Published: January 24, 2026
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After saying goodbye to the silver rabbits of the night sky and stepping outside, the sun had already set.
A full moon shone alone in the sky.
Thanks to the advancement of magical tool technology, streetlights illuminating the darkness of the night had been installed all over the city.
Because of that, it was no longer pitch black at night.
But the moonlight felt warmer.
"Hahaha... why am I getting all sentimental?"
I had known this would happen.
Still, I chose this path.
And yet, emotions are troublesome things.
What came to mind were the happy days I spent with everyone at the silver rabbits of the night sky.
I fight so that everyone can have those ordinary days.
Even if I can no longer be there.
"—Alright, let’s get started."
After reaffirming my purpose, I crushed my sentimental feelings with reason and started walking.
â—‡
For me, today was a momentous day—the day I left the silver rabbits of the night sky.
But for most people, it was just an ordinary day.
There was no big event or anything happening.
No major incident.
Tsutolairu was called the explorers’ city.
Maybe that’s why the night was lively with explorers returning from dungeon expeditions.
A scene I had grown tired of seeing—a usual everyday sight.
I was in a place that contrasted with that daily life.
While checking the detention center where Oliver was held and the surrounding situation, I headed to the main entrance.
Two soldiers were there.
"Hm? Who’s that? It’s dangerous to be wandering around here at this hour."
One of the soldiers guarding the detention center noticed me and warned me.
"Yeah... nights can be dangerous."
I casually went along with the soldier’s words and approached them.
"Hm? Are you Orun Dura from the silver rabbits of the night sky?"
One soldier seemed to recognize my face and realized who I was.
"Yeah, that’s me."
"What business does the hero of the kingdom have in a place like this?"
"I’m just here to free my precious comrade Oliver. If you try to get in my way, I won’t hesitate to cut you down."
I warned them while gripping my schwarzhase.
I swiftly closed the distance to a speed the soldiers could react to, then swung my sword broadly.
"What!?"
The soldier caught my sword with his own, surprised.
"Free Oliver!? Absolutely not! Last year he went on a rampage, nearly causing a disaster! What are you thinking letting such a dangerous person out!?"
The soldier accused me with perfectly reasonable words.
"I just want to help my best friend."
Judging from his response, he probably didn’t know Oliver had been helping Marquis Forgus.
Well, Oliver had been acting secretly, so it was understandable the low-level soldiers didn’t know.
While I was clashing swords and talking with the soldiers, the other soldier raised a magical tool overhead.
When it activated, a streak of light shot into the sky and exploded midair.
It was probably a signal flare to alert other soldiers of an emergency.
"Cut it out! No matter if you’re the hero of the kingdom, if you keep raising your hand against us, you’ll be charged with a crime!"
The soldier who fired the signal flare warned me.
He was kind enough to worry about me while I was causing trouble.
But if such words could stop me, I wouldn’t have done this in the first place.
"You’ll charge me with a crime? Try it if you can. If punishing me were that easy for the likes of you!"
While being careful not to injure the soldiers, I raged dramatically.
As time passed, more and more soldiers gathered—one, then two, then many.
"What’s going on!?"
Finally, soldiers from the Central Army stationed permanently in Tsutolairu rushed over.
(…This is about the right time.)
Surrounded by many soldiers, I opened my mouth, acting as if I had gone desperate.
"One after another, streaming in. Ugh, what a pain! I’ll blow this whole area sky-high, including you lot!"
I summoned a huge magic circle above my head.
"W-what’s that magic circle!?"
One soldier looking up shouted.
Magic circles glowed vividly against the night sky; I thought that was nice as I checked the status of everyone within its effect range using bird’s-eye vision.