Vol 1 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 1: The Fallen Girl

“——Alright, alright. I get it already; I know what you want. Let’s just talk it over a bit first, okay?”

The youth held up both his hands as he spoke.

He looked fifteen or so. Definitely not twenty.

Black hair and black eyes. Average height. A slender frame without a hint of frailty.

“As you can see, I’m clearly unarmed. I’m not here to disrupt anyone’s living, nor to poach anyone’s prey. I just wanted to see if I could find some stuff to sell. Let’s be honest here – money is pretty much the second-most important thing for daily living. I’ve recently been through some hard times, and unless I want to starve, extraordinary times call for some extraordinary measures.”

The other party ignored his long speech, and instead closed the gap between them in an instant.

He wanted nothing more than to retreat just as far, but found his back already pressed up against the wall.

“On that note, the very most important thing is, of course, life itself.”

Raising his head, he laughed disarmingly.

“And so – would it possible for you to just let me go?”

Again, the other party revealed nothing of its feelings.

It was, after all, an insectoid Void Beast in the shape of a large praying mantis. It was roughly twice his height: around three and a half meters tall. Its forelegs were like enormous sickles, and hideous mandibles sprouted forth from its triangular head.

“…How cold of you. Not one for hospitality, are you?”

Suddenly, he ducked as the Void Beast’s sickle-like forelegs slashed through the very spot his head had been a moment before.

That was a close one, he muttered to himself as he escaped forward.

The Void Beast blocked off his escape by situating its enormous body in his path. However, as a mantis, its body was raised well off the ground, propped up by its many legs – this roadblock still left some gaps. It didn’t look like running to the left or right were options, but if he could break through the middle…

He watched its bladed forelimbs close in on him, one from each side – would he make it in time?

“Oooohhhhhhhhhhh!”

Yelling, he pushed off the ground with all his strength.

Yuuki Takamigahara was a ninth-rank adventurer. A support specialist.

——To be honest, though, that description was a bit inappropriate. If you asked the person in question, he’d be the first to tell you that he had no aspirations about being an adventurer.

If you then asked him what he saw his occupation to be, he’d reply thus.

“Wealthy merchant. To be.”

“Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve failed like that.”

Yuuki sighed as he dejectedly plodded his way home.

He wore no armor. He was instead dressed in normal clothing you might find anywhere. From the looks of things, all he had to his name were the clothes on his back. A quick glance at his waist and back would reveal no weapon.

This was because his goal was not to hunt Void Beasts.

No, he ran a small shop along the main street of town where he sold a.s.sorted odds and ends. His inventory ranged from precious herbal medicines that could be harvested within the labyrinth to ores and other such things, and – of course – Reliquia.

The way Yuuki saw things, exploring the labyrinth was simply procurement of goods.

Accordingly, he shunned engaging Void Beasts in battle – retreat was his first policy. He took the utmost care to avoid setting foot anywhere a Void Beast called home. The moment he’d sense a Void Beast’s presence up ahead, he’d change direction. On the rare, unlucky occasion he’d find himself face-to-face with these monsters, he’d make a break for it as soon as he could. It was for this reason that he forewent armor, opting instead to travel as lightly as humanly possible.

The mantis beast he’d run into earlier had been unexpectedly hidden around a corner’s bend.

There was no getting around it – he’d been careless. If he’d done his utmost to keep his senses about him, he’d have heard it coming.

“I guess when your spirits are low, your ability to concentrate is as well…”

Entering the labyrinth earlier in the day, his hopes had been high. G.o.d only knew he needed it – recently, his luck had been abysmally poor. Forget Reliquia, he had failed even to find any hint of either the medicinal herbs or ores that he usually sold.

Given the rapidly fading condition of his light stone, he estimated he’d been in the labyrinth for roughly six hours; it would soon be midday.

If he didn’t head back now, it’d wreck his other plans for the day. He had other work scheduled for the afternoon. The wages weren’t bad, so there was no way he could afford to put it off.

“That said, I can’t just return home empty-handed. I at least need something…”

Muttering to himself as he scanned the area, he caught sight of something ahead of him.

