As the year drew to a close one day, I was diving into the ninety-third floor of the Great Southern Labyrinth together with the First Unit members.
We'd already established the route to the boss area, so today was the final confirmation before the actual conquest.
I wasn't without thoughts about conquering the Great Labyrinth.
Several months ago, Abel Edington had told me that the Great Labyrinths were once called sanctuaries and that fairy-tale heroes had created them—those words still lingered as an unresolved knot in my heart.
But there was no way to verify the truth of that story.
With so little concrete evidence available right now, I'd tentatively concluded that thinking about it further was pointless.
What we needed now was to reach the ninety-fourth floor—and conquer it.
"Still, this place really is damp and miserable. I don't think I'll ever get used to it..."
While staying alert to our surroundings during exploration, Will—who was walking ahead—let out a complaint.
The ninety-third floor was almost entirely covered in trees, resembling a jungle.
The temperature and humidity were both extremely high, making it feel close to a tropical rainforest without rain.
Just as Will said, it was oppressively muggy—not a place anyone would want to linger in.
"You're right. It's somewhat better than the ninety-first floor, but still not somewhere I'd want to hang around."
"The worst part is that it's winter and freezing on the surface! It snowed last night too—the temperature swings are gonna give me a cold!"
Rain-san and Lucre agreed with Will's grumbling.
『Everyone, conversation on hold. Monsters approaching. Three Arm Apes. Rain and Lucre—prepare barrage. Will and Orun, handle the takedown!』
Sensing the incoming monsters, Selma-san issued instructions via telepathy.
『『『『Understood!』』』』
We immediately switched to combat readiness and prepared to engage the Arm Apes.
Arm Apes were long-armed, ape-like magical beasts. Their individual combat strength wasn't particularly high.
However, their three-dimensional movement—making full use of the tall trees—was extremely complex and hard to track, making them one of the most troublesome types of monsters.
Rain-san and Lucre unleashed a massive volley of [Water Arrows] toward the direction of the Arm Apes.
Finishing them off purely with magic would be difficult, but creating a barrage like this restricted their paths and prevented them from closing in on the three rear-liners.
Since Arm Apes had no long-range attacks, maintaining distance kept the risk to the backline very low.
In other words, Will and I could move forward.
After confirming no other monsters were nearby, we charged.
Against deep-layer monsters, mid-tier magic like [Water Arrow] couldn't be expected to deal significant damage.
The relatively low-durability Arm Apes were no exception.
But "not much damage" also meant some damage was still being inflicted.
The three Arm Apes disliked the barrage and altered their paths to evade the [Water Arrows].
"I'll take the one that dropped down! The ones heading up are yours!"
"Got it! —[Reflective Wall]!"
I left the one landing on the ground to Will and targeted the two climbing higher into the trees.
Circulating ki throughout my body, I used [Gravity Manipulation] and [Reflective Wall] to close the distance in an instant.
One Arm Ape raised its sharp claws to intercept, but I evaded effortlessly and swung Schwarzhaize.
Right before the blade made contact, I activated [Instantaneous Ability Surge Impact]. Without any resistance, the Arm Ape's torso and neck separated.
While catching a glimpse in the corner of my eye of the bisected Arm Ape turning into black mist, I moved to slash the remaining one—but it skillfully used the trees to flee, keeping my sword out of reach.
『Rain-san, block its escape route.』
『On it!』
After calling out via telepathy, multiple attack spells fired to seal the Arm Ape's path.
Thanks to Rain-san's magic, I closed the distance to sword range and swung Schwarzhaize, turning the Arm Ape into black mist.
Down below, Will's fight with the other Arm Ape was progressing in his favor.
He parried its attacks with his double-bladed sword and steadily accumulated damage without missing openings.
Realizing it was at a disadvantage in direct close combat, the Arm Ape tried to flee—but Lucre's attack magic wouldn't allow it. Their coordination turned the Arm Ape into black mist.
『Orun.』
『I know, it's fine.』
While standing on a mana platform in midair and watching Will's battle, I sensed a larger ape-type monster—one size bigger than the Arm Apes we'd just fought—approaching from behind at considerable speed.
The ape kicked off a tree trunk and closed in on me.
I channeled mana along Schwarzhaize's blade while using [Gravity Manipulation] to lock onto the ape.
Amplifying the gravity on the ape caused it to falter from the sudden increase. Before its attack could reach me, it plummeted toward the ground.
"...Heaven Flash."
Combining the added gravity with the force of its fall, I followed up the crashing ape with a jet-black slash. Rain-san's attack magic piled on top.
As it hit the ground, I landed and finished off the battered but still-living ape with a single stroke. Finally, it turned into black mist.
"...Your movements are getting sharper every day. Getting used to [Gravity Manipulation], huh?"
