An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

Nia, who was appointed as Shizuku's exclusive attendant, actually comes from a knight family. She has been learning swordsmanship since she was a child, surrounded by her father and brothers, and Shizuku also started learning swordsmanship at a young age. The topic of swordsmanship, coupled with similar family backgrounds, made them quickly start a conversation. Nia was always nervous at first because of the heavy pressure of serving the Apostle of God, but now she can call herself Shizuku's friend without any resistance. Because of this, she is really worried about her friends in the other world who are challenging the levels that no one has set foot on. Because of this, the remarks of the students who stayed here who treated Shizuku and others differently would make her feel uneasy. The excessive expectations of everyone might wear down Shizuku's mind.

At this moment, a female student who was present in the salon but did not join in the conversation, but sat quietly to the side with a distant look in her eyes, muttered:

"Everyone... is the same, right..."

"Yuuka? What's wrong with you? Are you okay?"

"Yuu-Yuuka, we haven't spoken in a while...Are you really okay?"

Taeko and Nana looked surprised and worried, their eyes fixed on their other friend, Sonobe Yuuka. It was no wonder they were surprised and worried. After all, ever since that day—the day they'd narrowly escaped death—Yuuka had seemed to have lost her life, fallen into a state of despair. She'd been a girl with a competitive demeanor who attracted attention. For better or worse, she was a lively student. But from that day on, her words had become much less frequent. If her friends didn't take her out, she'd spend the entire day sitting in a chair in her room, staring blankly out, as if she were seriously ill. Even among the remaining students, she was considered to be particularly traumatized. So, it was truly surprising that Yuuka would speak up.

But Yuka herself paid no attention to her two friends, staring blankly into space. She continued:

"...That's true. It's not just Shizuku. Kaori, Sakagami-san, Nagayama-san and the others, Hiyama and the others, and even Amanokawa-san are definitely... no different. At the very least, he's just an ordinary person... no, he's more ordinary than an ordinary person. But... he's more ordinary than anyone else... And yet, I... we're all the same... so, I..."

A list of meaningless words. Those weren't meant to be spoken to others, but simply to express her own feelings. Something stirred within Yuuka, who had been feeling depressed.

Yuuka muttered to herself, causing Nana and Taeko to look even more worried. However, Yuuka's eyes, staring into space, gradually regained their brilliance. Seeing Yuuka like this, they exchanged glances. The other students, watching Yuuka's situation and wondering, "What happened?", also looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

"Miss Nia, when does Miss Ai leave?"

"Aiko-sama, is that so? I heard she's leaving tomorrow morning for the lakeside city of Uru, so I imagine she won't be back for two or three weeks."

"Wow, tomorrow?... Well, this is better. It'll get boring if we wait too long."

Yuka smiled wryly after hearing Nia's answer and stood up from her chair with great momentum. Nana and Taeko were dumbfounded by her dynamic and powerful movements, as they hadn't seen their friend in that state for a while. Nana couldn't help but ask:

"Wait, wait, Yuuka-chan. What's wrong with you all of a sudden? I have no idea."

"Well, well, I'm tired of sitting still. So, tomorrow I'm going on an expedition with Ai."

Yuka readily informed them of her resolution. Not only Nana and Taeko, but all the remaining students were stunned, and understandably so. Yuka was the most severely affected of the students who had suffered the most setbacks. Empty eyes, a listless demeanor, a face sometimes contorted with fear... Yuka had been like that since returning to the Kingdom. Her sudden return to her old self naturally left Nana and the others perplexed.

"Hey, hey, Sonobe. What's wrong with you? You seem a little weird, calm down for a moment!"

Junshi, having regained his composure, frantically tried to persuade her. But...

"I'm calm, Tamai-san. Besides, I didn't become like this suddenly... I've always felt that I couldn't go on like this. Because 'his' death scared me, and somehow my mind was in a mess... But I still felt that I had to do something. Isn't that what you and everyone else feel, Tamai-san?"

“!…”

Yuuka's words made Atsushi gasp. He swallowed what he was about to say and closed his mouth. The other students who stayed behind also looked away in embarrassment.

Seeing her companions like this, Yuka didn't say anything. Instead, she just shrugged, indicating that she understood their feelings, and then walked towards the salon door.

"Wait, wait, Sonobe! Are you really going?! You might die this time! This isn't the world of comics or movies, so coincidences and miracles don't happen! That's why... that guy died! He was so incompetent and yet he did something so stupid, that's why he died like that. I, I... don't want to become an idiot like that guy... Sonobe, don't act rashly!"

Junshi roared with excitement, but gradually lost his strength. Finally, he lowered his head and tried to persuade Yuka to stay. But Yuka did not turn back. She replied to Junshi in a calm voice, no, to all the companions who stayed behind:

"...But, I was saved by that incompetent and stupid person. No, we were all saved by him."

