After leaving the Great Labyrinth, I moved to an empty back alley with the three who regained consciousness and the girl Loretta who helped us.
(He's alive. Orun's alive... But he's an explorer now. Why does Orun have to be looked at with those eyes...?)
My mind's a mess.
Not just Oliver—even Orun fell into enemy hands...
(I'll never forgive you. Philly Carpenter...! I'll make you regret being born. I'll drop you into a hell where you beg for death...!!)
"Still, Shion—why pull back? We could've killed the 'Dragon Slayer' right there!"
Gibua—fully conscious—pressed me accusingly.
"...Quiet, please? I'm in a bad mood. Keep yelling—even you won't get mercy."
"—! S-Sorry..."
He shrank—intimidated by my anger.
"—No, sorry from me. But pulling back was right."
"What do you mean? We had orders to kill the 'Dragon Slayer'."
"Yeah... But first—Loretta, thanks for earlier. If you hadn't stepped in—I'd have lost too. Thank you."
"Just did what was right~. Still—these three aside—what was that guy to push Shion-san so far?"
"These three aside...? Sure—we went down quick—but we're pretty skilled, you know?"
Agnes grumbled at Loretta's words.
"Ahaha—I know. Face-on, I'd lose instantly. But Shion-san's different... Never thought she'd be cornered."
"Yeah—agreed."
"So—who was he?"
"Sorry—can't say much. Probably classified."
Chris—leader—almost certainly knew Orun lived.
Even I—with full org access—was kept in dark.
Sorry—but can't tell them.
Still—last moment surprise aside—Orun beat me in that state.
Full power—he'd instant-kill me.
Physicals—somehow partially released...
Destination... still far...
"—So Loretta—here for orders?"
Loretta's a messenger—one of "Amuntzares"' couriers.
Relays distant info/orders to us scattered across continent.
"—Oh right! Leader's message! Orders on Shion-san's group from Poison Flower... Cease ops—return immediately."
"Poison Flower!?"
Gibua shouted—shocked.
(As expected.)
"Sorry. Never thought messenger compromised with those scum."
"Can't help it. Enemy has [Recognition Alteration] ability—maybe she altered memories too."
"Reason you pulled back?"
Skinny Zuriel muttered—understanding.
"Yeah. My info—'Dragon Slayer' ranks above 'Hero'—must not kill. Realized late battle."
"Also—Shion-san—return HQ."
"Then—we head east?"
"Yes. Return east Great Labyrinth."
"Understood. Before leaving—one request."
"What?"
"Tell others—withdraw south Great Labyrinth."
"...Why? Ninety-four layers reached. Kill skilled explorers—slow conquest. Finally infiltrated—"
"Yeah—but promised: spare me—others withdraw too."
"Such promise—"
"I won't break with him. —No need kill explorers anymore... I think. Please. Say it's my order—fine."
"...Understood. Relay south withdrawal."
"Thanks."
◇
Withdrew "Amuntzares" from south Great Labyrinth—I returned HQ alone.
Straight to leader's room.
Late twenties—gentle aura—man waited.
Christopher Downing.
Current "Amuntzares" leader.
"Back."
"Welcome, Shion. Met Orun?"
"...Yeah. Attacked soon as reunion. Thought him dead—planned kill at first."
Felt Orun's shadow initially—thought lookalike.
Black mana confirmed.
Battle—many moments only his ability explained.
My [Time Regression]-combined magic—dodged effortlessly. Should've noticed.
"More importantly—did you know Orun lived?"
Most wanted answer now.
"Yeah—knew."
"! Then—"
"If told child-you—you'd rush save him alone. Low chance Orun/Oliver die—but couldn't lose you. Valuable asset. Curse me—fine. No reckless action. Please."
Chris bowed deeply—pleading.
True—if known alive—rushed save Orun regardless.
Likely same fate—or killed.
Me here now—highly unlikely.
"...Yeah. Your judgment right."
"Thanks."
"Now—next plans? Called for that?"
"Yeah. Urgent reports—cult active in Empire. Clearing labyrinths fast. Sent many—but cult serious. No deaths—but heavy losses."
"Empire? No Great Labyrinth left—what's cult doing?"
Cult final goal—evil god revival.
Obstructing—destroy Great Labyrinths.
No labyrinth Empire—cult active—unnatural.
"Pure guess—cult aims trigger "Hero"."
"Trigger "Hero" by clearing labyrinths...? ...No way!?"
"Hero"—immense power.
Same as me/Orun.
But "Hero" moves only for Empire.
West Great Labyrinth gone—no intervention in our/cult war assumed.
Continued—premise crumbles.
Rampage—current power balance rewritten instantly.
"If Empire labyrinths gone—possible invasion other nations..."
"War boom—special demand—promote labyrinth conquest...?"
Current weapons—mostly labyrinth materials.
War production ramps—material value soars.
Explorers earn big—speeds conquest.
Sixty years ago—Juno Republic war (north labyrinth)—sped north conquest precedent.
"But why cult so reckless...? Risk total wipe before goal..."
"Orun rising. Memory/power sealed... Orun top conquest candidate—neither us/cult expected. Thought Oliver support only. But soloed deep boss. Seal magic failing possible—but you fought—what think?"
"...Seal magic functioned. Battle—good spots—no advanced/special magic. Physicals—forcibly... partially released... but partial—too weak if seal failed..."
"Forcibly...? That magic—Rens-san's masterpiece. Non-standard release—your king... truly exceptional."
"Agreed. Developing new magic—serious slash heavy. Full hit—bisected."
"...Orun future actions—war muddies. As planned—Shion to Empire. Likely too late—but contain cult. "Hero" rampage—no thanks."
"Got it. This time... used by cult. Next—no free rein."