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Over the Infinite Chapter 25 Part 1

 

Interlude “A Certain Adventurer and a Small Elf”

 

-1-

 

Once upon a time, on a planet called Earth, in a country called Japan, there was a man named Orihito Mikami. He was an ordinary man, nothing particularly noteworthy about him. His story isn’t of much relevance here. In fact, he hardly even remembers it himself.

This was about 40 years ago. This man, retaining his memories, was reborn in this world as Orish, an eccentric name, in a situation akin to the web novels Orihito Mikami used to be engrossed in. His name sounding similar to ‘Ori-shu,’ a slang term used in fanfiction for original characters, was some sort of joke, perhaps. His appearance, too, was something out of a cringe-worthy cliché — silver hair and heterochromia, a somewhat punkish handsome look. If he had long hair, it would have been perfect, but he kept it short as a modest rebellion against his cursed birth. An older man with long hair is somewhat creepy, after all… fortunately, he wasn’t bald.

Orish had his thoughts about his name, but no one around him seemed to bother about it. His eccentric appearance, too, was somewhat acceptable in this world where many had flamboyant hairstyles. After living 40 years with this name and appearance, it started bothering him less. That’s why, for almost a decade now, he has been living without using the name Orish, and it’s not because he’s ashamed.

 

Really, it’s true.

 

There was once a bearded old man who saved my life.

He was a lackluster and unimpressive man until the very end, but he was an adventurer.

Poor, without a family, his life was a mix of day labor and occasional monster extermination.

He was the kind of adventurer who wouldn’t feature in any heroic tales, nor would anyone remember him. But for me, he was the hero.

 

He remained active until his fifties, but I am reaching that age myself.

My body is nearing its limit. Not only is my strength waning, but my reaction time has slowed. My memory, which was never great, doesn’t seem much different.

I used to be able to fight a few orcs at once, but now I struggle with even two. Handling one is still no problem, a testament to my relative strength.

 

Being able to fight an orc is considered full-fledged in this line of work.

At my age, being able to battle orcs still earns me some respect in the narrow world of adventuring.

Hence, in this town and its vicinity, I am considered one of the oldest and strongest adventurers.

It’s unfortunate, but it’s partly because there aren’t many who follow in our footsteps.

 

Adventuring is hardly a glamorous job.

If I hadn’t had certain experiences in my youth, I wouldn’t be doing it. There are other options.

Most people see adventuring as a temporary gig, moving on to become guards or private soldiers for the wealthy if the opportunity arises.

Lately, many are lured by rumors of a “Labyrinth City” in the Orendia Kingdom, a place where “all wishes come true.”

 

I’ve heard about this “Labyrinth City” for quite some time, but the rumors never seem to die down; in fact, they’re growing. Whether it’s true or not doesn’t interest me much, but the persistence of the rumor indicates some credibility. Yet, the fact that no one returns to confirm makes it seem dubious. Regardless, I have no interest in verifying it, but it’s a bit disheartening to think that the promising youth might be deceived there.

 

One day, a visitor from this “Labyrinth City” appeared.

 

「Hey, Bolkan. You still look as gloomy as ever. 」

 

The one who spoke to me was an employee of the Adventurers’ Guild.

Our relationship goes way back, even before I started using the name Bolkan. He was already an employee when I was a child, so he must be close to sixty now. Though he seems energetic in conversation, he’s already an old man by this world’s standards.

 

「Better than your aged face, I guess. Aren’t you nearing your life’s end? 」

「Don’t be silly. I won’t die before you. There’s a bet going on among the staff about which of us will die first. It’s been going on for so long that the stakes have become ridiculously high. 」

 

What’s that about? They’re betting on that inside the Guild?

Well, normally, with the kind of work I do, I’d probably die before him. But I don’t plan to lose.

 

「What do you want? I already turned down that job as a personal trainer last time. 」

「Man, you’re the only one who would reject such a great offer. 」

「I’m an adventurer. I plan to keep going at least until I reach the old man’s age. After that… I’ll think about it when the time comes. 」

 

There’s no use thinking about the future in a job where you never know when you might die.

