Great Orcus Labyrinth Arc

Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō © Shirakome Ryo and Takayaki

Fukushima Tsubasa, Hasegawa Airi © Me

The reply for your reviews:

- Leonard lemon3891: Thank you for your review. Aw, c'mon don't feel like your story is inferior. I really can't stand it when someone feels inferior to me, because I knows how it feels, feeling inferior to the others. So please, don't be like that. Your story is unique too, okay. Don't be like that again, please. Let's put that behind, about the part where you said "I make it the bear sounds like Hajime's sworn rival", I mean, if you think about it, it's a fact. I just broaden Hajime's view about his strongest rival and the one who dared to made Airi go into despair, which is none other than the Claw Bear

- lilbigstoryteller: Thank you for your review. And thank you for waiting.

- Silentguy: Thank you for your review. I hope I can carry on the story in the way I'm wanting to.

Hello, everyone, as a reminder and I will keep repeating this, I opened up Discord server. The link is in my bio, feel free to join if you want. You can go there to talk about anything you want, as long as it's still within the realm of the rules. You can also chat me on my server if you want to ask request to me. I think this is the first time my opening speech is so short, huh. Well, without further ado, here we go!

"He is…" = Speaking

[He is….] = Thinking

{He is…} = Flashback

("He is…") = Author's quip

(Chidori) = Skill or something like mana

[Donner] = Weapons

Chapter 12: Interlude 1

Let's rewind a few weeks ago, shall we?

Yaegashi Shizuku looked sadly at her friend who was still sleeping. The summoned hero was given a private room in Heiligh Castle, and currently Shizuku was resting in one of the rooms. She started reminiscing about what happened lately.

It had been five days since the life and death struggle in the labyrinth. They rested for the night at the Horaud inn before taking the express train back to the palace. Having tasted death and despair, the students were in no condition to continue their practical training. Furthermore, even though he was treated as a useless hanger, a member of the hero party had died and that fact needed to be reported to the king and the Holy Church.

And even though they knew they were ruthless; the knights couldn't let the fighting heroes' spirit crumble. They had to restore the students' mental stability before their souls were completely destroyed.

As Shizuku recalled the events that had happened since Hajime, Tsubasa, and Airi died, part of her wished for Kaori to wake up quickly, while another part of her wished she could sleep forever.

{Earlier

Everyone who heard the reports of the trio's deaths was at first surprised that not only a member of the hero group died, but three of them died. Then they felt relieved when they heard that Hajime 'the worthless' was the one who died, though they also lamented the death of Tsubasa and Airi as they were more capable, but everyone immediately just dismissed them as 'not as capable as they thought'.

Even the king and Ishtar reacted the same way. The powerful heroes who need to save this nation must not be allowed to die in the labyrinth. People who couldn't survive the journey to the labyrinth wouldn't be able to stand up to the demons, and would only facilitate restlessness among the people. Ehit's emissaries, the heroes brought out from another world, must be invincible.

At least the king and Ishtar were somewhat respectful. There were several nobles within the palace who had insulted and belittled Hajime behind their backs. Why did the noblemen only insulted Hajime? It was because they saw Hajime was totally worthless compared to the other two and they thought while Tsubasa and Airi were 'not as capable as they thought', but they were still assets to the nation so they felt wrong insulting the dead important assets. They still felt no remorse insulting worthless asset though.

Of course, they said there was nothing incriminating in public, but when they were talking privately among their fellow nobles, many of them had whispered scorn for Hajime. They all humiliated him with statements such as "Thank God it was the death of a worthless person," and "I'm so glad that incompetent person was removed from the God's Apostles." "I'm so glad that the Hero's still alive, his live has much more worth than that failure." Shizuku trembled with anger upon hearing such snide remarks, and had almost quarreled with the nobleman many times.

