While eating salad on the deck, I chant the magic.

" -- 'Connection,'

　After confirming that we can start from the 30th level of the labyrinth at any time, I get down to business.

''Well then, I'll explain to you the plan of the labyrinth search.

　I begin to explain the labyrinth exploration plan I've been thinking about all by myself for a long time.
　As I thought when I escaped from the cathedral on the day of the Nativity, organizing a party with a large group of friends is just fun to think about. It's the same exuberance as when you're playing a game.
　I know that I shouldn't do it just for fun, but I can't help but feel like I love games.
　I confidently open up my well thought out plan.

I'm going to take a party of four people to explore the labyrinth. We'll rotate the party to make it more efficient.

　Eyes sparkling, the presentation is made.
　A plan that once beat out the best answers through a thought routine of repeated gameplay and time attacks. In order for the girls to understand it, I begin to use 'Parallel Thinking' in full force.

'First, let's tentatively make the A team as Snow, Dia and Sera-san, and the B team as Rustyala, Maria and Reaper. This combination has the best balance.

　This will make the experience distribution equal. Let's just avoid a large separation of abilities like we did with Maria before. Although Sera's qualities are a little less than encouraging, I'm going to have her focus on protecting the rear guard and moving around.

I'm going to start with team A and I will explore in the morning, and when my MP is low, I'll switch to team B with 'Connection'. At this point, my MP will be low, so I'll be sharing my MP with the Reaper. Then, team B and I will use the afternoon to resume the attack.

　By the way, the Reaper's 'connection' ability remains. With the separation from Rowen, the 'Curse of Not Being There' has been lost, but other magic can be used. However, since it was judged that an excessive influx of memories was dangerous, they no longer retain only the minimum amount of "connection" necessary. There is also the fact that the Reaper himself dislikes his abilities as a Reaper.

　Right now, the only person connected to the Reaper is me, a strong rational thinker. Everyone else is avoiding 'connection' because they are concerned about their personal lives.

　Hearing my detailed strategy, Dia nods her head.

''Hmm, hmm?　I'm not sure: ......

　Everyone else is similar.
　Among them, only Rastiara reacts negatively.

'As usual, what Kanami talks about is boring. So, why are there four of you?''
Just to keep the ship from going away. Fifty-fifty is about right, right?

　Not strictly speaking.
　The truth is that the number of people I could always figure out in my "parallel thinking" is four.
　Also, I simply wanted to do the act of organizing, and four was a royal number in terms of the game. In fact, this might be the majority of the reason.

''I mean, isn't it unfair that Kanami is the only one who's participating in the game in a row?
'Yeah, because I'm the only one who really wants to go to the deepest part, and I think I'll take the part that seems to be a burden: ......
'At least I don't mind being in a row!　I'd rather go it alone if they leave me alone!
'Don't do that!　Don't go in there!　I won't let you go without my company!
Oh, you're with me?　...... Why?　
'No, you'd normally be worried if you weren't in a situation where you could pull out at any time with The Connection, wouldn't you?　Prepare for the contingency. It's basic.

　Rustyala is upset with my stone-bridge-thumping mindset.

'And there's something else to complain about. Are we going to be a fixed team all the time?
'Of course. It's got to be fixed to increase the alchemy of the partnership.
It's boring if it's the same all the time. Let's just mix it up with a lottery or something.
There's no such thing as appropriate. What if it's just the rear guard or the vanguard?
That's funny!
Your funny is too directly related to the danger!

　Our bickering never stops.
　However, this is customary. It's good enough to measure the space between the two of us in this way.

　When the other members are left behind and are working out the details of the grading process, Snow unwittingly raises her hand.

'What's wrong, Snow? If you have something to say, you don't have to feel free to do so.
Well, can't I wait on the boat?
...... Hey. Are you going to go into the maze at all?
'Well, ......, I wonder if there's that much?　If I'm the only one there, I don't blame you. If there's so many of them, like I don't have to go to ......?

　Snow weakly appeals for non-participation here.

'Maybe so, but that would mean you wouldn't work the whole time.
You know, I'm a good seamstress, so I can make clothes for everyone.　And I cook!　I'm an aspiring wife by nature!
"--Wait, that's all you need to know: ...... You've been exploring the labyrinth the longest. I'd appreciate it if you'd join me in exploring rather than doing housework: ......

