Chapter 48: Prelude To Departure

Everyone was different from me.

If there was one thing I could say about this utterly pointless life of mine was that I held a unique position among my peers.

If you're stupid, then just be smarter.

A rather simple solution for those who failed to keep up.

I lived by it, these fundamental rules.

If you're weak, then just be stronger.

Again, most people were incapable of following such standards, but that was what it was.

I was superior to them, to those who died.

That too was clear from the beginning.

Life was predictable that way, but not entirely unpleasant either.

I didn't have a drive to be better than everyone else, things also just happened that way.

That was the root of my 'difference'.

Like some kind of main character from a fictional story, you come to realize that some parts of this narrative are true.

Not everything was roses, but success was always eminent in the end.

My mother possessed those qualities as well.

You could even say she was heroic in a way, yet sometimes demonic to others.

A sour contradiction.

But it was for this reason that she didn't want me to be involved in her line of work.

She couldn't be sure if I was the same as her.

…The kind of individual who pretended to be human.

"Why did you tell him?! Why the hell did you let him cull a target when I specifically told you not to get him involved?!"

"That boy…he is special, just like you. No, perhaps he could be even greater. I've already seen it; it would be a waste to let him rot."

"I don't give a rat's ass…! I didn't want that for him—not my baby boy!!"

Their muffled voices echoed from beyond the thick wooden door, the entrance to my grandfather's office.

That was the first time I'd truly seen her angry.

And now that I think about it, it was probably the last.

Though I didn't really understand at the time.

I only wanted to be like her, the person who was closest to me.

Even before I was aware of what it was she did for a living, I could tell that she too was 'different'.

But in the end, that was all we were.

Not some kind of godly or satanic beings.

—Just alien creatures concealed beneath human skin.

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Two large hands pressed against the surface of a pair of massive double doors. With a bit of pressure, they shook slightly, causing a grating sound to reverberate as they slowly gave way.

Small pebbles and stones scattered, merging with the clouds of dust that gradually wafted up from below.

This structure was undoubtedly old, but put even simpler, it was obvious that these doors hadn't been used in ages. Even so, one could see at a glance that no damage had been sustained despite the usual weathering of time.

"Interesting. I wonder what kind of magic was used to keep this place from degrading. Maybe 'preservation' effects that involve time, no, it seems more like a restorative magic…"

Standing beside the young man, a stunning girl with long snow-white hair, also known as one of the summoned heroes, spoke.

Suzu put a hand on her chin, observing the unique properties of the labyrinth with intrigue.

As expected, she was quite sharp.

Aziel glanced at her out of the corners of his eyes, displaying no particular reaction except for a pleased glint that radiated from his gaze. 

Naturally, this was because he knew that her guess was actually spot on.

"…Mn. It does seem like that. Though I've never heard of this variation of ancient magic, but…"

"Ancient magic?"

However, rather than Yue, Aziel answered in her stead. "It's magic that descended from the age of the gods. You weren't wrong either, the magic being used to preserve this labyrinth's original state is 'Restoration Magic'. Just as the other 'Mavericks' had their own unique version."

Suzu looked up at him in mild shock, while Yue flinched in surprise. From the looks of it, she didn't expect him to know about this.

"I-I see, but Mavericks? You mean the people Yue was talking about?" Suzu stuttered but continued.

"Exactly."

"Ha~…Now it all makes sense…"

"…Mn."

Yue nodded alongside her, putting the pieces of the puzzle together based on her own knowledge.

"So they had this kind of power, huh. The people who apparently sought to destroy the world... I just wonder how true that is…"

"Oh…? You don't believe it?"

"Hm? I don't really care even if they didn't."

Aziel snorted lightly in amusement, causing Suzu to wonder what was so funny.

"You seem awfully interested though. Or what, you don't think something's wrong with the so-called god of this world, do you…?"

Taken aback, Suzu's eyes widened at once, while Yue suddenly stiffened in place.

"Hold on, you…how did you…? No, wait, you somehow know oddly specific information, like what kind of magic the Mavericks used, and seem to have drawn some kind of conclusion about the gods. Do you…know something, Azi?" Suzu analyzed.

"Hmmm, perhaps. I might know a little…" He shrugged casually, taking a step forward into the darkness beyond the double doors.

"Right…if you say so…"

"…"

And they quickly followed after him. Stepping through the gates, they were directly greeted with a wide staircase that stretched on into pitch black depths. 

Each individual stair was smooth and perfectly symmetrical, as if they were all meticulously carved by hand. Moreover, the passageway was also spacious enough to fit at least ten people standing side by side.

Still, although it appeared quite opulent, an inexplicable air of gloom hung in the surroundings. It was ominous, but none of them paid it any attention.

Looking around curiously, Suzu stole a quick glance at Yue.

"It actually looks nice…unlike the other parts of the labyrinth. Ah, come to think of it, Yue, you were a princess, right? This stairway probably doesn't look all that unusual to you, huh." She said, leaning forward as she calmly folded both arms behind her back.

"…No, I've never seen anything like it."

Yue only shook her head, answering vaguely in response. 

Sensing her awkward mood, Aziel stepped in a bit closer, lifted his arm, gently wrapped it around the nape of her neck, and pulled her in toward his side.

Her head was nestled beside his chest as they walked, allowing her to take in his scent and feel his warmth.

However, despite her strange posture, she gave no particular reaction, just quietly enjoying his presence.

Aziel's expression became a touch softer upon seeing this.

It was impossible to remain indifferent.

At the mention of her past, he could instantly discern that she still wasn't too comfortable speaking of such things, and understandably so.

Though, of course, Yue wouldn't blame Suzu for doing so, as her words held no malicious intent.

"Hmmm…" Suzu hummed in discomfort, looking at this wholesome scene with a bitter feeling.

Then, she stretched out her hand, inserting two fingers into his pocket and allowed her arm to hang limply as they continued down the staircase.

It was the least she could do without interrupting their little moment.

But even so, this was only a concession she made—born out of the newfound respect she gained for the fierce vampire girl.

Like that, the trio progressed slowly, enveloped in a comforting silence.

One resting in the arms of a young man, and the other bashfully hooked to the pockets of his pants.

It was a scene unimaginable in such a dangerous place, but no one could tell them otherwise.

And I mean, No One.

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Dear Humans, put your power stones in the bag right this instant. I shall not tell you twice.

Jokes aside(not really joking), I really wanted to post today, so I did. If I didn't, we all would've had to probably wait until Sunday, and that's not nice.

Anyways, just do as I tell you and we'll all be fine.

Do It