Down the stairs was an old stone space.

　Just like the tenth layer, it was just expanding.
　However, unlike the tenth layer, there were no blazing flames blowing around. Just as Arti had expected, it was the perfect space for magic experiments without the remnants of magic power.

　Optimal, that's for sure, but there was one ...... problem.

　There were two strangers in the center of the room, two strange men.
　One of them was a beautiful man with immaculate golden hair hanging down. I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. He is a quiet knight.
　The other is a mature man with gray hair. He has long, matted hair that he must have struggled with over his ochre-colored cloak. A silver sword is visible through the gaps in the cloak, so this one must be a knight as well.

　Immediately I 'gaze' at it.


[Status]
　Name: Hein Helvirshine HP321/333 MP34/102 Class: Knight
　Level 24.
　Strength 10.21 Strength 8.95 Skill 9.29 Speed 11.88 Wisdom 12.21 Magic 7.77 Elemental 1.98
　Inherent skill: optimal action 1.21 Wind magic 1.77
　Acquired Skill: Swordsmanship 2.02 Sacred Magic 1.23

[Status]
　Name: Hope's Jokul HP253/282 MP0/0 Class: Knight
　Level 20.
　Strength 4.41 Strength 6.25 Skill 11.72 Speed 8.21 Wisdom 13.41 Magic 0.00 Elemental 1.12
　Inherent skill: weapon combat 1.89 crafting 1.45
　Acquired skills: sword fighting 0.78 Sacred magic 0.00


　The blonde is Hain and the gray-haired one is Hopes.
　Both of them are knights of high level and first class ability.

　As I observe them closely, I notice it. The blonde one is a familiar face. As I recall, it should be the man who was working with Rustyala on the first day. He hadn't said many words back then, and he wasn't noticeable, but there was no doubt about it.

　I turn to Rastiara and tell him that there is a man I think I know.

'Huh?'

　Rustyala let out a cry of surprise.
　In response, the two people who had taken up positions in the center approached us and bowed.

''We have been expecting you. Miss.''

　First, a blonde man, Hein, calls out to me.

'Oh, Mr. Hein?'
Yes, this is Hein. I'm here on a business trip.

　It seems that Rastiara and I are acquainted after all.
　But Mr. Hein, or whatever it is, puts Rustyala aside and turns his attention to me.

The boy from that time ....... I see, you're the young lady's sweetheart ......

　And then he mutters.
　''The young lady's thoughts.
　In other words, he seems to be of the same ilk as Mr. Raydiant-san.

　However, Hein-san's expression, who turns his attention to me, is calm. He doesn't glare at me like Reidyant-san, on the contrary, I even feel something like expectation (...). I don't understand the true meaning of it.

　For now, I try to correct Mr. Hein's misunderstanding.

"No, I'm not a lover of Rastiara--
'Oh, Mr Hine. I'm sorry ....... I really want to be with Christ ....... I want to live with ......!　As you know, my time is short. Is it a sin, then, to try to be with the one I love until that time?

　Rustyala has been piling on the words, trying not to let me excuse myself.
　His language has returned to the polite one he used when we met, and he's pretending to lament in a theatrical tone.

　It seems to be proceeding in that direction, after all.
　If possible, it's a direction I wanted to avoid.

　Hearing Rastiara's words, Hein-san slowly draws his sword from his waist.

''Fufu....... We can't see through your lies anymore. But even if it's really for love, even if it's a lie, even if it's just for fun - it doesn't change what we do.
'I am sad, Mr. Hein. Is that what you say about this me lying?　I can't do such a shameful thing as pretending to love ...... I can't very well do it!

　Rastiala is playing it so close, he even has tears in his eyes.

　Hmmm.
　She's the one in the wrong. No doubt about it.
　In my opinion, I want to fully support Ms. Hein.

