An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

Incidentally, just as Yue had said, Hajime wouldn't touch her head. Shia was the type to get carried away, and if he touched her carelessly, she'd mistakenly think Hajime was romantically involved, which would be troublesome. After this incident, Hajime had completely come to regard Shia as a companion, but he wouldn't easily develop the same feelings for Yue towards anyone else. That was what "special feelings" meant. Besides, Hajime didn't want to do anything to make Yue sad.

However, seeing Shia crying and acting coquettishly in Yue's arms out of happiness and relief, and Yue looking at her gently and stroking her head like a sister... I can somewhat predict what the future will be like.

Shia was acting coquettishly towards Yue, Yue was hugging her tightly, and Hajime was looking at them with an indescribable expression. Suddenly, a voice said to the three of them:

"Um~ I'm sorry to interrupt when things are so good~ but things are getting a little bad, can I excuse myself for a moment~?"

It was a familiar voice. Hajime and the others stared at Meredith Golem in surprise, noticing the light in her eyes, which had supposedly faded, had somehow rekindled. They instantly jumped away, maintaining their distance and adopting a defensive stance. Her core must have been shattered!

"Wait, wait, it's okay~ You passed the trial! You won! I was just using the remaining power in the core fragment to buy a few more minutes to talk~ There weren't even a few minutes left."

As if to prove his words, Meredith Golem remained motionless, the light in his eyes flickering dimly, as if it would disappear at any moment. It seemed that the fact that he only had a few minutes left was indeed true.

Hajime relaxed his guard slightly and spoke to Miledi Golem:

"So? What are you trying to say, you old fool? Even after you're dead, you still don't understand the mood... Do you need me to pass on the fact that you're the most apologetic liberator?"

"Wait, come on~ Don't say such annoying things. That look of yours that's about to laugh is so annoying!"

"So? If you want me to help you kill 'those damn bastards', I'm not interested, okay?"

The words that Hajime spoke first made Miledi Golem smile bitterly.

"I won't tell you, because there's no need to. Rather than saying what I want to say... it's more like giving you advice. Even if the labyrinth you're exploring doesn't contain the Age of Gods magic you're looking for, you'll definitely obtain the Age of Gods magic of all of us 'Liberators'... because that's necessary to fulfill your wish..."

Meredith's strength seemed to be running out, and her speech became increasingly unclear and sporadic. However, Hajime didn't care at all and asked:

"All of them... Then tell me the locations of the other labyrinths. They've been lost, and almost no one knows them."

"Ah, I see... Is that so? It's been so long... I don't even know where the labyrinth is... Hmm, where... where..."

Meredi Golem's voice finally began to lose strength, even taking on a touch of melancholy. Yue and Shia looked on in admiration. After so long, Meredi had even transferred her will into a host vessel to fulfill a mission or a wish, and had survived to this day—their eyes expressed their respect for this person.

Meredith murmured the locations of the remaining seven labyrinths, including a surprising one.

"That's all... Good luck."

"...You're really obedient. Where's that annoying tone and lines?"

Just as Hajime had said, Meredith now seemed to be completely different from the one who would prepare offensive words in the labyrinth or speak in a tone that would irritate others. Instead, she exuded an air of honesty and seriousness. Perhaps her true self, which had been glimpsed when she questioned Hajime's purpose before the battle, had been revealed. Perhaps it was because, with her imminent destruction imminent, she no longer needed to maintain her pretense.

“Ahaha, I’m sorry~ But… those damn bastards… are such a disgusting bunch… They always do such disgusting things… So, I hope… at least… you can get used to it first…”

"Hey, you. I already told you I'm not interested in some crazy god. Don't assume I'll fight them."

Hajime said this in an unhappy tone, but Meredith's response was filled with unexpected seriousness and conviction.

"...You will fight. If it were you... you would definitely... kill the God."

"...I don't understand what you mean. But if they get in my way, I'll probably kill them."

Hajime was slightly confused. But after seeing his expression, Meredith smiled happily and said:

"Hehe... That's all... Just live your life as you wish... Your choice... is definitely... the best for this world..."

