An Absent Monster and Great Labyrinth in the Ruins

No hostiles detected near Perse Island. No sign of Artemis in nearby orbital space, either.

Right. All hands, prepare to make land!

Okay, so we'll be making a Divine Construct for Orion instead of Achilles, like we originally planned...

...but that shouldn't affect the forging process too much one way or the other.

Bartholomew, you stay behind and watch the ship like usual. Paris, I want you to do the same.

Take the ships around to the other side of the island and be ready to rendezvous with us there.

You got it, Leader. We'll work with the Nemos to keep the Argo safe.

You don't have to worry about us.

Hi again. I'll be staying behind with the ship this time.

Here's the container for the nanomachines.

Please make sure you use this to collect the Hephaestus Klironomia once you find them.

We will!

？！

Later!

A gentle breeze and no sign of trouble anywhere, huh.

...I don't like it.

This is the exact sort of moment when unforeseen disaster tends to strike.

But I guess there's nothing I can do now except pray that fortune smiles upon them.

...Tch.

More Atlantis border guards...

？！

...No. From what I have observed, their patrol routes appear to be restricted to a standard range.

If they had received word that we were coming here to see Lord Hephaestus...

...I imagine that they would be far more vigilant right now.

They are most likely simply deploying these guards to every island in the vicinity.

If they knew Lord Hephaestus was here, the security detail would surely look very different.

Guess that means we'll just have to take care of them, huh?

Any quick-moving Demonic Beasts nearby? ...Doesn't look like it. Okay, let's do this.

Got it.

Right! Let's all do our best out there, everyone!

Whoa, what happened to you? I've never seen you so fired up before.

I just decided that from now on, I'm going to focus on completing the task at hand, whatever it takes!

All right, let's do this!

That takes care of them...

But it won't take long for Odysseus's main fleet to realize we're here once they fail to report in.

That said, they probably won't get here THAT quickly

Do not say things like that. You will only invite disaster.

In all of human history, fate has never been kind to those who are overly optimistic in their estimations.

Dammit, you're right. And as if to prove the point, your reminder just inspired my brain to flash back to all the worst memories from my life simultaneously.

We need to hurry.

Chiyome, Mandricardo, you've already been infused with Hephaestus Klironomia, right?

Does that mean you can tell where the temple is once we get close enough?

Yes, we should be able to... But this island is also bigger than I believed.

Yeah... Right now, all I can say is that I can vaguely tell it's on the other side.

I see. Then I suppose there's nothing to be done but start looking for it.

Aren't you forgetting something? What about the labyrinth?

It's guarded by the Minotaur, right?

So, won't it attack us if we go in unprepared?

？！

?

...Right. I don't think we need to worry about that, either...

(Sounds like there's a sad story there, and being the downer I am, I can tell this is a good time to keep my mouth shut.)

Well, if you say so, I'll take your word for it, but we should at least take some thread with us!

Then again...maybe there wouldn't be much point to that, since it'd probably break pretty easily.

Ariadne's thread wouldn't.

It was specially woven and imbued with a fair maiden's prayers to ensure it would never break no matter what.

Then, if I pray hard enough...does that mean I could make Ariadne's thread too?

Since when are you fair or a mai

Don't go there, Jason. Unless you're really eager to bleed.

On second thought, I withdraw my comment. (Backpedaling furiously away from that land mine.)

Yeah...I don't think that's gonna work, Corday.

？！

The reason Ariadne's prayers were so effective is because she loved Theseus body and soul.

If they hadn't had the power of love on their side...

...Theseus would've never been able to follow the thread all the way back to the exit.

I'd usually scoff at that, but I can't deny that love does have a lot of (cursed) power... Especially in Greece.

Love...huh.

... ...

True, I suppose that wouldn't work...

Certainly not with a woman who never fell in love when she was alive.

I can't argue with that. (Sniff)

？！

Heh... Part of being a hero is encouraging others to face unpleasant truths.

？！

Don't be fooled, Master. He doesn't mean it. He's just spitting out the first believable platitude that comes to mind.

...Coming up with convincing things to say on the spot is also part of being a hero.

