Chapter 30

Just how out of touch with reality are these people...?

I’ve had enough.

Once the penalty is over, I intend to leave this party immediately.

So, I’m going to say what I want to say.

If the forced return has already ended, that’s fine, right?

"Since you still don’t seem to understand, I’ll say it clearly. We are the weakest in the S-rank parties. There’s no way a party like us can defeat the Black Dragon."

"Huh!? The weakest in S-rank!?! We’re the Hero Party! We can’t lose to other parties!"

Derrick continues to argue.

"We were only able to be in the Hero Party because Orun was here! Especially you and Anel, without Orun’s support, you’re only at A-rank level! Have some self-awareness!"

"Wh-What! You should have some self-awareness! You’re acting like you’re stronger than me!"

Derrick’s face turns red as he gets agitated.

Honestly, he really gets heated up quickly. ...I might have gone a bit too far, but I didn’t lie. If I wanted to, I could instantly kill someone like Derrick.

Derrick and the others are against Orun’s rejoining, but I don’t want to die.

So, Orun’s rejoining is non-negotiable. If we challenge the Black Dragon like this, we’ll all die.

"That’s what I’m saying. Even if you and I fight one-on-one, I’ll win."

"Quite the confidence. Don’t cry and apologize later!"

Derrick draws his sword.

...How foolish.

My liking for Derrick has dropped so much that it could break through the Great Labyrinth.

"Hmm... 'Pixie,' please."

"Wh-What!? I can’t move..."

My ability has stopped Derrick’s movements.

Then, I construct a high-level magic formula, pour a tiny bit of magic power into it, and create a magic circle in front of Derrick before saying,

"...You lose. Do you think you can survive a high-level magic attack at this close range?"

"Guh, is this your ability? I didn’t know you could use it like this."

"I still don’t fully understand my ability. Orun seems to know, though—"

"Enough of this."

Oliver, who had been quiet until now, finally speaks.

It’s too late.

"First, we find Orun, then we decide what to do next. No objections."

The atmosphere in the party is still terrible, but everyone seems to follow Oliver’s words.

◇

We started heading towards the square near the entrance of the Great Labyrinth.

When the square came into view, I gasped.

In the center of the square, there was a huge black object, surrounded by many people.

There’s no mistaking that black object.

"Why is the Black Dragon here!? Damn it!"

Oliver immediately drew his sword and was about to charge.

"Wait!"

I quickly stop Oliver.

"Why are you stopping me!? If we don’t stop it here, the city will suffer major damage!"

Oliver wasn’t calm.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have acted like this.

"The situation is strange! Plus, there are too many people around for a Black Dragon to appear. Let’s approach the Black Dragon without lowering our guard."

We reached the square.

Thanks to the people who made way for us, we smoothly reached the Black Dragon.

"Wh-What—"

The scene that greeted us after parting the crowd left me speechless.

The Black Dragon in front of us had its scales shattered in places, was bleeding all over, and its neck was severed.

Next to the Black Dragon, Orun was leaning against a black, ominous greatsword I had never seen before.

Does Orun being here mean that the *Silver Hare of the Night Sky* has defeated the Black Dragon!?

"...Orun..."

Orun reacted to my unconscious words.

Orun turned around and looked at me with unfocused eyes.

Orun didn’t have any noticeable injuries, but was covered in dirt.

The unfocused eyes and the traces of nosebleed suggest that Orun had cast a significant number of spells.

I’ve never seen Orun this exhausted.

"...Ah, Luna. You came just in time."

Orun spoke softly, released the greatsword, and it crumbled.

Orun, despite swaying, approached me.

Normally, I should have rushed to support Orun, but my mind was too confused to think that far.

Then, Orun placed his right hand on my right shoulder.

"Take care of the aftermath."

"......Huh?"

Orun said that, passed by me, and walked away.

None of us in the party can grasp the situation.

I want to talk to Orun, but I’ve been tasked with the aftermath.

Besides, we are partly responsible for this situation.

We can’t leave this place.

"Um... The Black Dragon, it’s been... defeated, right?"

Oliver’s voice trembled as he spoke.

"...It seems so."

As we handle the aftermath, everyone will be shocked to learn that Orun defeated the Black Dragon alone, right?

Thank you for reading to the end.

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