Odette's point of view.



　As Yuki and the others were making their way to the goal...



It's strange.

　Odette stopped in the corridor of the dungeon.

'There are too many demons in there, no matter how many.

　Odette was following the route on the map.
　But every time she turned a corner on the pathway, she encountered a monster.
　A goblin, a giant rabbit, and a large rabbit. Earlier, three dark wolves attacked me at once.
　Although I managed to defeat them, it's too hard to be a trainee orientation.

''And...I'm sure this place is...near the second level...?''

　In front of us was a hall with a high ceiling.
　Odette had heard about it before. She said that near the second level of the giant dungeon, Elysian, there was a large hall that was used for some kind of ceremony in the past.
　I've heard that if you use fancy magic near there, a lot of demons can appear.

'You wouldn't come to a place like this for orientation. They must have taken a wrong turn.

　Odette turned her gaze to the Countess standing behind her, Thérèse-Michele.

''Excuse me, Thérèse. Could you show me the map again?''
Dear Odette.
There's no need for a 'sama'. We're all on equal footing, aren't we?
Would you be willing to abstain from the orientation?　Lady Odette-Slay.

　Ignoring Odette's words, Countess Thérèse said.

''Just hit the armband and cast a spell and relief will come soon..........We should just give up.
We're over halfway through the game. I'll take another look at the map, and then I'll know if there are any problems...
Give it up ... please.

　Therese announced, hiding her expression with her long bangs.

'Otherwise, you are in danger. Odette-sama........
Danger?
...The Magic Guild isn't entirely neutral.
What do you mean by that?

　Odette took a step toward Thérèse-Michele.
　Thérèse stepped back, as if afraid of Odette.

'You are ... my partner, aren't you?
So I'm giving you advice myself...
Advice?
''The 'Magic Guild' isn't a group of saints. There are trainees who don't give a cursory glance to the higher nobles, but replace the orientation map with a fake and invite you into the dangerous land...

　Countess Thérèse brushed back her bangs and looked at Odette.
　She had tears in her eyes.

''So you must understand. When you leave your home, you are not free to live freely as a sorceress. You must give up and follow the policies of the house. Odette-Slay-sama........
House policy... no way!

...the tradition of the Duke of Surrey family cannot be disrespected by another family. If another family has made a successful political marriage, our family must do it too - and I hope you will remind your daughter who doesn't understand that.

　A faint voice echoed through the halls of the dungeon.
　The Countess Therese turned away from Odette and continued to speak.

The dukes will surely do the same thing until they achieve their goal. I'm sure the dukes will do the same thing until they achieve their goals. 'My dear Odette,'
"...your father put pressure on other noblemen?　Are you saying that you switched the map and led me here?

　Odette winced.
　In her mind, she could picture the text of the letter her father had sent her.

　My father is trying to force Odette into a political marriage in order to compete with the other dukes.
　To this end, he has reduced the length of the appointment to six months.
　

''By interfering with the orientation.......are you planning to ruin my reputation?　I'm not going to let him become a C-level magician...
''The 'Magic Guild' also has children for the senior nobles to use conveniently...''
This is going to be very annoying.

　Odette turned and began to go back the way she had come.

'I will return to the starting point. You can call for help or do whatever you want.
I can't. Dear Odette.

　Thérèse-Michele shook her head.

'Ta, I have the right map. You don't even know the way back, let alone the finish line, do you?　
I'm just going to retrace my steps.

　Odette turned her head to the chest and declared.

"This level........is nothing compared to that man who risked his life to protect his village. If you give up just because you lost your way, that man will laugh at you...
"Squeak.

　Suddenly, there was a voice in Odette's ear.
　I didn't notice it.

　Before I knew it, a small bat had lodged itself on Odette's shoulder.

''──You are!
"Squeak, squeak.

　The bat was looking at Odette, craning his neck.
　The wings ... something like a crest is painted on them. There's no doubt about it. It's Yuki's errand boy.

Did you come here looking for me?
"Cu.
Do you know the way home?

　Kukoku-kukoku.

　The bat nodded, as if he understood Odette's words.

'You're Mr Dick ... no, you're Neil. I can sort of understand you.'
(SOBBING)
Then you'll have to show us the way.
Odette!

　Behind Odette, who was about to run, Thérèse-Michele shouted behind her.

''Please give up.......The 'Magic Guild' even has enemies of the duke family!
There are some people on your side who can help you.

