After that, I provided a final debrief on the floor conquest.
I’d been concerned that Sophie and the others might keep Luna at arm's length, but those fears turned out to be entirely groundless. If anything, they seemed to feel an even stronger sense of affinity toward her now that she had helped them break through their mental blocks.
We had certainly crossed a dangerous bridge to get here, but I suppose all’s well that ends well.
"Actually, there’s something I want to give you all."
"Something for us, Master?"
"Yeah. A little celebration for officially becoming explorers of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky. I'd like you to accept them."
I handed each of the three a storage magic tool containing their gifts.
"Is this… a weapon and a clan uniform?" Log murmured as he pulled the items from his storage tool.
Exactly. These were the items I’d commissioned Alan-san and Glenda-san to craft while we were preparing for the Thanksgiving Festival.
"That's right. For the weapons, I used the clan’s data as a reference and had them adjusted so you can keep using them even as you grow. They might feel a bit different at first, but you should be able to handle them without any issues."
I’d left the finer adjustments to Alan-san, and the man was a pro. They were undoubtedly finished exactly to my specifications.
"As for the uniforms, I had them modeled after my own, but tailored to suit your individual combat styles. That being said, I mostly had these made for my own satisfaction. If you don't like the weapons or the clothes, you don't have to use them."
"There’s no way we wouldn’t like them! Master, thank you! I’ll cherish this forever!"
Carol beamed her thanks, and Sophie and Log quickly nodded in agreement. I was relieved they were so pleased.
"Can we try them on right away?!" Log asked, unable to hide his excitement.
"Sure. But before that… Luna."
"…Eh? Oh, yes."
Luna, who clearly hadn't expected to be addressed, gave a somewhat startled reply.
"This is for you, too."
I handed her a clan uniform that had been made specifically for her. She accepted it with a stunned expression.
"But how? The Exploration Management Department told me that preparing a clan uniform takes quite a bit of time…"
They’d rushed mine when I first joined, but normally, a uniform takes several days to manufacture. Yet, here I was with one ready for her.
This was the second uniform Glenda-san had suggested when I first commissioned the sword belt and the disciples' gear. Even back then, she had somehow anticipated that Luna would join us.
Who could have predicted that an S-Rank explorer—a member of the Hero Party, no less—would join the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky? I was once again reminded that a woman’s intuition is a truly frightening thing.
"I can only say it was a series of lucky coincidences, but this was definitely made for you. I couldn't get a weapon ready in time, but I hope you’ll accept this."
"No… the uniform is more than enough. Thank you… truly."
"You're very welcome. Now, you three probably want to test the weight of those new weapons, right? I’ve already cleared us to use the indoor training ground. Get geared up and meet me there."
"Got it! Ruu-nee, let's go change! Come on, Sophie, you too!"
Carol practically dragged Luna and Sophie out of the room. It seemed the Tenth Squad had already started calling Luna "Ruu-nee." Since the three of them used nicknames for each other, they’d decided Luna needed one as well.
I’d been calling her "Luna" for years, and changing that now would just feel awkward, so we stuck to our old way of addressing one another.
As I waited for the four of them at the training ground, Log was the first to arrive. Men really are faster at getting ready for these things.
"Master, sorry to keep you waiting! Well? How do I look?"
Log approached me, materializing his spear and giving it a flourish. At a glance, his outfit looked like the black and blue robes favored by Enchanters or other rearguard mages, but it was designed with clever slits and reinforced fabric to ensure it wouldn't hinder his intense movements.
The spear in his hand was a deep, light-swallowing black, much like my own Schwarzhase. An artificial magic stone had been set into the butt end.
Artificial magic stones are synthetic gems created by fusing magic stones with specific minerals. These stones have a natural property for drawing in ambient mana, making mana infusion much easier; consequently, they’re a staple in the staves used by mages. Furthermore, because of the mineral impurities, magic beasts—which normally sniff out magic stones—don't seem to notice them. The trade-off is that they can't be used as power sources for complex magic tools.
Since Log frequently uses magic and support spells alongside his spear work, I’d specifically asked for one to be installed. Since my own style also blends swordsmanship and magic, I’d been offered an artificial stone for Schwarzhase as well, but I’d declined. It would only interfere with my Alteration, and besides, my Mana Convergence ability already handles that function.
The staff and daggers I’d given to Sophie and Carol were the same shade of black and featured similar artificial stone infusions. Since I’d used Black Dragon scales as the primary material, the gear naturally leaned toward darker tones.
"It suits you. You look sharp."
"Thank you! …But, Master, the materials for this spear aren't from the upper floors, are they? Even I can tell this is an incredibly high-quality piece."
"You have a good eye. Those weapons are primarily made from Black Dragon scales."
"The Black Dragon?! As in that Black Dragon? I-I can't possibly accept this! It’s way too good for someone like me!"
Log was right; these weren't weapons meant for explorers who had only just reached B-Rank. But that didn't matter to me. There might come a day when a lack of equipment quality puts their lives at risk. If that ever happened, I knew I would regret it forever. I didn't care what anyone else thought.
"Please, just take it. Think of it as an investment."
"An investment?"
"Yeah. You’re my students. If you go out there and make a name for yourselves, my own reputation in the clan goes up. So, I need you to keep being incredible."
"…I understand. Thank you so much."
"Masteeer! Sorry to keep you waitin'!"
As I was talking to Log, I heard Carol's voice echoing from the entrance.
"You're right on time. I haven't been waiting long at all."
