I, the “Clock User”, Was Kicked Out of the Craftsmen’s Guild for Being Incompetent, but at the Dungeon’s Depths, I Awakened My True Power – Even Though I Was Told to Return Because They Couldn’t Handle the Work, It’s Too Late Now, and I Will Live Freely as an SSS-class Adventurer V10C13

  Translated by Hamster


---

### Volume 10: Reunion
**13: Policy**


After wrapping up the discussion about the project with Regius, Cyclo returned to the inn.

Mist and Karim had already come back, and Alice, of course, had not left the inn, lounging around.

"I'm back, everyone."

"Welcome back, master."

"Oh, Cyclo. How did it go?"

"Well, a lot happened."

Due to the numerous events of the day, Cyclo recounted them one by one.

His mother, Sarina, had been missing. He encountered former superiors from the Artisans' Guild in the slums. Sarina was looking after orphans at the church ruins.

He then talked about proposing to Regius to train orphans as servants, and receiving a meeting request from the Florence Trading Company.

"I see... That sounds good both as a charity and for a new noble."

Karim responded positively to the project idea.

"But! The Florence Trading Company... that's the home of that damn saint, right?"

Alice, making a face of utter disgust, commented on the meeting request.

"Alice, watch your language."

"But, she's a damn saint, isn't she?"

"There's no need to insult her. Calm down."

"Mmm..."

Alice grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"Master, will you accept the meeting?"

"Yes, I plan to. Regardless of the past, it would be strange for an adventurer to ignore such a request."

Cyclo said, looking around at everyone.

"So, I'm thinking of going there tomorrow. What about you all?"

He was asking if they would accompany him.

"Please let me accompany you, master."

"Yeah, I'm curious about what kind of discussion you'll have as a party member."

"I'm going too! I'll complain about her!"

"No complaints, please..."

In the end, everyone decided to go with him.

Later that night, while Cyclo was designing magical tools:

"Cyclo, got a moment?"

Karim approached Cyclo, having woken up.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I noticed the atmosphere was off. —You had a lot happen today. Talking about it might help clear your mind, you know?"

Pointed out by Karim, Cyclo only then realized his own feelings. He was downcast, feeling a heavy, complex mix of emotions.

"Yeah... I was thinking again how hard it is to change the world."

Cyclo spoke to Karim—not only about his feud with Row and Kou but also about their ideology.

How they tried to change an environment where only job skill holders were favored.

"It's easy to verbally deny them. I wouldn't do that. I'm not like them. But... whether my actions will lead to better results, honestly, I'm not confident."

As Cyclo confided his doubts, Karim gently moved closer to offer comfort.

"Yeah, it's tough. You can't change things just because you want to."

"Right. I agree. Should I keep struggling or just move forward without worrying? I don't even have an answer to that."

While speaking, Cyclo looked at his palms.

"Even this charity project I proposed to Regius-san today. I did it wanting to help, but I don't know if it will lead to good results. Maybe doing nothing would have been better; the situation might worsen. In the end, I didn't understand my former bosses well enough; I'm ignorant of so many things."

Cyclo clenched his fists as he spoke.

"Even with this hand, capable of forcing my will, I can't freely protect what I want to or change what I need to. It's hard."

"Then... will you give up?"

Karim asked Cyclo.

"If you think it's too much, Cyclo. I'll... follow you anyway. Probably Mist and Alice too. So—what do you want to do?"

"I won't give up."

Cyclo answered immediately.

"It's not about whether it'll succeed or if there's profit. That's not why I want to do it. So... yeah. I just want to be happy."

And during his answer, Cyclo realized:

"Everyone's the same. Even those guys... Row and Kou, all they really wanted was that."

"Cyclo?"

Karim called out, as Cyclo seemed to be speaking to himself.

Then, suddenly, Cyclo turned towards Karim and hugged her.

"Hyah!?"

"Thanks, Karim. Thanks to you, I understood what I need to do."

"W-what!?"

Surprised by the sudden hug, Karim turned bright red and asked back.

"I didn't want to deny; I wanted to affirm. What I need to confront isn't a society that denies future possibilities based on one skill. I should believe in the possibility of choosing a free future, no matter what skill someone has."

Cyclo continued, still embracing Karim.

"Everyone's the same. They all want to be happy. If that's the result of this society, denying it is like hurting my own heart. What I should face isn't that, but the desire to live happily."

After saying this, Cyclo released Karim.

"Thanks, Karim. I could organize my feelings thanks to you. Now I know why I was feeling uneasy."

"I-I see. That's good."

Karim, blushing but accepting Cyclo's gratitude sincerely.

"I'm glad you're here, Karim. I'm... truly blessed."

Those words came from the heart, not from pretense, and Cyclo felt an odd sense of fulfillment from this realization.
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