Lifting his light stone for a better angle, he continued forward.

“Cloth…?”

Perhaps the victim of a Void Beast, it was now nothing but ragged, tattered junk.

Or maybe not… a Reliquia which held Wisdivine energy, even if it was really just high-quality fabric, was still valuable.

Gently lifting the piece of fabric, Yuuki saw luxurious, golden hair laying beneath.

“…Not cloth then. A robe?”

It was the kind of loose-fitting robe that a cleric or priest might wear. The part he held now looked to be the hood.

Where there were clothes, there was, of course, a person wearing them.

“——It looks like she lost consciousness and collapsed here…”

He took her small body in his arms.

She groaned softly. She still lived.

She looked to be in her early teens. In the weak light of his light stone, and through the dirt smearing her face, he caught sight of delicate, beautiful features. The impression he felt from her was almost sacred.

Checking quickly, he was rea.s.sured to see that her condition was nearly the opposite of her ragged clothing – there was no evidence of grievous injury that he could see.

Looking ahead, he noted the single path of footprints. She’d likely stumbled along, before finally collapsing here as her strength gave out. That seemed to make sense.

“That said… What on Earth is a girl doing here all by herself?” Yuuki asked himself, head skewed in thought.

What should he do in this situation? Then again, it’s not like he had all that many options. Things being what they were, it wasn’t like he could simply continue on his journey of procurement.

Well, there’s no helping it, he sighed, lifting the girl onto his back.

The sound of her breathing echoing in his ear was both shallow and rapid, but it didn’t seem like she was in any immediate danger. The reason for her fainting was likely simply exhaustion and hunger. Thankfully, she was very pet.i.te, and he felt no added burden from carrying her on his back.

The journey back to the surface was otherwise uneventful. Emerging, the light of the midday sun stung his eyes.

Glancing at his surroundings, the occasional church knight standing guard or adventurer party could be seen.

Near the entrance to the labyrinth was a medical clinic for adventurers. As he considered depositing her into their care—

“Mm… Ah…”

The girl on his back stirred.

“…Where…Where am I?”

“In town. We’ve returned to the entrance of the labyrinth. You collapsed within… Do you remember that?”

“Town…?”

The girl suddenly forced herself up.

“A city! Oh, this is Solitus – my city! How joyous! Blessings be upon this city and its people! Come, my children, pay your respects to your patron s.h.i.+nki!”

Her words were followed with an uproarious “Ahahahaha!”

At her sudden, unexpected, and strange behavior, Yuuki was left speechless, his mouth gaping open wordlessly.

——Eventually, he took notice of the crowd which had slowly gathered, their attention focused in his direction.

Solitus.

This city had been founded in honor of the world’s patron deities: the Heavenly King and his five subordinate G.o.ddesses – the “s.h.i.+nki who Supports the Sky,” the “s.h.i.+nki who Raises the Sun,” the “s.h.i.+nki Crowned with the Moon,” the “s.h.i.+nki who Scatters the Stars,” and the “s.h.i.+nki who Guards the Earth.”

Reaching into the depths far below Solitus was a vast labyrinthine s.p.a.ce, known more commonly as the Magna PortaGreat Gate.

Seeking those mysterious tools imbued with unimaginable powers – the Reliquia – an innumerable horde of adventurers with the utmost confidence in their own abilities raided the labyrinth day and night, testing themselves in the refiner’s fire.

Some dreamt of instant wealth.

Some sought to express their pious devotion to their patron s.h.i.+nki.

Some sought only to fill their hollow stomachs.

——Adventurers.

As Yuuki continued along with the girl on his back, she alternated between making insane declarations and laughing heartily.

“Why the rush, my child? Tina wishes to gaze upon this fair city.”

Ignoring the mad ramblings of his baggage, Yuuki continued on until arriving finally at his home, the “Shoppe Boris.” Entering, he slammed the door shut and drew the bolt.

“So this is to be the temple wherein I shall dwell?”

The girl looked around excitedly, utterly ignoring Yuuki, whom was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily.

“Fat chance. This is my home.”

