A few days later, just as the sky began to turn a deep crimson, Carol let out an excited shout.
"Look! I can see Tsutrail!"
The outer wall surrounding the city had come into view, and a wave of happiness washed over me too.
I had left Tsutrail in a half-forced manner, dragged along by Aldo, who had been my father's right-hand man. At the time, I had also been told that my engagement had been arranged, so I genuinely believed I would never be able to return.
But thanks to Orun and everyone else in the party, I had made it back. There was no way I wouldn't feel overjoyed.
"Hey, hey, Log! Should we head straight into the Great Labyrinth?"
Carol suggested diving into the labyrinth right away, clearly unable to wait any longer.
Log gave her a slightly exasperated look.
"We're not going into the Great Labyrinth today, no matter what."
"That's right. Travel fatigue is nothing to underestimate. It's already getting late, so let's rest properly tonight and tackle the labyrinth starting tomorrow. Okay, Carol?"
Luna gently persuaded her, agreeing with Log.
"Fiiine… I got it…"
Carol looked a little down but went along with the two of them.
I figured the reason she was so eager to dive in right away was because she wanted to test out the magic tools her older brother and sister had given her back in Daruane during actual combat.
The earrings she was currently wearing were one of those tools, apparently custom-made just for her. According to Carol, the magic sealed inside extended her senses while also supporting her in perceiving and manipulating magical power.
(Magic tools, huh…)
I had always assumed magic tools were a poor match for labyrinth exploration because they used magic stones as a power source. The more stones you carried, the more likely you were to attract magic beasts.
But when I thought back carefully to what Orun had taught us, he had only said it was best to carefully select which magic tools to bring into the labyrinth. He had never said you absolutely couldn't bring any.
Luna had her unique spirit magic that combined her special ability with regular magic—something only she could do. Both Carol and Log were also starting to develop their own original fighting styles by making good use of their special abilities and personal strengths.
In contrast, I still felt like I was stuck firmly inside the frame of a "normal mage." I wondered if my special ability, Psychokinesis, might have good synergy with magic tools.
"What's wrong, Sophia?"
While I was lost in thought, my sister, who was sitting next to me, called out with a worried voice.
"Hey, Sis. If I wanted to learn more about magic tools, where do you think I should start studying?"
"Magic tools? Are you thinking of becoming a magic tool craftsman, Sophia?"
"No, that's not it. I just thought learning about them might help me get stronger."
"That's true, magic tools are really convenient. To understand them properly, you first need a solid foundation in the basics of magic. Also, we have magic tool craftsmen in our clan, so it might be good to talk to them directly."
Studying magic, huh.
I could already cast up to special-grade spells, but my actual knowledge of magic was still pretty shallow. Developing original magic was still completely out of reach for me right now.
All right! I'll start by working hard on studying magic!
"Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks, Sis! That was really helpful."
"You're welcome."
When I thanked her, my sister smiled happily.
Before long, the carriage arrived inside the grounds of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky.
We thanked the driver and stepped down, then headed straight into the main building.
Even though our trip to the Reglif territory had been shorter than expected, it felt incredibly nostalgic.
I had really made it back to the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky…
My sister, who had been walking at the front, turned around to face us.
"Great work, everyone. You must be tired from all the traveling, so—"
"…No way… It was exactly on the mark…"
While my sister was speaking, a surprised female voice suddenly came from nearby.
When we looked in that direction, Estella was standing there with a stunned expression.
"Estella? Did you come out to welcome us back?"
My sister greeted her in a friendly tone.
"Ah… yeah. Well, I guess you could call it a welcome? A-anyway, welcome home, everyone!"
Estella sounded a bit hesitant. I wondered what was going on.
"By the way, sorry to spring this on you right after you get back, but could you all come with me?"
"…? Sure, got it."
We followed after Estella, feeling a bit puzzled by her behavior but having no particular reason to refuse.
The place Estella led us to was the clan leader's office.
This was my first time entering this room… Honestly, was it even okay for someone like me, who was basically still a newbie, to be coming in here?
Estella paid no attention to my doubts and opened the door, stepping inside.
"Leader, Orun, I brought everyone. Just like Orun said, the moment I arrived at the main building entrance, Selma and the others showed up. I was shocked. Orun, are you some kind of esper or something?"
…Orun?
"Well, something like that."
The male voice that answered Estella's question was one I knew very well.
