*

　Yuka's voice echoed through the dungeon.

'Luno Kesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable, be a beacon to guide me as a beacon to guide me!　Reveal!　Light!

　The spell is completed and a dazzling light is released from the wand.
　It's a spell that marks the transition (teleportation).
　That's the end of today's exploration.
　We'll return to the city with the transfer, and next time we'll resume our search from here - the vertical hole that leads to the second level.

...I'm tired for today.
It's a long walk to get home.
What a field trip.

　Yuka's lips twitched in a sultry way.

'I didn't realize there were two monster houses.
Well, that's a bit of a surprise.
A little?

　Mako chuckled, and Laura giggled and looked away.

'I think they usually die, don't they?'
It's all right.

　Laura said in a dumbfounded tone, but she was able to eradicate the ghosts in the first monster house and the second without much difficulty.

''Well I'm tired.''
Rookie, you're a little sloppy.

　Laura is breathing blue, but Liv seems to have a surplus of energy.

'Liv hasn't been working very hard, you know.
''Well the goal was to level up the new guy, and the monster house couldn't reach the pole hammer.

　Liv's lips quirked up in a huff.

Well, it's no wonder Miss and Laura say they're tired. After all, we've explored all of the levels.
Is it great?
Of course. Not even the Knights could explore a whole level in a day.

　Mufu~, Fene's snorting was rough.

''Thanks to you, my level has increased by two.
I knew it would be slow to level up when you have a safety margin.
...I think it's a pretty fast pace.

　Laura raises her eyebrows quizzically.

'My brother and Mississippi are busted, you know.
Hey, don't be a prude.
But it's true.
We would have done it if it would have given us a margin of safety and made us stronger.

　Yuka clenched her fists as she remembered the Skeleton King Dungeon.
　I'm the one who got hurt badly, though, I don't think.
　When I was swept away by the river and fell from the waterfall, Yuka didn't suffer a single injury.
　I really didn't cover for her then, so I can say that she's a strong lucky person.
　No, it's just bad luck for Mako.
　Maybe it's sucking the luck out of you.

Anyway, let's go back to the city.

　Yuka let out a sigh and readied her staff.

'Luno Kesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable, like a corridor joined together, be the path I walk!　Reveal!　Transfer (teleportation)!

　A sense of levitation hit me and I closed my eyes.
　When I opened my eyes, I found myself in front of the south castle gate.
　The night had fallen and the atmosphere was somewhat cold.

'What. Also, Anne--thanks for your help!

　The gatekeeper tried to pat his chest down and straightened his back with a bicep.

'Thank you for your help,'
'No!　Not at all!

　Laura called out to him, and the gatekeeper answered in a supercilious voice.
　He said he had been given time off, but his authority didn't seem to be diminished.
　Perhaps this is because the people around him understand Christine's intentions - they were forced to give her time off to show her - and that's why they've been able to do so.
　It is true that Laura has made a series of blunders, but she has been able to protect Christine from the bandits and reclaim her from the kidnappers.

'Check your pass, please,'
You don't have to check it out.
No, that wouldn't be indicative.
So, uh,

　The gatekeeper reached out with fearlessness and checked Laura's pass.
　He checked Makoto, Yuka, Fene and Liv in that order.

'No problem. Please pass through.''
Thanks for your help.

　Laura gave the gatekeeper a labored word and walked off.
　Makoto and the others followed.
　Passing through the castle gates and entering the city.
　After all, at this time of day, there are not many people in the city.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea.

''A big deal.''
What's that?
That's what you just said.
Does that sound normal to you?
It's not easy to do.

　It's not easy to not wear your position with a hat.
　Looking at the current exchanges, one gets the feeling that the reason Laura hasn't lost her authority is because of her personality.

It's admirable.
Oh, thank you.

　Laura looked down in embarrassment.

'Mako, you look so high and mighty now.
Why?
It's because they look like kids.
So that's it, then?

　Mako says, feeling disgusted.
　Well, I know what you mean.
　I'm a young boy on the outside, even though I'm a 40-year-old on the inside.
　I'm sure he looks like a boy with no sense of propriety.

'Every morning, every time I look in the mirror, I wonder if I'm dreaming.
Speaking of which, how old is Laura?
Don't go through with it.

　I thought I spouted some pretty cool lines, but it's hard to get through.

''I'm ... a little over twenty years old.
How old are you?
I'm a little over 20 years old.

　Laura said, exuding a strange intensity.

'How old is this world usually married at what age?'
....

　Laura moaned softly as Yuka accused her mercilessly.
　d*mn, it looks like she's about to say kill it.

