She hoped it was an illusion. But regardless of how many times she checked, the horrible wreckage could only belong to Dominiqueâs egg. âHow dare they!?â Morrigan was furious, glaring at her surroundings so much that it seemed she would immediately tear apart the intruder as soon as she spotted them.
âWait. Calm down, Black Death Crow,â Heimdall said softly, calming her down. He added, âThe defenses in this area are by no means lax.â The Grand Labyrinthâs main forces might have been deployed for the battle, but its defenses werenât that easy to breach.
The Labyrinth itself was a living, ruthless demon, and it could swallow any intruders harboring evil intentions. On top of that, the Under-Elf Rangers, who would do anything for their master, were carefully patrolling the area. No one would be able to intrude on such a closely protected place, much less enter the deepest site within it.
âWhat if the egg cracked open by itself?â Heimdall concluded, thinking that was the most likely possibility.
Thanks to that, Morrigan began to calm down. However, she still had her suspicions. âAlright, even if youâre right,â she began as she started looking around the room, searching for traces of Dominique. âWhere would she be then?â
***
While Morrigan and the other summons were struggling to locate the missing Dominique, Kim Jin-Woo was facing a final showdown.
âIs that the Ursusâ Labyrinth?â Though Kim Jin-Woo had been born and raised in the Spider Dukeâs Labyrinth, he had never had the chance to admire the exterior of a labyrinth. Even on the day he had obtained his freedom, he could only take So-Heeâs hand and leave the labyrinth, still clueless as to what was going on. This was the first time he had ever seen a Labyrinthâs exterior.
The splendor of the labyrinth he had finally witnessed was incredible. Although Daedalus had worked on the exterior appearance of the Grand Labyrinth, it still didnât look quite as grand despite having expanded its boundaries and continued growing.
In comparison, the Ursus Labyrinth was like an art installation. Kim Jin-Woo murmured, âItâs tremendous.â
The labyrinthâs entrance was wide enough for five High Ursus to pass through, and it was still magnificent without any decorations adorning it. Beyond the entrance was a bright passageway made of transparent ice walls that refracted the light passing through. It was beautiful, resembling a gigantic crystal, but it was so cold it overshadowed the Grand Labyrinth, which had the title of Frost. It was indeed fit for a Duke.
âLuyang was a fool who couldnât even prove himself,â Kim Jin-Woo remarked upon realizing how shameless Luyang had been when he acquired a Dukeâs power.
Roooooooar.
Kim Jin-Woo came to his senses upon hearing the sudden roar, and saw the Taurus cheering.
âRegardless of their numbers, they wouldnât attack immediately without catching a breather, right?â Angela asked with a frown, as she watched the Taurus Ogres start stomping across the ground.
Though they marched leisurely, the distance the Ogres covered was still quite significant. It would be the worst move they could make if they were to launch an attack unaware of an underlying trap waiting for them. But the Taurus commander thought differently. As the situation slowly came to a head, the Taurusâ discipline seemed too good to be true.
âIt seems your guess was right.â Kim Jin-Woo shook his head and headed toward the Ursusâ Labyrinth.
He had hoped the Taurus would drag it out a little more; even if the battle had started, he had hoped to at least fully grasp the movements of the approaching army from the east before commencing his attack.
âRikshasha, whatâs the situation looking like now?â Kim Jin-Woo asked.
âThe east army is less than a dayâs distance away from here and has stopped advancing. Unfortunately, their final destination is still unknown,â Rikshasha reported.
âTell the Taurus that I would like to set up a meeting with their Duke,â Kim Jin-Woo ordered, and the imp girl headed over reluctantly.
***
The Duke appeared for the meeting but rejected Kim Jin-Wooâs suggestion to delay the attack and take note of the eastern armyâs movements.
âTsk, I thought something happened when you requested to meetâŠâ the Duke said. Kim Jin-Woo had thought that the vague movements of the eastern army would make their plans go astray, but it seemed the Duke had expected it. Otherwise, there was no reason for the Taurus to push on with the attack with a suspicious army stationed nearby.
âIt seems all of this has to come to an end to see what their real intentions are,â Kim Jin-Woo said. If the Taurus King had used the Duke of the East Labyrinth as their trump card, then Kim Jin-Wooâs trump card was the Dragon Emperor. And it was obvious to him that the Dragon Emperor was exceptionally strong in the Underworld.
The Dragon Emperorâs survival was evidence of that, as the Underworld was filled with lies, hypocrisy, deceit, and betrayal, even with the Drakansâ unique penalty that required one to speak only the truth.
âI donât quite trust the Drakan,â Angela said. She had no doubts about the Dragon Emperorâs abilities, but seemed to have trouble finding the messenger, Ortehaga, reliable.
On the contrary, Kim Jin-Woo looked quite relaxed as he reassured her, âDonât worry.â Angela looked curiously at Kim Jin-Woo, who smirked in return and said, âOrtehaga is the best snitch in the Underworld.â
Ortehaga wasnât trying to restore his honor alone, and was instead relying on his familyâs power, as he knew the influence his father held in the Underworld. Since he hadnât hesitated to borrow that power, using Ortehaga as a messenger was the most fitting.
