Was such a thing even possible?
We couldn't enter the Boss Room, and for the first time since I'd met her, Roxanne admitted she had no idea what was happening. My first thought was that this might be a precursor to the appearance of some incredibly powerful monster.
"Is there a monster around here somewhere?" I asked.
"Hmm... I feel like there might be, but... I'm not sure," she replied.
Even if she wasn't sure, that didn't help me much.
"Oh. It’s possible the Labyrinth has been cleared," Sherry spoke up.
I see. Cleared. That was a possibility I hadn't considered. If a Labyrinth was conquered, it made sense that the Boss wouldn't show up.
"Come to think of it, what happens when a Labyrinth is cleared?"
"When the final Boss is defeated, monsters stop spawning," Sherry explained. "Even monsters that aren't currently in combat seem to disappear. The Labyrinth itself remains for several days in a state where no monsters exist. During that time, you can't enter from the outside; you can only exit from within. If you use Dungeon Walk, it apparently connects to the entrance no matter where you try to go."
So the Labyrinth didn't just vanish into thin air the moment the final boss died. That made sense; otherwise, everyone currently inside would be in serious trouble. Instead, it stayed for a few days, just without the threats. That explained why Roxanne couldn't sense anything.
"I see. Then let's try returning to the last small room we visited using Dungeon Walk."
"Yes, Master."
I visualized a suitable room and activated the skill. It took quite a while before the black wall of the Dungeon Walk appeared. It felt like the magic was lagging, almost as if the system were bugged. I felt a pang of worry.
"The behavior of the Dungeon Walk definitely feels off."
"Since the spells of every party currently inside are being funneled to a single exit point, I imagine the process is simply taking more time," Sherry reasoned.
That was a logical explanation. If the Labyrinth had truly been conquered, this bottleneck made perfect sense. I decided it wasn't a major problem. Regardless, we couldn't stay here forever. We had to leave eventually. Even if the magic might stabilize later, there was no telling when that would be—and it was just as likely to get worse.
In truth, the very concept of Movement Magic felt like a bug to me anyway. I accepted it as part of this world, but I didn't truly understand how it worked. I decided to avoid using Warp for now. I didn't want to risk a malfunction, nor did I want to risk it working too well—like returning me to my house in Quratar but locking me out of the Labyrinths forever.
I took the plunge and stepped into the black wall.
A split second later, I emerged into the forest outside. We were in a corner of the woods where the Halber Labyrinth was located. Sherry had been right. The entrance was still there, perfectly intact.
The other four followed me out. Several people were gathered near the entrance.
"Michio-dono."
Gosler was among them and called out to me.
"By any chance, did you defeat the final Boss, Gosler-dono?" I asked.
"It was a young Labyrinth with only fifty floors; we couldn't afford to fall behind at that level," he replied.
So Gosler had been the one to clear it. As expected of the most elite party in the Harz Duchy Knight Order. It was an impressive feat.
"Well, well. Congratulations."
"Not at all. It was also thanks to your cooperation, Michio-dono."
I was just glad I happened to be inside when it happened. That was the real stroke of luck. Since the monsters had vanished and I was spat out at the entrance, it served as definitive proof that I had been exploring the depths. I had Gosler himself as a witness. If I hadn't emerged for hours, people might have started asking awkward questions about where I’d been and what I was doing.
Not using Warp had definitely been the right call.
"This Labyrinth has been cleared by the Harz Duchy Knight Order. We thank everyone for their cooperation!"
Another member of Gosler’s party was addressing the other explorers emerging behind us.
"There are still two Labyrinths remaining in the territory, so we cannot afford to relax," Gosler added.
"Right... of course."
I supposed I could just pretend I’d been heading toward one of those two from now on. I wondered which one I should prioritize.
"Because the Duke himself enters this Labyrinth, we systematically wiped out the monster rooms on every floor. The Labyrinth in Tale likely still has some nests remaining here and there. As for the new one in Bode, we plan to clear it eventually, but exploration there hasn't progressed much. The real work is still ahead of us."
One of the most terrifying things in a Labyrinth was stumbling into a small room packed with monsters. If the Duke intended to visit, the Knight Order apparently made it their priority to purge those rooms to ensure his safety.
"I didn't realize that."
