”
"——sha-san, Yuusha-san! Please wake up!”
Because there is someone who is rudely pushing her body, Yuusha opened her eyes unhappily.
The world slowly reflected in the Yuusha’s eyes, and her conscious slowly disappeared again; is the world about to end? Then there is no helping it, so Yuusha went back to sleep.
“Sorry, I can’t save the world. So let me continue sleeping.”
“Just what exactly are you saying? Please do not sleep and hurry up and get up!”
After a struggle, Yuusha lost, and her warm blanket is stolen; Her whole body is assaulted by the cold, and she finally opened her eyes.
“So cold. Then again, why are you sleeping on my bed?”
Yuusha took a great effort to get up from her bed, but beside her, is Matari who was shocked; Although she is only wearing her underwear, but she is not sexy at all.
“That is my line! Why is Yuusha-san in my blankets? Ah, you stink of alcohol!”
Matari pinched her nose and sent a blaming look towards Yuusha, her shrieky tone caused Yuusha’s mind to be unable to work properly.
“——Good morning, Matari. Your voice is too loud, I will die. Why did I have the smell of alcohol, that is really mysterious.”
“That is completely not mysterious! You must have gone to drink in the middle of the night! Then after getting drunk, you climbed into my bed and slept!”
Matari, having an excellent condition in the morning, pointed her finger at Yuusha.
“Such an exciting deduction, you should not be a warrior, how about being a detective?”
“I have never heard of someone being drunk in their first day of exploring the labyrinth!”
“To be the first witness of history being written, is really great, congrats.”
“There is nothing to be happy about! Enough, please change and get ready!”
Matari quickly prepared a change of clothes for Yuusha; while Yuusha looked at the scene with a blank look, and then when she finally moved, the disgusting feel in her throat reached her limit.
“......Ah. Gr——, haa, the things inside seemed to have come out. I have this feeling that my luck today is not very good, so it better not to go out. And today the weather is not too good, the future is indeed worrying. Yes, there is no need to force myself to do something.”
The strong sunlight from outside blinded Yuusha’s eyes.
“Which part of the weather is not good? Today is a bright sunny day! Even the sun is blessing us! Anyway, quickly change your clothes, and wash your face! If you do not hurry up, then you will not make it in time for the gathering!”
Matari changed her clothes in a hurry, and even helped Yuusha change after she finished.
(Not only did she like to care about others and she is a good person, she will definitely be a good wife, that is for certain.)
Yuusha labelled Matari in her heart.
“Okay, this will be fine. Then after finishing your wash up and eating breakfast, then we shall leave energetically!”
Matari who wore armour, gave out a bright sound, and her tone is 2 octave higher. That high pitch like a idiot echoed within Yuusha’s mind, causing her to nearly fall down.
For the drunk, they are really unable to endure such an energetic lass; Yuusha finally began to regret drinking too much alcohol yesterday.
“......Yes, let’s set off energetically. Full of energy…… Ah, grr” (TL note: more vomiting)
Yuusha used her hands to block her mouth, enduring the urge to vomit and answered Matari.
After sighing with a nearly inaudible sound, Yuusha chased after Matari and left the room.
“Is drinking the soup enough? You will get hungry, you know?”
“It’s enough. Right now, I really do not need it. If I eat something, I will die.”
The pale-faced Yuusha who was leaning on the chair, took a deep breath.
Matai ate the bread, milk and fried egg with a happy expression; just by looking at that scene, Yuusha could feel the sour-tasting things in her stomach that are starting to rise up her throat.
“Ah, then again, although I heard it just now, ‘that’ Shrine of Grief seems to have collapse? That is scary.”
“Shrine of Grief? What is that?”
“Huh? You do not know?”
“Because I have lost my memories, so I do not know that.”
“Then let me explain it to you.”
After using a napkin to wipe her mouth, Matari began to explain.
In the deepest part of the northern forest in Art’s Town, there is a dark, shady place where sunlight does not reach. Although nobody knows who or when and why it was built, but there is an old shrine that was covered in moss; they do not even know what it is worshipping.
The Star Church also knew that there was a shrine there, but they did not do anything.
Star Church is a religion that believes in only 1 god, and holds zero tolerance for the other religions; and yet there is an unknown shrine near the Art’s Town which is right before the Star God; so it would not be surprising if the inquisitors went and destroy that place.
