This Time, To The Believed Path
Going Home

“Explain who you really are.”

Dean faces Forde and rests followed by another shadow but is soon stopped by Forde.

“Just go to the core.”

Dean and the shadow rise again.

“My greetings, Marquis Grandall. I am Dean and we were sent to supervise and assist you in the conquest mission this time.”

Forde frowned and the Purple Chain froze. They silently glanced at the commander fearfully.

Their commander doesn't like to be protected by others, everyone knows that. They could not imagine who would dare to doubt the strength of the commander of the Purple Chain.

But beyond their expectations, Forde did not show his sharp gaze to Dean and the shadows.

“I don't need protection from anyone. But your help this time is a big deal, so I'll turn a blind eye to it." Forde said calmly.

"Thank you, Marquis–"

"So who sent you?”

Forde immediately cut out Dean's words and did not cover up his dislike for Alphiella's shadow.

Amidst the pressure Forde was exerting, Dean clenched his hands to keep his composure.

“Excuse me, but I can't tell you.”

Forde noticed their clothes which reminded him of one of the leaders of the Five Pillars.

“Did Grand Duke send you?”

Dean strengthened his grasp.

“Sorry, I can't say it.”

"Huh..!"

Forde increasingly gave off an unpleasant aura to them. Before the misunderstanding formed, Dean quickly opened his mouth.

“Marquis Grandall. We have no intention other than the duty which has been given to us."

Dean immediately signaled a shadow to lead the Purple Chain into the teleportation circle

"Our task will be completed once you can safely return with the Five Pillars troops. We'll lead you."

Veil came up to Dean and whispered to him. Dean also showed them the same magic circle that had sent the Purple Chain into the room.

"This teleportation circle is safe for you to use. My members have checked it. If you're worried, I'll go with you myself."

"no need. We'll take care of our own business. Go back to whoever your master is." Said Forde coldly.

He turned to Faunt and Percival who were busy taking some of the crystal horns from the monsters they defeated.

"I'll leave some of those horns as payment for helping us."

"Marquis, it doesn't need–"

"I don't like being indebted, so take it. If you don't want to, leave it."

Without looking back, Forde and the Purple Chain went towards the teleportation circle and disappeared sent to the first floor area of the labyrinth.

Dean sighed and then stared at the shadow of Alphiella some of which collapsed after releasing their tension.

Their faces were pale and filled with cold sweat.

"Huwaa spooky…"

"Geez, I think the tips are just excessive…!"

"That tip is not just any tip..."

"I don't want to die yet…"

The shadow of Alphiella began to blabber about their first impression of the Marquis Forde Grandall.

Dean could only sympathize as he could understand their feelings.

'The Marquis is a very caring and gentle person. At least only for Miss Leana…'

Dean snorted and turned towards the half of the crystal horn that was still on the monster's head.

When he saw the crystal horn, a shadow of a person appeared in his mind.

Veil came to Dean's side and watched the crystal horn.

"Alscan will definitely be very happy with that crystal horn."

Dean grunts funny.

"really so. Even though this is something we shouldn't take, still we can't refuse the kindness of the Marquis."

Of course they would carry that precious and rare material. Who knows Alscan can make more sophisticated magic tools with these horns.

Dean turned towards the shadow of Alphiella who was trying to fix themselves.

"Then before returning to Alphiella, some of you will take the horn and others will take information about the monster and this room. Understand?!"

"Ready-done!"

***

When they opened their eyes, they were already in front of the labyrinth door. He made sure it was the first floor of the labyrinth as Dean had said.

Not long after, they heard a voice call not far from them.

“Marquis Grandal!!”

Forde turned his head and found the other Five Pillars troops coming to their place immediately.

Baron Zinesia also exclaimed.

"Where are you guys?! It suddenly disappeared and could not be found?! I thought you guys had–UGUH!!"

Eclipse immediately grabbed the Zinesian Baron and silenced him with one hand.

"Yup! Enough to get there. Welcome back, Marquis. I'm glad you're back safely." Eclipse lightly.

Forde just stared flatly at the Grand Duke's attitude as usual.

He stared for a moment at the struggling Baron of Zinesia and then opened his mouth.

"We were sent to a room with a giant monster."

"Monster–!"

"–Giant you said?!"

Call Margrave Santica and Count Vivaldi simultaneously. The two of them narrowly approached Forde as if trying to steal the first turn.

Forde hints at Faunt and Percival carrying crystal horns to show them.

"It's…"

"This is the crystal horn that the monster has. And this is only part of the end."

"ON THE END?!" Count Vivaldi cried enthusiastically.

He looked closely at the horn and muttered. "It's a pity…"

The count looked sadly at the horn. It seemed he was thinking of another part of the horn.

"So you mean... You guys managed to defeat that monster?" Ask Margrave Santica.

"really?! What does it look like?! What is their strength!?"

Count Vivaldi was unceasingly sparkling in every word Forde put out.

"Initially we fought it ourselves, but in the middle of the end a group of people came to our aid."

"Group of people?"

Eclipse sharpened his gaze.

"Are they enemies?" Ask.

This time Forde looked back at Eclipse.

"No. They just come and go uninvited."

"That means at least they're not bad people."

"..."

Forde looked at the smiling Eclipse as if trying to cover something up suspiciously.

"All right, it was a long time ago. Since we've made it to the exit, then we'll go back to talking about what happened in the labyrinth after we got to the resting point." The Margrave Santica.

"Right now it'd be better if we focused on getting back home." Added.

Given what had happened on the way to the labyrinth exit, they were now unable to lower their guard.

In contrast to Forde, his aura of tension instantly disappeared in an instant after hearing the words of Margrave Santica.

“True... I can go home..” Forde said. His eyes were slightly sparkling with pleasure.

Forde is looking forward to meeting his wife, Leana. He had missed her too much to stay in that place any longer.

Without a second thought, he became the first person to walk out of the labyrinth. No matter how outside there was still a snowstorm even though it was not violent before.

It took a few minutes for the Five Pillars in stopping the Purple Chain leader who desperately wanted to return to his wife's arms to walk first alone.

All of the Five Pillars troops could only be astonished once they saw Forde's attitude.

But because they immediately felt deja'vu, they also dismissed the feeling.

Eclipse only snorted looking at the behavior of the Five Pillars which was far more lively than usual.

Meanwhile in Alphiella, one week before Forde's arrival to Grandall to the Grandall residence, Leana gets a shocking report of her shadow.

“Mistress, we managed to find the labyrinth you are looking for.” he said as he put his right hand on his left chest. His gaze did not stop emitting a light of pride.

Leana put her stationery down and leaned herself on the chair. With a smile on his face, he felt impatient to immediately go to the place he had been looking for.

"Finally, a huge labyrinth has been found."