"So, what should I do?"

With the soul connection complete, it was now Tiamat's turn to fulfill her end of the contract by transforming Yujin into a dragon.

To escape this place, Yujin needed to become a dragon and wield the powers of one. As he was now, it was impossible for him to leave the labyrinth crafted by the gods with his own strength.

"First, remove your hand from my heart and approach my bones," Tiamat instructed.

"Can we still communicate if I remove my hand from your heart?"

"Of course. We are already bound by our souls. If you wish, we could even peer into each other’s thoughts."

"...I see."

The idea of someone reading his thoughts made Yujin uneasy, but there was nothing he could do about it. It was part of the contract, after all.

With a sigh, Yujin lifted his hand from Tiamat’s heart.

"See? We can still talk," Tiamat said.

"It seems so."

"Now, approach my bones."

Following her guidance, Yujin stepped toward Tiamat's bones. He placed his hand on one of the ribs embedded in the ground.

"Like this?"

"Yes, that’s perfect. Now comes the important part. I will transfer my knowledge to you."

"Knowledge transfer...? Ugh!"

A torrent of information suddenly flooded Yujin’s mind, striking him like an unstoppable wave. Tiamat was directly imparting her knowledge to him through their soul connection.

The intensity made Yujin feel as if his brain was melting. His head grew unbearably hot, and for a moment, he was completely incapacitated.

Time passed—perhaps thirty minutes—before Tiamat spoke again.
"...Are you alright?"

"...Ugh... Yes, I’m fine. Just a bit dizzy."

"My apologies. I forgot that mortals have limits to their information processing capabilities. It seems I tried to transfer too much at once."

"No need to apologize. It’s necessary knowledge, isn’t it?"

"Yes, it is."

The knowledge she had given him was the method to evolve a human body into that of a dragon. For a human mage, this was akin to fragments of an absolute truth—magical knowledge of unparalleled value.

Had Yujin not been an awakener, his brain might have literally melted. Despite this, Yujin remained composed.

"Hmm... I understand the method, but it’s more complex than I anticipated."

He focused on the process Tiamat had imparted to him, the "method for becoming a dragon." The sheer amount of information and unfamiliar concepts made it impossible for him to grasp every detail, but he at least understood what steps to take.

Still, the process was daunting. Not that he had expected it to be simple, but it was far more intricate than he had imagined.

Moreover...

"I don’t think I can construct this magic formula using only my own mana."

The knowledge Tiamat had provided was a form of alchemy, a magical discipline focused on using her bones as catalysts to transform a human body into that of a dragon.

Alchemy involves transforming substances through magical processes, often requiring intricate tools and apparatus to execute. However, Tiamat’s method bypassed such tools, relying solely on a magic formula to achieve the transformation.

This made the formula exceedingly complex and required an immense amount of mana. While Yujin could theoretically construct the formula with time and effort, he lacked the raw mana necessary to activate it.

"I see... In that case, use the power of my heart," Tiamat suggested.

"Your heart?"

"Yes. Think of it as using an orb to draw out mana. My heart contains a vast reserve of mana. Use it."

"Can I even draw from the immense power within your heart?"

Tiamat’s heart held an overwhelming amount of mana—far beyond anything Yujin could compare to. Though he wasn’t weak by any means, he doubted his ability to control such a powerful force.

"Normally, no. But since I grant you permission, it will work."

"...Alright, let’s give it a try."

With a nod, Yujin returned to Tiamat’s heart and placed a hand on her rib again.

He began to extract mana from Tiamat’s heart.

Wooong!

The overwhelming mana started to flow under Yujin’s control. He let out a long breath.

"...Phew."

Even just directing the mana gave him a sense of overwhelming power. For a fleeting moment, he wondered what it would feel like to make this power his own. However, he quickly shook off the thought.

He couldn’t lose sight of his purpose. Becoming intoxicated by power would only degrade him into something worse than a beast.

Carefully, Yujin began using Tiamat’s mana to construct the magic formula.

