In a bush surrounded by greenery, Berii clicked her tongue. 

　Having come this far, she could read the flow of the conversation that was coming.

　The town of Tyros, the Adventurer’s Guild, and the Sherpa Guild wanted to interfere with “Twilight’s Swrod”‘s labyrinth clearance.

　However, once they dived into the labyrinth, it wouldn’t be easy for them to set their hands on the party. 

read at https://hakuci.org/?p=4515 for a better reading experience, check out https://www.patreon.com/hakuci for 4 advance draft chapters

　Except for the Sherpa who was a member of the team…

　Therefore, the arrow landed on Rowe. 

<…I can understand the outline of the topic.>

　Berii’s prediction was correct.

　Rowe listened to the unscrupulous request without being shaken.

<However, if “Twilight’s Sword” fails to capture Tyros Labyrinth, strong Adventurers will no longer flow to this town. The opportunity to clear the labyrinth may not come again for a long time. Does that mean you don’t believe in the prophecy of demise?>

<No, that’s not right.>

　Gima denied.

<You might not have realised it yet. After being involved with work related to labyrinths for a long time, you will naturally come to think that the message of the Earth Mother Goddess is undeniable. It’s strange.>

<Exactly.>

　Joe agreed.

<The power of the Earth Mother Goddess is solemn. Other than followers of the church, there are also many Adventurers who have received the message, and their testimony is almost the same. I think there is no room for doubt.> 

<Then why?>

　Why were they trying to interfere with the labyrinth clearance?

<The town of Tyros is still young――>

　The old woman’s voice had an anguished ring to it, as if she regretted the passing of time.

<It has been 250 years since the Infinite Labyrinth of the Royal Capital was discovered, but there are still not signs of the labyrinth core reaching its Limit. In comparison, the Tyros Labyrinth is only 90 years old. Even if it will eventually be cleared, it doesn’t have to be now.>

<……In other words, you want it to last for another few decades, and after that, if someone clears it, no one will complain. Is that what it is?>

<A kid who speaks his mind.>

<Even if I spoke indirectly now, there would be no point.>

<Precisely.>

　The one who happily interrupted was Baramon.

<Generally speaking, the speed at which a labyrinth is cleared slows down the deeper you go. In fact, the spiral path from the 47th Floor took 5 years to discover. Despite that, no one, including myself, could have ancticipated that in such a short time — the way down to the 50th Floor would be captured. By the time I could react, it was already too late.>

　Berii thought he had brought this on himself. 

　In the first place, if he hadn’t wanted the labyrinth to be cleared, he should have hung a sign from his neck stating ‘clearance is absolutely forbidden”.

　Like that, he could have gathered only unmotivated Adventurers who would work just to sustain themselves, and manage the labyrinth in whatever way he liked to limit the speed of clearance. 

　Moreover, she couldn’t stomach his way of doing things. 

　If the mayor himself had bowed down and asked “Twilight’s Sword” to return to the Royal Capital because the town would be in trouble if the labyrinth was cleared, then even if she couldn’t agree, she could still at least sympathise. 

　Even if you want to use underhanded means, to plan to use the Sherpa to get in the way…

　If the righteous Yuika found out, wouldn’t she declare war on the town of Tyros?

　Before long, Rowe muttered.

<…”Sherpa’s Sword”, is it?>

<Hou, did you know about that?>

　Gima sounded genuinely surprised.

<When I was promoted to advanced Sherpa, Zaza told me. The job of the Sherpa in this town is not just to guide. There is also a job to protect the labyrinth. The person who takes on that role is called the “Sherpa Sword”. It was with drinks involved, so I didn’t pay much attention to it.>

<That’s right, there’s no Zaza.>

<Who is that person?>

　Gima let out a sigh at Baramon’s question.

<A skilled veteran Sherpa that retired last year. Until Gunji’s skills caught up, he was our ace. He’s a composed, good fella. For a long time, Zaza and I have shared this secret and watched over Tyros Labyrinth. When that man decided to retire, I honestly felt betrayed, he didn’t find his successor.>

　Gima’s voice, usually tinged with gentleness and care, suddenly turned sharp. 

