"Phew... Well, lunch is finished and we've had a decent rest. Shall we go ahead and investigate the other door?"
Vel stood up, brushing off the crumbs of pie crust that had clung to his hands and clothes. Rei and the others, who had finished their own meals, rose in unison.
"Guruuu."
Seto, who had taken sole responsibility for guarding the perimeter, also got up from the floor.
It was a shared understanding between Rei and Elena that as long as they relied on Seto's sharp senses, they would almost never be caught by a surprise attack. However, on B5F—this apparent Undead Den—the overwhelming stench of rot had effectively neutralized the Gryphon's sense of smell. Consequently, while the party had chatted and rested after the meal, they had remained somewhat on edge. Fortunately, the lunch hour passed without incident.
"I have to say, though... since this door is directly opposite the empty one, I'm not holding out much hope for finding anything here," Vel muttered as he began to inspect the door for traps. However, his expression soon shifted. "Oh? No, wait. Scratch that. This might actually be something."
His surprised tone drew the attention of the group.
"What is it? Did you find something?" Elena asked.
"Yeah. Unlike the right-hand room we checked first, there's definitely something in here. It wouldn't make any sense to rig a trap like this otherwise," Vel replied, his hands moving over the handle.
His tone was light as usual, but the meticulous way he used his tools to probe the mechanism proved he was a worthy member of the unit led by the Princess General.
"If I move this like so... and since this part is just a dummy... there! Trap disarmed. Honestly, I've got high expectations for this room now. It was rigged so that opening the door would trigger a volley of arrows from inside. They wouldn't go to that much trouble unless they were protecting something important."
"...I just hope it isn't another dummy meant to mask an even larger trap, like the first room," Kyuste muttered.
Vel gave him a wry smile. "Give me some credit; I won't keep making the same mistake. I've already scanned the area around the door, and there’s no sign of a secondary trigger."
"I certainly hope you're right," Kyuste said, gripping his magic spear and remaining alert for any ambush.
Elena nodded, and as Vel pulled the door open, he prudently shifted his body away from the entrance just in case. When the door swung wide, nothing happened.
"See? I told you the disarming was a success."
As Vel had predicted, no arrows flew out, and no other hidden mechanisms were activated.
"Then you should have opened it boldly instead of cowering against the wall," Ara teased.
"Hey now, even I can't catch every single trap perfectly. It would be a disaster if I missed something, wouldn't it?"
"Yes, yes, quite right. So, what does the interior look like?"
At Ara's prompting, Vel peered inside. "It's a hit. Looks like some kind of laboratory."
"...A laboratory? This deep in a dungeon?"
"Yeah. It's likely the base of whoever has been targeting us since we stepped onto this floor. Whether it's a Lich or not, I can't say."
Listening to their exchange, Elena nodded in understanding and turned her gaze toward Rei.
"Rei, search the room with Vel. There might be a map of this level. When it comes to magic-related matters, you are the most knowledgeable person here."
"I don't mind, but..." Rei began, his eyes drifting toward Vel.
Sensing Rei's concern, Vel nodded. "Yeah, normally, finding a laboratory inside a dungeon would be bizarre. As long as the door is right here, anyone could find it. We aren't the only ones in here; at the very least, those adventurers we met on B3F knew about the undead on B5F, so they must have been here. Given that the group who found the Altar of Inheritance dived all the way to B7F, it's strange that this place went unnoticed. And if it were found, no one would ignore such an obviously suspicious room."
『That is because this place lies within the Back Space, tucked behind the normal dungeon space.』
The moment Vel voiced his doubt, the voice echoed in everyone's mind.
(Wait... it didn't sound like a physical voice. It's inside my head. Telepathy or Mind Speak?)
The instant the voice rang out, Rei threw himself into a combat stance, gripping his Death Scythe. Beside him, Elena drew her whip-sword, ready to strike in any direction. Vel, Kyuste, and Ara followed suit, weapons at the ready.
『Good heavens. To think such thieves would swarm in while I was away for but a moment. I cannot even focus on mine experiments in peace.』
The voice echoed clearly, but the speaker was nowhere to be found. Rei scanned the corridor with a sharp gaze, yet he could see no one.
"Show yourself," Elena commanded, her voice ringing with authority. No one appeared.
『Hahaha. Dost thou truly believe I would step forth when it is perfectly clear I should be attacked? I think not.』
"If you do not show yourself, I cannot guarantee the safety of your laboratory. Surely you have items of value inside?"
Elena leveled the tip of her whip-sword toward the room, but the voice merely chuckled.
『I possess precious things, yes, but think carefully. Dost thou truly believe I would leave irreplaceable treasures in a place as perilous as a dungeon? I shall admit the items in that room have a certain value to me, but for the most part, they are merely convenient. None are beyond substitute.』
Elena fell silent, considering his words. Kyuste, however, glared toward the source of the sound.
"We could always test that theory. Anyone lurking in a place like this is likely up to no good anyway."
"Wait, Kyuste," Elena interjected.
"Lady Elena, why?"
"I said wait."
"...Understood." Kyuste lowered his spear, though clearly with great reluctance.
Having silenced him, Elena addressed the Unseen Voice once more. "I wish to ask one... no, two things. Will you answer them?"
