"Mom…"
The voice was small, timid, drifting from the cracked door behind the counter.
A little girl's face peeked out, just enough for her mother to see.
The innkeeper's expression softened instantly. She slid the sword behind her back, hiding it from view.
"It's okay now, sweetie. You can come out," she said, her voice gentle... different from the steel edge it carried moments ago.
The girl stepped out, her bare feet padding softly across the wooden floor.
Her gaze caught on the white cloth wrapped clumsily around her mother's hand.
"What's that bandage…?" she asked, her voice small.
The innkeeper smiled as if it were nothing at all.
"Oh, just a scratch. Don't worry about it," she said, waving her hand lightly.
The girl's steps grew slower, heavier, until she finally reached her mother.
Her eyes shimmered. "I was scared… he pointed his sword at you…" Her voice broke, and the tears finally came. "Hic…"
The innkeeper bent down, pulling her into a warm embrace, holding her close until the sobs quieted against her chest.
"Shhh… it's alright," she murmured, stroking the girl's hair.
"Will they come back?" the child asked, her voice muffled against her mother's clothes.
The innkeeper gave a knowing smile, her eyes flicking to the door the guards had stormed out of.
"I don't know," she said honestly. Then, firmer, she whispered against her daughter's hair, "But they won't touch you. I promise."
Her gaze lingered on the entrance, though her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Back to a black-haired boy with golden eyes, and the white-haired partner who walked at his side.
The memory tugged at her lips until they curved into a smile.
SBV won't have much time left here, she thought.
******
"Someone's slept well," I murmured, tightening my arms around Sera's waist from behind.
We were both riding the beast mount toward Drane's hideout.
Her back pressed against my chest, warm even through the layers of armor and cloth.
"Hmph!" She puffed her cheeks, pouting like a kid.
"I won't faint next time," she said, her voice soft but with a tiny spark of challenge tucked inside.
I chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, you said the same thing before." I leaned in, my mouth close enough to brush against her ear as I spoke.
Her body jolted the second my breath hit her neck.
"H-hey! Don't... We'll fall if you do that!" she warned, her voice a mix of fluster and panic.
But she didn't pull away.
I smirked against her hair, holding her just a little tighter.
"There's nothing here…" Lydia said flatly, staring at the dead end I'd dragged her and her unit to.
Sera turned her head toward me, one eyebrow raised. "Hey, Rune… did we take a wrong turn?"
I smirked. "Nope."
And with that, I hopped off the mount. Lydia followed without a word.
Red sparks flickered out of me.
"You guys really didn't notice the mirage talismans missing from your shiny little artifact collection?" I asked.
Before anyone could answer, I let my aura flare. Crimson spikes shot out of me, slamming into the dead end.
The wall rippled like glass under a hammer, then cracked and splintered apart with a satisfying shatter.
Lydia, of course, didn't so much as blink. Stone face as always.
"Well… most of the names Grig revealed did work in loot storage," she said. Her purple aura pulsed, smacking into the weakened wall.
The illusion peeled away completely, and a massive entrance loomed before us.
Sera tilted her head. "Is this… a dungeon?"
I shook my head, stepping forward. "Nah. A labyrinth."
"Labyrinth?" she repeated, frowning.
This time Lydia spoke up, her voice as even as ever. "Labyrinths are usually cleared dungeons. Monsters won't spawn inside them unless a new dungeon core forms… and then they become dungeons again."
She lifted her hand, a simple gesture, and all three units behind us dismounted in perfect sync, falling into formation.
Her tone cut sharp through the cavern air:
"The labyrinth is being used as a hideout by traitors. Expect traps and ambushes. Stay sharp and do not break formation. If you're injured, fall back to the medics immediately. It's better to return after treatment than drag your comrades down."
The three units bowed in unison. Lydia gave a small nod and turned toward me.
"I'll lead," I said before she could suggest otherwise.
"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice the same as always… but I swear there was a flicker of worry in her eyes. Or maybe I was imagining things.
Since when did I start reading emotions on her stone statue face?
I grinned. "Don't worry. My instincts are the best counter to traps and surprises."
She didn't look convinced, but she nodded.
"Though… I don't remember the exact locations of the traps," I admitted with a shrug. "But relax. They're not a threat to me."
Lydia turned back to her soldiers.
"Follow him."
The orcs tightened their ranks and marched.
I glanced at Sera, and she gave me a firm nod. That was enough.
I walked forward, every step deliberate, my confidence carrying me straight into the yawning darkness of the labyrinth's entrance.
A grin tugged at my lips.
This place… Drane will eventually use it to stash slaves trafficked into Sinclair Duchy.
Humans, Elves, Beastmen, treated like livestock. Not yet, though.
Right now, he's probably just running his other dirty little businesses here.
I sighed.
The sound of footsteps behind us started to thin out.
I turned around to see what the holdup was.
So did Lydia. Her serious face locked on the nearest subordinate.
"Where are the others?" she asked.
The orc scratched at her cheek, looking guilty.
