Published: September 2, 2025
This is not from the protagonist’s perspective.
“――So, with the cooperation of the city’s various temples and mages, we performed sanctification and established a barrier to prevent the labyrinth from extending beneath the town. In the near future, to reinforce the barrier, we will construct several Sacred Steles in parts of East Street. Later, I will ask you to sign the documents for securing the land.”
The white-haired civil officer—Ortes, the steward of the Count's Domain—adjusted his monocle’s position as he read from the report in front of him.
“So, is that labyrinth usable?”
The man leaning forward eagerly from behind the desk—the Count of Seryu—asked.
He wanted to know if the labyrinth could be commercialized.
“Parion, Galleon, and Tenion—the three grand temples—held divine oracle rituals, and the results were relatively favorable: ‘Yes,’ ‘Encourage,’ and ‘Yes,’ respectively.”
The steward paused before adding, “However—” and continued.
“Consulting with the Advisors, several issues were pointed out.”
“The first is that there is an exit inside the city, isn’t there?”
“Exactly. In other labyrinths as well, every few years, monsters sometimes spill out from their entrance. We must resolve the issue of having nothing to block them in such cases.”
“Adding an inner wall outside the barrier, huh… That's going to cost a good amount. The stone comes from the quarry that opened three years ago, so only labor costs are the concern.”
“Yes, coincidentally, the slave market was open, so we secured all male slaves and female slaves who looked strong enough.”
The Count looked suspicious at the answer.
“You actually bought slaves? Conscripts would have sufficed, wouldn't they?”
“Since morale is unsettled, we will use slaves until the temporary wall is completed. Once done, they can be converted to miners. Those obedient can be recruited as soldiers as well.”
The Count decided to consider it an investment. If demon cores produced from the labyrinth can be supplied steadily, the Count's Domain’s economy would grow rapidly.
“So, should we seal off the exit for the time being?”
“The Advisors warned that a complete lockdown would be dangerous.”
“Why is that?”
“There was a country that perished because of it.”
“‘The Nightmare of Ishtarn,’ was it? I thought it was just a drama, but it was actual history?”
About 200 years ago, there was a country called Ishtarn. It had a labyrinth, and the damage caused by monsters coming from it was significant. The suffering king invited renowned mages to seal the labyrinth’s exit. The labyrinth was successfully sealed, monster damage ceased, and the king was hailed as a wise ruler. However, ten years later, monsters broke through the sealed exit and flooded out like a tsunami, destroying the country in a day and night.
“Ishtarn was fine for ten years, right? Then sealing it for a while should be okay?”
“Yes, though not definite, it’s likely safe.”
“Alright, then until the inner-wall construction finishes, seal the labyrinth’s entrance and exit.”
“I will arrange that immediately. Please sign these documents.”
The steward handed over the pre-prepared directive.
As the Count signed, the steward continued speaking.
“There is another problem with the labyrinth.”
“What is it?”
“The Dungeon Master of the labyrinth is the high-rank demon who recently attacked this castle.”
The Count’s expression visibly soured, and he asked the calm steward:
“Is that certain?”
“Yes. The magical soldiers from the domain’s army who fought in the castle’s defense were present at the scene. Also, Nebinen, the deputy high priest of Galleon Temple, testified that he saw the demon’s arm.”
“Hmm, I don’t understand the demon’s intention, but the divine oracle gave a positive answer, so there’s no use worrying too much.”
The steward frowned but swallowed his objections.
“We must report the labyrinth’s situation to His Majesty the King. What about choosing someone for that?”