An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

"...I know the reason, or should I say it's because of us..."

"What did you say?"

"Anyway, could you please join us?"

"Oh, I see."

She seemed to know the reason why the Holy Church's headquarters was reduced to ashes. Although Hajime's cheeks twitched and he wondered what they had done, he still tried to reunite with Tio as soon as possible.

As soon as Hajime flew overhead, he saw Tio in the form of a black dragon, flying in the air some distance away from the mushroom cloud.

Aiko, sitting on Tio's back, looked rather distraught. Although the question "Why is the teacher here?" crossed Hajime's mind, he assumed that given Aiko's personality, she wouldn't want to run away and would stay to help Tio.

What concerned Hajime more was that Aiko was clearly giving him an "I didn't mean it!" look.

"...Sensei, Tio, both of you seem to be alright."

"Nan-Nangumo-san! I'm so glad you're okay... I'm so glad."

"Master. Well, although I thought I was dead for a moment, I finally survived. Truly, as expected of your teacher, you actually elevated my breath to a power capable of destroying the entire Holy Church. It's truly remarkable."

Hearing Tio's words, Hajime blinked in surprise and looked at Aiko with a stiff expression of "No way?"

"...Teacher, what did you do?"

“Awawawa, no, no! I didn’t intend to do that! It’s just that the church’s barrier is a bit strong… I was thinking of increasing the power of Miss Tio’s breath… I originally just wanted to break the barrier…”

Aiko was relieved by Hajime's appearance, but she panicked again when she heard Hajime's question. Hajime asked the embarrassed Aiko what happened, and the details were as follows:

Aiko, riding on Tio, decided to fight to prevent Ishtar and the others from casting magic that would cause abnormal conditions on Hajime.

Even though Aiko possessed a high aptitude for magic, she lacked any special magic circles, making it impossible for her to cast powerful offensive spells. Furthermore, the cathedral itself seemed to be a divine artifact capable of casting a powerful barrier, protecting Ishtar and the others, preventing even Tio's breath from reaching them.

At this rate, Ishtar and the others could leisurely perform magic in a safe area. While dodging the attacks of the Temple Knights, Aiko wondered if there was a way to obtain enough firepower to break through the barrier, and she came up with the idea of ​​utilizing her special skills.

By the way, Aiko's special skills are as follows.

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Aiko Hatayama 25 years old Female Level: 56

Occupation: Farmer

Power: 190

Stamina: 380

Patience: 190

Agility: 310

Mana: 820

Magic Resistance: 280

Skills: Soil management, soil recovery [+ automatic recovery], range farming [+ range expansion] [+ foreign matter conversion], growth promotion, variety improvement, plant identification, fertilizer generation, mixed breeding, automatic harvesting, fermentation operation [+ rapid fermentation] [+ range fermentation] [+ long-distance fermentation], range temperature adjustment [+ optimization] [+ barrier granting], farm barrier, harvest rain, language understanding

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It seems that Aiko used the fermentation process.

Although it's called "Sacred Mountain," it's still a place where humans live, and therefore, it contains a large amount of fermentable substances. Aiko seems to be using these to produce methane. To be precise, it's of course a different, otherworldly substance, but it's still a flammable gas.

Aiko unleashed a furious fermentation operation around the church. Since it wasn't offensive magic, just fermentation, the church's barrier didn't react. Flammable gas, like air, continued to accumulate inside and outside the barrier. To prevent the gas from being blown away by the wind, Tio manipulated the wind to keep it contained.

Then, Aiko thought that with so much flammable gas gathered, combined with Tio's breath, it would definitely be able to destroy the church's barrier. However, when Tio exhaled...

"That's how it's going to be, right?"

"Well, we were also blown away, and I felt the sensation of death for the first time in a long time. I didn't expect that not only would the barrier be destroyed, but the church itself would be destroyed... I have never thought of such a method in my entire life. You are indeed my master's teacher, and I admire you deeply."

"No! That's not it! I didn't expect such a huge explosion! I just wanted to say it couldn't be too small! It's true! Huh!? Where are those people from the church!? What happened to them!?"

Aiko frantically defended herself with tears in her eyes, her gaze lingering on the ruined church. Hajime also cast his gaze towards the rubble...

"...Well, they were probably all killed in the explosion."

There was only a pile of rubble below, and after seeing it, Hajime's eyes twitched, knowing that there was no chance of survival.

"Those people seemed to have placed too much faith in the church's barrier, and the explosion was completely unexpected. They were caught completely off guard by that kind of bombing, and they probably wouldn't have survived."

“Ah, ah, how could it be… No, even though I’ve already realized it…”

Her help became the cause of the bombing that killed all the church members, and Aiko couldn't help but turn pale. Although she was prepared to join the war, she couldn't remain calm when the result was revealed.

She couldn't help but vomit on the spot. Seeing Aiko vomiting with tears in her eyes, Hajime scratched his head, quietly approached Aiko, and held her vomit-stained hand without any concern. Hajime thought that she needed warmth right now.

