The headache persisted for a while, but by deliberately trying not to think about what Gary had told me, I finally recovered enough to move properly.
I retrieve Schwarzhaese, snap off one branch from the only remaining shrub here, and head back toward the labyrinth entrance.
If the labyrinth's functions were still active, I could have used the crystals at each floor's entrance to teleport, but since this one has been conquered, I have no choice but to climb back to the entrance on foot.
When I reach the entrance, the Guildmaster emerges from the building erected for explorer guild staff to stand by at the labyrinth entrance.
"Good work, Orun-kun. Did you capture the mastermind?"
"No, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to."
"...I see. If even you couldn't capture them, something considerable must have happened. It's unfortunate, but let's call it good enough for now."
I can't tell what the Guildmaster is really thinking, but he doesn't blame me for failing to capture the mastermind Gary.
"Guildmaster, there's one thing I'd like to ask. After I entered this labyrinth, did anyone else come in or out?"
"No, no one besides you entered or left this labyrinth."
"I see."
"So, Orun-kun. Are you heading straight back to Tsutorail now?"
"Yes. I'll make a small detour, but I plan to return by evening."
"That's good. I'll issue an official notice later, but let me tell you in advance. All members of the S-rank party "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" are requested to come to the explorer guild at eight o'clock tonight."
"All members?"
"Yes. There's someone who wants to speak with you all about something important. I'm sorry, but this is an order this time. Make sure you're back by tonight without fail."
Since the summons is for the entire first unit, the person who wants to talk is probably her.
In that case, the content is likely——.
"...Understood."
"Then I'll head back to Tsutorail first. As you know, regarding this incident, it was purely that you conquered the overflow labyrinth at my request. Nothing more, nothing less. Got it?"
"Yes, understood."
◇
After parting with the Guildmaster, I head toward the site where the giant skeleton appeared to rendezvous with Oliver.
There's something I need to ask him.
As I approach the location, just like when we defeated the skeleton earlier, a massive pile of white bones has formed again.
Then Oliver comes into view, and facing him are Selma-san and the rest of the first unit members.
A tense, on-the-verge-of-explosion atmosphere hangs in the air.
"Where is Orun? Answer me, armored explorer! Depending on your answer, you won't get off lightly!"
Selma-san hurls a voice thick with anger at Oliver.
Come to think of it, when I asked the "Jade Gale" members to head to Tsutorail, I had asked Selma-san to pass on a message.
They must have rushed here immediately after hearing it.
"Selma-san, I'm right here."
I quickly run over to everyone while calling out to Selma-san.
"Orun!? Thank goodness, you're safe!"
"Where have you been, seriously!"
"Damn it, you worried us sick."
"But really, thank goodness you're okay."
Seeing me, Selma-san and the others let out relieved voices.
"Sorry. I left this place to the armored explorer and went to the labyrinth where the overflow happened."
"I see. I couldn't even catch your presence with [Mental Sympathy], so I panicked. ——Armored explorer, sorry for suspecting you unnecessarily."
Convinced by my explanation for why I wasn't here, Selma-san bows her head to Oliver, and Will and the others follow suit.
In response, Oliver shakes his head as if to say he doesn't mind.
Then, with a somewhat lonely voice, he mutters "You've got good comrades," turns his back on us, and starts walking away somewhere.
Judging by the direction, not toward Tsutorail but toward Farira Village?
There were many things I really wanted to ask Oliver, but I hesitate to reveal the armored explorer's identity to Selma-san and the others right now, and the Guildmaster told me to return to Tsutorail by tonight without fail.
Well, I can just visit Oliver again soon.
"Sorry for worrying you all so much. I'm really glad you came so quickly."
"Of course we would! But still, a magical beast comparable to a deep-floor boss appearing on the surface is shocking enough, and then the armored explorer took it down solo? I knew he was strong from soloing the lower floors, but to that extent..."
"Yeah. If he formed a party with a promising explorer, we might get caught up to quickly. With "Jade Gale" here too, we can't afford to fall behind!"
Will responds to my apology, and Rain-san reacts to his words.
Considering Oliver's situation, it's hard to imagine him forming a party with anyone, but the possibility isn't zero.
As Rain-san says, as "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky", we should hurry to tackle the ninety-fourth floor strategy.
Conquering the Great Labyrinth is my dream too... so that's not a problem in itself.
But right now, a new goal has emerged for me: heading to the Hitia Duchy.
The Hitia Duchy is a major magical nation in the central continent.
It's also where the main branch of the Downing商会 is located.
To meet the president directly, I need to go to the duchy myself, but since the Nohitant Kingdom is in the southeast of the continent, travel will take considerable time.
Considering the current situation and the clan's circumstances, my long-term absence might be difficult?