But the Star Church gave a strict order to not touch it, and in fact even create a barrier near that place.
The people in the town felt chills from that, and don’t know from when rumours appeared, saying that place seals a terrible demon.
“Mmmm.”
“But the thing that made the people afraid, is the scary voice that someone heard from the shrine there—— a cursing voice that seems to deeply hate everything in the world. It says that everyone who heard that curse all went crazy…… Ah, I am having goosebumps.”
Seeing Matari who got scared because of her own words, Yuusha could not help but feel that: “she is really amazing.”
“But it collapsed perfectly right? Then isn’t everything solved? Is it the heresy inquisitors? Perhaps those guys changed their minds and destroy it?”
“It doesn’t seem so. It happened around dawn, the soldiers from the church had began running around, causing a big fuzz. According to them, the shrine did not collapse, but ‘ destroyed’. Without anyone discovering it, even the barrier was destroyed. Why did the sh..shrine collapse? I fe..feel that even my appetite is lost.”
Matari could no longer eat her food and got depressed just like that. Yuusha had wanted to tsukkomi her, if it was because she had ate too much, but since she was too tired, she gave up on that thought.
“If you mind it that much, then do you want to take a look? We can go to the labyrinth later, so you shall lead the way for us to take a look first; use your eyes to confirm the rumours, then you can solve the problem in a moment.”
“Ya, ah. No, I, that. Cough cough, I seemed to have caught a cold. Th..then we will not go to the forest.”
“Who was the one with excess energy since early in the morning.”
After being glared at by Yuusha, Matari seemed to have shrunk to a ball.
“I.. I am not good with dealing with those dark and scary things. Ac..actually I also have not seen that shrine personally. So please pardon me this time.”
“You could not handle dark and scary things, and yet you wanted to enter the underground labyrinth?”
『Is she a fool?』, Yuusha had actually wanted to add this word, but in the end she endured it; because regarding entering the labyrinth, Matari seems to have quite a bit of determination in it.
“Yes! I will work hard!”
Matari answered without a hesitation, and that answer was the loudest by far.
“......Then you should work hard.”
Yuusha who was shaking her head, stared at the ceiling, feeling that the soup that she just drunk is about to be thrown out.
“.....You, are indeed belittling life right?”
The first sentence that Rob said was that severe, seems like the good evaluation that was obtained yesterday had fallen again. Yuusha supported herself using the log, and explained.
“......I am not belittling, it is just that my body does not feel well; after I am slim just like my looks shows.”
“Holding that joke-like equipment, and a hangover from the first day; a newbie that looks down on exploring the labyrinth to this extent, you are the first! Just whether you are a joke or a cool person, even I also don’t know how to judge.”
Rob crossed his arms and frowned. That sight rather than saying being confused on how to judge her, it is more like looking at a major fool.
Yuusha tried not to think of the bad side—— because the scenario of being scolded badly in the dozen of new guild members, perhaps her value had already dropped below possible.
“This is the price of gathering information, I had accepted it wholeheartedly.”
“Is it really fine? I hope you can pardon me, I do not wish to see a corpse on the first day. I who brought you in, will really cry.”
“Ah—— mo. It is fine. I am always in a prepared state, and will not be defeated due to such a matter.”
“Yu..yuusha-san, your legs are trembling? Please grab on my shoulders.”
Matari bended her waist slightly and Yuusha leaned on her shoulder completely without holding back.
“What is that?”
“A dumb lass who came from who knows where, with a nonsensical attitude to sight see?”
“Maa, it can be sure that she is the first to die.”
“I hope that we are not dragged into it; if we are grouped with her, we could all be in danger.”
“That’s right, she really belittled the underground labyrinth. That is not a tourist spot!”
The newbies’ “praising” words enter Yuusha’s ears; Yuusha used her shaky vision to look towards them, only to see some fellow who are heavily armed. Those armours that they had are all very luxurious and their weapons are carved with emblems of their family.
After laughing at and being sarcastic about Yuusha in the back, they began to introduce their background and their family proudly.
Heirs to the nobles, heirs to the knights, young men who have the wish to become a hero, there are all sorts of people.
Rob clapped his hands loudly to attract the newbies’ attention and began explaining in a very clear voice.
“Raise your spirits, the meeting is about to begin. Today is the first time that you, new members of the guild, are gathering, and there are people who already began to converse but there are also people who are completely clueless.”
