The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

[Question: The divine sword Caldeiras—]

"Orichalcum."

[Correct.]

There was no mess or nonsense when it came to the questions posed deeper into the maze. Surtr’s Labyrinth had transitioned into a true maze under the bird mask statue’s supervision.

A labyrinth was an intricate puzzle where one could easily lose their sense of direction. Without any hints to rely on, the investigation team had decided that breaking walls indiscriminately wasn’t a viable option. Instead, they’d decided to employ long strings and methods like keeping to the left or right wall to navigate.

With that, the team split into groups and entered to begin their exploration. Within the labyrinth, they encountered golems shaped like minotaurs—challenging opponents, sure, but not too difficult for the knights of the Pallan Empire to handle.

In fact, they were easier to handle than the stone golems they’d encountered at the beginning. Moreover, there were no traps in sight. Given that they had two Swordmasters, navigating the labyrinth didn’t prove an overly complex problem.

After approximately an hour of unraveling their strings and advancing, the investigation team reached a massive door on the far side of the labyrinth. Contrary to their expectations of encountering numerous minotaurs at every turn, the ease of their progress left the team feeling uneasy.

"There’s another door,” Count Ainz, chairman of the academy, muttered.

Of course, if a trap had been designed by a truly determined 7th Circle mage, such precautions would be meaningless.

"It’s safe," Gandav confirmed.

Indeed, there were no discernible traps—instead, an inscription was embedded in the door.

"I did find some text, though. Give me a moment to interpret it," he said, carefully tracing the engraved characters on the stone.

[Those who have arrived here, your courage and wisdom are commendable. This is the final gateway of Surtr’s Labyrinth.]

Crrrk!!!

A nearby section of the wall cracked open, revealing a passage.

"Is that… a workshop?"

It appeared ancient, yet there wasn’t even a speck of dust.

[Prove yourself worthy of the legacy of a revered blacksmith. Challenger, place your hand upon the altar and use your finest craftsmanship to forge a sword within this workshop. Afterward, place it on the pedestal.]

Count Ainz shrugged. "Six months of struggling just to clear the entrance. Yet, with the addition of two people, we’ve made it through so easily... It’s almost deflating."

"We should consider ourselves fortunate," Gandav replied. "The empire is already plagued by rebellious factions. Prolonging our absence from the Imperial Palace would’ve been incredibly risky."

"True.”

Count Ainz silently turned his gaze toward Davey.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing at all. I'm just deeply grateful for your assistance. Without you, this might’ve taken years—just the thought of it sends chills down my spine."

Though Sir Gandav and Count Ainz led the primary investigation of the labyrinth, Davey took care of all the aspects that they had overlooked or found unmanageable. Throughout the entire process, they’d seen the maze become more and more challenging. 𝐫αɴỔ𝖇ĘŞ

"Our work here seems to be done. I'll take my assistants and investigate the surrounding area," Gandav said.

"I’ll do the same with my mages," added Count Ainz.

With the two groups gone, only Davey and Halphas, the Chief Imperial Blacksmith, were left.

"Sir Halphas, I’ll leave the rest to you," Davey said.

"Hmph. Of course. It’s finally my time to shine."

Brimming with confidence, Halphas approached the altar and placed his rough hands upon it. A soft light enveloped him, seeping into his body and faintly glowing around him.

"I can finally repay His Majesty for his grace.”

He strode into the workshop, examining the materials and tools within before nodding in satisfaction.

"Incredible. It’s a shame we can’t take these with us."

Davey also strode into the workshop and surveyed the area. He didn’t notice any sign of a trap or obstacle that could interfere with their work. Instead, he sensed a subtle and calming aroma in the air, sharpening his focus and concentration.

Initially, the labyrinth had completely barred entry. Upon reaching this point, however, it had transformed into a trial. The difficulty had shifted from “get out or you’ll die” to “prove yourself worthy to enter.”

Creak…

Davey picked up a hefty hammer and examined it with curiosity, but Halphas quickly rushed over and snatched it out of his hands.

