4.01



Piece of crap!
　It seems that Tetra cried out and spread her arms wide open, embracing the sisters and attempting a sudden reversal.
　They've already run out into the square, and Tetra has probably been caught in the sight of the Ash-Spotted Dog Demon (Noor). It's not exactly known at what point a monster hates the Adventurer or the Daichijin, but Shiroe is certain from long experience that Tora and the others are well-supplemented at this distance.

　The body was moving.
　Tetra was apologizing, but that was outrageous.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. There was not much difference between them.
''Scissors!''
　However, it was a young voice that made him change his angle, which emanated sharply.
　Shiroe, who confirmed it with just a glance, said to Naotsugu, "Four o'clock! and direction.
　I was really grateful for the shield job (tank) I've known for a long time. Naotsugu and Nyanta, who changed course in the right direction without unnecessary suspicion, passed William and Liese coming from the direction of the main street and charged the pack of dog-like sub-humans who were chasing them.
　Dinkron, a heavy white and silver warrior riding at the highest speed, passed Naotsugu, who ran head-on into the pack that had been chasing the sisters.
　Naotsugu and Dinkron passed each other as their scissors crossed in the center, exchanging targets to be restrained by each other.
　Scissors is a basic coordination tactic in which two adventurers, or groups of adventurers, from different fronts, trade each other's enemies.
　Any battle guild with even the slightest knowledge of the art of warfare practices it as a matter of course, but it is also a skill that requires some proficiency and training to complete the handover without delay or omission.
　Naotsugu and Dinklon-who had a joint strategy at the Approach to the Abyss-have established a partnership with the Hate Exchange and the crossing without a minute's notice.

　The situation is bad.
　It's clear from just a glance that William's group is at the same level of thirty-five as they are. Even if they succeeded in scissors, it would mean almost nothing. There were four Shiroe and the others and two strays. William and the others are also four. It's inevitable that the ten bodies will roll over without much time being spent on them.
　There is almost no point in doing scissors.
　But that's why Shiroe had a glimmer of hope, and it was rewarded with a confident nod from the blonde girl warrior who rushed over on slender legs.

With a glance at the contents of the note Liese tossed to Shiroe, Shiroe and Liese both shouted at the same time, using their special adventurer's eyesight.
"The Castle of Stone!
　It is the Guardian's signature defense skill.

Shiroe and the others, who are currently level 35, are unable to withstand any attack from a monster that is 65. If they take a direct hit, whether it's a blow or not, it's a certainty that they will be rendered incapable of fighting after two or three attacks.
　It doesn't make much difference whether the attacker uses a defensive feat, Shiroe casts a granting spell against the defense, or a "healing priest" (cleric) like Tetra casts a recovery spell. They are techniques for countering enemies in the same level range, not for blocking the attacks of monsters thirty levels higher.
　However, there are exceptions to this rule.
　The Guardian's special defensive skill, the Castle of Stone, is an exception. This defensive feat, which envelops your entire body in the glow of marble, can't be used repeatedly due to the long enough recast time, but it nullifies damage from all attacks for a minimum of ten seconds. As long as it is all, it transcends even level differences.

　Shiroe almost instantly grasped the note Liese had made.
　What was written in it was the types of monsters that appeared in Akiba now that it had become a large scale combat (raid) zone, their characteristics, weaknesses, actions, tactics, and possibilities.
(Awesome.)
　That was perfect information, even from Shiroe, who was in charge of the Elder Tail strategy website's articles. It was also accompanied by notes on Liese's thoughts and questions.
''Is it enough?''
　Lise asked without preamble.
　Her hit points would be less than a quarter (red zone). A black line on her cheek that looks like she's rubbed soot on it. Not only Dinkron, but also William and Enkertan, who are long-range attackers (ranged attackers), are tired of being dirty. They must have trudged through a zone full of powerful enemies before arriving here.
　The question is, "Can you attack with this information? I mean.
　Not only William, but this girl, Liese, was the chief strategist and military strategist for the prestigious D.D.D.'s. Her experience in large-scale battles (raids) is no match for the average adventurer. Her experience in large-scale combat (raids) was beyond the reach of ordinary adventurers.
　He knew that he would not be able to win in a battle with such a wide level difference. The result of losing one's life was also priced into the equation. That's because they decided that the information they would gain from that forced march would be useful - or essential - to lead them to victory in this battle.
　The question, "Is it enough?" is filled with that universal feeling.
　Shiroe, the same commander, understands this.

