Labyrinth Exploration 101 - L.E Chapter 69 (Part 2): Living Like That (3)

Winter, spring, summer, autumn, winter.

Spring again, summer, autumn, winter.

Years passed in the blink of an eye. To me, it felt like mere moments, but during that time, Kate’s unconscious had steadily accepted me.

The proof was this place.

“…The head’s room?”

When I came to, I was in the Hailford family head’s chamber, holding cleaning tools.

Being trusted to clean such a private space meant Kate’s unconscious had come to trust me.

“…….”

Her room was filled with picture frames. I scanned them as I cleaned.

A young Kate smiling with a stuffed animal, a tense Kate on horseback, Kate gripping a yacht’s helm…

“Most of them are from childhood.”

Kate appeared behind me. I stepped back quietly and bowed.

“My apologies.”

The diligent posture of a butler.

No matter how startling the situation, I must always remain calm and composed.

“It’s fine. Picture frames are meant to be looked at. You can look.”

If she says so.

I pointed to one of the frames, arranged in chronological order.

“Lady Hailford. This is…”

“Yes. *Labyrinth Exploration NaN.* I was twenty-one.”

A frame from Labyrinth Exploration. Kate, winning first place.

So she does have some ambition after all.

“I never imagined Lady Catherine would participate in such a program.”

“Honestly, neither did I.”

Kate gave a wry smile. I looked at her.

The Kate here feels… cozy. What is it that makes her so happy?

“It’s just the past now. I didn’t join to win, but I ended up winning.”

“Winning wasn’t your goal?”

“No.”

I was suddenly curious.

“If not winning, then what?”

“…It was the family’s orders.”

“What kind of orders?”

Kate looked at me silently. I realized my mistake. My old habits had slipped out—the days of interrogating people.

Her expression turned stern.

“I have a question for you, Ha-woon.”

“Yes. Ask me anything.”

I straightened my posture, placing one hand on my shoulder like a butler in a movie.

“You said you were with Percival on the battlefield.”

Percival. Full name: Percival Alistair Hailford. Rank: Colonel.

Kate’s uncle.

“What was Percival like?”

Kate asked about Percival. If she’s seeking him even in her unconscious, he must be a cherished memory.

“Colonel Percival was…”

He often spoke of his niece.

A cute kid, brighter than anyone, the most brilliant talent in the Hailford family.

“He cherished his family. He treated his soldiers like family, and many followed him loyally.”

“…I see.”

Kate picked up a frame. A photo of her hugging Percival, her face full and content.

“I miss him. I really do.”

“Were you close?”

It was news to me. It left a bitter aftertaste.

Kate let out a small sigh.

“He was… the only refuge I had. Most of these photos were taken by Uncle Percival.”

A bitter smile touched her lips.

“You must have been devastated.”

Percival is no longer of this world.

He died when I was still on active duty.

“…I was. But everyone dies eventually.”

Kate turned to me.

“Could I trouble you for a cup of tea?”

“…Yes.”

I felt a sense of unease about the entire situation.

Something’s off. In her unconscious, Percival remains dead.

But in this labyrinth, her desired happiness should be recreated. If Percival was so precious, shouldn’t he be alive here?

Why isn’t he?

*Swirl.*

As I brewed the tea, watching the surface turn red, I thought.

The Kate here is different. She’s living her life like flowing water. Too leisurely for an ambitious twenty-something aristocrat.

There must be another reason.

The key to waking her up…

“Cough.”

Kate suddenly coughed. I turned to look. My eyes widened.

Blood stained the corner of her mouth.

“…Oh dear.”

Kate smiled, like a mischievous child caught in a prank.

“Don’t be too shocked.”

In that moment, I understood.

I realized Kate’s wish.

“I’m satisfied.”

What she seeks in this unconscious labyrinth is, perhaps—

A peaceful death.

“There’s no need for that expression.”

Deep in her soul, she longs for death. A person with no attachment to life.

She wants to escape the heavy burdens of her duties, waiting for the day her existence fades.

“Sorry. I should’ve told you sooner.”

Is this what Kate, deep down, wanted instead of fierce competition? To live a simple, grateful life and slip into eternal sleep?

“Soon, I’ll be gone forever.”

Like an elder passing through life’s winter, Kate calmly accepted her death.

And then…

[ EMERGENCY QUEST: DEBUT TEAM AT RISK ]

■ A key debut team member is at risk of being damaged.

■ Failure to recover will result in the termination of ID Seol Ha-woon’s regression.

■ Success will grant new rewards.

A status window from [MoMo], one I’d never seen before, appeared.

Dangun

I'm currently Translating the following novels: "Labyrinth Exploration 101" & "The Monarch Who Levels Up by Devouring " If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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