"What are you doing?! Get out!" he snapped.

"Out? Why?"

"Isn’t it obvious?! It’s dangerous for someone inexperienced to meddle here—you could get hurt! Leave! Now!"

"Uh… What?"

Halphas shoved him out and pointed accusingly.

"Do you think blacksmithing is easy?! Just a single mistake can lead to catastrophic accidents! Even if you’re skilled, you wouldn’t stand a chance working alongside those who’ve attuned themselves to the trade for decades. Don’t get in the way! Go!”

Davey just shrugged in response.

"Hmph…"

Evangeline, however, puffed out her cheeks in frustration and seemed ready to give the dwarf a piece of her mind. Before she could, Davey scooped her up into his arms.

"Ah! Daddy?"

"Shh."

Carrying Evangeline, Davey approached Emperor Sullivan, who was watching the scene.

"Prince Davey?"

"This could be the final trial.”

"I see. If we can obtain the masterpiece hidden here…”

"It’s likely. But more importantly, would it be alright for me to investigate the surrounding area?"

"Do you suspect that there’s a problem?"

"No. I just want to make sure we didn’t miss anything.”

The emperor looked at him silently for a moment before nodding. "Understood. Let me know immediately if anything comes up."

"Are you sure you should trust me so easily? If I find something, I can just easily walk away with it.”

Sullivan met his gaze steadily. "Consider it a bribe for Illyna."

‘Ha. What a hopelessly doting brother.’

He didn’t press further. Whether it was a matter of him being overly confident or a surprising lack of suspicion, Davey didn’t know. With Evangeline still in his arms, he lightly rolled on the ground.

Zap!

The space around them shifted, revealing the familiar chamber with the statue wearing a bird mask. He turned his attention to the door of the double doors that the investigation team had gone into. He knew that they should be around, but whether by luck or coincidence, no one was within sight.

"Hey.”

The statue remained unresponsive.

"I know you’re awake. Care to answer?"

Even after he spoke again, the figure didn’t move. Without hesitation, Davey reached into his Pocket Plane, pulling out a chisel and hammer.

"Guess I’ll have to break you down and take things for myself.”

[Stop!]

Davey couldn’t tell why it had been so stubborn when it would talk to him anyway.

[How did you know?!]

"How? Your mana flow is perfectly active. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”

Even if the statue’s ego was created by a 7th Circle mage, all they could’ve done was infuse mana and guide the core of the ego to operate. Creating a true ego was beyond their capabilities.

[Who are you? What is your connection to Surtr?]

"I should be asking you that. You’re not just an ordinary ego, are you?"

The statue’s eyes glinted momentarily, then dimmed.

[I don’t know what you mean.]

"You don’t? Then how about opening the other door for me?"

The statue flinched.@@novelbin@@

"You only opened one side of the door earlier, didn’t you?"

When the statue granted the investigators access earlier, it only opened the left door.

[Do you think opening a massive door is simple? Stop spouting nonsense.]

"Then step aside. I’ll do it myself," Davey said, rolling up his sleeves and stepping forward.

The statue quickly raised its spear.

[Challenger, behind the already-open left door lies the masterpiece you seek. If you pass the trial, it will be yours. If not, it will remain out of reach. That is all you need to know. Don’t think there’s anything more to pursue.]

"Sorry, but I’m not interested in some masterpiece. I can make something like that myself.”

[Hmph…]

"I’m more connected to Surtr than you realize—at least, after his death.”

[You’re not lying.]

"Elven eyes? You’ve added quite a few tricks, haven’t you? Let me guess—whatever Surtr wanted to keep hidden so badly is behind the other door.”

If that weren’t the case, there wouldn’t have been complete silence when asked about what lay beyond.

"If it’s dangerous, I’ll handle it. That was my promise to Surtr."

Of course, that was a blatant lie.

After a long moment of hesitation, the statue finally opened the right door, revealing a completely different room. The small hallway behind the left door had changed as well to match the space on the right.

