While Mash explained the situation to Euryale, Morpheus began his experiment.
Despite the labyrinth being an isolated domain, the power of an angel descended without hindrance.
Though faint and easily overlooked, it was unmistakably angelic power.
Sensing Raphael's energy, Morpheus used it to guide his path.
Not to destroy, but to find a way out.
After noting the direction Raphael's power indicated, he turned and asked, "The exit's that way, right?"
He was addressing the labyrinth's master, Asterios.
The bull-headed youth looked surprised but nodded.
That was indeed the exit, but how did he know?
Without special means, escaping was impossible!
The labyrinth's paths constantly shifted, and a wrong turn could trap you forever.
It even distorted one's sense of direction, yet this man casually pointed to the correct path.
"Looks like no issues for now. I'll head out. You guys follow later. With the bull here, just release the Noble Phantasm to exit," Morpheus said, walking toward the exit, adding, "Don't release the Noble Phantasm until I'm out!"
Asterios, unsure of Morpheus' intent, nodded.
Artemis, Atalanta, and the others stayed behind, recognizing Morpheus was testing something. They'd wait and regroup with him.
Naturally, some were confused.
Euryale frowned. "What's he doing? This is Asterios' labyrinth. You can't get out without special means!"
Artemis smiled. "He probably can."
"Probably? You're not sure?"
"I don't know his method, so I say probably. I trust he'll succeed, but that doesn't mean he won't fail trying," Artemis said, waiting calmly.
"Fine, let's see how many times he fails," Euryale said, eyeing the composed Artemis, as if hoping to see her embarrassed.
Their relationship was strained. Once a goddess, Euryale was driven out by the Olympians, reduced to a divine husk without power.
Seeing an Olympian falter would delight her.
Moments later, Asterios raised his head and slowly withdrew his Noble Phantasm's power.
Sensing this, Euryale gasped, "He got out?!"
"Mhm…" Asterios murmured. As the labyrinth vanished, they found themselves back on the island.
Nearby, Morpheus stood waiting.
"How'd you get out?!" Euryale marched up, demanding.
Morpheus shrugged. "Simple. I walked the path and got out."
Euryale barely resisted rolling her eyes, finding this man infuriating.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, "What magecraft did you use? Or what Mystic Code?"
"Magic."
"Magic?" Euryale stared. As a Magus from the Age of Gods, Morpheus using magic wasn't surprising. She was curious about what kind.
Morpheus grinned. "Easy. I summoned Archangel Raphael's power to guide me, and He led me out."
This time, Euryale couldn't hold back, rolling her eyes.
That answer was as good as nothing. Summoning an angel's power to navigate? What Magus could do that?!
Even in magic, no such method existed. The closest was summoning Heroic Spirits or Servants, with restrictions like needing a catalyst, or it'd be random.
Yet this man claimed to summon Raphael, one of the four archangels, with pinpoint precision, no preparation.
"I can summon most angels' powers I know," Morpheus said casually.
Euryale thought he was bragging.
"Oh," she said, turning away. "Don't tell me then!"
Morpheus shrugged to Artemis. "Told the truth, and no one believes me."
Artemis chuckled. "Your tone sounded like you were brushing her off. No wonder she doesn't believe you."
"Maybe it's because you two clashed earlier, so she's skeptical," Medea said, smiling.
Morpheus thought. "You mean the idol talk?"
Atalanta nodded. "Definitely. You were brutal, not giving her any face."
"She oversimplified idols!" Morpheus shook his head. "Besides, if she had what it takes to be an idol, she wouldn't be in this state."
He paused, musing. "But this might alter her Authority…"
The group exchanged glances, silent, knowing Morpheus was likely thinking of something absurd.
Then he asked, "Oh, why's Euryale here?"
Medea quickly recounted Mash and Euryale's conversation, clarifying the situation.
"So, Euryale fled here from a perverse pirate? She said even in Greece, she never met a creep like him?"
Medea nodded. "Exactly."
She grew curious. "What kind of pervert could make her say that?"
"Right, and Captain Drake invited her to join. Though Euryale called her an overdeveloped wench and Drake wanted to tie her to the ship's bow, she held back," Medea said, smirking.