You could at least pretend to feel bad!

That is ENOUGH out of all you Greek heroes! I mean it!

Dammit, I wish I could sacrifice you two in exchange for summoning Heracles back!

Well, you can't!

Come on, don't you think that'd be a waste of a perfectly good hero right here!?

Oh?

Name me ONE thing about you that surpasses Heracles in any way!

My good looks!!!

He and I've both got you beat there!!!

？！

I agree... After all, no two people will always agree about what constitutes good looks.

This is so stupid.

Now I wish we'd brought Paris along. He's a better looker than all of them.

I'm surprised you've got so much respect for the guy who killed you.

Aw, crap, sorry. I didn't mean to say that out loud.

Oh, absolutely!

It took a lot of courage for him to take up that bow and kill me, and I respect him for it.

Not that I can say so when he's around, since he's always taking potshots at me.

Definitely.

You think? Something tells me that wouldn't go over very well.

？！

Did something happen with you and Master, Mandricardo? You seem...closer now, somehow.

...Kinda.

？！

So...you're friends now? Grr, I'm kind of jealous.

Maybe it would help me get closer to him too if I tried speaking more informally myself?

...Would that be okay?

Hell yeah it would. Speaking as a lifelong romantic, I guarantee it.

And if you want to get closer to me while you're at it, that's totally okay, too.

Hmm. Then again, that's easier said than done.

Whup, you're not even listening to me, are you? Guess she's lost in her own thoughts right now.

The nuns at the abbey were always very particular about ensuring we spoke politely, after all, and it's very hard to unlearn a lifetime of habits like that overnight.

Whatever am I going to do...?

Oh?

Master, I can see a hunter off in the distance.

Perhaps we should try asking him where we can find the labyrinth.

？！

Then I will try speaking to him casually, so that he does not think us suspicious.

Hiya there!!!

Wha...!? Who're you!?

So much for that plan... I'll go too and try to smooth things over.

The labyrinth? Why would you wanna go there?

It is our job to go around investigating ruins of that nature.

Uh-huh...

Well, there might be one old man back in the village who knows where it is.

Really? That would be a big help.

Come with me. I'll show you the way.

We have heard rumors that the labyrinth's monster is no longer there. Do you know if they are true?

Hmm, first I've heard of that.

...Wait. Really? The labyrinth monster's gone now!?

When I was a kid, my parents told me to stay away from there unless I wanted to be eaten. Some people went to check it out themselves and never returned.

And now the nameless monster's dead, huh? Never would've seen that coming.

I'm sorry, nameless?

Oh, I think it used to have a name at some point, but we all forgot it ages ago.

I mean, why would we need to know it?

It's not like we were ever gonna go near the thing, anyway.

... ...

Hmm, I see.

Then, none of you ever thought to try to vanquish this monster?

You are all more than strong enough to handle Demonic Beasts thanks to your Theos Klironomia.

So how come none of you ever thought to kill the labyrinth monster and make a name for yourselves?

Why would we want to do that?

Well, you know. To be heroes or something...

Are you nuts? How could a bunch of exiles like us ever become heroes?

Um, when you say "exiles," do you mean you were exiled from Olympus?

Yeah, that's right.

They said we had bugs or something like that, so we got kicked out.

So it'd be wrong for us to become heroes.

Can I ask you something too?

That'd mean you knew there was a monster in the labyrinth all this time, but you never tried to kill it, right?

Weren't you scared knowing it was out there? That it could come and attack you in your village anytime it wanted?

What else could we do? A god made that monster, so we got no business killing it.

...Gotcha.

Okay, there's the village over there.

Wonderful, thank you. I will go on ahead, then.

I must say, there's something very...bland about these people.

That Artemis said something along those lines, too.

That there's something about them that's fundamentally different from us.

For better or worse, there were definitely people like that in Proper Human History, too.

People who unquestioningly accept what they've been given and settle down, without attempting to push things forward.

Honestly, they were probably the majority. It's a much easier way to live, after all.

People like that aren't the type to embark on an arduous quest so they can come home with a golden fleece.

But at least they don't try to drag you down or badmouth you. That much, I appreciate.