''Roughly, isn't she about fifteen years old?
Well, that depends on the person.

　Laura's expression softened at Liv's words.

'But aren't you going to get married before you're twenty?
Isn't there a lot of room?
You've still got room to spare.
You're going to be late for your ride, son.
I'll be fine.
.....

　Laura grunted as Fene and Liv followed suit.

'Hmmm, this world is getting married so fast.'
You're following a biological cycle.

　It's just some knowledge I've heard, but I heard that human beings have children at about fifteen years of age, which is the correct cycle for a living being.
　Well, I don't think it's any use comparing an immature society with a mature one.

You are ignoring the biological cycle, though.
'I'm a kid by the looks of it, no can do, no can do.'
Good luck with that.
Why do you have to be so superior to me?
I've only been here once.
...Oh, yeah?

　'You're going to have to go through the same thing,' he curses in his mind.

'But isn't it hard?'
What?

　When Makoto asked back, Yuka turned her gaze to Laura.

'Hey, what's the big deal?'
It's not good publicity.
...publicity.

　Laura muttered with a divine look on her face.

'It's the age difference in appearance,'
.....

　Laura moaned again.

'The age difference for a couple--'
Don't do it, Laura has zero HP.

　Makoto interrupted Yuka's words.

'So, but it depends on how you feel, right, Makoto-sama?
The younger the better for my brother, I guess.
No, the breasts. You can't help but stare at my chest sometimes.
"...phew...

　Fane and Liv work beautifully together to shoot down Laura.
　I'm a little teary-eyed.
　Even Laura probably had circumstances that prevented her from getting married, and I feel like it's a bad idea to point out too much.
　I'm starting to feel sorry for her.

'I don't care,'
Well, Makoto-sama!

　Laura is very happy.

"Well, if you're okay, Laura, I am too.
Yeah.

　Fene and Liv have a look of relief on their faces.
　Why do I feel like I'm in the doldrums?

'Your third job is a grave digger, isn't it?
I'm aware of that.

　I moan at Yuka's pursuit.
　I can only moan.

''It's ... messy.''
'I'll bet you 100A that I can fill in the outer moat while you're bothering me.
You're going to bet a lot of money on this, aren't you?
The one that thinks it's just a matter of time.

　Yuka is very confident.

'What about you?'
You'd have to bet on the one I can't fill, or the bet wouldn't be valid.
So, which way?
The betting is not working.

　I have a feeling he's going to push me away eventually, if not sooner.
　Mako let out a deep sigh.

'What's so good about me?'
You have money and you're strong.
The money's coming up?
In this case, though, strong means you can make money.
They're both gold.

　I'm not old enough to have any illusions about women, but I'd like to see them mended a bit more.

'Silly me. Women like money.
I like money, too.

　In the original world, gold didn't like him.
　Rather, he hated it.
　He wanted it so fiercely, but Mako's feelings were one-way.
　It seems that it can't be a mutual love affair.

''Well that guy....

　Makoto saw Alan walk into an alleyway.
　The suspicious-looking man is with him.
　He looked around, but Yuka and the others didn't seem to notice.

'What's going on?'
Sorry, I gotta run an errand.
What's going on?

　Yuka raised her eyebrows quizzically.

'Alright. So, what are you going to do tomorrow?
Tomorrow.....

　Mako looked at Yuka and the others.
　Yuka, Fene and Liv were unperturbed, but Laura was deep in fatigue.

''Wow, I would--''
I'm off tomorrow.
'I'm sorry for dragging you down,'

　Laura's shoulders narrowed apologetically.

'Don't worry about it. Let's just take our time resting and get ourselves in perfect shape to raise the bar.
Thank you.
Because I'm counting on it.

　Mako tapped Laura on the shoulder and followed Alan.

*

That's funny. It should have come this way.

　Mako stood in the alleyway and looked around.
　Far away from the main street, dingy, dilapidated houses lined the street, with no streetlights, only moonlight.
　There were no streetlights, and the only light was the moonlight.
　However, Makoto has acquired night vision (a skill), so it doesn't interfere with his actions.

''Brother, what are you doing in a place like this?''
"Whoa!

　I looked back with a start.
　Then, Fene was standing there.

'What, Fene?'
That's not true.
Sorry, sorry, why are you here?
That's because I was worried about my brother.

　God!　And Fene puffed out her cheeks adorably.

'My brother, why are you the one in this place?
No, uh, that's it.

　Mako nagged.
　It's hard to say that he followed Alan.

