After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
"…Sensei!?"
The news that reached us when we returned to the inn to wait for Yuke was utterly shocking.
According to the guard who delivered the message, "He caused a disturbance in the mansion and was therefore detained."
There was no way that Yuke, who was always so courteous, would do such a thing in my hometown. It was simply unthinkable.
At the same time as my shock, I bit my lip in frustration.
Even if it was my grandfather, I never expected him to take such extreme measures.
This was my mistake—my carelessness.
I should have insisted on going with him, no matter what.
"Wait a minute! He's an A-rank adventurer from Welmeria and a special envoy—formally a vassal of the king! And you just unilaterally detain him?! What the hell are you thinking?"
"I'm afraid I don't know. I was merely ordered to deliver this message."
The young dark elf, one of the guards protecting my grandfather’s mansion, shook his head at Jamie’s aggressive questioning.
If anyone had the authority to give such an order, it could only be my grandfather.
I didn’t understand the reason, but it was now clear that Yuke had indeed been captured at the elder’s mansion.
"He will be held until Lady Silk agrees to a discussion. Would you be willing to come with us?"
I had anticipated that this might happen.
It was all part of my grandfather's plan… I could see his intentions in this.
"Absolutely not."
Before I could gather my resolve to say, "I'll go," Jamie stepped in front of me protectively.
"Listen up. This here is Silk Amberwood, sub-leader of 'Clover,' an A-rank party from the Welmeria Kingdom. If both of our commanding officers are detained, we’ll be in serious trouble."
"Even so, I…"
"If you can’t give us an immediate answer, then go get someone who can. Right now, this girl is in charge of leading us. Until our leader returns, she has to stay here. Got it?"
Jamie’s firm tone made the young guard instinctively take a step back.
She took a step forward to match, jabbing a finger right in front of his nose.
"If you understand, then get moving! If you drag your feet, we’ll have to consult the kingdom on how to respond. You prepared to take responsibility for that?"
"…!"
With a tense expression, the guard was driven out of the room. Jamie firmly shut the door behind him and let out a deep sigh.
Her face, which had been slightly flushed with anger, now looked a bit pale.
"Seriously… what the hell is he doing?"
"This is probably my fault."
"Silk, really? You were about to go with them just now, weren’t you?"
"That’s… well…"
"Not happening. In situations like this, the first thing you do is stall for time. If you let them dictate the pace, you’re playing right into their hands."
Jamie gave me a sharp look, and I faltered.
Even though we hadn't known each other for long, how was she so perceptive?
She had seen right through me.
"First, we need to calmly assess the situation. Nene, sorry, but…"
"Got it. I’ll gather the necessary intel right away!"
With smooth movements, Nene climbed up near the ceiling and slipped quietly out through the skylight.
That should have been my responsibility to handle. How pathetic.
As I lowered my head in frustration, I suddenly felt a gentle embrace.
"It’s okay. He’ll be fine. Besides, we’re all here. Let’s figure out how to rescue Yuke together."
"…Yes. Thank you."
Jamie patted my back lightly before heading over to Marina and Rain.
As reliable as she was, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
Seeing how Jamie handled the situation earlier, and looking at our current predicament… I couldn’t help but think that she might be more suited to the role of sub-leader than I am.
She used to be in the same party as Yuke. For five long years, she had adventured alongside him, from the very beginning of his journey, as a high-ranking adventurer.
Even though they had parted ways once, the trust between them was on a whole different level.
Compared to that, what about me?
Wasn’t I still relying too much on my past as his former student? Wasn’t I lacking in experience?
I was always the one being helped. Could I really say that I was worthy of standing beside him?
Even earlier, I had completely forgotten my role as sub-leader and was about to rush off alone to confront my grandfather.
I had narrowed my focus, thinking "It’s for Yuke," "It’s my fault," without even considering how my actions might trouble the rest of Clover.
"Silk?"
Rain’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I lifted my gaze from the floor.
I had been so caught up in my negative thoughts that I hadn’t even realized I was looking down.
"You okay?"
"Yes, no problem. I was just thinking about a few possible plans moving forward."
I told a small lie to cover it up.
I didn’t want my comrades to see me in such a pathetic state.
"Let’s organize the information we have while we wait for Nene to return."
"Mm. Maybe we should go over what we discussed yesterday too?"
"Good idea. We should clarify what my grandfather’s true objective is. Then, we can figure out how to resolve this."
As I spoke, I quietly slipped in the one possibility I least wanted to consider.
If it meant ensuring Yuke’s safety, then maybe… it wouldn’t be so bad.
I told myself that, over and over again.
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