◇ ◇ ◇
"Sophie, good morn-ing!"
One day, several days after Twilight Moonbow and Selma had returned to Tsutrail, Caroline called out to Sophia, who was sitting in the dormitory entrance reading a book.
"Good morning, Carol. Although, it’s practically lunch time already."
Sophia offered a wry smile as she greeted her friend. The clock was already ticking toward eleven.
"Ahaha, true. But since this is the first time we've seen each other today, 'good morning' just feels right to me!"
"I suppose you have a point."
"Oh, hey, want to place a bet? Do you think Big Sis Ruu will say 'good morning' or 'good afternoon'?"
Twilight Moonbow had been diligently pushing through the Great Labyrinth day after day. Today was a scheduled rest day, and the three girls had promised to head out into the city together.
"Well, sure. I’ll go with 'good afternoon.'"
"I bet she says 'good morning'!"
As Sophia and Caroline shared a few more casual words, Luna arrived.
"Good morning, both of you. I’m so sorry I’m late."
"Mornin', Big Sis Ruu! I knew it'd be 'good morning'!"
"Good morning, Big Sis Ruu... So 'good morning' is the mainstream choice even at this hour, huh?"
"...?"
Luna tilted her head, confused by their reactions to her greeting.
"We were predicting which one you’d say. I guessed 'good morning' and Sophie guessed 'good afternoon,'" Caroline explained.
"I see. Well, at this time of day, I suppose either is appropriate."
"Exactly! Now that we’re all here, let’s go! I’m going to eat my way through the city today!"
"Actually... about that. I am terribly sorry after making you wait, but..." Luna stopped Caroline with an apologetic expression as the latter started toward the exit. "An urgent matter has come up. I only came by to apologize to you both in person."
"Oh, I see. It’s fine! Don't worry about us, go take care of it."
"If it’s an emergency, it can't be helped," Sophia added. "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Thank you, but I can handle this on my own. Please, you two enjoy your day off."
"Got it! We’ll hang out together next time!"
"Yes. I will certainly make it up to you."
Seeing that the two weren't upset, Luna gave a small, relieved sigh. Then, she hurried out of the dormitory.
"I guess today is a date for just the two of us!" Caroline said, turning back to Sophia.
"Ahaha, do girls call it a date when it’s just the two of them?"
"It’s all about the mood, Sophie! The mood!"
Sharing a laugh, Sophia and Caroline headed out into the city.
◇ ◇ ◇
—Tsutrail Outskirts, Northwest District: Near the First Labyrinth—
Selma, I’ve finished checking the Third Labyrinth. No signs of a Stampede here.
While Selma and Rain were inspecting one Labyrinth for signs of a Stampede, a telepathic message arrived from Katina of Copper Afterglow, who was checking another.
Since returning to Tsutrail, Selma had been investigating the surrounding Labyrinths alongside the other First Unit members and the Copper Afterglow explorers who had remained in the city, like Katina and Huey.
At the beginning of the year, Princess Lucila had made two requests of Tsutrail’s S-Rank Parties, the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky and Copper Afterglow. The first was to conquer specific Labyrinths within the Kingdom; the second was the defense of Tsutrail.
Orun, Fuuka, and Haruto had taken on the conquest, while the remaining members divided the defensive duties among themselves. Part of that defense involved periodic checks of the five Labyrinths surrounding Tsutrail for signs of a Stampede.
The Empire, their enemy in the war, was believed to have mastered technology that could artificially trigger these disasters. Given that Tsutrail was a vital stronghold second only to the Royal Capital, it was highly likely the Empire would attempt to sabotage the city by forcing the nearby Labyrinths to overflow.
Understood. Thanks for the report, Selma replied.
Well, it’s all part of the job. Still, your Ability is truly convenient, Selma. To be able to exchange information in real-time across this kind of distance...
Having finished her official report, Katina commented on the utility of Selma’s Telepathy.
It’s a little embarrassing to be praised that much by an explorer from another clan, Selma replied with a bashful smile.
Heh heh heh. Of course Selma-san is amazing! She’s our leader and our heart, after all! Lucretia chimed in, joining the conversation while checking a third location.
Lucre, please don't build me up like that. I know better than anyone that I can't achieve anything alone.
Hmm, your self-evaluation is way too low, Selma-san. I think you should have more confidence. Don't you agree, Katina-san?
I do. Since Selma returned, our efficiency has skyrocketed. Working with her, I finally understand why she’s called the Continent's Greatest Enchanter.
T-thank you... M-more importantly! Lucre, if you’re joining the talk, does that mean your check is finished? Selma forced a change of subject, unable to bear the unreserved praise.
Aw, she ran away. I wanted to see her get even more flustered. But fine—yes, the check on the Fifth Labyrinth is done. Wil and I found no abnormalities here.
