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『Orun, sorry for the sudden call. Do you have a moment?』
I was on my way back to the Clan Headquarters after leaving Grandpa’s shop when Selma’s voice suddenly echoed in my head via Telepathy.
I still wasn't used to the sensation of a voice ringing in my mind outside of the Labyrinth. With a wry smile, I sent a mental reply.
『Yeah, I’m fine. Did something happen?』
『Thank you. Are you currently outside the headquarters?』
『I stepped out for a bit of business. I’m heading back now, though. I’ll definitely be there by the time for our evening meeting.』
『I see. The Grandmaster is calling for both of us. Could you meet me so we can go to the Clan Master’s Office together once you return?』
The Grandmaster was summoning me?
I didn't have any pending business with Clint, but the fact that he was sending the message through Selma suggested the matter was urgent.
『Understood. Did he say what it’s about?』
『No, I haven't been given the details yet. However, I heard a guest arrived to see the Grandmaster earlier. I suspect it’s related to that.』
A guest of the Grandmaster?
If Clint was attending to them personally, they were likely a high-ranking noble or someone of similar status. But what would such a person want with me?
If it were just Selma, the daughter of a Marquis house, it would make sense. But I was just a commoner.
That meant they likely had business with us in our capacity as Explorers, but...
『I have a bad feeling about this.』
『I agree. The guest’s identity has even been kept from the clan members. There’s almost no doubt they’re someone of significant importance.』
『Anyway, I’ve got the message. I’ll hurry back. I don’t want to leave a bad impression by making them wait.』
『Please do. I’ll be in the lobby lounge. Let’s meet there.』
『Roger.』
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After cutting the Telepathy, I rushed back to the headquarters. Once I met up with Selma, we headed straight for the Clan Master’s Office.
When we reached the door, Selma knocked and announced our arrival. A voice from within told us to enter. I followed her inside.
Two people were in the room: the Grandmaster and a tall, muscular man.
The man’s clothes were clearly made of high-quality fabric, yet they were designed with mobility in mind. He looked to be in his mid-forties—hardly a young man.
However, his bearing and the aura he projected spoke volumes.
This guy is incredibly strong. He’s easily on par with that Armored Explorer I ran into earlier... Who is he?
Beside me, Selma caught her breath.
Her surprise didn't seem to stem from being intimidated by his presence. Rather, it looked like she was shocked to see someone who shouldn't be there.
Given her reaction, it was a safe bet that the man was a high-ranking noble. While I knew the names of the nobility, I hadn't met many of them in person, so I couldn't put a face to the name. Selma, on the other hand, had much deeper ties to that world.
Looking at him, I felt certain he was a military man. Could he be a division commander from one of the Central Army’s top units? I’d met Lester Haston of the Fourth Division before, so I knew it wasn't him.
"Selma-chan, it’s been a long time! You’ve grown even more beautiful since the last time I saw you!"
The man greeted Selma with a disarmingly friendly smile.
As expected, the two were already acquainted.
"The honor is mine, Lord Warren," Selma replied. Her voice was tense, yet carried a hint of genuine warmth.
It's rare to see Selma so formal. Wait... did she say Warren?
The moment I heard the name, a shock ran through me. I only knew of one "Warren."
Warren Hayes.
Twenty years ago, back when he was an active Explorer, he was hailed as a "Hero." His party had been the first to ever reach the 93rd Floor.
His party—Golden Echo—had been in a league of its own. Everyone expected them to be the ones to finally conquer the Great Labyrinth.
And yet, shortly after reaching the 93rd Floor, they had suddenly disbanded.
The public had been devastated. To this day, the reason for the split remained a mystery, as none of the members had ever spoken of it. Some rumored that a member had died in an accident, but the truth was lost to time.
Sometime after the disbandment, Warren joined the Nohitant Kingdom's Central Army as part of the Royal Guard. About ten years ago, he was promoted to Royal Guard Captain, and he had been the King's personal protector ever since.