On the colossal bone before him, the formula began to take shape. The dark red mana etched intricate patterns, resembling circuits, into the surface of the bone.

The symbols were incomprehensible, their appearance alternating between written language and magical circuitry.

The process was slow. At this rate, it felt as though it would take an eternity to inscribe the entire formula onto the massive bone.

"Keep going. I’ll assist you further," Tiamat said.

Suddenly, Yujin felt a sharp clarity in his mind. His thoughts accelerated, and his focus sharpened dramatically.

"I’ve temporarily elevated your potential, enhancing your senses and concentration. Consider it a form of enlightenment," Tiamat explained.

Yujin barely registered her words. He was entirely absorbed in inscribing the formula.

The magic formula spread across the bone with remarkable speed. The dragon’s bones, with their exceptional mana conductivity, allowed the mana to flow unhindered.

The intricate formula extended further and further, engulfing the massive bone in its complex patterns.

***

The Grand Labyrinth.

A prison where the gods, victorious in the transcendents' Great War, sealed away the remnants of the dead transcendents and the defeated ones.

Within the labyrinth, countless things lay dormant:
The remnants of the dead transcendents, those who had once ruled unchallenged before the Great War but were now immobilized by the labyrinth’s restrictions, and treasures and resources befitting the countless dangers and trials that awaited within.

Each of these elements was a temptation for mortals, stirring their greed and sense of adventure.

The rare resources that could be extracted from the labyrinth, the extraordinary treasures imbued with fragments of transcendental power, and even the strength granted by the favor of a transcendental being imprisoned within the labyrinth—all of it was enticing to mortals. Naturally, they desired to venture into the labyrinth.

And so, the gods responded by opening the labyrinth’s doors to mortals.

With the hope of seizing new opportunities and power, mortals eagerly chose to embark on these ventures.

Thus began the Age of Grand Labyrinth Exploration.

The labyrinth was a place where countless opportunities lay in wait. To seize even one could mean becoming a victor in life, enjoying untold wealth and glory.

The privileged entered seeking even greater riches, while the destitute sought new opportunities.

Yet, the labyrinth was also a resting place for untold dangers and trials:
Monsters lurking within, the trials that grew more severe as one progressed deeper, and the machinations of the transcendents trapped there, harboring malice toward the outside world.

Though the transcendents' ability to interfere with mortals was limited by the labyrinth’s rules, even these restrictions could be lethal for mortals.

“Urgh… Ack…!”

Take, for example, this girl.

A silver-haired girl, appearing to be in her late teens, writhed in agony. Like so many who had challenged the labyrinth, she had returned bearing its aftermath.

The difference between her and countless others was her noble status.

This was evident from the entourage surrounding her: high-ranking priests and a woman clad in knightly regalia.

All of them watched her with expressions of anxiety and dismay.

“...Haa.”

At last, a golden-haired woman in priestly robes closed her eyes tightly and turned away. Her expression betrayed resignation.

Noticing this, the knight in regalia asked urgently,
“Lady Saint of Purification, what is the matter…?”

The Saint of Purification.

A transcendent's apostle, she had inherited a portion of the goddess Prepyan’s divine authority.

Her rank was unmatched among mortals. In the realm of purification—cleansing curses, illnesses, and corruption—none surpassed her, save the gods themselves.

For her to be unable to purify something was exceedingly rare. And yet…

“Even I… cannot undo this.”

“W-what do you mean? You cannot cleanse it?!”

To the knight, it was unthinkable. How could the saint chosen by the Goddess of Purification fail to dispel a curse?

Yet the saint shook her head solemnly.

“I cannot cleanse everything. This is no ordinary curse.”

“No ordinary curse, you say…?”

“...It is demonic.”

“...!”

The word hung in the air.

Demons, or wicked gods, were entities opposed to the divine. They wielded magi, a power that directly countered divinity.

It was unthinkable that a demon, defeated in the Great War and imprisoned in the labyrinth, could directly lay a curse on a mortal.

“Did a demon personally curse her?”