Artemis was clearly stifling laughter.
Morpheus asked, "Not because she's a goddess, but because Euryale's useful for cooperation, right?"
Artemis nodded. "Exactly. This captain dared to take on Poseidon. Euryale's nothing to her."
As Morpheus, Artemis, and the others chatted, Drake shouted, "Let's go, back on the ship!"
They boarded Drake's Golden Hind. Not far out, another ship appeared, heading their way.
Seeing the sleazy, black-bearded pirate at the helm, Euryale pointed, shouting, "That's him! The creep who tried to molest me!"
The ship flew a flag with a skull, demon, and red heart. Recognizing it, Morpheus chuckled. "That's the Queen Anne's Revenge flag, isn't it?"
"Queen Anne's Revenge?" Drake asked, puzzled.
"A century or so later," Morpheus said, eyeing the man. "That's Captain Blackbeard, Edward Teach. A real scoundrel. Beat him senseless, no need to hold back."
Drake finally saw him clearly, cursing, "This guy keeps attacking to steal my Holy Grail!"
"Steal the Grail? A future pirate, huh? An enemy Servant, here to snatch this world's Grail to destroy it," Morpheus said, a bow materializing in his hand.
Euryale warned, "Watch out! He's disgusting. Don't worry about his strength... just his sheer creepiness!"
Her warning left everyone puzzled, unsure what made this guy so repulsive.
Then Blackbeard shouted, his face flushed with a sleazy grin, voice booming. "I'm not here for you, old hag Drake! I'm here for my darling Euryale! I can't wait to lick her armpits and navel!"
Most on the ship were dumbfounded, except Euryale, Asterios, and Morpheus.
Morpheus remarked, "I thought you'd say feet."
Blackbeard's eyes lit up. "Right! Add feet to the list!"
He even extended an invite. "Join my crew! I'll take you as a mate!"
"Nah, no thanks. Forcing that stuff on someone unwilling? Not cool. Best to wipe you out quick," Morpheus said, raising his bow.
Blackbeard wasn't fazed. A single bow? His ship was massive, able to withstand cannon fire. What was there to fear?
Then, a blinding light pierced his vision, striking his ship!
Boom!
The radiant power of light erupted, turning into searing flames, unleashing its terrifying energy.
The Bow of the God of Light could target multiple enemies or focus its arrows into a devastating cannon of light.
The explosive light's heat became a destructive force, setting Blackbeard's ship ablaze in an instant!
But the Queen Anne's Revenge was Blackbeard's Noble Phantasm. Unfazed, he activated its power, sending the ship crashing toward the Golden Hind!
A collision would heavily damage their ship!
"Ram them! I'll show you real pirates! Then I'll kill you all!" Blackbeard roared from the helm.
Morpheus, unfazed, fired another arrow... not at the ship, but at Blackbeard!
Without surprise, the arrow pierced Blackbeard's head, dropping the ranting pirate, his body slowly dissipating.
Two women charging alongside hesitated, watching Blackbeard's fading form. They lunged for the Holy Grail that appeared on the ground!
Only by securing it could they avoid disappearing, as Blackbeard had summoned them.
But someone was faster. A Lancer appeared, spearing the Grail and snatching it, then sprinting away, shouting, "I'm Hector! We'll meet again soon!"
"He's running, not stopping," Morpheus noted.
Artemis added, "Not bad strength. It's Hector. I remember him from the Trojan War, killed by Achilles."
"Yup, that's him. Runs fast too…" Atalanta nodded, clearly familiar.
Medea laughed at their comments.
"Of course he's running. He saw who we are. Stay and get caught?"
She glanced at the vanishing Queen Anne's Revenge, a Noble Phantasm fading with its Servant's death.
Seeing two unknown female Servants hesitating, Medea's staff glowed with immense power, unleashing a barrage of magical arrows.
Like a hailstorm, the arrows overwhelmed the women before they could react, sending them back to the Throne of Heroes.
They hadn't resisted, perhaps knowing that without the Grail or their Master, they'd soon fade. Better to let someone finish them off.
Only Morpheus was exasperated.
"At least let me know their names!"
***
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