After Luna left the living room, the reporters finally arrived—a small group of them.
I led them inside.
They seemed a bit hesitant about the number, but the living room should be fine with this many, right?
"W-wow… Oliver-sama himself agreeing to our interview—it's truly an honor!"
"It's our duty to respond to the press. Besides, I had things I wanted to say today."
"Things you wanted to say? That's extremely intriguing!"
"Heh. No point hiding it—let's get straight to it. We've decided to replace one party member."
I laid it all out for them without holding back.
How Orun had been an incompetent enchanter.
How we'd brought in Philly Carpenter, who'd shone in the western great labyrinth, as his replacement.
How we'd reached the unprecedented ninety-fourth floor despite dragging along such dead weight.
And how—with that flaw removed—this party could reach ninety-five soon, maybe even conquer the southern great labyrinth in the not-too-distant future.
Everything.
"Incredible… We never dreamed we'd get a scoop this big! Tomorrow's front page is locked in!"
"Good. Make it huge."
The bigger the splash, the more noble money would flow in.
No noble would pass up investing after hearing this.
Then I could finally buy those magic tools Orun always called a waste of money.
◇
We usually ate dinner separately, but tonight was Philly's welcome party—so everyone gathered.
I'd hired a famous local chef to cook at the mansion.
He even complimented the kitchen: "Used every day, yet perfectly maintained!"
…No one uses it. Why say pointless flattery?
Luna wouldn't skip a welcome party, at least.
She still looked down, but maybe she'd bounce back by tomorrow.
"Alright! Once more—Philly, welcome to the hero party! Here's to working together!! Cheers!"
"Cheers!!"
"Thank you so much—even for such luxurious food."
"No big deal. No more nagging accountant around, right? Hey—you know that ledger Orun kept? I peeked once. The numbers were insane! Eye-popping amounts!"
"Right!? So much money—and he was such a cheapskate! If you've got it, use it!"
…Ledger?
I'd left money management to Orun, sure—but we had that much?
Come to think of it, I never checked the balance.
"Nah—that was just his personal slush fund for screwing around! Big mistake leaving money to him. Good riddance—almost got our cash frittered away without us knowing!"
"Um… isn't that the party's operating funds?"
Philly tilted her head at Derrick's comment.
"Operating funds? We buy our own gear and stuff."
"No—I mean, labyrinth runs aren't the only expense. Rent for this mansion, for example."
"Oh, rent. Yeah, that adds up. But with that much cash, why not just buy the place? Oliver—what do you say? Snap it up! We'll be based here a while anyway. If we move, sell it later!"
"Derrick, genius! Let's do it! Then the leftover money's ours to play with!"
"We'll discuss it later. For now—short-term plans. Tomorrow's free. Day after, we dive to ninety-two."
I'd love to say ninety-four right away, but no—too reckless.
Test teamwork at ninety-two. If smooth, then hit ninety-four with confidence.
"Huh? What's with the lukewarm plan? Ninety-four, obviously!"
"Exactly! With Philly we should breeze to ninety-five!"
"I get how you feel. But Philly's new to the southern labyrinth—never been deep. First sync should be on a floor we can cover if things go wrong."
"…True. She's never seen deep layers."
"Fine. Ninety-two it is, like Oliver says."
"Sorry… for making it about me."
"Don't apologize. We're a team. We're doing ninety-two precisely because we expect big things from you."
"I disagree."
Just as things settled, opposition appeared.
Luna—silent till now, brows furrowed.
"You again! Quit disrupting the party!"
"Derrick—calm down. Luna, why oppose?"
"Simple. I don't have a death wish."
Death wish?
She said it like going to ninety-two was suicide.
"Luna, we won't die at ninety-two."
"…How can you be so sure?"
"We reached ninety-four with Orun. Now we have Philly—far superior. This lineup boosts us several levels higher."
"I don't know Philly's strength."
Right—she only learned today.
Once she heard Philly's record, she'd change her mind.
"She worked the western labyrinth. Reached its hundredth floor."
"Western hundredth… That's impressive for an enchanter. Was she in the "Hero" party?"
"Hero"—the title of whoever cleared the west.
No idea why "Hero."
"N-no. Different party."
"I see. So she's skilled. —Still, I oppose ninety-two."
How long would she cling to her fantasy of Orun!?
Time to face reality.
"Luna—this is decided. No refusal."
"…Fine. …It's over, isn't it?"
She muttered the last part—barely audible, probably just to me.
Yes—it's over.
Day after tomorrow's run would show how useless Orun really was.
Then Luna would wake up.
I'm the hero.
I have to conquer the great labyrinth—fast.
To make my name thunder across the continent!