CH 13

January 03, 2023

I just finished my first labyrinth quest and am in the guild for formalities. But I'm an apprentice, so I have nothing to do. I'm waiting for Beck, the party leader, to finish the formalities while drinking tea.

It's a good status if you think about it.

You explore the labyrinth for the first time with an escort from the best party in town. The chores and baggage are done by scouts and slaves specially employed for that.

After revealing that I could use the item box, I put my luggage in the item box, but that's about it.

Naturally, as a trainee, I didn't do any of the formalities. At most, I would have watched out of the corner of my eye as the paperwork was filled out.

The first time you reach the sixth level of the labyrinth and two days and one night of exploration with camping. I think it was relatively difficult for a first time.

Lots of things to reflect on and think about, but there is a sense of accomplishment, of having achieved it.

However, no one praised me for it, so maybe I'm not pleased with myself, or maybe I'm wrong.

"Mr. Thor, by the way, what was the slave fall you were talking about in the labyrinth?"

I whisper to Thor, who is drinking tea next to me.

The four slave girls are still standing, while the two fairies are sitting at the table drinking tea.

Looking at all this, the slaves seem to be treated worse than the fairies.

"There are four main ways to be a slave. The first is crime. Depending on the severity of the crime, you have to spend a certain number of years as a slave. Most involve hard labor and you may die in an accident before you are released. The second is captivity due to war or slave hunting."

He began to speak in a normal voice without paying attention to the fact that we were whispering.

By reflex, we looked at the four slave girls. But they are standing by the wall, waiting, not reacting.

But still, what is a slave hunt, let alone a war? Is there such a thing?

"The third is debt. Young explorers like Michinaga are especially common. They sell themselves into debt through alcohol, women and gambling. And there is still more. They get injured through carelessness, and they can no longer continue as scouts and so they sell themselves."

He leans over the table and continues in a whisper.

"Well, Michinaga can use light magic, so I guess he can get by even if he retires as a scout."

He seems to whisper because he mentions that I can use light magic.

I should learn from him in this area as well.

"The last thing is dueling. In Michinaga's case, what I'm most concerned about is gambling and dueling.'"

Unlike the way he had spoken up to that point, his speech changed from a chatty to a revealing style.　

"I don't like it, I wouldn't duel or gamble."

Would you duel and fall a slave? 'I'm not interested in gambling and would be scared of dueling.

"Hey, isn't that the line of the guy who jumped up and participated in the duel a few days ago?"

He looked at me with a disgusted look on his face.　

"That happened, I'll be careful."

Yeah, that's right. I did, the duel. I apologize for Thor's insistence.

When I'm with these people, I feel like a child. He looked eighteen, but he was a new member of society after graduating from college, and he was proud to be a respectable adult. That confidence is pouring out day by day.

If you think about it, there is no basis for my confidence. I felt I was an adult simply because I finished college, started working and got paid on my own.

After completing the check-in procedures, Beck gestured with his left thumb toward the door leading to the shopping area as he walked toward us with some documents in hand.

"This one is done. Next is the purchase, let's move on."

◇ ◇

The magic stones and materials collected at the purchase site are lined up.

I also take the materials out of the item box and arrange them in the same way.

"Fujiwara-san, you can use the item box, and I was surprised that it wasn't on the list when you registered?"

A female guild employee asked. She was the woman who was in charge of my registration. I didn't know her name.

"Well, it might have been good to include the item box."

Following Beck's instructions, I let it go like it was nothing.

The clerk said nothing more and went on to appraise the magic stone, materials and thrown items.

Beck told them beforehand that there would be no problem if it was known that the box of items could be used, so he told them to leave it alone with a nonchalant face.

He also warned me not to carelessly reveal the magic I could use, even if I was a member of the same group.

They said that revealing the magic you possess is not conducive to confidence, and that you will be seen as light-spoken and thoughtless.