Up until now, it seemed I had been benefitting from a safe environment without even knowing it.
"Gosler, it seems you've done it."
The Duke himself emerged from the Labyrinth entrance, with Cassia in his party. If Cassia was with him, then the policy of systematically purging monster rooms was definitely the right move. If it were just the Duke, I wouldn't have cared if he bit off more than he could chew.
"Yes, your Grace. Thank you."
"Oh? Michio-dono, you were here as well?"
"I was."
"You were quick to come out. My party shouldn't have been that far ahead of you."
The Duke stepped forward, effectively shielding Cassia from view. What an overprotective husband.
Come to think of it, I had used Dungeon Walk to exit immediately. Normally, as a mere Adventurer, I shouldn't have been able to use that skill. Parties without an Explorer were usually forced to walk all the way back to the floor's entrance.
"I happened to be nearby when the monsters vanished," I lied.
Well, I could always just let people assume Sherry was an Explorer if it came down to it. But there was another potential snag: the guide stationed at the Labyrinth entrance. Since I had warped directly into the Labyrinth, the guide wouldn't have seen me enter.
I scanned the crowd, feeling a bit worried, but I couldn't identify which Explorer was the official guide. Perhaps he was already gone. If the Labyrinth was cleared, his job was over. His priority would be reporting the news back to the Explorer Guild.
I likely didn't need to worry about him whispering anything to the Duke. They didn't keep a twenty-four-hour watch without shifts, and they were never there at night anyway. I could make the timeline work.
"Michio-dono provided us with assistance as well. I offer my thanks," the Duke said.
"No, it was nothing."
"If I may ask more of you, I would certainly like for you to continue exploring the Labyrinths in my territory from now on."
There it was—the terrifying proposal. I’d seen it coming, but that didn't make it any less problematic. I couldn't just nod and agree. I couldn't let him think I was someone who would meekly follow every order. I needed to firmly refuse to ensure he didn't view me as a puppet.
"Ah—well... Actually..."
"Is there some sort of problem?" the Duke pressed, his tone becoming slightly more overbearing.
I wasn't sure if he was being intentionally oppressive, but it felt like the next question would be a blunt "yes or no." It was intimidating when a Noble took that kind of stance. They looked like they wouldn't hesitate to lop off a commoner's head.
However, I had my party with me. Roxanne was at my side, and I could feel Vesta’s tall, reassuring presence behind me. I was fine. The Duke’s pressure was nothing I couldn't handle.
"Does Michio-dono have other obligations?" Gosler interrupted, stepping in to mediate.
Exactly. I had "obligations."
"Ah—well, there's a specific Labyrinth I wanted to visit."
"A specific Labyrinth?" the Duke asked.
"Y-Yes. Miria was looking forward to hunting Marbrim on the twenty-second floor. Also, I wanted to spend some time in the Quratar Labyrinth to focus on training. Rather than making the Labyrinths here my sole focus, I'd like to diversify my efforts."
I explained my "plan" to the Duke. I wondered if he even noticed Miria, who had been completely despondent since the Labyrinth's clearing. Did he not see her heartbreak? Did he not care? What color was his blood?!
Miria reacted instantly. "...Marbrim?" she whispered, her eyes wide and hopeful.
That’s right, Miria. Marbrim. That was the goal.
"If the Duke gives his permission, that is," I added, egging her on. I wanted to see if the Duke could actually say no to those puppy-dog eyes.
"Marbrim, eh? I believe that place was..." The Duke exchanged a few words with Gosler before turning back to me.
Miria was staring directly at him. Based on their exchange, they clearly had a specific Labyrinth in mind where Marbrim appeared on the twenty-second floor. The odds of a specific monster appearing on that floor were about one in eleven, so it wasn't surprising they knew of a match.
"If that is the case, I have no choice. I cannot force you. However, I would be pleased if you continued to visit the Labyrinths in my territory as often as possible."
"I understand."
"Also, I can point you toward a Labyrinth where Marbrim appears on the twenty-second floor. I'd like you to come to the castle tomorrow morning."
So he was going to provide a lead after all. Even with the caveat about staying in his territory, my request was essentially granted. "As often as possible" was just a vague goal, anyway. He hadn't specified when or where.
