Chapter 8

A cozy café, by the window.

Four young people, dressed neatly, were fidgeting as they waited.

They were members of "Yū Yū Labyrinth."

"Hey, Tanis,"

The ranger asked, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Shouldn't the leader, you, talk first and assess the situation?"

Tanis took a sip of tea and replied.

"Didn't that backfire with Doran? He ran away, and he had nowhere to live."

The kind Tanis had introduced the red-haired girl, who became an adventurer to grow stronger, to "Yū Yū Labyrinth" out of sympathy, and had persuaded the other members forcefully.

"I might not be very good at judging people. That's why we decided to meet and talk as a group, right?"

The light warrior was the most enthusiastic.

"Ah, a mage. The possibilities are endless. Especially an earth element. Did you know? According to the theory of dungeon strategy, numerous party strategies have been developed from this balanced offensive and defensive elemental magic. It might even lead to a 'quagmire' combo. First, let's see what kind of spells—"

"Don't get ahead of yourself."

The heavy warrior cautioned.

Despite his burly appearance, he was a sweet tooth, nibbling on a fruit platter drizzled with honey.

"The other party has their own schedule, too."

"Right."

The ranger didn't seem very enthusiastic.

"Plus, I've heard that mages tend to have high pride and are difficult to deal with."

Being a sought-after class, mages often cause issues within parties regarding profit distribution.

Recalling this, the members, still nursing their emotional wounds, fell silent awkwardly.

Tanis quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Bu, but this time, it'll be fine. It's a recommendation from someone we trust."

Right on time, the mage appeared.

In his late teens, with freckles on his nose, he had a kind face.

He was an ordinary young man.

The members of "Yū Yū Labyrinth" thought, "This isn't what we expected."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Nold."

He greeted them, looking nervous, with dark circles under his eyes, appearing somewhat tired.

"Likewise. I'm Tanis, the leader of 'Yū Yū Labyrinth.'"

The other members introduced themselves.

All in their late teens, with similar adventurer levels, but the members thought the issue was their motives and adventurer styles.

So, Tanis decided to ask on behalf of the group.

"I might have just admired adventurers."

Nold spoke with a self-deprecating tone.

"Maybe I should have aimed to be a healer, like my parents, using recovery magic. But—"

He was granted the gift of offensive magic.

"I considered it a divine revelation and decided to become an adventurer."

But being an adventurer was much tougher than he imagined.

"I joined a prestigious party for a trial run and ventured into the Infinite Labyrinth. The brutal slaughter of monsters and the heavy load of dungeon exploration were too much for me. They said I should just laugh, but— I can't laugh!"

The members of "Yū Yū Labyrinth" tilted their heads, unsure what he was talking about.

"After returning to the surface, the training involved standing still in full armor with a heavy sword and shield. Meals were on the floor, and at night, we were locked in the basement. My back hurt so much I couldn't sleep, and the bell would ring suddenly, leading to combat training—"

"Nold, calm down."

Tanis suspected he had been thrown into a training facility for soldiers.

Mages usually stay at the back of the party, timing their offensive and defensive spells. They need calm judgment and a broad view of the battle, not endurance.

"Sorry."

Nold drank his tea to calm down, then raised his head, trying to revive his fading resolve.

"I might not be suited to be an adventurer. But, I can't give up."

After much contemplation, Nold was introduced to "Yū Yū Labyrinth" by Lou. He came here with a grim determination, thinking this would be his last chance.

Nold didn't know that his parents had asked Lou, through a friend, to either discourage him from being an adventurer or introduce him to a trustworthy party.

Lou tried the former and executed the latter.

"Please, everyone."

Nold bowed.

"I'll do any odd job. Please give me one more chance!"

The members of "Yū Yū Labyrinth" thought,

What a humble mage.

Moreover, he seemed deeply hurt by the issues within the party, just like they were.

They exchanged glances and nodded.

