"Satou, I..." Zena glanced at Arisa, who gave up on eavesdropping to stand and point to her new brooch. She still looked determined despite the bright red blush on her face as she turned back to Satou. "...I...um...I have a request for you!"
"What is it? I'd be more than happy to help, if I can." "
"I want to get stronger. Strong enough to protect someone..." So it wasn't a love confession after all. I know Arisa is relieved, but she doesn't have to start giggling. Zena wore a serious expression as she continued. "So please teach me! I want to know how to get stronger like you and your party!"
"...How to get stronger?" I guess even Satou was surprised as he answered incredulously.
I heard someone sigh in relief and was surprised to see it came from Liza, who quickly blushed and turned away. But as long as Zena doesn't want Satou to power level her, it should be fine to train her a little. Since Zena is so diligent, she probably just wanted to know the best ways to get stronger on her own. I can't blame her for feeling weak when she just recently came close to death.
"Yes, I know it's a lot to ask..." Zena continued sounding more nervous. Her head lowered, and her voice shrank. "But please! I'll do anything, I swear..."
Arisa started muttering words like "homewrecker" and tried to move, but I stopped her. It didn't help that Zena said she'll do anything with such an earnest expression.
"Don't worry, Miss Zena. I would be happy to teach you." Satou patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Besides, a young lady your age shouldn't make promises like, 'I'll do anything."
"I-I'm so sorry," Zena said quickly, lowering her head.
"Let's see. How to get stronger..."
"Yes, please. Could you at least tell me whatever you're comfortable sharing?"
"We don't do anything so unusual that it needs to be kept a secret," Satou answered after a moment of thought. "As you know, Liza, Pochi, and Tama raised their levels a decent amount in the labyrinth below Seiryuu City, but the other girls have slowly built up experience by training with experts we met on our journey, fighting monsters and bandits we ran into on the road, and so on. Once we reached Labyrinth City, we started staying in the labyrinth for days on end, constantly fighting monsters around the girls' level or slightly higher. It seems like the best way to make the most of the experience is to fight lots of different kinds of strong enemies."
We worked out that it takes defeating twenty monsters of the same level as you to level up. Even just a few levels below that could add ten to twenty more monsters you would need to slay to level up. Mia is an exception to that rule, though. Elves require almost twice as much experience as everyone else does to level up, so she had to do a little extra hunting while the others were preparing food to keep up.
"E-erm, Satou...Silverlight told me that most ex-plorers don't attempt to battle enemies as strong or stronger than themselves and that they only fight enemies they can defeat safely, since it would be a huge loss if they were injured. Was that wrong?"
"No, that's true," Satou replied, confusing Zena.
What the Silverlight told her was true, but only if your goal was to make a living from going into the labyrinth. You can't earn if you were injured after all, and despite recently making a cheaper potion, not everyone can afford one. Ayaume had to work in a bar when Kajiro hurt his leg.
"Which is why I made adjustments so that they could fight stronger enemies, too." Zena waited for Satou to explain. "I equipped my group with the best armour possible so they wouldn't get hurt, stocked up on potions and recovery methods in case anything went wrong..."
Calling the equipment the best possible is still an understatement. With our equipment, we could fight demons in that thing and stand a good chance of coming out of the fight unscathed, especially at their current levels.
"...and gathered information."
"Information?"
"That's right. I studied the labyrinth's terrain and the distribution of monsters, investigated which monsters would appear in the area we were entering, and shared all that information with my group. We also made advanced preparations to ensure that they wouldn't have to fight multiple enemies at once."
Information that Satou's cheat skills can easily find out. But information is worth more than any treasure in a place filled with deadly monsters and traps, so no matter how you can get it, you need to gather as much information as possible.
"... That's very impressive."
"You can get information at the explorers' guild about monsters that normally appear in the first section of the labyrinth, and there are also some mapmakers who keep track of what kind of monsters appear in other parts. I would recommend talking to veteran explorers to get advice on where to find the best maps." The newbie explorers' classes are also a good source of information. Satou recommended that, and I have a feeling he is planning to give Zena a highly detailed map if she were to go there. "In fact, the girls' first teacher is working at the explorers' school now, so I could introduce you if you'd like."
"Oh, master, don't be silly!" Arisa finally managed to get between Zena and her master. "If you need teachers, we're right here!"
"We've got thiiis?"
"Pochi can teach, too, sir!"
Pochi and Tama clung to Satou's side as Arisa pounded her chest.
"Forgive my arrogance, but perhaps I could help to teach you spear techniques, how to handle monsters, and so on." Liza, who tried to stop Pochi and Tama from running off, also appeared.