"If you are going to the Northselm Labyrinth, my lady-in-waiting knows the location," Cassia added, joining the conversation.
So the place was called Northselm.
"We can provide a guide from our side as well," the Duke offered.
"Is that so? Then Michio-sama, I look forward to your continued cooperation," Cassia said with an elegant bow.
Given that her lady-in-waiting knew of it, the Labyrinth was likely on land related to Cassia’s family.
"Ah. Yes. Thank you."
"If you just want to fight Marbrim, I think the twelfth floor of Bode would be much easier, but is Michio-dono also determined to pursue the higher floors...?"
"The people who seek true strength are usually like that," Gosler remarked.
"Hmm. I suppose so."
Well, great. Now Duke Harz and Gosler both thought I was some sort of battle-obsessed musclehead. I wanted to shout that Miria was the one who insisted on the twenty-second floor, not me. But I kept my mouth shut.
Actually, it made sense. It didn't have to be the twenty-second floor.
"Miria, would you be okay if it wasn't the twenty-second floor?" I asked.
"Twenty-second floor," she replied firmly.
She was committed. How reliable.
"I believe the twenty-second floor is the right choice," Roxanne added. "Against something like a Marbrim, it will be an easy victory with Master and Miria there."
With Roxanne on the team, I suppose "easy" was relative.
"At this stage, there isn't much benefit in exploring lower floors anyway," Sherry noted.
"I agree. I think we'll be fine on the twenty-second floor," Vesta said.
Vesta I expected, but even Sherry? If even Sherry thought so, then the mindset of this world’s explorers must be geared toward constant progression. In other words, the Duke was the odd one out for suggesting a lower floor.
So there was no problem on my end at all. This eccentric Duke was the one with the weird ideas.
"Then I will come to the castle tomorrow. Also, regarding the things I've borrowed... may I still keep them?"
That was a close one. I’d almost handed it back. I was still carrying the emblem of the Harz Duchy Knight Order. I rarely used it, but it was essentially a "Golden Ticket" that made things much easier within the Harz territory. Returning it might be interpreted as me cutting ties with the Duchy entirely. It was better to hang onto it.
"Indeed."
"It's fine. Please keep it," Gosler added.
You too? Even Gosler wanted me to keep it. I’d been given it by him in the first place, and I’d actually wanted to return it because I was afraid carrying something so prestigious would get me dragged into some high-level trouble. But it seemed modesty wasn't a recognized virtue here.
Oh well. I decided to take my leave before the Duke had any more bright ideas. I gave Cassia a polite nod and walked away.
"Since he's giving us the introduction tomorrow, shall we spend today in the Quratar Labyrinth?" I suggested.
"Yes, Master."
"That sounds like a good plan."
"Tomorrow," Miria added happily.
"I agree," Vesta said.
With no objections, I found a secluded spot and warped home while pretending to use Field Walk. I stopped by the house to grab my maps for the Quratar Labyrinth.
"Alright, Roxanne. Lead us to the Boss Room."
"Understood, Master."
I handed her the map, and she guided us through the levels. The Boss of the twenty-first floor in Quratar was the Bottle Mermaid. We’d fought them in Halber before, so we cleared it without any trouble.
"Next is the twenty-second floor."
"The monster on the twenty-second floor of Quratar is the Clamshell," Sherry informed us.
"So the Clamshell is what's left. Let's give it a try. Roxanne, find us some Clamshells."
"Right away."
With Sherry providing the intel and Roxanne leading the way, we soon encountered a group of Clamshells and Kettle Mermaids. Since both were weak to Earth magic, I was able to sweep them aside fairly easily with repeated Sand Storms.
"There seem to be a lot of Earth-weak monsters on this floor."
"Yes. I will continue to look for Clamshells and Kettle Mermaids for you," Roxanne promised.
I could leave that to her. Combat-wise, the twenty-second floor of Quratar was well within our capabilities.
"How are the crowds? Is it busy?"
"It’s significantly less crowded than the lower floors," Roxanne replied. "I'm not sure about the Boss Room yet, but as long as we stay away from the entrance areas, we should be able to fight without interference. Once we hit the twenty-third floor, it should be even quieter. Staying in the Quratar Labyrinth might be a good option."