'If you're a prostitute, you can buy one here, but I'm afraid of illness. I would recommend the high end shops in the entertainment district.'
No.

　Mako let out a sigh.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what to expect when you buy a prostitute from Fene, who is as old as her daughter, and she recommends an exclusive restaurant in the entertainment district.

''Then why did you come here?''
It is.

　Makoto scratched his head raggedly.

'Brother, weren't you after this guy Alan?
Don't ask me if you know what I'm talking about.
I just thought you should know.

　Fene's lips twitched in a sultry manner.

'But why ssss?'
I was with a guy who looked suspicious.
Why is my brother running after you?
Why, aren't you worried about Sherry?

　If an acquaintance's ex was dating a shady guy, you'd want to make sure.

'My brother is a meddler, isn't he?
Intervention.

　Well, if you ask me, no one can be sure just because an acquaintance's ex is dating a shady guy.
　That kind of thing is the job of the box office.

''Well, that's the good thing about my brother.
Thanks.
My brother and I don't get along. Well, I want you to follow me.

　Fene laughed embarrassedly and started walking away.
　Mako hurried after her.

'Where are you going?'
That's this guy Allan's place.
Are we going to follow the smell?
I'm not a dog!

　Fane put up his tail with a pinch.
　'I think the fox was a canine animal,' he said.

'Then how do we follow them?'
The pattern of behavior of a drifter is set in stone.
That's a pretty good Holmesian theory.
Not so much.

　Fene shouldn't know Holmes, but he could tell that he was praising him.
　He is disheveled and out of phase.
　In addition, his ears and tail are hanging sloppily.
　He seems quite pleased.

'Over here.

　Fene proceeded dangerously down the alley.
　I suddenly had a sense of deja vu.
　I feel as if I passed this alleyway.
　No, I definitely went through it.

"Fene, could it be?
We're here.

　The one I was led to was a two-story building.
　It is quite dilapidated.

"This is the inn of the drifter, the 'nameless hero' pavilion.
You're staying at the inn.
Yeah.

　Fene stretched his chest.
　This was the diner and inn that Fene had used as an inn when he was struggling with debt.
　You can stay here for the threateningly cheap price of 10A per night.
　The security is bad, and because it is located downstream of the river that runs through the city from east to west, there is a stench in the air.

'Come on, let's go.'
Yes, sir.

　At Fene's urging, Makoto entered the Pavilion of the Nameless Hero.
　The structure of the "Nameless Hero" restaurant is similar to the "Golden Fleece" restaurant, except for the purple smoke and the strong smell of aromatic smoke.
　Except for the purple smoke and strong smell of smoke in the restaurant.
　When Makoto was about to look around for Alan, Fene grabbed his hand.
　He moves to a seat by the wall as it is.
　To my surprise, it was near the seat where Alan and the suspicious man were seated.

'Welcome!'

　A big-breasted waitress approached me with a cat-patting voice.
　She has ears and a tail similar to Fene's.
　You will need to be able to have your own personal computer.

''Oh, that's Fene.''
Long time no see.
Who's this guy?
My brother.
'Oh, this guy. What are you having today?
Two for two at Set A, please.
Okay, set menu A for two!

　That's amazing, Mako was impressed.
　In just a short time, Fene and the big-breasted waitress were sending each other signals with their fingers.
　It was a reward, or maybe it was a silver coin--100A, they were handing him a silver coin--100A.

''Brother, are you sure you're off tomorrow?''
Oh, yeah, I've had a lot going on today.

　As Makoto tried to focus on the conversation next to him, Fene spoke to him.
　'I'll leave it to you,' he said, his mouth moving.

''It's true that a lot of things have happened. What are you going to do tomorrow, brother?
'What do you think I'm going to do? I'll just linger at a random inn. How about you?
I'm going out.

　'By the way,' said Fene, leaning forward.

Who's the best?''

　Other than Yuka, that would be Sherry, Fene, Liv and Laura.

Why do you exclude them?
You're officially out of the picture.
Well, sure.

　I feel like a bad friend, not a woman.

'But we're not here to talk about love stories, are we?
It's important.
For some reason, I can't think of anything like that.
Yeah?

　Fene hung her head in a huff.

'Why?'
It's not like I'm messy or anything positive.
Haha, my brother said he had a terrible experience, but it's ruining people.
Oh, come on. People are not getting ruined.
My brother is a ruined human being.

　I didn't think the words I said to Yuka would come back to me.

"Well, I'll cover that part.
It's getting harder and harder to get out of there.

　Mako let out a deep sigh.