Incidentally, Albert Sensible—the legendary late ace of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky—had been a member of Golden Echo before transferring to this clan.
The man called Warren finished his greeting to Selma and turned his gaze toward me. His friendly smile remained, but his eyes were sharp, appraising me with terrifying intensity.
"And you must be Alba’s successor."
By "Alba," he surely meant Albert Sensible. Lucre and Carol had used that same nickname for him.
"Nice to meet you. I’m Orun Doura, an Explorer with the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky."
"I am Warren Hayes, Captain of the Nohitant Kingdom Central Army Royal Guard."
As I suspected, he was the leader of the former Hero Party. But why was a man tasked with guarding the King here?
"Your name comes up quite a bit in the capital lately. They say you’re the strongest Explorer in the Kingdom—the talent who defeated the 'Great Hero' of the Empire."
The Eddington House had kept a tight lid on our involvement in the Regrif Territory during the recent invasion. However, I suppose the inner circles of the government would eventually find out.
If that was the case, I could guess why he was here.
"...I'm grateful for the praise, but it's an exaggeration. I was just lucky. I'm merely an ordinary Explorer."
"I don't think you need to be so modest. I’ve met the Empire's Great Hero before, and that kid is a monster. He’s the second most dangerous person I’ve ever met. Luck might have played a part in the outcome, sure, but a win is a win. You should take pride in that."
"...I see. Thank you."
"Warren-san, please get to the point. These two are busy people," Clint cut in, his tone unusually firm.
I was surprised by the Grandmaster's bluntness, but Warren didn't seem to mind. He just chuckled and muttered, "Yeah, yeah, same as ever."
"Well, since my host is getting impatient, let’s talk business. Selma Claudel, Orun Doura—I want you both to transfer your affiliation to the Central Army."
Warren’s friendly smile vanished, replaced by an expression of absolute seriousness.
As I thought, it was a recruitment pitch. I was a bit surprised he’d asked for Selma too, though it made sense given her unique Ability.
Clint must have known this was coming, but I was surprised he hadn't blocked it. He cared for his members, and he knew I had no intention of joining the military. Had the pressure from the Central Army been that intense?
I looked over at the Grandmaster. He gave me a soft, subtle nod.
That was all I needed.
""We refuse.""
Selma and I spoke in perfect unison.
Clint’s nod had been a silent signal to answer however we truly felt. He likely intended to let us give our own answers before he stepped in to handle the political fallout with Warren and the Army. He was someone I could trust to handle the heavy lifting.
Warren listened to our rejection, then let out a small sigh.
"Figures."
The friendly, easygoing smile returned instantly. I was momentarily floored by how quickly he dropped the matter.
"I-Is it really okay to give up that easily...?" Selma asked, looking just as bewildered as I felt.
"Oh, it's fine. I only asked because I had to save face for the Army. I used to be an Explorer too, so I get it. Your thinking is probably something like, 'We already pay more taxes than the average citizen, so keep your petty politics away from us,' right?"
"I'm not sure if you should be the one saying that, given your position..."
I was relieved he was backing down, but it was a bit concerning that a man at the heart of the nation’s defense was so nonchalant about it.
"His Majesty knows exactly how I think, and he put me in this job anyway. Though, because of that, there are plenty of people who can't stand me."
Warren laughed it off as if it were a joke.
"Now then... let’s get to my actual reason for being here."
The air in the room shifted again. Warren’s atmosphere became sharp and predatory.
"Wait, so scouting us for the Central Army wasn't your primary goal?" Selma asked.
"Hell no. I knew you’d say no. I wouldn't come all this way personally just for that. I’d have sent some stuffy bureaucrat if that were the case."
"Fair enough. So... what is your 'actual' reason?"
I looked Warren in the eye. He flashed a bold, provocative grin.
"Orun Doura, have a mock battle with me."