I ended up accepting the request for the 'Elysian Search'.
　Simply because I was interested in it.
　I wanted to use this opportunity to find out what the ancient magical civilization had done and what kind of magic they had left behind.
　If we're lucky, we might be able to find the magic that makes humans immortal.

　I believe that the ancient magical civilization created a variety of magical tools to strengthen human beings.
　The fact that they made the "Lord's" magic tool is proof of that.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to use it.
　They can suck human magic, cause demons to run amok, and fly.
　All of them give human beings abilities beyond that of humans.

The Ancient Magical Civilization was created by people who strengthened human beings and made it harder for them to die - and frankly, I think it was created by people who "didn't want to die anyway".
　This is a theory that won't be published anywhere.

　Prince Cain seemed surprised that I accepted the request.
　He even told me, once again, that if I didn't like it, I could refuse it.

　To be honest, I'm not interested in what the 'Cain Faction' is planning.
　I just want to obtain the Ancient Magic and the Ancient Artifacts to raise my rank and take Iris in.
　Also, if I can find a technique to make Iris and Martha immortal, there's nothing else I can say.
　In addition, it would be best if I could find relics that would make my life easier and magic that I could enjoy studying.

　That's why I told Prince Cain again that I would undertake the search for Elysian.





　After that, while I was resting at home, a messenger from the Magic Guild arrived.

The C-class magician Demeter, who was in charge of the 'guard knight selection examination', was the messenger.

''At the request of Your Highness Cain, I came to explain about the 'Elysian Search (Tangsaku)'

　Ms. Demeter said.
　I ushered her into the living room.



'Here's your tea,'

　Martha placed the teacup in front of Mr. Demeter, who was in his chair.
　Demeter, a C-level magician, shook her green hair and bowed her head lightly.
　A little later, a teacup for me was placed in front of me.
　It was Remy who set it down for me. For some reason, he's staring at me with a twinkle in his eye.

'You know what? Five people.
What's up, Remy?
Here's your tea. The one on the right is for Martha's tea and the one on the left is for Remy's tea.
'I see...yeah. It's starting to taste a little more like Martha's. You're working hard. Remy.
Heh.

　Remy's eyes narrowed happily as he stroked his hair.
　Martha looks at Remy with a laugh, too.
　She's been practicing housework with him while I've been gone, apparently.

'Well it's a strangely comforting house.

　After taking a sip of tea, Demeter-san huffed and sighed.

''I'm the daughter of a Viscountess, but I've never seen a maid looking so happy.
The Grossaria barons are local nobles. Master and servant, but it's a formality.
Your family will be a baronet, won't they?
'That's my parents' problem. It's not my business.
I'm free and I envy you. Now....

　Dr. Demeter places a stack of parchment on the table.
　At the same time, I nod to Martha and Remy, who smartly excuse themselves from their seats.
　I hear them walking up the stairs. They seem to have returned to their rooms.

'I'm going to start explaining the search for 'Elysian'.

　Confirming this, Demeter began to speak.

'Yuki-Grossaria. How much do you know about that giant dungeon?
''Right now, the only thing we're allowed to explore is up to the fourth level, and there's a site on the third level where the guys from the 'Sanctuary Church' holed up, and if you clear the third level, you'll be able to become a C-class magician.

　This area was explained in the orientation as a 'knight selection test'.
　Also, the information I heard from Iris and Odette is mixed in.

''I'll explain each level. The first level is the top level area. There are weak demons and undead. The second level is an intricate labyrinth.
There are more powerful demons than the first level, right?
''Yeah. If you have the strength to break through the first level unscathed, you should be able to clear it somehow. The problem is the third level. This is the area where the 'Sanctuary Church' was holed up until the end in the 'Eight Kings War'.

The last of the "Sanctuary Church"?
　No, if the rest of them had fled north, they wouldn't have ended up here.
　But I'm sure many of them met their end here.

　I looked at the parchment on the table.
　From the third level onwards, it seems the area is completely different from the past.

　There are grasslands that look like the ground, and the ground is undulating. There is even a river running through it.
　Such things were drawn on the parchment.
　I knew that the space is distorted, but what kind of place is it? ''Elysian,'' he said.

''Powerful dead spirits also appear on the third level. It seems that some of them have retained parts of their bodies from when they were alive. The demons have also become quite powerful. I've even........almost died once.
Dr. Demeter?
I managed to break through and become a C grade magician.

　Mr. Demeter chuckled.
　From what I've heard, it sounds like it's quite a dangerous place.
It would be easier if we could take the "Royal Horseman" with us, but that's not going to happen.

"So, about the fourth level...
That parchment is almost a blank piece of paper.

Under the title 'Elysian Fourth Level', there are only a few lines of text.
　Nothing else was drawn on it.

''Currently ... no one has ever stepped through the fourth level of Elysian.
So you're saying that there are still 'ancient artifacts' and 'ancient magic' below the fourth level?
His Highness Cain seems to think so.
Can I ask you one question?
Yeah. I don't mind.
''Why didn't those guys from the 'Sanctuary Church' escape to the fourth level?'''

　It's a simple question.
The 'Sanctuary Church' was cornered to the third level and wiped out.
　But rather than hiding in a corner and getting wiped out, they should have just escaped to the fourth level, right?
　That way, I think we would have had a chance to escape.

I don't know.

　Dr. Demeter folded his arms and nodded.

'The records of the battle at the time have been scattered. However, the attackers would have also blocked the entrance to the fourth level. Besides, the fourth level is still unexplored. Even if they had escaped down there, there is no way to find their bodies and relics.
Does that mean he could have run away?
'Well yes. But he's probably dead anyway, and that was two hundred years ago.
"...Right, because no one lives for a hundred or two hundred years.

