The Crimson Swordmage

The city-state of Jaeburg, similar to Shashmeer, was a city that came into existence as a trading hub for magic stones and magic crystals produced in the labyrinth.

Only merchants and explorers visited it. Very rarely, foolish heroes would appear aiming to slay the Dragon, but they all ended up as corpses.

The Dark Labyrinth. Its lord was none other than Dark Dragon Valis.

The companion of Founder Leyte Anaia, it was the strongest existence on the continent. It was said that its power even exceeded a god's.

There was an entry tax to pay when entering the city, along with some brief questioning.

"You don't look like merchants… are you explorers?"

It was understandable to be questioned. Hellhound aside, having an obvious child among the explorers was quite unusual.

"No, our Ojou says she wants to see the Dragon."

The guard looked at them with an exasperated expression.

"Flying Dragons aside, Dragons aren't easy to come across. And if you do encounter one, it's usually instant death. Be careful out there."

It was a cold way of putting it, but at least it was better than having someone annoyingly tag along.

The town of Jaeburg overflowed with more power than Shashmeer.

Among the people coming and going, many were clearly explorers, and their skill level seemed to surpass even those of Labyrinth City.

Above all, there were many people with strong magical power. Even those who appeared to be pure warriors probably used body enhancement magic.

They left the wagon and horses at an inn a guard told them about and headed to the guild. Rudolph was to be left at the guild's familiar-exclusive stable. They planned to have it accompany them into the labyrinth.

When they opened the guild's doors, it was like another world.

That was just a metaphor. A large number of shady-looking men and a smaller number of shady-looking women turned their attention to the newly entering group. And then they froze.

Because the first one to enter was Ria.

A beautiful girl rarely seen this far out. Her beauty had been increasingly polished since hatching from the egg, though it wasn't something her companions often mentioned.

However, to the vulgar men of this city, she looked like a dazzling treasure.

Before she could reach the guild's counter, a man appeared and blocked Ria's path.

"What brings an Ojou-chan to a place like this?"

His expression was nothing but vulgar and lustful.

Ria thought her age should have prevented such reactions, but in this case, her physical development backfired on her.

"That's none of your concern."

As she said that and tried to pass by, another man blocked her way.

At about this point, Ria's short temper was on the verge of snapping.

Carlos and Gig panicked. During their recent rough journey, they had come to understand that Ria had become warlike.

And Gig was just as warlike himself.

"Hey bastards, don't get in Anego's way."

Despite Gig's large build as he said that, the delinquents didn't seem particularly intimidated.

Either their senses had gone numb, or they had some skill. Either reason seemed plausible.

"If it's them, An-chan can easily win, so it's fine to go wild."

Serge leisurely spoke to Carlos after using Identify, but that seemed to irritate the small fry even more.

"What did you say, brat!"

"You guys are level 32 and 34, right? Carlos An-chan is 67, you know."

Serge waved his mage's staff with a flourish as he spoke. It was proof that he'd used Identify magic.

"Bring it on, bastard!"

"We'll take you on!"

"Don't draw your weapons!"

A voice came from the guild counter, but no one tried to stop it.

From there, it was a fairly standard development.

Carlos and Gig took on one opponent each bare-handed, beat them up thoroughly, and threw them out of the guild.

"Man, I'm glad I learned hand-to-hand combat from Ojou."

"Absolutely."

The two exchanged a high-five.

Ria was finally about to head to register, but there was still someone blocking her path.

It was a woman. No, perhaps it was better to call her a girl given her age.

She was probably older than Ria, but her brazen expression was reminiscent of a seasoned explorer.

Fiery short red hair. Her armor was red to match. Comparing her to the all-black Ria made for an interesting contrast.

"Not bad, your guards."

The appraising gaze wasn't unpleasant, because the girl was beautiful.

They weren't guards but a watchdog and an apprentice, but there was no particular need to correct her. Ria observed the girl in front of her.

A sword hung at her waist. Her stance was shoulder-width apart. The position of her hips, the line of her shoulders. Ria judged her swordsmanship skill to be considerable.

