I run through.
　The mud underfoot makes it difficult to run, and the sound of the repelling mud is deafening.
　I'm running through a corridor that is as dark and damp as a sewer and emits a strong odor.

　It's a special area away from the labyrinthine "main road". There, while passing by a centipede that looks more than two meters long, you swing your sword out to the side.

　The centipede-shaped monster let out a scream of despair and died.
　The monster that was cut in two by the side turns into a magical stone, scattering particles of light. I see it off with the Dimension and continue to run without picking up its drop items either.

　I don't even pay attention to the small fry.
　I have one objective. Only the boss of this swamp area, the Phobia Fly.
　I know with Dimension that a fly-shaped monster as big as a man is waiting for me a few hundred meters ahead. Towards it, I run as fast as I can, out of breath.

''Haha, haha, haha--!

　But not fast enough.
　Not enough time.
　Beating the boss would be easy.
　It's still shallow in the teens, so no matter what kind of monster it is, it can win by itself.

　What's missing is the distance to Lastiara running ahead.

　The purpose of this date is to chase and catch Rastiara and get ahead of him. Very unconvincing, but somehow it's happening.

　Rustyala, running ahead of me, was running as fast as I was, laughing under his breath.

''Haha, haha, haha, hahahahahaha--!　Is this the standard lovers' chase?　We can chase this one, right!

　Not good.
　That's not good at all.

　Give me back my excitement that I was expecting a mess when I heard we were going to date.

　But with no time to complain like that, Rastiara ran through the remaining few hundred meters and slashed at the area boss's flyphobia before me.

　The battle was instantaneous.
　By the time Flyphobia noticed Rustyala approaching rapidly, his body had been cut in two vertically. The momentum of that all-out sprint, combined with the muscle power and the sharpness of 'Heavenly Sword Noah', is a tremendous attack. No matter how much of a boss monster it was, it was impossible to withstand that blow.

　Just like the centipede type monster that was slashed down earlier, the boss monster also disappeared.
　Within the particles of light, Rastiara stops and boasts to me a chase outfit.

''Yes!　I win!

　A few seconds late, I catch up with him, and he complains bitterly, breathing on his shoulder.

'No, this isn't a chase, ....... I mean, this isn't even a date .......

　I'm still not convinced that the labyrinth was chosen as a date destination.
　When Rastiara arrived at the labyrinth, she said she wanted to play chase, and for some reason she started reading "Hmmm, let's catch them" or something like that, and I'm also not convinced that there was a time-limited quest to defeat the boss, which is typical for adventurers in games.

　When I heard that it was a date, I thought that we would be chatting on the deck of the ship or going out into the nighttime city with the Connection. But the reality was not so sweet.

　Whether she knows about my dissatisfaction or not - no, she knows for sure - Rustyala, with a big smile on her face, expresses her impressions of the current chase.

''Ah, dating fun ......!　After all, this is the kind of thing lovers promise to do.
If this was a sunshine shimmering sandy beach or something, I wouldn't be complaining either: ......
'Well, isn't this more romantic than a sandy beach?　Aren't you thrilled?
That's what makes me nervous, because you never know when a monster is going to attack you.

　My heart was pounding and pulsing in time with my shortness of breath.
　In addition, the air is thinner in the labyrinth compared to the ground, so the pulse rate will undoubtedly have increased than usual.

　However, no matter how much you can pound, this labyrinth is so uninspiring that it's unworthy of being compared to the sandy beach.
　The environment is also inferior and inferior. I was exposed to a strange smell that made my nose go funny, and the bottoms of my shoes and trousers were covered in dirty water. It's full of the muddy smell that is characteristic of a labyrinth explorer.

　Rastiara is the only person who can call this romantic.
　Her sensibilities will never change - and I don't want them to - so I give up with a sigh and respond to her impressions of this romantic-like chase.

'Huh ....... But I was rather serious about it, and it wasn't good. You can win in the blink of an eye, but you'll lose in sustainability.
I'm confident in my physical abilities, you know. That's one thing I will never lose. And thanks to your mother, I was in good shape today.

　Rastiara picks up the boss monster's magic stone and throws it at me.
　In the meantime, I check each other's status.


