Why is Mr. Currier here?
　I thought he was just going to go back to his quarters like that....
　Did he intend to return to his quarters once and then come to the Holy Ruins?

　Currier-san has a somewhat unconcerned look on his face.

''Um, Currier-san.''

　When I spoke to her, Curie-san raised her eyebrows, as if she had given up on something.
　And then.

Are you an idiot?

　Currier-san's expression was stern.
　Her gaze briefly checked my entire body.

''To come to the Holy Ruins with that kind of equipment, and all alone... no matter how many forbidden spells you can use, it's insane...''

　I couldn't ... I couldn't say the words back.
　I was going to return immediately - so I couldn't return to her.
　Because I was about to descend further down the hierarchy earlier.

　Currier-san did not lose her accusatory tone and continued.

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. There are some people who like to dive alone sometimes, but the reason why it is recommended to dive with two or more people is because the probability of being 'eaten' increases if you dive alone. When you're alone, it's easy to slow down your thinking when making decisions. Especially here.
..........

　I was indeed about to be 'eaten'.
　I was about to go 'ahead' without thinking, 'One more level would be fine'.

"And you won't be able to use the transporter.
Yes.

　Yes.
　The biggest problem I had with my future attack on the Holy Ruins was 'it'.

　The students I saw in the plaza before I went under, the ones who had been transported.
　They came back with a transporter device to return to the ground inside the ruins.
　But the method of activating the transporter - that was a problem for me.

　The transporter device is activated by pouring the holy element into it.

　This is one of the main reasons why 'whether or not you can handle the holy element' is considered important in the qualities of the students who enter this school.
　I learned that from the explanation after class.
　If you can't handle the holy element, you can't use the transporter within the Holy Ruins.
　In other words, those who couldn't handle the holy element would have to search around for the stairs to the upper floors on their own.
　And in the Holy Ruins, where maps are meaningless, the transporter device is even more important.

　In fact, I had thought of a way to get the students I met in the ruins to help me only on my return.
　Instead, I thought it would be a realistic idea to use my forbidden spell to clear away the demons that are said to be rushing in on the return - with this exchange condition, I would only ask them to help me on the return.
　Since this wouldn't be a complete solo attack, I couldn't shake my hesitation about that idea until the very end....

　However, when I actually set foot in the Holy Ruins like this........I feel like a solo attack was impossible to begin with.
　Above all, you won't meet people.
　Or maybe I would meet them in a big room or a return room........
　But right now I can't even be sure of that.

　At first, I thought that if I could only use the forbidden spell, I would be able to manage it.
　But just like before, there are times when I can't chant in time.

　The Holy Ruins are not that naive.

　My thinking was naive.

　So.

I'm sorry, I didn't think things through.

　I turned over and uttered that.

　And Currier-san stepped forward silently.
　She grabbed my arm and pulled me towards her and closed the door.

'For now, come over here.'

　We stood side by side with our backs to the wall of the awfully quiet passage.

　When I looked, I saw that Currier-san had a long sword down on his belt.
　However, he was still dressed in his uniform.
　She hadn't even changed into her search clothes.
　Perhaps noticing my gaze, Currier-san drops her gaze to her own attire.

''Humph.......I was planning to return today right away, too. Besides, I wouldn't be 'eaten' by the Holy Ruins if I were you. Even with this equipment, even with this equipment, I'm sure there's plenty of room for one person to get to about twenty levels. ........I've never been there before.

　Apparently, he was very confident.

　But from the pouches and water bottles on his belt, he'd prepared at the very least.
　There is probably a bit of food inside the pouch.

　By the way, it is said that in the Holy Ruins, the frequency of feeling hungry and wanting to go to the bathroom is lower than on the ground.
　I don't know what the principle is.
　In the previous world, I have experienced several times that when you are mentally depressed, you lose your appetite and can only drink water, or when you are walking in a bookstore, for some reason you feel the need to go to the bathroom.
　Perhaps the human body is something that can be easily influenced by our mental state and environment.
　.........Of course, there must be some kind of proper other mechanism in the Holy Ruins, but that's how I imagined it.
　Also, it doesn't mean I'm not hungry.
　It's just that it's a lot better than on the ground.

'You said something about going to the Holy Ruins from now on, so I thought if I came here to see if... I didn't expect you to just dive in by yourself... you're crazy.
I have no words for you.

　...........
　Hmm?
　I mean, what?

Um, is it possible, Mr. Currier... that you're worried about me in the Holy Ruins?

　Time stopped.
　With a bang, there was a sound of movement inside the ruins.
　Currier-san turned away with a puff.

''........come on.

　The holy ruins divide the party from each other.
　If that was the case, then Currier-san would have been following me the whole time while maintaining a certain distance between us.......
　For example, because the distance was so close, the Holy Ruins judged me and Currier-san to be a 'party' and didn't split us up.......

　I look at Currier-san's well-rounded profile.

　If she was worried about me........I'm very, very happy.
　At the same time, I felt very sorry for myself.
　I'm sorry I let her do that.

''I'm ... sorry, Miss Currier.

　Somewhat later, Currier-san breathed.

''If you've reflected on it, ask that Arkwright family's daughter to join the attack team tomorrow or so.
What?
'From what I've seen, that girl seems to be buying into you for the most part. Maybe it's hard for you to ask her to do it yourself because she declared that she wouldn't work with anyone other than the two people she's always with, but if you ask her to do it, there's a good chance she'll be able to do it.

