"Um... Master? Do you think... this looks okay on me?"
Log, clad in formalwear that couldn't have been further from his usual exploration gear, shifted uncomfortably, clearly out of his element.
"Yeah, it suits you. Relax," I assured him, adjusting my own party suit. "Just make sure you don't let that lack of confidence show once we're inside. Keep your head held high. If you don't carry yourself with some dignity, the vultures in there will eat you alive."
We were dressed to the nines for a victory gala. On the surface, it was a celebration to honor the explorers and soldiers who had defended Daluane from the recent crisis, with foreign envoys in attendance to witness the city's resilience. In reality, it was an open secret that the party was merely a front for political maneuvering.
"Ye-yes! With dignity! Right!"
"That said, there are plenty of other explorers and military personnel attending. They’ll likely overlook a few minor social gaffes, so don't overthink it. Just try to enjoy yourself. Luna and I will handle any outsiders who try to corner us."
"Thank you, Master! I'll do my best to learn by watching you and Big Sis Ruu!"
"Good. That's exactly the mindset you should have."
"Mas-teeer! Sorry to keep you wa~iting!"
As I finished coaching Log, the women of Twilight Moonbow approached. All three had swapped their practical gear for resplendent evening gowns. They were striking to begin with, but the formal attire accentuated their charms to an almost dazzling degree.
"Not at all, we just got here ourselves. You all look incredible. Doesn't the dress suit them, Log?"
"Yes, it really does," Log agreed, his face reddening slightly. "Everyone looks... very beautiful."
"Ehehe, thanks, Master! Thanks, Log!"
Sophie looked down, her face flushing a deep crimson; Carol offered a shy, beaming smile; and Luna gave a graceful, refined chuckle. Each offered their thanks in their own way.
"Well then, shall we head inside? Everyone ready?"
"Ready!" "I'm prepared." "No problem at all!" "Everything is in order."
With their confirmations, we stepped into the venue. The moment we entered, the eyes of nearly every guest in the room turned toward us.
—Is that him? The 'Hero of the Kingdom'? —So that’s the explorer who cut down that disaster and saved the city... —He’s much younger than I expected. Twenty, perhaps?
The whispers reached my ears clearly. As I thought, being the center of attention in a room full of strangers was far from comfortable.
"First, we need to pay our respects to our host, Lord Marius. Follow me."
Masking my discomfort behind a neutral expression, I led the members of Twilight Moonbow toward Marius Claudel—the older brother of Sophie and Selma.
"Lord Marius, do you have a moment?" I asked as we drew near.
"Ah, Orun-kun. Thank you for coming," Marius said, his expression softening as he turned to us. "I find myself perpetually in your debt—first for your assistance with my father, and now for protecting this city from the magic beasts. Please, allow me to express my gratitude once more. Thank you."
Marius was likely referring to the internal coup we’d staged to oust the former Count Claudel and dissolve Sophie’s forced engagement. While Marius had already gathered the leverage necessary to topple his father, my involvement had been the deciding factor that secured Princess Lucila’s support. With a royal backing, Marius had successfully ascended to the head of the house and the rank of Count with minimal political fallout.
Still, the Princess’s motives remained a mystery to me. I knew I held a certain amount of influence for a single explorer, but not enough to sway a member of the royal family so easily. I couldn't help but wonder what her true endgame was in backing Marius.
"You're too kind, my lord. I am simply glad I could be of service."
"I won't forget what you've done. If you ever find yourself in need, do not hesitate to ask. I will provide whatever support I can."
"I appreciate that. Should the need arise, I’ll be sure to reach out."
Marius nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, before turning his attention to the girls behind me.
"Members of Twilight Moonbow, my thanks to you as well for your efforts in resolving this crisis. Please, enjoy the festivities tonight."
He paused for a moment, appearing to hesitate. He took a steadying breath, his expression shifting as if he were bracing himself for something difficult.
"...Sophia."
"Y-yes!"
Sophie clearly hadn't expected him to address her directly. She looked flustered, her eyes wide with surprise. Marius offered her a fleeting, somewhat fragile smile before quickly pulling his noble mask back into place.
"Could I ask for a moment of your time later? Both as the head of the Claudel House... and as your brother, I wish to speak with you."
"E-err..." Sophie’s gaze flickered uncertainly.
"Rest assured, it isn't anything bad," Marius added gently. "And if you truly do not wish to speak with me, you are free to refuse. I promise that your decision will not negatively impact your standing or that of your companions."
Sophie remained silent for a long moment, the air between them growing heavy. We all waited for her answer. Finally, she looked him straight in the eye.
"I understand. Once the party has concluded, should I come to Lord Marius’s office?"
A flash of sorrow crossed Marius’s face at the formal, distant way she addressed him, but he nodded. "That would be perfect. I'll be waiting." With that, he turned to greet the other guests vying for his attention.
"Sophie, are you okay?" Carol asked, her voice laced with concern. "Do you want us to go with you?"
Sophie shook her head. "Thank you, Carol. But I’ll be fine. I've already found a guidepost that I'll never lose sight of again. I’ll be coming back this time—properly. So, when I do, I just want you to be there to say 'welcome home' with a smile."
The timid, trembling girl I had met a year ago was nowhere to be seen.
"You got it! Leave it to us! We'll be waiting right where you belong!"
After our talk with Marius, I spent the rest of the evening navigating a sea of foreign envoys and local nobles. Some were quite aggressive in their attempts to recruit me to their respective countries, requiring every ounce of my focus to deflect their offers politely.
"Yo, Orun. Is the recruitment rush finally over?"
I was finally taking a breather when Haruto approached.
"Yeah. Just about."
"Well, after a performance like that, it’s only natural everyone wants a piece of you. Good work."
"Thanks. By the way, are you alone? Where’s Fuuka?" It felt strange not seeing the two of them together.
"Ah, our princess is over there."
Haruto gestured toward a long table laden with food. There stood Fuuka, happily piling her plate high, seemingly oblivious to the rest of the world.
"Ahaha... She really never changes, does she?"
Even at a high-society gala filled with international dignitaries, Fuuka was focused entirely on the buffet. Her expression was as stoic as ever, but she radiated a sense of blissful satisfaction that was hard to miss.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of conversation with Princess Lucila, coaching my disciples on party etiquette, and dodging a few final recruitment attempts.
Tomorrow, we would head back to Tsutrail.
Once home, we would dive back into our duties as explorers for the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky—securing materials, resuming the conquest of the Great Labyrinth, and navigating the growing tensions of the war between the Kingdom and the Empire. As a clan executive, I knew I would have to help steer our organization through the coming storms.
I looked forward to a schedule that was as busy as it was fulfilling.
Or at least, that was the plan.