"Did you see the Great Man?
I haven't seen him.
　Liese answers Shiroe's sharp question without pause.
'Who's out of combat?　What's your level?
A dozen, all thirty-five.
　In the meantime, the front line is retreating inch by inch.
　The Unbreakable Technique guarantees a minimum of ten seconds of safety. Naotsugu and Dinkron have extended that time by raising the grade of their specialties, and equipment and other specialties may have been enhanced, but they can't reach 20 seconds. We don't have time.
''What about the ones who managed to escape?''
I've only seen the back.
　I think she understands that. A thin layer of sweat floats on the girl's forehead, which is so well-formed that it looks a bit cold, but Shiroe has gotten what she wants. When combined with the observations and considerations Shiroe had made to get to this point, the possibility was created.
'We can win,'
　You can win, not.
　We can win. It's only a stage that it is possible.
　But Shiroe dared to pull his chin back and nod. It was an acceptance for the recklessness that was commonplace during the days of the Prodigal's Tea Party. Since the incident with Sibuya, the same kind of acceptance as back then seems to have returned, though not in a bad way.
　Perhaps it's because the heat of the days of enjoying the Elder Tail has begun to sprout within Shiroe again.
''No, thank you!
　Lise replied with a radiant smile, and with a gesture like a lady trying not to be late to the feast, she took a step forward in a big way and started to cover for William.

'Tetra!　Pacification. Washing those two.
Okay. Mr. Shiroe.
　Tetra's reply also seems to be heartfelt and dignified.
　The sisters Lelia and Ritka are on either side of Tetra as she flees back.
　The washing of clothes is a raiding term for the removal of hate. Wrapped up in the hate-lowering spell of the "treatment priest" (cleric) called Pacification, Lelia and Ritka cried again in thin, squishy voices.
''Heeeeeee.''
Hee-hah!
　'Oh, I see,'
　Shilohé was silent to herself.
　It sounded like something, she thought, but the cry was that faint quivering sound that newborn kittens and puppies give.
'What's wrong?'
　Though she knew she didn't have much time, Shiroe kneeled on the ground and spoke to the two of them, still being held by Tetra. In this trapped situation, it was necessary.
'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Tetra, Shiro Shiro. I'm sorry I'm such an idiot," he said. I'm sorry you found me.
'I'm sorry, Mr. Shiroe, Mr. Tetra. It's Lelia's fault. It was Lelia who was found out.
　What's that?
　Shiroe gave a small laugh.
'Hey, Tetra.'
That's right. You two are all alone. You won't be popular if you're worried about that!　You can't be an idol across the galaxy!
　Whether or not they wanted to be that kind of thing or not, that was beside the point.
　The two of them were soggy and wet with tears, but they continued to speak in regret as if they hadn't heard such words from Tetra.

''Hi. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for losing so many scales.
Yeah.
　I could see that Tetra gasped at the unexpected words.
'I'm sorry for losing everyone's scales.
'It was full of scales and everyone came to the underground empire to play and have fun...'
　It wasn't about that.
　It wasn't a reflection on losing the scales.
(Shiroshio, tetto...)
　If that's the case.
'Um..... Do you remember?　You mean me?
''Good singing, Teteto!　Freshly scaled and ready to go!　You brought it right to me!　She was always singing!

　The sisters, these sisters remembered Tetra and Shiroe, that is, that quest and the adventure.

　Shiroe didn't know what had struck her. Come to think of it, such a possibility existed as a matter of course. Why had she assumed that these sisters couldn't possibly remember her?　Shiroe couldn't explain why.
　He just believed, as a matter of course and stubbornly, that there was no way he could remember it. No, it didn't even occur to her that she might remember.
　It was probably the same for Tetra, with a pained and warm, poignant expression on her face.
　It wasn't the girls who had forgotten.
　It was Shiroe and the others who had forgotten Lelia and Ritka.
　Shiroe and Tetra were equally moved by the pain in their hearts and the warmth they were able to regain.