And if Kouki didn't hold her, she would probably beat them to a pulp. Due to Kouki's heated protests, the king and the Holy Church seemed to have decided that it would be dangerous to allow negative opinions about Hajime to spread. Hence, the king and the Holy Church secretly dealing with any noblemen who was mean to Hajime… however, all they had achieved was to increase Kouki's popularity. Most people saw Kouki's anger as proof that he was kind enough to take care of even the weakest of his party, but the common opinion that Hajime was nothing more than a burden to such a noble hero remained in the minds of the people.

Despite the fact that the only reason remaining of them were still alive was because Hajime was holding back a monster that even the great hero Kouki couldn't beat. Despite the fact that he just died because an idiotic classmate had released a stray fireball that crashed into him.

However, as if by some unwritten agreement, the students agreed not to talk about the stray fireball. Everyone believed they had managed to control their magic perfectly, but this was a true storm, and no one wanted to consider the possibility of their mistargeted fireball causing Hajime's death. Because if they did, they would be murderers.

As a result, they all turned a blind eye to reality, choosing to pretend that it was a fault on Hajime's part that caused his death. After all, the dead don't tell tales. Instead of worrying about who killed Hajime, it was much easier to pretend he died through his own fault. That way, there's nothing to worry about. Without any collusion on their part, all the disciples came to that conclusion, and the topic was not discussed.

In order to uncover the truth behind Hajime's death, Captain Meld decided it was necessary to interrogate the students. He didn't think the truth was as innocent as a stray fireball. And even if that was the case, that was the reason for revealing the truth, so he could tell the students who killed Hajime by accident the counseling they needed.

The longer the problem remains unstable, the more problems it will have. And above all, Captain Meld was just curious. Even though he had promised to save Hajime after they fled to safety, his words turned out to be as empty as he felt now.

However, Captain Meld was not allowed to carry out his plan. Because Ishtar forbade him to question his students. He had protested the ban warmly, but the king had forbidden him to meet them, so he had no choice but to comply.

Alright, let's return to the present time.}

"If you knew . . . you would be very angry, wouldn't you?" Shizuku whispered softly "If Yuka was that angry, I don't know what kind of emotion you'll let out."

Sonobe Yuka still curled herself in her room. Normally, she would've to share her room with Hasegawa Airi. Normally that's it, but because of what happened at Orcus labyrinth, it goes without saying that she'll be sleeping alone in that room.

Anger, grief, sadness all of them mixed into one negative emotion. Unbeknownst to Yuka, currently there's something stirring within her from that negative emotion. What's that 'something'? It'll still take a while before Yuka herself is aware of it.

And all of that emotion was caused by her classmates' death, more precisely; the Synergists' death and it affected her more than the others felt; of course, the impact is still lesser than what Kaori feels.

She recalled about what happened earlier that made her like this.

{Earlier

Yuka was shocked seeing the reaction that the king, the pope, and the noblemen gave when Captain Meld reported about the death of Hajime, Tsubasa and Airi.

Indifference, scorn.

They felt bad a little for Tsubasa and Airi's death, only because they're decent asset, but they absolutely felt no remorse for Hajime's death and just heaved a relief sigh, like it's a good thing.

Seeing those reactions, Yuka immediately snapped and wanted to beat them up while unconsciously letting out subtle killing intent; only for being held back by her friends named Sugawara Taeko and Miyazaki Nana. Fortunately, Yuka still listened to reasons and it's a blessing in disguise that the king, the pope, and the noblemen didn't notice Yuka's subtle killing intent, though Yuka's present classmates and the knights; including Captain Meld noticed it. Hence why, after the king dismissed the knight, Meld asked the students to convene at the Training Ground.

As soon as most of the students are there, Meld immediately cut to the chase and he forbade Yuka from seeing the king, the pope, and the noblemen anymore since there's no telling what would she do if she's seeing them. The students kinda expected it seeing what Yuka tried to do earlier but it still shook them.

Kouki being someone who's always misunderstood something; thought Yuka's not being herself and tried to get her back on her senses. Kouki then made his way to Yuka before he said with his perfect smile.

