Published: September 9, 2025
※10/30 Typo corrected.
This is Satou. When it comes to aliases, people usually think of phantom thieves or swindlers—basically criminals. Maybe it’s because if you live honestly, you never need to use a false name. Even though pen names or online handles are a type of alias, they leave a very different impression.
◇
“Lord Kuro, we have captured 262 bandits and brought them to the Explorer’s Guild. The guild master is calling for you.”
“I see, I’ll head there immediately.”
Nodding at the captain’s report, I proceeded through the Passage of Death toward the Labyrinth City. The captain, a 27-year-old woman named Sumina, had fiery red lion-like hair, thick eyebrows, and full lips—a fierce, carnivorous type. Not exactly beautiful, but she had an unusual charm.
Together, we headed to the West Guild’s guild master’s room. The moment he saw my face, under his orders, the captain was kicked out.
“So, it’s you after all.”
“Hmph, that arsonist old woman turned out to be the guild master. You should think more carefully about where you use your magic.”
“None of your business.”
Speaking arrogantly as Kuro, I conversed with the guild master.
“I hear you helped Lord Sorkel escape from prison. As guild master, I think you should be detained here. What do you say?”
“Stop with the petty power plays. He’s being kept safe. If you want to interrogate him, go ahead, and if the guild can provide a secure location to protect him from assassins or poisonings from his own people, I’ll hand him over.”
The guild master threatened me with an equally pompous attitude. Honestly, I’m only protecting Lord Sorkel because I don’t want acquaintances to die needlessly. If the guild takes responsibility, I’d be happy to hand him over.
“Who’s behind you?”
“The wielder of the Sky Sword.”
“Oh, I didn’t expect you to answer. So, the one behind you is royalty, huh.”
No, I wanted to say it was Nameless’s subordinate, but he took it the wrong way.
“So, have you secured all the demonic enhancement potion fields in the labyrinth?”
“Yes. I planned to use them as bait, so I didn’t burn the fields, but I freed everyone working in the illicit cultivation fields.”
“So you were the one who rescued those people. It seems there were no Refiners or Alchemists among them?”
“No Refiners. The Alchemists have been transferred to the appropriate location.”
The guild master seemed satisfied with my answers. I can guess how he misunderstood but have no intention to correct him.
“So, will you be staying in Labyrinth City for a while?”
“No, I just stopped by because an acquaintance asked me to deal with some bandits. I plan to return soon, but for now, I’ll be in the Royal Capital.”
“I see. As the Minister of Labyrinth Resources, I’d like to award you a medal.”
“No need.”
Saying that, I left the guild master’s room. Outside, I told the worried captain not to fret, then stopped by the guild’s accounting office to receive the bounty—almost 400 gold coins. Apparently, there were two rivals as strong as Rudaman.
I handed one gold coin to each of the captains and dismissed them. I gave the payment to Polina, who I had asked to purchase land, to settle the transaction.
◇
“Tifaliza, give me a new name.”
“Yes, what kind of name shall I give you?”
With her serene gaze that revealed no emotion, I gave her a famous Earth historical figure’s name to use.
“Master, naming multiple names is pointless except for the last one; are you sure?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
I nodded, and in a calm, quiet voice, she chanted the naming spell.
“■■ Name Order. ‘Trismegistus.’”
I forget the details, but Trismegistus was a famous alchemist’s name.
After naming, Tifaliza tilted her head in confusion.
“Master, I am sorry. The previous naming might have failed.”
She reported this calmly without seeming downcast, so I checked the menu. Indeed, the friends list still showed “Kuro.” However, the naming options in the friends and status lists did include “Trismegistus.”