Rob surveyed each newbie one by one, and when his eyes laid on Yuusha—— that was a look that was calculating something; but to that look, Yuusha gave a mild smile in defiance.
Although you can only see a dumb lass who is drunk from her face and posture, but in depths of her eyes, madness reside in them; the same as yesterday when she beat Java up.
Rob quickly shifted his sight, and continued talking as though nothing has happened.
“Anyway don’t force yourself too much, now you should train yourself steady, and accumulate experience. Next is to “survive”. This is the most important. As long as if you are alive, you can make a comeback for any number of times; if you die, then everything ends.”
——Treasure your life. Treasure your life. When you die, it ends. When you die, it ends.
This is a slogan that someone is shouting.
Yuusha felt that you hate dying so much, then you should just hide at home. Dying is optional, the most important thing is to kill the demons—— that is the priority. That is decided! It can only be that!
During the time when Yuusha is thinking, Rob’s words continued.
“What all of you need to do from now on, is a crusade against the demons on the upper levels of the labyrinth. The aims of the other newbies in the other guilds are also the same, so it will be better to form parties. Kill the demons and if you take back the requested parts then you get the money, understand?”
After hearing Rob’s words, one of the people in the newbies raised his hand to ask.
“That, why are we restricted to the demons on the upper levels of the labyrinth?”
“A very good question. Simple, it is to prevent you newbies from doing actions that overestimates yourself, and then becoming the food for those demons. And also what will be given is a “temporary permit”. Using this permit, you can only be allowed in the labyrinth for three hours. If the time is up, a spell will be forcefully invoked to return you to town. How is it, incredible right.”
“Th..three hours?”
“Yes. To all of you, you will have to exert all your might just on exploring the upper levels of the labyrinth. Just accumulate experience and train those arms that will hunt those demons. And when you are training those arms, the veterans will be able to venture deeper without caring for those small fries.Being able to clear the trash in the labyrinth and also allow the church to obtain magic essences. No matter what, it is a good thing.”
“Then when can we removed that ‘temporary’?”
“That will be determined by the guild masters from your guilds. First let me admit to your strength, then accept a test. Maaa, if you want me to acknowledge you, then bring back a part of the demon that can make me forget to blink.”
“Understood, I will work hard.”
The tall muscular newbie nodded as though he understood. While Rob continued with “You should just do your best!”, those kind of words that de-motivates you, and surveyed the newbies, then continued to add on to the contents that he forgot to explain.
“Just a mention, a temporary permit is not an object, but a seal of magic. Even if a blur fellow lost it ‘carelessly’, it is fine. Even if you die, it will activate by itself, so there is no need to worry—— we will properly bury you all.”
“But if you people are torn apart into pieces, then only the part that was carved with the seal will return.” Rob laughed while saying so, while the newbies became pale.
Matari’s colour turned green after imagining that scene; while Yuusha’s hangover seemed to have gotten better, but her cheek turned green because there isn’t any traces of blood colour.
After Rob laughed for a while, he turned back to the serious face and instructed.
“Anyway the foremost priority in the first year is to survive. Then you will be able to see your limits…… About half of the newbies will drop out in the first year.”
Died, gave up or went to search for a new path. If not those people dropping out, perhaps no matter it is the guild or the town, the number of adventurers will overwhelm the place. In a certain way, perhaps it is also a good thing like this. ——Rob said so sarcastically.
“Where did Guildmaster explored until?”
One of the newbies seemed to have asked this to know Rob’s true strength.
“In the lower levels of the labyrinth, I have once reached the 70th floor; the 100th floor seems to be the deepest part in the labyrinth. At first my aim was the deepest part but because of the denseness of the miasma, in the end I could only reach the 70th floor; Even though I drank the neutralizer then, I thought I will die.”
“Is it that scary?”
“Just by standing there, your eyes will be blurry, and you will be unable to use any ounce of your strength. If you stay there for an hour, then you will be perfectly poisoned by the miasma. Maa, if you want to go there, then I won’t stop you, go and explore the unknown world to your utmost—— for your descendents.”
“I..I understand very clearly. Thank you very much.”
The newbie backed off with a scared expression. While Yuusha raised her hand to ask because something came to her attention.
“Oi, do you know what is there on the 100th floor? Is there someone who has been there?”
If the miasma is already so strong at 70th floor, then it will be worse on the 100th floor.
Yuusha wanted to know, what exactly is at there.
