Right now—we're on the 76th floor of the Great Labyrinth.
Snow mountain zone. Freezing.
76th still just has accumulated snow—but deeper, blizzards start. Without prep—you die even without fighting.
Why here? Gathering magic stones.
After the recent fiasco—Guild ordered us to repay the massive stones used for forced return.
Best spot for lots of stones: 91st floor.
But entry to deep floors banned until we deliver the replacement stones.
So—for now—stuck in lower layers. 76th has relatively many monsters.
"ORAAAAAHHH!!"
Derrick charges solo into a pack of snow bears.
"Idiot! You're too far from the rear! No coordination!"
I chase after him—yelling.
Since the incident—he's been wild.
Vent fury on monsters—rushes anything that appears.
"Shut up! These trash are nothing to me alone! No way I lose to lower-layer fodder!! ORAAAA!!"
Boosted by Philly's support—he bulldozes bears.
"Oliver—outta the way!"
Ane's voice from behind.
I turn—**Fire Javelin** screaming toward me.
Dodged just in time—could've been bad.
"Dangerous!"
"Philly said fire!"
"I told you—watch your firing line!"
"Huh? Did you? Sorry, Philly."
Apologize to me too!
Philly—since Orun mentioned our individual buff durations—stopped letting them expire.
But she said he didn't tell the *real* times.
Probably dummies for Guild execs.
Annoying overthinking.
Her command's shaping up too. Like he said—excellent enchanter.
Concern: Ane's almost blindly devoted to Philly. Listens to everything.
Ane's honest—good and bad. Not the type to follow orders easily.
Philly's directions are spot-on—trustworthy.
...Trustworthy? Reliable—right? This unease... whatever.
Our coordination's trash.
Derrick solo charges. Ane misfires constantly.
Luna—doesn't join fights. Just silently cleans up our leftovers.
Can't conquer 94th like this.
Radical reform needed.
◇
Returned from labyrinth—delivered stones to Guild—headed home.
At the mansion—familiar crest on a fancy carriage. Elderly man in tails waiting.
"Oliver-sama. Master summons you. Apologies so soon after return—but prepare immediately."
Butler for our major sponsor—Marquis Forgas.
About this morning's article?
I'd reported properly.
Why didn't he suppress it?
He could've easily.
"Only Oliver summoned?"
"Yes."
Derrick's question—confirmed.
Just me?
More confusing.
"Then I'm eating out. Oliver—handle the old man's nagging!"
Derrick walked inside alone.
Derrick's gone too far lately.
Always arrogant—looked down on others.
But recently—extreme.
Wasn't this bad before.
When did it start? Around deciding to kick Orun?
"Then—I have family business. Excuse me."
Luna left without entering—toward her family's home.
"Um... what about us, Philly?"
"We should go with Oliver-san, right?"
"Ehh—gonna get nitpicked anyway. But if you're going—I'll tag along."
Philly wanted to come.
But Ane was right—endless nagging. Didn't want newbie Philly exposed to that.
"Philly—thanks. But I'll go alone. You two eat dinner."
"But—"
"It's fine. Party leader duty."
I boarded the carriage alone.
◇
Few minutes rocking—arrived at Forgas mansion.
Still ridiculously huge.
Followed butler to the Marquis's room.
"Welcome—Hero who's failed spectacularly."
Marquis greeted with venom the moment I entered.
Clive Forgas.
Lord of this region—including Tsutorail.
Looks kindly middle-aged—but black-hearted.
Orun said that's normal to survive noble society.
"What's the business today?"
"Business? Only one thing."
He threw this morning's paper at me.
"Pathetic result. This is what my support bought? Already in print—your screw-up public knowledge. What now?"
Marquis glared—furious.
(You could've killed the article. I reported honestly beforehand. No way you didn't know.)
I watched him carefully while thinking.
Angry—but something scheming behind it.
This vibe—no funding cut?
Most important to me.
Other nobles sponsor too—but Forgas's influence huge.
If he pulls out—others might follow.
Fatal.
"I'll definitely recover."
"Hmph. Good mindset. Public eye's on the kicked-out Orun Dura—and by extension *Silver Rabbit*. You vs. him—sword only—you're stronger, right? Called Sword Saint."
Obvious question.
No idea how Orun beat the black dragon—but I've never lost to him.
Sword only—no way I lose.
"Yes. 100% win."
"Public thinks Orun's stronger. Crush him! Show the world your true power. I'll set the stage. Endure quietly—work for the Guild. Hahaha!"
...If necessary—I won't hesitate.
I must stay strongest.
Otherwise—lose precious people again.
If Orun blocks that—I'll crush him.
"...Understood."
"Hmph—good eyes. Wanted to see your resolve today. Seems fine. You're dismissed."
"...Excuse me."
◇ ◇ ◇
"Was that okay?"
Oliver left. In the silent room—Forgas muttered.
"Yes. No issue."
Space rippled—woman appeared.
"Really—if you'd pressured, that article never runs. Predictably—they got cocky and let them publish freely. My reputation could suffer."
"Hehe. Humans grow most when cornered. To draw his true power—more pressure needed."
"Twisted woman. Toying with my pawn."
"Oh—if you agree with *him*—you're the same as us, no?"
"Hmph—don't lump me. I just need to win in the end. Naturally side with the world ruler."
"True. Your mindset's incomprehensible—but as long as you don't defy *his* will—you won't lose. Now—I'll take my leave."
"Yeah. Keep working so I stay victorious."
Her presence vanished.
◇
Suddenly—in an empty alley—the woman from Forgas's room appeared.
"Phew... **Space Leap** is tiring. Why are support spells so annoying? Enchanters must be masochists. Can't understand people who take the role seriously. ...Anyway—hehe. 'World ruler,' huh... Does he really understand what *that person* aims for? Well—someone that easy to handle with power like that is rare. Might as well keep using him."
"Ah! There you are!"
A familiar voice interrupted her muttering as she walked the alley.
"Oh—Ane-san. What's up?"
"What's up? You vanished—so I came looking. So? What're you doing in a place like this... Philly...?"
"Hehe. Just a walk."