The next morning, when I headed to the assembly point at the plaza a small distance away from the entrance of the Great Labyrinth, there had already gathered a considerable number of people.

　Most of them are children who are not yet adults.

　Among them, some are kids not even the age of ten. Surely you don’t need to have those under ten participate. 

　Is this also an instruction from some stupid aristocrat? 

　All the children have stiff anxious faces.

“Morning, Orn. ​​Why are you standing so far away?”

　As I am waiting from slightly farther, Selma approaches me. 

“Good morning. Since I’m more or less an outsider, I thought that if I mix in while everyone else is wearing similar clothes, I might further stir the beginners’ anxieties.”

　Explorers who belong to “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit” wear various kinds of clothes, but they are unified in having black and blue as their main colours. 

　As expected, these newcomers are wearing a uniform set of clothes based on their roles, but the A Rank party of this Clan I had previously seen were dressed in their own individual styles.

　Selma, in front of me, is also wearing a mainly black and blue robe embroidered with the emblem of “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”.

　Now that I think about it, the clothes these beginner Magicians are wearing are different from the clothes Sophia previously wore. Was she specially provided for because she was Selma’s sister? 

“Hahaha! It’s true that these beginners are all stiff huh. Then, to quickly relieve their anxiety, lend me your power. Follow me.”

　Selma has a look like she’s planning something, and briskly walks. 

　Eh, you’re getting me to do something!?

　I can’t not go along with her, so I chase after her back.

　In the direction Selma is heading to, there are three other explorers. Probably the Officers. 

　From their appearance, the two men are Defenders, and the woman is a Healer, I would say. 

　I think everyone is probably in their early twenties.

“The three of you, morning.”

“””Good morning”””

　Selma greets the three, and the three likewise respond.

“Let me introduce him to the three of you first, he’s the collaborator I notified you three about yesterday. His abilities are guaranteed by me.”

“…Endorsed by Selma huh. Then it looks like we can expect good things.”

　One of the Defenders says so, while looking at me as though trying to evaluate me. 

　I’d thought that because it was Selma, she would have already mentioned to them that I was a former member of the Hero Party, but that doesn’t seem to have been the case. 

“Ah, it’s okay to have high expectations.”

　Selma’s stirring things up. 

　I will be troubled if you have that high expectations of me. 

“Please don’t raise the hurdle… Nice to meet you. I’m Orn. ​​I’m a Vanguard Attacker, I look forward to working with you three.”

　When I introduce myself to the three, they also introduce themselves.

　As I had guessed, the two men are Defenders, and the woman is a Healer. 

　The composition of the Officers is well-balanced. 

　Actually, if I had participated as an Enchanter, who would have been the damage dealer? 

　For Floor Bosses down to the middle layers, even an A Rank Defender can inflict good damage, but it would be definitely different compared to someone who deals damage as their main job. 

　I have nothing but worries about this plan…

　I need to follow-up as much as I’m capable of. 

“Well, the four of you, for the next three days, let’s work well together! Then, I need to greet the beginners.”

　The five of us head to the place where the beginners are gathered. 

“Everyone! Morning! Just as you all know by now, from today on we’re aiming for the 51st floor of the Great Labyrinth!”

　Standing on stone steps a level taller, we are able to look at all the beginners. 

　And Selma was speaking to all of them,

　All the explorers who hear Selma’s voice are paying attention.

　Some of them are the kids I was talking about earlier, but they seem to have been properly educated. 

“Huuu, everyone looks so tense. After all, is it scary to suddenly go to the middle layers? But rest assured! This time the one in command is the best Enchanter on this continent, I myself. What’s more, to deal with any unexpected situations, I’ve also prepared a powerful assistant. Let me introduce him, his name is Orn. He’s an explorer that has achieved something even we are not capable of, reaching the 94th floor! How’s it? Surely you now have the spirit to go to the 51st floor?”

　The newcomers who had been silent while listening to Selma’s speech started buzzing. 

　That’s what you meant by relieving anxiety huhhhh!? 

　Look! Your three Officers’ mouths are wide open

　You’re definitely not just saying this to have some fun, right!?

“He’s already left the Hero party, but he knows more details about the Great Labyrinth than anyone else here. So let’s start exploring the labyrinth.”

　The newcomers cheerfully resound with an “Oooh!” to Selma’s call

“In ten minutes, move to the Great Labyrinth, form lines according to your parties and stand by!”

　Selma gets off the stone step with a satisfied expression as though saying “I’ve said everything I wanted to say.”

　Please cut me a break…

　　◇

“Now then, Officers, make the final checks.”

　Everyone got off the stone step and gathered in one place.

“A, apologies. The attitude I adopted earlier when speaking to you was rude.”

　The Defender who had been previously looking to evaluate me, apologises.  

“No, I’m not bothered by that. And I’m the one that’s younger, so you don’t need to speak politely. Please speak normally.”

“I, I see. Got it. Still, is it alright for a person from the Hero Party to cooperate with our plan?”

“Former, you mean. I don’t belong to the Hero Party anymore, so there’s no problems.”

“My bad for while you’re speaking, but we’re pressed for time. Start the final checks.”

　With Selma’s one voice, the atmosphere of the three tenses up.

　The final checks are the same as what I had been informed yesterday. 

　After finishing the final checks, each leader is to head to the beginner parties they are responsible for.

　I am in-charge of the 9th and 10th Squad.

　As I too, was about to leave, Selma called out to me. 

“The 10th Squad comprises our promising rookies. If they can polish their party cooperation, then they will have the ability to handle even the middle layers without difficulty. I look forward to you guiding them.”

　Don’t entrust such promising rookies to an outsider, come on…

“…Understood. I’ll do everything I can.”

–

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