[Status]
　Name: Aikawa Uzumi HP369/369 MP1312/1312 Class: explorer
　Level 29.
　Strength 15.97 Strength 17.78 Skill 23.67 Speed 30.00 Wisdom 23.59 Magic 53.78 Element 6.21
[Status]
　Name: Rustyala Hoozeyers HP923/923 MP521/521 Class: Knight　
　Level 24.
　Strength 22.12 Strength 21.89 Skill 12.56 Speed 15.78 Wisdom 19.23 Magic 16.25 Elemental 6.50


　After gaining Tiara's power, Rath Tiara had increased her overall numbers compared to before.
　However, she wasn't proud of the power she had obtained and tried to find her next challenge.

''But physical ability isn't enough. It's a good idea to have a good magic to keep up with the guardians. ...... It's what I call a decisive move. I need a finishing blow.

　Rustyala, who has experience fighting two people, "The One Who Steals the Reason of Wood (Id)" and "The One Who Steals the Reason of Water (Hitaki)", seems to think that he lacks a decisive hand.

　No matter how much he excels in physical ability, there is a limit to how far he can go with physical attacks alone.
　With Dia and Maria's maximum firepower, they can clear the city in seconds, but the all-rounder Rustiala is unable to do so.

　The 'Stealers of Reason' are basically high in magic power.
　Most importantly, they are magic professionals of the attribute that bears their name. Even that magic-averse Rowen possessed a decisive technique of magic properly.

　I agree that ordinary magic is meaningless against their real 'magic (...)'.

　...... I agree with you, but I also think it's the right place to be.
　Maybe it's because I'm a game-like thinker, but it feels unbalanced to have everyone have high-powered magic.

''No, it's a mistake to try to fight Rastiara alone in the first place. It's better for Rastiara to focus on play-acting and distraction, and leave it to his friends to keep him--
That's not fair, you're only taking the best part!　I want to scream for my signature move to finish!　I want to scream as hard as I can for the last time!
'Oh, oh ....... So that's how it works: .......

　It's very understandable.
　I have the desire to do cool 'chanting' to my heart's content and shout out the name of great magic. To be honest, I have as much as Rastiara does.

　My greatest firepower right now is probably Dearest Flash (Di a Wraith). This magic itself isn't bad.
　It's not bad, but ...... this was originally Rowen's, and if you ask me if it's my decisive move, I'm a bit tilted.

　And this "Dearest Flash (Di a Wraith)".
　Surprisingly, it looks plain.

　To tell the truth, that was just a sword swing. As Rowen said, that was just a serious swinging of the foundation of the Alais style.
　It would be a different story if the reapers assisted behind him, but if there was just one person, it would be a performance for the geniuses.

　I specialize in swordsmanship and assistance, and I'm not flashy enough to do anything.
　Perhaps Lastiara is thinking something similar.
　I'm seriously jealous of Maria and Dia's game-like effects and unmistakable magic, and I've been eager to imitate them since my boat trip a year ago.

　The exhilaration of cleaving off a large number of monsters in one go is a privilege only magic can provide. It cannot be accomplished by body and sword alone.

''--Yes. You certainly need your own magic.
'How do I learn to do this? ...... Hmmm... I guess we'll just have to steadily raise the bar first?
''Well, ....... I've tried it before and found out that imitating and using papier-mâché magic doesn't work ....... This time, I need to make sure that I can create a magic that plays to my strengths.
My strengths: ....... Hmmm, I'm poorly handy, my body is 'Jewelcrus', I have all my magic memorized, and the rest--

　Me and Rustyara find the same goal and walk through the labyrinth, checking in with each other.

　I was complaining earlier about not being on a date, but it's a little fun to walk around while we both think about special moves.

　It's fun - and calming.
　These are the only places where we really talk to each other.
　Unlike Titi, we have a similar sense of style, so we don't clash over technique names. Because we can share in the same hobbies, we can relax just talking to each other for a moment.

　I'm sure Rastiara feels the same way.
　He wouldn't be able to talk like this with Sera or Ragne.
　They would be stunned at what an extravagance you are talking about, having that much talent and a decisive move. I'm sure there have been many times when I bragged about a technique I worked so hard to come up with, I was met with an indescribable look on my face.

