Chapter 79

After escaping the great labyrinth, we returned to our usual room at the clan headquarters.

On the way back, the three of us remained silent, not a single word was spoken.

After confirming that the three of them were seated, I addressed them.

"...Today was disappointing. But don't misunderstand. The result today is not because you were lacking in skill. It was just bad luck. We can try again—"

"No!!"

Just as I was about to say that we could try again, Carol raised her voice loudly.

"I rushed ahead alone again. I was told to cooperate with the two of you...! But I became combat ineffective early on... and caused a lot of trouble for you two... If we had worked together, we might have been able to get through it... Today's loss is my fault..."

"It's not Carol's fault! I was scared of the big guy at first. I should have gone with Carol to face the big guy! If I had, Carol wouldn't have been taken down so easily! I had the option to support with magic, but I couldn't do anything until Carol was taken down... If I had been more composed... this loss is my responsibility..."

"Neither of you are to blame! It's my fault! As the rear guard, I should have been the first to attack, but I couldn't do anything... Even after Carol was taken down, I couldn't move for a while... I put a burden on you two. In the end, I should have been aware of the battle situation, but I didn't notice that the big guy had regained consciousness and was taken hostage... I couldn't do anything today!"

"That's not true! You defeated the big guy! I started the fight without fully understanding the situation, which drew Sophie's attention to us!"

"If you had said that, I should have been able to handle the whip guy on my own! If I had, Carol wouldn't have had to push herself!"

"No! I was the one who was weak, so Log had to step forward! If I had been more composed, we could have chosen to fight while maintaining distance!"

"I—"

"I—"

"I—"

All three of them were claiming that it was their fault.

"---Calm down a bit."

When I spoke, they all stopped arguing.

"I don't think any of what you're saying is wrong."

At my words, their faces fell.

"None of us here are satisfied with today's outcome, and we all felt our own inadequacies. Including me."

"That's not true! Master helped us—"

"In the end, yes. But if the battle had continued, we might all have died. In that sense, we were lucky. Today, we all tasted defeat. But we're all alive. As long as we have our lives, there's a next time. There will be regrets, but—let's use this defeat to become stronger, both mentally and physically. So that we never have to regret again."

"Understood."

The three of them raised their heads and responded with determination, their eyes burning brightly.

◇

I want to stay with them, but I need to act quickly, so I told them I would be back soon and am now heading to the Chancellor's office. It was fortunate that the Chancellor, who is often busy and out, was at the headquarters. Normally, I should report to Selma first, but she is currently on a business trip, so I am going directly to the Chancellor.

After knocking on the door and announcing my name, I was told to enter, so I went into the room.

"Sorry to bother you, Chancellor."

"No, it's fine. I also had something to discuss with you, so this is good timing. Let's hear your report first."

"Understood. ---A short while ago, the tenth team of the Exploration Management Department encountered members of *Amunzars* while exploring the thirtieth floor of the Great Labyrinth."

"What!? Are the children safe!?"

The Chancellor, who had stood up abruptly and slammed his hand on the desk, asked with urgency.

"We intervened just in time, so none of them have physical injuries. However, their mental state is uncertain."

"---I see. That's a relief. I promise to provide them with the best possible mental care. Thank you for protecting them."

The Chancellor slumped into his chair, expressing his gratitude. ...But I don't feel I deserve it right now.

"No. I will continue my report. The opponents were four in number. We managed to kill three of them and attempted to capture the remaining one, but they were skilled and we barely managed to repel them."

"An opponent that even Orun struggled against. It's regrettable that they escaped, but it's enough that all of you returned alive. However, for them to appear on the thirtieth floor and attack newbies is unprecedented. They were supposed to target only high-level explorers. Have they changed their strategy?"

"Their target this time was me. They attacked the tenth team to lure me out."

"I see... I've heard that they are killing high-level explorers to prevent the Great Labyrinth from being conquered. It's not surprising that Orun, who can defeat the deep floor bosses solo, is their target."

I was too complacent.

I knew that *Amunzars* was active in the southern Great Labyrinth and had thoroughly warned the second team. As a fact, I am the most talked-about explorer in this city right now.

Yet, why didn't I consider myself a target? Why didn't I think about the danger to the people around me?

Was I too relaxed after things had been going well since being kicked out of the Hero Party?

I told them, didn't I? 'Never forget your初心.' (Note: This phrase is a bit ambiguous in English, but it generally means 'Never forget your初心' which can be translated as 'Never forget your初心' or 'Never forget your初心.')

There are countless injustices in this world.

You have to push them all aside to protect the people you care about, right?

Then think more deeply!

Don't be so optimistic!

"---Don't blame yourself too much. No one is perfect. Don't try to carry everything on your own. We may not be enough, but we will lend you our strength. There are many members in this clan. I believe that with everyone's combined strength, we can overcome any hardship. ---Heh, that was a bit of a naive statement, wasn't it?"

"---No, not at all. ...Thank you."

"Now, we need to decide on the next steps. Since Selma is away, the decision-making for explorers is up to you. Let's hear your thoughts first."

"Understood. When we repelled the enemy, I said that the other members should withdraw, but I don't trust them. I think we should ban dungeon exploration for a while. The Festival of Gratitude starts next month, and I want the explorers to focus on that."

"Banning dungeon exploration until the Festival of Gratitude ends... That seems reasonable. First, we need to share this information with the Exploration Management Department and ensure that the explorers comply with the ban."

"Understood. That concludes my report. Please proceed with your business, Chancellor."

"My business is about the Festival of Gratitude. I have a request for you during the festival."

"If it's something I can do—"

"You know about the martial arts tournament, right?"

The martial arts tournament is exactly what it sounds like: a competition where participants fight using only martial arts to determine the best of the year. Well, using special abilities is allowed, so calling it 'pure martial arts' might be a bit off.

Anyone can participate, and it is a popular event, but in reality, very few high-level explorers join. Since it's pure martial arts, they have to fight with their raw physical abilities. This means no support magic or any other magic. For high-level explorers, using support magic to enhance their physical abilities is the norm. So, they would have to fight at a weaker level than usual. Additionally, since the opponents are other humans, there's not much to gain for explorers who usually fight monsters.

The fact that this topic has come up means—.

"Yes, I know the general idea."

"Every year, it's a popular event, but the Duke of Fogas is dissatisfied with the lack of high-level explorers. He suggested creating a section for high-level explorers only. I think you understand what I'm getting at, but you've been asked to participate in the martial arts tournament. It's essentially an order. The Hero is trying to restore his reputation by defeating you in front of the public."

Was that why Mr. Edington asked me that question the other day?

"So, you want me to lose to Oliver?"

"No, the opposite. I want you to win. This is an opportunity. If you win, you can completely crush the Hero Party's momentum. That will be a tailwind for us. It's also Lazarus-sama's wish. Can you do it?"

"---It will be quite difficult."

I honestly told the Chancellor my thoughts.

"Can't you beat the Sword Saint Oliver?"

The Chancellor asked with a puzzled look.

"I can beat Oliver. However, based on what you just said, I think she will also participate. The sword maiden of the S-rank party *Copper Dusk*—Fuuka Shinonome."

"---! I see, she's there."

"That's why winning will be difficult. But if I participate, I will pour my heart and soul into winning. No matter who the opponent is, ---I will not lose again."

Thank you for reading to the end.

As I mentioned in the previous chapter, this concludes the second chapter (Orun's perspective)! After two more chapters from a different perspective, the third chapter will begin.

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