Chapter 9

The entrance to the labyrinth of the Labyrinth City is always guarded by sentinels who rigorously screen those who wish to enter the dungeon.

Those without qualifications or letters of introduction are not allowed to enter.

This is to prevent ordinary citizens, who have no power, from being exposed to the dangers of the dungeon, but there are other reasons as well.

For example, to prevent the dungeon from being used for illegal transactions of secret medicines or spiritual drugs, or to prevent it from being used as a base for criminal organizations.

Therefore, they are strictly checked, but in Lir's case, it was different.

She gave a slight nod to the sentinels and said, "Thank you for your hard work," and passed by with just those words.

Indeed, as a Guild Master, and being a divine beast, her face is recognized. However, I can't be treated the same way. While Lir was let through, I was stopped and questioned.

"Um, I am—"

Lir interrupted my explanation.

"The boy is with me. With a guild-issued pass, up to three people can be brought in without additional application."

"Ah, you are with Lady Lir, my apologies."

The sentinels stepped aside. Impressive. She's a small girl, but her presence is god-like. Well, she is a god.

I silently followed behind Lir.

Her tail was standing straight up, looking very cute.

We entered the dungeon.

There, a blue sky spread out.

For a moment, I doubted whether this was really underground, but Lir explained.

"Surprised, boy? That there's a blue sky in the underground labyrinth?"

"I've heard about it, but it's still surprising to see it with my own eyes."

"How it's done, whether it's through magic or by warping space, is still a matter of debate among the sages, but the mystery remains unsolved."

She looked up to the sky, basking in the sunlight.

"However, even if the sun you see there is a fake, it still provides light, and plants grow well. Herbivores eat these plants, and carnivores prey on them. This is how the ecosystem of the dungeon is maintained."

"I see."

I looked around.

Indeed, the dungeon was filled with many trees and flowers.

There were herbivores eating them, and small birds resting on the branches.

If one were skilled with a bow, one could perhaps live a self-sufficient life here.

That's what I thought.

"Well, this isn't a sightseeing tour, so let's get to the point. I want to see your skills. No, I want to see the power of that holy sword. If you meet my standards, I will add you to my strongest guild. A-rank, you know."

Lir said this definitively and led me to the hunting grounds.

The first floor, southwest of the labyrinth.

This area is known as a training ground for adventurers, filled with low-level monsters.

When I was brought here, I saw a strange sight.

Lir plugged her nose and took out some herbs from her pocket.

"Why are you plugging your nose?"

"I have a good sense of smell. The smell here is unbearable."

"Is it that bad?"

I sniffed the herbs, but the smell wasn't that strong.

Even when the herbs were burned, the smoke rose but didn't emit a foul odor.

"This smell attracts the kobolds around here. Do you know what kobolds are?"

"Dog-like humanoid monsters, right?"

"Correct. They are quite agile and troublesome, but you should be able to defeat them. No, you must overwhelm them. After all, you need to join my guild. A-rank, remember?"

"A-rank..."

I swallowed hard.

"But don't be too nervous. You can't perform at your best if you're nervous."

She said this, but her expression soon turned serious.

"Looks like the kobolds have caught the scent. There are about five of them. Perfect for your first battle."

She patted my back.

"This is to boost your morale. Eliminate them and take your first step as a hero!"

"Got it! I understand!"

I drew my sword from the sheath and faced the kobolds.

None of the kobolds were armed.

Kobolds in the first floor have low intelligence and don't carry weapons. Their only weapons are their large claws and powerful fangs.

As long as I was careful of their large claws and bites, they weren't that scary.

I decided to swing my sword boldly.

The holy sword's horizontal slash easily cut through a kobold.

The kobold fell with one hit.

Seeing this, I thought, I can do it!

I continued to slash at the kobolds, and they fell one after another without even being able to dodge.

Lir murmured, seeing this.

"Amazing... You don't seem like a level 3 with D-rank sword skills at all."

"It's thanks to the holy sword."

I said this and finished off the last kobold.

Lir, who had been watching, said, "Well done."

"Does that mean you'll add me to the guild?"

I couldn't help but let my voice rise, but she shook her head.

"I said I want to see you bring out the potential of the holy sword. I couldn't gauge anything from that battle."

"Wh-what?"

"Don't worry, that was just a preliminary test. You can't gauge your strength with just kobolds. So, I will be your opponent."

Lir said this and took a fighting stance.

"Wait, I'm going to fight Lir?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Of course not, but fighting a girl without a weapon is a bit—"

"Without a weapon?"

Lir laughed self-deprecatingly and walked over to a nearby rock.

She put her strength into her fist and punched the rock.

The rock shattered into pieces—this was the power and resolve of Lir, the divine beast.

"Boy, don't underestimate me just because I'm a girl. Come at me with all your strength. Show me the full power of that holy sword!"

Lir shouted this and took a fighting stance again.

I made up my mind and readied my holy sword.

††

Just before the duel began, Lir thought to herself.

I must seem childish, she thought.

However, her blood was boiling.

She was captivated by the boy's power.

The unique skill [Can Equip Anything].

It's a ridiculous name, but the potential of this skill is infinite.

Cursed weapons that only demons can equip.

Massive swords that even monsters can't carry.

Shields that only giants can wield—she can equip them all.

This means infinite possibilities and infinite strategic options.

But that's not all.

His power is still weak, but Lir is not senile enough to miss the 'power' hidden within him.

"Boy—his name is Chrom, right? He will become the strongest adventurer. The hero of this country. I want to raise him with my own hands. I want to see him become a hero."

Having descended to this world for several hundred years, she has seen many types of boys, but Chrom was different from all of them.

He had brighter eyes and looked straight ahead.

Lir wanted to see what lay ahead in his eyes.