The Tutril Incident① The beginning of turmoil
◇◇◇
"Sophie, good morning!"
A few days had passed since Twilight Moonbow and Selma had returned to Tutril. One morning, Caroline called out to Sophia, who was reading in the dormitory entrance.
"Good morning, Carol. Though, it's already close to noon."
Sophia greeted Caroline with a wry smile.
It was already nearing eleven o'clock.
"Haha, tLu enough. But since this is the first time we're seeing each other today, 'good morning' just feels right to me!"
"That makes sense."
"Oh! Then how about we guess whether Lu-nee will say 'good morning' or 'hello'?"
Twilight Moonbow had been busy challenging the Great Labyrinth day after day, but today was set aside as a rest day, and the three of them had plans to go out into town together.
"Huh? Well, sure. I think she'll say 'hello' though."
"I bet she'll say 'good morning'!"
As Sophia and Caroline continued their lighthearted conversation, Luna arrived.
"Good morning, you two. Sorry for making you wait."
"Morning, Lu-nee! Knew it—'good morning' it is!"
"Morning, Lu-nee. …So even at this hour, 'good morning' is the default."
"…?"
Luna tilted her head in confusion at their remarks after exchanging greetings.
"We were guessing whether you'd say 'good morning' or 'hello.' I went with 'good morning,' and Sophie picked 'hello.'"
"I see, so that's what this is about. It's tLu, either one could work at this time of day."
"Right? Anyway, now that we're all here, let's head out! Today's all about snacking our way through town!"
"Ah, um… I'm really sorry to say this after keeping you waiting, but…"
Just as Caroline turned to leave, Luna stopped her with an apologetic expression.
"Something urgent came up. I wanted to at least apologize in person."
"Oh, I see. No worries! If it's important, go take care of it!"
"If it's urgent, then it can't be helped. Do you need us to help with anything?"
"Thank you, but it's something I can handle on my own. You two enjoy your day off."
"Got it! We'll hang out together another time for sure!"
"Yes. I promise I'll make it up to you."
Seeing that neither of them seemed particularly upset, Luna let out a quiet sigh of relief. Then, she hurriedly left the dormitory.
"Looks like it's just the two of us—feels like a date, huh?"
As they watched Luna off, Caroline turned to Sophia with a grin.
"Haha, do two girls hanging out still count as a date?"
"It's all about the vibe!"
Laughing together, Sophia and Caroline set off into town.
◇ ◇ ◇
—Northwest Outskirts of Tutril: Near the First Labyrinth—
"Selma, I've finished checking the Third Labyrinth. No signs of an Overflow."
As Selma and Rain were inspecting the labyrinths for any signs of an Overflow, she received a telepathic message from Katina of Bronze Dusk, who had been checking another labyrinth.
After returning to Tutril a few days ago, Selma had been investigating the surrounding labyrinths alongside other members of the First Unit, as well as Katina and Huey—explorers from Bronze Dusk who had remained in Tutril.
At the start of the year, Princess Lucilla had tasked Tutril’s two S-rank parties, Nocturnal Silver Hare and Bronze Dusk, with two crucial missions:
First, to conquer specific labyrinths within the kingdom.
Second, to defend Tutril.
Labyrinth conquest had been entrusted to Ornn, Fuka, and Hart, while the remaining members divided their efforts to handle the city's defense.
As part of their defensive measures, they conducted routine inspections of the five labyrinths surrounding Tutril to check for any signs of an impending Overflow.
The empire they were at war with was believed to have developed technology capable of artificially triggering Overflows.
Given that Tutril was second only to the royal capital in strategic importance, it was entirely possible that the empire might attempt to sabotage the city by causing a labyrinth Overflow.
"Understood. Thanks for the report."
Selma acknowledged Katina’s update.
"Well, it’s all part of the job. Still, I have to say—your ability is seriously convenient, Selma. Even with this much distance between us, we can exchange information in real-time."
Having finished her report, Katina casually remarked on the usefulness of Selma’s ability.
"It’s kind of embarrassing to be praised like that by an explorer from another clan."
Selma smiled sheepishly at Katina’s words.
"Heh heh heh! Of course Selma’s amazing! She’s our leader and the very heart of our team!"
Lucrezia, who was checking a different labyrinth alongside them, jumped into the conversation with a proud declaration.
"Come on, Lucre, don’t exaggerate. No matter how capable I might be, I know better than anyone that I can't do anything alone."
"Hmm, Selma, you really underestimate yourself. I think you should have more confidence. Don’t you agree, Katina?"
"I do. Ever since Selma came back, our labyrinth inspections have been way more efficient. Working with her, I can see exactly why she's called the continent’s greatest enchanter."
"T-Thanks… But more importantly! Lucre, if you're jumping into this conversation, does that mean you've finished checking your labyrinth?"
Feeling flustered by their unreserved praise, Selma forcibly changed the subject.
"Ah, dodging the topic. I was hoping to see you get even more embarrassed, but oh well. —Yep! Will and I just finished inspecting the Fifth Labyrinth! No abnormalities detected!"
"Good. Then you two can head back first. Thanks for the hard work. Katina, Huey, stick to the plan and proceed with the Fourth Labyrinth. Rain and I will move on to the Second."
"Got it. I’ll check in again once we’re done with the Fourth. …Stay safe, Selma."
"You too."
