might be a trap for you?
'Well, after you've defeated such a strong demon, would you normally set a trap or something afterwards?　If I were a labyrinth-maker, I might do it.
I don't think "never" would apply to the labyrinth. That's what you're talking about, Mr. Rear, isn't it?

　Igarashi took the doll out of the pouch. Placing it on the ground, made of clay, she held up her hand and chanted the incantation.

'O human form of mud, born of the earth! Once you have possessed my magic, rise up and become the sharp-edged soldier that draws the eye of the devil...............
Are you all right, sister?

　Misaki and Suzuna support Igarashi-san, who wobbled as soon as she finished chanting the spell. When I looked at the license, Igarashi-san's magic power was almost at zero - I didn't calculate the consumption of magic power with the decoy doll, my mistake.

'I'm sorry, Igarashi-san I didn't take magic into consideration.
'No, it seems to recover slowly after resting, so it's not a problem... but this is what happens when you're worn out. I'll have to be more careful in the future.

　If you run out of magic power during a battle, you won't be able to stand a chance when the enemy comes after you. You have to be very careful - it would be nice if there was a way to recover magic power during battle.

　The mud doll was infused with Igarashi-san's magical power, and after a while, it swelled up and became larger and larger - and to my surprise, it looked just like Igarashi-san.


"I can only execute simple commands, but you seem to be using them as bait. "Keep going straight ahead.

　The mud doll proceeds to follow orders - and. It was too dimly lit to see clearly, but he stomped on a switch of some kind with a clunk.

''Ah...!

　Igarashi-san shouts out. The mud doll wilted rapidly and disappeared like a scrapper.

　'Kyouka's decoy doll has stepped on a life absorbing trap' is indicated on the license. Good thing it was a decoy doll, because if it came this far and got caught in a one-hit death trap, it would be impossible to cry.

''The doll looks just like Igarashi-san, so it's heartbreaking...''
'Yeah, well you'd have to look that much alike to be a decoy, and you'll have to get used to it.
　Now, I think I saw something that looked like a box in the back that lit up.

　The decoy doll was given a small amount of life force by Igarashi-san's magical power. The trap sucked it up and the box-like thing reacted - what does that mean?

The clues to escape should be here.)

　We regrouped and proceeded, keeping an eye out for traps underfoot. Fortunately, there were no other traps, and we made it to the box at the top of the stairs in one piece.

　The box looks like it was carved out of black marble. There is a round hole in the center of the part that corresponds to its lid.

It's not a box, it's a kettle, isn't it?　See, it looks like there are vampires and stuff in there.
''No........I don't sense any signs of impurity. Nor is there any sign of hostility, for the moment....

It's like putting something round in there.
In your exploration of this labyrinth, did you find anything like it?

　Elitia asks me, and I look back on the search so far - and.

'....There is........'
'Oh, you have one?　Brother, where did you find it!

　The stick found in the black box where the juggernaut was dropped. The tip was like a key, but the side of the handle must have been rounded.

'It's this one. From the black box that the juggernaut dropped the handle of this is going to fit right into the hole.
'Guys, be careful, you never know what you'll find out. If Suzuna's right, I'm not the enemy, but........

　Elitia told me and we all nodded. After having Theresia check the safety of the surroundings, I inserted the stick into the hole in the box with my intentions.

''Huh........!

　The moment you insert the stick, the box opens up from side to side around the hole you inserted it into - only the lid opens automatically without touching it.

　What overflowed from inside was a dazzling light. And as if a box of dry ice was opened, white smoke flooded out with the cold air, spreading like a stream down the stairs and quickly disappearing.

''Ah, Rear-kun.......inside the box, there's a person.......''
This is....

　The box is still filled with a pale light, and a girl is lying in it.

　That's exactly what it is, well formed, like a doll. Long light blue hair covers the bulge of her chest - I haven't seen hair of this color since I came to the Labyrinth Country.

(Those on the ears are ... antennas ... no, they're not. The town is at the level of civilization about medieval times, but at the bottom of the labyrinth, there's suddenly something super civilized or something...)


'......................Still alive the soul has not left this body. But I don't know if I should wake it up ... if it has been sleeping here quietly, there must be a reason for it.

　Suzuna was right, but I opened the box. And the key on the end of the stick is probably the literal key to wake this kid up - I have a feeling that it is.

If you check out this room, you might be able to find a way out. But after what happened with that trap earlier, it's dangerous to go around without a fight. If we can wake the kid up, we might be able to find out what this room is and how to get out...

　If I can't escape and wait for him to die a debilitating death, I don't know what I've defeated the giant soldiers for.

　I want to reach for the clue in front of me. I think so too - the keyhole to use this 'key' is in an unexpected place.

''Rear, look ... between my breasts ... this girl isn't a normal person after all, with a hole like this.''
Do you want me to insert the key on the stick in here?
'What if only those who come here after defeating the Juggernaut are qualified to come to these four levels and open the box. I think we're the first ones to reach this place with the right conditions, Arihito we're the first, led by you.

　We are in an unexplored place that no one has ever been to before. There is a saying that it's dark under the lampstand - the first level of the hidden hierarchy of the elementary labyrinth that anyone should pass through, and it's true.

　The key found in the black box. A box that can be opened using that key. If everything was connected, there was a possibility that anyone could reach this place if they could just follow the steps.

(But it wasn't.) We were the only ones with the right conditions to get here.)

　I'm nervous, and my heart has been racing since earlier. But my head is strangely cold, and I'm convinced that this sleeping girl has a clue to our escape, and information that could change our future.

''I'll use the key. No hard feelings, guys, no matter what happens. Is that all right?

　Everyone nods. I try to insert the key into the sleeping girl's chest, but my hands are shaking and it doesn't fit properly. However, the size and thickness of the key matched perfectly.

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

　Theresia is behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder. Following that, the other four also touch my body and try to calm me down - even though all of them are in an extreme state of tension, it allows me to forget my fears.

''Let's........go.......!

　The hand stopped trembling and the key slipped easily into the girl's chest hole. And when it was inserted deep into the chest, there was a clink - the body trembled slightly.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Arihito uses the "Key of the Mysteries" in the 117th Ark of the Covenant to unlock it.