"Big sis, want a waffle? They're sweet and yummy!"
Once I boarded the carriage with Orun-san and his disciples, Caroline-chan—who sat across from me—offered me a waffle.
"Ah, thank you… It's delicious."
The moment it touched my tongue, a gentle—not overpowering—sweetness spread through my mouth, and I felt a wave of relief.
It really was delicious.
"Right~!"
Caroline-chan beamed at me. Her smile was so infectious that I found myself smiling back without realizing it.
Her smile had a wonderful way of naturally making others smile too.
"—So, Orun-san… could you please explain this situation? I'm completely lost…"
I turned to Orun-san, who sat beside me, and asked.
I truly couldn't keep up with what was happening.
"Well, yeah, that's understandable."
Orun-san gave a wry smile at my question, then began answering.
"The situation itself is simple. Bottom line: you and the others have been placed on probation."
"Probation…?"
Probation was a system where convicted individuals lived outside detention under the supervision of a probation officer.
"Exactly. And I'll be your probation officer, Luna."
Orun-san… as my probation officer…
"…Huh? You said 'you and the others'—does that mean…?"
"Yeah. Not just you—Derrick and Aneli were released too. That said, both of them suffered serious mental trauma. Starting today, they'll be recuperating at a treatment center. Forgas Marquis is their probation officer. As for Oliver—releasing him right now is difficult, so he's still in detention. No idea when he'll be freed."
"I see… them too. Thank you, Orun-san."
"The one who actually pulled strings was Marquis Forgas. I didn't do anything."
"But the fact that you became my probation officer means you worked with the Marquis, right? In that case—thank you."
When I expressed my gratitude, Orun-san gave a small smile and replied, "You're welcome."
A little while later, the carriage stopped.
"We're here. Luna, step out."
"Y-Yes."
When I disembarked, I found myself inside the grounds of "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky".
The clan emblem was visible on the buildings—no mistake.
"You three—take Luna to the usual room first. I'll be right there."
At Orun-san's instruction, the three responded affirmatively. Caroline-chan took my hand, said "Let's go!" and gently pulled me along.
◇
The room Caroline-chan led me to had a blackboard with a podium in front—otherwise, it resembled a typical explorer strategy room.
Various notes in Orun-san's handwriting covered the blackboard. This must be their room.
"Ah, right—we haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Logan Hayward, leader of this party. Feel free to call me Log."
While I looked around the room, Logan-kun introduced himself.
I already knew their names since they were Orun-san's disciples, but they didn't know I knew.
"I'm Caroline Ingrot! Call me Carol!"
"S-Sophia Claudel… Everyone calls me Sophie."
"Thank you for the introductions. I'm Luna Flockheart. Um…"
After stating my name, I tried to say something more—but nothing came.
The hero party was effectively disbanded. My family's Flockheart Trading Company no longer existed.
Right now… I had nothing left.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Lost in thought, I heard Orun-san enter the room.
"Ah, Master—welcome back~"
"I'm back. —Alright, let's talk about what's next. Everyone sit down. Luna, take any empty seat."
At Orun-san's words, the three quickly sat at the large central table. Orun-san moved to the podium in front.
Caroline-chan waved me over with "Big sis, over here!" so I sat beside her.
Once I was seated, Orun-san began.
"Alright—let's start. First, about Luna. As I said earlier, I've become your probation officer. With that, Luna—I want you to join "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" as an explorer."
"…Eh?"
"And you'll be assigned to the rookie squad's tenth unit—this party. Strictly speaking, after tomorrow's 30th-floor clear and promotion to third squad, you'll officially join. Putting an S-rank in the rookie squad would be a bit much otherwise."
"…"
I was gradually processing the situation—but Orun-san had just said something outrageous.
Me… joining "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"?
"That said—this is just my wish. Since a single explorer like me is your probation officer, you can probably guess—this is a workaround to get you out. The punishment has practically no real effect. So naturally, you have the right to refuse. If you don't want to, just say so honestly."
"I don't dislike it. If anything—I'm grateful someone would take in someone like me. —But tomorrow's 30th-floor clear means the party becomes B-rank starting tomorrow, right? Um… saying this myself is awkward, but is it really okay for an S-rank like me to join this party?"
"I've already smoothed things over in that regard. No problem. It's up to how you feel."
"...What do all of you think about me joining the party?"
I asked Orun-san's disciples.
Their feelings mattered more than mine.
"I'm super welcoming~! Master's been saying forever we need more members anyway, and if it's big sis—I've got zero complaints!"
"Luna-san's magic at the west gate last time was amazing! Having someone that incredible join us makes us really happy!"
"Luna-san seems kind, and Orun-san said you'd perfectly fill the gaps in our party. If you're willing—please join us!"
"That's how it is. …Luna—sorry to say, but your parents Pascal and the others probably won't be released. Even if they are, it'll be years at least. Child abduction in the act—no excuses possible."
Yes… that's right.
I don't know what punishment awaits my father and the others, but it won't be lenient.
"I won't pretend to understand how you feel having your parents imprisoned as criminals. But I do understand the sadness of losing family. I'll confess now—after bandits killed everyone in the village and only Oliver and I survived, just the two of us… we were really lonely. Luna—you reached out to us back then, formed a party with us. I'm truly grateful for that—"
…I had no idea Orun-san felt that way.
I only approached them on Marquis Forgas's orders.
If anything—I should be the one thanking Orun-san and Oliver-san for accepting someone like me, who was little more than a puppet, as a comrade…
"—So now it's my turn. I want to create a place for you, Luna. I'll stay by your side so your loneliness eases even a little. Let's explore labyrinths together as comrades again. Different parties for now, but on free days—we'll form one together."
Orun-san said that with a smile.
That gentle, reassuring expression was the same one he used to give us—his comrades—back when he was in the hero party.
I could be Orun-san's comrade again…
Before I knew it, a single tear rolled down my cheek.
By a twist of fate, my parents' arrest freed me from their control.
I heard Orun-san contributed to their capture—so in a way, he released me from my chains.
And beyond that—he gave me a new place to belong after losing the hero party…
It felt like Orun-san was shining a guiding light for me—lost and wandering in darkness.
"…Yes. Please take care of me."
Not because of Marquis Forgas's schemes or my parents' orders—but of my own free will, I renewed my resolve to follow Orun-san from now on.