Chapter 58
I did it!
Now this labyrinth won’t explode or collapse into a black hole. Once the energy maintaining it runs out, it will naturally vanish over time.
It was a shame about those who disappeared… but honestly, they were more projections of memories than actual living beings.
I shook my head.
No time for pointless thoughts—there was still so much to do.
Anyway!
“With the threat gone, I can now use this place for resource gathering!”
The once pitch-black landscape had returned to normal.
The only difference was that there was no sign of life anywhere.
“There might still be magic beasts, but at least new ones won’t spawn anymore…”
Most importantly…
“The land is perfect for farming!”
Heck yeah!
Since the labyrinth wasn’t affected by the harsh and cold northern climate, it was perfect for growing crops.
“Daughter, I’m back.”
“……!”
Ah.
A voice called out.
“Welcome back!”
“Yeah.”
He was back.
When I smiled brightly, Dad scooped me up into a tight hug.
“Ah, daughters really are the best.”
“Oh, Your Excellency, you’re so obvious. You’d better hurry up and marry her off.”
“When my son sees me, he just grunts and hides under the covers…”
Dad grumbled.
‘Wait, can a total doting dad say that? Isn’t that a character contradiction?’
— Some forms of strong justice break, not bend, when faced with grim realities.
Suddenly, Tigran’s words came to mind, and I blinked.
‘At this rate, I’ll probably run into the final boss of this novel too.’
Parts 2 and 3 of the story didn’t have much time gap between them.
Ah, whatever.
I looked down and noticed the pot was empty.
What the—?
“Oh no, the food’s gone.”
“Food? You actually made some, daughter?”
“We had a deal, remember?”
Dad blinked, then smiled and put me down.
“Then you can just make more. I’ll wait and eat before I go.”
“No, there are no ingredients.”
The labyrinth had reset into a completely empty state.
“What the— it was so crowded just now, and now it’s so quiet it’s scary in a different way.”
“Is there really no one here?”
“Nope!”
“Wow, our young lady is so sharp. Did your guardian deity tell you this too? Geez… I felt twice as strong thanks to the blessing. Should I offer a prayer or something?”
“Ooh, a prayer! Great idea!”
“Let’s do it. Stand over there.”
“Wait, don’t we need a pig’s head or something for a ritual?”
“There was that pig-type monster earlier—shouldn’t that be enough?”
“This thing?! I already caught it!”
When and where did they catch that?
Figures. Even the side characters in this fantasy novel aren’t ordinary.
“Okay, cut off just the head and bring it!”
Squelch—!
Blood splattered.
Suddenly, I was surrounded by four freshly severed, blood-dripping pig heads.
“How do we pray again? Kneel?”
“In the temple, they kneel like this and hold their hands like this…”
“Right, right. Let’s try it that way.”
And thus, it was done.
There I was, surrounded by four pig heads.
In front of me knelt giant, fierce-looking men with their hands clasped in prayer.
“Thank you for your help, Guardian Deity.”
I was completely speechless at the bizarre and grotesque scene.
That day, I listened to their weird prayer for a whole 30 minutes, then cooked that pig-type monster and ate it.
It was marbled and juicy—top-tier pork…
Samgyeopsal.
‘I should open a butcher shop.’
A new shop idea was born at that very moment.
We finally returned!
About three days had passed inside, but outside, only a day had gone by.
‘So there’s about a two-day time difference.’
That wasn’t really explained in the novel, so I didn’t know.
“Your Excellency! Young Duke! Are you safe?!”
As soon as we appeared, Chervan rushed over, eyes wide.
Everyone looked extremely tense.
Apparently, they’d been really worried—their eyes were dark, swollen, and puffy.
“We heard over a hundred of Rüden’s men went in, and none came back…”
“We’re all fine, so no need to cry.”
Dad didn’t seem to handle emotional retainers well and spoke stiffly.
“Big guys crying is just creepy.”
“Good grief, Your Excellency! Do you know how much we worried…!”
One of the rough-looking retainers behind Chervan—probably the treasurer—joined in.
Since Altard lacked enough soldiers, seasoned retainers with frontline experience had to participate.
‘At least they’re still emotionally sensitive.’
Judging by the tears, anyway.
“What about the orders I gave?”
“It’s only been a day. Nothing’s started yet.”
“Ah.”
Dad rubbed the back of his neck, pressed down, then nodded.
“Then I’ll take command for the territory war.”
Dad turned to me.
“You and Leon should head back now.”
“But…”
“This will be a real war. You don’t want to see it.”
“So the last one was a fake war or something…?”
“……”
Dad fell silent.
After a brief thought, he shook his head.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be of any use during a war. I wasn’t good with tactics.
“Chervan, take the kids back.”
“Pardon? But it’s Altard’s sworn enemy! How can I not participate?!”
“You’re a butler. While I’m gone, take care of the kids and protect the house with Albus. I’ll lead the battle—you don’t need to step in.”
Chervan closed his mouth at that.
His eyes shimmered with long-held fury.
“I’ll stay.”
“…Lemanti.”
“So please return, Count.”
Lemanti was Chervan’s aide. I’d heard he’d been with him since the Winter Mountains.
“I will bring you news of victory.”
“……”
It was only after Lemanti stepped up that Chervan finally lowered his chin and bowed.
“You must win.”
“I will.”
Dad replied calmly.
The short response seemed unfamiliar, so he added softly:
“I’ve never lost.”
“…I’ll trust and wait.”
“Good.”
Dad knelt before me and Eryon and ruffled our hair with both hands.
“Go back safely and wait patiently.”
“Okay.”
“Eve, protect!”
“Yeah, protect him.”
He gently cupped Eryon’s cheek with his rough hand and stood up.
“Dad, fighting!”
“Yeah.”
He grinned.
“I’ll be back.”
“……!”
My eyes went wide.
“Come back safely!”
“I’ll bring something tasty.”
That afternoon, I rode the carriage back to the estate with Chervan.
The next day, news of the territory war broke out.
The rebellion of Altard—a ducal house so quiet it was nearly forgotten—shook the noble social circles to their core.
Ten days later.
“What is this? What the hell is this?! Dad! What do we do?!”
“Shut up! Just shut it, will you?!”
Jesus Rüden, now a Count, was anything but composed. He turned pale and shouted at his panicking son.
How could the person who should’ve been the first to act and mobilize the troops be such a fool?
‘Even if you mess up parenting, how can you fail this badly?!’
Though retired from the frontlines, he was now being dragged into this mess and was utterly stressed.
He’d first heard news that Altard was moving troops four days ago.
At first, he dismissed it. It was a small force, and he thought they were just dealing with some internal issue related to the strange new building.
But two days ago, Altard’s army crossed the border.
And last night, word came that they were right at their doorstep.
