After our escape from the Great Labyrinth, we returned to our usual meeting room at the clan headquarters.
During the entire journey back, the three of them remained tight-lipped. Not a single person uttered a word.
Once I confirmed they were all seated, I finally spoke up.
"……Today was unfortunate. But please, don't misunderstand. Today's result wasn't because your abilities were lacking. It was just bad luck, nothing more. Once again—"
"No, you're wrong!"
Just as I was about to say they should simply try again, Carol raised her voice.
"I charged ahead on my own again. Even though Master told me to cooperate with the others...! And then I was incapacitated almost immediately... I caused so much trouble for both of them... If I had just worked with them, we might have pulled through... Today's failure was my fault..."
"It wasn't Carol's fault! At first, I was so scared of that giant that I flinched. I should have stood by Carol and faced him together! If I had, she wouldn't have been taken down so easily! I had the option of supporting her with magic, but I couldn't do anything until she was already defeated... If I had been more reliable... then this loss would be my responsibility...!"
"Neither of you is at fault! I am! As the rearguard, I should have been the first to attack, but I froze. Even after Carol went down, I couldn't move for a long time... I forced such a burden onto both of you. At the very end, I was the one with the widest field of vision; I should have been tracking the battle, but I didn't even notice the giant had regained consciousness. I let myself be used like a hostage... I didn't do a single thing right today!"
"That's not true! You defeated the giant! But I started fighting without grasping the situation, so your attention was drawn toward me!"
"If you're going to say that, then it's on me for not handling the man with the whip by myself! If I had, Carol wouldn't have had to push herself so hard!"
"No! Because I was so pathetic, Log had to step forward! If I had been more competent, we could have fought while maintaining our distance!"
"I was—"
"I was—"
"I was—"
All three of them were desperately insisting that they were the one to blame.
"—Calm down, all of you."
At the sound of my voice, their bickering ceased.
"I think everything you've said is correct."
The three of them hung their heads, looking utterly dejected at my statement.
"Everyone in this room is likely dissatisfied with today's events. We've all felt the sting of our own lack of strength. That includes me."
"That's not true! Master, you saved us—"
"In the end, perhaps. However, if that battle had continued as it was, there was a chance we all would have died. In that regard, we were lucky. Today, we all tasted the bitterness of defeat. But we are all still alive. As long as there is life, there is a next time. Each of you harbors regrets. —So, let us use this defeat as nourishment to become stronger, in both mind and body. Let’s make sure we never have to feel this regret again."
"""Yes!"""
The three of them raised their heads and shouted in unison, their voices filled with vigor.
Their eyes were burning with a renewed fire.
◇
While I wanted to stay by their side, I had to act quickly. I told them I would be back shortly and headed toward the Grandmaster's office.
It was lucky that the Grandmaster, who was often out on business, happened to be at the headquarters.
Normally, I would have reported to Selma first, but since she was currently away on a trip, I went directly to him.
I knocked on the office door and announced myself. A voice from within told me to enter, and I stepped into the room.
"I'm sorry to disturb you while you're busy, Grandmaster."
"No, it's quite alright. I had something to discuss with you as well, so the timing is perfect. We can talk about my business later. First, let's hear your report."
"Understood. —A short while ago, the Tenth Unit of the Exploration Management Department encountered members of Amunzaas while attempting to conquer the 30th Floor of the Great Labyrinth."
"What!? Are the children safe!?"
The Grandmaster slammed his hands on the desk and stood up abruptly, cutting me off with his urgent question.
"I was able to intervene at the last second, so the three of them suffered no physical injuries. However, I can't say for certain how they're doing mentally until some time has passed."
"……I see. That is good news, at least. I promise we will provide them with the best mental care possible. Thank you for protecting them."
The Grandmaster sank back into his chair as if the strength had left his body and offered his gratitude.
……But I didn't feel like I deserved to accept it.
"No. I'll continue the report. There were four opponents. I killed three of them and attempted to detain the last, but she was highly skilled. I only barely managed to repel her."
"An opponent that even someone of your caliber struggled against? I see. It’s regrettable she escaped, but it's enough that you all returned alive. However, for them to appear on the 30th Floor to attack rookies... I’ve never heard of such a thing. Their targets are supposed to be Senior Explorers. Have they changed their strategy?"
