The Search Party Assembled

Early the next morning, the large tent was full of people.

By the time I arrived, Paul was already standing at the far end of the tent, with the map Roxy had brought last night spread out in front of him. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, both hands braced against the edge of the table, his shoulders tense.

There were seven people in the tent. Paul stood at the head of the table. I sat to his right, with Eris beside me, her back straight and her hands resting on her knees. Roxy sat across the table, her hat off beside her and her twin blue braids hanging over her shoulders. Elinalise sat leaning against a tent pole, her long legs crossed, while Talhand sat cross-legged in a corner. Geese squatted by the entrance, whittling a stick with a carefree expression on his face.

There are only seven of us, and we have to go into the sixth floor of the Teleportation Labyrinth to rescue Zenith. Back on the Demon Continent, we did consider going there to earn money for the boat fare, but Rujierd refused. That should tell you how dangerous it is.

Paul cleared his throat. "All right, everyone's here. First, I'll go over what we know."

His finger pressed down on the red circle on the map.

"The Teleportation Labyrinth is in the desert thirty kilometers east of Rapan City. Its entrance is a stone gate half buried under a sand dune. The locals call it the 'Devourer's Gate.' Once you go in, you can't get out unless you reach the bottom floor and defeat the guardian, or find a teleportation stone tablet inside the labyrinth and go back the way you came."

Geese spoke up from the entrance. "Boss, that gate's seriously creepy. Last time, I went as far as the second floor with the second search party. I stepped on a floor tile that was a different color, and it sent me straight back to the entrance on the first floor."

"So the teleportation traps are the biggest problem." Paul nodded. "Based on what we learned from the first two expeditions, the first floor is relatively safe. The main monsters are gargoyles and giant tarantulas, and they aren't too strong. Teleportation traps start appearing on the second floor. Step on one, and you'll be sent to a random location elsewhere in the labyrinth."

His hand moved to a spot on the map marked "3." "On the third floor, the teleportation traps become more concentrated, and there's an area filled with poisonous mist. You need protection against poison to get through it. The mana concentration rises noticeably on the fourth floor, and the monsters get much stronger."

His finger finally stopped on the red dot. "The sixth floor. The Hydra's nest."

The tent fell quiet for a moment.

Master Roxy spoke, her voice quiet but clear. "The Hydra has nine heads. It's the guardian of the sixth floor, an S-rank monster. Its exact abilities are unknown. That's all I could find in the guild's records."

"Same as you said last night." I nodded.

Eris hadn't said a word beside me. Her hands rested on her knees, her fingers twitching occasionally as if feeling for a sword hilt.

Paul took a deep breath. "Next, we'll discuss the party formation. Seven people, divided into four groups."

He picked up a pen and began writing on the parchment beside the map.

"Vanguard, responsible for close combat and clearing the way: Eris and me."

Eris nodded once.

"Middle guard, responsible for support and dealing with teleportation traps: Rudeus and Elinalise."

"Oh~ I get to partner with little Rudeus~" Elinalise covered her mouth and chuckled. "I can hardly wait~"

I pretended not to hear.

"Rear guard, responsible for ranged support and defense: Roxy and Talhand."

Roxy nodded. Talhand gave a low grunt. "My shield's tough enough. It can take the hits."

"Geese, you're in charge of scouting. Look for traps and mark a safe route."

Geese tucked the whittled stick behind his ear and grinned. "Don't worry, Paul. This kind of work is my specialty."

Paul put down his pen. "That's the basic formation. There's one more thing..."

He turned to glance at me, then looked at Eris.

"Eris, Rudeus told me you're at Sword Saint Rank, but how old are you?"

A low grunt came from the corner.

Talhand looked up, his mouth moving beneath his thick beard. "This red-haired girl is really Sword Saint Rank? She doesn't look it."

Eris's hand slapped down on her sword hilt.

"Don't believe it? Want to go outside and find out?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but the temperature in the tent seemed to drop several degrees at once.

I hurriedly reached out and held her arm. "No, no, no..."

Eris turned to look at me, a hint of displeasure in her eyes. "You want to try me too!?"

"...I'm sorry."

Geese snorted with laughter at the entrance, then quickly covered his mouth.

Master Roxy sighed and set down the teacup in her hand. "Mr. Talhand, since Rudeus said it, it must be true. He wouldn't lie about something like that."

Talhand stared at Eris for a few seconds, then gave another low grunt. "Fine, I believe it."

Eris let go of her sword hilt.

I quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Paul clapped his hands. "All right, that's settled. We leave first thing tomorrow morning, so everyone get ready tonight."

He paused, then added, "Don't die. None of you are allowed to die."

No one in the tent laughed.

After the meeting, everyone filed out of the tent. Eris walked ahead, and I followed her. Her shoulders were tense, and her pace was a little faster than usual.

Eris is obviously angry. After all, someone underestimated her. Knowing her, it's best not to bother her at a time like this.

While I was thinking,

"Rudeus."

I turned around. Master Roxy stood at the entrance to the tent, her hat back on her head, watching me from beneath the shadow of its brim.

"Master, did you need something?"

She came over and tilted her head up. She really was a little short compared to me now; I had to look down to meet her eyes.

"That fiancée of yours," she said softly, "she seems to depend on you a lot."

I froze.

"Are you sure you can protect her in the labyrinth?"

The question was like a needle piercing the softest part of my chest.

I thought about it. During our three years on the Demon Continent, she had often been the one protecting me. When we faced the swarm of scorpions, she stood in front of me. When we encountered the Dragon God at the Red Dragon's Lower Jaw, she drew her sword and charged at him, even though she was trembling with fear. I admitted she was braver and more decisive than I was.

I looked seriously at Master Roxy.

"It's not that I'm protecting her. We protect each other. That's how we've made it this far."

Roxy looked at me in silence for a few seconds. Then the corners of her mouth curved slightly-not quite a smile, more like some kind of confirmation.

"Then I'm relieved."

She turned and walked toward the camp. After a few steps, she stopped and spoke without looking back:

"You've grown taller, and I don't just mean your height."

Then she continued on her way. Her twin blue braids swayed against her back, glowing softly in the sunlight.

I stood at the tent entrance, watching her walk away.

Did Master just compliment me? I know this isn't the time to be happy, but it still feels good to be praised by her. But, "I don't just mean your height"? Was she saying I've matured? Hmm, never mind. I'll stop thinking about it for now.

Eris's voice rang out in the distance. "Rudeus! What are you dawdling for?"

I hurried after her.