Chapter 40

In the thick fog, Aichi and his companions took a step forward toward the great tree. Kam served as the vanguard, which was also a form of training. The Horyas were scattered around, searching for enemies. Carelessness is the greatest enemy, a lesson deeply etched into the bones of the Horyas. Everyone's expression was quite serious. However, now, bruises could be seen on all the Horyas, but this point was not delved into...

"Ouch~ It still hurts~"

Shia caressed her buttocks, crying, and had been giving Aichi a resentful look since just now.

"Your eyes are quite dark."

"Feeling depressed, it's too much. Shooting a girl's buttocks with a gun, there are limits to lacking common sense. Moreover, using such a high-level skill for no reason."

"Speaking of which, you were the one who seriously tried to hit my head. And when you ran away, you used the people around you as a shield... You don't have the right to criticize others."

A little further away, several male Horyas nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, the results of Miss Tsuki's education..."

"...Shia was educated by me."

"...I won't comment on that."

Tsuki, proud and praising, looked at Aichi. Aichi, using his well-trained skill of ignoring, averted his gaze. They chatted in a harmonious (?) manner for about fifteen minutes before the group finally arrived at the base of the great tree.

Upon seeing the great tree, Aichi's first words were:

"...What the heck is this?"

His tone was half astonishment, half doubt. Tsuki also had a subtle expression of disappointment. In their imagination, the great tree should have been a towering, lush giant, even larger and more vibrant than the one they saw in Fiarbergen.

However, the real great tree... was completely withered.

Its size was still about the same as they imagined. The diameter was so large it couldn't be measured by eye, roughly fifty meters. Compared to the surrounding trees, which were lush and full of leaves, the great tree had become a dead tree.

"The great tree had already withered before Fiarbergen was established. However, it does not decay. After withering, it has remained unchanged. Due to the nature of the surrounding fog and the fact that the great tree does not decay even when withered, it has gradually been regarded as sacred. Well, it's just that, so it's more like a tourist attraction..."

Seeing Aichi and Tsuki's puzzled faces, Kam provided an explanation. After listening, Aichi approached the base of the great tree. There, as Elfrik had mentioned, was a stone monument.

"This is... the pattern of the Orkus Gate..."

"...Yeah, the same pattern."

The stone monument was heptagonal, with seven different patterns carved at each vertex, identical to those on the door in Orkus's room. After confirming this, Aichi took out Orkus's ring. The pattern on the ring matched one of the patterns carved on the stone monument.

"Sure enough, this is the entrance to the Great Labyrinth... but... what should we do next?"

Aichi tapped the trunk of the great tree a few times, but of course, nothing changed. When he asked Kam and the others if they knew anything, the answer was no. He had also heard the oral traditions from Elfrik, but there was nothing about the entrance to the labyrinth. Of course, there was a possibility that he was hiding something, but should they quickly go to collect a debt? Aichi began to worry.

At this moment, Tsuki, who was carefully examining the stone monument, spoke up.

"Aichi... look at this."

"Huh? What is it?"

Tsuki was looking at the back of the stone monument. There, corresponding to the seven patterns on the front, were seven small indentations.

"This is..."

Aichi inserted the Orkus ring he was holding into the indentation corresponding to the Orkus pattern on the front.

Then... the stone monument emitted a faint light.

Noticing something had happened, the Horyas, who were on guard, gathered around. After a while, the light from the stone monument gradually subsided, and then some text began to appear. It read:

【Four Proofs】

【Power of Regeneration】

【Weaver of Bonds】

【Those who possess all of the above will have the path to a new trial opened】

"...What does this mean?"

"...Four proofs... probably, the proofs from other labyrinths?"

"...Power of Regeneration and Weaver of Bonds?"

Shia, who was racking her brain, answered Aichi.

"Um~ Weaver of Bonds, isn't that... whether one can obtain a guide from the Yaman? Yaman generally do not leave the Tree Sea, and it is an exceptional case for humans like you to have a Yaman as a guide in the Tree Sea."

"...I see. That makes sense."

"...And regeneration... me?"

Tsuki thought of her innate magic, 【Auto Regeneration】, and pointed at herself. She tried to slightly cut her finger, activating 【Auto Regeneration】 while touching the stone monument and the great tree... but there was no special change.

