I found a hidden passage on the second level of Elysian. I found the remains of the 'Sanctuary Church' people there. Also, this is a stone tablet I found there.
'I'll report to the top!　Please wait over there for a moment!

　We cut off our search in the early afternoon and we returned to the guild.
　When we reported the results of our search to the receptionist - there was a commotion.

"...Ha ha, you're joking. The second level should have been explored to completion.

'........the party of His Royal Highness Iris and the Duchess of Surrey.......certainly a great group of people....

　The people in the guild are looking at us.
　Iris and Odette, perhaps feeling uneasy, whispered in a hushed voice

Milo... no, Yuki.
...was that too much?
That's okay. I've taken precautions.
"Countermeasures?

　Iris and Odette nodded their heads.
　Immediately after that, the guild entrance opened and a man jumped in.

''The information that just came in!　The party of the "Zamelites" have defeated the "Giant Ogre" on the third level!　This paves the way for the fourth level!

""Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!"

　The inside of the guild erupted in loud cheers.

''That 'Giant Ogre'!
It's just that even if you defeat it, it will appear again a certain amount of time later. Moreover, its vitality is so strong that it doesn't die easily...
"And that's what the 'Zamelites'... what?　Old Zamel's grandson's party!
Yeah. I heard you smashed the giant ogre's head in.

　It was a big deal.
　Apparently, it's pretty amazing that the path to the fourth level is opened on the first day.
　Everyone is laughing and clapping their hands.

'Good. Now we won't have to keep a low profile.
"...and...

　The next thing I knew, Iris and Odette were staring at me.

'What's ... no, what's the matter, Your Highness? 'Odette,'
It's strange.
What is it, Your Highness?
Yuki-sama seemed to anticipate this.
''And Yuki... you said that you defeated the demons on the third underground level.

　Iris and Odette said in hushed tones.

'It's hard to crush the head of a 'giant ogre' with magic, isn't it?
I could do it in armor with a giant claw.
It would be perfect for armor that could fly.
He can just whiz by and whiz by and come back.
There's a fog on the third level, so we can hide ourselves from it.
But above all, the user is a person who can't abandon his children.
You're done.

　I raised my hands.
　A surrender pose.

"Just as you two are thinking. I'm the one who killed the giant ogre on the third level.

　I whispered, telling Iris and Odette.

'I knew it,'
You said before you left that you had defeated a demon.
"I was experimenting with that thing (...) to see if it would work in a dungeon, and I found a party being attacked by a demon. I accidentally saved them while I was experimenting with armaments.
Are you sure you're okay with that, Yuki?

　Odette put her face close to my ear.

If this is the case, the credit for defeating the demons will be for the 'Zamelites', right?
It's better than knowing that this thing exists.

　As far as I'm concerned, it's enough for me to raise my bargaining position, and then I just need to be able to study magic. As for this achievement, it's enough that I've been able to use my ancient magic to carry the 'Black King (Lord of) Noir' with me.

　If I can study this ancient magic for storage and be able to use it with other magicians, my living environment will be even better. If we can simplify it to the level of ordinary people, Martha's shopping will be easier.
　Can you let me study that stone tablet as a finder's bonus........

''Oh, sorry for the wait. It's ready, please come this way, His Highness Prince Cain, the B-magician, is waiting for you.

　The guild's receptionist came back a short time later and said so.
We left the guild's reception area after hearing people buzzing about the Giant Ogre's extermination.



Sorry for the wait. Please escort these people to the second floor conference room.

　The receptionist said that to a soldier in front of another building and the receptionist left.

　We were led to a magnificent building on the guild grounds.
　The entrance is decorated with the royal family and an emblem of a staff representing the 'Magic Guild'.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
I've never been here before either.

　In the guild's main tower, there are laboratories for B-grade and above mages, a conference room, and a meeting place for the Wise Men's Council to discuss the management of the Magic Guild.
　Perhaps that's why the entrance is heavily guarded. The gate is also a special one that opens with magic and chanting.