...I don't know if I agree with that.

Doesn't the fact that none of them ever say anything mean, or try to drag others down, mean that they don't even feel such basic emotions as frustration or envy?

Indeed.

The people of Atlantis have gone down a very different path, both from Proper Human History and from the people of the Indian Lostbelt.

I have no doubt that their lives are peaceful and content.

They live for hundreds of years, and I suspect most of them have never caught so much as a cold...

...because the Theos Klironomiathe general-purpose nanomachines they have been given stop every germ and virus in its tracks.

They spend their many days tilling their fields, tending their livestock, hunting wild game, protecting their village from Demonic Beasts, and worshipping Olympus.

A simple life, to be sure.

The people of the Chinese Lostbelt had forgotten their culture because it was taken away, but these people have abandoned civilization in the wake of their exile.

No, that's not quite right... It's more that there's simply no need for them to develop their civilization further.

...I see.

I also doubt that this civilization imposes any form of sacrifice on its people, unlike Proper Human History and its tendency to plow ahead regardless of who or what may be obstructing its path.

That being said, we have thus far only seen how these exiled Atlanteans view this world.

Whereas the people who live in Olympus near the top of the Tree of Emptiness may well see things differently.

Hon! You're back!

I sure am. And I come bringing all the meat you could ask for!

And who might these folks be?

They say they're here to investigate the labyrinth.

Huh, okay. What about it are you looking to investigate?

Well, you know... This and that.

Even though you're still so young and small? Goodness, you poor thing.

I can't believe you have to go around investigating labyrinths when you can't be more than a hundred years old.

Gnnn. ...Ahem.

W-well, what can I say? On my island, it is customary to begin working in one's adolescence.

Anyway, the labyrinth, huh? Now where was it again...?

I'm guessing old man Kynigos will know.

I remember him saying he went there way back when.

Hmm, let's see... I think Kynigos should be living in the oldest house in the village.

Though I'm not sure if he's even still alive, to be honest...

The labyrinth? Why would you wanna go somewhere like that?

You do know there's a monster there, don't you?

Oh, yes, there is no need to worry. We are quite capable of taking care of monsters.

All we need is to know how to get there. So if you have a map, or something of the sort, that would be a huge hel

You know the way you talk? All stiff and all. It's weird.

Weird!?

(Jason's over in the corner not even trying to stifle his laughter!)

...Well, whatever.

This is the map data I used back when I went, so don't blame me if the roads have changed since then.

Should I just send it to you then?

U-uh, yes, that would be... I mean, that'd be fine...

Gosh, I haven't sent data like this in forever.

？！

'Cause there's usually no need to when we're just out here living our lives.

...Could you not use this functionality to communicate with people far away?

Why would I need to do that when everyone I'd want to talk to is right here?

I sure don't know anyone on any far-off island.

It would be one thing if we could use it to communicate with the gods. That would truly be a blessing.

But there's no point in forming networks between ordinary humans.

Hmm... I suppose you are I mean, I s'pose you're right.

Come on, Kynigos, it's almost time to eat.

I know. I'll be right there. All right, that's all I've got for you.

Thank you for your help. This will be invaluable.

These people really do notI mean, don't have any ambitions, do they?

(Sniff) Do you really think so, Master?

Whoa, whoa, come on, Master.

She's just trying to stand out.

Nobody from anywhere close to modern times would actually talk like that otherwise.

How rude! I will have you know there were plenty of other people from my clan who spoke in this manner!

(Whoa. A whole village of kunoichi talking like dictionaries...)

Cute!? Wha...!?

D-d-d-d-do not be ridiculous. I am a kunoichi first and foremost, remember?

And cuteness is one of a kunoichi's primary weapons, so it only makes sense that I would be cute as well.

What I am trying to say, Master, is that you must have unwittingly fallen prey to my kunoichi charms!

...You have my sympathies!!!

Dammit, Master, you've got to be more careful with complimenting that one.

Any praise this ninja gets goes right to her head. She's real gullible like that.

Gullible!? You, Lord Jason, are calling ME gullible!?

And you think I am!?

You may not be gullible, but you are absolutely beguilable!

