My apologies. In the end, I was away for 2 weeks.

First in line is Sogou Ayaka.

After Sogou and Banewolf exchanged a few brief words,

[Just make sure you come back safely, Sogou-san.]

Suou Kayako called out to Sogawa in a very worried voice.

Even Suou has started to show such expressions now.

[Ayaka-chan.]

[Class Prez!]

The rest of the group staying behind also called out to Sogou.

To be honest, I kind of want her to just leave already.

However, the mindset right before departure is crucial for the battle ahead.

I looked around again.

As expected, I couldn't see any signs of the Sacraments or Vysis's subordinates.

Aside from the skirmish just before entering the Royal Capital, it seems Vysis hasn't placed any of her pawns outside the labyrinth.

[.]

This labyrinth.

I wondered if there might be some kind of "trick" that could be used here,

and I confirmed this with Loqierra.

"Regarding that entrance limit, Vysis had more than a hundred of her pawns waiting outside the labyrinth, right? Right after this appears, suppose they rushed into the labyrinth before we reached the Capital. Couldn't they immediately fill the entrance limit? If that happens, we won't be able to enter and would end up stuck outside. Why didn't she just do that?"

When I asked that, Loqierra explained,

"Oh, you thought of that too, huh? Actually, there were Gods who pondered the same thing in the past. However, that wasn't possible. Why? Because the labyrinth is 'alive'—in other words, it has a will of its own. The labyrinth detects unfair 'tricks' and prevents them. The labyrinth's structure reflects the will of its creator, meaning that any intent to 'cheat' is also conveyed and detected. It's kind of like the labyrinth's own sense of pride. What counts as a 'trick' can be unclear, though, which is what makes this labyrinth interesting."

I see.

This Genesis Labyrinth,

What counts as a 'trick' in the eyes of the labyrinth.

In a way, exploiting those loopholes is part of the strategy.

At that moment,

[Touka.]

Seizing the opportunity, the Mad Emperor called out to me.

[I too shall join in entering the labyrinth.]

[Are you sure that's alright?]

The Mad Emperor is the ruler of his nation, after all.

[From His Majesty Mira's side, Chester Ord, known as the bravest of the Ord Family, will also participate.]

Incidentally, the Head of the Ord Family, Yoyo Ord, will not be entering the labyrinth.

Her age has taken its toll on her body, and she has fallen ill during the march.

Moreover, in terms of individual combat power, she isn't that strong.

But if it's the Mad Emperor, who is considered the strongest in the Empire—

[While having Your Majesty participate is much appreciated, weren't you strongly opposed by Yoyo and the other Mira nobles?]

The Mad Emperor had already volunteered to enter the labyrinth before.

However, he faced strong opposition from the Mira faction.

Even Yoyo said,

"If that's the case, I'll just go in place of His Majesty."

Despite not feeling well, she was determined to participate.

It wasn't just Yoyo who said this.

The Mad Emperor Falken Dotzine Mira Dias Ordzit.

This young Emperor is someone the people of Mira can't afford to lose.

[Don't tell me, Your Majesty, you're not planning to enter the labyrinth without informing the Mira people—]

To that question,

[I persuaded them.]

The Mad Emperor replied.

However, feeling skeptical, I asked,

[The Mira people actually agreed to this?]

At my question, the Mad Emperor smiled mischievously.

[Fufu. They were quite taken aback by how stubbornly I insisted on my "selfishness." It was quite a sight.]

With a somewhat satisfied expression on his face, the Mad Emperor continued,

[Even if I were to fall here, Mira's next Emperor, Wright, is fully capable. In fact, seeing his recent growth, Kaiser is also fit to be the next Emperor. Our Mira has two suitable candidates. Besides, after defeating Vysis, I had been planning to abdicate anyway.]

I had previously heard about his intention to abdicate the throne.

[Your Majesty]

[Also, that's enough of that.]

[Hm?]

[No matter where we are, I want you to speak to me as you would with anyone else. This might be our final farewell in this world, after all.]

[Then, how should I address you? No, what should I call you?]

[Fufu, just call me Zine. However, please excuse the way I speak. I've been speaking like this since I was a child, so it's deeply ingrained in me.]

I paused for a moment.

[Is that okay, Zine?]

The Mad Emperor Zine lowered his voice,

[I will enter close to Asagi. I'm the one who brought her to our side. I will make sure to take care of her to the end.]

"Be careful" doesn't seem to be words I need to speak here.

From the way he said that,

He must be aware that I sense something out of place about Asagi.

Putting that aside,

[Am I your first friend, Zine?]

[Hm? What do you mean?]

The "friend" story that I heard from his brother Kaiser.

[Am I, Touka Mimori, Zine Mira's first friend?]

[-]

There was a slight pause.

Then, Zine naturally showed a faint smile.

[I suppose so. That indeed seems to be the case. Fufu. It seems that way indeed.]

At his lips,

[Touka.]

A smile truly befitting his age could be seen.

[Well then, I'm off.]

After exchanging farewells, Sogou shouldered her backpack and spoke to those staying behind.

[When this battle is over, we can finally go home together with everyone, back to our original world.]

