He leaves Maria at home and comes to the tavern.
　I had been working over the holidays, but there was no substitute. I greeted the manager and Lin and the others briefly, and then went to work.

　As usual, I worked mainly as a dish-lowerer and dishwasher.
　However, after working for the first time in a long time, my dishwashing speed was unusual due to my uselessly raised status. I had to be careful to keep my hand speed down so as not to raise suspicion.

　Of course, while doing so, he kept up with the information he was gathering.
　If there was a customer who seemed to be able to talk to me, I'd blow the subject out of proportion. Just listening by magic 《Dimension》 is not enough to get up to 20 layers of information.

　Today, I was extracting information from my familiar warrior brother - Crow-san.

''--Heh. So there aren't many monsters on the 14th level then?
Yeah, well, as opposed to the 13 layers of marshland, the 14 layers are barren. It's a vast desert and completely devoid of water. There aren't many monsters and not many area bosses at the same time. Almost no one is exploring or trying to hunt monsters there. Usually, they just take the 'positive path' and go straight to the 15th level.
I see. It does seem hot in the desert.
That's the main reason why, at 14 layers of temperature, your body is deprived of water. That's why there's so many layers that haven't been explored.
"Heh. ......

　Mr. Crowe is someone I've had a close relationship with since he got me involved on the first day of work. When I'm at work, he's usually drinking.

　In this way, in my spare time from work, I am able to hear about these things from experienced explorers.
　However, if I only talk to Mr. Crow for too long, I'll get the attention of the store manager. Since I got enough information about the labyrinth today, I decided to end the conversation early.

''Thank you, Crow-san. That's enough for today--''

　It was then.
　An unusual group comes to the store.

　They are all unfamiliar faces.
　Their attire is not the coarse that is common in the Valt, but is often well crafted, beautiful and clean.
　Above all, they look wealthy. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

　The woman walking at the head of this wealthy-looking group was a beastie.
　Feeling something peculiar to the powerful from her, I 'gaze' at her.


[Status]
　Name: Serah Raydiant HP256/256 MP101/101 Class: Knight
　Level 21.
　Strength 6.22 Strength 7.91 Skill 8.89 Speed 10.02 Wisdom 5.60 Magic 7.77 Elemental 1.57
　Inherent skill: Intuition 1.77
　Acquired skills: swordsmanship 2.12 sacred magic 0.89


　20 level-ish.
　He was a fierce competitor of the highest class of Allied Nations.

　She was a young beast woman with bluish silver hair.
　A tuft of bangs hung in a knot at the left end, and the hair in the back was up to her waist. Both of her ears were beastly ears, and she had a wolf-like tail, so she could be judged to be a beastman. He wore clothing that seemed to be easy to move in, minimal silver armor, and a sword at his waist.

　And most of all, his eyes were distinctive.
　The sharp, keen eyes reveal this woman's sternness.

　As she enters, the woman looks around the entire tavern.
　She seems to be searching for something.
　The other customers were also beginning to notice the group for what was going on.

　The woman becomes numb and begins to speak so that the people around her can hear her.

'...... I believe there is a man named Christ working here.
What--?

　My heart jumps loudly.

　It's an unexpected name calling.

　At the sound of this woman's voice, some customers' eyes are drawn to me. The regulars at the store know my name, so I didn't have a choice.
　Led by her gaze, the woman turns her attention to me and says to me, "You are the Christ Eula.

'Are you Christ Eurasia?'

　The woman's eyes get even tighter and she glares at me.

　I'm at a loss for an answer.
　The problem is that I can't see the purpose of this person.
　The atmosphere is not normal, and the armor-clad companions who are lurking around are also dangerous. If possible, I'd like to keep them in the dark.

　But if we lied here, if someone confirmed that we were there, it would be the end.
　You don't have a choice, but you have to tell us who you are.

"...... Yes. I'm Christ the Clerk.
Okay.

　After checking me out, the woman took one breath and continued to speak solemnly.

'My name is Sera Raydiant. I'm one of the 'Celestial Knights' belonging to the Fuzzy Yards. I have only one thing to do. I'm here to challenge you to a duel.

　With those words, he lifts his sword, still in its scabbard, to show his intent to fight.

　The tavern buzzes.
　As well as the sudden dueling challenge, some are astonished by the person of Sera Raydiant itself.

''I don't get it. Why are you challenging me to a duel?''

　I try my best to be calm and ask the truth.
　I remember receiving advice from a knight named Palinkulon before. Still, I still don't understand what it means to be in this situation.

''Why do you say that ......!　What mouth, such nonsense: ......!

　As if he didn't like my reply, Mr. Raydiant revealed his anger.
　Then Crow, who had been talking with me earlier, defends me.

