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Two days have passed since Marius-san—Sophia and Selma's older brother—became Count Clodel.
He promptly and formally canceled the engagement that had been arranged for Sophia, which finally granted her freedom.
To begin with, the engagement itself had been strange from the start.
Apparently, Sophia had been repeatedly told by her parents to "fulfill your duty as a noble."
In this kingdom, one does not truly become a noble until graduating from the noble academy.
That said, almost every child born to nobility attends the academy, so the rule has become largely ceremonial.
In other words, Sophia—who has not graduated from the noble academy—is not actually a noble, even though she is the daughter of one.
For them to strip her of noble status and then demand she fulfill noble duties anyway is nothing short of unreasonable.
Another odd thing was Viscount Emelt's reason for wanting Sophia.
The members of Twilight Moonbow—including Sophia—had been featured in newspapers in the past, so it was possible someone knew of her. Still, going so far as to threaten a labyrinth overflow to force the engagement felt off.
Even while feeling that lingering sense of wrongness, I spent yesterday and today helping with the aftermath. Then I received word that Luna, Log, and Carol from Twilight Moonbow had arrived in Daluane.
Upon hearing that, I immediately guided the three of them to the room assigned to me. With Sophia present as well, I informed them that her situation had already been resolved.
"Aww, we came all the way to Daluane pumped up and ready, and when we get here it's already over?!"
After hearing my explanation, Carol pouted and grumbled.
"I'm really sorry for worrying everyone."
Sophia bowed her head apologetically to the three of them.
"No no, as long as Sophia is safe now, no problem at all~! I'm just glad you didn't disappear somewhere~!"
Hearing Sophia's apology, Carol assured her she did not mind and then hugged her tightly.
Hmm. Sophia's face was completely buried in Carol's ample chest, and she was mumbling "I-It's hard to breathe…" The sight put me—a guy—at a loss for how to react.
Log was also averting his eyes with a flushed face.
"Hehe. Yes, exactly. Just being able to confirm Sophia is safe like this makes coming to Daluane worthwhile."
Luna watched the exchange between Sophia and Carol with gentle eyes and let out a relieved breath.
"I'm sorry for causing everyone so much worry. But looking back, this whole thing became an opportunity for me to reflect on myself. Now I can clearly say—no matter who the other person is—that I want to keep being an explorer with everyone."
Freed from Carol's hug, Sophia expressed her feelings openly.
"I'm glad you feel that way. I cannot even imagine Twilight Moonbow without you anymore. Welcome back, Sophia."
"Yeah, I'm home!"
Seeing all of Twilight Moonbow smiling together made me feel relieved.
What I did this time was minor. Almost everything was thanks to Selma-san and Marius-san.
After acting so cool in front of Sophia, there was a bit of embarrassment that I had not actually resolved it myself. But in the end, as long as Sophia could smile, that was what mattered most.
My tiny pride means nothing compared to her.
"By the way, how did you three figure out so quickly that I was in Daluane?"
Sophia asked the three of them.
"That was all thanks to Ruu-nee's big performance! Ruu-nee pinpointed where you were and we rushed after you right away!"
"It was not such a grand feat, but I did discover a new possibility with my ability. Because of that, I realized Sophia was heading to Daluane. This incident turned out to be a good thing for me as well, not just for Sophia."
"I see. Thank you, Ruu-nee."
"Hehe, you're welcome."
"You shared senses with a fairy through an expanded interpretation of your ability, right? I wonder if my Shadow Manipulation has any abilities beyond manipulating shadows? I cannot think of any."
"Expanded interpretation, huh. I feel like my Psychokinesis could have all sorts of possibilities too, but nothing comes to mind."
"Hmm. Shishou recreated Magic Convergence through an expanded interpretation of Gravity Manipulation, didn't you?"
Before I knew it the topic had shifted to expanded interpretations of abilities, and Carol asked me a question.
"Yeah. My case might be a bit special, but having someone nearby with Magic Convergence as their ability was a huge factor, I think."
The "special" part was that I had mistakenly believed my own ability was Magic Convergence.
Looking back now, I find it strange that I ever misunderstood it.
More than that, I still have not found a convincing explanation for why I can perceive magic power with Gravity Manipulation in the first place.
From that perspective, maybe I still have not fully understood my own ability.
"So having a model close by makes it easier to imagine?"
While I was thinking about my ability, Log asked me a question.
"I definitely think that helps. That said, abilities are powers that depend on imagination. Having a model can sometimes narrow your imagination instead. In the end, it might just come down to fate and circumstances."
Expanded interpretations of abilities are not something that happen overnight.
You have to deeply understand your own ability, then look at it from a different angle to see what you could not see before—that is what I was told.
All of it is secondhand from Grandpa, though.
"Yes. The expanded interpretation I achieved this time probably would not have happened without the strong desire to find Sophia no matter what. Perhaps it really was a matter of fate and circumstances."
Hearing my words, Luna looked nostalgic as she recalled what happened.
Sophia and Log, listening to the conversation, also seemed to be thinking about their own abilities.
Because of that, the three of them did not notice.
In contrast to them, Carol—unusually for her—wore a self-deprecating expression and quietly muttered, "Fate and feelings, huh. Both of those feel pretty distant from me."
Carol recognizes her own ability as a curse.
There have probably been times when her ability helped her, but her feeling that it is something to be loathed is stronger.
