Chapter 354 – Exploration of the Old Mine Tunnels

Descending the spiral staircase, we arrived at the labyrinth entrance square—before the stone monument.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, Claudia-sama.”

When Claudia asked, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana nodded.

“Then let’s go.”

We leaped from the stone monument into the labyrinth. Our destination was the Old Mine. This area originally served as a mine but was incorporated into the labyrinth and transformed after the Nation Protecting Ceremony was disrupted.

When I opened my eyes, enveloped in light—it was a dome-shaped plaza made of stone.

In one corner of the dome, I could see the entrance to the Old Mine reinforced with wooden framing. Its atmosphere resembled the entrance to the mine shaft we saw recently in the Marquisate of Broderick.

On the opposite diagonal, I could also see a passageway constructed from stone. That passage shared architectural similarities with this dome—it served as the connecting route between the labyrinth side and the Old Mine.

“So this is the labyrinth…”

Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana looked around with keen interest.

“Our approach will be to have Corulis learn how to navigate the labyrinth and handle the various monsters that appear in this area.”

“Understood.”

With me and Corulis taking the lead, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana followed. The others trailed behind, acting as their escorts.

Corulis’s frame is rather large… but well, the passages are wide enough to allow passing. Apparently, narrow spaces and caves don’t hinder Corulis at all, as it moved with remarkably lively and nimble motions. Perhaps it had taken a liking to the Old Mine.

“Corulis. Here.”

I picked up a Transference Stone that had fallen at my feet and looked toward Corulis.

“This is a Transference Stone. You’ll need it to return from the Old Mine, so make sure to pick them up properly.”

When I told Corulis this, it nodded firmly. It had been sniffing the Transference Stone but soon nodded again. I suppose it had memorized the stone’s characteristics.

As we proceeded down the passage, it twitched its nose, keenly spotting rolling Transference Stones and skillfully picking them up with the tips of its claws.

“I’ll hold onto the stones Corulis collects.”

Princess Stephania received the Transference Stones handed over by Corulis. For now, Princess Stephania is holding the Transference Stones, but once a bag for Corulis is ready, it should be easier for it to manage them itself.

After that… perhaps we could have Corulis draw the teleportation Magic Array itself. If it becomes possible to send acquired luggage from the labyrinth, explorations would proceed more smoothly.

“It seems more energetic than when it’s outside.”

Ashley smiled as she watched Corulis advancing through the Old Mine. Marlene nodded cheerfully.

Corulis’s movements showed no hesitation. It seemed to decide whether to proceed down side paths by twitching its nose.

While collecting Transference Stones, it advanced as if it had some clear objective. Then, stopping at a spot where the rock surface was exposed, it leisurely began breaking apart the rock face with its Magical Power-infused claws.

“An interesting Technique.”

Rosemary crossed her arms and spoke admiringly.

“Indeed. That doesn’t rely solely on brute strength.”

It’s probably a Technique belonging to Earth Magic. I see. So it uses Magic like that to effortlessly break apart soil and advance underground. Well, in the labyrinth’s case, even if you destroy a passage, it repairs itself relatively quickly… but in this instance, destroying the labyrinth doesn’t seem to be the goal.

Corulis scooped up the exposed Ore from within the rock face with its claws and promptly began chewing on it. The sound of crunching rock echoed throughout the mine shaft.

“…My, my. This is worth seeing.”

Princess Adriana laughed. It was indeed a spectacular dining scene. Corulis completely devoured the Ore it had found.

Then it began moving sluggishly. Was it heading to the next feeding ground? Or did it have another purpose?

—Just as Corulis turned its head toward a side passage, Sheila issued a warning almost simultaneously.

“Monsters. Deep in that passage.”

“This is… a mixed unit of Hobgoblins and Kobolds… I suppose.”

Sheila and Irmhild said while peering down the passage.

“Corulis. Can you handle it?”

When Princess Stephania spoke, Corulis nodded. And then it moved.

Hooking its claws into both walls, it shot down the mine passage like a giant cannonball. Wrapping Magical Power around its claws, it drove them into the wall without turning at the passage bend—the group of labyrinth monsters beyond the corner were showered with rock shrapnel and then sent flying by Corulis’s claws.

The Hobgoblin that had avoided the shattered rock and claw strike—was pierced the next moment by a crystalline Spear fired from right before Corulis’s eyes. Being a confined space, there was nowhere to escape.

Hobgoblins are a subspecies superior in physique to regular Goblins, but they were treated like children.

No… I knew this already, but fighting in such confined spaces is originally a forte for Beryl Mall.

Like a fish in water or a mole in soil… with detection abilities on par with Sheila or Irmhild, it seemed completely unfazed and was reassuring to watch.

