Published: January 22, 2026
“Big sister, do you want some waffles? They’re sweet and delicious!”
As I climbed into the carriage with Mr. Orun and his apprentices, Caroline-chan, who was sitting across from me, handed me a waffle.
“Ah, thank you… It’s delicious.”
As I took a bite, a gentle sweetness spread in my mouth, not overpowering, making me feel relieved.
It really was delicious.
“Right~!”
Caroline-chan smiled at me, and I realized that her smile had made me smile naturally as well.
Her smile was truly wonderful, one that naturally made others smile too.
“—So, Mr. Orun, could you please explain the situation? I really don’t understand what’s going on…”
I asked Mr. Orun, who was sitting next to me.
Honestly, I couldn’t keep up with the current situation at all.
“Well, that’s only natural,”
Mr. Orun muttered with a wry smile in response to my question, then proceeded to answer me.
“This situation itself is simple. To put it bluntly, Luna and the others have been placed under probation.”
“Probation?”
Probation was a system where people who committed crimes lived outside of detention under the supervision of a probation officer.
“That’s right. And I have become Luna’s probation officer.”
Mr. Orun is my probation officer…
“…Wait? You said ‘others’ too, does that mean…?”
“Ah, yes. Not just Luna, but Derrick and Aneli have also been released. Although those two have suffered significant mental damage. From today, they will be recuperating at the clinic. Their probation officer is Marquis Forgus. As for Oliver, it’s difficult to release him at this time, so he’s still in the detention center. Honestly, I don’t know when he’ll be released.”
“I see, they too. Thank you, Mr. Orun.”
“Actually, it was Marquis Forgus who pulled the strings. I didn’t do anything.”
“If you’ve become my probation officer, that means you worked together with Marquis Forgus, right? Then I want to thank you.”
When I said those words of gratitude, Mr. Orun smiled lightly and replied, “You’re welcome.”
After a while, the carriage came to a stop.
“We’ve arrived. Luna, please get off.”
“Y-yes.”
Stepping down, I found myself on the grounds of the silver rabbits of the night sky.
The clan’s emblem was visible on the buildings inside, so there was no doubt.
“To the three of you, take Luna to the usual room first. I’ll follow shortly.”
When Mr. Orun instructed the three, they responded promptly. Then Caroline-chan grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s go!” as she gently pulled me along.
◇
The room Caroline-chan guided me to was like a typical war room for seekers, with a blackboard and a lectern.
Various notes were written on the blackboard in Mr. Orun’s handwriting, so this must be their room.
“Oh, by the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Logan Hayward, the leader of this party. Feel free to call me Log.”
While looking around the room, Logan introduced himself.
I knew their names since they were Mr. Orun’s apprentices, but of course, they didn’t know me.
“I’m Caroline Inglott! Just call me Carole!”
“I’m Sophia Claudel. Everyone calls me Sophie.”
“Thank you for the courtesy. I am Luna Flockheart. Um…”
I tried to say something after announcing my name, but nothing came out.
The hero party was effectively disbanded, and the Flockheart trading company back home was gone.
There was nothing left of me now.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Just as I was lost in thought, Mr. Orun entered the room.
“Master, welcome back~”
“Thank you. Now, let’s talk about what comes next. Everyone, please take a seat. Luna, find an empty chair and sit down.”
When Mr. Orun said this, the three sat immediately around the large table at the center of the room, and Mr. Orun moved to the lectern before them.
Caroline-chan beckoned me over, saying, “Big sister, over here!” so I sat next to her.
Once I was seated, Mr. Orun began to speak.
“All right, let’s begin. First, about Luna. As I said earlier, I’ve become your probation officer. Therefore, I want you to belong to the silver rabbits of the night sky as a seeker.”