"I know, these days are the hard times because of Nagumo, Fukushima, and Hasegawa-san died, but we need to keep fighting to save humanity." Kouki said bluntly "I'm sure that's what those three will say to you."

Most sensible people there (Most prominently like Meld, Shizuku, Taeko and Nana) flinched that Kouki didn't even sugarcoat his words and just selfishly made-up what Hajime, Tsubasa, and Airi would say to Yuka despite not knowing them personally.

"…It looks like I somehow understand Kaori's feeling." Yuka started softly but still clear enough for everyone to hear "The feeling of refusing that Nagumo, Fukushima, and Airi died and believing they're still alive."

"What do you mean Nagumo and the others are still alive? You clearly saw them-" Kouki replied as his smile faltered before he was silenced by Yuka glaring at him.

"Don't! Ever! Finish! That! Sentence!"

Taeko and Nana continued watching Yuka in concern as they never seen Yuka like this.

"Besides, what made you so sure that's what Nagumo, Fukushima, and Airi would say if they were here? It's not like you know them enough for you to know that's what they would say." Yuka said while still glaring at Kouki [Of course, I also still don't know much about Nagumo since I don't get to know him more after that time.]

"I…It's natural they would say that. After all, they wouldn't want their sacrifice for humanity to be wasted in vain." Kouki argued.

"'Sacrifice their lives for humanity, huh?'" Yuka pondered which made Kouki felt like he has finally got her back on her senses before Yuka asked.

"I won't say that I know Nagumo, Fukushima, and Airi better than you, Kaori has that right, not me." Yuka started [Though, the one who Kaori knows very well is just Nagumo]

"But what if they were fighting not to save humanity but purely because they've no other choice?" Yuka asked.

"Ah." Yuka could hear that sound but she doesn't know and doesn't care whose voice is that belong to.

Meanwhile, everyone stunned at what Yuka said and that resonated with Shizuku as she herself chose to fight only because she couldn't let Kaori, Kouki, and Ryutarou alone, not for some grandiose goal or something like that.

"What do you mean 'they have no other choice?" Kouki started arguing again.

"Because if they don't fight, they'll always stuck here, unable to go home."

"But if we're fighting to save humanity, we'll eventually be able to go home, right?"

"I thought I already told you they're not fighting for humanity."

"W…why wouldn't they want to fight for humanity? It's a noble goal to do."

Yuka just heaved a tired sigh; implying she's fed up talking with him "Even if they're fighting with 'saving humanity' on their minds, do you really think our homecoming travel is guaranteed?"

"Of course, that's what Ishtar-san told us, after all."

"So, you chose someone who's basically stranger over your classmates."

"We owed so much to him and I'm sure he's telling the truth."

"…What's the proof? And what basis do you believe his words are?"

Once again, Yuka's counter-argument sparked something within Shizuku. Shizuku herself also asked the same thing to herself after Ishtar finished telling the story about this world but she buried that doubt as she had to focus on the upcoming battle.

Meanwhile, Yuka remembered when she was immediately swayed by Kouki's declaration after he heard Ishtar's story. But after what happened to Hajime, Tsubasa, and Airi, Yuka also started asking herself. What if Ishtar hides something from them? What if this whole summoning might end up to be something even more dangerous than it already is.

Of course, it isn't Kouki if he didn't always have his half-baked denial retort ready at any moment.

"Because I just know it, and why would you start denying what Ishtar-san said? Oh, maybe you need to rest, your mental health is still exhausted, after all." Kouki said while unknowingly insulted Yuka.

Taeko and Nana discreetly glared at Kouki for basically calling their friend being crazy.

"Forget it, I'm done talking here." Yuka said before she looked at Meld "About your prohibition, I understand Meld-san. It's as you said, if you didn't give me that prohibition, I might end up doing something unwanted."

Meld nodded before he said "But you're still allowed to go in and out of your rooms but we'll try our best not to make you see the king, the pope, or the noblemen."

