The Legend Of The Undying King Of The Dark Labyrinth

“The legend of ‘The Undying King of the Dark Labyrinth,’ huh…”

“Yes.”

As the party welcoming Jonah was in full swing, Carlo, having heard Jonah’s purpose for this journey, put a hand to his chin and pondered.

There is a legend associated with the Mage Tower in the magic city Fiorenza.

That legend is “The Undying King of the Dark Labyrinth.”

It is said that deep within the underground labyrinth that connects to the Mage Tower, that Undying King still reigns.

The Undying King is said to know all the truths of this world, and will give the correct answer to any question posed by a visitor.

However――at the cost of that person’s life.

It’s a legend that might make one freeze in fear, but Jonah refuses to back down.

He is firmly resolved to see the legends of the world that were written in the book he read from his sickbed.

“Well, Jonah who took down that sea-serpent monster probably wouldn’t be fazed even by the Undying King…”

Muttering that, Carlo fixed a sharp stare on Jonah.

“Your body hasn’t actually healed, right?”

“…Yes.”

Carlo is one of the few who knows Jonah’s condition. Because he dotes on Jonah like a younger brother, he strongly wants to stop him from embarking on such a dangerous journey.

That said, he also wants to respect Jonah’s feelings.

“Sigh… well, even if I try to stop you, you’ll probably go anyway.”

Carlo wore a complex expression, sighed, and scratched his head.

In the end, he is soft on Jonah as well.

“B-but, the pain in my body has eased, and I don’t collapse like I used to anymore.”

“Really!?”

At Jonah’s slightly apologetic words, Carlo raised his voice.

According to the doctors, Jonah’s body should have been in such a terrible state that it was a wonder he was still alive.

It was unbelievable, yet Jonah did not seem to be lying.

“Yes. The Fairy King gave me ‘Fairy Dust,’ and my attending physician Dr. Günter turned it into medicine, and with that…”

“I-is that so…”

Carlo was surprised at the words ‘Fairy King,’ but he wouldn’t find it strange if Jonah had met such a being that others have only heard of in legends.

In fact, it might be precisely because it’s Jonah that the Fairy King chose to appear before him.

In any case.

“Hahaha! I see, I see! That’s great!”

“W-w-w-w-what!?”

Carlo suddenly lifted Jonah up, wearing a beaming smile.

His beloved younger comrade had recovered. There was nothing that made him happier.

“Prince Carlo, isn’t that a little unfair?”

“Indeed. Don’t hog Jonah to yourself.”

“Hey!?”

Aurora and Priscilla snatched Jonah away as if grabbing something prized.

Faced with the two pouting like sulky children, Carlo wore an indescribable expression.

◇◆◇◆◇

“See you, Jonah. Take care.”

“Wapu!”

Five days after arriving in the Kingdom of Benedia, at the port of the magic city Fiorenza, Carlo stroked Jonah’s head.

As Carlo had predicted, the Central Sea had become rough, and Jonah had departed the Kingdom of Benedia two days earlier.

They were supposed to part ways there, but Carlo insisted on seeing Jonah off and had come this far aboard his flagship, the Il Vento D’oro.

“Jonah, I will miss you.”

“You’ll come back to Benedia again, won’t you?”

Unlike last time, this time Aurora and Priscilla had also come to see him off.

Previously Jonah would have chosen to leave without telling the two of them, but now it’s different.

Jonah, who bore a small hope kindled by Marguerite, would no longer shut his heart away and deliberately hurt himself.

He had learned that if he neglected himself, he would end up hurting those who cared about him.

Therefore.

“Of course! I-I want to see Aurora and Priscilla as well!”

“Hau!”
“Hau!”

At Jonah’s sunflower-like smile and those words of joy, the twin maids were so moved they let out odd sounds.

“…I guess Jonah’s going to have a hard time with women in the future.”

“I-is that so…?”

Carlo cast a look mixed with worry, exasperation, and a touch of jealousy.

Jonah pictured the women he’d met so far—Marguerite, Titancia, Aurora, Priscilla, Patricia, the Duke of Lanberg—and for a moment his face showed a sudden realization, then he shook his head vigorously as if to dismiss it.

Seeing that reaction, Carlo let out a big sigh, imagining that some memory must have come to mind and picturing the troublesome future awaiting Jonah.

But.

“Just don’t do anything reckless, Jonah.”

As Jonah walked into the streets of Fiorenza, repeatedly turning back and waving, Carlo watched him and whispered a wish for his younger comrade’s safety.