" So entering this world was like opening a giant vault ? " Life nodded " Yes I used the key or at least the password to open it but after doing so it sealed itself again after I went in , that password was already used so I figured that you could use it again " " Hmm can I have it later ? "
Life nodded " It also seems similar to the seals you make with your sealing art it seems like plenty of practices was made from for that vault as I could feel living souls strengthening it "
Lily relates the seals to a kind of hell where the souls are turned to material " Seems cruel " " There isn't much of a choice " " Yeah I'll have to study the library of seals because of that , this world is more complicated than I had originally taught "
" Maybe beneath the society of corrupt people there is a history of the greats who had fought actively tried to do something against the labyrinth " Life said " Or it could be a project gone wrong , I've heard of one that came at a small scale resulting in many deaths " Lily said .
" But they'd still be great if they had created the Labyrinth " Death said to reinforce Life's theory " Yeah they would " Lily put on a suit " " You're not gonna wear a pretty dress " Death joked .
" Only at home would I be wearing that , I should worry about what the descenders might know about me when they heard about the news that I can destroy my old world "
" I'm sure they won't feel threatened if most of them have the brainwash as insurance just act accordingly and they'll be convinced that you're not a threat , but with the knowledge about your power , they might try some things " Life advised .
" I know I've met enough people to guess what they could be doing " Lily thought about Rate's safety inside her and strengthened the seals around her as well as barriers " We'll have to keep watch they'll probably figure out the countless seals in my body " Lily grabs the blank grimoire and absorbs it .
" I'll just wait at the lounge for my ride " she walked down making some predictions of how the conversations at the Banquet would go ' Yah nervous ? " Death asked ' I'm bored is what , I've had too much work I feel like I'm wasting it by doing nothing " Lily said and the ride arrived .
Lily looked through her ride's window seeing various people wearing various styles of clothes while Death was also looking making guesses of what kind of culture they were from ' Scyan should arrive soon I'll be able to use that clone to say I wanted to leave this place and supervise the front line '
" We are here commander " Lily transferred a single point to the driver " Keep the change " and a debt chain formed ' It's a little but it'll be useful ' she walked into the elevator , raised to her desired location and opened the banquet .
It was full of different people , different races , different cultures but all were powerful figures " So that's the commander " " I heard that she came as a young girl but to think she grew into this stunning figure " " Maybe she needs to prevent us from belittling her " they all whispered .
' They'd be surprised to know I just started growing or at least the ones who were whispering ' Lily walked towards Ryson " Valley you're here ? " " Yes I thought it would be more polite to great you considering you manage most of the supplies that pass through the station "
" Just part of my job , but if you are willing I have other services that could help in developing the frontline although it doesn't pass through the station because it doesn't meet the standards " " I can lend you some human resources I already sent a small spacecraft to bring them over "
" Wouldn't that not be a lot ? " Ryson questioned " Yes but I had made arrangements so that it won't be a lot of things " ' Could it be that she has some shrinking technology and gravity control ? '
A man walked to a stage and tapped the ground making it echo through the venue " May I have your attention please " Lily used the grimoire inside her and ink started to draw what she wanted to know ' So this is the guy huh '
" That's the one who owns most of the stocks " Ryson whispered while the major stockholder gave a speech ' He talks a lot for someone who's built like he's for war ' ' You shouldn't be thinking of people like that " Life said .
Lily learns of their name and Duarte finishes his speech . He walked out off the stage and found his family ' So this is how a banquet goes , people talk with each other but the one with the highest author speaks first '
" Hello Commander , how is the fight against the Labyrinth ? " Duarte asked " It's manageable , I heard from the smart tower that you spent a lot for that gift . Although next time think about where you are putting those cameras as a married man "
" What does she mean darling " Duarte's wife asked " Uhm " " Follow me , Violet introduce yourself to the commander " the parents left and Violet gave Lily a bow " So you are that person's child , make sure to not grow up to set up cameras on people you know "
Lily continues to greet the other guests giving those who bought the brainwashing opportunity some favors and connecting them to the blank grimoire recording their memories and storing them for later reading .
' This is quite the bounty to have I'll be able to find more of it ' Lily felt a chain towards Duarte form and gathered his memories too ' After the stockholders should be the suppliers ' Lily looked at the supplier of the elixirs .
