Chapter 7

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My name is Selma Claudel.

I am an explorer affiliated with the clan "Silver Hare of the Night Sky," and I am one of the clan executives responsible for leading the explorers.

While casually dining at "Nougetsutei," a popular restaurant for young people run by "Silver Hare of the Night Sky," I happened to run into my younger sister, Sophia.

Sophia was with Orun, a member of the Hero Party, and at first, I was wary, thinking he might be targeting my dear sister. However, it turned out that he had helped Sophia, and she had invited him to dinner.

It was quite unusual for Sophia, who is usually shy, to invite someone herself. And so, I ended up joining them for dinner as well.

Orun has black hair and lapis lazuli-colored eyes, and he is eighteen years old. He has a standard build, neither too thin nor too heavy. During last month's joint expedition, he wore a robe as a magician, but now he is wearing a hooded long coat, which seems more practical for movement.

While we were eating, I learned that Orun had left the Hero Party and was currently a freelancer. Before I knew it, I had asked him to accompany me on a guidance exploration.

"...Guidance exploration?"

Naturally, Orun, who was unfamiliar with guidance exploration, asked for an explanation.

"I apologize, I should have explained first. Guidance exploration is a new initiative planned by 'Silver Hare of the Night Sky.'"

This is a project sponsored by our sponsors. Personally, I wasn't very enthusiastic about it, but it was ultimately decided to go ahead. And if we're going to do it, we have to make it a success.

"...Please continue."

Orun's eyes turned serious. It seemed he was interested.

"The plan is to take a group of new explorers from our clan, led by several A-rank or higher explorers, and descend to the fifty-first floor of the Great Labyrinth in three days."

"Descend to the fifty-first floor in three days? That's quite an ambitious schedule."

Orun's observation was valid. The fifty-first floor is the midpoint of the Great Labyrinth. While it's true that some say the difficulty is relatively low up to the sixtieth floor, those who say this are usually high-level explorers who have reached A-rank. For new explorers, it typically takes six months to a year to reach the fifty-first floor, even with the most skilled explorers.

To complete this in three days is an incredibly ambitious goal. Any reasonable explorer would immediately recognize how unrealistic it is. Yet, the old sponsors...

"...It's certainly an ambitious schedule, but if we always take the shortest path, it's not impossible. Fortunately, our clan has completed over 90% of the mapping for the upper and middle floors."

"...It seems 'Silver Hare of the Night Sky' is being pushed around a lot..."

Orun seemed to understand the background of this plan and sympathized with a wry smile. The word "also" suggests that the Hero Party might have faced similar unreasonable requests in the past.

"...We could have rejected such an ambitious plan. Our clan is not lacking in theoretical preparation. However, we decided to go ahead with this plan because it will allow the new explorers to bypass floor bosses in the future."

This guy is really... How sharp is his mind...? I only provided the minimum necessary information, yet he not only understood the background of the plan but also its benefits. From his tone, it seems he also understands the current situation of 'Silver Hare of the Night Sky.'

It's like talking to the headmaster. I feel as if everything is being seen through.

In the Great Labyrinth, there is a powerful monster called a floor boss every ten floors. You cannot advance to the next floor without defeating the floor boss. Most explorers who lose their lives or are forced to retire due to injuries are casualties of battles with floor bosses. Even if the senior explorers accompanying the new explorers defeat the floor boss, the new explorers can still advance to the next floor.

Due to the design of the labyrinth, as long as the guild card is registered on the crystal at the entrance of each floor, you can go to the next floor at any time without necessarily defeating the floor boss. In the future, we hope they will grow to the point where they can defeat the floor bosses on their own. However, considering that they are not yet adults, it is unnecessary to risk their lives, which is why this plan was decided.

"...That's right. So, what do you think? As a freelancer, I would like you, Orun, to accompany us on the guidance exploration."

"From what I've heard, this plan is important for 'Silver Hare of the Night Sky.' Why are you asking an outsider like me to accompany you?"

Orun asked me with a serious look, his eyes conveying that he would not accept any lies.

I first learned of the explorer Orun·Doura during last month's joint expedition.

I had been following the movements of the Hero Party since they began making a name for themselves a few years ago and rapidly cleared the lower floors. I had gathered information on the four other members of the Hero Party from various sources. However, I could not gather much information on Orun, and I only knew his name, thinking he was just a mediocre enchanter.

During the pre-expedition meeting, when I first saw Orun's magic, I secretly mocked him. One of the key abilities of an enchanter is the effectiveness of their support magic. An enchanter who can increase physical abilities by four to five times is considered excellent. Orun's increase was only two times.

Compared to the average enchanter, his magic was significantly inferior, and I was puzzled as to why such a low-level enchanter was part of the Hero Party.

However, once the actual battle began, my impression changed quickly. Indeed, his support magic's increase was low, but his casting speed was extraordinary. I was confident in my own casting speed, but during the time it took me to cast one spell, Orun could cast four or more.

I couldn't believe that someone could cast spells so quickly, even when I saw it with my own eyes.

Furthermore, he used several spells that I had never seen or heard of, which I assume he developed on his own. Their effects more than made up for the low increase in his support magic.

His situational awareness, foresight, and precise timing in providing magical support were all superior to mine. Orun embodied the ideal enchanter I aspired to be.

"The reason I value Orun is your high adaptability. The guidance exploration will involve over fifty people exploring the labyrinth. Unforeseen events may occur along the way. Having you there would be a great help."

During the joint expedition, despite it being the first time working under my command, within a few minutes, Orun seemed to understand all my thoughts and acted on what I needed before I even gave the order. I believe that Orun can easily find the optimal solution and achieve the best results in situations I cannot read.

"I didn't think you would value me so highly..."

Orun said this with a slightly troubled smile. The atmosphere suggested he might decline.

"Ah, um! I will also be participating in the guidance exploration as a new explorer...! So, if Orun could join, I, um, would be really happy..."

Sophia, who had been silently reading the room, provided the perfect assist at the best possible moment! Thank you, Sophia!

"...Alright. I'll help. But don't expect too much from me. There are things I can't do."

"Really!? Thank you!"

"However, I have one condition."

Just when I thought we had an agreement, he brought up a condition. What kind of condition could it be? A huge reward? Or some confidential information from 'Silver Hare of the Night Sky'?

That would be difficult...

"...What is it? I'll do my best if it's something I can do."

"From today, I'm converting to a swordsman, a front-line attacker. While you seem to value me as an enchanter, I will accompany you on the guidance exploration as a swordsman."

...What is this guy saying? He is so talented as an enchanter, why is he suddenly deciding to become a front-line attacker? I don't understand Orun's true intentions, but if an unforeseen situation arises, I believe he will act as an enchanter, his true profession.

"...Alright. I accept your condition. Orun will accompany us on the guidance exploration as a front-line attacker. Please come to the 'Silver Hare of the Night Sky' headquarters at 8 PM tomorrow. We can discuss the details and rewards there."

"Understood."

Thank you for reading to the end.

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