"Let me check one more time."
"Meat, vegetables, fruit, compressed rations."
"Water filter, folding tent, insulated sleeping bag, cooler, medical kit, night-vision potion, poison gas detection powder, whetstone."
Before setting out, Alya was giving their equipment and supplies one final check.
"Alya, that should be about everything, right?" Gauss stood nearby with his hands on his hips, looking a little helpless. "This is already the third time you've checked."
"I'll take another look. Mm." Alya crouched on the ground, resting her chin on her hand as her gaze wandered over the items spread out before her.
It wasn't that she was being needlessly slow. After her first experience in the maze, she understood and respected it much more. Being well prepared was essential.
Who knew what unexpected dangers might appear inside the maze?
If they ran short on supplies, going back out to restock would be a hassle.
They arrived in the West District.
This time, the three of them were traveling to the maze with the Golden Beak Merchant Guild. The three would enter the maze, while the guild's staff stayed outside to set up a permanent stall, buying maze spoils and selling adventurers the supplies they needed.
There were many small merchant guilds like the Golden Beak Merchant Guild, all beginning to build businesses around the maze.
A maze was like a precious mineral vein, continuously producing vast quantities of resources. Workers at every stage could claim a share of the profits.
"Safe travels."
Hailiel, the young heiress, had also come to see Gauss and the others off.
She looked at the three of them in their elite gear, her attention lingering especially on Gauss.
For a moment, her mind wandered.
It was as if she saw another version of herself on a different worldline reflected in Gauss.