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More than three months have passed since the world became one where magic beasts roamed the surface.
During those three months, we of Amuntsāsu have secretly continued hunting magic beasts in various countries.
The situation was dire when the magic beasts first appeared on the surface, but it has gradually begun to stabilize.
This is thanks to the summit meeting held last month where representatives from each country gathered, and nations started working together to deal with the magic beasts.
Because of that, explorers—who had been completely occupied with handling the magic beasts until now—have finally begun to have some breathing room, and clans and explorer parties are slowly starting to prepare for the conquest of the Great Labyrinths.
As for me, I have been continuing my usual routine of exterminating the giant modified magic beasts—the giant beast species—that the church has released within the Hitia Duchy.
But those days are probably coming to an end soon.
(I've pretty much wiped out the giant beast species that were released in the Hitia Duchy. The situation in each country seems to have calmed down considerably too, so it should be fine for me to leave the country now.)
While opening the gate of the mansion that Chris had prepared for us, I murmured to myself as I checked the newspaper and the information my comrades had gathered about each country.
At that moment, something moved at the edge of my vision.
"…Fuuka?"
When I turned my gaze in that direction, I saw Fuuka doing something in the garden.
In her hands, she held a pair of fans infused with magical power.
Fuuka slowly raised her arms and opened the fans.
Then, stepping lightly, her body spun in a circular motion.
The pale cherry-blossom magical power leaking from the fans followed the path of her movements.
Fuuka continued to move gracefully, spinning smoothly with a good rhythm, spreading her arms wide. Her motions combined strength and elegance.
"Yo! Demon King, long time no see! …Wait, what are you doing?"
While I was watching Fuuka, the sound of a door opening was followed by a man's voice.
"Hart, you're back. I was watching that."
I showed him Fuuka performing fluid movements outside.
"Ah, a dance."
"Is that dance-like thing called a dance?"
"Yeah. That's something performed at the Spirit Dance Festival. Originally it's supposed to be done by someone else—it's not Fuuka's role—but every year around this time, she practices it."
Hart spoke with very gentle eyes.
The Spirit Dance Festival is a festival held in the Kyokuto region in August.
"So that's it… Still, you're back much earlier than I expected. I thought it would take longer for you to return."
Until recently, Hart had been staying in Tsutrail to prepare for any unforeseen events.
I had contacted him to return to the Hitia Duchy since we were about to head to the Kyokuto region, but I was surprised that he had come back sooner than expected.
"Actually, I left Tsutrail even before the recall order came."
"…Did something happen?"
"It might be called trouble in the sense of an unexpected event."
Hart didn't look particularly anxious, so it didn't seem to be something urgent.
"So? What was this unexpected event?"
"It'll be faster to show you than to explain. Come over here."
Hart avoided giving a clear answer and headed inside the mansion.
His expression looked like a child about to play a prank.
"Ah, don't use Aerial Perspective. It would ruin the surprise."
"Got it."
It seemed he wanted to enjoy my reaction.
There were many things I wanted to say, but since I had been putting a lot of burden on Hart lately, I decided to go along with it.
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"Shion? What are you doing?"
When Hart led me to the parlor, Shion was standing outside the room with a complicated expression.
"Ah, Orun. No, it's nothing. If you're going inside, go ahead."
She didn't seem to have any intention of entering and stepped aside for me.
Feeling something was off about her, I reached for the doorknob when—
"Okay! Luna, sit properly in seiza right here!"
Carol's voice came from inside the room.
(Wait, why is Carol's voice here!?)
She should be in Tsutrail. There's no way her voice should be heard in a place like this…
"Um, Carol? Why are you all here…?"
Next came Luna's bewildered voice.
It seemed she was just as confused about the situation as I was.
(Wait, did she just say "you all…"? Does that mean…?)
"We have a complaint for Luna!"
"Yeah! Leaving with just one letter is way too sad!"
As expected, Log's and Sophia's voices followed.