　We proceeded through the labyrinth, talking to each other as much as we could, which was something only the two of us could do.
　Along the way, Rustyala stops to take on a monster.

''Ah, I found the Minotaur.''

　A huge humanoid monster with a head like a cow stands in the way.
　I 'display' it and confirm it.


[Monster] Carmine Minotaur: Rank 20


　I've seen this information before.
　And the moment I finished looking at that information, Rastiara had sliced the Minotaur's head off.

'Come to think of it, I fought this guy when I first explored the labyrinth with Kanami, didn't I? I guess I miss it a bit.''
'You were a bit of a danger to me then, but I think I can afford it now.

　It's no longer even a battle.
　Picking up the minotaur's magic stone that was defeated in an instant, Rustyala reminisced about the old days.

''Maria was with you back then, wasn't she?

　And then he looks a little darker.
　When he was fighting this minotaur, Rustyala had treated Maria as a liability. He was worried for his life, but he was pointing out his lack of 'qualities' from a superior point of view.
　However, he seemed to feel a bit ironic that he was now weaker than Maria, and that he was being held back in his fight against the Guardians.

　I watch it next to him.
　Rastiara seems to have sensed my concern and quickly dispels the gloomy look on her face.

''It's okay. Mother Tiara is already with me. I'll find my own way to fight quickly, don't worry about Kanami.

　He shows a face full of wariness and declares, remembering something.

'I'll catch up with you. I will catch up with you. Because I want to stand next to Maria--'

　I'm sure Rastiara regrets not being able to be of use to Maria when she fought against 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Wood', 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Water' and the three 'Apostle Sith' before.

'Let's not talk about the gloomy stuff. We're on a fun, fun date right now.

　Once Rastiara has her sights firmly set on her goal, she pulls herself together and starts walking in front of me. I'm going to talk to her back.

I'm going to have to ask you, "Hey, about that date: ...... is this really a date?　Do you really enjoy walking around these places ......?
Fun?　It's nothing compared to being holed up in a cathedral. The air is stale, dark and dank, and your life is in danger. Doesn't it feel like you're alive?

　Rustyala, who turned around after being called out, showed a smile full of life as he said.

''I see. Then it's fine.''

　I don't particularly argue that I can't let that interfere with my enjoyment of the experience.
　But the truth is, the desire to go somewhere else never went away.

　Honestly, I've always had a longing for a date with a girl.
　When it's a first date, special is special too. It would be a memory to last a lifetime, so I wanted to plan it well enough. There were plenty of options, like making reservations at a reasonably expensive restaurant and enjoying the night view together.

　I remember being really jealous of the dates I'd heard about from my male friends in my former world.

　Of course, in this other world, a date at a tourist attraction or movie theater would be practically impossible. But I'm sure I could have gone somewhere to do some shopping or go to the theater.
　At the very least, if it weren't for the labyrinth, we could enjoy these trivial conversations more--

'Nah, I see. Kanami is trying to tell me that the enemy is too weak and warm, isn't he? I know what you mean. There's not enough thrills and happenings. At this level,
You know that's not what I want, don't you? You.

　Seeing me walking with a delicate look on my face, Rustyala talks nasty.

''Hmph. Of course, I know. We've had a similar conversation before, haven't we?''

　Rastiara confessed to me that she knew how I felt, but she didn't relax her footing.

'Yeah, it's happened before: ......'

　I'm starting to miss it as much as Rustyala does.

　When we were walking around the twenty layers before, we had the same disagreement.
　I had asked Rustyala, who was trying to go deeper and deeper into the labyrinth, to work as if he were reaping rice.
　At that time, I took the space between the two of them, and I was able to capture the labyrinth smoothly. Imitating that trend, I selfishly slap my request on them.

I'm sorry to say that I'm having fun with you, but ...... I want to do something more date like. I want to feel more like a lover, more like a lover. If possible, I want something sweet and sour, not thrilling or anything like that.
"Mmm-hmm--

　Rustyala put a hand to his chin and thought about it - and in a great deal of time, he gave his answer. Maybe it was something she had decided all along.

'So, to be date-y, I guess this is how it should be done?

　They lined up next to each other and took my left hand in theirs.
　They said that we should walk hand in hand like a date and lover.
　It was a really decent answer, as long as this wasn't a labyrinth.

