The staircase from the 35th layer to the 36th layer was no longer a metaphorical vortex.
　Unable to resist gravity, the water on the 35th layer was being swallowed downward.

　We jumped into the vortex and descended the stairs like a waterfall. We fall to the ground in a sticky mess, as if we were being slammed down.
　What awaited us on the 36th layer was not a corridor full of water, but a shallow water.

　It helped that we weren't in the water continuously. Nevertheless, the water level was much higher than the 34th layer. When I looked around, I saw that the water level had changed.
　There was a spring running down the side wall and a few water plants growing here and there.

"It's better than underwater, but this is a lot harder to move around in.

　As we wade through the water, we begin to make our way down the corridor.
　Deer and Reaper in particular seem to be struggling. They are simply not tall enough and are almost swimming in the water.
　Only one of them seems to be fine, Snow.

''What, is it hard to move ......?''

　Snow was walking briskly, just like he was walking on the ground.

'Hey, Snow. If you can afford it, can you carry either Dea or the Reaper?

　With her arm strength, it would be easy.
　If possible, I want to avoid uneven consumption of physical strength.

''Eh, ka katsugu ......?''

　However, Snow shows a troubled face.
　After all, she's not likely to nod her head so easily due to her nature.

　While I'm wondering how to persuade her, the Reaper enters the negotiations first.

'Please, sis. I can swim, but it's even harder for you, Dear Sis.
Mmmmmm: ......!
I know you're a pain in the ass, kiddo. So, if you'll just listen to me--

　With that, the Reaper tries to give Snow an earful. I hurriedly make a hole in "Dimension" so that I can't hear the girls' private conversation. As far as I'm aware, I have a policy of protecting other people's privacy, so I can't listen to this eavesdropping.
　Also, I want to show this attitude (stance) to Snow. If the Reaper and I continue to take an attitude (stance) of consideration for others, maybe one day she will reflect on herself and stop eavesdropping.
　I have such a fleeting hope.

　The two sneakily overhear each other.
　And as a result, Snow's face brightened and she nodded cheerfully.

''--Yes, okay. I'll take care of it, Reaper!
'Thank goodness for ......'
Okay, I'll put you two on each shoulder. I don't like the balance, so you two on top will have to balance it somehow.
Yes, please.

　Snow begins to walk with them lightly on her shoulders, as if she were carrying a bale of rice. However, her shoulders weren't very wide, so the form forced her to make a place to sit with her arms outstretched.

　It was an amazing sight to watch from the side.
　Snow was tall but slender. The sight of him carrying two girls with his thin body was physically impossible in the original world.

　Furthermore, his walking speed is also extraordinary.
　It is like a walk through water that is difficult to navigate. It is so light on its feet that one suspects it is not carrying a person but a piece of scuffed styrofoam.

　The high specs of the dragon man (Dragon Newt) are on full display.

　At any rate, this will reduce the fatigue of our two little ones.
　Next to Dea thanking Snow, I use my eyes to express my gratitude to the Reaper. The Reaper, who's in a state of mind with me, takes it without misunderstanding and is a little embarrassed and bashful.

It's safe now. Let's move on.

　With me in the lead, we proceeded through layer 36. This layer of exploration was not much different from the usual, just a little more tiring.
　The level of the enemies is rising, but our level is also rising.
　We didn't have much trouble finding the stairs, but--

Well, here we go again: ......

　The stairs leading to the 37th level were submerged in water again.

'What to do, brother ....... There's still plenty of room for everyone but .......

　The reaper begs for judgment.
　Thanks to Snow, it looks like we can all take another swim.
　I check their status at the front of the stairs and contemplate.

...... No, let's go home today...it's enough to know the path to levels 35 and 36.

　I am not optimistic that the next underwater layer will be the same as the one above.
　This time it would be best to follow the shortest path and try the 37th layer with less fatigue.
　I also learned that there was a need to increase the number of air-filled skin bags. And after reflecting on yesterday, I also want to take a large amount of leeway.
　I choose to retreat based on my overall judgment.

　Dia seemed a little unhappy, but I couldn't strongly disagree with her due to the position she was being carried in.
　I make a 'connection' next to Snow, who is pleased to find out that she can return home sooner than expected.

　Thus, we finished our search and returned to the ship.

　We returned - but what awaited us there was a sea of fire.

'Er, yeah, hey, just ......'

　Gray smoke rises, and the ship is burning as firewood. The sails are torn and the masts are about to collapse. If the fire continued to burn, the ship would sink. The fire was strong enough to convince me of this.

'Hey, what are you doing ......?'

　I was barely able to keep my composure because it wasn't the Living Legend that was burning, but a strange ship.
　Still, my heart trembled anxiously as I replayed the traumatic scene.

''Fufufufu!
'Hahahahaha!

　The two people who didn't hear me, Maria and Rustyala, were laughing high and low on the deck.
　It's maddening to see them happily watching the burning, sinking ship.

　Gathering up my courage, I shout to them, loudly.

'Hey!　What are you two doing there!
Oh, Kanami, welcome back.
Welcome back, Canamy.

　They greet me with a smile, but that smile is scary.
　However, that smile, on the contrary, scares me.

'Didn't I say be gentle!　Why, a ship I don't know is burning right there!
Hmmm, you're out of luck to have me come in when I'm not at home!