"this……!"

"I don't mean to ask you to come along, Tamai-kun. I just don't want everything he's done to go to waste, that's all. Of course, I'd be happy if there were a lot of people who wanted to go with me."

Yuka glanced over her shoulder, her expression a bit stiff, but a smile still broke through. Atsushi opened and closed his mouth, wanting to say something. But he couldn't speak, and he slumped back in his chair like a puppet with its strings cut, and Yuka walked out of the room.

Taeko and Nana were still stunned, but they immediately left the students who were still in the capital with their heads down and expressions of regret behind them, and hurriedly chased after Yuka. The two who caught up with her in the corridor said to Yuka with confusion:

"Hey, Yuuka, do you really want to follow Ai-sensei? You might actually die this time, right?"

"I know, but I really can't go on like this. I don't have the courage to follow Amanokawa-san and the others, but I must at least be Ai's protector."

Yuka's voice and eyes revealed a resolute determination. Nana and Taeko exchanged a glance, and then Nana asked timidly:

"Yuuka-chan...um, could it be that you are...?"

"What are you talking about? My personality is not that simple."

"Yeah?"

"Of course, right? After seeing Kaori's terrifying training and the way she believed he was still alive, anyone who dared to stand in her way would be a true hero. If I had that kind of courage, I wouldn't be staying here."

“Well…”

Yuuka Sonobe—that day, the student who was saved by Hajime Nagumo, who hadn't returned from the Great Labyrinth of Orcus, from the Nightmare Warrior's blade—was none other than her. That's why Nana had her suspicions. However, Yuuka's answers and expression revealed that while her feelings for Hajime weren't romantic, they were clearly complex. Even Nana, ever curious, didn't dare tease her.

To Yuuka, her words were not false. She simply didn't want anything to go to waste. She didn't want her life, which had been saved, and Hajime's life-threatening efforts, to go to waste. Since "everyone is the same," Hajime must be the same. So, how could she, who was no different from him, the one who had been saved, just stand still? That would be like betraying the efforts of Hajime, who was no different from her. Yuuka didn't want to become that kind of person.

The two longtime friends seemed to sense Yuka's feelings, and after exchanging a wry smile and nodding, they both simultaneously announced to her that they, too, would be joining the expedition.

"...Is this okay? You don't have to accompany me, you know?"

"Yuuka-chan doesn't want his rescue to go to waste, and I don't want Yuuka-chan's rescue to go to waste either. If you want to go, then I'll go too~"

"Well, I can't just watch you go alone, Yuuka. And I don't want this to go to waste either."

Yuuka, saved by Hajime—the one who had thrown everyone around into panic—recovered. Some students rallied to protect their companions, and Nana and Taeko were among those who recovered. Nana and Taeko understood that Yuuka's awakening connected their lives. Therefore, now that Yuuka had recovered, there was no reason for them to stand still.

"Is that so? Haha, then let's join the journey together and protect Ai from monsters and the handsome guard knights sent by the church!"

Although she wasn't entirely disappointed, Yuuka's delight at having two friends along made her smile and playfully bark orders. Nana and Taeko also responded with a cheerful, "Okay!"

The three of them laughed together. The terrifying shadow that had been lingering in their eyes faded considerably. A ray of light took its place, dwelling within them.

The morning before departure was thick with morning mist. The slightly brightening eastern sky and the crisp morning air served as a perfect alarm clock. However, amidst this perfect travel atmosphere, one person wore a gloomy expression—Teacher Aiko Hatayama, the protagonist of today's expedition.

"...Are you really not going to reconsider? The knights are already serving as your teacher's guards."

"No, Ai-sensei, it's those knights who are dangerous! They're clearly the hounds sent by Ai's church to try to win over her!"

"That's right, Ai-sensei. You can't be fooled just because they're all handsome, okay?"

"Although I feel like they won't be able to deceive Teacher Xiao Ai, and might even fall in love with her... Even so, Teacher Xiao Ai is still our Teacher Xiao Ai, so it's better to be careful."

Their words made Aiko's shoulders slump in frustration. Yuuka, Nana, and Taeko had already prepared the night before and announced they were going with Aiko. She'd tried desperately to convince them it was dangerous, but to no avail. She knew now that nothing she said would work.

Incidentally, Yuka's claim that the church was using its beauty to lure Aiko wasn't just pure speculation. Aiko was accompanied by a Templar Knight Guard as she conducted land reforms and pioneering expeditions throughout the kingdom. Each of them was handsome, and they were all attentive to Aiko. And it was all to tie her down—Aiko, who had the potential to completely overturn the world's food supply. However, as Taeko said, just as the students had a crush on Aiko, the handsome Knights were now gradually becoming her followers for the same reason. But Aiko herself didn't realize her situation was like that of the heroine in a female-oriented romance game.