　That sudden contact makes me a little nervous.
　Rastiara next to me was equally nervous, her voice trembling.

'This is ......, quite ......!
'Oh, it's pretty good ....... It's pretty bad ......!

　I was more impressed with how dated it was than I thought it would be.

　I've been with Rastiala for a long time, but holding hands again like this is ...... refreshing.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of information in your mind that is transmitted from your palms, because you have the skill to sense a variety of things. Normally, this doesn't bother me, but now it does. The temperature and humidity of the skin, the pulse of blood and magic, the movement of the muscles in millimeters, all of this is supplemented.

　And above all, the softness of the girl's skin - I can feel my cheeks flush at its peculiar low resilience.
　If I look to the side, I see that Rustyala has dyed her cheeks the same way I do.

''Oh, don't look at me too much ......''

　Unable to withstand my gaze, Rustyala turns away slightly.
　Understanding that she's seriously upset, I suggest.

'...... Do you want to stop if you're embarrassed?'
I don't do quit ....... I'll do it. Keep the date going!

　Unwillingly, Rustyala declared.
　But it's clear that this is not a date, but a quest.
　I calmly complain about the danger.

'No, I'd like to continue too, but ....... Isn't it dangerous for both of us to have one hand in a place like this ......?
Hmm. But we've got each other's needs in order: ......

　Rustyala replies in an upturned voice.

　That's certainly true.
　Rastiara wants a thrill and I want to do something date like.
　Certainly, this would satisfy both of our requirements.
　We will both be able to be thrilled in a double sense.

'...... Right. Then let's go with this for a while.

　I accepted the hand-holding search (date).
　Just in case, I'll make a condition that it's between the lower levels that I can afford in my mind. We won't go beyond the forty layers today, so there should be no danger as long as we avoid the boss.

''Alright, let's keep going and keep going!

　Thus, with a bit of a sense of bondage play, we resume our search for the labyrinth.

　However, after a few seconds of walking, our search is immediately awkward.
　Our attention is distracted by the feeling of hand-to-hand contact, and we can't focus on the corridor in front of us. The mere feeling of body heat from Rustyala's soft palms is enough to light up my cheeks many times over. Heartbeats bounce together, the rhythms of my heartbeats mixing together. It's strangely embarrassing, even as our breaths are next to each other.

　If this were a game, it would be with a great deal of weakness (debuff) on hit and evasion. Of course, that's not all. Not only your physical body is weakened, but also your mental body is debuffed.

　But they don't want to let go.
　They wanted this rising heat from each other.

　And with that momentum, they would fight the monster as well.

　This was also an enemy that I missed.
　It was a twenty-layered, deformed, four-armed monster, a Fury.

　The two of us stand head-on against the Fury, who lets out a monkey-like roar and attacks us.

　Hand in hand, I hold the treasure sword Lowen in my right hand and Rustyala holds the Heavenly Sword Noah in his left hand - and we run out at the same time as the enemy's arms are raised.

　If even the slightest disruption in their breathing, I had to let go of their linked hands, but it was the start of the battle (start) without any breathing gap at all.
　Even though we didn't have a 'connection' to each other's hearts like we did with Reaper and Titi, our movements were completely overlapping.

　We rushed low as Fury attacked.
　As soon as we pass through the enemy's crotch, I slash the enemy's right leg and Rustyala slashes the enemy's left leg. The wound to the supporting leg causes the enemy to bend to his knees, and his kryptonite position is lowered. At the same time, we unleash a flash of swivel-headedness.

　Instant death.
　I had sent the enemy's head flying, and Rustyala had cut off both sides of his torso.
　With our backs to each other in the position we were in after firing the flash, we check each other's response.

''Oh!　That went better than I expected!　Kanami is still the best match for me!
Yeah. It's more than I expected. I'm a little surprised myself.

　We were able to defeat the monsters as if the handicap of hand-holding never existed.

　Through practice, we have learned that this way of fighting is not so bad. It's because our senses are so far removed from those of ordinary people, but the hand-to-hand contact makes it easy to see our partner's movements. Even if the other person creates an opening and is attacked by an enemy, he will be able to pull his hand tightly to follow the movement. Resonant magic is easy to shoot, and you can both penetrate recovery and auxiliary magic at the same time.
　Based on the excuse that it might not be such a bad way to fight - we decide to continue our hand-holding search (date) and start walking again.