Good. In that case, you and Wil can finish up. Good work. Katina, Huey, please continue to the Fourth Labyrinth as planned. We’re heading for the Second now.
Understood. I’ll contact you again once we’re done with the Fourth. Selma... be careful.
Yeah, you too.
As the telepathic link faded, Selma let out a long breath. Rain, standing beside her, was watching her with a knowing smile.
"W-what is it, Rain?"
"I was just thinking how cute you are when you’re blushing like that."
"Not you too... Stop teasing me."
"Fufu, sorry, sorry. Your ideals are just so high, Selma. You might look down on yourself because of it, but you’re already an incredible person. Don't ever forget that you are an irreplaceable companion to all of us."
Rain, who had overheard the conversation through the shared link, offered her own thoughts.
"...Yeah. Thank you, Rain."
"You’re very welcome. Now, let’s head to the Second Labyrinth."
◇
A short while after they began walking toward their next destination...
Selma-kun... I am... speaking... in the hope... that this... reaches you... Please... protect... Tsutrail...
A familiar male voice suddenly echoed in her mind. It was weak—faltering on the very edge of life and death.
That voice... Guildmaster?!
The message was from Leon, the head of the Explorer Guild.
The Ability known as Telepathy allowed Selma to speak with specific people over long distances without words by establishing a "pass." However, Selma had not established a pass with Leon.
Receiving a message from him under these conditions, combined with his fragile tone, left Selma reeling with shock. She immediately established a pass and tried to call out to him, but there was no response. A second later, the link snapped.
Normally, only Selma could sever a pass. A person without her Ability shouldn't be able to close the connection from their end.
However, there had been one other time in the past when a link had been cut against her will. It was during the battle against the Black Dragon two years ago—at the exact moment Albert, her former ace, had died.
"........."
She fought to keep from spiraling into a panic, but the world refused to give her a moment to breathe.
"—! Selma! Magic Beasts are pouring out of the Second Labyrinth!"
"What?!"
Rain’s scream snapped Selma’s focus back to the present. But the situation was only getting worse. Behind them, from the direction of Tsutrail, a massive cloud of dust billowed into the air, accompanied by a sound like a mountain collapsing.
Cold sweat drenched Selma, but she forced herself to take a deep breath.
"We have to deal with what’s in front of us first... Rain! Can I leave the beasts to you?!"
Rain nodded fiercely. "Of course! Leave them to me. You focus on gathering information, Selma!"
"Thank you. I’ll join you as soon as I can. Just hold them for a moment! —Magic Up!"
Sharing her intent with Rain, Selma cast a buff on her friend and entrusted the front line to her.
"I won't let you ravage the surface! —Arrow Rain!"
Empowered by the buff, Rain began obliterating the oncoming beasts with her attack magic.
"Incredible... with her clearing the field, I can focus...!"
Selma watched for a split second as Rain’s magic dissolved the monsters into black mist, then she immediately turned her mind back to her Ability.
This is Selma of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky! Someone, anyone, tell me what is happening in Tsutrail!
She forced a pass to every single Guild employee at the headquarters to assess the situation.
Three major forces were currently stationed in Tsutrail: the Territorial Army under Marquis Forgas, the city’s lord; the Explorers who made their living in the Labyrinths; and the Central Army dispatched by the Royal Family for defense.
Naturally, these organizations had different chains of command. However, Marquis Forgas had anticipated an Imperial raid and had ordered that, in an emergency, all command would be centralized at the Explorer Guild.
That was why Selma reached out to the Guild staff first, even though the loss of her connection with Leon made her dread the worst.
—No... I don't... want to d—
—Stay back! You monst—
Not a single person responded to her call. Instead, a chorus of screams and agonizing cries flooded her mind. Then, one by one, those voices went silent.
"Damn it!" Selma spat, fighting the urge to block out the noise. She immediately expanded her reach, attempting to connect with every resident in Tsutrail.
This is Selma of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky! I am declaring a state of emergency! There is a high probability that the Explorer Guild has been destroyed by an enemy attack! We have also confirmed a Stampede from the Second Labyrinth!
—What’s happening?!
—The Guild building... it’s just gone...
—Save us, Selma! You’re an S-Rank, aren't you?!
Her mind was once again engulfed in chaos. Countless voices begged for help. Most of the connections held, but some began to flicker and vanish. The number of dead grew with every passing second.
Selma gritted her teeth, keeping the tremor out of her voice as she projected her command.
Everyone, stay calm! If you panic, you’ll lose the chance to save the lives that can still be saved!
—.........
—She’s right... we have to keep our heads...
Though many were still paralyzed by terror, Selma’s sharp command brought a semblance of order to some.
Non-combatants, evacuate to the shelters immediately! Territorial Army, lead the evacuation! Central Army, confirm the status of the Guild! Explorers, head to your designated Labyrinths as per the Guild’s previous instructions!