Elro Great Labyrinth Anomaly Investigation Unit ①

From the perspective of an elderly man

Scanning the assembled knights.

I swallowed the sigh I was about to let out.

If I let out a sigh here, my son would lose composure.

"Ah. Knights. Do you even know where you're heading now?"

My exasperated tone made the knights' faces tighten with irritation.

My son beside me visibly stiffened as well.

Ah, sorry. Sorry.

I just let the truth slip.

"An escort such as yourself should know your place. You are to guide us only."

"Ah. Is that so? Then I'll be stepping down from this duty."

"Go ahead. Find another guide."

"Is that right. That's right."

Just as I started to rise, my son struck me.

"No, no. Forgive me, knight. My father may speak harshly, but his skill as a labyrinth guide is genuine. Besides, due to the current popularity of spider hunts on the opposite side, labyrinth guides are in short supply. If we’re removed, we’ll need to check whether other professionals in the field are available."

This bastard.

He actually hit me.

Well, leave it to the skilled son then.

They clearly have no idea how much influence I wield in this industry.

If word spreads I’ve stepped down, the others will follow suit.

Did they come here without any research?

"Hmph. Fine. I’ll keep you around. Be grateful."

"Yes, of course."

Tch. What a hassle.

"Then, knight. When will you enter the labyrinth?"

"Immediately."

"Ah. So the provisions—food, antidotes, and the like—are already prepared. Quite impressive, knight-sama."

"Wait. Food and antidotes?"

"Ah? Are those not prepared?"

The son looks genuinely bewildered.

He knows full well, yet acts ignorant.

"Why would food be necessary for a mere survey?"

"Eh? But the location we’re surveying requires ten days of travel, doesn’t it?"

"What?"

The knights murmur in disbelief.

This one is truly hopeless.

Has he no knowledge of labyrinths at all?

How did such an ignorant fool end up assigned to labyrinth survey duty?

Not capable of anything useful—just tossed aside at random?

"Knight-sama, is this your first time entering the Elro Great Labyrinth?"

"A—ah, yes."

"The Great Labyrinth connects two continents. It serves as one of the few viable means of travel between the continents, replacing the seas dominated by the Water Dragon—nearly impassable by ship. Is that clear so far?"

"Are you mocking me? That’s common knowledge."

"Yes. However, due to its immense scale, the Great Labyrinth is said to be impassable without the guidance of professional guides. Those who refuse to hire guides have a survival rate near zero. Whether true or not, it’s said even past heroes attempted the Labyrinth alone and never returned."

The knights' faces turned pale.

Hah.

At last, they began to grasp the true weight of descending into the Great Labyrinth—heroes themselves had not survived.

The Great Labyrinth is vast and composed of countless branching, intricate passages. Once lost within it, survival is impossible. Even we guides do not know every route. Knight, do you recognize this?

What is that bundle of paper?

This is a map of the Great Labyrinth. Only a small portion, though.

What his son produced was the standard map used by upper-level guides—safe, shortest route across the continent.

The quantity alone warranted calling it a bundle.

Even the upper levels remain incompletely mapped.

This is the nature of the Great Labyrinth.

The location the knights are to investigate this time lies approximately ten days' journey from the entrance. Ten days to travel there. Ten days for the investigation. Ten days to return. At minimum, thirty days' worth of preserved rations are required; otherwise, retreat will be necessary en route. Ideally, an additional ten days' worth should be carried as backup.

The knights were dispatched this time due to an increase in monsters within a specific region of the labyrinth recently.

The investigation into the cause and the culling of the monsters—this lot will handle it. But judging by this pace, there's no real expectation to be had.

The district where monsters are proliferating lies directly along the shortest route.

Considering what comes next, it would be best if we could identify the cause and eliminate it, if possible.

What will become of it all?

"Moreover, the monsters in the Great Labyrinth are predominantly poisonous. Antidotes are mandatory. Also, light sources—preferably fueled by fire. If caught in a spider's web, setting it ablaze allows for escape. That is the rationale. Knights, I will prepare the list here. Please ensure supplies are replenished. I have arranged for spatial storage items as standard equipment for the guide. Transport logistics are under my control. Ah, also—would it not be advisable to send a letter to your families? The journey will be lengthy, after all."

Delivered in rapid succession, the knights could only stand in silent agreement.

This pace makes the future uncertain.

At the very least, ensure the letters sent to families do not become last wills.