"I could provide shield-related teachings, I declare," Nana added from behind Liza.
"Magic," Mia spoke a single word from behind me as I stepped out too.
"All I can really offer is 'Self-Defence' and 'Marksmanship,' but if that's all right, I'd be happy to help." Lulu finally added.
"I can help with support advice," Sara offered.
"And I can handle swordsmanship," Peal said.
Eyes fell on me, but I wasn't sure what to offer. Pearl was a better teacher for the use of a sword, since, unlike me, her style wasn't self-taught and backed up with magic. I could pass on what I learned from the knights I trained with back in Seiryuu City, but that was standard for their military, so that it wouldn't do much good for Zena. As for magic, I can't chant, and Zena probably knows more about it than I do. In the end, there was only one thing I could offer to teach.
"I can teach hunting, tracking, and harvesting monsters," I said after thinking it through.
"What do you think, Miss Zena? We're no expert instructors, but would you like to try joining in on my group's training for a while?"
"Y-yes, please! I would love to!" Zena nodded her head rapidly.
<0>
An hour later, Zena returned. They had just missed Karina's party, which was just Karina and her maids, as they left for the labyrinth, moments before the head maid, Miss Miteruna, came to tell us about our guests. Pochi and Tama are with Karina, so even if she runs into trouble, that group should be fine.
"Young master, Lady Marienteil and company have arrived."
Miteruna led us to the parlour, where Zena was waiting with her best friend, Lilio the scout, the broadsword user Miss Iona, and the shield user Lou. There were three more people with them: Sir Hence, the young commanding officer of Labyrinth City Celivera's Elite Training Corps, and two civil officials.
They were here with the Labyrinth Elite to research how to manage the labyrinth that had recently appeared in Seiryuu City, so they were examining Celivera's peacekeeping efforts and guild management, among other protocols. The officials were a middle-aged man with a receding hairline, Toril, and a straitlaced woman in her late twenties, Karana.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Sir Hence. And I don't believe I've met you two. I am Satou Pen-dragon, honorary hereditary knight and vassal of the Muno Barony."
Satou introduced himself first, and I offered my own greeting. Since I had already met everyone here, I didn't need to give a formal greeting like Satou.
"I heard that you gave Zena and her squad some valuable magic potions the other day. Were it not for those potions, several of my soldiers might have been lost. I owe you a great debt of gratitude, Sir Pendragon."
"I'm just happy to have been of help."
I suspected those potions he gave them were of a higher grade than he let on.
"Hero Kura, I must also thank you for your efforts in rescuing our magic soldier Zena." After Sir Here, the male civil official also expressed his thanks. It seemed the three of them had accompanied Zena and her friends to thank me the other day. "It isn't much, but this is a small token of appreciation from Seiryuu County's Labyrinth City's Celivera Elite Training Corps."
The man nodded, and the Karana placed a wooden box wrapped in cloth on the table. When I opened it, I found a valuable-looking knife made from a wyvern's talon, along with two small jars. One of the jars contained already-processed white dragon stone powder, one of the key ingredients for an all-purpose antidote, while the other contained a fragrance called "flying dragon spice." Both were quite expensive in Labyrinth City.
The knife looked like a masterpiece. It lay there, half‑concealed beneath a swath of cloth, its blade catching the dim light from the chandelier. It was sharp too. Just a pull and I was able to cut the box. Luckily, no one seemed to notice.
"Whoever made this knife must be really talented," I said, using the cloth to cover the deep gash before someone noticed.
"Yes, it's a masterpiece by Seiryuu County's finest craftsman, Toreban." The male official sounded rather proud.
Wyvern talons are very sturdy, so the knife should be handy for breaking down monster carcasses. However, I would feel guilty using this knife for such tasks since it genuinely looks like a piece of art. That was probably the end of their business. Still, it wasn't considered polite to leave immediately after finishing what you needed, so we chatted about nothing for a while.
"…Well, if you'll excuse us. Zena and our soldiers are in your care."
"Thank you."
When the conversation ended, Sir Hence excused himself, and we said farewell to the three of them. Sir Hence and the male official went to the viceroy's residence, while the female official headed to the explorers' guild. After they left in their carriages, we walked with Zena's squad on foot to the explorers' school near the mansion.
<0>
"Satou, are you sure it's all right if we borrow such expensive-looking equipment?"
"Yes, of course. The gear is just some pieces of my party's old equipment that I repaired, so please don't worry."
