[The world is beginning to reject your soul!]
[The world is beginning to reject your soul!]
These cryptic words were continuously reminding the four maids, whose expressions dread as this was something they were incognizant of.
Due to physical and mental fatigue, lying on the chilling grass in the middle of the night, Hanna's quivering voice of concern, with a terrified expression because of the fear of the unknown, called for her Young Master, "Y–young Master! Something is happening! T–the Labyrinth System tells me something about my soul!"
The other three maids glanced at each other, realizing that each of them received the same prompt from the Labyrinth System. Receiving the maids' inquisitive look, Zero's unconcerned voice echoed:
"Don't worry, your soul will stabilize."
A moment or two later, just like Zero said, subsequent messages from the Labyrinth System appeared before their anxious eyes.
[The Golden Thread of the Forgotten has been detected to be tied to your soul.]
[A 'soul stabilizer' has been recognized by the Great Labyrinth.]
[The world has accepted your existence!]
"Y–young Master, I think we are good now? M–maybe?" Said Olivia with reluctance mixed with a bit of relief, her golden eyes staring at the hazy blue screen.
"Okay then. Attention everyone. Even though my abrupt, somewhat cruel actions have caused fear to some if not all of you, remember that instilling fear isn't the best method in molding someone's mentality."
Subtle glances of tacit understanding were exchanged between the four maids as they continued to listen:
"On the other hand, I am aware that a person's heart is truly deceitful. You may have said that you truly trust me, but in the face of giving up your life for me, it's a different story."
Before Zero could continue, the somewhat introverted Azel raised her fatigued body. Sauntering towards him, all of a sudden, she prostrated, catching the other three maids by great surprise, especially after hearing the conviction from her lips:
"Young Master, please take my life."
"H–hey! W–what do you mean by that? I'm sure you know it's agonizing having a sword stuck in your chest!"
"A–Azel, w–what are you doing?"
Hanna and Skaya couldn't help but subconsciously interject. Meanwhile, Olivia processed Azel's unexpected words as they heard Zero's cold voice that grasped what the latter meant:
"Do you have any idea of the gravity of what you are saying?"
"Yes, Young Master. I will follow you in fulfilling whatever you desire without questioning your decisions. Whatever the future may hold."
At this moment, only Zero and Mai, who were aware of everything about Azel, comprehended this maid's conviction. But for the other three, there's only perplexion and undying curiosity behind Azel's sudden demeanor.
"What do you want?"
Because of the seriousness of the atmosphere, the other three maids could only listen.
"Young Master, I don't want anything. Just please, do not abandon me." Subtle tears flowed down her cerulean eyes, which reflected the glimmer of the bluish moon in the wondrous starry sky.
Seeing this, the temporary head maid, Olivia realized something – that every maid working in the house had their own narrative that needed to be concealed and that each other's bond wasn't truly founded and only superficial.
Azel's somewhat introverted personality made her appear to be an unapproachable person; her background was veiled as Azel was only brought by Olivia's mother, the head maid in slumber. Through Elizabeth's generosity, Azel started working in the Branch House when she was just twelve years old, during the time Zero was in a state of slumber for around five years.
Seeing her pleading countenance, someone who was ambiguously abandoned by her family, Zero sauntered and squatted in front of her.
"In the Name of the Great Labyrinth, [—], and [—], from this moment onwards, Azel will be of service and I will fulfill my duty as your master."
As though the time paused, two words or phrases didn't enter the maids' auricular senses. It was only Mai who comprehended it as she inwardly muttered the close remark as she closed her eyes for a second:
'Oridi.'
***
The spectacle ended, and the three maids had their mouths shut, unable to muster anything upon seeing something difficult to comprehend.
What snapped them from their contemplation was Zero's voice, "As you may know, truly trusting someone doesn't necessarily mean devoting your life to that person."
Zero glanced at Mai; the latter understood her Master's intention as she disappeared, gripping a [Rare] weapon, one that Guardian Racan used as she appeared in front of now-standing Azel.
Seeing this, Hanna, Skaya, and Olivia predicted what would have happened. But what caught their eyes of cautiousness was Azel's cerulean eyes of 'true conviction,' unfazed by what was about to come.
Stab—!
Mai struck her but instead of shock, Azel's expression painted a gleeful pain. As though she was delighted that if she ever perished, it's from her Master's hands.
After some time, the otherworldly effect of the dark sword restored her body. It was then that Zero's voice addressed the three maids with conflicting expressions:
"Azel's free will as someone who devoted her life to me will be retained. Remember this, she's not a puppet of mine but my companion.
"In any way, do not devote your life to someone you are unsure of. It will only bring betrayal and heartbreak."
The four maids, with their bodies straightened, continued to listen. They were similar to cadets of the military who couldn't open their mouths unless they were permitted to.
"But since you either trust or are devoted to me, it's only right for me to clear some things regarding what you've been through – death and resurrection, if that's what you want to call it."
Holding the dark sword emanating a mysterious primal element of darkness, Zero explained:
"This is the Fragmented Umbra Sword of Paths."
——————————————
[Fragmented Umbra Sword of Path]
Description:
A dark sword borne from the indestructible fragment of the [] []. It has lost its sovereign power and will remain in oblivion until the end of time.