　But it was with that very question and answer that Siloe probably got the last key.
'Listen to me. Lelia, Litka.
　Shiroe pushed a homemade booklet to them. A booklet that she hadn't expected this to happen, but she still had prepared it because she knew she would need it eventually. On that page, he tucked Lise's notes in.
　One line of scribbling. That should be enough.
'Please both of you. Find Minori and Touya. Find Isuzu and Rundelhaus, too. Please give this booklet to the younger members of the Record Horizon.

　Shiroe and the others would soon lose.
　Just as Liese, William and the others were prepared for, this is an inevitable decision. The cry of "time out!" means that the Castle of Stone has run out. If the direct connection collapses, the front line collapses - and without a moment's pause, the Ash-Spotted Demon (Noor) will come pouring in.
"Protect your friends. Fight with me.
　Shiroe asked her sister of the Ancient Species to help her.
　Level 65.
　Because in the large scale battle (raid) in the murky purple Akiba, only the two who were called clunkers had not reduced their power at all.



◆4.02



'd*mn it.'
　Isaac jumped down from the Gryphon like a dropped bomb, falling with a swagger befitting his heavy armor and landing on the street with no loss of momentum.
　The damage was negligible, though he crushed the cobblestones on the mortar.
　A mere ten or twenty meters, if not weakened, poses no threat to the adventurers of the Black Sword Order.
　The wind that ripped through his cheeks and the numbness in his legs did nothing to distract Isaac. The wind that ripped through his cheeks and the numbness in his legs did nothing to distract Isaac.
　So Isaac went to a place he would not normally visit, the House of the Waterflies.

　His goal was soon accomplished.
　Through the iron main gate, open during the day, and on a ramp through the vestibule, armed adventurers were waiting. They were all dressed in matching tailor-made outfits, elite members of the D.D.D.'s and D3's, probably from the leadership team.
　I'm sure you'll be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.
　It's the same with these guys. They were helplessly defeated.

　The guys in matching outfits didn't try to guide Isaac, but they didn't even try to block his path.
　They hadn't walked very far before a queenly-looking adventurer appeared, prosthetic arms and one safe hand crossed over his chest. Takayama Sansa, of the D3-PG Princess Guard. The Three Ravens of old. He was one of the people I had expected to meet when I came here.
Yo. Where's the princess?
He's okay. He's ready to go.
Okay.
It's a good thing the earthlings weren't involved in it.
　Isaac nodded at Takayama's words.
　He had thought it was, but the assurance lifted a weight off his shoulders.
'I'm flying Reza to Maiama now, too. According to the contacts we left over there, there doesn't seem to be anything unusual.
Only in Akiba, I guess.

　The front garden of the House of Waterfleet shows no signs of unusual activity.
　It's still before noon, and the light shining through the hedges and fountains makes this place free from any danger or disturbance. It's another fine day in Akiba, where the temperature is gradually rising towards noon.
D3-PG will be fighting in our front yard.
　In a clerical and calm tone, Takayama began to speak.
'After a forced move to protect Princess Reinesia and the mansion's maidservants, a battle ensued, but the mansion was unoccupied. After listening to some of the testimonies, it seems that the Daichijin did not exist in that purple-skied Akiba.
Oh.
And there's no damage to this garden from the battle.
So, it's a temporary instance.
Probably.
　Instance is a concept used in MMORPGs including Elder Tail. It is often applied to small to medium sized dungeons and the like.
　Large dungeons and general fields are usually zones. When more than one Adventurer enters a zone, it is commonplace for there to be more than one Adventurer in that zone.
　On the other hand, an Instance Zone is temporarily created whenever an Adventurer or his party enters the zone. As a result, you will never encounter another Adventurer's party in that zone. Then you can fight all the monsters in the zone as much as you like, and you can have it all to yourself without having to fight for the treasure. In other words, an instance is a private zone of sorts.
　This case is a special case because it seems that it was possible to meet other adventurers inside, but considering the fact that the Daichijin was eliminated and the terrain change in the zone was not applied to this Akiva, it was definitely a temporary creation (instance).
'We woke up in a training camp. In other words, it looks like we got caught up in our sleep.
"We were at the Guildhouse. I thought it was while you were sleeping as well. It's a certainty, as it seems that our late night companions did not enter that purple zone.
Good to hear from you.
　Isaac shrugs.
　His gratitude is genuine, if arrogant.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this place faster than going to the guild hall, and I'm sure I was right. If there is any abnormality in Akiva, in order to protect the Daichijin, Rezalik was right in recognizing that this "House of Waterflies" would become a frontline command center on top of the Guild Hall.

