A little over two weeks had passed since I lost control and was confined here.
Fortunately, I managed to recover my memories, so sorting through them and training my [Mana Convergence] kept me surprisingly busy. I never really felt like I had too much free time.
"So yeah, right when we were about to tackle the 93rd floor, I got ordered on a long-term business trip. I'm heading to the Reglif territory now."
"..."
"They say Reglif territory is famous for its wine. Since it's close to the sea, the flavor is apparently different from regular wine. If I have time, I'll send some. You used to drink wine, right?"
"...Hey."
"Hm? What's up?"
"What's up?! Why the hell are you here?!"
I couldn't help raising my voice at Orun, who sat across from me through the glass.
In contrast, Orun spoke with the same calm demeanor he had back when we partied together.
"Why? I just thought you might be bored alone. I planned to come a bit later, but like I said earlier, I'm leaving Tsutorail now."
"That's not what I mean... Why are you acting so normal around me? I almost killed you!"
Yes. Orun didn't know the circumstances from back then.
From his perspective, I suddenly went berserk, and he nearly died trying to stop me.
Normally, anyone would avoid me. Why bother coming here on purpose?
I had figured he would visit eventually, but not now.
"Hmm... well, yeah. But that was because of [Recognition Alteration], right? If so, then you're a victim too, Oliver."
...How does Orun know about [Recognition Alteration]?
I heard Philly has been missing since that day.
No one else should know about [Recognition Alteration] except me...
Did Orun figure it out on his own?
No, that's hard to believe. Even for Orun, reaching that conclusion without any source of information seems impossible.
It's more natural to assume someone who knows Philly's true identity also knows about [Recognition Alteration]. But who?
"...Besides, that whole thing feels like a dream now. Honestly, it doesn't feel real. But the scene from that dream— no, never mind."
The current Orun overlapped with the old Orun, the one who used to carry everything alone.
His visit was completely unexpected, but since he came all this way, it was the perfect chance to say what I had planned to tell him next time we met.
Though it's really just self-satisfaction...
"...Orun."
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry."
"What's with the sudden apology? Like I said earlier, I know that wasn't really your will. We're both fine in the end, so you don't need to feel bad about it."
"That's part of it, but this apology is for kicking you out of the hero party. I regret that decision so much... I know saying sorry won't earn forgiveness. But please, let me say it. —I'm truly sorry."
When I honestly poured out my current feelings, Orun looked at me with an unreadable expression.
"...Hey, Oliver. When you decided to kick me out of the party, was that choice made after a lot of hesitation?"
"Yeah. It wasn't an instant decision. I remembered our promise to conquer the great labyrinth together, and I hesitated a ton. But in the end... I prioritized conquering the great labyrinth myself."
I felt like Philly's will had interfered in that decision, but that didn't matter to Orun.
To him, it was nothing less than betrayal by someone he'd been with for so long.
The wound in Orun's heart was probably beyond anything I could measure.
I knew an apology wouldn't make it go away.
Even so, I couldn't keep silent.
"Not long ago, someone I respect told me this: 'Any decision made after hesitating will always lead to regret.' You're regretting kicking me out now, but if you had kept me in the party, I think you would have regretted that too."
'Any decision made after hesitating will always lead to regret,' huh.
Probably true.
The situation where Oliver and I were about to conquer the great labyrinth must have been extremely convenient for that person...
If we had kept pushing through the southern great labyrinth as we were, we definitely would have regretted it.
Objectively speaking, kicking Orun out of the party seemed like the correct choice.
But that didn't make it any easier to accept.
"I don't mind anymore. Sure, I was sad right after getting kicked out, but the reason was legitimate, and above all, I'm satisfied with my current environment. Even Luna said she's more relaxed now than she ever was in the hero party."
"Luna said that?"
"Oh right, you wouldn't know. Luna joined Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky too."
"Really? That's great. She gets to party with you again."
"We're in different parties for now. But she's coming along to the Reglif territory too, so we'll be working together for a while."
"I see."
After kicking Orun out, I put a huge burden on Luna.
It's not my place to say, but I want her to be happy.
"—Well, time's almost up. We've had a lot going on lately, but still... you're my childhood friend and best friend. When I get back, I'll come visit again. Be my conversation partner like today, okay?"
Orun said it with a carefree smile.
"...Yeah. I'll be waiting. —Thank you."
After hearing my reply, Orun nodded in satisfaction and left.
It was an unexpected visit, but being able to talk normally with Orun again filled me with more joy than I could express.
...That said, three labyrinths appearing in the Reglif territory?
No way that's just coincidence.
It's probably the Order's doing— But for what purpose? What's their goal?
The Reglif territory is famous as a seaside tourist spot.
Even without labyrinths, it sees a lot of people coming and going, so gathering people isn't the point.
The only other notable feature is that it's separated from the Sauber Empire by the northern Cryo Mountains.
The Sauber Empire was the country that once held the now-vanished western great labyrinth.
Thinking back now, it's almost certain the Order cooperated in conquering that one, but with the western great labyrinth gone, there shouldn't be any connection anymore.
Linking the labyrinth appearances to the Empire feels like too much of a stretch.
The Empire ranks among the top in national power on the continent.
Even setting that aside, it has a protector known as the [Hero].
If the Order meddles too much, they risk severe retaliation. There's no reason for them to get involved.
"...Hm? [Hero]?"
Something caught in my mind. What was it?
"[Hero]—Felix Roots Kreutzer. The crown prince of the Sauber Empire, conqueror of the western great labyrinth. And like Orun and Shion, a throwback to their ancestors..."
Starting from the word [Hero], unpleasant pieces began falling into place one after another.
"No, this is just piling one delusion on top of another. But if this suspicion of mine turns out to be correct, then the reason Orun was called to the Reglif territory is—"
All I could do was pray that the worst scenario flashing through my mind right now would never become reality.