◇
A few days later.
As the sky began to turn a deep madder red, Carol raised a joyful voice. The outer walls surrounding Tsutrail had finally come into view.
"Ah! I can see Tsutrail~!"
I felt a surge of happiness welling up within me as well.
I had been semi-forcibly taken from Tsutrail by Aldo-san, my father's right hand. At the time, I had been told my engagement was a done deal, and I truly believed I would never be allowed to return to this city again.
But thanks to Orun-san and the rest of my companions, I had made it back. There was no way I could be anything but happy.
"Hey, hey, Log! Can we go conquer the Great Labyrinth right now?" Carol asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
Log looked at her with a weary expression. "We’re obviously not diving into the Great Labyrinth today."
"He’s right. Travel fatigue is no joke," Big Sis Ruu added, trying to soothe her. "It’s late, so let’s get some proper rest today and challenge the labyrinth tomorrow. Okay, Carol?"
"Mmm, okay..." Carol replied, looking dejected.
I suspected her impatience stemmed from a desire to test the magic tools she had received from her siblings back in Daluane. She was currently wearing them—a pair of earrings made specifically for her. According to Carol, the magic sealed within them extended her senses and supported her mana perception and manipulation.
Magic tools, huh.
I had always assumed magic tools were poorly suited for labyrinth exploration. Since they used magic stones as a power source, carrying too many of them would naturally attract more magic beasts.
However, thinking back on Orun-san's teachings, he had only said it was best to be selective about the magic tools one brought into a labyrinth, not that they were forbidden entirely.
Big Sis Ruu had her Seirei Magic, a unique fusion of her ability and magic that only she could perform. Carol and Log were also establishing their own unique fighting styles by effectively utilizing their abilities.
Compared to them, I felt like I was still stuck within the mold of an "ordinary Mage." Perhaps my Psychokinesis ability had some untapped synergy with magic tools?
"What's wrong, Sophia?"
My big sister, sitting next to me, spoke up with concern.
"Hey, Selma-san. If I wanted to learn about magic tools, what do you think would be the best way to start studying?"
"Magic tools? Are you looking to become a magic artificer, Sophia?"
"No, not exactly. I just thought I might be able to become stronger if I understood how they worked."
"True, magic tools are incredibly useful. To understand them, however, you first need a solid grasp of the basic theory of magic as a foundation. We actually have magic artificers in the clan, so it might be a good idea to pick their brains once we're settled."
Studying magic...
I had become capable of casting special-grade magic, but my fundamental knowledge was still shallow. Developing my own original magic was still a pipe dream for someone like me.
Alright! First, I’ll focus on mastering the basics!
"Yeah, you're right. That's a great idea. Thanks, Selma-san!"
"You're very welcome," my sister replied, her face lit up with a happy smile.
◇
Before long, our carriage arrived at the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky Headquarters.
We thanked the driver and stepped inside the main building. We hadn't been gone nearly as long as we were during the trip to the Regrif territory, yet a profound sense of nostalgia washed over me.
I was finally home...
Selma-san, who was walking in the lead, turned back to address us. "Good work, everyone. You must be exhausted from the journey, so—"
"—No way... Her timing is literally spot on..."
A woman’s voice, thick with surprise, interrupted her. We turned toward the source to see Estella-san standing there with a stunned expression.
"Estella? What is it? Did you come to welcome us back?" Selma-san asked warmly.
"Ah... yeah. Well, a welcome... I guess? Anyway, welcome back, everyone!"
Estella-san seemed uncharacteristically hesitant. I wondered what was wrong.
"So, I’m sorry to do this the moment you've stepped through the door, but could everyone come with me?"
"...? Sure. Lead the way."
Though we found her behavior odd, we had no reason to refuse and followed her. She led us directly to the Grandmaster's office.
I had never actually been inside. I wondered if it was even appropriate for someone like me—still essentially a rookie—to be entering the inner sanctum of the clan.
Unaware of my internal hesitation, Estella-san pushed the door open.
"Grandmaster, Orun-chi, I've brought them. Just like you said, Orun-chi—Selma-chi and the others arrived the exact moment I reached the entrance. It’s scary. Are you a psychic or something?"
...Orun-chi?
"Something like that, I suppose."
The male voice that answered was one I knew very well.
