Chapter 3: The Labyrinth City Orario
Shirou had fallen into a pitch-black, boundless darkness.
This feeling was very familiar to him.
Whether it was back when the Ainsworth family had taken his sister Miyu away, or when he had collapsed within the icy barrier after being defeated by Angelica while trying to rescue her, this sensation always surfaced whenever his body reached its limit and his consciousness could no longer command it to move.
It was the cry of the soul, a lament from the depths of his being, that came when one's personal strength was not enough to change reality.
In these moments, Shirou would always feel powerless — powerless in the face of his own weakness.
If only I was stronger.
If only my strength could defeat all enemies and reverse every tragedy.
If only...
But there is no "if" in reality.
The only outcome for the weak is miserable defeat — watching helplessly as everything they wished to protect disappears right before their eyes.
That is why Shirou's greatest desire now was to become stronger.
If he could become stronger, perhaps he could change everything and ensure that those he wanted to protect would never have to cry again.
At the very least, he never wanted to experience again the pain of seeing something important slip away from his grasp, no matter how desperately he tried to hold on.
"Miyu…"
Whispering his sister's name, Shirou's consciousness reached the deepest part of his memory — and like a spring being released, he was suddenly ejected from the vortex of chaos.
He slowly opened his eyes and found himself in an enclosed space. Around him were cluttered, dilapidated surroundings, filled with all sorts of strange items. In the center of the room stood a tattered purple sofa.
Shirou was lying on that very sofa in the middle of the room.
As he slowly sat up, a sharp pain surged through his entire body, especially in his right arm — the searing pain was so intense he doubted whether it even belonged to him anymore.
"Huh? You're awake?"
Before he could make sense of his situation, a crisp voice rang out beside him.
Looking up, Shirou saw a very young girl, no older than thirteen or fourteen, standing before him. She wore a tight white outfit with a conspicuous blue ribbon tied around her arms.
Seeing Shirou sit up, she immediately looked flustered and rushed over.
"How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Do you feel unwell anywhere? Do you want me to give you a massage?"
"Uh…" Shirou was completely bewildered by the girl's enthusiastic response. "And you are…?"
"Me? I'm Hestia — a goddess!"
The girl who introduced herself as Hestia declared this with great confidence. But clearly, her words didn't win Shirou's trust.
A goddess?
This little girl?
Shirou didn't believe it at all, though he responded politely, "Right, right. So, dear goddess, are your parents home?"
"You obviously don't believe me! Gods don't have parents!"
Hestia snapped, clearly irritated.
Just as she was about to passionately explain her divine identity to Shirou, their conversation was interrupted — the door in the distance opened, and a white-haired boy named Bell walked in.
"Ah, you're awake, benefactor!"
Bell exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Shirou awake.
Shirou recognized him and spoke thoughtfully, "You're the one I rescued earlier? You brought me back?"
"Yes, yes! I was so worried. I carried you back from the dungeon as soon as I could!" Bell scratched his head sheepishly. "But I didn't have any money to take you to a clinic, so I brought you back to my goddess instead."
"Goddess…?"
Hearing that word again from Bell's mouth, Shirou paused.
After all, Bell had spoken so sincerely, showing genuine reverence toward the young-faced girl beside him — truly regarding her as a goddess.
Just what kind of place is this?
With curiosity, Shirou began asking Bell and Hestia for information.
Both the boy and the girl held Shirou in high regard and readily answered all his questions.
First of all, the place Shirou now found himself in was clearly not his original world.
This was a world resembling medieval Europe, but it wasn't inhabited solely by humans — there were also beastmen, dwarves, elves, and other demi-human races, all gathered in a city known as the Labyrinth City Orario.
Orario was famous for the dungeon beneath it. Under the management of an organization called the "Guild," the city had developed extensive urban infrastructure and trade networks.
The Guild's primary structure consisted of adventurers who formed parties, cooperated in combat, and explored the dungeon's depths. They retrieved precious items and resources from the dungeon and brought them to the surface to exchange for money.
The Guild also controlled the dungeon environment and regulated all adventurers, issuing ID cards to ensure order both inside and outside the labyrinth.
If things stopped there, this might've just been another typical fantasy world — but the greatest difference was the existence of gods in this world.
Yes, literal gods.
These deities came from the heavens long ago, descending into the mortal world — which they called the "Genkai." (lower World)
The reason? Because Tenkai (heaven) was too boring. Although it had everything, that perfection made it meaningless and joyless.
To seek excitement and the value of living, the gods left their paradisiacal realm and came to the Genkai — and became fascinated by its way of life.
However, to prevent the gods from running wild, they agreed to a rule: no divine powers could be used in the Genkai. Violators would be forcibly returned to the heavens. But the gods didn't mind this limitation — in fact, they enjoyed living without such privileges.
As a result, gods in the Genkai became just as powerless as ordinary humans.
To deal with the limitations caused by this powerlessness, the gods came up with a solution — they would bestow blessings upon chosen humans, making them their subordinates to assist them in everyday life.
Of course, this wasn't a one-sided exploitation.
While humans gained the god's blessings, they also received benefits, allowing them to grow in ways impossible for normal people. This gave rise to the system known as Falna (Blessings).
Gods granted humans the power to become stronger, and humans offered their strength in return — a mutually beneficial relationship that formed the structure of Familia (divine households or factions).
Bell and Hestia, who brought Shirou back, were part of one such Familia.
However, this Familia was clearly still undeveloped — Bell was the only member, and their home was a shabby basement.
Their circumstances could only be described as extremely difficult.
This became especially apparent at dinner.
The so-called goddess and her follower had nothing but cold bread and water for their meal — a pitiful sight that made one's heart ache.