We walk along the 23-layered 'right-of-way', catching our breath.

　However, the more we walked, the less energy we had left. The temperature of the 23rd layer is abnormally high compared to the 22nd layer I just saw.

　Rastiara flutters the front collar of her clothes and makes a disgusted expression. I can see from a distance that she's sweating several times more than I am. Apparently, she's sweaty.

'Hot, hot hot hot. ...... Christ, water.
Okay.

　I use the bag to take out a leather water bottle from my 'belongings' and hand it over. I left it with Rastiara in the morning, and it's pretty solidly made.

　Rastiara gulps down the water without any hesitation.
　I ask him about the 23 layers, knowing that his personality is evident in the way he drinks.

I asked him about the 23rd layer. Why is it so hot in the 23rd layer?
Hmm, that's because there's magma flowing through the 24 layers.
Ma-magma?　Did you see it?
'No, I heard about it from an explorer who comes to visit us. I only know up to layer 23.
Are you acquainted with the explorers who have gone to the 24th level?
You're the famous Glenn Walker. The most famous explorer or whatever they call him.

　Glen Walker.
　I believe that's the name of the record holder for the best labyrinth attack. But from what I've heard, he didn't get to the 23rd level.

I'm told he only made it to the 23rd level.
To be precise, you only managed to pull the "righteous path" up to the 23rd layer, right?

　In other words, the rumored 23rd layer means that he drew the 'path of righteousness'. Without the condition of pulling the 'right path', the strongest searcher, Glen, is said to be able to go even deeper.

I see. It's no wonder that Rastiara knows so much about this. I hear a lot of things from the world's top explorer.
Hmm, well. I'm almost certain my source is that guy.
So, what's he like?

　I flirtatiously ask him about Mr. Glenn.
　Apparently, I have a weakness for the title of 'strongest'. As someone who loves games and romance, I was very interested in Glenn.

'What kind,' he said, 'is ....... I can only describe him as a poor guy for my taste. He has an interesting life where no matter how far he goes, he never gets what he wants ....... If I had the talent for that, I'd be a little better ......

　To Rastiara, Glen Walker seemed to be a less fortunate person. I was sure I was the kind of person who was talented, loved by the world, and had my way with everything.
　It's the opposite of the 'strongest' I've ever imagined.

'Heh, I didn't know that: ......
'I'm feeble-minded, unattached, and love to self-sabotage. I'm a badass, but ...... well, I'm strong.
No, it doesn't sound strong at all.
In fact, it's not incredibly strong: ......

　I can feel the 'strongest' in me crumbling.
　The strongest person in this world doesn't seem to be able to live up to my expectations.

　When I'm disappointed with the fragile reality, the magic Dimension finds the end of The Right Path.
　The 23rd layer went smoothly as the enemies didn't come near the "right path". Rastiara and I arrived at the end of the righteous path without encountering any enemies.

So this is the goal. For now, we've accomplished our goal for today.

　I get some sense of accomplishment.
　I'm now on par with the current human race.

Okay. Okay, now let's move on to the 30th layer.
I don't like that.

　I stop Rustyala as he tries to move further in.

　It's a short one in terms of time, from 20 layers to here, but with so many first-time fights I'm getting tired. Furthermore, I was physically afraid to go to the deeper levels, the world I had never seen before.

　I told Rastiara about it, but of course he didn't agree.

''Eh, she said we can still go!　Look how healthy I am!
I was hoping you'd say that. Well...

　In the end, we decided to take a break today and focus on exploring the 23 layers.
　When I told Rustyala that since there are no "right-of-way" signposts from here, the mapping process will follow us around, he reluctantly agreed.

　Using that as a guide, Rastiara and I walk.

　I rely on the 'map' to fill in the 23 layers of the map.
　Fortunately, there were no monsters in the 23rd layer that posed a threat. Perhaps the huge monsters that appeared in layer 21 and 22 could not live in this hot layer. The monsters were all durable ones that could withstand these high temperatures and were not troublesome.

　Most importantly, Rastiara's high attack power gives him an advantage in his search. This was because no matter how hard the enemies were, they were meaningless in front of Rastiara's foolish power.

　As a result of the overall results, we determine that the main aim of this layer is to wear out the searchers due to high temperatures.
　Stalling them with endurance-oriented enemies, the high temperatures deprive them of moisture and sap their strength. Depending on how you think about it, this might be more of a problem than the 21 and 22 layers.

'Oh, oh ....... Christ, water - ......

　Every few minutes, Rastiala consumes a lot of water.
　I'm thirsty too, and I rehydrate quite often, but not as often as Rastiara. Her poor fuel efficiency could create the worst situation in the 23 layers.

'Well, wait, Lastiara ....... Really, you're thirsty?　At this rate, we'll run out of that much water, won't we?
I'm really, really thirsty.

　After a few hours of walking around, I couldn't resist and asked Rastiara. But Rastiara is not joking; he is serious and begs me for water.

If you consume any more water, you'll have to go home.
Oh, did I drink that much?
Yeah. He looked dazed and gulped it down.

