Port Acana

In the ordinary-looking wooden carriage, as a testament that Zero Ariad–Fragmenta was not traveling bearing the Family Name of Ariad, around nine in the evening under the gaze of the harmonic bluish moon, like a nostalgic memory of his first day or night in that forgotten land under the eyes of the lone dark moon, Zero asked the two maids sitting across him:

"Is there a way to get faster to Port Acana?"

Azel and Olivia pondered for a moment. With uncertainty, the former answered, "Young Master, I think there's no shortcut and we need to traverse the usual route. Also, the 'Rift Hole' at this hour isn't accessible so it could at least take a few days to reach Port Acana via Redan City.

Listening to Azel's opinion of uncertainty, Zero was reminded of the existence of 'Rift Hole' Devices.

Rift Hole – a ginormous arc-shaped teleportation device; one of the inventions of the ancient ancestors of the seven races that had been passed down until the current era. It would allow someone to traverse throughout the continent with the right set of coordinates modified through the 'Worm Core' – an artifact found within the Labyrinth of Origin after defeating a certain Boss Monster named "Space Worm."

This artifact served as the heart of every Rift Hole Device that began existing some thousand years ago.

But certain conditions one must fulfill to be able to access such a technology, allowing for quicker travel between long distances. Such an individual must either be, but not limited to:

[1] Labyrinthos Academia's Personnel and Students.

[2] Part of a Noble Family; from a Baron and higher.

[3] Part of Explorer Forces.

[4] Part Explorer Guilds

[5] Licensed Merchants

However, the distance one could travel corresponded to one's Mana Attunement. The higher it was, the farther one could travel as long as the set of coordinates was in place and the device was efficiently functioning. But the distance had its limit, which equated to Mana Attunement of 500, a certain floor within the Labyrinth of Origin where the Space Worm was and could be hunted.

According to the Labyrinth Records, the Rift Hole could allow one to travel at a maximum distance of approximately 50,000 kildera (50,000 kilometers).

As it was written:

— "We have tested the Rift Hole device, and we arrived at a conclusion that one point of Mana Attunement an Explorer has would allow one to teleport up to 500 kildera. But here comes the birth of a mystery..." — a certain Human ancestor.

Hearing Azel's judgment, whose cerulean eyes seemed to harmonize with the bluish moon, Olivia interjected, causing Zero's little reverie to end, "If I may ask, are we perhaps in a hurry, Young Master?"

This time, after hearing Olivia's query, Zero addressed the hired carriage driver under the butler, Wilhelm's recommendation, "How many days it's going to take?"

"Young Master, from the usual route since we cannot access a Rift Hole this time, it's going to take at least one to two days from this city to Port Acana." The hired carriage driver replied objectively.

"I see. Then we should be able to arrive at Redan City after a day at least. I will also process my mercenary registration as per Sir Wilhelm's suggestion." Taking a sigh of relief, he didn't forget to address Olivia's question, "Anyway, Olivia, we're not in a hurry. You two should take a nap first."

The two maids glanced at each other before nodding to their Young Master's wishes. After all, during the week they had trained under his guidance, there was no way for them to tell Zero that he should be the one to sleep and get watched over. When previously asked by one of the four maids, Zero casually replied:

— "I've been asleep for so long that I seem not to miss it. I will only sleep for the sake of it, so do not worry."

Remembering that, Azel and Olivia slightly lowered their heads as each of them leaned on the carriage's inner, comfortable wall.

***

Witnessing the fast-asleep Azel and Olivia after around twenty minutes since the two closed their eyes of determination and anticipation, Zero recalled the known geographical map of the Mazendria Continent, as well as its existing hierarchies and known rulers.

To begin with, located in Central Mazendria was the Endaira Empire, primarily inhabited by one of the seven races called Humans.

The Endaira Empire was divided into five major territories; four Duchies, one for each cardinal direction, and the Royal Capital in its center, where the Labyrinthos Academia, as well as the ginormous pyramidal structure, First Labyrinth of Wonders — Labyrinth of Origin — was situated.

In addition to Endaira Empire, positioned in Western Mazendria, where the Angel-borne race, one among the seven races including the Humans reside, was the Dominion of Dea, which was ruled over by five Angelican Families, something that was similar to the nobles and Royal Family of Endaira.

But above these five Angelican Families stood the known primary ruler of the Dominion of Dea — a Pope appointed through the revelations of the Goddess of Light received by the current Saintess.

On the other hand, in Northern Mazendria, there founded the kingdom of one of the seven races that included Humans and Angel-borne, Dragonblood. The Dragon King, through his might and labyrinth-related accomplishments, ruled over the Dragonia Kingdom, home of the Dragonblood race.

Then, situated in the Eastern Mazendria was the Sylvaraen Queendom, where the Elves, one of the seven races, reside. This vast territory of nature was mostly green, where most agricultural products for the common people were exported. The ruler of this seemingly boundless amalgamation of nature was the Elven Queen, supported by the Four Family Roots.

Furthermore, located in the further Western Mazendria was the home for the Dwarves, the Karagrim Kingdom, a vast territory situated near active volcanoes. It was ruled by the Dwarf King, who was known to forge godly labyrinthian equipment throughout its long history using the earth's scorching lava.