As I prepared to camp in the labyrinth, Thor asked me about my ability to use earth magic.

As soon as I said that I could use water magic at this time, Mr. Beck reprimanded me. Then, I went straight to the training time.

It's about the background of your power not being known.

The reason why only magic is mentioned is probably because other things like swordsmanship and shield techniques are not clearly recognized as skills.

"Fujiwara-san, you have to get a reward for the duel the other day, could you go to the counter?"

Another young female employee called out to me from the door that connects the main guild building to the shopping area.

Rewards for dueling, is there such a thing?

"You are supposed to split your opponent's fortune or the money that was bet between the participants. You are duly entitled to it."

Just as I was about to ask what the duel fee was and confirm if I could leave the place, Beck nudged me to leave.

"Yes, I understand, what about Marielle, do you want to come with me, or are you staying for a ride?"

After answering Beck, I turned to Marielle and asked.

"Can I stay and watch?"

I say, wondering about the valuation and movements of the guild officials.

Okay. Then wait here. I'll come back when I'm done. Stay close to Mr. Beck and the others. Now, if you'll excuse me. Mr. Beck, Mr. Thor, please take care of Marielle."

After indicating to Marielle that I understood and giving her my attention, I asked Beck and Thor to take care of Marielle and ran to the clerk at the entrance/exit.

◇ ◇

As I look at the young employee behind the counter checking the number of gold and silver coins and documents, I think about the duel the young employee had just told me about.

After all this time, it was inconsiderate of me to say that I knew nothing about it.

I threw myself into the duel without understanding the dueling system, or rather without checking it out.

From the outside, I would have looked like a simple idiot. If I looked at me then, I would still look like an idiot.

The point is that a duel is a fight for each other's lives, and even if you are saved, you lose your property. If you don't have more than a certain amount of property, you have to sell yourself into slavery and give the money to your opponent. This peddling is the downfall of the slave.

In other words, there was a good chance that it would happen to me. It is really scary.

I'm lucky to be safe like this now and to get my reward. I'll try not to duel again.

"Michinaga, are you back already?"

A familiar voice spoke from behind me.

"Robin, is your right hand all right?"

I turned around and, sure enough, Robin was there.

"Yes, it's fine now. It looks like it was a bruise. And you, Michinaga, weren't you injured?"

"Yes, not exactly unharmed, but enough to get by with light magic."

"That's good to hear. And the others?"

"They're having the guild officials, appraise the magic stones and other materials at the buying station."

The most important thing is to be aware of what you do and how you do it.

"Fujiwara-san, here is your reward. Please sign here after confirming the amount.'"

When I turned around, a young female employee was holding out the money and documents to me.

"Sorry, I'll finish my business first."

I said to Robin in my voice as I glanced at the documents.

"No, it's fine. I'm going back to the labyrinth tomorrow, so why don't we have dinner and drinks tonight?"

"Great, sounds good, how about we meet at the guild tonight at seven?"

I turn around at Robin's invitation and respond immediately.

"Yes, that would be fine."

With a grand wave of her hand as she turns around, she leaves her approving response and turns back to the Black Flame members.

Thank goodness. I'm glad they don't know we're dueling. I knew it would be embarrassing to have my stupidity known.　

Inwardly, I signed the documents with a sense of relief.

"Yes, I have confirmed the amount, may I sign it?"

I put the bag with three gold coins, fifty-two silver coins and several dozen copper coins into the box of items and handed the documents to the young clerk.

One gold coin equals approximately one million Japanese yen. If you combine the silver coins with the ones you have on hand, it adds up to about five million Japanese yen or more.

There is no problem with our immediate expenses, so we can get weapons and armor. I will also buy more clothes for Marielle.

This time it was the same clothes as before because we were exploring the labyrinth, but I want clothes that can be used in exploring the labyrinth.

"Yes, I checked. It's fine."

When I was told that they had checked the documents, I thanked the receptionist and headed back to the shopping area.