Chapter 5

【Orkus Great Labyrinth】

It is a massive labyrinth consisting of a hundred floors. One of the seven great labyrinths, the deeper the floor, the stronger the monsters that appear. Despite this, the labyrinth is very popular among adventurers, mercenaries, and new recruits for training. This is because the strength of the monsters can be easily measured according to the depth of the floor, and the monsters in the labyrinth have far superior magic stones compared to those on the surface. Magic stones are the cores that supply power to the monsters. The stronger the monster, the more superior the core. Magic stones are the raw materials for creating magic arrays. While a magic array can be activated once it is drawn, the effect of a self-drawn array is about one-third less effective compared to one drawn with dye containing ground magic stones. In short, using magic stones can significantly improve the efficiency of magic usage. Additionally, everyday magical items are powered by magic stones. Magic stones are not only essential for the military but are also high-demand items in daily life. Incidentally, monsters with superior magic stones can use powerful innate magic. Innate magic does not require incantations or magic arrays and is the only type of magic that monsters can use. Even if a monster has magic power, it cannot use a variety of spells, but as a trade-off, it can cast magic without incantations or arrays, which is the biggest reason not to be careless when facing monsters. Captain Merudo led a few knights and brought Aichi to the lodging town of Horuad, where adventurers challenging the Orkus Great Labyrinth stay. They would be staying at a kingdom-operated inn for new recruits' training tonight. Seeing a long-missed ordinary room, Aichi lay down on the bed and let out a relaxed sigh, "Phew." Everyone was at least two to a room, but Aichi was given a single room. "Well, it's nice to be relaxed," Aichi muttered, trying not to show any disappointment. He wasn't lonely... They were going to challenge the labyrinth starting tomorrow morning. This time, they were going to the twentieth floor, so even with Aichi, the weakest member, they would have enough strength. The captain had said this himself. Aichi felt grateful for the special treatment but had nothing else to say. In fact, it might have been better to leave him in the capital... The timid Aichi didn't say anything after sensing the atmosphere. Aichi read a borrowed guidebook on the monsters of the lower floors of the labyrinth for a while. However, to give his body a rest, he went to sleep early. The nap skills he had honed in school life proved to be very effective in this world. However, just as Aichi was starting to feel drowsy, a knock on the door sounded, as if to disturb his sleep. For Aichi, who often stayed up all night in Japan, it was still early, but in Todas, it was already the middle of the night. A suspicious visitor in the middle of the night, could it be, Hinoyama! Aichi's face tensed up at the thought. But the next voice put an end to his worries.

"South Cloud, are you still awake? It's Shiraizaki. Can you come out for a moment?"

Really? Aichi, who had stiffened for a moment, hurried to the door. Taking the room key, he unlocked the door, and there stood Kaori in a pure white nightgown, wearing an open cardigan.

"...Why are you dressed like that?"

"Eh?"

Faced with this somewhat shocking scene, Aichi couldn't help but comment in a Kansai accent. Kaori, not understanding, let out a puzzled sound. Aichi quickly regained his composure, trying not to look at Kaori and just listen to her. No matter how uninterested he was in the three-dimensional world, Aichi was still an excellent adolescent boy. Kaori's appearance was a bit too stimulating.

"Ah, no, nothing. Um, what's up? Is there something you need to tell me?"

"No, I just wanted to talk to South Cloud... Am I bothering you?"

"......Please come in."

Asking the most likely scenario, Aichi was defeated by Kaori's negative response, and her upward gaze, as if carrying explosives, was incredibly effective! Before he knew it, he had opened the door and invited her in.

"Okay!"

Kaori, without any sense of caution, happily entered the room. She sat down in the chair by the window. Aichi, in a state of confusion, unconsciously prepared tea. Though it was tea, it was just a tea bag-like thing placed in a cup, and what was brewed was something like black tea. He prepared a cup for Kaori and himself and handed her cup to her. Then, Aichi sat down in the opposite chair.

"Thank you."

Kaori happily took the tea-like drink and sipped it. The pure white moonlight shining through the window illuminated her. Her black hair seemed to have an angelic halo, making her look like an angel. Aichi, with no lustful thoughts, was entranced by Kaori's mysterious aura. When Kaori put down her cup with a "click," it brought him back to himself, and he hastily drank his tea-like drink in one gulp. He slightly choked, and it was embarrassing. Kaori giggled at the sight. To hide his embarrassment, Aichi quickly moved the conversation forward.

"So, is it about tomorrow?"

At Aichi's question, Kaori nodded, and her previous smile turned into a serious expression.

"Tomorrow's labyrinth... I hope South Cloud can stay in town. I'll convince the instructors and the other students. So! Please!"

Her words were filled with excitement, and she leaned forward, pleading. Aichi was confused; if it was just because he was a burden, she seemed to be a bit too desperate.

"Um... Indeed, I am a burden... I should stay here, right? I would have said that anyway..."

"No! It's not that you're a burden!"

Kaori hurriedly explained, misunderstanding Aichi. She had been too hasty, so she smoothed her chest and took a deep breath. Calming down a bit, she apologized quietly, "I'm sorry, it was too sudden."

"I just have a bad feeling. I fell asleep a little while ago... and had a dream... about South Cloud... I didn't even notice when you greeted me... I couldn't catch up... and in the end..."

Before she could finish, Kaori fell silent, as if afraid. Aichi listened calmly.

"In the end, what?"

Kaori bit her lip, her face showing that she was on the verge of tears.