"Oh… we sent some units to check for other exits and block them. And left a few on standby. The corridor's too narrow for a full crew anyway."
I raised an eyebrow.
Since when do labyrinths have multiple exits? News to me.
Lydia's eyes narrowed just a fraction. "It's a good idea," she admitted, voice calm but carrying that faint edge of irritation only a commander could manage.
"But tell me before you decide something like that. I'll need to adjust my calculations."
Yikes. I almost felt sorry for the poor orc. Almost.
That's when I noticed Sera. She looked… uneasy.
She shifted closer to me, like she was already planning to leap in front of me the second anything went wrong. Which, knowing my luck, meant something definitely was going to go wrong.
Lydia gave me a single nod, her way of saying get moving.
I turned back to keep leading.
Lydia and Sera kept close, walking at my sides, while a handful of orcs, probably the captains and vice-captains, trailed behind.
After some time, we found wooden torches fixed along the labyrinth walls. Their flickering light cast long, creepy shadows.
"That's strange…" Lydia muttered, her purple aura humming faintly. "Why are there no traps in the dark?"
I frowned. She's right.
"I don't know. Back when I came here with Tugnier in my last life, we triggered half a dozen traps before even making it this far."
Sera, sharp as ever, spoke up. "Commander Lydia, are all the captains and vice captains with us?"
[Rune! I can't generate the quest to capture Drane.. You are not in the quest area!]
Huh? Doesn't that mean.. Drane wasn't in the labyrinth?
"Yes. They left the rest—" Lydia cut herself off.
Sera whipped her head back. "The exit!" she shouted.
Lydia bolted, sprinting down the path with the orcs at her heels.
"Shit!" I cursed, spinning around.
[He got you good.]
And right on cue, a female orc's voice rang out through the corridor.
"We're trapped in here."
Lydia clicked her tongue.
"The troops outside can't stop Drane!" She barked, freezing mid-stride.
Sera's voice trembled with fury. "How is he this prepared? How does he even know we knew about his hideout?"
"I don't know…" Lydia's tone cracked for the first time, her composure slipping as her mind raced.
Great. Just what we nee—
clang!
My heavy sword intercepted the dagger that had been flying straight for Sera's throat.
Sparks lit up between us, steel grinding against steel.
"Huh..?" Sera said, shocked. But she immediately recovered, drawing her sword.
A voice hissed out from behind Lydia.
"Tsk. I thought I'd take down the smart one first… but oh well."
Multiple blades were drawn, steel catching the torchlight. And to my disgust, every single one of them pointed their swords at Lydia.
Her usually unshakable face broke.
Shock. Exhaustion. Betrayal.
"What…" Lydia whispered, as if her voice alone could force the scene to make sense.
"Hahaha!" The laugh rang out from the branch unit like nails on glass.
"We didn't know it would be this easy," one of them sneered.
The one beside her chimed in, grinning like a lunatic. "I know, right? This bitch just shared everything that human told her with us. Hahaha!"
Their laughter kept echoing in the corridor.
Lydia just stood there, wide-eyed. She hadn't even drawn her weapon from that secret chamber in her skirt.
The look in her eyes wasn't anger. It was something worse. Shock.
"Thank you, Commander Lydia," one of the traitors said, voice dripping with mock gratitude. "Thanks to you, Drane knew our plan in advance. He's already gone."
Lydia's lips trembled. "…Why?"
"Freedom."
She blinked. "Huh?"
The captain grinned, almost pitying her.
"Do you still act like you don't understand? We're exiled here in the name of a mission. If we kill you three commanders, the ones they sent to keep us in check, we can escape this hellhole and finally be free."
The others roared together, blades raised.
"Die, Commander Lydia!"
One lunged at her, sword flashing. Lydia didn't even move. She just stared at them, frozen, like she couldn't process what was happening.
"Tch." My sword was already there, blocking the strike. Steel screeched against steel, sparks flying.
I shoved the attacker back, boots digging into the stone floor, and sprang away just as Sera's frost spears roared past me.
"Shit!" the captain cursed, stumbling. She raised her arms, bracing for impact.
No chance. They didn't have aura, and none of them could chant fast enough to stop Sera's spears. Those spears should've skewered her cold.
But—
splash!
The ice shattered mid-air, exploding into mist as daggers tore through the spears. My eyes widened.
I turned. Lydia.
She stood there, daggers still in her hands, tears streaking her face.
"Don't… hurt our comrades," she whispered, voice breaking.
Tsk. Just when I thought she was different from Quinn.
I really, really miss my man Tugnier, I swear.
[Rune, they weren't like this in your past life.]
I nodded, gritting my teeth.
Yeah. Back then, the covert units were crucial in killing Merin. Why the hell is it different this time?
[Plot seems to have...changed.]
"Oh, really? What a genius observation, Einstein of this world," I muttered under my breath. Even I can see that. I'm asking for the reason.
[No way…]
No way what?
[There's only one variable that could exist in a regression…]
He paused.
[…And that's not good news at all.]