We entered the room and looked around. Several people were already gathered there. Aside from Estella-san and the Grandmaster, the First Unit was present: Rain-san, Lucrecia-san, and Wilkes-san. And then, there was Orun-san.
Wait, why is Orun-san here? Wasn't he on a separate mission under a secret order from the Princess?
"Everyone is here," the Grandmaster began. "I apologize for the sudden summons. There is something I must convey to all of you immediately."
"Has something happened?" Rain-san asked.
"You could call it an incident, in a sense," the Grandmaster replied with a weary sigh.
"Vince-san, I’ll take over from here," Orun-san interjected.
The Grandmaster simply nodded and stepped back, leaving the explanation to him.
Something about Orun-san feels... different.
As I watched him, I finally realized what was bothering me. It was his clothes. Ever since joining the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, Orun-san had always worn the clan uniform. Now, he was dressed in something entirely different.
Furthermore, he had just called the Grandmaster by his name, "Vince-san," rather than his title. A cold dread began to pool in my stomach.
"There’s no point in stalling, so I’ll be brief," Orun-san said, his voice level. "As of today, I am leaving the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky."
The room went deathly silent.
"............Sorry, Orun. I think I misheard you," Wilkes-san said, his voice visibly trembling. "Could you say that again?"
Everyone, myself included, stared at him in disbelief. It made no sense. Why would Orun-san leave the clan?
"I said I’m quitting the clan."
"B-But why!?" Selma-san demanded, her voice rising in agitation.
"There are several reasons, but the main one is that my memories have returned."
"Your memories? Were you suffering from amnesia, Orun-kun?" Lucrecia-san asked. "That’s news to me."
"Yeah. Though I wasn't really aware of it myself. The memories I lost were from my childhood, so it wasn't a recent development."
"And how does regaining childhood memories lead to you quitting the clan?"
"Because I need to return to the organization where I truly belong."
"An organization you belong to...?"
"Amunzaas."
The room collectively gasped. My mind went blank, struggling to process the words.
Orun-san... belonged to Amunzaas? To that criminal organization of explorer killers? The same people who had tried to slaughter us back on the 30th floor?
"T-That’s impossible!" Log shouted, his face reddening. "The people from Amunzaas were trying to kill you, Master! We barely made it out alive! You were the one who told us we all could have died!"
"That was a tragic misunderstanding, like buttons being done up in the wrong holes. We were played by our common enemy back then."
"Lies... That has to be a lie!" Carol cried out, shaking her head frantically. "I won't believe it! If what you're saying is true, then that means we're enemies! I hate that! I don't want that!"
"It’s true that Amunzaas acted as an enemy to explorers. What that organization has done is unforgivable. But that is partly my fault. Because I lost to an enemy ten years ago and had my memories stolen."
"Ten years ago... you lost...?" Rain-san’s voice was a mere whisper, her entire body shaking. "No way... then that means... Orun-kun is..."
"Rain-san, I think I have an idea of what’s going through your head," Orun-san said gently. "So let me say this—it wasn't your fault. It was their crime to slaughter everyone in The Village. You have no reason to blame yourself."
Rain-san’s eyes went wide, and tears began to spill down her cheeks. She looked utterly broken, as if a secret she had buried deep in her soul had been dragged into the light.
"It really is true... then Orun-kun's parents... I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry—"
Rain-san collapsed to her knees, sobbing apologies over and over.
Orun-san walked over to her, knelt down, and placed a steadying hand on her shoulder.
"It’s okay. I truly don't hold it against you. The ones at fault are the people who forced you to be their accomplice. I know you never had any ill will."
"Don't... don't forgive someone like me so easily... it's my fault... even if you forgive me, I can't... I can't forgive myself!"
"Then let's make a deal," Orun-san said. "In the future, there may come a time when I need to rely on your strength. I want you to lend it to me then. Even if you keep blaming yourself, it won't bring anyone back. I'd much rather you use that strength for me than just hurt yourself in silence."
"Orun-kun... thank you... I'm so sorry... When that time comes, I’ll do anything you ask... Please, just use me however you need to..."
We could only stand by and watch the two of them. It was clear there was a history between them that we weren't privy to, but I had no idea what it could be.
Yet, looking at them together, I felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Why do I feel that way?
Perhaps it was because they both had black hair and blue eyes. I had heard those traits were often hereditary.
It’s just a coincidence, right?