Chapter 10

This is an explanatory chapter about the labyrinth.

Since standing around wouldn't do, I guided them inside the hut.

We'll have to give up on going to the labyrinth for now. Right now, new encounters are far more important.

Arvin glanced around the hut and muttered in admiration.

"Surprisingly well-kept... I didn't think you could live in the middle of a prairie like this."

"There's a cave over there, and we can get water and meat from it. We can also get leather and milk. Though, milk is in short supply."

"Really, you have milk? ...Would you mind if I had a cup? Of course, I'll pay for it."

To my surprise, it was the priestess, Rudis, who latched onto my words.

For a woman, the sweet and rich taste of milk is a treat. Especially if you've been traveling the prairie for a long time.

"You don't have to pay. But in return, there are a few things I'd like to know..."

"Oh, I'll answer anything, so could you treat me to a cup? I've been tired of tasteless water lately."

"Sure, go ahead."

I didn't want to show them where I took the milk from my inventory, so I poured it from a milk bag placed against the wall into a wooden cup I made by hollowing out a tree.

I had moved the milk to a small water bag and left it in the hut because I needed to go to the labyrinth to collect it.

The water bag, when stored in the inventory, is divided into three sizes: small, medium, and large, and is also sorted by content.

Of course, the inventory boasts a storage capacity of 30,000 items per category, so I don't have to worry about the quantity, but the number of types I can keep is limited.

The inventory can store 100 types, up to 30,000 each.

In my case, I carry various equipment, recovery items, and magic stones, so I don't have room to spare for water bags.

Three types of bags, six types with water and milk. If I also carry the materials and corpses of defeated monsters, I quickly reach the limit.

Moreover, there is a carrying weight limit based on strength. Ymir's strength is lower than the average front-liner, so the amount I can carry is relatively small.

Therefore, I try to leave unnecessary items in the hut as much as possible.

"We're out of cow's milk, but would goat's milk be okay?"

"Oh, that's fine. So, there are goats in the cave?"

"According to Alyusha, that cave is called a labyrinth. The monsters we defeat respawn."

"A labyrinth!?"

Arvin reacted strongly to the word 'labyrinth' I used.

The other members also had similar reactions, their eyes filled with shock and anticipation.

"Um, what's so special about a labyrinth?"

"You don't know the value of a labyrinth!?"

"Well... it is convenient, right?"

"That's not the point!"

He looked up at the sky in exasperation. Louisa hit him with her staff to calm him down.

"Calm down, Arvin. She's still a child, even if she's an adventurer. Besides, living in such a place, it's not surprising that her standards are different from ours."

"Ah... I'm sorry, I got a bit excited."

Alyusha, frightened by his raised voice, hid behind me.

Indeed, it's not good to scare a small child.

"No, it's fine... but with this child here, please don't raise your voice—"

"Really, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"Hmm."

Arvin bowed his head to Alyusha.

Alyusha accepted his apology and patted his head with her small hand.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but smile. Her slightly matured appearance was endearing.

But right now, more importantly...

"Is a labyrinth that important? I... no, she found herself in the labyrinth without realizing it. Maybe because of that, she doesn't have any memories before the labyrinth."

"That's... poor you."

I placed my hand on my chest, looked away with a worried expression.

To be precise, I appeared outside the labyrinth and have my memories, but I'll use this to my advantage.

Louisa and Rudis gave me sympathetic looks. The effect was perfect.

"Maybe it's the effect of the transfer... such things can happen with labyrinths."

"That's true. You never know what might happen."

"It seems important."

Louisa and Arvin nodded in agreement with my casual excuse.

Clavis and Dainitt were drinking the goat's milk with relish. Join the conversation.

"Right, let me explain the uniqueness of a labyrinth—"

And so, I received a lecture about labyrinths from Arvin.

In this world, a labyrinth is—

First, it has no physical laws governing its internal structure.

So, it's common to have bright areas without the sun, seas, and plains in lower levels.

It also has the ability to maintain its internal conditions.

I've harvested a considerable amount of wood and defeated many monsters.

However, the labyrinth works to maintain its internal structure, replenishing the reduced monsters and resources in some way.

The method is still a mystery, but this means that resources can be obtained infinitely, making it a significant source of wealth for countries and cities.

Therefore, countries strive to secure labyrinths, and the rights to them are strictly regulated.

There are international agreements to prevent improper invasions, and countries keep an eye on each other.

