PROLOGUE

The Hidden Side of the Labyrinth Country

The souls of those who died in that sudden accident on Earth received a second chance at life in the Labyrinth Country. Even with the authority I do have, it’s impossible to tell which Seekers have potential at the “reincarnate introduction” stage. I can, however, get a sense of how effectively they will use the new life given to them, or how long they’ll stick around, by examining their lives before they were reincarnated—hence why I enjoy observing the reincarnates with my own eyes.

Guiding these newcomers is entirely unnecessary, but I do it simply because I get fed up with waiting and waiting. And there’s one other reason: Arihito Atobe. I find it fascinating to watch the lives of interesting Seekers like him, from the very beginning to the very end. I was honestly quite pleased when I received the report that he’d moved up to District Seven, though I had to double-check that my own eyes weren’t deceiving me. At the same time, I thought it could be just as bad if things went too smoothly. So many promising Seekers end up satisfied staying in the novice-inclined District Eight and quit seeking, with all their hard work and promise amounting to nothing.

We can never have too many excellent Seekers. Thankfully, Arihito—I already like him and so have decided I can call him by his first name—is surrounded with the most hopeful and competent companions possible.

There’s Theresia, a highly skilled Rogue well suited to the midguard position. As a demi-human, she has certain advantages that a human would normally lack. Considering how she came to join Arihito’s group, you can easily call her the most valuable of his companions.

Then, there’s the very capable Valkyrie, Kyouka Igarashi, who has all the capabilities necessary to be a leader herself but instead puts those capabilities to use as the party’s deputy leader, in a sense. She did use Arihito for her every whim before they were reincarnated, which is one of the things about her that I quite dislike, but I may be able to let this slide if she continues to contribute to his party.

Additionally, there’s Suzuna Shiromiya, whose abilities weren’t widely acknowledged in her previous life, but she has been able to use her evil-banishing Shrine Maiden skills to great effect here in the Labyrinth Country. Her friend Misaki Nitou is blessed with the unseen talent of good luck and was able to choose the Gambler job, which makes good use of that.

They are joined by Elitia Centrale, whose talents in swordsmanship flourish here in the Labyrinth Country, despite the risks inherent to the cursed sword she wields. Her skills work well in tandem with Arihito’s, and she is the party’s primary attacker.

Finally, there’s Cion, the silver hound; Madoka, the Merchant; and Melissa, who is well suited to be a vanguard but selected the less-than-desirable job of Dissector. Arihito is truly blessed; he was also assigned to one of the Guild’s best caseworkers, Louisa.

Most important of all is that these individuals are “chosen” Seekers in the truest sense of the word. Any Seeker who finds the key to a reliquary is granted both the authority and the duty to view the hidden side of the Labyrinth Country—the side that no one knows exists.

They’ll be here soon, at the path that leads from District Eight to District Seven. I already know what I will say to them: It shall be both a blessing and a guiltless curse.