After the battle ended and we collected the magic stones, Will called out to me.
"Yeah. Still need more training, but I've more or less sorted out what I can and can't do with [Gravity Manipulation]. I thought of some interesting applications too—planning to test them in real combat soon."
"Oh? Looking forward to it. Tell me about those 'interesting applications' during our next briefing."
"Of course."
After that, we continued exploring the ninety-third floor and concluded that shifting to full conquest mode would be no problem.
At this pace, we should reach the ninety-fourth floor before the year ended.
◇
"Hey, have you guys heard of the 'Armored Explorer'?"
After finishing our exploration of the ninety-third floor, we decided to have dinner together for the first time in a while. While eating at a restaurant, Rain-san brought up the topic.
"Armored Explorer? Never heard of 'em."
Will answered Rain-san's question.
"Me neither."
I hadn't heard of anyone called the Armored Explorer either.
I'd kept tabs on promising explorers since my Hero Party days, but had this one slipped through my information network? Or was he not yet prominent enough?
"I don't know either~"
"The three of you were in Legliff territory, so it's understandable you haven't heard. But yeah—this explorer started getting mentioned around the time the harvest festival ended. Lately everyone's been talking about Empire stuff, so it died down—but Selma knows about him, right?"
"Yeah. The story was so hard to believe at first that it stuck with me."
"Hard to believe? Did he accomplish some incredible feat?"
"In a way, you could call it a feat? Basically—this explorer doesn't party up. He's a so-called solo explorer... and he's active in the lower layers of the Great Labyrinth."
"Solo in the lower layers!? That's reckless..."
Will let out a surprised exclamation at Rain-san's explanation.
And understandably so. A few solo explorers operated in the middle layers.
But the difficulty spiked dramatically in the lower layers—no one was active there solo.
"I thought the same when I first heard it, but explorers who've seen him fight all say the same thing: 'He's on a completely different level.'"
"Anyone reaching the lower layers is already top-tier, right? If people like that are all saying the same thing, he must be seriously strong?"
"Probably. His style seems to be a standard longsword front-line attacker, but that's about all the info there is."
"His appearance—oh, right, that's why 'Armored Explorer.'"
"Exactly. Full plate armor with a helmet, so no identifying features. Around 180 cm tall, so probably male."
"Solo in the lower layers, huh... As far as I know, the only one who could pull that off is Orun-kun—but I guess there really are monsters out there."
"No way—I wouldn't even think about solo diving the lower layers."
"You just don't think about it—but you could, right?"
"...If I tried, probably. But solo's inefficient, and anyway—I have reliable comrades right here. No reason to go solo."
"Fufu, thank you. We'll have to work harder so you keep thinking of us as reliable comrades."
"Yeah. The ninety-third-floor boss fight depends on our rear-guard coordination. Naturally, we'll stay sharp."
"Yeah! Let's do our best~! Everyone together to the ninety-fourth floor—!"
"『『『Ooooh!!!!』』』"
◇
"I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid you cannot meet him today either."
The next day, with some free time, I headed to the detention facility to visit Oliver—but once again, I was turned away.
I'd come here several times since returning to Tsutorairu, but after that one visit half a year ago, I still hadn't been able to see him.
Had something happened to Oliver? Or was I simply being avoided...? I didn't like that possibility...
(Sigh... Well, if I can't see him, I can't. Guess I'll head to Grandpa's place.)
I shifted gears and headed to Grandpa's shop.
But there was already a customer inside: a figure fully clad in armor, facing Grandpa across the counter in discussion.
(Full plate, huh... Could this be the 'Armored Explorer' Rain-san and Selma-san mentioned yesterday? Talk about perfect timing... —Wait, huh?)
The armored explorer turned and looked at me.
I observed him in return—and immediately understood why he could solo the lower layers.
Just standing there, his presence and aura were clearly different from other explorers.
It was the same feeling I'd had the first time I saw Fuuka.
(This guy... even if I went all-out, I'm not sure I'd win.)
"Your ordered item will still take some time to obtain. Could you come back around next month?"
When Grandpa addressed the armored explorer, he turned back to Grandpa and nodded.
Then he turned again and walked toward the entrance—where I was.
I stepped aside to clear the doorway. The armored explorer opened the door and disappeared outside.
After confirming he'd left the building, I approached the counter where Grandpa was.
"Hi, Grandpa."
"Good timing, Orun. What brings you today?"
"I'm planning to conquer the ninety-third floor soon, so I wanted to stock up on consumables."
I stated my purpose. Grandpa said "Hold on a moment" and disappeared into the back.
While browsing the goods on display to pass the time, Grandpa returned shortly after.
"Sorry for the wait. How about this much for now?"
