Published: January 22, 2026
After arriving at the mansion and dismissing the group for a moment, I took Luna with me to the garden within the Count’s estate.
“Is it finally time, then?”
“Yes. I believe it’s just as you thought, Mr. Orun. To avoid any misunderstanding, I’ll explain what happened today—”
Affirming my question, Luna began to recount the events.
◇　◇　◇
The “Twilight Moonbow” encountered a group of five cerberus bodies during today’s dungeon exploration.
Among groups one might stumble upon in the dungeon, their strength could be considered top-ranked.
They were no match for my disciples.
The plan was for Carol and Log to hold the enemies in place using Luna’s decoy magic light (induction), while Sophie and Luna used their magic to defeat them.
Carol held back three cerberus, and Log took on two.
Log had duties as an enchanter as well, so the division was reasonable.
Even though Log faced only two, each cerberus has three heads.
They are fiercely aggressive demonic beasts, so confronting one is like facing three enemies.
To those battling, it would feel like going up against six opponents.
Because of that, Log’s role was to endure the cerberus’s attacks while maintaining buffs for the entire party—just managing that was more than enough.
Even so, it’s already impressive for a b rank explorer to handle this much.
No one suffered serious injuries, and the battle was won.
However, Log apparently wasn’t satisfied with the outcome.
A major reason was that Carol, while holding back three cerberus, had managed to defeat one on her own.
Recently, Log has been harboring feelings of helplessness.
Luna, needless to say, along with Sophie and Carol, have all shown remarkable growth.
Compared to those three, Log feels he hasn't progressed at all.
Though that’s not actually the case.
In that situation, Carol spoke to Log, saying, “Holding back two is impressive, as expected!”
Carol’s words implied, “While maintaining buffs for the party members.”
Normally, Log would have caught that nuance.
But today, Log took her words at face value and snapped, “Is that sarcasm!? I know I’m inferior to you! You don’t have to keep reminding me!!”
Carol is thoughtful and knows how to manage personal boundaries well.
Still, it wasn’t perfect.
At the worst possible moment, Carol stepped a bit too far.
She especially shrinks when someone directs negative emotions at her.
That’s due to her trauma.
As far as I know, Log has never raised his voice at Carol before.
Being yelled at for the first time by Log has left Carol afraid to interact with him.
Log, meanwhile, regrets hurting Carol and struggles to handle his own feelings.
That’s why the atmosphere of “Twilight Moonbow” was so off when I returned.
◇　◇　◇
“Thank you, Luna. It went pretty much as I expected.”
“Mr. Orun, are you sure this was the right thing to do?”
Luna looked down as she asked.
“I made sure to vent just enough so there wouldn’t be any fatal cracks in their relationships. This clash was an expected outcome.”
“Indeed, the worst-case scenario you anticipated was avoided. But I think if we had intervened earlier, the clash itself could have been prevented. We didn’t have to let them come to blows…”
“I don’t think it’s always right to keep smoothing the path for them.”
If we cleared the way ahead for them, they probably wouldn’t fall.
But if they keep walking without stumbling, they won’t learn how to get back up.
I can’t be by their side forever.
So, within my sight, I let them fall sometimes so they can learn to rise quickly.
That’s one of my roles as their master.
Well, that’s entirely my personal belief. Some might say I’m wrong.
“Besides, if a relationship can’t be fixed after something like this, then that party has no future. Even if this incident hadn’t happened, they’d eventually fall apart.”
“…That might be true.”
“But Luna, I’m sorry for making you go through something you didn’t want.”
“No, the educational policy for those kids is entrusted entirely to you, Mr. Orun. It’s okay.”