Chapter 298: 298: Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Typhon and Ophelia were very enthusiastic as they chatted, and I was quite pleased to see them happy and excited. However, that feeling lasted until they started asking some very troubling questions.

[So when do we start this plan?] Typhon began.

|[Huh? What plan?]| I muttered.

[Transforming the Labyrinth.] Ophelia cheered. [I can't wait! I'm sure it will be amazing.]

Hold on.

They didn't actually think I was serious, right?

Sure, I was interested in becoming strong, but that was the end of my plan. I didn't want to, or believe it was possible to turn the Labyrinth into some monster paradise. I only said that to test them to see how far they were willing to go along with me. 

To me the test was already a success.

And yet, they were still offering up ideas.

[I think we have a higher chance of success if we rescue younger monsters from being preyed upon.] Ophelia suggested.

[I agree. We can offer them shelter while we teach them and also protect those in the Pit.] Typhon replied. [But we need to be strong enough to deal with monsters that would see us as their enemies and threaten us and their safety. So, I would like to visit the place you mentioned, and soon if possible.]

Uhh...

How was I supposed to tell them after this?

They were so hyped up, it seemed wrong to say it was all just my ridiculous test.

|[It's a bit too soon.]| I nervously replied. |[We should wait until we are more stable.]|

I also had to send word to the Abyssal monsters before we even thought of moving. If not, they could see the nestlings as food and attack them! 

But I wouldn't exactly say that, and Typhon didn't notice anything was amiss.

This wasn't going well at all. 

[I'll start by asking the Alpha if he waits to join!] Ophelia announced and flew out before I could stop her.

I was beginning to think I dug my own grave. 

Ophelia returned shortly after with a big smile.

[Did he agree?] Typhon asked and she grinned even wider, before recounting her talk with the wolf pack. It seemed the Alpha was keen and the two started to discuss other potential monsters they could recruit. 

[What about that wind creature we fought?] Ophelia asked. [They were soft...I mean strong.]

Typhon shook his head. [Too aggressive. They won't fit well with the others.] 

[What about the...]

[No.]

After several more of her suggestions were rejected, Ophelia became angry.

[Why don't you like any of mine?] She fumed.

Typhon sighed. [We should pick monsters based on their strengths, not appearances.] 

This was getting out of hand.

It was nice that they believed in me and were confident in my abilities, but I thought they would have realised just how unrealistic my plan sounded! 

The Labyrinth was far too big. 

Even if I wanted to, there was no way such a thing was possible. 

Not only was it insanely difficult, there were also other monsters that were stronger and potentially more dangerous than I was. 

I just found the Lower Stratum, yet I had to retreat after seeing the enormous creature circling its entrance. Who knew what other monstrosity lived down there?

|[No. I think we should reconsider this plan.]| I said, getting annoyed that my silly idea started all this.

I was barely keeping everyone alive and safe as it was - gathering more creatures and ensuring everyone's safety was too massive a task.

That was not something I wanted to be burdened with.

Unfortunately...my two Captains took my hesitation to mean something else.

[You can always count on us.] Ophelia said worriedly. [We won't let you do everything on your own. We'll help out in any way we can.] 

[Some of the nestlings are still lacking in battle experience, I admit. But I can increase their training intensity.] Typhon added. 

|[No...that's not what I meant.]| I muttered.

[I think we should let everyone know first.] Ophelia said to Typhon. [You don't want to overwork them again.] 

Again?

What kind of training was he putting them through?!

[You are right.] He casually noted. [I should inform them.]

|[Wait!]| I stopped them. 

[Do you have some ideas for them?] Typhon turned to ask me. [I think training in the water will be better for their stamina. What do you think?]

|[Er...]|

[Their stamina isn't too bad.] Ophelia mused in thought. [But I think improving their poison like we did, will be a great next step. Artemis ate a funny looking plant that increased his [Poison Synthesis] by one level!]

[Artemis again?] Typhon glowered. [His garden isn't bad, but he needs to stop eating weird things!]

[Relax, he knows what he is doing.] Ophelia grinned. 

[They can do that once they learn to take on tougher opponents.] Typhon replied. [Levelling up and increasing their strength should always come first.]

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|[Wait a moment!]| I yelled at them to stop. |[Aren't you going too fast? Just start with something small first!]|

[Why small?] Typhon asked, seemingly confused.

|[Because…it's dangerous, you know.]| I replied.

