(Author’s rant: Hello~! Here’s Chapter 21, the last chapter of Part 1! (yes, there will be parts) My brother came home to visit yesterday so I will be spending time with him instead of writing. I will post again as soon as I can, so fear not! Without further ado, the conclusion to the Labyrinth Arc! Also, mildly mature content approaching! Enjoy!)

Once Eliza had stopped crying, she looked up at Kris with puffy eyes.

Then, she gave him the brightest smile he had ever seen.

He couldn’t help but give her a broad smile in return.

However, a sudden thought crossed his mind after realizing the double meaning in his words.

...Wait, isn’t what I said like what they say at a marriage ceremony or something? It's actually really embarrassing the more I think about it. I should make sure she doesn’t misunderstand me or else--oh.

It was only when Kris looked down to clear up any misconceptions she might have--that he noticed the complete mess that used to be her clothes.

Being embraced by a beautiful young woman with lovely features and excellent feminine curves in such scintillating attire was absolutely painful for the Human hero.

If I was any other man, I might have pushed her down already...well, if Eliza and I were alone, could I hold back the urge? I believe I’d be able to resist...I hope I’d be able to...

The fair skin on her arms and exposed cleavage looked bewitching to Kris who was in close proximity to such a stimulating sight.

Especially alluring was her chest that had been squished against his to such a degree that the shredded armor around her bust began to give way, allowing Kris to see something pink--

Nope! Stop it!

Kris averted his eyes in a panic before he could see anything further.

C-calm down, me. If I stay calm, it'll be fine. Just think of something else! I must of think of something--!

“Hmm? What’s wrong Kris?” (Eliza)

In his excitement, Kris had attempted to move away from her embrace, but he found her grip to be extremely tough to break.

Eliza questioned this sudden action as her heterochromatic eyes looked at him with curiosity.

“W-well...its just that...your appearance is…” (Kris)

Kris replied while keeping his gaze off of her.

“My appearance?” (Eliza)

“Y-yeah...your appearance is rather...dangerous...for me.” (Kris)

“Dangerous? How so?” (Eliza)

Eliza titled her head in confusion.

It seemed she had not caught on to what Kris was alluding to.

Damn it! My reasoning is going to give way if this keeps up!

Kris kept a troubled smile on his face in contrast to the turmoil his mind had fallen into.

“If you look for yourself...you’ll understand.” (Kris)

Kris said that while giving a quick glance at where he was referring to.

“I still don’t know what you--oh.” (Eliza)

When Eliza followed his line of sight, she finally realized the state of her clothes and her face blushed a deep red while her wolf ears drooped in embarrassment.

“I-I see...so that’s what...you were…” (Eliza)

Kris sighed in relief as he thought he would finally be set free--

“I’m glad you finally realized my dilemma, so if you could just--”

--but Eliza cut in before he could finish.

“B-but...I’m...f-fine with it…” (Eliza)

………………………………………..huh?

At first, Kris had thought he had misheard her, but as he was about to ask, she started saying words that nearly stopped his heart.

“...I d-don’t...particularly m-mind...if we...y-you know…” (Eliza)

“W-wait Eliza, what are you...” (Kris)

“I-I...don’t know myself whether these are feelings of love or not...b-but I do know that...you are very important to me, Kris.” (Eliza)

“Eliza…” (Kris)

“So that’s why…” (Eliza)

She showed a determined expression as she spoke.

“You can d-do anything y-you want with me!” (Eliza)

“That’s way too fast!“ (Kris)

Eliza titled her head in confusion upon his retort.

"What do you mean? Don't people who love each other...s-sleep together? That's what I was told at least." (Eliza)

"Well, it’s just my belief is that people must be sure of their feelings before they go that far. That’s what my parents preached to me while growing up. I’m just worried that you’re taking your feelings a little too straightforwardly." (Kris)

Kris tried to gently admonish the practically half-naked White Wolf girl who continued to cling to him, but she took his words to mean something else entirely.

“S-so you mean...I’m not good enough then..?” (Eliza)

When Eliza said that like she was on the verge of crying, Kris corrected her in a panic.

“No no no! That’s not...I...you...could I get some help please?” (Kris)

Being inexperienced in how to handle this matter, Kris faltered on how to respond to Eliza and so he sought help from his comrades--

“Love sure is wonderful, isn’t it?” (Lily)

“Yeah. It reminds me of my wife and I when we were dating.” (Gale)

--only to find them viewing his plight as some sort of act in a romantic parody.