Zena and her squad had damaged a lot of their equipment in their recent battle against the sword axe mantis, so they needed more gear. Satou was originally planning to make them brand-new armour himself, but Arisa talked him out of it. Instead, he gave them some refurbished weapons and armour that the group had been using. While it wouldn't be strong enough to combat an areamaster as Satou intended to make it, the defence was high enough to take on a lesser demon without issue. At the very least, it should prevent fatal injuries from threats like a sword axe mantis.
"You call this 'old'…?"
"This stuff looks brand-new to me."
Lou and Lilio exchanged glances, but Miss Iona quietly scolded them.
"Lou, Lilio, mind your manners. It's impolite to make such comments as thanks for Sir Knight's kindness."
"Yeah, that's true."
"This is good stuff. Seems like monster parts, but they're light and sturdy."
"They seem quite impact-resistant as well."
"Iona! Don't test it by punching me in the stomach!"
They must like their armour if they can joke around like that.
"Honestly! Couldn't you thank Satou first?" Zena seemed pleased too, as her scolding voice was much lighter than usual.
I was glad they all appeared to like it. Once the squad had all thanked us again, we discussed the schedule.
"As far as the training period, we have to go to the royal capital by airship in eight days, so we can only train with you until the day before we depart. Is that all right?"
"Yes, that's fine!"
Once Zena agreed, Lilio looked at Satou curiously.
"What're you going to the royal capital for?"
"We're being conferred medals for defeating a floorlord."
"Wow, very impressive."
"Zenacchi, your man's moving up in the world again," Lilio whispered to Zena.
"Baron Muno, whose house I serve, is also going to the royal capital to participate in the kingdom meeting, so we're going to escort his daughter, Lady Karina, as well."
"Lady Karina is that super-pretty lady with the blond curls, right?"
"Yes, that's her." At that, Lilio continued teasing Zena. "If you're not careful, that pretty lady's gonna steal your boy toy away!"
Zena looked genuinely worried, so I quickly assured her that I had no such relationship with Karina.
"Right, because he's already got me… us! He's got us!"
"Arisa…" Lulu said, turning red.
After that brief digression, we finally began the training.
"Shall we break up into the vanguard and rear guard, then?" Arisa proposed.
"I'm a scout, so which group should I go with?" asked Lilio.
"Tama would be best equipped to teach you about scouting, but she's in the labyrinth with Lady Karina, so maybe you should join in with the vanguard for today?"
"All right, sounds good. Later, Zenacchi."
Lilio nodded at Arisa, waved quickly to Zena, and then walked over to join Miss Iona and the others. At first, I was going to teach her, but before they arrived, we decided to leave those lessons for when we take them into the labyrinth.
"All right, Zenny, we'll teach you all about being in the rear guard."
"Mm. Trust."
"Thank you very much."
"We'd get in the way of Liza and the others if we stay here, so let's do it over there."
Arisa and Mia led Zena to a nearby shady area. Since I had nothing to do at this point, I took my leave, leaving Satou and Lulu to oversee the training. As much as I wanted to help, someone needed to lay some groundwork for the later training. So, I teleported into the labyrinth and set to work.
We can't use our normal base since it is too deep for Zena and her friends, so we need a new one. Satou already picked the spot. The map he drew me was helpful, but with how hidden and out of the way this new base will be, I wish I had his map skills to guide me. But I still managed to find it after only walking past the very hard-to-miss passage six times.
"Water first,"
It sounded simple, and it normally is. While making our main base, this job took only 10 to 15 minutes. Still, Satou wanted the water to look like a natural spring, so in the end, making a clean enough water source took nearly an hour.
Once I secured water, I cleaned up the area, hunted the nearby monsters, and set up a barrier to keep them from entering the base. It was a boring task since most of the monsters up here wouldn't be able to scratch me even if they caught me by surprise, but it needed to be done. The final thing I did was set up a teleport point and hid that behind a fake wall, so I don't have to make several attempts the next time I need to come here for prep work.
<0>
"So, Zena's boy toy, where's this explorer you said could teach me some scouting tips?"
I joined up with Satou as he entered the west guild with Zena and Lilo right behind him. There was another reason I wasn't training Lilo personally: time. For a scout like Lilio, it was especially important to gain field experience, and thanks to invits and noble obligations, I didn't have the time needed for that. So we were planning to ask Mr Dozon or Mr Koshin to let her train with their party. Both Dozon and Koshin had many connections, so it was even more important that Zena and her friends have connections with them as well. In fact, I was already with Dozon. I got to the guild a bit early, so I already ran the idea by him.
"He's usually around here somewhere… Aah, there we go."
