I was thrown into chaos by the appearance of the guardians of the sixty layers, but I managed to regain my composure over the course of the night.
　Then I rested my body for the next labyrinth search, and the next morning--

Good morning, Miss Uzumi.
What--?

　When I opened my eyes, I saw Nosfi at a distance so close that our noses were touching.
　I almost screamed at the sheer proximity, but I managed to swallow it. Because if I moved even the slightest bit, our lips were about to touch each other.

'...... Oh, good morning, Nosphy.'

　When he returns the greeting in a trembling voice, Nosphy takes it with a smile and replies at a distance.

''It is my pleasure to be presumptuous, but I have prepared breakfast for you.

　By moving my eyes only, I find breakfast on the table in my room. Apparently, Nosfi had prepared it for me.

Thank you. I'm getting up now, could you move out of the way of that ......?
Oh, I'm sorry about that.

　I take those words with a smile, and Nosfi pulls away from me.
　Finally, I am able to sit up, and I can clearly see what the breakfast is. Carefully cut bread, warm soup with red and green vegetables, salad with steamed chicken, and fruit water poured into a wooden cup.
　It's definitely not a sumptuous meal that Lord alone could have made.

　I was speechless with surprise.
　What surprised me wasn't the sumptuousness of the food, but the level of secrecy with which he had arranged all this food while I was asleep. Even with this, my nerves are more sensitive than most people. Ever since I came to the other world, I've always paid attention to what I'm doing even when I'm asleep.

　Yet, the full breakfast course was prepared right beside me, and on top of that, I was approached nose to nose.
　It's probably because they were preparing it so that they wouldn't wake me up when I was sleeping, but the only thing I can feel from that action is fear.

''Uzumi-sama, do you not like it ......?

　Nosfi, who was looking at my mood - her unfathomable ability gave me a chill.
　There was no doubt that she was also a talented person in the road class.

'Yea, no, I'm just surprised at how gorgeous you are. Thank you, Nosfi.
Ha, that's a relief. I'm glad. I hope it's to your taste: ....... Then please sit here.

　Nosfi invites me to the center table. I sit down as I'm told, overwhelmed by the power of this oddly hard to refuse. Then, Nosfi sat down in front of me and, with a fluid motion, scooped out a spoonful of soup and held it out to me.

Then here you are, Uzumi-sama.
............

　What do you want me to do: .......
　Am I supposed to continue to suck on that spoon ahhhhh?
　I wasn't supposed to be doing anything wrong, but I had the illusion of some kind of guilt building up. All of the skills that have a keen eye for this kind of thing are warning me not to do it, seriously.
　Trusting the skills that have helped me many times, I make an escape move.

'Hey, I have to wake up Ryner before breakfast ......!　Also, since we're on the subject, let's call the road too: ......!　After all, meals are better when we eat together. ......!
...... Right. Yes, since we're here.

　While the words agreed, there was no doubt that Nosfi was frustrated. He lifted the spoon he had lifted into the air and returned it to the plate of soup, his smile twisted a little.

'Well, then, Nosphy, go get Lord. I'm waking up the liner over there.
Yes, I'll get him right away.

　Nosfi walks out of my room.　
　After confirming this, I quickly approach the bed in the corner of the room. There, a meditating Ryner is lying on it.
　I mercilessly grab its head with both hands.

'Ryner, why aren't you awake ......!

　But my hands are blocked by Ryner's two hands.

'--Oh, can you get up?!'

　I knew he was going to fall asleep at ......!
　Ryner wakes up and argues just as desperately as I do.

'Can you get in the air now? ......!　I don't like that one. I hate that one!　Call me if we start doing chores or killing each other!　Then I'll gladly sacrifice myself!

　The air that seemed sweet and actually bad for my stomach earlier seemed to be Ryner's weakness.
　But it's the same for me. That's why I'd rather have help at a time like now than when killing each other is easy.

'You're my friend!　We're supposed to help each other when we're in trouble!
I was going to, too, but ....... Just not that girl. I felt like if I interrupted you two, it would be terrible!　I'm scared of that guy!　He looks tiny, but he's a doozy on the inside: ......!　Honestly, I don't want to get involved: ......!

　While pushing back my arms, Ryner honestly revealed his inner feelings to me.
　I know that feeling. I agree with that assessment.
　But because I agree, I want Ryner to do something about it: ......!

