Chapter 71

The party was still ongoing, but I left the venue and walked behind the headmaster with Selma, heading towards the reception room in the main building.

"I'm sorry to pull you away from the fun."

The headmaster, walking ahead, spoke with an apologetic tone.

"No, I've had plenty of fun. Besides, I think this is something that Selma and I need to handle."

"I see. I'm glad you enjoyed it. ...By the way, congratulations on reaching the 93rd floor. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, but it's just the beginning. Reaching the 93rd floor is only our first step. We will continue to advance further."

Selma responded to the headmaster's congratulatory words.

That's right. Revenge on the Black Dragon was a big goal for everyone, but our ultimate aim is to conquer the Great Labyrinth. From now on, our clan will keep pushing forward in the Great Labyrinth.

"You're very reliable. We'll support you with all our might, so please don't push yourselves and proceed at your own pace. —Well, we've arrived at our destination."

While talking with the headmaster, we reached the reception room. The headmaster knocked on the door and then entered. Selma and I followed in after him.

Inside the room, there was an elderly man dressed in fine attire. His name was Lazarus Edington, the former head of the Edington family. The Edington family is a major sponsor of the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky*.

Although he has already passed the family leadership to his son and is now in retirement, he still wields considerable influence.

"Lazarus, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

The headmaster greeted him with a bow, and Selma and I followed suit.

"No, no, it's my fault for showing up unannounced. When I heard you reached the 93rd floor, I couldn't sit still. I know it might be a bother, but could you spare a little time to chat with this old man?"

Lazarus Edington gave the impression of a kind and gentle old man. Despite being a noble, he spoke to me, a commoner, in a soft tone. However, that made him even more intimidating. He is someone who has survived in the social circles, known for being a den of intrigue. He can't be just a kind old man.

That said, the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky* and the Edington family have aligned interests. That's why they have invested in us. Unless something extraordinary happens, they shouldn't become our enemies. It was fine to maintain a minimum level of caution.

—Until now.

"Orun, it's been two weeks. I didn't expect you to reach the 93rd floor so quickly. That's really impressive. Was this result possible only because of you?"

"I'm flattered. My contribution is minimal. This achievement is due to the strength of the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky*. I couldn't have reached the 93rd floor on my own."

Using 'I' in formal situations still feels awkward... but I can't use 'me' with nobles, so there's no choice.

"You're as modest as ever. Good work today, Selma. Did you manage to avenge Albert?"

"...Yes. This was only possible with your support, Lazarus. Thank you for your help."

"It was nothing. But now you have a good story to tell everyone. Thank you for providing such an interesting topic. I'm glad I believed in you."

From what I heard from the Duke Forgas during the Hero Party era, after Albert's death and the Hero Party surpassing the reached floor, there were voices within the faction to which the Edington family belongs, suggesting that they should cut off funding to the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky*. The matter was almost settled, but this old man put a stop to it.

For the past month, there has been almost no information about the Hero Party. On the other hand, the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky* has updated their reached floor to the 93rd. Incidentally, only three parties, including the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky*, have ever reached the 93rd floor.

From this situation, it's clear which group has the momentum and which has the public's attention.

I'm not sure if this old man had read the situation this well, but it's evident that his influence within the faction has grown. And he has created a significant debt with the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky*. If he makes a big move in the future, it's entirely possible that the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky* will be involved.

(I need to gather even more information about this old man.)

"Ah, right. This is a good opportunity to ask Orun something."

...Ask something?

"What is it?"

"About the leader of the Hero Party, the *Sword Saint* Oliver."

Oliver? I'm even more confused now. I've already talked about the Hero Party within the scope of what I can share.

"Who would win in a one-on-one battle between Orun and the *Sword Saint* Oliver? No magic, just martial arts."

A battle without magic?

In my mind, not using magic in a fight is not an option. I have indeed learned various martial arts, but I haven't mastered them. My physical abilities, in their natural state, are inferior to those of high-level explorers. I use support magic in battles to bridge that gap, and the idea of fighting without magic is unimaginable.

Moreover, there is no place without magic, so a situation where magic can't be used is almost impossible. If I can't use magic, I would most likely be unconscious and unable to fight. I don't understand the intention behind this question...

"......I can win."

I answered honestly, thinking that lying wouldn't change the outcome much, even if I did.

"Hmm. I'm sorry, Orun, but I heard that you've never beaten the *Sword Saint* Oliver."

Where did you hear that?

"Yes, I've never beaten him."

Selma reacted to my statement. She seemed to think I was stronger than Oliver.

"Hmm? If you've never beaten him, can you really win?"

"Even though I've never beaten him, the last time I fought Oliver was in a simulation before I converted to a bestowal mage. And you're asking about a battle with no magic, just pure martial arts, right?"

The old man nodded in agreement.

"In that case, I can win. I know Oliver's habits inside and out, so he would be an easier opponent to fight. —However, I want to make it clear that this is only in a one-on-one battle. If the same conditions apply, and we were to see who could defeat a similar magical beast faster, I wouldn't stand a chance."

Oliver is a genius. He can overwhelm others with pure strength, without relying on the kind of technical skills I use. Most people, including me, an ordinary talent, can't match Oliver.

"I see. Indeed, having observed the *Sword Saint* Oliver for nearly ten years—no, since you were born, you can win a battle with just martial arts. Yes, I understand and feel reassured."

...Reassured?

It sounds like he's planning a battle between me and Oliver under those conditions... What is he up to?

We continued to talk for about an hour with Selma and the headmaster, but the conversation from earlier lingered in my mind.

◇

The meeting with Lazarus Edington ended, but we had another appointment. It was an interview with Branca, a newspaper publisher.

Since I had been the one to handle interviews for the Hero Party and was with Selma, we both went to the interview.

The interview lasted about an hour, with Selma doing most of the answering and me providing occasional supplements. The questions were mostly about the 92nd floor and the Black Dragon battle, so I'll skip the details.

After the interview, we returned to the party venue, which was already being cleaned up. It was already late, so we couldn't make more noise outside.

After helping with the cleanup, I went to a bar outside with a few adults, including Anthem and Bernard, and some new acquaintances. Despite some lingering concerns, spending time with everyone was very enjoyable.

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