They each had their own personal servant to take care of them in their rooms as well, but as they grew lonely cooped up alone, most students spent their free time hanging out in the salon.
Of course, they hadn’t been summoned here to lounge around. They were the human side’s main force in their battle against their sworn enemy, the demons.
So why was it that most of them spent their days idling around in the salon just killing time? Well, simply put, most of them had been traumatized. They had come face to face with death just a few months ago, after all. Down in the depths of the Great Orcus Labyrinth, where the light of the sun never reached, they’d stared down monsters that would have killed them without mercy. Many of them had been convinced they would die there, and one member of their group had actually been defeated, vanishing into the gaping maw of that ravine.
—A fantasy adventure with swords and magic. They had had that kind of lighthearted idea about what they were in for, but harsh reality had crushed those hopes and dreams rather quickly. On the battlefield, people died. It was obvious when stated, but the incident in the labyrinth had that carved that fact into their souls.
At first they had happily practiced honing their skills, improving the talents their jobs had given them, and looked forward to mowing down waves of monsters. But now, there wasn’t an iota of that positive attitude anywhere. People died when they were killed. When that reality had been thrust into their faces, many of the students had lost their nerve. Not only could they no longer fight, they feared even stepping out of the capital.
The king and high ranking members of the Holy Church naturally tried to convince the students to fight again, but they didn’t go so far as to force them. In the end, it was all just attempts at persuasion. But the students, who had been weighed down by their fear, only felt more cornered at their words. They were worried that if they didn’t comply, maybe they would be chased out of the castle. Then, they’d have no one to protect them as they were thrown out into this harsh world where people died at the drop of a hat.
It was then that the one who possessed a rare and invaluable job, the only adult to have been summoned, the teacher Aiko Hatayama returned from her expedition to solve the kingdom’s food problems.
When she heard about the boy who’d failed to make it back alive, she’d been visibly shaken. But when she saw how much worse it had affected the students, she quickly pulled herself together. With renewed determination, she headed to the king and other nobles to convince them to stop pestering the students to return to the war front. She even used herself and her rare job as a bargaining chip.
As a result, she succeeded and the students were all put under Aiko’s protection. It was for that reason that they could spend their days idly chattering away in the salon.
“Hey, did you hear? Amanogawa’s party made it all the way to the seventieth floor.”
“Seriously? Weren’t they just setting foot in the sixty-sixth floor a few days ago?”
“I guess that’s just how good the hero’s party is. He’s on a completely different level from average kids like us.” The male student who said that, Atsushi Tamai, shrugged his shoulders, an odd expression on his face. He was jealous of them. He was jealous of Kouki and the others, who continued challenging the unknown even after their near brush with death. At the same time, however, he was embarrassed at how pathetic he was, and at the fact that he averted his eyes from the truth. But every time he thought back to that day, he started trembling in fear.
Not just Atsushi either, most of the students who chose to stay behind felt the same. All they wanted was to go home back to Japan. But in order to do that, they would need to win the war against the demons, and ask the Holy Church’s god, Ehit, to send them back. Still, they couldn’t bring themselves to fight. Fear, dark as the abyss they witnessed, snuffed out their wills.
“Yeah. You’d have to be as amazing as Kaori-chan or Shizuku-chan to keep up with that guy.”
“I know, right? Shizuku’s so cool, isn’t she? I’m totally falling for her.”
“Ahaha, seriously? But I thought you liked Suzu, Yuri!”
“Wait, Suzu-chan’s like that, really!?”
“Nah, she’s just a perverted old man inside, so she doesn’t count.”
Like the boys, the girls also acted cheerful and joked around, but on the inside they felt jealous and guilty for not being there for their friends. They talked for a while, exchanging hollow, empty words. As if they were afraid of letting silence settle in.
