"……Ugh…… Where…… am I?"
When I came to, an unfamiliar ceiling stared back at me.
I could tell I was lying on a bed.
But why……?
"Good morning, Oliver-san. Do you feel any discomfort?"
I heard Luna's voice from the side.
I sat up and checked my condition, but there was nothing wrong at all. By then, the memories of why I was sleeping here had begun to return.
"My body feels fine. ————I see. I lost, didn't I?"
For the first time in my life, I had lost to Orun.
I had never lost to him before, and I had believed without a shadow of a doubt that I never would. Yet now that I had actually tasted defeat, I felt a sense of resignation bordering on apathy. A feeling that losing was inevitable.
I couldn't explain why I felt this way.
And yet, it also felt strangely refreshing.
"……How long was I out?"
"About two hours. The awards ceremony has already finished. Marquis Forgas left instructions that you're to return to the mansion as soon as you wake. I'm sorry to rush you when you've just opened your eyes, but we should head out immediately."
A summons from Marquis Forgas.
No doubt it would be a lecture about my failure to win the championship. I wasn't in the mood for it at all, but I couldn't exactly refuse.
"I understand. Let's head back."
◇
As we walked away from the arena along a quiet path toward the mansion, I pondered the future.
The current state of the Hero Party was disastrous. The cracks had been visible for a while, but it felt like the damage had finally reached a point beyond repair.
The primary catalyst was undoubtedly Philly's arrival.
Not just Anneri, but recently even Derrick had begun to validate everything Philly said and did. She had effectively become the one dictating the party’s direction. I didn't necessarily think that was a bad thing; in fact, there was even a certain sense of security in leaving things to her.
The problem, however, lay in her friction with Luna.
Luna had undergone a change of heart recently and had started being more assertive in voicing her opinions on party matters. It wasn't like the period immediately after Orun left, where she simply rejected everything; I could tell she was speaking out of genuine concern for the party's well-being.
But whenever Luna and Philly clashed, Anneri and Derrick would always side with Philly. By majority vote, Philly’s will was law. Personally, I felt Luna's opinions deserved respect, but the other three wouldn't hear of it.
Every time they argued, the atmosphere grew more toxic. For the past few days, Luna had been visibly despondent. I didn't know the exact cause, but I wanted to support her somehow.
(This party might have reached its limit……)
It was a thought that had been lingering in my mind for some time. It might be better for us to disband.
I didn't feel a burning desire to continue exploring with these members, and after my loss today, the public would walk away with the impression that the 《Golden Dawn》 was inferior to the 《Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky》.
I have to be the best if I want to protect what is precious to me. If I’m not the best, I’ll lose it all.
…………Wait. What is it that I consider precious?
My comrades?
No, if I was already considering disbanding, I clearly wasn't afraid of losing them.
My family, then?
My parents died ten years ago when our village was destroyed by bandits. I didn't have a lover, nor did I have anyone I wished to build a future with. So, family wasn't the answer either.
Was it fame?
No. I wasn't an explorer for the sake of a reputation.
Just what was it that I wanted to protect so badly that I sought this level of strength?
"Oliver-san? Is something wrong?"
Luna's voice snapped me back to reality. I realized I had come to a halt.
"……No, it's nothing. Let's get home."
The more I thought about it, the deeper I sank into the mire.
I had prioritized my own conquest of the Great Labyrinth even to the point of cutting loose the best friend I’d promised to conquer it with. But looking back, I had nothing I truly wanted to protect. The goal of "gaining strength to protect" had, at some point, been replaced by the goal of "gaining strength" for its own sake.
Haha, why am I only realizing this now……?
◇
Upon returning to the mansion, I headed straight for the reception room.
As I expected, Marquis Forgas was there, lounging in an expensive chair with a glass of wine. Philly sat opposite him; it seemed she had been the one keeping him company in my absence.
Anneri and Derrick stood behind her like loyal attendants. I felt a sense of wrongness seeing those two—who were self-centered to a fault—acting so subservient, but I supposed I could accept it. That was just how much they had come to worship Philly lately.
However, the two of them were standing there with hollow, unfocused eyes. It was a bizarre sight, as if they were nothing more than dolls.
While their condition was clearly abnormal, Marquis Forgas took priority.
"I have returned."
The moment his eyes fell on me, the Marquis’s expression twisted with a rage he couldn't hide.
