Rentt, If you wish to live in Maalt,
you absolutely cannot refuse a request from the Latuule family.
I wasn't planning to refuse it.
But...!
Will it be all right?
I mean, you're...
If they find out I'm a monster, there's no doubt I will be exterminated.
This is so complicated...
No. When I met Isaac,
he didn't have any suspicion regarding my look.
If there were any problems, they wouldn't ask me for a request.
I understand.
But please tell me if something happens.
I will.
I'll go to the Latuule family for now.
That said, this is quite the maze.
I might say this myself, but I'm actually pretty good with directions.
Let's see...
Do not rely on the sun. That's probably it.
You don't see the sky in most mazes anyway.
Even without the sun,
a proper adventurer would be able to map the place in their head.
If the map in my head is correct, I should've cleared the maze already.
This doesn't seem like the entrance...
Are you giving up?
No.
I think I'm going to try a bit more.
Can't I?
Then you should take that path there.
However, you still have a way to go through the maze.
If you wish to take a break,
why not have some tea with me for a bit?
I will take your offer, then.
Even if they don't match your ideals
Chase your ambitions in your own way
Even if they don't match your ideals
Chase your ambitions in your own way
As I was recklessly chasing After the self I want to be
Before I know it I already turned into an adult
"Things will go your way"
"Dreams will be realised When you work hard"
No, this isn't such a nice, soft story
Even if you do your best To aim for the top
Knowing the result means everything
Means nothing
Keep on walking today Believing one day someone will witness it
The scenery from when you're disheartened And about to give up
What lies beyond despair and suffering
A thing that exist beyond the endless path
I will grasp it with my own hand No matter how far it is
The shape of the dream May not be ideal
But as I kept on Through the arduous chase
I will simply keep moving forward
I will take it to my hand now
We change the game from our own side
Live on freely in a world yet unseen
Even if they don't match your ideals
Chase your ambitions in your own way
Even if they don't match your ideals
Chase your ambitions in your own way
I'm guessing she's a lady from the Latuule family...
Both the pitcher and teapot seem to be magical tools.
Pardon me, but did you forget the tea leaves?
This teapot can recreate any tea it has poured before, even without the leaves.
Where did you find such an amazing magic tool?
Some magic tools are created by the labyrinth,
while some are replicas made by merchants.
This one was found in a labyrinth 200 years ago.
I believe it is worth around 300 platinum coins or so.
Platinum coins?!
Just one of them is enough to live a fulfilling life!
This one is worth 300 times that?!
So the Latuule family is on a whole different level than other nobles...
It is surely worth that much.
After all, it can only be found by adventurers risking their lives
in the labyrinth.
Even if they risk their life, sometimes all they find are nonsensical junks.
Delicious.
I'm glad you like it.
I recreated the most delicious tea I once had a long time ago.
I see. I never had anything this delicious.
Pardon me for asking, but is that mask a magic tool?
Yeah.
So it is true. May I ask where you found it?
An acquaintance of mine bought it at a stall in Maalt.
And for just three bronze coins at that.
So there's something that interesting in Maalt...
Umm, pardon me if this sounds rude,
but would you be willing to give it to me?
I heard the Latuule family collects magic tools.
Is that the case with her as well?
I'm sorry. It must be important to you.
Of course, I'm willing to pay you for it.
I would totally sell it! If only I could remove it...
But I only managed to hide my undead face thanks to this mask...
Sorry, but I'm afraid I cannot do that.
It's all right. I'm sure you have a deep attachment to it.
I'm sorry for asking something so rude.
No, don't mind it.
Thank you for the tea.
Take care, then.
Yeah. Thank you.
I will give you a hint.
A hint?
It might be best not to see the sun.
The sun again?
I'll remember that.
I knew it. There has to be some trick to this maze.
The sun, huh?
Could it be...
Teleportation?!
Is it possible to go back through it?
No, sometimes there's also a one-way teleportation.
This isn't a labyrinth, but I have to deal with this kind of trap?
Then does that mean...
I have to start from scratch again?!
I finally made it...
Congratulations.
Seems like you figured out the maze's secret.
All thanks to the advice from a certain person.
I am the head of the Latuule family, Laura Latuule.
Pleased to be of acquaintance.
So she's the family head?
I'm Rentt Vivie, a bronze-rank adventurer.
I'm here to ask about the request.
And also...
I cleared the maze.
Indeed you have.
There aren't many that managed to clear this maze.
Will you reward me for it as well?
Of course, I will.
You are free to pick any one magic tool you like from the Latuule household.
Then would you give me the magic tool that created that maze?
My apologies, we cannot give away that one.
I'm just joking.
Oh my.
Think of it as payback for making me suffer through that maze.
I see you are quite interesting.
This way, please.
Man-made magic tools are more stable in their performance.
However, just like these lights, they're all nothing but simple constructs.
Because they're full of mysteries, just like the labyrinths.
Lights.
Amazing.
These are all magic tools?
Yes. We went through great pain to sort them all.
That's not what I...
Actually, I am a bit shocked at that as well.
Why do labyrinths spawn all over the world...
Why do they exist...?
Not a single person has found the answer so far.
The same goes for magic tools.
Just like you said earlier,
some of them are like junk with unclear purposes.
What is this magic tool for?
I don't know.
Once thrown, it endlessly bounces.
Why would you collect something like this?
Because I want it.
That's what being a collector is, isn't it?
I see.
What about this?
Have you ever seen an airship from the western lands?
They are very large,
and apparently use steam to fly and allow people on board.
I have heard of the rumors.
You can say that is a model version of that.
It can move with Mana.
You can control it with this.
Are you having fun?
Yes, I might even want it.
Then will this be your choice?
Uhh...