 

「Today’s request is related to your ‘adventuring,’ so it shouldn’t be a problem. 」

「A new goblin nest found? 」

「Actually, no. It’s more like a simple guide job. But it pays well… just guiding through the nearby mountains, which you know better than anyone. 」

 

Every year before winter, I almost certainly get jobs for monster culling, and occasionally in other seasons as well. That’s why I’m quite familiar with the geography in this area, more so than the villagers who rarely travel far.

「Is it a guiding and guarding job? 」

「Not likely. The client is also an adventurer, so just guiding should suffice. Discuss the details and terms with them directly. They said they’re willing to pay a good amount. 」

 

That’s unusual.

Adventurers leaving this town is common, but not many come here.

Especially well-off adventurers are almost unheard of.

 

「Get the full details from them. If you’re going to refuse, do so to them directly. I’m just making the introduction… They’re waiting in the back room, go meet them. 」

 

Even though they’re adventurers, it’s rare for them to use the Guild’s reception room.

Seems like VIP treatment.

 

「Couldn’t you at least tell me who this person is? 」

「She’s a young woman named Tiese, apparently from Labyrinth City. It’s a bit late, but you might want to ask her a few questions. 」

 

The so-called Labyrinth City. I had doubted its very existence, but it seems it really does exist. While I’m not particularly interested in the truth behind the rumors, it wouldn’t hurt to hear her story. She might even know something about those who left our town for the Labyrinth City. But a woman adventurer? That’s more than just uncommon.

 

「Hello, are you the guide? 」

 

And when I met her, ‘uncommon’ was an understatement.

 

「An elf? 」

「Yes, a Half-Elf, to be precise 」

 

She replied, tugging at her ear to show me.

I was taken aback. Though I had heard of the existence of Elves, Dwarves, and other fairy species, I had never actually seen one. Perhaps it’s because we’re in the countryside, but I’ve never even heard of anyone who’s met one. And this girl, she’s just a child. Do Elves age slowly and grow at a different pace? Could she be as old as me despite her young appearance?

 

「May I ask your age? 」

「I’m 14 years old. 」

 

She really was a child. True, I was already dabbling in adventuring at 14.

 

「M-may I sit down for now?」

「Of course, please have a seat. 」

 

She might not be the owner of the room, but I sat down as she suggested. The sofa was comfortable, but something felt off about the situation.

 

「Let’s start with introductions. You might have heard, but I’m Tiese, a Half-Elf from Labyrinth City. 」

「…I’m Bolkan, a human. This is the first time I’ve had to introduce my species like this. Are Elves common in Labyrinth City? 」

 

It felt strange to specify that I was human.

 

「Humans are the most common there. But there are various races. Beast people, Elves, Dwarves, and others too. 」

「So, it’s a melting pot of races… I had heard about Labyrinth City, but I had no idea what it really was like. It’s quite surprising. 」

 

The Labyrinth City seems to be a melting pot of species. I had heard that different fairy species, such as Elves and Dwarves, usually don’t get along well. The stories always portray Elves and Dwarves as never living in the same town. I wonder if there are no racial conflicts in that city.

 

「Well, the city doesn’t reveal much information about itself. And not many people leave it. 」

「Is there a restriction on leaving the city? No one who has left our town for Labyrinth City has ever returned. 」

 

Could it be some sort of imprisonment? But then, how does this girl’s explanation fit into that?

 

「You can leave normally if you complete the necessary procedures. But it’s true that not many people want to leave. I’m here on a job. 」

「A job, huh? Let’s start with that. Is there a particular monster causing trouble? 」

 

I wanted to get the main topic out of the way before diving into my curiosity.

 

「Dragon extermination. 」

「…Excuse me? 」

「Dragon extermination. 」

 

No, it’s not that I couldn’t hear it. I’m not old enough to be deaf yet.

 

「Wait a minute. Dragons, like in fairy tales? 」

「Recently, a dragon was spotted in the vicinity. It seems like a mere mixed breed, but it’s still beyond the capabilities of the Empire’s knights. 」

 

It’s no wonder. Such a legendary creature is too much for commoners or knights. Adventurers included.

 

「I’m not some brave hero who can fight such a beast. 」

「We only need your guidance to the nearby village. The fight will be ours. 」

 

This was giving me a headache.

This girl, fighting a dragon? What kind of a joke is that? Even in fairy tales, such a setting is impossible. I think there were games like that when I was in Japan.