Foreigner's Mistake

Book 8: Chapter 148: Steady Advance ~ 01

A high-pitched crackling sound echoed through the dark, stagnant space.

The innermost part of the ancient labyrinth is a large space with only one altar. In the center of the labyrinth stands a towering octagonal pillar of large red crystal, in which a man is trapped. Like an insect trapped in amber, the man in his late twenties, trapped in the crystal pillar, has no expression on his face.

The labyrinth master (dungeon master) is a substitute. I knew it. He's not here.

A man in a long robe muttered while looking at the beautiful man trapped in the crystal pillar. Just confirming what is obvious, such a tone of voice. The black robe completely covered his slender body of about 5 feet (150 cm), which is rather small for a man of the human race in this world, and the hood was pulled over his eyes so that his face could not be seen.

It is as reported by my hometown. I heard that there was a magic power tremor on the scale of a disaster at the end of the summer season.

A swordsman appeared from the shadow of a crystal pillar. About five and a half feet tall with a slender single-edged sword in his hand and clad in partial sheet metal armor, his appearance was that of a swordsman of many battles. His slightly long, dark-gray hair is slicked back in an all-back bun, and his face is streaked with scars that run from the base of his right eyebrow down to his cheek. His face is fearless due to his scars, but for some reason, it has a unique atmosphere that does not make one feel fearful.

The core, as expected, does not seem to be there.

From the other shadow, a woman dressed in a long black robe appeared. She was less than five feet tall, with jet-black, silky hair that reached down to her armpits and was carefully trimmed. Her pale skin and face, which exudes bewitchment, intelligence, and madness, make her a strikingly beautiful woman. Unlike the man in the matching long robe who wears a hood completely over his head, this woman does not wear a hood.

The man in the long robe cowered lightly at the woman's report.

It has been used, I guess. As expected

I don't want to be swept away by "as expected"

Well, that's true, though

Chuckling at the swordsman's comment, the man in the long robe stroked the crystal pillar. His arm stretched out through the gap in his long robe, is eerily pale. It is the same shade of skin as that of the woman in the matching long robe.

For now, let's gather some more information in the suburbs. And as long as a substitute has been appointed and this labyrinth has not been conquered, Leia-chan is still alive.

I agree with that, but I suspect that Leia-sama, the Immortal King, is not doing anything that could be seen by the public. It must be difficult to get information about her.

The Immortal Family, led by the Immortal King, is abhorred by those who are alive. The reason for this is quite simple. The last thing you want to do is to be touched by a middle or higher level of the Immortal Family, as they will absorb your life force and you will die. Even the less intelligent beastmen are said to have this fear engraved in their instincts.

Of course, this is not all. A vampire of higher rank or higher has immortality, a powerful soul, and several special abilities enormous powers that are not available to the living, no matter how much they wish for them.

They are feared, envied, jealous, and persecuted at the same time. Although they are powerful enough to withstand persecution, the higher ranks of the Immortal Family hide themselves in labyrinths and other places, simply because violence in numbers is troublesome.

The top of the Immortal Family, the Immortal King, is classified as an Immortal Family, but they were originally a human or an elf. They are a person who ceased to be living being through the Forbidden Art of Anti Soul. Their nature is different from that of other Immortal Family who is born with stagnant demonic power deep within their bodies.

But even so or rather, because of this the Immortal Kings are hated by those who are still alive.

There has never been a case in the past where a person who wants to master the art, does not want to die, or has become so for various reasons, has been able to understand those who are still alive.

However, among those here, the swordsman is a normal human being.

Yes. But there may be rumors of someone with an extraordinary soul. Granfeld-kun, can I ask you to gather that information?

Of course.

The swordsman called "Granfeld" put his sword on his waist and bowed politely. The man in the long robe nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze to the crystal pillar he had been touching all along.

The vampire who is currently the master of this labyrinth is not the original master, but a substitute. Nevertheless, if the vampire is defeated, this labyrinth will be liberated. So instead of defeating it, we responded by neutralizing it. It is too early to liberate this labyrinththat is what the man in the long robe thinks.

This crystal pillar was made by sorcery so that it would break naturally in another half hour (20 minutes). The man in the long robe is probably the only person in the world who can use this sorcery. It is such a unique art.

It is painful that Leia-sama has used the core of the Tower of Magic.

The time is not right. Really. If she had just shifted it one more season, everything would have been fine.

A man in a long robe responded to the voice of a woman, probably an Immortal Family, as if blurting out something. However, there was no hint of reproach in his voice. His voice is aloof and unaffected, and if one were to listen to it, it would make one feel fearful.

But you see. If Leia-chan succeeded in that art. If there is a summoned one, there might be an opportunity there.

Half an hour later.

Pakyin, The crystal pillar crumbled away with a shrill, high-pitched crackling sound. The crystal, which was supposed to be a mineral, gradually disappeared in a cloud of white smoke.

The master of this labyrinth, who has been frozen for a while, suddenly realizes himself.

He feels as if someone was here. However, it is impossible for a vampire of the highest rank among the Immortal Family not to notice something is wrong. In fact, there is no change in his surroundings, nor is there any change in his body.

Is it just my imagination?

The vampire thinks to himself and goes back into meditation.

He thinks about the girl who is his master, the one who goes out and never came back.

Satoru was dreaming.

It was a cheap, shabby, 6 tatami apartment with a toilet and a kitchen. It was the house Satoru had lived in before he was summoned.