I mean, I do want it, but this is pretty much just a toy, right?
The young boy in my heart is telling me to pick this,
but my adult self is telling me to pick something more useful.
It seems like you are undecided.
Mr. Rentt, try focusing your consciousness on the model.
W-what is this?!
Interesting, isn't it?
That model can carry the consciousness of its user.
Yes, it is interesting,
but the Mana consumption is pretty harsh.
I called it a model for convenience's sake,
but it is something created in the labyrinth.
So what you're saying is...
Yes, the airships themselves are a replica of this magic tool.
They couldn't figure out how to make it fly using Mana,
so they used a different power source.
And here I thought it was just a toy.
This will be very useful for scouting.
Indeed. But due to its Mana usage, it would be hard to fly it far.
You're right.
I can only fly it for a couple of minutes with my Mana.
So, will you pick this one?
Let me put it on hold.
Very well, you can take your time looking.
That, I will.
There's still a lot more beyond here, huh?
Is this also a magic tool?
Yes, it shines whenever something approaches it.
Anything?
Yes, it even reacts to rats.
That sounds both convenient and inconvenient...
This looks like a normal picture.
Try pressing the button on the frame.
This one?
Amusing, isn't it?
Don't you wonder what kind of sound that is?
Aren't you more amused by my reaction?
Mr. Rentt, please be careful!
Isaac, where is the deactivation device?
We stored it in a separate place for safety reasons.
Wait, you got to be kidding me!
Why is there a golem here?!
If that hits me, even I would die!
- Please hurry, Isaac. - Yes, right away!
Rentt, please hold out for a bit!
It should be around here...
This is why you should keep things organized, you know?
Hey! How long is this golem going to keep moving?!
It didn't absorb much Mana from me!
Your Mana is only used for its activation.
That golem becomes stronger by absorbing the surrounding Mana and objects.
Do you mind if I damage it a bit?!
I don't, but it's not something you can win against.
I'm not thinking about winning.
Listen well, Rentt.
The magic word for "Truth" is written on a golem's forehead.
Just add one character, and it will change into "Death",
and that will cause the golem to self-destruct.
There's nothing written here!
Well, that is for the early series of golems.
Normally they would have an external deactivation device.
What if there are none?
Either you run away, or fight and defeat it.
Hey! Have you found the deactivation device yet?!
It should be somewhere on this rack...
I guess that's a no-go.
I don't want to show this technique to others,
but I have no other choice.
Magic Spirit Fusion Art should work...
Halt!
Just in time...
I'm very sorry! Are you hurt?!
I'm okay...
Our negligence in managing the magic tool ends up putting you in danger...
No, I should hold the responsibility as the master.
No, it's my fault for carelessly touching the magic tools.
More importantly...
They won't ask for compensation for the damages, right?
I will have the servants clean up the place later.
More importantly, do you want to look for another magic tool to pick?
If you don't mind, I want to keep looking.
What is that?
They're materials gathered from monsters.
They're not magical tools, but you can use them to make medicines or weapons.
Materials from monsters, huh?
Does that interest you?
That thing is...
...vampire blood.
They say consuming vampire blood will turn you into a vampire yourself.
Is that true?
It's only rumors.
There have been many records of those who tried to drink vampire blood.
Most of them became insane and died.
Some that survived ended up crippled.
So that means nobody turned into a vampire?
Do you think anyone would claim that they turned into a vampire?
They will be exterminated in no time.
That makes sense.
However, the rumor remains.
If it claims to grant immortality,
then there will be some who wish for it, no matter how uncertain.
Royalties and nobilities would pay an exorbitant price for it.
I've decided.
So this is the thing you got?
Yeah.
It is definitely quite an incredible find.
I have seen airships before,
but I didn't expect to see the original magic tool that inspired it.
On top of freely controlling it, you can even share senses with it.
This is really fun, you know?
Still, just what is the Latuule family?
It feels like they're more generous than even most royalty.
Well, there aren't many adventurers like me
who can go to the Tarasque Swamp on a regular basis.
- Can I really accept this as well? - Yes.
This is thanks for taking on the troublesome task.
Of course, every time you deliver the dragon blood blossom,
we will pay you as stated on the request form.
I see.
With this, I can focus on tending to Mistress Laura.
So that's that. Would you like to try it?
Of course... is what I want to say.
But I believe that is enough escaping from reality.
I wasn't trying to do that...
Is he up to your liking?
Does it look that way to you?
Yes.
He was a rather unique guest, so I got a bit carried away.
It might be a good thing once in a while.
That said, please take some rest for now.
Are you sure that is the real thing?
Most likely so.
I just felt it the moment I put my eyes on this.
If I drink this, something will change.
You felt it with your instinct, didn't you?
But will it be all right?
Just like that Laura Latuule said,
there are records of those who tried to drink it,
and they all end in tragedy.
So it seems...
It's rare to see you hesitate.
It would be a lie if I said that I'm not scared.
I know I need this for my Existential Evolution.
My body itself wants it.
But it's too dangerous. You might even lose your life.
And even if that undead body of yours can survive it...
If you can make do without drinking it, then I'd rather you don't.
Personally, I don't mind if you stay as an undead for the rest of your life.
You can stay here and keep doing work as an adventurer.
Lorraine...
But you don't want that, do you?
Even if you have no talent for it, even if it takes many years,
there is something you want to reach no matter what, right?
To become a mithril-rank adventurer.
Even in days overflowing with emptiness
Goodnight, goodnight Goodnight, do not forget
Everything that has been Piled up will grow
Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight
Deep within you, always
Baby, keep your fire burning
The days built up will never disappear They will be your strength
Even if it won't be as glorious As someone else's
You can definitely fly with that speed
Keep the fire burning
(Rentt Faina)