37 Form of Atonement

Crimson blood spurted out of Princess Acana's mouth as Zero's right hand tore a hole through her chest. The latter swiftly retrieved the "object," which was the cause of the downfall that had transpired concerning the naive Princess of the ancient past.

The Princess of Atlas sensed the coldness in her chest; it was agonizing, indeed. However, for some reason, her mind was in a state of serenity, accepting that this was the consequence of her unforgivable sins.

If Princess Acana was to be asked, this kind of death was more than generous enough as she felt like she was undeserving of such a peaceful death after everything she had done even in the state of insanity, which was never an excuse.

After learning the truth behind the piece of broken relic from Zero's mouth, it would be a lie if she did not want to see this matter to the end.

'But what could I do... It's unfathomable.' Princess Acana serenely thought as her supple hand reached for her chest stained with blood.

A tranquil smile broke through her lips as her sapphire eyes fixated on the young man, who was now holding the "object" that the Princess of Atlas had found and retrieved within the so-called Labyrinth of Self-Deception.

"Thank–? Huh?"

Princess Acana did not notice at first since her white dress was tainted with crimson blood; that the hole that was supposed to be on her chest... was now healed like what Zero did was just a cruel joke.

"Princess, I do not blame you for others' suffering, but I can give you a chance to atone for everything you've done even if it was not entirely your fault.

"You see, everyone has their own set of sins; whether they are similar or different, it would remain as 'sin.' But it's one's choice and responsibility to bear the consequences of their actions, be it committed with innocence or with true intent."

Unexpectedly, Kerudan kneeled as he interjected, "Zero, No, as my niece calls you, offspring of the Great Labyrinth, I beg you. D–do not subject her to torture of anything else."

It seemed Kerudan had misunderstood Zero's words, causing the latter to break into a half-smile, "Do not worry about it. It is not something I have planned for her. But first, I will inform you of everything that's needed to be done from this moment onwards."

It was then that Zero unhesitantly approached the still-confused Princess. With Princess Acana's body straightened, before she could react, Zero extended her right palm to reach for her forehead. He then pervaded the Princess with Mana, who sensed such a serene, quiet aura of it. It was both still and terrifying, but no pain was inflicted.

At that moment, an enormous sense of unfamiliarity washed over her entire being, seeing what was outside of the underwater labyrinth, which could be perceived as another world.

Her voice couldn't help but swirl in the air:

"For everything that's been buried, there's always a new surface..."

***

On the Underwater Labyrinth: Tomb of Princess Acana's entrance, where the dark blue door of mist was situated and continued to pulsate, Olivia and Azel observed the slaves that Captain Kerudan had temporarily abducted based on their Young Master's order.

These slaves, either men or women, ranging from twelve to fifteen years old, were sitting on the wooden surface several meters away from the still, seemingly unending burning chasm, where hundreds of dead bodies and decapitated heads were being torched to oblivion.

"What do you think these people will decide to do?" Breaking the silence, Azel opened her mouth to speak; her feet swaying as she sat beside the temporary head maid on the edge of the bloodied sturdy platform.

Before the three of them went to explore the underwater labyrinth, Zero had tasked the captain of the ship to release these slaves that were considered 'innocent,' which Captain Kerudan had judged based on his racial ability to see a person's subtle truths as someone whose blood was half-dragon.

From that moment on, these slaves were given two options — to either go back to their previous way of life before they were turned into slaves or... to be of service under the command of the captain of this ship.

Hearing Azel's query, Olivia pondered for a moment. She then said, "It depends on their circumstances before they were turned into slaves. If one has a home to go back to, then it's likely that one will choose to return.

"But who knows? There are those whose true home... is when someone's far away from home itself."

Azel fell silent upon hearing Olivia's words. The former then sighed, "You're right. We'll see after Young Master clears the labyrinth."

Olivia nodded.

They did not even doubt that Zero would fail and be killed after they were ordered to leave the labyrinth's final floor. For them, it would be more believable that they would just hinder the fight between him and the Princess of Atlas, which, considering everything that had happened so far, was on point.

At that moment, one of them could not help but subconsciously look at the ordinary-looking lamp that Zero had placed near the entrance of the labyrinth. Before they could even ask the captain of the ship for his opinion, Kerudan just suddenly dissipated into oblivion, leaving everyone in a state of wonder.

Then, as the curious Azel gazed at it, the lamp's flame suddenly intensified as if within it, a miniature storm was brewing, prompting her to tap Olivia's shoulder, who at this moment was serenely observing the seemingly physically and mentally tired slaves.

Olivia did not ask for the reason behind Azel's action. Instead, the former followed the latter's gaze. Then, in the next moment, the unprecedented happened...

The figure of their Young Master materialized in front of the dark blue door of mist. Subsequently, the ghost captain, Kerudan, arrived with him.

