**Side: Aria**
After descending to the third level of the Krater Labyrinth and conducting a brief investigation, we returned to the safe area to make camp. The monsters encountered were only goblins, but there were quite a lot of them. Rare higher-grade species were occasionally mixed in, but I found it odd that most of them were rare types. Among those who came to investigate the Krater Labyrinth this time, I am the only one in the Normal Class, and frankly, I have some regrets. To begin with, those belonging to Wing Crest consist of four Normal Class members, eleven High Class members, and ten Ancient Class members, setting them apart from typical raids and unions. Normally, Normal Class members would be the most numerous, but the fact that they are the least numerous is, in itself, strange. Furthermore, except for myself, Fiana, Reina, and Camellia—who was beginning to make a name for herself as a B-rank Hunter—the other Normal Class members were inexperienced in combat. While Lady Hilde, Mirei, and Seras will be joining in the not-too-distant future, Mirei is High Class, and Lady Hilde is nearing Ancient Class, so this isn’t about increasing our combat power. I feel very sorry for Seras, the daughter of the Grand Duke Lichtenfels, who is now engaged to Raus.
No, rather than worrying about others, I should be worrying about myself right now. Though I registered as a Hunter after joining Wing Crest, everyone told me I could level up slowly. I didn’t feel the need to rush my level-up either, so I’ve been taking their advice to heart. However, I’m starting to think that perhaps evolving to High Class sooner might be a good idea. To my own surprise, it’s having an effect that I am now officially engaged to Lord Yamato. As the Oracle Priestess who will serve Lord Yamato, honestly, I never imagined things would turn out this way. The story of the first Pope, Lunaria, and Lord Yamato’s guest, Shinichi, getting married has even been made into a play, so I am well aware of it. I had only thought I would serve as a priestess and perhaps become a single mother. Of course, depending on Lord Yamato’s personality, I might have refused even that.
However, Lord Yamato was not the kind of person I had feared. He is a humble and courteous individual. Despite having defeated three types of Demise Species, he has never boasted about his accomplishments, treats his superiors with respect, and was very concerned about me during our march. Therefore, I believe I was able to accept the engagement to Lord Yamato without hesitation. Although, given my somewhat twisted personality, whether I truly accepted it without hesitation is debatable.
“We’ll investigate until around noon tomorrow, then report to Krater’s Hunter’s Guild and Saber’s Guild, and then head back to Float, does that sound good?”
“I think that’s fine.”
“Me too.”
“Don’t we need to report to Bestia?”
We have to go to Float in three days, so the investigation is limited to three days. It’s natural to report to the Hunter’s Guild and the Saber’s Guild, but since Lady Hilde is also participating in the investigation this time, shouldn’t we also report to Bestia?
“Once the investigation is over, we will return to Bestia, and I am scheduled to explain it myself then.”
Lady Hilde herself? No, since Lady Hilde is the Queen of Torencia, it would be faster to have it handled by her.
“Since we can use Traveling, I understand Aria’s feeling that we should go and report directly to Bestia. But ordinary Hunters can’t use Traveling, so reporting to nearby guilds is enough. If it’s convenient, we sometimes go directly to headquarters to report.”
“That’s also very rare.”
Indeed, as Lord Yamato says, while the number of people who can use Traveling has increased, it’s still less than thirty.
“By the way, Eos, regarding the city stratum, are we to assume that Bestia is the model for this place?”
“I can only say, probably.”
“Does the absence of White Demon Castle and Snow Demon Palace mean they are on a different island?”
“I believe that assumption is correct, but if White Demon Castle and Snow Demon Palace were included, it would be a considerably vast stratum, and perhaps the Labyrinth didn’t have enough magic power?”
Mana and Rika are asking Eos about the city stratum. According to Eos, the cities and villages in the Labyrinth are only part of the stratum and can be traversed in about two hours, even if large. Therefore, she says she has never heard of a stratum that is entirely made up of a city, like this third level. And if that city is Bestia, it’s impossible to estimate how long it would take to traverse.
“But since it’s similar to Bestia, isn’t it easy to tell where things are?”
“That’s a saving grace. At the gate of White Demon Castle and at the Guild Headquarters, there’s a high probability of finding something.”
In the city stratum, there are residential areas like cities and villages adjacent to forests, grasslands, snowfields, and deserts. In these residential areas, similar to actual cities and villages, there are various facilities. More precisely, they are only buildings that replicate facilities, but they have Guild and shop signs clearly posted, so there’s no mistaking them, and some buildings can be identified just by looking at them. Among them, the Healer’s Guild and Priest’s Guild are often safe areas, while the Royal Castle and Lord’s Manor are often entrances to the next stratum.
“The problem is how the details are.”
“That’s right. If it’s exactly the same as Bestia, the locations of the transfer arrays and safe areas would be identifiable, but it might not be just that.”
“We’ll just have to investigate diligently.”
Lord Yamato, Prim, and Mako are speculating with concern. While the location of the castle gate probably hasn’t changed, Lady Hilde mentioned that even after a brief investigation, the details were different from the streets of Bestia.