　In the meantime, a number of "adventurers" who had formed a two-man cell, accompanied by the mansion's maidservant, had left the garden.
We've got to hurry up and check the safety on foot. We'll have to hurry to check the safety on foot, as the earthlings don't have telepathic powers.
　According to what I've heard, there is a community of people in Akiba based on their hometowns.
　I've heard that they're much tougher and stronger than Isaac had thought.
(Well, she's the older sister of the Duke of Ise, so I guess she's got a good eye.

There you are. How is the Princess safe?
　It was Karashin who walked up to me in an aloof manner.
　The D3-PG around him turned their attention to the fluffy atmosphere. The same is true of the Black Sword Knights who have been chasing Isaac.
I'm sure you'll be able to find it. I know what you're thinking.
　Karasin gave a troubled half-smile.
'You're not a combat type of guy, you know.
Yeah, you're right. They kicked us off in a flash.
　There's not much difference in the outcome of getting kicked around.
　The difference is whether or not you feel humiliated by it.
'What about the Guild Hall?'
　But we can't start arguing about it.
　Isaac asked to change the subject.
'Can we call it a return? We've made contact and are working on a list. I'm pretty much back already. Most of the production guild's core, and each of the combat guilds have been defeated, May-style. We're also beginning to hear what happened.

It's a classic disaster.
"Huh?
　Isaac told Karashin, who looked at him blankly.
　An odd appearance with black, smooth skin, huge forearms, and disastrous horns. You will need to be able to use your own personal computer for this purpose.
It's a classic. It's the Ereinus of Disappointment. Level 65.
　The reason I was so blunt in my reply is because I still have the frustration of defeat.
''You fought?!''
'Say that quickly. Isn't that important information?
Really?　There's nothing we can do about it.
　Isaac lowered his hand wickedly to Karashin's words, but replied sarcastically to the words of Colonel Takayama. It could be said that it was the sympathy of losing to the same opponent in the same combat-oriented guild that made it so, and in any case, he had different credibility in the combat area than Karashin.
　She narrowed her eyes at Isaac's throwaway attitude, and after a few moments, her eyes widened slightly to show her understanding.
''........!
'Yes. We got played out of that instance and we can't go back there, at least not for the time being. It's called the retry restriction. And we can't contact the people in there, including the telepathic message. It may be important information, but if we can't get it to the people who need it, it's not something we need to talk about right now.
A necessary person?
　Isaac could see how the female raider was feeling as she muttered that. How could he win?　I guess I'm trying to figure out how to find that clue.
　Any large scale combat challenger (raider) does.
　Even Isaac is thinking about the reason for the defeat and the solution to the problem at this moment.

This was a tough one. "I'm not strong, but the Black Sword is no match for us. We're too incompatible.
　And that's why I know that winning is so difficult.
　It's an incredibly frustrating realization, but experience as a raider has taught me that you can't move on until you've swallowed it once.

We can do everything we can to D3, but it's going to take a long time to form a dedicated team. The West Wind is no good. The Silver Sword will be tough to get rid of.
I'm sorry.
　A strong voice calls out.
　William, a young elf with bleached and withered blonde hair, seems to have come here as well. He approaches with the members of the Silver Sword, exuding an intimidating air, and interrupts the conversation.
"I know that's not true. But that's not the only thing that's going to happen in a large-scale raid.
　Isaac was a little impressed with William, who smiled wryly.
　He was somewhat calmer than just biting around in the dark.
''-- What do you mean?''
'We've left the information with the right people,'
　Lise, the voluminous, long-haired girl who had been hiding in William's shadow, opens her mouth.
　So that's what happened, Isaac sighed slightly.