Meanwhile, in Southern Mazendria, the sixth race among the seven races was living in the icy cold. This was the Lunaria Queendom inhabited by the Vampire race, which was under the rule of the Vampire Queen of the White Eclipse Bloodline, the Nightfallen.

Lastly, the neighbors of the Elves in the East were the seventh race, the Beastkins of the Primalia Kingdom, where the Beast King ruled through one's truth and strength.

Between these cardinal directions that composed the Mazendria Continent were either landforms and bodies of water such as mountains and rainforests; oceans and seas respectively, where sometimes undiscovered, low number scaled labyrinths were scatteredly hidden.

'Too broad to explore yet truly challenging.' Zero inwardly muttered as he was reminded of Her words concerning explorations, which prompted him to hire a slow-driving horse carriage rather than simply open a rift of his own to travel to the location of the objective.

— "I will teach you about your world but only the general and some crucial things in regards to it, along with what's necessary for your – no, our long-term goals. After all, I want you to live the life of an Explorer; someone who has yet to discover the wonders and beauty of your world; something that fate robbed you of as an ordinary human being."

Even though Her eyes were able to occasionally see what was happening throughout the Mazendria Continent, the information She mostly shared with Zero was, but not limited to the ones only necessary in regards to the world's state, hierarchies, society, and such.

But She did not inform him of the wonders of the continent, breathtaking landmarks that could heal one's soul upon witnessing them with one's eyes.

— "You see, Zero, omniscience is ambiguously dull if you live for a very long, long time alone. That's why I can only tell you this much and I wish for you to discover your world on your own. Remember, through its simplicity and complexity lies the beauty of nature."

What Zero had brought with him upon waking up into this world, setting aside the thorough details of specific landscapes and seascapes of several geographical locations and their abundant nature, were seemingly endless mysteries that could tilt the world's order and every wisdom in regards to the existence of labyrinths.

Knowing this truth, he could not help but inwardly mutter, hearing the pronounced clomping hoofs of the horses, 'The future's not set but it can be directed.'

***

Mercenary Guild, Redan City, Southeast Duchy of Alexander.

One day later, after Zero and company traversed the East Ariad Marquisate, leaving the territory of the Patriarch of Ariad, they arrived at the city-gate of Redan City located at Southeast Duchy of one of the four Dukes of Endaira Empire.

After passing some background checks as he traveled as a commoner, Zero rented three lodgings in a particular tavern near the Mercenary Guild; one large room for the two maids, one for him and one for the carriage driver.

Then, at this moment, finding himself in a line of individuals, who seemed to have a business in the Mercenary Guild, Zero, adorned with a dark blue shirt under the layer of an unbuttoned black tailcoat jacket and a pair of black pants and obsidian-like thick shoes, patiently waited in line.

After ten minutes, Zero faced one of the guild's receptionists. She's a woman in her early twenties, probably someone who could not afford to attend the Labyrinthos Academia but was socially skilled enough to be hired by this Mercenary Guild's Branch Leader.

With her green, emerald-like eyes under gold-rimmed eyeglasses, and her shoulder-length blonde hair in stillness, she scanned the pale-skinned young-looking man with brown eyes. A second or two later, she politely queried:

"How may I be of help, Sir?" As she asked, the woman couldn't help but inwardly adore his attire, 'Is he a noble? That's a nice-looking suit. Sigh. I'm afraid some thugs will target this young man. Should I warn him? No, that's not my business. I'm just a receptionist!'

"Greetings, I'd like to register as a mercenary." Zero said, seemingly unaware of the receptionist's thoughts.

"Mercenary? I see, so you're a newbie." The receptionist replied as she retrieved something from one of the desks. It's the registration form, which she handed over to the young man.

"Here, young man. Fill this up. This comes along with fifteen Labyrin Coins as a membership payment.

"And if you are in a rush to get your license, there's an additional ten Labyrin Coins."

Two to three minutes later, Zero handed the information-filled mercenary registration form and twenty-five Labyrin Coins, indicating that he was in a rush to possess a mercenary license.

With a slightly surprised expression, the receptionist reiterated the young man's basic information, "So, uh, you are Zero Fragmenta. That's a unique, unheard name. I also thought you were a noble but it seems I was mistaken.

"You're seventeen years old and from Thread City. Okay, all is good. Wait for a moment, I'll process your—" As she muttered with a genuine smile, someone who seemed to be passionate about her job, a voice echoed within the confines of the Mercenary Guild.

"Liana!" It was an adequately tall man in his late twenties, donning full-plated armor and steel pants. His sword nestled in his side.

"Huh? D–Deran?"

'Fuck! Why is this maniac calling me?!' The receptionist named Liana thought in confusion.

"When's your out? You owe me a date, remember? Sigh. I was tired of clearing a Labyrinth of Ones nearby, I need your warmth."

'The fuck is this man spouting about!?'

At that moment, Liana could not help but cast her gaze on the young man, who was eagerly waiting for the procession of his new mercenary license. Zero just nodded with a cold smile, prompting the receptionist to instinctively turn her back against the Explorer named Deran because for some inexplicable reason, the young man's piercing gaze sent chills down her spine.

But at that moment, something grabbed the receptionist's arm.

"Hey, Liana. Why are you suddenly ignoring me?"