I could sense the familiar presences of three people inside the room. There was no doubt that my disciples were in there.
But the question of "how?" remained unanswered.
I let go of the doorknob and looked at Hart, who was standing behind me with a face that practically said "Surprised, right?"
"…Why are my disciples here?"
"Actually, while I was in Tsutrail, I heard that your disciples were heading to the Hitia Duchy."
"They decided to come here on their own?"
"Yeah. Once I heard that, I had no choice but to accompany them. In the current situation, I couldn't let those kids leave Tsutrail alone."
Hart's reasoning made sense.
Right now, I am known as the "Demon King" and placed on the international wanted list.
More importantly, if the church caught even a hint of a connection between me and my disciples, the meaning of me buying the villain role to separate from the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky would be lost.
"…I see. But why the Hitia Duchy?"
"You should hear that directly from them."
Hart seemed to know the reason but wasn't going to tell me.
But at least now I understood why Shion had such a complicated expression.
"Shion, are you okay?"
"…Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for worrying about me."
I could tell Shion was trying to act strong so as not to worry me.
My disciples had nearly been killed last year by members of Amuntsāsu, which Shion had led.
If I hadn't made it in time that day, my disciples would definitely have died.
Shion wants to apologize to them, but she doesn't know what kind of face to show when standing in front of them.
"Come on! Orun, don't worry about me and go see your disciples!"
Shion pushed my back while looking down.
"…All right. I'll go in."
Though reluctant, if I stayed by Shion's side now, it would only make her guilt heavier.
I resolved to make time for just the two of us later and pulled the doorknob, stepping into the room.
Inside, Luna was sitting properly in seiza with a dejected look.
My disciples were looking down at her with pouting expressions.
A little farther away, Oliver wore an indescribable expression, and Aneli was shaking her shoulders while trying to suppress her laughter.
Normally, I would never see a scene like this…
"Ah, it's Master~!"
Carol, who noticed my entrance, turned toward me with her usual friendly smile.
"You three, it's been a while. Um, there's a lot I want to say, but… what exactly is this situation?"
"We're complaining to Luna for leaving the clan without saying anything!"
Carol answered my question with her usual carefree smile.
Making her sit in seiza… they really don't hold back…
Luna, who is usually the one giving lectures since her time in the Hero Party, is rarely in the position of being scolded like this.
"If that conversation has settled down, I'd like you to answer my question. Why did you three come here? I'm pretty sure I told you the reason I left the clan."
Upon hearing my question, my disciples' expressions turned serious.
"Yes, we understand. We didn't come here with half-hearted feelings. We came here to achieve the goal Master entrusted to us—'conquering the southern Great Labyrinth'!"
"With our current strength, we can't conquer the Great Labyrinth. So we decided to enter the academy to gain even more power!"
"The academy?"
They probably meant the Stromelia Magic Academy.
It is the forefront of magic research in the world, a place where one can study magic and magic tools.
"Yeah! We think our knowledge of magic is still shallow. So we thought that by studying in a place where magic is flourishing, we could level up!"
Going to the academy is a path I never suggested.
That means it's a path my disciples chose for themselves.
I want to respect their wishes as much as possible.
However—
"The academy, huh…"
"Master… are you against us entering the academy…?"
Sophia asked with an anxious expression.
"No, that's not it. It's something you decided for yourselves. I want to respect that. But there's one concern."
"A concern?"
"Yeah. It's that your names are too well-known. The academy accepts people from other countries, but of course they do some background checks. At that stage, it will definitely come out that you are explorers from the Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky. If that happens, my connection to you will be suspected."
"I see. That would make the meaning of Master leaving the clan disappear."
My disciples' expressions darkened as they understood my concern.
(I'm a failure as a master if I make my disciples look like this. I want to find a way for them to walk the path they desire… Now, what should I do?)
While thinking of a way to resolve the concern, the door to the room suddenly opened.
"—Then I'll take care of it."
Shion entered the room with a tense expression and spoke.