Chapter 1046 - ........................
...And then, four more hours passed.
Twelve hours since the start of the maze exploration. It went without saying that this far exceeded the recommended continuous login time, yet whether it was a blessing or a curse, not a single person showed signs of fatigue.
Physiological needs like hunger were usually transmitted directly from the virtual world to the avatar. The fact that those inconveniences had not occurred suggested that special specifications, similar to the Starry Paradise event, were in effect.
It felt as if they were being told, If you wish to proceed, prepare yourself. On top of that, they were forced into a game of infinite tag within a landscape that never changed.
At this rate, we'll lose our minds...
Just as I began to pray to the heavens for some variety, the scenery finally opened up.
"........................ Ah."
It was the fiftieth one. A few dozen seconds after they dove into the barrier provided by the white Wedge.
They had likely grown accustomed to being chased eternally. Everyone ignored the black masses as they vanished behind them, unable to startle even Nia anymore.
"...Ugh... Aaaahhh...!"
However, the indigo-haired girl slumped down in relief, emotions spilling from her mouth as she stared ahead with teary eyes. What lay there was...
"After half a day, we're finally... one fourth of the way there...!?"
The end of the maze... or rather, one of the exits.
The walls that had been constantly pressing in from the left and right opened up. Instead of a maze path, a single road connected the areas. And at the far end stood a building.
No, perhaps former building was more accurate.
"After half a day, finally, a quarter...!"
Having reached a clear milestone, something inside her must have snapped. Nia let out a mix of grief, resentment, and bitterness in her excitement, but no one interjected.
"...In virtual world terms, that's a third of a day."
"It doesn't change much. Whoever made this game is an idiot."
"Aha... ha... whew..."
As I patted Nia's head in consolation, Ashe, Tora-kichi, and Sora all agreed. Ever since they started the conquest, the party's hearts had been united.
Except for one person.
"........................"
That was the knight, who stood silently gazing at the former building at the end of the road. It was a mountain of rubble, the remains of a castle that felt vaguely familiar.
I walked up to him as he stood at the very front of the barrier. His profile was unusually calm for the noisy knight.
Our eyes met when he turned his blue gaze toward me.
"...It is nothing."
Even though I hadn't asked anything, he offered those words with a smile.
My friend, I have no idea what you're thinking.
"...Kendy."
Unfortunately, our friendship wasn't yet long enough to communicate via telepathy. I returned an ambiguous smile, hoping for that in the future, as Ashe stepped up beside me.
"Is this it?"
A clear question followed her straightforward call. My princess was a bit too blunt as usual, but the knight gave her a gentler smile than before.
"Yes, without a doubt."
He confirmed Ashe's question, giving the answer we all sought.
In other words...
"The East Castle ruins. One of the five locations you must reach. This is the first."
For the first time in this conquest, it was the moment our progress truly bore fruit.