What Eunice spoke of was an unsubstantiated hypothesis.

The labyrinth's floor masters grow stronger the deeper one delves. There are no exceptions to this rule. While compatibility with the challenger may affect the difficulty of defeating them, the innate magical power they possess invariably increases.

And yet, the fact that Ziel encountered such a formidable foe on the third layer was peculiar.

That was the beginning of the unease.

Moreover—floor masters never leave their chambers.

No one knows what sort of law enforces this, but that’s simply how it works.

Even the fearsome Orchestra, which had threatened their lives, adhered to this rule. Until the door was opened, there were no attacks from the floor master. Even mid-tier apocryphal beasts comply with this rule.

So how, then, could a low-tier apocryphal beast have emerged from the master chamber, transformed, and revealed its true form?

There was a hypothesis that could explain it.

"The third layer’s beast wasn’t one that lived in the labyrinth.

It was an apocryphal beast already unleashed upon the wild."

Magical beasts exist both within and outside labyrinths.

However, those inside labyrinths are generally far stronger. This is because magical beasts outside the labyrinths cannot receive the immense magical energy needed to sustain themselves.

Labyrinths are concentrated reservoirs of magical power.

They naturally form as special environments, akin to magical hotspots. Other than similarly natural magical zones or ancient ruins left by civilizations past, there are no other places where such beasts can thrive.

However, that is true only in the modern age.

In the Apocryphal Era—a distant time buried in sands and shrouded in ancient night—

Magical energy was far denser, saturating the atmosphere. Magical beasts roamed the world freely, as terrifying neighbors to humans and animals alike.

In that era, magical beasts could maintain their overwhelming strength even outside such environments.

When Ziel asked if such a thing could happen in the modern day, Eunice could only reply:

"In the worst-case scenario, it might."

"In reality, there’s an apocryphal beast right before our eyes. Creatures from history have emerged again as life-stealing predators. …If someone said the Apocryphal Era is being reenacted, we wouldn’t have much ground to deny it."

"Wait a minute. That’s an overreach. Sure, the third layer might’ve been an anomaly, but that doesn’t connect to all of that. And why now, of all times—"

"It was sealed."

The words came next from Lillia.

"There are missing pages in the Apocrypha."

"Missing pages?"

"Yes. Seven hundred years ago, during the Great Library Fire. Part of the original text was burned, along with seven first copies, as if it were all planned. By the time of the second copies, everything had become so vague no one could discern the truth anymore..."

But then,

"Now we finally know what the truth was. Rustie didn’t destroy the King of Ruin—he merely sealed it here."

"...I think so. This labyrinth wasn’t naturally formed. It’s a pseudo-labyrinth created by Rustie’s structure and the magical energy leaking from the sealed King of Ruin."

"Any information on resealing it must’ve been in those missing pages… which were either accidentally or deliberately burned."

With his limited understanding, Ziel tried to follow their discussion.

"So what are you saying? The seal is coming undone?"

"Yes, most likely."

"Most likely, huh..."

"But if that’s true, it also explains the door," Lillia continued.

"The door that only strong priests and magicians could open… its purpose becomes clear."

"...It was an access point for resealing, wasn’t it?"

"Maybe it was meant to teach that only those strong enough to open it could attempt resealing. …And when I teleported down to you, Ziel, maybe it was because I took a shortcut only accessible to such people."

"That’s absurd," Ziel said, raking his fingers through his hair.

"Everything—everything is conjecture. Maybe beasts can maintain their forms outside the chambers. Maybe they just go berserk. Maybe the labyrinth’s floor masters are inconsistently strong. Maybe my subjective evaluations of their power are flawed. And besides—"

Why now, of all times?

When he asked that, Ziel already knew the answer.

It wasn’t just the conviction in Lillia’s and Eunice’s voices.

His own intuition—shattered and rebuilt in that pure white snowfield as a child—whispered to him.

Your intuition tells you this is true.

As if destiny itself were speaking.

"It’s because the Rank has risen. I can feel it—the ominous magical power leaking from the depths of this labyrinth," Eunice said.

"I’m sorry, Ziel. I feel it too. I can sense Rustie here, and I know the remnants of what he left are fading away."

"...What happens if the seal breaks?"

Ziel asked the obvious.

"Of course, it won’t end with just this," Eunice replied.

"The apocryphal beasts bound by the labyrinth’s mimicry will all be released. Not just mid-tier ones. If the seal truly breaks, even upper-tier species we’ve never seen might awaken. No, they will awaken—and destroy us."

"If the King of Ruin wakes, its magical energy will flood the world. Magical beasts will be able to exist anywhere. Even those limited to labyrinths now will be freed. …Our civilization will likely end, just as the ancient one did."

That’s all the more reason, Ziel thought.

All the more reason to turn back now.

