Once the decision was made, things seemed to just fall into place effortlessly. The next day, they boarded a prepared carriage and moved to the outpost town of Horaud, where the Great Orcus Labyrinth was located.
Inside the carriage, the two adults were having a discussion.
"You prepared everything remarkably quickly after I decided to go. The decision was only made yesterday..." Nanami remarked, slightly irritated, as he conferred with the other adult in the carriage.
"I wasn't the one who prepared it," Meld said, speaking as if to calm him.
According to Meld, the arrangements seemed to have been made by the church. Apparently, they had been preparing for quite some time.
"I hadn't told them that we are going to the labyrinth... It seems they've been monitoring us somehow." Nanami muttered.
"You don't suspect me?" Asked Meld.
"I don't think our acquaintance has been so brief that I would start doubting you now." Nanami replied.
Based on their interactions so far, Nanami considered Meld and the knight order cooperating with the training to be trustworthy individuals; they had even reached the point of collaboratively planning the training regimen.
"I'm sorry." Meld said.
"Please don't apologize. You weren't the one who summoned us. You aren't the one who started this war either. I understand well that you are caught between your concern for us and the directives from above. More importantly, once we arrive there..."
Feeling the rocking of the carriage, a sensation he hadn't experienced much since coming to this world from modern society, Nanami planned out the flow of their training.
...
~Outpost Town of Horaud~
This town was created to provide temporary respite for those challenging the Great Orcus Labyrinth. It offers a wide variety of goods necessary for adventures, such as equipment, food, and backpacks, alongside restaurants and inns that take money from adventurers who earned it in the labyrinth. It has also become a tourist destination.
"The flow of people is considerable... but public order seems somewhat dubious," Nanami observed.
"Adventurers come in all sorts," Meld replied, "On top of that, they have high pride. Don't provoke them."
"I won't. What do you take me for?" Nanami said, glancing at Meld.
However, honestly, the sight of tough-looking individuals walking around clad in armor and armed with swords and other weapons was distinctly out of the ordinary, reminding him once again that this was a different world.
"The expedition to the Great Orcus Labyrinth starts tomorrow, but we've secured lodging for tonight. It's a kingdom-operated inn, so get a good rest." Meld said.
As the students followed the soldiers to the inn, Kouki noticed someone leaving and called out, "Nanami-sensei, where are you going?"
Nanami had separated from the group and headed to a different location accompanied by two knights.
"Kento is going to dive into the labyrinth first to scout the interior," Meld explained.
Kouki nodded, "In that case, I'll also–"
"It's to ensure your safety, to check how you should proceed," Nanami said, "Don't worry about me. The knights will accompany me for support, and since it's only up to the 10th floor, I'll be back soon."
Kouki made a slightly dissatisfied face, but when Shizuku and Ryutarou assured him that Nanami would be fine since he was strong, he acquiesced. Or rather, he had no choice but to agree. After all, during training, the three of them had never managed to land a hit on Nanami, who was able to casually parry and defend against everything.
The trio naturally understood that this involved considerable holding back on his part.
"Understood," Kouki said, managing to accept it and heading to the inn.
"Still, I would have been fine on my own, you know?" Nanami said to the knights.
Meld replied in their stead, "Don't be ridiculous. I don't doubt that the first 10 floors would be a breeze for you, but I'm also responsible for your safety. Besides, these two are skilled in Barrier and Recovery magic. They might be surpassed by you guys eventually, but they are still my proud soldiers. They won't be a hindrance."
""We look forward to working with you, Mr. Kento!!"" the two knights said, snapping to perfect attention with clear, crisp voices.
"I am Parnes!! Mr. Kento, I probably won't be of much use, but please allow me to accompany you!!" One declared.
"I am Mard. It would be an honor to assist," the other added.
'What's with their gazes?' Nanami wondered.
Noticing his questioning gaze, Meld whispered, "Apparently, they're drawn to your character and strength."
Hearing this, Nanami sighed in resignation, but decided to treat them to a meal later as amends for the hassle.
"Then, please take care of my students. I'll try to be back by nightfall," Nanami said.
As Nanami walked off briskly, the two knights accompanying him followed with lively steps. While thinking it was a bit of a hassle, he also considered hurrying a little once inside the labyrinth so they could finish on time.
~~~
The entrance to the Orcus Great Labyrinth was different from Nanami's expectations. It had imposing doors that could pass for a museum or art gallery entrance, and it even had a receptionist.
To keep track of fatalities, they were required to present their Status Plates. Seeing Nanami's stats, the receptionist's eyes widened in shock. At this, Parnes discreetly handed over some money to the receptionist while saying, "Please keep this confidential."
Noticing this, Nanami felt guilty for causing trouble, but resolved to treat them to a meal later...
The inside of the labyrinth contrasted the entrance. It was dimly lit, but thanks to glowing ores embedded in the passages, the path was clearly visible.
"As Mr. Kento said, perhaps our presence truly was unnecessary," Mard said apologetically.
Nanami, however, was rather grateful for them.
"Not at all," he said, "You've handled the monsters I missed, and more importantly, this is a minor expedition to assess monster levels and safe routes for the students' security. Besides, from what I've seen, you two are strong. At least stronger than they are currently."
Mard objected, "Not so, according the Status Plates…"
Nanami clarified, "Not based on what's written on your Status Plates, but based on your fighting style. You have more experience; there's no waste in your movements."