　But I have to be calculating here.
　In terms of talent, Ms. Hine is inferior to Rastiara. Besides, it appears that Mr. Hine is a businessman and Rustyala is a free man.
　If I were to think about whether or not he can be of use to me, I would have to choose Rustyala.

　Mr. Hein calmly replied to Rustiala's impersonation.

'That immunity of love has caused all hell to break loose for those above us. We can't move in a big way either, and it will take a month for the council to decide just how to respond. Haha ....... I'm also troubled by Levan's commandments.
'Oh ....... You think I'm using the word love. That's a sad misunderstanding: ......

　Apparently, Rastiala is using the 'commandment' or something like that. It seems that this is what was involved when I said before that there would be less of a chase if we did that.

　It's more of a problem that I heard the words 'the higher-ups' and 'the council of a month', which I didn't want to hear. Rastiara had said that she wasn't of a great rank, but from what Ms. Hein had said, she felt like she wasn't just a young lady.

''Therefore, I would like to ask the lady to return to the cathedral with a duel, like a knight. If you follow this procedure, it is not against the teachings. Then, Mr. Hopes. Please.

　So, Mr. Hein calls out to the knight with mixed white hair who was taking up a position at the back.
　Mr. Hopes comes forward with a half smile. He is a man who seems a little frivolous.

'Aye. But, Mr. Hein. Are you sure you don't want to do this?　I think you're in charge of this one.
''It's no one's role, it's the role of the 'Celestial Knights' position. Besides, I have to keep an eye on the young lady. We can't be too careful. It's only been a few days since she went missing, but it's possible that she has grown to the level of 'Heavenly Seventh Knight (Celestial Knights)'.
Well, you're certainly the man to watch your little girl. --It's all right. Come on, pretty boy, you're gonna have a fight with me.

　This is where the story finally comes back to me.
　I pull out my sword as I answer.

''I'll tell you first. For me, it doesn't matter if I have a crush on Rastiara or not. But since Rastiara is my friend, I want to make her dream come true. --that's all.

　I just wanted to say this.
　First of all, when it comes to the color love thing, it's very difficult for me. I can't act like Rastiara, so I'm not confident I can match the story.
　So, let's pretend that I'm not in love with the love story.

'Oh, oh ....... I get it. That's cool, dude.

　When Ms. Hopes hears that green line, she seems embarrassed and describes me as cool.
　I want him to stop because it makes me feel embarrassed too.

　I try not to let him realize how upset I am, so I proceed calmly.

'And I don't originally want a duel.
You can't do that. If you don't duel, I'm going to interfere with your quest for the labyrinth. I'll be chasing you around when you get back. It's a shameful thing to do, but it's part of my job. No, I'm really sorry.

　Mr. Hopes replies, scratching his head.
　There's no pretense there, he looks really sorry, and he also looks troublesome. Nevertheless, you can certainly see a glimpse of professionalism behind his eyes as he tries to carry out his mission.

　If it is declared to be a hindrance like this, it's just a shower of fire.
　I wanted to avoid it as much as possible, but in this case, we have no choice but to have the next plan, a 'practice match'.

''If it's your job, I won't be particularly critical of you. I was prepared for the fact that this (...) is a condition for having Rastiara as a companion, so I was prepared for this .......

　And I step forward.
　The practice game begins.
　If I lose - well, it's just Rustyala going home.
　I'm not that fired up.
　Of course, I have no intention of losing.

Then let's have a duel. Then let's bet your life on it. But I'm not going to kill you, so don't worry.
I understand. I don't want to deal with life either.

　Mr. Hopes also drew his sword and gave a bow to each other.

　Since we're on the 'right path' for a while, the duel would have been concluded with this.

　The air between Ms. Hopes and I is becoming tense.

''--Magic [Dimension Dueling Operation (Gradient)], Magic [Form]''

　If things go in order, I think I'll win.

　I don't care if it's Hein-san, Hopes-san's status won't be able to catch up to my speed. However, one of his skills is called 'crafting'. If it's something that scratches the back of my consciousness, then my odds of victory will be shaken.