That's not even a word!

？！

...Ahem. At any rate.

As I was saying, these people truly do not have anything in the way of ambitions or vigor!

That's just what happens when people spend their whole lives without any kind of technological revolution.

When life now looks exactly the same as it did ten thousand years ago, of course they'd lose all appetite for it.

At least it's a very peaceful way to live...

Only because these people haven't moved past depending on the gods.

You know, Lord Jason, for someone born in the Age of Gods, you certainly do not like them very much.

You wouldn't either if you'd grown up there.

Though I have to say, whether we're talking this Lostbelt or Proper Human History, knowing the Twelve Olympians were robots makes a lot of sense.

It explains why their way of thinking was always so incredibly inhuman.

Huh?

I thought the Greek gods were famous for being, you know, all too human.

Yes, and their motives were definitely human. But the conclusions they arrived at, and the way they generally conducted themselves, were all distinctly inhuman.

For example, some scholars believe they started the Trojan War to thin out the human population after they decided there were too many of us.

...Yikes.

I don't know if that's true or not, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was.

And let's not forget that in this Lostbelt, the same Twelve Olympians have endured all the way up to the present day.

I'm sure even the minor gods live anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand years here.

You know, that reminds me of something.

While it may be to different degrees, you said the Greek gods were robots both here and in Proper Human History, right?

But the Divine Spirit-based Servants that we've metlike Euryale, for exampleall looked like ordinary humans.

So, if the Twelve Olympians are robots, why aren't the gods who served them robots as well?

Right. For instance, Orion. Poseidon is your father, right?

Yeah, he is.

But...I get the feeling I never actually met him back when I was alive.

Hmm. I expect that may be very similar to the way myths ebb and flow throughout the world.

For example, we already know that gods which emerged from concepts and nature across various lands were integrated into Greek mythology.

So while I can't be sure if this is due to the Twelve Olympians themselves or the faith of their worshippers...

...it makes perfect sense in this case that subservient gods would take the form of humans and animals.

After all, these robotic gods clearly came from another planet altogether, and are of a wholly foreign nature.

But even so, wouldn't the myths end up twisting the forms of these subservient gods to resemble the Olympians?

I mean, it happens all the time, right?

When an enemy god from a different land's mythology is changed into a hideous monster...

...their form ends up changing after the fact to match.

So why wouldn't that happen to god being made subservient to one of these robots?

The Olympians may have wished to avoid appearing completely alien to their worshippers.

After all, I rather doubt there was anything else in all of ancient Greece in any way similar to them.

So the fact that Orion looks completely human despite being Poseidon's son is most likely

Yeah, I think you're right.

The Triton side of me still remembers what Poseidon looked like...

...but I think that's only because he gave Triton special treatment, since he entrusted him to defend the sea as his successor.

Whereas I don't think he thought of his "children" who lived on land as anything more than familiars.

...Yeah, good point! Now that I think about it, I don't actually know a single thing about my old man!

My mother was a lesser god, and looked completely human...

Though that didn't stop my parents from separating because of "irreconcilable differences."

Well, suffice to say, I think there's one phrase that sums it up perfectly: "The gods are crazy."

Man, now I'm glad I never had any Divinity of my own... Anyway, we're here now.

...There's nobody else here.

There isn't, is there. What's the meaning of this?

I mean, you'd expect there to be at least a few guards around an island temple by now, right?

And there's no way the villagers wouldn't have told them where to find it...

Do you suppose this monster that lives in the labyrinth might have eaten them?

That seems highly unlikely.

From everything we've been told, he resided deep within the labyrinth, even here in this Lostbelt.

More concretely, there are no signs of a struggle here.

...I'm getting a bad feeling about this. Should we leave someone on lookout, or should we all go in together?

Well, well... You don't usually speak up so directly. All right, we'll go with that then.

Hmm... Let's all go in together.

Hang on, Leader. What's your reasoning?

It's standard practice to leave someone standing guard when delving into underground labyrinths like this, right?

That's why I don't like it.

...Gotcha.

？！

All right then, let's go in.

Okay!

...This labyrinth looks a lot like the one we saw in Okeanos.