　Ah, I see.
　Doesn't Currier-san know that Cecily-san invited me to join the attack team.......

''........I refused Cecily-san's invitation.

　With a twitch, Currier's shoulders moved.

'What?'
'Actually, after Currier-san left the classroom, he asked me if I wanted to join the attack team.
"...why did you say no?　I think your best bet right now would be to team up with those Arkwright family girls....
I wanted to work with you, Mr. Currier.

　And Currier-san unexpectedly, quickly put her hand on the top of my ear.
　There was a slight tinge of concern on her face.

''You ... are you sure you're smart?''
...What?
You refuse that girl's offer and now you want to join me?　I don't get it. Plus, after I said no, you dove into the Holy Ruins alone without teaming up with anyone else... really, what do you have in mind?

　I averted my gaze.
　I felt somewhat embarrassed.



　Miss Currier withdrew her hand.
　Then she put her hand to her forehead, with a slightly troubled look.

'That doesn't mean I'm not impressed with you diving alone.
''This school's record of hierarchies reached.......I thought that if I dove in and broke it by myself, Currier-san would recognize my strength and form an attack team.

　I tightened my mouth.

''But.........I think you're right that it was rash. To be honest, I underestimated the Holy Ruins.
Why?
What?

　Mr. Currier said in a somewhat dumbfounded manner.
　Then he folded his arms and asked.

'Why do you want to team up with me?'
I don't know, either...I just feel like I want to team up with this guy so much more...

　Currier-san makes a somewhat bitter face, as if to say that she is weak.

''With such vague reasons, it's hard to persuade them to the contrary.......it's just--''

　Currier's expression tightened.

''After all, there's the sixth house. I mentioned that earlier. So teaming up with me--''
Mr. Currier.

　I interrupted her.

'I didn't ask the right questions the other day,'
What?

　I clenched my fists and looked her straight in the eye.
　Then he asked.

''Those people from the Sixth House - are they stronger than the forbidden curse...?''

　Instantly, Currier-san's expression changed.
　Her eyes widened slightly and her face looked as if she had been caught off guard.
　Then, after a few seconds, she quietly opened her shapely lips.

'....Come on. That's ... I don't know.
If my life was on the line, I'd take it.

　It's like I died once, anyway.
　But I've got dreams of making it big.
　So, you know.

Of course I'm not going to die easy, but...

　Tsk, Currier-san clicked her tongue.
　But that tongue lashing didn't seem to be against me.
　Rather, it was as if it was directed at myself.

'I'll ask you one thing,'
Yes, sir.

　Currier's slit eyes pierce my eyes.

'What do you think about death?'

　It's about death.
　Death.
　What do you think?
　In the previous world, I was alive, but I felt like I was just living.
　But in this world, I feel like I'm closer to death than I was before.

　Me.
　My own thoughts.
　The answer.
　It's...

'Whether you're alive or dead, in the end, you're convinced or you could have been... I think that's what's important. If you weren't convinced, it's still meaningless - I don't know if this is the answer or not...

　My voice dropped slightly in the second half, but that was my honest opinion.

　And after hearing my words, this time, blatantly, Currier-san's expression changed.
　It was an unexpected, dumbfounded look.

　And then, the next thing she did was to let out a huffy smile.
　It was like a smile that unintentionally leaked out.

''Currier........?''
Huh, okay.

　Mr. Currier looked somewhere in the distance.

''Well there was a guy once who said the same thing. Well I think so.

　And that's when the lower part of the nearby wall collapsed.
　A goblin came out of the hole.



　Miss Currier flung herself away from the wall in a slow motion.
　Then she put her hand on the hilt of her sword and turned it relative to the goblin.

'.........Gi?　Gee...........

　The goblin takes a step back.
　And.

Gui ... gui ... gui ... gui ... gui ... gui ... gui ... gui ... gui!

　Oh my God, he went back into the hole from which he came out in a hurry.

'Hmph.'

　Currier-san releases her hand from the hilt of her sword.
　Oooh.........could it be, Currier-san, a killing spree?　Did you just drive the goblins away...?
　Wow.

Are you convinced?

　With his back turned, Currier said.

'What?'
If you were to lose your life for having an affair with me, if you were to get into a tussle with those in the Sixth House, would you still be okay with that?

　Well, you know, it's just that--

Does that mean you want to work with me?
I'm listening for answers.
'Yes, of course!　I'd rather be convinced if Mr. Currier would team up with me!

　Tsk, Currier-san clicked her tongue again.

''Well really, he's a guy who likes things.
Ha ha.....

　I scratch my cheek and give a wry smile back.

'And I knew it - you're an idiot. You won't live long, guys like you.
Maybe.

　Stepping forward, Currier-san said.

''Humph ... well, I'll protect you as much as possible.

　The sound of shoes on the stone floor with a click, and Currier-san starts to walk.

'Well then, first we need to find the stairs back to the ground. For one level, it would be faster to find the stairs. And if you hit a room with a demon, I would kill it instantly. Don't worry.
That's very reassuring...

　After this, me and Currier found the stairs back to the ground in a few minutes and returned to the square in front of the Holy Ruins.