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The Fourth Girl Finally Discovers the Truth – Part 07

She failed to realize the change in her. In the past, being this close to the Tower would have made her eager to get inside, to be as close as possible. But right now she felt none of that.

In the Church, the pope wielded considerable influence. As with Sophie of the Four Eastern Stars, many believers trembled with joy when they met the pope in person. This was why so many wished to get close to the Tower where he resided. But Paula no longer felt that way.

It wasn’t that she had lost her faith. If anything, she believed in God more than ever. She knew that there existed beings beyond human comprehension and felt it was more important to serve God through the pope’s teachings rather than worship the pope himself. Of course, this understanding came from Hikaru granting her powerful healing magic through the Soul Board and witnessing many miracles while traveling with him.

“Oh, Paula!”

As she approached the luxurious five-story hotel, she heard a voice from above. It was Sara of the Four Eastern Stars, looking out of a window. She came down and led Paula to their room. Selyse, Serika, and Sophie were waiting in the spacious living area.

“Paula! I didn’t expect to see you here,” Sophie said. “We wanted to return to the royal capital as soon as possible, but we had so many businesses to take care of here.”

“Business? You mean errands for the Church!” Serika interjected.

“But thanks to the dungeon flying into the sky, all our plans went out the window, so it’s not all bad,” Sara added, joining the girls at the table.

“P-Paula,” Selyse said. Her voice was shaky.

“Good morning,” Paula greeted. “A lot of things happened, and now I’m here. I’m glad we didn’t miss each other.”

“I-Is Hikaru here too?”

“Huh? Ah, yes. Lord Hikaru is here in the city, but we’re working separately.”

“Really? I see, I see. Do you think we could meet up with him somewhere? How about we have lunch together?”

“He said he had lots of things to do today.”

“How about dinner then?!”

“What?”

Paula finally noticed something was off about Selyse. Her usual composed and dignified demeanor was gone, replaced by nervousness and agitation.

“Just ignore Selyse!” Serika said. “She’ll only complicate things.”

“Wh-What do you mean by that?!”

“Um… I’ll check if he can join you for dinner later.”

“Thank you! Thank you, Paula!” Selyse came over and shook Paula’s hands enthusiastically.

“Um… what’s wrong with Selyse?”

Sophie wore an awkward look.

“I’m steering clear of this,” Sara said, pretending not to see anything.

“All right, then. Let’s discuss the issue of the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas floating in the sky,” Selyse said.

“Whoa, talk about a complete 180!” Serika exclaimed. “But I’m glad you’re back to normal. Makes things a lot easier.”

“Although, we don’t have much information ourselves,” Selyse prefaced.

The Church had issued a warning to stay away from the area surrounding the dungeon. All forces of the Theocracy of Bios were on high alert. It was also highly likely that adventurers would be called to action.

“The team monitoring the dungeon reported that there’s no longer any rock or soil falling, and the air currents around the island are stable, likely due to some magic turning the atmosphere into a kind of shield.”

“I see.” Paula nodded. “Let me share the information I received from Lord Hikaru.”

“From Hikaru?!” Selyse leaned forward eagerly.

Her friends all interrupted in unison.

“Selyse!”

“Selyse.”

“Se…lyse.”

Selyse cleared her throat and sat back down. “Please, go ahead. Also, I’d like to know how he returned back from Japan.”

Paula began by explaining that Hikaru alone had returned to this world through Soaarunay Saak’s spell. He was transported to the 37th floor of the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas and went up from there.

“The 37th floor? I can’t believe it.” Selyse was skeptical, but she knew Hikaru had no reason to lie.

Paula also mentioned that based on information from Pope Luvain, Hikaru had obtained a rare book called the Research Notes on the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas.

She omitted intel about the Man Gnomes, the Black Wedge Gate, and anything related to the balance of soul and mana since it would only make things confusing.

“He also mentioned checking the great pit. He thinks something’s going on with it.”

“I’m pretty sure that place is currently under strict surveillance. Ah, he’s going to ask for permission from His Holiness.”