　A soldier leads us to the second floor of the main tower.
　I walked into the conference room in the back and found Prince Cain and Dr. Demeter waiting for me there.

'I'm sorry to be so early back,'

　Prince Cain stood up and said.

'I have come to tell you in detail about what you have found. Could you tell us about the hidden passage and what happened before you found this tablet?
I understand. Now, Your Highness, Iris...
No, they're led by Yuki.

　Iris took my hand and said that.

'I was just walking along after Yuki-sama and Odette. Please report back to Yuki-sama for her good.

　Iris tries to close one eye at a position that is not visible from Prince Cain.
　It's a roundabout way - or rather, you can hide the parts that are inconvenient for me, I guess.

I understand. I'm going to report back to you, although it's presumptuous of me to do so.

　Then we talked about the time we found the hidden passage.
　How after we left Prince Cain in the basement, we found a strange switch at a dead end.
　How we activated it and a hidden door appeared.
　Beyond that, I found the mysterious golem and the robe from the Church of the Sanctuary.
　Finally, that when I descended the stairs at the end of the hidden passage, I found myself on the third level.

''The stairs led to the third level near the fortress (Toride). It was probably the one that the guys from the 'Sanctuary Church' used to use as an escape route. That's as far as I can tell.

　With that, I concluded my story.
　After I spoke, Iris continued.
　As a princess, she wanted to hear about the handling of the ancient artifacts we found.

　The hidden passageways and stone tablets are treated as something that Iris, Odette and I found together. We needed to confirm how that achievement would be distributed.

'First of all, let me thank you. You have done a wonderful job.

　Prince Cain laughed.

'I believe that what is written on this tablet is probably the chanting and emblem of Ancient Magic. However, I will not be able to give this to your credit until I confirm the activation of the magic. So we'll need some time to investigate.

　Well, it can't be helped.
　There's no way I'm going to sit here and say, "Look, look, it was ancient magic," and prove it.

The discovery of the hidden passageway is an undisputed achievement for you guys. Congratulations.

　Prince Cain, and Dr. Demeter clapped.
　Iris and Odette clapped along with them. I don't want them to look at me though.

''The hidden passageway is very important for the exploration of the 'City of Ancient Magical Civilization (Elysian)'.
That's because we can move on without fighting the demons on the second and third levels.
'Yes. Yuki-Grossaria. Moreover, the stairs lead to the third level quite far back. We might not have to go through the third level, where powerful demons occur. If that happens, we will be able to advance to the fourth level without consuming our magic power and equipment.
The fourth level is almost a blank slate, isn't it?
Yeah. I know what the hierarchy is. I'll give you some more information later. So, here's a suggestion.
What is this?
'Yuki-Grossaria. You're not going to join the 'Cain School', are you?

　Prince Cain stared at me and said.

'I've been thinking about this for a while now. You're Iris's guardian knight. Isn't it strange that the princess's guardian knight isn't in my faction?
Is that funny?
''Funny too. Moreover, you're one of the only C-level magicians in the 'Magic Guild' who are only a dozen or so. The reason why you're being treated as a newcomer is because you're still factionless. If you join Cain's Faction, you can report directly to me. You'll be treated better. What do you think?
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid not.
Well that's easy.
I haven't been a person - or rather, I haven't been in the 'Magic Guild' for very long. It's just because I don't understand it.

　I shrugged my shoulders and said.

'My priority is my lord, His Highness Iris, and my own family and friends. I've got my hands full with that. I honestly don't have the time to expand my reach to factions and things like that right now.
It's very clear to you, isn't it?
Is that so?
But it's funny. Yeah, very funny, you are.
I think I'm a normal person.
All right. Pretend we didn't just talk about that. But if you ever want to join the 'Cain School', you can always tell me. I'll save a seat for you. By the way, Odette-Slay.
Yes, sir.