We stepped into the room as well.
Looking around, I saw several people inside: Estella, who had brought us here, the clan leader who owned the room, plus Rain, Lucretia, and Wilkes from the First Squad. And Orun…
(Huh!? Why is Orun here!? Wasn't he supposed to be acting separately on a secret mission from the princess!?)
"Everyone's here. Sorry for calling you all together so suddenly. There's something I need to tell you right away."
"So, did something happen?"
Rain asked in response to the clan leader's words.
"You could call it an incident, in a way."
"Vince… I'll take it from here."
Just as the clan leader was about to answer with a tired expression, Orun, who was standing beside him, spoke up.
The clan leader simply said "Got it" and handed the explanation over to Orun.
(Still, Orun feels different from usual. What is it…?)
As I stared at him while thinking that, I finally realized what felt off.
It was his clothes.
Ever since joining the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky, Orun had always worn the clan uniform.
But now he was dressed differently.
Also, Orun normally called the clan leader "Leader," but just now he had used his actual name.
Why?
A really bad feeling settled over me…
"I won't drag this out. I'll say it plainly. As of today, I am leaving the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky."
...Huh?
"…Sorry, Orun. I must have misheard. Could you say that again?"
Wilkes's voice was clearly trembling.
Everyone, including me, wore expressions of disbelief.
Because, of course we did.
Orun leaving the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky? Why?
"I said I'm leaving the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky."
"W-why…!?"
My sister asked in a flustered voice.
"There are various reasons, but the biggest one is that my memories have returned."
"Your memories… returned…? Orun, you had amnesia? This is the first I'm hearing of it."
"Yeah. Though I wasn't even aware of it myself, and the memories I lost were from my early childhood, so it's not about anything recent."
"How does regaining childhood memories lead to leaving the clan?"
"Because I need to return to the organization I originally belonged to."
"The organization Orun belongs to…?"
"It's Amuntsāsu."
"—!?"
Everyone except Orun gasped at his words.
I couldn't keep up with what was happening anymore.
Orun had belonged to Amuntsāsu…?
That criminal organization known for killing explorers…?
The same people who had attacked us during our first challenge on the thirtieth floor of the southern Great Labyrinth…?
"T-that's not right!"
Log raised his voice angrily.
"Those people from Amuntsāsu tried to kill Master! We somehow all made it out alive that time, but Master himself said there was a chance we could have all died!"
"That was just a misunderstanding caused by the enemy's schemes. We got neatly framed back then."
"No… That's a lie! I don't believe it! If what Master said is true, then that would make us enemies! I don't want that!"
Carol shook her head vigorously as she cried out.
"It's true that Amuntsāsu was an enemy of explorers. What that organization has done up until now is unforgivable. But that's also my fault. Ten years ago, I lost to the enemy and had my memories stolen."
"Ten years ago… you lost…? Could it be, Orun… No… But then…"
Rain's body trembled as she spoke, her voice barely a whisper.
"I can roughly guess what you're thinking right now, Rain. So let me say this. It wasn't your fault. The ones who killed everyone in the village are them. You don't need to blame yourself."
Orun spoke to her in a gentle voice.
But Rain's eyes were wide open, tears streaming down her face. She looked like someone who had seen something unbelievable, like something long hidden had been exposed, overwhelmed by terrible fear.
"So it really was like that… Then Orun's parents… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I'm sorry—"
Rain collapsed to the floor, repeatedly muttering apologies.
Orun approached her, crouched down, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay. I really don't mind. The ones at fault are the people who used you. I know you didn't have any ill intent."
"Don't forgive someone like me so easily… It's my fault… Even if you forgive me, I still can't forgive myself…!"
"…Then let's do this. In the future, there may come times when I need to rely on your strength, Rain. So when that happens, lend me your power. Blaming yourself more won't bring anyone back. I don't want you to keep hurting yourself pointlessly."
"Orun… Thank you… I'm sorry… When that time comes, I'll do anything… So use me without hesitation…"
We could only stand there watching the exchange between Orun and Rain.
It was clear there was something between the two of them that only they knew, but I had no idea what it could be.
…Still, watching them like this from up close, they somehow seemed similar.
Why did I think that?
Was it because they both had black hair and blue-toned eyes?
I had heard that hair color and eye color were traits that were easily passed down genetically.
It was just a coincidence… right?