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 V10C19

 Translated by Hamster

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### Volume 10: Reunion

**19: The Commemorative Party**

The commemorative party following the investiture ceremony was not just for Cyclo's ennoblement but also to celebrate the conquest of the impregnable dungeon in the north, eliminating an uncertain threat to the kingdom.

Thus, nearly all of the kingdom's nobility were in attendance. Given the large number of participants, the party was held in the form of a garden party in one of the palace's largest venues, the courtyard garden.

As the main guests, Cyclo and his companions entered the venue first.

Looking at the nobles entering one after another, Cyclo once again steeled himself.

Eventually, as the flow of entering nobles ceased, His Majesty the King announced the opening of the party.

"---Gentlemen, today we gather to celebrate not only the addition of a new noble to our kingdom but also the conquest of the so-called 'Worst Dungeon,' an impregnable dungeon. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest."

After these words, musicians gathered in one corner of the venue began to play, marking the start of the party. From here, greetings to Cyclo, the new head of the baronial house and conqueror of the dungeon, continued.

The first to approach Cyclo was someone he knew.

"---It's been a while, Cyclo."

Seeing this person, Cyclo responded with surprise and delight.

"Lady Olivia!? It's been a while!"

Not only was he unexpectedly addressed by someone he knew, but also because she remembered him, despite having only met a few times during the repair of an antique clock, Cyclo showed his joy.

"You remembered me."

"Of course. The clock you repaired is very dear to me."

Saying this, Olivia wore a slightly sad expression.

"However, despite having you appraise the repair, it was broken due to the Artisans' Guild's incompetence."

"That... is unfortunate."

Cyclo lowered his eyes, thinking of Olivia's antique clock.

"---Lady Olivia. If it's possible, would you let me repair the clock once more? I understand if you're hesitant to trust someone who couldn't finish the job last time, but..."

"Yes. Actually, I wanted to discuss that."

As Cyclo spoke, Olivia interjected.

"Please, I would like to ask you, Cyclo. Could you revive my youth once again?"

Upon Olivia's request, Cyclo nodded with a confident smile.

"Gladly."

Thus, Cyclo took on the task of repairing Olivia's antique clock once more. They exchanged a few words for further arrangements, deciding that a messenger would be sent later.

After greeting Olivia, the next to approach was arguably the most challenging guest of the party.

"Congratulations, Baron Owen."

It was the cardinal of the Skill Selection Cult, who was also present at the investiture ceremony. His words congratulated Cyclo, but his attitude clearly showed his true feelings were not in line with his words.

"Thank you, Your Eminence."

Cyclo bowed in response, but not deeply. He hadn't bowed deeply to Olivia either, so doing so here would imply he regarded the cardinal higher than Olivia.

Moreover, although it was still only a tentative appointment, as an emissary for peace negotiations to the empire, he would represent His Majesty the King. Bowing deeply to someone not directly above him in rank would be problematic from that standpoint.

Therefore, while he could have simply not bowed at all, returning a shallow bow was considered a gesture of sincerity.

However, this seemed to irritate the cardinal, who glared at Cyclo.

"This auspicious occasion is surely due to the grace of our god. In the future, I hope to deepen our cooperation with the Adventurers' Guild and Baron Owen to tackle high-difficulty dungeons that go against the national interest. What do you say?"

When questioned by the cardinal—essentially implying that Cyclo's achievements were due to the skills granted by the Skill Selection Cult and thus he should follow their directives—Cyclo shook his head.

"With just skills... with just power, conquering that dungeon would have been impossible."

Cyclo clearly stated that the success of the dungeon conquest wasn't solely due to the grace of the Skill Selection Cult.

"Indeed, there are many aspects where the granted power was helpful. But the Deep Hole wasn't a place that could be overcome with skills alone. It was accomplished through trust, cooperation with my companions, and above all, my strong will to conquer it."

The cardinal's face contorted as if he'd bitten into something bitter at Cyclo's words.

"So, Baron Owen's house deems skills unnecessary?"

"No. It's also true that we couldn't have succeeded without skills. In the future, we should continue to build a good relationship, following this precedent."

In other words, Cyclo refused the Skill Selection Cult's excessive interference in adventurers' activities while not rejecting the cult itself.

With Cyclo's stance now clear, the cardinal had no more words to exchange.

"...Then, I shall excuse myself."

With only that said, the cardinal departed.

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