[Enter.]

Evangeline curiously looked around as they entered. Davey, however, remained silent and just kept walking. As they ventured further, they saw two columns of stone knight statues lined up on either side of the corridor.

"Hmm…”

The statues gave off an eerie feeling. Fortunately, they remained motionless.

“Daddy, is this where all the treasures are?”

“No. There probably won’t be any treasure here.”

The treasures were probably where the investigator team went. What lay behind the other door was most likely something that Surtr wanted to keep hidden. Whatever it was, it could be dangerous or something else entirely. Regardless, it wasn’t something that the world could afford to know about since it would jeopardize him as well.

Soon, he saw a small wooden door, just big enough for one person to pass through. Without hesitation, Davey dispelled the magic keeping it locked and stepped inside.

“Wow… So many books and jewels!” Evangeline exclaimed in awe.

The jewels were expertly processed mana stones, not just ordinary ones. She looked around the ancient remnants with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, smiling deviously, Davey mischievously rubbed his hands together.

He found a book.

Much of the knowledge and records surrounding Surtr’s craft were lost. While blacksmithing naturally evolved over time, most of his techniques had vanished in the fires of the war with the demons three thousand years ago. Hence, instead of advancing, the craft had regressed over the past millennia.

“Surtr sure was a craftsman beyond his time,” Davey muttered as he picked up one of the books. Curious, he opened it to the first page.

Fortunately, the book wasn’t empty—it had writings in it.

‘Let’s see what you hid here…’

[Ah, Lucid. You, the goddess of the moon above, and I, a mere woodcutter climbing the ladder toward you. How are you, my love? It pains me that I am no more than just a commoner. Oh, my beautiful fiancée, an insurmountable wall of status stands between us… This brilliant world is truly…]

Thud.

Davey slammed the book shut, his expression blank. “Nope.”

Frowning, he tossed the book aside and grabbed another one.

[Year XXXX, Day XX.]

[While hammering today, I felt a surge of newfound power. Yes, the gods must have been moved when the hammer in my right hand resonated with my arm. After all, they sent a black dragon to bless me. Do not fret or rage, black dragon. It is my duty to seal you within my arm. I shall name you in accordance with the promise of the primordial, Black Flame Dragon…]

Thud.

Davey covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing. He then activated a nearby video stone.

- Aaaahhh! I’m free! Ares, you freaking bastard! No one can stop me now!

The video showed a shirtless Surtr sprinting through a forest, screaming at the top of his lungs.

Another video stone showed him embracing a chunk of metal, nuzzling it with his cheek while murmuring strange words.

[Listen, Elizabeth! Lucid rejected me again today, saying we should sleep in separate rooms. Has her love for me faded? Oh, Elizabeth, don’t abandon me!]

‘He named the chunk of metal Elizabeth?’

“Daddy, what is this? I’m scared…”

“I’m scared, too,” Davey admitted as he tried to process what he was watching.

It gradually became clear that all the video stones in the room depicted Surtr in similarly bizarre situations.

“This guy had to be high on something,” Davey muttered, shaking his head.

‘They do say there’s only a fine line between genius and insanity.’

“I’m on the genius side, for sure, but this guy…”

‘Is simply psychotic.’

However, after watching all of that, Davey’s curiosity only deepened. He wondered why Surtr had made these records and why they had been preserved and stored to the present day. Davey couldn’t help but smile slyly as his gaze shifted to another tightly sealed door deeper into the chamber.

“What? Is something even worse than this in there?”

Davey could already imagine how Surtr and the heroes of the hall would react if he showed them the bizarre records.

"Master, I’ll be seeing you soon.”

‘And If you want me to keep my mouth shut, you better be prepared to pay the price.’

ChubbyCheeks & FriedNook's Thoughts

Editorb’s Thoughts

Smh Davey, the bond between a man and his diary—or uh… extensive video archive, I guess—is sacred! How could he sully such a delicately precious thing?!