Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. Parting with close friends is tough—though that was in the past. Nowadays, with social media, you can always stay in touch, so it doesn’t really feel like you’re apart. But in another world where communication means are limited—
â—‡
“Ha, Hayato!”
Lady Ringlande’s anguished cry echoed in the boss room.
A radiant light poured down from the heavens, enveloping the hero.
The hero, looking weak, glanced up at the light source and seemed to say something.
The sparkling lights surrounding him made it hard to make out clearly, but the word “Parion” was definitely in his speech.
Eventually, the light faded, and silence took over the scene.
“That’s from God Parion. The pick-up will be tomorrow morning, it seems.”
Apparently, the hero was to return to his original world.
It was Arisa who broke the funeral-like atmosphere.
“Let’s celebrate! Since it’s the demon king subjugation after all, we have to prepare an extraordinary feast!”
“All right, a celebration it is!”
“Leave the food to me!”
The first to jump on Arisa’s suggestion were Russus and Fifi.
“Yeah, I’ll make Saga beef rolls and fried rice—Hayato’s favorites.”
“We’ll also serve top-notch brandy.”
Lady Weiyali and Priest Loleiya continued in cheerful voices.
Lady Ringlande and Princess Merryest looked pensive, but they didn’t object to the party itself.
â—‡
“The Labyrinth Master cannot leave the labyrinth.”
When I tried to leave the labyrinth, I was pulled back to the Labyrinth Master’s Room (Dungeon Master’s Room) along with that message.
“Master! Did something happen?”
“Nothing at all. I’ll be back soon, so you go ahead to the inn.”
“Okay! If you have any troubles, just tell Arisa-chan anytime!”
I responded to Arisa’s infinite distance communication (world phone).
“The Labyrinth Master is prohibited from leaving the labyrinth.”
The voice belonged to the dungeon core.
“How can the position of Labyrinth Master be passed to someone else?”
“It’s impossible. The position becomes vacant only upon the death of the Labyrinth Master.”
I see, that’s an inflexible rule.
But—
“What’s wrong, Satou?”
“Nothing, just stopped by for a bit.”
Hikaru and Demon Lord Shizuka looked surprised when I suddenly returned to the Isolated Island Palace.
If it’s unit deployment, it seems I can go outside without issue.
Probably, the dungeon core’s power only extends inside the labyrinth.
“Oh, by the way, Tifa from Echigoya Trading Company sent a message.”
“Thanks, I’ll drop by briefly.”
I passed through the permanent gate and visited Echigoya Trading Company.
Of course, I didn’t forget to disguise myself as Kuro.
“Welcome back, Lord Kuro.”
“Thank you.”
Tifaliza, who was doing administrative work, stood up and warmly welcomed my visit.
When she tapped the bell linked to the manager’s office, the manager rushed in with surprisingly unladylike footsteps.
“Welcome back!”
“Thanks, manager. Your hair looks a bit messy.”
I fixed his slightly disheveled hair with my fingers.
“Lord Kuro, I have a report.”
Tifaliza’s voice had a subtle edge to it.
I let the feverish-looking manager sit before listening to Tifaliza’s report.
“You may already know, but Lady Lily from the Duke’s Capital reported that two demon kings were subjugated in the Weasel Empire.”
“Ah, the hero party defeated the rat demon king, and our people took down the weasel demon king.”
At my answer, Tifaliza paused briefly.
“Not Lord Kuro?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Tifaliza looked thoughtful.
“That’s quite an achievement! Since recorded history, no one but heroes or dragons have defeated demon kings.”
The manager chimed in instead.
“Before the Saga Empire, was it always dragons who defeated them?”
“Before that, there were few records of demon king appearances, but according to Count Muno’s research, apostles of the gods often descended to fight.”
—Fight?
“Didn’t they defeat them?”
“Back then, sealing was the limit. Ancient texts state that less than twenty percent of the time was the demon king actually defeated.”