　The Silver Sword and this strong-looking woman had apparently achieved greater battle results than the Black Sword Knights in that strange instance.
　That's certainly a credit to them.
　Generally speaking, in large scale battles (raids), merit battles are talked about in terms of monsters defeated, zones cleared, and rare treasures obtained. But that's only because achievements are easy to see and compare with those around you. For a group like Isaac and his team that specializes in large scale combat (raids), that's too broad a measure.
　It's not just about winning and losing, it's about the many twists and turns and trials and errors that go into getting there.
　The enemy's strengths, weaknesses, do's and don'ts.
　Checking terrain, forces and tactics, and procuring supplies.
　There are things that add up to a winning result.
　The Black Sword Knights, the Silver Sword, and, incidentally, the former D.D.D. The three warring guilds that represented Akiva were all losers in this challenge.
　Although they were all losers, William and Liese had played a small but important role in the challenge.
　It's not a difference that can be understood or talked about by onlookers who are watching a major battle from the outside, but it's a difference that Isaac and his men can't ignore.

'The big boys are wiped out across the board. There's a chance--
　Isaac frowned and slurred his words.
　There are guys with potential.
　But it's incredibly thin. They're the kind of guys who had no connection to large scale combat (raids) in the first place. It is unlikely that the threadbare that left for the west had trained their underlings that well. At least the cowards who looked like they had come to the Black Sword Knights for short-term training were.
"Further down the line--?
Is it correct to say downstairs?
　Isaac, William, Colonel Takayama, Karashin, and Riese, the meek-faced warlord. In the midst of all the talk surrounding the five of them, only Liese smiled thinly, as if she had some kind of conviction.
''-- Even in the large-scale battle (raid) in Sibuya, there was a girl who was able to fight properly. It's true that it's difficult to gain experience in large-scale combat (raids) at a low level. But I felt that the bloodline of the Tea Party was there.
　Isaac didn't understand.
　But even though he didn't understand, he nodded even though he didn't understand.
　I'm sure that from Liese and William's point of view, there are still some 'adventurers' left in that instance that can be expected to turn the tables.

''I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
　Isaac and the others nodded at Karasin's murmur of resignation.
'We are,'
It's like a great big battle raid.
　Things are out of the hands of Isaac and others back in Akiva. Or maybe even out of the hands of all the high level adventurers.
　William's words were also a kind of truth.
　At the very least, it was not Isaac who was now fighting under that purple sky. It shouldn't even be the Black Sword Knights. But I'm not going to be so narrow-minded as to blame them for that.
　Rankings are the flower of large scale combat (raids). The rivalry is indispensable for Isaac and his team to make the leap.
　This moment.
　Isaac smiled at the manly expression on his face, saying that it would be a painful thing if there was a young warrior who was in his first battle.



◆4.03



　Needless to say, the reason Minori and his team was able to act somewhat rationally in this case was due to the amount of information they had early on, but there were two factors that supported this.
　The first was Minori's wide variety of consumption items, and the second was Akatsuki's presence.

''This time, the Wind Fairy Drop, the Aerofey Drop...''
　Minori carefully loosens the lid of the vial she took out of the Magic Bag and uses the dropper inside to apply the potion to her eyes.
　This item gives the user the power to see far, but it does not improve vision, it only gives the user the ability to see five kilometers away. It's like being able to hang a telescope directly on your vision.
'Change of vision, sir.'
I'll take care of the perimeter.
　Surrendering to Akatsuki's protection, Minori shrinks back, and continues her long-distance reconnaissance from the roof of the guild house.
　The Wind Fairy Drops are a type of vision-changing potion, a consumable item created by the dispensers. It's not a high level of preparation and materials, but the demand is not that great, so it's a rare item that you don't see on the market.
　Whenever Minori saw a rare item, she would buy it at least once and then throw it away. The magic bag and the item box in the guild's room are filled with miscellaneous materials collected from all over the place.
　Anyway, Minori used the vision-securing items she had just used in rapid succession, switching from temperature vision, movement vision, tracking vision, and magic vision one after another to gather information without actually moving.

　In the morning, Minori woke up and was changing in her room when a violent noise inside the guildhouse sent her running out into the hall, but the cause of the commotion was ultimately unknown.
　He thought that Lelia and the Litka sisters had gotten out of bed, but the fact that Shiroe and the rest of the older group didn't show up, he immediately guessed that some kind of incident had occurred. That was obvious from the fact that the telekinesis was not understood.
　Fortunately, I was able to meet up with Touya, Isuzu and Rundelhaus immediately. It was Akatsuki who appeared when the four of them were forehead to forehead discussing their future actions, and from then on, they focused on gathering information.