I couldn't believe I had to tell him this.

I felt quite sad for the nestlings that were about to be put through hell.

[Naturally.] Typhon casually replied. [I always look out for them by making sure they don't come to any harm.] 

That wasn't the point either!

[Should we focus on gathering more monsters instead?] Ophelia asked. 

|[No! Not yet.]| I replied and sighed. I feel so exhausted just thinking about it.

|[Thank you for trusting me so much...but when I said I wanted to turn the Labyrinth into paradise, I wasn't serious. I don't think we need more Pit members to look after. We should just protect those that are with us already.]|

If more came along, how was I ever going to find time to eat and sleep?

Typhon and Ophelia looked quite shocked.

[Are you saying that because we're not strong enough?] Typhon asked.

|[No! That's not it.]| I nervously replied. |[You're doing much better than I thought.]|

[What are you saying then?] Ophelia sniffled, her feathers now limp.

Why did it look like she was about to cry?

|[I just think we should take it one step at a time and focus on things that are immediate.]|

[You mean... the scorpions and those apes?] Ophelia asked. 

|[Yeah but those are not the only ones. There are many more powerful beings in the Labyrinth that could come after us.]|

[What do you mean?] Typhon was sceptical as he looked at me. [What could come after us?]

Haah. 

He really had no idea.

Already, there were quite a few people that could target me. 

A certain elf girl came to mind, and while she could be ignored, the Grandmaster whose Journal I stole was very much a threat. I'd gotten stronger recently, but it was too soon to tell if I could defeat an Elf Grandmaster. 

So, they really needed to know just how large the world was. 

To prove my point, I decided to show them the items inside the Elf ring and the Grandmaster's Journal.

Since I first opened it, all the monster carcasses and perishable food items had been removed and shared amongst the nestlings, leaving only goods I didn't deem safe, like the potions and other mysterious edibles I wanted to *cough* savour myself. 

But in particular, I wanted to show them the various maps of the Labyrinth as well as the scrolls filled with Elf script and the mysterious journal that provided a glimpse into just how advanced our potential enemies could be.

They both gathered around to try to understand the piles of scrolls in front of them. 

[What is all this?] Ophelia asked, unravelling a scroll almost as lengthy as herself.

It was one of the Labyrinth maps that detailed several ancient constructs that had been abandoned, much like that Castle in the Valley.

|[Some stuff I got from an enemy elf.]| I replied.

Typhon had already seen them so he didn't comment.

|[There are more powerful threats out there than just monsters and they live on the surface above us.]| I explained. |[They have traps everywhere down here, so if we try to take control of the Labyrinth or change it in any way, they will notice and come down with an army!]|

Typhon grimaced and Ophelia became panicky. [What do they want from us?]

|[That, I don't know.]| I replied. |[But I guess they visit the Labyrinth to hunt and search for treasures and ancient artefacts.]| 

The traps and army part were all lies of course, but I said it in an exaggerated way to scare them.

But there was some truth to this too. 

I was still hesitant to open the Grandmaster's Journal after so long, because I was afraid it might be protected like the ring. 

Typhon and Ophelia took turns looking at the maps. They didn't understand the text, but since it was pictures, I suppose it didn't matter.

I was about to explain the danger of mortals and elves who were advanced in magic when Typhon spoke. 

[It seems like they use the Labyrinth as some sort of training ground.]

Hm? 

|[What makes you say that?]| I asked.

[These structures are mostly near sources of water, but not directly in the forest.] Typhon replied. [I assume they built them near the water to have easy access and far from the forest to flee from monster ambushes when they need to.]

What an uncanny observation from only a few pictures!

I was impressed.

However, Ophelia glared suspiciously at the map. [I don't like it. They're hunting us. Isn't this more reason to keep them out?]

[Doing so would be impossible from down here.] Typhon observed. [We need to find where they enter from and stop them there.] 

Wait. This isn't how this was supposed to go!

|[Stopping them would only cause more conflict.]| I replied.

Typhon shook his head, his eyes glinting rather maliciously as he spoke. [Then, why don't we prevent them from entering by taking over all their bases. Without those bases, they won't be able to stay here for long.] 

Oh damn, it seems I only made things worse.

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