...hmm.


　Hearing the PT construction presented by Corina right after breakfast, Garum crossed his arms as if he was wary of its unexpected contents. Amy also folded her cat ears with a difficult face, and Amira read the document that was handed to her while tilting her head as if she didn't understand much of its contents.

　Until now, the second army PT has been fighting for a long period of time with a healer as the mainstay, just like the first army that broke through the 90th level for the first time. It was perfectly natural to follow the standing of the PT who actually broke through the ninety levels, and with that method, Aldrete Crow was able to break through as well.

　However, this standing was very hard on the healers, and it was clear that it was impossible for an ordinary person to replicate it. Besides, all of the PT members were different, and imitating the standing position would not work right away. The Second Army PT has spent nearly a month correcting that gap, and it has grown to the point where it can reach the end of the line in the endgame.

　But Corina's proposed PT standings were like a disruption of what they had built up until now. Garum and Amy were reluctant to make the change, and Amira was still reading the documents.

　The first to understand the contents and speak up was Xeno, who scraped his silver hair and sparkled his white teeth.


''It's really interesting!　At first glance, it appears to be standing close to the Silver Beast, but the strategy appears to have been worked out for this PT member!　It may be too bold to change the PT's standing to this extent, but there's nothing in this that makes sense. At least it's clear that it wasn't just an idea!


　Corina nodded to Zeno, who winked at her with a crisp face, and Corina nodded with a genuine bitter smile. Now that she could listen to what Zeno was saying and doing without being distorted by any ill feelings, Korina had correctly received his opinion.

　She then turned her attention to the three of them, who still looked troubled.


'I can't replicate the way Tsutomu-san and Stephanie have stood up for themselves. That's something I've been made to understand well myself over the past month. I know it would have been best if I could reproduce it, but I'm sorry. That's my inability to do that. I should have seen that coming and improved upon it sooner.


　That being vain is a vain way to hide your fears. When Xeno confessed this to me, I questioned my sanity, wondering what on earth he was thinking. I couldn't believe that his usual attitude was a false one in the first place, but I also couldn't believe that he was exposing his weaknesses.

　There was a healer in the clan called the Infinite Circle who had built up a ridiculous track record. I knew from the beginning that I was inferior to him. I knew it, but I continued to avoid facing that inferiority and weakness, and I stood around in a weak posture so that no one would mention the subject.

　He may have realized, perhaps dimly, that even if he imitated Tsutomu, he would not be able to break through the ninety levels in the same way. Nevertheless, I have continued to turn away from that reality without facing it. If he had more time, he could recreate it for himself. I kept telling myself that since Stephanie had recreated it, I could do it too, and I kept challenging the ninety levels, but I couldn't do what I couldn't do. I've kept that weakness hidden.

　However, Zeno, who described himself as a man who only talks, even confided his weaknesses to his PT members and sought ways to resolve them. It finally occurred to Korina after she was shown that. It was time to stop standing around and continuing to maintain the status quo in order to hide her weaknesses. It's time to stop taking advantage of everyone's unspoken courtesy.


''It will be difficult to break through the ninety levels if you continue to stand around like this.... But with your strength and ingenuity, I think we can break through. I think there is some hesitation in breaking the move that you've been doing for so long, but it doesn't mean you have to lose everything. I think there are many things that can be applied, so, you know, will you think about it once...?
I don't know what I'm talking about, frankly.


　Amira looked away from the documents and stared straight at Corina, who explained with gestures that didn't make sense while sloshing around in a cold sweat, and looked straight at her.


The only thing I can think of is that I've inherited the old lady's blood after all, so I can't do much with my head either. I don't know if this is a bad plan or not. But I know that you are desperate. We've failed already, and we've failed again and again. Can't we just try it for now?
Amira...
God, it's disgusting. You're dead.
Yes....


　I thought I stared at her with gratitude, but Amira only returned the barbs with a spiteful look on her face. As I was letting out an involuntarily confused voice at that, Amy held up a finger with her white tail wagging.


'Sure, if it doesn't work, we can put it back. I think we need to think about this a bit more and change it. I'm sure there are some things that need to be changed.
There are a few things that bother me too.
What?　I said it first.
'Hahaha!　By all means, let's hear it from both of you!　Now, sit down!