“Uh, yes.”

In truth, Hikaru planned to enter without permission, but Paula decided it was not worth mentioning.

“Is Hikaru trying to find a way to reach the floating island?” Selyse asked. “Or is he attempting to stop it remotely?”

“He said he didn’t have enough information to even decide on a course of action.”

“That makes sense. Can I also read this book, Research Notes on the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas? I could go to Hikaru’s room right now. N-Not that I specifically want to see him or anything.”

“Selyse!”

“Selyse.”

“Se…lyse.”

Selyse deflated.

“I’m blaming Hikaru for Selyse going all wonky,” Sara said.

“What in the world happened?” Sophie wondered.

“I-I think Selyse makes a great point,” Paula said. “Maybe we’ll find something new if we all read the book.”

“Right?! I knew you would understand, Paula!”

“Don’t encourage her!” Serika chimed in.

“Oh, come on, now!”

“Um… But before that, Lord Hikaru asked me to deliver something.”

Paula placed the backpack she had brought with her on the table.

“And what might that be?”

“It’s what Lord Hikaru found inside the treasure chests in the dungeon. He said he didn’t really need them, so you’re all free to help yourself if you want.”

“Treasures from the Great Labyrinth?!” Sara yelped. “I smell moneeey!”

“I-I don’t know about accepting treasures from the mythical dungeon,” Selyse said. “Th-Then again, I can’t refuse a gift from Hikaru either.”

“It’s not a gift! He just said to take them if we want!”

“What kind of things did he find?” Sophie wondered. “Maybe some lost Church relic?”

Apart from the cloak that was thin and smooth as plastic yet offered solid protection, the black clothes, the ultra-sharp knife, and the backpack Paula had with her, Hikaru had no use for the items. A lot of them he didn’t even know how to use.

“Let’s start with this,” Paula said, drawing out a long sword under the girls’ keen gazes.

A beautifully crafted scabbard embedded with a magic gem and an elegantly engraved hilt screamed high value.

“How does this long item fit in this backpack?” Serika asked.

“It’s a special item with more space than it seems, which was also found in the Great Labyrinth.”

“Whaaat?!” Serika exclaimed. “Isn’t that similar to the Dimension Dragon Box at the Quinbrand Empire? That’s a broken item!”

“B-Broken?”

Paula pulled out various items: A gold-plated, enchanted cup. A book in an ancient language. Red liquid sealed within a shiny glass bottle. A large, but surprisingly light shield. Beige gloves made from monster leather. The gems had already been sold.

“Sophie, this cup isn’t like the Church’s,” Sara said.

“Yes, a chalice doesn’t look like this. It might be an ancient royal relic.”

“I would be careful touching it if I were you. It’s enchanted. Who knows what it’ll do?”

“I’d love to study this book. Could we leave it with the Church?”

“This red liquid could be from the extinct Dimension Dragon. And that backpack is likely made from its hide.”

While Sophie and Sara discussed the items, Selyse focused on the long sword she held.

“That weapon really suits you,” Paula remarked. “Lord Hikaru said you could wield it perfectly.”

“He did?” Selyse was a bit pleased. “Actually, could I give this sword to someone else?”

“What?”

“Selyse!” Sophie interjected. “It’s not right to give a gift to someone else. Do you realize how valuable treasure from the Great Labyrinth is?”

“Well… you’re right. Sorry, Sophie.”

“You should apologize to Paula, not me.”

“Wait, Sophie!” Serika cut in. “You make a good point, but shouldn’t we ask who Selyse wants to give it to?”

“Oh, I suppose you’re right.”

“Not that there’s any need to even ask!”

“So do we ask her or not?”

“I already know who she wants to give it to. It’s Marius, isn’t it?”

Selyse nodded. “Yes, I thought of giving this to Marius.”

“Who’s Marius?” Paula asked.

“Hikaru didn’t mention him? Oh, I guess he left for Ponsonia before we could talk about Marius.”