<”Sherpa’s Sword” — it’s like a curse. Even after I stepped down as Guildmaster, I remained in-charge of finding Zaza’s successor. Strength alone can’t make you a guardian. To stain your pride, and swallow your sense of guilt, even so, to protect what’s important, one must have the strength and dare to surrender to heartlessness. Rowe boy — no, Rowe.>

　Firmly said the old woman.

<You must have something more important than yourself to protect. You should have a good head that can calculate profit and loss, and a strong will to make heartless decisions. The tools are here. Of course, there is compensation. I will prepare it properly. So will you not accept this damned role?> 

　At the climax of the conversation, Berii held her breath and concentrated all her attention–

“Umm, are you, a customer?”

“Hiii!”

　Being suddenly called out, Berii let out a small scream. 

　Having her consciousness pulled back to reality, she looked around and saw a young man who looked like a chef’s apprentice carrying a trash can to his chest. 

　He looked at her suspiciously.

　Berii was hiding in the bushes on the store’s property. She was squatting and sitting still, like she was…

“D, don’t tell me, in a place like this, you’re taking care of–“

“No way!”

　Denying it with all her will, Berii stood up.

“I’m not joking! There’s no way I would do that!”

“W, well then, what were you doing?”

“–Uh”

　I was eavesdropping on people in your restaurant using magic that was forbidden on the surface.

　……I can’t say that.

　Berry forced a smile and waved her hands around randomly. 

“H, hang on, I was looking for something.”

“Ah…”

“I’ve already found it, so there’s nothing else I need. See you.”

　Breaking into a cold sweat and with her eyes wandering around, Berii firmly shut down the conversation. 

　If she ran away, there was a possibility she would be chased. So mobilising all her self-control, Berii left the grounds of the restaurant in a brisk walk. 

　When she turned around after walking along the main street for a bit, the apprentice chef from earlier was still staring at her while carrying the trash can.

“–Kuh”

　She was completely being suspected. 

　Entering a back alley, passing around a few corners, Berii stomped her feet.

　“Whisper”’s effectiveness depended on the distance from the target and Berii’s concentration.

　Due to the current commotion, the magic had disappeared, and the voices from the secret talk had dissipated.

　However, the developments from there were predictable.

　If a Sherpa tries to harm an Adventurer while exploring the labyrinth, they will be the one in danger.

　Besides, even if he tried to harm them with something like poison, Magikan had the [Appraisal] Gift, and Yuika had “Dark Drops”, the magic that allowed recovery from status ailments. 

　She couldn’t imagine it going well. 

　Also, those 3 didn’t seem to know it, but Rowe was — even though she still wasn’t accepting — Yuika’s lover.

　It was too risky, impractical, and emotionally impossible.

　Naturally, Rowe would decline their request.

　If so, then there shouldn’t be any interference inside the labyrinth.

“Would it be better for me to report this to everyone?”

　After some slight hesitation, Berii shook his head.

　The labyrinth exploration of  “Twilight’s Sword” would be approaching in 3 days.

　According to the plan, it was to be their final exploration, and rather than taking time to address this issue, she thought it would be better to quickly clear the labyrinth. 

　Then by the time those guys were ready to make whatever attempt, it would all be in vain.

　What’s more, there was also no evidence to take any action. Even if she questioned them directly, it would come to nothing if they just played dumb. 

　Besides, Rowe’s position might also be put in jeopardy.

“H~mm.”

　To be honest, she felt guilty about the fact that she had used magic to eavesdrop on her lifesaver, and so she also felt like wanting to avoid the hassle that would come from things being revealed.

“Think about it after the labyrinth exploration is over…”

　This decision of Berii’s, several days later, would leave her with a huge problem. 

–

　Late afternoon.

　After checking his rucksack at the Sherpa Guild, Rowe decided to stop by the Guildmaster’s office before his way home. 

“Oh, Rowe?”

