The labyrinth we arrived at was a cave structured like a typical maze.
Caves usually give the impression of being dim, but this one was surprisingly bright—probably due to the abundance of glowing ore.
It was a relief to have clear visibility without needing magic or magical tools.
Some labyrinths require spells or tools just to secure line of sight.
While walking, I confirmed there were no discrepancies with the investigation report Abel had given me earlier.
According to the report, the overall size of each floor wasn't particularly large.
In fact, it fell into the narrower category.
The preliminary survey had reached the seventh floor, but there didn't seem to be much change in spatial scale even at that depth.
Along the way, in addition to common magic beasts like goblins and orcs, rarer ones appeared too—such as the three-headed dog Cerberus and the venomous snake Poison Snake.
As I wandered at my leisure, I encountered a group of goblins.
It was unusual for magic beasts to operate in groups starting from the first floor, but the report had stated that no solitary magic beasts existed in this labyrinth.
"Just right."
I muttered to myself, then summoned Schwarzhause.
Next, I activated ki and circulated it throughout my body.
The goblins noticed me and charged.
"—!"
But with my body enhanced by ki, their movements couldn't keep up. In an instant, they turned into magic stones.
"Phew… Roughly equivalent to a triple buff, huh. For now, I've cleared the bare minimum level."
Thanks to training ki even during the carriage ride, I was able to maintain activation during combat.
I still had to devote most of my concentration to it, so I hadn't reached my desired level yet—but I could call this first goal accomplished.
"…Again?"
When ki is activated and physical abilities rise, the five senses sharpen as a side effect.
That much was fine.
But sometimes, when ki was active, I felt like someone was watching me…
It was happening again now.
It could just be that I wasn't used to the heightened senses yet, but an unpleasant, lingering unease remained.
"…No point dwelling on it. Right now, my top priority is learning to handle ki at a higher level."
After repeating combat a few more times, I returned to the Eddington Count family's mansion.
◇
When I got back, Abel was waiting for me.
The moment he saw me, he said, "There's a place I want to take you," and led me to a certain room.
"This is…"
What filled my view was an enormous number of books.
The room we entered resembled a study.
"This is my research room."
"A research room? Not a study?"
"Well, you could call it a study, but I prefer research room. My hobby is historical research. All the books here are reference materials for that."
"So many books on history…"
Compared to the library at Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky, the collection was naturally smaller—but that was only because the comparison was unfair.
Gathering this many books as an individual must have taken tremendous effort.
"Haha, that gleam in your eyes—you really are the same kind of person as me."
Apparently my expression had given me away when I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume.
Abel smiled happily at my reaction.
"Orun-kun, I'll let you read any book in this room. In exchange, I have one request."
"…A request?"
I wanted to nod immediately.
But he was a noble.
There was a chance his request could be unreasonable.
I couldn't agree carelessly.
"You don't have to be so guarded. It's personal. What I want is to borrow your knowledge."
"Please continue."
"Yes. Like I said earlier, I'm researching history—especially labyrinths lately. I'd like to hear your opinion on my theories. Opportunities to talk with a top-tier explorer don't come often."
It really was personal.
If it was just listening to him and giving my thoughts, there was no problem.
"…I'm not sure if I can meet your expectations, but if I'm good enough, I'd be happy to help."
Abel's face lit up at my reply.
"Really!? Thank you! Then feel free to read any book here! You can come and go from this room whenever you like!"
"Thank you. I'm honored to have access to such valuable books. Now then—shall we hear what you have to say right away?"
"I appreciate the offer, but could I have a little time? I actually just came up with something, so I haven't organized my thoughts yet."
"Understood. As long as it doesn't interfere with labyrinth investigation, feel free to call on me anytime."
"Yeah, I'll do that."
◇
After parting with Abel, I rejoined Twilight Moonbow and passed the time until Orville Eddington—the current head of the Eddington Count family—returned home. When the timing was right, all of us went to greet him.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Orun Dura of Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky."
"Likewise, Logan Hayward."
"Sophia Claudel."
"Caroline Inglet!"
"Luna Frockhart."
"You've come a long way. I am Orville Eddington, lord of the Reglif territory and head of the Eddington Count family. Welcome. Treat this place as your own home and make yourselves comfortable."
"Thank you very much."
"Now then—has Abel already explained my request?"
"Yes. We've heard the details. We'll begin labyrinth investigation tomorrow."
"Good. Sorry for the trouble, but I'm counting on you."
After finishing our greetings with Count Eddington, the seven of us—including Abel—sat down for a meal.
The atmosphere was friendly overall, but Rogue and Sophia remained tense the entire time.
Still, that was only natural.
In fact, Carol—who managed to speak politely while acting like her usual self—was the impressive one here.
Even Luna and I had been completely stiff the first time we dealt with nobles; we barely remembered what we'd said.
Seeing Rogue and the others like that, Count Eddington gave a wry smile and suggested, "Until you get used to this place, how about taking meals separately?"
Honestly, that proposal was a relief.
Forcing them to continue like this could negatively affect their performance during labyrinth investigation.
"N-No! I'm fine! I'm so sorry if I made you uncomfortable!"
Rogue panicked and apologized at the count's words.
"Rogue, calm down. It's okay."
I spoke gently to the near-panicking Rogue.
"Logan-kun, sorry for frightening you. I still have a long way to go before I match my father. When I suggested separate meals, it wasn't because I was displeased. My belief is that 'meals should be enjoyed.' Once you're used to me and the atmosphere here, let's eat together again. I'd love to hear more about all of you."