He set out the consumables he'd brought from the back and called to me.
I returned to the counter, picked up each item, and inspected them one by one.
Since these were items Grandpa had procured or crafted himself, I knew the quality was fine.
Still, the reason I checked every time was that long ago—when I'd tried to buy without inspecting—he'd scolded me: "Never entrust something tied to your life solely to someone else."
His words made sense, so ever since, I'd made it a habit to inspect anything I bought or received before using it.
Grandpa really had taught me so much.
I wanted to repay him little by little.
"That person just now—was the Armored Explorer, right?"
While checking the consumables, I asked Grandpa.
"So it seems. What about him? Interested?"
"Yeah. I'd heard he was incredibly strong—and seeing him in person, I could tell the rumors were true."
"Solo diving the lower layers—strength is only natural. If he ever said he wanted to join a party or clan, there'd be a fierce scramble to recruit him."
"Haha, yeah. Especially clans—they'd want to snap up someone that talented. A bidding war would be inevitable."
That said, since he was currently operating solo, the chances of that happening seemed low.
But if—as Grandpa suggested—the Armored Explorer ever expressed interest in joining an organization, the Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky would definitely move to recruit him.
If he actually joined us, I'd personally be thrilled—but that seemed like a long shot.
"—Alright, I'll take all of these. Oh, and add a whetstone too."
After chatting with Grandpa while finishing my inspection, I told him I'd buy everything.
I confirmed the additional whetstone, paid the quoted amount.
After Grandpa verified the payment and stored the coins, I transferred the purchased consumables into my storage artifact.
"By the way, the year's almost over. How's this year been for you, Orun?"
Grandpa's question prompted me to reflect on the past year.
So much had happened—but the biggest event was undoubtedly getting kicked out of the *Golden Dawn* Hero Party.
Then joining the Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky, gaining adorable disciples, experiencing all sorts of things in this clan—an unimaginable year compared to this time last year.
"...Yeah. If I had to sum it up in one word—cliché as it sounds—it's been fulfilling. If we can cap it off by conquering the ninety-third floor as the Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky, I'd have no complaints. How about you, Grandpa—what kind of year has it been?"
"For me, it was just another year. The older you get, the faster time flies—before you know it, it's year-end again."
"I've heard that the longer you live, the faster time feels."
"I'm getting on in years, after all. How many more years do I have left..."
"Don't say that. I want you to live a long time. Take care of your health. If there's anything I can do, just say the word."
"...True enough. I still have things I need to do—so I suppose I should live longer."
Grandpa murmured with a distant look.
He'd made that expression a few times before, so I didn't think much of it—but for some reason, his words caught in my mind.
"Things you need to do...?"
"Of course—to see your growth through to the end. That's what keeps me going these days. If you're going to do something for me, then let me keep watching your growth up close."
"Oh, that? Easy enough. I'll work hard to become someone you can brag about with pride—so keep watching."
"Of course. Next year looks like it'll be eventful—but I'd like to spend next year-end chatting peacefully with you like this."
"The Empire situation smells fishy, so there'll probably be some national-level movement next year. But I'm an explorer. My goal is to conquer the ninety-fourth floor and report back to you by this time next year."
"...Mm. I'll look forward to it."
◇ ◇ ◇
While Orun was talking with the old man he called Grandpa—Cavadele Evans—at the general store, the leader of the Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky, Vince Briars, sat in the leader's office with a tense expression.
After a while, a knock sounded at the office door.
Hearing it, Vince called for the person outside to enter.
The door opened, and a rugged, middle-aged man stepped inside.
"Been a while, young Rabbit. Sorry for dropping by unannounced."
The middle-aged man apologized casually.
"It's true. If you feel bad about it, contact me ahead next time. You're not exactly a free agent anymore. And you're lucky I was here—I'm busy these days too, you know."
"I'll be more careful next time. Still... I never thought you'd actually become the Rabbit's leader..."
"...I only wanted to purge the clan's rot. I never intended to sit in this seat."
"Well, you're the kind of man who should be in charge. We all benefited greatly from your management skills back then—I know that better than anyone. Leading the kingdom's largest clan suits you perfectly, doesn't it? Honestly, I'd love to poach you as my right-hand man."
"...Thank you. You seem far better suited to your current position than your previous one."
"Spare me. Even after all these years, I still haven't gotten used to it."
They seemed to be old acquaintances. Both usually carried stern expressions in their respective roles, but here they relaxed and enjoyed the conversation like friends.
But after the casual exchange wound down, Vince shifted from "old friend" to "leader of the Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky."
With a serious expression, he spoke.
"—So, what brings you here today, former Hero Party leader—no, Captain of the Nohitant Kingdom Central Army Imperial Guard, Warren Hayes?"