Yuka nodded as she said "That's good enough, Meld-san. And I'm sorry if my arguments inconvenience you and the other knights."

At the last part, Yuka said it as she bowed a little before Meld stopped her bowing as what happened to her right now is understandable.

Yuka made her way to her room with Taeko and Nana following; albeit hesitantly at first.

Kouki called Yuka over with his perfect smile appeared again on his face "Yuka, what about this, I'll accompany you to apologize to the king, the pope, and the noblemen? It's not good that the God's Apostle have very bad relation with the king, the pope, and the noblemen, you know."

Yuka, Taeko, and Nana stopped walking as they were flabbergasted at what Kouki just said. Shizuku's also no different. Kouki basically blamed Yuka for what happened today.

Thinking Yuka wants to take up his offer, Kouki started made his way to Yuka before Yuka turned around and glared at Kouki even colder than earlier; flinching him.

"I don't want forgiveness from the people who sighed in relief over Nagumo's death and even more to the people who mocked him even after his death."

Everyone there was very shocked as Yuka doesn't mind being the only present God's Apostle that didn't have good relation with the king, the pope, or the noblemen of this country.

Kouki while being affected a bit by Yuka's declaration and her glare, dared himself to ask "Why would you go so far for him, Yuka?"

Unbeknownst to most people, Yuka started sporting very light blushes on her face which was only noticed by Taeko, and Nana (They noticed it only due to their close proximity with Yuka "Because I…respect him, I just don't want anyone tarnishing his name and his death."

Yuka's brief pause was noticed by Meld and Shizuku. They also couldn't help but think that Yuka's feelings to Hajime is more than respect.

Kouki looks ready to say something again before Yuka interrupted him "If you want to ask about why I respect him, even if I tell you, you wouldn't understand what I said considering you didn't even know him that well."

Yuka turned around and made her way back to her room uninterrupted. Taeko and Nana who's still stunned at her declaration just now; started following her after they snapped out of their confusion a moment after Yuka started walking.

Alright, let's return to the present time.}

Yuka just heaved a sigh to try calm herself down. Before she had any thought, she heard someone knock the door.

Yuka slowly got up from her bed and opened the door. She saw Taeko and Nana but she saw one more person that made her surprised

"L…Lily?"

Yes, it was the princess of this country, Liliana S.B. Heiligh.

Now, Yuka knew she's in a pinch. She guessed Liliana already knows what happened; most likely from Meld or maybe one of the castle maids and maybe she's not happy at the fact that she wanted to attack the king; Liliana's father. But on the other hand, what Yuka said about not wanting forgiveness from people who scorn Hajime and his death still stands true.

"Umm…can we talk about something inside?" Liliana asked the Acrobat.

"Y…yeah, come on inside." Yuka gestured Taeko, Nana, and Liliana to go inside.

The three nodded before they entered Yuka's room.

"You know, seeing Yuka like that kinda remind me about you, Kaori. I mean about both of you defending Nagumo-kun and all. Though this is the first time I actually see her defending Nagumo-kun." Shizuku continued her whisper to no one.

Shizuku then remembered about Yuka's brief pause when being asked why did Yuka care so much about Hajime, she immediately knew that Yuka had some romantic feelings for Hajime.

Shizuku's not sure when did it start happening, but she looked at her friend as she whispered while chuckling softly "You have a new contender, it seems, Kaori."

Yuka, Taeko, Nana, and Liliana just sat in silence at the bed for few minutes before Liliana finally called "Yuka-san."

"Yes?" Yuka replied still dully, causing Taeko and Nana looked at both of them in worry.

"There're things that we need to talk." Liliana started.

To Be Continued

Yeah, I'm giving Sonobe Yuuka much more chance to appear as I felt she really deserve being given more chance to appear. And yeah, I'll definitely make her join Nagumo Hajime's harem, no question about it needed.

And sorry for giving the cliffhanger.

Next: Interlude 2.

Thanks for Reading This.

Review Onegai shimasu (Please)

Till' We Meet Again, Guys.