Behind the last door of the labyrinth was a space.
The ceiling is a rock. But there is a hole somewhere, or sunlight is shining in.
The size of the space is about the size of a school gym. In the center of the space, there was the remains of an old temple.
It was a stone building, and most of the walls had fallen down.
The pillars were broken off and all that remained was a single large wall.
In front of that wall, a translucent girl floated in front of it.
I am Delilira. I am Delilira, the one who was once called a saint and kept saving people. Now I'm a ghost with a lot of regrets.
The translucent girl said.
Her hair is light purple and she is wearing a pure white robe.
Is this person the legendary 'Saintess' that Aine taught me?
The one who was active in the era after the death of the Heavenly Dragon and who created this labyrinth.
And now she seems to be a ghost.
Praise the bravery of Nanjira. Extraordinary adventurers!
No, we're just beginners at...
You've done a great job of getting here.
Interrupting my words, Delilira spoke up.
For some reason, she turned her back to me.
............ Welcome to Delilira-san's temple. I'm so glad you went through the trials and tribulations and found your way there.
His shoulders were twitching. The lines were barbed.
"I got through ....... I'm sorry to hear that.
...... eh?
Delilira, ...... I tried my best.
......, uh,
"He died soon after retiring as a saint, but he did so many good deeds so poorly that only his soul remained in this world. ...... And then I built the labyrinth that I dreamed of while I was alive, cobbling it together. It was no good.
............
Delilira-san, you're so serious. I didn't have a clue what you were talking about, so I was able to get through it in a flash. Hahahahaha! Ha-ha-ha-ha. I don't know. Hahahaha.
A cute laugh echoed in the basement space.
...... I've done a bad thing.
I've only fought stiff and black opponents up until now, so I thought this labyrinth was similar, and I broke through it with full cheats ....... Honestly, I'm sorry.
It's just the way it is...
............ goooooooooooh!
Nagi-sama! Nagi, what are you doing?
Cecil and Rita come running up to me as I kneeled down with my voice.
It was a dangerous ...... one more thing, if there really was one more ordeal left ...... we would have lost our lives there... ...
...... Nagi-sama and ...... Nagi.
Don't just stop staring at me. Let's talk about it for now.
I pecked Cecil, Rita and also Reggie on the back.
The three of them noticed right away what I wanted to say and...
That's right. My strength is almost there.
That was a horrible mission. I can't walk any more.
We cannot die. If I don't do it, I won't be able to move.
「「「「 gooooooooooooooooooooooooo 」」」」
We all four of us groaned in unison.
Oh, Holy Lady, she's looking at us.
She's in the air, holding her knees and glancing over her shoulder.
"............ Really?
Of course it was. We had to put our skills to work.
It's true.
Even the first gateway door we're using cheats to get through.
The dungeons, the pools, if you do it right, are high difficulty, and even the last dragon golem was dangerous if it wasn't for the anti-character White.
We were pretty lucky ............ goooooo.
I don't want to do that anymore!
No problem.
Delilira here is the one who said 'use all your strength and skills to your heart's content. You are not allowed to complain about the fact that they are unexpectedly strong.
The ghost girl in the robe said.
'Then let's introduce ourselves again! I am Delilira. I am the soul of a saint whose virtues are too high to disappear from this world.
The wall behind her still has a crest on it. It's the same as the one Aine told me about in The Saint's Crest.
Rita whispers in my ear. Unlike most ghosts, it's protected by something sacred. It seems like there is no doubt that she saves people and stays in the world because of her achievements.
For a man of high virtue, he's awfully friendly, though.
But now that we've got that out of the way, I'd like to get some advice from you guys before I hand over my reward!
Wiping her face with a kitten-like hand, the saintly woman declared in high spirits.
'Advice?'
How do you think this labyrinth could be made better?
The translucent holy woman is watching us with her hands on her hips.
With a twinkle in her blue eyes, the saintly woman seems to be waiting for my answer.
''Does that mean you want to increase the difficulty of this dungeon?
That's what I mean. You know, Delilah, I've done nothing but work when I was alive. I have no imagination. All I can think of is mazes and strong monsters. Can't you make it into a more astonishing dungeon?
...... amazing.
'I don't want anyone to suffer. 'In the honor of the saints! I'll give you a try, though!
'Speaking of which, some of the noblemen were looking for your legacy.
'I don't really care if I make someone else suffer!
