Chapter 534 Morning of love

A massive pillar of light shot up into the sky.

The light was so immense that everyone in Labyrinth could see it.

The cluster of light, which had swallowed the black flames of Calamitas, exploded a moment later, spreading in all directions and emitting a tremendous brilliance.

People who had hurriedly closed their eyes due to the blinding glare slowly opened them after a while.

And then, they realized that everything had disappeared.

The pillar of black flames that had covered the sky.

The giant form of Calamitas.

And even the countless monsters that had been right before their eyes.

All of them were turning into ash and vanishing.

Without understanding the sudden situation, everyone stared up at the sky with dazed faces.

’This is...’

Mika also looked at the sky from atop the northern wall.

Since there was nothing more she could do staying at the spire, she had eventually come out to the north to observe the battle situation more closely.

The flames of the labyrinth that had lit up everything were gone, and the sky had returned to a normal night sky. Because it had suddenly become dark, torches were being lit here and there belatedly.

Mika felt a wave of immense anxiety.

It was because the sky she saw now looked exactly like the sky from the prophecy.

Seeing that the monsters had vanished, the operation must have been a success.

If so... what about the Master?

Did the attempt to change the prophecy succeed?

Mika couldn’t stand it anymore and eventually headed down to the castle gate herself.

’Wait, you there! What are you doing coming down so suddenly! Entry and exit through the gate is prohibited during an invasion!’

’The monsters have all disappeared!’

’Even so, we don’t know what happened yet, so watch the situation a bit more...’

’Be quiet!’

Ignoring the words of the other mercenaries trying to stop her, Mika ran directly toward the northern labyrinth.

And at the same time.

Frenda also heard the Elf’s voice.

While everyone else was in confusion due to the unknown phenomenon, Frenda was able to hear a more accurate explanation thanks to the Elf.

- It was a success.

’Does that... mean Master Ian really pulled it off?’

- Yes. Now, let us head toward the labyrinth quickly. The sealing process will be faster with the Holy Sword.

’Sealing...?’

Frenda asked with a puzzled face as she looked in the direction of the labyrinth.

- Do you think such a massive power would just vanish from this world? If left alone, it would spread through the world again and give birth to powerful monsters. It must be locked back inside the labyrinth and purified slowly.

’Then... we should head to the labyrinth first.’

Frenda, having roughly understood the Elf’s story, nodded and stood up.

- Are you that happy to be able to see Master Ian?

’I-it’s not like that!’

* * *

The moment Calamitas’s body was about to scatter into black smoke, countless chains stretched out from within the labyrinth.

Binding the black energy, they began to drag the remains of Calamitas back into the labyrinth to prevent them from escaping. It was one of the functions designed from the time the place called the labyrinth was created.

Glimpses of Elven ghosts who seemed to be controlling that magic could be seen nearby.

However, even though such an event was happening right next to her, Rin paid no attention to it.

Rin immediately ran toward Ian. Ian was lying on the ground not far away.

Arriving before him, Rin hugged the fallen Ian and shook him.

’Master, wake up!’

Ian, with his eyes closed, showed no reaction.

Rin muttered as she held Ian’s fallen body.

’Why, why did you do that...’

’Ugh, it’s hot...’

’M-Master?!’

Ian, who suddenly opened his eyes, hurriedly pulled something out from his chest.

It was a burning voodoo doll.

’Is this... the doll Airi gave me earlier?’

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[???] (Depleted)

- Miscellaneous Item.

- No effect.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The description of the item, whose identity had been unknown, had changed slightly.

...It seemed that the object Mika and Airi had made was something that allowed one to survive after falling into an [Incapacitated State].

As Ian hurriedly placed it down, the voodoo-like doll quickly turned to ash and blew away in the wind.

The gazes of Ian and Rin, who had been staring blankly at it, met again.

Rin belatedly shouted at Ian with an angry face.

’Why did you do that! Really, what if it had been dangerous...’

’...It could have been okay.’

’It could also have NOT been okay!’

Though he spoke like that, Ian hadn’t actually intended to give up everything and sacrifice himself. He certainly thought there was a risk, though.

In this game, the final death judgment originally occurs when the battle is completely over.

When HP is fully consumed, one first falls into an [Incapacitated State]. After the battle ends, it is judged whether one dies completely or miraculously survives.

Normally, if a player died, it was Game Over at that moment, but the only exception was the final monster invasion.

The game clear condition is to block the final invasion.

At this time, because the clear message appears before checking the death judgment from the [Incapacitated State], as long as the invasion was successfully blocked, the player could receive a clear judgment without getting a Game Over even while lying in an [Incapacitated State].

...Of course, it might not have turned out that way.

Not everything ran perfectly like a system. If he died, that might have been the end.

But... since this was the only method left anyway.

Ian, who had navigated situations with this knowledge until now, had decided to believe in it one last time.