　Slowly, Hopes and I close the gap between us.

　I am a natural amateur stance.
　Hopes's stance is similar to it.
　He doesn't even have a half body, he just holds his sword in his right hand.

　As it is, the distance changes to the distance that our swords can reach each other.

　--their sword lines run to each other.

　They begin to move at the same time.
　However, to my eyes, it looked like Hopes-san dared to match me.

　The swords follow the same trajectory and are struck together.
　A sound as solid as a bell fills the stone room.

　And then the second blow.
　The same trajectory, too.
　The second bell rings a second time.

　And the third blow is the same trajectory.
　And the next, and the next, and the next.
　And the next, and the next, and the next, and the next, and the same bells keep ringing--

What--?

　I notice.
　Mr. Hopes' sword is 'acceptable'.
　Even though he has talent, he is inferior to Mr. Hain and Mr. Radiant. He hasn't mastered the innate swordsmanship that is unique to him.
　What he can do is to adapt to his opponent with the experience he has accumulated. And then wait patiently for an opportunity to counterattack.

　I increase the speed of my sword without hurrying.
　The opponent is waiting with an eye on the opportunity to counterattack, so there is no need to get flustered. Without being in a hurry, I will surpass them without any gaps. That's all you need to do.

　Hopes-san lacks simple speed.
　Although his skill and swordsmanship surpasses me, his magic 《Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradient)》 overrides that. Overall, there is no reason for me to fall behind.

　The lines that my sword draws become faster and faster.
　And Hopes-san also tries to manage it.

　But soon, there will be a limit.
　We were doing the same thing, but if there was a difference in speed, it was the end of the world.

　Soon after, Hopes' sword, which he hadn't been able to catch, came to his throat.

　The sword fight that had been hammering away ends, leaving only an echoing sound in the room.
　I declare my victory.

''--I've won.
'Yeah, seriously, ....... I lose. ...... Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Hein.

　Mr. Hopes pauses in surrender and apologizes to Mr. Hein by the way.
　Seeing this, I fit my sword in.

'You did it, Christ. You are the knight I expected. How do you like it, Mr. Hein? Christ the Knight has offered me the victory.

　Rastiara congratulates me on my victory in a ladylike way.

　Yeah, I know.
　It's weird, this is weird.
　And Mr. Hein responds to it without hesitation.

'It certainly seems so. I'm afraid I'll have to back down for the day if this happens. Mr. Hopes, over here.
By the way, I'm sorry. If it's a head-to-head match, it doesn't look like we're gonna win.

　Mr. Hein shifts his standing position from the center of the room and invites Ms. Hopes to join him there.
　'I guess that means he's not going to block the way anymore.

'Hmm. You seem to have a minimum level of strength.'
'C'mon. You beat me and you're at least ....... Even an uncle like this can hurt you.
'This is only temporary, but I can leave your daughter in charge of Mr. Christ.

　Mr. Hein looks at me, ignoring Mr. Hopes' words.
　His eyes are still calm.

'So, Mr. Hein. Are you not challenging my knight?'
'There is no need. Except for Mr. Hopes, but I have to strictly adhere to the 'commandments' as an example: ....... Besides, even though your daughter has a crush on you, this seems to be a fine love affair. As an educator, I'm rooting for you wholeheartedly.
'Oh, I'm glad to hear that my enthusiasm is shared by Mr. Hine. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

　Mr. Hein and Rustyala are exchanging sparks with each other only in the face of construction.
　Both of them are polite in their words, but I can sense the spirit of not showing any carelessness.

　However, next to her, Hopes-san is depressed, muttering, "I'm separate, heck, I'm not. I feel like I'm starting to understand where he stands. He's supposed to be an elder, but I pity him.

