Published: January 22, 2026
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“So listen to this!? When he appeared right in front of me, he took down a whole group of Orcs in an instant!”
After finishing the meal, I parted ways with Orun at the shop, and now it’s just the two of us heading back to the headquarters of the silver rabbits of the night sky, where our rooms are.
Sophia was quiet when Orun was around, but the moment he left, she began eagerly recounting today’s events.
Sophia is naturally shy and doesn’t talk well with people she just met, but once she opens up, she’s the type to really come on strong.
Still, it might have been a long time since I last saw Sophia this cheerful.
“Well, even if there were dozens of Orcs, with him around, the result would have been the same.”
“That’s true. After all, he was an explorer who belonged to the hero party. Handling that many is a piece of cake for him!”
“...I can do it too, you know? Even if I faced a hundred Orcs, I’d win without a scratch!”
“I know. I know you’re the greatest enchanter ever, big sister!”
It was a complicated feeling.
I knew I was called the continent’s greatest enchanter, and until recently, I was proud of it.
But watching Orun fight shattered that confidence to pieces.
Besides, my party hasn’t been able to properly explore the deeper layers for over a year now.
If Orun joined my party, could he help us break through this situation?
I tried to snap myself out of my doubt.
I can’t afford to show such weakness in front of Sophia. I want to remain the sister she respects.
“Ah, naturally. I’ll keep being the best enchanter from now on too.”
That was a vow to myself.
The ideal image I saw last month—I must keep striving to get closer to it.
“I’ll work hard to become an explorer who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you as soon as possible!”
“Still, you can’t keep going into the dungeon alone, okay?”
“I—I know that already…”
Even so, I wondered what punishment I should give the party that abandoned Sophia.
They’re our clan mates and, more importantly, my precious little sister. If they abandoned her, they must be ready to face retaliation, right?
I already got their names out of her, and I could act immediately, but right now, I need to focus on the training expedition.
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Before I knew it, chatting with Sophia, we arrived at the clan headquarters.
“I’ve got some business to attend to, so Sophia, you should go back to your room. It’s fine if you want to sleep already.”
“Will you be back late?”
“No, I don’t think it’ll be that late.”
“Well then, I’ll stay up and wait! Good luck with your work!”
Sophia smiled and said that before heading towards her room.
Ah, my little sister is the cutest in the world!
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Walking inside the headquarters, I reached the door of the room I wanted.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.
“...Come in.”
After confirming the voice from inside, I opened the door and stepped in.
“Excuse me, leader. Sorry to bother you so late.”
The room looked like a study, with a desk in the center where a man was working on paperwork.
His name was Vince Briars. He was in his thirties, with brown hair and black eyes.
He was the top of the silver rabbits of the night sky, known as the leader by all the members.
Though he became leader just last year, he had managed to stabilize the clan during its most chaotic period with remarkable skill, earning full trust from all members.
“Selma, is there something you need?”
“There are two things I want to report.”
“Hmm...”
The leader stopped his work and shifted his gaze from the papers to me.
“First, it’s about the hero party. —!?”
Hearing the term "hero party," an intense pressure radiated from the leader. I held my breath.
“...Sorry. I didn’t expect the topic to be that party. Please continue.”
“Yes. It seems that Orun Dura, the enchanter of the hero party, has left the party.”
“...I’m not doubting you, but is it true?”
The leader looked unconvinced and asked for confirmation.
If I had heard it from a third party, I probably wouldn’t have believed it either.