''........Truly, [Threadbare Magician] Theo made a move. How was Remegeton-sama able to anticipate this?

　Carmilla, standing next to me, asks me curiously.

'As I said before, it's going to be difficult for them to work together with seventeen people. We figured that if we didn't get rid of that, they'd choose some sort of non-interference.

'Don't interfere, respect, that's the way it works. Yes, I know that much, but...

''But this isn't perfect either. For example, the moment Theo's thread caught 【Black Demon Dog】 just now. As expected of a top-tier adventurer, he immediately dismissed [Black Demon Dog], but don't you think that there were too many 'those who can defeat the enemy wrapped in the thread'?

　My tone of voice in front of the other staff members is that of a chief of staff. I feel like I've gotten used to it lately.

"....--!　I see, even if it's the coordination of this time not to interfere with the movements of 'those who can break the situation', they are all top-notch. In the first place, when there are too many of them, it is difficult to decide on the spur of the moment who will move and who will not.

There may be more than one way to resolve this, but the simplest and most effective way would be to define a 'lead role' for each layer.

''In one layer, one party stands as the main axis. By deciding on that in advance, you won't cause the slightest delay in coordination.

　Of course this isn't perfect either, but it certainly makes it much easier to do.
　It's also fan-friendly because it's not too biased towards the activities of a particular party.

''Then it's reasonable to start with the lowest-ranked party. Wraith parties are treated as exceptions, I guess.

　A party of just two people. Do you want this to be one party and have them take charge of one layer?
　Or do you want them to actively participate in the support of any layer?
　From Wraith-kun's character, he wouldn't be convinced to hire only the latter.

''We think it's more likely that they're deciding on compatibility with each tier rather than rank order.

...I see.

　The stage is a wilderness stage where there are no obstacles other than huge rocks and invisible enemies.

　Although the magical body (avatar) is blocked from pain, its physical performance is dependent on the body.
　Even if you don't feel tired, your body's movement slows down, and if you continue to be tense, your mind becomes exhausted.

　The best solution is to break through as you run through at once.
　If that was the case, he thought that the Skaha Party was the most suitable.

''With the Pheonix Party reaching the tenth layer, the information on each layer is now known. They aren't so incompetent that they won't take advantage of it.

　The raid battle that took place after the failure of the Fenics' attack. How can someone who can't make use of the information gained from the previous attack come to the top?
　It's not the same thing as flailing about and not thinking.

''I can't divide it into four parties and ten layers, but how do we divide it up...''

　This is not a question for me, but a soliloquy.

　There should have been a discussion among them about this issue as well.
　For example, the seventh layer, the sky and the realm of trials, we need to answer the question with our wits, so let's all work together as a team.
　If you decide to take the lead, there is a layer that doesn't work, or you don't have to decide.

　I turned my attention back to the screen as I thought about that.

　◇

What's wrong, Theo-sempai? How did you miss it?

　I know, but I'm going to ask you anyway. You look at me like you want me to ask you something.
　At my question, Theo-senpai looked very apologetic and scratched his head.

''Oh, no, that's exactly what I'm saying!　The individuals who have slipped through the cracks are approaching you one after another!

　

　Theosempai's thread has a high killing power, but that's when it's used for attacks.
　When you do that, the range of deployment becomes narrower - the more you move the thread, the more gaps and blanks are created - and when you use it as a 'net' to capture the enemy, it doesn't strangle or cut you to death. There is none.

　Did they sacrifice the first group in order to see the movements and attacks of our members first?
　The second line, that is, the bodies of the 【Black Demon Dogs】 and the others who just slipped through, may be coated with a highly viscous liquid. It's simple but effective. Because it's slippery.

　--I think she might have noticed our policy. No, of course she noticed.

　In this dungeon, there's [Ship Horned Dark Mage] Remegeton.
　Not only did he not only evade Alba-sempai's magic sword, but also took it away, and even more so, thereby penetrating Lark-sempai's model defense through his heart, supporting the dark elves to win against Lily-sempai in the bow game after shaking them with 【Black Demon Dog】, and using himself as a bait, the invisibility and necromancy of his subordinates while By combining them, he emptied Beulah Sempai's magic power.