　Me and Dr. Demeter looked at each other and laughed.

'The search will begin in twenty days. The participants will have until then to make their preparations.
A preparation period, huh?
More specifically, you'll need to gather members for a search party. You, as the leader of the party, choose the members who will go underground.
I understand that His Highness Iris and Lady Odette wish to join us.
Odette-Slay will be fine.

　Yes.
　Otherwise, there's no way Odette would have been called to that place.
　As a matter of fact, I believe that I was asked to join Odette and the set to explore 'Elysian'.

　Odette has a calm judgment.
Even in the battle against the "Beast King (Lord of=) Beast", she used her judgment to lead the bat army to fight.
　I'm sure it will be easier to search for her if she's with me.

"However, in order for His Highness Iris to accompany you, you'll need the royal family's permission...
His Highness will apply for it.

　The odds are 50/50 on the application being approved.
　But I want Iris to be here.
　Because there's no telling what she might do if left unchecked. And Alice...

　However, your eccentricities may have surprising effects when exploring dungeons.
　I've always valued his talent. Ever since his previous life.

''That's fine for His Highness Iris and Odette-Slay, but I would recommend taking other baggage handlers (porters) and shield vanguards with you.
　The members can be found in the Adventurers' Guild in King's Landing. The Magic Guild and the Adventurer's Guild have formed a partnership. If you mention the name, they should be able to introduce you to some good adventurers. I'll give them a call as well.
'Thank you. I'll try to get there tomorrow.

　I said, and Mr. Demeter nodded with satisfaction.
　He's a blunt but kind person.　

''Lastly, I'm supposed to teach you a new 'Ancient Magic' prior to this exploration, do you have any hopes?''
'Ancient magic'?
''You've only been a C-level magician for a short period of time and have only received an orientation as a trainee. The only 'ancient magic' you can use is the one your brother taught you, right?
Brother Xelloss?
That's what I'm hearing, sir.
It was.

　I clapped my hands together.

'There's no doubt about it. When I was back home, Brother Xellos had taught me the 'Ancient Magic'.

　I forgot.
　It's because I can activate the 'Ancient Magic' just by looking at it.
　In order to hide this strange characteristic, Brother Xellos pretended that he taught Yuki the Ancient Magic. Thank you brother.

''There was also talk of scouting Xellos-Grossaria, who has that much teaching talent, as a candidate for an instructor, but it seems that he refused to do so.
You did that?
I also told Baron Grossaria about your 'promotion to Viscountess' and he fainted.
Father... you are surprisingly sensitive.

　I'm sorry. Father, brother.
　I'll repay this debt by making the Baroness Glossaria more than a countess.

You have the right to be taught 'Ancient Magic' at the 'Magic Guild'. You will be in charge of your own instructors. Is there any hope for you?
''Then tell me one of the 'ancient magic' of the ice system.

　I said.
　Originally, I always used the ice system of normal magic.
After being able to copy the Ancient Magic, I've been using the flame system, but the ice system suits me better.
　It's not a bad idea to learn it on this occasion.

''Alright. What else?
Can you tell me how to weaken the output of the 'Ancient Magic'?
What?

　Demeter-san's eyes rolled.

''Are you trying to interfere with someone else's 'ancient magic'?　And no one else could have succeeded in that....
No, not someone else's, but my own 'ancient magic'.

　Correction (taysei).
　Mr. Demeter didn't seem to understand it very well, but

''........So you want to adjust the output of the 'Ancient Magic'? A lot of people try to make it stronger... but no one wants to make it weaker, so I was mistaken.
'Ancient Magic' specializes in combat, you see.
That's why the 'Magical Guild' is managing it like this.
'Then it would be nice to have research on weakening magic. It would be easier to manage that way.
It's true, but...
Nice to meet you. Teacher.

　I bowed to Dr. Demeter (...).
　She seemed a little stumped, but she nodded.

'I know what you want. Then come over here tomorrow.

　Saying this, Professor Demeter held out a small piece of parchment to me.
　On it was a map of the laboratories in the 'Magic Guild' and the names of the rooms.

This is my laboratory. There is also a room for experimentation, so you will be able to actually use 'ancient magic'.
I understand. Thank you.
And...

　Dr. Demeter's going to stifle a little.

I just want you to be careful when you walk past the lab next to you.
Attention, sir?
The lab next to it is controlled by a 'Zamelite' sorcerer. I don't know if he's trying to probe us or if he has some other goal in mind...
Yes, sir. I'll be careful.
So try not to be late tomorrow.

　With that, Dr. Demeter left.
　After a while, Martha and Remy, who were in their room, come in.

''Yuki-sama. What's going on?
In the meantime, it looks like we'll be hiring some luggage carriers for the 'magic guild' thing.
Now, please look at this.

　Martha suddenly rolled up the sleeves of her maid's dress and bent her arms.
　A pure white, thin arm that wasn't tanned is exposed, but...

What are you doing?　Martha.
Martha's more powerful than you think, isn't she?
I'm not taking you to the dungeon.
Then who will help Yuki-sama change in the meantime?
I'll take care of it myself. Didn't you keep it all in order when you were in Torrius territory?
His jacket was nearly unbuttoned.
I was fighting.
I don't want Yuki-sama to get injured because of it...

　Martha seems to be seriously worried.
　But that doesn't mean I can't take Martha to the dungeon. It's too dangerous.

'I'll have the luggage carrier (porter) carry more clothes for you, so you'll be fine.
"Martha was a lot more powerful than I thought.
It's a done deal.
Remy is a bit of a surprise.
"Remy is to be Martha's bodyguard.

　Thus, I went to explore the huge dungeon "Elysian"...
　It was decided to gather party members and study 'Ancient Magic' as a preparation for this.