　Guildmaster Gunji wore glasses that didn’t suit his rough face.　

　It looked like he was writing some documents on his work desk.

“Gunji, you never used to be good at this kind of detailed work, were you?”

“Yeah? ……Ah, well. Even now it’s still so.”

　Gunji took off his glasses and rubbed the corners of his eyes with his fingers.

　He rotated his burly shoulders and cracked his thick neck. 

“It’s rare for you to come here. What do you need?”

“Yes. There’s one thing I would like to ask you.”

　Rowe smiled.

“Also, I came to see how Gunji is doing.”

“I, I’m doing my job properly!”

　He must have remembered the time when he was forced to kneel down in front of Rowe after he was caught slacking off. Gunji’s face turned pale and his voice hoarse.

　Rowe secretly smiled bitterly.

　It had been about two years since Gunji injured his back and retired as a Sherpa to become the Guildmaser.

　He was awkward at first, but lately, he seemed to be getting used to it. 

　He also seemed to be trying his best to do the paperwork that he wasn’t good at. 

　It felt like the air in the Guild had gotten even more filthier, but the newcomers were being nurtured, and everyone was highly motivated towards work. 

　If he could say something a bit pompous, he thought Gunji had become a good Guildmaster. 

　Somewhat out of character, Gunji asked if he wanted some tea since he was already here, but Rowe refused, saying that Marin was waiting. 

　To be honest, the tea that Gunji made wasn’t fit for drinking. 

“Looks like ’Twilight’s Sword’ will be aiming for the labyrinth core in the next dive.”

“Ah, yeah, that’s what’s written in our Dive Plan.”

“If the Tyros Labyrinth is cleared, it’s going to be a big deal.”

“I guess so.”

　After the town gets into a huge uproar and holds a grand festival, the residents will probably start thinking about their future lives.

　Adventurers will drift to other labyrinths, but Sherpas cannot move so easily.

　The same is true for residents who have other jobs.

　If the labyrinth core is gone, the medicinal herbs in the labyrinth will dry up and no new ore will be produced.

　Of course, since monsters will no longer appear, drop items can no longer be obtained. 

　The town of Tyros will decline.

　To develop a new industry, or to prepare so that you could emigrate at any moment. 

　Unfortunately, the town of Tyros chose neither path.

“But hey, there are good things.”

“……Eh?”

　Surprisingly, Gunji didn’t seem bothered at all.

“The Tyros Labyrinth I know goes down to the 47th Floor, but when the spiral path was discovered, I was deeply moved.”

　Every time he drank and got drunk, Gunji told the story of that time. 

　Happily, and a little sadly.

“You were also moved when you entered the unexplored floors, weren’t you?”

　48th to 50th Floors. 

　The first time, Yuika nearly died, and the second time, Rowe himself nearly died.

　To be honest, he had a strong impression of it being tough, but it was true that when he trod on the luminescent moss that no one else had stepped on yet, he had felt a strange sense of elation. 

“……yeah.”

“Right ahead will be the magic workshop and the labyrinth core. You’ll get to see things no one else has ever seen before. I’m so jealous!”

　Gunji was trembling as he clenched his fists.

　Remembering the days he was active, he looked to have gotten excited. 

　Truthfully, looking at him felt uncomfortable. 

“If the ’Twilight’s Sword’ that you’re supporting clears the labyrinth, I’ll be the first to inspect it. During then, I’ll count on you for the directions.”

“Yes, of course.”

　The longing for the unknown is not just present in Adventurers.

　More than a little, even among Sherpas.

“And, don’t worry about what happens after you’re done. Don’t think too much, just focus on your job. Anyway, enjoy your adventure.”

　That was what Gunji said every time.

　It was something Rowe couldn’t do, even when he was an Adventurer. 

　……Thank you very much, master.

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“If you strain your eyes too much, your long-sightedness will get worse. Recovery magic can’t cure it, so please be careful.”

“O, oh.”

　With one final biting remark, Rowe finished conveying his business.

–

<< Previous | Next >>