Chapter 439 – The Essence of Labyrinth Exploration

With this lineup, the old mine tunnels would be child’s play. The most troublesome monsters here would likely be the Rock Turtles that camouflage themselves as rocks… but Sigritta’s Ink Beasts serve as decoys to break their camouflage, and Rock Turtles’ defense power isn’t enough to pose a problem for Sion or Marceska. In other words, there are no monsters in the old mine tunnels that could truly challenge us.

Well… if the goal was to help them understand what a labyrinth is like, I think this was an easy-to-understand location.

“Somehow, they’re different from the monsters outside.”

“Yeah. They’re not scared, and there are lots of them.”

…It seems Sion and the others quickly grasped the differences from the monsters in the Dark Forest.

Unlike outside monsters, labyrinth monsters won’t retreat just because the battle turns against them. They attack in numbers unimaginable in the outside world, set up ambushes using the terrain—there are many differences.

“Probably because they’re protecting the labyrinth. I hear this place is considered shallow levels. There should be much stronger monsters if you go to deeper floors. Please don’t become overconfident just from seeing the monsters here.”

“Understood.”

“Mm-hmm!”

“…I understand.”

—Such was the exchange between Sion’s group and Forset.

“Below the 20th floor, Guardians sometimes wander around,”

Sheila told Sion’s group, and Marceska tilted her head.

“Are they strong?”

“They’re strong enough to… well, make it a proper fight against Theodore. The Sirius’s Alpha was originally a Guardian too, and it’s quite strong. Probably only Theodore could handle that one.”

“That’s… impressive.”

At those words, Sion nodded with a serious expression, while Marceska and Sigritta also nodded as if convinced.

Hmm… Is using me as the standard for measurement really okay?

Well… if it doesn’t lead to carelessness, I suppose it’s fine. Their expressions have become more focused anyway.

“The problem isn’t just the monsters but also the terrain. Dark forests, flooded caves, poisonous swamps, sandy areas, high-temperature fortresses… there are many others, and depending on the location, you might need specialized equipment. If you’re going to a new section, let me know beforehand and I’ll provide information.”

“Thank you. That would put me at ease too.”

At my words, Forset smiled.

Well then. While we were having that conversation, the Ink Beast seemed to have discovered a stone monument. We’ve collected plenty of ore and gems, so let’s set up in front of the stone monument and practice things like transferring spoils and methods of returning.

“This is the stone monument. If you give the Transference Stone to the goddess statue on the monument, it will open a return Magic Circle… but with this many people, this amount of Transference Stones might not be enough.”

When adventurers descend into a labyrinth, parties are typically designed for up to six members. If seven or more people descend, the amount of Transference Stones needed for return increases dramatically, and in narrow passages, having more people doesn’t provide an advantage—it ultimately becomes inefficient.

My party is well over that limit, but since we have Claudia, it’s not inconvenient.

“By the way, up to six people would be fine with this amount. For seven people, you’d need about this much, and for eight… probably around this much.”

I showed them approximately but specifically how much Transference Stone would be needed.

“Wow, it really increases rapidly from seven people onward.”

“You could say it increases exponentially.”

“But this time, I plan to leave only the amount needed for six people to return, and have everyone else transfer their spoils separately.”

“So this is training assuming I’m not present. Please proceed with the assumption that you’re descending into the labyrinth with six people or fewer.”

When Claudia said this, Forset and the others nodded.

“Understood.”

So each of them used Transference Stones to draw transfer circles and sent their ore and gems to the surface.

Since they’ve received lessons at the Adventurer Guild, everyone was able to transfer smoothly. Halvaronis’s magical technology is also high-level, so this should be his specialty.

“So… while keeping the Transference Stones needed for return, we send back spoils to the extent that they don’t interfere with exploration or combat… but if you use up your Transference Stones when you want to return, you might end up having to descend to lower floors unnecessarily… so judging that balance is important.”