While the servants posted to the salon never looked directly at any of the students, they still stole furtive glances at them. Not only had they been chosen by Ehit, their comrades were still out there fighting. And yet, they wasted their time chattering pointlessly in this luxurious room. However, at the same time the servants saw the fear that lived in the students’ hearts, and sympathized with their plight. They were stuck here, unable to go home, and it was the people of this world that had driven them to such actions. Thus, they gazed on expressionlessly. The nobles and clergymen who knew the situation held similar feelings as well, as they’d seen the students’ dilemma firsthand. Naturally, it varied from person to person.
The students had realized how those around them looked at them too. To avoid dwelling on it, the students turned once more to hollow conversation in an attempt to lick their own wounds.
One of the students mumbled something.
“...Even Shizuku’s just a normal girl...” It had been barely a whisper, not something meant to be heard by others. But there had happened to be a lull in the conversation just then, and so those whispered words reached everyone in the salon.
They all turned to look at the person who’d muttered that. It was Nia, Shizuku’s personal maid. She realized she’d misspoke and quickly bowed her head to apologize, but—
“What? Got a problem with us?” Atsushi furrowed his brows and growled at Nia. Despite his tone, he couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eyes. He knew his anger was misdirected.
“No. Not at all. I’m truly sorry for my poor choice of words.” Nia bowed to everyone again. But her honest attitude only aggravated Atsushi further, so he continued pestering her.
“No one asked you to apologize! Do you think we’re all idiots!? You trying to say that because Yaegashi-san didn’t change... because she’s still going anyway, we’re all pathetic for calling it quits here!? Why not just say it to our faces then, huh!?”
“H-Hey Atsushi... give it a rest.”
“What good’s hitting a maid going to do?”
Atsushi’s friends, Noboru Aikawa and Akito Nimura, tried to calm him down. He was throwing a tantrum like a child.
“Shut up! I just... I just... Dammit...”
“Atsushi...”
“Tamai-kun...”
Gloomy feelings whirled around him, and Atsushi let out a frustrated yell. Akito and Aikawa looked away, unable to say anything else. Some of the girls opened their mouths, thinking to say something to him. After all, everyone understood those feelings he couldn’t explain that wrapped around him like an inescapable spider’s web.
Atsushi hung his head, and Nia took a step toward him.
“Atsushi-sama, I’m terribly sorry I offended you. But I did not mean to imply that any of you are cowards. Please try and believe me...”
“Nia-san... No, umm, I’m the one who... Sorry...”
In the face of her sincerity, Atsushi could only look away awkwardly. He apologized as well, having calmed down a little. Not only had he thrown a temper tantrum, he was the one being apologized to. There could be nothing more humiliating.
Nia smiled gently, then went on to explain the true meaning behind her words.
“Allow me to apologize to the rest of you as well. I did not mean to cause offense. But as Shizuku-sama’s maid, and as her friend, this is what I think. That she too, deserves to be protected, to rely on someone else, to let herself be spoiled, just like any other girl.”
“...But she’s so strong. Everyone goes to her for help... I can’t imagine her ever needing to rely on someone else.”
“Yeah...” The girl who spoke was Nana Miyazaki. There was a bitter smile on her face as she said that. Her friend, Taeko Sugawara voiced her agreement.
“It’s true that in my time serving Shizuku-sama, she has never once shown any such weakness before me. However, I do not believe a perfect person like that exists. Shizuku-sama is also just a teenage girl who was a student only months ago. She may still look fine for now, but... I’m sure not being able to rest even when she returns to the palace, and having everyone around her say things like ‘It’s obvious that Shizuku-sama can do something like that’ must be a huge burden on her.”
“Nia-san...”
It was obvious Nia spent a lot of time thinking about Shizuku, so her words shook the students.
Nia was actually from a family of knights. From a young age, she’d learned swordplay from her father and brothers. She must have felt a kinship with Shizuku, who had been born and raised in similar circumstances. At first, she had been nervous serving someone the priests had called Ehit’s messenger, but she’d eventually come to see Shizuku as a friend. She was worried for her friend, who was bravely challenging uncharted floors. That was why it had bothered her when everyone had treated Shizuku like some kind of special being. She was worried their exaggerated expectations would wear her down.
