Chapter 11

It should be about time we can see it now.

The narrow, winding road through the mountains continues for a while. After passing through the rugged, desolate rock formations, one of the mountains suddenly ends, and the view opens up, revealing the panoramic view of Termwill from a high vantage point and the vast ocean stretching behind it.

"Wow, wow! Amazing!"

"Whoa..."

The cheers of the Forest Birds can be heard from outside the carriage. I can't help but feel a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth, knowing their reaction is just as I expected.

"Theo! Grace! It's incredible!"

Lucian, excited, informs us from the driver's seat. When Grace and I peek out of the carriage window, we are greeted with a breathtaking view.

"This is... truly amazing..."

Grace, too, lets out a sigh of admiration at the scene. I can feel my heart lift at the sight, which I haven't seen in a long time. Honestly, I think this view of Termwill from up here is the best.

If this place ever gets its own travel magazines like in Japan, I'm sure the cover of a Termwill special issue would feature a photo taken from around here.

Termwill is a city with an almost perfectly circular outer wall. The first thing that catches the eye is the towering royal castle, Theorem, at the center of the city. Its silhouette stands out against the sunset and the sea.

Theorem is a building of such immense size and height that it is unparalleled in any other city. The imposing sight of its towering spires reaching for the sky overwhelms all who see it. The white stone castle is so majestic that it defies description.

Adjacent to Theorem is the temple that serves as the entrance to the labyrinth. Unlike the extraordinarily large Theorem, it is a relatively modest building... but it was designed to harmonize with the castle.

The city of Termwill spreads out around the castle and the temple. The closer to the center, the older and more elegant the buildings become, with many made of stone. Conversely, the further out you go, the more conventional the buildings become.

It is said that the castle and the central part of the city were originally part of the labyrinth, though the truth of this is uncertain. If it is true, it would be like using a ruin as is, but apart from the scale and decoration, the structure of the castle itself is coherent. By "coherent," I mean it has not been transformed into a labyrinth.

"I've heard about it, but it's amazing."

Forest Bird, it seems, had a fascination with the border city but had planned to build up his strength in the countryside first. So, this is the first time for everyone to visit the border city.

"That city has a labyrinth spreading beneath it."

"This place too."

When I add to Monica's explanation, everyone's gaze turns to me.

"Huh?"

"No, I mean, the road we're on now, the inside of this small mountain, and even that mountain over there, can all be considered part of the labyrinth."

"What, really...?"

The reason it's called a living labyrinth is that it not only changes its structure but also its environment. There are places where, despite being underground, the environment is like a forest, such as the "Twilight Forest" zone, which has a completely different ecosystem from the norm. There are also areas connected to the sea, but the fact that the lower levels are not flooded suggests that it is indeed different from the norm.

It is also possible to move between zones via teleportation, and the overall structure of the labyrinth is largely unknown. As a result, scholars and researchers are constantly struggling. There are even quests to accompany neurotic researchers on field surveys.

When trying to create a comprehensive map or floor plan, it becomes clear that the size of the zones is inconsistent with their positions and internal structures, or that new areas have appeared or disappeared that were not there before. Such occurrences are common, almost like ghost stories.

The reason it is called a border city and connected to another world is also related to this. The "Old Mines" directly below this place, for example, are a relatively low-risk, conventional labyrinth in the shallower levels, but the deeper you go, the more abnormal it becomes, and the more dangerous the monsters that appear. Exploration of the deeper levels is progressing very slowly.

"Sorry... I might have underestimated Termwill."

"The Great Labyrinth is different. If you go to a different level or zone, you can't return to the original place, so be careful. I assume you know that."

"There are one-way doors... right?"

"Not just that... all the stairs from the 10th floor up are one-way, and the one-way doors to adjacent zones are clearly marked."

I'm speaking from hearsay, but it's based on my own experience. I've read about this in books in my father's study, and it's generally considered common knowledge.

"So, how do you get back once you go deep into the labyrinth?"

Grace asks a very reasonable question. The Forest Birds seem to know this, but...