At some point, Meredith Golem's body was enveloped in a blue-white light, resembling phosphorescence. Like a firefly, the light formed a faint, tiny glow that gradually rose into the sky. It was as if her departed soul had been summoned back to heaven. It was a deeply mysterious scene.

At this time, Yue slowly approached Meredith Golem and stared into Meredith's eyes that were almost losing their luster.

"What's up?"

Meredy murmured. Yue, in a similarly gentle voice, gifted the great 'Liberator' who was about to vanish with a single word.

"...Thank you for your hard work. You worked very hard."

"..."

Those were words of comfort. They were small gifts from those who lived in the present moment, offering to those who, alone at the bottom of the deep darkness, continued to wait for hope—a great existence. Originally, these words might not have been appropriate for someone so much younger than him. But Yue couldn't think of anything else to say.

This must have been quite a surprise to Meredith. She remained silent, her expression awestruck. After a while, Meredith said in a calm, low voice:

"……Thanks."

"……Um."

Incidentally, after Yue and Meredith exchanged their final words, Hajime, enraged by Meredith's supposed understanding and her rambling, opened his mouth to say, "That's enough! Hurry up and ascend!" Shia, perceptive enough to sense Hajime's intentions, choked him and declared, "Who's the one not paying attention to the situation now? Please shut up!" Hajime's mouth was gagged, unable to utter a single word. Fortunately, the other two remained oblivious, maintaining a serious atmosphere.

“…Alright, the time…seems to have come…May the free will…be with you from now on…”

After giving the same words to Hajime and the others as Oscar had, one of the 'Liberators'—Millied Golem—disappeared into the sky in a faint glow.

Surrounded by silence, Yue and Shia were immersed in the afterglow, looking up at the sky as they followed the trail of light.

"...At first I thought she was a twisted, awful person, but it turns out she was just trying her best."

"……Um."

Yue and Shia were talking in a solemn atmosphere. However, Hajime, who had no feelings for Meredith at all, said to them in an impatient tone:

"Hey, is that enough? Let's move on. Also, although it may sound arbitrary, I don't think that guy's bad temper is just an act, right? That level of malice isn't something you can just act out."

“Hey, Hajime-san. How can you keep chasing after a dead person like that? That’s too much. Hajime-san is the one who doesn’t understand the situation at all.”

“…Hajime, are you an idiot?”

"Yue, even you... Oh well, never mind. Just to be on the safe side, let me be clear. It's not that I don't understand the situation, I just don't want to."

While chatting, Hajime and the others noticed a light emanating from a corner of the wall. Regaining their spirits, they headed towards it. Since it was the upper wall, the three of them jumped onto a certain block, intending to use the floating block as a stepping stone. In that instant, the floating block, acting as a stepping stone, began to move, carrying them to the glowing wall.

"..."

"Wow, it's moving on its own! How convenient~"

"...Special service?"

Shia was surprised by the unauthorized transport of the floating block, Yue tilted her head in confusion, and Hajime, for some reason, looked displeased. In less than ten seconds, they reached the wall of light and stopped about five meters in front. Then, as if with perfect timing, the light gradually dimmed. The part of the wall that remained glowing silently peeled away before their eyes. A passageway, formed by lustrous white walls, stretched all the way inside.

The floating block they were aboard glided through the passage. It seemed as if it would carry them to the secret base of Miredy Rasen. A wall appeared in their direction, engraved with seven patterns, the same as those on the door leading to Oscar's secret base in the Great Labyrinth of Orcus. As they approached, the wall slid sideways with perfect timing, inviting them inside. The floating block didn't stop, continuing to advance to the other side of the wall.

After passing through the other side of the wall...

"Hi, hi~ It's been a while! I'm Little Milletti!"

There was little Miledy Golem.

“…”

"See, I thought this might happen."

Yue and Shia were speechless. Hajime, on the other hand, showed an impatient expression, as if he had expected this.

Hajime had foreseen this situation simply because he saw through both the frivolous Meredith and the serious Meredith, both of whom were truly her. The irritating nature of those annoying words and the dreadful traps were not the product of a truly serious person. Furthermore, Meredith's method was to leave her will behind and personally select her challengers. If she were defeated once by a challenger, that would be the end of it—such a thing would be impossible. That would mean that the final trial would disappear once someone cleared it.