"Don't worry, Nold. In 'Yū Yū Labyrinth,' no one will hurt you."

"Right. We're still beginners. We make mistakes and get confused too."

"Plus, your addition will greatly expand our party strategies. For example— Hey, what are you doing?"

"Let's work hard together."

Moved by the warm welcome, Nold held back tears and whispered, "Please."

Meanwhile, at the "Dawn's Sheath" office, a welcoming party for a new member was also being held.

In the office's dining room, more luxurious than any café in the capital, Prie, a pastry chef, had prepared lavish baked goods.

However, the enthusiasm for welcoming the red-haired girl was not as high as the alluring aroma of the sweet baked goods.

Marieete, Catrenea, and Toua were exhausted from daily dungeon exploration and training, and the new member was chosen by Lou alone.

Frankly, they felt indifferent.

The red-haired girl introducing herself also didn't seem particularly humble.

"My name is Dragon. I came here to get stronger. If I disappoint you, I'll leave. Until then, nice to meet you!"

While eagerly eyeing the baked goods, Catrenea asked,

"Dragon? Is that your real name?"

"Does it matter?"

"It does."

Shiz firmly stated.

"Using a name not registered with the Adventurer's Guild can hinder the clan's public activities. Moreover, hiding your name from those who risk their lives in battle is unacceptable. It suggests you have something to hide."

"Well, you know, it's just—"

"Originally, surnames are only used when called by others. Are you as strong as a dungeon master?"

"..."

Considering her near-death experience with a hideous demon recently, she could only stammer.

"You're right, Princess!"

Suddenly, a girl around twelve or thirteen appeared in the dining room, wearing a blue dress with a white headband and apron—essentially a maid outfit.

Behind her, Lou smiled and ordered from Tae and Prie.

"Ah, add two more servings of tea and baked goods."

"Wow, such a lovely dining room. And baked goods! Since leaving the mansion, I haven't had—"

The maid girl suddenly clamped her mouth shut and ran to the red-haired girl.

"Princess! Thanks to the kind Tanis, you finally got to work as an adventurer. Why are you acting on your own again!"

"It can't be helped. They said I'd get stronger here."

"Who said that?"

"The, the Skull Knight, sir?"

Judging that the situation was getting out of hand, Lou stepped in and introduced the girls.

"This red-haired girl is Tiana Rees. She's sixteen, an adventurer level three, and a light warrior."

"..."

Tiana stiffened, her real name revealed so easily.

"And this maid is—"

"I'm Merumo. I work as a lady-in-waiting for Princess Tiana."

Merumo bowed politely.

"I'm not a princess. I'm Dragon."

"Stop saying that!"

The situation got out of hand again, but at the table, doubts were raised.

In this country, only the royal family and nobility are allowed to use surnames. Commoners can only aspire to have a first name.

"Hmm. The Rees family, you say. They manage the Sumeragi Labyrinth in the far east. I've heard they are a brave clan."

Harrismann displayed his extensive knowledge.

Nobles manage dungeons in the regions and also serve as the leaders of the towns and villages around the dungeons, handling resident records and tax collection.

"Why would a noble princess become an adventurer?"

Marieete asked, slightly wary.

As the daughter of the Voltack Trading Company and part of the upper class, she still didn't reach the noble class.

A wrong move could be considered a grave insult.

They were literally of different social standings.

"I'm not a princess. I'm Dragon."

"Stop saying that!"

Merumo, the maid, answered for Tiana.

"The city of Sumeragi, governed by the Rees family, has no Adventurer's Guild or Guide's Guild."

"How do they conquer the dungeon then?"

Marieete asked, puzzled.

She didn't understand the noble mindset, but it was clear they aimed to conquer the dungeon.

"An heir of the Rees family leads a party, hiring adventurers to conquer the dungeon."

For this, the Rees family's children undergo rigorous training from a young age.

Those who work for the Rees family support them.

In essence, the Rees family itself is an organization dedicated to dungeon conquest.