Guess this means the story about Daedalus building it to contain the Minotaur is pretty much the same here.

Though it seems like Lord Daedalus's name was never recorded in this Lostbelt's legends...

Okay.

I'm guessing we'll lose comms right about now.

Huh? Why's that?

Because that's what the records from Okeanos say.

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Yes.

This was where we met Asterios and Euryale. That was quite the ordeal, wasn't it?

... ...

What is it, Jason? You look like your head is about to split open.

Let's just say all my memories of Okeanos are extremely, extremely bad ones...

Hahaha, now, now. Think of this as your chance for a new beginning.

In my case, my records say that I once went about calling myself Assassin of Paraíso and causing no end of havoc!

Apparently, I even tried to enchant Master here by saying something like "Shall I keep you company for the night?"!

I have to say, I would be interested in trying that myself at some point!

Then it sounds like it helped you to learn just how terrifying we kunoichi can be.

Who knows? Perhaps this carefree smile I am wearing now is actually all just an act.

Hmm. I see.

I do apologize for that, Lady Mash, but I am afraid it was out of my hands.

I cannot help that I am too beautiful for this world.

G-gnn...

Don't worry about it, Shielder. There are as many fetishes as there are stars in the sky.

I really fail to see how that's supposed to help me not worry, Jason!

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Whoop. We've got Demonic Beasts! ...Damn, there's more of 'em than I thought there'd be!

They are coming in both behind and in front of us. I count...twenty-six all together!

I see. Then it looks like the Minotaur really is gone.

There's no way it would let this many weaklings take up residence in its labyrinth otherwise.

？！

Hahaha. We might be surrounded

But it's gonna take way more than a bunch of weaklings like these to challenge me!

Oh? In that case, Orion, what would you say to a little contest?

Sounds good to me. I'll even give you a handicap to make up for your injury.

Don't worry about that. I don't need my immortal body to take care of these chumps.

So what'll it be? Whoever kills the most wins?

Whoever kills the most, the fastest!

You're on!

...Good.

If you guys are that sure you can win, I can relax and get some shut-eye.

Wake me up when you're done.

I don't believe it. You're actually lying down to sleep!?

Master, you can handle picking the formation. You CAN manage that much, right?

Good.

Well, well, now look who's on top of things. All right then, I'll leave you to it.

？！

Here they come!

Awaiting your orders, Master!

Got it!

You got it, Fujimaru!

？！

Let's do this!

There we go! That's the last of them!

Aw, dammit!

Looks like I won at both speed and kills. Got a problem with that?

No, I don't. (Sniff)

Come on, Master, can't you give me some orders too!?

？！

Hraaah!!!

All right!!!

Since we both got the same number of kills, that means I win!

Huh? Come on, that was totally a draw at best!

What do you think, Master?

？！

Dammit! I was too slow!

Aren't you going to use your injury as an excuse?

And embarrass myself in front of Master? Hell no.

Besides, in a tight space like this, efficiency's more important than speed anyway.

I just didn't put together my plan of attack as well as I could've.

Though I still would've won if I'd had Master backing me up.

？！

Yeah, I know, but still!

Hahaha. Looks to me like you still have a lot of learning to do in that regard.

But don't worry.

Now that I am mentally rested after a quick power nap, I'll be more than able to make up for your many shortcomings.

I keep telling you! Servants don't need to sleep! Ugh.

By the way, Scout Chiyome, how are things looking up ahead?

This is the furthest point on the old man's map, but there is still a great deal of labyrinth left to cover.

So what do we do now?

Worry not. I have this well in hand.

Now that Lord Hephaestus's presence is getting stronger, I should have no difficulty finding him.

Follow me!

I know we expected as much, but... this labyrinth certainly is long, isn't it?

How're you holding up, Master?

... ...

U-um, I don't think I can keep going much longer, so...

Oh come on. Are you kidding me, Corday? And you call yourself a Servant?

I don't want to be here any longer than we have to be. We keep moving.

...!

I-I don't think I can keep going much longer, either! I'm gonna take a little break!

...!

Oh, right. I actually can't keep going much longer, either!

