Chapter 37 – The Outcome of Cardiff

From the 13th to the 14th underground floors. There wasn’t much difference between these levels, but as we descended further, clear changes became apparent in the labyrinth’s very structure.

First, the stone-built labyrinth changed to earth and rock surfaces reminiscent of natural caves, with higher ceilings. Stalactites hung from those ceilings. Moss growing on the walls emitted a faint glow, allowing us to maintain visibility even without additional light sources.

—I could hear the sound of water. The air was also humid.

“It’s completely different from the upper floors, isn’t it?”

Ashley’s voice sounded somewhat impressed.

“Yeah… I can still accept changes of this degree though.”

Water flowed along the path—following the downward slope. It was quite clear water. With Life Magic water purification, it would be drinkable.

The wastewater branched off at a slightly higher floor as actual sewage, flowing from the labyrinthized sewer system toward the Great Corruption Lake.

This water probably came from what was originally an underground water vein or something that became part of the labyrinth, but in BFO it was simply called the cave area.

“By the way, when the scenery changes like this, the monsters that appear change quite a bit too. Let’s search for the stone tablet on this floor and call it a day. We’ve accumulated a sufficient amount of Transference Stones too.”

“Understood.”

They both nodded. This was Ashley’s first labyrinth exploration, so it was better not to push too hard. It would be best for both her and Grace to just get a glimpse of the cave area, grasp the atmosphere, then return once to make appropriate preparations before attempting to conquer it properly.

Now, about this cave area. Thanks to the glowing moss, we could see for a certain distance, but that was actually the tricky part.

Since the structure was more chaotic than the upper floors, enemies could be hiding in the shadows of rocky areas, deeper parts of the water, or dark spots on the ceiling, and precisely because we had some visibility, we were more susceptible to ambushes.

Therefore, the correct approach was to avoid relying too much on light sources and instead proceed with Night Vision Magic cast.

“Be careful of hiding spots since there are monsters.”

No sooner had I said this than a large bat attacked from the darkness above. It was a Blood Bat, a giant vampire bat.

“Silence Field!”

I eliminated the surrounding sound with Wind Magic. These creatures rely on ultrasound for echolocation to grasp their surroundings, but since their eyes have degenerated, this effectively blinds them.

Grace easily knocked it down with the flat of her axe as if returning a badminton shuttlecock, and Ashley intercepted with the basic Water Magic spell Water Cutter.

From what I’ve seen, Ashley seems to specialize in Water Magic as well as Healing Magic. Well, those are naturally compatible elements anyway.

We stripped the bat’s wings to add to our spoils. These would become materials for Mixing. There’s that image of witches boiling them in cauldrons—it fits perfectly.

As we advanced through the cave, I spotted a Slime clinging between the stalactites. With Night Vision Magic, we could clearly identify it, but things like this are often invisible not just with the light from glowing moss, but even with torches or lanterns.

When I deliberately approached directly beneath it, it attacked by free falling. Dodging while intercepting with a Fireball caused it to instantly bubble up as if boiling throughout its body, then shrink and harden into a Magic Stone that rolled to the ground.

It ended quite anticlimactically… but being liquid monsters, they’re somewhat troublesome since physical attacks are less effective against them.

“What should someone who can’t use magic do if a Slime attaches to them?”

“I’ve heard it’s best to swing them around forcefully to scatter them into pieces. At least for the Slimes around here.”

Grace answered Ashley’s question.

Apparently, when broken into small pieces, they lose interest in attacking larger opponents like humans. They easily lose fighting spirit and detach. The higher Slimes in the lower floors are more troublesome, but the ones around here aren’t much to worry about. Even among strong Slimes, Caduceus’s is superior.

“That puddle over there also has an enemy.”

Grace pointed out.

When we approached, a large frog called King Frog leaped out from the puddle. It swung its tongue, which had a bulb-like tip, like a whip to strike at us, but when Grace threw her axe, it was crushed along with its tongue.

The King Frog’s stripping part is the tongue… but well, since it’s edible, we could take the whole body back. With spare capacity in our Transference Stones, it would be best to quickly transfer it.

Since Ashley was using Round Guardian magic, we wouldn’t be ambushed so easily, but otherwise the cave area would be somewhat troublesome, I think. That’s because we need to pay attention evenly from above our heads to our feet.

It’s just a matter of dividing roles. This time, I was watching above while Grace was responsible for watching below.