'No, you don't, ......?　Nosfy, you're a crazy kind girl from all angles, aren't you ......?　So why don't you talk to Nosfi instead of me!
Christ, look at your face in the Dimension!　You don't look like you're talking about some crazy sweet girl!

　I suddenly looked at my face in the Dimension.
　A very nostalgic expression stuck to me.
　It's the same expression as when I was traveling with my friends in the enclosed space called the Living Legend ship in the past.

''-- Hahaha ....... Hey, this is my normal and ......

　With a shaky voice, I insist that this has been my normal (default).
　Looking back, the last few days have been easy on the stomach.
　They were truly restful enough that I could forget my true self: .......

'Normal?　Your sweaty face?
'Yeah. It's been forgotten these past few days, but this was the norm in my otherworldly life. It was normal, Ryner: ......
...... That's right. If that's your daily routine, you can handle Christ alone, can't you? Okay, I'll leave the Nosfies to Christ to deal with.
'You're telling me this because it's not okay: ......!　Please, get between me and Nosfies and be a buffer: ......!
Buffer!　Isn't that crushing me?!
...... Honestly, I can't guarantee your safety.
"Ugh--!

　Ryner also returned to his old expression.
　The spare expression he often showed on the ground - that is, his usual face.
　And with a cold sweat, Ryner makes a decision.

　--the decision to use magic.

'...... and I still don't like it!　I don't want to die a victim of a lover's entanglements, not even for me!　It's not knightly!　--WIND!
You're not getting away!　--magic 《difault》 Oh!

　The fight begins to be non-negotiable.
　Ryner uses the force of the wind to his advantage, trying to break free of my restraints and escape to the window of the room. However, I read through the move. I immediately use my dimensional compression magic to shift the distance and pull the fleeing Ryner closer. Then, I grab both of his arms again and bring them back to a muscle power contest.

　We've already figured out each other's muscle strength numbers in the 'display'.
　If it's a simple shoving match, I have the advantage.
　Oh, I have no hesitation in letting Ryner be a roadblock at this point--!

You can't make me do it!　--Ixwind!
'Ha, I knew it!　Don't think you can win a one-on-one magical battle against me, lineaaaaah!

　Ryner tries to detonate his trapped arm with the magic of the wind. However, I've experienced that self-destructive strategy many times. I'm grasping the timing of the magic with the 《Dimension》, I let go of my hand just in time for the wind of the 《Ixwind》 to be generated - and immediately grab it back.

"d*mn, seriously--!　You're a woman-crying piece of junk, and you're so strong for nothing!
Don't tell me you're crying girl!　I don't remember making you cry!　Because I can't remember!
'That statement sounds scummy!　I know the Walker lady and all that crying!
'It was Snow's fault!　And while Snow may have made me cry, Nosfy didn't!　--That's right, maybe!
"Blame shifting and changing the subject--!　The quintessential Christ!

　I'm honestly heartbroken by the evaluation of me that Ryner had deep down in his heart.
　But I keep my heart strong and don't let Reiner go.

　If I let him go, I'll be back to living alone with a hole in my stomach. I don't want to do that.
　I won't make that mistake again.
　That's what I thought many times during my life on the boat.
　I definitely have friends of the same s*x: ......!　They're there: ......!

Let me go, Rainer...!
I'm running away!　Let's get out of here!　Christ-o--!

　Ryner and I are both beyond the 20th level of existence.
　If we were on earth, we would have reached a realm where we would be feared as 'monsters' rather than 'heroes'.

　Hence, even though it's a skirmish in a small room, it develops into a fierce battle.
　It's not just a matter of how fast they grab you, it's also an exchange of insults using advanced body techniques. When super-fast magic construction is carried out, the best way to deal with it is to use your super grasp to detect the magic.
　The divine deeds fly at god's speed.

　The shameful thing is that there was no doubt that this battle was at the highest level in the world.
　From this fact, one feels a strange sense of emptiness and sadness.

　But at the same time, I also feel a strange sense of relief. Ryner's self-sacrificing spirit is eased in an unexpected way. But I didn't want to feel Ryner's growth through this.
　I would have liked a cooler scene - for example, when he was in a pinch after fighting a strong enemy in a labyrinth search.

