The Labyrinth City

In the end, they ended up staying in the ogre village for a week.

That was how long it took for Ria's wounds to heal and for her to recover.

And so Gig joined the party as a companion.

As a parting gift, the Ogre King gave Ria a letter of introduction to an influential person in the Labyrinth City, along with a katana he had obtained from the labyrinth long ago.

"When I was young, I challenged it with five companions. We made it to the ninth floor, but the other five died by then."

Thinking about carrying back their equipment and the treasures they'd gathered up to that point, he had no choice but to give up on going further.

Even so, he had confirmed what the boss of the ninth floor was, but judged it was impossible.

"A Hydra."

It was a creature that would earn you the title of hero for defeating it. And that was only the ninth floor. Supposedly it ended at the tenth floor, but if something was stronger than a Hydra, the only thing that came to mind was a dragon.

They were also able to gather various other information, making it an unexpectedly productive time.

The journey progressed smoothly. Monsters did appear, but Serge mainly used magic to turn them into delicious experience points.

Ria was playing with Matsukaze, but when goblins showed up, Matsukaze would trample them to death with his hooves.

"Matsukaze's level went up…"

Serge was surprised, but of course a horse could level up too.

Beyond the gentle hills they crossed, the Labyrinth City came into view.

"Ohhh, it's huge!"

Serge exclaimed in admiration. The Labyrinth City had a population of roughly 100,000. Half of them were explorers.

It had massive walls comparable to Anaias, partly to defend against invasion from outside, but also to prepare for monsters overflowing from the labyrinth. Though apparently such a thing had never actually happened.

After paying a fairly steep entry fee of one silver coin per person, they entered and immediately felt the overwhelming heat and bustle.

"Wow, adventurers!"

Setting aside the excited Serge, the group headed toward the address of the person they'd been introduced to.

Heading north through the town, the foot traffic gradually decreased, while the attire of passersby became more ordinary.

The buildings also became clearly more luxurious along the way. The address they arrived at was a grand mansion occupying an entire block.

"Gig's gramps sure has amazing connections!"

The Labyrinth City was an independent city not belonging to any nation, but the person the Ogre King had introduced them to was essentially its mayor.

"I'm happy we can let Matsukaze and the others relax."

While Ria said such carefree things, Carlos, who had been pushed forward as their representative, was sweating nervously.

As a knight of a major nation, he was certainly easy to see as a leader, after all.

"Pleased to meet you. I am Klaus, the mayor of this city."

"Carlos Lushen, of the First Division of the Casalia Royal Knights."

Gesturing toward Ria standing behind him:

"This is my liege—"

"Ryukereiana Christor Casalia. While in this city, I'll go by Reiana Christor."

Klaus's expression at that moment was something to behold.

"… Surely you jest."

"In Casalia, impersonating royalty is a crime punishable by death. It's understandable you find it hard to believe, but it is the truth."

Carlos said this with an utterly expressionless face.

Klaus turned to look at Ria's face, blinked several times, then spoke.

"Well, well… During your stay, please allow us to offer you our finest hospitality."

"I appreciate it. We intend to dive into the labyrinth, so please look after the horses while we're gone."

Klaus's expression froze in surprise again.

"The labyrinth… you say?"

"Yes. We came here for training, after all."

For the time being, Carlos and Gig would train with the mansion's guards.

Lulu would also stay behind as their healer. Though she was worried Carlos might get himself hurt on purpose.

Ria and Serge set out together to sightsee around town.

Serge had said he wanted magic books, and Ria had the goal of looking for weapons.

"Still, this is pretty fantasy-like. Since I only knew countryside towns until now, I'm a bit moved."

"Anaias is even more urban. When we get back, I'll show you around."

While chatting, they visited various shops, and Serge managed to get his hands on several desired grimoires.

Ria didn't buy a katana, but she did purchase several throwing knives.

"Guess I'll have to teach the Japanese katana forging methods and have a dwarf make one."

"Nee-chan, do you actually know how to make a Japanese katana?"

"I've never actually forged one, but I know the process. Well, there are many techniques that have been lost to time, though."

Then Ria began sharing her knowledge about Japanese katanas. While a bit exasperated, Serge responded with appropriate reactions.

They bought meat skewers from a street stall and ate while walking. In a festival-like mood, the two arrived at a plaza, and that was when they happened to see it.

"Ugh."

"A slave market, huh. Casalia has slavery too, but at least it's properly regulated…"

There were criminal slaves and debt slaves, but they had something close to human rights. That was the kind of country Casalia was.

However, slaves in Shashmeer were apparently treated as objects rather than people.

Covered in dust, covered in blood, wearing nothing but a scrap of cloth, they were put up on the stage.

For two people with modern Japanese values, it was hard to look at directly.

"What's Casalia's system like?"

"In Casalia, slave prices are properly fixed. There's no auction-style bidding like this, and they're paid wages. If you carelessly hurt them, it's treated as a normal assault crime."

Muscular combat slaves, beautiful pleasure slaves—one after another, they were auctioned off.

"Nee-chan, let's go. This is in bad taste."

"You're right."

So if that slave had been put up for auction just one item later—

"Now, the next slave is a cat beastman female, 12 years old. She has labyrinth exploration experience and possesses Fairy Eyes—quite a bargain!"

A small, dejected cat beastman was brought up onto the stage.

Black fur all over her body. Golden eyes.

The bidding started at 12 gold coins and quickly rose to 15.

Ah. That cat is—

"16 coins!"

Among the deep voices of the bidding men, Ria's voice rang out clearly.

The crowd's attention gathered on her. In contrast to Serge, who was flustered and panicking, Ria stared straight at the slave.

That black cat was not a domesticated cat. She was an elegant, cunning, defiant stray.

A black-furred cat with golden eyes.

In the end, Ria won the slave for 20 gold coins.

"Now then, shall we proceed with the slave contract?"

The merchant smiled pleasantly while rubbing his hands together.

Ria didn't look his way at all, instead observing the cat beastman who had become her slave.

Disheveled fur, a scar on one ear. No strength in her eyes, head bowed, not trying to look this way. Her whiskers drooped.

"No, I'll take her home as is."

"Huh? But, that carries the risk of escape…"

"It's fine. You, what's your name?"

For the first time, the cat beastman raised her face.

To Serge, it was hard to tell the age of beastfolk, but she certainly still had traces of youth.

Her expression held confusion. The perfectly natural question of a person treated as a slave.

She said she would take the slave without a contract. What would she do if the slave ran away?

"Your name. Do you understand?"

The outstretched hand made the beastman flinch. But Ria's hand was stroking her head with surprising gentleness.

Not caring about the filth or the smell.

Eventually, the beastman raised her face and looked directly at Ria.

"It's Maal."

"I'm Ria. Nice to meet you."

It was the gentlest voice Serge had ever heard from Ria.