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The first thing in sight was a sky of brilliant blue, scattered with drifting clouds.
Lush greenery swayed in the breeze, and the crisp air carried the faint fragrance of wild grass.
This labyrinth was unlike any other, sitting atop a remote island.
At first, hardly anyone lived here. But after word spread of a treasure hidden deep within the maze, adventurers began arriving in droves. That flood of people eventually turned the once-desolate island into a lively hub of activity.
And now—
Near one of the labyrinth's secret entrances, a half-elf girl named Marcille was waiting nervously, though there was a flicker of hope in her eyes.
"Hey, Marcille… are you seriously saying your friends are from another world?"
The halfling Chilchuck clasped his hands behind his head, giving her a skeptical look.
He'd heard the rumor yesterday, but for someone who'd spent his entire life here, the idea of "other worlds" sounded like pure fantasy.
"Don't tell me it's just some half-elf delusion. You were so devastated over Falin's death that you started hallucinating, right?"
"True," said Laios, the armored man whose features leaned toward European. "Marcille was acting completely normal up until a few days ago. Then after Falin died, it was like she turned into someone else entirely."
"It's not a hallucination! I'm serious!" Marcille puffed up her cheeks, indignant.
"Looks like she's too far gone already," Chilchuck muttered. "Laios, maybe we should take her to a doctor first. No way she's fit to enter a dungeon like this."
But before they could argue further—
A sudden burst of light flared before them, forming into a glowing doorway.
The abrupt phenomenon left Laios and Chilchuck stunned, while Marcille's eyes lit up. She fixed her gaze on the shimmering portal, full of anticipation.
Footsteps echoed from the other side. A moment later, five figures emerged: one man and four women.
First came a mature woman with flowing green hair, draped in an extravagant dark-green gown and coat, glittering with jewelry on her hands and ears. Her graceful figure, framed by the formal attire, radiated both elegance and confidence.
Beside her walked a purple-haired girl gripping a sword, eyes darting curiously at her surroundings. A petite blonde in a school uniform followed, looking almost out of place. Then came a white-haired elf girl with twin ponytails, even her eyebrows a snowy shade. She wore a white mage's robe, long pointed ears peeking out, holding a jeweled staff in one hand and a small suitcase in the other.
And at the back, in a coat of his own, was the lone man—Rosen.
"Hey, hey, everyone—long time no see!" Gabriel grinned wide once she realized the people here were all familiar faces. Her guard immediately dropped, her personality shining through.
"Last time we met was… well, the last time," she quipped.
"Pointless chatter already? You just like wasting words, don't you?" Rosen chuckled, shaking his head before turning toward Frieren.
"So, how's the research on that Spear of Light I gave you?"
"Not great," Frieren admitted, her expression thoughtful. "That thing doesn't follow any existing magical theory. Honestly, I hate to admit it, but the way the energy forms into a spear—it feels like something more advanced than magic itself."
Whenever the topic was magic, Frieren had a lot to say.
"Most magic can't remain detached from its caster for long. Even barrier spells, like the one I drew from before—sure, they last, but their energy isn't nearly as pure as the Spear of Light. That spear, its strength never weakens, the energy doesn't fade… it's almost like it's eternal."
She tilted her head curiously, lips curling with a faint smile.
"Rosen… you're not human, are you?"
"Genuine human, no knock-offs here." Rosen shrugged casually.
The fact that Frieren had gotten this far in her analysis in only a few days was impressive.
As for whether he really was "human," well… Rosen figured that was more of a philosophical question.
"True enough," Fubuki mused, pressing a finger to her chin. Her sharp green eyes studied him intently. "Gabriel could see all of us through the anime, but not you. And then there's your power…"
"Now that you mention it, something about those abilities of yours feels familiar," Saeko Busujima added quietly. She stopped short of mentioning Rosen's ability to make people into his vassals—out of respect for his privacy.
"Don't tell me you're some kind of god? Hah… now that would be terrifying."
Gabriel cracked a mischievous grin. Truthfully, Fubuki's words had sparked a particular image in her mind, but she instantly dismissed it.
After all, there was no way that being would descend in the flesh.
And even if an envoy did, they wouldn't be out here in Saeko's world, killing people and… robbing gold from bank vaults, right?
"So anyway, relax! We're here to help Marcille save her friend, and maybe enjoy ourselves a little in this world. No need to overthink it!" Rosen said lightly.
The others nodded at that. It made sense enough, and it was time to focus on their actual goal.
Finally, Marcille found herself the center of attention. Her heart leapt, and she exhaled all at once, pointing excitedly at Rosen's group.
"See? I told you! I wasn't lying—these really are my friends from another world!"
Laios and Chilchuck just stared, dumbfounded.
They were real? Seriously?
Though… they didn't look all that different from normal people here. Just their outfits seemed unusual—especially Fubuki's lavish attire, which would put even this world's nobles to shame.
"Well, let's do some proper introductions," Rosen suggested.
None of them acted superior because they were "outsiders." But beyond giving their names and explaining they were here to help, they didn't share much else.
Not out of secrecy or stinginess—sometimes, it was simply safer for locals to know less.
"So, just to confirm," Fubuki asked Marcille, "all we need to do is head into the labyrinth, find the red dragon, retrieve Falin's remains, and then revive her, correct?"
"Yes!" Marcille pressed her hands together, bowing slightly. "I'll be counting on all of you!"
Seeing her earnestness, Laios straightened up and offered a knightly salute. "Thank you for coming to save my sister."
Even if Falin wasn't his sister, their goal was shared.
Chilchuck scratched the back of his head, still trying to process suddenly teaming up with this many strangers.
"Resurrection magic, huh? Sounds fascinating," Frieren remarked as the group began moving. She strolled over to Marcille's side. "Why don't you share the theory with me afterward? Consider it my payment for this little expedition."
"..."
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