That's okay.
'You're the descendants of the people who made Mr. Delilira work in the past! Wow. Oh no, no.
The saintly lady shook her head in deep disgust.
Aristocrats have always been like that?
'I don't want to have to face them. I need your advice on how to prevent them from getting in.
My advice, huh?
Increase the difficulty of this labyrinth and surprise them. Not for the sake of tormenting people, but as a test for the saints. And in addition, you're going to make sure that the nobles you don't like don't get to this point.
If that's the case, I'm willing to help you.
When I made the game in the original world, I did my best to design the dungeons as well.
There were a lot of complaints, though. Let's use my knowledge from that time.
For example, if I were to modify this labyrinth, I would go to .......
'First of all, I'd keep the setting of the first door, 'One heart, one mind'.
Are you sure you want to stay?
'However, we will reduce the level of permission. If you're that close, let's make sure you can get through. So, 'We're of one mind! And let's set up a psychological trap in the dungeon that will catch them off guard and make them fall out.
...... I see.
Then there's the maze. We used to break down walls in a random fashion, but now, how about we do the opposite and set up a 'breakable wall'?
What happens when you do that?
'You'll be able to control their travel route. You have to convince them that you can 'take a shortcut'. In addition, set up a pitfall at the end of the wall you've broken down. You've destroyed the wall. The rubble is still on the floor, so you think it's okay to step out, and then it's a slap in the face.
What...?
'As soon as people see the pool, everyone is wary of the water. So I think it's a good idea to have a Zako monster swimming in the water as a decoy. The slime means that it will attack you from the ceiling. If you cover the surface of the water when it enters the water, it will not be able to move. An intruder caught between the top and bottom will now be at will.
'Wait, wait, wait! That's indeed heartbreaking for Delilira-san!
'This labyrinth is a straight road, so let's make a fork in the road. A dead end and a false goal. The dragon golems are too strong and eat too much magic, so we'll weaken them and increase their numbers. And...
I remember making a game about the original world and remembered some traps that I could use.
A labyrinth that is as peaceful as possible, but still struggles in its own way...
How's that for a change, Your Highness? I'm sure everyone will be surprised.
You scared the crap out of me!
...... Huh?
Saints, I'm dong it.
With that, the saintly lady clapped her hands as if to say, end of story.
''Well, Delilira-san's awake time is almost up. Let's give her one last reward.
Saying that, the saintess tapped the ground under the mural.
Taking that as a cue, the little golems gathered around. They dexterously waved their shovels and pickaxes and took out a long, thin box from the ground.
'This is my reward for you. You guys played with Mr. Delilira. It was fun. You struggled to push open the door of the labyrinth ...... maze for a few hours to entertain Mr. Delilira ──── Huh?
As she was about to say, the saintly lady nodded her head.
The golems that were trying to open the lid of the box stopped moving, with a snap.
'Come to think of it, Delilira-san, we're not entertained at all!
...... Oh.
That's what I thought.
"My God! Delilira, I'm not being entertained. You just overran the labyrinth one way or the other! Why do I have to give you a reward!
I mean, ...... for advice.
That's not enough to give you Delilira-san's treasures!
The Ghost Lady looked at us and smiled.
'If you want a hoax, take the last straw! O adventurers!
Does that depend on what's in the treasure?
I said to the saint who was pointing at me with a smug look on her face.
It's no use getting something that's too bad to sell," I said.
She nodded at my words and her translucent hand tapped the box.
The little golems opened the old wooden box.
Inside was a silver staff.
About the length of a man's arm. A dragon, a fish, a tree. It is carved with reliefs of various creatures.
It is the 'Holy Wand Noielut', Aristia's wand, which Delilira-san borrowed when she left us. He said he was going to come back for it some day.
It didn't come in the end. I made this labyrinth for that occasion.
─ ─ The saintly lady laughed forlornly.
''Is this the heritage of the demon race ......?
The next thing I know, Cecil is hugging my arm.
Reggie is also looking into the box with interest. She also seems to feel something because the sword was summoned from another world by the demon race.
....... If you're curious, why don't you say so?
"So, what was the final task?
Nagi-sama! The Lord: ......
Cecil and Reggie are both surprised. Rita is scowling, "I knew it," ...... annoying.
We're not the only ones who will be attacking Delilira's labyrinth.
The Baroness and the 'Akatsuki's Hound' might find this place sooner or later.