Using Identify would make things clear, but Ria believed it was also important to sense these things from one's overall atmosphere.

(Stronger than Carlos, maybe?)

"Is there anything else?"

She was interested in the beautiful girl before her, but she wanted to register first.

"Well, those guys who just got thrown out are my underlings."

Her eyes gleamed fiercely.

"If I let them go down like that, I'd lose face."

It was a self-serving excuse. In response, Ria held up two fingers.

"First, your side started it. Second, knights don't cut women."

That was logical. But in this town, logic didn't seem to work.

No one tried to stop it. Rather, they were just egging them on. Carlos and Gig exchanged glances, but neither wanted to fight a young girl.

"What matters in this town is face and strength. Quit your whining and fight me."

Ria spun around in a circle. Her eyes spoke volumes. They were sparkling brilliantly.

She was genuinely enjoying this troublesome situation.

Carlos and Gig could only nod in response.

"Very well. I'll be your opponent."

This was unexpected for the other girl as well.

"You? If I fight an Ojou-chan, my name as the 'Crimson Swordmage' Shizuna will be ruined."

"I don't care."

Towards the opponent who had given her two names, Ria walked up casually. Shizuna was unnerved by her completely nonchalant movements.

Before she knew it, they were within punching distance.

Ria extended her hand. Shizuna brushed away the hand reaching toward her face as if to block her vision.

Catching the hand that tried to brush her away, Ria rotated.

"Uah!"

Facing a joint lock, Shizuna threw herself to the ground.

Ria looked down at Shizuna, who was now on her knees. Seeing the smile spread across Ria's face, blood rushed to Shizuna's head.

"Fine. Let's take this outside."

Being taken down so easily and letting it slide would mean losing face. Moreover, her opponent was laughing mockingly at her.

That was Shizuna's misunderstanding.

Even among her companions, only Lulu and Carlos knew about Ria's bad habit.

Bringing down arrogant youngsters who overestimated their own strength. Among Casalia Kingdom's knights and soldiers, many had fallen victim to this.

At times like those, Ria would show a very pleasant smile.

"This is getting interesting."

Ria laughed even more as she headed outside the guild. Lulu put her hand to her forehead and looked up at the sky.

A spectacle began on the street in front of the guild.

Shizuna rushed out and drew her sword. It was a mithril magic sword tinged with red light.

"Nee-chan, that sword's pretty dangerous."

Serge didn't elaborate further. Against Ria, who had defeated the level 125 Ogre King and had grown even stronger since, he thought additional information was unnecessary.

Besides, according to Identify, the sword's power shouldn't be effective against Ria.

The crowd encircling the street was irresponsibly comparing the two. But no one gave a high rating to Ria, who had just arrived in town that day.

Shizuna, who had earned two names, was often underestimated due to her youth and appearance.

Each time, she had fought with fists or blades, making a name for herself in this town.

But all her opponents until now had possessed skill that was apparent from their appearance. Being looked down upon by a girl around her own age and similar in height was something that should never happen.

"Draw your blade."

Ria was about to say she was fine as is, but thought it would be pitiable to fight her bare-handed.

She smoothly drew her katana. The well-maintained blade shone beautifully under the sunlight.

It was an unusual curved sword, but her standing pose looked the part. Shizuna's head cooled down a bit.

"By the way, swinging weapons around in such a crowded place, won't the patrol arrest us?"

It was a belated question, but an important one.

"As long as you don't involve bystanders, it's fine even if someone dies, so long as both parties agree!"

A voice came from the crowd. Ria smiled and nodded toward them.

Then there was no problem. She would enjoy this thoroughly.

"Come at me. I'll play with you."

Shizuna's face was dyed with the red of fury.

"Die!"

She suddenly lunged with a full-force thrust.

Ria's Nagasone Kotetsu deflected it.

Their positions had switched.

"Come to think of it, I haven't introduced myself."

Ria still wore a smile. But it wasn't one that mocked her opponent.

"I am Ria. As for my second name…"

It was simply a smile that enjoyed battle.

"I'll think about it at leisure after I defeat you."