"I believe their target this time was me. Based on her comments, they attacked the Tenth Unit specifically to lure me out."
"I see... I've heard they've been assassinating influential figures to stall the conquest of the Great Labyrinth. It’s certainly not strange for a man who can solo a Deep Floor Boss to become their target."
I had been naive.
I knew Amunzaas was active in the Great Labyrinth of the South, and I had been thorough in warning the members of the Second Unit.
It wasn't arrogance, but a simple fact: I was the most talked-about explorer in the city right now.
And yet, why hadn't I considered that I would be a target? Why hadn't it occurred to me that the people around me would be put in harm's way?
Had I grown soft because everything had gone so well since I was kicked out of the Hero Party?
I had told the kids myself: 'Never forget your initial resolve.'
The world is overflowing with unfairness and cruelty.
Wasn't I supposed to push all of that aside to protect those precious to me?
Then I needed to think things through more!
I needed to quit being so optimistic!
"……Don't blame yourself too much. No one is perfect. Please, don't try to shoulder everything alone. We might not be enough on our own, but we will lend you our strength. There is strength in numbers. This clan has many members. I believe that if we combine our efforts, we can overcome any hardship. —Heh, perhaps that sounded a bit too idealistic."
――――――
"—No, not at all. ……Thank you very much."
"Now then, we must decide on our future course of action. Since Selma is away, the decision-making for our explorers has been entrusted to you. Let's hear your thoughts."
"Yes. When I repelled the woman, she said she would withdraw her other members, but they can't be trusted. I believe we should prohibit all labyrinth exploration for the time being. The Thanksgiving Festival begins next month anyway, so I'm thinking of having the explorers focus on that."
"Prohibiting exploration until the end of the festival... Yes, that's a reasonable move. I'll coordinate with the Exploration Management Department and ensure the ban is strictly enforced."
"Understood. That concludes my report. What was it you wanted to discuss?"
"My business is also about the Thanksgiving Festival. There's something I want you to do for it."
"If it's within my power."
"You're aware that the Martial Arts Tournament is one of the festival's main attractions, yes?"
The Martial Arts Tournament was exactly what it sounded like: a competition where participants fought using pure martial arts to crown the best of the year.
Well, since Special Abilities were permitted, calling it "pure martial arts" felt a little off.
Anyone could participate, and it was a popular event, but in reality, almost no Senior Explorers ever signed up.
Since it focused on martial arts, participants had to rely on their raw physical capabilities. That meant all magic—including Support Magic—was prohibited.
For a Senior Explorer, enhancing one’s body with Support Magic was second nature. Competing meant entering a fight as a much weaker version of yourself.
Furthermore, since the opponents were fellow humans, there wasn't much for an explorer who usually fought Magic Beasts to gain from it.
For this topic to come up now, surely—
"Yes, I know the gist of it."
"It's a big draw every year, but it seems Marquis Forgas is dissatisfied with the lack of Senior Explorers. He's proposed creating a special bracket just for them. I think you know where this is going, but a request has been made for you to participate as well. Well, it's effectively an order. He likely intends to have the Hero defeat you in front of the public to restore the party's reputation."
So that's why Old Man Eddington was asking me those questions the other day.
"And I'm supposed to lose to Oliver?"
"No, quite the opposite. I want you to win. This is a massive opportunity. If you win here, we can completely crush the Hero Party's momentum. It would be a huge boon for us. This is also a request from Lord Lazares, so I need you to take the top spot. Can you do it?"
"…………That would be quite difficult."
I gave the Grandmaster my honest assessment.
"……You don't think you can beat Sword Saint Oliver?"
The Grandmaster looked at me with a dubious expression.
"I can beat Oliver. However, based on what you just said, I suspect she will participate as well. The Sword Princess of the S-Rank party Copper Afterglow—Fuuka Shinonome."
"……! I see. I hadn't considered her."
"That's why winning will be a challenge. However, if I'm going to participate, I'll give it everything I have to seize victory. No matter who the opponent is—I won't lose again."