A portal opened, and everyone appeared outside the Labyrinth.
Chishiya led the way and opened the account interface.
"What unique teleportation magic," Yunyun said in awe.
"I've never seen a portal-based spell like that before."
She looked at Chishiya with shining admiration.
"Hey, hey, hey—!"
Megumin frowned and jabbed Yunyun in the cheek with her staff.
"What's with that look on your face?!"
"I'm warning you, don't start getting any weird ideas!"
Yunyun panicked. "W-what?! I wasn't thinking anything weird!"
She was still internally struggling over the apprentice issue.
"Normally, if you want to become someone's disciple, you should bring a gift…"
"If I suddenly ask without anything, won't that make me look thoughtless?"
Megumin clicked her tongue.
"Really…"
"What exactly are you going on about?"
As the two bickered, a small town came into view.
Laborers passed by carrying timber on their shoulders.
Some transported materials to their designated construction areas.
Many buildings had already been erected. Some were still under scaffolding.
Running water was fully connected.
An underground drainage system had already been installed.
Magic-powered streetlights lined the cobblestone roads, keeping the area brightly lit even at night.
In the middle of the square stood a statue of a goddess holding a kettle.
Darkness blinked in disbelief.
This is the Labyrinth?
Shouldn't a Labyrinth be some dark cave or creepy forest?
This was the first time she had ever seen a settlement constructed around a Labyrinth.
Yunyun looked at the people hauling stones across the road and lit up.
"Megumin, your training ground is amazing!"
Megumin glanced around.
"You mean them? Oh, they're all, uh…"
She was about to say they're mimicked Army Ants when Chishiya covered her mouth.
He turned back toward the group calmly.
"It's getting late."
"There's an inn just ahead, and a hot spring hall where you can soak and relax."
"You two should get some rest tonight."
"I'll have someone show you around tomorrow."
Yunyun nodded excitedly.
"Okay, okay! Thank you, Chishiya-san!"
Just as Chishiya turned to leave.
"Please wait!"
Darkness stepped forward.
"Chishiya-san, I've been meaning to ask from the beginning…"
"What exactly is your connection to this place?"
Chishiya paused.
Since he planned to recruit Darkness, there was no need to hide it.
"I'm actually—"
"The item you requested has been completed!"
Vanir suddenly appeared, holding a box in his arms.
Chishiya's eyes lit up.
"That fast?"
After returning, Chishiya had handed the sound transmission beads to Vanir, asking him to upgrade them for the Moe King world product line.
He didn't expect it back so soon.
"These cost us quite a bit of effort."
Just then, Vanir noticed the others.
"Oh?"
He smiled. Something had clearly caught his eye.
"Interesting."
Vanir gave a theatrical bow.
"Welcome, dear adventurers."
"I am the Duke of Hell who commands all demons, the all-seeing Vanir."
Darkness's pupils shrank.
"What?!"
She immediately drew her sword.
"You're a demon?! Everyone, get behind me!"
Megumin and Yunyun also entered combat stance.
"Sensei! Hurry up and get over here!" Megumin called out.
Chishiya rubbed his temple.
This guy absolutely did this on purpose…
Vanir chuckled.
"Girls, calm yourselves."
"We're cooperating with Chishiya now."
"There's no need for alarm."
The girls all stared at Chishiya in disbelief.
Megumin was the first to speak.
"Sensei! You're working with a demon?!"
Yunyun looked panicked.
"Chishiya-san, that's really dangerous!"
Chishiya rubbed his forehead.
"If I said he's a demon who doesn't hurt people, would you believe me?"
Darkness clenched her sword tightly.
"There's no such thing!"
"As a devout follower of Eris, I must destroy him!"
Vanir laughed gleefully.
"Relax. You're a perverted knight who's afraid of being outed for your… questionable purchases."
"W-what?!"
Darkness's face turned beet red.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about. Ha… haha…"
"Just the usual nonsense demons say, right?"
Yunyun stepped forward. "You dare insult my friend? I won't forgive you!"
"Sword of Light!"
A bolt of energy shot toward Vanir.
He effortlessly sidestepped it.
"Your magic won't work on me."
Yunyun: "Ehhh?!"
Yunyun collapsed onto the ground in embarrassment.
Megumin yanked her up by the collar and shook her.
"Hey! You really are trying to become his disciple, aren't you?!"
Vanir turned toward Megumin.
"And you."
"Because you're insecure about your chest, you're worried your beloved Sensei will get stolen by a cute, slightly more developed girl."
Megumin: "W-w-w-what are you saying?!"
"EXPLOS—Ow!"
Before she could raise her staff, Chishiya smacked her on the head with a swift and precise chop.
"Oww! My head!"
Chishiya glared. "Calm down. The Labyrinth cannot handle an Explosion spell!"
Vanir stood there contentedly, covering his mask with one hand.
"Mmm… such delicious shame."
"Please don't be stingy. Let me savor more in the future."
Everyone's battle posture crumbled under the overwhelming embarrassment.
Darkness's face was glowing red.
Megumin clutched her head.
"Sensei, what the heck is going on?!"
Vanir interjected again.
"Just as Chishiya said, I am a great demon… but one who does not harm others."
Darkness clenched her teeth.
"As if anyone would believe that nonsense."
Vanir responded smoothly.
"My kind feeds on human shame."
"We don't harm people. The sound of newborn babies is a greater delight to us than screams."
Chishiya let out a small sigh.
"He's telling the truth… He's that kind of demon."
Vanir continued.
"We signed a contract with Chishiya and are temporarily working under him."
"So you can rest easy. We won't do anything that hurts people."
"Demons take contracts very seriously."
Darkness paused, stunned.
"Working for him…?"
"You mean…"
Vanir nodded proudly.
"Yes. My boss is currently this man… surrounded by many women."
Chishiya sighed, rubbing his temple.
"The unnecessary commentary can be omitted."
Darkness asked, "So… what is this Labyrinth, really…?"
Chishiya looked up.
"I was just about to explain."
"I'm in charge of this Labyrinth."
"And… haven't you bought products from our company before?"
"You bought quite a few of those debuff herbs."
"Eh—"
Darkness's shame meter shattered.
Her eyes rolled back…
And she fainted on the spot.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)