　We don't skip, but we walk in a reasonably buoyant mood.
　On the way, we also fight a number of monsters that were caught by Fury's despairing cries, but none of them were able to withstand our coordinated attacks, and they were defeated in a way that made them pass us by.

　We continue to accumulate magical stones and experience as we advance to the 30th layer.
　The lava field that uses heat to deplete our energy. The hardest part of the ore area is selling its hardness. While chatting with Rastiara about trivial matters, we went through the labyrinths we had once conquered, checking our progress as we went.

　When we naturally got used to holding hands, Rastiara speaks to us while slashing down the crystal monsters.

''Feng, we've finally reached the thirty layers. ...... Oh, come to think of it. How far did Kanami conquer the labyrinth while we were gone?

　The question was phrased in a slightly accusatory way.
　Maybe he's blaming himself for enjoying the labyrinth exploration, which is a pleasure for Rastiara, all by himself.

''It might be a little different if you're asking me if I've conquered it, but I have a general idea of what's going on up to the sixty-sixth layer.
''What? Sixty-six layers already ......!

　If you're going to complain, I'd like you to tell the guy in Palinclone. If they didn't drop me there, I wouldn't have attacked that much either.

'By the way, the breakdown of the guardian (guardian) tiers was ...... Forty layers were the id, fifty layers were the titi, and sixty layers were the nosphy tiers. With the disappearance of the id and titty, I think we can place the Connection outside the 60th layer, so let's aim for that area for now. Oh, maybe we can put it on the sixty-sixth layer as well: ......?
'Heh, hmmm, I see. I wonder if the guardian (guardian) I've never met in that one at ...... is Nosfi?　Hey, what's it like to be a Nosfi?

　What kind of ......?
　Once again, being asked, I'm a little confused.

　The first thing that came to mind was the word 'malice'.
　There is no one who has ever turned my malice on me as much as she has. She doesn't try to hide the fact that she's an enemy and will always try to make me suffer.

　But I know that's not all she is. Perhaps there was an event that twisted her a thousand years ago.
　But since I can't remember that event, I feel as if I know nothing about Nosfi.

　I have no choice but to give Rustyala the best description of his character that I know at this point.

'Honestly, I'm not sure ....... When I first met her, she seemed to be a polite and kind girl ...... who seemed to fit the words 'saint' and 'princess'. But there's definitely more to it than that. The guy was angry, vindictive, and means-tested ....... But I know that's because he betrayed me in so many ways a thousand years ago, and I'm sad about it. ......

　Rastiara listens intently to that story.
　Seeing that he is trying not to miss a single piece of information about the guardian (guardian) he will meet one day, I tell him more details.
　I don't try to hide it because the other party is Rastiara.

A thousand years ago, Nosfi was leading an army as the 'flag' of the 'south' of the Hoosiers. The purpose was to capture the Founder Uzura Wave who had turned to the 'North'. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to go after my husband when he escaped, because they were married ...... and I think he was chasing after her husband who had escaped. I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure he's closely related to me.

　I tell him, with a little trepidation, that I was married to Nosfi.
　I don't really believe this story. But I can't bring myself to vague excuses like "it was a thousand years ago, so it's expired" or "it's just a possibility that we might have been married".

　I was dripping with cold sweat as I confessed to my girlfriend that I had a wife on the first day of our relationship.
　And then, to my horror, I looked at Rustyala's face next to me.

"I--I miss you (・・・・・).

　As if thinking about the celebrity he admired, Rustyala was waiting for an encounter with Nosfi.
　No emotions such as anger or disappointment could be seen at all. On the contrary, she was elated.

　Ah, I knew it.
　This guy is going to be like this .......

　As if to confirm, I look into her face and ask.

'Uh, Rustyala ......?　I think I just told you a pretty amazing story: ....... The story of me and Nosfi and my wife: ......
'Your mother prepared me for a lot of things, so I guess that's to be expected?
Were you expecting this?
I used to. I've already decided that's just the way it is with Kanami. I don't dislike that about you, so don't worry. I mean ...... Honestly, what you just said was a lot of fun. Oh, I can't stop being excited ......!

