The Ogre Village

Labyrinth City Shashmeer. Located in the northwestern part of the continent, this city has a labyrinth attached to it, just as its name suggests. Rather, it might be more accurate to say that the city developed around the labyrinth.

It was discovered roughly one thousand years ago. Further to the northwest lies what is called the most brutal dungeon on the continent, the Dark Labyrinth, but aside from that, there are no particularly notable cities or ruins in the surrounding area. Nevertheless, many people visit Shashmeer. Why is that?

It's because of a characteristic unique to Shashmeer's Labyrinth on the entire continent.

Also called the Immortal Labyrinth or the Trial Labyrinth, no one dies within it.

Those who should have died are teleported outside the labyrinth.

While there are various other features as well, this single point is what draws explorers to Shashmeer's Labyrinth in unparalleled numbers.

On a night just a few days away from that labyrinth city, the party was having a meal around a campfire.

"So what does Nee-chan want to do? Level up? Get treasure? Or is it the wish-granting thing?"

Even with Serge's knowledge, he knew that much. It's said that those who reach the deepest part of the labyrinth can either obtain vast treasure or have one wish granted.

However, knowing Ria's personality, there was also the possibility that she simply wanted to fight strong opponents.

Even Lulu hadn't been told her purpose. She had tagged along of her own accord. She intended to wait until Ria chose to share it naturally.

"Well, all of those are certainly true… but yes, it would be having a wish granted."

She wanted to become a man again. Or at least learn how to do so. This had been Ria's wish ever since she was born.

But she couldn't say that.

"Is there anything you would wish for, Ria? If it's about getting stronger, you'd put in the effort yourself."

Even Lulu, who had known her the longest, hadn't been told. The only ones Ria had ever asked whether magic to become a man existed were Agatha and Rufus.

"If it's Ojou, wouldn't it be wanting some really great weapons?"

Ria's katana collecting habit was something everyone in the knight order knew about.

"It's a secret. If it comes true, you'll find out naturally. Besides, there are apparently some wishes that can't be granted."

Despite it being safe to die inside the labyrinth, legend has it that resurrection of the dead outside is impossible.

"I've looked through the literature, so we'll think about the strategy in detail once we reach the town. What I need to tell you beforehand is… ah, only groups of up to six people can enter at a time. Since Serge joined, we now have seven, which is a problem."

Everyone exchanged glances. Seeing their puzzled expressions, Ria tilted her head in confusion.

Serge served as the representative to ask, but the way he asked was the problem.

"Nee-chan, do you know how to count? There are four people here, you know? Four is less than six, you know?"

"You… what do you think I am? We can't just leave the horses behind, can we?"

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

"Eh? Wait, what do you mean 'eh'?"

Carlos served as the representative to answer this time.

"Ojou, horses normally aren't taken into labyrinths. You leave them at an inn."

This was unexpected for someone whose knowledge stopped at Dragon Quest III.

Half a month had passed since crossing the border, and what Ria keenly felt was just how safe Casalia Kingdom had been.

Of course, there were bandits in the frontier, and forests where monsters roamed were scattered about. But that was simply a matter of avoiding those areas. However, outside of Casalia, unpaved roads became more common, and the danger of camping outdoors increased dramatically.

With her Sleep Reduction Gift, Ria had drawn the short straw in that regard.

"There's a big village tomorrow, so we can rest there."

When it came to the geography around here, Serge, being a local, was naturally well-informed.

"I've never been there myself though. It's an ogre village."

"Ogres, huh. That sounds exciting."

Ria's fighting instincts were stimulated.

To begin with, ogres were once demi-humans who served as part of the demon forces. Long ago, they were called man-eating oni.

The one who subjugated them and integrated them into human civilization was Ria's ancestor, Leyte Anaia. This happened nearly one thousand years ago.

Since then, ogres have served as allies of Casalia, with a proven history of defending against monster invasions from the north.

While they have aggressive, war-loving natures, they also have the virtue of keeping their promises once made.

"Even so, there are a lot of demi-humans and beastfolk around here. Don't dwarves and halflings make up more than half the population?"

In the village where Serge lived, there were also several dwarf, beastfolk, and halfling families.

"It's because there are lots of forested and mountainous areas. There are supposedly elf settlements too."