"Not once, but twice! How dare you rub mud in my face! How do you intend to make amends for this!?"
Marquis Forgas usually carried himself with an air of composure, but there was no trace of that now.
"……I wasn't being careless. Orun was simply stronger than me. That is all."
I spoke my honest feelings, though even I was surprised by my own words. I had expected to feel a crushing sense of frustration if I ever lost to Orun, yet my heart remained perfectly still.
"You weren't being careless? Your strength is far beyond that! Ten years ago, you held your own against Beria Sans, did you not!? And yet—"
"Marquis Forgas, you're talking too much."
A voice carrying a pressure that brooked no argument cut through the shouting.
Was that… Philly?
Marquis Forgas, who had been screaming in a fit of pique, was instantly silenced by her single sentence.
What was this? Did Philly always speak this way?
The atmosphere in the room shifted completely. It felt as though Philly was the one who held the true authority here.
However, the Marquis, blinded by his pride and anger, took offense.
"Silence, girl! Do you know who I am? I am the Marquis who rules this entire region!"
"Would you mind not barking? I can hear you perfectly well without the racket. I had no intention of interfering in your affairs, but I cannot tolerate you casually throwing that person's name around. I've told you that before, haven't I? Or are you some birdbrain who forgets everything after taking three steps?"
"Bird—! No one has ever dared to insult me like this. Don't think you'll get away with it!"
"My, getting so worked up over this? You truly are a greenhouse-raised brat. You are merely an inferior species; learn your place."
Philly didn't back down an inch; in fact, she was completely overwhelming the Marquis through sheer presence.
But this was bad. He was a Marquis—a high-ranking noble. She could be executed for lèse-majesté for this……
"H-Hey, Philly, calm down a bit……"
"A fox hiding behind a tiger's shadow……! You can't do a thing without Beria Sans's influence—!?"
The moment the Marquis repeated the name 'Beria Sans,' a name Philly had forbidden him from speaking, a dense, suffocating bloodlust erupted from her.
The mere touch of it sent a chill down my spine.
(I’ve never felt bloodlust like this before…… Who is she?)
Beside me, Luna gasped as she, too, was hit by the pressure. Yet, despite the tension, Anneri and Derrick didn't even flinch.
What was happening? I couldn't keep up with the sudden escalation.
"It seems you really are a birdbrain. If you're this hopeless, you'll only interfere with future plans. I'll dispose of you here."
Philly stood up, muttering ominously.
"Y-You mean to kill me!?"
By standing, Philly was now looking down on him. Combined with her bloodlust, Marquis Forgas had spiraled into a state of panic.
"I suppose so. That would be the simplest solution, but fortunately for you, you hold quite a bit of influence. It would be a hassle if you disappeared right now. So, I won't kill you—at least, not physically."
"Hie……! D-Don't mock me! I won't let it end like this……! If that's how you want it—!"
With a desperate cry, Marquis Forgas produced something golden.
Was that… a magic stone?
It was the first time I had ever seen a golden magic stone. What was he going to do with it?
"—! That's—!? Stop it!"
For the first time, Philly looked agitated. Was it that dangerous?
"Oliver! Sear this magic stone into your eyes!!"
The Marquis thrust the stone directly in front of my face.
"Oliver Cardiff! Close your eyes right now! Don't look at it!"
Philly screamed at me to look away.
But I couldn't. I couldn't take my eyes off the stone. My heart began to pound violently against my ribs.
"U-Ugh……"
The strength drained from my limbs. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor.
"Oliver-san! What's wrong!? Are you okay!?"
Luna's voice felt miles away, even though she was right beside me.
(What is this…… What is this!? My body… it's burning!)
"Gu…… my head……"
An agonizing pain tore through my skull, as if it were being split open. At that exact moment, memories I didn't recognize came flooding into my mind.
"Guaaaaaa!"
I had no knowledge of these memories, yet a visceral intuition told me that my life up until now had been a falsehood.
Power began to overflow from every fiber of my being. Caught in the chaos of the mental intrusion, I couldn't control the surge.
And then I————.
With the single, ironclad resolve to "crush the Guild," I let go of my consciousness.
Thank you for reading! This series has finally surpassed 100 chapters. It might "only" be a hundred, but I’ve made it this far thanks to the incredible support of my readers. The story is set to continue for quite a while longer, and I hope you continue to enjoy the journey!