28 Chapter 28
I have been in Lorat for two weeks now, and during this time, I've managed to gather ample information about the locality and the events unfolding in the city. It was quite intriguing to converse with the priests of the Blind God, especially because their persistent use of phrases like "This man" or "This woman" was initially quite baffling. Additionally, their customs were rather unusual; the priests castrated themselves as a means to better understand the world, apparently seeing gender distinction as an obstacle. Moreover, they wore thick hoods and believed that only in darkness could the third eye open, allowing them to see the "higher truths" of creation that our world's illusions obscure.
In my quest for information about mystical events, I spoke with everyone from politicians to vagrants. The politicians largely insisted that criminals or bandits who knew the labyrinths like the back of their hands were active within them. Meanwhile, public opinion was divided: some believed that indeed a bandit group was there, while others feared something far more terrifying.
As for myself, I couldn't yet confirm the presence of bandits, but I had no doubts about the magical aura emanating from the depths of the labyrinths; something magical was indeed hidden there. Perhaps it was something intrinsic to the labyrinth itself, as the walls also radiated magic, albeit to a lesser degree.
Today, to further corroborate my information, I decided to question the priests again, and having established a rapport with one, I found myself speaking with him on the shore.
"What would this boy like to learn from this man?"
"I would like to know what you know about the Labyrinths of Lorat? I've heard many perspectives about what lies within."
The priest emanated a significant amount of fear and uncertainty at these questions, which was uncharacteristic for them. Perhaps it was because I had not broached this topic in our previous discussions. Mostly, we discussed the structure of the world—they learned from me about the Ancient Gods, and I learned about the Blind God.
According to the priests, Boash views all humans equally, believing that life is the principal value in this world, sacred regardless of one's social status. The reason for the God's blindness was that he could understand everything about a person without the need for sight.
"The boy does not want to know what happens in the depths of this labyrinth," the priest said after a pause.
"This boy indeed wants to know what transpires in the Labyrinths of Lorat," I replied honestly. "Isn't the exploration of the world a fundamental part of your doctrine?"
The priest, considering my words, responded, "If the boy truly wishes to learn about what is hidden in the Labyrinths of Lorat, then he should listen carefully to this man."
After I nodded in confirmation, the priest continued, "As the boy knows, we believe in the God Boash... And does he know about how he existed and lived?"
I indeed knew the priests' version of how these labyrinths were created and about their God's involvement in their creation. In short, Boash, having sacrificed his eyes, painted the walls of this labyrinth and the world at large. They believe that because Boash's eyes saw everything, they created a corresponding diversity of things.
"It is not customary to speak of it, but Boash had an adversary, for whom this very labyrinth was created. To this day, this Demon walks somewhere within these labyrinths, unable to find its way out," the priest concluded.
While the priest believed in his words, I was not entirely convinced, but I thanked him for sharing the story: "Thank you for sharing this story with me. But why then does no one speak of this demon?"
"This man does not know, he merely speculates," he replied.
"And what does this man speculate?"
"He thinks the priests deemed it unnecessary to speak of this Demon to others, as even without this, the reputation of the priests was significantly tarnished by those who came before them."
After bidding the priest farewell, I returned to the house where I had been staying during this assignment.
"Tun, have you deciphered where we should go next? Where is the monster that maimed the Sea Lord likely to be?"
"By the end of the week, I think I can pinpoint where this monster might be. But I've also found something else you might like," replied my feathered friend, informing me of the location of the brigands who had been attacking those daring to venture deep into the labyrinth.
"Well, my friend, it seems we should pay them a visit... If they didn't know the labyrinth better than others, they wouldn't be able to attack people and remain unpunished."
"Agreed."
Three days later
It took three days to scout out the brigands' usual plans for attacking people, and I managed to learn how they chose their targets.
Their method was as follows: one of the brigands would venture into the city to scout for individuals planning to leave the city with sufficient provisions or gold. Then, they would herd these people into deeper parts of the labyrinth for elimination. It's worth noting that Lorat is not at the center of the labyrinth but is closer to the shore.
Yesterday, I laid a trap to pique the brigands' interest, posing as a potential target. Since I had a companion following me, I could say it was largely successful.
"They've started moving towards you, and they'll reach you shortly."
"Understood, can you transfer the memory about them?"
Tun instantly relayed his memories, from which I deduced that the group consisted mainly of men, but there were also three women, and they were not armed with particularly sophisticated weapons. Having grown up around a blacksmith and handled Valyrian steel, I could distinguish between superior and inferior blades. In this case, the brigands' weapons were of mediocre quality.
"See that turn up ahead?"
"Yes, are the brigands there?"
"Yes, and another group is watching your back."
"Heh... Seems like these labyrinths are about to receive their fair share of blood."
"Bloodthirsty idiot..."
"Hey! I'm not planning to kill innocents."
"And I'm a humane bird! Right!"
"What?...."
"..."
"..."
"Let's pretend you didn't hear that?" Tun suggested.
One unlucky brigand
"It seems after this robbery I'll be able to afford a prostitute. I'd love to try it with the boss; for those thighs and breasts, I'm willing to kill! ... Ah... Definitely going to Teresa! And then I'll go drinking."
"Hey, idiot! Get ready! Our target is approaching," Greg shouted.
I always disliked that damn Westerosi, and his current attitude only deepened my disdain.
"Not a fool! I got it!" I said as I took position.