　He reflexively interrupts a comment that seems to freeze the place up.
　He pretends he didn't ask about his wife and tries to convince Snow to join the labyrinth exploration team somehow.
　However, the Reaper who was sitting next to Snow also shakes his head.

I'm not interested in exploring the labyrinth either. But I'll help you if I feel like it.

　The Reaper sits up.

'Oh, Reaper!　Wait!
'I'm going to go have some fun with it because it's hard to talk about!　I tried fishing earlier and it was more fun than I thought it would be!

　With that, he runs off quickly into the ship.
　Furthermore, the unexpected continues.
　Sera, who had a Buddha's face, speaks up briefly.

'First of all, I'm not going to enter the labyrinth at your command, am I?
Yeah, yeah!
'I'm a lady's knight. It's partly because I'm not that interested in exploring the labyrinth to begin with.

　If you ask me, it is true.
　She is a knight, not an explorer. Also, there's no reason for me to be obligated to explore the labyrinth.

　Gradually, my plan is falling apart. I had no choice but to accept it with gritted teeth.
　Rastiara watches it blissfully.

''Ufufu, the party was half destroyed even before we went under. Things aren't going as planned!　I can't stand it!
Babe, it's just an idealistic idea. I've got the next best thing: ......!　So I'm not sorry at all and ......!

　I quickly pile on the unfamiliar excuses to Rustyala, who feels an unfamiliar joy, while I quickly pile on the unfamiliar excuses.
　The plan goes back to the drawing board at the start, and I have no choice but to propose an attack with the remaining members.

''With ......, it's basically me, Rustiala, Dia, and Maria exploring with the four of us!　Various shifts as the case may be. That's it!
'Nice!　It's that much more exciting to be unplanned!
'Our first goal is the 39th layer. It is our policy not to wake up the Guardians of the 40th layer until we have settled the matter with Palinclone!
I'm sorry if I accidentally got into the 40th layer, Kanami!
I'll leave you in the labyrinth as a decoy for that one. If you eliminate all the Connections, even the Guardians won't be able to follow you to your ship.
Hey, isn't that unfashionable: ......, Kanami (leader)?
That's what you do when you go into 40 layers. Well, you'll survive one way or another. A guardian like Rowen can talk his way out of it.
Kanami are so unsophisticated. Even if that happens, I'm still going to be there anyway.
...... In terms of viability, Rastiala is the best (top) in terms of survivability. Yes, I believe that.
Ke, you're pretty serious ....... Yeah, I'll make sure I don't go into the 40th layer by accident. ......
Please do so.

　Realizing my seriousness as I learned to rely on others, Rustyala became quiet.
　Now that there is no one to argue with and it's quiet, I regain my composure and announce my departure.

'Alright, let's go anyway!　Let's dive into the labyrinth and then we'll think about it!

　There's no point in thinking about it on the boat any longer. It's a bad habit to overthink and spin around.
　This time, I'm going to follow Rastiara's example and proceed with the labyrinth search. There's also the fact that the four-person party of me, Rastiara, Dia and Maria is almost the best member, so there's plenty of room.

　However, that hand and nose is also frustrated.

''Ah, Kanami-san. Um ......, I have some laundry left to do .......

　Maria interjects apologetically. She likes to do housework and doesn't like to be left out of her work.
　I grab Snow by the neck as she tries to run away quietly.

'Let ...... Snow do it,'
'Yes, yes!　Me?

　Snow shook her head.

'Hey. I said I'd do it earlier. ......?　Do the wives over here do any housework at all ......?
'No, I'm just wondering if it's okay to do it if no one else is going to do it, and if Maria is going to do it, I'm not going to take that job away from her, so that's what I'm thinking: ......
Are you really going to just eat and sleep on this boat ......?
'Oh, I knit, too: ......?'
That's your hobby.
I'll even do some fishing: ......?
'That's definitely just for sleeping ....... And I don't need to fish because I don't have any food to eat: ......

