CH 33

No one speaks, and I have the illusion that a long time passes. 

(I’ve gone and done it now… I let all my emotions out my mouth, what should I do, about this atmosphere……)

“Orn, I understand how you feel, but first, can we proceed with our conversation?”

As I was how to address this frozen atmosphere air, the Guildmaster speaks.

“Y, yes. Of course. I’m sorry. I’ve showed you something embarrassing.”

Isn’t my face probably bright red right now?

I feel like it’s been a while since my feelings have exploded like this. 

Though there’s a part of me that’s refreshed, there’s’ a bigger part of me that feels ashamed. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this emotional. Because you’re normally always so calm and collected, Eleonara was worried that you were dead inside. Very good, you do have feelings.”

“Hey! Guildmaster!”

Suddenly exposed, Eleonara retorts against the Guildmaster with a panicked expression. 

Is this the Guildmaster trying to soften the mood?

The Hero Party side is still sombre, but on the side of the Guild, they look like they’ve lightened up a little. 

“Now then, let’s get back on track. Orn, first all of, I’m checking just in case, but did you defeat that Black Dragon alone? Selma from ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’ declared that you did.”

The Guildmaster asks.

To be honest, I had wanted to report that I defeated it together with “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”, but if Selma has already given her report, there’s no point in trying to lie. 

From the gazes I felt when I entered this building, word of this must have already spread to the explorers. 

“…Yes. I defeated it alone.”

“J, just one person defeating a deep layer Floor Boss should be by all rights impossible! Did you use any special-grade magic?”

When I affirm that I had defeated it alone, one of the Guild executives present asks me excitedly. 

“I can’t tell you exactly how I defeated it. In the end, the only thing I can talk about is the fighting capabilities and weaknesses of the Black Dragon.”

There is an unspoken understanding that things related to an explorer’s combat style or original magic cannot be pried into. 

Though the chances are it happening are low, it will be disadvantageous when conflict occurs between parties. 

And when it comes to original magic, I created them through desperate effort. 

There are few people who would have the hobby of unnecessarily revealing such things.

However, explorers are obliged to report information obtained in the labyrinth to the Guild.

And the contents of such reports will be made public.

Therefore, there is no same obligation to report your own combat style or original magic.

Although in the process making the report, it is often the case that you can get an idea of how they fight. 

Ah, since earlier, I had been trying to claim that the Black Dragon was not subjugated by me as a single unit, but even that was outside the scope of my reporting duties. 

After all, all that was needed is to disclose the characteristics of the demonic beasts encountered in the labyrinth, and the places where materials such as ores can be obtained, you don’t have to say who did and how the subjugation happened. 

“Of course, we know that. Then, let’s talk about the Black Dragon.”

The Guildmaster acknowledges that the question of that Guild executive will not be answered. 

I report on the new attack patterns I learned in this battle, comparisons with the previous battle, such as what was common.

“As usual, it’s a report that only summarises the main points.”

The Guildmaster mutters with an indecipherably complex expression.

“Is there something inadequate with my report?”

“No, Orn’s report is perfect. However, it’s easier to understand from other explorers’ reports how they fought, the Hero Party, despite its fame, has little personal information revealed. As usual, you’re good at concealing matters.”

“Well, there are times when knowledge is more important than strength. I’m sorry, but this is something I won’t give in on. If there’s nothing else lacking, I’ll refrain from speaking further.”

“What a sly guy…. Oh, one last thing. I don’t mind if can only talk about what you can, but I’d like to ask you about your future plans. Though you’re a Hero who has defeated the Black Dragon alone, you’re now a freelancer who’s left the Hero Party. There are probably countless parties and Clans that want you. In the bid to secure you, there might be the possibility of some trouble, so the Guild wants to keep track of your actions.”

Future plans? Frankly, I’m not thinking about anything…

When I was at the Hero Party, I was busy with a lot of things and had little time for myself.

Now that I have spare time, and can say what I want to do, I’m unexpectedly troubled.

Is this what you call a workaholic? Maybe it’s different.

“…I haven’t thought of anything. There’s no problem with me going about it alone like this. Well, I’m going to continue leisurely exploring. Eventually, I think I’ll start embarking on challenging the Southern Great Labyrinth again.”

“I see. By the way, Orn, do you know that the Western Great Labyrinth has been cleared?”

Suddenly, the Guildmaster asks about the Western Great Labyrinth. 

Currently, where I am is the city of Tutril in the Kingdom of Nohitant, southwest of the continent. 

And there’s also a Great Labyrinth in the Saubel Empire, adjacent to the northwest part of the Kingdom of Nohitant, and occupies the western part of this continent….

The name of that city is Sebal.

Sebal had one of four Great Labyrinths on the continent called the Great Labyrinth of the West.

If I’m not wrong, Philly Carpenter, the new member of the Hero Party, was previously an explorer from Sebal.

About three months ago, a party with an explorer called “Hero” in that country reached the deepest part of the Western Great Labyrinth, and found an extremely large Labyrinth Core that was about ten metres in diameter, which was brought back to the surface. 

After that, demonic beasts no longer appeared in the Western Great Labyrinth, and it became possible to safely retrieve resources from the Great Labyrinth. 

As a result, many low layer materials have come on the market, and their economy is booming.

The only Great Labyrinth that has been cleared is that Western Great Labyrinth.

“Well, of course I know. What about it?”

“Explorers based in Sebal should be moving to, including this city, the cities with the remaining three Great Labyrinths, and setting up new bases. There are many parties that have been dissolved, so right now, party recruitment will be becoming more active. I have no doubt that if it’s Orn, you can handle things by yourself, but in the case that any big problems arise, we want you to inform us.”

I see.

If materials can be safely obtained from the Western Great Labyrinth in the West, it’s no longer necessary for explorers to enter the Great Labyrinth.

Even if demonic beasts were to appear again in the future, there will be no income until then, so the choice to change where they are based is not strange. 

Though I’m not sure why their parties would be dissolved. 

“…I see. I understand.”

This was all for what I had to talk about to the Guild.

Regarding the corpse of the Black Dragon, it was determined that as the subjugator, I would have sole rights, so I received all the undamaged scales and decided to sell the rest to the Guild. 

I don’t know the amount yet, but I think there’s enough that I won’t have to worry about money for a while.

……Though I already had quite a fair bit to start with.

Anyway, this incident has been settled for now, but nothing has been solved. 

Why was the Black Dragon active outside the Boss Area? This was unknown and even the Guild didn’t understand the reason. 

A situation where even the Guild, with all their collated information about labyrinths, could not grasp. 

There is way too little information to make any kind of judgment and there aren’t any leads for following to start any kind of independent investigation. 

In the end, it was concluded that since this might happen again in the future, to not be negligent and be careful. 

Well, I’m always vigilant when I’m in the labyrinth.

After the conversation at the Guild ends, and I find out what I wanted to know, I stand and leave my seat to head back. 

The members of the Hero Party remained still with their faces down.

None of the people in the Guild are standing. Perhaps there will be talk of a penalty for using Deportation.

Let’s get out.