''Hey, wait. I don't know if it's the knight of the Fuzzy Yards or what, but that's not acceptable for you to come in here all of a sudden. This is a bar.　Don't give the waitress a hard time.

　Other customers who have been interacting with me are getting up.

　I have a feeling this is going to be important.
　One by one, customers who seem to have some experience interrupt me.

I thought it looked interesting, unless you're talking about some kind of dueling nonsense.
Hey, don't f*ck with Walt.
'We haven't known each other long, but the Christ boy is no stranger to them.

　Many voices go on to condemn Mr. Raydiant.

　Some of them are excited for me, which makes my heart beat faster.
　Before I knew it, it seemed to be recognized in its own way.

'Hey, manager!'

　One of them shouted to conclude.

　The manager, who had come out of the kitchen before I knew it, was standing in a human position behind me.
　The manager speaks over my head.　

You guys are too aggressive. The little girl at Foozeyards doesn't want to go on a rampage right now, either. ...... But, Whoozzer's girl. This is a bar, it's a store. If you interfere with our business, we're both in trouble.

　The manager was also a man close to the 20 level.
　He didn't take a step back against this rowdy group of people.

''Excuse me. I guess I was a little overwhelmed. I apologize if I was interfering with your business. It's just that we have a mission that we absolutely must fulfill. That is to duel with that man over there and get our Lady back.

　Mr. Raydiant bows and talks with the manager in a calm manner.
　Although he was furious earlier, he seems to be an intelligent person by nature.
　When the manager listened to Raydiant-san's story, he smiled and asked me, "Well, that's interesting.

'Ho, that's interesting ....... Hey, Christ. Did you seduce some nobleman's daughter or something?
"Uh, ....... Does it look like I will?
No, a nice guy like you is more likely to go to ......, huh?
What do you mean? I didn't do it, sir.

　The air was bleak at first, but as soon as it became clear that the content might be a tangle of lasciviousness, the manager instantly became lighter.

'Hey, Mr. Radiant and all. My Christ says this," he said, "but, well, content is content. But, well, content is content. You want to talk slowly. Can't we wait until his break before we have a duel?
...... umm. I'm not here to bother the store either. Yes, I'm going to take a break until the man's break. And, of course, I'll order in.

　With that, the Radiant group takes a seat at a larger table.

''That's why. These Foozeyards knights are only here for a meal. You guys don't mind, just eat.
Oh, come on. Oh, come on, manager.
'Good or bad, what's it to do with the store?　This is Christ's problem. It doesn't seem to be an unwarranted outrage, and we'll just have to see what happens.
Well, I guess so: ......

　The manager quieted the customers one by one.
　But it's not good for me.
　I need more and more people to help me.

No, manager. This is unjustified resentment. I've never done anything to you, you know.
You! ......!　You're still going to cut the strings: ......!

　When I spoke up, Raydiant-san glared at me with a horrible expression.

'See, Mr. Knight also says this ....... Talk to me slowly later, Christ.

　The manager ended the conversation as if I deserved it and went back to the kitchen.

''Hmph, your life will last until intermission. You must be prepared for it.''

　Mr. Raydiant mutters so that I can hear him.

　I let out a loud sigh at the thought of having to endure that person's murderous stare until break time.

'Huh, what's this ......?'

　Still, I had no choice but to do my job as usual, and my part-time hours were passing.


◆◆◆◆◆


'-and who's the young lady you're talking about?　Is it Deer?

　After enduring the needle-like work hours, I took a break and sat down in the same seat as Mr. Raydiant.
　Behind me, Reydiant-san's fellow knights are blocking the escape route.

　I'm sure it's not Franluele at Palinclone, so I'll give them Dia for now. For what it's worth, I don't believe in that gender, and she's the one who would be convinced if she were told she's a young lady.

'Who is Dear? Don't blurt it out. It's Lady Rustyala.

　Mr. Raydiant switched to a smaller voice when he said the name 'Rustyala'.

　Apparently, he didn't really want the name to spread.

'Rastiara ......?　Oh, that annoying bastard.

　Having had a dense few days, it took me a while to remember the girl from the first day.
　Although her impressions had faded with the arrival of Arti and Flanlure, the girl was still at the top of the list of dangerous people. Apparently, this situation is because of that girl.

''You're a nuisance, ......!　You have kidnapped the young lady and now you're going to insult her like that--!
Wait. Did I kidnap Rastiara?
Yes. The young lady has disappeared and the letter says: "You and ...... you!　He had left a note that he was going to elope!
What, are you guys eloping?

　There is no way they are eloping.
　I, the person in question, hadn't even met Rustyala again.

