Maou no Hajimekata

Before we start anything else, lets collect the materials from the ship.

Right!

Mari gently waved her hand at Aur and pointed at the ship, anchored at the beach.

Most of the supplies needed to carry out all the works, were being brought by Yunis every day, but the ships cargo hold contained water, food and tools needed in case of emergency. After all, its better to be safe than sorry, so Aur and Mari came to get them back.

Oh, and by the way, Lilu stayed in the Dungeon near the forest to perform the maintenance of the kitchen, and to look after Sofia.

Uwah, what is this?! Its so dirty!

Mari climbed up to the upper deck, and looked at the disaster sprawling around, before her eyes.

One side of the ship was completely stained by seawater.

You think a high wave washed over the ship when we were not around?

No, it does not seem to be the case.

Aur claims so while carefully observing the entrance to the cabin. It bore the signs of being forcefully opened rather than being hit by a wave.

Apparently, something mustve attacked the ship. I dont know what it was exactly, but at the very least, it mustve been some kind of a lifeform.

Aur put his hand on a wall, and transferred some magical power into it. When he did, the wall moved to the side, revealing a hidden passage. It was a shortcut to Aurs private room that only he could use.

Im not sensing any traps, but whoever was here, at least needs to possess very high intelligence to be able to invade my labyrinths grounds like that.

Aurs room was a total mess too. Furniture, and barrels with food and water were lying in pieces everywhere. It mightve been small, but this ships interior was also Aurs labyrinth, and his private quarters were situated in its deepest part.

Stay close to me, Mari. Otherwise, you mightve end up getting lost in here.

Mari caught up to Aur in a hurry. If that happened, it would be really bad.

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They were back at the top deck of the ship, preparing to plant the Dungeon Seed.

Stay vigilant, we dont know if the enemy is still here or not.

Shouldnt we go back to get Lilu?

No, we will proceed as planned.

Since Aurs cube can change its shape, he placed it in the ocean beforehand to create a barrier that would isolate this part of the ocean away from the rest, limiting the possible intruders escape routes. He also created a hollowed stone pillar near the ship, where the Seed would be placed.

If we place the Dungeon Seed here, it should be enough to create a sufficient waterway for the Dungeon near the forest, right?

Tell me, Mari, and be honest with me: do you want to tuck your tail and run, just like last time?

No, I dont want to run ever again. I wont make the same mistake like last time!

Aur nodded to Maris declaration.

Then follow me.

Mari took all four of her swords from their sheaths, and made them levitate around herself.

But before we do that

With a quick, smooth move, Aur flipped Maris one piece dress upwards, exposing her healthy skin and pure white undergarments to the air. Embarrassed and surprised, Mari backed a few steps, and frantically pressed down on the hem of her dress.

L-Lord Aur, w-what are you doing?! This is not the time nor the place to

It is. Thanks to that, you stopped being nervous, right? Listen, in times like these, you need to be cautious, but being overly tense is almost as bad as not being vigilant at all, so just relax a bit. And besides, theres no need for you to get so shy. Ive seen all of you, after all.

He mightve said all that, but he had to admit that an embarrassed Mari had a certain charm to her.

I get that, but that doesnt make it any less embarrassing, And Lord Aur! Could you please not stare at my butt so much, its kinda creepy.

All right, I get it. Can we move forward now that youve calmed down?

Y-yes, yes we can!

Receiving the Seed from Aur, Mari got on the pillar, and jumped down towards the underwater darkness. Her golden hair fluttered in the wind.

Little by little, the water level inside the pillar began to fall. Seawater began to flow through the cavity, made by the Dungeon Seed. When Aur descended down the pillar, he confirmed that there was no more water inside, then he saw Mari Leaning against the wall, waiting for him. But she looked kind of strange.

Whats wrong, Mari? Are you alright?

T-The water is spinning round and round

Then just dont look at it next time.

Aur sighted, and helped Mari up. And then, he saw that she was drenched with water from top to bottom. Her golden hair were darkened due to all the water they sucked in, and her clothes were sticking onto her body. In the light, that shone on her from above, the droplets of water running down her slender limbs sparkled like diamonds.

Dont stare too much. Lord Aur, you pervert!

It wasnt his intention to stare at her for so long, and yet he did. Mari blushed, cast her eyes down, and covered her chest bashfully. But even when she did that, her pinkish tips were still visible through her clothes, but she herself seemed to have failed to notice that.

Stop saying such cheesy line and get yourself dry quickly.

He poked her forehead with his finger, and all the moisture just disappeared from her clothes, and even her hair regained their usual fluffiness. Wondering about what kind of magic it was exactly, she carefully fixed her clothes.

Now that its done, let us return to the Dungeon.

Um, but how exactly are we going to do that?

Mari asked while looking up. The top of the pillar was quite high, and it didnt seem like they could climb back up by using any tools, not that they brought any with them, and she has yet to master the proper usage of flight magic.

Theres no need for us to climb, I can shrink it, so we could get out. No problem.

Following Aurs instructions, Mari stood in the center of the pillar as Aur placed his hands on the floor. The stone pillar began to shrink, until it became just a small room that surrounded them. And when it started shrinking, the ground began to quake, Mari felt like she was about to lose her footing.

Dont worry, it will stabilize soon, just grab onto something.

She hugged Aur tightly from behind, and after a while the tremors subsided. Not completely, as some small shaking could still be felt, but now it wasnt much of a problem to stand up anymore.

So, what are we going to do now?

Let me show you. Hang on to me.

When Aur touched the walls again, they became transparent, exposing everything that was on the other side.

This is the water flow?

Thats right.

The water flew to the Dungeon on the mainland through countless stone pipes that were extending from the room.

After they left the room with the help of Aurs levitation magic, the aisle they were traversing was branching out in countless directions. They were going straight ahead, through the shortest route, that will be serving as a trap for potential intruders. Looking ahead, now the isle was divided into the left and right path, and both of them were filled with water flowing at high speed. Every time they turned the corner, Maris body was being swayed, to the left and to the right, but it was to a degree that did not bother her at all, allowing her to enjoy the feeling of floating through the air.

Awesome, great! Lord Aur, this is so much fun!

I see. Make sure to enjoy yourself then, as this is only a one time trip.

Yes, I will!

Her laughing face was just like that of a child of her age. Aur was really relieved to see this.

Ahh, that was so fun!

At the exit.

They reached the room that was just below the chamber, which contained the Dungeon Seed of the labyrinth in the forest, Aur used the cube to create a spiral staircase for them to ascend.

Aur, Mari, are you back yet? Theres something we need to talk about. How do I put this we have quite a situation on our hands.

Lilu came flying towards them, as they were halfway through the staircase.

What happened?

Well, its not an emergency, but I think that it is still quite urgent. Can you come to the Dungeon Seed chamber as soon as possible?

He intended to head there anyway. Aur picked up the pace, wondering just what this all might be about.

Ah, hey, where do you think youre going?! Wait a minute! Wait I said!

When they reached the chamber, someone dashed at them with great speed as Lilu shouted. Aur moved in front of Mari to protect her from harm, and deployed the cube in the form of a shield.

MOMMY!

And with a dull *BONK* sound little Sofia crashed onto the surface, only to start crying loudly due to the force of the impact.