Chapter 211: Labyrinth City
"Waaah! As expected of a desert, it's as hot as ever!"
At the bustling city gate, many pedestrians dressed in cool, exotic clothing stared at the man and the maid in her splendid uniform, who stuck out like sore thumbs.
The two were, of course, Kobayashi and RyuZU, and the place they were in was the town of Ljós.
That's right.
Kobayashi had come to the world of Danmachi once again.
When it comes to grinding monsters to level up, you just have to mention the Dungeon in the Labyrinth City, Orario.
Is there any better grinding spot than a Dungeon that infinitely spawns monsters, increases in difficulty with each floor, and even drops rare items?
The answer is no!
Not to mention, he was practically drooling over the thought of Divine Armaments... Ugh, now he had to go to Orario.
"Kobayashi-sama." RyuZU, beside him, held out her small hand. "That package on your back. Please allow me to carry it."
"It's fine, I'll carry it," Kobayashi refused, shaking his head.
"That is true. It is, after all, the worker's comp money that you, Kobayashi-sama, earned by sacrificing your body and acting as a stud for half a month. It's understandable that you'd want to protect it closely."
"You're not wrong... but that's too sharp-tongued, RyuZU-san! Have a little sympathy for my plight, please!"
Kobayashi covered his face with both hands, feigning tears, and threw himself onto RyuZU's modest chest.
She wasn't wrong, though.
Half a month had passed since he'd decided to come to the Danmachi world.
To ensure a god could forge a Divine Armament, Kobayashi had specifically gathered all the rare materials he could. Besides the Konosuba world's special Adamantite and some Holy Light Stones, he also went to the Akame ga Kill! world to collect the materials used to make [Cross Tail].
After all, mortals using those materials could only make Teigu or Shingu, but a god could definitely make a Divine Armament!
Thinking this, Kobayashi excitedly ran off to the Imperial Capital.
And was immediately captured.
Because he hadn't returned to see them for so long, Leone, Esdeath, and the others were furious. He was subjected to this and that which cannot be spoken of. It even escalated into a competition to see who could "drain" him the most.
So absurd!
If Lubbock hadn't taken pity on him (out of jealousy), he probably would have been kept there permanently. Just thinking back on it now is terrifying, so let's just not talk about it.
The most important thing now was how to get to the Labyrinth City, Orario.
Ljós was as bustling as ever, with the cries of vendors filling the streets, and people still selling war necessities like weapons and grain. The only difference was that the slave-trading area was gone.
It seemed Goddess Freya's actions had influenced this town. As expected of the Goddess of Beauty, spreading an air of freedom wherever she went.
Walking down the street, Kobayashi and RyuZU's attire was very eye-catching, especially the latter's cold, delicate face and her barely concealed disdain. Many people looked at them with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and confusion.
Because Freya had visited before, many merchants who had followed her had made a fortune. They were hoping another goddess would grace them with her presence.
Unfortunately for them, their hopes were dashed.
RyuZU was no goddess.
Just then, a middle-aged merchant with dark skin, a turban, and a full beard sidled up to them.
Don't need antiques, have no spare change, already have a place to stay.
Kobayashi was about to hit him with the standard three-part brush-off, but the man instead bowed with a fawning, obsequious smile.
The middle-aged merchant bowed humbly, his voice filled with reverence and fear. "Excuse me, but are you perhaps Lord Kobayashi, the one who was with Lady Freya?"
"...You know me?" Kobayashi raised an eyebrow.
"Y-Yes! I saw you when I was serving the Goddess at the oasis villa! It is a great honor to see you again!"
Hearing Kobayashi's tacit confirmation, the man grew excited, a hint of expectation in his eyes.
Kobayashi knew he was one of the merchants who had profited when Freya visited. He was probably cozying up now to get some benefit, like finding out Goddess Freya's location.
But this man was a merchant; his information network should be better than his own. The fact that he was asking meant that the Goddess must have pulled another one of her disappearing acts.
Just as Kobayashi thought.
"I am Gesira, a humble merchant. I apologize profusely if I am disturbing you. But I must be so bold as to ask... has the Goddess returned from the capital of Sharzad? Your presence here must mean that Lady Freya has returned. If she requires an attendant, I, Gesira, would be honored to serve!"
Sharzad was Ari's kingdom, one of the main players in this war.
