"It seems we are approaching the core," Iru murmured, studying the tiger corpse in her hands.
"What core?" Lixuman asked.
"The center of this labyrinth. That is what brought me here."
Lixuman obediently said nothing further.
"Looks like we have no time to linger. That fool Kate has probably gone ahead."
"Kate?"
"The damned cleric who refuses to die."
"Ready?"
"Huh?" Lixuman blinked in confusion, realizing he had already been secured at her waist. When? Too fast to even notice!
The sensation of a soft body—he quickly dismissed the thought. All he felt was the clash of her armor against his own skeletal frame.
"You're so light," Iru commented, weighing him gently.
"…Yes." He said nothing; after all, what could a skeleton offer in response?
Then the scenery on either side blurred past like lightning—far too fast for Lixuman to follow. This was the speed of a top-tier warrior. He gripped his staff, now little more than a magical lantern in Iru's hands.
She darted through the corridors like a bolt of violet lightning, the surroundings indistinct to the point of abstraction. Only when they stopped did Lixuman feel the ground beneath his feet and his legs quiver slightly.
"We're here," Iru announced.
Lixuman lifted his staff, the gem at its tip casting a radiant glow across the vast expanse before them: a magnificent crystalline palace.
"This is the center of the labyrinth?"
"Yes. Let's go in."
Iru positioned herself beside him, guiding him as they pushed open the palace's enormous doors.
A cold wind surged forth—and with it, crystalline monstrosities, seemingly constructs of pure crystal. Not just one, but a horde, pressing forward with lethal intent. Lixuman could sense that even a single one could easily crush him.
"Lighting," Iru said, stepping forward, helmet masking her breathtaking visage.
Lixuman quickly raised his staff, infusing it with magic. Its brilliance illuminated the entire crystal hall.
Iru vanished from sight in an instant, leaving only a violet afterimage weaving through the crystal constructs. Wherever the phantom passed, shards of crystal littered the ground.
"Follow!" she shouted.
A path of crystalline fragments lay before him; he hurried after her.
They pressed onward until they reached the throne at the palace's heart—a massive crystalline seat upon which an enormous, ice-like greatsword was embedded. A skeletal hand still clutched its hilt.
Iru's violet phantom darted toward the sword, clearly intent on seizing it.
Yet just as she neared the blade, the skeletal hand stirred, swiping toward her. Surprised, she did not evade but struck with her greatsword, severing the bone arm with a resonant clang.
Iru stood firmly before the throne, removing her helmet, eyes fixed upon the icy blade.
"Finally… within reach," she whispered, planting her own greatsword aside and gripping the frozen hilt.
A sudden gust of frigid wind erupted from the sword, frosting her gauntlets and lifting her violet hair. The frost spread rapidly, encrusting her armor. Yet she tightened her grasp and slowly drew the sword free.
"Excellent, excellent," a golden figure descended, floating beside the throne, applauding. It was the cleric, Kate. A halo of radiant light shielded him from the cutting wind.
"What do you intend?" Iru asked.
"As agreed, fair competition," Kate replied. "I wait for you to draw the sword, then we engage fairly. Not everyone possesses your monster-like strength and stamina. My frail arms and legs would freeze the instant I touched it." He rolled up his sleeves, revealing delicate, pale limbs.
"Hmph. Once I draw it, you may try," Iru said coldly.
"Ha! That sword is no simple weapon. You can feel your strength ebbing," Kate warned.
Iru's expression stiffened, silent but serious.
"The Ice-Sealing Sword, a legendary weapon of the Lantes United Kingdom, once wielded by the king and awarded to Sir Albert, a founding knight. It possesses sealing power, gradually suppressing the strength of its wielder. Once fully drawn, your power may be entirely sealed. Though this gives me an edge, the Church must claim it."
Lixuman muttered to himself: Invisible, invisible, invisible… He cautiously approached the severed skeletal hand. Fortunately, it lay within reach. Sliding his foot against it, he seized it carefully. It was a right arm.
He began detaching his own right arm to connect with it.
Kate glanced toward Lixuman.
"Quite the coincidence," she remarked. "Shall we leave him to the goddess of light?"
Iru, still drawing the sword, finally spoke.
"Indeed. Let him go; he merely fell into this hidden labyrinth by accident."
"Impossible! Iru, have you truly taken an interest in this brat?" Kate said, observing Lixuman with amusement.
The skeleton moved closer to Iru, quietly taking part in the effort.
"Bone Transmutation," Lixuman whispered, linking the skeletal arm with his own bones.
A torrent of tearing force surged through him, his bones straining to bear the load.
"What's happening?" Iru asked, concerned as he knelt beside her.
Lixuman could not answer; his throat was splintering.
Vitality points! He rapidly allocated his stat points to constitution. Instantly, a surge of strength radiated from his core, mending his fractured bones. He staggered upright, hands over Iru's, and spoke.
"Draw!"
Together, their combined strength magnified the frost's force, erupting violently. The Ice-Sealing Sword slid free, partially drawn.
"By the goddess of light… what just happened?" Kate exclaimed. "A miracle of love?"
Iru, unsure, knew only that Lixuman had aided her. The unleashed energy found its release in the sword, sparing his body further harm.
Yet the wind's chill still pressed against him, frosting his bones. Iru instinctively enveloped him in her embrace, shielding him from the icy gale. Only then did he feel a measure of relief.