Aiko felt the warmth from his hand, and her heart, which was about to be frozen, stopped collapsing. At this moment, she forgot her identity as student and teacher, threw herself into Hajime's arms, hugged him tightly and sobbed.

"This is my back... No, never mind. It doesn't matter."

Tio spoke with a somewhat sad tone about the tragic condition on her back, but she quickly cheered up and cast regeneration magic.

Tio, for her part, wanted to give her son time to recover. Besides, since she was the one who had breathed out the energy, her son didn't need to shoulder too much responsibility. However, she didn't have the time or the leisure to explain things to her, so she used regeneration magic to slightly heal her son's weakened spirit.

Aiko regained her composure and lifted her head from Hajime's chest. Her face was covered in tears, runny nose, and vomit, but Hajime, unfazed, pulled out a towel and water from his "treasure vault" and cleaned the dirt off. Aiko, flustered by her own disgrace, allowed Hajime to clean her.

"Have you calmed down, Sensei?"

“Y-yes, I’m fine, Nagumo-kun…”

Hearing Hajime's concern, Aiko snapped back to reality, her face flushing with embarrassment. She didn't know if it was an illusion, but she felt the warmth in her voice as she called out to Hajime. Aiko raised her head, her eyes moist, and her gaze towards Hajime seemed filled with passion. No matter how you looked at her expression, it wasn't just one of shame; it was clear she was carrying a special emotion.

Because the thought of Aiko as a teacher first came to Hajime's mind, he had never considered her a "woman". However, seeing her expression, he thought, "Huh? Something seems a little off? Could that be the case?" He also noticed Aiko's feelings, and his cheeks couldn't help but twitch.

Hajime felt something was wrong and immediately looked away, then he heard Tio's alert voice.

"Master, there's someone here, though it's clearly not an ordinary person..."

"What?"

Surprised that someone could have survived such an explosion, Hajime followed Tio's gaze. There, indeed, was a bald man in a white robe, staring directly at them. However, as Tio had said, the man couldn't be an ordinary human; his body was transparent and trembling.

The bald man, perhaps sensing the gazes they were giving him, silently turned around, moving towards the rubble pile without any movement or feeling any gravity, as if he were gliding.

Then, just before he disappeared from view, he turned around and looked at Hajime and the others.

"Are you asking us to follow him?"

"That's right, what should I do, Master?"

"...Let me think about it. I want to reunite with Yue and the others as soon as possible, but...we're here for the Age of Gods magic in the first place. He might have some connection to it, so we can't miss any clues."

"Yeah, that's right, let's catch up then."

Tio nodded in agreement with Hajime's opinion, flapped her wings and landed on the rubble, set Hajime and Aiko down, and then released her dragon transformation.

She noticed the dirt on her back, frowned slightly, and took out a change of clothes from the "treasure box". Hajime also realized his condition and took out clothes from the "treasure box" and changed quickly.

"Wow... I'm sorry... I soiled your clothes..."

Aiko, the one responsible, felt ashamed and apologetic, shrinking her petite body and apologizing to the two. As a woman, having your vomit stain someone else's clothes must be incredibly embarrassing.

Hajime and Tio both knew they couldn't blame her and told her to let it go, but Aiko couldn't let it go so easily. After all, during their earlier conversation, she had gradually come to terms with her feelings. Her feelings towards Hajime were even more complicated.

However, if Aiko continued to feel guilty, Hajime would be troubled, so he changed the subject early on.

"Teacher, please come with us. We don't know what will happen, but we must confirm the identity of that bald man."

"O-Okay, I understand. I'll follow Nagumo-san!"

Hajime thought Aiko's last words were particularly sentimental, but he pretended not to notice and walked towards the place where the bald man disappeared.

The bald man would occasionally appear, seemingly guiding Hajime and the others as they advanced through the rubble. After walking for about five minutes, they finally seemed to have reached their destination. The bald man stared at Hajime and the others, standing still in silence.

"Who are you? What do you want to do to us?"

"..."

The bald man didn't answer Hajime's question, but simply pointed silently - there was an ordinary pile of rubble, but the man's eyes beckoned Hajime and the others to move forward.

Hajime concluded that he wouldn't answer even if he asked, so he and Tio exchanged a nod and stepped into the rubble. Then, the rubble suddenly began to float, and the ground below emitted a faint glow. Upon closer inspection, he saw one of the Great Labyrinth's emblems painted on the ground.

"...Are you a liberator?"

As Hajime asked this, a faint glow from the ground enveloped them both.

When they came to, Hajime and the others were standing in a completely unfamiliar space. It was a gleaming black room, not very large. A magic circle was painted in the center, and an old book sat on a pedestal nearby. It seemed they had suddenly reached the depths of the Great Labyrinth.

Hajime and the others walked to the magic circle. Hajime took the hand of Aiko, who was full of doubts, and after confirming with Tio, he stepped into the exquisite and artistic magic circle.

They had expected their memories to be examined as usual, but they felt something reaching deeper, and the three of them couldn't help but groan. That unpleasant feeling made Hajime momentarily suspect a trap, but the next moment, the feeling vanished. Perhaps it was because they were deemed to have successfully conquered the maze, and the magical knowledge was directly engraved in their minds.