“...Traitors.” (Kris)

Glaring at who he thought would be his salvation, Kris returned his gaze to the White Wolf girl looking at him with expectant eyes.

If asked whether I love Eliza or not...I can't honestly say I love her, but even I'm not sure of my own feelings towards her. I just wish we could talk in a more secluded place away from our comrades.

Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for whatever consequences may come from his answer.

Depending on my response, I’ll have trouble no matter what I say right..?

Kris steeled himself before answering his friend’s feelings.

“While I’m happy you feel that way about me Eliza...I believe this isn’t the kind of place we should be talking about something this important. Could you please save this talk for when we’re back at Druein?” (Kris)

Kris gave the best excuse he could in order to delay this strange turn of events.

Eliza gave him a questioning look, but eventually she begrudgingly released her grip before replying.

"...Though I'm not entirely satisfied with that kind of response, I agree this talk is better in private...I'll wait til we're in Druein." (Eliza)

Somehow, Kris managed to stall the discussion that could possibly decide his future until they returned the Elven capital.

*****

While Lily had been setting up preparations for their return home, the other Saviors were busy with their own work.

Sylvia took Eliza away from the campsite to help mend her clothing so that she would be presentable when they arrived in Druein.

Since speed was crucial to the success of their mission, all of the Saviors had packed light for the trip.

Due to this, none of them had bothered to bring spare clothes, instead opting to wash their current attire with Lily’s Water magic when possible.

Though this may not have been seen as the wisest choice to some, to the Saviors who were venturing to a place where it was rumored even Death himself would not go, choosing to bring health potions and extra rations over spare clothes was a trivial matter.

Unfortunately, Eliza was no exception and so her tattered leather armor was the only clothing she had on hand.

While they were away, Gale was on patrol around the perimeter, searching for any enemies that may appear to confront the heroes.

Kris, who been in charge of guarding Lily while she drew the Transportation magic circle, was leaning against a tree nearby when Stryfe called his name.

"Kris." (Stryfe)

"What is it?" (Kris)

"I have a request. Would you please hear it?” (Stryfe)

I've never heard Stryfe sound this serious before...

Puzzled over his partner's unusual tone, Kris gave his consent.

"Of course. Go ahead." (Kris)

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"...I ask that you withhold the fact that the Abyss King is not inside the labyrinth, and instead claim that you had slain him within his tomb. Also, please keep my existence a secret as well." (Stryfe)

"...What?" (Kris)

Kris couldn't believe the words he heard, but Stryfe continued before he could respond.

"I understand that sounds unreasonable, but there are greater forces at work here. If your friends were to know the truth about this labyrinth, their lives would be in jeopardy." (Stryfe)

"Why is that? Who exactly are you talking about?" (Kris)

"I'm afraid I can't say just yet. At least not while your comrades are within earshot." (Stryfe)

Kris was hesitant as to what his decision should be.

I'd rather have more information than that, and what I know shouldn't be kept secret, but if it's to protect my friends, I'll have to go along with it for now.

"...Fine. I won't tell them for now, but you need to tell me everything as soon as we get to Druein. No exceptions, alright?" (Kris)

"I understand. Thank you for trusting me, Kris." (Stryfe)

"You're welcome." (Kris)

As soon as their conversation ended, Lily called out to him.

"Kris, the magic formation is finished. Let's get ready to depart." (Lily)

"Alright." (Kris)

Kris moved away from the tree and walked towards Lily's position, in which she had inscribed a large magic formation using her staff.

Once he reached her, the rest of the Saviors regrouped around her.

Eliza's armor had been patched and stitched enough that it did not expose anything.

Perhaps she had realized how embarrassing the previous situation was since she stole numerous looks at Kris, but when he looked back she turned away in a panic with reddened cheeks.

I hope things don’t stay awkward like this for long. I feel like an arrow has been pierced through my chest...speaking of which…

Kris suddenly remembered something as he turned to Sylvia.

“That’s reminds me. Sylvia, weren’t you severely injured fighting the Basilisk Queen? Are you okay?” (Kris)

“How did you know that?” (Sylvia)

“Oh, uh...my tracker notified me right before it broke. That’s why I was in such a rush to regroup with you guys, but when I arrived, you looked fine. Did Lily heal you?” (Kris)

Kris told his friend false information due to Stryfe’s existence being a secret.

