Boundary Labyrinth and the Foreign Magician

Rural in the long idle countryside.

That was the first impression I had. Blue skies. Distant mountains. Flowing creek.

So much so that I thought I had metastasized with Claudia and went outside the labyrinth. But it's not, actually.

"This - is it a wall?

Ashley gently strokes the space where there appears to be nothing between the village and the outside world - reaching beyond the wooden fence. Where we are now is the entrance to the village. There's a staircase behind us.

"That's an outer wall, or a tent. It shows the outside view inside the tent. This compartment - originally for growing crops. Perhaps the most suitable place to live."

Claudia answers.

Yes. The distant view itself is the outer wall that divides the labyrinth compartment. Serafina touches the tent looking interesting and climbs up.

... then I guess this is definitely inside the labyrinth.

And mountains that look far away. The sky stretching overhead - all the same as the view shown on the monitor.

Apparently, a village is created inside a large domed space. Did I just say that the view was shown on the tent and, at first glance, outside?

I suppose you could call it a kind of illusion, but reproducing the same thing as this outside the labyrinth - it wouldn't be possible to keep it constant on this scale.

"First of all, let me be clear."

Claudia narrowed her eyes and said. At the end of his gaze, Illumhilt looks restless with his eyes behind the village. Sheila is leaning in gently.

"Illumhilt. You wonder if you're the same as the demons of the labyrinth, but that's different. Are you... no. The inhabitants of this village came from the outside a long time ago, if you correct them... and you were born here and raised to a certain age, that's all."

"... yes, what is it?

"Yep. So no matter what the labyrinth demons are...... something of your own will never shake. Understand that. I'll explain it in order."

Illumhilt nods with a strange face.

"So... this compartment and the demons in it are different in their roles and in their formation from the rest. Don't attack me because I'm not going to attack you."

Claudia was serious. Instead of telling Illumhilt, you gave us all a heads-up. Though it seemed more like a plea than an order.

When we nodded, Claudia seemed convinced with it, and she took the lead and walked into the village. We followed Claudia.

Sure, this is the village where Illumhilt lived, but guiding him here would also mean that he would disclose some of the secrets of the labyrinth.

The village was - rightly "normal rural" without betraying its appearance. But all the inhabitants are demons.

Miscellaneous kinds of demons - but all in all, demons of a race who behave friendly to humans.

Centaur, who worked in the field, admitted what we looked like and looked surprised. But when Claudia gently raises her hand and shows that there is no problem, she meets small and returns to her job. I wonder what it is. I guess it's not a crop if Claudia's words are right...... don't feel a little different when it comes to purity.

"Those who accept that they are here."

Claudia says quietly.

"Accepting?

When asked, Claudia nodded.

"Rather than, you're afraid to go outside now. Well, first of all, I need to explain the difference between those kids and the demons in the labyrinth."

Right, right. Labyrinth demons are different from normal.

Demons who come toward us without fear - the form of thought itself is different from normal demons. In a way, it might be more ferocious than the demons out there.

"... although I think you realize that the demons of the labyrinth are different than normal. That's a soldier who performs defense according to the labyrinth. You're right about a doll without a soul."

"Dolls......"

"Is it strange?

"It's, well"

Even if it is good that they are like demonic dolls... where the hell do the resources that are almost infinitely generated come from?

"With enormous magic, it's not impossible to make a bowl of meat. Homunculus, healing magic,"

Claudia answered my question.

I see... magic is the resource. Then we will talk about where the magic comes from.

Not really - I don't know if I should ask Claudia about the Nettori Leaf Digging, but I can't stop thinking about it a lot more than I've been asked.

Possible possibilities - do you think the labyrinth is collecting the magic of the moon and the stars because it is linked to celestial movements? Or is it really that the goddess Shuas, or whoever shoulders it, has something like the core of the labyrinth in the back of the labyrinth that it supplies?

It's hard to imagine Claudia building a soldier. About the labyrinth, the part about being free seems small.

Has Illumhilt gradually brought back memories as he walks? It gradually gets faster and faster.

"Father! Mother!

They found their house out of the village, and at the end of the day, they ran out completely and jumped into one house. Why don't we go after her and get inside the house?

There was a couple of Naga and Lamia there. I watched Illumhilt, with a surprised face. Lamia is lying on her sleeping table and she doesn't look very good.

"Illum......"

"Mother...... ugh"

Huh, and a soft grin, welcoming and hugging Illumhilt.

Illumhilt was burying his face in his parents chest and leaking a whimper. My parents - they have a tender grin.

Reunion after a long period of time - to say, parents are somewhat pale reactions. Or so, it doesn't look like there's any disgust for Illumhilt. If you look closely, they were both in tears in their eyes.

