This Time, To The Believed Path
The Labyrinths

"Haha, we've finally arrived." said Baron Zinesia with a smile, looking annoyed at what lay before him.

The magic labyrinth, unlike its name, has a shape as a giant tower made of piles of white bricks.

Inside there are many rooms with many paths that lead to various doors. When entering the labyrinth, everyone would agree that the first thing they thought of was a 'dungeon'.

The tower had ten floors and on the top floor at the most correct door, they would shut down the magic system which would later negate the monsters and traps inside.

Once completed, they will be guided with magic marks on each floor so that they can exit calmly and safely.

Despite having only ten floors, the difficulty level in the labyrinth would increase the more the floor grew.

Until now, the fastest time in conquering the labyrinth was six months and several days. The longest time is five years and two months.

In addition to the knights needed to fight monsters, witches were also required not only to solve magic puzzles but also to heal as well as help combat troops on the battlefield.

No one was considered useless, even the weakest person in the army would be considered valuable.

Due to the ever increasing level of difficulty, not only the quality of people but the quantity was also much needed.

Each labyrinth has its own difficulties. Although the Five Pillars had conquered dozens of mazes, they would never guess how long they would be trapped within them.

As the only way to get out is to shut down the labyrinth system. That is why once they enter, the choice to retreat will be abolished.

After being satisfied to watch the labyrinth, the Baron of Zinesia who had received the report from the Black Cloak also advanced his army into the labyrinth.

Without fear. Without rejection. Their columns have only one. It's heading for the labyrinth.

Once everyone entered the labyrinth, the door of the labyrinth would close by itself and the person inside could not open it except from the outside.

With the extreme weather due to the changing magic grooves around the labyrinth, not a single person was able to survive outside the labyrinth area for months or even years.

Sometimes even strange unexplained seizures occur if they settle out there.

"White wing, rest for half an hour. Drink the potion you've prepared and restore your magic mana." Count Vivaldi.

With that command, the White Wings rested and replenished their magic mana. Meanwhile the Black Cloak would scour every room they could find without opening it and the rest of the troops would guard the White Wing.

When the break is over, everyone gets ready. With the information gathered by the Black Cloak, they walked through the first-floor labyrinth.

From decoration to form, the labyrinth was just like the labyrinth they had encountered before. But somehow there was something strange on their minds.

It was as if something that wasn't supposed to be there was mingling and they didn't realize it.

At the first door, they found a magic puzzle engraved there.

The White Wing advanced to the front row and tried to break it. They looked busy while the other troops stood guard and watched them.

Various magic documents were issued and they tried various ways to solve the puzzle. After a while, one of them opened his mouth.

"Chairman, it looks like we have a problem."

The troops that were standing guard close to them instantly became a wast.

Count Vivaldi who had been busy with his subordinates closed the document in his hand and got up from his seat.

He felt the carving on the door, examining its shape with others. The White Wings fell silent and noticed their sedamg chief in a very focused fashion.

Not long after, he pulled his hand and searched for something from the pile of documents roughly. The White Wings swiftly picked up the document that was thrown at random by their chief before it touched the ground.

Count Vivaldi pulled the documents he was looking for and several times looked back between the documents with a magic puzzle at the door.

He began to try something and failed many times. Until the 20th try, with his hands that began to drip blood due to a penalty failure, the puzzle was successfully solved.

Everyone exclaimed in admiration and let go of their relieved breath.

“Get out your paper and pen! Take note of everything at that door. Don't let anything get left behind.”

“Ready chairman!”

Count Vivaldi stepped aside to make room for the White Wing troops in order to carry out his duties.

Sighing in relief, he found the three Pillar leaders coming closer to him.

“What happened?” Ask Baron Zenezia.

“I'm not sure yet but it looks like this labyrinth has puzzles with carvings and languages that have never been found before.”

They were all surprised. The labyrinth is a place full of mysteries, so it's not strange if they discover anything new there. But knowing that the new thing was discovered after 10 years, they began to worry about whatever was going to happen in the future.

“Then how did you break it?” ask Margrave Santica.

“Because the pattern feels familiar. It is the same as making the same question with two different languages.” explains Count Vivaldi.

“ Does that mean we can run the mission as usual or take longer??”

“I can't confirm it yet. But if it is true that puzzles only use different languages and carvings but have the same pattern, then we can handle it as usual.”

“Only...” Count Vivaldi stopped his words doubtfully. Just looking at it was enough to make everyone understand its meaning.

“Not to think about. For now we will carry out this mission as usual. For whatever time it takes.” said Baron Zinesia and he returned to his army.

The labyrinth is too full of mysteries and enough danger to keep them from breaking up their team.

The incident that occurred in the previous five labyrinths gave the Five Pillars a pretty heavy lesson. The plan to speed up the process of conquest was fatal and took a lot of casualties. Only one-fifth of the Five Pillars made it home safely.

Since then the Five Pillars made a vow to stay together despite having to take a long time in conquering the labyrinth.

***

Five days later, Eclipse came after them with a friendly smile on his face, but only the Black Cloak troops were happy to welcome him.

Seeing his comrade's unflattering reaction to his arrival, he became awkward.

"Aren't you guys cold enough to me?" His word.

"For a late person, don't you have no reason to protest?" Said Margrave Santica coldly.

"Hm! I can't dodge that!"