One of the girls who had so far remained silent in a corner of the salon opened her mouth.
“Everyone’s... still the same, huh?”
“Yuka? What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
“W-Wow, I haven’t heard Yukacchi speak in ages... You okay?”
Nana and Taeko looked over in surprise and worry at their friend, Yuka Sonobe. Their reaction was warranted. Ever since their near brush with death, it had looked like Yuka’s soul had been sucked out of her. She acted completely lifeless. Originally, she had been a very spirited girl, one that stood out in her class, for better or worse. But after their excursion into the labyrinth, she barely ever spoke, and unless her friends dragged her out she’d spend the whole day just sitting in her room, staring blankly out the window. She was the one who had been most traumatized by that experience, so it was only natural everyone was surprised to hear her speak without being asked a question.
Still, she ignored her two friends and kept talking, empty eyes staring off into the distance.
“That’s right. It’s not just Shizuku. Kaori-chan and Sakagami-kun and Nagayama-kun and Hiyama-kun, and even Amanogawa-kun... haven’t changed. At the very least, he was normal... No, he was even weaker than normal. But... more than anyone... And yet, I... Even though we’re all... If I...”
Her words had ceased making sense. She was no longer trying to convey a message, but simply letting her mouth speak whatever came to mind. Something had begun stirring within Yuka’s heart.
Her two friends looked at her worriedly, but as she continued spouting nonsense, Yuka’s empty eyes began to glow with a faint light once more. Taeko and Nana looked at each other. The other students all exchanged confused glances as well.
“Nia-san, when is Ai-chan-sensei leaving again?”
“Aiko-sama? I believe she’s scheduled to depart tomorrow morning. They’re heading to the lake town of Ur, so she won’t return for at least two to three weeks.”
“Whoa, tomorrow, huh...? No, actually, that’s good. It’ll only get worse if we wait too long.”
Yuka smiled wryly at that and stood up vigorously. Taeko and Nana’s jaws dropped in surprise when they saw that. Their friend had never been so lively before. Nana timidly opened her mouth.
“U-Umm, Yukacchi? What’s wrong? I have no idea what you’re saying.”
“I’m fine. I just can’t stand sitting still any longer. Guys, I’m going to join Ai-chan on her expedition tomorrow.”
The rest of the students looked on in awe. Their shock was expected. Yuka had been hit hardest by that experience. All she’d done since returning from the labyrinth was gaze blankly at nothing, sometimes tremble in terror... But now she’d suddenly recovered in the span of a few seconds.
“W-Wait, Sonobe. Seriously, what’s going on? You’re not acting normal. Calm down.” Having finally returned to his senses, Atsushi tried to talk her out of it. However...
“I am calm, Tamai-kun. And this isn’t sudden. I’ve been thinking for a long time now that I can’t keep living like this. Ever since he died, I’ve been scared and confused... but I need to do something. Aren’t you all thinking the same thing, deep down?”
“......” Atsushi held his breath. He then closed his mouth, like he’d thought better of what he was about to say. The other students looked away awkwardly.
Yuka didn’t say anything. Instead, she simply shrugged her shoulders and headed for the salon’s door. She understood their feelings very well.
“W-Wait, Sonobe! You’re really going to go!? You might die for real this time, you know!? This isn’t a manga or a movie! There won’t be any convenient act of god to save your life! That’s why... That’s why he died! Even though he was weak, he still tried to act like a hero, and then he died just like that! I-I don’t want to end up like that loser... Sonobe, don’t be stupid.” Though he started off shouting, his voice gradually petered off, until finally he was hanging his head sadly. Yuka didn’t even turn around.
“But that worthless, weak boy saved my life. No, he saved all our lives.”