"Y-Yes…"
Rogue replied absentmindedly.
"Count Eddington, thank you for your consideration."
"You are guests in my home. I'm the one who should apologize for pushing too hard today."
"Not at all. Thank you for this valuable experience."
After thanking the count, I added more.
"These children are still lacking in many areas compared to other clan members—including etiquette. —However, in the near future, they will undoubtedly become central figures in Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky. That's why I wanted to introduce them to you before any other sponsor, even knowing it might be rude. If we cause any trouble, I will take full responsibility—so I would be grateful if you could watch over them warmly."
"I already intended to overlook a certain amount of rudeness from you all. If you shrank back too much and it affected the labyrinth investigation, that would defeat the purpose. But for the hero who saved Tsutorail to vouch for them so strongly… these children must be something special."
"Yes. You won't regret keeping an eye on them."
"…I see. Could you tell me the name of your party?"
"Twilight Moonbow."
Rogue answered firmly at the count's question.
"…I'll remember it."
◇
"Master, I'm sorry."
On the way back to our assigned rooms after dinner, Rogue suddenly apologized.
"What's with the sudden apology? I don't remember doing anything worth apologizing for."
"No… during dinner earlier, because of me…"
"It wasn't just you, Rogue! I was tense the whole time too…"
Both Rogue and Sophia looked dejected.
"I didn't say anything, and Count Eddington wouldn't have gotten angry or made an issue of it. In fact, I'm the one who raised the bar for you. You're allowed to be upset with me, you know?"
The words I'd said to the count earlier were sincere.
But for these kids, those words might feel heavy.
They could break under the pressure—but I deliberately said them in that moment.
I believed they could clear this hurdle without issue.
"No, getting angry…? I was really happy to hear what you said earlier, Master!"
"Me too! Hearing those words from Orun-san made me want to work even harder so they won't turn out to be a lie…!"
"Me too~! I'm gonna do my best to live up to Master's expectations!"
"I see. That's good to hear."
After the conversation ended and I confirmed each of them had returned to their rooms, I turned back and headed to Abel's research room.
There, without looking at the spines, I picked up one book.
As expected from someone researching history, it was a historical text.
The content seemed to cover events from hundreds of years ago.
(The age of fairy tales, huh.)
Fairy tales referred to the world's most famous story that even children knew—the Hero Saga.
While dramatized to be widely appealing, it was said to be based on historical events from hundreds of years ago.
I flipped through the pages, skimming the contents.
In summary, it went like this:
◆ ◆ ◆
Hundreds of years ago, the most evil magic beast in history—known as the Evil God—suddenly appeared.
The Evil God plunged the entire world into chaos in the blink of an eye.
Just when it seemed the world would enter an age of endless conflict and darkness, one man stood up.
With the help of his companions and fairies, after fierce battles, he defeated the Evil God.
For that achievement, he was called the valiant one… the Hero.
After subduing the Evil God, the Hero founded a single nation to prevent further chaos in the world.
With that nation at the center, the turmoil caused by the Evil God was quelled, and an era of peace arrived.
In his later years, the Hero was revered as the "King of Unique Abilities" and is said to have laid the foundation for the current age.
◆ ◆ ◆
After finishing the book, I returned it to its place, took out another, and skimmed through it the same way.
I continued reading until it was time.
◇
Late at night, when almost everyone in the mansion had gone to sleep and human presence had faded from the halls, I activated [Hide] on myself, suppressed my presence, and slipped outside.
I left the city and returned to the labyrinth I had visited earlier in the day.
Arriving at the relatively open space noted in the report, I found about three orcs.
They hadn't noticed me yet, since I was still under [Hide].
"Suu… haa…"
I inhaled quietly, then exhaled quietly.
Steeling myself, I activated ki and circulated it throughout my body.
I'd gotten this far without issue.
It felt similar to the dream I'd been seeing lately…
But back when I fought Oliver, it had gone even further.
Recalling the sensation from the dream, I spoke the same words the me in the dream had used.
"[Seal Release]—!?"
The moment I uttered those words, something inside me… vanished.
A sensation of my body becoming lighter—completely different from receiving a buff.
Everything looked different from before.
I fell into a sensation beyond words.
It almost felt like I'd been dragged into a world with entirely different physical laws.
"What the… is this…?"
Distracted by my own state, I was slow to notice the orc approaching.
Apparently [Hide] had been canceled.
(Oh no!)
The orc was swinging a club-like weapon down toward me.
I leaped backward on instinct.
"—!?"
I'd meant to jump lightly to escape the orc's reach, but in reality, I flew several meters back.
(So the gamble paid off. But getting a handle on this sensation might take time.)
Relieved that my earlier concern hadn't come true, I gripped Schwarzhause and turned the orcs into magic stones while testing my new sense of control.
My body moved exactly as I wanted.
Things I'd only dreamed of being able to do were now possible.
When only one orc remained, I took distance again.
Then I constructed the spell formula in my mind.
"…[Super Explosion]."
I poured mana into it—and a massive explosion erupted, blowing the orc apart.
I had effortlessly activated a top-grade spell I'd never been able to use before.
Amazing. Right now, I felt like I could do anything—
"No…! Don't get drunk on omnipotence…! Even with this, I still can't beat Oliver from back then. Don't be satisfied with this…!"
I muttered to rein in my rising excitement.
Calming my mind, I spread my awareness wide to search for the next enemy—and then—
"—!?"
An overwhelming presence struck my spine from behind like ice.
On reflex, I swung my sword toward the entity behind me—