CH 30

How much longer will these individuals avert their eyes from the truth?

I’m already at the limits of my patience.

In any case, after completing the penalty, I will immediately withdraw from a party like this.

So, I think I will spill out everything I want to say. 

If the Deportation has already been completed, wouldn’t it be alright?

“We still don’t know what is going to happen, so I will say it clearly. As we are now, we are the weakest among all the S Rank parties. Such a party stands no chance of defeating the Black Dragon, right?”

“Huh!? The weakest S Rank!? We’re the Hero Party! There’s no way we lose to other parties!”

Derrick even now, is still flaring up.

“We could stay as the Hero Party because Orn was here, didn’t I say that! Especially you and Aneri, without Orn’s support, neither of you have greater ability than someone equivalent to A Rank! Please understand where you stand!”

“suuuu! The one who should know your place is you! You’re saying like you’re stronger than me!”

Derrick’s entire face has turned red in rage. 

Goodness, he’s really a guy who gets hot-headed straight away…… although thinking about it, I might have said a bit too much.

Ah, I’m not lying, though? For someone on the level of Derrick, if I’m thinking of dealing with him, I can kill him instantly. 

Derrick and Aneri are against Orn re-joining us, but I have no wish to die. 

That’s why I can’t give up on Orn’s return. Challenging the Black Dragon as we are now will only lead to everyone dying. 

“That is what I’m trying to say. Assuming you and I fight one-on-one, I will win.”

“You’re very confident. Even if you cry and apologise later, it’ll be too late!”

Derrick takes out his sword.

……Why is he this stupid?

My good favour for Derrick has fallen so low to the point where it is enough to break through underground to the Great Labyrinth.

“Haa… ‘Pixie’, please.”

“–What!? Can’t move…”

Derrick’s movements are stopped due to my Talent.

Following that, I construct a formula for advanced magic, channel a little mana, and make a magic formation appear in front of Derrick’s eyes, as I inform him,

“…That’s a victory for me, huh? Unless you think you can receive advanced magic from this close distance without any consequences?”

“Kuh, is this also your Talent? I never heard it could be used like this.”

“I also still don’t understand the full extent of my Talent. But Orn seems to understand–“

“Enough.”

Oliver, who had been quiet until now, finally opens his mouth.

It’s way too late.

“First, find Orn and then decide what to do. I won’t allow any objection.”

The atmosphere in the party remains the worst, but it looks like everyone will at least follow Oliver’s words.

◇

Following that we start heading to the plaza near the entarance of the Great Labyrinth.

When I see the plaza, I swallow a breath.

In the middle of the plaza is an enormous black thing, surrounded by many people.

There’s no way we can mistake what that black thing is.

“Why is the Black Dragon here!? Damn!”

Oliver pulls out his sword and is about to charge.

“Please wait!”

I stop Oliver in a hurry.

“Why wait!? If we don’t suppress it here, there will be many victims in the city!”

Oliver isn’t composed.

Normally, he wouldn’t be doing this. 

“The situation is strange! Besides, even if the Black Dragon has appeared, there are too many people around. Let’s approach the Black Dragon like this without relaxing our vigilance.”

We arrive at the plaza.

Thanks to the people surrounding the Black Dragon opening a path after noticing us, we were able to smoothly reach where the Black Dragon is. 

“How–“

I am rendered speechless by the sight that comes into my eyes after we pass through the crowd.

The Black Dragon in front of me has shattered scales, is bleeding from all over its entire body and is decapitated. 

In addition, beside the Black Dragon, there is a terrifying sword I had never seen before that Orn is leaning against.

Does the fact that Orn is here mean that “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit” has defeated the Black Dragon!?

“…Orn…”

Orn responds to the words I inadvertently ended up saying.

He looks towards me with eyes that appear unfocused. 

There are no significant wounds on Orn but his entire body is filthy.

Since his eyes are bleary and there are traces of him forcibly wiping blood from around his nose, he has surely activated a considerable amount of magic.

I have never seen Orn this exhausted.

“…Ah, Luna? You’re just in the right place.”

When Orn releases a soft voice and his hand from the big sword, that sword crumbles.

Orn approaches me while staggering.

Usually, I would have rushed to support Orn immediately, but I am too perplexed, I wasn’t able to think of that. 

And Orn, who walks up to right before my eyes, puts his right hand on my right shoulder.

“The aftermath, I’ll leave it to you.”

“………………Eh?”

Only notifying me that much, Orn continues past me towards somewhere.

None of our party members can accept this situation.

I’d like to talk to Orn, but I’ve been entrusted with dealing with the aftermath.

And also, part of the cause of this situation lies with us.

We surely won’t be able to just leave this place.

“Um… the Black Dragon has already been defeated?”

Oliver utters words with a trembling voice.

“…Seems like it, isn’t it?”

After this, while handling the aftermath, we found out that Orn had subjugated the Black Dragon alone. Despite no one mentioning anything, the shock that everyone received was palpable.