Such critical information couldn’t be entrusted to just the three of them. They needed to retreat and inform the kingdom and the world. They were strong, but not invincible. They should tell their mentors and gather allies. Arrogance would only lead to disaster.

It wasn’t something that had only just begun.

There must still be time left, they thought.

And yet, there was no way these two hadn’t already noticed it.

"…We’re running out of time, aren’t we?"

"The total solar eclipse is coming," Eunice replied.

"The day when magic power is at its densest. …It’s possible that the seal might break then."

"…Or, something might happen on the surface," Lililia added.

At her words, Ziel asked, "Something on the surface?"

"This town has a great cathedral. …I always wondered why it seemed unnaturally strong, like it had some specific purpose. But if that’s the case, it makes sense. It was a wedge to seal the Ruin King from above."

"…And you’re saying it could be destroyed?"

"I think it’s possible. If the cathedral is destroyed on the day of the total solar eclipse, the other three Saints definitely won’t be able to reach this town in time. The people there wouldn’t be able to restore the cathedral quickly enough—or at least not to the point where it could serve as a wedge again."

"Then," Ziel said, "you think there’s someone on the surface planning to destroy the cathedral? That the beast we faced on the third floor isn’t the only one unleashed?"

"Or, maybe there are followers of the Ruin King—not just beasts," Lililia murmured.

"For instance," Eunice speculated, "adventurers who’ve been sabotaging strong swordsmen visiting this town in advance, aiming to smooth out their plans when the time comes. …It’s not impossible, is it?"

Godach.

The image of that man rose in Ziel’s mind.

"Although," Eunice added with a slight grin, "that seems to have backfired on them. …Well, let’s get moving."

He stood, brushing the dust from his clothing.

"My sense of time is vague. …But if my memory and intuition are correct, the total solar eclipse will come three days from now at noon. I don’t know how many more floors lie ahead, but if we don’t reseal it by then, we lose."

"That’s right," Lililia said, rising as well.

Then she turned to Ziel, her gaze firm but kind.

"…Ziel-kun," she said.

"…………"

"You don’t have to be involved in this."

Unlike us, she continued.

"Eunice-kun and I came here with a mission… And without either of us, the Ruin King can’t be resealed. But, Ziel-kun, it’s fine for you to stop here."

Her face blurred in Ziel’s vision, but he could tell her expression was serious.

From here on, there were no guarantees of survival.

There never truly had been, but this was different.

If they were unlucky enough to face another floor boss deeper within, it wouldn’t merely be a desperate fight—it would be certain death if their opponent was a higher-tier beast.

"Thank you for bringing me this far.

"But really, this is enough."

He could tell these words were sincere.

They had spent nearly three months together, and Ziel understood that Lililia’s kindness came from the heart.

But even so—

"…Let me be selfish for once."

Eunice’s voice cut through.

"It’s pathetic, but we don’t have time. This is going to be an unbelievably grueling march. …Without you, we’ll never make it to the depths.

"I know you have no reason to fight. I know that, better than anyone. But I’m still asking.

"Please lend us your strength. Risk your life for this world."

Ziel suddenly realized that his hands were trembling.

How long had it been… since he’d felt this way?

Strangely, it wasn’t fear he felt first—it was something closer to nostalgia.

This labyrinth had been a journey to confront his own weakness, Ziel thought.

Here, he had faced the truth of how frail he truly was.

Without specially crafted lenses, he couldn’t even fight properly.

His prized sword proved useless.

He couldn’t just lose his own life—he had failed to protect the lives of his companions.

And now, he was trembling under the weight of what he was being asked to shoulder.

Why me? he lamented.

"…I’m just a guy who can swing a sword, nothing more."

And yet—

He was here.

No one else could take his place.

"I came here acting like some adventurer, but I can’t even manage a decent life for myself. Without my glasses, I can’t wield a sword properly.

"And," Ziel said, his voice steadying as he came to terms with the absurdity of it all, "I get lost so easily—without someone to guide me, I’d never find the sky again."

He would bear this strength, this burden.

Even if it meant surrendering to his own weakness.

"…Thank you," Lililia said.

"Are you sure?" Eunice asked, his voice heavy with concern.

"Yes. Honestly, I should be the one asking.

"Take me with you to the end."

Ziel stood, bowing deeply.

"And don’t forget—" Ziel added, his voice firm now.

"I came here to conquer this labyrinth, too."

There was a moment of silence, then—

"…Thank you. Let’s do this together," Lililia said.

"Of course! Thank you… Thank you, Ziel!" Eunice exclaimed.

"Likewise," Ziel replied.

"Thank you."

And so, the three young adventurers set forth again.

Their steps, though heavier and more deliberate than before, seemed somehow filled with hope.

"Which way should we go?" one of them asked.

"My gut says this way," another replied.