“It would be easy to just pass through, but to investigate it, we don’t have enough time.”
“Since the third stratum is a city modeled after Bestia, shouldn’t the investigation be postponed?”
“I agree with Ludia. I’m also curious about what the fourth stratum is like.”
“I also agree with Ludia and Athena.”
Everyone nods at the words of Ludia, Athena, and Rika.
“Actually, I feel the same. Investigation is necessary, but I feel it’s basically the same as Bestia, and I’m also curious about the next stratum.”
“Then it’s decided.”
It seems tomorrow, we will aim to conquer this third stratum and head for the fourth. As a Normal Class member, I may not be of much help, but since everyone has decided, I just have to try my best to keep up.
**Side: Ludia**
The next morning, we began investigating the third stratum. Oh, last night we camped in the safe area right after descending to the third stratum, but since no one else comes here, we didn’t need night watch. So, except for Mako and Aria, everyone gathered in the bedrooms and was thoroughly pampered by Yamato. Mirei, the butler assigned to Lady Hilde, also joined for the first time.
“You’ve been busy, Yamato-kun?”
“Um… well, that…”
Yamato, receiving a sidelong glance from Mako, falters. Mako is also officially engaged to Yamato, but since Mako is from Earth, like Yamato, she doesn’t seem ready to be embraced by him yet. It can’t be helped, as she comes from a world of monogamy, but from my perspective, I think she should make up her mind sooner.
“Mako, leave him be.”
“Yesterday, we hunted quite a number of monsters in addition to the investigation, so we were also quite excited.”
As Mana and Prim say, having hunted well over a hundred monsters, not only we but also Yamato was extremely excited last night. Perhaps because of that, we didn’t get to sleep until close to midnight.
“That’s right. Besides, Mako, you’ve also evolved into an Ancient Human, so it must be tough, right?”
“Wha-! N-no, that’s not it!”
And with Ludia’s blunt remark, Mako denies it with a flushed face. But I know. Aria slept in an empty bedroom, but Mako, under the pretext of wanting to test the comfort, went into a guest room and comforted herself there alone. I’m sure of it because when I went to make a late-night snack, I heard small moans from the guest room.
“N-n-n-n-!”
When I whispered into Mako’s ear, her face turned even redder. This night is going to be fun.
“What are you talking about?”
“N-nothing!”
“That’s right. It’s a secret conversation between women, so it’s a bit…”
Even I have no intention of telling my husband or future husband about such female conversations. Except, of course, in bed.
“If you say so, I can’t really pry either.”
Yamato says with a wry smile as he drinks his coffee. According to Yamato, the coffee from the Helios Orb is slightly different from Earth’s. He mentioned that although both are from the same beans, Helios Orb coffee is less bitter and sweeter. The coffee beans are actually monster materials obtained from monsters called Blink species. In addition to coffee beans, they also yield cacao beans, almonds, and various nuts. The Blink species that bear these beans are T-rank to B-rank, making them accessible monsters for novice Hunters. Naturally, rare and abnormal species of Blink exist, and the beans obtained from them become high-quality products, traded at high prices.
“Thanks for the meal. Let’s take a short break and start the investigation.”
“Yes. Ah, excuse me, Marisa, could I have some more tea?”
“Certainly.”
Mina receives her refill of tea and resumes eating. Like me, not everyone finishes their meal at the same time, so I’ll have a refill of tea as well.
“Yamato, what are we going to do?”
“Let’s see. First, let’s assume the building layouts are the same as Bestia.”
“That’s right.”
Even if there are differences from Bestia, we must first set a clear objective, or we can’t do anything. If it’s the same, great. If it’s different, we can compare where the differences lie.
“I looked a bit yesterday, so I’m sure the details are different, but the area right after entering was the same as Bestia, so it’s hard to judge.”
“Indeed. But the sixth stratum of the Instant Labyrinth was almost a single path, wasn’t it?”
“City strata are generally like that. So, traversing them isn’t difficult, but when it comes to investigation, there are other streets and back alleys, so it takes quite a lot of effort.”
I also researched Labyrinths. The difficulty of clearing city strata was considerably low. While the Monster Rank of monsters varies by stratum, it’s mostly a single path, and there are often two or more safe areas, so combat may not occur depending on the monsters encountered.
“The transfer array is almost certainly near the castle gate, so we won’t get lost.”
“Yes. There will be monsters other than goblins, but it shouldn’t take more than three hours.”
“Nevertheless, we can’t just skip the investigation, can we?”
“So, it will be around the Central Plaza, but we intend to investigate thoroughly what’s there.”
It seems the plan has been decided. The main street of Bestia intersects in a cross shape at the center of the city. In the center are the Hunter’s Guild, Crafter’s Guild, Trader’s Guild, and Butler’s Guild. The Healer’s Guild is slightly east of the center, and the Priest’s Guild is in the western district of Bestia. Therefore, we will not go to the Priest’s Guild this time. The safe area is likely the Healer’s Guild, but there might be something at other guilds, so that’s where we’ll focus our efforts. Well, the Hunter’s Guild is highly likely to be a trap, so I’d rather not go near it if possible.
