Chapter 13

"Sure enough, they came like this..."

On the second morning of the instructional exploration, I was reading the newspaper, which is part of my daily routine.

The front page of the newspaper reported that the Enchanter of the Hero Party had been replaced.

The content was as follows:

"Information has come in that the Hero Party replaced their Enchanter yesterday.

We were able to conduct an exclusive interview and are recording the information obtained at that time in this paper.

First, the main reason for the change in Enchanter was the lack of ability of the previous Enchanter, Orun Doura.

The leader of the Hero Party, the Sword Saint Oliver, understood that an Enchanter was an indispensable part of the party for dungeon exploration, and had therefore included Orun Doura as the Enchanter.

However, the Sword Saint Oliver was unaware that Orun Doura's abilities were even lower than those of an average Enchanter.

In other words, the Hero Party achieved the unprecedented feat of reaching the 94th floor of the Great Southern Dungeon with an Enchanter of such low ability.

The new Enchanter, Phyllis Carpenter, who joined the party yesterday, is an explorer who has been active in the Great Western Dungeon.

Her abilities are said to be on par with Selma Claudel, known as the 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky,' who is hailed as the 'Greatest Enchanter on the Continent.'

With the addition of a new member, expectations for the Hero Party's further dungeon exploration cannot help but swell."

The publishing company that wrote this article has a strong connection with the sponsors of the Hero Party, and therefore has a virtual monopoly on information about the Hero Party.

Still, I don't think they had to belittle me to this extent...

There are also a couple of other major publishing companies.

Neither of them handles information about the Hero Party; they mainly write about the activities of other clans and parties.

"I wish they could have waited until the instructional exploration was over."

The admiring gazes the new recruits directed at me yesterday will likely turn to contempt.

Especially Logan from the tenth team, who will be under my command starting today in the middle layers. With his high self-esteem, it's uncertain whether he will follow my instructions...

"Ah, there's no point in thinking about it. I'll just head to the square for now."

◇

"Mr. Orun!"

As I was walking to the meeting place, I was called from behind.

Turning around, I saw a beautiful girl with long blue hair that reached her waist.

Her name is Luna Flockhart, a Supporter in the Hero Party.

When I was in the Hero Party, the way the members treated me gradually worsened, but she continued to treat me as she always had.

When I was kicked out of the party, she was apparently away on business and was not at the mansion the Hero Party rents.

If Luna had been there, perhaps I wouldn't have been kicked out.

However, given that it was the right time for Oliver to bring it up because Luna wasn't there, it would have been a matter of time before it happened, sooner or later.

It sounds like I still have lingering feelings for the Hero Party...

But I should have moved on by now.

"It's been a while, Mr. Orun."

"…Yeah, it has."

In reality, it's only been four days, but it feels like I haven't seen Luna in a long time.

"I'm sorry for calling out to you just as you're about to enter the Great Dungeon."

It seems Luna knows that I'm working with the 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky.' Information related to the 'Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky' spreads quickly.

I thought Oliver might have a problem with it, but from the article, it seems I'm not even on their radar, so it was probably an unnecessary worry.

"No, it's fine. Is there something you need?"

"Um..."

Luna hesitates for a moment, lowering her gaze, but then looks back at me.

"Mr. Orun, can you come back to our party? We need your strength!"

I had a feeling she might say something like this. She always thought highly of me.

"…Is that the party's decision? From the morning article, it doesn't seem like it."

"It's my decision... But! If you come back, I'll do my best to convince everyone!"

Her eyes were serious. She really intends to convince her teammates.

—But it's too late for that.

"Once an article like that circulates, it's impossible for me to come back. Besides, I don't want to come back anymore."

"But... You made a promise! To conquer the Great Dungeon together!"

"That was a promise between me, you, and Oliver. Since Oliver kicked me out, that promise is already null and void."

"That may be true, but..."

"…I'm sorry. I'm running late, so I have to go."

I turned away from Luna and headed to the square, a bit forcefully, to avoid further complications.

◇

When I arrived at the square, the new recruits were looking at me.

However, their gazes were not filled with the admiration from yesterday, but with confusion.

After all the excitement yesterday, and with this morning's article, it's understandable that the new recruits are confused.

"Orun, I'm sorry."

Selma, who had appeared beside me, apologized.

"There's nothing for you to apologize for, Selma."

"Still, I used you to hype up the new recruits yesterday. Their reaction is largely due to that."

Selma, who usually exudes confidence, seemed to be in a weakened state.

She must be taking it to heart.

"If you keep this up, the instructional exploration will fail. Please be confident and support us. That's more like you, Selma."

"…Ha, you really know how to talk. I didn't expect you to say that. Well, I'll do things as usual today. I'll leave the support to you."

She seemed to have regained her composure, and her voice was strong again.

This is more like Selma.

"Yes, I'll take care of it."

Thank you for reading to the end.

If you found it interesting or want to read more, please support the work by clicking the stars below: ☆☆☆☆☆

Give it 5 stars if you enjoyed it, 1 star if you didn't, and feel free to leave an honest review.

I would also be grateful if you could bookmark it.

Thank you very much!