PROLOGUE

The New Star and the Observer

A woman wearing a military uniform strode down the hall toward her section officer’s work quarters in the Guild Saviors’ District Six branch. Following right behind was a man who asked her:

“I wonder why you got called in all of a sudden? Maybe they’re going to recognize you for your excellent conduct.”

“I doubt it. The Administrative Department probably contacted us.”

“Hmm, that doesn’t happen often. We’ve had boring jobs here in District Six for so long and haven’t had any orders to mobilize elsewhere, so we can’t even get a change of pace that way… Oh, there I go running my mouth.” The man had white hair but hadn’t even reached thirty years of age. He was significantly larger than the woman and had the strength to go with his size. The eyepatch over his left eye made him look rather tough. Regardless, he treated the delicate military uniform–wearing woman with the utmost respect.

The woman smoothed her silver hair back in place and came to a stop, then glanced at the man who’d stopped with her and told him, “Khosrow, please wait with everyone else. You’re not my adjutant.”

“They are sort of letting me act as lieutenant commander, but you’re right—I’m not your adjutant.”

“…If you’re trying to make me less nervous, there’s no need.”

“Ha-ha-ha, you’re as tough as always, Commander Kozelka. Understood; I’ll wait for you and play a game of poker or something with the others.”

Kozelka silently watched the man leave, choosing not to reprimand him for his foolish jokes. She let out a deep breath and started walking toward the office again.

Third-Class Dragon Captain Kozelka Orfis. That was her full name and rank as given by the Guild Saviors. The man named Khosrow was almost ten years her senior. Many of Kozelka’s subordinates were significantly older than her, but she still knew she had enough of their respect that the age difference didn’t affect their duties.

No matter what duty she was about to be given, she would execute it. She double-checked that she actually wasn’t nervous and decided that Khosrow’s concerns were unfounded.

“Third-Class Dragon Captain Kozelka Orfis reporting for duty.”

“Come iiiin.”

Kozelka knocked on the door to her section officer’s room and received a response far lighter than she was expecting. Unfazed, she opened the door and entered. Inside, there was no sign of her section officer, but seated on the sofa was a purple-haired woman wearing the Administrative Department uniform. She was waving her hand at Kozelka.

“Please have a seat. I came because I have a little favor to ask you. Your section officer said you were the one for the job, so I waited here.”

“The one for the job… Is it a special mission, then?”

“Yeah, a really important one. We’ve got some ‘new stars’ for the first time in a while, and I want some information on them. I thought I could send someone from the Guild Saviors to take care of it.” The lady’s tone started off a little respectful, but it quickly slipped into something more casual. Kozelka had spoken directly with people from the Administrative Department before, but this young-looking girl addressed Kozelka with the least restraint.

The Administrative Department was, as the name suggests, the group overseeing everything in the Labyrinth Country. They were the ultimate authority, meaning even a first-class dragon captain would have to do exactly as ordered to.

“…By ‘new stars,’ do you mean promising novice Seekers?” asked Kozelka.

“Yep. They managed to make their way to District Seven without getting tripped up at all. Now they’re trying to move up to District Six. No novice Seekers have ever managed to accomplish that in less than a month.”

A Seeker’s goal was to use the experience and equipment gained from seeking to grow stronger, move higher in the ranks, and eventually explore even tougher labyrinths. In other words, the speed with which a Seeker climbed the ranks was a direct indication of their potential. If someone were to make it to District Six within one month, you couldn’t describe them with a word as simple as excellent. The word that popped up in Kozelka’s mind was extraordinary.

“Regardless, it is against the Guild’s…and the Guild Saviors’ duties to show preferential treatment toward any given Seeker…,” said Kozelka.

“I want to observe them to make sure such special individuals can keep doing special things. And if possible, I want to have them on our side… You understand what I mean?”

The purple-haired girl was here as requested by the Administrative Department, which meant that the department felt this party of “new stars” could become a threat to them if they became hostile. There were other promising parties in the upper districts that the department monitored, but for a group to show such promise in District Seven was just too quick. The seventh district existed to weed out any Seekers not cut out for progressing to the rest of the Labyrinth Country.

“You mean…that the Administrative Department sees this party as important, correct?” Kozelka didn’t try to delve any deeper; she simply stated what she saw on the surface.

The purple-haired girl smiled and stood, then walked behind Kozelka, who was still seated on the sofa, and put her arms around her like a hug.

“I love children who catch on quickly. So you’ll do it? Keep a close eye on Arihito and his party for me? You don’t need to constantly meddle in his affairs—you just need to tell me what he’s doing when it’s necessary,” whispered the girl as she stroked Kozelka’s pale face, then turned to leave the room.

“…I haven’t asked your name,” Kozelka finally managed to say. She’d been completely unable to move since the girl had come up behind her. Kozelka was said to be stronger than any other soldier of her experience, but she’d been unable to lift a single finger. It took a significant amount of willpower just to speak.

“I…told them they could call me Yukari. You can call me that, too,” replied the girl.

“…Understood, ma’am. Thank you for the assignment.”

“Your section officer recommended you, but I didn’t expect that I’d get someone this good. It makes me happy. Thanks for your help, Kozelka.” Yukari’s last words sounded like she was talking to a friend, then she quietly disappeared.

Once she was gone, Kozelka realized she was shaking. She needed a bit more time before she was able to stand again.