"Then is Lulu-san's father also from around here?"

"No, my father was apparently from the Great Forest."

The Great Forest refers to the vast forested region occupying the northeastern part of the continent, with elf settlements said to be deep within its interior.

"According to what I've heard, he was descended from Grand Elder Quorfos."

"Whoa, that's one of the legendary great heroes!"

Serge shouted excitedly. Though it was a figure from two thousand years ago, for elves that was probably quite recent.

"If we're going there, my ancestors include the Holy Emperor Ryuke Shifaka, the Militant Emperor Ryuke Reiana, and the Founder Leyte Anaia."

Ria said teasingly. The point being that if you trace anyone's ancestry back far enough, you'll find at least one famous person.

"Rather than being a celebrity's descendant, I think someone who can use space-time magic is far more valuable. I had absolutely no aptitude for it myself."

"I'll teach you if you'd like. In exchange, I'd like Lulu to teach me various things too."

"Ah! Lulu-san! Then please teach me too! A knight needs to at least know healing magic!"

For some reason, there was an elf-loving man competing with a child.

"Wow, they're so big."

The one who let out such an honest exclamation of admiration was Ria.

The party had entered the ogre village as planned.

Though it's called a village, the population is around two thousand. And above all, everything is big.

It's not just that the village itself is large, but the buildings are big. The ogres walking the streets are big.

Their average height probably exceeds two meters. On top of that, the female ogres have big breasts.

"I wonder if there's a public bathhouse."

Ria unconsciously muttered such a thing. Lulu, who could read her thoughts perfectly, sighed.

"First, we need to find an inn. Could that place be one?"

Generally, inns also served as dining halls, and the building ahead of the party appeared to be such an establishment.

But suddenly, the door blew off violently, and a massive ogre came tumbling out.

"Oooh, amazing. The ogre country is a land of carnage."

With Serge's leisurely mutter at her back, Ria leaped from her horse and hurried to the scene with an excited expression.

Another ogre emerged from the inn's broken entrance. It was a relatively small ogre, it seemed. Even so, it was still two heads taller than Ria.

The ogre who had been blown away stood up and lunged at the smaller ogre with a growl.

And then a brawl began.

Punch, kick. Punch, kick.

A simple slugfest, but the force was tremendous. The surrounding onlookers hurled irresponsible jeers.

Not a single person tried to stop them. Even if non-ogres tried to stop it, they probably wouldn't be able to.

However, the fight didn't last very long.

The smaller ogre overwhelmed the larger one with rapid-fire punches.

(Like Mike Tyson.)

Though Ria was thoroughly impressed, the battle was already nearing its end.

The large ogre had lost his will to fight and looked about to collapse at any moment.

But the smaller ogre's fists wouldn't allow it. Jabbing at the forward-leaning ogre appropriately, striking him upward, not letting him fall.

"Hey, isn't that enough already?"

Since no one was stopping them, Ria reluctantly called out, but the smaller ogre didn't stop.

The surrounding people might have noticed the abnormality, but they weren't trying to stop it. Perhaps they couldn't.

Can't be helped, Ria thought.

If no one's going to stop it, I have no choice but to do it myself, Ria thought.

It really can't be helped, Ria thought with a delighted expression as she stepped in to stop it.

Her slender-looking hand stopped the ogre's fist.

It happened in that single instant when power was least applied, the moment when he tried to pull back his extended fist.

The ogre wore an expression of shock. His other arm extended toward Ria, trying to separate her.

She grabbed that hand in reverse, and when she released the hand she had been holding, the ogre naturally lost his balance and staggered forward.

Grasping the opponent's right hand with both hands, she threw him with sheer force in a one-armed shoulder throw.

With a heavy thud, the ogre was slammed to the ground.

The one who was thrown didn't understand what had happened. The throw was done in a way that caused surprisingly little pain.

"Has your head cooled down?"

She asked gently, but she wasn't letting her guard down. There was a possibility he might fly into a rage and attack from here.

After all, she hadn't dealt any damage at all.

But the situation exceeded Ria's expectations in an unexpected direction.

The ogre jumped up and bowed his head, shouting in a relatively high-pitched voice.

"Anego, please make me your disciple!"

Gig the Ogre.

He was twelve years old at this time.