Sifni calmly finished explaining her reasoning, and she was confident that Colin and Larian wouldn’t refuse her proposal.
Sure enough, although Colin was still somewhat reluctant, he began to calm down, while Larian, after a moment’s thought, said, “We can bring the documents back directly.”
“Can you guarantee the documents’ completeness? And how long will it take to bring everything out? How do you even know which documents I need?”
“Well…” Larian hesitated as well. Maybe it really was better to let Sifni go in too.
In fact, since they had delved deeper into the labyrinth, the number of unreadable documents had only increased.
Because they couldn’t ensure the documents wouldn’t be damaged when taken, they had held off.
Their original plan was to fully clear the labyrinth first, then find someone who could understand the documents to examine them.
That was their original plan, after all. Completely conquering a labyrinth was sure to take a lot of time. They had time to spare—until now.
They had fallen into a trap and transformed into females. No one knew what effects lingering in this state might bring, so it was best to find a solution as soon as possible.
Moreover, the Sanctuary had sent a communication, requesting their prompt return. They couldn’t very well go back looking like this, could they?
So finding a way to revert had suddenly become an urgent matter.
“And you’ve already passed most of the labyrinth’s checkpoints, right? There shouldn’t be too much danger left, then. Are you seriously unable to protect a single mage under these circumstances?”
Larian and Colin frowned simultaneously. They couldn’t ignore Sifni’s words—they would be a stain on the reputation of the Sanctuary Knights.
“Of course we can, but can you really understand those documents?”
Larian knew that once the conversation reached this point, it meant she had agreed to Sifni joining their team. Yet she still stubbornly asked a pointless question.
“Of course. Otherwise, why would I suggest going together? I’m a mage who studies demon clan culture. These are just some ancient documents—I’ve read plenty of them before!”
Read plenty? Liamy was a bit confused. What exactly had Sifni been doing before joining Colin’s team? Why did she know about demon clan culture and understand ancient documents?
This wasn’t something any ordinary mage would have access to, especially at only sixteen years old!
What kind of rigorous education did it take to produce such a talented mage? Liamy couldn’t help but think how terrifying Sifni’s family must be.
Colin shared the same doubts, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on them.
“I agree to Sifni going in, but I have one condition.”
Larian raised an eyebrow. She already knew what Colin was going to say but patiently asked, “What condition?”
“Sifni can enter, but only if I go with her! I’ll act as her protector, so you won’t have to be distracted protecting her and can focus on handling the dangers. How’s that?”
After a moment of silence, Larian finally sighed. She said helplessly, “Fine, fine, I get it. Looks like I have no choice but to agree, right? You really put on quite the show!”
Larian then glanced at Liamy, Lavinia, and Elinor beside her.
“Next, is the Assassin lady going to say she wants to come too? The Saintess will definitely want to join if she sees Colin going in. And you—surely you won’t stay outside alone either? So you all have to come in with us, right?”
Hearing Larian say everything she had originally planned, Liamy was momentarily stunned. But she quickly snapped out of it and nodded.
Elinor silently nodded as well, indicating that Larian was right. Lavinia had been somewhat lost in thought but now also responded, agreeing that Larian’s words made sense.
Sifni then gave a half-hearted objection, “I’m not putting on a show, they’re just saying the same things I am on their own.”
Larian paid no mind to the words—of course, she didn’t believe them. Not putting on a show? Maybe at first, but once Colin said he was going in too, the others naturally understood what to do.
She knew that with this group’s tacit understanding, they wouldn’t fail even this small level of coordination.
Looking at these young people in front of her, Larian sighed at both her reluctant compromise and the beauty of youth.
She wished she could return to her younger days—how gallant and spirited she had been back then!
Just as Larian was lost in her memories, Colin called out, pulling her back to reality.
“Uh, what? Ah! I know, I know, fine! There’s no helping it then. You’ll come explore with us! Starting tomorrow! For today, rest well, got it? Dismissed!”
After saying this, Larian sank back into her melancholy memories. It seemed she had fully accepted Colin and the others’ request to join.
Seeing this, Colin breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, they could enter the labyrinth together. After everything that had happened, he didn’t want to be a bystander anymore.
At that moment, among the knights who were already starting to disperse, a figure approached Colin’s group. It was a petite and charming young woman, her tawny hair perfectly complementing her clear amber eyes. No matter how one looked at her, she was a beautiful girl—hard to believe she had previously been male.
She walked up to Colin’s side, ready to guide everyone to their respective tents for rest. Sifni, Elinor, and Lavinia were each shown to their own tents.
When only Colin and Liamy remained, Colin’s gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at the young woman before him. Hesitantly, he asked, “Are you… Azerian?”
At Colin’s hesitant question, Liamy suddenly remembered—Azerian was the helmetless paladin who had spoken so amiably with Colin last time at the manor. But hadn’t she been blonde? Why was her hair tawny now? Could that magic circle really change hair color? Or was Colin mistaken?
But Colin wasn’t wrong. Azerian blushed lightly and nodded slightly, confirming that she was indeed the person Colin named.
Liamy was filled with questions. She hadn’t expected the magic circle to really change hair color. But if that was the case, why hadn’t her own hair changed?
While Liamy was still puzzled, Colin was already too shocked to speak.
In Colin’s impression, Azerian had always been a kind and helpful paladin—gentle in demeanor and treating people and things with warmth.
Although people often said she was somewhat fragile, Colin had never thought so. Azerian had never shown any sign of weakness in front of him.
But seeing Azerian now, Colin finally understood why others might say she was delicate.
Like this, she hardly resembled a paladin at all. She was plainly a shy little girl—barely daring to raise her head to look at him!
Was this the same paladin who once wrapped him in a hug and told him what progress he’d made? If Colin had just met her today, he would have thought she couldn’t even lift a sword!
At that moment, Colin deeply felt the terrifying power of that magic circle. To turn a gentle paladin into such a dainty young girl—this was definitely forbidden magic!
It could never be allowed to harm others like this again! Colin thought to himself firmly.