“Yours? ——No matter. You need not fear that I shall make any undue requests for extravagance. For where Tina is, even such is made a palace of the divine – yea, even a temple.”[1]

She nodded lightly.

“…So, Tina’s your name then?”

“Yes, though to be most precise, it is ‘Albertina’. The sound ‘Tina’ fills me with the utmost delight, however. You have my permission to call me by this name. Speaking of which, first disciple of this s.h.i.+nki, what is your name?”

“Yuuki. Takamigahara.”

“Yuuki. Ta, Tamiga… Tatamira… Takarami, Tara…?”

Crooking her neck in frustration, she at last bestowed him with a benevolent smile.

“It is a good name.”

“So you bit your tongue a bunch, only to just give up like that? ——Whatever, it’s fine. Anyway, you’ve been going on over and over with ‘s.h.i.+nki this’ and ‘s.h.i.+nki that’ – are you sure you didn’t hit your head and lose your memory or something back in the labyrinth?”

“How could that possibly have happened? Why would you ask such a thing?”

“Well, let’s leave that for another time. For now, you need to understand that the s.h.i.+nki you speak of are an absolute existence to those of faith.”

“Guardians of the city, guides of the people. Yes, I know.”

“Hence the problem. Declaring yourself a s.h.i.+nki in the middle of the city – people will think you’re insane!”

That wasn’t all – if she’d been seen by the deeply pious, she’d likely have become the victim of a little mob justice. Worse, if she’d been discovered by the Church of the Five Holies, then she’d have been labeled a sinner, and in the worst case, beheaded. It didn’t matter which eventuality actually occurred – none were pretty.

“I don’t know the particulars of your situation, but at the very least, you need to stop that kind of talk already.”

“In this city, a s.h.i.+nki is not allowed to declare her status?”

“No.”

“Huh…”

For a time, she frowned in silence, seemingly unable to accept his words. Soon, however, the smile returned to her face. She seemed to have given up worrying about the matter.

“Alright, then. No point worrying about it now. Tina would like to rest now. Yuuki, I’d like to request a place to sleep!”

Entrances to the Magna PortaGreat Gate could be found scattered all around outside the city borders.

It didn’t need to be said that normal citizens were not granted entry. The entrances were all surrounded by thick, stone walls. These led to a metal gate which was guarded by knights of the Church of the Five Holies.

“Hmm? I thought you’d already left for the day? Did you forget something? ——Actually, are you feeling alright? You look pretty exhausted,” a guard Yuuki was familiar with asked him, as he arrived once more at the entrance to the labyrinth.

He really was worn out. Mentally, anyway.

“No, I’ve got some other work I need to get to.”

Yuuki answered just the first of the questions.

Behind him stood around a dozen youth. The youngest was barely a child of 10, while the oldest was 21.

“Given up the adventurer life to be a nanny, have you?”

“Like h.e.l.l. This is a temp job the training school a.s.signed me. Anyway, it’s like I’ve told you before: I’m not an adventurer, I’m a merchant. The only kind of magic I work involves numbers and money.”

“Well, you certainly seem lively enough. Looks like you’ll be fine this year?”

An innocent smile bloomed on the stern face of the young knight.

“I’ll be fine… Meaning what exactly?”

“Your name was on the church tax bureau’s list. Your taxes for the past year are in arrears, so do be careful.”

“…”

“Sensei, what does ‘in arrears’ mean?” asked the youngest child of the group.

“…It’s just one small way that the poor stick it to the man, Mark.”

“Make sure that your ‘sticking it to the man’ stays at a level where your store goods don’t get confiscated. ——Changing the topic a bit, what’s with the kids?”

“They’re here to observe, Commander.”

A cold voice cut in, coming from the female knight serving as second-in-command.

“The Adventurer Training School’s Eastern Branch has already sent over the seventeen required licenses. Please hurry them on through; they’re blocking traffic.”

“Oh my, you’re right. Well then, please head on through. Do your best to learn, alright? ——Oh, also, Yuuki…”

“What’s up?”

