"That's strange," Roxanne remarked.
It was the following morning when she first brought it up.
"What's strange?" I asked.
"There are people ahead. Even at this early hour. They have been in the exact same spot yesterday and the day before as well."
Hearing that, it certainly sounded suspicious. It was odd for anyone to stay in one place inside a Labyrinth for so long. Usually, explorers didn't stay in a fixed position to hunt.
"Maybe it's a monster that smells like a person?"
"I've never heard of such a thing. Since I try to avoid areas with other people as much as possible, we won't be able to move forward if they remain there."
Because I relied on magic, I had asked Roxanne to guide us to secluded areas. If the passage leading to the Boss Room was permanently occupied, we would never reach it. That was a problem.
Several days had passed since we started exploring the Halber 12th Floor. We were defeating monsters at a steady pace, so we had likely mapped out most of the area. The only part left was whatever lay beyond the spot where those people were camping.
"There is a possibility that thieves are lying in wait," Sherry warned.
"Thieves again?"
"The 12th and 13th Floors are notorious for them."
"I thought people barely came to this Labyrinth, though."
"In a crowded Labyrinth like Quratar, they would be caught immediately. On the other hand, they can't make a living in a Labyrinth where no one ever visits. A place that isn't too crowded but sees occasional traffic—like this one—is ideal for them."
The Harz Duchy currently had three Labyrinths. I had been recruited specifically because they were short-handed. The local Explorers and Knights were likely split between the three locations. I suppose thin security made it the perfect target.
Whether it was bad luck or simply inevitable, Sherry's logic made it seem certain they were thieves.
"So, what's the plan? Should we wait for them to leave?"
"If they're there at this time of day, we should assume they stay there around the clock. Since it's early morning, there are likely fewer of them now. If we're going to break through, now is the time."
Roxanne made a bold suggestion. The Halber Labyrinth was located further north than Quratar. I decided not to mention that the sun was likely already up; explaining that the world was a sphere would probably take all morning.
"Could we report this to the Knight Order?" I asked.
Crying to Gosler was an option, though I doubted whether they would mobilize just because I said "someone was there" without evidence. Perhaps I could stake out the entrance and confirm if they were thieves?
No. Even if I used Appraisal to confirm their identities, it wouldn't count as legal proof. I did still have the Intelligence Card from the thief I'd killed before. I could show them that and suggest they investigate the area for more...
That sounded like an immense hassle. More importantly, the locations didn't match. I had killed that thief on the Tale 13th Floor, while this was the Halber 12th Floor. I could try to bluff, but piling lies on top of lies was a recipe for disaster. Besides, to claim a bounty, I would have to show my own Intelligence Card. Since Gosler and the Knights believed I was an Adventurer, I couldn't risk them seeing my card, which clearly displayed me as an Explorer.
Reporting to Gosler was out.
"I doubt they would take action unless you were a retainer of the Harz Ducal House," Sherry added, shooting down the Knight Order idea.
"Is that so?"
"Retainers are officially protected. But you are a Free Citizen, Master, correct?" Roxanne asked.
"Yeah."
"Then it will be difficult."
"For a Free Citizen, the basic principle is self-redress," Sherry explained. "Free Citizens have the right to exercise self-redress. To seek official protection would mean being placed under the protector's Patriarchal Rights. That would hardly be advantageous for us."
I didn't fully grasp the nuances, but being a Free Citizen sounded complicated. Regardless, I understood that I couldn't simply call the police in this world.
Self-redress. Essentially, I had to handle my own problems. Was that really a right, or just a duty?
Sure, seeking protection was easy. But protectors didn't work for free; they would demand a price. In exchange for safety, they would demand obedience. As a Free Citizen, I could protect myself, which meant I didn't have to answer to anyone.
In that light, I suppose self-redress really was a right.
"I guess that's how it is."
"Thieves are nothing new," Sherry said, her tone as firm as Roxanne's. "It is only natural that we break through by our own strength."
Evidently, this was the rational way to think in this world.
"Master. I... okay," Miria said, nodding.
Roxanne must have explained the situation to her while I was lost in thought. I wasn't entirely sure what she was "okay" with, but she seemed ready.
"It will be fine," Roxanne assured me. "There don't seem to be many of them. We've dealt with their kind before. We won't be outdone by mere thieves."
"I agree," Sherry said. "Thieves lying in wait on the 12th Floor are likely weaker than those on the 13th. There is no reason to lose to criminals who target average parties on this floor. Ordinary parties take much longer to clear monsters than we do. Compared to them, we are significantly stronger. Miria and I might still be developing, but if we cooperate, we'll be fine. We won't lose easily, even against thieves."
Coming from Sherry, the logic felt airtight. We should probably just push through with brute force. At the very least, that seemed to be the standard approach here.
I still had that thief's Intelligence Card because I couldn't turn it in. I supposed I was about to collect a few more.
While I trusted Roxanne and Sherry, I didn't want to put Miria in too much danger. That said, I couldn't imagine Roxanne losing a one-on-one fight to anyone. Sherry's level had also risen quite a bit; she could hold her own against low-level thugs.
The real variable was Miria, who had only just joined us. Still, it wasn't a given that they were actually thieves. They might just be regular people who happened to be lingering. I had to at least confirm the situation.
I had Appraisal. I would know the moment I saw them. With Roxanne's nose, Miria's eyes, and my Appraisal, we wouldn't be caught off guard. If it turned out to be a group of high-level criminals we couldn't handle, we could just retreat.
"I am... okay," Miria repeated, nodding even before I spoke.
I took it she meant she was ready to fight.
All three of them certainly were bold.