Carol has started to gradually change how she views herself and those around her.
I believe that change is heading in a good direction.
But the issue is probably not that simple.
This will likely take more time.
For now, the only things I can do for Carol are to watch over her and to answer properly when she asks for advice.
Because this is something she has to find the answer to herself.
"—Changing the subject, are all four of you free tonight?"
The conversation had settled down, so I asked the four of them about something I had just thought of.
"Carol, Ruu-nee, and I don't have any plans. We basically came to Daluane on impulse anyway."
Log answered my question, and Carol and Luna nodded in agreement.
"I do not have any particular plans either."
Sophia answered next.
After confirming everyone was free, I spoke up.
"That's good. I was actually planning to do this after we got back to Tsutorail, but since everyone is gathered in Daluane, the timing is perfect."
"Hmm? Perfect timing?"
"It's already March, right? That means Carol has come of age. So how about we go eat something delicious to celebrate your adulthood?"
"Whoa! That's right! I'm turning fifteen this month! I'm an adult now~!"
My words reminded her that she had come of age, and Carol's energy shot up instantly.
The other three also agreed with my idea, so even though it was sudden, we decided to hold a celebration for Carol's coming of age.
The celebration was filled with laughter from start to finish.
War between the kingdom and the Empire is drawing near.
Ever since leaving Tsutorail, I have taken breaks now and then, but I have never been able to completely let go of the tension. Today, though, I was able to spend time with Twilight Moonbow without a single worry—pure fun.
Tomorrow I will give Her Highness Lucila a detailed report on the labyrinth conquest. After that, Fuuka, Hart-san, and I will return to Tsutorail together with the Twilight Moonbow members and Selma-san.
Right now, I cannot wait to take on the great labyrinth again as an explorer of Night Sky's Silver Rabbit.
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"Doctor, it seems the Clodel family has suddenly declared they want to nullify the engagement with Viscount Emelt."
The red-haired siblings Lurea and Frederick—almost identical in appearance—arrived at the cult's base not far from Daluane. They called out to a man in red robes who was working on something inside.
The man addressed as "Doctor" by Lurea—Oswell—stopped what he was doing and turned toward the siblings.
"…That is not a very funny joke."
Oswell, who had been in high spirits just moments earlier preparing for an upcoming experiment, saw his mood plummet the instant he heard Lurea's report.
"It's not a joke~ By the way~, it looks like the labyrinth they were planning to overflow has already been conquered and lost its function~"
Even in front of Oswell—who was scowling—Frederick showed no sign of intimidation and continued in his usual drawling tone, confirming it was no joke and adding that the labyrinth was gone.
"Hmm. I suppose I misjudged quite a few things. Still, we placed quite strong individuals in that labyrinth, didn't we? It should not have been a level that ordinary explorers could conquer. Did you hear who did it?"
"Yes. According to the story, it was Selma Clodel."
When Lurea answered Oswell's question, he opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"Selma Clodel—as in the S-rank explorer, the one called the Continent's Greatest Enchanter?"
"That's the one. Actually, the fact that she came to Daluane together with the kingdom's princess is pretty well-known around here. You didn't know?"
"Well, yes. The preparations for the next experiment were so enjoyable that I have only been getting recent information from your reports."
"As always, Doctor, you really love human experiments. What exactly do you plan to do once you get that girl Sophia~?"
Frederick asked out of curiosity.
"Of course, it is to conduct experiments that will achieve my goal. Abilities are hereditary… with some exceptions. In most cases, within three degrees of kinship from a person who has manifested an ability… no ability manifests."
Oswell began speaking with evident enjoyment.
"And Sophia Clodel does not fall under those exceptions. Yet both she and her sister are ability users—that is clearly abnormal. That is why there is a chance the Clodel bloodline meets the conditions of the lineage I am seeking. That is why I must obtain her no matter what!"
Even as Oswell raised his voice with excitement, the aura he gave off was deeply sinister.
The siblings, faced with him, felt the terror etched deep in their subconscious begin to surface. They desperately tried to keep it from showing in their behavior.
Even though they had grown accustomed to interacting with him normally, the fear instilled since childhood was not something easily shaken off.
Oswell was fixated on securing Sophia.
He had tried to obtain her through an imperial noble to avoid friction as much as possible, but that had failed.
The siblings shared the same understanding.
There was no way he would give up here. Next, he would resort to simpler, more brutal means.
And they would almost certainly be the ones chosen to carry it out.
"No use beating around the bush anymore. Don't you two agree?"
"…Yes. I think the Doctor is right."
Lurea managed to answer Oswell's question without letting her voice tremble.
Frederick, standing beside her, also nodded in agreement.
"Yes, yes. As expected, you two are excellent pawns… Very well, let us begin. Ideally, I would like to secure not only Sophia but Selma as well."
Not wanting to stay in Oswell's presence any longer, the two immediately moved away and began preparations.
Just as Oswell had called them excellent pawns, they understood—without needing to be told—what method he intended to use to secure Sophia and the others.
"—All right then. This time I will have to get serious. The war between the kingdom and the Empire has already begun, and Beria will make her move soon as well… Once she starts acting, I will not be able to focus solely on experiments. I would like to conduct at least one more before then."
In the now-empty space, Oswell murmured with a dark smile.
The malice of Oswell MacLeod—the "Doctor" of the Cyclamen Cult—was about to swallow Daluane whole.