In the past when Eclipse had not served as the leader of the Black Cloak, all nobles respected him as he was the successor of Grand Duke Volfelance.

He is respected and respected by many people. No one even dared to speak disrespectfully to him.

The person of Eclipse himself was as authoritative as a true noble. He was quite admired and made an example by the nobles.

But when Eclipse made the higher-ups his associates, he who had a policy of being open to his colleagues immediately destroyed his image in public.

Those who know the other nature of Eclipse also give up on reality and really explore their role as his partner.

As a result, some of their shy conversations turn out to be non-formal and sometimes even a joke like a friend in general.

"Come here, I'll tell you about the next plan."

"Ah, that I already know!"

"Huh?"

Eclipse smiled while the Margrave looked at him in annoyance.

"Alright, alright. Where are we moving?" I asked, this time seriously.

Seeing the change in attitude, Margrave stopped his frustration and became professional. The two began to discuss their movements in the labyrinth.

"New monsters and magic puzzles?"

Margrave Santica. "This maze is not as difficult as the previous labyrinth, but enough to confuse us. This labyrinth is filled with things we've never met before."

Eclipse put a hand on his chin and thought.

"Is there anything to watch?"

"In addition to the anxiety of facing the unknown, nothing."

"What a weird thing, recently I also experienced something similar. Not about the labyrinth of course."

"Please save your private conversation for later, Grand Duke."

"Yes, yeah. I get it."

Eclipse glanced towards the Purple Chain who was busy with their own affairs.

Noticing his gaze, Forde came to them.

“There is something to convey?” ask him calmly.

Forde Grandall is a man who doesn't talk much except to talk about something important. Everyone knows that fact.

'I've known more or less his nature during being a fellow leader, but it's also not much different from what the public sees from him.'

Eclipse watched Forde closely. As co-leader, he could tell that he could trust Forde almost completely.

Like a calm lake. As long as no one bothered him, no problems would occur.

Recalling the meeting of the two in the castle, the figure of Marquis Forde Grandall at that moment opened a new information sheet for him.

Now the lake is not just a lake. Someone was already in the middle of the lake and no one could disturb him.

That's the Eclipse about the Forde Grandall.

Eclipse again put on his friendly smile.

"What do you think of this new monster, Marquis?"

"The "monster encountered was truly the kind never found before. I think at the moment their strengths are among those that we can easily overcome, but their numbers are quite alarming."

"Total... Yeah.."

Eclipse silently glanced towards Forde.

Knowing that this labyrinth was the last place for the Marquis, he could surmise that the strangeness they had experienced so far was only the beginning.

Something's gonna happen. I don't know why he was so sure about it that my hair stood up.

***

They continued the mission quietly and without any obstacles.

Their worries over puzzles with new shapes and new types of monsters slowly faded. The Five Pillars were back in their initial confident and courageous condition.

Unwittingly, they had set foot on the last floor, the last room, and then turned off the labyrinth system.

When the White Wing managed to fully confirm the death of the labyrinth system, all the troops could smile with relief on the verge of their fatigue.

Margrave Santica who watched the contents of the room also opened his voice to his co-leaders.

"I feel like we haven't been in the labyrinth for so long, not as usual." His word.

The Zinesian Baron who realized the intent of his comrade immediately turned his head towards Count Vivaldi.

"Count Vivaldi, this time how long will it take us to conquer the labyrinth?"

Count Vivaldi took out a clock-like device that showed a number. He fiddled with the clock before finally answering.

His eyes were filled with glitter.

"It's just amazing, it looks like we've just broken the fastest record." Count Vivaldi said in amazement.

"What did you say?!"

Baron Zinesia and Margrave Santica immediately came close to Count Vivaldi and watched the magic clock in his hands carefully.

As they had heard, only three months had passed since their departure from the Solfilyan kingdom.

Cheers amazed Baron and Margrave began to fill the room, making other troops begin to talk about the topic being discussed.

Forde and Eclipse only watched from a distance with their respective armies.

Eclipse only smiled happily, as well as the Black Cloak army. They did not comment much, but their softened views voiced their delight.

Forde was also happy even though he did not show it openly. He was relieved to meet his wife sooner than he expected.

He glanced at the Purple Chain troops who also looked amazed and pleased. They even began making plans to party on their return.

"Don't be too happy just yet, we haven't stepped foot out of this place."

Instantly the sound of Eclipse made the cheer of pleasure disappear. Their bodies slowly cooled and were hard to move.

They knew that it was just a small warning they used to hear from their fellow comrades to fend off the arrogance of a victory.

But hearing it from Grand Duke Volfelance who was usually indifferent to the situation changed all the meaning of the words.

They couldn't even look at the Grand Duke's bunches.

Scheregraff approached his commander and whispered something. He also nodded in silence.

The other Pillar Leaders approached Eclipse with astonished and solemn expressions on their faces.

"What's wrong? It's not usually you open your voice like this." Baron of Zinesia.

"Is there something you found, Grand Duke?"

Eclipse turned his head towards the closed door of the room and directed everyone's attention with his thumb.

"It would be better if you all saw it in person."

Some of them gulped heavily and watched the door they had last entered.

The door that should have been the same is starting to feel different.

"Scheregraff."

The deputy commander nodded and he and a Black Cloak opened the two-leaf door.

"W-What the fuck is this?!"