At Sogou's words, Hijiri briefly called out to her.

[Sogou-san.]

In response to Hijiri's call, Sogou nodded with a dependable expression on her face.

A reassuring smile adorned her lips once again, instilling a sense of dependability in others.

As Sogou started walking towards the entrance, I called out to her as well.

[I'm leaving those to you, Sogou.]

[Yeah, leave this to me.]

Sogou passed by me and stepped into the transfer room.

Inside her backpack were magic tools designed for use against Vysis.

If we were to entrust them to someone, it had to be someone who could activate them alone without fail.

After discussing this with Eve and Loqierra, we decided to entrust them to Sogou.

"Erika set the range of this magic tool to encompass the entire labyrinth, so its effect should cover it completely."

After Eve explained, I asked Loqierra,

"It seems that to some extent, it's possible to bring weapons and luggage into the labyrinth, but does the effect of these magic tools properly reach inside even if used outside the labyrinth?"

To my question, Loqierra answered, "It's a bit iffy."

"There's a concern that the effect of the magic tool might be 'repelled' by the Genesis Labyrinth's outer membrane. Just to be safe, I think it's better to bring it inside."

If we're going to activate it, the first person to enter should be someone who can "almost certainly" activate it alone.

The candidates for this include me, Seras, and the Takao sisters—but after some consideration, it was decided to be Sogou.

If it's Sogou, even if she encounters enemies, she could use her Silver Knights and floating weapons as a shield to buy herself time.

Being the first one to go in is also so that those who follow next can easily join forces with her, our strongest member.

At that moment, the transfer room was enveloped in light.

When the light subsided, Sogou had vanished.

With this, it can be said that it has truly begun.

The final battle.

Entry is one person at a time.

Until the transfer is complete, the next person can't enter the teleportation room.

If someone is in the teleportation room, an impassable semi-transparent membrane seems to manifest.

After her, the ones entering next are divided into the vanguards and the rearguards.

A rearguard will enter after a short delay following the vanguards.

As for the vanguards, they're assembled mainly with members who can deal with the Divine Servants.

On the other hand, the rearguards consist mostly of volunteer elite members from various countries.

Why?

Because most of the volunteer elite members from each country

are primarily prepared for the battle against Vysis.

Thus, we want to avoid unnecessarily reducing their numbers in battles against the Divine Servants.

As a precaution, we put a slight pause in between the entry times.

During that time lag, the vanguards will deal with the Divine Servants.

If they can deal with them, that would be most desirable.

Now then.

The next one to teleport will be

[I'm off.]

Munin.

Based on the ordering, she's sandwiched between Seras and Sogou.

Sogou Ayaka and Seras Ashrain.

The top two in solo combat power among the raid members.

Munin's ordering is based on the expectation she would be meeting up with one of them.

Munin enters the teleportation room.

[Munin.]

Hearing her name called by Fugi, Munin softly smiled.

[See you later, Fugi.]

Munin gets teleported.

Next to Seras is—Pigimaru.

[Pyurii~~ Pyuu, pyuu.]

He bounced his way into the teleportation room.

Slei, who will be staying behind, cheered for Pigimaru.

I also waved my hand, seeing him off.

[See you later.]

[Pigi!]

Pigimaru's teleportation ends.

After him is me.

I entered the teleportation room.

After me would be Loqierra.

After her are the Takao Sisters.

I have my Abnormal State Skill.

If things work well, I have the power to win without exhausting myself.

If that's possible,

the best-case scenario is I get to deal with the Divine Servants early with my Abnormal State Skill.

That way, we can face Vysis while preserving the others.

No,

if possible, it would be best to quickly take down Vysis.

However, Vysis has that <Dispel Bubble>.

If, by any chance, that thing is also cast towards the Divine Servants,

in this battle, it would be absolutely necessary for me to join up with Munin.

Depending on the conditions, meeting up with Munin would become more important than meeting up with anyone else.

Incidentally, Eve has been moved back in the ordering a bit.

This was to take randomness into consideration.

"It's not guaranteed that those with close ordering will be teleported nearby."

This consideration led to a "dispersed deployment."

Responding to Slei's cheer just before my teleportation,

at that moment,

as some sort of sound seemed to buzz in my ears,

Kyuuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnn.

Going from the inner areas of the labyrinth to the outside, it felt like something was passing through.

I suppose I could describe it as some sort of "glaring sound."

For a brief moment, Loqierra, who was waiting for her turn,

[Hmm, I see, so that's how it is]

reacted as if she felt uncomfortable.

From the entrance of the teleportation room, I could somewhat see the outside of the labyrinth.

The air was sparkling, shimmering with light.

The scene I saw just before being teleported—

Yes, it's as if snow made of light was falling.

Apart from that buzzing sound in my ears, I felt nothing unusual.

[.]

I had already been teleported inside the labyrinth.

My view consisted of a white corridor and white walls.

The corridor was a bit wider than the hallways of the school in my previous world.

As for that sound—it can't be heard anymore.

It's become quiet.

The sound and light just before I was teleported,

there's also Loqierra's reaction—

[I see, that just now]

Sogou, who went in first, had probably successfully activated the magic tool against Vysis.