The presence of small rooms and large rooms was the same as the upper floors.

We opened the wooden doors occasionally found in the rock surfaces and checked inside the rooms.

Even though it looks like a natural cave, it’s still part of the Great Labyrinth. The structure of passages and terrain properly changes with the lunar phase.

From a treasure chest, we obtained a set of gauntlets with intricate decoration. When I held up my hand, I could sense some magical power, but the details were unclear. It would be best to have them appraised back at the Guild later.

Whether we use them or sell them depends on their performance, but finding equipment like this around these floors means we’re quite lucky.

“Who prepares things like this? Are they monsters?”

“It’s mysterious, isn’t it—the Great Labyrinth.”

Grace and Ashley’s questions were reasonable, but I don’t have the correct answer either.

“They say they flow in from the labyrinth’s lower floors or the Otherworld side. I think there might be something in the labyrinth’s deep floors that synthesizes such items and sends them out, or pulls them from other worlds.”

The image is something like the Boundary Labyrinth’s control system.

We used Transference Stones from the 15th underground floor’s stone tablet to return to the temple.

We immediately headed to the Adventurer Guild to hand over our spoils and exchange them for money. The gauntlets were sent for appraisal, and we’ll decide based on the results.

I felt we were somewhat being watched, but I ignored the surrounding gazes.

“You seem to have earned quite a bit again. Did you charge into a monster room?”

When receptionist Heather asked this, I nodded.

“I wanted to experience the hassle of monster rooms while still in the shallow floors.”

“…For Theodore-san’s party, it probably isn’t anything surprising though.”

Heather frowned slightly but didn’t press further. She seemed somewhat exasperated.

“More importantly, Heather-san, have you heard about the Count Cardiff family?”

I decided to gather information while making conversation. Understanding the situation was important.

“Count Cardiff was found dead, I heard. Um… I’ll refrain from discussing the details.”

“Ah, I know about the Count.”

Since I heard from Rosetta, I knew the story that Maurice was killed by a demon.

Those who fought the demon at Count Cardiff’s residence seemed to be in terrible shape. Apparently, Maurice was deliberately not killed instantly but had no chance of survival—he was shot with Miasma Bullets… and probably suffered considerably before dying.

Even though he was probably a collaborator, did he anger the demon in some way, or should we accept that demons are just like that?

“It’s not about the head of the family, but the involvement of the eldest and second sons is being discussed, right?”

“Ah…”

Heather’s expression darkened.

“The second son didn’t get caught up in the Magical Inquisition, but it seems the eldest son knew about it.”

I had wondered how much information had spread since just yesterday.

Since it involved Black Transference Stones, various information seemed to have reached the Adventurer Guild side as well.

“I see… In that case, the Count’s family—”

“Confiscation of the title and seizure of the territory would be the appropriate line, wouldn’t it?”

Probably. If the heir knew and remained silent, it would be equivalent to betrayal against the kingdom.

In that case, the eldest son would be captured… and while the second son was innocent regarding the kidnapping incident and demon involvement, he had been disowned in order, and is currently in the process of restoring his honor. The Count Cardiff family has essentially fallen and become extinct.

The royal family seizes Cardiff’s territory and wins completely… or do they? Since Maurice failed in territory management, recovery would be troublesome. Whether to view this as taking on debt or increasing influence is a difficult question.

“What about the second son?”

“Well, he’s been disowned from the family, I hear. His custody is currently with the royal family, and since that person said they would take care of the second son, they apparently told those around them that they believe in his innocence. Thanks to that story, the wife’s head was also spared out of mercy, and that person will take care of both her and the second son.”

Prince Albert—by making it into a heartwarming story like that, he made it easier to avoid further pursuit. If Talcott is innocent, it becomes harder to punish him further.

There’s probably also the practical benefit of not having to give up a valuable card.

As the royal family, if Talcott himself is innocent, they want to show leniency to both domestic and foreign audiences and the nobles. Probably both parties’ interests align.

However, in that case, Talcott’s position shouldn’t worsen beyond its current state. He might be talked about behind his back, but at least openly criticizing him would be difficult since Prince Albert took that strategy. Even if he’s the fourth prince with a weak power base, royalty is still royalty.

As long as Prince Albert hasn’t changed his policy of incorporating Talcott… there shouldn’t be any problems for now.

Talcott himself will probably face considerable difficulties, but it doesn’t feel right for me to comment on Talcott’s circumstances or feelings.