　Odette is startled by the sudden announcement, and her body shakes with a jolt.

I would like to make the same suggestion to you.
I ...

　There was a slight pause.
　Odette looked at me, then turned to Prince Cain and bowed her head.

''──I don't think I'm strong enough to accept such an invitation.
I'm buying your abilities as well, though.
I feel I'm not strong enough. As it is, it seems to me that I'm being forced to join you out of pity.

　Odette smiles quietly as she says this.

''When I am satisfied with my power, I may ask you to join again.
Well Iris, you've got some interesting people in your company.
'Yes. They're too good for me.
Iris is considered my faction for all intents and purposes, but it seems she has no intention of actually joining...
"Forgive my rudeness, sir. My brother.
No, that's fine. Now let's talk about your accomplishments.

　Prince Cain looked at Dr. Demeter.

'To the discovery of the stone tablet and the discovery of the hidden passage, you can give the following credit.

　At the prince's words, Master Demeter held out a piece of parchment to us.


The acquisition of a substantial amount of gold coins.

Ascendancy

You will be able to gain class, position and lab in the Magic Guild.


That's all. These achievements will be shared among the three of you. Since you'll get one-third of the credit for the rise in rank, you'll get two more credits of equal value.
""Thank you."

　We said in unison.
　Before we got here, Iris and Odette said they were declining the reward.
　They said they were just walking along.

　But that's not how it works.
　We have them both backing us up in the battle against the Golem, and we're exploring 'Elysian' with our party in the first place.

''I have a question. Your Highness Cain.
What is it, Yuki-Glossaria?
''With all due respect, it seems to me that the reward of the Ascension is meaningless to His Highness Iris. I'm afraid that this is not a good reward for the members of the royal family.
Oh, I see. You're a masterful man, aren't you?
''It's customary for those of the royal family to receive a laboratory when they make achievements in the guild. Yuki-sama.

　Iris begins to explain.

'It's always been my dream to study magic there. Well there were a lot of things I wanted to look into.
You want to look into it?
I think Yuki-sama can see that.

　Then Iris touched her chest.
　I kind of understood what she was trying to say.

　What Iris was trying to research was probably about the immortal bloodline. Iris's family lineage had been looked at with a lot of suspicion for being slow to age.
　So, it seems that he wanted a laboratory to do that research.
　I guess the reason it's in the past tense is because we already know the cause of his immortality.

''I've almost settled that, but... since I'm here, I want to make sure that I have a place where I can freely study magic with Yuki-sama and Odette, that's what I'm thinking.
'I salute your thirst for knowledge and inquisitiveness. Your Highness.
Thank you very much. My guardian knight.

　To my praise, Iris replied in a princess-like manner.
　The scratching behind her ears is a habit that Alice used to do in her previous life when she was pleased to hear a compliment. I guess she still has that habit.

Then give me the lab's offer on Iris, and as for Yuki-Glossaria and Odette-Suray, please contact me when you've decided.
Yes, Your Highness Cain.
Thank you, again, for your generosity.
And on a separate note, I've arranged for new quarters in Yuki Grossaria.

　Suddenly, as if remembering, Prince Cain said.

'New quarters, sir?'
''That's right. You're one of only a dozen or so C-level magicians in the 'Magic Guild'. It can't be a trainee's quarters forever, can it?
I'm not particularly unhappy with the way things are going.

　Moving would be a hassle.
　Besides, the bigger the quarters, the more work Martha would have to do.

'This is a decision; a C-level mage should be the target of a lower level mage. We need them to live a reasonable life.

　Prince Cain looked straight at me and told me so.

'I've already ordered the clerks to start making arrangements. You are to return to your quarters, make preparations, and complete the move in a day or two. This is my order as a B-level sorcerer of the 'Magic Guild'. That's all.

　With that, Prince Cain concluded his story.
　Thus, the report of the results to the guild was over──I was going to go see my new quarters.