Labyrinth: Chapter 78/79

Chapter 78: Is There a Way to Return?

Stark knelt at the wooden table.

He was still thinking...

Komekko had told him her sister was out adventuring with some man.

Adventuring... with a man…

What exactly does that mean?

Stark furrowed his brow.

He wasn't sure what kind of person this mysterious guy was...


---

Elsewhere in the house—

Hyoizaburoo and Frieren had been quietly discussing something.

Suddenly, Hyoizaburoo shot to his feet, bursting with excitement.

"Yes! Why didn't I think of that?!"

"Frieren-san, you're an absolute genius!"

"Please, stay a little longer!"

"Hehe~"

Frieren gently shook the magic device in her hand, smiling smugly.

"Sure. But once it's complete, I want a copy of this device."

"No problem!"

"Husband!"

"Frieren-sama!"

Fern and Yuiyui shouted at the same time.

Both men froze like statues, then immediately dropped what they were doing and obediently sat cross-legged at the table.

"Frieren-sama, we've been here nearly a month already."

"If we stay longer, it's only going to get colder up north, and our journey back will get more dangerous."

"Don't you understand how serious this is?!"

Fern scolded with a frown.

"Fern… I know I messed up…"

Frieren lowered her head, unusually obedient.

"Alright, alright, Fern, just eat. Don't be angry."

Yuiyui smiled as she placed a piece of beef into Fern's bowl.

After more than half a month of living together, she could tell.

This girl was kind at heart and cared deeply for her companions.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find a way back."

Yuiyui reassured them.

"Mm… thank you."

"Fern!"

At that moment, Komekko looked up with her big glittering eyes.

"My sister is a super powerful wizard!"

"Maybe she can help you!"

"Really?!"

Fern and the others instantly straightened up.

The magic of traveling between worlds…

Frieren couldn't crack it on her own.

But if there was another high-level magic user helping, they might just have a shot!

As soon as Megumin was mentioned—

Hyoizaburoo's face lit up with pride.

"Of course it's true."

"My daughter is the greatest magician in the world!"

"She mastered humanity's most powerful offensive magic while still a child!"

"I'm not exaggerating, my daughter, she's—"

Before he could finish bragging—

Yuiyui shoved a piece of bread straight into his mouth.

"Oh, husband, don't show off so much in front of guests."

That said—

Yuiyui couldn't help but smile happily too.

Fern lowered her gaze, deep in thought.

The most powerful offensive magic in the world?

Maybe with her help, they really could get back.

"Excuse me… where can I find her?"

Fern looked up seriously.

"Ah, well—"

"I'm back!"

Before Hyoizaburoo could reply, the front door opened with a creak.

Megumin's voice rang out from outside.

"I saw shoes at the entrance. Are there guests?"

"…Huh?"

She stepped into the living room...

And froze at the crowd sitting around the table.

"..."

"You guys had sukiyaki without me?!"

"I even brought back all these local specialties!"

Megumin dropped the bag in her hand and sprinted over barefoot.

"That's too cruel!"

She knelt at the table, scooped up some meat, and stuffed it into her mouth.

Frieren and the others stared at her in stunned silence.

What… is happening?

Fern blinked at the petite red-robed girl in front of her.

This was the great wizard who had mastered the world's most powerful offensive magic?

This was definitely not what she imagined...

She expected someone more… mature.

"Megumin, why are you back already?"

Hyoizaburoo blinked.

Megumin suddenly remembered her main reason for returning. She set down her chopsticks.

"Mom, remember the nutritious porridge you made for Komekko and me when we were sick?"

"Can you teach me?"

"I want to learn how to make it."

"Oh?"

Yuiyui raised an eyebrow.

"What for?"

"No reason! I've just been feeling kind of off lately. I thought it'd be good to have something light to drink..."

Megumin looked away, eyes shifting guiltily.

Chishiya had liked that dessert Yunyun made last time.

She wanted to show off a little too.

And lately, her master had been ridiculously busy.

A warm bowl of porridge might help him relax.

But more importantly… she didn't want to lose to Yunyun!!!

That's right...

She just didn't want to lose as the eldest disciple.

No other reason!

Totally not!

"..."

Yuiyui's lips curled into a knowing smile.