　Rustyala starts bragging about his accomplishments in a theatrical tone.
　Instantly deciding that this guy isn't worth talking about, I yell at the maid-dressed beastly woman in the corner, whose face is as dark as mine.

''Sera-san!　Why didn't you stop me!
"No, I stopped the arson ....... But they were opponents too, so, you know, ....... I couldn't say anything strongly enough to the young lady, so, you know, ......?

　I knew he wouldn't be able to get this guy on the set with Rastiala!

　I hold my head in my hands and turn my gaze to the crumbling strange ship.
　It sucks. It's almost too much of a problem. I had become a criminal in the United Kingdom, but in another land, I wanted to be an innocent adventurer. That plan is falling apart with the burning ship.

　Seeing the situation, Maria hurriedly begins to explain herself.

''I, no, Kanami-san. In case you're wondering, there's a situation!　Circumstances!
What kind of ...... circumstances?
That ship first came to negotiate with us under the guise of a merchant vessel ......, but as soon as the sailor's representative saw me as a child, he changed his attitude and attacked me.
Oh, really?
It's true!

　Maria's voice trails off. She seems to be more than a little shocked at the low level of trust from me.
　Then Rustyala interrupts.

'So-called pirates, you know. The number of pirate ships (that kind of thing) seems to be increasing naturally as we get closer to the war zone. Maria kept her promise to Kanami. The one who attacked us in the morning threatened us with fire and sent us home. But at noon, another pirate ship came by and attacked us. Probably the ship that chased him back leaked our ship's location to the others. Besides, if the attack failed, we could return home peacefully, so of course they would attack us again and again, right? Moreover, there were only three girls on board. That's delicious prey for anyone to hear!

　Rustyala explains with sarcasm.
　He defends Maria and says that my decision was wrong.

'Maria was in trouble for keeping Kanami's word, so I gave her the go-ahead on my own. 'They're coming, let's burn the ship down!　It's an example to you!　A frustrated Maria was very much in favor of the idea. And here we are today--!
'I'm afraid you guys have the guts to make a quick decision there and burn the ship, but ......, I understand the circumstances. ......

　I don't need to use "parallel thinking" to know why.
　It was because I was naive.
　Maria was trying to follow that warm instruction to the limit. Unable to see that, Rustyala protected her. Sera-san also decided that Rustyala's instructions were more correct than mine.
　Morally, I may have been right, but I was wrong when it came to everyone's safety.

　There would be no excuse for the error of judgment.

'I'm sorry I yelled at you, Maria, Rustyala. It was my fault.

　It was as if I had said things that I was absolutely sure I was not wrong.
　Did he think that he was smarter than anyone else, with his level of 'parallel thinking'?

　No, he definitely thought that he was. That's why I yelled at him so much.

　I felt my own stupidity, and my face naturally turned downward.
　The battle against Galfrad Jerry in the labyrinth, the conversation with Hailey, and this conceit - the failures never stop. No matter how strong I get, I'm getting tired of being the same as before.　

''Rastiara-san!　You're being too blunt!　Kanami-san blames herself for everything!
'But facts are facts and ....... I said that pretty softly now, too, didn't I?
'No, I didn't miss it. He caught the end of Kanami-san's words and said sarcastically, "You can 'go home peacefully' -" he said. That would break Kanami-san's heart, which is so vulnerable to being hit.
'No, you have to say that much to realize your mistake. Especially Kanami--

　Maybe it's because I'm too pathetic, but Maria is taking care of me.
　Or rather, I'm more shocked that she thought of me that way: .......

　I'm sure that Maria is worried about the self-defeating aspects of my character.
　After all, it was a bad idea to claim that it was all my fault in one of my fights with Maria. She is desperate to keep the blame from being placed on me.
　In order not to worry Maria any more, I answer a bit forcefully.

'Thank you, Maria. That's enough. It's true that I made a mistake, and I'm going to be very sorry for that. Of course, I won't feel sorry for you any longer than necessary, so don't worry.

　He gets between Rustyala and Maria and stops arguing with them.
　Then, he balances it out and blames them both for being sorry as well.

'...... but as for burning the ship down, be sorry for that one too. Anyone would be distraught if you came back and found yourself in a huge fire.
'Oh, yes. I knew it was too much to burn: ....... There were plenty of other ways to prevent the voyage from continuing: ......

　Maria became sullen.
　But Rustyala is the same as usual.
　After confirming that the air has eased up a bit, she lets out a joyful voice in an attempt to further lighten the scene.

''Alright, case closed, right? I'm feeling a little sorry for myself too!　...... So, how did the labyrinth work out for you?
...... Yeah, I got to layer 37, but I was underwater again, so I came back with plenty of time to spare.
'I see. Well, I guess I'll be able to get to the 39th layer tomorrow: ......
I think I can make it.

　We are almost there and our original goal will be achieved.
　The voyage has progressed and we are getting quite close to the mainland. They would arrive as early as tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

　Rastiara listened to the progress report with a mysterious look on his face.

''It's going well (・・・・). Then I'll join the labyrinth search party tomorrow. I'll decide on the finish!''

　To all intents and purposes, Rustyala was positive.
　I've tried to imitate that, but I still can't seem to compete with the original. Even the slightest thing can cause me to go backwards.

　With a sigh, I redirect my thoughts in the same way Rustyala did.
　We're on track.

　Things are going well, moving forward--.