Published: September 10, 2025
“Interlude: Zena Squad’s Journey (3)” takes place before this story.
If you don’t recall John-kun, please refer to “Interlude: The Suffering of the Transferee.”
Typos corrected on 2015/8/17.
After parting ways with Mito, Lirio, and the others in Count Zetsu’s Domain, I blended in with the refugees walking along the highway and headed toward the Royal Capital.
I thought I could accomplish my purpose there—but...
“No introduction letter, so we can’t pass you to the master. Hurry back to the slums, commoner.”
I was brusquely dismissed by the mansion’s servants.
The master of this mansion is famous for magical artifacts—especially prosthetic arms and legs. I came all the way to the Royal Capital to have a replacement made for the hand the mantis guy ate.
“Really, a gorilla who’d look better in a military uniform than a butler’s outfit...”
After checking that the gorilla had disappeared behind the thick door, I stood up, cursing under my breath.
“Even if you ask for an introduction letter...”
I pictured the faces of acquaintances in my mind.
Sotari, the dark-skinned Long-Ear Tribe member who taught me the Shiga language. She was beautiful but was a covert operative and probably didn’t have any introduction to the nobility.
Second was the innkeeper from Puta Town. That old man bought my mayonnaise recipe, which allowed me to continue traveling.
He boasted about being the town's protector and fishing buddy, but that was probably just a tall tale, so my hopes were slim.
Speaking of which, after that, I ended up traveling with a woman who was a guest at the inn...
Ugh, she was the worst. After getting completely drunk, I almost got sold into slavery... If only I had my smartphone or notepad from back then, I could’ve bought at least a noble title.
I also recalled people I met in the Gray Rat Principality.
That Red Helm was said to be the chief’s brother, so he should be part of the ruling class, but we were distant, and even if I got an introduction letter from him, I wouldn’t know how effective it would be in this country, where demi-humans are discriminated against.
Then I thought of Count Seryu’s Domain and Count Lesseu’s Domain in turn.
Lirio’s superior, the modest but pretty squad leader, was said to be a noble. I couldn’t recall her name very well.
She seemed kind-hearted and might write an introduction letter through Lirio.
I also remembered Mito, who was asleep in the mysterious ruins, but he said, “I’m not a noble (……),” and I doubted if he was even human, so relying on him would be pointless.
I believe Lirio and the others were heading to the Labyrinth City.
I quit the creative cuisine restaurant where I lived and worked and boarded the stagecoach to the Labyrinth City.
The restaurant’s old man wanted me to stay since he was planning to marry his daughter to me, but I refused—it was impossible for me, who can’t cook, to become the master.
I secretly remembered Lirio’s face when the topic of marriage came up.
â—‡
“Hey, one-armed guy, are you heading to the Labyrinth City too?”
“Yeah, I’m going to meet someone.”
A kid sitting next to me on the coach started talking.
Breaking through my “don’t talk to me” aura was no small feat—impressive social skills.
“Really? I was going to try to stop you if you were going to become an explorer.”
The kid sighed with a smile fitting his age.
I was planning to make some money in the labyrinth after meeting Lirio, but it seemed better not to mention that.
“A lot of my acquaintances went to the Labyrinth City too, but half of them quit within a year, and after three years, only one person was still exploring.”
“...T-That’s harsh.”
“Yeah, it’s tough. But not me! I learned how to fight from the city guards. Goblins are a piece of cake.”
The confident kid got a “good luck” from me before I closed my eyes.
Since his words seemed like a flag, I didn’t talk to anyone until the next city.
â—‡
“Sorry, this is as far as we go. From here, you’ll have to walk to the Labyrinth City.”