Labyrinth and the Wizard (1)
Everything has a cause and effect. Cause and effect, literally the origin and the result. For instance, suppose Sigurd got duped by a contract somewhere. What would be the reason? It's simply because he deserved it.
Just like that, everything has a cause and effect. A result without a cause? That's impossible.
"Y-you bastard! How dare you scam me! This contract is void! Void!!"
"Void? We already struck the deal on the scales."
"You hid that you were in a crisis and tricked me into the contract!"
"Huh? Doesn't that sound familiar, like something that happened before? They call this karmic retribution."
"Urk…!"
Sigurd, who had been raging in protest, suddenly froze. It seemed he'd finally recalled his own past misdeeds—the day he'd promised to teach me how to make money but conveniently omitted that he was being chased by the Red Beard Gang, scamming me in the process.
Isn't it ironic? And now, in a similar place, in a similar way, he'd been scammed similarly himself. A perfect chiastic structure.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"What do you mean 'looking forward'?!"
Ah, he didn't get it. My explanation must have been a bit lacking.
I filled Sigurd in on everything that had happened so far—why we'd headed to the back alleys, why we'd had no choice but to do what we did there, running into Cassandra and Heinrich, and even the circumstances making them suspicious of us.
"You fool! Who told you to handle things so flashily? When picking someone's pocket, the basics are to blend into the shadows and move stealthily, like I do!"
"You got caught back then too and chased by dozens of people."
"Kh-khm! That was just a minor mishap because the darkness couldn't contain my noble radiance!"
The man could talk. Sigurd cleared his throat awkwardly a few times, embarrassed, then swiftly changed the subject.
"Anyway! So what do you want from me?"
"Next time we go to the labyrinth, join our party and come along."
"No."
"Help me out a bit?"
"No!"
"It's a contract violation."
"Grrraaah…!"
Sigurd clenched his fists, trembling with indignation. Was he on bad terms with Cassandra? Come to think of it, they did bicker a lot.
Whatever. That actually worked in my favor.
"What do you want me to do?!"
Sigurd snarled, his face twisting. I replied calmly.
"Just do what you always do."
"What I always do?"
"Yeah."
Strut around pointlessly, make a racket, snipe at Cassandra to draw all the attention. In short, act as a human aggro shield.
"If Sigurd's clowning around next to me like that, even Cassandra won't have time to pay attention to me, right?"
Sigurd's brow furrowed slightly at my words. Probably because terms like "strut" or "clown" scratched his lofty pride. But soon enough, he filtered it through his signature arrogance and interpreted it perfectly.
"Hahaha! In other words, use the overwhelming presence of the great Sigurd de Lavallier to steal all their attention!"
"Well, you can interpret it that way if you like."
"Excellent! I'll blot out their petty gazes with my radiant glory! Hide in the shadows and watch my exploits, you mere mortal!"
With a dramatic flourish, Sigurd swirled his cape and thrust his chin upward.
"I'll be counting on you."
I clapped enthusiastically. Solid. With Sigurd recruited to the party, all that was left was to drag him to Cassandra.
The coordinated Sigurd would declare he was joining too, and whether she accepted or rejected him, it wouldn't hurt me. If she accepted, Sigurd would pull all the aggro and distract her as planned. If rejected? Jackpot. The offended Sigurd would throw a tantrum, and Evel and I could use that as an excuse to bail gracefully.
Either way, no loss. Perfect.
Finishing our talk, we returned to the guild lobby. Sometime while we were gone, Evel had joined the table where Cassandra, Heinrich, and Doal were huddled together.
…Huh.
Perfect timing, I thought at first, but then a vague sense of unease made me tilt my head.
The ultimate loner zone that no one dared approach. Astonishingly, Evel had slipped right in naturally.
When did she get so smooth? Thinking back, had any other adventurers ever approached us first? Were we being treated as part of that crew without realizing it?
"Evel."
"Ah, Iris! All done?"
As I approached and called out, Evel turned, her cheeks stuffed full of snacks. Next to her, Doal chuckled "Heh heh… you've arrived…" and offered the snack basket.
Looked like he'd been feeding her treats. Doal really had a knack for doting on kids.
I naturally shifted my gaze to Cassandra and Heinrich. Both spotted me and gave light nods in greeting.
"Cassandra, Heinrich. Hi. I have something to discuss."
With an innocently naive expression, like reciting a prepared script, I cut straight to the chase.
"Sorry, about that party invitation from before… mind if we add one more person?"
"……Pardon?"
As expected, Heinrich stammered in confusion. I nudged Sigurd's side with my elbow.
On cue, Sigurd stepped forward boldly.
"Hahaha! Taking pity on you trembling weaklings in the perilous labyrinth, the great Sigurd de Lavallier has graciously decided to accompany you! Be grateful!"
"……."
"……."
Cassandra and Heinrich fell silent. I quickly jumped in with an apologetic addendum.
"Sorry. I told him it was a hassle, but Sigurd insisted…."
"It's not insisting! You fool! Don't cheapen my benevolent grace with such vulgar words!"
