The Holy Empire’s subjugation force had some familiar faces, which naturally drew attention.
Sir Raphael, Bishop Haman, and even Priest Cadon.
Apart from them, priests I had never seen before were gathered, conversing with serious expressions.
“Priest Arthur.”
“Yes?”
“Shouldn’t we head back? Seeing so many people out here means…”
“Ah!”
The labyrinth had expelled everyone to restructure its layout.
It meant that all those barely holding on, enduring injuries inside the labyrinth, had been forced out.
‘This isn’t the time to be dawdling here, is it?’
It was a situation that could only be described as a calamity for the priests.
“Let’s go. We can’t afford to waste time like this.”
“Understood!”
Before they collected themselves and flocked to the temple, we needed to hurry back and prepare.
It was a chaotic day.
Fortunately, Bishop Haman had arranged for priests to assist at the treatment center.
The skills of the priests who came to support us were far superior to what I had anticipated.
Even the priests at the treatment center were astonished by their abilities.
“They’re different, as expected, being priests dispatched from the Holy Empire’s capital.”
Perhaps feeling a sense of inadequacy, the fledgling priests looked visibly dejected in the face of such exceptional skill.
Given how outstanding the priests sent by Bishop Haman were, there wasn’t much I could do to console the disheartened novices.
“If you work hard, you can be like them someday.”
“Yes…”
Judging by the lack of enthusiasm in their responses, my encouragement didn’t seem very effective.
Bishop Haman visited once the treatment center was somewhat organized.
“Bishop!”
“Ha-ha, how have you been?”
“Very well. Did everything go smoothly inside the labyrinth?”
“With the knights protecting me, there was no reason for things to go awry. Everything was completed without issue.”
Though he still seemed fatigued, he showed no signs of serious harm.
“I didn’t expect the labyrinth to expel everyone.”
“It’s likely the only mercy the labyrinth shows to humans.”
“Will it continue to expel people every three months as the paths change?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“So, to conquer the labyrinth, it must be done within three months?”
Conquering an unpredictable labyrinth in just three months sounded daunting.
“While it could be seen as a hindrance to labyrinth raids, it’s also an effective way to minimize the number of missing persons. Of course, avoiding the labyrinth entirely is an option, though not a recommended one. The path could change and lead to unknown depths.”
In other words, one could witness the labyrinth’s paths shifting by staying put.
Once this fact became widely known, I imagined subjugation forces forming under names like ‘Three-Month Subjugation Team’ or ‘Six-Month Subjugation Team.’
“Some parties might even utilize the labyrinth’s movements to their advantage.”
“Indeed, you’re very perceptive.”
“Could I ask you to share the details of what happened inside the labyrinth?”
“As much as you’d like. However, I recall you weren’t particularly interested in the labyrinth before. Why the sudden change of heart?”
Bishop Haman’s sharp insight led me to honestly explain the current situation.
“I see. The path has already changed, making it difficult to locate that monster.”
“Yes, which is why I might have to enter the labyrinth myself.”
“You must have grown quite attached to the patient.”
It was as if Bishop Haman could read my thoughts just by looking into my eyes, and I confessed immediately.
“I can’t deny it.”
“Understandable. Our priests are always so earnest in treating patients. I was the same once—so passionate in those days.”
It seemed my current state had reminded him of his own past experiences.
“When I think back to those days, the most memorable patient was one I managed to cure after a long struggle. The patient had severely decayed teeth, but we managed to save them, and I felt an immense sense of pride when I sent them on their way.”
Bishop Haman’s words made me feel more at ease, as he seemed to understand my feelings about Princess Kanabi being a similar kind of patient.
“I think I’ll feel the same when I discharge her from treatment.”
“Moreover, she has a special bloodline, so if we succeed in her treatment, it will be beneficial to our empire as well. There’s no reason to oppose it.”
Thankfully, Bishop Haman didn’t see me spending time saving Princess Kanabi as a waste.
“Actually, even if it weren’t for the patient, I had intended to suggest to Priest Arthur that he enter the labyrinth.”
“Me, enter the labyrinth?”
Although the other priests were skilled enough that I wasn’t sure I was needed, it seemed Bishop Haman thought the labyrinth would be a significant opportunity for my growth.
“Have you seen the abilities of the priests I sent to support you?”
“Yes. They were amazing.”
“They weren’t always like that. They gained their abilities by growing through various experiences inside the labyrinth. Although it’s not widely known yet, the labyrinth accelerates growth. The training inside the labyrinth is about three to four times more effective than training here.”
