I'll go to Begaritt.
Easy to say, but I bet I'd lose my nerve if I told Sylphie and she started crying.
So I decided to break the news to Elinalise first.
I thought I told you to stay here.
You did, but...
Oh, all right.
Shall we go together?
Thank you!
I've never been to Begaritt before,
but the trip should take about eight months each way.
That's a lot faster than I thought. Hooray for the wisdom of age!
Don't provoke me.
We have bigger problems,
like how to manage my curse.
I won't do it with you on the trip.
No, we won't.
Couldn't we use the magical implement Cliff made?
It can help relieve your symptoms.
If we take it, we'll need to tell Cliff about the journey.
You haven't told him yet?
Have a real talk with him.
Not about breaking up. About your future.
I suppose... you have a point.
A 16-month round trip.
Depending on how bad things are when we get there, it could take two years.
I'd better at least say my goodbyes.
Come in.
What's up? This isn't our usual time.
Well, I have some unfortunate news for you.
What's wrong?
I'm going to the Labyrinth City of Rapan on the Begaritt Continent.
I'll be gone about two years.
Begaritt? The Labyrinth City of Rapan? Two years?
I'm sorry. I know I promised to help you.
But I need to make this journey.
Two years...
Well then, if you'll excuse me...
Wait.
Look at this.
What is it?
A map of teleportation circles all over the world.
Huh?
That page shows where to find a circle from Sharia to Begaritt.
You said you didn't remember where they were!
My lips were sealed.
I remember hearing the name "Rapan."
Starting from the bazaar near the circle,
Ucho Desert
Gryphon ledges
Bazaar
Mountains
Ucho Desert
about a month's journey north should get you there.
Just one month?
I'd get back before Sylphie gives birth.
Try to keep it quiet, though.
Teleportation circles are forbidden. Governments will erase any they can find.
Thank you, Nanahoshi.
I owe you one.
I'm just returning a favor.
Hurry back and help with my research.
I will.
II
Mushoku Tensei
Jobless Reincarnation
I'd like to go help Mom and Dad.
Huh?
All right. Leave the house to me.
I'm sorry I can't keep my promise not to disappear on you.
You are keeping it.
I mean, this isn't "disappearing."
So, um, how long will you be gone? About two years?
Actually, with Nanahoshi's help, I'll be able to use teleportation circles.
So, I think I'll make it back before you give birth.
Teleportation? Is that safe?
Don't worry. I promise I'll come back.
Okay.
Aisha.
Y-Yes?
Can I count on you?
I... think I can handle things.
If you have trouble, ask for help from people you think you can trust.
Don't try to do everything yourself.
I won't.
Norn.
Yes, Brother?
If Sylphie or Aisha have their hands full, help them out.
I will!
Oh, and let's at least pick a name for the baby before I go.
A... A name? Rudy...
Big Brother, why would you say that?
Brother...
If you name the baby before you leave, you'll never make it back.
Oh, no. Were those famous last words in this world?
How about this?
You'll name the baby after you get back,
but if it's born before then, we'll call it Rudeus Junior.
All right. Does that work for you, Sylphie?
Yup.
Sylphie...
Yes.
Once I knew I was leaving, I made the rounds with everyone I knew.
I haven't seen Badigadi since that one time, but I'm sure he's doing fine.
I asked Vice Principal Jenius for a leave of absence,
and got permission to borrow a book on teleportation and one on Begaritt.
Just in case.
Here's the plan:
We'll travel a week from here to the forest where the teleportation circle is.
From there, we'll teleport to Begaritt and take another month to reach Rapan.
Then we'll quickly bail out my folks and come back the same way.
I've got everything I need.
Are you all packed, Rudeus?
Yes. No problems here.
Rudeus.
It's still far from perfect, but I managed to shrink it again.
I made it flexible, so you should be able to wear clothes over it.
Take care of Lise.
I will.
Cliff...
Lise, when you get back, let's get married.
I haven't broken your curse yet, but let's buy a house and live together.
I've made you nervous because I haven't yet, right?
You worried I was all talk.
Oh, Cliff.
I'm a horrible woman. I tried to leave without telling you.
