Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here. Why is it that membership cards always weigh down my wallet so much? Ever since becoming a working adult, I've learned to cut down on the number I carry, but back when I was a student, my wallet was always stuffed to the brim, even when I was broke.
◇
“A big silver coin!”
“A medallion~?”
“Yeah, Giril gave it to me.”
“Hm, an authentication medallion.”
I remember Giril mentioning something like that. When he talked about lending me the mansion he used to live in back when he was in Labyrinth City, I received this medallion.
“Giril, you’re mean~!”
“That’s right. He wouldn’t let us inside the house!”
“That’s not being mean. That mansion had some dangerous chemicals being used, so we asked that Pochi and Tama not be allowed in for their safety.”
That was when we made sleeping medicine for the jellyfish before. Come to think of it, after all that, I forgot to check on Pochi and Tama.
Arisa on the coachman’s seat bangs on the ceiling.
Calm down with the excitement, okay?
“Eek!”
“Wait, this is serious!”
Lulu lets out a short scream and suddenly brings the carriage to a halt. There’s a commotion at the gate ahead.
Peeking out the carriage window, I see the stone golems that stood on either side of the gate have stepped forward a few paces from their usual spots, kneeling on one knee to pay homage. Wow, what a fantasy scene.
“Master, we have been awaiting your return.”
“Master, congratulations on your safe return.”
Echoing voices ring out around us, emanating from the medallion.
“Could this be because of this?”
“Yeah.”
Mia takes the medallion from my hand and holds it up toward the golems.
“I am the acting master. I appreciate your greetings. However, your duties are important; return to your posts promptly.”
“Understood.”
“Understood.”
When Mia speaks to the medallion, the golems respond and return to their pedestals.
“You knew that well.”
“Yeah. Aze told me.”
I wish I had been told before the golems started moving. Giril only said something about the mansion’s key, so I guess this was meant to be a surprise. What a playful old man in odd ways.
◇
“Did you see? The gatekeeper golems knelt before me!”
“Princess, please don’t raise your voice like that; it’s unseemly.”
That voice came from a white luxury carriage parked ahead. According to the AR display, she’s the princess of the Norok Kingdom. She’s about Lulu’s age—a cute girl with brown hair, not particularly beautiful but charming. She wears expensive silk clothes.
From the map I saw at the Marquis Lloyd’s mansion, Norok Kingdom is a small country north of the Marquisate of Ellet, which itself lies just north of here. It acts as a buffer zone with the Saga Empire.
I’d rather avoid getting involved, so I quickly join the line waiting to enter the city.
Red-armored soldiers in hard leather armor stand in front of the main gate, checking the IDs of those entering. They seem to check merchants’ goods, but it’s a pretty lax inspection. There doesn’t appear to be any city entry tax or customs like in other towns. As a result, the line to enter is short and it seems we can enter without using any noble privileges.
“Welcome to Labyrinth City Selbira, noble lord. Excuse me, but please present your identification.”
I show the low-ranking soldier my ID plate.
How do they know so well that I’m a noble?
“Excuse me, sir noble. Is this your first visit to Selbira?”
“Yes, it is.”
I’m drawn into polite speech by the courteous gatekeeper. If Nina heard me, she’d probably scold me for using honorifics with someone junior.
Summing up what the gatekeeper said: there are no restrictions on what you can bring into Selbira, but many items are forbidden from being taken out. Especially, unauthorized transport of demon cores is a serious crime to be wary of. Also prohibited are monster meats and poisons extracted from monster venom glands.
“Also, this isn’t forbidden, but the stalls near the West Gate only sell monster meat. The smell is good, but it’s better not to buy anything just because of that.”