GILF Hunter

Chapter 445: 445 For Real

Quite a bit of time has passed since taking charge of the knights’ education for the labyrinth expedition at the temple.

Fortunately, the classes have been going well without any major issues so far.

Perhaps it was because of the instructions from Frenda, the high priest.

Or maybe it was because they felt a sense of crisis, knowing that surviving the upcoming labyrinth expedition would be difficult if they studied half-heartedly.

If not that, then perhaps the idea that knights are prideful and would look down on mercenaries was simply a baseless prejudice.

Regardless, the paladins’ attitude toward the lessons was excellent. They didn’t secretly look down on the fact that their teacher was a mercenary, and they exerted maximum concentration to master the content presented in class.

Since he had to enter the labyrinth with these knights, Ian was also trying to teach them as much as possible.

...Though he didn’t know how much power these theories would actually hold when it came to actual combat.

Ian looked at Lia, who had returned after finishing a session with another group, and asked.

’How’s it going on your end?’

’...It might be, well, going well...’

Lia replied with a dazed face.

Since the start of the lessons, Ian had been teaching the theoretical parts of the labyrinth, while Lia handled the practical response content.

While Ian naturally knew more about theoretical knowledge and countermeasures, Lia would be better at knowing the points to watch out for or the things to keep in mind when actually fighting.

Theory is good, but it was also important to convey what Lia had felt through actual experience as well as possible.

Since they were teaching separate groups, Ian couldn’t see firsthand how Lia’s classes were going. But from the rumors he heard, it seemed Lia was doing a decent job in her own way.

’Is it, is it really okay for me to be teaching knights something...’

However, Lia would occasionally mutter such things, wearing an expression as if she had come back from a naked stroll only to find the clothes she left behind had vanished.

...Even if she said that, she seemed fine for now.

First of all, most of the knights were lower in level than Lia.

’Don’t be so nervous. If you were to fight, you’d be the one to win, Lia.’

’Th-that can’t be...? They’re knights...’

Lia denied Ian’s words as if they were nonsense.

To Ian, who could see levels and stats, there was no need even to fight, but Lia shook her head as if it were impossible. She seemed to think he was joking.

Since it was a theoretical class, they hadn’t actually done any sparring, so there was no time to confirm the difference in their skills.

Lia’s level was already in the 40s.

Considering the level cap of this game was in the 50s, she was a skilled individual who would be classified as top-tier anywhere... but this was Labyrinth.

Having lived only in Labyrinth where B-rank and A-rank mercenaries were scattered everywhere, it was extremely difficult for her to grasp her own level from an objective perspective.

This was something that... would likely be hard to accept through words alone.

Ian thought that Lia would naturally realize it over time, so he checked the clock and stood up.

’Then I’ll be heading over there now, so you can go back first once your remaining class is over.’

’...’

Leaving Lia, who nodded with a tired face, Ian walked down the hallway following a priest who came to guide him.

The lectures for the knights were over, but Ian still had a little more work to do after this.

Passing through the areas where knights and other priests of the temple usually stayed, the priest walked quite deep into the temple before stopping in front of a room and knocking quietly.

’Leader Ian has arrived.’

’...Please come in.’

Frenda’s voice came from beyond the door. Having received permission, Ian opened the door and entered the room.

A small room set aside for lessons. Frenda was waiting for Ian.

It was a private lesson time prepared specifically for Frenda after the knights’ classes were over.

Since Frenda also had to enter the labyrinth, the situation was the same.

It didn’t look good on the surface for a high priest to take classes with rookie knights, and there were differences in the content to be taught, so Ian was conducting the lessons separately like this.

Frenda spoke to Ian with an apologetic face.

’I’m sorry for making it inconvenient every time.’

’It can’t be helped. If you took the class together, the knights would be uncomfortable and unable to concentrate...’

If Frenda had said she would take the class with the knights, Ian would have been the first to stop her.

...Anyway, for those reasons, Ian ended up conducting individual lessons with Frenda alone.

Given their first encounter, the atmosphere was quite awkward for the first few days, but as the lessons continued, the distant vibe had dissolved to some extent.

’Then shall we continue from where we left off yesterday? First, the elements that can reduce erosion in the labyrinth are...’

