A Departure Like Any Other.

Day seven of the labyrinth exploration.

Even with Hans away on his journey, the routine remained the same. Or so I thought, but the first event of the day was an argument at the tavern that was anything but routine.

“Teacher, I’m the strongest man in the village! I can pull out tree stumps by myself!”

“Liar! I beat you at arm wrestling, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, yeah, take that pointless boasting elsewhere. By the way, Teacher, I was thinking I should focus on increasing my mana—what do you think?”

“Listen, Teacher! You should definitely take us youngsters instead of these old-timers!”

“Shut up, you brat! Get lost!”

“You’re the one who should hurry up and drop dead!”

They were certainly high-spirited for so early in the morning. Perhaps because the villagers who had already leveled up were boasting about it, “Labyrinth Fever” was spreading through the Village of Beginnings at a terrifying rate. A single day’s trip results in a significant boost to physical ability, plus you get souvenirs like meat. It’s no wonder everyone wants to join.

Furthermore, serving crab meat soup at the tasting session this morning seems to have been a tactical error. The flavor was so divine that everyone lost their cool, turning the pitch for spots into a heated shouting match.

“Everyone, please calm down. I plan to take everyone who wants to go, eventually.”

“But Teacher! When is it actually going to be our turn to go down there?”

“Exactly! You haven’t taken any of us lately!”

The voices of discontent came from the group that had been practicing exclusively with bows. To be honest, a bunch of rank amateurs shooting blindly at targets aren’t going to improve that quickly. My true feeling was that unless they showed some actual progress, they’d be a liability as a fighting force.

However, once archers are trained up, they become powerful allies. I couldn’t simply cast aside the men who were putting in the effort.

“Don’t worry. I plan to have those who become archers level up even more than the others.”

Instantly, the villagers who had already been designated as warriors let out cries of grief and protest. Given their numbers, it was a bit loud.

“Everyone, silence!”

It was Chief Dirk who roared over the din. Simultaneously, the sharp crack of Paula’s whip echoed through the room, and the tavern fell silent enough to hear a pin drop. The Oni man looked around at the breathless villagers and spoke in a clear, commanding voice.

“It seems many of you are mistaken, so let me make this clear. We are only able to enter the labyrinth because of Sir Nino’s kindness. To take that favor for granted and make such impudent demands is nothing short of disgraceful. Any further insolence, and I will consider banishing you from this village.”

At the Chief’s intimidating words, the villagers turned pale and simultaneously cast their eyes downward.

Yeah… a tall man with horns and a beautiful brown-skinned woman brandishing a whip, standing together to threaten the residents… no matter how you look at it, we look like an evil organization…

Still, while the Chief’s phrasing was a bit dramatic, his point was valid. I didn’t intend to hold a massive debt over them, but it’s a common reality that when demands pile up, the priority work tends to grind to a halt. However, if I left the discontent unaddressed, the organization itself could fall apart.

How should I play this—?

“I’ve got it, Sensei.”

“Hm? What’s this, Mia?”

“You’re struggling with who to take, right? Then this is the fastest way.”

Smiling brightly, Mia held out a bundle of straw. Looking closely, the tips of a few of them were colored.

“I see. Drawing straws.”

“With this, there’s no hard feelings if you lose. Come on, everyone, pick one, pick one!”

“Splendid, Mia. A wonderful solution,” the Chief added.

Perhaps cowed by the Chief’s earlier outburst, the villagers obediently lined up to draw straws. Their reactions to winning or losing were intense.

“YESSSSSSSSS!”

“Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!”

“Forgive your pathetic father, my children…”

“Has heaven forsaken me…?”

In a way, they looked like they were having a lot of fun. And so, we successfully selected four people, one more than usual.

“Wait, Chief, didn’t you draw a straw?”

“Regarding that, I have a small matter to discuss. Sir Nino, it seems you have taken only my wife lately.”

“Well, Carina-san is an essential teacher for the goblins.”

“It’s about that. Er… what is my wife’s level currently?”

“Let’s see, I think it was 16.”

“…………That is only a difference of 4 from mine.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

The Chief stared into my eyes with a dead-serious expression. It was more than a little scary.

“I propose that it is nearly time for me to be taken as well.”

“Eh?”

“At this rate, I will lose my dignity as a husband. Is that not a truly cruel fate?”

Dignity that vanishes just because your levels are surpassed… Besides, what he was doing was the exact opposite of the “don’t be impudent” speech he just gave! He really should have tried to win the lottery before making his case.

“I can’t do that. No cheating allowed.”

“H-how could you…”

I really wish a man old enough to be my father wouldn’t drop to his knees in such total devastation; it’s hard on my conscience. I quickly put a hand on Dirk’s shoulder and forced some encouragement.

“Your turn will surely come soon, Chief. Just bear with it a little longer.”

“Truly!?”

“Yes. Once that happens, your level will shoot up in no time.”

The Chief’s expression cleared up instantly. I really wonder if this village is going to be okay.

I stood up, looked around at the villagers who were still whispering their frustrations, and spoke.

“Alright, let’s do this. Regarding the meat harvested from the labyrinth—we have a decent surplus now, so from today, I will begin distributing a small amount to everyone for free.”

At my declaration, the eyes of everyone in the tavern changed in a heartbeat. I continued once I saw their reaction.

“Those who accompany us to help with the farm or cooperate in making tools will receive additional rewards of their choice. Furthermore, those who go later in the schedule will receive slightly larger rewards. How does that sound?”

It might be a bit too soft a treatment. However, the most important thing was to keep the villagers motivated. If Paula was going to use the whip, my role was to scatter the sugar.

After a heartbeat of silence, a cheer went up that shook the building. Villagers who had been at each other’s throats moments ago were now hugging each other and shouting with joy. They are so simple-minded. Maybe they’d be happy even if I just swapped their morning and evening feeding times. I really, really wonder if this village is going to be okay.

“If there are any further questions or concerns… well, please direct them to Ute-san.”

“Can’t be helped, I’ll take them. By the way, who am I supposed to complain to?”

“Th-that would be… well, I’m sure Hans-san will bring back a fortune for us.”

At my words, the tavern mistress gave a clever wink and waved her hand. Apparently, she was joking.

“Present—!”

“Koo!”

Right on cue, Yoru and Kuu entered, riding atop their blue slimes. At this time of morning, the two usually patrolled the plaza on their slimes to help their breakfast digest. A line of small children followed behind them.

Now that everyone was gathered, I finally spoke the usual words.

“Alright, shall we head out?”

Phew. “The usual” is surprisingly difficult to maintain.