"Hmm... seems I was wrong."

"...Um~ withered tree... Power of Regeneration... at least four proofs... Could it be that to start conquering here, one must conquer more than half of the seven great labyrinths and obtain a divine magic related to regeneration?"

Must we regenerate this withered tree in front of us? Aichi speculated. Tsuki also nodded in agreement.

"Damn. We can't start conquering now... troublesome, we have to start from other labyrinths..."

"Um..."

Having come this far, Aichi gritted his teeth in frustration. Tsuki also felt regret. However, without knowing how to enter the Great Labyrinth, it was pointless to be disheartened or worried. Changing his mood, he decided to first obtain three more proofs.

Aichi gathered the Horyas.

"As you heard, we will now aim to conquer other great labyrinths. The agreement to protect you until we brought you to the great tree has been fulfilled. You, the Horyas, can survive in this Tree Sea even without the protection of Fiarbergen. Therefore, we part ways here."

Then, he quickly glanced at Shia. The intention in that glance was to say any remaining farewell words now. Shia accurately read Aichi's intention. Although they would return, conquering three great labyrinths would take some time, and they wouldn't be able to see their families for a while.

Shia nodded and took a step forward, addressing Kam and the others.

"Back then, 'BOSS! I have something to say!'... Hey, Father? It's my turn now..."

Ignoring Shia's words, Kam took a step forward. He stood straight and still. On the side, "Father? Wait, Father?" Shia called out. But Kam, like a British guard, looked straight ahead, not even glancing at Shia.

"Ah~ What is it?"

Aichi, ignoring Shia's calls of "Father? Father?", asked Kam. Kam, ignoring Shia as if she didn't exist, and with a determined look, conveyed the collective will of the Horyas.

"BOSS, we also wish to follow you. Please give us orders!"

"Hey! Father, you also want to go with Mr. Aichi!?"

Kam's words shocked Shia. Ten days ago, the atmosphere was like sending a daughter off to marriage, but now, what had suddenly changed!?

"We, the Horyas, are no longer the Horyas of the past! We are BOSS's subordinates! No matter what, let us follow! This is the unanimous decision of the clan!"

"Wait, Father! I didn't hear about this! If it's so easy to get permission, what was the point of my hard work..."

"To be honest, Shia is quite enviable!"

"To be honest, what? What are you being honest about! Really, what happened in these ten days!"

Kam loudly proclaimed the unanimous decision of the clan. Aichi, ignoring Shia's complaints, thought about the current situation and immediately responded.

"Rejected."

"Why!?"

Hearing Aichi's overly simple response, Kam leaned forward, demanding a reason. The other Horyas quickly approached Aichi.

"Because you would be a hindrance, of course, damn it."

"But!"

"Don't get too cocky. You're still 180 days away from joining my journey!"

"180 days, specifically!?"

Although they found it hard to accept, Kam and the others still couldn't give up. In the end, they even said they would follow without permission. It seemed that due to training similar to that of a drill sergeant (......), they had developed a subtle sense of trust and respect for Aichi. If this continued, they would really follow him to the town and cause a commotion... with no other choice, Aichi proposed a condition.

"Then, this. You continue training here. When I come to the Tree Sea next time, I might consider making you my subordinates."

"...Is that a lie?"

"No, no, why would it be?"

"If it's a lie, we'll run to the center of a human city, loudly proclaim BOSS's name, and establish a new religion, worshiping you as the founder."

"You, you guys, are really bad..."

"Of course, because we are the proud subordinates of BOSS."

They had become very determined subordinates? Aichi's cheeks twitched in pain. Tsuki, as if comforting Aichi, lightly patted his arm. Aichi sighed, thinking about how troublesome it would be when he came to the Tree Sea next time.

"Grr, no one is paying attention to me... It's the day of departure, you know..."

On the side, Shia squatted on the ground, writing the character の, but no one noticed her.

～～～～～～～

Kam and the others accompanied them to the edge of the Tree Sea, and then Aichi, Tsuki, and Shia rode the magic-powered motorcycle across the plain again. The order was Tsuki, Aichi, and Shia, the same as before. Compared to when they were in the Laizan Grand Canyon, Aichi noticed that Shia seemed to be clinging closer, but he forcibly ignored it. If he reacted, Tsuki, who was in front, would immediately notice. (Note: Where is the reaction?)