Frenda quietly focused on Ian’s words and began taking notes on the lesson content.

The lesson continued for a long time without any small talk.

Partly because they weren’t in a relationship to casually chat, and thanks to the fact that the knowledge Ian shared was quite professional, Frenda naturally had no choice but to concentrate.

Since he was someone introduced by Lucia, she expected he wouldn’t be an ordinary person... but Ian was truly an expert on the labyrinth. Much more than Frenda had anticipated.

Frenda also had sufficient basic knowledge about erosion or curses.

There were quite a few cases where items that leaked out of the labyrinth caused trouble, and occasionally, problems arose when items containing ancient curses were excavated.

Since handling those was the temple’s role, priests basically had to master sufficient knowledge related to them.

However, Ian’s understanding of erosion and curses was at a level far exceeding that of the temple’s priests or scholars.

...Of course, most priests or scholars have no labyrinth experience.

So it might not be particularly strange that a mercenary who directly enters and fights in the labyrinth knows more than they do.

But even so, to think it would be to this extent.

At least within the temple, among the individuals Frenda knew, there was surely no one who could rival Ian’s knowledge.

Frenda suddenly had a question.

Knowing so well how dangerous the labyrinth is and how fatal erosion can be, why does this person try to enter the labyrinth?

Even to the point of driving his members to their deaths together...

From what she had gathered through their occasional conversations, he didn’t seem like the type of person who would do such things out of monetary greed or for fame.

If he wanted those things, there would be many much easier and safer ways.

’Miss Frenda?’

’...Yes?!’

Frenda snapped back to her senses belatedly upon hearing Ian call her name.

It seemed she had been lost in her idle thoughts for quite a while.

Her note-taking had stopped long ago, and there were messy, wobbly pen marks left behind from her wandering thoughts.

Ian closed the book while looking at her.

’If you’re tired, let’s stop here for today.’

...Does he think I was dozing off?

Frenda replied with a slightly flushed face, shaking her head.

’I’m fine. I just lost my focus for a moment. Departure isn’t far off, so let’s continue.’

’I’ve already told you almost all the important things, so there’s some leeway. I think this is a good point to stop.’

’...Really?’

’Yes. There really isn’t much left.’

Frenda let out a small sigh and stroked her forehead upon hearing that.

To be honest, it was also true that her mind had become a bit fatigued.

The last time she had studied this hard... was during her final year-end exams at the convent, and the time she hurriedly crammed the ritual procedures just before her high priest appointment ceremony.

Ian suggested, seeing Frenda’s quite tired appearance.

’If you’re tired, would you like to visit a hot spring for a bit?’

’A hot spring?’

Frenda replied with an expression that asked what on earth he was talking about.

A hot spring, well, of course that sounds wonderful... but she wondered how she could possibly visit a hot spring now.

If she were to tactlessly bring up hot springs again at a time like this, it was certain she would be lectured for two hours by the trainee priests.

’How far away is a hot spring from here? The expedition is coming up soon, so I can’t leisurely enjoy such a luxury alone...’

’There is a hot spring right in the city without having to go far.’

’...In the city? You’re likely talking about a bathhouse, aren’t you?’

’It’s a real hot spring. It’s small in size, but it sprouted not long ago.’

Frenda seemed to think it was a joke.

She let out a dry laugh with a face that said, ’This person isn’t very talented at joking...’

Having not been in the city long, it seemed she hadn’t heard such detailed rumors.

In fact, it had been quite a while since the hot spring sprouted, so it was also an outdated rumor, and it would be difficult to keep track of every facility in this vast Labyrinth.

Besides, Frenda had been staying only at the temple since her arrival here.

Unless someone purposefully told her, it was natural she hadn’t heard news of a hot spring in the middle of the city.

’...There really is a hot spring. Here is a pass.’

’...A real hot spring?’

Realizing Ian wasn’t trying to tease her, Frenda’s expression gradually turned peculiar.

No matter how big a city Labyrinth is... in the middle of the city?

Thinking ’could it be,’ Frenda asked back several times to confirm.

’There’s really a hot spring?!’

Frenda’s eyes flashed as she grabbed Ian’s hand firmly.