She knew her daughter's tsundere nature too well.

It was obvious from the start that she wanted to make it for Chishiya.

"Alright. I'll teach you before you head back." Yuiyui chuckled softly.

"But Megumin."

She glanced toward Frieren.

"They seem to need help. Do you have any ideas?"

"Huh?"

Megumin blinked and turned to look at the others.


---

Ten minutes later.

Fern explained their situation to Megumin.

"So basically, you want to return to your original world."

"Right?"

Megumin asked.

Fern nodded. "Yes."

"I heard from Hyoizaburoo-san that you've mastered the most powerful offensive magic."

"You're a very accomplished magician."

Megumin burst out laughing. "Hahaha!"

"Of course! I am the Crimson Demon Clan's top magician!"

"I once obliterated an army of tens of thousands of Orcs with a single spell!"

Her "tail" was practically wagging.

Fern stepped forward, serious.

"In that case, please help us find a way home."

At that moment—

Megumin's smile froze on her face.

"Eh???"

Thinking she didn't hear, Fern repeated it.

"We hope you can help us find a way back."

"Um…"

Megumin looked around in a panic.

Her eyes wandered like someone trying to disappear.

"Actually… my case is a little special…"

She scratched her head.

Fern frowned. "What's wrong?"

"..."

Megumin pressed her lips together.

Stark and Frieren also stared at her.

"Do you have any special conditions?"

Fern asked again.

"No…"

Megumin sighed. "Actually… besides that kind of magic…"

"I don't know any other spells…"

"..."

A few seconds passed.

Fern: "EH——?!"

The room went silent.

No one said a word.

Until finally…

Someone muttered, "Let's eat…"

Everyone quietly picked up their chopsticks again and resumed their meal.

Both Fern and Megumin had flushed ears.

Probably from the mutual embarrassment...

"..."

Magic for crossing worlds…

Megumin chewed on her chopsticks in thought.

"Wait…"

Something suddenly clicked.

"I remember now!!!"

She slammed her chopsticks down on the table.

How could she forget her master?!

Her master totally knows magic for crossing between worlds!!!

"I'll take you to meet my master tomorrow!"

"He'll definitely have a way!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 79: New Business Model, Online Shopping

The next morning.

In the Labyrinth City, the central square of Lapris was packed.

Youm looked around.

Fuze and Albis were both present.

"I wonder what Chishiya-sama called us out here for?"

"I heard he's making an announcement."

"Maybe it has something to do with that thing on stage?"

Youm and his companions glanced toward the raised platform.

Parked on it was a strange-looking vehicle.

Rimuru, lounging on Ranga's back, wore the same curious expression.

"That thing looks oddly familiar…"

"Does Rimuru-sama recognize it?" Ranga asked.

"Well… sort of. But it's not quite how I remember it."

Rimuru scratched his head.

What was parked up there looked exactly like a mobile food truck you'd find at a night market.

It had glass windows, extendable awnings, and a surprisingly spacious interior—big enough for four or five people to move around comfortably.

Off to the side…

Aqua was sipping iced cola through a straw, her eyes sparkling like a kid at a festival.

"Kazuma, Kazuma! Look! Isn't that the food truck from the food stand?"

"Is Chishiya-san opening a snack bar?!"

"I wanna eat oden!"

"No, wait! Grilled skewers go better with drinks!"

Kazuma turned to her with a look of sheer resignation.

Is she secretly part pig?


---

Finally.

Amid the crowd's speculation, Chishiya stepped onto the stage.

He took his place at center stage.

"Everyone."

"Our trade route with Dwargon has officially opened."

"And I'm here to introduce a new business model."

"I'll be selecting the right people to participate in its trial run."

"Today's just a basic introduction."

"A new business model?"

Fuze and the others raised their eyebrows, intrigued.

They were all eager to see—

What kind of innovation the young man who'd just established ties with Dwargon could pull off this time.

Chishiya continued.

"This new model is called online shopping, something very common where I'm from."

The residents exchanged confused glances.

"Online shopping? What does that even mean…"

"What a strange name."

Online shopping?

Kazuma and Rimuru looked at each other.

Wait, seriously?

Chishiya-san was about to introduce online shopping to another world?

How the heck was that supposed to work without the internet or phones?