　I'm almost lightly overwhelmed by his overly broad mind.
　No, if I look closely, I can see that Rustyala's interests are completely separate.
　To her, the story of Nosfi and I as a married couple is really a trivial matter.

'Ah ......, the Guardian of the Sixty Layers (Guardian) 'The One Who Steals the Reason of Light' Nosfi!　Nosfy Nosfy Nosfy!　I can't wait to see Nosfi!　

　Rustyala just wants to see Nosfi.
　Here she finally starts to skip.
　Holding hands and walking next to her, I manage to get myself out of position, but I manage to keep up.

'You're really in a good mood ......'
Hearing Nosfi's story reaffirmed that it's fun to be with Kanami, after all.

　Rustyala, who seems to be humming, goes on to explain the reason for the skip.

"This labyrinth exploration - the hand-holding date is fun, and when we get back to the ship, everyone is there. It's a good idea to go to bed and wake up to find Snow, Dia and the others waiting for you, and there is a labyrinth to be challenged. This time we can all have an adventure together, just like a year ago.

　I guess the resentment of the past year of cathedral life was building up.
　I told him that I was looking forward to everything about my new life without a second thought.

I truly believe that because of Kanami, it will be a lot of fun for years to come. That's right, I'll be a little bit more buoyant, and I'll have a funny look on my face.

　Rustyala may be trying to maintain a serious expression appropriate for a labyrinthine search, but the sneer never stops.

　And while pulling my hand back, Rustyala wishes

''--So, Kanami. Let's continue to be together forever?

　Rustyala's shining hair flowed back and tickled the tip of my nose.
　At the end of the gathering of hair, as if it were the light itself, there is the face of a girl who wants to commit to the future together. She smiles with a very happy smile, and holds my hand very carefully - inviting me to the "destination".

　The "beyond" doesn't just mean the depths of the labyrinth.
　That "beyond" is the "future".

　I think about what she says about "always".
　We've always been together, and even in the distant future, we are two people.
　I picture that scene in my mind.

　Preferably in a quiet place.
　We live together in a small house in a sparsely populated farm village.
　With my current strength, it would be easy for me to build a house and live on my own and be self-sufficient. If possible, a place near the sea would be ideal.
　No, setting up a shop somewhere using the wealth we have is not a bad idea. I've given up on being a doctor, so maybe it would be in the culinary or clothing industry. It would be a lot of fun to work together and run the shop.

　That kind of life in the countryside would be ideal for me, but I'm not sure that's going to happen.

　I have no doubt that Rastiara will choose to settle not in the countryside, but in a dangerous area.
　In an attempt to defeat the nasty monsters around the world, the brave men will proclaim that this is the place to be, and they might start doing mercenary-like imitations all by themselves. No, never alone, I guess. Rastiara is bound to invite me to go on an adventure with him. He's going to take me out by force, leaving my new home behind and traveling all over the world, even though I don't want to, but I won't say no.

　Though our life paths are opposite, we share the same fundamental hobbies and interests, and we enjoy exploring the world together. Occasionally, I might even go along with my request and take a break in a safe city or somewhere. At that time, I'd like to have a real lover's date with you--

　Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it: .......
　It's such a blessing just to imagine a little bit: .......

　We're going to travel to different places, see different places, and experience different things.
　Over a long period of time, all together, all the time.
　Always and forever together .......
　'Forever' -.

　Laughing back at that emotion, I promise Rustyala.

'-- Yeah. We'll be together forever (・・・・・・), Rustyala.

　When I replied, Rustyala gave me the biggest smile of the day that rivaled the sun and nodded back with a cheerful "Yeah".

　I was a little dazzled.
　The smile Rustyala showed was innocent itself, but there was a little bit of black emotion mixed in with the smile I showed her. I closed my eyes for a moment as the light coated the guilty part of me and I closed my eyes for a moment.

　I know what those emotions were earlier, I know what they are.
　However, I don't particularly evade them, as all humans have them.
　I don't, but ...... inevitably, my eyes are dazzled.

　Rastiara walks forward.
　Believing that I'll be next to her the whole time, she continues on to the end of the labyrinth.
　All the while, I keep looking at her profile.