Therefore, Hajime anticipated that even if Meredi Golem was destroyed, Meredi itself would not be destroyed. However, when the floating block carried Hajime and the others, guiding them forward, Hajime's expectation turned into certainty. After all, Meredi was the only one who could make the floating block move with a purpose.

In a very frivolous tone, Meredith said to Yue and Shia, who lowered their heads and remained silent:

"Oh? Oh my? You're feeling down~? You should be more surprised~? Ah, or are you too surprised to speak? If so, then the prank is a complete success~☆"

Unlike the larger version, the tiny Meredith Golem was designed to resemble a human. Her delicate form was draped in a long, milky white cape and a white mask. The smiley face on it inexplicably irritated them. Mini Meredith, with a twinkling star at the end of her words, appeared before Hajime and the others. Yue and Shia still lowered their heads, their expressions obscured by their drooping hair. However, Hajime, anticipating what was to come, took a step back, keeping his distance.

Yue and Shia murmured:

“…What was that just now?”

"Hmm~? Just now? Ah~ Did you think I disappeared? No no~ Yes! How could that be possible~!"

"But, the light disappeared after it rose?"

"Hehe, not bad, right? That's the 'performance'! Damn it, little Mireddy actually has acting talent! What a scary kid!"

Mini Meredith's agitation grew increasingly intense, and her level of obnoxiousness rapidly increased. Yue extended her hand, while Shia raised the Drukken and aimed it at Mini Meredith. "Huh? Is this too much?" This made Mini Meredith pause.

“Um, that~”

Yue and Shia staggered towards Mini Meredith. Meredith shook her head stiffly, a hint of hesitation in her words. Then, as if she had made up her mind, she said:

"Hey, stick out your tongue☆"

“…Die.”

"Please die."

"Wait, wait! Wait! This body is fragile! It would be terrible if it breaks! Calm down! I apologize!"

Bang, clang, boom, snap, oh no!—these sounds of destruction and wailing continued for a while, but Hajime ignored them all and focused his attention on the room. The room itself was completely white, empty save for a magic circle carved into the center floor. Only somewhere along the wall was something resembling a door. Hajime guessed that this was Mini-Miletti's residence.

Hajime slowly approached the magic circle and began to investigate. Mini Miledy saw this and frantically ran to Hajime's side, while the expressionless vampire princess and her rabbit ears made a clanging sound as they approached her from behind.

"You~can't move around without permission. You're allies, right? Don't ignore them, stop them!"

Mini Miledi grumbled as she moved around behind Hajime; using him as a shield against the two demons.

“…Hajime, move aside. I can’t kill him like this.”

“Please step back, Hajime-san. I’m going to kill that guy. Right here, right now.” (Editor’s note: A popular term on Japanese Twitter.)

"I didn't expect to hear this joke at this time. Anyway, enough is enough. Stop playing around and get down to business."

Hajime, with a slightly helpless expression, briefly reprimanded Yue and Shia. Behind him, Mini-Milletti quipped, "Right, right, be serious!" Hajime, with the fingers of his prosthetic hand, grasped her face fiercely. The smile subtly twisted into a pained expression. Hajime continued to exert force, causing Meredti's head to crackle.

"If you don't want to become a smiling decoration, then quickly hand over your Age of Gods magic."

“Um~ Don’t you realize that your words and actions are completely bad—‘chichichichi’—I understand, ah—! I’ll give it to you right away! So stop it quickly! If you keep going, it’ll really break!”

Seeing Mini-Miletti flailing about frantically, Yue and Shia seemed to calm down for a moment. Mini-Miletti seemed to realize that if she continued her antics, she might actually be destroyed, and finally began to activate the magic circle.

Hajime and the others entered the magic circle. This time, Meredith knew they had passed the test, so instead of probing their memories as she had done in the Great Labyrinth of Orcus, she directly engraved the knowledge and methods of using Age of Gods magic into their minds. Hajime and Yue had already experienced it before, so they didn't react. However, Shia, experiencing it for the first time, jumped in fear.

After just a few seconds, the imprinting process was complete, and they had easily acquired the Age of Gods magic of Miredy Rasen.

"This... is it really a magic that manipulates gravity?"