Category: [Weapon] [?]
Rarity: [?]
Function: [Her Grin of Deception]
– Produces the Golden Thread of the Forgotten to "deceive" the plane between life and death, tying the lost soul to the world of the living.
Status: Useful [?]
——————————————
***
Witnessing the bizarre, myth-like details of such a weapon in existence, the four maids had a collective expression of incredulity and wonder. With curiosity creeping into her mind, Olivia asked, "Y–young Master, does it mean that we are now immune to death? If not, then how can the Golden Thread of the Forgotten be cut?"
Based on how she perceived its ridiculous function, Olivia's soul, along with the three others, truly wandered in the 'Abyss' after Mai struck them with the dark sword, sending them to death. But because of the mysterious 'thread', they were pulled back to this world and avoided being sent into oblivion.
Appreciating the temporary head maid's curiosity and initiative, Zero responded, "You are not exactly immune to death because you will truly die when you are hit by anything imbued with a sufficient amount of True Divine Power.
"Alternatively, to cut the Golden Thread of the Forgotten... is by cutting your own life.
"On the other hand, it will be forcefully cut if the Fragmented Umbra Sword of Paths has been destroyed or if my distance from the four of you increases. That's why, do not ever be conceited, thinking you cannot die."
Listening to her Young Master, Azel, with an expression of relief for some reason, interjected:
"Then Young Master, can you please explain why we needed to experience death?"
At that moment, instead of answering verbally, Zero extended his right hand to his side, where a purple rune-inscribed Mana Circle manifested.
[Activating the Class Specialization Ability: Summoning Circle.]
[The qualification of the Explorer to summon the labyrinth creature, "Sonic Goblin" has been verified.]
[Summoning a Sonic Goblin.]
[Summoning a Sonic Goblin...]
Simultaneously, four blue-skinned, four-foot-tall monsters emerged from the four rune-inscribed Mana Circles. These creatures possessed a pair of sharp crimson eyes and shark teeth, each holding a bone sword in their hand.
Before their very eyes, the four maids recognized the monsters that Zero had summoned. After all, these were among the first among the firsts that a beginner Explorer, those with low Mana Attunement, would cross paths with as they were confined within the Labyrinth of Ones — any labyrinth where a labyrinth monster was bestowed with Divine Multiplier of [x2 to x9].
As the four of them experienced a labyrinth exploration at least once, similar to nostalgia, the Labyrinth System reminded them of the Sonic Goblin's information.
——————————————
[Sonic Goblin]
Description:
A lowly creature born to outrun its untold purpose, an inhabitant of the Labyrinth of Ones.
Labyrinth Creature Rank: [Common]
Divine Multiplier: [x5]
Status Attributes:
Strength: 5
Agility: 5 [x5]
Intelligence: 5
Constitution: 5
Mana: 0
Divine Overdose:
As a side effect of its multiplied Agility [x5], this creature will thoughtlessly overrun whatever's in front of it.
——————————————
According to the Labyrinth Records, Divine Multiplier referred to how many times a labyrinth monster's random stat would be multiplied; this was considered to be a blessing bestowed by the labyrinth where the monster was found. On the other hand, Divine Overdose referred to the side effect of receiving such a random stat boost.
As it was written:
— "As if the other races aren't abnormal enough! Fucking troublesome!" — Excerpt from a certain human ancestor.
***
"Let's do a simple formation!" Olivia shouted, causing non-combative Azel to hide behind her while Hanna and Skaya raised their weapon, ready to block the way of the Sonic Goblins.
It was a simple formation called [Triangular Defensive Stance].
But at that moment, someone appeared behind their back, greeting them with a playful voice:
"Hello there."
It was Mai, which triggered slight trauma from being stabbed several times. Even though Olivia, as well as the others, gradually realized that it was merely a distraction, it was enough for them to be in disarray.
Boom—!
Holding the bone swords, the Sonic Goblins cleaved them down, cutting one of Hanna's hands, losing her silver sword; and stabbing Skaya's stomach, causing her to fall to her knees. This allowed Olivia and Azel to dodge on the side as they let out a deep breath.
Before the untamed Sonic Goblins could crash on the backyard door, Zero swiftly knocked them out before recalling them.
It took less than a minute for Hanna and Skaya to heal, and during that time, Zero's final lesson for tonight reverberated:
"Azel, you need to experience death so that you will realize how valuable life truly is. In the same way, experiencing death will give you tolerance against the fear of it.
"And by having such tolerance, should you become rational in the midst of a threat."
His gaze alternated between the four maids, who eventually comprehended what their Young Master meant.
"That concludes the training for tonight. But before you go, remember not to consume a Vitality Potion of any grade lest you want your effort to be in vain. After all, you will appreciate more the hardships if you are constantly being reminded by the fatigue of your body and mind."
When the four maids formed a horizontal line, Zero continued:
"By the way, that 'shirt' will be your training reward. See you tomorrow."
With that, the first night of cruelty ended; only Azel was left in the backyard with her Young Master and Mai.
"Azel, let's begin."
She then retrieved the peculiar 3-Chapter Grimoire she stored in her planar pocket.