“The Oath Legions have apparently been involved in a major incident. I know you don’t really have anything to do with them, but these last few days, they’ve been even more neurotic than normal. Do me a favor and be careful, alright?”

In this city, the occupation of adventurer was held in high regard.

The Church of the Five Holies, which was devoted to the wors.h.i.+p of the s.h.i.+nki, was the dominant power in the city, and not only operated schools of academic instruction, but the adventurer training school as well. There was no age limit imposed, but generally speaking trainees were between the ages of ten and twenty.

Although it wasn’t strictly necessary to enroll to become a licensed adventurer, but it proved advantageous, both in terms of knowledge and practical experience. Pretty much all the adventurers of note these days were graduates of the training school.

Yuuki was here as an a.s.sistant, helping the instructor with a.s.sorted tasks such as managing the roll. With a large organization like the church as his employer, his wages were quite fair. Because his store had been struggling, this job provided his primary source of income.

Today’s job was a trip to the labyrinth. The idea was to give the kids a chance to visit the workplace of an adventurer.

Yuuki’s job, however, ended now that he’d brought the students to this point. The instructor from the Church was running a little late, though, and so Yuuki was his stand-in until he arrived.

Yuuki wasn’t entirely fond of the part of his job which required him to babysit a bunch of kids, but understanding that it was what he was being paid to do, he didn’t have anything to complain about.

For now, he needed to put the stranger sleeping in his house out of his mind, and focus on his work.

“Okay, listen up!”

After taking the children through the metal gate, he clapped his hands to draw their attention and spoke.

“This is the entrance to the labyrinth, Magna PortaGreat Gate. We’re going to wait here for a bit. The instructor from the Church will arrive shortly. At that point, training will begin, so you do not have the freedom to run around. ——Now then, please wait here.”

Though this was not the peak time for raiding, adventurer parties were nonetheless gathered nearby.

The area within the walls was a plaza roughly fifty meters in diameter. In the center lay a small building which looked like a chapel. Within was a series of steps leading underground, recessed about five meters into the ground.

The origin of the labyrinth, its entrance, and the timing of their construction were open questions.

The one thing that was understood was that plumbing the depths of this labyrinth was a worthwhile endeavor.

Suddenly——

“The h.e.l.l you doing?!”

A rage-filled voice roared.

A cowering boy had been surrounded by a large man and what appeared to be his adventurer companions. It seemed he’d accidentally run into them, in his excitement.

“Uh, um, I’m sorr——”

“What was that?! I couldn’t hear you!”

The armor of the large man bore the emblem of the “Star’s Oath Legion.” Yuuki frowned.

The “Oath Legions” were groups of adventurers who served directly under the s.h.i.+nki. The cream of the crop, joining a Legion was the goal of many of an adventurer. However, as the requirements focused on overwhelming strength and ability, it wasn’t necessarily the case that a Legion member was also a person of character.

“You’re a trainee, right? Are you serious? Don’t tell me you think ‘sorry’ is going to cut it when you run into a Void Beast in here. Do you think they’d simply let you go with that?”

Yuuki sighed and walked over.

“Hey, sorry about that. Looks like the kids I’m watching have given you a bit of trouble.”

As he spoke, he tried to smile the friendliest smile he could.

“Haa?”

The pupils of the man’s eyes flitted over to glare at Yuuki.

“Could you let him go with that? He’s already reflecting on his actions. Isn’t that right, Edgar?”

“Y-yes. Um, I’m really sorry about just now.”

The boy, lively with a heart full of mischief just a moment prior, now looked about ready to burst into tears.

“…Fine. I forgive you.”

“I really appreciate that. Right then, let’s go——”

“Hold it. I said I forgave the kid; I never said anything about his teacher. You’re his supervisor, so you’re responsible for his actions, right?”

It looks like things have taken a turn for the troublesome, Yuuki thought to himself.

“Well, that much is certainly true. So? What would you like me to do?”

“Spar with me for a bit.”

The man smiled, baring his yellow teeth.

“I haven’t had a chance to fight any Void Beasts lately, so my body feels a bit out of sorts. If we spar a bit without any weapons, it should be just fine. Isn’t that right, Teach?”