—But, what about the clear message?

Before Ian could even process that thought, Rin lunged into his arms.

And their lips met.

Ian, deciding to leave unnecessary thoughts for later, first quietly hugged Rin.

Since there was no one around anyway, he intended to let her do as she pleased until she felt at ease.

’...’

...The kiss continued without end.

He had originally intended to leave it until people arrived, but eventually, someone else reached the place where the two were.

The first to come running was Ria. It was natural since they had split up at the closest point.

’Master... Ah.’

Ria, finding the two... waited for Ian and Rin’s kiss to end, thinking it was perfectly understandable.

For quite a long time.

Glancing at the two whose kiss continued without ending...

’Why are you doing it for so long! Get apart already!’

’Ueeek... No, I want to keep going!’

’I-I’m going to do it too!’

Ria, who had accidentally shouted that, realized Ian and Rin were staring at her and turned bright red.

Ria hung her head low with a flushed face and asked while glancing at Ian.

’I... I can’t?’

...Ria did it too.

* * *

The mercenaries nearby naturally began to gather at the spot where Calamitas had fallen.

’You’re alive.’

’You guys too. You have a stubborn grip on life.’

Everyone had expressions as if they hadn’t properly realized the fight was over yet.

’Hey, is everyone okay over there... Oh, you look a bit busy.’

Several mercenary leaders who had come to talk to Ian avoided the area for a moment upon seeing Rin and Ria stuck close to his side.

It was a quite bold display of affection in a place where people gathered, but well, they had just gone through such a big event.

Everyone understood since it was something that often happened right after a request where one barely escaped death.

’Hamel. Us too.’

’...’

’What are you embarrassed about! Quickly!’

’...’

Rather, there were several mercenaries around doing similar things.

Thus, in one corner of the space that other mercenaries seemed to have made by stepping back slightly for Ian. A person was suddenly added there.

’S-so, how on earth do you do that materialization... Ah, there we go.’

’Oh, Tanya? How did you get here?’

’Well, you see...’

Tanya’s form appeared as if emerging from thin air.

She had flown over in her spirit state to check the situation, then asked Epir Noah for the method and materialized.

Because the atmosphere was hectic, no one around witnessed that sight.

’Is everyone okay? What about the Master?’

’Yeah. Everyone is safe.’

Tanya, glancing at the surroundings, pulled firmly on Ian’s sleeve at his side.

’Well, um... then I’ll do it too.’

’...Alright.’

One more member was added to Ian’s side.

...The place where the labyrinth was, and the spot where Calamitas had fallen.

The mercenaries who had participated in the battle were all gathered there, celebrating the victory together.

’Heek... pant.’

And there was another mercenary who had just arrived at that spot.

It was Mika, who had run all the way from the North Gate.

No matter how much her stamina had increased, it was a quite long distance for a mage to run without stopping.

Mika, panting as if she were about to lose her breath, asked a nearby mercenary.

’M-Master... Ian... pant.’

’Yeah. Your Master is over there.’

Fortunately, a mercenary who recognized Mika’s face understood her and pointed to where Ian was.

Mika immediately approached Ian.

’M... Master? You’re safe... right?’

’...Yes, Mika. Thanks to you.’

’Haah...’

Mika, her strength leaving her, slumped down in front of Ian.

Seeing Mika’s reaction, which seemed to suggest she indeed knew something, Ian asked.

’Was what you saw in the prophecy about me?’

’Yes... I’m sorry for not telling you. I was afraid something might go wrong if I spoke.’

’...Right, thank you. It’s thanks to you.’

Recollecting how Mika had desperately clung to her research, Ian stroked Mika’s head.

Mika, leaning against Ian with her strength completely gone now that the tension had released, looked up at him with teary eyes.

Very naturally, Mika’s face gradually came closer...

And finally.

Frenda, who had started for the labyrinth late, finally arrived at that location.

Since everyone was gathered in one place, finding them wasn’t that difficult.

’Excuse me, is Master Ian perhaps...’

The gathered mercenaries all quietly stepped aside to open a path.

Strangely, it was a systematic movement, as if they had planned it in advance.

Frenda was immediately able to find the sight of Ian and his members gathered together.

’Master Ian! Are you safe?’

’Yes. What about you, Frenda?’

’As for me, there was nothing to be in danger of...’

Frenda, who had been inwardly worried, breathed a sigh of relief.

’Isn’t that a high priestess?’

’No way...’

’No, looking at the rumors lately, maybe...’

...However.

The surrounding atmosphere was very strange.

Frenda felt the gazes of the people staring intently at her. For some reason, they were very blatant gazes.

The members who stepped aside slightly as if making space.

—Could it be this time too? Even a priestess? Really?

And the surrounding people who were looking on as if expecting something with those expressions.

Even the Elf said something strange.