　The image of Yuki comes to Odette's mind.
　I remember what he told me about his past life.

　It is said that in his past life Yuki protected the villagers from the "Sanctuary Church" by risking his life.
　I don't know the details.
　But I'm sure that's an amazing thing, and it must have required an unimaginable amount of determination on Odette's part.

　That's why both Iris and the 'Grail Chamber of Commerce', Rodelia, have pledged their loyalty to him.
　Well, the person in question is aloof.

I tried to become a magician in front of him. But I can't say that I gave up because my parents' family prevented me from doing so.

　Odette smiled wryly.

'I believe that magic is something that makes people happy. Since I was born with that talent, I want to make use of it. As for political marriage........well, I'll think about it when I'm tired of magic.
...Oh, I see.

　Thérèse-Michele's finger drew a crest in the air.
　I'm going to be attacked - Odette, thinking that, deploys the "anti-magic barrier" that she had prepared.

　But the target of Thérèse-Michele was not Odette.

"Activate.........Flash Bomb.

　A ball of light shot from Thérèse's fingers.
　

''Now the demons are going to come together. Odette-sama.
What a person you are!
'That's what I was instructed to do. I'm sorry...

　Thérèse-Michele held her head in her hands, shaking.
　The next moment, footsteps sounded.
　From the end of the passage, multiple demons are approaching.

　A lizard man with a weapon inhabiting the first level - a lizardman.
　A dark wolf - a jet black beast that hunts its prey in packs.
　There are also ghosts and skeletons with weapons.

Odette-sama can defeat them........but can they keep their strength and magic power?
"...Thérèse-Michele.
Call for help. If you won't give yourself up...

"Squeak.

　Suddenly, Neil the bat flew up from Odette's shoulder.
　It flew straight to the end of the passage and spread its wings towards the demon.

　And then──.

"Kyu-kyu-kyu." (Burning Meteor)


　Bosh!


　A huge fireball was fired from Neil's wing.

".........Huh?

　Before Odette could see, the fireball flew into the corridor...


　Doggone it, doggone it, doggone it!


　The demons were engulfed and blasted away.


''Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　The demons that had gathered in the aisle couldn't avoid the fireball.
　All of them were swallowed by the huge flames and burned up as it was.

''..........that was.......the 'Burning Meteor' that Alec-Keils used......right?　Huh?　You're Yuki's errand boy, aren't you?　Why?　Huh?　Huh?
'Yu, Yuki-Grossaria's messenger!

　With a bite, Thérèse-Michele slumped.

''The one who was the bastard son of the Baron's family, who became His Highness Iris-Liestier's guardian knight and defeated the intermediate sorcerer Alec-Keels...!
Oh, here he is.

　He must have seen the magic that the messenger released.
　I'm going to be able to see that you're going to be the one who is running from the other side of the aisle with Iris on your back.
　The cracks on the way - a huge crack in the ground that led to the third underground layer - were easily jumped over, and Yuki landed in front of Odette.

I saw Neal used the "Burning Meteor", what happened?
Well, it's a lot of things.

　Odette couldn't help but answer.
　Huddled on the floor, Thérèse-Michele didn't even look up anymore.
　Unable to stop Odette, she called Yuki and Iris over to her.
　Thérèse's mission had completely failed.

''Let me explain the situation to you.

　So Odette began to explain.

　My father wants to marry her off for political reasons.
　In order to achieve this, he wanted Odette to fail in the Sorcerer's Guild.
　I'm going to tell you that Thérèse Michele, under her orders, switched the map and led her to a place where there were many demons.




''........In the 'Magic Guild' orientation, that's what happened?''

　When Iris heard Odette's story, she looked at Thérèse-Michele.
　She had the dignified look of a royal princess.

'Then explain to me what you've done. About what you've done. About this plan. Everything.
'Forgive me!　Your Highness Iris!

　Thérèse-Michele got down on her knees and hit her head on the floor.

''....................But I cannot give you any details. If I speak out of my own mouth my Countess...........
Thérèse-Michele would not have been able to disobey a request from the dukes.

　Odette couldn't help but speak up.
　It's a silly thing to say. It really is ridiculous.
　It's so silly that you want to feel sorry for Therese = Michele who received the request.

''..........I'm sorry Odette-sama. Your Highness Iris.........
I order an investigation into this matter in the name of Iris-Lestia.

　Iris declared.

