Chapter 546 – Labyrinth and Demon Slayer Knights

Since most of the knight order members were seeing Belius for the first time, they seemed somewhat surprised by his appearance. However, upon witnessing Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana casually stroking Belius’s throat and head with relative ease, they appeared to relax. Belius, for his part, remained docile and wagged his tail.

Thus, it seemed their first impression wasn’t bad. The knight order members moved on to dismantling the Mammoth Soldiers and Prism Deer.

“Looks like we’ll be able to eat Mammoth Soldier meat for a while starting today. How fortunate.”

“I’m quite fond of venison as well.”

In this manner, the members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order chatted and laughed while processing the monsters, giving the impression that they were growing accustomed to—or rather, toughening up for—survival life.

They skillfully dismantled the creatures and briskly proceeded with their tasks, sending unnecessary materials outside the labyrinth.

They collected fur, horns, and tusks, then retrieved the Snow Golem medals from the geyser and transferred them outside.

It seemed the various meats would become meals for the Demon-Slaying Knight Order. The portion they secured was larger than what they sent out. What they sent outside was likely intended as an offering to the Royal Castle.

They drew water from the geyser into buckets, loaded them onto carts, and in no time, preparations to return to headquarters were complete. Corulis also appeared to be bringing back the remains of the rock worms, carrying them over its shoulder.

“Then, we shall return.”

“Yes, sir!”

Seeing that preparations were complete, Elliot issued instructions, and they began moving in a formation centered around the carts to provide escort. Considering logistics transportation as part of military duties, one could glimpse their high level of training.

Weltes and Eckels, being former military personnel themselves, seemed to understand this high level of training and nodded in admiration.

The encampment of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order wasn’t too far from there.

It was properly formed as a base, with the surrounding glacial trees cut down to create a fence. The ends of the logs were sharpened and extended outward, reinforcing the structure while enhancing its Defense Power.

A magical Barrier seemed to be deployed around the base, making the inside of the fence surprisingly warm. It must be comfortable inside the tents. While the Glacial Forest is a relatively harsh place to spend long periods, one could see various ingenious adaptations.

As the main force of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order returned, the remaining knight order members showed their faces.

“This is Theodore-dono. Welcome back, Your Highness Stephania, Your Highness Adriana.”

“Hello.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

They returned greetings to the knights who bowed.

“We are relieved to see you safe, Commander.”

“Yes. We have taken the enemy position. The geyser remains, so we should have ample water for a while without needing to break ice. We also defeated Mammoth Soldiers, so our meals might become more luxurious.”

At Elliot’s words, the knight order members who had come to greet them grew excited.

“That’s wonderful!”

“However, before we begin meal preparations, I must introduce the new faces joining the Demon-Slaying Knight Order. Assemble promptly in front of the command post.”

“Yes, sir!”

Receiving the order, the knights ran off to relay the message. The knights who had brought back the spoils took them to the kitchen.

“Please, this way.”

Elliot guided them to a building located in the center of the encampment.

“It’s not a tent, is it?”

When Ashley tilted her head upon seeing the building, Elliot smiled gently and nodded. The command post was… a building constructed from assembled stone blocks. Its construction was simple but appeared sturdy.

Seams were visible, indicating it was made through Magic Construction. The one likely capable of such Magic Construction within the Demon-Slaying Knight Order would be… Lionel, perhaps.

“That’s right. Although it will disappear due to the structural changes with the lunar phase, I thought having something that could serve as a Fortress if monsters breach our camp might make a difference in our fate.”

“Indeed, with this, we can safely use the Red Transfer Stone inside as well.”

Grace looked up at the command post and nodded. It seemed to have a second floor, allowing arrows to be shot from a vantage point. In fact, several knights equipped with bows were stationed atop the command post, keeping watch over the surroundings.

While observing the situation within the base with interest, the knight order members gathered and lined up in the square in front of the command post.