This is probably why they were so shocked.

And third,

Anything can happen in a labyrinth.

There are many cases of people being transferred and captured, or found with lost memories, like Alyusha.

Some people have disappeared when the labyrinth suddenly changed its structure.

This is called being "eaten by the labyrinth."

Additionally, if a corpse is left, it will be absorbed by the labyrinth after a certain time, leaving no trace.

Even equipment is taken in, but there are stories of it appearing in other treasure chests, so it might not disappear completely.

And lastly,

There is a core called the Labyrinth Core, usually found at the bottom of the labyrinth.

If left unattended, it can create a small labyrinth overnight, so careful handling is required.

However, few countries seal off labyrinths that produce infinite resources.

But if a labyrinth appears in an inconvenient location, the core is sometimes recovered and moved.

However, reaching the core requires completely clearing the labyrinth, which is quite difficult.

"So, the person who discovers a labyrinth is recognized as the owner and can build a fortune with it."

"Wow..."

"But in this case, the discoverer is you?"

"Really?"

"Of course."

This seems like a big deal.

I want money, but if it spits out this much wealth, various problems related to greed will arise. I don't want to get involved in conspiracies.

"For me, just being able to live is enough."

"You can't say that. If you don't report this labyrinth, the city or country might send an army to claim ownership."

Louisa looked at me worriedly, trying to reason with me.

She really cares about us. She's a good person... no, a good woman. If I were a man, I might have fallen for her.

"Ugh... but, where do we report it?"

"The nearest city from here is... where?"

"What!?"

I couldn't help but drop my shoulders at the unexpected response.

Where did these people come from?

"Sorry. This location is almost in the center of the prairie. The distance to any town in any direction is about the same."

"Is that so? By the way, where are you from, Arvin?"

"The city of Talhan in the east. It's about a two-week walk."

"Two weeks..."

Two weeks to the eastern city. According to him, it takes about the same time to walk in any direction.

A two-week walk through a prairie with tall grass.

A person can walk about 40 kilometers a day, but Alyusha is still a child. She gets tired after walking about 10 kilometers in the labyrinth.

That's probably exceptional for a five-year-old.

If it takes four times as long, it would be about eight weeks, or about two months.

Moreover, the tall grass would hinder our progress. The grass is around my waist, but it reaches Alyusha's chest.

In the prairie, only her head would be visible. The physical strain would probably be more than double.

"---It's impossible. I might be able to, but Alyusha can't endure it."

"Right, it's a tough distance for a child her age."

"Can we prepare a carriage or something?"

"The grass... it gets tangled in the wheels and makes it unusable."

"Does that mean we need to ride animals to travel here?"

"Even that would be exhausting. Riding a horse is quite tough."

"I see..."

Given the current situation, it seems impossible to take Alyusha out of here.

If that's the case, it might be better to settle here.

If we can access the labyrinth, we should be able to live somehow.

"...Right. Would it be okay if we reported it through you?"

Dainitt, who had finished his milk, interjected.

"Is that okay?"

"Actually, that would be a help. This location is quite troublesome."

According to him, no country or city manages this prairie, so this labyrinth doesn't belong to any town.

If the information reaches the surrounding towns, they will start claiming ownership.

This could lead to new conflicts, even wars.

However, if I claim ownership first, it will be difficult for the towns to claim it later.

The adventurer's guild they belong to strictly manages such arrangements.

"Besides, the location is too remote. It would be helpful to have a place to stay and a source of food."

"Are you suggesting I run an inn here? I'd prefer Alyusha to learn in the city."

"Don't worry. The city—can be built here."

"Huh!?"

If a labyrinth appears, materials will move, and money will follow.

Where money moves, people gather, and where people gather, a city is formed.

That's what Dainitt is saying, but... will it really be that easy?

"Well, we'll confirm if it's really a labyrinth first. We'll check it out tomorrow. Just give us your answer by then."

"Right, that makes sense."

After all, Alyusha is the only one claiming it's a labyrinth.

It could just be a large cave... but probably not.

"Well, it seems like a beginner's labyrinth, so it's not that big a deal, right?"

"I'm sure it's different."

If the enemies are weak, the resources won't be high-quality. So, the related rights and benefits won't be that significant.

Maybe, as he says, I should consider running an inn more casually.

By the way, Alyusha, why are you shaking your head so vigorously?