In other words, he was picking a fight. The man’s goal was to beat him to a pulp before his students. What bad taste.

“…Huh. Well, I guess it can’t be helped, can it? Alright.”

Yuuki sighed and slowly rolled his sleeves up.

“You know you’re going to regret this, right Jumbo?”

“We’ll see how long that confidence lasts.”

The man spat. From the looks of things, Yuuki’s refusal to be intimidated had soured his fun.

“Show him what’s what”, “Kick his a.s.s” —— the man’s party members called out mockingly.

The bustling crowd of spectators grew. The adventurers were excited to spectate an event which they didn’t have to bear any responsibility for. Yuuki’s students, however, were filled with unease.

“Oh, right. There’s something I should say before we begin.”

Once the man had made eye contact, Yuuki continued.

“The first hit determines the victor. ——You get that, you brats? Watch carefully. Sensei’s going to show you how a real adventurer fights.”

“What did you say—?!”

His personality seemed the kind that could be easily baited. His face flus.h.i.+ng in anger, he charged forward and swung his fist with all his might.

“Oraaaaaaaaaa!”

“Guhaaaaaaaaaa!”

Yuuki took the full brunt of the blow directly to the face, and was thrown into the air. He spun a full rotation and a half before finally falling face-down to the floor.

“——What the h.e.l.l? He sounded like he was pretty confident in himself, but he’s this weak?” the man mocked.

“…”

“Talk about blowing hot air, seriously. Can you really be an instructor like that?”

“…”

“Having a beansprout like you for a teacher, what’s their future——”

The man’s confident voice suddenly cut off mid-sentence.

This entire time, Yuuki had yet to lift himself from off the ground. Moreover, his body suddenly began to convulse disturbingly.

“Hey, hey, don’t tell me something’s wrong?”

“Maybe you hit him somewhere bad…?”

“…s.h.i.+t, what’s happening now?”

The man and his party members worriedly discussed his condition among themselves.

Disregarding what went on within the labyrinth itself, the murder of someone out here was something that even a member of an Oath Legion would have to bear responsibility for. The laws forbade fights for personal reasons, something the Church knights from public security would not overlook.

“——I-I’ll let you off with that. Watch yourself next time!”

The man and his companions left those words as they hurried away.

The children encircled their fallen a.s.sistant instructor from a distance, not a one daring to make a move. Finally, one girl summoned up the nerve to approach.

“Uh, Yuuki-sensei?”

“Puha!”

Yuuki suddenly lifted his head, gasping forcefully. Flipping agilely into a handstand, he gently touched down on the ground once more. “Uoooh,” his students exclaimed in surprise.

“Sure-kill technique ‘Play Dead’—— The key to the technique is in the rotation of the body as well as the trembling of the hands and feet. If your opponent was just looking to pick a fight, they’ll definitely be frightened off.”

“You say ‘sure-kill’ but no one died…”

“Exactly right, Kaya.”

Yuuki nodded deeply.

“The target of this ‘sure-kill’ technique is the enemy’s desire to fight.”

Hearing his words, the girl didn’t know if this was a joke she was supposed to laugh at or advice that she could sincerely respect. Instead, her confusion made itself evident as a most complicated expression took hold of her face.

“Feel free to add this technique to your repertoire, but you guys need to remember that it only works if your opponent’s human. Don’t bother trying it on a Void Beast – you won’t survive the experience. ——Anyway, as I said beforehand, the first hit determined the victor. The other guy ran with his tail between his legs, wholeheartedly regretting his actions. In other words, it’s my victory. Hahahaha.”

Sticking his chest out proudly, Yuuki gave a jolly laugh. The crowd quickly scattered, bored by the result.

“…Um, so what we just saw – was that the ‘way a real adventurer fights’?” one boy asked, dissatisfaction evident on his face.

“Yep, that’s right, Beginning-cla.s.s Trainee Edgar.”

“But——”

“Alright, listen up. This is a good opportunity for me to teach you guys something. ——Let me ask you all something: what do you think is the foremost goal an adventurer should have?”