If the crowds were thinning out, that was another mark in Quratar's favor. Depending on how things went, we might just settle here once we reached the twenty-third floor. My earlier excuse to the Duke hadn't been entirely fake.
As it stood, we weren't struggling with the twenty-second floor. Maybe it was time to start thinking about pushing further. The question was: how much further?
"Quratar is an option. But since we have the maps and can theoretically keep climbing indefinitely, it’s hard to decide where to stop."
"Is that so?" Roxanne asked. "I think it’s best when we have to struggle a little bit, so it shouldn't be that hard to decide. If we start truly struggling, we just turn back."
Your definition of "struggling a little" is what scares me, Roxanne. I’d prefer to avoid "mortal peril" if possible. The real question was whether we could actually turn back once things got ugly.
"That said, there's no point in lingering on the lower floors forever. We just have to make careful judgments," Sherry added.
She was right. Moving to higher floors meant faster leveling and becoming stronger. We were doing fine for now, but in a world with sudden accidents, injuries, and illnesses, more strength was always better. There was no need to rush, but we should keep moving—slowly and steadily.
"I'll do my best," Miria said.
"I believe we'll be fine," Vesta added.
I realized then that Miria and Vesta weren't the best people to ask for cautious advice. Sherry was my only anchor. If I put things to a vote, I’d be overruled three-to-two. I decided to stop taking votes and just rely on Sherry's input to make the final calls. Cautiously. Slowly.
We spent the rest of the day on the twenty-second floor of Quratar. Thanks to the abundance of Earth-weak enemies, it was a breeze.
"Alright. Let's call it a day."
"Understood, Master."
"Yes!"
"We're heading to the Imperial Capital next."
I ended the session a bit early. Today was the day the maid outfits were supposed to be ready. We had to go pick them up.
"The Imperial Capital?" Roxanne asked.
The reaction from the girls was lukewarm. I hoped they at least remembered the clothes were being finished today. Or maybe they secretly disliked the maid outfits? Were they just wearing them because I asked?
No, that couldn't be it. Vesta, for one, didn't look like she minded at all. She was standing there in the middle of the Labyrinth path looking as reliable as ever.
The one with the most conflicted expression was Miria.
"Ah—Miria, you can hunt Marbrim tomorrow."
I suddenly understood the source of her mood. Since we’d conquered the floor, she’d expected to hunt the celebratory "Whole Fish" immediately.
"Tomorrow!" she replied energetically once I clarified.
Maybe she’d worried that because our progress in Halber was technically interrupted by the clearing, she wouldn't get her prize. As long as she got it eventually, she was happy.
With Miria satisfied, I warped us to the Adventurer Guild in the Imperial Capital and walked over to the clothing shop.
"Welcome. Your order is ready. One moment, please."
The male clerk attended to us immediately. I hadn't even been given a receipt, yet he remembered me perfectly. As expected of a high-end shop. I walked up to the counter. I caught a glimpse of the back room as he went inside—there were racks upon racks of clothing. I was genuinely impressed that he could remember every single customer and their specific order. I certainly couldn't.
The clerk returned with a garment. It looked like a maid outfit, so there were no mistakes.
Wait.
In the back, I saw an outfit that looked like a traditional Uchikake. It was a white, overlapping garment that looked very Japanese. Like a Shiro-muku. I wondered if those existed here. Or was it just a robe? A bathrobe, maybe? It didn't have the long, swinging sleeves.
"Is that a gown?" I asked, pointing.
"I'm not sure," Roxanne said.
"Um... that is..." Sherry spoke up. She seemed to recognize it. As expected of Sherry. "It's a garment lent to candidates at the Priest Guild who aspire to become Shrine Maidens. It’s an arrangement of a portion of the Shrine Maiden Outfit."
A Shrine Maiden Outfit? That explained the Japanese look.
"That particular piece was custom-made for the daughter of a certain noble house who wishes to become a Shrine Maiden," the clerk explained as he handed over our maid outfits.
So it was for a Shrine Maiden. Come to think of it, Sherry had tried to become one once. She hadn't been able to get the job because her level was too low, so it probably wasn't a great memory for her.
"I see."
"If you were to order from us, we could provide a custom-fit garment made of soft silk. The training for Priests and Shrine Maidens often involves standing under cold waterfalls, after all. Our designs are stylish, functional, and fashionable. Quite a few people order them. What do you think?"