“No. The labyrinth’s rules prevent demons from indiscriminately cursing mortals with something even I cannot cleanse.”

Indeed, transcendents trapped in the labyrinth could only exert limited influence over mortals, and even this influence was bound by strict rules. The trials they imposed were not meant to be unfairly one-sided; failure meant death, but success required appropriate rewards.

For this reason, most transcendents issued challenges that mortals could feasibly overcome, often as a form of entertainment in their tedious confinement.

But demons were different. Unlike dragons or giants, who rarely meddled with mortals, demons delighted in their suffering, creating trials that tormented mortals endlessly.

Allowing demons to decide the consequences of failure would lead to unimaginable torment and destruction for any who dared attempt their trials.

Thus, the gods intervened, decreeing that failure would result in death—a mercy compared to the fates demons would have otherwise inflicted.

For a mortal to return from the labyrinth with a curse that even the Saint of Purification could not cleanse was unprecedented.

The knight glanced at the girl, her face twisted in agony. She could not have received any reward worthy of her suffering. If she had failed, she would be dead.

Returning from the labyrinth with lingering injuries, curses, or illnesses was common, but for a curse so severe that even the Saint of Purification was powerless—this could only mean direct involvement from a transcendent.

“How could this happen…”

“The reward itself must have been a trap,” the saint murmured.

“...!”

At those words, everyone’s eyes turned to the girl’s right eye.

Where an eye should have been, there was instead a blooming flower.

A pure white, radiant flower with petals in full bloom partially obscured the girl’s face. Were it not for her agonized expression, it might have been considered otherworldly and beautiful.

“This flower…”

“Yes. I was told this flower did not exist before the ‘Princess’ entered the labyrinth, correct?”

“Yes,” the knight confirmed, nodding gravely.

The saint sighed deeply before continuing.

“This flower is not merely a curse… It is a demon itself.”

“...What?”

The knight was incredulous. How could this flower be a demon?

“I mean it literally. This flower is a demon.”

“...What are you saying?”

“According to the labyrinth’s rules, a transcendent must grant a reward when a mortal overcomes a trial. They cannot offer a curse as a reward.”

“......”

“That means this flower is a reward… But as I said, it was a trap.”

The saint stared at the flower with visible anger, as though it were an enemy.

“...The reward itself was the trap, just as I explained earlier.”

“......”

"The demon who gave the reward to the Princess… wagered itself as the reward."

"...!"

The knight's eyes widened in shock as she looked down at the girl—no, the Princess.

"What do you mean...?"

"I can feel it. This isn’t merely infused with a demon’s power. The demon itself resides within."

"......"

"Which is why it cannot be purified. It’s a transcendent. It’s only natural that a power granted to mere mortals cannot erase it."

"How... how could this happen..."

The knight slumped to the ground in despair.

Bang!

At that moment, the door burst open, and a man entered the room.

He was strikingly handsome, with white hair like the Princess and deep violet eyes. His expression twisted as he approached the bed where the Princess lay.

"......."

"…Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

"...I’ve heard everything, Saint. So you’re saying... a demon resides within my sister."

"That is my conclusion."

"How is such a thing possible? The labyrinth would never allow something like this…"

"Occasionally, dangerous rewards beyond the control of the recipient do emerge from the labyrinth."

"...!"

"But if one can control them, they can become powerful weapons. I believe this demon may be one such case."

The Crown Prince’s face contorted further as he glared at the Saint.

"But it’s a transcendent! And not just any transcendent—a demon! How could the gods allow one of their imprisoned criminals to escape?"

"Your Highness! That is blasphemy!"

"Silence!"

The Crown Prince roared, silencing the elder priest who had rebuked him. The priest flinched and stepped back under the sheer force of the Prince’s presence.

"My sister is dying, consumed by a demon, and you’re concerned about blasphemy?!"

"Your Highness..."

"Please, Your Highness, calm yourself and let us discuss this rationally."

At the Saint’s plea, the Crown Prince bit his lip. Though his fury simmered, he restrained himself and asked,
"How did this happen?"

