Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here. After playing tabletop RPGs, when I switch to console RPGs, I often find it odd that many quests have no deadlines. It feels like the quest givers are just asking with no real hope of completion.
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“Oh! This really feels like the entrance to the labyrinth.”
“Hmm.”
Passing through the gate, the stairs lead downward about five meters to a half-underground corridor roughly 10 meters wide and 5 meters high.
Recalling the labyrinth in Seryu City, Pochi and Tama silently took positions on my left and right.
Near the ceiling, there are windows for natural light, so it’s fairly bright. It’s not so dark that torches are necessary, but it’s barely bright enough to read a book comfortably.
Beyond those windows, presumably above ground, I occasionally saw the feet of patrolling soldiers.
The corridor twists and turns, so it’s hard to tell how far ahead the labyrinth entrance is. This place is called the "Passage of Death," and the labyrinth is supposedly a bit further ahead.
Since I was bored, I checked various details on the MAP.
Labyrinth City Selbira has a population of 110,000. Among them, the Shiga Kingdom’s Labyrinth Front Army numbers 10,000. Their troops are stationed in a vast fortress to the southwest. Their average level is 8, higher than other regional forces. Since it’s slightly above the level of vassals, they must be elite troops. Nina-san entrusted me with a letter to the general here, so I have to visit him after exploring the labyrinth.
The city’s security isn’t handled by this kingdom army but by Marquis Ashinen, the current prefect of Selbira. I had some trouble with him back in the trade city, so I’d rather not get involved. Since the return from the trade city will take some time, I plan to greet him and offer a safe gift before he gets back to fulfill my duty. I want to avoid any trouble.
Now, continuing my search.
There are surprisingly few explorers, less than 5,000. Travel journals say about 1,000 youths become explorers annually, but this number seems low. They mostly live in the western area.
There are about 1,000 porters like those young girls I saw earlier. Most porters work outside the labyrinth city. Maybe they failed to find work inside the labyrinth and have taken up public works or similar jobs.
Around 50 porters are at the labyrinth entrance ahead, but I wonder what they’re doing.
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Four explorers approach from ahead. Their levels range from 7 to 9, which is low. But since knights are about level 10, they might be mid-tier or promising rookies. One of them appears badly injured.
“There’s the smell of blood.”
“Is someone coming—?”
Pochi and Tama quickly notice the explorers emerging from the winding corridor.
“Nana, protect Arisa and Lulu.”
“Got it.”
I wondered if Mia was okay, but before I could ask, Liza moved in front of her.
“I am Jeje of ‘Red Ice’! There’s an injured person here! Please hold off on conflicts for now!”
The apparent leader, a young man, shouted this, waving his hand widely. His party name sounded a bit chuunibyou-like.
I couldn’t see the injured person’s face, but their armor was badly torn, and their blood-soaked shirt dripped from the wound.
“Ugh… that’s a terrible injury…”
“Master.”
“Hm, Satou?”
Arisa and Lulu went pale looking at the injured person. Mia asked with her eyes if she could use magic, but I stopped her with a hand gesture.
“I am Satou, a rookie explorer. If you like, please use this potion.”
I offered two bottles of diluted magic potion from my shoulder bag. For their level, this should be enough to recover.
“Sorry, I have no money on me. The leader who sold the demon cores will pay when he catches up. It’s rude, but could we get the potion first?”
“Sure, here you go.”
I was originally going to give them freely anyway, so I handed Jeje the potion bottles without hesitation.
“Huh? Is this really a magic potion?”
“Yes, that’s right. More importantly, please give it to him quickly.”
“Ah, thank you.”