As Selma finished the telepathic conversation and let out a small sigh, she noticed Rain smiling at her with a fond expression.
"W-What is it, Rain?"
"Just thinking how cute you look when you’re embarrassed."
"Not you too… Please, stop teasing me."
"Haha, sorry, sorry. I know you hold yourself to high standards, and maybe that’s why you compare yourself harshly. But even as you are now, you’re already incredible. And to us, you’re irreplaceable."
Having overheard the telepathic exchange, Rain shared her honest thoughts.
"…Yeah. Thanks, Rain."
"You’re welcome. Now, let’s head to the Second Labyrinth."
◇
As Selma continued walking toward the Second Labyrinth—
"Selma… I pray this voice reaches you… Please… protect Tutril…"
A weak, familiar male voice suddenly echoed in her mind. It was frail, as if the speaker was teetering on the brink of life and death.
"Guildmaster Leon!? Is that you!?"
The telepathic message had come from Leon, the head of the Explorers’ Guild.
Selma’s ability, Telepathic Cognition, allowed her to establish direct mental links with specific individuals, enabling long-distance communication without the need for spoken words.
However, at that moment, Selma had not established a link with Leon.
The fact that she had received a message from him despite this, coupled with the sheer weakness in his voice, left her bewildered.
She immediately attempted to establish a link with him, calling out urgently—but there was no response. Moments later, the connection was severed entirely.
Ordinarily, only Selma, the user of Telepathic Cognition, had the ability to terminate a connection. Those without this ability had no means of cutting the link themselves.
However, there had been one exception in her past—two years ago, during the battle against the Black Dragon.
That was when Albert, the previous ace of Nocturnal Silver Hare and Ornn’s predecessor, had perished.
"…………"
She struggled to steady herself, trying to suppress the rising confusion.
But the situation refused to grant her any reprieve.
"—Selma! Monsters are emerging from the Second Labyrinth!"
"What!?"
Rain’s urgent cry snapped Selma’s focus back to reality.
And things only got worse.
From behind them, toward Tutril, came the thunderous sound of something massive collapsing, followed by plumes of dust rising into the air.
Cold sweat ran down Selma’s back as she took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain her composure.
"I need to handle what's in front of me first… Rain! Can I leave the monsters to you!?"
Rain nodded without hesitation.
"Of course! I’ll take care of them—Selma, focus on gathering intel!"
"Thanks. I’ll join you as soon as I can. Just hold out for a bit—Magic Boost!"
After synchronizing her thoughts with Rain, Selma cast a buffing spell on her before entrusting the battle to her.
"I won’t let you run rampant here!—Aqua Arrow Rain!
With Selma’s enchantment reinforcing her, Rain unleashed her offensive magic, launching a barrage of water arrows to exterminate the creatures.
"Her firepower is incredible… This should buy me time to focus on reconnaissance."
Selma watched as Rain’s spell turned the attacking monsters into black mist in an instant, letting out a breath of admiration before shifting her focus back to her own task.
"This is Selma of Nocturnal Silver Hare! Someone, report the situation in Tutril!"
She established a telepathic link with every guild staff member currently stationed at the Explorers’ Guild headquarters, seeking an immediate update.
Tutril currently had three primary military forces defending it.
The first was the territorial army, composed of Marquis Forgas’s private soldiers.
The second was the explorers, whose livelihoods depended on delving into the labyrinths.
And the third was the central army, dispatched by the royal family specifically to protect Tutril.
Each of these factions operated under separate chains of command.
However, anticipating a possible imperial assault, Marquis Forgas had established a contingency plan: in the event of an emergency, all forces would consolidate under the Explorers’ Guild’s command.
Knowing this, Selma had chosen to reach out to the guild first—even though she understood that with Leon’s link severed, her chances of getting a response were slim.
Yet, what she received instead were fragmented voices of sheer despair.
"No… I don’t… want to die—"
"Stay back! Monster—!"
Yet, not a single person responded to Selma’s telepathic call.
Instead, her mind was filled with the screams of pure horror and despair.
And one by one, those voices began to fade away.
Selma clenched her teeth, frustration boiling over as she spat out, “Damn it!”
Determined, she expanded her reach, establishing a mental link—not just with the guild, but with every single resident of Tutril.
"This is Selma of Nocturnal Silver Hare! I am declaring a state of emergency! The Explorers’ Guild has likely been destroyed in an enemy attack! Furthermore, a monster flood has been confirmed emerging from the Second Labyrinth!"
The response was immediate.
"What the hell is happening!?"
"The Explorers’ Guild… it’s in ruins!"
"Selma, do something! You’re an S-rank explorer, aren’t you!?"
Once again, the collective cries of terror threatened to drown out her thoughts.
Countless voices reached out for her—pleading, desperate.
Most of the mental links remained intact.
But some had begun to fade.
And as the seconds passed, more and more of them vanished.
Selma bit down hard, forcing her own panic to stay buried as she raised her voice.
"Everyone, stay calm! If you let fear take over, you’re only sealing your own fate!"
A brief silence followed.
"…She’s right. If we panic now—"
"We have to keep our heads straight…"
Though fear still gripped many, some had begun to steady themselves under Selma’s command.
"Non-combatants, evacuate to the shelters immediately! The territorial army will lead the civilians to safety! The central army is to assess the situation at the guild! And all explorers, follow the prior guild directive—proceed to your designated labyrinths at once!"