The three of them walked over to join us. Carol’s outfit was perhaps the closest to my own. It used the clan’s signature black and blue, featuring a snug-fitting long coat over short pants and high socks. It was an outfit designed for high mobility.
Sophie, meanwhile, wore a cloak over a dress, similar to her previous uniform. However, the design had been completely overhauled. It felt much more "adult" than her old clothes—though that might have been due to her newfound confidence rather than just the fabric. The hesitant, nervous girl who was always looking at the floor was nowhere to be seen.
Finally, there was Luna. Her outfit’s silhouette hadn't changed much from her Hero Party days, but the colors were another story. The white coat she used to wear was now a deep, midnight black. It was amazing how much a simple color swap could change someone's presence.
"Master, well? Does it look good?"
"Yeah, it suits all three of you. You look very cute."
When I gave my honest opinion, Carol let out a happy "Ehehe~," Sophie turned bright red and let out a soft "Hau…," and Luna looked at me like I’d suddenly grown a second head.
"Luna? Something wrong?"
"No… I just thought it was quite rare for you to say something like that, Orun-san."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her observation. "I suppose you're right."
"Fufu, but I think I like this version of you better. You seem more relaxed than when you were in Golden Dawn. It feels like you're finally letting your true self out."
Back in the Hero Party, I was always being chased by something—expectations, duty, or simply the need to survive. Since joining the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, the burden has lightened. As Luna said, I feel like I can finally breathe. …Even if I still have a mountain of problems to solve.
"Thanks. You should have more free time now than you did back then, too. A lot has happened lately, so just focus on taking it easy for a while."
"I will. Thank you."
"Hey, hey, Master!"
Once Luna and I finished talking, Carol chimed in.
"What's up?"
"The three of us were talking, and we want to go to the Great Labyrinth right now!"
"The Great Labyrinth? You want to start exploring the thirty-first floor already?"
Did I fire them up a bit too much? Conquering the thirtieth floor hadn't been an insurmountable wall for them, but they had to be exhausted. I’d thought they’d want to rest for the day.
"Nope, that's not it! We're going to the thirtieth floor. We’ve decided that we're going to surpass you, Master. So, we want to see your real strength in person one more time!"
"In other words, you want to watch me conquer the thirtieth floor?"
"Exactly! First, we want to test our new gear, and after that, we want to watch you and Ruu-nee clear the floor as a duo!"
"…I see. Luna, what do you think?"
"I have no objections. In fact, I'm grateful for the chance to party with you again so soon."
"Alright then, let's head for the thirtieth floor. Sophie, Log, you both okay with this?"
"Y-yes! Absolutely."
"Count me in. I’m looking forward to it!"
"Good, it's settled. —But before we go, there's one more thing we need to do."
"One more thing? What is it?"
"We need to decide on a name for your party. You aren't 'the Tenth Squad' anymore."
In this clan, rookie squads aren't given names because the members are often shuffled around. Once a group is promoted to the Third Unit, they stay together more permanently, so that’s when they typically choose a name.
"Hmm, a party name, huh? I haven't thought of anything~."
"I haven't either…"
"Me neither. …Actually, Master, if it’s alright with you, we’d like you to name us. What do you think?"
"Oh, I love that! I want Master to pick it!"
Carol jumped on Log's suggestion immediately, and Sophie nodded enthusiastically.
I had a feeling this would happen…
I’d suspected they might ask. I actually did have a name in mind, just in case.
"…Are you sure you want me to do it? You usually can't change a party name once it's registered. It might sound like an exaggeration, but this is a name you'll carry for the rest of your lives. I really think you should decide for yourselves."
"But that’s exactly why we want you to do it!"
"P-please, Orun-san…! We only made it this far because of you."
"You made it this far because of your own hard work. …But fine. I’ll make a suggestion then."
The moment I agreed, their eyes began to sparkle with anticipation.
"—How about 'Twilight Moonbow'?"
"Twilight… like the evening? So, moonlight in the evening?"
"The pronunciation is the same, but I'm not talking about 'moonlight.' I'm talking about a 'moonbow'—a rainbow made by the moon."
"Wait, aren't rainbows things that only happen during the day after it rains?"
"The conditions are incredibly rare, but moonlight can create a rainbow, too."
"Whoa! Really?!"
"So, Master, what does the name mean?" Log asked, leaning in eagerly.
"You know that 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky' refers to the moon in the night sky. Twilight is the moment the sun sets and the moon begins to rise. As time passes, the moon only climbs higher to illuminate the dark. I wanted a name that represented always striving for the heights."
"Always striving for the heights…"
"Yeah! It’s perfect for us! Even when we become veterans, saying this name will remind us of how we feel right now—of our 'current' selves!"
"It’s a beautiful name. Orun-san, then what about the 'Moonbow' part…?"
"The moonbow has a lot of meanings, but I think the interpretation should be up to the person hearing it. If I explained every little detail, it would lose its poetic charm. I want you each to find your own meaning in it."
"Fufu, you're quite the romantic, aren't you, Orun-san?" Luna teased with a playful smirk.
"I always thought I was a realist, so I'm as surprised as you are that I came up with this. Is it weird?"
"No, I think it's lovely. It seems everyone is happy with it."
"Yes! I love it. Our party name is 'Twilight Moonbow'! Carol, Sophie, no objections, right?"
"None here!"
"It's the name Orun-san gave us. I wouldn't want anything else."
"I'm glad you like it. Well then, now that the name is settled, let's head for the thirtieth floor!"
"""Yeah!!!"""