The Labyrinth City

The city known as the Labyrinth City was formally named Shashmeer.

Boasting a history of 4000 years, this city was a transportation hub and a source of magic stones—the world's energy source—so many merchants and adventurers lined up at its gates.

However, the covered wagon Kukuri was driving ignored all that and headed toward the nobles' exclusive entrance.

Naturally, they were stopped by the guards, but Sei's plate and the orichalcum dagger bearing a seal that Ria had given them did the talking.

Forging a noble's plate was a serious crime, but not impossible. However, possessing an orichalcum dagger could only mean one thing: nobility.

"Being a noble sure is convenient～"

Having passed through without paying any merchant tariffs, Kukuri was in high spirits.

"Let's find an inn first. I know of a rather recommended place."

Keios said this, but Kukuri shook his head.

"The governor of this city is a noble of Augas, you know?"

"Also, we should probably deliver the belongings of the deceased to a guard station or something…"

For the time being, they stopped the wagon. Kukuri took the plate and dagger from Sei, and with Keios in tow, he hurried toward the upper-class district.

The remaining three went to the guard station, where they were asked many questions. They were told the belongings would be delivered responsibly.

When Kukuri rejoined the three, he had already obtained permission from the governor to use the annex. This meant they could leave the horses in the staff's care as well.

One should learn from such shrewdness.

The governor was surprised by the youth of his visitors, but Sei, having been properly taught etiquette by Carla, gave a flawless greeting.

The governor here was elected by the city and treated as a count of Augas during their term. As such, they had come out to the entrance to greet Sei's party.

"So you've become an adventurer for training… And who might your master be?"

"Sword God Reiana."

At that answer, the governor spat out his tea.

The maids hurried to the governor's side. After changing clothes, the governor cleared his throat and faced Sei once more.

"My apologies. Dragon Emperor Ryuke Reiana-sama… I see. I had heard she was residing in the dwarf village…"

Looking at Gantz standing like a guard, the governor was convinced. Incidentally, the only other person seated was Mako, who was technically a knight.

Setting aside Keios, who stood with dignity, Kukuri was looking around the room restlessly.

Whether you'd call it a halfling's instinct or a merchant's habit, he was eyeing valuable items.

"Please feel free to use the annex during your stay here. I will host you at a dinner banquet."

"I appreciate the offer, but we intend to challenge the labyrinth starting now."

Ria and Carla, for all their talk, had a distorted sense of time.

Having killed that bandit hero, Sei believed the heroes should be returned as quickly as possible. Of course, there were probably some heroes who wouldn't lose control of their power, but sooner was better.

"No, I would advise against that."

It was Keios who stopped her. This lizardman knew labyrinths.

"Fatigue from travel accumulates deep within the body. You should get a full night's sleep today and start the conquest tomorrow."

I see, Sei nodded. Setting herself aside, the others were probably somewhat tired. Here, she should follow the advice of the experienced.

The governor's annex was like the suite room of an ultra-luxury hotel.

Since there were rooms for servants as well, no one complained. Kukuri bounced on the fluffy bed, which would never be found at an ordinary inn.

Sei, invited to dinner that evening, attended wearing her knight's uniform along with Mako.

This too had been prepared by Ria at some point, but when had she found the time? And the perfect fit was strange in itself.

The other three had their meal at the annex. Splendid dishes were prepared for the servants as well.

The governor's expression softened at the sight of Sei and Mako, gallantly dressed as men. Then dinner and conversation befitting nobility began.

Starting with light small talk, the topic of recent bandit troubles came up, but gradually the governor's gaze was drawn toward Mako.

She ate fast. That was fine.

But the bread set out for those who wanted more was being consumed at an incredible speed.

"I apologize, she has a Gift called Gluttony. The more she eats, the stronger she becomes."

The stunned governor rebooted and had additional dishes prepared.

But she ate faster than they could cook. Eventually, just to provide volume, stew was brought out in a large pot.

Ten servings worth—all of it was absorbed into Mako's stomach.

If Mako, feeling embarrassed about overeating, hadn't stopped eating, would any food have remained in the governor's mansion?

… As a side note, the price of ingredients in the Labyrinth City rose slightly the next day.

The annex had a bath.

Wonderfully, it was just barely large enough for two people to fit.

Sei and Mako entered the tub together, their legs intertwining.

Having their toes touch certain delicate areas was simply unavoidable.

The bed was king-sized, so naturally they slept together.

Girls really are the best.

Breakfast was held separately from the governor. They ate at the annex, which was more relaxing.

"Well then, shall we go?"

Sei prompted them anew. After checking their equipment and, most importantly, their food supplies, the party left the governor's mansion.

On the west side of the city was the labyrinth's gate, and before it stood the Explorers Guild.