A young man dressed in red, carrying a small chest, believed to contain rubies and other treasures, according to our scout, was approaching. At first glance, he didn't appear strong, and it seemed like he would be an easy target.
"Archers ready," commanded the leader of our group.
Taking out my bow, I began to draw the string, focusing on the target I saw a satisfied smirk…
"Why is he smirking? And is he looking at me?" thoughts raced through my mind.
"Greg! Is it just me, or is that guy looking our way?"
Greg looked at me in surprise and said:
"Are you joking? How can anyone see us from this distance? And with this weather and from that position?"
After glancing at him again and still seeing that same smirk, the thought nagged at me.
"No, Greg's right. It's impossible."
"Fire!" commanded our leader, and at that moment, all the archers released their arrows.
"That's it, boy, you're done for," I thought a moment after the arrows were released.
"Is it done?" asked one of the guys. "Can you see his body?"
"Let's check," another young lad replied, the newest member of our group on his third outing.
He descended from his position to check on our target, probably eyeing the red cloak, thinking it might be worth taking. Reaching the target and flipping the body, he yelled:
"WHAT IN THE DEVIL'S NAME?!"
Everyone was shocked at his scream since the novice had seen his share of dead bodies.
"What happened?!" our leader shouted.
The novice turned around and exclaimed anxiously:
"It's not human!"
"What do you mean, not human?"
"I mean it literally! There's only a dummy here!"
As he finished, my blood ran cold.
"Damn it! I knew something bizarre was going on here!" panicked thoughts flashed through my mind.
But before I could think further, something happened that I would never forget if I survived.
"Are you insa—CHOK!" our leader couldn't finish his sentence because someone had decapitated him.
"What?" I thought, struggling to accept the reality.
In an instant, the man standing next to me was cleaved in half.
"Man, you guys are annoying..." a youthful voice sounded, and I saw our target.
It dawned on me that the bodies around were those of my comrades.
"Who are you? What are you?" I managed to ask, realizing I had no chance of defeating him. The young man just smirked, a smile that many would find charming... But to me, it was the devil's grin.
"Me? I'm the one who decides whether you wake up tomorrow or not. Whether you survive is entirely up to you."
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stammered:
"W-what do you want from me?"
"The main thing is to survive... If I survive, I can do something, but death is the absolute end. I must do everything to survive, do whatever this monster commands!"
Sensing my emotions, the young man said, pleased:
"Here's the thing... I'm slightly annoyed by what your people are doing... And I need you to take me to your leader and your camp without any trouble. Do you understand?" he finished with a smile.
"Y-yes..."
"I didn't catch that."
"Yes!"
"Good. No point in waiting, lead the way."
"The most important thing is to survive," I repeated to myself as I led the monster who was probably going to destroy our group.
"If I survive, I can do something; death is a fall from which I can't escape," I reassured my lingering conscience.
From the perspective of Deyron
Moments before the battle
"Man, this is going to be easy since locating these guys was quite simple," I thought to myself and Tun.
Tun then transmitted the following information:
"Should I eliminate those behind us?"
"It would be preferable, as I'd rather not let anyone escape."
"Understood. Bet I can finish off my group faster?"
"Of course, it's easier for you since you have lightning."
My feathered friend seemed disappointed that I wasn't participating in his contests.
"Fine, let's bet. If I win, you eat only fish for a month. If you win, I'll feed you premium meat. How about those stakes?"
"Expecting venison from you."
Pleased, Tun flew off towards his target, and I began moving towards where the brigands were likely waiting for me.
Scanning through the eyes of wildlife for the brigands' locations and hearing their conversations, I realized I needed to enhance my physical attributes immediately. According to their plan, they intended to pepper me with arrows from a distance.
"Heh... Overall, not a bad plan, just the wrong person this time."
Charging up my magic, feeling that terrifying power, I couldn't help but feel a thrill. Indulging in a little mischief thanks to my enhanced senses, I smiled directly at one of the brigands when I saw them.
The moment the first arrows were loosed, I had nearly crossed half the distance between us. As they inspected the trap I had left for them, I busied myself eliminating my adversaries. Thankfully, the katana in one hand and the scimitar in the other were particularly effective in this endeavor.
Within about five minutes, all those who had confronted me lay dead, leaving alive only one who, according to my plan, could easily infiltrate their camp. While I could have forcefully breached their defenses, I needed specific information from their leader, and a forceful entry would have drastically reduced my chances of obtaining it.
"Tun has conveyed to me that he could have destroyed the bandit group even faster…"—to substantiate this information, he added a memory of watching me deal with my part of the conflict after he had eliminated everyone with a single shot.
"Fine, you'll get your first-class venison," I replied, slightly annoyed.
Pleased, the bird fluttered as the terrified bandit began to lead me.
"You're not planning to deceive me, are you, my dear ticket?"
The man blazed with fear and quickly stammered out:
"N-No-No! I won't deceive. I know what will happen to me if I do. I want to live."
The young man spoke truthfully, and hearing what I needed, I followed him without any further hesitation.
After a short while, gathering some courage, the man asked:
"What do you intend to do with the leader?"
I merely smirked and said:
"Get the answers I need. But don't worry about that—if I get what I need, your leader will stay alive. So, who is this leader of yours?"
"The strongest woman I've ever met."
"A woman?" I said, surprised.
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Chapter 38 has already been published