The best method is to carry a bag of sand or small stones that weighs about the same as the amount of Transference Stones needed for six people to return. That way you won’t misjudge.

While introducing such little tricks, I used Transference Stones for six people to expand the Magic Circle—and we returned via Claudia’s Teleportation Magic, concluding today’s exploration.

Wrapped in light, we returned to the stone monument at the labyrinth entrance.

“How was it?”

“It was kind of fun. Not so much the combat, but the atmosphere of the labyrinth itself.”

“It’s like Halvaronis, isn’t it?”

“…Yeah, it was fun.”

When I asked for their impressions… hmm. Not bad at all. Indeed, underground is where Sion and the others were born and raised.

“…I have more painting subjects too. For monsters, even without the actual creature, if you have Magic Stones and a Magic Array, you can create paintings with good performance. The Magic Stones… do get used up though.”

I see. So that means Rock Turtles, Kobolds, and Hobgoblins will probably be added to Sigritta’s repertoire. Rock Turtles might be quite good for setting up ambushes.

“Well then, let’s find opportunities to visit various places.”

“…Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”

I wonder if she can copy the abilities of special monsters like the Invisible Ripper, or just their forms. I won’t know until we try, but at the very least, Guardian Magic Stones should make for quite powerful paintings.

The results of our first labyrinth exploration were quite satisfactory. Next… what you could call the post-exploration enjoyment would be exchanging the spoils for money.

“This is quite the haul.”

When we brought the transferred spoils to the counter, Heather, the receptionist, smiled.

“We were just following along from behind, so this time it’s their achievement.”

“I see… To achieve this much on your first exploration is wonderful. Having so many promising individuals makes the Adventurer Guild very happy.”

At Heather’s unreserved praise, Sion and the others exchanged glances with happy expressions.

We had them appraised immediately, exchanged the excess gems and Magic Stones for money, and received payment. Since it was compensation for their labor, Sion and the others seemed excited to receive the currency. Next was distribution…

“We didn’t participate in combat this time, just accompanied, so we’re fine. I consider it part of my work as the Otherworld Ambassador.”

When I said this, Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana exchanged glances and nodded.

“When we delve into labyrinths, it’s for Corulis’s food, so as long as we secure ore, that’s enough for us.”

“That’s right. I’m also receiving support from my home country.”

“Is… that so? I feel kind of bad about it, but…”

When Sion said this, Princess Stephania showed a gentle smile.

“We descend into labyrinths partly out of something like a childhood dream. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Yes. You can think of us as just playing around.At their words, Sion nodded with a somewhat convinced yet doubtful, subtle expression.

“Oh, everyone looks well. Some people collapse from fatigue and relief after returning from journeys, so I was concerned.”

Auria called out to us as she appeared from the back of the Guild. She waved casually, and Corulis responded in kind.

Corulis had its basket piled high with ore and seemed in high spirits. It’s probably going to return to its nest and eat leisurely.

“Hello, Auria-san. Well, you look well too, Auria-san.”

“Indeed. Work piled up while I was away. I have to clear it, so I’m quite busy, but I’m doing well. Right now, I’m taking a little break to buy some cotton candy.”

At Auria’s words, Heather and the other Guild staff watched with broad smiles. I can’t help but feel they’re putting pressure on her to return immediately after buying it.

“Perhaps we should keep cotton candy Magic Tools at the Guild too.”

“No, no. It’s precisely because you buy it that you can appreciate the charm. Indeed.”

The subtle tension between Heather and Auria is pretty much daily routine, so it should be fine.

Princess Stephania and the others seem to be returning to the Royal Castle.

“Well then… I suppose the next time we meet will be for the reconciliation between the Grand Duke and the Duke.”

“That’s right. Let’s meet again then.”

“Yes. Well then.”

“Okay. See you later.”

And so Princess Stephania and Princess Adriana left the Adventurer Guild, mounted together on Corulis’s back, and flew off toward the Royal Castle.