Wasn't that just impossible?


---

Onstage.

Chishiya kept the explanation short and simple.

Going into too much detail would only confuse people.

"The concept is pretty straightforward."

"It allows customers to shop remotely, without standing in line."

"After filling out their order form, the merchant handles the delivery."

"And how we achieve this relies on the equipment beside me."

He patted the so-called "dining car" beside him.

Fuze narrowed his eyes.

Remote purchases? Merchants handling the shipping?

The concept was certainly fresh.

"..."

Fuze rubbed his chin.

But there were obvious problems.

…How would delivery work?

Could they guarantee timeliness?

And if the buyer couldn't inspect the goods firsthand, what would happen if issues came up?

"Chishiya-sama, what's the name of this device?"

Fuze asked.

"Ah…"

Chishiya hadn't actually come up with a name yet. Naming things had never been his strong suit.

After a short pause, he said, "It's called a shopping cart."

Yeah… that works.

He convinced himself internally.

Shopping cart?

Kazuma and Rimuru froze again and glanced at each other.

Wasn't that just the shopping cart from online store interfaces?

That name…

Was painfully appropriate.

And somehow… kinda genius.

Chishiya continued.

"These shopping carts will be stationed along the trade routes and inside Dwargon."

"Each unit will be staffed with four members."

"First, we'll distribute product catalogs to potential customers."

He pulled out a magazine-like book from inside his coat.

Printed with the help of the Great Sage, the publication was split into two volumes.

Volume one: a full list of specialty products available in the Labyrinth City.

Volume two: promotional content, showcasing Lapris's unique facilities, gourmet foods, and local culture.

"I see… so instead of building an online platform, we use catalogs."

Kazuma nodded.

"Catalogs keep costs low, and handing them out for free doubles as marketing."

"Much better penetration," Rimuru added.

"Chishiya-san really has a good sense for business."

As a former civil engineer, Rimuru admitted he wasn't particularly savvy with commerce.

But these ideas?

They were definitely solid.

Fuze and Albis exchanged thoughtful glances.

Product catalogs, huh?

That was actually a clever approach…

But…

Fuze raised a hand.

"Chishiya-sama, I have a concern."

"If a customer refuses to buy something without seeing it in person, how would you handle that?"

Chishiya smiled.

"Each shopping cart will carry product samples for customers to inspect."

"All they need to do is give their delivery address to the staff."

"We'll take care of delivery."

"Items will arrive within three days."

"And of course, we'll offer full after-sales service."

"This is an international initiative, after all. We can't afford to be careless."

"I see…"

Fuze lowered his head, deep in thought.

It was surprisingly doable.

No wonder Dwargon agreed to diplomatic relations.

To be honest…

This was worth testing.

If only he could get one of these "shopping carts" back to the Kingdom of Blumund...

It might actually stimulate their economy.

No…

Fuze narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists.

He had to find a way to persuade Chishiya.

Blumund needed spots in this trial.

"Um… Chishiya-sama…"

But just as he started speaking—

Albis cut him off.

"Chishiya-sama, would it be possible to allocate a few of these trial shopping carts to our Beast Kingdom?"

Fuze's mouth twitched.

Damn it…

She beat him to it.

He gritted his teeth and quickly added, "Chishiya-sama, the Kingdom of Blumund would also like to request a few spots."

Chishiya casually waved his hand.

"Sorry, for now we're only rolling this out in allied nations."

"..."

Both of them fell silent.

What a bait-and-switch…

Couldn't he have said that earlier?

In the audience…

The Beast Kingdom's envoys weren't thrilled.

Especially the older beastkin.

Still, for the sake of the three beast warriors, they didn't raise any objections.

But the dissatisfaction was obvious.

Euranazia was a global power, and their people served under the Demon Lord.

Their kingdom had set aside its pride and sent envoys to establish ties with Lapris.

And now?

They couldn't even get a single slot?

Wasn't that a slap in the face?

Besides…

Lapris was a fledgling force.

Its land size was barely one-tenth of the Beast Kingdom's.

If Demon Lord Carrion hadn't taken interest, who here would even consider diplomatic relations with this place?

And yet this guy still acts like he's the one doing them a favor?

What the hell is he pretending for?

(To be continued.)