When the messenger reported that everyone except those on watch duty had assembled, Elliot nodded and addressed the knight order members.

“First, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to those who participated in today’s battle, and to those who remained in the rear and protected the base to which we should return. We have managed to overthrow the monster’s position and can laugh together. This is undoubtedly the result of each of you taking pride in your work and coordinating with one another. Although we are a group gathered from various countries and organizations, today’s battle convinced me that, through training at the shipyard and in the labyrinth, we are bound by strong bonds like siblings. As Commander, I am proud to fight alongside all of you.”

After saying this, Elliot paused briefly, glanced at Weltes and Eckels, and continued with gestures.

“Now. As some of you may have already heard, elite military officers have been dispatched from the maritime nation of Grantios and will be joining our Demon-Slaying Knight Order. These are Sir Weltes and Sir Eckels. From today onward, they will share our lodging and meals, and we will hone our skills together.”

“I am Weltes of the Grantios Kingdom. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise, I am Eckels, humbly serving in the Grantios Kingdom.”

The two bowed quietly. Upon their introduction, the members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order welcomed them with applause. Waiting for the applause to subside, Elliot spoke.

“There is one more announcement. Cerberus, the former Sub-Guardian of the labyrinth’s Deep Floor, has been reborn with a physical body as a Magical Creature, given the name Belius, and is accompanying the Otherworld Ambassador. Belius will not be joining the Demon-Slaying Knight Order, but opportunities for him to interact with us will likely increase in the future. Please ensure you do not mistake him for a monster.”

In response to Elliot’s introduction, Belius twisted the corner of his mouth into a smile. The knights widened their eyes at his gesture… but quickly regained their composure—perhaps because Corulis and the others had developed a Resistance to it.

“That is all. Now, please proceed with lunch preparations. Relief personnel for watch duty should contact the current watch to come to the command post.”

“Yes, sir!”

The knights straightened their posture, saluted, and then moved on to lunch preparations and their respective duties.

Weltes and Eckels’s first official work as members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order was participating in cooking duties. As the saying goes, those who share the same pot become comrades; this consideration was likely to help them integrate into the knight order quickly by sharing such tasks.

A non-fryer Magic Tool had also been brought in, and one could witness the rather unusual sight of Weltes and Eckels coating mammoth meat with egg, flour, and breadcrumbs.

However… it somehow felt like turning mammoth into cutlets was becoming standard practice. Not that it was a problem, since the members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order seemed to be enjoying the mammoth cutlets with relish.

The cooking of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order utilized local ingredients: venison was simmered with vegetables to make soup, and while it gave a rather wild impression, the taste was delicate and elaborate, hinting at considerable effort.

“Hmm. Outdoors… or rather, inside the labyrinth… but eating this kind of food in a place with such clear air isn’t bad at all.”

When Rosemary said this, Marlene nodded repeatedly with an untroubled smile. Sheila also nodded silently while steadily eating her meal.

The Glacial Forest… did seem to have clear air, and the scenery was beautiful in its own way. I could understand why the food tasted better. The soup, warming the body from the inside, probably felt particularly penetrating in this location.

Lavigne, Flamia, and Belius were also gnawing on mammoth and venison with bones attached.

Corulis had finished off the rock worms, created a chair to sit on, and was rubbing its swollen belly. Well… being a giant worm, it must have been quite a feast.

Somehow, it felt rather relaxed—more like camping than training while camping in the labyrinth.

While leisurely relaxing in the command post, drinking post-meal tea and listening to Irmhild play the lute, a communication came through on the Communication Device.

“Is something the matter?” Claudia inquired.

“No, it’s a message from Marl. She’s asking if we can meet somewhere in Termwills.”

Hmm. Perhaps she managed to contact the other Spirit Kings or something along those lines.

From the text, it didn’t seem to be an urgent matter… In any case, we’ve accomplished our purpose for descending into the labyrinth today, so I’ll decide on a meeting place and send a reply.