Satou spotted me as I waved him over.
"…and the usual tamers Behin and Lahin got poached by some damn nobles, so now the labyrinth village is short on beasts of burden."
We were talking about rumours and problems with a few other explorers who overheard me offering to buy drinks for everyone at the table right as Satou arrived.
"So has the price gone up?"
"Better believe it. Most monsters that've been trained by proper tamers have gone up thirty, forty percent."
"That much…?"
"Yeah, at this rate we'll get stuck renting sketchy monsters tamed by that Kannoke bastard."
"Satou," I spoke up when Satou arrived, putting the attention on him as several explorers smirked.
"Hey, young master. You've got some new arm candy today, eh?" Dozon greeted him as some explorers chuckled while others glared enviously.
"Good afternoon, Lord Dozon."
But Satou didn't look phased as he nodded towards Dozon before greeting everyone else. One of the explorers at the table was pretty famous in their own right. He was a scout from the Hellfire Fangs, a famous garnet-badge explorer party led by the Magic Sword user Zarigon.
"Lord Dozon, this is Miss Zena Marienteil, a magic soldier from the Seiryuu County army who once saved Liza's life, and Miss Lilio, the scout."
"You saved that powerhouse, eh? You look like a sweet little lady, but you must have some serious strength."
"I see. So she's walking around using enemy detection Wind Magic as some kind of training, eh?"
"That's right. You're very observant."
The scout lived up to his reputation and instantly noticed what Zena was doing. Satou smiled and confirmed it as he introduced Zena and Lilo.
"Any friend of the young master's is a friend o' mine. If anything happens while he's not around, come see me anytime."
"Thank you very much." Zena politely nodded to Dozon, who seemed to understand what Satou was aiming for.
"So, didja come here just to introduce them or what?"
"Nothing gets past you, Lord Dozon. You see, I was hoping you might be able to set up Miss Lilio here with someone who can teach her how to be a scout in the Celivera Labyrinth."
"Huh? Why don'cha just have your scouts—oh, I getcha. The little cat-eared girl in the bean armour is a natural, so maybe she ain't so good at teaching others." Even though Dozon had never joined Tama on her trips into the labyrinth before, he seemed to know her quite well. "In that case, I can teach you. You've been a great help to our captain, and you saved my comrades from being eaten by the lightning elder stag, too."
"Oh-ho, learning the basics straight from Poes, one of the best scouts in Labyrinth City and a member of the elite Shadowfangs? You oughtta teach my scouts, too, then."
"You never do miss a beat, Dozon. Then I suppose I can teach the Hellfire Fangs' scouts-in-training along with her."
The scout stopped and checked with Satou to see if he was okay with the plan; since Lilio appeared unconcerned, Satou accepted the suggestion. As part of Lilo's scout training, he immediately offered to teach her new skills, like how to tell a good flash bomb or smoke bomb from a dud and how to use the maps and materials in the guild, so we left Lilo with him. They would train in the labyrinth for two days, and we'd reconvene afterwards.
Then, after Lilo left, came a long line of introductions.
"…So that's about it." Satou helped Zena meet several experienced explorers, guild staff, and other influential individuals, ensuring that each person was matched to the role for which they were best suited. "That was a lot of introductions in one go. Are you keeping up all right?"
"Oh…yes… I'm fine." Zena nodded, though she appeared overwhelmed.
I had already gathered most of them together, with the promise of buying a few rounds of drinks. Still, given the list of people, there were plenty I couldn't find. Not that it was a problem for Satou, and that useful cheat map skill.
"You certainly know a lot of people, Satou."
"Oh, it's nothing, really."
I was starting to get the feeling I was invisible to Zena as she walked with Satou. She didn't take her eyes off Satou as she kept shyly glancing at him as we walked. That was until she turned to me all of a sudden.
"Hero Kura,"
"Yes,"
I was taken aback by how serious she suddenly looked. One minute, she was trying not to blush as Satou smiled, and then something else. I guess I'm running out of chances of her setting a romantic atmosphere here as long as I keep being a third wheel. It would probably be better if I left. It's getting painful to watch Satou miss all the hints Zena is sending his way.
"Is it true that you can visit the Blue People?"
"Yes, I do,"
I think I know what she is going to ask. I overheard Zena ask her friends about visiting Ban again to thank him, but they were all against it. The blood weapons and people being sent through walls really gave them a bad impression of Ban and his wives. No matter how much I vouch for them, Zena's friends refuse to believe me when I tell them that the Blue People are friendly.
"Do you want to visit them?" I ask.