Aiko was delighted that they had come along out of concern and admiration for her, and that she wanted to strive once again. However, she still had mixed feelings and felt troubled by the thought of letting them go on such a dangerous journey. Soon after, a loud commotion could be heard from the direction of the palace.

Aiko looked over there as the knights arrived at the meeting place, their carriages and horses. However, a surprising group of people were among them. They seemed to be arguing with the Knights Templar. Aiko's eyes widened, while Yuka and the others looked surprised.

"Tama, Tamai-san? Even Aikawa-san and Nimura-san are here! Could it be that you guys are here too..."

"Ah, Teacher Xiao Ai, good morning. We're going with you too, so please give us your guidance."

Atsushi and the others glared at the Knights Templar and greeted Aiko in a rather frivolous manner. Just as Aiko was about to lecture them, Yuka spoke first:

"...You guys are going? Honestly, I'm a little surprised."

"Shut up... It's not just you, we all want an opportunity too. But it seems like the others still can't find a way."

"Is that so? Well, then, even if it's just us, let's work hard together."

Yuka shrugged, readily accepting the offer to join Atsushi and the others. She shouted, "Ai's Guards are formed!" Atsushi and the others, though nervous and fearful, responded with a cheerful, "Okay!"

Before their departure, another student joined the Ai Guards. While they engaged in minor skirmishes with the handsome Knights Templar, they embarked on an expedition to reform and reclaim the land. Within their hearts, they harbored the resolve to try again.

“Ugh, I got brushed off again… I can’t even convince a single student. I really am a useless teacher. Ugh…”

Aiko sat dejected on the swaying carriage. Needless to say, her presence caused the handsome knights to struggle in frustration. But when the knights tried to strike, Yuka and the others, needless to say, roared at them. Aiko was constantly caught in the scattering sparks. Aiko, the object of everyone's protection, the one who should have been cherished, was now suffering from a stomachache due to her inability to convince the students... but no one noticed.

In a certain room, a faint bluish-white light emanating from the walls revealed three figures leaning against the wall, huddled together. They were Hajime, Yue, and Shia.

With Hajime at the center, Yue sat on his right and Shia on his left, leaning on his shoulders. The room was filled with silence, but if you listened carefully, you could hear the faint sound of Yue and Shia snoring. They slept with Hajime's hands in their arms, using them as pillows.

It had been exactly one week since they entered the Great Labyrinth of Lassen. During this time, countless traps and annoying texts had steadily weakened their mental strength, causing them to suffer even more than their physical damage. They had returned to their starting point seven times, been struck by deadly traps forty-eight times, and encountered pointless pranks like metal basins, birdlime, and having a strange, smelly white liquid sprayed all over their faces one hundred and sixty-nine times.

Initially, Hajime and the others were filled with anger towards Millardi Rasen, but after the fourth day, they had given up on themselves and decided, "It doesn't matter what happens~."

They still had plenty of food, so their bodily functions wouldn't shut down so quickly—a blessing in disguise. Just like now, they rested while slowly exploring. Eventually, they discovered a pattern in the tectonic shifts. They used "markers" to identify which blocks would move to which locations.

“Maybe we’re almost there,” Hajime thought, and turned his gaze towards the girls sleeping on either side.

"You slept so comfortably... but this is a huge maze, huh?"

Hajime's whisper mingled with a wry smile. He was in charge of the guard duty, so he'd been awake the entire time. Hajime subconsciously unwrapped his arms from the tight embrace and stroked Yue's hair. She seemed to smile softly, and Hajime's gaze softened slightly.

Next, he turned his gaze to the other side. Shia was drooling openly on Hajime's shoulder, her mouth moving as she slept with a relaxed expression. Shia's sleeping face, a look that didn't quite fit in with the surroundings of the Great Labyrinth, made Hajime stare at her. He inadvertently remembered her wishing he could pat her head, so he gently stroked Shia's hair.

He rubbed her bunny ears, and Shia's already relaxed expression relaxed even further. It was a look of complete peace of mind. When Hajime was watching over her, no, perhaps just having Hajime by her side made her feel at ease.

Hajime stroked her soft, bluish white hair and rabbit ears, with a complicated expression on his face.

“Really? What’s so good about someone like me… and you even followed me to a place like this…”

Despite his complaints, his eyes were incredibly gentle. While Hajime didn't yet share the same feelings for Shia that Yue had, as Shia hoped, Hajime was drawn to her positive outlook, her cheerfulness, and her determination to never give up despite her complaints. Therefore, his caress of Shia naturally became gentler.

At this moment, Xia began to talk in her sleep:

“Hmm… Ah… Hajime-sun, you’re so bold~ You’re actually doing this outside~… Everyone’s going to see us~”

"..."

