After parting with the Tenth Squad, I headed to the First Unit's strategy room alone with Selma-san.
Apparently, everyone else managed to make time too, so an impromptu meeting was called.
"Still... Sophia awakened an ability..."
Selma-san mutters with an expression I can't quite read—happy? Sad? Maybe both.
"Yeah, and it's highly versatile. Sophia's going to get even stronger from here. Aren't you happy about it?"
"Of course I'm happy. But... this raises Sophia's value even more..."
...I see. Selma-san's worried about Sophia's future.
Abilities are unique powers no one else has.
Until now, Sophia wasn't treated like a noble daughter by her family.
She's left home now—their connection is practically nonexistent.
But with her ability awakened, the chance of her being used as a political marriage pawn isn't low.
"...Got it. I'll make sure Sophia's ability doesn't spread too widely."
"Sorry. Thank you."
The Claudel family, huh.
I hadn't heard any bad rumors, and their ties to Sophia seemed thin, so I hadn't paid much attention.
But I'll keep an eye on their movements from now on.
"As someone who cares about Sophia, it's only natural. —Oh, right. There was something I wanted to ask you, Selma-san."
While thinking about Sophia and Selma-san, something I needed to confirm came to mind.
"What is it?"
"Sophia's clan uniform was a gift from you, right?"
Sophia's uniform has a different design from the other rookies'.
There's no rule forcing rookies to wear rookie uniforms.
In fact, wearing a clan uniform during exploration isn't even required.
Still, the material used for explorer uniforms is Noxious Sheep wool. Unless someone has a strong preference, most just wear the standard one.
"Well... gift might be generous. When Sophia said she wanted to become an explorer, I gave her one of my old uniforms. It's more like hand-me-downs. Why?"
"Actually, after the Gratitude Festival ends, I want to have them challenge the 30th floor again. Of course, only if they want to—no forcing. I'll go with them this time, and I think they're up for it. If so, they'll almost certainly reach the 31st floor."
"Yeah, probably. Even if Sophia hasn't fully mastered her ability, she's learned parallel construction. The other two looked solid in mock battles with you—strong enough to clear upper layers easily. They'll handle the 30th floor no problem."
"Right. Reaching the 31st floor means they're no longer rookies. Estella-san said the management department usually provides new uniforms, but I want to gift them. If Sophia has special attachment to her current one, I'd have to rethink it."
"I see. Like I said, it's hand-me-downs. If Sophia wants something else, I'll respect that."
"Got it. Then I'll prepare something. Well... if my design doesn't appeal, she'll probably stick with the current one..."
"Heh, I doubt that'll happen."
◇
We reached the strategy room while talking.
We were first, but soon everyone else arrived.
"Long time no see, everyone."
"Yeah. With one thing and another, it's been about a week since we all gathered—except for Selma."
"It flew by~. I got interviewed a ton again after so long."
"Well, we're only the third party to reach the 93rd floor. Still, the busiest were probably Selma-neesan and—Orun, right?"
Will's comment makes the room tense.
"Yeah, pretty hectic. You want to hear about that incident, right? Mine will probably take the longest, so I'll go last."
"Right. Then I'll start with my recent report. As you all know, I was dealing with sponsors in another territory. Constant travel and dinners—exhausting..."
This might be the first time I've seen Selma-san look so fed up.
Given the situation, those who used to be high-handed probably flipped overnight. Even without that, dealing with nobles is a pain.
You have to watch your words and manners, stay tense to avoid slips—it's mentally draining.
"Good work. How did the sponsors react?"
"Mostly positive. Should reduce the unreasonable demands and orders somewhat."
"Some are still coming, huh..."
"Can't be helped. They're funding us—we can't just brush them off."
"But we're prohibiting labyrinth exploration right now, right? If an unreasonable request comes in—like demanding materials ASAP—what then?"
"I've been handling adjustments. I already notified sponsors: no exploration until after the recent incident and Gratitude Festival. For now, no requests have come for after that. If any do, we'll handle what we can without diving. Anything requiring the labyrinth waits until the festival ends. Sponsors know. And for some reason, Lord Lazarus is cooperating—told them to hold off requests for a while. Shouldn't be major issues."
I answer Will's question to Selma-san.
She only knows the outline.
