Published: September 10, 2025
There are quite a few typos this time as I couldn't find time to do a proper check. Please bear with me.
“Wow, this is amazing. It’s like something that could be registered as a World Heritage site.”
After enduring Master Blume’s special training, we had arrived at the "Hero's Labyrinth," located near the "Hero Temple" where I was summoned.
Our weapons weren’t wooden swords this time, but the Holy Sword Arondight, which had been stored in the “Infinite Storage (Inventory)” at the time of summoning.
Our other gear wasn’t just practice armor or shields either—we wore the Holy Armor and Holy Shield that came with the Holy Sword.
Wearing the hero’s equipment like this, I really felt like I’d come a lot closer to being a true hero than just a trainee.
“World Heritage site?”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t get it wrong, Hayato. This is a treasure bestowed upon the Saga Empire by Lord Parion.”
Subak and Zayan shrugged it off casually, but the earnest knight Gerid, serious as always, corrected them with a grave expression.
He’s the third son of a duke and could easily climb the ranks, but he volunteered for the dangerous frontline duty of being the hero’s retainer—a strange guy indeed.
Still, since he volunteered for such a risky task, he’s an excellent knight skilled in both offense and defense. I took the chance to learn plenty of shield techniques from him.
As for swordsmanship, I learned both his Saga Empire’s official sword style and Zayan’s bold practical swordplay.
“Don’t make such a fuss. This isn’t a training ground, you know?”
Master Blume appeared, accompanied by a slender beauty, a dignified older gentleman, and a cheeky-looking girl.
“They’ll be joining us for today’s labyrinth exploration. Introduce yourselves.”
“Nice to meet you, Hero. I’m Siari, an archer—”
“Ugh, an archery demon?”
“No way! Didn’t she say she went north to shoot whales or something?”
Siari shot a sharp glare at Subak and Zayan, who whistled and looked away.
Seeing this famous woman, I realized something.
“Long ears—an Elf!”
“No, I’m from the Long-Ear (Buchi) Tribe,” Siari corrected with a wry smile.
Apparently, the elves here only have slightly pointed ears, unlike the typical Japanese image of elves with long, bamboo-leaf-shaped ears. Those long ears belong to the entirely different Long-Ear Tribe.
“Don’t ever ask an elf ‘Aren’t elves supposed to have long ears?’ That’s the biggest taboo. They rarely leave the ‘forest,’ but exceptions exist, like the Shiga Kingdom’s capital songstress Cirirutoa or Sevelkea, the former hero’s retainer known as ‘Mountain Crusher.’”
The princess gave this warning.
“I’m Locossi, an A-rank adventurer and scout. And this is—”
“I’m Seina! B-rank adventurer and scout!”
The older gentleman is 44 years old, level 42.
Seina is 18, short but well-endowed, and surprisingly strong for her age at level 39.
“B-rank? You’re bringing along such second-rate people?”
“Isn’t she Locossi’s apprentice? Let her gain some experience.”
“What did you say?! Don’t underestimate me!”
“Stop it, Seina!”
Seina snapped back at Subak’s complaint, and Locossi grabbed her collar to restrain her.
“She’s B-rank, but it’s not due to lack of skill or achievements. It’s because of her age. The adventurers’ guild regulation forbids raising to A-rank before age 20.”
“Oh yeah, that rule exists, huh?”
“It does! The first honorable hero said ‘A-rank is for adults only’ and wrote 20 as the age limit, so the rule hasn’t changed since!”
Seina growled in frustration.
I’d be annoyed too if I were held back by an age restriction.
Subak tilted his head, saying “Isn’t adulthood 15 years old?” but I suppose the first hero used Japanese standards where adulthood is considered 20.
“Alright, no problem if your skills are good enough. You’re welcome to join.”
Hearing that tone makes me squirm. I want to build up achievements quickly so I can speak in my usual way.