The party continued—but I left the venue with Selma-san, following the leader to the main building's reception room.
"Sorry to pull you away while you were enjoying."
The leader ahead spoke apologetically.
"No—had plenty of fun. Besides—this is something Selma-san and I need to handle."
"Good. Glad you enjoyed. ...Once more—congratulations on reaching the 93rd floor. I'm proud of you all."
"No—this is just the start. 93rd is only our first step. We'll keep advancing."
Selma-san replied to the leader's congratulations.
Right—for everyone, black dragon revenge was a major goal—but ultimate purpose: Great Labyrinth conquest.
This clan will keep conquering deeper.
"Reassuring. We'll support fully—advance at your pace, no forcing. ...We've arrived."
While talking—reached reception room.
Leader knocked—entered.
We followed: Selma-san, then me.
Inside—an elegantly dressed elderly man.
Lazarus Edington.
Former head of Count Edington family.
Major sponsor of *Silver Rabbit*.
He'd passed headship to his son—mostly retired from public eye—but still wielded strong influence.
"Lazarus-sama—sorry to keep you waiting."
Leader bowed in greeting; Selma-san and I matched with bows.
"No no—my fault barging in. Heard you reached 93rd—couldn't sit still. Annoying, I know—but chat a bit with this old man?"
Lazarus Edington impression: kindly old gentleman.
Noble—yet gentle tone even with commoner like me.
But that very gentleness—creepy.
Man survived social world full of schemers.
No way just nice old man.
Still—*Silver Rabbit* and Edington family aligned interests.
That's why sponsored. Unless extreme circumstances—no enemy.
Minimum vigilance sufficient.
—Until now.
"Orun-kun—two weeks since last. Never imagined you'd reach 93rd so fast. Truly impressive. This result thanks to you?"
"Humbled. My power minor. This due to *Silver Rabbit*'s strength. Never reached 93rd alone."
Switching to "I" feels off...
Can't say "ore" to noble.
"Still humble. Selma-chan—good work today. Avenged Albert-kun?"
"...Yes. Only possible thanks to Lazarus-sama's support. Thank you for your aid."
"What I did trivial. But now—great souvenir story. Thanks for interesting topic. Good believing in you."
From Hero Party days—heard via Marquis Forgas: after Albert-san's death and Hero Party overtaking floors—Edington faction voices to cut *Silver Rabbit* funding.
Almost decided—when this old man intervened.
This month—almost no Hero Party news.
Instead—*Silver Rabbit* updated to 93rd.
Historically—only three parties (including *Silver Rabbit*) reached 93rd.
Momentum and public interest clear.
Unsure if old man foresaw this—but his faction influence strengthened.
Plus—created huge debt with *Silver Rabbit*.
If Lazarus Edington moves big—*Silver Rabbit* could get dragged in.
(Need more intel on this old man—more than before.)
"Ah—good timing. One question for Orun-kun."
...Question?
"Yes?"
"Hmm—Hero Party leader, 'Sword Saint' Oliver."
Oliver? More confusing.
Already shared Hero Party info within limits.
"If you and Sword Saint Oliver fought one-on-one—who wins? Condition: no magic—pure martial arts."
No magic?
In my combat—never consider no magic.
Confident in various martial arts.
But not mastered any.
Base physical ability—below upper-rank explorers.
Use support magic to bridge gap.
Can't imagine fighting without magic.
No place without mana—magic always possible.
If magic impossible—consciousness likely fading. Can't fight anyway.
Intent unclear...
"...I'd win."
Intent unknown—but lying or not—result similar. Answered honestly.
"...Hm. Hate to say—but heard you never beat Sword Saint Oliver?"
Where'd he hear that?
"Yes—never won."
Selma-san reacted.
Thought me stronger than Oliver.
"Hmm? Never won—but really win?"
"Never won—but last fight with Oliver was before I switched to enchanter—mock battle. Lazarus-sama asks pure martial arts—no magic, right?"
Old man nodded affirmation.
"Then—I win. Know Oliver's habits thoroughly. Easier opponent. —But misunderstanding: this one-on-one. Same conditions—same species monster—who kills faster? No chance for me."
Oliver's genius.
Overwhelms purely with power—no tricks needed.
Normally—mediocre like me can't match.
"I see. Makes sense—you watched Sword Saint Oliver closely nearly ten years—no, since birth. Even martial arts only—win. Understood—relieved."
...Relieved?
Sounds like planning our fight that way...
What scheming?
Talked another hour—including Selma-san and leader—but earlier words stuck as thorn in mind.
◇
Lazarus Edington reception ended—but next schedule.
Blanca newspaper interview.
Hero Party—I handled interviews. With Selma-san—went together.
Interview hour—mostly Selma-san answering, me supplementing occasionally.
Mostly general 92nd/black dragon questions—skipping details.
After interview—back to party venue—already cleaning.
Late—couldn't continue outside noise.
Helped clean—then with Anthem-san, Barnard-san, new adult friends from today—moved to outside bar for second party.
Some unease lingered—but time with everyone fun.