We defeated monsters in coordination and arrived at the path to the Underground. There were also stairs leading up, but here Radi spoke.

“Considering the size of the fortress, the main part must be underground.”

“I agree with that as well.”

Nestor agreed, gazing at the stairs to the Underground.

“The miasma is clearly thicker below, too.”

“Then, it’s settled.”

When I said that, everyone nodded once and began to descend.

Now, for the labyrinth, this was the real challenge. Since there had been no sounds of combat along the way so far, it was highly likely that Phili and the others had gone ahead. There was also a possibility they had gone up, but that was fine too.

Upon reaching the bottom, we immediately encountered a path with five branches. There were no doors, just confusing passages. The correct path here was the middle one. How should we guide ourselves?

“It seems like it’s based on intuition from here… What should we do?”

Radi said. He looked around at us once, then spoke.

“There’s no use worrying about it. Shall we vote on which path to take?”

Immediately after he proposed it—a metallic clang echoed from somewhere. We instantly turned our heads. We couldn’t discern which passage the sound came from, but it was undoubtedly—

“Someone who went ahead.”

“It seems so.”

I agreed, and then… I muttered, looking at the middle passage.

“I felt like it came from the central path.”

“Are you sure?”

“My hearing is pretty good.”

“Then, let’s trust that. Is everyone else okay with that?”

Affirmative silence. Radi and I exchanged glances, nodded to each other, and started forward.

Upon entering the labyrinth, the miasma immediately became even thicker. Monsters also appeared along the way, and we dealt with them repeatedly.

In addition to the situation before the Beluna subjugation began, and the battles up to this point… Sofia’s level must have definitely increased. It’s regrettable that I can no longer observe Phili, but it’s still impossible to determine whether Phili or Sofia is stronger. The only thing I can say is that Phili, who is fighting ahead, will likely gain more experience points.

If levels are the standard for housing the Sage’s Magic Power, then Phili might also gain power… When Redras Was Defeated, the Sage’s Power resided in Sofia, not Alto, but the reason for this is still unclear. If it’s chosen by level, Phili might be the one to gain power.

So I want to raise my level as much as possible, but if I keep fighting for too long as a Leader, there’s a chance I won’t be able to catch up to Phili and the others, or Sofia herself might become too exhausted to fight… While thinking, we arrived at a space where four paths connected.

“This is troublesome.”

Radi mutters. I squint at the passages, but this is a place that didn’t appear in the game. So advice is difficult.

I try to listen for metallic sounds again, like before… but I hear nothing. I guess we’ll have to rely on instinct, I thought.

After that, we wandered, defeating Monsters and moving forward. Since it was a maze, Sofia and the others also started conserving their Magic Power, showing movements to preserve it as much as possible. However, with my Enhancement Magic and other support, we’re managing well with teamwork. So far, so good.

“My apologies, Ruon.”

Radi thanks me. Sylvie and the others also seem to realize that I’m doing my best despite not being able to fight, and they show appreciative expressions similar to Radi’s.

In a Leader period battle, it seems better to prioritize support that lightens the burden on allies… While I’m thinking, we arrive at another space with several passages. But I’ve seen this place before. The correct path is the one to our left.

“Let’s go down the left path…”

To my companions, it’s just an unsupported hunch, but Radi and the others follow my words. A ‘Blood Fighter’ appeared ahead, but we dealt with it easily. It felt less like our levels had increased and more like we had become accustomed to the Monster’s movements from continuous fighting.

“Still, it goes on forever… I don’t intend to turn back, but I wish there was a place where we could rest.”

Radi says. I secretly agreed, but I didn’t think the Demon Race would allow for such a luxury.

At that moment, a crackling sound, like something bursting, came from the direction we were heading. We looked at each other—concluding that someone was fighting, and ran.

Since the sound was quite clear, it wasn’t far—as expected, we immediately came out into a large hall. Perhaps it was the end of the maze, as only a passage leading further inward was directly ahead. And there—

“—Phili!”

I called out. He turned his head, putting distance between himself and the Monster, and said,

“—Ruon!?”

“An acquaintance?”

Radi says, staff at the ready. I nod slightly and say,

“For now, let’s defeat the enemy in front of us!”

Saying that, I gaze at the Monster Phili and his companions were fighting. It was a mid-boss type ‘Garnet Wolf,’ a Werewolf-type Monster with a Human body. This one, like Beluna, is a Monster that grows into a Leader, and I believe it’s set as an Elite Guard among Beluna’s pawns.

As its name suggests, its entire body is reddish like a garnet gem. As we arrived, the Garnet Wolf howled—and Nestor charged.

“Whoa!”

A charge with his shield raised. In sync, Sofia and Sylvie also start moving. Next, Phili’s companion—Kori, whom we fought with before, clad in full blue armor, and Phili re-grip their swords and charge.

Radi and I are in the rear… and Phili’s companion, a Magic-user, comes up beside us. That person is a bespectacled man in a brown cloak. His appearance is simply plain… but he is a Magic-user named Vasily Thrasnos, from the Academia, who can be recruited early in the game.

Despite being recruitable early, he’s reasonably easy to use and possesses the minimum parameters to fight until the end. Phili is fighting alongside him and Kori.

I shift my gaze to the Monster. Nestor, who led the charge, was receiving the Monster’s attack—and then counterattacked using ‘Blast Counter.’

A slash penetrates the Monster’s body. Simultaneously, Sofia unleashes ‘Lightning,’ dealing damage. Next, Sylvie lands ‘Sky-Piercing Violent Wave.’

What magnificent teamwork… While I’m thinking, Phili moves. He unleashes ‘Earth Crush,’ a low-tier magic technique. According to the Familiar’s report, he should have contracted with Earth Attribute and Water Attribute Spirits, so this must be the benefit of that.

Just as everyone thought we’d finish it in one go, the moment Radi was about to cast magic, I suddenly felt Magic Power from behind us.

I look back. I see a group that seems to have been following us, and the person at the front had just unleashed ‘Aerial Sword,’ a Wind Magic spell.

The Wind Blade, as a further pursuit, made the Monster recoil significantly. A good opportunity—everyone decided, and Sofia and the others attacked in unison, defeating it.

As the Monster crumbled, I stared at the person who had come from behind. Then Radi spoke.

“The third party to enter the Castle, then?”

Radi says, resting his staff on his shoulder. Those people were—one Magic-user and two Knights.

“Indeed, we can’t let the Adventurers do all the work.”

The Knight replies… Their silver-uniformed attire was quite imposing, making it clear they were Elite Guards.

Hmm, a party of Knights… I don’t recognize them, so they’re not characters who become allies in the game. However, the fact that they’ve reached this far suggests they possess skills a step above other Knights.

“Are there any more following behind?”

Radi further inquired, and the Knight stepped forward to respond.

“No, probably not… We’re probably the only ones from the Nation’s regular army who infiltrated.”

“…It seems there’s still more to go, but are you ready?”

Radi asked. The Knight nodded with an expression that said, “Of course,” and decided to proceed with them.