" Hello Commander I'm the supplier of the elixirs I hope you liked the gift we gave you " " It was very informative of you to give me your product like that evolution serum " " Yes although it's only suitable for humans since we found that you are a human we figured you might like it "
They gave Lily a card " Why ? Was it not suitable for people with scales ? " Basil laughed " Oh yes it isn't , Do you also understand the concept of that product "
" Of course I know , I've had my people dabble in that " " Oh interesting is that why you won " " Maybe or maybe not , one question I have is if you are interested in helping me set up a business "
Basil suddenly gains interest " I have a lot of capable working resources that can produce magnificent results , all I need is for help to proceed with the legal procedures . I know you descenders love getting strong and so do I "
A debt chain formed and Lily reads it ' Tsk , so Basil isn't the one providing the brainwashing opportunity huh ? ' Lily was a little disappointed ' Maybe it's in one of those corrupt that I gathered information through '
" Commander ? " " Oh sorry I was imagining how much one of my people would react to see a new species he might need to gather genetic samples to make sure it works so I would like it if you would cooperate " Basil's debt chain grew sturdier .
" Then I look forward to getting a chance to get stronger " Basil shook Lily's hand reminding her of how much harder Mother's scales were ' I need a break ' Lily went to the bathroom and found out who was managing the brainwashing contents .
' Another corrupt mole in Ryson's management group ' she was irritated by it and went outside after confirming the involvement " Hello Commander " Lily looked at the lady who wore some attire suitable for the uniform of a scholastic background " You must be one of the library keepers "
" Yes , I am one of the librarian , more specifically the library of seals . My name is Keyly , I believe you want to discuss some matters with me . " Lily wondered what kind of person Keyly was and followed her " How far have you read through the books so far ? "
" There wasn't any order at all , I only picked books that were convenient at the moment but I have read through the basics " " That's good enough , I have heard that you spoke with the dragon riders when you came to this world and became their patron for feeding their starving first ancestor " Keyly said .
" Is it possible for you to get to the point ? " " I will , I was very interested when I heard about the news and reporting about how the dragon associates described you assisting them in feeding so I wonder if you know about Viator "
They stopped at a secluded area " This savior the dragon rider's described is just a fake scapegoat , isn't it ? " " Are you just making guesses ? I made them too when I had to deal with the eclipse tower " Keyly's eyes widened by how Lily kept her cool .
" It's hard to connect this conversation but I already took you to this secluded area " Keyly took a deep breath and said " If I must , I know that it was your people that peeked through the descender secrets " Keyly quickly formed a sealed barrier around her .
" Looks like I got caught " Keyly was surprised by how relaxed Lily was as if it didn't matter " Do you not understand the danger you put yourself into ? " " Of course I do I already saw that barrier forming a mile away "
" You are relaxed about this , aren't you ? " " Well that depends are you supposed to be against the descenders who are corrupt enough to interfere with my supply to sneak in brainwashing contents and blame all of the misfortune of coming to this world to the Labyrinth or are you them "
Keyly sighed " I am against them , since you are deeply aware of the political corruption it should mean this commander attitude you put in at is just a front right ? " " Such is so , do you perhaps know about the true history because of the library of seals ? "
Keyly nodded erecting a barrier around them to disguise their conversation " If you've read about our history the Labyrinth has always been a mystery but the library of seals has a forbidden section to which I had gained access , I've discovered the corrupt side of descenders bringing in civilizations to this world not for helping them but to order them around "
" So you're one of those do-gooders who refused to see a big corporation taking advantage of a little guy ? " " I don't care about what you think , but since you seem to want to help " " Who said I want to do such a thing ? " " Ehh ? "
Keyly was surprised by Lily's words " The story about taking my brother back is merely a cover I've already lost him at a tender age and right now I'm just trying to survive which means growing stronger "
" But you're against the descenders " " Yes but they have some uses out of their power , I plan to use them well and take over this whole operation . I won't expose you if you won't expose me either . Afterall a part of my plan aligns with your hatred of the descenders bringing outcasts into this world "
Keyly recognized Lily's plan " You want to kill them ? " " Death is too simple , I have to make sure I squeeze out all of their possessions , while I am thankful for bringing me into this world ... An invitation would be much nicer "
The mood of the air got heavier as Lily leaked out her malicious intent " I don't like it when they think they can control me , but I will have their lives in my hands soon , so I'm willing to play along " Lily turned her back to Keyly and said .
" You should watch your back too , tell your associates a proper way to show they're also against these descenders " Keyly turned to her back and saw that the back half of her barrier was cut clean .
Lily walked back to the banquet " Commander would you like some wine " Lily took some and went back into party mode " Hello commander " " And who could you be " " Oh I'm the leading head researcher of the creation of abstract entities "
" Then please go straight to the point " " I would like to ask how the abstract entities with you are born " " I already told the dispatched descender that I don't intend to share that so can you please not bother about that "
" Oh okay , then how about the possessors ? " " I did go to their land to get rid of them , you want them ? " " Yes " Lily thinks of the powers that she had robbed out of the artifacts and put away a single possessor each the strongest away from the artifact .
