Chapter 616 – Rainbow Spring

“I see… Halvaronis. I feel that Lady Sion and the others share similar circumstances to my own birth,” Helvorte remarked.

During our conversation in the dining hall after lunch, the topic had somehow shifted to Halvaronis.

We had been sharing stories about the outside world, including our past experiences involving demons… When we spoke of Halvaronis, Sion and the others ended up telling Helvorte about their own circumstances.

“I think so too. Until recently, I didn’t know much about the outside world either,” Sion added.

“Indeed. Perhaps we’re similar in how we’re both protecting someone,” Helvorte responded, closing its eyes as if deep in thought, though its expression remained as impassive as ever.

“Does that mean… Lady Helvorte protects the castle, while we protected Halvaronis?” Marceska showed an unusually serious expression, seemingly pondering Helvorte’s words.

“From observing the residents of Ende Wiles, I’ve learned that humans seek various purposes and reasons within their livelihoods. In my case, I had that from the beginning… but for Lady Sion and the others, I suppose they found that purpose in protecting Lord Forset and the others.”

“…In our case, we were acting on our own accord, but perhaps you’re right.”

“In the end, our methods were wrong, but we did it because we wanted to accomplish something too… I think Lady Helvorte is correct,” Sigritta and Sion both nodded in agreement.

Whether it was Helvorte or Sion and the others, I suspected that part of why they could continue protecting others was because the people they were protecting were worthy of that protection.

Watching Sion and the others converse with Helvorte, Claudia showed a gentle smile.

Hmm. I had thought that bringing them together to talk would be mutually stimulating. They do share similarities in their origins and circumstances.

At least from an outside perspective, Sion and the others seemed to have formed a favorable impression of Helvorte. While Helvorte’s reactions were difficult to read at first glance, judging by Claudia’s expression, it seemed to be responding positively.

Marlene was also smiling happily, seeing Claudia’s pleased expression.

“Once again, pleased to make your acquaintance,” Sion and the others exchanged handshakes with Helvorte. Considering they would be training at the castle going forward, a good relationship was certainly welcome.

“Speaking of training at the castle, what are your plans? Haven’t various things come up?” Helvorte turned to me and asked while I was thinking about this.

“Ah, what should we do? It’s true we had actual combat today, and training immediately after that might be…”

As Helvorte said, we still needed to process the monster materials and decide how to use them.

“For today, I think it would be fine to just get accustomed to the deep floor. After this, let’s tour the castle a bit and then head back for now,” Claudia suggested.

“Hmm, let’s do that. We’ll decide Hider’s placement locations and check the underground entrance before returning. Training can start tomorrow.”

“From what I observed of your combat, everyone demonstrated sharp and precise movements. I feel I might be able to teach new formations, tactics, and strategies to the monsters defending the castle.”

I see. While the Beast Knights and Little Soldiers are monsters from the labyrinth, since Helvorte commands the castle’s monsters, it can issue instructions and teach them new ways of fighting.

Monsters capable of meeting advanced specifications, and a commander who can adapt their tactics flexibly according to the opponent. Thinking about it this way, the castle’s defenses are more substantial than I imagined.

Well, it’s good that both sides seem to be gaining something from this.

“—This castle is full of fascinating things. These Floating Stones are no exception,” Princess Stephania remarked.

“The audience chamber and the library entrance. Those are quite lovely,” Princess Adriana added.

“And training with those Knights sounds enjoyable too,” both princesses seemed satisfied with what they’d seen in the castle.

After resting following our meal, we toured various parts of the castle. The library entrance, like the audience chamber, was designed with moving carvings that created a pathway.

After completing our tour, we rode the Floating Stone down from Claudia’s residential area.

We were also shown Claudia’s private room… though it seemed she didn’t use it much. She mentioned spending more time at the Western-style mansion she’d built in the Labyrinth Village, and said she’d show us around there another time if the opportunity arose. For Claudia, that place probably held more personal significance.

“I believe Hider’s positions should be at the Floating Stone chamber and the entrance to the underground core,” Helvorte asked Claudia while still holding one of the Hiders in its arms as the Floating Stone descended and the surrounding light curtain disappeared.

“I agree. Securing those two points should be sufficient for now.”

“Then, first at this location.”

With Claudia’s permission, Helvorte released the Hider into the Floating Stone chamber. Following Helvorte’s instructions, the Hider walked with quick, short steps before crouching in the designated spot. Then it blended into its surroundings and became invisible.

“Regarding this Floating Stone, does it only operate with permission from Lady Claudia or Lady Helvorte?” Grace inquired.

“That’s right. While we didn’t anticipate many people going beyond the audience chamber, as an anti-intruder measure, it won’t activate without permission,” Claudia nodded in response to Grace’s question.

“Well then. I’ll guide you to the entrance of the underground core section. It’s quite maze-like, so don’t get separated.”

Saying this, Claudia began walking toward one of the passages leading from the Floating Stone chamber. We followed after her.

Compared to the previous corridors, the passage was somewhat narrower. There were many side paths, and as Claudia had warned, it seemed quite convoluted.

Turning left and right as we progressed, we eventually emerged into an open area. It was a place constructed exactly like the Floating Stone chamber.

“It doesn’t seem like we’ve circled back…” Rosemary momentarily looked puzzled, but then spoke as if she’d mentally retraced our route.

“That’s right. You’ll encounter several places similar to the Floating Stone chamber, but they’re all different locations. If you choose the wrong path, the design leads you in circles until you return to your starting point.”

I see… Without leaving some kind of marker, attempting to create a map would likely lead to confusion.

Even if intruders managed to get in, if they took their time exploring, Claudia or Helvorte would detect them and deploy numerous monsters to ambush them at the point where they’d be redirected.

Like the Floating Stone chamber, the plazas had passages in all directions. Perfect for surrounding someone.

As for Claudia, she had deployed an unidentified Magic Circle in her hand. It seemed less like a Spell Formula and more like something indicating the correct route to our destination. She periodically checked the Magic Circle at corners and other points while leading everyone forward.

And so… how long had we been walking? We emerged into several plazas with identical structures, but after passing through the final plaza, we arrived at—a familiar-looking place featuring a large vertical shaft with a spiral staircase built along its inner diameter.

“This resembles the labyrinth entrance. Or rather, should I say that place resembles this one?” Sheila observed.

“Yes, that’s correct. At the very bottom here, instead of a stone monument, there are facilities for entering the core… Since we’re here, shall we go down to take a look?”

We descended the spiral staircase toward the lower plaza. And then—we reached the bottom.

Just like the labyrinth, it opened into a plaza, but with numerous pillars standing like a temple, and at its center was something resembling a spring that shimmered with rainbow colors.

Was it water or something else? It reflected the surrounding scenery like a mirror. Beautiful, but… even without using a monocle, you could feel the Magical Power so intensely it was palpable against your skin.

“Can we descend to the core from here?”

“Yes. If you jump into this spring, you’ll enter the area under the Last Guardian’s command. It’s also inside the Moon Ship that integrated and fused with the Earth Vein,” Claudia nodded in response to Sheila’s question.

…I see. So the labyrinth’s core is the actual Moon Ship that Claudia arrived in. Well, since it fused, it might not retain the ship’s form anymore.

Passing through to enter the core area means this spring probably functions like a Gate.

In any case, exploring beyond the Gate would begin tomorrow. For today, we should head back and have that discussion with Alfred about the new Magic Tools and such.