After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students

Volume 4

Chapter 7: Rescue and Incident

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

"Yuke? Are you there?"

After struggling for hours, trying to escape from this "Wooden Prison" without resorting to dark magic, I finally started gathering the power of the curse at my fingertips, realizing I had no other options left.

Just then, I heard a voice from outside.

"Marina?"

"Ah, I knew it! Step back a little."

Before she even finished speaking, something sharp grazed the tip of my nose.

The wall was sliced cleanly, and only then did I realize that it was Marina’s blade.

"I’ve come to get you, Yuke."

"Why are you here?"

"Silk figured you must have gotten yourself into trouble. So, Nene and I came to help."

Marina smiled as she sheathed her sword.

Behind her, Nene also looked relieved.

"Thanks. And… sorry for worrying you."

"You have no idea how worried I was! I even skipped lunch!"

"My bad."

For a glutton like Marina, that was no small matter.

I reached out and brushed a strand of her hair as she pouted, letting out a small chuckle.

"Where’s Silk?"

"She went to see the elder."

"…I see."

If she went to Elder Elran, then Ilwen must be with her as well.

Given Ilwen’s strong sense of duty, I couldn’t help but worry about Silk.

Should I head to the elder’s mansion right away?

Just as that thought crossed my mind, a sharp tingling sensation ran down my neck.

"This…!"

Instinctively, I touched my neck—where Persephone's kiss mark remained.

Seeing this, Nene gave a small nod.

"I knew it… Something strange happened while you were captured."

"This feeling… is it something from another realm?"

I hadn’t noticed it while I was trapped in the tree.

Perhaps Ilwen’s powerful spirit magic had blocked out external influences.

"Most likely. Silk and some of the villagers said, 'The flow of the spirits is distorted.'"

Spirits are deeply tied to the nature of the world.

If the very laws of this world are being disrupted, then something must be causing it.

And in places where the "Achromatic Darkness" is thick, spirits can easily go mad.

That translucent chaos does not belong to this world.

Things were progressing far too quickly in just a few hours.

Even if I had delivered that letter directly to Elder Elran, it wouldn’t have changed the situation we’re in now.

"What about Rain and Jamie?"

"They’re gathering information using their magic detection artifacts and their Magic Sense abilities."

I silently praised my comrades.

At this point, I could no longer think of them as mere rookies.

"I’ll head to Elder Elran’s place and meet up with Silk. You two support Rain and the others."

"Got it. I’ll scout the area."

"I’ll get things ready."

After thinking for a moment, I nodded at Marina’s words.

"Yeah, I’m counting on you."

I didn’t know the full extent of the situation yet.

But at the very least, it was abnormal.

I wasn’t sure how Elder Elran would respond, but as adventurers, we needed to be ready to act at any moment.

"Alright, I’m off!"

With a swift leap, Nene vanished into the forest.

For a cat-person like her, this terrain must have been easy to navigate.

She’d likely return with useful information.

"Okay, I’ll go too. Oh, and let the elder know I’m sorry for slicing through his wall."

Marina stuck out her tongue playfully before dashing off.

So that’s how she got in—by cutting through the wall.

Elder Elran was definitely going to scold us for this, but for now, I had more pressing matters to deal with.

"Alright, let’s go."

Muttering to myself for motivation, I started walking toward the elder’s mansion.

◆

"Sensei!"

As I approached the grand doors of the mansion, weaving through the chaos of dark elves rushing about, I finally reunited with Silk.

Standing beside her was that insufferable elf.

"Lord Feldio? How did you…?"

"I’ll skip the explanation. More importantly, would you mind letting go of her?"

I stepped between them, positioning myself protectively in front of Silk, and brushed away Ilwen’s hand from her shoulder.

Ilwen shot me a glare—one unbefitting of an elf, filled with obvious displeasure.

"Would you kindly not interfere?"

Ignoring his theatrical tone, I turned to Silk.

"What’s the situation?"

"I’m not sure. But it’s definitely not good."

"What about Elder Elran?"

"I was stopped by him, so I haven’t seen the elder yet…"

"Alright. Then let’s go together now. It’s an emergency, so we’ll skip the formalities."

Silk nodded and moved to stand beside me.

But Ilwen stepped in our way.

"I’m afraid I can’t let you pass."

"This does not concern you, Ilwen Pearlwood."

Silk spoke with clear conviction, causing Ilwen to falter for just a moment before forcing a smile.

"As the next chieftain, I cannot allow you to proceed. Especially not with that human."

"A western Light Elf has no place meddling in this matter."

"…Tch. I am the next chieftain of the Amber Forest Clan!"

"For now, you are merely a guest. And I will never become your betrothed."

The smug confidence faded from Ilwen’s face.

Perhaps he never expected to be rejected so outright.

"There is no point in arguing with you. This is a matter for the Amber Forest Clan."

"Then that human—"

"Sensei is someone dear to me. Unlike you, he is not an outsider."

Silk’s firm declaration made Ilwen’s expression twist in frustration.

It reminded me of how childhood friends look when throwing a tantrum.

"Why do you…!"

"This is getting us nowhere. Let’s go, Sensei."

"Ah… yeah."

Silk took my hand and led me forward, past Ilwen.

"We need to hurry, Sensei. Before it’s too late."

"Are we just leaving him like that?"

"It’s fine. I have you, after all."

She squeezed my hand and smiled softly.

The irritation I felt from that unwanted fiancé’s sudden appearance melted away in an instant.

"I’ll do my best to meet your expectations."

"Sensei always exceeds expectations. My grandfather and that man just don’t realize it yet."

I let out a small chuckle at the weight of her words but steeled myself—I had to become someone worthy of her.

At the very least, I had made up my mind when I shared my Stigma with her.

"…Was I being too heavy-handed?"

Silk tilted her head slightly as I fell silent.

With a light chuckle, I shook my head.

"No. It’s because you say things like that… that I feel like I can keep going."

Her face turned red at my words.

I squeezed her hand in return, and this time, I led the way toward the elder’s mansion.

TL Note- Will they reach in time?

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