Currier ran up to me and poked me in the knee.
　Then he ran a quick glance at my mutilated cuirass and my search clothes.

'Are you okay, huh?'

　What is directed at me is an anxious gaze.
　After looking at Currier-san's condition, I loosened the edges of my mouth and breathed.

''I'm ... glad.''
'What?　Are you relieved that I'm here?
It's a relief to know that Miss Currier is safe.

　For a moment she looked like she didn't understand what was being said.

'Didn't we get divided by a wall back then?　

　'Oh,' said Currier, looking convinced.

'That was a surgical attempt to break down the wall. Well, it was very unlikely, and I was a little distracted. And afterwards, I went around and got there, and when I got there, I found that you had disappeared completely, so I was in a hurry.

　Huh?

Was there a hole in the floor?
Holes?
...Anything at all?
Yeah there's no hole in the ground.

　Hmm.
　So the hole was sealed up after I fell in?
　..........

So.........you're okay?
Yes, somehow. ...and thanks to Cecily, the wound has been sealed.
Cecily.

　Miss Currier looked up at Cecily.

'I want to thank you. I'm so glad you're here.

　With a complicated smile, Cecily responded.

''Well you really are a powerful enemy, aren't you?''
Hmm?　A strong opponent?
No, it was nothing. I'm glad you saved Kurohiko.
Thank you, guys.

　Mr. Currier thanked Mr. Sieg and Mr. Hyrgis as well.

'Ah.'
Yeah.

　After being thanked, the two of them gave a small nod.
　Then, Currier-san, who turned to me, gave a sarcastic smile.

''But for me to have someone to fear for me... that's a rare experience.

　The current Currier-san is a person I can call a master.
　She's far stronger than me.
　Is it presumptuous of me to be concerned about such a woman's safety.......

''Su, I'm sorry.''
Don't be an idiot. Don't apologize. I'm not sorry, you know, I don't mean to be a bad influence.

　Currier-san scratched her cheek with a pollywheel while trying to find a place for her averted gaze.
　Cecily, who had been staring at me, cleared her throat with a single cough.
　Currier-san's cheek-clawing stops.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's been in this situation.　Did you take down the guardian species and go down there?
Oh, actually...

　I told everyone what happened.
　The scaffolding collapsed and I fell into a strange room.
　Then I told them that I had found a way out while defeating the demons I encountered, and somehow I ended up here.
　After I explained that.

'Well, I managed to get through it, though. You see, I also have a forbidden curse.

　After quickly concluding my story in a light tone, I switched the subject.

'By the way........it seems that Cecily and the others were looking for me.......'
I'll explain it to you.

　Cecily-san raised her hand in a small way.

　According to Cecily-san's explanation, apparently Cecily-san and the others were on the fourth level just as me and Currier-san were on the fourth level.
　It seems that they were discussing in front of the room where the guardian species was at the time of the earth tremor.
　So, after the earth rumbling, the girls decided to go to the room where the transporter for return was located.
　On the way there, they found Currier-san running down the passage.
　After hearing that I was gone, Cecily-san suggested that I search for her.

　The search began immediately.

　Currier-san and Zeke-san searched from the fourth level up.
　Finally, they checked to see if the rental items I borrowed from the Holy Ruins Hall had been returned.
　Then, at the plaza, we inquired whether they had seen me or not.
　After that, if it looked like I hadn't returned, I'd follow Cecily and the others who had headed below the fourth level to join them.

　Meanwhile, Cecily and Hyrgis will search the levels below the fourth level.
　The two of them would explore up to the seventh level, where they would wait for Currier-san and Sieg-san once they were there, and after joining them, they would aim for the lower levels as much as possible.

　Cecily-san instantly suggested such a search plan, and they decided to look for me.
　So, surprisingly, Cecily-san found me quickly.
　And the ring worn by Zeke, who was on the second level, detected Cecily-san's light (which seemed to be the signal for the discovery), and guided by the ring, Curie-san and I rushed here together.
　By the way, the 'Guardian Ogre', the guardian species of the fourth level........Both pairs have been easily defeated.

''.........''

　They all didn't even show any signs of hesitation, and apparently they all started acting immediately.
　I really can't thank you enough.
　I'll have to repay this debt at some point.

Thank you very much. Really, how can I thank you--Mugu!

　Curie-san pulled me into a hug.

I'm grateful to Cecily and the others. You should be grateful to them but don't thank me for it.
Currier, you know--

　Squeezing, her strength increases.