　Then, in the depths of spirit arts, one of the eight spirit arts that were infinitely close to divine authority - 'Flame of the Gods' - he defeated Fenix Sempai, who had invoked the 'Flame of the Gods', single-handedly, by whatever method he used.

　He is a wielder of black magic. The [Position (Job)] of the wizard type, with the exception of the [Brave Man] and [Demon King], is characterized by a weak physical aspect.

　There can't be two 【Demon Kings】 in a single dungeon. Only one person in a dungeon can call himself a king. That's the setting and regulation.
　He's probably a demon, though, so he's probably much more robust than a normal human. Even if he's weak, it's probably just by the standards of a mage. Still, that's not a reason to fight on an equal footing with the four great spirit contractors who gave their all.

　The reason I was able to completely read my opponent's moves was because I had done a huge amount of preliminary research.
　The reason he wasn't obliterated by the Flame of the Gods was because he was defending himself by deploying magic power on the same scale.
　He's not just a clever mage. He's not simply a strong magician.

　He's an insatiable challenger who won't spare any effort for victory.
　Even though he was given the title of Chief of the Demon King's Army, he is someone who can insist on winning to such an extent.
　If everyone was like him, this industry would be a lot more fun.

"Suri.

　The cloaked [hunter] who was called by [Lightning Hero] Skaha-sempai, who called his name, responds with a short, "Oh.
　[Faceless Archer] It's Suli-sempai. A mysterious adventurer who hides his face not only in the dungeon, but also on a regular basis.

''Theo, count.''

'About fifteen or so. I'm sorry, over and over again!

I don't mind.

　The end of that conversation and the seven arrows stopped in mid-air at the same time. A high-pitched dog's scream echoed.

　It didn't stop.
　To be precise, they shot through the 【Black Demon Dog】 that had become invisible.
　
　Or perhaps there is a way to more accurately locate it.

　Either way, it's a godsend.

''...All hit. As expected of a master.

　And the one who praises him is Sukaha Party's other [hunter] - Karina-sempai.
　She's a mature woman who is a disciple of Suri-sempai.

　The great thing about this person is that she can hit an arrow in any movement. It doesn't matter if she's running or falling, it doesn't matter.
　There was a time when she shot an arrow while being blown up by an attack and made a demon who attacked her leave before she could crash into a wall.

　The name that was given to him was 【Magic Bullet Archer】.
　Well, to begin with, we don't even know when he's firing arrows at us and he rarely eats the enemy's attacks, and Suri-sempai is his master, so he seems to think he's still inexperienced.

　Even though he has such excellent companions, there was something like resignation in Skaha-sempai's eyes.
　I don't like it.
　It's also the main reason why I bit into them when we met face to face.

　Sure, the four parties above them are excellent, but so what?
　Who knows how many things they had that they didn't.
　Who said they could walk their own path in less time than I did?
　That's not enough of a reason to give up.

　A leader is supposed to lead his friends, but if such a brave man thinks that he can't go any higher, what happens to the people who believed in you and worked hard for you?

　Once you've aimed for the top of the mountain, no matter what kind of rivals you have, no matter how unrewarding your efforts are, even if you have a child, don't give up.

　Think that far ahead and shake your head. Apparently, after talking to Leme, I've been thinking about my father more and more. I didn't know I would associate it with him until I was thinking about someone else.

''Ah, you know, I'm not very good at math, but if I subtract seven from fifteen...eh?''

Mr. Hamill....

　Karina-sempai looked pityingly at the speaker.

'Hey, Karina-chan!　It's a joke, of course. Eight, right?　I just wanted to say, "Where did the eight bodies go?

　This slightly stupid-looking person is the last one in the Skaha party.
　Hamil-sempai, the 【Light Warrior】.
　Along with the high-spirited Theo-sempai, he's a mood-maker for the Skaha Party, which tends to be very quiet.

　Of course, that's not enough to be the vanguard of the 5th place party.
　Although he's smiling, he's not negligent of his surroundings, and his dominant hand rests on the handle.

　As you can see from the members, the Skaha Party is all about speedy attacks.
　And although it's not 'telescoping', Hamil-sempai is also a magic sword wielder.
　There are also other people in the party who have 'divine speed'.