　It was an obvious frame-up.
　And it was this guy called Rustyala who played it on me.

　Next time I see him, I'm going to beat him.
　That's what I thought.
　Level-wise, he should be able to fight soon.

　Although Raydiant-san is not running on the edge of her seat due to excitement, she still continues to taunt me.

''Young lady, young lady, young lady--!　That sweet, kind-hearted young lady!　All I ever heard of was you in the cathedral.　What kind of man you were and what you did for us when we chanced to meet you in the labyrinth, how you talked to our seven knights happily day after day, and how we listened to it with our feelings: ...... You have no idea, you don't know! !
Please calm down. Here's your water.
"This is no time for water!　Come on, tell me!　Where did you hide the young lady!
I don't know. I haven't seen her since the labyrinth. What she's saying is a lie. It's her, so I thought you were just running away from home for the fun of it.

　I only believe that Rustyala is just a fun-loving criminal. I'm sorry to Mr. Radiant, but no matter how much you yell at me, it doesn't mean anything.

Hmmmmm... The young lady thought it was funny?　Runaway?　That modest, caring young lady would never do such a thing. There's no way she would do that. No, I knew that. I knew you'd play down the gauntlet. And that's why I'm going to fight you. And that's how you'll do it. When you're gone, you can go slow and find ......!
There's no reason for me to take the duel: ......
If you don't fight the duel, you and your daughter will never be united. You must defeat all seven knights, or you will be hunted for life by us.
'Even if you're chased, Rastiala won't be there. If you want to see him, you can come to my house. He's really not here.
I know what you're thinking. "I know what you're thinking; you want to distract us with false information.　I will not be fooled. I'll grab my tail no matter what.
Hmm.

　That's not a good story.
　I don't know what happened, but Mr. Radiant doesn't seem to have any doubt in his mind that I'm the culprit.

　I could go on and on about my innocence, but I don't want him hanging around with me forever. I want to keep as much information about me as possible under wraps. The best way to do that is to keep Maria's leveling as low as possible. By the looks of it, she's going to be chasing me around at all hours and following me when I'm exploring the labyrinth.

　I calculate the profit and loss in the corner of my mind.

　The result of that calculation.
　Since my risk tolerance has increased as my level has risen, I can't help but think that dueling is not a bad idea.

I understand. Shall we duel? If I lose, I'll tell you anything you want to know. I don't know where Rastiara is, but I'll pledge my full cooperation.''
....... Have you finally given up? No, you've realized what you've done and are ready to give up your head.
'No, please don't kill me. I'll take the duel, but in return I'll have one rule. No serious injuries. If you kill him, you lose. If you make your opponent say "I give up", you win. Peace is best.
...... Mm. Well, that's okay. Normally, I don't like to do rough stuff. Well, first, I'm going to have to punish you until you stop trying to do bad things.

　Mr. Radiant says he doesn't like rough stuff, but he says he teases me.
　I can't believe that he doesn't like rough stuff at all.

　He's someone I'd prefer to avoid contact with if possible.
　I offer him a reward for his duel.

"If I win, you'll never have to see me again.
That's fine. But a duel is, of course, a one-on-one match.
Yeah, that's what I was talking about.
I'm ready. Yeah, out in the open.

　With that word, the knights who were lined up behind me clear the path.

　I stand up and try to proceed down the empty road. People around me are looking at me with concern. And Lin, who has been eavesdropping on my conversation while working as a waitress, tries to talk to me. I refused it first.

''Ki, Christ-kun--''
Don't worry, Mr. Lin. As I said, I have decided, at the very worst, you will not be killed.

　I answer Lin with a smile, so that both the manager and the surrounding customers can hear me.

'Yes, you may be right, but ....... Take care, Mr. Christ, .......

　I'm not going to break into a smile even though Lin is worried about me.

　At any rate, this is not a bad thing (event).
　It's a good thing (event).

　It's something that has been bothering me for a long time.
　I defeated the Tida that mankind has been meddling in.
　Where do I fit in the human race now ......

　I'm a 20-level human being who conveniently appeared there.
　It is delicious to have a personality that seems to value civility and humanity, even though it is now enraged. In order to stop, he accepted my offer of a warm-hearted rule-based duel. This is too good an opportunity to find out where I am now.

　My level is only half of Radiant-san's.
　But I'm not inferior in terms of status.
　If it's just a small difference in numbers, then the magic Dimension will make up for it, and I can read her tactics from her status.

　There's also a new magic I want to try.
　I'm also interested in a decent counterpart.

　Let's think positively.
　I asked her to come all the way to the tavern.
　There's no way not to take advantage of it.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.