''Unless you, Christ-kun, have a power that is unmatched by the 'Seven Celestial Knights' of Heaven, that is a different story. Once this is known, the top of the house will feel a little more at ease. The young lady isn't trying to break even that ritual either, is she?
'Yes, of course. I'll be back once the Nativity is over.
'Then Christ Eurasia is treated as a hero who was spotted by some Rastiara (・・・・・・・・). I will have to return once to report them.
'So that's what I've been saying ever since we were talking in the cathedral. You must go quickly.

　Rastiara says so and tries to get rid of Hein-san by shushing her hands away.

　The two knights chuckle at that and slowly start walking towards the 19th layer.
　And as they pass me, Hein-san mutters quietly.

''--Please take care of your daughter.

　It was a gentle voice.
　It wasn't the hard voice I heard earlier, but a voice of compassion that seemed to come from the bottom of my heart.
　Surprised by the gentle tone, I looked at Mr. Hein's face.

　He was smiling.
　The sweet mask, like the prince in a fairy tale, makes that smile stand out.

　It's a smile that even I, a man, can't help but admire.
　I nod lightly and return it.

　After confirming this, Hein-san nods back and leaves for the stairs leading to the 19th level.

　When the two of them are out of sight, Rustyala breathes as if a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

''Whew ....... I didn't expect that guy to be waiting for me here. I'm surprised!

　I drown out my earlier performance like a fog and return to my usual Rustyara.

　Maria, who had been taking a step back to watch, unable to swallow the situation, comes up to us.

''Is it okay? 'Master.'
'Yeah, I'm fine. It's just a game.
'What the hell is it with those guys? And, oh, what about your feelings: ......
I heard they're from Rastiara's house. And don't worry about your feelings for them, that's all a lie.
Lie, is it ......?

　Maria stares into my eyes as she ruminates over my words. It's as if she's trying to find out what's behind the words, but this is the only truth that's not contrary to the truth.

'Oh, it's a lie. If a knight like that one shows up, Maria should just stand back and watch the little play.
...... Got it.

　I don't know if she really convinced me, but Maria nodded.

'More importantly, The Connection. Let's try that magic.

　I walk to the end of the room to install the magic, which was my original purpose.
　Hearing this, Rustyala comes up to me with interest.

''Oh, that's the one in the example, isn't it?''

　By the time I reach here, I've finished explaining it to Rustyala. It's like he's expecting to see what the Connection, a high-level dimensional magic, is like.

''It's quiet here and there's not much magic in the air. It's a perfect place. --It's a great place to be.

　I spent my magic power to generate magic doors.
　With 10 layers, it fizzled out quickly, but with these 20 layers, the magic construction was smooth.

　I'm getting used to the image I'm building, and I can succeed with magic in a small amount of time.
　A door of magic power stood a few meters away from the wall of the room.

''Alright, it's a success.''

　I push open the magic door and see that my living room is beyond it.

'Huh, so this is a magic door. Let me just go through it. --Oh, wow.

　Rastiara goes back and forth through the door, amused.
　His hands are rough, so this one polishes down his magic to reinforce the door.

''Don't handle it roughly!　That door is fragile--oh.

　With the opening and closing of the door for the umpteenth time, the door in front of me turned into a fog and scraped away.

　It was just at the moment when Rastiara went to the other side, so it was in the form of being left behind.

''Eh. This isn't good, master.''
Magic Connection!

　I can't help it, so I cast the spell again.
　I pray that the door on the other side hasn't disappeared, and I regenerate the door on this side.

　I can see that my remaining MP is decreasing at a tremendous rate.

　Then I test to see if the door is still connected to the house.
　I slowly open the door and see Rustyala on the other side in a cold sweat.

'Ah, Christ. I was surprised when it suddenly stopped opening: ......
You broke it. ......
No, you don't, do you?　Um, ...... sorry.
You don't have to do it. Come on back.

　I pull Lastiara's hand away from the apologetic Rustyala and move her to this side of the house.