"Maybe if the opportunity arises."
The training for the Shrine Maiden job involved waterfall meditation. So that was a white garment specifically for standing under a waterfall. You’d go into the pool wearing that. It was white silk and didn't look very thick.
What would happen to a thin, white silk garment when it got wet?
...That was a viable option.
"The waterfall training at the Guild is performed separately for men and women. And they wear proper undergarments beneath, so there is no issue of propriety," the clerk added softly.
Was this guy a mind reader? He was good.
"I might be back soon," I said.
"We look forward to it."
I took the maid outfits and left. We warped back home from the Adventurer Guild.
"I'll go change right away," Roxanne said as soon as we stepped through the door. She already looked like she was ready to start peeling off her clothes.
Wait, wait, wait. Calm down, Roxanne. I knew exactly what was about to spill out of that outfit, but we hadn't even bought dinner yet. Then again, I was the one who usually got greedy every time we got a new outfit. My bad.
"No, wait until after dinner and after we've washed up."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
I managed to settle her down, went out to buy ingredients, and we had dinner. Afterward, it was time to enjoy the new maid outfits. It was glorious.
"Well then... could you please?"
Once they were all changed, I carried them to the bedroom one by one. I’d wondered why they hadn't just changed in the bedroom, but then I realized: this was the point. Roxanne’s rush to change in the living room was so I would have to carry her.
Of course, without a single complaint or a hint of hesitation, I carried them all. Starting with Roxanne and ending with Vesta. Even the large-statured Vesta was easy to cradle in my arms and carry. My daily Labyrinth training was paying off. She didn't feel heavy at all, and my back didn't complain.
My performance afterward was equally top-tier. Training every day had many benefits. To have them wear these clothes was a joy; to carry a woman in a maid outfit to bed was a delight; and to never tire atop that bed—well, was that not the true meaning of being a Sex Fiend?
The next morning, after breakfast, I headed to the castle in Bode.
"Hello."
"Ah, welcome! His Grace the Duke is expecting you. Please, come this way."
I gave a light greeting to the Knight in the lobby and was immediately shown inside. This was a first. Usually, I was just told to find my own way.
"I see."
I was led to the usual office. The change in treatment actually made me more anxious. It made me wonder if the previous casual treatment had been a mistake.
"Your Grace, Michio-sama has arrived."
"Let him in."
The Knight knocked, and the Duke’s voice answered from within.
"Excuse me."
"Oh, Michio-dono! You've come. Please, take a seat."
"Thank you."
I entered and sat on the sofa.
"Good work. You may leave us," the Duke told the Knight.
"Yes, your Grace!"
Once the guard was gone, the Duke came over and sat across from me. Usually, he stayed behind his massive desk. I realized then that Gosler wasn't there. That explained the formal escort—without Gosler there to act as a buffer, they were being more careful about security.
"Michio-dono. We don't know who might be listening, so I'll get straight to the point."
"Yes."
"Actually, just between us... I'd like you to stay away from the Northselm Labyrinth."
"Pardon?"
Wasn't that exactly where he’d told me to go? I’d come here expecting a guide, but this was a complete reversal.
"As long as it’s a Labyrinth other than Northselm where Marbrim appears on the twenty-second floor, I don't care where you go. Unfortunately, I don't know of any others myself."
"And why is that?"
"The reason is to avoid any... complications."
"Complications?"
Was it dangerous? Was it some sort of forbidden dungeon? Was it a place where death was guaranteed? Was he telling me to stay away for my own safety? I mean, every Labyrinth was dangerous.
"I would like you to understand it as such."
I see. "Understand it as such."
"Is that the official story?"
"Well, it's not entirely a fabrication. It is true that the twenty-second floor of Northselm is considered exceptionally difficult."
"I see."
"The deeper reasons beyond that... well, it’s better if you don't know."
"Right."
"I won't treat you poorly for this. I'm already considering a reward."
Usually, rewards were for entering a Labyrinth, but getting one for not entering one was a new experience.
"Well, if that's what you want."
"This is my own personal decision. I want you to remember that."
The conversation was definitely taking a weird turn.
"Does Gosler know?"
