Published: September 10, 2025
If you don’t remember the fate of Nana’s sisters, please read "5-12. Torazayuuya Labyrinth (3)" first (in the book version they survive, but in the web version they die in 5-12).
“I’m certain this is the remains of the labyrinth.”
Looking down into the valley from the mountaintop, Nana muttered.
At the bottom of the steep cliffs lay heaps of rubble and huge boulders piled up.
This was the site of the “Torazayuuya Labyrinth” activated by Zen, the “Immortal King (undead king)” who was Nana’s previous Master, to have himself defeated.
Grass and trees had grown over the rubble in the two years since, so it was hard to tell the exact extent without searching carefully.
Nana quietly scanned the surroundings with calm eyes.
This was not only Zen’s tomb but also the sad place where Nana’s sisters demonstrated powers beyond their limits with Zen’s unique skill “limit break,” then vanished as bubbles of magic power.
“Does this look about right?”
“Yes, Liza. I report the tombstone is perfectly vertical.”
We erected a memorial stone at the spot Nana chose to honor her sisters and Zen.
There were no bodies to bury beneath the monument, so from the loot automatically collected by the “Automatic Looting” function and left unorganized in the storage, we retrieved keepsakes of Nana’s sisters and Zen and buried them instead of remains.
“Nana.”
“I picked some flowers.”
“Please offer them to your sisters.”
“With gratitude.”
Nana took the flowers gathered by Mia, Arisa, and Lulu and placed them before the grave.
As she clasped her hands and prayed for their peace, the rest of us bowed our heads in silent prayer.
If only I had had the power I possess now back then… could I have prevented my sisters’ deaths and changed the future…?
When Nana finished praying, she looked at me.
Though her expression was hard to read, there was a faintly melancholic air about her.
“Master, I ask whether my sisters can be reproduced.”
Taken aback by the unexpected question, my reply was slow.
I checked the storage.
The equipment used to create Nana was damaged when the Torazayuuya Labyrinth collapsed. It resembled the Elves’ adjustment vats but seemed customized in parts. There were documents left by the Torazayuuya family and Zen in storage, but not all.
“I think it’s possible. But it’ll take some time.”
“Yes, Master. I request the reproduction of my sisters.”
A slight smile appeared on Nana’s once impassive face.
Looks like I’ll have to put in some effort.
â—‡
“Hmmm, I don’t understand the purpose of this part…”
Taking Nana’s request, I was repairing the equipment in the Boruenan Forest laboratory.
I tried to reconstruct by guessing the creator’s intent from the broken and surviving parts, but it was tricky and not going smoothly.
“Satou, isn’t that something to assist embedding the magic circle circuits?”
“No! That’s a support device to regulate magic power.”
“I thought there was a device for regulating magic power separately?”
“Maybe one wasn’t enough?”
“I recall hearing about multiple rectifiers during the observation of creating unit No. 8.”
“So that’s it! Let’s proceed with that angle!”
The Elves and Nana helped as assistants. Occasionally, research-enthusiast High Elves from the Buranan and Berinuan clans would stop by, voice their opinions, and leave.
“Snacks~?”
“For the tired brains, of course.”
“Mmm, honey candy.”
With a sweet aroma, the others brought snacks.
The researchers, deprived of sugar, rushed to the sweets.
We quenched our thirst with exquisitely brewed blue-black tea from Lulu and replenished brain energy with honey candy Mia had secured.
“How’s it going now?”
“Almost there, but I can’t get past this next part.”
I briefly explained the situation to Arisa.
I could produce homunculi almost identical to Nana, but simulations showed the logic arts circuit’s expandability and magic efficiency would be far inferior to Nana’s initial state.
I was reconsidering some circuits previously discarded as unknown or unnecessary.