Jack of All Trades, Party of None

Five days later.

At a time when the morning air still felt chilly on the skin, Log, Caroline, and I appeared at the gathering point of Amuntzarse.

Nearly thirty members of the active operational unit were already assembled there.

“...Amazing...”

I couldn't help but catch my breath.

Everyone had well-trained physiques, clearly bearing the weight of experience that set them apart from the usual explorers we see in the dungeon—just standing there, you could feel it.

“Having this many gathered, the pressure is different…”

Log muttered softly. His gaze was steady, but his fingertips were slightly tense.

Beside him—Caroline alone spoke in her usual tone, “It’s reassuring, isn’t it~?”

(...As expected of Caroline.)

Just then, Sister Ruera noticed us and approached.

“You three are here.”

Her tone was calm, but her eyes were sharper than usual.

The expression of someone about to get down to business—I thought.

“More people than I expected.”

Log looked around and said.

“There are multiple entrances to the cult’s facility. To be able to infiltrate from any route, we’ll divide into teams. You’ll be on the same team as us.”

“So, it’s the five of us—Log, Ruera, Fred, and us?”

When Log confirmed, Sister Ruera shook her head.

“No. There are two more. Over there.”

She nodded toward a woman wearing a large pointed hat and a tall man standing nearby.

“Eh, those people are...”

“The former Golden Dawn (hero party) members who our master originally belonged to...!”

Log and I blurted out in surprise at the same time.

When the two noticed us, they slowly came closer.

The tall man—Mr. Derrick—looked down at us and spoke.

“...Are these the disciples of Orun? They’re still kids.”

“Do we have to watch over the kids too?”

The woman with the pointed hat—Ms. Aneli—sighed as she muttered.

“We’re not kids. We’re already adults.”

Log retorted with a sulky face.

The way those two looked at Log felt like they were appraising him.

“Even if you say you’re adults, you’re still kids. Are you really planning to come along?”

Mr. Derrick slowly exhaled and continued in a low voice.

“This isn’t just an investigation this time. Given who we’re dealing with—it could be more dangerous than the dungeon.”

Those words weren’t a provocation, but a warning.

“I-I'm prepared...!”

I stepped forward, refusing to look away as I voiced my feelings.

Seeing that, Ms. Aneli slightly narrowed her eyes.

“Hmm. Well, we don’t want to be a burden, so when it comes to fighting, you better hide behind us. As experienced explorers, we’ll protect you.”

“Ahaha~. As always, you two only say things that cause misunderstandings~”

Mr. Fred, who had been watching our exchange quietly, suddenly spoke in a stretched-out voice.

“What? Are you picking a fight?”

Ms. Aneli raised her eyebrows, and Mr. Derrick gave a sharp look.

But Mr. Fred didn’t flinch at all; he smiled and looked at them both.

“No, no~ I’m not picking fights~. It’s just that it seems like Aneli-san and Derrick-san’s true intentions aren’t getting through to you three, so I thought I’d translate.”

“Huh?” “What did you say?”

The two voices chimed in unison.

Mr. Fred waved his hand leisurely and continued.

“They wanted to say, ‘If you’re in trouble, don’t hesitate to ask for help. We’ll definitely help you.’”

“...Huh!? That’s not true—”

Ms. Aneli blushed faintly and hastily pulled down the brim of her hat.

“That’s not it! Don’t interpret it however you want!”

Mr. Derrick turned away, folding his arms, but his ears were slightly red.

“Then, does that mean you two won’t help Log and the others if they get into trouble?”

“We’re not saying that!”

“That’s right! If anything happens to these kids, Orun and Luna would have a fit—yes! We only help because we don’t want to hear complaints from those two!”

“Yeah. Orun and Luna’s lectures are long and annoying.”

...Their reasons made no sense, but their desperation was kind of endearing.