''It's unacceptable that this was done during the orientation for the trainees to explore 'Elysian' for the first time. On top of that, to put Odette in harm's way...''
Ah, Your Highness, Iris.
'Your father's name may come out but that's fine. Odette.
"As Your Highness wills.

　Odette tried to kneel in front of Iris, but she was still on her hands on the ground.
　She couldn't put any effort into her legs.

　I couldn't help but laugh.
　I can't believe I was actually so frightened after saying such a strong line.

If Yuki hadn't come to me, I would have started crying.
It was only because of Iris's... His Highness that I found Odette.
His Highness?
Well between you and me.

　Yuki whispered in a hushed voice.

'I didn't ask him if he wanted to play "Alice the Villager" because he was stressed out about playing the princess. I couldn't help it, so I was moving around talking from my previous life position. But the others can't find me, can they?　That's why we chose a secluded area and sent the bats out to scout for them.
Yeah.
'Then I was curious about Odette and asked her to find me while I was at it. If I was in a pinch, I instructed him to use his magic. So it's nothing to be thankful for... hey, Odette?
''..... Haha, hahahahahahahahahaha!

　I couldn't resist.
　Odette held her stomach and rolled over laughing.

　Finally, she could feel it.
　That it was definitely true that Yuki's previous life was the guardian god of the village and that Iris was his people.
　Surely, Yuki was an overly sweet guardian god.
　He would do his best to fulfill such a request from Iris.

''........I feel like an idiot. Political marriage, your fathers who are doing everything they can for the duke family's membership...are really stupid.
Hey, Odette. Hey, Odette. You okay?
You know what, Yuki?
Yeah.
If you had the chance, would you let me be one of your people?

　The words came out of his mouth, naturally.

''Well ... if one day you ever build a village like you did before.
Well that's a problem.
Will you be in trouble?
...because it's hard to take care of any more of them.
How many people are already there?
''Well there are two confirmed ones. There's another one who's going to be a villager when we talk. Four if you count the half-human ones.
At least one more person.
I don't want to see more immortality on the rise.
''It's a high-level village, isn't it!
Well no, I really don't have any hope of making myself immortal.
Really, you are. I can't handle you.

　I was laughing so hard I couldn't stop crying.
　But it was refreshing.

　Yuki is interested in people, but not in their position.
　

I will have to help him live in peace in this world. ) That's the only use for my position as a duchess.

　Even if he's not useful in combat, Odette should be better at processing reality.
　Somehow, I can't help but smile still, as I feel like we've decided on a course of action for the future.

''Thérèse-Michele will be brought in by me. Let's finish the orientation. Your Highness Iris.

　Odette fell to her knees at Iris' side.

''As for what my father has done, Your Highness, please make it known. The Duke of Surrey's family is a vassal of the royal family, and they should be a little ashamed that they have done something unjust in this 'Elysian' with His Highness.
''Yes, sir. I will take this matter up with General Barnes and Dr. Demeter as well as my brother Cain, a class B magician.

　Iris nodded at the princess's face.
　Thérèse-Michele, who was on her knees at her side, didn't even look up anymore.

　Odette gave a tired sigh.
　Suddenly, he looked at Yuki's face and thought for a moment before he

'Speaking of which, Odette. Do you have time after orientation?
You don't have any plans for a while, do you?
So, would you like to come with me on my trip?
A trip?
When this is all over, I'm gonna go out and look for some stuff in the villages near the border. But I'm afraid I don't get to travel very far. I'd appreciate it if you could help me out.

　Yuki said that while looking at Thérèse-Michele.
　Somehow, I understood.

(Could it be that Yuki is... for me...?)

　If what Odette's father did comes to light, there will be a lot of noise around her.
　Besides, it's not just Thérèse-Michele that her father works with.
　It is also possible that other trainees will do something to Odette.

　If that's the case, Odette should leave the Magic Guild for a while.
　With that in mind, Yuki is probably inviting me to travel.
　There is no safer place than near him, because there is no place for Odette right now.

'I understand. I will help you.
Sorry.
'I'll pay you back. I'm sure I can help you with your real-world handling skills, such as transportation and accommodation arrangements. That's about the only way I can beat Yuki, though.
All right. Okay, good luck.
I'll take care of it.

　Odette slapped her chest.
　Iris was puffing out her cheeks next to Yuki, but she decided not to look.

　And so the four of them moved through the dungeon and...

　They all made it to the goal of orientation safely.