Almost there. I follow the presence and proceed cautiously.

It was a lot of work to advance through the gloomy labyrinth while avoiding the assailants. Even more so, when I had to do it while enduring the pain from Sables curse thats been tormenting my whole body.

I somehow managed to keep my consciousness that was on the verge of disorganizing from the pain. The labyrinth was really vast, with many hidden traps. What makes this underground labyrinth actually kind of difficult is that its 3-dimensional instead of 2-dimensional. There are secret openings and narrow passages here and there on the high ceiling and the assailants are also attacking from there. On the contrary, theres also a chance that at the end of those passages is what were looking for. If I didnt have the ability to detect the Night Crystal, I wouldnt be sure if there even was a goal.

The castle of the Mirage King was on top of a steep cliff. It would be hard to create a vast labyrinth in its basement unless you used the legendary space distorting magic. The multi-layered underground labyrinth mustve been the solution for that. Its not very convenient but Golems wont complain and well, ordinary undead wouldnt grumble about it either.

But, its the identity of this enemy Im curious about. Theres no way the defense mechanism from when Mirage King was alive would still be in place. As expected, too much time has passed and we should think that we fell for a trap.

If you think it about it logically, Its the Mayor of Dessend, the person who hired Mister Lazars group and revealed the existence of this place to Senri, whos the most suspicious. However, as I also felt earlier, this trap and the underground labyrinth arent something a human could make.

Senri was silent for a while after my question and said quietly.

The undead created by Necromancers generally cant use magic. Eh? But I can use it though? Besides, vampires do have mana. I only learnt small magic that could be used in everyday life myself, but its still magic. Besides, if I remember right, vampires are strong against curses and combat magic because of the enormous amount of mana within them. Senri answered my question quietly.

They only just have it. It might be the source of their resistance and powerful physical abilities, but it cant be transformed into the phenomena of magic. You are special.

I see. For safety, huh?

Necromancers are cautious. And the advantage the masters have over the undead with strong physical abilities and immortality is magic.

I did think that it was strange. The definition of the King of the Dead is a Necromancer that evolved into a special undead. Then, what exactly does that special mean?

Why isnt a powerful undead who grew through continuously evolving called the King of the Dead?

At first, I thought it referred to the undead who had special curses like Curse Steal. But that probably isnt the only condition. If that was enough, there would be more Kings of the Dead.

The answer to that is necromancy. When we first met, Sable saw me use necromancy and her expression changed.

Im sure the special undead are the undead that can use necromancy. And Im also pretty positive that ordinary undead cant acquire necromancy later in life.

Vampires are already resistant towards necromancy. Theres no way of knowing how long the authority of absolute orders will work on them. If vampires, who have all the time in the world acquire magic, they would also be able to take off the shackles that had been put on them. Theres no way their masters would allow that.

Yes. Intelligent undead might bite at their masters, so Necromancers limit their ability to learn magic.

I dont have those kinds of shackles probably because the Lord intended to use my body. With all kinds of fortunes overlapping, Im here right now.

I cut off the arrow released by the Golem with a clear sound. In the darkness, the poisoned arrow rolls on the ground. Senri says with a serious voice.

Thats only released for the most trusted retainers.

Ive already lost count of how many Golems Ive destroyed. Golems that attack in the darkness are neither strong nor weak. But thats only from my perspective. If these Golems teamed up and attacked the town, a small town wouldnt be able to deal with them. Im not knowledgeable about the Golems, but they would have to be quite a powerful spellcaster to create this many Golems and control them. In other words its a troublesome enemy, huh.

The longer they live, the stronger and smarter the undead become.

I dont like this. I dont particularly hate fighting. Its because it makes me feel alive. However, I like fights that I can win and Id like to avoid mortal combats like what Ive had until now as much as possible. If my opponent is both smart and strong, itd be different from the enemies Ive fought until now. I have Senri with me this time, but the enemy is taking countermeasures against Death Knights, so thinking about the worst case scenario, I mightve been more relieved if she wasnt here.

