Fern, standing nearby, had also heard the rules and what Irena and Annie had said, so she couldn't help quietly asking her teacher:
"Lady Frieren."
"The requirements are so lenient, and there are no restrictions on our methods. Wouldn't it be really easy if we all teamed up and went in together?"
It sounded like Fern had an ulterior motive in mind. She probably wanted to clear the trial quickly alongside the others, then gain an advantage when the results between the four of them were tallied.
After all, in the first round, Annie had undoubtedly come in first by catching the most birds. Fern had come in second, Irena third, and Lady Frieren last. So if there was a tie in the second round, Fern could get a good result in the third, and perhaps she'd finally have someone to share the housework with.
"..."
Frieren didn't answer Fern right away. Her gaze remained fixed on the ancient, enormous stone gate, her eyes holding a hint of scrutiny and remembrance.
Then, after a moment's thought, she replied in her uniquely calm voice:
"As far as I know... there has never been a record of anyone successfully clearing this ancient royal tomb."
She paused, then added a fact that made Fern feel even more uneasy:
"The number of adventurers and mages buried inside is beyond counting..."
"Almost none of them ever came back."
Having shared what she knew, she finally turned her head slightly toward Fern:
"I suspect this labyrinth is home to many extremely dangerous ancient monsters, or..."
"Some even more troublesome beings, like ancient undead?"
Just as expected, shock flashed across Fern's violet eyes.
"T-then does that mean..."
"This trial is going to be extremely dangerous?"
"If that's the case, why don't we invite Übel, Lawine, Kanne, Laufen,