Volume 2 - CH 11

Volume 2

Chapter 11 - Signs of the Otherworld and a Strange Old Man

(TL:By Rafael)

With our energy and stomachs well rested, we walked up the stairs, the twilight light leaking in.

Looking up, the exit was almost there, and I felt a little unsettled by the fact that the sunset-colored sky, stuck in my abominable memory, was getting closer and closer, but not enough to cause a flashback.

Halfway up the stairs, Nene took a leap of faith and ran up the stairs.

I looked around just in time to see her look back at me and nod my head.

There seemed to be no danger at the exit of the stairs.

"This ......."(Yuki)

At the top of the stairs, we gasped at the sight.

The guild masters, scholars, and adventurers watching through the feed probably did too.

This was a little too unexpected, considering we were expecting to see mainly underground waterways.

"A city, The architecture is not too different from ours, maybe a little more to the western type."(Rain)

I nodded at Rain's words and took in the scenery.

We came out of a small square with a wall behind us and a row of houses that looked like a residential area in front of us.

The staircase we came out of was attached to a small arched building that literally looked like an entrance to an underground canal.

"This is not Duna, right?"(Marina)

"No, it's not. I took a look around the streets of Duna to make sure, but I don't think I saw anything like that."(Nene)

Nene shakes her head and replies to Marina, and her gaze is drawn to the castle, which is hidden from view by the cityscape.

"Labyrinth, is it?Here, too."(Marina)

"I wonder... ......"(Nene)

It's not a ruin.

The buildings are not badly damaged or damaged, and the cobblestones are well maintained.

But there is no sign of human life.

"An urban labyrinth. ......?"(Rain)

"It may be, but it doesn't seem to be a normal field labyrinth. It's not like it's dusk at the moment."(Yuki)

While responding to Rain, I began to organize my thoughts.

There are also urban labyrinths.

For example, in the Aurias Castle Ruins Labyrinth, before entering the main dungeon of the labyrinth, it is necessary to traverse the castle town, which is classified as a minor labyrinth Lesser Dungeon, and the ruined castle town, which still retains the atmosphere of the time, is a dangerous place where the undead roam at night even though it is above ground.

"What should we do, Yuki-san?"(Silk)

"......, I think we should make a temporary retreat."(Yuki)

I made an immediate decision.

This will need to be discussed with the guild master and the Royal Academy of Sciences, which is the source of the court-appointed mission.

The request was to "traverse the five underground levels," but this was too irregular, and to be honest, this place was too strange.

This is a sensory thing, but ...... I feel the same air here as in the Colorless Darkness.

In other words, I feel the presence of another world.

I felt it even in the underground canal, but the moment I saw this twilight-tinted city, I felt it more strongly.

Benwood guessed that the anomalies in the various parts of the labyrinth that had occurred earlier might have been caused by the appearance of this labyrinth.

Now that I'm standing here, I'm very aware of it.

I'm well aware that thinking too much about speculation narrows one's vision, but the air and atmosphere of this place is too similar to what I felt in the Colorless Darkness.

"Yuki, you look pale."(Rain)

"I'm getting a bad feeling about this."(Yuki)

"That's a very good point."(??)

A strange, high-pitched voice suddenly sounded.

"Get ready!"(Yuki)

At my command, everyone pulled out their weapons and formed a circle with their backs to me.

You can't create a blind spot if you do know where it's coming from.

"Who ......?"(Yuki)

As if in response to my question, something oozes out of the gap in the cobblestones and takes on a form.

"I am Loge. Can you tell us your name, traveler?"(Loge)

It was a strange figure.

It was probably an old man, judging by the quality of his voice. He was completely covered by a black cloak with layers of thin veils, and only his long nose and deeply creased mouth peeked out.

His face is small, and he seems to be using a cane to compensate for his bent back.

"I'm Yuki, I wonder who or rather what you are."(Yuki)

There's also the matter of Persephone.

Until we know who this strange old man is, we can't let our guard down.

"I'm nothing but a pathetic old man, who was crazy from the start and couldn't get any crazier in this crazy world."(Loge)

(TL: Best intro till date)

Well, he is crazy, isn't he?

In spite of his words, his mouth drew an arc.

"By the way, why are you in the labyrinth dungeon?"(Yuki)

"'Labyrinth Dungeon' ....... Oh, so that's how it is. So in 'this world' we are in a labyrinth, huh? It's really a crazy result. No, That's quite fine indeed."(Loge)

The old man nodded his head, as if somewhat convinced.

"You said 'this world'. Isn't this a labyrinth?"(Yuki)

"So, travellers, ......, let me introduce you to our beautiful capital."(Loge)

He turned around and pointed with his staff.

"The name of this royal city that goes mad with twilight is 'Glad Shii-im'."(Loge)

"Glad Shii-im: ......"(Yuki)

"It was once called the City of Joy, but now it has become a labyrinth. Isn't it ridiculous?"(Loge)

Loge shakes his back and lets out a chuckle.

"Hey, Grandpa. Are there no other people besides you?"(Marina)

"Yes, there is. We all are. The king and his subjects are still here."(Loge)

"What do you mean?"(Yuki)

"I can tell you very, very ......"(Loge)

Loge swayed his back with more and more amusement.

The figure gradually melts into the dusk.

"It's time to go. Goodbye, traveler. See you soon."(Loge)

"Oh, hey, ......!"(Yuki)

The old man made a small bow and then disappeared.

"Let's get back to the report. I have a bad feeling about this. Nene, take the lead."(Yuki)

"I'll take us to the shortest route."(Nene)

As I nodded and looked back at the stairs of the underground canal, Marina, who was in the hall, shouted out.

"Wait, Yuki !Someone has fallen!(Marina)

TL Note- Well we got ourselves a new character that will be important for the plot but let me ask you, who or rather what falled?