We continued to navigate the Room of Truth for a while longer.
Ryune still seemed furious. She walked a few paces ahead of me, her mind a relentless stream of abuse: Pervert, idiot, lowlife. While I felt genuinely guilty, the way her thoughts were punctuated by mental shrieks of Why did he have to see my panties...? made the whole situation incredibly awkward.
Along the way, we encountered monsters several times—mostly Goblins and Giant Spiders.
Each time, Ryune generously shared her knowledge. "That monster’s weakness is the back of its neck!" or "Aim for its eyes!"
I could tell that even though she couldn't fight, she was supporting me with everything she had.
(I hope we can regroup with Master soon. And when we do, I’m going to tell her everything Kiskacchi did.)
Listening to her internal monologue, I pushed forward as best I could.
"Ah."
Ryune suddenly came to a halt.
Up ahead sat something far more imposing than any of the doors we had encountered so far. It was a jet-black door, decorated with eerie patterns and wreathed in flickering, pale blue flames. It radiated an intimidation so heavy it felt like a giant clad in shadows was staring us down with its arms crossed.
(Something nasty is definitely in there... but we can't turn back now...)
She was right. We couldn't afford to stop. Nyau was waiting, and more importantly, we had to get out of this twisted space as soon as possible.
"It wouldn't be strange if the Boss was behind this one."
I shared Ryune's sentiment. Elsie had specifically led us to this point. It was only natural to expect a formidable enemy.
"Let's go."
Exchanging those brief words, I reached out and placed my hand on the door.
(I just hope I can get through this without having to use magic... I have to keep my secret safe, no matter what.)
Ryune’s mental voice drifted into my mind again. I could feel exactly how desperate she was to protect whatever she was hiding.
Ignoring the thought for now, I pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"You have done well to make it this far. I have been expecting you."
The moment Elsie's voice reached my ears, a chill ran down my spine.
Clad in her white maid outfit and bathed in the flickering glow of candlelight, she looked elegant, yet profoundly unsettling. The woman who had been toying with us this entire time stood there with a serene smile, acting as if nothing had happened.
Anger flared in my chest. How could she look so composed after jerking us around like this? But beneath the anger, a current of unease swirled. I needed to know what she was plotting.
"What do you want from us? Why go through all the trouble of cornering us here?"
My voice trembled, perhaps from the sheer intensity of my irritation. Elsie maintained her graceful smile and gestured toward the area behind her.
"Please, do not be so distressed. Beyond this point lies the treasure chest required to clear your mission. Once you obtain it, I shall release you all from this space."
I shook my head. It couldn't be that simple.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Fufu... of course, it will not be easily won. To claim the treasure chest, you must first defeat me."
Her smile deepened.
A cold sweat broke out across my brow. According to what she’d shown us earlier, she was effectively invincible in this domain. She had proven it by driving a sword into her own heart without a flinch.
"Tell me, do either of you know this story? Once, on a beautiful morning, a noble princess encountered a knight."
I furrowed my brow at Elsie's honeyed tone. What was she playing at, starting a fairy tale now?
"The two were gradually drawn to one another, eventually forming a bond so close it was the envy of all. The princess found happiness simply by being at his side. It was as if they were guided by fate itself—"
For a split second, I thought I heard her voice waver. There was a resonance of genuine pain in her words, as if the story were more than just a fable to her.
"However, one day, the knight met a lovely dancer. At first, it was a chance encounter. But slowly, their hearts began to align, and before anyone realized it, they had formed a special relationship."
Elsie’s eyes shifted between me and Ryune. I felt a calculated weight in her gaze that made my skin crawl.
"Why are you telling us this?"
"The princess was aware of it all. But she was so terrified of losing her beloved that she could do nothing but watch. Love, you see, can sometimes tear the human heart apart."
(This story is creepy...)
Ryune’s mental voice was trembling.
Elsie’s words felt like a serrated blade, slowly being pressed against our minds.
"Why am I telling you this, you ask?"
Elsie flashed a malicious grin.
"It is merely a love story. A common tale that anyone might experience. However—"
She paused for a beat, her eyes gleaming.
"I simply thought it was quite similar to your own situation."
She let out a short, sharp laugh.
What was she talking about? Similar to mine and Ryune's situation?
The meaning of her words remained just out of reach, like a shape moving through thick fog. Ryune and I had faced trials in this labyrinth together, but a dynamic like the princess, the knight, and the dancer? Nothing fit.
Elsie offered no further explanation, keeping her meaningful smile fixed in place.
(W-Wait... does she mean Master and Kiskacchi? No, that can't be right. Because I...)
Ryune’s confusion echoed in my head.
"I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but stop toying with us."
I let my anger bleed into my voice. Elsie merely chuckled.
"It seems you still fail to grasp your situation."
Her voice turned ice-cold.
In that instant, every cell in my body screamed a warning. It was a primal, instinctive alarm.
The next moment, an agonizing pain tore through me.
"Gah...!"
Fresh blood sprayed from my mouth.
Before I could even register a movement, a sword was buried deep in my chest. I could feel the horrific reality of cold iron bifurcating my flesh. But how? What had just happened?
"Kiskacchi!"
Ryune’s scream sounded like it was coming from miles away. The sheer terror in her voice felt like a physical weight on my heart.
The sound of my own blood hitting the floor was unnervingly loud. Time seemed to stretch and warp.
How... how did she do it?
I had been ready for a fight. I was prepared to read her every move. And yet, Elsie hadn't moved an inch—she was still just pointing her finger at me.
"Within this space," Elsie said, her smile bright and terrifying, "I am God."