83-83 Sages Cup 1 (1/2)

”I hope your search for the Labyrinth of Sorrows goes well this time.

In the midst of a crowded tavern of adventurers, a half-elf woman with an eye-catchingly shaped face and a kind smile muttered to herself in front of a small, sorcerer-like man and a slender man with distinctive pale blue hair, who were sitting at the same table drinking malt liquor.

──── It was casual, just a wish for the safety of their adventure.

The small man in front of her didn't think so and put down his glass of malt liquor and said with a snicker.

”──── What are you talking about, Astira? It's going to work, of course. I'm not sure what to make of this.

In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

...... Really, how can you say such embarrassing things with impunity, Oaken? In a way, I kind of respect you ......?

”Hmm ────, you're still considered second-rate for saying things like that, Astila?　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it. You should take a lesson from me.

”Yes, yes, ......, but I'm not at all happy about being famous because of hype. It's true that your name is famous, but as a 'smelly guy who brags a lot in bars'?　I absolutely hate that kind of thing, so I'll pass.

”......, what the heck ......?

In the event that you have any kind of questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm sure you're ready to go.

”...... Yeah. I've already checked the quantity of tools and equipment I'll need.

All I need to do is pack my bag. ...... Oaken.

Most of this stuff is probably your magic gear. Can't you at least do this yourself?

Why do you always make me do it?

I'm sure you'll be fine.

You're the most skilled with magic tools out of the three of us. The right person for the job.

...... I thought you were a genius with tools.

It's a good thing that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. Be thankful.

You must be some kind of genius. It may be bloodline or constitutional, but you're more than qualified to handle my tools. ...... I'd even be willing to take you on as a servant when I get big in the future.

...... Hey, Oaken?　I'm not sure what to make of this.

It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything that might help you.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... You haven't done it yet. It's a scam.

”Hmm, you'll get it eventually. I'm a genius. It doesn't matter if I call myself that now.

”...... is. I'm really tired of talking to you, Oaken. Roy. You don't have to take this ...... stuff seriously, do you?

It's okay. Ninety percent of the time I don't listen. I'm only doing it because I feel sorry for the tools that are being handled roughly. He's usually all talk.

”What the hell, ......?

You guys have been blatantly ignoring my helpful advice for a while now. ......!

”Advice?　It's just a bunch of nonsense.

It would be more useful to listen to the birds chirping than to your unworkable words.

d*mn, ......, you're gonna cry, ......?　When you treat me that coldly, I'll ...... cry, okay?

It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web.

...... A pain in the ass. Arrogant. An eccentric who talks about himself a lot.

The two of them were the first two adventurers to form a proper party for the wacky sorcerer Oaken, who had been called that by almost everyone he met and had been shunned.

It had already been five years since the three of them had formed a party.

”......, are you sure, guys?　I'm going to be heartbroken and cry. I'm sure you'll be sad too.　Are you sure you want to go to ......?

Good.

You're free to go. But if you're going to cry, please do it over there. I don't want people to think I'm one of them.

........................

The ”Cup of Wisdom” had become a well-known party among adventurers in the northern part of the continent.

They were an uncommonly unbalanced party, consisting only of a sorcerer, a monk, and a scout.

It also had the strange distinction of having three members of different races.

──── Astira, a monk of the rare half-elf race.

──── Roy of the Lepi, a minority tribe in the northern part of the continent.

──── and the self-proclaimed genius of the human race, the sorcerer Oaken.

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do. The story begins with Roy being drawn into a ”party” of only himself (...).

A country boy, a country girl, and a freak.

The name of their party of adventurers came from a cheap silver sake cup that Oken bought from a shady street vendor shortly after they met.

──── ”The Sage's Cup”.

They were all quirky people, but they miraculously bonded with each other and developed their skills together, eventually conquering several small labyrinths.

They may have cursed each other verbally, but deep down they liked each other and trusted each other.