"There are stones called Transfer Stones scattered inside... if you use them in front of the stone monuments, you can return. If you use a red Transfer Stone, you can return immediately, but you can't bring back anything you picked up inside the labyrinth."

"The red one is for emergency evacuation, right?"

"Exactly. By the way, you can't bring a regular Transfer Stone out. Red Transfer Stones can be taken out of the labyrinth, which is why they are valuable. Many people die because they can't use a red one when they need to, so it's a good idea to decide in advance when to use it, considering various situations."

When entering the labyrinth, you can teleport to a floor you've already visited from the stone monument at the entrance, but a regular Transfer Stone will collapse if taken out of the labyrinth. The deeper the level, the higher the risk of teleportation. Therefore, Transfer Stones only function inside the Great Labyrinth, and you have to gather them on-site.

There are cases where you can't return because you can't find a Transfer Stone, or you get lost looking for one, or you get killed by a monster while searching... Unlike BFO, there is no respawning.

"Right. Let's discuss it later. I don't want to argue or die over such things."

Robin says, and everyone nods. If this is the case, the Forest Birds should be fine.

"Can Transfer Stones also transfer supplies from inside the labyrinth?"

Lucian tilts his head and asks, so I nod.

"Yes. You can draw a line with white chalk... and create a simple teleportation gate to transfer items. I think if you go to the guild to get permission to enter the labyrinth, they'll give you a brief training session."

"I'm not good at remembering such details."

Fitz frowns.

"I don't think it's that difficult. From what I've read in books..."

By drawing a corresponding exit magic circle outside the labyrinth in advance, you can send items to that location from inside the labyrinth. The magic circle can be drawn with ordinary ink as long as the diagram is correct, but it must be drawn by the same person to function. It's best if the entire party draws it.

Therefore, in the border city, there is a business like a rental warehouse. Some inns have rental warehouses attached, and the cost is included in the accommodation fee, but it is forbidden to draw a transfer magic circle in a room of an inn that doesn't have this service. Living creatures cannot be sent with a regular Transfer Stone, and there are other dangers to consider, such as fires.

"You know a lot, Theo."

"I studied from books."

"...Is there anything else we should be careful about?"

"Make sure to check the moon phase when using the entrance to teleport into the labyrinth. Avoid the full moon at all costs. I think the staff at the entrance will warn you, but..."

"What happens...?"

"On a new moon, the walls move, changing the route, but on a full moon, the place you are teleported to becomes a danger zone."

It's not just that the walls move; it's that the place you are teleported to becomes dangerous. In the BFO player community, it's called the "hidden labyrinth," but it's profitable in terms of earnings.

"Moving walls are scary enough."

"It's said that the changes happen in places where no one is watching, so it's not that dangerous. If you know the timing in advance, you won't get lost due to preconceived notions, and the structure won't make it impossible to escape. New treasures also drift in from the depths after a new moon and right after a full moon, so it's a good time to look for them."

There are no reports of people dying from being caught in structural changes or parties being separated, so it might be user-friendly in that sense... but the map is basically useless on a new moon, and if you use it, you have to rewrite it regularly. It is possible to take precautions based on the tendency of the area you are heading to, as similar properties and attributes tend to cluster in the same zone.

"Despite all that, it's said that up to the 20th floor, it's not that bad. It's a good idea to consider the presence of Transfer Stones when deciding whether to proceed further."

"Your assurance that it's 'not that bad' doesn't exactly inspire confidence, Theo."

"True."

Rude.

"What could this thing have been made for, and by whom?"

Grace asks a fundamental question.

"It's said to be a trial ground or a place to protect ancient treasures... but the truth is unknown. There are no records of the deepest parts, and no one has seen them."

The city was built around the labyrinth, and the labyrinth exists because of the city, which shows the resilience of humanity.

As I explain the ins and outs of the labyrinth, Termwill gradually comes into view. After descending a small hill and passing through the hilly area, we reach a vast grassland. A gentle road leads to Termwill.

Despite the approaching sunset, a long line has formed at the outer gate to enter the city. Given the size of this city, people can enter at any time of day or night, but it looks like the wait will be quite long.