Shia asked over Aichi's shoulder.

"Mr. Aichi. Speaking of which, I haven't heard where our destination is."

"Huh? I didn't say?"

"I haven't heard!"

"...I know."

Tsuki seemed quite pleased, and Shia protested.

"I, I am also a companion, so please tell me! Communication is important!"

"There's no harm in that. This time, our destination is the Laizan Grand Canyon."

"The Laizan Grand Canyon?"

After Aichi mentioned the destination, Shia looked puzzled. Now, among the seven confirmed great labyrinths, excluding the 【Haltina Tree Sea】, the remaining ones were the 【Great Volcano in the Gurun Desert】 and the 【Ice Cave in the Shuni Snowfield】. Shia thought that to ensure success, the destination should be one of these two. Sensing her doubt, Aichi explained his intentions. (Note: Previously, it was mentioned that the 【Ice Cave】 was uncertain, but now it is confirmed, possibly due to information known only to the Yaman.)

"Rumor has it that the Laizan Grand Canyon is also one of the seven great labyrinths. The Shuni Snowfield is part of the territory of the Demon Kingdom, so it's quite troublesome. It's better to aim for the Great Volcano, but since the Great Volcano is in the Western Continent, it would be convenient to pass through the Laizan Grand Canyon, which spans east to west, on the way to the Western Continent. We might discover the entrance to the labyrinth along the way, right?"

"Passing through the Laizan Grand Canyon..."

Involuntarily, Shia's cheeks twitched. The Laizan Grand Canyon was known as a hellish execution ground, and recently, it almost led to the annihilation of her clan. Mixing such a place with ordinary roads would indeed be unsettling.

Because she was clinging tightly, Aichi clearly felt Shia's unease and looked surprised.

"You, you should have a little more self-awareness. Whether it's the monsters at the bottom of the canyon or the ones around here, you can easily defeat them now. The Laizan Grand Canyon is a place where magic is released, right? For you, who specialize in physical enhancement, it won't affect you at all, and you can fully utilize your strength. In fact, it's a place where you can shine."

"...It's boring for me."

"Ouch~ That's embarrassing."

Tsuki also looked at Shia with surprise, who had tears in her eyes. Shia quickly changed the subject.

"Then, going to the Laizan Grand Canyon, are we camping today? Or going to a nearby village or town?"

"If possible, I want to stock up on food and seasonings. For the future, it's best to go to a town where we can exchange materials for money. I've seen the map, and if we follow this direction, we should reach a small town."

Aichi was tired of living a raw and primitive life and wanted to go to a place where he could eat proper meals. Moreover, for future shopping and lodging in towns, money was necessary. They had so many materials that they were starting to mold, so selling them for money was perfect. Additionally, before going to the Laizan Grand Canyon, Aichi wanted to find a peaceful place to do something he wanted to do.

"Ah~ That's good... I'm relieved."

Hearing Aichi's words, Shia looked relieved for some reason. Aichi, puzzled, asked,

"What's wrong?"

"Oh~ Because Mr. Aichi, in the Laizan Grand Canyon, you were satisfied just eating monster meat... Miss Tsuki only needed Mr. Aichi's blood... I was wondering how to convince you to buy the food I eat~ But it was just a worry. Mr. Aichi also eats proper meals!"

"Of course! Who likes, wants, or is willing to eat monsters!... What do you think I am..."

"A new species of vicious carnivorous monster?"

"OK, until we reach the town, I'll tie you to the motorcycle and drag you along."

"Wait, no, where did that collar come from! I don't want to wear that~ Miss Tsuki, don't just watch, save me!"

"...You brought this upon yourself."

In a certain sense, the three of them seemed to have a very good relationship, as they moved forward on the plain amidst the commotion.

After a few hours of riding, as the sun began to set, they saw a small town ahead. Aichi smiled, feeling a sense of "returning" as if he had just emerged from the depths of hell and looked up at the clear sky. Tsuki, in his arms, also showed excitement, surely sharing the same feeling as Aichi. Tsuki and Aichi's eyes met as she slightly turned her head, and they smiled at each other.

"Um~ I'm sorry for ruining the good mood, but can you take off this collar? Why can't I take it off myself... Um, did you hear me? Mr. A