“Four times?!”
It wasn’t just double, but three to four times the difference—this caught me completely off guard.
‘I expected some effect, but I didn’t realize the gap would be so significant.’
After hearing Bishop Haman’s words, I immediately understood what he meant.
It was like how hunting in a dungeon in a game grants faster leveling than hunting in regular fields. The labyrinth likely operates on a similar mechanism.
I had always prided myself on being the youngest chief healer, but now the fear of being left behind if I didn’t enter the labyrinth began to creep in.
‘High risk, high reward is inevitable, but four times is a bit much, isn’t it?’
Bishop Haman had mentioned that while the growth factor may vary from person to person, it was rare for it to be four times, but the fact that there was such a variation meant that someone could very well benefit from that four-times boost.
‘Maybe I’ll try entering the labyrinth and if it’s too dangerous, I’ll stop…’
Could I really ignore the temptation of four times the growth?
I had hoped to live a more relaxed second life, but why did it seem like everything kept getting harder instead?
“When this fact becomes known, everyone will probably want to enter the labyrinth.”
“If there are many brave priests, then yes, that may happen.”
I knew that the appearance of the labyrinth would bring about many changes, but I never imagined it would alter things this much.
‘If you don’t adapt to the changes, you’ll be left behind.’
I’m still in my twenties; I can’t afford to be left behind now.
“Thank you for the advice. I’ll think carefully about joining the subjugation force.”
“I see. The next subjugation team will have me as the leader, so it shouldn’t be difficult to adjust.”
“By the way, what do you think about priests joining the labyrinth as individuals, rather than being part of a team? Do you think the church would disapprove?”
“It’s overwhelmingly safer to join through the subjugation force, so I recommend entering through them. But if a priest is determined to take the risk and enter alone, I don’t think the church would stop them.”
Since Bishop Haman’s opinion likely reflected that of the church, I felt reassured by his positive response.
I was now confident that getting the church’s approval wouldn’t be too difficult.
The labyrinth’s paths had changed!
Everyone who had been diligently mapping out the labyrinth was now in despair.
Not only had the paths changed, but the monsters that emerged had also changed, and even the surrounding environment had shifted.
“There are a lot of frostbite patients these days.”
“I heard the labyrinth now has a snowfield. The environment must be even worse than we imagined.”
I hadn’t felt much when hearing about the labyrinth’s environment changing, but seeing the increase in frostbite patients arriving at the treatment center made me realize how much the changes in the labyrinth affected us.
“My sister’s been shaken lately. In the past, she wouldn’t even let me speak of it, but now she listens carefully to how I’m preparing. I’m glad I listened to you.”
It seemed like Princess Lasiell was pleased that Princess Kanabi had started listening to her. She muttered to herself while munching on some skewered chicken, hopping on her feet.
It was infuriating to be spoken to while she enjoyed delicious food beside me as I worked. Someone else might find it cute and blush, but I could only feel frustration.
But I didn’t let my anger show.
Moreover, there was no reason for the princess to empathize with the hard work of the laborers.
“The changes in the labyrinth seem to have caught you off guard.”
“Of course. I suppose you’ll be receiving permission soon. Are you ready?”
“Of course! I’ve gathered all the team members. We just need you, the priest, to join.”
Princess Lasiell acted as if everything had been settled, but I reminded myself that the most important matters were still unresolved.
Although Princess Kanabi was now willing to listen, I still hadn’t received her official permission, and the church’s cooperation hadn’t been confirmed yet.
“I’m not lying. I’m sure my sister will grant us permission soon. It seems like it won’t be long. But are you ready?”
“Of course. But leaving immediately would be difficult.”
“You can’t leave right away? Why not?”
“They say the bishop in charge of the labyrinth temple will be coming soon. Until then, I have to stay here and guard the temple.”
Finally, the bishop for the labyrinth temple had been appointed.
The fact that the bishop hadn’t been assigned until the subjugation force had already set out was a clear example of administrative incompetence.
‘But who wouldn’t expect that?’
Still, thanks to this chaotic administration, I had been able to make the most of it.
I had managed the temple as I saw fit.
Moreover, it seemed that Bishop Haman’s good leadership of the subjugation force had earned him the favor of the new labyrinth temple bishop, who was said to be closely aligned with him.
Since Bishop Haman considered me a potential asset, the arrival of a bishop who was his ally was a huge advantage for me.
“When the bishop arrives, will you be completely free?”
“It’s not quite as simple as being completely free, but I will have more time on my hands.”