"...You disappeared..."

"...I see."

A moment of silence fell. Aichi gazed at Kaori, who had lowered her head again. It was indeed an ominous dream. However, since it was just a dream, Aichi didn't think that was a valid reason to stay behind. If he were allowed to, the other students would criticize him even more. In any case, he had no choice but to go. Aichi tried to reassure Kaori with a gentle voice.

"Dreams are just dreams, Shiraizaki. This time, Captain Merudo is leading the team, and there are experienced knights and strong teammates like Amanogawa. In fact, our class is like a group of overpowered characters, and the enemies are the ones who should be pitied. I'm weak, and I show that in many ways, so it's natural to have such dreams, right?"

As Aichi spoke, Kaori listened with an anxious expression.

"Even so... if I'm still worried..."

"...Then?"

Aichi, a bit embarrassed, looked straight into Kaori's eyes.

"Will you protect me?"

"Eh?"

As a man, Aichi was aware that he had said something quite embarrassing. His face was already red with embarrassment. The moonlight illuminated the room, and Kaori's appearance was clear.

"Shiraizaki, you're a 'Healer,' right? You have a natural talent for healing magic. No matter what happens... for example, if I get seriously injured, you can heal me, right? Can you use that power to protect me? If you do, I'll be fine."

Looking into Kaori's eyes, Aichi tried to endure his embarrassment and physical discomfort. The biggest source of anxiety is the fear of the unknown, and Aichi had heard this before. Kaori was probably worried about the unknown dangers that might come to Aichi. If he could make her believe that he could handle any unknown danger, she might feel more at ease.

"You haven't changed, South Cloud."

"?"

Kaori's words made Aichi look surprised. Seeing his reaction, Kaori giggled.

"South Cloud, you think we only met in high school, right? But I knew you since I was in the second year of junior high."

This unexpected confession made Aichi's eyes widen, and he searched his memory but found nothing. Seeing Aichi's puzzled expression, Kaori laughed again.

"I only knew you one-sidedly... When I first saw you, you were doing a dogeza (kneeling and bowing deeply), and I couldn't believe what I was seeing."

"Dogeza?"

What an embarrassing scene to be seen! This time, his body felt uncomfortable in a different way. When and where had he done a dogeza in a place where someone could see him? He searched his memory. Seeing Aichi's various expressions, Kaori continued.

"Yes. You were doing a dogeza surrounded by delinquents. Even when they spat on you, poured drinks on you, and stepped on you, you still knelt. The delinquents were stunned and left."

"That... that was, showing you an embarrassing side..."

Aichi felt like dying. It was the worst scene from his middle school days, comparable to his black history from his otaku phase. He could only manage a dry smile. He had shown the same dry smile when his mother had neatly organized and displayed the adult manga he had hidden on the bookshelf.

But

Kaori's eyes only showed warmth, with no hint of mockery or contempt.

"Um, it wasn't embarrassing. In fact, I think that scene showed that you are both strong and gentle."

"...Huh?"

Aichi thought he had misheard.

(To have such thoughts about that scene. Could Shiraizaki have some special fetish!?)

Aichi had an unprecedented and impolite imagination.

"Because, South Cloud, you were bowing for a child and an old lady."

With that, Aichi finally remembered. Indeed, there was such an incident in junior high. A boy had bumped into a delinquent, and the takoyaki he was holding had dirtied the delinquent's clothes. The boy cried and threw a tantrum, and the delinquent started cursing at the old lady, who cowered in fear. It was a serious situation. Aichi, who had been passing by, had initially wanted to ignore it, but when he saw the old lady take out some bills—probably to settle the matter—the delinquents demanded more and more, and eventually, Aichi's body moved. He lived a life far removed from arguments and fights. His otaku special moves could only be used at home. With no other choice, he used the attention-grabbing dogeza. Kneeling in public was embarrassing for both the kneeler and the one being knelt to. In fact, he couldn't have stayed there. As planned, the delinquents left.

"Strong people can easily solve problems with violence. If Amanogawa had intervened, he would have beaten them all... But a weak person facing them and bowing for others, not many people would think of that. ...Actually, I was very scared at the time... I used the excuse that I wasn't as strong as them and just hoped someone would help, but I did nothing."

"Shiraizaki..."

"So, in my heart, the strongest person is South Cloud. When I saw you in high school, I was really happy. ...I wanted to be like South Cloud and learn more about you. But you were always sleeping..."

"Ahaha, I'm really sorry."

Finally understanding why Kaori cared about him, Aichi felt a bit embarrassed by her unexpectedly high praise and gave a shy, awkward smile.

"So, you're worried, right? You might think South Cloud will act recklessly in the labyrinth, just like with the delinquents... But, um..."

Kaori looked at Aichi with a determined gaze.

"I will protect you, South Cloud."

Aichi received her determination, looked back at her, and nodded.

"Thank you."

Then Aichi immediately gave a wry smile. The roles were reversed. Without a doubt, Kaori was the cool guy tonight, making him feel like the girl. As a man, it was hard to accept, so he could only give a wry smile. After a brief chat, Kaori returned to her room. Aichi lay on the bed, lost in thought. He had to find a way to wash away the stain of being incompetent. He wouldn't accept being protected like a heroine forever. With this new resolve, Aichi fell asleep.

～～～～～～～～～～～～

In the middle of the night, as Kaori left Aichi's room and returned to her dormitory, no one knew that someone was silently watching her back. The person's face was contorted in a terrible expression, but no one knew about it.