245-239 Time is flowing equally

There is a liaison route connecting Ebiza and the Empire on the tenth level of this labyrinth, and it seems that the Resistance used it to infiltrate the Empire.

Incidentally, after we finished seeing them off at the entrance of the labyrinth, we ran past them on a route that was not theirs to take, and came through a route with a trap on purpose.

But even so, the small number of us reached the tenth level earlier than them.

''But even so, this labyrinth doesn't have very strong demons, does it?

''That's true for now. But since the adventurers are giving up below the 30th level, I'm sure that's where the real work begins.

'Yeah. I'd like everyone to give me a shout if you notice anything.

"Yes (meow).

As I was going on talking about this, Kefin was waiting for me in front of the door that I thought was the boss room.

''This is the main room. According to the information, it looks like a pack of black wolves.''

Are they strong or do they have any troublesome habits?

'No, no problem. Then let's go.

Kefin said and touched the door and it opened.

And when he advanced to the center, he was surrounded by about twenty black wolves.

''Aaaaahhhh!''

As soon as they heard such a Black Wolf's voice, all the Black Wolves attacked at once.

However, they could see that the opponent was going to pounce on them, and the Black Wolves reduced their numbers simply by placing their Illusory Sword Blades there.

They managed to control the tenth level boss room without struggling, including Lionel.

''We didn't struggle as much as I thought we would. So, Lionel, will you proceed straight forward?

We haven't explored enough to need a break, so if there are no problems, let's proceed.

Yeah.

After everyone collected the magic stones, we proceeded to the eleventh level.

''Did it get a little dim from here?''

'Yes, I suppose so. Maybe this labyrinth will get progressively darker as it progresses.

'Right. Kefin, it's going to take a lot of strain on you, so you're going to have to work on your safety first.

Ha!

But even so, just by being ten layers different, the impression is quite different.

As I proceeded with that thought, the black wolf boss began to appear immediately, so I fought off the demons while missing the feeling that I was going to be busy.

It's a good thing that you have a map. It's good to have a map, after all.''

'Yes. But that map also has a lot of omissions from the next level, so let's keep our heads up.

Yeah.

As I signaled to Kefin, the door to the boss room on the 20th level opened.

And when I entered, the enemy was nowhere to be seen.

'How can it be that the boss isn't there--there.

As I struck the looming shadow, a wolf emerged from the shadows and transformed its form into a demon stone.

Apparently, this demon turned out to be an assassin-type wolf, and I turned around and tried to call out to everyone.

But there was no need for that. Everyone had already defeated several wolves that had appeared from the shadows, and the magical stone that seemed to have defeated several wolves was lying in front of everyone.

I was relieved to see that there wasn't a single sign of demons left when I closed my eyes and searched for signs, but I was a little shocked.

It's not that I ever underestimated the four of them, including Lionel. But this time, I was reminded of the difference in combat skills between them and everyone else.

''I didn't notice the demon hiding in the ground until the very last minute, how did everyone else notice?''

The next thing I knew I was asking everyone how they defeated me.

'I'm always looking for signs and magic, so if there's a distortion, I try to attack there.

Even demons have a smell. That's why we're looking for targets based on the scent left in their olfactory senses.

"I'm with Kefin. This time I just saw a moving black shadow moving and swung my sword at it.

'I had some idea of where the demon was hiding, so I was able to defeat it.

The only ones who might be helpful if you asked were Lionel, Keti and Kefin had a sense of the traits of their race, and Estia was the benefit of the dark spirits.

When he heard that, he realized that he had assumed that his newly acquired dragon powers made him very strong, and he was so embarrassed that he wanted to go in if there was a hole in the ground.

I wasn't the only one working hard or growing, but before I knew it, I was on par with Kefin and his friends and saw my power as my own.

What do you call this without saying it's pride, without saying it's conceit?

Huh~. I didn't think I would be proud in a fight, you haven't grown up at all.

The experience of losing against a master whose level is lowered was supposed to be used as self-discipline and sustenance, but the arrogance continued - I can't face my master if I continue like this.

Depressed, I asked everyone to take a short break.

Then I remembered what Master had said to me a long time ago.

That was, I believe, when I was starting to have my life threatened by the Botacouli case.

It was when I asked Master if I was getting stronger.

He said, "From the point where you start to think you're getting stronger, you'll end up drawing the line between winning and not winning on your own. If that happens, you will only be able to win against the opponents you see below you, and if the ones you see below you are the ones aiming for the top, you will eventually be tripped up.

'So Master isn't proud of himself when he's fighting me?

Yeah. I'm working out with maximum tension. If I don't, I'll accidentally....

''...Thank you for everything. Please keep training with a sense of urgency at all times so that there will be no more carelessness in the future.

'Oh. If, when you realize that Luciel was proud, you're not already dead, consider yourself very lucky.

''I'm tempted to try to be strong enough to be proud, but for now, I'll consider being proud after I've passed my master to survive.

Huh, good nerve. So let's go even harder than usual today.

You're kidding me.

You're gonna surpass me one day, aren't you?　Now, you're going to cultivate with tension so that you don't pass away on your own.

I'm an idiot who has gone too far...

........There was an exchange like that.

I thought I was going to die then, but I really did survive just in time, didn't I? Looking back on it now, I want to pat myself on the back for not dying so well.

Thinking about that, I decided to first thank everyone who became my followers so that I could praise myself now as I would in the future, and then I decided to do my best with each and every thing in front of me until I could one day compare myself to my mentor and Lionel in his prime.

''Thank you all. Let's continue with the labyrinth attack then, shall we?

You're finally getting up the nerve, aren't you?

There will be more Shadow Wolves in the future, so let's keep our heads up.

You can use your magic lights when you need them.

'This labyrinth and I seem to go well together, so I'll protect you, Luciel-sama.

Lionel happily opened the door to the twenty-first level, Kefin asked for vigilance, Ketty asked for ideas on how to attack, and Esther asked for my support.

I'm too embarrassed to say it, but it's nice to have company.

'Come on, don't be proud, we'll trudge through.

""Yes."

After regaining our spirits, we descended to the twenty-first level.

Then again, the darkness was even darker than the previous twenty levels.

''Do you want to put out the light?''

I'm good up to 30 layers.

Kefin said that with confidence, so I left it to him.

The deeper darkness made it difficult to see both Black Wolf and Shadow Wolf, but as I watched everyone else take them down with no difficulty, I began to fight as much as I could, getting used to the darkness as well.

I'm not sure if it's because I started focusing on the attack, but the demons didn't catch me off guard, and I was able to come along smoothly.

''But if it's as bad as this demon, it wouldn't be surprising if the labyrinth was explored a bit more, what's going on?''

'As for the information after the thirty-one levels, there were few people who knew about it. Even if we proceeded with lights on, that alone would be a burden to the adventurers, and if we were to make money in the labyrinth, we could make more money going to Grandle, and so on, which might be the reason why the attack hasn't progressed.

So maybe there will be a treasure chest.

There's a chance demons might show up.

"Ketty, don't let it bother you. Well, I guess we'll have to go. And Lionel, you can move around all you want, but if you get hurt in any way, just let me know. Lionel is and always will be the key to our offense and defense.

... haha.

It was too dark to see his face well, but Lionel seemed to be pleased.

Maybe it would be good to tell him sometimes how you feel that you don't usually say it.

With that thought in mind, he proceeded through the labyrinth.