『Hmm. Very well. Thou art thieves, yes, but also the first guests I have had in quite some time. A bit of play is acceptable. If the answers are mine to give, I shall provide them.』
As Rei listened, he realized with a start that Seto hadn't moved since the voice appeared. Usually, the Gryphon was driven by intense curiosity, yet now it remained completely still.
When Rei looked at his partner, his heart sank. Seto was trembling, cowering against the wall like a fawn cornered by a predator.
(What is this?)
It was true that only a few months had passed since Seto was created through Beast Magic. Nevertheless, he was a Rank A monster—a Gryphon—equipped with powerful skills and high-grade magic items. Seto possessed enough power to go toe-to-toe with an A-Rank party like the Axe of the Thunder God. To see such a creature utterly paralyzed by fear was staggering.
(That means the owner of this voice is, at the very least, far more powerful than Seto. Fighting is definitely not the move here...)
Rei glanced at Elena, and their eyes met. In that single look, he knew she had reached the same conclusion. Her eyes, too, had briefly flickered toward the terrified Seto. Understanding that Rei had noticed the situation, Elena nodded slightly and spoke.
"First, we have been relentlessly hounded by undead monsters since we fell into that infinite loop. Were you the one who ordered them to attack?"
『Hmm. Thou couldst say yes, or thou couldst say no. I have commanded them to eliminate any who intrude upon my domain illegally. That is the reason they sought thee out.』
"Then you have no personal intention of being our enemy?"
『Now then, I wonder. Judging by the behavior of that lad just now, I doubt my claims of neutrality would be believed. In such a case, choosing to be enemies from the start would seem the more logical path.』
"I apologize for his behavior. Unless you wish for conflict, we have no desire to be your enemies. Our objective is simply to reach the Altar of Inheritance on the lowest floor; we have no interest in 'conquering' this dungeon."
『Ho. The Altar of Inheritance... quite a nostalgic name. Dost thou speak while truly understanding what it signifies?』
"Naturally. That is why we have ventured this deep."
Rei continued to observe their surroundings as the negotiation proceeded. Kyuste was still searching for the speaker with a sharp gaze, while Ara waited patiently for Elena to finish. Vel, having seen Seto's state, had clearly realized the sheer power of their unseen host and was likewise waiting for the dialogue to conclude safely.
『Hmm. If that is the case, I see no reason to force a conflict. However—though I say it myself—dost thou truly trust the words of one who hides his face and speaks directly into thy minds?』
"This conversation has proven you possess a distinct ego. As far as I can tell from your words, I sense no active hostility toward us."
『How young... and if I were merely masking my intent?』
"Then I should simply have to admit that I was a poor judge of character."
At Elena's reply, the voice in their heads suddenly burst into laughter.
『Kukukuku! Hahahaha! 'Character,' she says. I cannot recall the last time I was in such a delightful mood. Very well. In return for such entertainment, I shall promise not to act against thee here. Now, was thy second question regarding our current status?』
"No. I have heard that monsters in a dungeon are typically summoned by the Dungeon Core and undergo a form of brainwashing. Yet you possess a full ego and converse with us freely. Does this mean you are not a summoned monster of the dungeon?"
『Thou art correct. This dungeon possesses conditions that are ideal for my research. I have taken the liberty of crafting this Back Space and making use of it as I see fit.』
"...I see. I cannot fathom what kind of being you are, but it is a relief to know you are not an enemy of our kingdom."
『My, what a girl of iron will. It has been an age since I spoke with a human, and I have found this quite enjoyable. As a reward for thy company, shall I send thee to the floor below?』
Elena’s expression flickered. Exploring a mapless level while being stalked by tireless undead was an exhausting prospect.
(If the owner of this voice is telling the truth, we strayed into this Back Space through that Infinite Loop, which was right near the entrance to B5F. If he kicks us back out, we’d have to start the whole floor over.)
"That would be a great help... though I must ask: is it truly wise to let us go safely now that we know about your existence?"
『I believe the questions were limited to two, but I shall indulge thee. It is no trouble. Once thou hast returned to the normal space, I shall simply adjust the spatial entrance. It will be near impossible for any other to stumble inside. Furthermore, as I said, the tools here are not irreplaceable. The stairs to the lower level are now in front of the laboratory. Use them, and thou shalt find B6F.』
As the voice echoed in their heads, the group noticed a set of stairs that certainly hadn't been there a few minutes ago, standing just beside the entrance to the research room.
"This is..."
『I told thee, did I not? The stairs to B6F. Do not fret over the destination; I have connected them spatially to the normal B6F exit. It is no different than if thou hadst descended the stairs through the usual route.』
"...Then I shall offer you our thanks. We will take our leave now."
『Think nothing of it. It was payment for the entertainment. Farewell.』
"Wait, please! If you would, I should like to know your name. I am Elena Kerebel, of Duke Kerebel's House in the Kingdom of Mireana."
『Regrettably, I have already fulfilled my quota of answers. Should we meet again, perhaps I shall give my name then.』
"...I see. A pity, but it cannot be helped. All right, everyone. Let's move."
Following Elena's lead, Ara, Vel, and Kyuste exited the laboratory. Rei was about to follow when the voice boomed in his head once more. Simultaneously, everyone except for Rei and Seto froze, locked in place.
『Ah, I nearly forgot. I had a question for the one who leads the Gryphon.』