''I'm sorry. If only I had been stronger I would have noticed the change sooner. At some point, you would have saved me.
Uh, Currier...
So you don't have to worry about anything. There's nothing wrong with you.
The thing is...
It's fine. Don't worry about it.
No, no, no, I'm not worried about it.

　I'm honestly glad that Currier was concerned about you.
　From the bottom of my heart, I'm grateful.

''.........''

　
　
　I mean, that's why.
　My face was buried between my breasts, and.........
　What happened with Cecily-san just now...this is not good, I think.

Currier, do you have a minute?
...What is it, Cecily?
..........
..........
I'm hugging you so hard, it's almost painful for Kurohiko.
M....okay.

　At a word from Cecily, Currier released her from the embrace.

'I'm sorry,'
No, it's not...?

　And then he hugged me back!
　Now, this time, your chest is on my chest, Kyuurie-san's chest.......

"Currier!　I-I don't think that's... that's not... that's not...

　Wawa, Cecily's shoulders were shaking.

'Hmm?　This time, though, you didn't put a lot of effort into it?

　The tone of his voice ... implications, there is nothing in it.
　A voice that is sincerely questioning.
　
　

''Kyu, Currier-san!　Anyway, let's get back to earth now!　With this group, the demons might not be a problem, but if the earthquakes come again, it will be dangerous!
'Kurohiko is right, Currier!　We'll be on the move in a minute!　Come on, get away--stand up!

　Miss Cecily followed me.

'Hmm, yes.'

　Mr. Currier stands up.

'I found the transporter room earlier with Siegbert. Let's get back to the surface, quickly.

　Did you manage to get through it?

　Regardless, we decided to return to the ground for once.
　After it was decided that we would use the transporter to return, Curie-san and Cecily-san began discussing who would lend a shoulder to me, whose legs were not strong enough to support me.

　Incidentally, during that time.
　Sieg-san and Hyrgis-san, who were standing side by side, folding their arms and watching the situation.
　I could hear the conversation between the two of them.
　Mr. Zeke was somewhat mortified.
　Mr. Hyrgis looked jittery.

'Dear Cecily you've changed a lot lately.
Well I'm starting to feel better about myself, actually.
Sagara Krohiko and Currier Versteen...
...Is Zeke a positive?
'Yes, I'm an affirmative. ...Surprised?
I was wondering.
'Unless you're going to turn on Lady Cecily, but, well, we seem to be developing a sense of trust in each other. I'll see to it, I will.
Yeah.
You got something to say, Hyrgis?
..........

　Suddenly, Mr. Hyrgis turned his cold gaze to me.

''If anyone hurts Lady Cecily I will not forgive them no matter who they are.

　　　　　　　　　　*

..........

　We lined up in a vertical line for the transporter room, keeping a little distance between us.

　At the front was Currier-san.
　Behind us were Cecily-san and Hyrgis-san.

　And I was being patted down by Mr. Zeke.

　They couldn't quite decide which role to help me with, so Siege-san, unable to see them, said

Okay, I'll give you Kurohiko's body. That shouldn't be a problem. And you, Cecily-sama, are you okay with that?

　They didn't raise their voices, but the two men who had been struggling obediently obeyed his unspoken tone.
　Or maybe they thought it was a good solution.
　Incidentally, the two of them told me almost simultaneously, ''That wasn't a fight, was it? I was told something like that.
　

'About Hyrgis I hope you don't feel bad about it.

　On the way.
　Zeke lowered the volume of his voice and spoke to me.

''You mean... what happened earlier, right?''
'Yeah. ...It's just that he's like that when it comes to Lady Cecily, he's like that to everyone. It's not just for you, by any means.
'You're very fond of Miss Cecily, Mr. Hyrgis.
Hmmm, well, I guess it's not so much a 'love' thing as it is a favor. But while it's fine to return the favor, there's a tendency to go to extremes.

　With a bitter smile, Zeke says.

''I'm in trouble I'm a good swordsman and I'm not a bad guy.
'But you were on board with the suggestion of looking for me, weren't you, Hyrgis?　And besides, Zeke, for looking for me I'm grateful.
Don't mind me. It's true that I'm a competitor in the capture of the Holy Ruins, but I'm also a member of the same group. But we are also members of the same team. When the time comes, we should help each other. I think we should all hold each other accountable, don't we?

