Jack of All Trades, Party of None

As I stepped out of the building, Will and Lucre greeted me.

“Orun-kun, good job! We can head back now, right?”

Lucre asked, her expression clearly saying she wanted to get away from here as quickly as possible.

“Yeah. We’ve got permission from Lazarus-sama. Let’s head back to Tsutolairu.”

“Great. Rex and the others are arranging a carriage now. Let’s head to the South Gate first!”

It seemed that while I was talking with Old Man Edington, Lucre and the others had already prepared to leave.

Since the second squad was organizing carriages and heading to the South Gate, we moved there as well.

“—Orun.”

Just as we stepped outside the outer wall from the South Gate, Will called out from behind me, and I turned around.

“Hm? What’s—?!”

Suddenly, I felt a sharp impact on my face and before I knew it, I was sitting on the ground.

A metallic taste spread in my mouth, and I realized I’d been punched by Will.

“Why did you do something so reckless!!”

Before I could react to being hit, Will shouted angrily from above.

When I looked up, his furious expression was clear.

The reckless act he referred to was probably me challenging Felix alone.

Will and Lucre had offered to fight together, but I ignored that and distanced myself from them.

His anger was understandable.

“…Sorry.”

“I know you’re strong. You even managed to beat a ‘hero’ on your own, so your choice was probably the right one. If we had been with you, we might have become a burden.”

Will struggled to speak, his face strained.

I wanted to deny that we would have slowed him down, but no words came out.

“I know this anger is irrational. You weren’t wrong. But still, I just can’t accept what you did! I hate the idea of our comrades dying because we couldn’t do anything… I’m your shield, the ‘silver rabbit of the night sky.’ If there’s another situation like that, you have to take me along. And if I become a hindrance, you can use me as bait or whatever. But if you do something reckless alone again, I won’t forgive you!”

“……”

Hearing Will’s sincere feelings made me reconsider whether my choice had been mistaken.

Certainly, I hadn’t thought about how those left behind would feel.

If I were in Will or Lucre’s position, I’d probably be angry too.

I mustn’t worry my comrades more than necessary…

“…Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. Lucre, sorry for making you worry too.”

After answering Will, I also apologized to Lucre, who looked like she was about to cry.

“Really… I was so worried! But since you came back safely, I forgive you!”

“Thanks. I won’t do anything reckless like that anymore. I promise.”

As Lucre forgave me, Will extended his hand.

“Sorry for punching you, Orun.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Will. Honestly, it woke me up. Thanks.”

I told him there was no need to apologize and took his hand to get up.

Just then, the carriage carrying Rex and the others arrived.

The three of us climbed aboard, and the carriage started moving toward Tsutolairu.

—But on the way, we were informed by a member of House Edington that the “twilight moonbow” had been attacked by bandits and was still at the count’s mansion in Roirus.

So, we changed our destination to Roirus and hurried to our disciples.

◇

Upon arriving in Roirus, I went straight to the mansion and headed to the room where the disciples were.

“Sophie! Log! Carole!”

I called their names as I opened the door.

However, all three were asleep, sitting on the sofa, so there was no reply.

Their faces were very peaceful; Sophie and Carole were even leaning on each other as they slept.

“Orun-san, I’m so glad you’re safe…!”

Luna, the only one awake, looked relieved upon seeing me.

“I heard about the bandit attack. Are the three alright?”

“Yes, they’re just tired and sleeping, but there’s no life-threatening injury.”

“I’m glad to hear that… So, what happened?”

After confirming the disciples’ safety, I asked Luna what had occurred.

“Actually, I was somewhere else when they were attacked by the bandits… I only heard about it from them later—”