However, Olivia and Azel could not help but be instinctively on guard as they saw a barefoot woman veiled in a silk white dress. The two maids were prompted to cast their inquisitive look towards their Young Master.

"It is okay. I'll explain on our way home."

"N–no need, Young Master! Who are we to demand for it?" Azel lowered her head as she quickly dismissed what Zero had said. After all, she and Olivia were just maids or students under his guidance.

They were just puzzled at the sudden development that they could not help but react the way they just did upon seeing the Princess of Atlas in the flesh... outside of the labyrinth itself.

"Azel's right, Young Master. We apologize for acting that way. It seems we unconsciously questioned whatever decision you've made."

Upon hearing the two maids, Zero let out an exasperated sigh.

"I will explain, okay?" A change in tone froze the two maids as all they could do was fall into silence.

Zero then retrieved the ordinary-looking lamp situated beside the dark blue door of mist.

This artifact was what allowed the Princess of Atlas to be able to go out of the labyrinth without a Void Tremor.

***

[Guiding Lamp]

Description:

"He was lost but found his way home. It was not because of the gods but because of fate."

Category: [Artifact]

Rarity: [?]

Function: [Remnant of Light]

— This artifact allows its possessor to guide any kind of entity that has been restricted within a labyrinth to the outside world.

Status: Useful [+Caution]

[Caution]

Not every entity will be in complete subservience to this artifact's possessor.

***

"O–our savior!"

"Thank you, our savior!"

The slaves that were separated from the earlier slaughter lined up in front of Zero, pouring out praises towards him as their savior.

Zero's countenance remained stoic, subtly dismissing the praises he was receiving from the slaves numbering less than fifteen.

After some time, the atmosphere turned quiet. Zero then addressed these slaves, "According to the Gatekeeper's words, you decided to wait for me before making a decision.

"Whatever you don't understand, raise your hand to ask."

However, it seemed this conversation would quickly end like a fleeting moment as one of the eldest among these slaves raised her hand, who then spoke with reluctance, "Uh, w–we have talked about what to do earlier... and all of us arrived in a decision to be a part of this ship, whatever that means..."

Zero's brows creased, "Does all of you have no home to go back to?"

"U–uh, actually, Mister, some of us have a home but... t–they've been sold to the slave market by their parents, at least according to some of us..."

"Was it an illegal slave market? Or the ones overseen by any Church?"

"T–they said it's illegal... which is also the same as my case, Mister."

'I see. It means there's no genuine stigma on them.' Zero contemplated upon hearing the girl's answer, who seemed to be the acting, unofficial spokesperson of the group.

"Remember, there's no turning back if that's your final decision. If there's any change of mind at this moment, just raise your hand and we will guide you to where you want to go."

The slaves cast subtle glances at each other. After a moment or two, a chorus of their voice echoed:

"N–no, Mister! T–this is our decision! Please let us be a part of this ship!"

Even though they had no idea what it truly meant to be a part of this ship and serve the ghost captain, Kerudan, it was better for them to be here than just to roam the streets... only to be abducted again by the thugs and be sold to despicable nobles.

"I see. If that's your decision, then that shall be it."

Zero's gaze then landed on the ghost caption, whose cerulean blazing eyes flickered.

As everyone in this ship at least possessed the Labyrinth System, which was the minimum requirement, apart from knowing this ship's existence, to be eligible to set foot in this place, they were notified through it.

[The possessor of the Artifact, "Cleansed Flag of Kerudan (Legendary)," has activated Ship Kerudan's exclusive ability, "The Ghost Conscription."]

[The specific Explorers have been selected to become a part of this ship's ghost army.]

[Training to become a Marine Explorer has been enforced!]

[Leaving the ghost army will be subjected to death.]

The exclusive ability, "The Hunt," turned into "The Ghost Conscription" after Zero had managed to cleanse the Legendary Artifact.

Originally, the former's ability function was to summon the loyal army of Captain Kerudan to slay everyone in the cursed ship, turning them into a ghost marine after killing them.

But this time, the slaves who had been the target of the new ability were provided a choice, which in turn would turn them into ghosts without killing them.

"W–wow! S–so cool!"

"I–I'm turning into dark blue smoke!"

The changes in their bodies, instead of finding it eerie, were taken as fascinating.

After some time, the slaves, numbered around twelve, vanished and were sent into the training ground wherever that might be.

***

Under the eyes of the bluish moon illuminating the continent, Zero and his companions managed to arrive at the secluded area of Port Acana, in a discreet, quiet alley where no one was present.

Azel and Olivia felt disoriented for some time, a collective thought surging in their mind with surprise.

'D–did we just teleport?'

But Zero's nonchalant voice snapped them back to reality.

"Let's go to the Mercenary Guild."