Chapter 1: Hero Ryuguin and the Sealed Labyrinth ①
The peace of this kingdom was built upon a foundation of deception. The true nature of that deception lay in the existence of the Sealed Labyrinth, a super-class danger that could unleash its fangs upon the populace at any moment.
Indeed, the Sealed Labyrinth once wreaked havoc upon the Arcana Kingdom, slaughtering renowned Seekers and thwarting their attempts to eradicate it.
Yet, through the desperate efforts of many fierce warriors, this labyrinth was ultimately sealed away. However, it was not destroyed; it remained merely sealed. The presence of the Sealed Labyrinth, which could awaken at any time, did not bring peace to this land but rather a temporary tranquility, one that could end at any moment.
Though the Sealed Labyrinth was kept absolutely secret under the pretense of “stirring the people’s anxiety if they knew,” Ryuguin stumbled upon the existence of this unprecedented risk factor.
But fate was cruel. By the time Hero Ryuguin learned the truth about the Sealed Labyrinth, he was already burdened with the mission of vanquishing the Labyrinth of Time, a labyrinth of immense complexity. He found himself tormented by the question of what to do next. Should he continue tackling the Labyrinth of Time, or should he set it aside to confront the Sealed Labyrinth?
However, just moments after he became aware of the overwhelming evil that was the Sealed Labyrinth, he heard a voice—a voice that belonged to God. He had received a divine revelation. It was as if God had been waiting for the hero to discover the existence of the labyrinth, and now, the message was clear.
By some twist of fate, the message from God was that, in the near future, monsters would overflow from the Sealed Labyrinth.
Beloved by the divine, Hero Ryuguin trembled at the sight of the cruel future laid before him, a mixture of fear and a sense of duty coursing through him. Yet, he summoned a sense of justice as unyielding as steel and managed to suppress the encroaching terror.
What good would it do for me to panic now?! I must eradicate the Sealed Labyrinth, which threatens to destroy this kingdom—no, this world—at all costs!
That was the moment he made a solemn vow in his heart.
Thus, for the responsible Ryuguin, there was no option to prioritize the ongoing Labyrinth of Time while leaving the imminent threat of the Sealed Labyrinth unchecked.
Hero Ryuguin’s only wish was for the tranquility of his people. He cared not for his own fate as long as their smiles remained intact. To him, the happiness of the citizens was the most precious thing of all. Indeed, he possessed an extraordinarily noble soul.
However, despite his noble spirit and incredible combat prowess, he simply did not have enough time to tackle the Sealed Labyrinth alone, a labyrinth that could unleash disaster at any moment.
“Damn it! At this rate, the people will be in danger!”
As he grappled with despair, voices called out to him.
“Hero-sama, please don’t shoulder this alone.”
Saintess Mika smiled radiantly.
“That’s right, we’re here for you,” Sage Angelica said, puffing out her chest in encouragement.
“Master! If we work together, we can manage somehow!” Sword Saint Eris inspired her comrades.
“Everyone, I’m counting on you! This will be a dangerous battle. But for the sake of our kingdom and our people, I ask this of you!”
“Please, we are the Hero Party!”
They were the very embodiment of True Companions.