'But I don't know why the door on the one at home didn't disappear. It was kind of sturdy and ......
'That one took a lot of magic and time to make this morning. It's no surprise that the perfection is different.
Oh, I see.
'Ha, they took more than half of my MP: ......'
'No, I'm really, really sorry. I'm sorry.

　The tension is lowered, unusually for Rastiara, and he is fidgety.
　Then Maria interjects.

'If your MP has decreased that much, shouldn't you go back and rest?　You're just in time for the Connection to be a success, too: ......

　Indeed, Maria was right.
　Even though we went straight down the "right path", it took us a while to get to the 20th layer.
　Physically, it's a good time to round up.

　But Rustyala wouldn't nod her head.
　It was the layers from here on out that she enjoyed.

'Eh, yeah. I wonder if that would bother me...''

　Rustyala disagreed, slurring his words, to which Maria countered.

'Besides, I've accumulated some experience and I want to go to church. If I don't improve my level, I won't be of any use to my master.'
''Oh, that's okay, I'll level up for you. I can still imitate a priestess in this.
'What, Mr. Rustyala is ......?　But I still feel like you have to be in your day job to feel comfortable with this kind of thing, so I'm going to go to .......
No, I'm fine, I'm fine!　I've even leveled up Christ, I've done that for you!

　Forced.

　I remember the forced leveling up of the first day and give a bitter smile.
　Seeing my expression, Maria looks at me with concern.

''Master--''

　He's given his opinion, but he's going to leave the decision-making power to me.
　After giving it some thought, I answer, "You can ask them to level up.

'Let them level up. It's true that Rastiala can do it. And my MP, he's not completely exhausted. I'll be fine until it's time to work at the bar. Let's go a little further.
'I see. ....... If your master says so, then .......

　I took a pause.

　Maria seemed to want me to return soon, so I muttered in disappointment.
　Seeing this, Rustyala at least speaks to Maria in a cheerful voice.

''We won't be disturbed here, and the leveling up is just fine. Here, this way, Maria-chan!

　I checked Maria's experience and she has accumulated enough to level up.
　Rastiara also has a skill similar to my 'display', so I guess I can tell that.

　Maria looks a bit sulky and walks towards Rastiara.

''............''
Hey, hey, hey. Don't be mad at me, Maria. Level up, level up.
I'm not angry.
'Oh, I'm angry ......'

　I can't see Maria's face from my position, but I can see the bad mood in Rustiala's expression.
　And after a while, a white light surrounds Rustiala and Maria.

''Alright. The level has gone up!''
'Thank you. Now you can go to .......　

　Maria clasps her hands together forcefully.


[Status]
　Name: Maria HP102/102 MP112/122 Class: slave
　Level 8.
　Strength 3.42 Strength 3.52 Skill 2.66 Speed 2.01 Wisdom 3.55 Magic 5.71 Qualities 1.52
　Status: none.
　Experience: 512/10,000


　Maria has raised the bar and is showing a lot of motivation.

　But to be honest--.

　It's obvious if you compare it to my status.
　There's an absolute difference in the ability value, even though our levels are only 3 different.


[Status]
　Name: Aikawa Uzumi HP350/352 MP221/553 Class.
　Level 11.
　Strength 6.69 Strength 6.78 Skill 7.74 Speed 10.12 Wisdom 10.01 Magic 24.07 Elemental 7.00　
　State: confusion 8.12
　Experience: 7122/25000
　Equipment: The Treasure Sword of the House of Alais
　　　　otherworldly clothing
　　　　A sturdy cloak.
　　　　Shoes of the Otherworld


　Maria probably doesn't want to lose her place in the labyrinth.
　I can't say what I need to say, as the face of Maria, who was happily exploring the labyrinth, comes to mind.

'Master!　So, let's go. I should be stronger now. This time--

　Me and Rustyala can see it, so we know.
　Maria can't see, so she braves it.

　The whole time behind me and Maria as we descend to the 21st layer, Rustyala is hiding his mouth with his hand.