Yeah. That's the spirit, Sigurd. Keep being rude and mannerless. Just like always.
I feigned distress, as if utterly at a loss.
"If adding someone makes you uncomfortable, we can just forget this party…."
Before I could trail off, Cassandra let out a resigned sigh and murmured softly.
"…Whisper whisper."
"………."
Deep wrinkles formed on Heinrich's brow. With the face of someone forcing down bitter medicine, he cleared his throat and forced a smile.
"…No, no. The young lady welcomes Sir Sigurd's addition as well."
"Hahaha! Of course! Rejoice at my joining!"
"……Then, with the party size increased, we should inform the guide we hired in advance."
Heinrich gathered his stiff expression and stood. Their pre-arranged veteran guide sat at a table in the corner of the lobby. We all headed over together.
"Sorry. The contract details have changed a bit. One more person joined the party."
"What? Adding someone last-minute means more pay… Huh…?"
The grumbling guide turned, his eyes scanning our group. His gaze lingered longest on Sigurd.
The unnecessarily flashy, billowing robe. The arrogant chin held high, ignoring all stares. And the dazzling golden hair infamous throughout the guild.
Without hesitation, the guide spoke.
"Sorry. I'm out."
"Pardon? What do you mean all of a sudden…!"
Heinrich asked in bewilderment, but the guide was firm.
"I'll return the advance. I'll cover the penalty too, so let's call it off."
With that, he pulled a pouch of silver coins from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"N-no, why on earth?! If it's about pay, we'll give you more…."
"It's not about money. I just remembered—today's the day my housecat's giving birth. I need to play midwife, so no time for the labyrinth."
"A c-cat? What does that have to…!"
"Good luck anyway!"
He bolted from the guild lobby without looking back. A flawlessly smooth improv. At the very least, it showed he was a capable, sharp guide.
I shot Sigurd a sidelong glance.
"Your reputation's even worse than I thought, Sigurd."
"Hmph! Nonsense! That coward's just scared of the labyrinth!"
Sure, sure. Performing the miracle of a cat seeking a midwife, and still so brazen.
"Oh no… The labyrinth opens the day after tomorrow, and now where do we find a skilled guide?"
Heinrich pressed his forehead in dismay. Definitely a critical issue.
It was one of the harsh lessons I'd learned from my last labyrinth delve: guides were essential for exploration. Especially right after a rearrangement, when the terrain fully reset—no maps, swarming with traps and monsters. Without a sharp guide, exploration was nearly impossible.
Huh? What if we can't find one and the party falls apart?
I smirked inwardly. If the party disbanded naturally over this, it'd be a pretty great outcome. Sigurd had pulled the aggro so well, it'd be like clearing the hurdle without lifting a finger.
"No helping it. Without a guide, it's too dangerous, so unfortunately, this party…."
I was about to suggest it gleefully when—
"Heh heh heh… You seem troubled…."
Doal, who had quietly followed us, stepped forward with his signature chuckle.
"If you need a guide… mind if I join…?"
"Huh? Doal, you're a guide?"
I asked in genuine surprise. A wizard guide? What kind of magic was that?
"Well… not a professional guide, but I can be of some help."
A vague answer. But he didn't seem like a bad guy, so maybe his claim held water?
I checked the others' reactions. Cassandra's face was hidden by her veil, but Heinrich looked openly troubled. Sigurd, as always, wore his smug, my-way-or-the-highway expression.
I poked Sigurd's side again.
"Why the reactions? Is Doal weird too?"
"No, Doal's a good guy."
Sigurd's unexpected praise widened my eyes slightly. For him—who treated everyone but himself like bugs—to call someone a "good guy"?
"How's he good?"
I asked, intrigued. Sigurd explained.
"Doal's a kid lover."
"Pardon?"
"Heard he donates every coin he earns to the orphanage daily."
Ah, that kind of kid lover. Unexpected philanthropy from his gaunt, dark-circled, gloomy appearance. That explained sharing his snacks with Evel earlier.
Just as I'd thought—a good person.
"He gives so much he can't even afford his own meals, ending up skin and bones like that. A heart worthy of standing next to me, the great Sigurd!"
"Uh… noble, sure…."
Was starving yourself for donations normal? Something felt off. But judging someone's charity was tacky. Best to just praise sincerely. Doal the donation angel.
"Plus, he haunts gambling dens daily, burning with unyielding passion to multiply his donations into a fortune!"
"Whoa."
I let out a genuine gasp of admiration.
Doal the total nutjob.
Gambling to fund charity. Mix a saint and a scumbag half-and-half, and you'd get this guy. As multifaceted as the dice he always clutched.
"Kh-hm. We're well aware of Mr. Doal's scouting skills. But your… 'way of finding paths' is a bit…."
Heinrich politely voiced his refusal. However—
"Whisper whisper."
"……But the young lady says now's not the time to be picky."
Cassandra cut him off, forcing him to nod.
"Heh heh heh…! I won't disappoint."
"…Please take care of it, Mr. Doal."
And so, just before the labyrinth's opening, a bizarre party of six wizards was formed.