The next morning, I headed to the plaza just a short distance from the entrance to the Great Labyrinth. A massive crowd had already gathered.
Most of them were children who hadn't even reached adulthood yet.
Some looked like they weren't even ten years old. Surely kids that young should have been allowed to opt-out.
Was this another order from those idiot nobles?
The children all had stiff, pale faces. They were clearly terrified.
"Morning, Orun. Why are you hanging so far back?"
While I was waiting a short distance away from the main group, Selma-san approached me.
"Good morning. I’m an outsider, for the most part. I figured if I went and stood among everyone in their uniforms, it might just rattle the rookies even more."
The Explorers belonging to the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky wore varied gear, but their colors were unified in a black and blue theme.
The rookies were wearing standard-issue outfits based on their roles, though the A-Rank party from this clan I’d seen before had much more individualistic gear. Selma-san herself wore a black and blue robe embroidered with the crest of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky.
Come to think of it, the robes the rookie Mages were wearing were different from the one Sophia had on the other day. Had she been given a special version just because she was Selma’s sister?
"Hahaha! True, the rookies are all stiff as boards. Well, I’m going to need your help to loosen them up right away. Follow me."
Selma-san started walking off briskly, a look on her face that suggested she was up to no good.
Wait, what are you going to make me do?!
I didn't have much of a choice, so I followed after her.
Selma-san led me toward three other Explorers. They were likely the other instructors. Judging by their equipment, the two men were Defenders and the woman was a Healer. I guessed they were all in their early twenties.
"Good morning, you three."
"""Good morning!"""
Selma-san greeted them, and the three responded in unison.
"I’ll introduce him to you first. This is Orun, the collaborator I mentioned yesterday. I personally guarantee his skills."
"...Selma-san's personal endorsement? That sounds promising."
One of the Defenders gave me a scrutinizing look as he spoke. Knowing Selma-san, I’d expected her to blurt out that I was a former member of the Hero Party, but it seemed she’d held back—for now.
"Oh, you can expect great things from him," Selma-san added, stoking the fires.
Please don't set the bar that high.
"Don't get ahead of yourself... Nice to meet you. I'm Orun. I'm a Front-line Attacker. Looking forward to working with you."
After I introduced myself, the three followed suit. My guess had been correct: two Defenders and one Healer.
The instructor lineup was well-balanced. However, if I had joined as an Enchanter, who exactly would have been the Damage Dealer? Even an A-Rank Defender can deal some damage to Floor Bosses in the Middle Floors, but they're hardly specialists.
This entire plan was making me more and more uneasy... I’d have to provide as much backup as possible.
"Right, I’m counting on the four of you for the next three days! Now then, I suppose it's time to address the rookies."
The five of us headed toward the center of the gathering.
"Everyone! Good morning! As previously announced, we begin our push for the 51st floor of the Great Labyrinth today!"
We climbed onto a raised stone platform that allowed us to look out over the entire crowd. Selma-san’s voice projected across the plaza. Every single rookie snapped their attention toward her. Even the kids who had been whispering a moment ago went silent. They were well-trained, at least.
"Heh, look at those faces. You're all terrified, aren't you? Is the idea of the Middle Floors that scary? Well, worry not! The person taking overall command of this operation is none other than myself—the Continent's Greatest Enchanter! Furthermore, I have secured a powerful asset to handle any unforeseen circumstances. Let me introduce him. This is Orun. He is an Explorer who has reached the 94th floor—a depth even we have yet to see! Now, how's that? Feeling a bit more confident about reaching the 51st floor?"
The rookies, who had been listening in dead silence, suddenly erupted into a low roar of chatter.
So this is what you meant by "easing the tension"?!
I looked over; even the three other instructors were standing there with their mouths hanging open. She definitely did that just to see the looks on their faces.
"He has already left the Hero Party, but he knows the Great Labyrinth better than anyone here. Now then, let the exploration begin!"
At Selma-san's command, the rookies let out a spirited "YEAH!"
"We move out in ten minutes! Form up by party and wait for the signal!"
Selma-san stepped down from the platform with a satisfied smirk, looking like she’d checked off everything on her to-do list.
Give me a break...
"Right, instructors, final confirmation."
Once everyone was off the platform, we gathered in a small circle.
"I-I’m sorry. I was incredibly rude to you earlier."
The Defender who had been scrutinizing me earlier bowed his head in apology.
"No, don't worry about it. Also, I’m the younger one here, so there’s no need for formal speech. Just talk to me normally."
"I... I see. Understood. Still, is it really okay for someone from the Hero Party to be helping with our clan's mission?"
"Former member," I corrected. "I’m no longer part of the Hero Party, so there are no issues."
"Hate to break up the chat, but time is short. Let's finish the final check."
At Selma-san's prompt, the atmosphere among the three instructors sharpened instantly. The details were the same as what I’d been told yesterday. I was assigned to oversee the Ninth Unit and the Tenth Unit.
Once the check was complete, the instructors headed off to their respective rookie parties. As I started to walk away, Selma-san called out to me.
"The Tenth Unit is made up of our most promising rookies. If they can polish their coordination as a party, they have the talent to handle the Middle Floors with ease. See to their guidance, Orun."
Don't go dumping the "promising" ones on the outsider...
"...Understood. I'll do what I can."