　What.........this handsome man.

''Well I hope you will continue to take care of Cecily-sama as well.
You're welcome.
'And you know ... there are some things you can't talk about unless you're a man to a man. If you need anything, feel free to give me a call.
Hi.
To tell you the truth, I don't have any boys in my group.
Is that so?
After what happened to Lady Cecily I'm sure she thinks it's not very easy to get to know.

　What do you think?
　Zeke doesn't seem to have the blah factor........
　

Well, how's that for a friend?
"A friend... well, then, as a friend, I hope you'll continue to be a friend, Kurohiko.
"Yes, Mr. Zeke.
It's just Zeke.
What?
I know the culture of the East but I would be more comfortable with a friend.
Yeah, so what's your name, Zeke?
Hmm. That's good.
..........

　Well, I think this might be the first time I've ever had a male friend....
　I think I'm happy about this.

'So,'

　Zeke's voice can be subdued even more.

"?
'Lady Cecily or Currier Versteen who's winning now?
Jeez, Zeke...?
Hahaha, that's a joke.

　...it's almost serious!
　And the girls in the front and back rows I've been listening too much!

　While we were talking about that, we arrived at the room where the transporter was located.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　The transporter room.
　The room has a high ceiling, and also the room is shaped like a rhombus against a straight passage.
　There are no doors in this room.
　And at the back of the room is the transporter.

　The shape of the transporter looks like a pillar half buried in the wall.
　On the surface of that pillar, there are crystals embedded in the surface to form a pattern.
　In other words, that pattern is probably the transporter's magic formula.
　Well.........what is it......I'm sure I heard in class or something that the reason you can't use the transference technique is similar to the Holy Sword and the Demon Sword.... ...
　It would come in handy if we could use that as a tactic.

Are you ready?

　Miss Cecily held her hand over the transporter.

'Oh.'

　Currier-san, standing in the aisle, replied as he drew his sword and released it.

　The device is activated by pouring the holy element into it.
　However, after activation, it takes five minutes to enough time to be transferred.
　Furthermore, I've heard that a large number of demons will spring up after activation.......

　Cecily-san poured the holy element into the device.
　And at the same time as the crystal embedded in the device emitted a glow - the magic formula emerged on the floor.
　The magic formula extends from the device to the end of the entrance, as if a shadow stretches out.
　And then, as the surgical formula left the room, it jumped out a few meters to the passageway and then.......stopped.

　I see.
　
　As long as it's on top of the magic formula that appeared, it will be transmitted to the ground.
　In fact, Currier-san is properly standing on top of the magic formula.
　
　However, after all, to do it alone--''

''.........''　

　Even though it is carried on your back like this, the forbidden spell can still be used.

''Currier-san, I'm also under a forbidden spell--''
I don't need it.

　Said clearly, then Cecily asks.

'Currier are you sure you want to be alone?'　
Yeah.

　The aisle is about as wide as two people can line up.
　But.

I'll be fine on my own.

　Mr. Currier assured her.

　--the sound of thunderous footsteps running on the floor.

　Multiple, footsteps.
　And then, turning down the aisle, a group of Tigerheads appeared.................rushing in a row.
　With a ferocious roar, they approached in a straight line, aiming at us.

''

　Dark tiger heads are mixed in with some of them.
　When Cecily-san confirmed this, she tried to move forward - but quickly stopped.

　The murderous atmosphere emitted from Currier-san makes us unable to move.
　The destination of that murderous atmosphere is........the tiger-headed demons.
　You can't see even a hint of agitation from her who has her back to us.

''It's impossible, you guys can't do it.

　Flatly, Currier-san says, holding up his sword.
　And the first one to pounce on him - he kills it instantly.

　A second and a bit.　
　The movements of the Tigerheads, who saw their compatriots chopped up with such speed that they didn't even know they had been killed, stopped once with a snap.
　However - as if they immediately remembered their role, Tigerhead and the others took up a battle stance.

''Today, we can't.''

　'Hmph,' sniffs Currier.

'Not a single one of them - not a single one of them can get through here today.

　As if hungry, the Tigerheads' legs were straining.
　And.

　Making full use of the space in the aisle - Tigerhead and the others all attacked Currier-san at once.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　After all, just as Currier-san said - during the five and a half minutes until the transfer took place, not a single demon was able to break into the room from the passage.

　Of course, there was no sign of Tigerhead among those who had been transferred to the ground either.