''........I see you, the Adventurer, I see you.''
I can see it too.
　Minori continues to report, the magic light burning emerald-green and wavering from her eyes.
　Akatsuki and Minori are definitely seeing the same thing. They are the three adventurers approaching on the south side of the main street. The trees sometimes hide them, but they are pursued by a sub-human monster with a dog's head.
　But even though they were looking at the same adventurer, their vision was quite different.
　From Akatsuki's point of view, perhaps, but it would be the sight of a small, pea-sized, barely recognizable human shadow moving in and out.
　However, in Minori's vision, the three of them could see the equipment, the impatient expressions on their faces, and the figure itself as it rolled down the mossy, ancient tree street.
''........Level thirty-five. They're all the same. It's still unnatural--that there are so many 'adventurers' of the same level.
In the first place, there shouldn't be any adventurers below the fifty level in Akiba. I used to teach that kind of training at the Round Table.
'Yes, of course...'
　Of course, Minori doesn't remember all the adventurers in Akiba either. There is a possibility that the three adventurers who are on the run from far away, for example, came from Minami or Ezzo and got involved in this incident the moment they arrived in Akiba. However, it is incomprehensible that all of the adventurers I saw during my two hours of observation had a level of thirty-five. It's much more convincing to think that this is the result of some kind of trick or attack.

''Hit points down........ Those guys don't seem to be able to win either.''
Well....
　Akatsuki's voice is also hard.
　Even though Akatsuki, who went through the Murder Incident, seems to feel depressed at the mere mention of the monsters that abound in the city.
　The most common are the Ash Spotted Dog Demon (Noor), a dog-headed human body with a variety of weapons, and the Chain Spitting Bat (Chain Bat), a bat with rust-colored wings. There were also a few other smaller ones, including the Sludge Devourer (Orcs Jelly). They are ochre-colored sludge-like monsters. Their level is sixty-five. From that point of view, the current Akiba can be presumed to be a large-scale battle (raid) zone with a level of sixty-five....

''As I thought, Shiroe and the others...''
I suppose we should look at it as a separation.
　Akatsuki's words are bitter.
　Perhaps Minori is too.
　He can't even look in the mirror because his gaze is fixed at a distance, but he is aware that his own voice is trembling a bit.
'We should join them, right?'
I don't recommend it.
　Akatsuki's reply made my heart ache.
　It's a good thing Touya and the others are in the middle of scavenging materials inside the guild house. Minori and Akatsuki are the only people on this windy rooftop.
　I asked Akatsuki because I wanted him to affirm it. 'We should join them.' But even Minori knew that wasn't the right answer.
'You've been lowered to the level, haven't you?
Probably.
　Akatsuki nodded.
　Both of them are short on words from earlier. The conversation is not expanding. That's because they are desperately trying to hold back the anxiety that seems to be filling their chests and rushing up. If I speak too long, it will flow out of my mouth. With tears in my eyes, I blame them just for being there. That's why I'm holding back.
I've been in charge of leading the group today. I've been using the Master System on Minori since last night.
　That's why Akatsuki's level was fifty-nine, as she lowered her eyes.
　The same level as Minori.
　In order to fight with lower-ranked adventurers, they lower their level to the level of their opponent. That is the Master Teacher System. Minori, Touya, Isuzu, Rundelhaus, and Serara. Akatsuki synchronized with Minori's level, which was the lowest level among the five who were supposed to go out hunting today, was at the same fifty-nine level as Minori.

　But that lowered level is the advantage that Akatsuki, or in other words Minori and the others, now have.