　The speed at which this water is being consumed is enough to make us rethink our search plan.
　The 24 layers we were about to head for were a magma zone, and the water we had on hand was far from enough.

　We didn't want to get fatally injured because we were thirsty and dazed.

Hmmm. Is it because I'm a sweaty person?
'Looks like it. I don't think we're going to be able to continue our search without many times the amount of water we planned.

　For me, I want to turn back now.
　I don't want to fail due to unforeseen circumstances, but I don't want to fail due to predictable ill health.

...... are you leaving now?
You'll be out of water.
...... Is that what it's all about?

　Rustyala was not happy, but thirst wasn't his thing, and his face clouded over at the thought of exploring without water.

'But I've got a pretty good idea of the twenty-three layers, too. We've had a good harvest.
'I've left the mapping to Christ, but is this really going to get me home right?'
Don't worry about it.

　Explaining everything about the 'map' system would be a long story, so I'm just telling Rastiara that he can memorize the way. Rastiara has been walking around in a daze and seems to be anxious about not knowing the way back at all.

　In order to counteract Rastiara's anxiety, I return to the way I came with a firm step.


◆◆◆◆◆


　After ending our search, we headed to the magic Connection on the 20th level.

　On the way back, we were attacked by many monsters, but they were all monsters we could deal with, so there was no problem.
　However, the problem was the 20th layer, which was supposed to be empty.

　I felt trapped by the magic 《Dimension》 and used my magic to examine the situation before entering the 20th level.

　There's one girl knight there.
　And there is a wolf with bluish fur.

　A knight who can reach the 20th layer - perhaps it's the 'Seven Celestial Knights' in the sky.
　I extend my magical senses from the 21st layer and 'gaze' at the girl knights.


[Status]
　Name: Ragne Kaikwola HP152/153 MP34/34 Class: Knight
　Level 16.
　Strength 3.22 Strength 3.91 Skill 11.23 Speed 5.22 Wisdom 7.12 Magic 1.52 Qualities 1.12
　Inherent skill: magic manipulation 2.11　
　Acquired Skill: Swordsmanship 0.52 Sacred Magic 1.02

[Status]
　Name: Serra Raydiant HP252/256 MP43/101 Class: Knight
　Level 21.
　Strength 6.23 Strength 7.92 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


　The girl's knight was named Ragne and the wolf was named Sera.

''Huh?　Is that wolf, Mr. Radiant?

　That fact surprises me and I say it out loud.

'Christ, stop and see what's going on?'
'No, ......, there's a wolf in layer 20 who looks like Mr. Raydiant. Also, there's a girl named Ragne.
That's just my two girls. Hang in there, Christ.
Well, I don't feel like losing: ......

　I guess Rastiara doesn't think it's a big deal.
　In fact, I don't either.
　We go up to the 20th level, looking light.

　When we enter the 20th level, the knight who was stationed in the center of the room greets us.
　It's the same as yesterday.

''Miss, are you alright?''

　The short-cut girl knight lightly curtsies and worries about Rustyala's safety.
　She's an active looking girl who's a little shorter than me. She's not the most beautiful woman in the world, but her face is well built and has a pretty face for her age. She is wearing a fine short-sleeved shirt on top and an unusually long skirt underneath. You can find a number of different types of shoes that can be used for a variety of reasons.

''Lagne-chan, it's been a while,''

　Rastiara called the girl Ragne-chan.
　Since she looks younger, I'll call her Ragne-chan too here.

　Rastiara and Ragnet-chan continue to talk.

"So, Lagne-chan. Why are you here?
Old Hopes told me about it. He said this boy is a maze seeker, and he's on the 20th level.
Oh, I see.

　I don't miss Rastiara saying in a small voice, "That old man, no need ......".

'Oh no, I really wanted to relax in the cathedral ......

　Ragne chuckles as she looks at the wolf next to her.
　The wolf, feeling his eyes, barked a wang.

'Huh?　Oh, yes. I'll do it. I'll do it now.

　Ragne, who was barked at by the wolf, senses the intent and immediately draws her sword.
　I'm curious and ask Rustyala in a whisper.

''That wolf is Raydiant-san, right?''
'Yeah. Raydiant is a bloodthirsty beastman. It's like he's only talking to Ragne with magic. This one has 'eyes', so I can see it all the way through, but it's funny, so let's pretend I don't understand.
...... I'll do that.

　I don't want her to point it out poorly and be picky. I guess that's what 'not showing my face' is to her. Let's leave it alone.
　I draw my sword and stand in front of Rustyala.

　Then, Lagune-chan in front of me takes out something like a memo from her pocket and begins to read it out.

'Er, er, my name is Knight Lagne Kaikwola. I ask Christ Eurasia to challenge you to a duel for your daughter. The rules are the same as the ones I used to play with Serah Raydiant. Now, play the game in an ordinary way--sigh.

　Yeah, it's not very motivating.
　It's kind of like a gymnastics club, where the juniors are forced to do things by the seniors.

