Chapter 53 – Reunion ② The Two’s Convictions

“Then, next is Logan. Why did you become an explorer?”

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“……To send money back home, I became an explorer because you can earn money through hard work. The land in my village is barren, and it’s where you don’t know if there’s enough to eat the next day. I was born in such a place, and fortunately or unfortunately, I had a gift for magic. Everyone from the village said I couldn’t just rot in the village, so they gathered what little money they had and sent me to Tutril. So to make sure everyone in the village doesn’t have to go hungry ever again, I want to be a successful explorer and let everyone eat their fill.”

　Logan also has his own convictions. 

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　He had probably made desperate efforts to join “Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit”.

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　I could tell from the battles he fought during the guided exploration that he was properly putting in effort. 

　Logan’s talent is outstanding.

　It’s not surprising that the people around him have high expectations.

　But the result was that it had only turned him towards a negative direction. 

　However–

“And yet, I, lost sight of myself…… The people around me told me I was a genius, and I completely, let it get to my head. I got carried away. I’m ashamed to say that I even, thought my abilities were, good enough for an S Rank party…… But I was totally wrong. When the Black Dragon stared at me, inside me, was nothing other than fear. Even though I thought, I had S Rank abilities, my mind went blank, my knees were weak, and I couldn’t do anything. Against such an enemy, Orn was able to take it on by himself and defeat it. Watching Orn fight made me realise, painfully, that I, wasn’t able to see anything, I’m so, sincerely sorry for being so rude so many times, saying that your skills are lacking or that it was fine if you weren’t there–“

　Logan spits out the words as if confessing, with tears in his eyes.

　–I guess he’s going to be fine from here on.

“–I won’t lose sight of myself anymore! Everyone in the village worked so hard to get me here! I will give everyone in the village a good life. That is my purpose! My heart is weak, my strength is not enough! I need more strength to achieve my purpose. So please! –Please teach me the fundamentals of being an explorer! Please!”

　Logan bows his head deeply and begs me.

　I feel something even more dreadful than the previous request from Sophia.

　Perhaps by putting it into words, his goal has become even clearer. 

　(Then again, it looks similar. Logan’s eyes right now have a look I like.)

“……I got it. I’ll teach you what I know. It’s up to your effort to turn that into your own strength. And if you ever lose yourself again, don’t worry, I’ll beat you awake.”

“Ahaha…… I can be relieved then. Thank you very much!”

　　◇

“Last, Caroline. Why did you become an explorer?”

“Mmm, I don’t have a reason like the two of you, yeah. Killing demonic beasts. If I kill demonic beasts, then the people around me will smile. So I became an explorer. That’s all there is.”

　For some reason, I imagine this girl harbours some kind of deep darkness. 

　Previously, I was an outsider so I didn’t want to touch on it, but that won’t be the case from now on. 

　I think I will have to face this darkness sooner or later.

“I think that’s a fine idea. Magic stones are now essential to people’s lives. Caroline, do you like to see people smile?”

“Yeah! I love it! Because people who smile won’t hit me! When there are demonic beasts, everyone’s smiles disappear. That’s why we have to kill them.”

　…………Those dark roots of hers sound quite deep. 

“I see. Then you should cooperate with Sophia and Logan. Like that, I think you guys can all keep smiling.” 

“Mmm, right, that Black Dragon was very strong. To win against it, I need to be as strong as brother, I can’t do it now. If I team up, can I kill that Black Dragon? I want to kill the pest that stole everyone’s smiles.”

“I can’t say for sure, but if you all work together, your chances of winning will be that much higher.”

“That so, mhm, then I’ll think about it.”

　Caroline’s current objective sounds like it’ll be to defeat a Black Dragon. 

　For now, from here on, I wonder if she’ll be able to participate in cooperation on her own accord. 

　She doesn’t seem to be particular about having to be alone when it comes to slaying the Black Dragon. 

“I’ve understood everyone’s reasons for becoming an explorer. I want you to not forget what I said earlier about not forgetting when you were beginners. Your starting points might unexpectedly come to support you more than you would think.”

　When I had finally decided to fight against the Black Dragon, I had also thought back to the oath I made when I became an explorer. 

“Um, Orn, do you have any dreams or objectives?”

“Of course. I became an explorer with the resolution that ‘no matter what kind of unfair things might happen, in order to not lose anything, no matter the situation, to protect what’s important to me, I will become stronger’. If I stay weak, I won’t be able to protect anything, so even I still intend to become stronger.”

　Yes, I still must become stronger.

　My current abilities are not enough to clear the Great Labyrinth. 

　In the future from now on, there will be more powerful demonic beasts than the Black Dragon.

　I can’t let myself be satisfied with defeating only something like a Black Dragon.