　And when the battle between the Wind Knight and the dimensional wizard was about to reach a climax.

'No, haha!　We've been invited!　I was invited, so I had no choice but to come!　It's a child!

　With a bang, the door is opened and the Lord enters the room.
　The intervention of a third party puts a pause on the world's highest level of fighting. Me and Ryner are still arguing, and I stop them with a snap.

''I've brought the Lord with me. Or rather, he was waiting for us, and he was right there in the yard.

　Nosfi returns next.

'Hmmm?　Huh?　Reiner, where are you going?

　Lord asks Ryner, who was still trying to get out the window now.

'No ......, I heard they're an ex-couple, and I thought I'd sit out ...... to get some air.

　Ryner starts making excuses to escape. But he doesn't let that happen, so he tries to corner him, clutching his arms.

'Don't be shy, Ryner ......!　I want to have breakfast with you, more than anyone else. ......!
'No, Christ is the one who doesn't care in vain: ......!　One person over here was enough, one person ......!
'Don't say that: ......!　We're on the same side. We're on the same side. ......!

　I was the one who never let go of Ryner's arm as he tried to escape, exerting the biggest grip ever.
　That's where Lord's simple opinion comes in.

''Hmm ......, why don't you eat with us Ryner?　And because of the arrival of the child, it's impossible to have just the ex-wife anymore.
Huh.

　Ryner reluctantly relaxes as he is crushed by the excuse on the spur of the moment.
　Before I could change my mind, I invited Ryner to the center table.
　Lord saw this and joined me at the table with a smile.

''Yeah!　Well then, let's eat together!

　Thus begins the breakfast with the two guardians (guardians).
　I didn't have to worry about the quantity at all. It seems that there were nearly four servings to begin with, so that even if I had a second helping, there would be enough for everyone.
　A sumptuous breakfast was laid out on the table, and each one of them brought out food to their mouths.

Uzumi-sama, how do you like the taste?　

　Although he stopped "ahhh" in front of Ryner and Lord, as expected, it was Nosfi who asked him what he thought of the taste at skin-to-skin distance. For some reason, Lord is watching with warm eyes and Ryner is in a cold sweat.

　Honestly, Nosfi's food is delicious. It's not on par with the professional food that was served in Vart's tavern. But if I don't feel nostalgic, it's not my kind of food for men.
　It tends to be too health-conscious, in the same vein as the food Maria prepares.

'I'm surprised. It's very tasty ...... but I'm not sure I'd prefer something like Reiner's cooking ......?

　He expressed his impressions in a way that involved Ryner, who was looking away.
　Hearing this, Nosfi stared at Ryner, who was sitting across from him, and muttered.

''Huh?''

　Ryner's cold sweat accelerates.
　Our eyes aren't meeting, but I can see that Ryner is appealing to me, "Hey, stop.
　I'm sorry, but I'm not going to stop. If I don't have Reiner's help, I won't be able to destroy the strange atmosphere of this former couple.

　As if he couldn't bear to see me running away, Lord comes into the conversation.

'Yes, it's really good, Nosfi!　I knew she was a good wife!
'Yes, I've tried my best to be, you know. I'm very confident in my cooking.
'So, the husband who is rumored to have abandoned such a good wife. I wonder if you have anything more to say?

　Hey, stop it.
　Lord smirks and digs out the story of the former couple.
　Apparently, she's recommending that they resume their married life. But as for us, it's a story that I have no recollection of at all, so I have no choice but to brilliantly avoid it.

''-- Oh, oh, I'm sure she was a good wife if it's this delicious, right?　Well, well, well, better than that!　I'm going to continue the labyrinth attack today, and I'm sure Ryner can go too!

　I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.
　It's not a good idea to talk about it, but as if you can't ignore the story of the labyrinth attack, he replies reluctantly.

...... That's right, if Christ goes, I'll go too.
Okay. Well, we'll go exploring again.

　As it is, I decided to escape into the labyrinth today, and I'm pushing the story in that direction.

"Mmmm, searching the labyrinth again?　You're really ready to leave: ....... Yesterday, before I knew it, I was up to the 60th layer ......

　It was still Lord who interrupted us there.
　Seeing us eagerly aiming for the ground, he puffs out his cheeks in a sullen manner.