"Anyway, let's head back quick for now! Orun-kun must be tired too!"
"Yeah. Let's go."
And so, I set out once more on the road back to Tsutorail.
I never imagined when I left the capital this morning that things would turn out like this, I think with a wry smile while recounting—to the extent I can—the series of shocking events from earlier to the first unit members.
We arrive in Tsutorail before I know it.
◇
"Welcome back, everyone!"
When we return to the clan headquarters, one of the members from the exploration management department comes running over.
"We're back. Do you have business with us?"
Representing the group, Selma-san asks the approaching member.
"Yes. Sorry to bother you when you're tired, but a summons has arrived from the guild addressed to the first unit. It says to come to the explorer guild at eight o'clock tonight."
The member says so while handing a tri-folded paper to Selma-san.
Selma-san opens the paper and checks the contents.
"Is this what Orun was talking about earlier?"
Will asks from beside me.
"Probably."
"Understood, we received it. Thank you for delivering it personally."
"No, this is part of my job. Excuse me."
"Selma-san, was something written on the paper~?"
After seeing the member off, Lucre asks Selma-san whether the summons contained details about the call.
"No, just as he said—only that we should come to the explorer guild at eight tonight."
"Then we won't know the details until we get there."
"Yeah. There's still time until eight, so let's disband for now. Reassemble here at nineteen-thirty. Especially Orun—you probably don't have enough time to fully recover from fatigue, but don't do any work. Rest your body properly."
"Got it. I don't have the energy for paperwork right now anyway, so I'll take it easy in the large bath."
"Oh, in that case I'll join ya. Let's hurry, Orun!"
When I mention heading to the large bath, Will jumps on the idea.
He throws an arm around my neck and starts walking toward the large bath.
With Lucre's "Have a good time!" at our backs, we part from the women.
Then, while chatting idly with Will, soaking in the hot water, cooling off outside, and generally relaxing, the assembly time arrives before I know it.
◇
After reuniting with Selma-san and the others in the entrance, we head to the explorer guild.
"Oh, it's "Copper Twilight"!"
As we reach the entrance of the guild building, "Copper Twilight" approaches from another direction.
Will, noticing them first, calls out.
...Somehow, this feels like déjà vu.
"Yo. We meet again lately. Well, with the exchange meeting and all, it's probably natural."
Hart-san responds to Will's voice with a friendly smile as he approaches.
"You guys got summoned too?"
Selma-san asks Hart-san.
"Yeah. ...I see. So it wasn't just us who got called. This summons reeks of trouble. Hey, can we just go home?"
Upon learning that "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" was also summoned, Hart-san's visible enthusiasm drops, and he asks Katina-san beside him if they can leave.
"No way in hell! If the leader runs away here and the guild dumps trouble on us, it'll all fall on Leader Hart!"
"That's tyranny!"
"The one trying to push it onto us is the tyrant, Leader!"
As Hart-san and Katina-san argue, Fuuka comes running over to me.
"Orun."
She calls my name, then stares intently at me.
Being stared at like that makes me feel awkward, but...
"Hm? What's up?"
After staring at me for a while, Fuuka seems satisfied, looks away, shakes her head side to side, and says "Nothing."
As always, her expressions don't change much, so it's hard to tell what she's thinking.
"Ahem! Standing here is bothering others, so shall we go inside the building for now?"
Rain-san steps in between the still-arguing Hart-san and the others, soothing them.
"Sigh... Fine, I guess."
Then "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" and "Copper Twilight" enter the explorer guild building. Eleonora-san, a guild staff member, approaches and guides us to a certain conference room.
Several people are already inside the conference room.
Seven in total.
One is the Guildmaster, the one who summoned us.
Next are Warren-san... and five people from "Jade Gale" wearing the same military uniforms.
As expected, their main profession isn't explorers but soldiers belonging to the Nohitant Kingdom Central Army Imperial Guard. Their primary duty is probably protecting the princess.
Loretta-san's fixation on "Hero" makes the most sense if she wanted to obtain the same title as Warren-san—who protected the king—to add prestige to her master, the princess.
And finally, wearing a customized dress that preserves nobility while allowing easy movement—the First Princess of the Nohitant Kingdom, Lucila N. Edelweiss.
When our eyes meet—Lucy-san... or rather, Her Highness Lucila here—she turns a soft, relieved expression toward me.
As we enter the conference room, Her Highness Lucila opens her mouth.
"Members of "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" and "Copper Twilight", thank you very much for coming despite the sudden summons on such short notice during your busy schedules. I am Lucila N. Edelweiss, First Princess of the Nohitant Kingdom. Today, I have selfishly requested your presence because there is something I wish to ask of you all."