　Snow laughs and tries desperately to fool me, but I don't let go of my grip.
　My attention is distracted, however, when a reaper appears from inside the boat with fishing gear. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Snow shakes his hand off and runs away.

Oh, the reaper wants to see you. I'll be back in a minute.

　Apparently, they had indicated from the beginning.
　Reaper and Snow ran off towards the stern, taking their fishing gear with them.

'Laundry, what shall we do? ......

　Maria, who was watching the whole thing, listens to my instructions.
　I had no choice but to talk to Sera, whom I had decided not to mention until the end.

I'm going to ask you, Sera-san ....... Could you do the laundry for me ......, you see, you look like that too.

　I ask Sera to put on her maid's clothes and keep quiet.

'For the record, I've never done any housework. Also, mention the outfit again and I'll kill you.
'You've never done ......?　Never?
'Yeah, never. ......, but I'm going to learn from it.

　He is uncooperative in his quest, but he seems to be willing to help you on your journey.
　From his words, I can see his willingness to help as a member of the group. I want 100 times as much for my wife as Snow does.

'Well then, let's all do laundry together: ......
I will.
When that's done, let's go to the labyrinth: ......

　I have to temporarily give up my search for the labyrinth and go about my household duties.
　However, since they were all women's laundry, I would be banned from the house immediately. To be honest, the only person who cared about it was Sera. I said it was fine with me and Maria, but they wouldn't listen to me.

　Everything is now a mess .......

　Thus, the memorable "Living Legend" and her party's first labyrinthine search gets off to a completely uneventful start.
　And when they finish drying their laundry on the deck, they collect Rustyala and Dia, who were happily fishing with Snow and the others.

　If you take your eyes off of them, you'll get a headache for the members that will soon fall apart.
　I'm not sure if it was a mistake to try to control these people in the first place.

　I noticed that the future prospect of exploring the labyrinth was looking doubtful, and with a great sigh, I passed through the "Connection".


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　We flew through the "Connection" to the 30th layer that had been set up in advance.

　The 30th layer was nowhere to be seen. The entire crystal field was gone, leaving only the inorganic stone floor.
　We descended to the 31st layer with the same sadness we felt at Arti.

　Layer 31 is not much different from layer 29.
　It's just that the quality of the sand has changed and the ground has become a bit harder.
　Everywhere, there is a sea of sand. Golems roamed the desert and fish monsters swam in its desert. All of the monsters are covered with hard-looking crystals that cover their entire bodies. It's not going to be a simple matter.

　I do a final status check while using "Dimension" to keep an eye on my surroundings.

--I'll be able to see if I can find a way to make it work.
　　　Name Aikawa Uzumi HP303/313 MP391/796-400 Class Searcher.
　　　Level 18.
　　　Strength 10.15 Strength 11.42 Skill 14.90 Speed 17.82 Wisdom 15.33 Magic 40.52 Elemental 7.00　
　　　State: confusion 6.98
　　　Experience: 8,409/60000
　　　Equipment: the treasured sword of the House of Alais, Rowen
　　　　　　　Red Talisman
　　　　　　　cloak
　　　　　　　Epic Seeker Uniforms.
　　　　　　　A burnt-out otherworldly shoe--
--Inherent skill: swordsmanship 4.89 icy magic 2.58+1.10
　　　Acquired skills: body arts 1.56 Dimensional magic 5.25+0.10 Sensory perception 3.56 Parallel thinking 1.47
　　　　　　　　　　　Knitting 1.07 Deception 1.34
　　　?　???
　　　???　????? -- ?

　I left a lot of 'connections' behind before I left the Allies, so my maximum MP is low. In order to make up for that MP, all of the points for leveling up have been allocated to Magic Power.

--Status.
　　　Name Rustyala Hoozeyers HP 735/735 MP 338/338 Class Knight　
　　　Level 17.
　　　Strength 12.97 Strength 12.52 Skill 7.82 Speed 9.31 Wisdom 13.52 Magic 9.69 Qualities 4.00
　　　Status: none--.
--Inherent Skill: Weapon Combat 2.20 Swordsmanship 2.12 Pseudo-God's Eye 1.00
　　　　　　　　　 　Magical combat 2.27 Blood art 5.00 Sacred magic 1.03
　　　Acquired skill: reading 0.52 elemental 1.00--

　Compared to before, Rustyala has grown up a bit. Incidentally, I gave her the 'Straight Sword of Crescent Pectrazi'. Her beloved Heavenly Sword "Noah" is said to be left in the Cathedral of Hoozeyards.