“Ooh, ooh, that’s to bring home a loooot of Reliquia as offerings to the s.h.i.+nki!”

Kaya, who stood in the front, acted as the group’s representative in answering his question.

“A perfect textbook answer. Too bad it’s wrong.”

“…Why?”

“Let me frame that question a little differently. Do you guys think the Duelists are pretty cool?”

Everyone nodded pretty much simultaneously. Moreover, a sparkle could be seen in the eyes of the boys.

“The strongest has gotta be the ‘Snow Blade King’.”

“He’s gone already. No, the strongest is the ‘Thousand-Eyed Witch’.”

“Oh, don’t forget the ‘Iron Claw Tiger’ and the ‘Black Demon’——”

“Right, right, I get it. Let’s just leave it at that for now,” Yuuki interrupted.

“I know you guys very much aspire to be Duelists. They’re strong enough to easily crush a horde of Void Beasts, to single handedly clear out the entire labyrinth. Plays and novels even star them in central roles. ——But let’s put them out of our minds for just a moment. The level they’ve attained isn’t something normal humans can emulate – trying to copy them is a shortcut to a bad end. No, the original purpose adventurers served was not that of the Duelists, who wander the land acc.u.mulating valorous merits left and right, and leaving behind a legacy that stands the test of time.”

He paused for a moment before continuing.

“What is the first and most important duty an adventurer carries? ——The answer is ‘to live.’ Even if you fail to bring home a Reliquia on a given trip, someone who survives to see another day might well bring home two the next. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been humiliated, or if you have to abandon what Reliquia you’ve collected – none of that matters. One thing, and one thing only, is of importance – you must not die.”

The majority of the kids were stunned.

At school they’d been taught to “gamble their very souls in order to bring back Reliquia for the s.h.i.+nki.”

Though they saw the truth in his words, not one had previously so much as spared a thought along those lines.

“Now then, in order to continue living, what is the one thing that is absolutely essential? Beliefs? The blessings of the s.h.i.+nki? Like h.e.l.l. The second you enter the labyrinth, there’s only one thing you can rely on – yourself. Does that mean that what’s most important is strength, then? Well, that kind of thinking isn’t wrong. But great strength used at the wrong time, the wrong place, or for the wrong reasons is meaningless. That’s why this is my answer – ‘weigh the pros and cons’.”

This time, the trainees simply blinked vacantly.

“In other words, it’s important to understand before you act what the consequences will be: what will be lost, what will be gained. For example, imagine there’s an enormous Void Beast standing guard over a particular Reliquia. Do you fight it? Do you give up? Figure out some stratagem to lead it away? Ask for help? Every situation will be different, and it’s possible that at varying times, every one of those answers might be correct. If you’re clear on the extent of your abilities, and the time comes when you need to prioritize your own life, you’ll better be able to judge what you need to do. ——As you just saw, I carefully weighed my options just now, and here I am – still alive. If I’d won, would his friends have simply left me alone? This, too, was another way in which I won the larger victory.”

Yuuki watched as the expressions on the faces of some of the trainees changed. Eh? His words don’t seem to carry any persuasive power anymore. Forget him.

“The more precarious the situation, the more careful consideration is necessary before you act. It’s only when you’re left with no other option, no other recourse, that you should place your trust in the s.h.i.+nki – in your faith. Truth be told, most of the time you’re better off not worrying about the s.h.i.+nki at all. Whether you agree or not, there’s no harm in simply remembering what I’ve shared with you just now. ——Oh, just one thing: don’t tell anyone I’ve said this to you – I’ll get yelled at.”

Because the training school was run by the church, the instructors were taken from among the ranks of the faithful. If they found out what he’d said, they’d obviously be less than pleased.

“Oh, don’t worry about that; we won’t tell anyone. It’s just that…”

Looking guilty, Kaya pointed timidly at Yuuki’s back as she spoke.

Hmm? Yuuki turned his head to glance behind him.

Standing immediately behind him was the middle-aged, a.s.sistant head priest – today’s instructor – glaring murderously at him.

“Uh, don’t get me wrong!”

Yuuki leapt to his feet and straightened out his posture.