“Yes, Lily...um...saved me…” (Sylvia)

His lie seemed to have been accepted, but when she replied, her words trailed off and she glanced away.

“Hmm? What’s the matter Sylvia?” (Kris)

“Well...it’s just...she…” (Sylvia)

She turned towards Lily as she spoke in fragments.

Lily tilted her head confusedly because of her comrades strange behavior.

“What’s wrong Sylvia?” (Lily)

“W-well...I just thought I should say...I’m sorry Lily.” (Sylvia)

“Sorry for what?” (Lily)

“...I’m sorry, but I can’t return your feelings.” (Sylvia)

That response just made Lily even more confused as her eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement.

“‘Feelings’? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” (Lily)

Upon being asked to explain herself, Sylvia became fidgety while her face flushed red.

“...Back in the labyrinth, when I was unconscious, I heard your voice. You said, ‘This will be painful, so please forgive me Sylvia.’ and then I felt pain that was almost immediately replaced with relief. Then I woke up and my clothes had been undone, so I thought that...I had experienced my first...time...though I was confused since we were both women.” (Sylvia)

At first Lily did not know what was causing Sylvia to be embarrassed, but with every new detail that came to light, Lily face turned the same shade of red as her friend.

“S-Syliva, I think you’re mistaken. I didn’t...I can’t...I mean, it's not physically possible for me to...” (Lily)

Lily tried explaining herself, but she began faltering on her words due to the strange predicament she found herself in.

Unfortunately, the energetic White Wolf swordswoman chimed in.

“Oh~, so that’s why you took her clothes off. I didn’t realize that was because you were in love with her, Lily!” (Eliza)

“Huh!?” (Kris & Gale)

Eliza’s explosive statement left Kris and Gale dumbfounded as they alternated gazes between the Elf and the Drake.

“Eliza!” (Lily)

Lily became flustered after hearing Eliza’s easily-misunderstood statement, but two of her comrades misinterpreted it exactly how she did not want them to.

“...I didn’t realize you prefered people of the same gender Lily. Not that I mind, by the way. Everyone has their own tastes, after all.” (Gale)

“Yes, I didn’t know you thought of me that way either. However, I do not share the same interests. So, while I do think of you as a friend, I can’t think of you as anything more than--” (Sylvia)

“STOP SAYING THESE THINGS!” (Lily)

The hysterical Elf slammed the heads of the two Saviors with her wooden staff so they would stop talking.

“You’ve got it all wrong, you idiots! I had to remove Sylvia's clothes because the spell wouldn’t have worked if my blood wasn’t touching her skin directly! I didn’t undress her because I thought of her in that way!” (Lily)

Lily scolded the duo who held the bumps that appeared in the spot they were whacked.

“...So, you mean we didn’t--” (Sylvia)

“NO! I don’t even have a--!!!” (Lily)

Lily hurriedly covered her mouth before she said something embarrassing in front of others.

“...I see, so I’m still pure. That’s certainly a relief.” (Sylvia)

Sylvia put her hand on her chest and sighed in relief.

Realizing his blunder, Gale scratched his head in embarrassment.

Kris facepalmed from the ridiculous scene he had witnessed, while Eliza had question marks dancing around her head.

After composing herself, Lily finally spoke again.

“...Anyways, if we’re done with this farce, the magic circle has been completed so we can leave now. Is everyone ready?” (Lily)

“Ready!” (Eliza)

“Yes.” (Sylvia)

“I thought you’d never ask.” (Gale)

“Yeah.” (Kris)

Hearing everyone’s confirmation, Lily started chanting her Transportation spell.

Transportation is a Spirit magic spell similar to Teleportation in many ways, in that both spells can move people great distances in very little time.

However, Transportation differs when it comes to moving a larger amount of people, which Teleportation cannot accomplish.

In contrast, Teleportation does not require the use of magic formations in order to activate, as well as having a shorter casting time.

As the markings carved into the ground began to produce bright white light, Kris took one last look at the labyrinth’s entrance.

Many things happened inside that he knew would change the world’s view on what is believed to be true.

I must let the leaders of the five nations know the truth, whatever the cost.

Making his resolve, Kris had a resolute expression on his face as Lily finished her spell.

“Transport!” (Lily)

As soon as Lily shouted the activation word, the surroundings shined with intense bright light and the five heroes were spirited away.

Once the light had died down, the area returned to relative calmness and silence resumed its dominance over the land.