This is true even for the reaction of the villagers earlier... Should the amplitude of joy and sorrow be seen as very small?

"… let's talk a little more"

Claudia tilts her little neck, says.

Reunion with Illumhilt's parents is - just Illumhilt's. There's no need for us to watch. If she's not in danger, that's fine.

Behind the house in Illum Hilt. Moving over the sunny grass, by the creek, Claudia calmed down there. We'll do the same to her.

... you're so idle that you forget that you're in the labyrinth.

"The inhabitants of this village... are descendants of demons who fled into the labyrinth in fear of fighting humans. But the demons of the labyrinth move to rid the outside world. That is no exception for the inhabitants of the village. Village dwellers are wearing it, have you seen the bracelet?

... Speaking of which. You all wore the same bracelet.

"That's a curse. Something to reduce the amplitude of emotions instead of making them perceived as foreign to the labyrinth. By wearing it and accepting it... the inhabitants are able to live here. But..."

Claudia exhales small.

"There's something about compatibility. Illumhilt's magical qualities were incompatible with that curse... and with the development of her own consciousness due to growth, I knew it would become gradually more difficult to cover up on the labyrinth side. There have been cases in the past."

"So... before it broke, I let him wear the art of humanization and let him out of the labyrinth," he said.

Think of it...... From the beginning, Illumhilt has had the knowledge and manipulation necessary to live in Termwilds.

Were you prepared to go out into the outside world in anticipation from the start, or what? I guess I didn't give much information because I was afraid this place would be discovered.

"Illumhilt's father can't use the art of humanization. Illumhilt's mother has poor postpartum fatigue and weak health.... because I knew that going out with you would be a burden."

"... because we knew that if we sent a child less than ourselves to the Temple of the Moon, he would be protected in an orphanage run by the Temple?

"... that 's-- yeah, you're right."

Until the response, there was a moment. I have the impression that I am not sure how to answer.

If there is a goddess Shuas...... I don't know if she would do anything to protect Illumhilt, even if it was a shrine. But when I do... I also feel that Shuas' will is different from that of the labyrinth management side.

... I wonder what. Will Shuas still have nothing to do with it? For that matter, Claudia was not answered with some certainty that she would not be bad about the treatment of Illumhilt....... hmm.

"You think we'll keep demons from coming down from the top tier? You think we'll keep the demons from springing up inside this village? Because if I run out of power in that kind of deal, I'll end up there. I just had to let them wear the art of humanization and live outside."

"Then... is there a problem with us being here?

"Although I have a problem, because I can contain it for a day or two. You can stay here today."

Claudia looked sideways at Illumhilt's house for a moment and said that.

Well... it's been a long time since we've seen each other again. Is this about the generosity of Claudia?

"If that's the case, why don't we stay here today?

"That's good. Unless it's inconvenient."

"Home of Illumhilt, I want to see more"

There seemed to be no difference to everyone.

"Then Theo. There seems to be no danger, so can I ask for a seal?

Grace says. Right. If you're staying, you'll have to keep Grace's seal.

That's when I took her hand and activated the curse.

For a moment I could see Claudia circling her eyes. Why? Look at Grace's ring, huh?

The same is true of this one, which is surprising. This was made by my mother. Claudia... you thought you had to say something if you reacted, shake it small and open your mouth.

"... sorry. I'm a little surprised because it's a surgical ring similar to the resident's bracelet here."

"... similar. Sure, it could be."

A ring that seals power by sealing off racial traits. The bracelet that escapes the elimination of the labyrinth by suppressing joy and sorrow.

But what makes you think the technique is similar?

... Claudia is out of her sight at first sight. Maybe it's the part you don't want to be touched. For example... the history of the procedure?

Then you shouldn't talk to her. I'm pretty sure you're on my side, and I don't know if there's anything worse about her if you tell me that than you don't know what's going on.... change the subject.

"... a cow."

"Huh?"

Claudia listens back, like she doesn't know what I'm talking about.

"I caught a cow. For dinner today, why don't you join us?

"... nothing good. It's like an octopus eating its own feet."

Claudia laughed bitterly like that.

"Dear Claudia"

I come out of the house making sure Illumhilt is escorted by my parents. When she saw Illumhilt crying and blushing her eyes, Claudia gave her an uneasy look somewhere.

"... illumhilt. Though I'm sure you resent me."

"No."

Illumhilt shakes his neck to the side.

"I remember. Did you teach me the art of humanization? Let me have a lute, so I can use the curse, and you told me to play, right?

……

Claudia doesn't answer. I just closed my eyes quietly... maybe that's the fact.

"So thank you to Lady Claudia"

"... yes"

Claudia nodded quietly.