It won't be a problem. Just a quick trip and we should be back in an hour if I only have to have one sparing match with each of Ban's wives. Two or three at most if they want more. Maybe longer… It might not be a good idea to take her there after all. I doubt Zena can withstand the misama for that long outside of Ban's protected rooms.
"Y-yes, but… for some reason, Lilo, Iona and Lou are really insisting I should stay far away from them," Zena replied as she reached for something. "They won't forgive me if I go, so can you deliver this letter to them? It isn't enough to thank them, but I want to show them I am grateful for their help."
"Yeah, I can do that," I said, taking the letter. It was thicker than I expected.
"I have an idea," Satou said, cutting it. "If a letter doesn't feel like enough, you could always offer some of the Blue People's favourite wine, too."
"Perfect! I'll try doing that, then!"
I left them after that to go on a little shopping date. I don't know how Satou can't see what Zena is hoping for as she steps closer to him, while I watch the two walk away.
<0>
"Miss Hero!"
Despite being a child and no longer a demon lord, Crow still had the strength to nearly knock me off my feet when he ran into my arms. Energetic, smiling, and not giving off the slightest bit of miasma. I'm glad he is doing well.
"You look like you are having fun," I smile. "Do you like the book I gave you?"
I had given him the first draft of the picture book that Arisa and I decided we should make as a group. Satou insisted we change some details, but the story was still pretty accurate to the journey we had taken together from the moment we left Seiryuu City up until the moment we defended Muno City from that demon and his goblin army.
"Yeah," Crow nodded. "It was fun to read, and the pictures were amazing."
Tama drew most of the pictures while Pochi wrote, with the rest of us giving ideas and advice. It's hard to believe that only a few months ago, Pochi didn't know how to read or write, but now she can write like a pro with only a few mistakes here and there.
"Are you going to write more stories?"
"Do you want to read more?"
"Yeah!"
"Then here you go," I handed him the second book.
This one contains our story from Muno City up until the point where I help bring Sara back to life. I made sure that the battle I had with the demon lord didn't include the number of times my clothes were destroyed.
We're still writing the third book, and Arisa keeps insisting that we make Hayato a villain trying to steal her away, only for Satou to save her and confess his love. That doesn't look like it will happen, not because Satou refuses, but because Lulu does. I don't think I have seen those arguments as much as I did when they fought over who should be Satou's love interest in the book.
"Thank you," Crow beamed, already opening the book.
"Kura,"
"Hero lady,"
Rie and Yuuneia came running over with a small clay golem carrying a basket of vegetables. I really need to fix the hug-induced dents Nana gave it at some point.
"You guys look like you are doing well," I wave as they skid to a halt.
"You bet," Yuuneia nods. "Those golems have made farming a breeze."
They were all made of clay, but since they weren't going to be used in battle, that shouldn't be a problem. The only thing I was worried about was that the commands programmed into the golems wouldn't work, but it looks like that wasn't the case.
"That doesn't mean you can slack off," Rie says.
"But haven't you started taking naps under that tree?"
"You don't have to bring that up,"
"Why not? You look so cute curled up in the shade,"
Everyone is perfectly fine here. Rie and Yuuneia are one thing, but I keep thinking Crow might turn back into a demon lord and attack them. Visiting them is more for me than for them. If I don't, I end up worrying myself so much over Crow that I can't fall asleep.
"Is there something you need?" Rie asked after she and her sister calmed down. "Not that you aren't welcome to visit."
"No, I was just giving Crow a new book and wanted to check on the golems," I lied.
I wanted to make sure Crow was still the cute little kid and not… I don't want to think about that.
"So we were not good enough to visit?" Yuuneia put her hands on her hips.
"Rie is someone I would happily travel the world to visit, but you… I'm not sure," I smirk as I tease her.
"Hey! I am a beautiful young maiden," Yuuneia shot back. "Plenty of ships wreck themselves against this shore just to catch a glimpse of me."
"Keep dreaming," I pat her head.
"A maiden always does," She smiles back.
I ended up having to pat Rie's head, too, for some reason after that.
"So it looks like you aren't having any problems with the golems," I continued after treating them to head pats.
"Yeah, they are working fine," Rie nods. "Are you sure it's okay for us to have them?"
"It's fine," I assure her. "Besides, I'm getting plenty of practice making golems by doing this."
After some small talk, they showed me around the new farm, and we watched the golems work. Rie even gave me a basket of vegetables to take back with me. The meal Lulu and Sara made for us with those veggies was amazing. Even if Nana was upset with me for not taking her to visit Crow and the 'Larval Golem' as she calls them.