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 V10C15

Translated by Hamster

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### Volume 10: Reunion

 **15: Melancholy**

While Alice was being held back from going off the rails, the conversation between Cyclo and Grow continued.

"...President Florence, today's agenda isn't just this, is it? Rather, the main topic is coming up next, isn't it?"

When Cyclo asked, Grow nodded.

"---Forgive me, but from here on, I'd like you to listen not as the president of the trading company, but as an individual."

Saying this, Grow began to speak about the main issue.

"It's about my daughter."

The moment those words were uttered, the atmosphere in the room tensed.

"...She was sent to a monastery in a distant, remote region for defying the royal family. The location is kept secret, and there's even a risk she might lose her life."

"That... is unfortunate."

This was the first time Cyclo had heard about Maria's situation. He couldn't tell if this was a fair punishment, but he understood at least that it was a heavy penalty for a parent.

"Even though she's my daughter, she's foolish. She trusts in people's goodness for no reason. She takes after her mother... not suited for business. Therefore, her only path was to marry into a good family. However, as a result, she lost everything... and she probably still regrets not trusting you."

Saying this, Grow looked Cyclo in the eye again.

"I don't know if you'll have the chance to meet her again. I'm not asking you to meet her, nor am I asking for forgiveness. Just... before she dies with regrets, I want you to cut those ties."

"---That's enough!!"

When Grow bowed his head, Alice's angry voice resounded.

"It was your side that broke the engagement! Why does my brother have to help you now?!"

"Alice..."

Cyclo hesitated about what to say and looked at Alice. But before he could speak, Grow opened his mouth.

"I'm not speaking to you. Keep quiet, outsider."

"What's that supposed to mean! It's your fault, so don't try to make us responsible for it!"

"Foolish. If you want to know what's wrong, it's because my daughter got involved with your foolish brother that she ended up bearing this sin. It's only right that he atones."

"My brother hasn't done anything wrong, so why should he atone?!"

When Alice retorted, Grow sighed.

"Ignorance is a sin, they say."

"Huh!?"

"You and your brother are the same."

"I don't get what you're saying! If you have something to say, say it clearly!!"

"---Alice, that's enough."

As Alice was about to reply further, Cyclo intervened to stop her.

"I appreciate you standing up for me, Alice. But I'm not angry, nor do I intend to blame President Florence. So, it's okay."

"But...!"

Alice wanted to argue back but realized Cyclo wasn't the one she should be arguing with, and she closed her mouth in frustration.

Seeing her apologetic look, Cyclo turned to Grow and said:

"Sorry, but I can't accept that request."

"...I see."

Grow only nodded briefly.

After a long silence, he stood up and said:

"---I apologize for taking up your time today. Excuse me."

With those final words, Grow left the meeting room. Cyclo watched his back leave and also saw the woman who seemed to be Grow's secretary bow before leaving.

"---Hey, big brother, why!? Why... aren't you angry?!"

Once only Cyclo and his party members were left in the room, Alice finally spoke up.

"Such a selfish jerk! You should have been mad!! Why... it's just, something's wrong!!"

As she spoke, Alice clung to Cyclo's back.

Patting her head to calm her down, Cyclo responded:

"Sorry, Alice. How should I put it... this is my selfishness."

"Selfishness...?"

"I have things I want to do. That's why I didn't get angry today, and I probably won't speak ill of that man... Grow in the future."

Cyclo further explained his feelings to Alice.

"His methods are outdated, his words are insufficient, and he ultimately failed—but Grow was trying to wish for his daughter's happiness in his own way. Even if that way was wrong, I don't want to pile on more blame."

"Is that... compassion?"

"It's not something as noble as that."

When Alice asked, Cyclo shook his head.

"It's for my own convenience. I might aim for better ways and still fail. In fact, I've failed many times before. But I don't want to deny everything. Not just myself, not just the other person. I don't want to treat either side specially, so I won't deny him either. ---I told you, it's selfishness. That's what it means."

When Cyclo explained, Alice asked with a complicated expression:

"You didn't want to get back at him, to show him up?"

"I did think about it. Many times. But—there are things more important to me. So I won't do it. That's all there is to it."

Cyclo added, seeing that Alice still wasn't convinced:

"For example... if someone important to you—like Miranda—reincarnated and had to live in a society shaped by our actions, it's important to be able to hold your head high. My selfishness, in essence, is about that."

At these words, Alice seemed to understand somewhat, her face contorting in thought.

"For instance, with people like Row, Kou... or Bujin, I won't let them roam free in this world. I won't show them any mercy. But for someone like Grow—who failed in his attempt to make his daughter happy and might never see her again—I don't want to do something that would make me ashamed to face myself."

After saying this, Cyclo looked at Mist and Karim as well before continuing:

"Mist, Karim. I'll tell you both too... I want to change the injustices of this world. But not by eliminating someone, leaving only what suits me. So there will be many more days like today, and I won't approach those who seem like enemies with hostility from the start."

"You don't want to increase enemies, you want to increase allies, right?"

"Yes. And if we reduce enemies, it should be a means, not the end."

Cyclo spoke, then gently detached Alice from his back and faced all three.

"But, I'll probably make mistakes sometimes. So if you think something's off... like Alice today, I'd be happy if you told me honestly. So, thanks, Alice."

And with that, he concluded with words of gratitude to Alice.

"Of course. And... I believe in you, master. Since the day you fought and defeated the God of Judgement."

Mist declared her trust in Cyclo.

"Well, if something happens, I'll slap you back on the right path. Leave it to us!"

Karim promised to help Cyclo.

"If big brother says so, I won't stop you. But... if you're just pushing yourself even though it's painful, I'll be much angrier than today!"

Alice decided to scold Cyclo.

Each of the three expressed their trust in Cyclo, and he smiled, feeling grateful.

"Thank you, everyone. From now on... please take care of me!"

Cyclo once again felt grateful for having these three as companions.


TL Note: Haha, This is what I love about this novel: the comeuppance is like a loose cannon that will really kill you literally like a dirt or suffer a horrible faith.

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