There was only one difference between a labyrinth and a dungeon—the former was a part of this world, buried into the depths no light could reach, and the latter manifested through ’portals’ that were gateways to another dimension.
In other words, labyrinths were remnants of the past, whether recorded or forgotten by the present civilization of the Era of Eternal Conflict.
Standing in front of a massive trapdoor slanted and covered in dark stones, Kaya and everyone who doubted and seemed to have no choice but to submit to the whim of their new ruler who planned this expedition couldn’t help but send curious glances.
I, who received such stares, fixated my amethyst eyes on the trapdoor that was too old to even guess its age. But considering the historical records the True Hero, Alana Sol Astraea, had read after eradicating the cultists that possessed them, this place was roughly tens of thousands of years old, matching that of records of the Divinity Era.
Seeing a certain, unknown symbol that was engraved in front of the door, depicting an ancient history that perhaps no human could decipher in the present world, I steeled my resolve as I addressed everyone,
"Set up camps here, but do not be too conspicuous. Utilize minimal lighting of lamps and torches..."
I split the Raid Force into three—the ones that would enter this bygone world that no one had explored, the ones that would monitor the situation and guard this cave full of Soulshards, and a few that would wait outside in discretion for the arrival of the Food Supply Force and Backup Force.
"...Yes, my lord. We’ll secure the Soulshards."
"We’ll wait for the others to arrive."
"If there’s any sign of trouble, we’d come rushing in."
After opening the trapdoor, howling winds screamed as though it had been trapped for ages, and the ancient smell pervaded everyone’s nostrils—it was peculiarly satisfying, like the smell of old books.
With my commands already delivered and put into place, I eventually began my descent as I stepped on dusty and solid stairs, leading the way down towards this place washed by the sands of time, followed by the others I handpicked as a company.
Holding a torch in my hand, I carefully gazed at my surroundings. Waving the torch from one direction to another to see if anything was amiss, I gestured to the others, holding their own torches, to follow quietly.
’No traps so far... I wonder what this place used to be during its time.’ I couldn’t help but be slightly curious. However, considering the name of the labyrinth, I already had a few guesses.
The stairs of stones were zigzagged, and as we spiraled downward, it seemed as though we were in some tower structure buried deep in the Dark Forest.
"The way we’re descending... It feels like we’re in a magic tower...?" One of the four mages, Ruina, spoke what was in her mind.
However, the possibility of the ancient era’s architecture being different compared to today’s was never zero.
I dismissed Ruina’s whispering voice.
Recalling the detailed information written in the original story, Alana had read, albeit briefly, that the White Princess Labyrinth was—
"No, this place used to be an annex castle of an imperial princess, and we’re merely going down to see the ground."
My voice carried a hint of certainty. But as my rule that was engraved in their minds, even if they found me suspicious for knowing these things, they could not question the source of my unorthodox knowledge.
If I shouted to the world that I knew a place full of Soulshards and a labyrinth from the Divinity Era, I would be deemed a madman or even be tortured by the greedy ones for the slight possibility of truth.
However, seeing everything with their own eyes and stepping foot into the very place that seemed to be from the mere imagination that I once mentioned, both trust and fear settled in their hearts and minds.
’But I’m grateful to them trusting me, even if it’s blind faith and even if my methods are questionable.’ I muttered inwardly.
After descending for an indefinite number of minutes we could not possibly accurately measure, as the cold winds continued to send chills to our skin, we finally landed on a hallway filled with numerous dilapidated bedrooms with closed doors.
"Don’t touch anything yet."
The atmosphere was creepy, and that’s undeniable in this place of darkness covering every nook and cranny.
"Young Master, there’s one room open..." Beatrice’s hawk-like eyes worked well even in total blackness.
Hearing her words, as we glanced toward that room while pointing our source of light in that direction, some soldiers tensed and subconsciously swallowed.
No, it’s not the room that mattered.
After all, it’s a labyrinth from the Divinity Era.
Perhaps a lost empire that was erased from human history.
I gestured to the fifty men and women behind my back, leading the path towards that room in this vast hallway that was an indicator of a prosperous abode.
There were cobwebs everywhere, and dust was so abundant that with our every move, our feet left fresh traces. It also meant that this place was so out of the world that perhaps since it’s been buried, we had been the only ones to set foot in it.
Gently walking a few steps, we arrived at the room with an open door.
"It’s probably a noble’s bedroom," I whispered.
Since all of us could not fit into this bedroom, I ordered everyone to check every other room and bring back whatever they could find, no matter how useless they seemed to be.
I, Kaya, Yena, and two other soldiers remained in this room, while Beatrice and Yusbel, as well as the four mages, led some others to explore the other rooms.
We looked at the bed, a small one fitted for a child eleven to twelve years old. There was also a study desk, a miniature wooden round table with broken glasses, and a few wooden chairs.
There was also a window, but due to its location and current state, the view from the inside was blocked by geographical formations.
In all of this, I approached the study desk.
There, something that appeared to be a journal was situated, all dusted and alone.
’It should be fine...’
Thanks to the Talent: [False Dragon’s Physique] that was passively consuming miniscule amounts of pure mana, I could tell that there were no impurities in the surroundings.
After all, I couldn’t sense anything impure that would automatically be rejected by my body due to this [Talent].
That meant that any malicious and sensitive mana was not present, at least in this place.
I didn’t lift up the journal, just turning its page gently.
Even then, with my slight touch, the front page was already too corroded that it shattered.
But after the journal’s cover disappeared and was carried away by air that could mysteriously be in this underground labyrinth, the subsequent page revealed itself with disorganized phrases... In a language I could not comprehend.
However, as if the system I possessed sensed that it was necessary, the language was easily deciphered as the haphazardly written messages appeared to me in the form of a system window.
[Thirteenth Day of Y Month, Year X, Era of Black and White Divinity]
[The friend of Miss Yuridika is a good friend...]
[But sometimes, I can’t remember his face.]
[He only talks to Miss Yuridika about important matters... about how the emperor planned to kill us all??]
[But Miss Yuridika is a good person; why does the emperor want to punish her? Wh-what should we do? Should we just leave?]
[No... Maybe we should just kill ourselves...?]
[Uh, Uh...!? I don’t know what to write today... Just... Just how can we protect Miss Yuridika against the emperor??]
[Miss Yuridika seems mad today! She’s mad because he keeps showing his face... Huh? His face?]
[Again, I can’t remember Miss Yuridika’s friend’s face! I know he was there. I know we talked. I know... I know! No, I don’t know? Why don’t I know? Why? Why? Why?]
It was then that chills ran down my spine, and my hairs stood on end.
Realizing something that was part of the original story, though it was merely a possibility, my heart began to palpitate in horror... and strangely, in excitement despite the extreme dangers behind my epiphany.
’No fucking way that entity’s here?!’