" Alright " " Really " A debt chain forms and Lily identifies them as a neutral party like Scyan only wishing for innovation " Yes however I would like to see if I could buy your entire stock if it's available " " So you're gonna give us some capital ? "
" Yeah I've learned about your company and I am interested in your research of abstract entities , it's such a disappointment that not many plan to invest on it "
Sermin was happy causing the debt chain to get stronger " Then I won't disappoint you when or where do I receive it ? " " Meet me by the end of the banquet " Lily continues to gather more debt chains to find more information during the banquet ' It's been productive to be in this Banquet '
" Commander , are you free ? " Lily turned to Duarte " Oh did your wife tell you off enough " " I hope he hasn't spied on you while you bathed " His wife said " No worries about that , So what are you here for ? "
" Ryson told me of what you needed down and I've called a few people already for that request " " I see where are they " Lily asked without looking at Duarte and his wife showed her " These are the people "
Lily looked at them thinking about the payment " Give me a price and I will take care of it " " Instead of a price is it perhaps possible to get something else " The one selling the star factory said .
" What about you , How much will I pay " " I have a receipt here for handling the transfer of the land on the dragon's back as additional cost " Lily checks and pays the price " I'll also pay for the transfer of land , what about you ? What kind of payment would you like me to make for you ? "
" A star factory is very costly and I don't intend to sell it for money " Indus said while Lily felt a debt chain form and got some information on Indus about what he wanted " So what is it that you need from me ? Destroy the Labyrinth is that it ? "
" No rather I want to get a big fragment of the Labyrinth " the people who heard it either stayed or distanced themselves from the group " OH why ? " " To investigate the Labyrinth's origins "
Lily thought of how greatly mysterious the labyrinth remained even though Keyly knows the hidden history of the Labyrinth and descenders .
" Hmm sure how big must it be ? " " Come on dear let's leave " Duarte's wife said " the size will have to matter " " What kind of people have the piece of the Labyrinth ? "
" It's known to the public it's just that not many people look at it due tot he rumors about staring at the Labyrinth " Lily was given a note showing the dimensions of the piece Indus wanted .
" That's how much I'd like to have , it will keep me up with my only competitor " " Hmm to think this is how much you want for this " " Is it hard ? " " Not at all but it'll take time " Lily burns the paper away " Then I'll look forward to the development "
' I'll look forward to robbing that piece too ' Lily looked at the names of the managers of the labyrinth's piece and what they do with it ' That explains the effects the mythical beast was experiencing '
...
" Boss you have to see this " Scyan said through a hologram while Lily accessed the file " Hmm a comparison ? Why is that ? "
" Normally people who get captured in war shouldn't hold this little care of what they experienced while captured at all yet these guys seem to lose all ideas of going against the Labyrinth "
" You sure it isn't copium for their weakness " " I've had some memories obtained through them and they have had similar times where they were brought back yet the results were different likely because the Labyrinth never consumed them that time "
" So you assume it's related to brainwashing from the descenders is it ? " " Yes maybe you can let some of the residents try to consume some of it so that we can compare the results " Death thought about what Life had told him before .
" Hey uh , maybe they are the same " " Hmm really ? " " Yep we haven't told you this yet because you seemed like you had a lot to do but I could tell you while Life is in your body " Death tells Lily what he saw from the memories .
" Interesting so that's the kind of thing you saw a giant piece of that volume in the facility that houses the brainwashing "
...
' It looks like that giant piece Death saw was the one the Labyrinth has , but what's the primary desire for the piece of the Labyrinth ? It has some strange properties already of creating a physical maze from anything that can be turned into a wall so I would also like to access those files '
Lily thinks about her commander privileges and checks on Scyan ' Looks like he's arriving he rushed the project after hearing that he could come to a foreign land like this and he'd be excited . Sermin will take care of him for the common sense of descenders and Basil would look forward to his research however there's Keyly '
She heard footsteps and took her eyes off her tablet " What is it Duarte's kid ? " " Did you already forget my name ? " " Violet right ? Why are you mad ? Even if I did forget your name it's not something worth remembering considering that you have barely left a presence and your only noticeable feature is being the daughter of a major stockholder of the frontline "
" Ahh " Violet blushed in embarrassment and Lily smiled while Duarte was confused by what type of brainwashed Lily was " Why did he even bother to bring you into this working environment you should go spend some time with kids your age "
" Aaah ? But you were also as small as me and I heard you only stayint this world for only 70 days " Lily's eyes widened to enhance her fake surprise " How did you know that information ? "
The mood between her and Violet suddenly grew heavy and the surrounding people felt it too including Duarte who was watching afar and quickly ran .
' I can't let her find out ' " Uhm uh Dad told me that " Duarte grabbed Violet " Sorry about that Commander she really wants to be an adult soon " " Stop right there Duarte " Duarte started to sweat and everyone could feel the tension that Lily was feeling .