--Name Diablo Sith HP220/220 MP941/941 Class Swordsman
　　　Level 14.
　　　Strength 8.11 Strength 6.59 Skill 3.60 Speed 3.79 Wisdom 12.33 Magic 51.72 Qualities 5.00　
　　　State: blessing 1.00
　　 Inherent Skill: Divine Magic 3.81 Divine Blessing 3.08 Absolution 2.00 Focused Convergence 2.05
　　　　　　　　　　　Attribute magic 2.10 Overcapture protection 2.45 Life extension 2.24 Aiming 2.03　　
Acquired Skill: Swordsmanship 0.11
　　　?　???? -- ?

　The one who is growing the most is Dia. While working with Rastiara, her ability value has jumped dramatically. Her muscular strength has surpassed the strongest Glenn-san, and her strength has surpassed Volzak-san, the biggest body in Epic Seeker. However, his swordsmanship skills have only increased by 0.01. It's sad to say that a dubious skill like 'Over-Capture Protection' has risen rapidly.
　It's a good example of how no matter how hard he tries, he can't achieve the status he wants.

--Name Maria HP159/159 MP855/855 Class None
　　　Level 10.
　　　Strength 7.69 Strength 7.23 Skill 5.99 Speed 4.45 Wisdom 7.96 Magic 41.13 Qualities 4.13
　　　Status:.
--Inherent Skills None.　
　　　Acquired skills hunting 0.68, cooking 1.08, fire magic 3.53--

　The level remains the same. However, due to Arti's magic stone, his magic power and qualities have risen sharply. No, it's better to say that they are entering another dimension rather than surging.
　Although Maria has lost both of her eyes, she has gained spatial awareness to replace her eyesight through Arti's magic. She floats a few flames, like demon fire, around her to alert her surroundings.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good idea of what to expect. It's a flame that reminds me of Arti.

　I'm still most curious about Maria's true ability.

You're not going to be able to get away with it. Rustyala, take care of the two behind you.
Riley!

　I walk at the front, and Rustyala guards the two rearguards in a formation.
　We walk through the sea of sand while deploying Dimension. Rather than following a path, I feel like I'm walking through a vast desert. There were no walls at the edge of my vision, and I couldn't even be sure of my direction.
　If I wanted to explore normally, this would be a floor that would make me feel a lot uneasy.

　However, it doesn't matter to me right now.
　When I was a guildmaster, I used to envelop an entire city in Dimension. Today, we're going to let that Dimension permeate the entire floor. It's an extravagant use of MP, but it's better to start out this cautiously.

　The construction of the floor. Enemy positions. The stairs to the next level. Check and memorize everything.
　However, you can't fully grasp what's going on in the sandy sea. I'd better be careful about attacks from monsters lurking in the sand.

　I divide my consciousness into the nearby sand.
　Strangely, the passage of magic power is better than before.

　No, the reason is predictable.
　The experience of fighting the guardians (guardians) has made me grow. It's a 'number that doesn't 'show up' on my status, a 'number that doesn't show up in numbers'.
　In the same way that my understanding of fire has increased after fighting Arti, my understanding of ore has probably increased after fighting Rowen.

　Compared to Rowen's crystal, which could repel any attack, the minerals in this hierarchy are easier to understand.

　We moved deeper into the depths of the city with more time to spare.
　Along the way, we find a single affordable monster moving by itself and deliberately go to make contact with it. This is to confirm the party's movements and abilities at an early stage.

--Monster
　　　Jewelfish, rank 29--

　There are 29 layers of giant, seven-colored fish swimming around.
　I call out to them.

"Hey, let's go fight those affordable monsters over there. He's a fish monster that swims in the sand, hard and fast, so be careful.

　The three of us in the back nodded and agreed.
　Then, the first battle of the "Living Legend Party (Provisional)" - the first exploration - begins.