Merumo looked up at her master with concern.

"Tiana is also a member of the Rees family. A direct descendant... But due to certain circumstances, she came to the capital."

Toua, who was about to sneak a bite of the baked goods, was caught by Shiz and retracted her tongue like a frog that lost its prey.

Seeing this, Lou chuckled.

"Well, it seems there are many circumstances. Let's talk while we eat."

According to Merumo, they had left the Rees family and come to the capital almost like runaways.

"Feeling lost in front of the Adventurer's Guild, we met a kind adventurer who guided us to an inn. From there, Tiana joined the party led by that adventurer and started her adventurer life."

But living with a master who had no sense of daily life was miserable.

"Starting as a low-level adventurer, living in an inn is tough."

"That's right!"

Merumo teared up at Lou's words.

"Even paying rent was difficult. Tiana spent all her earnings on weapons and armor. I considered working as a guide, but the capital's Guide's Guild doesn't accept registrations under fifteen..."

As time passed, the money they brought from the mansion ran out. When Lou visited the inn to greet them, they could only serve water. To make matters worse, Merumo's stomach growled, and she cried out of embarrassment.

"You can earn as much money as you want if you get stronger—huh?"

Tiana, who didn't understand the maid's struggles, took a bite of the baked goods and exclaimed,

"What is this? So sweet!"

She froze in shock, then, as if in a trance, started eating voraciously.

Lou and Prie exchanged glances, and Prie nodded with a smile.

The combat members of "Dawn's Sheath" were all teenage girls.

To boost their motivation, Prie's sweets were essential.

This girl seemed to be swayed by sweets.

That's how it is.

So, I asked.

Understood.

—Such a silent conversation took place, unbeknownst to Tiana, who was devouring the baked goods with delight.

"Tiana, you weren't given such delicacies before."

Merumo also enjoyed the baked goods happily.

"Ahh... Mmm..."

Looking at the empty plate, Tiana asked Lou,

"Hey, Sherpa bro."

"What is it?"

"Can I eat more of this if I stay here?"

"Every day."

Not only that.

Three meals a day are provided, and a private room is given. All the tedious administrative tasks necessary for an adventurer's activities are handled by support staff.

"However, there's one rule."

Everyone is equal within the clan. Combat members aren't superior, and support staff don't lower themselves.

"You won't be treated specially just because you're a noble. If you're okay with that, you can work here."

"Heh, interesting."

Tiana smiled challengingly.

"I don't want to think about that family. I'm just Dragon. Got it?"

Marieete, Catrenea, and Toua looked at Lou, unsure how to address the red-haired girl.

Lou had to mediate.

"I think the name Tiana is nice."

"B, bastard!"

Tiana turned red.

"How can I use such a girly name!"

Everyone in the room thought, "You are a girl," but kept it to themselves.

"Plus, the pronunciation. It sounds weak. Weak people are useless."

"Then, what do you think, everyone?"

The three shook their heads in unison.

"Not cute."

"Completely lacks any sense of style."

"Gross."

"Unanimously rejected."

"..."

Tiana was shocked.

"Names are important for both the caller and the called. You don't have to decide right away, but the four of us should decide properly."

Subtly planting the seeds of communication, he left it to the parties involved.

"Oh, and Merumo is also a member of 'Dawn's Sheath.' She's a Sherpa apprentice, but since she's only thirteen, she'll be a helper for now."

Merumo, who had been living in poverty and lacked food for the next day, jumped at the "three meals and a room" offer from Lou. She was about to be evicted for not paying rent.

This fulfilled the condition set by the Rees family: "The maid must come too."

"So, I'm in the same boat. Nice to meet you, Merumo."

"Ahh...?"

Merumo, who had been focused on eating the baked goods, noticed the beautiful boy—Miyuri—sitting next to her for the first time. Her cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk's, and she turned red.

I changed "Toa" to "Toua."