　It's not an exact match, but doesn't it remind you of some other party?
　''Yes. The Fenix Party is covered by the concept of the Skaha Party.

　And they're younger, flashier, more beautiful, and their leaders are contractors of the four great spirits.
　In addition, they used to be able to capture almost no damage in a row, thanks to Leme's effect.

　In the eyes of the public, Leme was a liability, but he still ranked fourth.
　I can understand how frustrating it must have been. I don't understand why you're giving up.

　It's just.
　When I was talking to Hel-san, I could see the fighting spirit. Talking to the third-ranked party's [Brave Man], he was on fire. He's weak, but he's not giving up, apparently.

　It's better that way. Because even if we're going to go over anyway, it's better to have a guy who is motivated than a guy who's not so keen on it.

'That's the thing, but it looks like you've slipped away again!

　Theosempai said, cowering his shoulders.

'Is that right after you get out?　Or did you come this way but then turn back?

　The one who answered my question wasn't Theo-sempai, but Suri-sempai.
　

''As for the eight bodies, it's right after we get out. In other words, it is believed that we were ordered to retreat immediately after the breakthrough from the beginning.

'You let the seven bodies advance to see what they can do after they get inside the net.

　Suli nodded with a chuckle. I can't see her face, so I can only guess from the movement of her hood.

'A little bit of that. Boy of the lake, I have no idea, do I?　Sorry about the part where you and Suri are nodding at each other, but what do you mean?

If you turned back on your way in, it means you were going to bite us at first, but if you're right on your way in, it means you were going to do it all along.

Hmm?　Were the eight bodies going to slip through Theo's net and come right back again?　From the beginning?　Why?

You know what?　It just doesn't seem like hunting the beast. Maybe people are telling us what to do.

　The movement of sacrificing an individual for the sake of the pack is typical of [Black Demon Dog], but it is extremely cautious, or rather, it's very indirect. It feels like a human artifice.

Like Remeghton?　But he can't be.

　Now it's Skaha.
　It's certainly not possible for Remegeton.

　This is because the reappearance of executive demons is only allowed below the layer in charge.
　That's why even the Four Heavenly Kings class is placed in a shallow layer.
　There is also the purpose of putting pressure on the brave party that they don't know where they will reappear.

　In the Demon King's Castle, [Queen of Vampires] Carmilla could reappear somewhere below the fourth layer, [Demon of Love] Citry somewhere below the sixth layer, [Reaper Knight] Fulkus somewhere below the ninth layer, and [Demon of Time] Agares could reappear somewhere below the tenth layer.

　[Ship Horned Dark Mage] Remegaton can only reappear at the deepest level.
　That's a tricky problem, but on the contrary, there's no way he can appear above the layer in charge now that he's officially appointed to the General Staff.

''Yes, but isn't the Demon King's Castle also powered up?

　Even though it was a struggle after Leme-san left, the five members of the Fenix Party had reached the tenth layer.

　The Demon King's Castle's Uri is impregnable. It's impossible that they haven't prepared a plan to repel the brave party.

''Hm. So it's the Skaha Party. What's the plan of attack?

　Uncle Air asked Skaha while smiling happily.

''This floor is tricky to scrape (,) by [Black Demon Dog]. How many of these members would fall off if they were dating properly?''

　Black Demon Dog] Although the fighting ability of each one of them is not high, they are a threat when they are in a group.
　Invisible, it's also troublesome. With this group, they won't lose to the extent of invisible enemies, but it's mentally exhausting to deal with a bunch of invisible beasts that you don't know how many of them are out there for a long time.

　The never-ending work is a never-ending process that wears out your magical and mental powers, and it's quite possible that even the best adventurers could be damaged.
　If they are the only opponents, it's fine, but the invisible glass and floor bosses are waiting.

　But that doesn't mean it's easy to run through them.
　Even the Black Demon Dogs won't let you pass through, and if you have a slow job, you'll need to match your feet to those of the other members.
　If you neglect even that, you'll end up with the same result as the lightning-based brave party one day.

　The answer Skaha gave was--.

''After Theo makes a path and everyone runs through, I'll catch up with them on my back.