Satoru was in his bedroom, and the voices coming from behind the sliding frosted glass door were those of Leia and Rico.

It should be strange, but it is a dream. He doesn't find it strange and accepts it easily.

Dressed in old jeans and a T-shirt, Satoru went into the room that served as the living room. Rico, Leia, Minerva, Liz, and Alice were having breakfast around the kotatsu.

Alice is saying something with a slightly pouty face. Liz intervenes to quiet her down, Minerva is laughing, Rico is making room for Satoru, and Leia is gently smiling at Satoru.

A happy scene.

Satoru felt the presence of someone in the bedroom he came out of, and when he turned around, he found Solor standing there somewhat absentmindedly.

What are you doing, you're over here too.

A yea....

But you were able to heal yourself to a certain extent with your physical arts, aren't you? Still, we'll have to wait 20 days.

Leia's assessment is accurate. It is possible to heal a broken bone with physical arts, but of course, it depends on the talent of the physical body and the amount of magic power. It can also speed up the recovery process, but it is not as dramatic as the Holy Arts.

A swordsman who can't handle a sword for 20 days is uselessIsolde was so frightened that she got down on both knees on the floor of the shack and hurriedly bowed her head toward Leia.

I-I am so sorry! I want to heal as soon as possible, so please, please give this fool a recovery!

Now. First, plea to our Lord.

Raising her head, Isolde looks back at Satoru with a world-weary face.

M-Milord, ......

I don't know. Ask Leia.

That sullen line means that Satoru will not order Leia to do it. The fact that Isolde's face turns blue when she thinks of Leia's cold attitude right now is understandable.

Isolde looks up at her with a small trembling body, while Leia gives Isolde a cold stare.

Le-Leia-dono ......, please, please heal me

Minerva seems to have been woken up by the bustle around her. She rubs her sleepy eyes and looks around curiously. Liz and Rico seemed to be preparing a meal as usual, but the sight of Isolde kneeling at Leia's feet was a bit tough to see so early in the morning.

Will you listen to me?

Of course.

Even Liz? Your position is the lowest of the low among the magical slaves. Age and former position have nothing to do with it.

Isolde bites her lip at Leia, whose voice sounds as if she is trying to persuade her.

I-I understand

The Holy Sword Clan, where Isolde was from, is a thoroughly meritocratic society. If you are better, it doesn't matter how old or young your opponent is. If you are superior, you are respected; if you are inferior, you are subjugated. It is the same thing. However, unlike the clan, this hierarchy will never be reversed in the category of magical slaves.

I can't act like a big shot, you know ......

Liz interrupted, as expected. It is not in Liz's common sense to act as if she were a grown woman when she is not yet an adult.

I'm just saying, for example.

After a bitter smile, Leia turned her attention to Isolde again.

You should know your place. You are no longer the head of the Holy Sword Clan. You are now the "Foreigner" Kasahara Satoru's lowest-ranking magical slave.

Yes. ......

You are indeed strong. Even without the Holy Sword, I'm sure I'm no match for you in the battle.

Leia's unexpected words made everyone turn to look at her. Certainly, Isolde is kneeling at Leia's feet, which is within sword range. Isolde would never do such a thing, but if she were to make a lightning-quick strike here, even Leia would not be able to stop her. With a single blow, Leia would be decapitated, and her head would be torn to shreds with no time to recover.

But you have learned that strength alone is not enough. Just like your fight with our Lord

Ughh, Isolde choked. The main reason for Isolde's surrender to Satoru is that she suffered a complete defeat in her battle with him. Not only the simple physical strength but also the fact that before her vessel, even with the Holy Sword, she could not reach him.

That's why I wanted to work by his side, and I also wanted to fight for him. I managed to get him to accept me, but I took advantage of that and now I'm in this mess. I was scolded by the first magical slave, coldly rejected by Milord, and I was already without a place to stay.

Leia sigh in front of the shrinking Isolde.

Good grief, what a hopeless woman. Let me see ...... Diagnosis (Diagnosis)

Leia's hand was lay over Isolde's right wrist. Since Isolde had not yet created the Life Force Absorption countermeasure equipment, Leia could not touch her. Leia's face contorted with difficulty as she closed her eyes to check Isolde's bones.

.....I don't need to tell you. What could have been cured tomorrow if you had just kept quiet is now a little distorted. ...... Regenerative Healing

Leia's hand shines faintly. The sound of bones snapping could be heard from Isolde's wrist. It is healing by advanced Holy Art. Although Leia uses it with extreme ease, a fracture that has been intricately disintegrated within the body cannot be healed so easily.

Isolde gripped her right-hand several times to check the feeling. The discomfort she felt just a few moments ago is gone.

Do not use your right wrist until the day after tomorrow. Swinging a sword is out of the question.

.........

She looked at her wrist with incredulous eyes and repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hand, while Leia sighed through her nose and hit her on the head with her favorite wand.

What's your reply?

U-Understood

Satoru's voice hit Isolde from behind as she hurriedly replied.

If you repeat the same thing again, I'm going to put a collar on you and send you to Sheryl's place.

Ah, auhhh... ......

The upset Isolde dances furtively. She looks resolute and sharp and beautiful, but she is completely ruined.

Pfft.

With a small laugh, Rico puts the pot on the table.

First, let's have breakfast. Isolde-san also eats first. Let's nourish our energy.