Published: February 1, 2026
Rizel has recently started to understand how to ride in a fully packed carriage.
At first, she thought she couldn’t get on and planned to wait for the next carriage, but adventurers lined up behind her told her there was still room (and not only did Rizel’s group manage to board, but even the adventurers behind them squeezed in). Once aboard, her body would tilt slightly and she couldn’t straighten up (Jill supported her the whole time), and other adventurers’ weapons kept poking her stomach (Eleven noticed and moved them away).
But now things are different. She’s learned that if her feet fit, she can manage somehow. Standing on the side lets her stick half her body outside, making it a bit easier. She’s even figured out the angles to avoid weapons poking her.
Most parties usually have five or six members, but Rizel’s group of three is flexible. Since it’s pointless for a party to split up on the way to the labyrinth, they often get moved up in line when there’s just room for three more.
As a result, they often get the most comfortable spots at the very back, so Rizel and the others usually just relax, watching the scenery pass by as the carriage jolts along.
“The other day, I tried riding the carriage alone.”
And today, again, the three of them sit side by side at the very back, chatting while watching behind. Occasionally, the carriage rattles, the vibrations coming through the rear door they’re leaning against.
“Huh? You went into the labyrinth alone?”
“No, I stayed on the carriage and went all the way around the jungle without getting off.”
“You sometimes do the weirdest things.”
Jill says this in disbelief, and Eleven laughs along.
An adventurer who rides the carriage meant to head into the labyrinth but doesn’t get off, returning to the starting point without setting foot outside, might be the first such case in history. Adventurers who saw her getting on were nervous, wondering if they shouldn’t stop her since it was just Rizel alone. Those who saw her get off wondered what had happened to cause such a thing and even thought they were hallucinating.
“It was like having the whole carriage to myself near the end, which was fun. I even talked with the coachman. Apparently, pretty strong magical tools for monster repellent are used on the carriage.”
“Well, as long as the leader enjoys it… but don’t those repellents sometimes fail and monsters attack?”
“The coachman said it’s less effective when there are lots of people. When he goes back alone, he almost never gets found.”
So that means sometimes monsters do find the carriage. It must be tough for the coachman who can’t fight.
Still, if the carriage is empty, running at full speed almost guarantees escape. In a pinch, the coachman can just leave the carriage and ride a horse back. The coachman Rizel spoke with, a guild member with twenty years of experience, laughed as if used to this.
“Did you just stand there while it was crowded?”
“Yeah. Everyone was so focused on talking about the labyrinth they were heading into that no one wanted to chat... Ah, but I got moved to the side and watched outside the whole time.”
Since it was packed tight, moving to the side was tough, but Rizel smiled softly as Jill sighed beside her. These boisterous men of Astarnia were surprisingly considerate.
Other adventurers wouldn’t crowd this three-person party too much. Inside the carriage, whether high or low rank, everyone was equal. Being fellow adventurers, there was no strange hesitation.
But alone, Rizel looked different; without Jill and Eleven, she looked even less like an adventurer. The side being offered up was probably half for fun on both sides, but it was harsh to expect her to quickly get used to the unfamiliar, clean atmosphere of Astarnia.
“I thought it might be rude, but since it was such a kind offer...”
“I like how the leader doesn’t get weirdly shy about stuff.”
Eleven yawned softly and shook his head to shake off sleepiness. Then he thought: