Ramiris had the ability to govern those who entered her labyrinth. That said, my Absolute Ultimate skill, Osirion, Absolute Sovereign of Eternity, could accomplish the same and far more. However, Ramiris's power still required the individual's consent, mine does not. If someone accepted her management, she could track their status at any given moment.
"That's right! We always enjoyed pranks, just to watch people's shocked faces. But we never intended to kill anyone. We knew when to stop and ensured everyone returned alive," Ramiris said, chest raised in pride.
I considered her words. Sure, some unlucky souls had perished, but that likely happened outside the labyrinth. Even the Elemental Colossus that had once tried to kill me… perhaps it was placed knowing adventurers could be resurrected. I wanted to ask, "What kind of trial is this?" but now it made sense.
"So, even if adventurers enter the labyrinth to slay monsters, they won't actually die and can be revived?" I asked.
"Yes. Once they leave the labyrinth, they appear unharmed as though nothing happened. But managing too many revivals at once is taxing, so it's best they wear the items I've prepared for resurrection."
The identification items crafted by Ramiris through Labyrinth Creation ensured that anyone who died inside could be safely revived outside. The safety issue was resolved.
"Excellent! This is remarkable, Ramiris."
"Really? Really? Do you think I'm impressive?" she asked, fluttering her wings excitedly.
"Yes. This ensures our ambitions are achievable."
"Is that so? I think so too!"
We exchanged a nod, understanding the weight of the moment.
"Thanks for your cooperation, Ramiris," I said, my tone serious.
"No problem. Count on me. Now you can proceed as if aboard a massive ship," she replied.
I smirked lightly at her metaphor. A massive ship… hopefully not made of mud.
Due to our size difference, a handshake was impractical, but our agreement was clear. I had accepted Ramiris's proposal. Next, I headed to the empty lot in the southeast of Eterna to construct the colosseum. Beneath it, the labyrinth would take form.
The opera house would go in the northwest district, where luxury health resorts already stood. Additional structures—a stadium, museum, and other facilities—had been built earlier near the hotel district, in case they became useful. Another building would be constructed to complement the upcoming festival.
With plans finalized for the dungeon and opera house, the colosseum remained the main concern. Geld was absent, but Gobkyu and his men were competent. Before the unveiling of the Founding Festival, they had a narrow window to finish the work.
"—The situation is exceptionally dire, Atem-sama," Gobkyu reported.
I expected as much. A project of this scale normally took years. Completing it in a month plus a few days was almost impossible, no matter how strong the workers—or the monsters—were.
"Understood," I said calmly. "I'll assist with soil transport and steel processing."
Despite appearances, I had experience before reincarnation. Fieldwork wasn't my specialty, but I could contribute more than none. With Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, assisting, we could devise solutions efficiently.
"I'll help too! I want to contribute!" Ramiris exclaimed, flapping her wings.
"I will assist as well," Treyni-san added.
"Indeed. We follow Ramiris-sama's will," Beretta affirmed.
With Ramiris and her attendants agreeing, we arrived at the construction site and laid out the blueprint. I quickly modified it to optimize efficiency and handed it to Gobkyu.
"Understood. No further problems should arise," Gobkyu said.
"Excellent. We'll also need to inform the beastmen," I said. Many were still at work, so I decided to explain the plan to Suphia and Alvis first.
"If that is your will, Atem-sama, we shall comply," Suphia said.
"We have no reason to object," Alvis added.
Their agreement came immediately, even before we approached the rest of the beastmen. They insisted that no additional explanations were needed.
"Eh, is that acceptable?" I asked.
"No problem, Atem-sama. We rely on your guidance for residence and diet. It is our duty to assist in construction," Suphia explained.
"Karion-sama is also participating in the festival you're hosting, so we must help regardless," Alvis added.
After discussing the strategy, we decided that Suphia would lead the beastmen. Once that was settled, the project progressed with alarming speed. Everything moved precisely as planned. Under Suphia's orders, the beastmen vacated the tents. I had Ramiris transfer the tents into her labyrinth, and in an instant, the area was cleared.
Despite a flicker of hesitation, I activated Osirion, Absolute Sovereign of Eternity, using its spatial manipulation to carve a perfect square pit in the ground for the steel structure. With Gobkyu and his team arranging the processed rock and steel walls, the construction advanced at a speed that would have been impossible in the ordinary world. By the end of the day, a massive underground hall stood complete, its entrance marked with a colossal gate. The efficiency of my guidance combined with Ramiris's skill left even me impressed.
"Amazing. We are getting this as my castle… Ah, and I've set it so that touching this gate transports you directly to the floor where the tents were!" Ramiris said excitedly.
We stepped inside immediately. The living quarters of the beastmen had been moved in one seamless operation. The space included proper air circulation and amenities that made living inside far more comfortable than staying outside. Even Alvis and Suphia looked genuinely surprised.