Hajime's eyes remained gentle, but the smile in them had vanished. With the same gentle gestures, he quietly moved his hands, pinching Shia's nose and then plugging her mouth. Shia's peaceful expression slowly turned to pain, but Hajime continued to plug her mouth.

“Hmm~hmm? Hmm~!? Hmm——!! Hmm——!! Puwa! Huh, huh, w-what are you doing! Even if you want to sneak attack someone while they’re sleeping, this isn’t the way to do it!”

Shia woke up with a sharp breath and protested fiercely. Hajime looked at her with a cold gaze and said:

"So? Just how perverted do you think I am? What good things do I want to do outside? Hmm?"

“Eh?…Ah, was that a dream!? How could this be? Hajime-san finally started to feel shy, but then he couldn’t contain his overflowing passion and accused me of being shy and reserved, and finally, in front of everyone, huh!?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Hajime flicked Shia's forehead with his enhanced finger. Shia leaned back violently from the impact, slamming the back of her head against the wall behind her. She crouched on the ground, tears streaming down her face. It seemed she couldn't shake off her apologetic persona.

Shia rubbed the back of her head and whispered, "Is it just my imagination that makes me feel so happy when I fall asleep?" She must have unconsciously felt Hajime caressing her. But if he told her about it, she'd undoubtedly become overwhelmed with pride, so Hajime ignored her and decided not to tell anyone.

Since Shia was (forced) out of bed, Hajime gently woke Yue. Yue uttered a cute "...Hmm...Ah?" and slowly opened her eyes. She glanced up with a blank expression, then, upon confirming it was Hajime, a smile crossed her eyes. She nudged Hajime's shoulder, then gently left to tidy up her appearance.

"Wow, Yue-san is so cute... Is this how a girl wakes up? Compared to me, I'm really..."

Yue looked at Shia, who was beginning to look dejected, with a puzzled look, but then thought, "It's just Shia after all," and left her alone.

"Alright, you've already known that your combat power (feminine charm) is overwhelmingly inferior to others. Don't be discouraged, start exploring."

"...Have you lost your gentleness somewhere?"

“…? Hajime’s tenderness fell on me.”

"Wow, anyway, it's just Miss Taiyue. Damn it."

Shia stood up, a bit grumpy, while Yue and Hajime were fully prepared. Praying they wouldn't end up back where they started, the three of them began conquering the maze once again.

Once again, they passed through countless traps and annoying words with the mind of a bodhisattva.

Then, Hajime and his companions encountered a room they hadn't seen since their previous visit a week ago. It was the room that had brought them back to square one and exposed them to the wrath that shattered the heavens—the room with the Golem Knight. However, this time, the sealed door had been open from the start. The other side wasn't a room, but a wide passage.

"Is this the place?... It'll be troublesome if we're surrounded again. The door's open, so let's just go in one go!"

"Um!"

"Yes!"

Hajime and the others rushed into the Golem Knight's room. As they reached the center of the room, as expected, Golem Knights made a metallic clang and rushed out from the recesses on either side. However, before the Golem Knights could fully emerge, Hajime shot the Golem Knights in front of him away with his gun, stopping them before him.

Using the time they'd gained, Hajime and the others sped up, reaching the altar before being surrounded. The Golem Knights gave a furious chase, but it seemed they wouldn't be able to catch up before they passed through the door. Hajime chuckled, thinking, "This is winning by running away."

However, Hajime's smile vanished the next moment. The Golem Knights had actually passed through the door and were chasing him. And...

"What!? Running on the ceiling?"

“…You scared me.”

"Mr. Gravity, please do your job well~!"

Indeed, the pursuing Golem Knights seemed oblivious to gravity, running along the walls and ceiling. Their heavy armor clanged with a metallic clang. Even Hajime and the others were startled. Hajime immediately used Mineral Identification on the passage, but the materials were all known. No minerals capable of neutralizing gravity or possessing adsorption properties were detected.

"What the hell is going on?"

Hajime couldn't help but blurt out, muttering. Then he turned back to glance at the knight behind him, and something even more surprising happened.

One of the Golem Knights running on the ceiling bounced up as it ran. Then, with terrifying momentum like a cannonball, it flew headfirst towards the direction it was heading.

“What!? Damn it!”

Hajime let out a startled cry and fired a barrage of Donars. The bullets flashed, shattering the armor and shoulders of the incoming Golem Knight. The Golem Knight's head and torso detached, even letting go of its greatsword and shield. However, the creature didn't fall to the ground, instead charging directly at Hajime and the others.

"avoid!"

"Um!"

"Wow!"

They ducked and leaped, dodging the Golem Knight's head, torso, sword, and shield as it charged forward with such force. The Golem Knight's wreckage, still undiminished in momentum, slammed into the walls, ceiling, and floor, rolling forward.

"Hey, hey, that's just like..."