Come on, everyone, let's all take a break!

Hmph. Given your penchant for just forging ahead no matter what, you must really be exhausted.

Why don't we all take a break then?

Here, Master. Just give me a moment to find a blanket to put down, then you can sit.

Your legs must be especially tired, huh? I'll just massage your calves for you.

I, uh...

I guess I'll stand lookout for now.

？！

Hey, Corday.

When you're done massaging Master's legs, make sure you do mine next!

Okay!

...Wait. I thought you weren't tired?

I'm not. I just want to feel relaxed.

In that case, you can massage your own legs.

Oh, very well. If you truly want one, I can oblige with a pressure point massage if you like.

Great. I'll leave you to it then.

Understood. Acupressure it is then.

!!!

Hmm.

I was not aware that Servants could build up exhaustion to this degree.

Here we go.

...! ......!!!

It seems you have something of a bad liver. For that, I need to really dig in, as if I were trying to gouge the pressure point right out of you.

Ah! Gah! Eeeh! S-save

Here I go.

... ...

... ...

？！

I-I'm not really sure what the best thing to do here is...

P-please...stop... I don't want to die...

All right, last one. Be warned, this is going to hurt a bit.

Huh? You mean everything else up till now wasn't supposed to!?

Hup!

OW!

Phew, that is better. You were quite stiff, but everything should be nice and loose now. How about you, Master? Would you also like me to

I-I guess I overdid it a little...

Now, now, there is no need to be shy. Huh? It is not that at all? Aww.

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Um... Say, Master?

What was the Proper Human History MinoI mean, Asterios like?

I see...

That doesn't quite line up with what I know about him.

True...

In some ways, he was like the Platonic ideal of a monster dwelling in a labyrinth.

But in others, he was nothing like that at all.

Yes, Asterios was definitely very big.

I don't think I'll ever forget the sight of him carrying Euryale on his shoulder.

？！

For better or worse, he was the archetypical example of a tragic monster.

If he'd only been raised differently, all of his so-called monstrous qualities would have made him a great hero.

Ha! I can practically taste King Minos' sheer cowardice even now!

He could have made Asterios into his most powerful weapon if he'd only played his cards right, but instead, he let his fears get the best of him, and ended up raising a great brute of a monster!

That's pretty much par for the course with cowardly kings.

Far as they're concerned, any ally who could conceivably take their throne from them is an enemy to be feared.

Cut it out, Achilles. You're reminding me of a king just like that, and I'd rather forget the man.

Fine with me. I'd just as soon not think about the one I knew, either. All right then, no more king talk.

Gotta say, being a hunter meant I never really had to worry about kings.

Yeah? Man, that must be nice... I'm kind of jealous.

Since I chose to live out my destiny as a hero, the idea of getting to be a simple hunter's pretty much an impossible dream for me.

Especially since your destiny only lasted you about ten years.

Buzz off. I'm happy enough with how things turned out.

？！

This is what happens when you have a buncha cheery guys in one place. Honestly, if you ask me, you'd normally be right there with them.

？！

Definitely.

(Sigh)...

Hearing about all of your experiences has made me realize how simplistically I used to think.

I used to believe the world was much more black-and-white.

I thought defending the place I lived was good, and anyone who tried to destroy it was evil.

...In one sense, you're not wrong.

Even animals will instinctively protect their territory and attack whatever threatens it.

I guess...

But in the end, I was sentenced to die, and people thought me evil.

Don't be an idiot!

If you think you're evil, you should see what kind of villainy my ex-wife put me through!

Victims become victimizers, and victimizers become victims. It happens all the damn time.

You can't let yourself worry about that sort of thing if you actually want to be a hero!

I-is that really how it works?

If you don't believe me, ask me what I was like in Okeanos!

Even with Medea tricking me, just the thought of what I did back there twists me up inside!

... ...

Gee, thanks! It's just what I never wanted!

Friends? Seriously? Don't be ridiculous.

I feel like you're only bringing up even worse memories for me...

？！

Thank you, everyone. I can see I still have a great deal to learn...about a lot of things.

？！

Sounds good! I'll be with you every step of the way!