From what Gesira just said, Kobayashi could infer that Ari's journey to reclaim her kingdom was at its final, critical moment.
Of course, she would succeed.
With the Goddess Freya and her strongest Familia members helping, he couldn't see how they could possibly lose. It was a total stomp, the kind where you can plant flags all day and still win!
Kobayashi shook his head, clearing his thoughts.
"Sorry, but I think your hopes are misplaced."
"...What?"
"Actually, when Lady Freya left Ljós, I also parted ways with the Goddess of Beauty. Therefore, I do not know her current location. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."
"How can this be..."
This statement implied two things. One, Kobayashi had no real relationship with Goddess Freya. Two, Freya had abandoned him.
Gesira looked crestfallen.
For merchants, risk always accompanied opportunity. If there was a tenfold profit to be made, they would sell the rope to hang themselves. Even if Goddess Freya was willful and excessively free-spirited, they still flocked to her like locusts, nibbling at the scraps from under the goddess's raised skirt.
Despite his disappointment, Gesira didn't show any disgust or walk away, even after hearing Kobayashi had no real connection to Freya.
A mature merchant can squeeze a bit of sweetness even from a chewed-up sugarcane stalk.
Besides, Kobayashi must have some outstanding ability, or Freya wouldn't have traveled with him, especially since she had summoned him to her chambers late at night.
Yes, he had been there that night.
When Kobayashi was moon-gazing in the courtyard and Freya summoned him to her chambers from the top floor, Gesira had been resting in a hidden corner and overheard their conversation.
Would a normal person be summoned to a goddess's chambers to... get acquainted?
Gesira's mind was racing, but his expression betrayed nothing. He said enthusiastically, "Well... I don't suppose there's anything you need help with, Mister Kobayashi? If there is anything I, Gesira, can do, I will certainly do my best to assist you."
Here it comes! The main event!
Kobayashi had been so patient and polite precisely because he wanted to use this man's connections to get to Orario. How else was he supposed to know where it was?
"Actually, I am in a bit of trouble."
"Please, speak."
"I have urgent business and need to return to the Labyrinth City as soon as possible, but walking through the Kaos Desert is too slow. Even riding a camel would take a great deal of time. I was wondering if you might know of a way."
"About that..."
"Also, you can rest assured about my strength. I can easily take care of even a giant Sandworm. After all, I am an adventurer who has served as Lady Freya's guard."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
He really was a sharp merchant, not willing to commit until he saw a clear advantage.
But they had no real relationship. It was a simple "you get what you give" transaction, and Kobayashi had no complaints.
Gesira had some trade with the Labyrinth City and went there often. Then again, as the center of the world, the vast majority of merchants had direct or indirect dealings with the Labyrinth City.
And to acquire even greater profits, Gesira, just like Bofman, had bought a Sand Ship.
Thanks to that, he had rapidly accumulated wealth, become a minorly famous merchant, and earned the qualifications to serve the beautiful Lady Freya.
It was quite a coincidence. Through a series of misunderstandings, Gesira was convinced Kobayashi and Freya shared some unspeakable secret.
After that, it was simple. Gesira quickly prepped the ship, and they set off for Orario in a hurry.
No matter how greedy or shrewd he was when it came to profits, at least he moved quickly after Kobayashi said he needed to get back to the Labyrinth City urgently.
Of course, if he had dawdled, Kobayashi might have found someone else to help, and then Gesira would have been the one crying.
A strong desert wind blew in their faces. The desert was as barren and lifeless as ever, at least on the surface.
Sand dunes rose and fell in every direction, with no end in sight.
For an ordinary person to cross this desert on foot was pure fantasy, and even on a camel, there was a risk of getting lost.
Indeed, a ship was the only choice.
Although he wanted a peaceful journey to his destination, the monsters lurking beneath the sand, unfortunately, wouldn't allow it.
"Kobayashi-sama."
"I see it, RyuZU."
He didn't need his attendant's warning. Kobayashi had already spotted the enemy with his [Omni-Sensor] skill.
It was our old friend, the giant Sandworm.
"Our luck's a bit bad," Kobayashi muttered, then shouted to Gesira in the distance. "Shipmaster! Tell your crew to grab onto something! We've got company!"
"...What did you say?"
"I said, something big is coming!"