"Do we even need to set up tents here?" Suphia asked.
"No. There's no rain, so sleeping on the ground is fine," Ramiris replied, confident.
The beastmen tested the labyrinth several times, moving in and out. As long as the thought "I want to enter" existed, access was effortless.
"Will it get dark at night inside?" one of them asked.
"Hmm! I can even simulate rain, if necessary!" Ramiris answered cheerfully.
Truly, nothing seemed to obstruct her abilities.
Since there was no agricultural work involved, I instructed Ramiris to simulate only the day-night cycle. This function was convenient and could be applied to multiple projects, prompting me to envision additional possibilities.
The beastmen, reassured by this, turned their attention to aiding the colosseum construction outdoors under Gobkyu's guidance. Though many were women and children, their strength far surpassed that of humans, making them an exceptional workforce. Gobkyu allocated only simple tasks to them. Those receiving technical training had also returned to support the construction.
Treyni-san transported lumber of unknown origin, and Beretta efficiently processed it into construction boards. Using magic to dry the wood, he dramatically shortened the usual preparation time.
I had long abandoned any sense of conventionality, but witnessing this scene made me mutter internally, "Ah… this is truly an isekai."
If progress continued at this pace, completion by the Founding Festival was plausible. The soil I had processed earlier was piled high, ready to be incorporated into a majestic colosseum.
"Atem-sama, leave the rest to me!" Gobkyu declared.
I nodded. He would oversee the project until completion.
With the main workforce engaged, Ramiris remained idle. To prevent her from meddling recklessly, I assigned her a task—expanding the labyrinth. Given her power, this was an opportunity to maximize efficiency.
"Ramiris, your 'Labyrinth Creation' is extraordinary," I remarked.
In the blink of an eye, a massive area had been transferred into the labyrinth. Reluctant as I was to praise, I could not hide my admiration. This labyrinth truly was remarkable.
"Ah! It's all fine! For now, there are only secret rooms for my fairy friends and the corridors. I'll add more floors tomorrow!" she replied proudly.
Each floor took roughly an hour to create, and building a hundred-level labyrinth underground would be nearly impossible with standard technology. Yet with Osirion's spatial mastery, I could structure the underground levels perfectly, ensuring stability and access.
"All right. I'm counting on you to construct the maximum—one hundred floors," I instructed.
"Eh! Do we really need that many?" she questioned, surprised.
"Yes. I intend to add various traps and devices, and to adjust monster strength depending on the floor. I will personally ensure that the labyrinth's structure and safety mechanisms are flawless using Osirion's Absolute Control of Space."
"That's easy for me, but may I ask something?"
"What is it?" I prompted.
"I'm curious. How exactly are you going to generate the monsters? Where are you sourcing them from?" Ramiris inquired.
It was no small task to expand the labyrinth to a full one hundred floors. Even Ramiris had hesitated for a moment, questioning the feasibility. But I had my own design in mind. To gain her full cooperation, I decided to reveal a portion of my plan to her—enough to spark her interest.
"It's like this… but you must keep it a secret," I said, my tone firm yet careful, as I drew her into my confidence.
Her eyes lit up, curiosity blazing as I began to outline the strategy for her dungeon.
"Oh… you mean, you mean—" she stammered, unable to contain her excitement.
"Yes. Next, we will do this, Ramiris," I continued, my voice steady and commanding.
We whispered our ideas back and forth, a private exchange of strategy and vision. Every detail was considered: the flow of adventurers, the placement of monsters, traps, and treasures, and how each floor would challenge and thrill without endangering life beyond what was necessary.
The conversation grew more intense, our ideas forming a dungeon far beyond ordinary imagination—an advanced labyrinth worthy of legend.
Is this really acceptable? a fleeting thought crossed my mind. But there was no turning back now. All we could do was build it. Ramiris, fueled by enthusiasm, vowed to dedicate herself fully to its construction.
"You can slack a bit while doing it," I added, testing her reaction.
"Hmph! Now that I've heard such incredible ideas, how could I possibly relax! I'm doing it. I'll give it everything I've got!" she exclaimed, wings flaring with determination.
I had intended merely to ignite her motivation, yet her spirit caught fire beyond my expectations. Seeing her embrace such ambition was gratifying. She understood the sense of purpose, the thrill of a bold plan that could actually come to life.
"Then work diligently. I will ensure the necessary resources are collected," I said, my tone calm but resolute.
"I understand. I will do my utmost, Atem-sama!" she replied, her voice full of fervor.
"Good. The same goes for you, Ramiris," I affirmed, giving her a sharp, confident nod.
We exchanged these words of commitment, and for a moment, the intensity of our shared vision hung in the air. A satisfied smile crossed both our faces. Together, we had set the foundation for a labyrinth that would become a marvel within Eterna, challenging adventurers, testing courage, and standing as a testament to strategy, willpower, and absolute control.