“The 100th floor is full of dreams, hopes and despair! Don’t think of useless stuff and just consider on how to survive, you drunken dumb lass!”
“Don’t be so petty, tell me!”
“If you can let me acknowledge you.”
“Don’t forget what you said!”
Yuusha revealed a dangerous smile, while Rob sighed.
“Why would I go remember what a drunken said.”
As though imitating Rob, the newbies began to talk mock Yuusha behind her back again.
“That fellow, probably will be the first to die.”
“Seems like she will disappear within 3 days.”
“Her equipment is only a log and normal clothes. Is she right in her mind?”
“Matari-san too, it must have been hard being together with this kind of strange fellow.”
“That is really suitable for a fallen noble.”
“Oi oi, she is at least an Art.”
“Hmph, the one that is respectable is Sir G.Art. As for the current head Reyken, I cannot even begin to respect him.”
After Matari heard those words, her expression froze. She is very mindful of that incident. Although she did not know the details, but Yuusha still patted her shoulder.
“If you are not happy with those words, then refute them, not with words but results.”
“Ye..yes!”
As Matari buckled up, Rob began his concluding words.
“Remember do not force yourselves. Then, dismiss!”
“Yes——!”
To Rob’s shout, the newbies replied energetically. Yuusha also gave him a “hey~” kind of powerless reply.
After Rob left, the other newbies also left. Finally leaving Yuusha and Matari.
The targeted place has already been confirmed, and they also left the Warrior Guild like that.
“Wh..what should we do, Yuusha-san? Should we take a look at the labyrinth first? Or should we look for companions in the other guilds first?”
“Huh? It feels like you want to explore the labyrinth together with me? No matter how you see it, I am a bad choice, and I am currently having a hangover.”
Yuusha had mistaken that she is just renting a room together with her only, but it actually seems that she will also become her companion by the flow.
“Y..yes! Being able to meet like this, is also fate, so if it is possible……”
“Mmm, it is fine to me, but the people around us are all targeting you right? Your family is quite famous right, strange rumours may appear you know.”
Perhaps it is already too late, but I should remind her first; Yuusha still wanted to avoid the grudge of “it shouldn’t be like this!”.
“No, I completely do not mind that sort of things. And I said so in the past, that is already glory from the past. I will use my own hands to get our glory back!”
Matari clenched her fists tightly and her eyes are shining, as thougha an aura is emitted from her.
Yuusha also nodded after being affected by that aura.
“Y..yes. Anyway let’s go to the underground labyrinth and see the situation first.”
“Yes! We should experience everything once! Observe the enemy’s strength, then recruit companions!”
Matari announced strongly.
Although Yuusha also agreed with her thoughts, but she had thought that it can’t be helped in her heart.
——Nobody will be willing to be her companion. Matari will also leave her one day. Don’t reject those who comes, don’t keep those who will leave. In the end, the only one that can be depended on, will be herself.
The moment when she pierced her sword through the heart of the demon king, she realised that.
Even if there is only the hero, she will be able to do anything. No matter if it is wielding the sword, using magic, or using healing arts. This is the proof of being selected as the hero.
——Then, there isn’t a need for something like companions?
“Yuusha, what is it? I am going to leave you behind?”
In a distance in front, Matari turned back and waved to Yuusha while shouting, Yuusha could even hear her armour make the sounds of “Kacha kacha”.
Yuusha gave a bitter smile and also waved back lightly to Matari.
“Then next is to head for the first route in that legendary underground labyrinth. Just what kind of enemies will appear? …... Maa, there will be a way. Until now, I have gotten here by myself.”
What came out from her mouth are lonely and empty words.
Using the log to substitute as a clutch to support her body that was starting to shake again, Yuusha moved forward step by step. Her vision slowly became dark, although it is obvious that the sky is still bright.
——When her vision is dyed in another colour, Yuusha saw the last figures of her past companions.
Her heartbeat got faster. The sound of the heart beating is so loud that you can use your ears to hear it.
Even though she is about to fall, Yuusha still increase her pace—— as though for the sake of not being abandoned by them.
While Yuusha definitely won’t be able to catch up with them, knowing this…...
“......Ah”
Losing her footing, Yuusha fell with her head flat on the ground.
To erase the scene that appeared from the other side, Yuusha used a bit more strength to rub her eyes to confirm.
That is the figure of a worried Matari who was running over.