"That's right~ Milady's magic can be considered gravity magic. Use it wisely... I wanted to say that, but you and Bunny aren't compatible~ It's not enough to shock anyone!"

"Stop making so much noise! ​​I expected this a long time ago."

Just as Mini Miledi had said, Hajime and Shia, despite having the knowledge of gravity magic inscribed in their heads, were unable to use it. Just like Yue couldn't properly use generation magic, they had absolutely no aptitude for it.

"Well, Bunny-chan can probably do it to the extent of gaining or losing weight. As for you... since you can use creation magic, figure out a way with that. Blondie-chan has plenty of aptitude! After training, you'll be able to use it with ease."

After Mini-Miletti's somewhat serious explanation, Hajime shrugged, Yue nodded, and Shia was deeply disappointed. She had finally obtained the Age of Gods magic, only to be deemed unsuitable. Even if she could use it, it would only increase or decrease her weight. This brought her a profound sense of loss. Furthermore, even losing weight, let alone gaining weight, would be a problem. If she wasn't careful, her figure would likely deteriorate, becoming a flaw... Shia felt dejected.

Hajime glanced at the lost Shia before making more demands, without hesitation or mercy.

"Hey, Meredy, hand over the proof of your strategy. Also, give me all the Convenient Sacred Gear and rare minerals like the Sensing Stone you have."

"...Your lines are exactly like the bandit's. Are you aware of that?"

The mask, with its twisted smile, narrowed its eyes in resignation, but Hajime didn't care. Mini Miledy pulled a ring from her bosom and tossed it to Hajime. Hajime caught it with a snap. Lassen's ring design consisted of two ovals, one above and one below, connected by a single stud.

Mini-Milletti made a large amount of ore appear out of thin air. She probably also possessed a "treasure vault," and it seemed she had taken the minerals from there. She was quite honest in taking them out, so perhaps she had intended to give them to them. For some reason, Meredith seemed to trust Hajime's ability to fight the mad god, so she probably wouldn't hesitate to offer even this little bit of help.

However, Hajime was not satisfied with this. He put the minerals that the other party had taken out into his own "treasure box" while looking at Mini-Milletti with a cold gaze.

"Hey, that's the 'Treasure Vault', right? If so, give that to me too. It's got a sacred artifact in there anyway."

"I, I mean, I don't have anything else to give you. The 'Treasure House' and other artifacts are necessary for the repair and maintenance of the labyrinth."

"Who cares about you? Give it to me."

"Ah, hey, I said no!"

Hajime truly intended to plunder her completely, causing Mini-Miletti to retreat hastily. The artifacts she possessed were all necessary for this labyrinth—indeed, they were useless, so even if Hajime took them, they would be useless. After she briefly explained this, Hajime said, "Oh, oh, I understand perfectly. Give it to me then," and demanded her to hand them over without mercy. No matter how you looked at it, he was nothing more than a robber.

"Oh my god! I told you I wouldn't give it to you! That's enough! Go back!"

Facing Hajime who was slowly approaching again, Mini Miledi ran back to the wall with great momentum, then made the floating block soar into the air and moved it near the ceiling.

"Don't run away! I'm only asking you to leave all your wealth behind as a reward for conquering the enemy. That's a perfectly legitimate request, right?"

"You actually said that was perfectly legitimate? What's wrong with your values?! Ugh, now I have to say what's usually spoken by Ono-chan..."

"By the way, I developed these values ​​in that little Oku's maze."

“Ao-chan—!!”

She looked at Hajime with surprise. Yue and Shia, who had been toyed with until now and still harbored resentment, also joined the battle, slowly closing the circle around Meredith. Although half of this was her own fault, the other half was due to the maze created by her former companions, which made Meredith feel a sense of forlornness.

"Ah~ The first capturer turned out to be such a dangerous person... Seriously, forget it, I'm going to force you out! Don't come back!"

It looked like Hajime and the others were about to pounce on her at any moment. Mini Miledi grabbed a rope that had been hanging from the ceiling and pulled it down.

“““?””””

For a moment, Hajime and the others put on an expression that said, "What are you doing?" However, the sound they were already tired of hearing once again reached their ears.

Boom! !