You don't mind a Millis-style ceremony, do you?
I know you don't follow Millis, but...
Cliff! I love you more than anyone alive!
Rudy.
Sylphie, I'll come home soon.
Yes. I know.
Norn, Aisha, watch the house while I'm gone.
Please don't worry. I'll do my best.
Good luck, Big Brother!
Sylphie.
Don't worry. I'll keep Rudeus safe.
We'll get back before you give birth.
I know. Take care of yourself, too, Grandma.
Never fear. Nothing will go wrong.
Well, we'd better get going.
Have a safe trip.
I found it. This is the stone, right?
It matches Nanahoshi's records, so it must be.
I'll purge the barrier.
"That dragon lived only for conviction."
"None could escape the reach of his magnificent arms."
"The second dragon to die."
"The dragon general with the most ephemeral eyes, his scales green and silver."
"In the name of Holy Dragon Emperor Shirad, I hereby break this seal."
Whoa.
I've never seen magic like this.
This is an ancient ruin if I've ever seen one.
Labyrinths look like this sometimes.
Keep an eye out for traps, just in case.
Yes, ma'am.
Now that looks suspicious.
Let's go.
Is this the teleportation circle?
Most likely. I'll check.
What's that?
Exploring the Teleporter Labyrinth, a book all about teleportation circles.
Some details look different, but this circle definitely goes both ways.
I found this book while Sylphie and I were studying the mass teleportation in Fittoa,
but I never expected to use it like this.
It says we just need to touch each other while we step on.
What's wrong?
Nothing. I've just had unpleasant experiences with teleportation.
So have I, for that matter.
I suppose you have.
Now, shall we get going?
Yes.
I guess we made the leap.
It looks like it.
Should we double back once, just to make sure we can?
I'll go.
I'd hate to have to tell Paul that I lost you if anything goes wrong.
All right. I appreciate it.
She's taking a while.
Well, I made it back in one piece.
You were gone kind of a while.
Was I? I thought I came right back.
Maybe there's a time lag.
As long as we can get back, it doesn't matter either way.
It looks like we made it to Begaritt.
This place is buried in sand, but I bet it's a ruin, too.
We can see out, but magic must keep it safe from the outside.
What now? Should we try to cover some ground?
We can't get far with the sun going down.
It's a little early, but let's rest in this ruin for today.
Cliff...
That was close!
I thought I was fine for now, but I guess I'm a little backed up.
My head feels all fuzzy.
Rudeus!
Get a hold of yourself!
That's a succubus!
Honestly. I hate that smell.
Are you hurt?!
C'mon, Elinalise. Just once.
Let's get dirty.
Detoxify yourself already.
Elinalise, I'm, er, really sorry.
"Let's get dirty"?
I'm going out for a bit.
Where to?
Man-hunting.
Don't bother waiting up for me.
All right.
The magical implement takes the edge off her curse,
but I guess it still needs work.
We'd better save Zenith and get home soon, for both our sakes.
Rudeus, I can see something.
Let's check it out.
Should we detour around?
No, let's go up and over.
Climb on.
Much appreciated. It's nice to have someone with so much mana.
You can count on me.
I'll do anything for a shortcut.
Get down!
A pair of gryphons.
That one's all yours!
I'm on it!
Here it comes!
Elinalise!
You're not going anywhere!
Here you go. Nice and roasted.
I really like your seasoning.
Why, thank you.
Elinalise, mind your manners.
My, you sound just like Zenith.
My mom used to scold you?
"Don't forget you're a girl! You should be more careful about these things!"
That reminds me. Zenith was just about your age when I first met her.
She was sixteen?
Yes. She was a clueless little girl.
Paul picked her up and brought her with us.
My dad seemed like he wanted to apologize to you.
May I ask what happened?
You'd better not.
You don't want to hear about your father's messy love affairs, do you?
No, I do not.
Knowing Paul, I can more or less imagine the drama.
Still, I'm sure he'll apologize when we get to Rapan.
Nothing he can say would make me forgive him.
Looks like we finally made it.
Oh!
Episode 19 Desert Journey
Next Time Into the Labyrinth