Chapter 25 - Frontlines

Two days later, Alina and Renji met Celia outside Elith’s mansion. Elith, Neria, and Sorien were also present to see the pair off.

Sorien placed a hand on Renji’s shoulder, his face wearing a proud smile. “You’ll do fine. You’re stronger than you think. We’ll have drinks when you get back.”

Renji nodded as he clasped Sorien’s forearm. “Thank you, Sorien. I’m grateful for all that you’ve done.”

Neria and Alina exchanged a quick, tight hug. “Stay safe, Alina. Get stronger, and we’ll catch up again when you return,” Neria said, her voice low. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Can’t wait to hear about your progress with ‘him.’” Neria chuckled.

“Neria!” Alina hissed, her face flushing with embarrassment.

“Hey, don’t give up, girl. You never know,” Neria whispered, still embracing Alina.

“I’ll miss you, Neria. See you soon,” Alina said, pulling away from the hug.

Elith regarded both of them. “This is the biggest test of your abilities so far. I am confident both of you will do well. I look forward to your safe return.”

“Thank you, Elith,” Renji and Alina said, moving to stand next to Celia.

“Time to go. They’ll be back in a couple of months,” Celia added, looking at Renji and Alina.

“Stay out of trouble!” Neria called.

“What nonsense,” Celia countered playfully. “We’re going to look for trouble!”

Yet Renji noticed, just for a moment, that her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

With that, a magic circle appeared beneath the trio, and a bright light enveloped them.

***

The spell Celia cast allowed for direct teleportation to the gate on Floor Sixty, bypassing the usual restrictions of the labyrinth’s portals. Unlike the gates on other floors, this one was situated right on the edge of a busy town.

As they emerged from the gate, Renji and Alina noticed the town’s atmosphere was a stark contrast to what they had experienced on other floors. The town had almost no civilian presence and felt extremely utilitarian.

It also boasted an abundance of armourers, weapon-smiths, and apothecaries, in addition to the usual inns and taverns.

The residents roaming the streets carried a hardened veteran’s aura. Almost everyone was armed, their weapons a clear indication of the town’s tense atmosphere.

“The air here feels heavy,” Alina thought aloud.

“Yes, it does,” Renji agreed. “It’s a familiar weight. You stop noticing it after a while…” It was the kind of atmosphere Renji, a war veteran, was used to—one that kept him alert, even as it weighed on him.

It’s like the Middle East deployment all over again. Except without the sand in my boots and forty-degree heat.

Alina turned her gaze sideways to Renji as they walked.
I’ll get stronger. Strong enough to walk beside him—even if his time here is short.

After a long walk through the town’s tense streets, they arrived at a two-storey, functional-looking house.

The elf knocked twice on the door.

After several seconds, the door swung open. A stout, barrel-chested dwarf in chainmail, his orange beard bristling, stood at the doorway.

“Hello, Gromul. Long time no see,” Celia greeted with her usual playful smile.

“Celia,” the dwarf said, almost grunting, his gaze flicking over the pair. He stepped aside, gesturing for the party to enter, his expression unreadable.

The trio entered a cozy living area, a warm fireplace crackling at its heart. To the right was a moderately sized dining room, its table neatly set with a few empty chairs around it.

Gromul shut the door and gazed at Alina and Renji, his eyes narrowing. “You two must be the rookies Celia told us about.”

“Alina and Renji,” Celia gestured toward the pair.

“Pleased to meet you,” the duo said, bowing slightly in unison.

The dwarf stepped up to the pair, looking up from his five-foot frame, his eyes locking onto Alina’s with an intense gaze.

She flinched slightly. “Y-Yes?”

“Fresh meat… but with hidden power?” the dwarf muttered in a low voice.

He then stepped in front of Renji, looking straight into his eyes.

Renji, unflinching, held the dwarf’s gaze, his posture steady.

Sizing up the newbie already? Typical. I’ve been on both ends of this ritual before.

“Death is not new to this one. He carries it with him,” Gromul nodded in approval. “At least we know he won’t choke.”

Renji stayed silent.