"He likely has an inkling. But I’d appreciate it if you didn't mention this to him directly."
"Hmm."
So even Gosler was in the dark. He was usually here, so his absence today was clearly planned. Gosler probably knew something was up. He’d either been sent away on an errand or told to stay away. Unless the Duke was incredibly good at lying, Gosler would be suspicious. But Gosler was a practical man who had been through a lot; he probably wouldn't go digging out of pure curiosity. And since the Duke was almost always with him when I visited, he could keep a lid on things. Hopefully.
"More importantly, I need Cassia to believe that you actually entered the Northselm Labyrinth."
"You want me to lie to her?"
"The Labyrinth is in a forest a bit away from town, so no one will see you. It shouldn't become a topic of gossip. No one should ask you about it. As long as you don't go out of your way to say you didn't go, there shouldn't be any problems."
"I see."
He wanted me to keep a secret from Cassia. He wanted me to lie. He wanted me to get my hands dirty for his scheme.
"And besides, once you move to the twenty-third floor, you'll be back in Quratar or our other Labyrinths anyway, correct?"
That was a strong point. I took it as a confirmation that I was free to go back to Quratar whenever I wanted. It wasn't all bad news. I’d likely never be alone with Cassia anyway, so keeping the secret wouldn't be that hard. Unless the Duke died. If that happened, I’d tell her everything.
"Well, I guess I'll make it work."
If things went south, it was the Duke's responsibility. That was my stance.
"I'm counting on you."
"I understand."
"In that case, it’s best if you leave before you run into anyone."
Was it really that serious? He’d told Cassia he would provide a guide to the Labyrinth. Was he not even going to do that for appearances? Did he not want me even approaching the place? Or had he simply failed to plan that far ahead? Knowing the Duke, that was a very real possibility. He’d promised a guide but probably didn't have anyone he could trust with the secret.
"Well then."
"My apologies for the trouble."
In any case, it was better to leave before I ran into Gosler, Cassia, or anyone else. I hurried out of the office. I made it to the lobby without being stopped. I took a quick peek around to make sure the coast was clear, then jogged out and warped home.
Safe. No one had stopped me.
"Welcome home, Master."
Roxanne was there to greet me. I finally felt like I could breathe. It was okay.
Come to think of it, this wasn't all bad. The Duke would probably be much more hesitant to summon me now. If I came to the castle and Gosler or Cassia started asking questions, it would be a disaster for him. I might actually get some peace for a while.
That might just be wishful thinking, though.
"Sherry, can you come here for a second?"
"Yes, Master?"
"I'm going to borrow Sherry for a bit. We're going out," I told the others.
"Have a safe trip!" Roxanne said.
I took Sherry to the Explorer Guild in Quratar. This was where all the Labyrinth intel was gathered.
"Sherry, can you find a Labyrinth where Marbrim appears on the twenty-second floor?"
"Um... didn't the Duke give you an introduction?"
"Let's just say things changed."
I wondered how much I should tell her. Well, it was Sherry; she could handle the truth.
"I understand."
She didn't ask any more questions and got right to work.
"I know Northselm has Marbrim on the twenty-second floor, but look for anything but that one. That place is off-limits for now."
"Is that so?"
"And don't tell the others which Labyrinth we're actually visiting. Let them think it’s Northselm. Keep this between us."
"I... I understand."
"I'm counting on you."
I didn't want the fact that we weren't in Northselm to spread. If it got out, it might eventually reach Gosler or Cassia. I had to tell Sherry because I needed her to find the alternative, but there was no reason to tell the others. I could have asked them to keep the secret too, but that would just be an unnecessary burden for them. Roxanne would definitely stay quiet, but Miria and Vesta might not realize how important the secret was.
Since we were warping directly inside, they wouldn't know where we were unless I told them. There was no need to broadcast it. If the Duke had actually provided the Labyrinth he’d promised, I wouldn't have had to tell Sherry anything. But knowing Sherry, she would have researched Northselm on her own and realized the monsters on the lower floors didn't match. It was better to be honest with her than to let her get suspicious.
I’d probably have to tell Roxanne something later, too. I didn't want any misunderstandings. It was better to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
"This looks like a good candidate," Sherry said.
It looked like she’d found exactly what we needed.