You couldn't enter the labyrinth without registering here. Keios was already registered, of course, and as it turned out, Kukuri was as well.

"See ya～"

Turning their backs to Kukuri, who waved them off, the three entered the guild.

Inside, it wasn't much different from the Adventurers Guild that had been in the dwarf village.

But the decisive difference was the population density. There were so many explorers.

Unlike adventurers, explorers often operated from a single base. That's how profitable this labyrinth was. Above all, the fact that you wouldn't die here was significant.

Unlike the other two who were curiously looking around, Gantz marched straight to the reception desk.

"Want to register."

"Yes, registration. Please fill out this form."

Gantz wrote in rough, vigorous strokes. The other two also received their papers and filled in the required information.

There was even a section for combat style, but they just wrote "vanguard" for now.

"Hey hey, a shorty and two little misses—you sure you're not in the wrong place?"

That voice called out just as they finished writing.

A rough-looking group of six explorers. How typical.

Regardless of their actual combat ability, Mako was a bit nervous facing the fierce-looking explorers.

"This is a labyrinth where you can't die, right? I think it's the perfect place for training."

"Tch! What're we supposed to do if that cuts into our earnings?"

Explorers made their living hunting monster materials and magic stones. So fewer competitors would be preferable.

But that was their own selfish logic. It had nothing to do with Sei.

She glanced at the guild staff, who were magnificently ignoring the situation.

"Is fighting prohibited inside the guild?"

"Use of weapons is prohibited."

"So bare hands are fine then."

"Hey hey, little miss, do you understand what you're saying?"

"I'm saying there won't be a problem even if I beat you all barehanded, right?"

Sei casually walked up to one of the human explorers and, without warning, drove her elbow into his solar plexus.

"Guhah!"

The man went flying out of the guild. Seeing this, fighting spirit rose in the remaining five.

But one crumpled after Gantz brutally struck his shin, and Mako grabbed two by their collars—one in each hand—and threw them out of the guild. One of them was an orc, larger than a human. Immediately after, Sei also kicked another man away.

The only unscathed man couldn't grasp what had happened and looked around in confusion. The surrounding explorers made no move to help.

"That's noisy. What happened?"

When Keios entered the guild saying this, the remaining man's face lit up.

"K-Keios-aniki, help me! These little misses took out my buddies!"

"Hm?"

"They picked a fight with us, so I punched and threw them around a bit."

Sei shrugged, and Keios nodded.

"I see, I don't quite understand, but I get the gist."

Then Keios grabbed the only unscathed man's head and spoke to him slowly.

"Listen here. These three are my new party members. I personally vouch for their combat prowess. Best not try anything funny."

"Huh…"

Keios released the dumbfounded man's head. The man fled from the guild.

Mako went outside as if chasing after the man, but she was actually speaking to those she had thrown.

"Are you alright? If you're injured anywhere, I can heal you?"

"Ah, no, we're fine."

Supporting each other, the men departed.

"Trouble right off the bat, but shall we go?"

As the two prepared to leave the guild at Keios's urging, a man stood at the door.

A tiger-striped cat beastkin. He had a scar on one cheek, and despite being a cat beastkin, he exuded a sense of dandyism.

"Yo, Keios. You're back early."

"Nero, huh. Well, I didn't get to meet the Sword God-sama."

They appeared to be acquaintances. And not on bad terms.

"Pretty skilled for their age. But don't you lack a scout?"

Hmm, Keios thought.

Just then, Kukuri poked his head in.

"Something happen?"

"Nothing much. Kukuri, are you familiar with labyrinths?"

Halflings had excellent aptitude as scouts. But what about experience?

"I've tried diving in before, but I'm not too confident. Come to think of it, we don't have anyone suited for that role."

For ordinary traps, Sei could take advantage of her immortality to get through, but she'd rather not if possible.

"I see… Sei, how about hiring this cat beastkin? I can vouch for his skills."

"If you say so, Keios, I don't mind."

At Sei's words, Nero curled his lips into a grin.

"Then it's settled. How about we split the magic stones and divide treasures equally?"

"Magic stones, materials, and treasures all split equally. In exchange, I promise we'll definitely reach the fifth floor."

"Even if we go that deep, we won't be able to carry it all."

"We have someone with a treasury."

Under Keios's gaze, Sei produced a sword from thin air.

After a moment of surprise, Nero's smile deepened.

"How much can you hold?"

"Let's see, enough to fit this entire building, I think."

"Alright, then everything split equally is fine."

Nero clapped his paw-padded hands together.

"Nice to meet you officially. I'm Nero."

"I'm Sei, and this is Mako."

"Gantz."

"And I'm Kukuri."

Thus, another party was born to challenge the labyrinth.

What awaited them ahead—no one yet knew.