　Before Amy and Garm started to make fighting faces, Xeno said with authority and distracted them with a beat to get their attention around them. Then the two of them sat down after looking like they were about to sneeze.


''Well thank you.''
No, it's nothing to worry about!


　When Corina thanked him in a small voice, Xeno gulped a little and gave a thumbs up with a distracted expression. Corina rolled her eyes at Zeno, who looked a little upset, but sat down in her seat and started a strategy meeting for breaking through the ninety levels.


　oo


I'm tired. I'm tired.
'What?　Aren't you going?
"I'll put off the capture of the 100th level until the second-tier PTs arrive, so I'll probably review each level for a while while while I gather materials.
'What?　Aren't you going to come over here?
'If you've made it this far, I think you might want to go in once.
..........


　One army PT is "Live Dungeon! They had moved under Tsutomu's command, who had knowledge of the first two, and had arrived at the 99th level at a breakneck pace. However, Tsutomu ordered an unexpected retreat right before the black gate to the 100th level, and everyone seemed surprised.


(After all, it was that 100th level. I definitely don't want to dive only with Diniel.)


　I don't want to dive into a hierarchy where I can't retreat with Diniel who abandoned the battle at the ninety level. And that's even more so when you're facing a fiery old dragon that's the only one who's ever been killed. I'd like to make sure that Corrina is sent to the 100th level as part of my army, and I'd like to check on her a few times.

　However, Aldoretto Crow, led by Stephanie, has also been steadily advancing through the hierarchy, so there isn't much time to spare. However, I believe that Stephanie, if that Stephanie is on her knees at worst, there's a high possibility that she'll add or subtract from the hierarchy update, and depending on the negotiations, she may be able to substitute for Corina.


(.........but with Stephanie, I'm afraid of what might happen.)


　When I saw the similar standings to my own on the ninety levels, I did feel the fear as if Stephanie's fingertips had touched my back. If that madness reappears again, there's a chance that she won't listen to us. I have a feeling that it would not be a good idea to team up with her like that, and at worst, we might be threatened by her using the breakthrough of a hundred levels as a dupe. If that is the case, it was better to go with Korina, who is currently not in the category of what I expected.


''Tsutomu-san. What do we do with those two?
...hmm?


　As I was tapping my stiff shoulder with the tip of my wand while thinking about this, Daryl asked awkwardly. I followed his gaze and looked over to see that for some reason Diniel and Hannah were laying in front of the Black Gate. The seriousness disappeared from Tsutomu's eyes and he became empty.


''........You two, let's go!
Ya.
Yeah!
Hey, don't go to sleep.
"I'll be up when the tom goes up a hundred levels with me.
That's what I'm talking about!
I'm leaving you.
'It should be a struggle to get to the Black Gate of Return without me and Hannah. And then Tsutomu might die.
''Well it will certainly be a struggle, but it's not a problem.


　The 99th level is a place that mainly focuses on traps and other gimmicks, but the monsters that come out are still formidable. If we were to retreat with only Daryl and Leleia, we would have a hard time. Diniel, who is still lying down with a straight face, doesn't seem to be thinking about anything. But Hannah, lying next to him, is completely flippant. And there was one person who had to be nailed down.


'Oh, Leleia?　Don't even think about turning over. They'll stick with you long enough to make you regret that choice for the rest of your life, so stay quiet and stay on our side.
''........I don't know what Tsutomu is mistaken about. There is no way he would turn. I'm one of the clan members of the Infinite Circle, and you are the clan leader.
I'm glad I was wrong.


　Leleia, who was likely to return his palms as soon as the slightest tilt in form, re-signed Undine with Tsutomu as a show of trust. Daryl, of course, was an ally, so there was no problem, and the three of them became a returning group.

　Even though Diniel's willingness to go to the hundredth level now because he had a feeling that he would be removed from the army this time, Hanna merely went with the flow. As soon as the three of them began to give off the mood to leave, they stood up in a timid manner and glanced at you.


'I'm going home.
Hey.
Huh.


　And in vain the two resisted, the first PT was forced to retreat to the Black Gate of the return.