CH 81

After the fierce battle with the Dragons finished, we explored for a while longer before returning to the Clan home.

“We’re back.”

“Ah, welcome back, everyone. You’re all back very early.”

Entering the home, I find three small, baby-faced boys doing all the administrative work in the Clan on his own.

Hmm? I didn’t say anything wrong.

Among them, one calls out to us when we get back.

This boy’s name is Miles Rampling. Fifteen.

Miles has a Talent called “Alter Ego” which lets him divide his body into multiple bodies.

And apparently, the memories and thoughts of all of them are unified. 

To be honest, it’s a Talent that seems like it’d drive you insane just by using it. 

Because it feels like it might blur your own sense of self, I think I’d be scared to use it. 

“Yes, thanks to Fuuka’s idiotic rampage.”

“Don’t be rude. I didn’t rampage, okay?”

“Huh!? As soon as we reached the 90th floor, weirdly running around, scattering magic stones here and there, you’re one to talk!”

“Well, Haruto, you said we needed a lot of dragon scales.”

“It’s true that he did say that, but he meant we would have to take time, right!? That’s why we started exploring the labyrinth in the morning, didn’t we!”

“Really?”

With Katie’s guidance, Fuuka finally gets the full picture of today’s schedule.

Yeah, from now on, let’s make sure that Fuuka only holds on to the bare minimum amount of magic stones she needs. 

“Ahaha……. Fuuka seems to be the same as ever.”

“Today’s was the worst I’ve seen in a long time…….”

“Ah, that’s right. Father is waiting for you in the reception room, so could the Captain and Fuuka please head over?”

Miles’ father is the head of the Viscount Rampling family.

Many years ago, we saved Miles from a bunch of bad guys, so to return the favour, he himself is helping our Clan while his father provides us with financial support.

Even though it wasn’t much we did, I think they’re a very upright father and son pair.

“It’s rare for him to come here. Got it. Fuuka, let’s go.”

◇ ◇

I bring Fuuka along to the reception room.

Entering the reception room, I see an elderly man with a fine beard and a maid.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Alf.”

“You’re back rather early.”

“We got what we needed earlier than expected. Still, it’s rare for you to come here. What’s the emergency?”

“I just came to see my son. And I have a favour to ask of you all.”

“What’s it about?”

“It’s about Thanksgiving, coming up in two weeks. You know there’s a martial arts tournament as the main event?”

“More or less. Didn’t have any interest, so I’ve never participated or watched.”

“Until now, most of the participants have been officers from the Central and Territorial Armies, as well as B Rank explorers and lower, with the occasional A Rank or higher participant. Marquis Forgas can’t stomach this situation, apparently. So this time, he’s prepared an opportunity for only advanced explorers to fight. The Marquis himself has directly approached me.”

“What a pain in the ass. So that means you want me and Fuuka to participate in this?”

“To put it bluntly, that is so. I’m sorry, but we are dealing with the Marquis. I can’t refuse him.”

“I don’t matter, but to want Fuuka to join, is the Marquis an idiot? After all, he wants to restore the reputation of the Heroes, but if Fuuka joins, make no mistake, she’s going to win, does he know?”

“I know Fuuka is strong, but is she that strong?”

“The martial arts tournament is fought without magic, with martial arts and Talents, right? Fuuka’s physical abilities are beyond the norm, and her Talent undoubtedly belongs in the top tiers. Not to mention guys who can’t beat her even with magic, if you ban magic, there’s no way anyone else can win. Right? Fuuka?”

“…………Maybe?”

Fuuka, who’s been eating sweets like a baby squirrel since entering the room, gives a vague answer.

”Isn’t it unusual for you to be so humble. Is it going to snow tomorrow? Damn……. I’ve already put away my winter clothes.”

“Not humble. I really don’t know.

Well, this person doesn’t joke, after all. 

“……The Hero is definitely strong, but he’s not so strong that even you can’t beat him, right? I didn’t feel that much from him.”

“I can beat the Hero. I’m talking about Orn.”

Huh? You can’t beat Orn?

Orn’s an explorer I met during the last joint subjugation.

He was a pretty easy guy to talk to.

He used to be a member of the Hero Party, and now he’s moved to “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”.

What a journey!

My impression of him is that he’s a guy who thinks about a lot of things.

I didn’t feel the aura of a strong person, and his physical ability wasn’t that great either.

However, he was skillful and flawless, and I felt he filled in the gaps in the party well.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard that guy defeated a deep layer Floor Boss by himself.

But it sounds like that was true, and it was probably just because I simply couldn’t see what he was capable of.

Though I didn’t feel like he was hiding his abilities.

Maybe he has a tremendous Talent.

Wait, they call him the Dragon Slayer, but doesn’t the title Dragon Slayer suit me better today?

Eh? There’s a difference between a common Dragon in the lower layers and a Floor Boss in the deep layers? Ah, I see.

I’m getting off track.

“……Sure, he’s probably strong, but that doesn’t matter to you, does it?”

“……A serious Orn is a monster, no doubt. But if like during the joint subjugation, he’s in a state where he’s……. holding back, I can win, that’s why I said maybe.”

……Holding back. I didn’t notice it at all.

For the observational skills I had confidence in to be poorer than Fuuka’s, my value…… I’m about to cry.

But, all joking aside, for her to say this much. 

Fuuka’s Talent is [Future Sight].

Apparently she can see a little into the future.

That alone is a massive advantage, but in addition to that, Fuuka has physical abilities and a sense for fighting that far surpasses ordinary people.

Even before her Talent appeared, the strongest Swordsman in her homeland said that she would definitely become a swordsman who could surpass him in the future.

In fact, since becoming an explorer, Fuuka has not suffered even a single scratch.

She’s even better with a sword than Oliver Cardiff, called a Sword Saint before he was titled as Hero.

Even such an overpowered being can’t guarantee a sure victory over Orn?

“Haah…… For now, we will accept the request to participate in the martial arts competition. We’re indebted to you after all, Mr. Alf. It’s okay if I lose and place in the middle, right?”

“No, I want you to give it your all.”

“……Why? Isn’t a normal result good enough?”

“It’s simple. I don’t want to see you guys lose.”

“Will the Marquis be okay with that?”

“I’ve already taken care of that. No problem. Win.”

Sigh, I guess there are always these kinds of unreasonable demands from any sponsor.

Well, up to now, Mr. Alf has been letting us do what we want without giving us any specific directions.

We are blessed to have this sponsor.

It’s a wish of his. This time, we’ll fight with our all.

“What can I do? Fuuka, let’s aim for the championship.”

“Got it. I’ll use all my strength to beat my opponents, even if it’s Haruto.”

“No, hold back there……. Otherwise I’ll die.”