Chapter 62 : Toward The New Labyrinth

「This is…」

「… A forest? It’s quite close to the highway, isn’t it?」

Reis answered from within the forest, where the group was located after escaping the treants . Many Small Treants had intercepted their path, but they were all either killed in one shot by Tama’s《Elemental Howl》or bisected by Stella’s greatsword .

According to their map, there wasn’t a forest near the highway, but their current surroundings truly resembled a forest .

『KiKiiiiiii! 』

A creepy voice resounded from inside of the forest .

In mere moments, a two meters tall monkey-like monster appeared in front of them .

Aria’s eyes opened wide when she saw what exactly threatened them .

「That’s… a〝Giant Ape〟!」

Giant Apes were ferocious monsters known for their hobby of tormenting humans . They commonly appeared in forest-type labyrinths, not in forested areas .

However, Aria wasn’t surprised by its sudden appearance .

「Could this forest… be a labyrinth?」

Aria, Tama, and Reis peeked out from inside of the coach as they pondered about it .

「Let’s leave this matter for later . Can I leave this monster to you, Stellchan?」

「Hmph, being ordered by Aria is so frustrating it makes me want to rampage . Leave it to me!」

As soon as she finished speaking, Stella leaped out from the roof of the carriage .

By transforming into her dragonewt form, she boosted herself but Tama followed after her with another buff .

「Nyaa~!《Divine Protection of Lion King》!」

The buff was more for his peace of mind than necessity . Giant Apes were C-rank monsters, they weren’t a match for Stella .

Tama did not forget his power and was ready to fire away his《Elemental Howl》 .

『Kikikiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! 』

The Giant Ape raised its hands while making a lot of noise, attempting to intimidate the humans . It wasn’t effective on Stella, though . She merely raised her Mega s.h.i.+eld in response .

The loud sound of a fist against metal resounded in the area .

「Humph! 」

Stella nonchalantly swung her Mega s.h.i.+eld to the side .

The Giant Ape gaped at the small human that easily defended against its fist .

Until recently, Stella couldn’t do much more than defend against attacks .

Since she upgraded her s.h.i.+eld Arts, she became more skilled, capable of parrying attacks with her s.h.i.+eld instead .

The parry created an opening that Stella was more than happy to take advantage of .

With a powered slash, she tore into the Giant Ape’s flank .

「Reis-san, this looks like a newly born labyrinth… !」

「To an adventurer like you, it must be a gold mine, right?」

One day, a labyrinth suddenly appeared in a deserted area .

Because of it, people discovered that recently born labyrinths that hadn’t been visited by anyone had a treasure box . Like a reward for the first to discover it, the box contained either legendary or phantasmal materials .

For an adventurer, it was the dreamland where one could make a fortune overnight .

(I have to finish escorting Reis-san and the Earth Dragon’s skeleton to a safe area first . )

Even Aria was having a hard time resisting the temptation of a newly born labyrinth . However, as an adventurer, she had to give priority to her commission .

Though it felt like the new labyrinth was calling to her, she ignored it, rounding up Tama and Stella and leaving the forest .

They arrived at the gate of Gladdstone before the dawn, and Reis quickly expressed his grat.i.tude for their efforts .

「Fuuh, we barely made it out in one piece . Dear me . Thank you very much, Arisan, Stellsan, and Tamchan . 」

During the trip, they had many monster encounters, a surprise attack in the middle of the night and even that labyrinth that suddenly appeared near the highway .

If not for the combination of Aria’s keen judgment, Stella’s power and Tama’s 《Divine Protection of Lion King》, they wouldn’t have arrived safely .

「Don’t mention it . It’s our job, after all . Now, let’s bring this dragon corpse to your company . I need to report to the guild about the completion of the commission and the new labyrinth around the highway after dawn . 」

「How admirable of you, Arisan . It’s fine if you want to return to the labyrinth immediately, you know?」

「… Can I?」

Aria was a little embarra.s.sed from being read so easily .

「Of course . It’s my workers’ turn to work hard . I’m extremely indebted to you and your comrades for escorting me so far . I want you guys to get more profit, so go to the untouched labyrinth . 」

His suggestion made sense . Reis was a man who understood the adventurers’ circ.u.mstances . He knew that any adventurer would be more than willing to enter an untouched labyrinth because of the riches inside .

「Then… Allow us to heed your advice . 」

「By all means . If possible, I’d be delighted if you brought any materials you find to my firm . They could use them as research objects . 」

「I gladly accept your offer . Then… Stellchan, Tama . Are you two ready for another round?」

「Nyaa~! (Leave it to me, master!)」

「Of course! My previous rampage wasn’t even enough to warm up!」

Tama and Stella were eager to go . Although Stella didn’t understand the temptation of a virgin labyrinth, the promise of a fight was enough to fire her up .

「I’d like it if you took a Lizard Carrier with you . Once it gets too dangerous, please order it to return before you enter the labyrinth . However… Doing so will force you guys to return by foot . 」

「That’s plenty for us, I’ll take your offer . Thank you very much!」

「Well then, G.o.dspeed . 」

Reis sent them off with a smile on his face .

Somehow, Aria felt his smile held a bit of grief, like a bad premonition .

But she didn’t have time to think about that . Now she could sell the materials she got from a virgin labyrinth straight to the merchant .

To Aria, this was very good news . Selling the materials through the guild would net lesser profits because of the intermediation fees . But as long as one had a direct connection with a merchant, there would be no need to pay intermediation fees .

Aria wasn’t a greedy person . However, she needed money to complete her dream .

She wanted to travel the world as a warrior of justice . To do that, she needed to prepare several bases of operations . Not to mention saving for Stella’s future .

Because of those points, she needed to be the first to arrive at that labyrinth . Even if by chance someone else had been there, she could still get some profit .

「Tama, Stellchan, let’s drink a stamina potion . 」

The three of them rode on a Lizard Carrier .

Aria held the reins, with Stella behind her and Tama in her cleavage . She took out a stamina potion from her bag and gave it to them .

「UgEEH… So bitter! ――But my fatigue is… Gone?」

Stella was taken by surprise by the potion’s taste and frowned in disgust, only to be surprised again when she felt the potion taking effect .

For a former monster like Stella, it could be said that this was the first time she had been cured by an item .

(Yos.h.!.+ I was getting sleepy, but thanks to this potion I can keep going now . )

Even Tama’s infant body that had almost succ.u.mbed to drowsiness was brought back thanks to the stamina potion .

Aria’s daydreams as she fed Tama were a story for another time .