- ...Are you not going to kiss him?

’Y-you, do you have nothing else in your head!’

- But it seems like that kind of atmosphere.

’How could a person who didn’t even know what a kiss was until recently know about a kissing atmosphere! To begin with, I am a priestess, so in front of so many people...’

Answering like that, Frenda stopped mid-sentence as she suddenly realized a certain fact.

Come to think of it, hadn’t she already informed the temple that she was resigning as a priestess so this wouldn’t become a problem?

Then she was no longer a priestess.

In that case, perhaps.

Could it be.

...It doesn’t matter?

- That is right. Let’s just do it.

Frenda’s conscience, heard in her head, also answered like that.

Realizing this, Frenda hesitated in front of Ian for a moment before making a bold declaration.

’I-I’m not a priestess anymore! I can get married too!’

’Pardon?’

Ooooh...

Hearing that bold statement, the mercenaries gathered around all clapped.

It was directed at Ian.

Frenda lunged right into Ian’s embrace.

As the long night passed, the sun could be seen rising in the distance.

’Oh... but what about Airi?’

Mika, realizing someone was missing, belatedly muttered to herself.

* * *

Airi gripped the bow in her hand tightly, hiding the children behind her back.

They were children she had accidentally encountered while wandering around after hearing screams.

- Grrr...

Monsters were slowly approaching, surrounding Airi.

The few arrows she had brought were already depleted.

But, honestly, even if she had enough arrows, she didn’t have the confidence to face such a swarm of monsters head-on.

What to do...

Worrying like that, Airi felt the terrified hands of the children grabbing her clothes from behind.

If it had been one person, she could have somehow run away while holding them, but there were three.

Handling such a large swarm of monsters directly with a single arrow was obviously impossible.

Waiting for someone to come help... was a fairly plausible plan. Since soldiers and mercenaries would be roaming inside the city.

The problem was a way to buy time until then.

’...Ah, right.’

In a life-or-death crisis, Airi instantly came up with a good idea.

Her strange constitution that had emerged recently... something like Holy Magic.

Honestly, since she didn’t understand Holy Magic at all, she couldn’t use anything like a spell, but she could at least emit a bright light.

With that... couldn’t she buy time by blinding the monsters?

Plus, it would be even better if someone saw that light and came to help.

’Everyone, close your eyes! H-hyah!’

A blinding light burst from Airi’s hand.

It was an all-out discharge, as she had to make the monsters unable to see ahead for as long as possible.

A flash so bright one couldn’t even look at it straight radiated from Airi.

And... simultaneously, a massive pillar of light rose in the northern sky.

A giant wave of light that started from there swept through the entirety of Labyrinth.

’...Eh?’

Airi muttered with a dazed face.

It was because the approaching monsters had suddenly turned to ash and disappeared.

’Wa-waah...! Lady Airi destroyed all the monsters!’

’What...?’

One of the children hiding behind Airi poked their head out and shouted.

Airi also didn’t know exactly what had happened just now. Because of that, Airi almost believed those words for a moment.

The moment Airi tried to belatedly deny it.

’No, what just happened wasn’t me...’

- Thump!

Before Airi could finish her sentence, there was a sound of something falling nearby.

Someone had jumped down from a roof.

The identity of the person who jumped down so suddenly was... Priscia.

Having thrown herself so hurriedly that she landed slightly wrong, Priscia stood up unsteadily and shouted as she approached Airi with a shocked face.

’I’ve finally found you! Saintess!’

’Eek...?!’

Airi’s face, which had brightened thinking someone had come to help them, froze again.

’Saintess?’

’As I thought...! You were an amazing person!’

Hearing those words, the children Airi had been hiding began to chatter and squeal.

Furthermore, as if they had coincidentally seen the light Airi emitted rising, several more soldiers and mercenaries appeared nearby.

It was true she had shot it toward the sky hoping someone would see... but of all times, now.

The voices of Priscia and the children chattering were clearly heard by their ears too.

’Saintess?’

’What are you talking about? There is no Saintess right now, is there?’

’That priestess over there clearly called her the Saintess.’

The soldiers and mercenaries gathering nearby began to talk. Moreover, the numbers gradually increased.

In a situation where all monsters inside the city had vanished. Since they didn’t know what on earth had happened, everyone had started gathering at the noisy spot for now.

’They say Lady Airi destroyed all the monsters.’

’Then could that light just now have been...?’

’She certainly destroyed all the monsters with a single arrow during the last invasion too...’

’Eeek.... I-I’m not like that.’

’No! I saw it clearly! That is the Saintess’s power!’

Feeling as though an unmanageable rumor was about to spread, Airi first ran away. Priscia hurriedly chased after her.

—The darkness lifted, and the sun was rising in the distance.

A morning like any other in Labyrinth, which they had finally protected, though it might not have come at all.