After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
"Alright, we've done everything we can. Starting tomorrow, we'll take full action."
Three days had passed since the anomaly occurred.
I thought it might take a bit more time to investigate the island, but thanks to the help of a kind Dark Elf girl, we were able to complete the task relatively quickly.
So far, the changes in the terrain haven't been too drastic.
However, according to the residents of Amberle and Elder Elran, there have been reports of encounters with unfamiliar magical beasts in the forest and slight changes in the vegetation—clear signs of abnormalities. The Dark Elf who guided us along the coast of Vilmuren Island also shared similar concerns.
In other words, we can’t afford to take our time.
"Our target is the 'World Tree' at the center of the 'Amber Forest.' Our mission is to investigate the [Abyss Gate], the 'Gate of the Abyss' inside it... and, if possible, deal with it."
At my words, my companions' expressions turned tense.
They must have recalled what the conditions were for sealing such gates in the most difficult dungeon, The Achromatic Darkness.
Even I wasn't sure how things would play out this time.
However, considering the presence of The Achromatic Darkness, a dimensional boundary associated with The Achromatic Darkness, it's almost certain that the [Abyss Gate] has been activated.
I've always dreamed of reaching the edge of the world since childhood, but I never imagined I'd face it like this. Still, I can’t allow the peace we regained at the cost of my uncle and Nibelung’s sacrifice to be lost here.
"We conducted a preliminary field survey, and it looks like Amber Forest has turned into a small labyrinth—a Lesser Dungeon."
"Yeah, Elder Elran reported the same thing. Apparently, the power of Trent's Maze Woods is running out of control."
"...?"
Marina and Jamie exchanged glances, tilting their heads slightly.
It seemed they didn’t quite understand.
"Originally, the Amber Forest was protected by Elder Elran’s contracted half-spirit, 'Trent,' through spirit magic, preventing intruders from reaching its core."
"The spirit magic of Maze Woods works by making anyone who enters the forest wander in circles, ultimately leading them back outside. But now… it has turned into a labyrinth dungeon."
Silk, who continued my explanation, wore a bitter expression.
Trent, a tree spirit, is deeply connected to dryads and is essentially a spirit of trees.
It’s said that their true identity is elves who have lived out their natural lifespan and become half-spirits—essentially the ancestors of Silk and her people.
To elves, living for countless years and eventually merging with the forest as a half-spirit represents their cycle of life and death.
But now, these Trents have been distorted by the foreign presence and are actively trying to block our path.
Given the situation, we might even have to fight them, which must be painful for Silk.
"Uh, so… before we can reach the dungeon inside the 'World Tree,' we have to clear the dungeon inside Amber Forest first?"
Nodding at Jamie’s question, I pointed at a specific spot on the map spread across the table.
"There’s an official entrance to Amber Forest behind Elder Elran’s residence. Even though it has become a dungeon, it should still follow some rules. We’ll take the proper route into Amber Forest and proceed along the official path to the 'World Tree.'
"We should be able to get through the forest in a day. Plus, the watchmen unit my grandfather assembled will accompany us, so the journey should be safe."
"...You’re implying something, aren’t you?"
Rain, who had been silent until now, looked at Silk.
"Yes. The ones who can enter the 'World Tree'… will likely be only us—or possibly just me."
"What do you mean?"
"I’ll explain now, so stay calm and listen."
As my companions murmured in confusion, I reassured them and began sharing the information and theories we had gathered so far.
"First of all, given the external distortions, it’s highly likely that the inside has turned into an Inverted Labyrinth—Tenebre."
"I see… That means only those of us with Existence Stigma will be safe inside, right?"
"Exactly. And… this is confidential, but… there's a possibility that all the residents of this island have been affected along with the island itself."
This was a hypothesis that Elder Elran and I had arrived at based on the fact that the Dark Elves were originally beings from another world.
If the island itself is only able to remain in this world due to its Existence Stigma, then any major anomaly could cause it to be pulled back into its original world.
The mechanism is the opposite of us being swallowed by another realm, but the result will likely be the same.
We will lose our very concept as beings of this world.
And the effect on them might be even stronger than it is on us.
After all, for the Dark Elves, this would simply mean returning to their original state.
"Hey, what about Silk? Will Silk be okay?"
"Yes, I received an Existence Stigma from Yuke, so I’ll be fine. Besides… I believe I’ll be alright regardless."
Silk smiled wryly at Marina’s concern.
I was quite surprised when I first heard about it, but at the same time, I understood.
"I possess a special ability called the 'Amber Eyes.'"
"Oh, the thing that sometimes happens when you use spirit magic?"
"Exactly. In those moments, I harbor something similar to an Existence Stigma within my body."
"What do you mean?"
Rain voiced the question that was likely on everyone's mind.
Revealing this clan’s greatest secret was Silk’s way of expressing her trust in us.
"The 'Amber Eyes' serve as the qualification to control the 'World Tree'… or at least, that’s what I believe. I don’t fully understand it myself, but when I enter that state, I may be able to control the [Abyss Gate] within the 'World Tree.'"
Silk’s confession left the group visibly shocked.
Even I was surprised when Elder Elran explained it to us.
Essentially, the labyrinth dungeon known as the 'World Tree' is—an enormous organic artifact.
A vast ark formed by the union of thousands of Trent tree spirits, housing a forest within itself.
A living [Abyss Gate] that extended its roots beyond the void of The Achromatic Darkness from a dying world, eventually blooming in another dimension.
That is the 'World Tree.'
Logically, I don’t think it’s all that different from Glad Shii-Im.
However, as a dimensional jump device housing an [Abyss Gate] and a labyrinth dungeon attuned to The Achromatic Darkness, it was able to transport the Dark Elves to another world without causing them to undergo reversal.
And the one who designed it was a Dark Elf with Amber Eyes, known as the True King of the Forest.
Silk and Elder Elran are their descendants—the World Tree’s caretakers.
Elder Elran explained that, should this world face an existential crisis and the Amber Forest clan be pushed to the brink of extinction, those with Amber Eyes are tasked with one mission: to once again board the cradle of the World Tree and journey to another dimension.
Hearing this, I finally understood why Elder Elran had been so forceful with Silk.
She was literally carrying the fate of her entire people. Both she and Elder Elran were.
It’s no wonder he wasn’t pleased when a complete outsider from the human race suddenly appeared.
"But how does this explain why only Silk can enter the 'World Tree'? You’re not saying you don’t trust us at this point, are you?"
"O-Of course not!"
Silk shook her head, looking slightly flustered.
"As the caretaker, I may be able to navigate the interior safely. However, no one other than those with 'Amber Eyes'—especially those of a different race—has ever entered before… so we don’t know what might happen."
The World Tree is quite literally the Dark Elves’ lifeline.
Allowing outsiders inside could have unforeseen consequences—that was Elder Elran’s concern.
"So, I’ve prepared two possible attack plans for conquering the 'World Tree.' I’m going to explain them now, so listen carefully."
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