Published: January 22, 2026
“Finally, tomorrow, huh.”
I muttered as I looked up at the full moon from my room.
“Tomorrow, you and the others are going to the 92nd floor, right?”
Sophia, wearing cute loungewear, asked me.
My little sister really is adorable.
Just looking at her is soothing.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Are you nervous?”
Sophia’s words made me realize for the first time that my hands were trembling.
“No way. This is just warrior’s excitement. After a whole year, I can finally get my revenge.”
I pushed down the anxiety in my heart and acted strong.
I couldn’t show weakness in front of Sophia.
I had to be the strong big sister.
Otherwise, Sophia would become worried.
Since I dragged Sophia out of the house without giving her a choice, I have the duty to protect her.
“...If you’re scared, it’s okay to say so, you know?”
“...Huh?”
As she said that, Sophia hugged me tightly.
“I don’t want you to go. Because, maybe you could die tomorrow. I want you to stay by my side. But still, you’re going, right? Then this is about all I can do, but I’ll share my courage with you...! You know? Recently, I feel like I’ve become friends with Carole and Log. Right now, I’m leading the party’s command, and though it’s just a little, I feel courage rising inside me. So, even if it’s small, I’ll share my courage with you! You can beat the black dragon, big sister! Do your best!”
Sophia has grown stronger.
She used to be such a timid girl who was always watching others’ expressions.
Did Orun give her the chance to change?
The crybaby Sophia has become this strong.
I can’t afford to be scared here.
“Thank you, Sophia. Because of you, courage is welling up inside me. We are—”
◇
I was staring at my worn-out Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky jacket in my room.
“Mr. Albert, tomorrow, we’re going to the 92nd floor—to challenge the black dragon.”
With Mr. Albert gone, I became the oldest in the party.
That made me realize the greatness of Mr. Albert once again.
Am I being a good big sister?
I’m not as much older than everyone like Mr. Albert was, but I decided to be everyone’s big sister and have done my best in my own way. But I wonder if that’s enough?
“...Tomorrow, we will catch up to Mr. Albert. Mr. Albert, who was part of the previous hero party. And then, we will catch up to the current hero, surpass them, and I— we—will become the next hero! Tomorrow is the first step. I hope you can watch over us from heaven. We are—”
◇
“What a beautiful moon~”
I looked up at the full moon from the rooftop of the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky Headquarters.
“Fufufu~ It’s fitting for the night before the big battle of the Silver Rabbits of the Night Sky!”
Whenever I get anxious, I come to a place where I can see the moon.
Yes, I’m nervous.
We’ve worked harder than anyone over this past year.
But still, I don’t know if it will be enough.
If Mr. Al saw me being this weak-minded, he’d probably laugh at me...
Actually, he may be laughing out loud in heaven right now.
Huh? Thinking about that makes me a bit annoyed?
“...This time, no one will be lost. I’m done with that kind of pain. That’s why I’ve studied tons of healing magic this past year, and even created original magic. I hold everyone’s life and death in my hands. I won’t let anyone die anymore. We are—”
◇
“Hey, maintenance is done.”
“Thanks, old man.”
In a free space, I lightly swung the double-edged sword (my partner) that Mr. Alan (the old man) had maintained.
“As perfect as always. It fits so well in my hand it’s kind of scary.”
“Glad to hear that. ...Will, you’ve gotten stronger.”
“...What’s with that all of a sudden?”
“You’ve gotten stronger. Not just as an explorer, but more importantly, your heart. You’re still a bit frivolous, but if it were the you I knew, you would have run away by now. But you haven’t run; you’re fighting. You’ve gotten stronger.”
“...Hahaha, what’s that about. ...I was the one who exposed myself and got Mr. Albert (someone I respect) killed. The one who should have died there was me. But I survived. So I have no choice but to do this...! No matter how scared I am, or how others talk behind my back, I have to inherit that person’s dream and conquer the Great Labyrinth...! For that purpose—”