　Compared to the original Akatsuki's level of ninety-four, the current Akatsuki's hit points and attack power would be less than a quarter of that of the original Akatsuki. If it was at the ninety-four level, it would surely be able to destroy the monsters that wandered around Akiba like a piece of paper.
　However, if Akatsuki had a level of ninety-four, he could guess that his level would have been lowered and probably but dropped to the thirty-five level. That level was nothing more than prey for the enemies of this zone to hunt for.
　Because Akatsuki's level was lowered, he now has a relatively high level of ability in this zone.
　It is difficult for a 35-level adventurer to oppose or escape a 65-level monster, but it is not impossible for a 59-level adventurer to escape or sneak past it.
　The reason why we missed meeting up with them first thing in the morning was because Akatsuki had done a good job of keeping an eye on the area around the guild house. That field reconnaissance revealed several engagements and traces of Shiroe and the others escaping, and that is exactly what Minori and the others did.

　And that's exactly why Minori and her team shouldn't give top priority to joining up with Shiroe.
　Right now, Shiroe and the others are lowered in level and are probably being hunted by monsters. They shouldn't be looking to Shiroe and the others for help and direction.
　Of course, going to the rescue is an option now that Minori and her friends are at a higher level. There is a good chance that it will be of some use. However, even though their level is relatively high, they are only capable of fighting in this large scale battle (raid) zone. He couldn't drag the chasing monsters around like a cloak to find Shiroe and the others.
　We'd have to conduct a long-distance scouting mission from the roof of the guild house, and if we found Shiroe or someone we knew, we'd rescue them with pinpoint accuracy or contact them. Of course, in the meantime, we'd be scavenging supplies from the guild house to prepare for future developments, while preparing for our sortie.
　That was the action plan Minori and the others had established for the time being.
　Right now Shiroe and the others should have their hands full with Shiroe and the others. Minori's desire to join them is just because she can't handle her own anxiety.
　Minori understands the motions of such feelings.
　Of course, Akatsuki also understands that.
　That's why they became such a question and answer.

''What!　Level 65!　It's Miss Lelia and Miss Litka!
　After more than an hour of nervous surveillance, the two of them were finally able to touch one of the pieces of information they were looking for.
　In Minori's vision, she saw the sisters of the who had been guests at the Guild House. They were two of the two that he had been looking for, having lost sight of them in the commotion from the morning. The drop-type eye drops, no matter how magical they are, are still eye drops. They expand your vision in various directions, but your hearing doesn't change, so you can't hear the two of them.
　They looked thoughtful, but when they lifted their gaze in a huff, they looked at Minori and opened their mouths.
　The distance is long. It's a good two kilometers.
　But Minori, who doesn't understand the abilities of the Ancient Species, couldn't be sure that it was too far. The two of them are actually pointing at Minori and dropping their hands.
''Let's go!''
　Akatsuki also seemed to sense the mossy, abandoned car they were lurking in. He said a few words sharply and slapped Minori on the back, making her body dance on top of the building.
　Minori also rubbed her eyelids to wipe away the residue of her magic, and then rushed to the edge of the building. Minori still doesn't have the guts to jump from the rooftop of the Guild House in the Record Horizon, more than twenty meters above the ground, but it's not a problem if you're aiming for the crumbling ascending stairs of the next building. That's the extent to which Minori is getting used to being an adventurer.
　It's a good thing that you can't get away from the fact that you're not as good as an assassin, but when you catch up with Akatsuki a few minutes later at the corner of the alleyway, his younger sister, Litka, who looks frightened by the eyes of her surroundings, and her older sister, Lelia, who seems to be protecting her, are waiting for you.
''Minori!''
Minori!
Akatsuki!
Akatsuki?
　Confirming with a determined, strangely heartbreaking earnestness, the sisters took out a booklet and handed it to Minori as if it were the most precious treasure of all.
　The familiar pale matcha brown cover read "Introduction to Large Scale Combat (Raid)" in bold handwriting that looked like it had been written later. It was a document that Shiroe had recently compiled. I don't know the contents, but I do remember its creation and coloring.
'Shiroe told me!
I got a call from Mr. Shiroe.
　Their voices were as young as usual, but they sounded like an omen in Minori's ears. It wasn't the words of the two - the clunky sisters of Izumo, or the words of the famed "ancient species". The words they spoke had a ring to it that Minori was familiar with.
'Give me this booklet!
So fight me!
　It's a massive battle (raid).
　It was time for Minori to fight.
　Minori's most trusted and respected guildmaster came to Minori with the help of her sisters.
　The booklet, which seemed to shine light, was the pathfinder for Minori's upcoming adventure.