“They’ll do—if they don’t get eaten in their first week,” the dwarf muttered.

“Don’t mind Grom. He’s a good guy, just lacks delicacy,” a female voice called playfully from the staircase above.

A human woman vaulted the railing and landed with a grace that made no sound. Straightening, she flicked a black ponytail over her shoulder, worn leathers creasing as she gave a two-finger salute.

“Rikka Ventul. Nice to meet you both,” she said with a smile, tone light but confident.

“Rikka, how are you?” Celia greeted cheerfully.

“Hello, Celia. No complaints here. You’re looking well, as always,” Rikka replied warmly. “We received the crate of potions this morning. So, the deal is we chaperone these two in exchange for payment?”

“Yes, that’s the deal, Rikka dear,” Celia nodded.

“Come on up. I’ll show you to your rooms,” Rikka gestured, leading the pair up the stairs. “This place will be your home for the immediate future.”

“Separate rooms, right?” Rikka asked as they arrived on the upper-floor corridor.

Alina flustered. “Y-yes please!”

Renji nodded, tone calm. “Yes.”

Rikka glanced at Alina with an arched eyebrow. “Hmm… Separate rooms, it is then.” Her voice betrayed a hint of playfulness.

Celia took a seat on the couch, facing the fireplace. Gromul set a cup of tea on the table in front of her.

“Please take good care of them,” Celia said, her tone gentle with a hint of seriousness.

“They’ll do fine. The male’s no stranger to combat. The girl—she’ll adapt. Rikka’ll see to it,” Gromul assured.

Celia sipped her tea. “Thank you, Gromul. Their future is entwined with the Labyrinth’s fate—whether they want it or not.”

“Bold claim, Celia. But if you say so.”

A few minutes later, footsteps could be heard as the trio came back down the stairs.

“The rooms are nicer than I thought they’d be,” Alina said as she entered the living room.

“I’m glad you like it,” Celia said, smiling.

Celia stood, then looked at Alina and Renji. “This is where I bid you both farewell.”

Alina was surprised. “You’re not staying, Miss Celia?”

“I’m afraid not, my dear. I do have pressing matters to attend to.” Celia’s playful smile lingered.

She stepped closer, brushing back a strand of Alina’s hair. “You’ve grown stronger, and will continue to grow. Do not be afraid of your own power. Embrace it, or it will get away from you.”

“I understand, Miss Celia.” Alina nodded resolutely as her grip tightened around her staff.

Celia then turned to Renji, placing a hand on his arm. “The labyrinth has a way of breaking those who walk alone. It always starts with thinking you can carry it alone.” Her tone was warm, but Renji could sense a hint of warning.

Renji studied her, frowning slightly. Why say it like that…?

“Miss Celia…” Alina gave her a quick hug.

Celia pulled out of the hug. “I’ll drop by when I can. You’re in good hands with these two,” she said, her voice carrying a trace of warmth.

She waved cheerfully as she let herself out of the building.

As Renji watched the door close behind the elf, his mind raced. The deal with Celia, the potions—something didn’t add up. He had a feeling that the warm welcome in this ‘warzone’ was about to turn anything but warm.

***

Floor Twenty, Great Labyrinth.

Beneath the Duke’s mansion, a faint green glow painted the walls of Vaerina’s lab. The crystal lattice embedded in her apparatus pulsed with life, arcs of magical energy dancing across the runes. She held a silver amulet, its centre set with a shard cut from a green crystal.

“It’s ready,” she said softly, almost to herself.

Thorval stood nearby, arms folded. “Finally. That trinket had better be worth the effort.”

Vaerina smiled thinly as she placed the amulet into his palm. “This is no trinket. With it, you’ll maintain your stone golems for far longer. Their strength will double… perhaps more, once the amulet has taken its fill of essence.”

The Duke’s eyes glittered as he closed his fist around the charm. “Finally. With this, no force in the labyrinth will stand against me.”

Vaerina inclined her head, but her smile lingered. “Indeed, my lord. Wear it close, and you’ll command an unyielding bulwark of stone.”