"...Soul magic?"

"Hmm~ It seems to be magic that can interfere with the soul."

"I see. That's how Meredi was able to survive by attaching his soul to a golem..."

The knowledge suddenly etched in her mind caused Aiko to crouch down with her head in her hands. Hajime, standing by, nodded in sudden realization, walked over to the pedestal nearby, and picked up the book placed on it.

The contents appear to be a diary written by Ross Byrne, the creator of the Great Labyrinth "King's Mountain." This diary, identical to Oscar Orcus's, records his interactions with the liberators and many events leading up to his death in "King's Mountain."

However, Hajime had no interest in those things and quickly skipped over them. Rouse Byrne's life was of no consequence. It even explained, in a confessional tone, why he had left behind a video of himself, rather than using soul magic to prolong his life like Meredith, but Hajime ignored it all.

The last part of the notes recorded the conditions for conquering the maze. According to what was said above, when the image of the bald man Ross Byrne appeared to lead the way, the maze almost acknowledged that they had successfully conquered the maze.

This is because those who conquer the maze must possess at least two proofs of conquering the Great Maze, possess no faith in gods, and overcome the influence of divine power. Only when these conditions are met will the image appear before the conqueror. In other words, the theme of "Kamiyama" is the unwavering will to resist the gods.

Chasing the labyrinth along the original, standard route would likely present numerous challenges, testing the will of the challenger. Aiko's recognition was likely due to her continued unfazed by the long-standing teachings of church personnel, always considering the students' best interests. Perhaps the labyrinth judged her sufficient assistance in defeating the church.

This condition is very harsh for the people in this world, but it is extremely easy for them.

At this moment, Aiko finally recovered from the shock of receiving the Age of Gods magic. Hajime urged her to pick up the certificate ring that had been placed on the pedestal with the book, and the group hurried away. The crest of Rouse Byrne shone once more, and they returned to their original location.

"Teacher, are you okay?"

"Wow, yes, it's not bad... But this is really powerful magic. Indeed, if such powerful magic exists, perhaps there is also magic that can return to Japan."

Aiko massaged her temples and nodded in agreement.

Aiko was exhausted by the events that had unfolded over the past few days, but perhaps because she truly felt the possibility of returning to Japan, her expression seemed somewhat relaxed.

"Alright, now that we know the location of the magic circle, let's quickly reunite with Yue and the others."

"Ah, yes! The capital was attacked, wasn't it? I hope everyone is safe..."

Aiko's face was filled with worry, her hands clasped in front of her chest as if in prayer. Hajime and the others urged Aiko to start descending the mountain. While it was called descending, it was actually just jumping from the cable car that led from the sacred mountain to the capital.

Forced to experience free fall, Aiko's screams echoed through the mountains, but Hajime and Tio pretended not to hear them.

After landing on the ground with their limp son, Hajime and the others saw the capital ablaze with flames, wailing and roaring. To get their son to safety, they first headed to where Kaori and the others were.

Then they saw there...

Kaori died after being stabbed in the chest by a sword.

Volume 6, Chapter 4: Betrayal

Going back a little in time, just when Liliana and the others arrived at the palace—

Clang——!!

"!?What's wrong!?"

Hearing the unpleasant noise, like breaking glass, Yaegashi Shizuku, who had been sleeping in her room, kicked back the blankets, picked up the black knife beside her pillow, and instantly went into battle mode. Her movements were clearly those of someone who was always on guard.

"..."

Shizuku maintained her sword-drawing stance, a serious expression on her face, and held her breath for a moment. After realizing there was nothing unusual in the room, she breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason why she was so alert was that she hadn't been able to meet many people in recent days, which made her feel something was wrong.

That day, they had experienced a near-death experience in the Great Labyrinth of Orcus, and after their good friends reunited with their loved ones, they embarked on their journey. Probably shortly after Shizuku and her companions returned to the kingdom—

Shizuku began to feel something strange. She couldn't put her finger on what it was, but what people called her sixth sense told her that something unusual was lingering within the palace.

It was a feeling she couldn't describe, and she couldn't quite place the cause. Shizuku had considered that perhaps the absence of her friends, the expansion of the demonic power, and the question of whether her companions were prepared to kill had all combined to cause her to become overly nervous.

However, today she was sure that she was not wrong and something really happened.

Three days ago, when Aiko came back, she said she had something important to announce at dinner, but after they parted, Aiko disappeared and did not show up at dinner.

At the same time, Liliana's whereabouts were unknown, and her confidants, guards, and maids were all in a panic.

The two close friends suddenly disappeared. Not only Shizuku, Kouki and others, but even the members of the Ai Guard led by Yuuka Sonobe, who were responsible for protecting Aiko, were searching everywhere for them.

At that moment, Pope Ishtar came and summoned students such as Yuka and the Knights Templar such as David who were also Aiko's guards, and explained that Aiko and Liliana were discussing the issue of heresy inquisition in the church base.