“But—”
“I’m not asking you to come with me, Tamai-kun. I just don’t want to let his death be in vain. That’s all. Of course, if you want to come with me, I’d be glad to have you.” She finally looked back at that moment. She looked nervous, but she still smiled resolutely at the others. Atsushi could only flop his mouth like a dying fish before collapsing into his chair. Yuka left the room.
Taeko and Nana were still in shock, but they left the other despairing students and hurriedly followed after Yuka. When they finally caught up to her in the hallway, they couldn’t hide their confusion.
“Hey, Yuka. Are you really going to go with Ai-chan-sensei? He was right, you might die.”
“I know. Still, I can’t just sit around any longer. I don’t have the courage to follow Amanogawa-kun and the others, but I can at least be Ai-chan’s guard.” When they saw the determination in her eyes, Nana and Taeko exchanged worried glances. Timidly, Nana opened her mouth.
“Yukacchi... did you, umm, maybe like Nagumo...”
“Don’t be silly. There’s no way I’d be doing this for such a simple reason.”
“Really?”
“Obviously. Besides, after seeing the hellish training Kaori-chan’s putting herself through just because she still believes he’s alive, you’d have to be braver than a hero to try and take him from her. If I had that kind of guts I wouldn’t have stayed behind in the first place.”
“Well, I guess...” Yuka Sonobe was none other than the girl Hajime Nagumo had saved from Traum Soldiers back in the Great Orcus Labyrinth. That was why Nana had come to that conclusion, but one look at Yuka’s face told her she obviously didn’t think of Hajime in any sort of romantic sense. Though, she did appear to have some other complicated feelings regarding him. Even Nana, who was usually bursting with curiosity, fell silent.
There hadn’t been any lie in what Yuka had said. She really just didn’t want his sacrifice to go to waste. She didn’t want the life he’d risked to save to rot in a castle. When she’d said everyone was still the same, that had included Hajime as well. He’d saved her despite being the same weak person as before, and she felt it would be betraying his memory to just sit around and wallow in misery while others continued to fight.
Her friends realized this, and after exchanging an awkward glance, nodded to each other. Then they both told Yuka that they were going with her.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to force yourself, you know?”
“Just like how you don�
�t want let the life he saved go to waste, I don’t want to let the life you saved go to waste either. I’m coming with you, Yukacchi.”
“Same. There’s no way I’m letting you go out on your own, Yuka. You saved my life too, remember?”
After Hajime had saved her life, Yuka had pulled herself together and rallied some of the other students. Taeko and Nana had been part of that group. Both of them knew that it was thanks to her that they’d survived long enough to escape. And so, they decided if Yuka was going to get back up, they were bound to follow.
“I see. Well, alright, then I guess we’ll protect Ai-chan from both the monsters and the really hot knights the Holy Church sent to escort her.” She had hoped her two friends would join her, so she broke out into a beaming smile when they offered. Nana and Taeko gave a spirited “Yeah!” in response.
The shadow of fear disappeared from the three smiling girls’ eyes, replaced instead by the faint glow of hope.
Mist swirled about the castle grounds on the dawn of their departure. The sun was just beginning to poke its head over the horizon, and the crisp morning air kept everyone awake and alert. Despite the pristine weather, one of the travelers had a glum expression on her face. Aiko Hatayama. The leader of the expedition.
“Girls... Are you sure you want to do this? I already have the Holy Church’s knights to protect me.”
“We’re not leaving, Ai-chan-sensei. And besides, those knights are more dangerous than helpful. It’s obvious they’re agents sent to try and seduce you into their faction.”
“That’s right, Ai-chan-sensei. Don’t fall for their charms just because they’re all hotties, okay?”
“Though, if you ask me, it looks like their plan backfired. But still, you’re our Ai-chan-sensei, so we just want to be extra careful.”
Aiko shrugged her shoulders helplessly at their insistence. She’d already tried to dissuade them when they’d talked to her last night about joining her expedition, but no matter how much she impressed the dangers of the journey, they never faltered. As such, she knew nothing she said now would change their mind.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Vol. 2 Page 23