'Yeah, that's fine. But I'd like you to change one thing. Can I add to the reward over here that I don't bring any other knights?
Oh, that's fine. Also, if you can, as soon as you get one scratch, it's over. I don't want you to get seriously hurt doing this.
Of course you can.

　Ragne nodded readily and added more rules. Apparently, she wasn't going to get on board. In response, the wolf next to her moans. Ragne is frightened, and I want her to stop.

'So can we begin then?'
Yeah, that's okay--

Wait a minute.

　Ragne has just pulled out her ill-fitting, slender one-handed sword, and Rastiara interrupts her.

　I don't know why, but I turn my attention to Rustiala. Then Rastiara speaks to me in a whisper.

Christ. The 'rule of losing if you get hurt' that you just received so easily is quite unfavorable. That girl specializes in it.
Huh?　But that girl, she's low status?

　Ragne's status is lower than any of the 'Seven Knights of Heaven (Celestial Knights)' so far. I don't feel anything that would make Rastiara's expression grim.

''He's a child with anomalous 'unquantifiable figures'. ...... I won't say any more because I'm too patronizing, but I don't want to lose the 'first move'.

　Rustyala's eyes were serious.
　In the battle against the knights, she seemed optimistic all along, but she was not optimistic only because she received the 'rule of losing if you get hurt' from Ragne-chan.

　''First move.''
　Lagne-chan makes an anomalous, unexpected 'first move' attack that exceeds her status.

　You're being patronized by a great .......
　I can't afford to lose after being taught so much. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you're going to be able to get your hands on it.

''Then, is it time to go?
Yeah, I'll be fine.

　They check in with each other, raise their swords, and bow.
　Then the duel begins.

　I immediately try to deploy my auxiliary magic--

"Magic, huh?

　An unidentified blade extended to my throat.
　I had grasped the beginning of its growth with my magic 《Dimension Decisive Operation (Graduation)》, so I raise the sword in my hand and successfully deflect its trajectory to avoid it.

　Then, I confirm the identity of the blade.
　Ragne-chan doesn't even twitch the slender one-handed sword in her hand. A blade of solidified magic power was extending from her other free hand. I didn't dodge it with my eyes, I noticed it because I was using magic to look down at Ragne-chan as a whole.

　If I had fought normally, I would have looked at the sword due to being a knight. But thanks to my magical characteristics and Rustyala's advice, I was able to avoid getting hurt.

　Lagne-chan, who was hit by my first move, immediately retracted her magic blade and made an impatient face.

''Geez. It was neatly avoided.''

　And before I can catch my breath, Ragne's second and third blows strike.

　I deflect it with the tip of my sword and taunt it.
　The distance between us is about ten meters, but I feel as if we are fighting right underneath each other's noses.

　It's as if I'm dealing with a laser gun that is constantly being fired.
　But Lastiara is right, the only thing to be careful about is the 'first move'.
　As long as you know the species, you're not my enemy.

　Ragne's techniques are not as refined as they could be.
　To put it simply, it has no sense. It's as if there is no "sense of surprise".

　I've gotten used to the extended sword, and as I began to close the distance while flicking off attacks, Lagune-chan immediately raised her hands in the air.

I can't do it anymore. We lose. This may be the first time I've lost on such favorable terms.

　Apparently, they have decided that they have no chance of winning if they continue on like this.
　Ragne tossed the slender sword roughly to the ground to show her willingness to surrender.

''Yeah, it was an interesting match. Thanks.''
No, you're welcome.

　Then we close the distance and shake each other's hands with good smiles.
　It's a bit of a gymnastics groove.

　In the back of the room, Ragnet-chan's older brother, Raydiant-san, is barking around, but I don't care.

　Lagne-chan, who continues to be complained about by the wolf behind her, answers the wolf with a half smile.

''Ehh, it can't be helped. This brother is strong, kind and cool, is there a problem with that?　If the young lady wasn't there first, I'd be in love with her, wouldn't I?

　But the wolf continues to roar and bark in response.
　Ragnae translates it and says it out loud.

'Eh, eh?　-- "That pretty, beautiful, innocent, innocent, young lady who is like a single flower made of unblemished first snow, should not be taken away by this man"?　Yes, your daughter is a pretty black-hearted person, but...

　Hearing this, Rustyala reacts.

''Oh, Ragne, you're terrible. I'm always just honestly speaking as it is, but you're so black-hearted ....... I'm about to burst into tears .......

　Rastiara pretends to be hurt by Ragne's words and pretends to break down crying as she says oyo.
　Then the wolf that was barking starts to bite Lagne-chan.

''Ugh, whoa!　Sir, please don't!　See, this part of you is black!

　After some wolf and Ragne-chan played around, Rastiara confirmed to Ragne-chan that he would strictly keep his promise.
　Ragne swore that as a knight, she would never break her oath.

　Then, calming the excited wolf, Ragne-chan turns to leave.

'--Well then, girl. See you later. Cool brother will be back too.

　He looked rusty and walked straight to the 19th layer.

　Since we have magical movement, I didn't follow it and waved him off until he was out of sight.

　Thus, I had cleared the Seven Celestial Knights of Heaven for the third time.