Before Gesira could understand the situation, the ship sailing the sea of sand began to rock violently from side to side. The starboard side rose high, as if to capsize the vessel.
The people on board screamed, and an atmosphere of panic filled the air.
"Monster... It's a monster, aaahhh!!!"
"Not good! Run, run!"
"Don't panic! Jumping off the ship now is suicide! Use the magic cannons, quickly!"
Aside from a few who were scared witless, the others quickly began to counterattack under Gesira's command. But just like with Bofman's magic cannon, by the time they were ready, the ship would have already been snapped in two.
"I'll take this one, RyuZU."
"Yes, Kobayashi-sama."
Now that Kobayashi had a [Falna], he could only gain excelia by fighting monsters himself. He absolutely could not let RyuZU steal his EXP.
With a flick of his right hand, five long threads fanned out. He kicked off the deck and leaped. When the giant Sandworm saw the tiny human, it opened its massive maw, waiting for him to fall right in. But it was met with an incredibly hard thread that wrapped around its head and tightened.
Before it could even struggle, in an instant, its entire head was severed by the threads.
Blood rained down from the sky, spattering the side of the ship. With a thunderous boom, a huge cloud of sand erupted as the giant Sandworm's body collapsed.
Only when the pool of blood stained the sand red and the metallic stench hit them did the people on the ship react.
"I-It's dead..."
"It's dead, right?!"
"N-No way... The giant Sandworm that can easily capsize a ship... was killed just like that?!"
Everyone's eyes were wide with disbelief.
But soon, that disbelief turned to adoration. They all looked at Kobayashi with fervent gazes.
Gesira even more so. As if by magic, he pulled a small pouch of coins from somewhere on his person, scurried over to Kobayashi, and thanked him profusely. "Aah, Mister Kobayashi! Thank you for taking action! Thank you so much! This is just a small token of my appreciation, you must accept it, you must!"
Strength is always in demand, no matter where you go.
And Kobayashi was a strong person.
Gesira admitted he had taken a gamble, agreeing to take Kobayashi as a guard without testing his strength. But now, it was clear his gamble had paid off.
Befriending such a powerful expert was all benefit and no drawback for a merchant like him.
Kobayashi didn't accept the money.
He had his own principles.
Gesira provided the ship, he provided the protection. That was the deal they'd agreed on from the start, so he wouldn't accept any further payment.
Kobayashi's refusal only further convinced Gesira that he hadn't misjudged the man. Unconsciously, he had switched from "Mister Kobayashi" to "Lord Kobayashi."
After that, no other monsters or people came to bother them.
But, unable to restrain his curiosity, Gesira couldn't help but sidle up again and ask cautiously, "Lord Kobayashi, are you perhaps... a First-Class Adventurer?"
In Danmachi, LV1 is a Lower-Class Adventurer, LV2 is a Third-Class Adventurer, LV3 and LV4 are Second-Class, and LV5 and up are First-Class Adventurers.
Kobayashi had just displayed incredible strength, so Gesira's assumption was understandable.
Unfortunately, he was wrong.
"No, I'm just a LV1."
"A LV1?!!!"
Gesira clearly didn't believe him, but Kobayashi just smiled, offering no explanation.
The shrewd merchant knew better than to be too curious about everything, so he didn't press the matter.
Maybe Gesira was just unlucky, but they encountered several more monsters of different types, all of which were easily handled by Kobayashi.
This only strengthened Gesira's conviction that Kobayashi was a powerhouse, and he mentally patted himself on the back for his decision.
After sailing across the desert for the better part of a day, Kobayashi arrived at the Labyrinth City... or rather, a tavern far outside it. This was a gathering place for merchants, the same place Freya had met Bofman.
Then Gesira handed him off to another merchant.
Another half-day passed before he finally arrived at the Labyrinth City at dusk, accompanying a cart full of spices.
"Finally... the Labyrinth City."
Kobayashi sighed in admiration.
Even from outside the city, he could see the white chalk tower piercing the clouds.
Babel Tower.
The city surrounding it was the Labyrinth City, lauded as the center of the continent. Its prosperity and the sheer number of pedestrians far surpassed Axel.
And now, it was time to show this place just a little bit of the shock and awe of the Axis Order.
He was really looking forward to it!
(End of Chapter)