I wonder if even undead can learn healing magic. As I was silently pondering, Senri added.

Youre already smart and troublesome enough though, End.

I want to drink blood. Despite my looks, Im walking while enduring the pain. Even Im surprised at the fact that I can move this well. I feel like patting my own back.

It doesnt matter who the enemy is. I try and say it with a cheerful voice.

Lets resolve this quickly and go back to the inn so I can get blood.

This is my driving force. I glanced at Senris face and saw her sigh slightly.

This means its A-OK. Im suddenly more motivated. Its self-interested and when Im like this, even pain becomes somewhat enjoyable.

I slightly straighten my spine and walk faster.

Anyway, this is a really intricate labyrinth. No matter how wide it is, there should be a limit, but I cant seem to reach the Night Crystal thats supposed to be right around the corner. If the presence was behind the wall, I would destroy the wall to advance, but thats not the case either. Just how wide is this place?

Im still fine because I love miasma, but it would be a heavy burden for the Senri, a human, to stay at this place with hardly any oxygen for long.

I stop. Senri, who was following behind me while being cautious of the back, also stopped without bumping into me.

And I strongly slam Blood Ruler against the floor. I close my eyes. I ignore the pain and feel the sound, vibrations, the impact and the tremors in the air.

My sense of smell is the best out of my five senses because I ate Albertus, but its not like my other senses are dull. Its a hastily learned trick, but it has a high physical performance, so itll work out somehow even if I do it casually.

The information rushes into my brain thats writhing in pain. And I open my eyes.

How strange. This Labyrinth doesnt seem that wide.

I roughly know its structure. The paths are certainly complicated but its not wide enough to walk around for so many hours. No to start with, its absolutely strange that we cant reach the Night Crystal.

As I frowned, I heard a gruff voice in my mind.

The Labyrinth of Deterrance. There seems to be something something they really want to hide.

Its the Lords voice. The Lord inside of me is speaking to me. The Labyrinth of Deterrance. The barrier of confusion. Its the magic the Lord used to conceal his base.

If I remember right, its effect was to make the intruders lose their way unless they had guidance. Hmm in other words, we were made to walk in circles?

I was drawing the map inside my brain while enduring the pain. I was confident that I wouldnt get lost, but if theres magic involved, its all over. The Lord is useful sometimes.

Its no use, Senri. Looks like its the Labyrinth of Deterrance and it had a barrier of confusion.

!! I see We need to either break the origin of the spell or find a guide.

It is foolish to destroy the source of the barrier underground. It will collapse.

Its foolish to destroy the source of the barrier underground. Itll collapse.

Foolish I see.

Senris excitement slightly fell compared to before. Im not the one who said it. It was the Lord. But I also think that its foolish I mean, if the basement collapsed, Id be fine but Senri would die and if I was the spell caster, Id prepare a trap to bury others alive if the source of the barrier was destroyed.

Stop following the presence for the time being. Check the surroundings, End.

Looks like the Lord has something on his mind. Did the Lord, who always only appeared when I was in trouble and disappeared after saying something useless, have a change of heart? Since I didnt have any hints, I checked the surroundings as instructed by the Lord inside my mind. Perhaps noticing that my demeanor changed, Senri silently went along with me.

I open the door, climb the ceiling and check the stairs leading further back. There are Golems and traps everywhere. But as I thought, Im encountering Golems the most when Im getting closer to the Night Crystal. Im sure Id reach it easily if not for the barrier.

After a few dozen minutes of investigation, around the time when I was getting bored despite bracing myself, the Lord in my brain spoke up.

Hmm I see. As expected from the King of the Dead, it is complex.

Hmm I see. As expected from the King of the Dead, its complex.

Did you find out something?

Looks like The Lord in my brain sensed something that the clever Senri cant understand. The only thing I understood is the fact that it mustve been very difficult to create this big underground labyrinth. As I blinked and waited for the next line, the Lord said with a somewhat amused voice.

Fool. Just what have you been looking at? Have you not noticed? this underground labyrinth itself is a three-dimensional magic circle for rituals.