When that happens, it's too late to say "I should have kept it".
I'm glad to see you're motivated. I'm glad you've come to your senses. I'm sure I can find out the best way to get a hold of you.
You can't underestimate my master. My saint.
Why are you acting so high and mighty there, Rita?
The final test is a piece of cake for a master who has passed through the labyrinth in a matter of minutes with his wits!
'Hmm. But you see, your master isn't the one who has to go through the final trials. It's that dark elf girl.
The saint pointed straight at Cecil.
'Wow, is it me?'
Yes. You're a slave to the boy over there, aren't you?
The saintly lady fluffily approached and looked into Cecil's neck.
'By handing over this treasure, the boy will gain new powers. Let's see if he's worthy of it - let's see if he's treating you right, slave.
But we've gone through the Door of Unity, and I think we've proven that we are united as one! I think we've proven that we're one in spirit!
Because you guys are so pissed off.
'Very true.
'Let's try it Delilira's way from here. What's your name?
Well...
Cecil looked at me.
It was like she was asking if I could say my name, so I nodded.
This saintly lady can probably be trusted.
Someone who has friends from the demon tribe and has been carrying their demon heritage for a long time wouldn't tell anyone about us. Maybe, though.
'Cecil, sir.'
I see. Now, you stand in front of the mural. Yeah, it's not so bad. I wouldn't do anything terrible in honor of the saint. It's just that I won't be able to 'lie' while I'm standing there.
Lie?
That's right. It was originally used by Mr. Delilira to find out about his patients' medical conditions. Sometimes people lied about it for the sake of appearances. If you don't know what's wrong with them, how can you treat them?
You mean like a medical questionnaire with a lie detector on it?
'I'm not sure what that means, but yes. Boy, I'm going to expose your true nature with this.
In response to my question, the saint said with a strange, stern face.
'She reminds me of my best friend Aristia,' she said. She is a slave to you, and how you treat your slaves. Are you doing anything you don't want to do? Miss Delilira will make sure of it!
""Oh, huh."
Cecil, Rita and Reggie shouted at the same time.
I can't help but think about it.
Have I ever done anything ...... that Cecil didn't like?
I'm still a novice master, so I may be doing it without even realizing it: .......
For example, I remember once when Aine was doing laundry and I picked up Cecil's underwear that had fallen out. Aine was furious with me, saying that her master didn't have to do that. But Cecil, you weren't there at the time ....... Can we exclude that one?
Then how about the Karkala berries that Cecil dropped on the table at dinner, which I picked up and ate using the "three second rule". Cecil was in the middle of getting over the bitter fruit, so that would have been an interruption. Cecil, he had a bright red face. What are the chances of that being caught in this ordeal: ......?
Maybe this ordeal is a hurdle for us.
'Master, may I take the ......?'
Is that magic circle really just 'no longer able to lie'?
Yes. As far as the procedure goes, it's not difficult. If you don't want to answer, just get out of the room. It's not that bad, I understand. And I'm sure...
Cecil looked at the saintly woman.
'She seems to agree with me that she's not a bad person.
'Well, okay then?'
I can't just stop here.
I'd like to get as much of the demon race's inheritance as possible.
Thank you!
Cecil clenched his fist with a 'mmm' and stood on the fading magic circle drawn on the ground.
The saintly lady fluttered her translucent robe and declared high in the sky.
'Come, girl, Cecil. If you want the treasure, you can answer Delilira's question!
Most recently, when you touched your Master. You can tell Miss Delilira how your master treated you then!
I understand. The most recent time I had contact with Nagi was when...
Cecil murmured.
Rita and I were flabbergasted.
It's probably because yesterday we were together and...
'Wait, Cecil! You'd be in big trouble if you talked about it here!
Rita shouted.
But Cecil had already started talking.
Most recently, when the three of us touched each other.
That is when I purified myself before coming to the "magic point" - because there might be the remains of a saint.
I remember that time: ...... Yeah, I'm sure there's nothing wrong with that. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.
It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get the demon's inheritance and also the saint might think I'm persecuting Cecil. Even though she's a ghost, I don't want to make an enemy of her right now.
I can't... I can't stop Cecil now...
Then Cecil's beautiful voice begins to echo through the ruins.
Rita covers her ears and winces.
I can only trust Cecil.
Reggie is - I don't need to tell you.
As a result of ──── just like Rita's words - it was a disaster.