Jack of All Trades, Party of None

Receiving Ms. Telshe’s words, I shifted my thoughts from seeing off my disciples to the plan to recapture Kyokutō.

We are about to perform a long-distance teleportation from the Principality of Hitia to Kyokutō.

Coincidentally, the Spirit Dance Festival begins today in Kyokutō.

This festival is a major annual event, attracting many visitors from other countries.

It’s the busiest time for foot traffic in Kyokutō.

We plan to use the crowd to infiltrate the country and first grasp the local situation.

Then, after assessing the circumstances, we will devise a strategy to expel the cult from Kyokutō.

The reason is that Kyokutō is currently under the cult’s control, and due to its island geography, most information coming from outside is fragmented and impossible to verify.

That’s why we need to use our own eyes and ears on the ground to obtain reliable information.

Only after that can we make our next move.

Ideally, after driving out the cult, Fuuka would regain her position as princess.

If she returns to the throne, we can openly investigate the core of the principles of techniques—the Phoenix Shrine.

But that’s just my personal preference.

Fuuka herself isn’t attached to reclaiming the princess seat.

What she wants is simply to take Kyokutō back from the cult’s grasp.

To fulfill that wish, we will give it our all.

Up until now, Fuuka has saved me many times.

Even if that was to incorporate me as a pawn to reclaim Kyokutō, it doesn’t matter.

Fuuka is an important comrade to me.

If a comrade truly desires something, and says they need my help, — I want to cooperate no matter what.

“Understood. Then, shall we go?”

After reviewing what we needed to do, I called out to Ms. Telshe and Luna.

Just as we were about to leave the mansion,

“Orun-sama, before you depart, may I ask you something?”

Ms. Telshe spoke up.

“Something you want to ask? That’s fine.”

I stopped and turned to face her.

“Well then, I will step aside.”

“No, it’s not something you’d be troubled to hear, and Luna can stay here.”

“...I see. Understood.”

Luna tried to be considerate and tried to leave, but Ms. Telshe stopped her.

“So, what do you want to ask me?”

“It’s about my foolish younger sister.”

Foolish younger sister? Ah, Ms. Rain.

Ms. Telshe had been stationed in Tsutolairu for several months as a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.

She had returned to the Principality of Hitia just this morning.

Why now bring up Ms. Rain? I wondered, but Ms. Telshe must have traveled with Rain from Tsutolairu to Hitia.

…Perhaps something occurred to her during the journey.

“Orun-sama, have you forgiven that one who caused the destruction of your hometown?”

The cause refers to when, about ten years ago, Ms. Rain was lured by the cult’s sweet words and teleported Belia and others to the Village of Dawn.

The Village of Dawn had multiple security measures, including a teleportation inhibition barrier.

Under normal conditions, it would be unthinkable for anyone in the Village of Dawn not to notice intruders.

Yet, Ms. Rain’s space leap overcame all interference and teleported Belia and the others safely to the Village of Dawn.

That’s because she’s a unique mage.

I used to be unable to recognize my supernatural ability and thought my instantaneous ability surge (impact) was a ‘magic bug,’ forcibly convincing myself of it.

But that wasn’t a bug at all.

The real bugs are the unique magic used by Ms. Loretta, the guard of Princess Lucilla and Ms. Rain.

…Anyway, that’s off-topic. I need to answer Ms. Telshe’s question.

“Yes, I have forgiven her. In fact, I never once wanted to blame her.”

“…I know Orun-sama is a person with a broad heart. But why can you forgive someone who committed such a foolish act?”

In Ms. Telshe’s eyes, a complicated emotion seemed to dwell as she asked.

“Well… it’s hard to explain in words, but it’s because ‘Ms. Rain had no ill intent.’”

Ms. Telshe listened intently, not missing a single word.

“Let’s suppose, hypothetically, if on that day we had been able to ambush Belia and the others who came to the Village of Dawn, what do you think would have happened?”