âItâs great, in a way.â Angela laughed dejectedly at Kim Jin-Wooâs absurd remark.
As their conversation continued, the Taurus envoy came over to check if Kim Jin-Woo had completed all his preparations for battle, signaling that the battle was imminent.
Stomp.
Just then, the Taurus Ogres began stomping their feet in unison, making their advance. The spirits of the Taurus army seemed to have soared higher than ever, perhaps due to the fact that they were having a showdown with their long-standing foe.
âRoooooooar!â The Taurus Ogres applied war paint to their faces, threw the dead High Ursusâ bodies at the Labyrinthâs entrance, and roared.
The smell of blood started spreading even before the battle began.
âTheyâre insulting the High Ursus warriors.â The imp girl interpreted, frowning at the Taurusâ cries.
âAre they trying to provoke them?â Kim Jin-Woo wondered.
The proud Ursus might have been insulted, but they remained in their Labyrinth. However, it didnât mean they were insensitive to the Taurusâ atrocities. Their strong bloodthirst could be felt a long way from the silent Labyrinth.
Kim Jin-Woo shook off that tingling feeling and clicked his tongue at the Taurus who was babbling on with his head held high. âWhat a shallow trick.â
The Taurus seemed to have turned the area outside the Labyrinth into a battlefield. Looking at the current situation, with the Ursus having the upper hand, it would be much more beneficial to attract the Ursus out.
However, there was no way that method would work. It was the Ursus who had led the Taurus to where they were now at the expense of ten thousand of their elites. There was no way they would be swayed by that level of provocation.
The Taurus seemed to be well aware of that fact, seeing as they werenât disappointed by the Ursusâ silent treatment. At the same time, with fluctuating spirits, their frontline started moving once more in the same direction.
âHmmâŠâ Kim Jin-Woo watched the Taurus vanguard walk away from the labyrinthâs entrance.
âWhen shall we make our move?â Angela asked.
âWeâll drag out our participation as late into the battle as possible. We have to see to it that everyone who was involved from the start is dead,â Kim Jin-Woo answered, narrowing his eyes.
He couldnât imagine what kind of trap the Ursus had set up for the Taurus, such that they would be willing to sacrifice ten thousand of their elites. It would be ideal to join in only after the trap had been completely revealed.
Kim Jin-Woo observed the Taurus King. The king was so focused on the vanguard that he didnât take notice of what the Vampires were doing.
âIâm quite curious about that trap,â Kim Jin-Woo said, although he had no intention of trying it out himself.
***
How long had it been? More than half the entire Taurus army had entered the Ursus Labyrinth, yet the Ursus remained silent. Soon, the roaring Taurus stopped their cries, and only their haggard breathing could be heard.
âAre they waiting for a heads up?â Kim Jin-Woo wondered, remaining in place as he glanced at the Taurus King.
The Taurus King had a presence unlike all the other Taurus; he was watching the procession of his men with a mysterious expression.
âNow, what will you do? If you donât make your move, this battle wonât start,â Kim Jin-Woo muttered expectantly despite his honest appearance, trying to figure out what the Taurus King would do.
âMaster.â Just then, Rikshasha approached with a serious expression. âThe eastern army has started marching again.â
âTheir direction?â Kim Jin-Woo asked, waiting for an answer.
âTo the north, toward this location,â Rikshasha answered.
Kim Jin-Woo let out a sigh of relief, as the Grand Labyrinth wouldnât be exposed to the battle. He had always paid more attention to the Grand Labyrinth instead of the battle itself, so it was great news to him.
Even so, he couldnât let his guard down entirely. The Labyrinth was out of danger, but he was still on the battlefield, and his opponents were much stronger than any he had ever faced. All three of them were Dukes, monsters who had been ruling for years.
âMaster, the commander has moved,â Angela reported, and Kim Jin-Woo turned around. He spotted the Taurus King moving with his bodyguards following behind.
âHis bodyguards are moving with him,â Kim Jin-Woo said. The Ursus were after the Taurusâ ruler; thus, the battle would occur wherever he was. But Kim Jin-Woo, too, had to follow the Taurus King. The place where the darkest of dangers lurked on the battlefield would be the Kingâs own banquet hall[1].
***
As Kim Jin-Woo stepped into the Ursusâ Labyrinth, following behind the Taurus, a shadow had been tailing him from afar.
Shashasha.
Despite its even gait, the speed at which it moved was strangely fast. It moved stealthily and swiftly without rest.
âHaa, haa.â The shadow occasionally panted, as if it had traveled a long distance, but didnât stop even for a moment. At first glance, it seemed to be chasing something or being chased.
âPlease wait a bit more; Iâm on the way.â The shadow caught its breath briefly and picked up speed once more.
1. The author uses a metaphor here; in this case, it refers to the kingâs last stand. â