　However, I don't feel as anxious as I had expected before we left.
　I don't feel the same sense of urgency that I had felt when the Guardians were fighting for their lives.
　It feels more like a child screaming at you to stay on, as if you're a spoiled child.

'I'm about to blurt it out, but I won't let you go to ground so easily!　You need to slow down a lot more!

　With a thump, very gently and lightly, he hits the table. His gentle anger even makes me feel cute.
　What a ......, very venomous .......
　This is just friends interrupting each other with a bad joke.
　Instead, I feel the darker venom in Nosfi's smile next to me.

　Have I misjudged it?
　Unlike the girls I've met so far, Lord may not have been driven to that point. The danger I felt from her could have been all too much to worry about.

　After checking with Ryner for eye contact, I'll give her a false sense of our progress and policy.

'Like I said at the beginning, we're in a hurry. We have all the magic and equipment we need to defeat the wind dragon, and we've got the food we need for the labyrinth, albeit just in time. Honestly, there's no reason for us not to go to the labyrinth.
What, have you saved up enough food?
Yeah, just enough for a few days each way.
Mmm.

　I have enough food in my 'possessions', probably thanks to the generous pay from Reynand-san, my collaborator for the return to the ground, and I have enough food in my 'possessions'. I promised him that I would bring an id instead, but the amount of money would be worth it.

　It's safe to say that all the preparations we can do here in Vyasia are no longer done.

'I see. So you are going to the labyrinth, Uzumi-sama. In that case, would you like to take me along with you?　I'm sure it will help.

　Contrary to the Lord, Nosfi was cooperative.
　I thought that the procedure for attacking the labyrinth would change depending on the character of the guardians (guardians) of the sixty layers, but this was an ideal development. However, at the same time, it could not be denied that it was too convenient.
　I didn't give an immediate answer, but instead explored what was behind Nosfy's smile.
　It was Lord who answered immediately instead of me.

''Eh?　Why are we going to Nosfies!　There's no reason to go!　I mean, Nosfies are too foul, so forfeit!　Like Nosfi playing with a child (straw)!
...... Yeah, that's right. There is no reason for me to leave the labyrinth and return to earth. It might be a good idea to keep old friendships alive here with you. But--

　Nosfi's body, which was even closer than it was, is even closer to me.

I'm still all about Uzumi-sama. Above all, as a spouse, I am obligated to support my husband ...... not to say, but I simply want to be of service to Uzumi-sama.

　My breath catches in my ears.
　Fearfully, I thank him for accompanying me.

'Oh, thank you.'
No.

　Nosfi smiles as if to say it's all natural, but please don't threaten me with the word 'mate'.

''Eh, wait. So, is the child (strawberry) all alone here again?　Are all three of you labyrinths?

　Lord confirms, as he looks around with a big smile on his face.
　Nodding back to the three of them, he gets a little teary-eyed and starts shouting.

''Well, then, the child will also follow!　I'll help!

　Like a child who doesn't want to be left at home, he appeals to me to accompany him on his exploration of the labyrinth.

'Yeah, are you really coming too?'
I'm going. I've already decided: ......!　And I missed Reiner so much yesterday!
You won't disturb me. ......
No, I won't, I won't, I won't. Maybe, never!

　Lord waved his hand to the side, looking away.
　It was an 'absolute' that he didn't trust at all.

　But now there are four people in the party.
　That's also two guardians (guardians). If we were to consider them as a fighting force in the labyrinth exploration, it would be a level and balance that could be said to be the best ever.

Then, Uzumi-sama, Lord, Helvirshine and myself are in this party? However, with this group of people, ...... hmmm, hmmm, I'm feeling a little nostalgic ......
I have a feeling that I'm a betrayer: ......

　Per Lord is going to interfere with the search.
　Also, I don't want to talk about it, but I doubt that Nosfy will be able to do anything about it.

I'm not going to betray you. I don't betray you. I won't betray you.

　Then don't put "maybe" on it. ......
　But if the four of us can work well together, I'm sure a lot of problems will be solved.

'Well, I'm not asking you not to help. ...... So let's go right after breakfast then. The sooner the better.

　When everyone has finished eating the breakfast that Nosfi has prepared, we announce our departure. This is how we are going to challenge the labyrinth with our new party.
　Today is the fifth day of living underground - the third time we've attacked the labyrinth.