Jack of All Trades, Party of None

“So, it comes down to this after all…”

On the morning of the second day of the training expedition, I was reading the newspaper as part of my daily routine.

The front page featured an article about the hero party’s enchanter being replaced.

The content was as follows:

“Information has come in that the hero party changed their enchanter yesterday.

We managed to secure an exclusive interview, and the details we obtained at that time are recorded on this page.

First, the main reason for the enchanter’s replacement was the insufficient ability of the predecessor, Orun Dura.

The leader of the hero party, Sword Saint Oliver, understood that an enchanter was indispensable for dungeon conquest, so until now, Orun Dura had been included in the party as the enchanter.

However, Sword Saint Oliver was unaware that Orun Dura’s skill was even lower than the average enchanter.

In other words, the hero party achieved the unprecedented feat of reaching the 94th floor of the Great Southern Labyrinth despite having such an underperforming enchanter in their ranks.

Philly Carpenter, who joined newly yesterday, is an explorer active in the Great Western Labyrinth.

Her ability is said to rival that of Selma Claudel of the silver rabbits of the night sky, hailed as the continent’s greatest enchanter.

With this new addition, expectations for the hero party’s further great labyrinth conquest inevitably rise.”

The publisher writing this article has close ties with the hero party’s sponsors, so this publisher practically holds exclusive rights to information about the hero party.

Still, I feel they didn’t have to belittle me this much…

There are two other major publishing houses, but neither covers the hero party’s news; their focus is mainly on other clans and parties.

“I wish they had at least waited until the training expedition was over.”

The envious looks the rookies gave me yesterday will likely turn into contempt.

Especially Logan from the tenth squad. Since I’ll be leading the middle floors from today, I’m not sure if that proud guy will follow my orders…

“Sigh, no use worrying about it. For now, I should head to the plaza.”

◇

“Mr. Orun!”

As I walked toward the meeting spot, someone called out from behind.

Turning around, I saw a beautiful girl with long indigo hair flowing down to her waist.

Her name was Luna Flockheart, a supporter belonging to the hero party.

Back when I was in the hero party, while the other members gradually started treating me worse, she alone continued to treat me as before.

When I was kicked out of the party, she wasn’t at the mansion the hero party was renting—she apparently had business back home.

If Luna had been there at that time, maybe I wouldn’t have been kicked out.

Then again, since she wasn’t around, Oliver probably chose that moment to bring it up. In the end, it was only a matter of sooner or later.

Saying it like this makes me sound like I still have regrets about the hero party…

But I thought I had moved on.

“Long time no see, Mr. Orun.”

“...Yeah.”

It’s only been four days, actually, but it felt like ages since I last saw Luna’s face.

“Sorry for calling out just as you’re about to dive into the Great Labyrinth.”

It seems Luna knows I’m cooperating with the silver rabbits of the night sky.

Well, information related to the silver rabbits comes quickly.

I thought Oliver might cause trouble, but judging from that article, I’m not even on his radar anymore. So it feels like needless worry.

“No, it’s fine. What’s up?”

“Well…”

Luna lowered her gaze and hesitated for a moment before looking back up at me.

“Mr. Orun, won’t you come back to our party? We need your strength!”

I kind of expected her to say that. She always valued me highly.

“...Is that the party’s consensus? I doubt it, judging from this morning’s article.”

“It’s my own decision... But if you come back, I will do my best to persuade everyone!”

Her eyes were serious. She really intended to convince the others.