The Cup of Wisdom was a party so good that anyone who saw it would envy them.

I'm sure you're ready to go, so let's go.

”Haha, I'm going to break through this time. If I don't make any mistakes, this labyrinth will be a piece of cake. You can leave everything to me.

”......,” he said. Don't lose your footing in the dark this time. ...... If you fall again, I won't help you.

”Yeah, well, I'll be ...... counting on you, Roy ......?

After making their preparations, they went into the labyrinth as usual.

This time, they were going to challenge the Labyrinth of Sorrows, located in the west of the Kingdom of Crace.

It is one of the most difficult labyrinths in the world, and is said to be one of the largest labyrinths currently discovered, aside from the Labyrinth of No Return, and is extremely difficult to break through.

But ────

They really were a great party of adventurers.

The sorcerer, Oaken, was a top-notch sorcerer, despite the fact that he was considered to be a bit of a mouth-breather.

He was able to eradicate most of the demons in the labyrinth by himself, and with Astira's auxiliary magic, there was no opponent.

Roy, the scout, did not have any combat skills, but he had all the skills required of a first-class scout, such as searching for enemies, detecting danger, and detecting and guiding dangerous creatures.

If one of them made a mistake and got injured, Astira, a half-elf, could heal them quickly using her abundant magical power, and it was not unusual for them to go through several small labyrinths almost unscathed.

Even the most powerful demon called the Gatekeeper, who guarded the core of the labyrinth, could be fought without fear if the three of them fought together.

Oaken is a sorcerer who constantly fires off magic that has a destructive power that is a joke and out of the ordinary.

Astira, who specializes in wind magic and uses powerful auxiliary spells that nullify all attacks.

Roy, with his innate ability to sense danger and his quickness, is able to distract and direct attention with his calm judgment of the situation.

With their distinct roles, they were really strong when they fought together.

If they didn't make any major mistakes and fought head on, they would have no opponents, even in the depths of the labyrinth.

Thus, they defied all obstacles and reached the deepest part of the Labyrinth of Sorrows in a short time.

What is ...... this? Is it possible that this is the core of the labyrinth?

Oaken, who was the first to enter the room full of mysterious light, shouted quietly.

What they saw was the most massive core they had ever seen.

'Yeah, I guess so. It's made of the same material as the one we saw before.

...... But it's big. It's a lot bigger than anything I've ever seen.

And this room ...... feels like a strange force field. Somehow, unlike the other labyrinths, there are no demons here.

”Ha, don't be so scared, Roy. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. Let's just destroy the core and bring it back.

...... Oh, let's just get this over with and go home. We're already low on food. We'd better hurry.

And so Roy and Oaken tried to approach the giant blue crystal.

”Wait, Oaken, Roy. There's something wrong with this core.

”...... What?

──── Look out!　Get away from ────!

Astira sensed something was wrong and pushed Oaken's body away as he approached the core.

I'm not sure what's wrong with you, Astila. ────?　It's ......, are you okay?

The next thing you know, half of Astila's body has been swallowed by the blue crystal.

I'm not sure if this is ...... safe, Astila.

Yes,......, at least. But this is probably a labyrinthine trap. It feels like it's sucking the power right out of me.

d*mn it!　I thought there was no gatekeeper, but there's a trap here. ......!

...... Oaken, Roy. Don't go near it. You'll be swallowed up.

...... Astira. Can't you get out on your own?　I'm not equipped to deal with magical traps.

I don't think so. I've managed to stay here for a while, but ...... my magic has been sucked out of me. I don't think I can do anything about it.

──── Oaken, stay close and help Astira with her magic.

...... I'm on it. ......!

In a tense situation, Roy sensed a demon approaching around him.

It's not good. ...... demons are coming. There are too many of them.

I'm not sure what to do.　At a time like this, ......!

We'll take them out, Oaken. Can we do this in tandem with Astira's assistance?