“If there are Adventurers nearby, don’t use attacks like that.”

I figured I should at least offer some advice. Corulis nodded obediently.

After thinking a bit, I showed Corulis the metal plate Adventurers receive when registering with the Guild.

“Corulis. Those carrying the same thing are Adventurers. Though we say ‘Adventurer’ broadly, it includes races other than humans, so don’t attack those carrying this unless it’s for self-defense. Well, it’s not absolute since there are humans without these who enter the labyrinth.”

Corulis sniffed the metal plate and nodded.

Hmm. Now for looting from the monsters. The Hobgoblins and Kobolds in the Old Mine are somewhat special—they’re often armed with pickaxes, shovels, etc.

The Kobolds in the Old Mine are sturdier than those on the labyrinth’s shallow Floors and sometimes carry bags of Ore at their waists. Hence, they’re sometimes called Miner Kobolds.

Low-Rank monsters often carry worthless Ore. If we proceed further into the Old Mine and the monster Ranks increase, they might carry Gems or have crystals growing from their bodies… sometimes, that is.

This time… it seemed the Hobgoblin had been carrying a bag of Ore.

If it’s Ore that Corulis likes, it can eat it; if not, we can take it to the Guild to be purchased. Corulis sorted through the Ore in the bag, entrusting what didn’t suit its taste to Princess Stephania.

“Alright… Let’s continue like this. For monsters with specific looting spots, I’ll teach you each time as they come up.”

When Corulis swung its claw down on a rock lying at the edge of the passage, it was easily Crushed.

It wasn’t just a rock. A monster disguised as rock—a Rock Turtle.

A turtle monster and a formidable enemy in the Old Mine, equipped with a robust jaw and sturdy rock shell defense—but… in terms of class, Beryl Mall is superior. Neither its disguise nor defensive power seemed of any use against Corulis. It effortlessly Crushed the Rock Turtle. Corulis tossed the Gem that emerged from inside the shell into its mouth, crunching noisily.

“Corulis. Do you like this place?”

When Princess Stephania asked, Corulis wagged its head vigorously.

It’s acclimating well to the Old Mine. If Corulis itself has taken a liking to it, that’s the most important thing for continuing forward.

“But you can’t come here on the day of the full moon. You cannot come to this place.”

Grace said. Corulis properly responded to Grace’s words too, nodding its head.

“It would be good to stop by the Adventurer Guild before entering the labyrinth. I’ll ask them to prohibit entry on the day of the full moon.”

I’ll talk to Heather about it later. It’ll help prevent accidents.

As we continued, defeating monsters and watching Corulis’s dining scenes, Sheila said,

“Adventurers. Next corner.”

“Understood.”

Corulis… has naturally noticed too, of course.

“Whoa!?”

The Adventurer coming from the other side of the passage screamed upon seeing Corulis.

“Ah. It’s not an enemy.”

I said it before they could assume a combat stance. Corulis also waved its hand in front of its face. That gesture… I heard Princess Stephania recently taught it.

“W-what? Ah, ah. The monster from the notice?”

After the Adventurer comprehended, they scrutinized Corulis closely, then noticed Princess Stephania’s presence and hastily straightened their posture.

“Good work. Do your best in the labyrinth exploration.”

Princess Stephania smiled.

“Y-yes!”

The Adventurers nodded with tense expressions, then disappeared down the passage while bowing repeatedly.

Since the Old Mine is a relatively low-Difficulty area, there are opportunities to encounter other Adventurers. Having experienced an encounter with other Adventurers… well, from the perspective of learning how to handle such situations, it can be considered a positive point.

Frequent encounters with Adventurers mean they’re more likely to be seen by fellow Adventurers, making it easier to obtain testimonies and witnesses, which can help resolve troubles. That might be a favorable wind for Corulis.

“Corulis. If you happen upon a scene where Adventurers are injured, please help them.”

Princess Stephania was also speaking to Corulis about various things.

Eventually, Corulis seemed to have eaten its fill. Looking at Princess Stephania, it rubbed its stomach area. …A sign of being full. It communicates various things through gestures, making it easy to understand.

“Then, shall we go through everything from how to return to selling Materials at the Guild? To return, just like when entering the labyrinth, you must bring enough Transference Stones to the stone monument.”

Upon hearing this, Corulis twitched its nose and advanced.

Following along, we reached the stone monument without any hesitation or trouble.

It seems to detect the unique Magical Power scent of the stone monument too. Or perhaps it followed the scent of other Adventurers’ footsteps. Hmm… Sheila also possesses excellent senses, but in terms of smell, it seems unrivaled by the others.

After that… I think it would be good if we could practice Coordination with its master, Princess Stephania, here in the Old Mine.