The corrupt who are aware of most of the things that they blame on the Labyrinth were terrified of being exposed . While the innocent were just cautious of Lily as a stranger with power " How do you know how long I have been in this world ? Were you involved in dragging people here ? "
" It's just something we know because we update who enters the world " Duarte said ' Shut up ' the corrupt descenders thought " Really ? Then according to Argus we disappeared at midnight of our world "
" A-and ? " Lily withdrew her malicious intent " No it's nothing , I was just making guesses " ' What guesses that was completely horrible ' Keyly thought and Lily internally smiled .
' Alright that should be good the seed has been planted now I just have to prepare the rest ' The banquet ended with a tense atmosphere and Sermin waited for Lily " Follow me I will give you the artifact when we reach the tower "
" Artifact ? " they arrived at the smart tower and Lily told Sermin to wait while she met with Scyan " Here boss the machine is complete we just need the final component you made " " Aiyay " Lily's soul stretched out and started to sew the crystal to the machine .
She completes it and Scyan tests it out " OHH it worked " " What are you doing here Birch " Lily asked " I wanted to see the place " " There are still some text you have left unread " " But it gets boring "
Lily was annoyed and thought about the possessors that she planned to give to Sermin " But since you're here may as well " ... Birch took out the artifact containing the possessors from Lily's body and started enchanting it for research .
" So you want to make some evolution potions for everyone " " Yep you will have these guys set up the lab and buy the equipment I've already ordered some translators for them and " Lily transferred the debt chains to Scyan .
" This is the debt chain that you'll be using to control them , but they are to be used like the employees not like lab rats " Scyan silently "Tsk" " As for you Birch you can stay however I need you in the undercover mission alright "
" Again ? " " You will see some great things too " " Oh really " " Yeah like how to kill an immortal without the ability to die " Birch suddenly grew excited and couldn't wait .
" As for you Scyan , Argus will be giving you a wage every day for you to spend and try not to be weird in these parts even if there are plenty kinds of people here "
" I got it boss " " And Birch sent that artifact to Sermin he has plans to research them " Lily looked at the cloning device and went to her bedroom ' time to look at our bounty ' Lily read through the corrupt secrets of those connected to the debt chain and figured out the way to disseminate information .
' Hmm now this is interesting ' the blank grimoire inside her gave her detailed summaries of the information for the descenders allowing her to learn more about them " Some common knowledge of evidence tracing which will be useful , the deals they make between each other . It's a lot more familiar than I thought "
" So what are you going to do ? " " Obviously tomorrow you two will be taking a clone while I stay here to take care of it " " Yep leave the seeds for the black test , get the reapers and get out "
" No , I still have to be a part of the Labyrinth first I could give them information about the descenders to get a bigger piece out of them so that I could get a much better star factory "
" But will you be okay ? " " Of course , I will be , I already have information since they decided to show up , I just have to rob it " " But won't it be a problem ? " Death asked and Life decided to hear Lily's thoughts .
' Not really since I got a debt chain from Keyly I already know about what to do to cover our evidence plus there is Birch with me ' Lily didn't plan to elaborate further to Death and then went to her tablet and searched for the files concerning the piece of the Labyrinth .
"Summary : The piece that has remained in our hands has shown great potential and we thought that the Labyrinth's nature of creating irregular networks of pathways was to develop a structure to remain sturdy but this theory has yet to be confirmed due to constraints of the exploration "
"A recent report of some of the previous frontline's citizens being recovered should be recommended to be investigated soon . Requesting the commander's cooperation would be helpful" ' Looks like I'll need them cooperate but that means I have to justify my actions because of what I'll ask '
"Its ability to take dominion over things doesn't seem to transfer to the piece , we are still investigating if this might also be related to the Labyrinth's connection to the piece just like the Mazes"
"The Mazes it creates are controlled but the piece obtained couldn't create them , it may require the Labyrinth to operate it . But other attributes can be found in the Labyrinth's piece and most of them are mainly related to an immune system"
' Then we'd both have similar kinds of bodies although isn't a Labyrinth something that they use to keep something sealed inside in that story ? ' Lily thought of the possibility and remembered how Life had described entering the Labyrinth this morning .
' So doesn't that mean that this whole world is a labyrinth and the Labyrinth that they call inside is the monster ? ' Lily decided to investigate it further tomorrow setting the files of the Labyrinth's piece aside .
' I'll have to make sure that the reapers are all taken away they might use it on me though but I can kill immortals myself so that doesn't matter ' Lily puts the tablet aside and closes the lights .
' Maybe I should also look for that forbidden section Keyly mentioned it will be useful in the future to figure out that vault Life told me about '13Please respect copyright.PENANA6stQVd4xRp