"Lord Lazarus? That old man's hard to read..."
"Yeah~. I've met him a few times, but his eyes never smile. Kinda scary."
"True. He's probably scheming something, but no point thinking about it. Orun—thanks for handling adjustments."
"No need. I decided the prohibition with the Leader, so it's my job."
"Orun-kun just got dragged in, right? Don't shoulder everything alone—rely on us too."
Reina-san points it out.
Yeah... I might've been handling this solo.
This isn't like the hero party days—I need to learn to lean on others. Noted.
"Thanks. If I really get overwhelmed, I'll ask."
"Sure thing. Now, my report."
◇
After that, Reina-san, Lucre, and Will gave their updates in turn.
Reina-san handled newspaper interviews plus coordination with Exploration Management.
While I dealt with external stuff, she managed internal—summarizing each party's plans until the festival ends.
Lucre did interviews too, plus helped Magic Development finalize several spells—including [Object Float]—for public release at the festival.
"Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" releases new or improved magic every year at the festival—it's the most watched event they host.
Will assisted with equipment development using secured black dragon materials from the recent subjugation.
In "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky", exploration loot becomes clan-shared, but parties can choose to use some first. Anything not needed goes to the shared pool.
First Unit has no current plans for black dragon materials—so they're shared.
Deep-layer floor boss materials are rare on the market, so figuring out properties and uses takes trial and error. Tedious work.
After their reports, it was my turn.
"Alright, last is me. Mostly interviews and paperwork. And five days ago—I fought "Amuntzares"."
My words tense the room again.
"I've heard you fought them, but not much else. Originally the Tenth Squad—rookies—were attacked. Why?"
"Pure speculation, but I think the target was me. They said they attacked to lure me out. Probably saw me—soloing the black dragon—as a threat."
"...Scum."
Selma-san mutters, suppressing anger.
"I killed people too, so I can't judge them."
I don't regret killing them.
If I'd left them alive, who knows what would've happened.
But maybe there was a better way.
"But that was because the rookies were attacked, right? Orun-kun's not at fault! Sure, killing might be seen as excessive, but if my comrades were about to be killed, I wouldn't forgive them either. You're not wrong, Orun-kun!"
"Thanks, Lucre. From our perspective, yeah. But from theirs, I might be the villain."
"...What do you mean?"
"They said during the fight: 'We're buying time.' And 'Your existence is pushing the world toward destruction.' They have their own justice. Doesn't mean I'll forgive them."
"Hmm... Can't wrap my head around terrorist logic. More importantly—why kill them all? I get you weren't calm, but capturing one for info would've been better."
Huh? All killed?
—Oh, the Leader controlled the info.
Embarrassing to say, but I'm the clan's ace. If word spread that I lost, it'd unsettle members unnecessarily. The Leader probably suppressed it.
"Sorry—there's a discrepancy. —I lost to "Amuntzares"."
"Hah!? Lost!? But you're alive!"
"Yeah. Optimistically—a draw. Pessimistically—they let me live. If the fight continued, my win chance was pretty low."
Everyone looks shocked.
They never imagined I'd lose.
Feels good and guilty at the same time—complicated.
"...No way. Someone stronger than Orun-kun—who solos floor bosses?"
"You weren't holding back, right?"
"I was full power. Started planning to capture, but after gauging her strength—went for the kill. Thought I got her once, but she was unharmed."
"Maybe prohibiting exploration was overkill... but if there's someone you can't beat, it makes sense. Scary thinking they might still be in the labyrinth..."
"Even after the festival ends and prohibition lifts, we should stay vigilant. We're likely targets. No one goes solo."
"Agreed. We occasionally soloed too, but let's stop for now."
I shared details about the silver-haired woman.
"I see. Unlikely they'd attack in town, but keep some caution even here. —Alright, mood's heavy, but let's confirm Gratitude Festival plans. From what I know: I'll oversee overall, Reina and Lucre help with magic presentation, Will patrols town first half and enters tournament second half, Orun same as me first half and tournament second. Any changes?"
No objections.
"Good—no changes. From tomorrow, basically free unless something comes up. Contact me—I'll relay. Dismissed."
And so ended the First Unit's first full meeting in a while.
Tomorrow marks exactly three weeks until the Gratitude Festival.
The clan will start serious preparations.