"From what I can surmise, this is not a complete transcendent. It appears to be a seed left behind by a demon that perished during the Great War, sealed as a reward."

The labyrinth offers trials to mortals, and those who succeed receive rewards. While deceased transcendents cannot directly issue trials, remnants of their power can manifest as rewards.

"So what you’re saying is..."

"The remnants of a deceased transcendent. It likely lacks a fully developed consciousness and was deemed safe enough to be released outside."

"......"

"But... the Princess’s body is undergoing rapid transformation. It’s possible that a new demon is being born on the surface."

The Saint, examining the Princess’s condition, concluded that her body was deviating from its human form. She might soon become something far closer to a demon.

"Are you saying..."

"...A decision may need to be made soon. Before it’s too late."

It was a veiled suggestion to kill the Princess before a demon could fully emerge.

Had the Apostle of the War God been present instead of the Saint of Purification, the Princess’s head might already have been crushed to prevent her transformation. Even some of the priests present had suggested executing her immediately.

However, the Saint, being more compassionate, wished to allow the family some time to accept the situation.

"Is there no way to save her?"

The Crown Prince’s voice trembled with desperation. But the Saint could only shake her head.

"If there is a way, it lies with a transcendent. However, due to the aftermath of the Great War and the creation of the labyrinth, the gods can only exert limited power on the surface. Relying on divine intervention is unrealistic."

"......"

"Another transcendent could help, but those trapped in the labyrinth—such as dragons or giants—are unlikely to intervene. Even if they were willing, obtaining a reward capable of erasing the demon’s seed would be nearly impossible. As for demons, they are out of the question."

It was effectively an admission that there was no solution.

Even so, the Crown Prince refused to abandon hope.

"Then… is there any way to overcome this?"

"...A tremendous force would be required."

"Tremendous force?"

"Yes. The Princess’s own aura is insufficient. A mortal’s inferior energy cannot withstand the magi of a demon."

"......"

"However, if a power comparable to that of a transcendent—such as divine power, a giant’s aura, or a dragon’s mana—were to be infused into her continuously, there might be a chance to overcome the demon’s magi."

The Saint’s face darkened as she continued,
"Even though I’ve inherited divine authority, my power is still that of a mortal. It falls short of true divine power."

"......"

"As I said, the help of a transcendent is necessary. While a full cure may be impossible, it might allow the Princess to suppress the demon’s energy and maintain control."

But there were no living transcendents on the surface. The gods, constrained by their limited influence after the Great War, resided in the heavens, and all other transcendents were either dead or imprisoned in the labyrinth.

The Crown Prince finally lowered his head, his resolve faltering.

At that moment, a voice broke the tense silence.
"Is there a way to buy more time?"

"...Your Majesty!"

The Emperor, a middle-aged man with white hair and a crown, entered the room.

Even the Saint, who had barely bowed to the Crown Prince, immediately knelt before him.
"I greet the Sun of the Empire."

"Enough with the formalities, Saint. Can the remnants of a deceased transcendent buy us time?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. If there is an artifact imbued with transcendent power, it could grant us more time."

"...Very well."

Nodding, the Emperor looked at his suffering daughter on the bed.

"Then we must use that time to search the labyrinth for an answer."

With those words, he turned and issued orders to the knights waiting outside.

"I, Julius von Arcedium, Emperor of the Empire, command that the royal archives be opened."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"And once the Second Princess, Elicia von Arcedium, receives emergency care, she is to be sent to the Academy."

"Father!"

The Crown Prince, shocked, raised his voice.
"Father, how can you say that?! She needs to rest and recover!"

"Do you think time will change anything, Alen? Waiting will achieve nothing."

"......"

"Send her to the Academy, and then to the labyrinth. That is where we must find the answer."

Unable to refute his father’s words, the Crown Prince bowed his head once more.

"Gods above..."

He closed his eyes tightly, muttering a desperate prayer.

"Please, grant us your mercy."