It's been a while.

　Sakurai-kun sits on an empty seat without our approval.
　His clothes, unlike the previous, were simple commoner's clothes.
　However, the elegant clothes without a single wrinkle are floating in this tavern full of dingy adventurers.

''Hi, Hikari no Yuushi.......Moga.
　I hurriedly held my mouth as Lucy was about to scream out loud.
''Ha, hi Te it's a pleasure to meet you.
　Uncharacteristically, even Nina's voice is wincing with nervousness.　

'How did you know we were here?'
　Fujiyann asked the obvious question.

'The owner of the Fujiwara Store reportedly sent a large amount of food to our Order.
'Fujiyan, I didn't know you were up to that.
'It's just a bribe. The Knights of the Sun is the largest army on the continent. It can't hurt to get along with them.
　He laughs and says, but bribes........
　Is Fujiyan really the same age as me?

''The fire wine (whiskey) from McAllen has a lot of fans among the group. I appreciate the offer.
　Sakurai-kun smiled briskly.

'And I'm glad I made the time to come, even Takatsuki-kun.
'Oh, yeah, long time. You look good.
　He taps me on the shoulder like an American and congratulates me on our reunion.
　Every single gesture is so wandering.
　It's exactly the same.

"I heard you are here to defeat some kind of evil dragon?
'Oh, yeah. I'm a new knight, so I've been thrust into a lot of trouble.
　The brave man of light smiles with a slightly troubled face.

''Sakurai-kun can afford it, right?''
No, I don't think so. I just got here today. Yeah, you're right!　If you're familiar with the Great Maze, Takatsuki-kun, could you show me around?
'What!　We'll do it... again!
　Lucy was about to speed up, so she covered her mouth again.

'We just got here today, too. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can help you.
Well, that's too bad.
　Don't tell me he was seriously trying to ask for a guide, though.

　After that, Fujiyan used his merchant's listening technique to draw out stories of Sakurai-kun's difficulties as a brave man.
　It took about 15 minutes.
　Finally, he left, saying, "Well, I've got plans after this.
　After all, what was he doing here?
　I haven't had a drink or anything.
　I wonder if he's here to make small talk?

　◇

Oh, I was shaking.
　Nina, who was stiff with nerves, opened her mouth.
'You might not remember what!　You're so f*cking close!
　Lucy is very excited.

'You are full of surprises.
Were you close with Sakurai-kun, Fujiyan?
No, not at all. I believe he's a friend of Lord Tuckey's.
That's impossible.
　In class, you never talk about it.

True!　Why did you refuse to give us a tour of the labyrinth!　What a waste.
Bastards. They want to kill the dragons in the lower levels. There's no way we can get to them. Don't take it so seriously.
Sakurai-dono seemed to be serious about it, though.
When the master says it, it's very convincing.
　You don't know that you can read minds, Nina.

'Well, I didn't quite get it, but let's drink again.
　I took a bite of my fries.
　They're already cold.

'Why are you so cold...'
　Lucy looks dumbfounded, but we saw each other every day when we were classmates.
　It's nothing to fuss about, right?　

"Oh, shit. I haven't decided where I'm going to spend the night.
That's not to worry about.　I've already booked a place for you two to stay.
I'm always bad.

　Fujiyan booked a room at the inn where the merchants were staying.
　The fluffy futon was filled with plenty of feathers.
　I didn't know there were feather comforters in the other world too.　

　◇

　The next day, Fujiyan said he had a business meeting and disappeared somewhere with Nina.

　Let's explore a little deeper.
　It's the second day of the Great Maze search.

What's today's route? Lucy asks.
'The water cave.'
Yeah, again?
Oh, my God, look at this.
　I showed him the upper level map.

"The Great Waterfall of Lavulinthos?
It's one of the most beautiful places in the Great Maze.
It's also popular with couples. I heard that you can take a tour of the Great Waterfall at the Adventurer's Guild. ........Is this really a dungeon?
　Indeed, it's just a tourist attraction when you look at it.

I heard there aren't many visitors these days because there are so many demons here.
Yeah, a couple...
Lucy, what's wrong?
'What?　No, it's nothing!　If Makoto really wants to go, then I don't blame him!
　They agreed.

　This is the second time we've been to the water cave, after yesterday.
　However, there's a possibility of minotaurs wandering around, so I won't be distracted.

　The water dungeon is dimly lit, but there are light stones in places, illuminating the cave itself in blue.
　The deeper you go, the bluer it gets and the more fantastic the space becomes.

(I love it, dungeons.)
　Since the demons that came out were weak, I was able to explore at a leisurely pace.

　Maybe it's because the minotaur appeared yesterday, but there are few adventurers to pass in the water cave.
　While detecting the enemy, we slowly proceeded.


　I felt a sense of discomfort as we moved deeper into the cave than yesterday.
　It was not a monster, but something that was right up our alley.
　When we changed our pace, it would mimic our steps.

(This is...)

"Lucy," he whispered.

We're being followed.