Nanami's strength was evident even from his Status Plate, but even without it, the two of them were veteran knights... they were experienced enough to immediately tell that Nanami was different from them. So being recognized by such a strong, respectable person was gratifying.
"By the way, Mr. Kento… it's rather late to ask, but is that equipment really alright? I don't mean to be rude, but it doesn't look like you're prepared for labyrinth exploration."
"Seriously, Mard? It is late to ask. Besides, he's been like that during training too," Parnes chided his comrade.
Their reaction was understandable. The students had received equipment from the kingdom's treasury, some even being artifacts with special abilities granted to them.
But Nanami had accepted none of that equipment. He remained in the light blue shirt and light grey suit reminiscent of a salaryman that he had on when he came to this world.
His weapon was the cleaver Hajime made, and this weapon was, at best, usable for chopping firewood, but was too dull for tearing through monster flesh. Without the cleaver, he'd look like just a salaryman.
Though the concept of a "salaryman" didn't exist in Tortus, the point still stands.
"Since I've essentially picked a fight with the church, I don't want to owe them any debts. Besides, flashy equipment is cumbersome and hard to move in; it's easier to fight like this. Anyway, rest assured… Hmph!"
Nanami bisected an approaching monster in a single stroke. It twitched for a moment before succumbing to blood loss and wound damage.
"It's plenty sufficient for average opponents," he said.
Normally, the two would issue a warning the moment a monster approached, but they realized it was no longer necessary. Nanami would immediately sense the monster's location and cut it down or beat it down.
Even if suddenly attacked, he never lost his composure... on the contrary, he could even dispatch them mid-conversation.
"More importantly, let's finish this quickly. At this rate, it seems it will end faster than I thought. I hate overtime, so the sooner, the better."
"Ah, yes! Please wait a moment while I retrieve the magic stone!" Mard said.
"Don't keep Mr. Kento waiting, Mard!!" Parnes urged.
They had already reached the 10th floor and planned to go to the stairs leading to the 11th floor before finishing. Nanami, who had honestly thought it would lead to overtime, felt a bit relieved.
'When I first heard about the monsters, I assumed they were all around Grade 1 cursed spirit level, but every opponent so far has been around Fly Head to Grade 4, or at best, strong Grade 4. I don't know how strong the monsters further down are, but at least up to the 10th floor, the current group should be fine.'
In no time at all, they arrived before the 11th floor entrance.
Nanami checked his wristwatch, 'Hm, if we hurry, we can make it.'
Thinking this, he told the two they'd also fight a few 12th-floor monsters. They exchanged glances, then, recalling Nanami's battles up to this point, nodded firmly.
....
'I messed up,' Nanami thought.
The monsters on the 11th and 12th floors weren't much stronger either. But a separate issue arose.
"Ugh, sorry," a voice said.
Mard shook his head, saying, "It's okay, just stay still. I'm casting a recovery spell."
"Parnes-san, please keep protecting them as you are. I'll handle the monsters around," Nanami instructed.
"Understood!!" Parnes affirmed.
As Nanami had said, they were supposed to deal with just a few stragglers, but a scream was heard from deeper inside. Rushing over, they discovered some novice adventurers surrounded by monsters, with one wounded adventurer shielding multiple injured comrades.
Abandoning them was out of the question. So they had rushed over, Parnes created a barrier with Barrier magic, and inside it, Mard used Recovery magic to treat them.
As for Nanami…
"Sigh, overtime, huh… How unfortunate," he muttered.
Deciding to just quickly deal with it and go home, he began pulverizing the monsters.
Seeing him like that, Mard and Parnes thought, 'It's like he's venting stress.'
In the end, because they had to treat the injured adventurers and carry some back, they were later than initially planned, worrying Meld. When they made it back safely however, he praised their actions.
And regarding Nanami's ability to effortlessly reach the 12th floor of the great labyrinth in such short time on his first dive, he praised him, saying, "As expected of you."
...
Meld offered to escort the adventurers to their inn and urged Nanami to rest. Nanami accepted and headed to his lodging. The sun had long since set, and everyone was likely asleep at this time.
"Good grief..." he sighed.
He had just returned from overtime and wanted to go straight to sleep. However, as a teacher, he couldn't overlook what he had just spotted.
Thinking this, he moved silently.
"W-well, see you tomorrow, Nagumo-kun," a female voice echoed.
"Yeah, see ya," Hajime replied.
"What are you two doing? Shirasaki-san, Nagumo-kun," Nanami interjected.
""Wah?! Nanami-sensei!!"" the two exclaimed.
"A boy and a girl alone in Nagumo-kun's room at this hour… Honestly, I don't want to nag, but as a teacher, I must say this. At your age, some people do get into relationships. But listen, even though this is a different world, you are still students. Act with restraint… And this is not a school trip, so please be more mindful."
The two bowed their heads, murmuring agreements in response to the lecture, but they found the situation somewhat amusing and suppressed giggles.
Nanami noticed, of course, and that got them scolded too.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
""Sorry,"" they apologized.
Noticing someone else's presence listening in, Nanami voiced out a warning in that direction, "And you who's eavesdropping over there, whether it's because you're going to the toilet or because you can't sleep, please return to your room and go to bed."
At that, a clattering sound was heard, followed by the sound of a door slamming shut, then silence.
'S-someone overheard us,' Hajime and Kaori realized.
Nanami continued, "Now then, your lecture is not over yet."
'We've done it now,' the two thought, as they were subjected to Nanami's scolding.