The next morning.
　I decided to go to the 'Grail Chamber of Commerce' once more.
　It was because I received a call from Rodelia saying that she had arranged for an adventurer to be in charge of the vanguard.




''My name is Giselle-Galfen,''

　This is Rodelia's office in the 'Grail Chamber of Commerce'.
　There, a girl about the same age as me was standing there.

　Her hair is dark blue. Her hair is dark blue, and it is long, tied behind her neck.
　Her expression is Kirilious. She's still young, but she looks like a veteran warrior.
　He's about my height.

　He wears a piece of metal armor.
　He wears a metal armor and a short spear at his waist.
　On his back, he carries a shield that is disproportionately large for his body. He seems to be the type to fight while protecting himself with it.

　It looks like a good defensive force.
　I wanted someone to protect Iris and Odette.

'I think Giselle would be useful to My Lord.

　Rhodelia nods next to me.
　Scratching her gray hair, she puts a hand on Giselle's shoulder, looking content.
　Giselle herself stands tall, a tense look on her face.

I received an order from the general manager of the Grail Chamber of Commerce, Lady Rodelia Coffey. I, by all means, would like to serve as the vanguard of the C-class sorceress Yuki-Grossalia, Her Highness Iris-Lestia, the Eighth Princess, and the Duke's daughter Odette Slay. I will do my best, so please, I'm looking forward to working with you!

　Then he bowed deeply.
　He seems to have a serious disposition.

'All right. I'll take care of you.
'Thank you!　It's my pleasure. It's nice to meet you!

　The warrior Giselle bowed again.

'Giselle's Galfen family is an offshoot of the Koofi family that created The Grail Chamber of Commerce.

　Next to Giselle, Rhodelia said.

''The Garfe family has been escorting the merchant corps (caravan) since the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce. This Giselle has also been escorting the caravan since she was very young. Currently, she has registered with the 'Adventurer's Guild' and is honing her skills. I can vouch for your abilities.
'If you're introducing me to Rhodelia, I'm sure you're right. I believe you.
'Thank you. My Lord.
No wonder they're using their own people to protect the caravan. You don't want to divulge information to anyone else, maybe even a secret deal. If you need a trustworthy escort, it's best to use your people.

The Grail Chamber of Commerce was founded by those who were skilled in business in the village of Fira.
　I've heard that the villagers developed it while doing business.

　It was after the war, so security must have been bad at that time.
　If they were going to do business on the move, they would have to have guards.

　And since you had to have people with weapons nearby, the guards had to be trustworthy.
　Well, then, your people are the best, I suppose.

　Well, I'm just saying.

You are my lord, you know.
Did you know that much in an instant?

　Rodelia and Giselle are both impressed.
　They say it was the right decision.

''It's as you say. The Koofi family and the Galfen family have worked together as the two sides of commerce and warfare - the 'Grail Chamber of Commerce'. That's why I recommended Giselle to be the guard for My Lord and His Highness Iris this time.

　I see.
　So the 'person of the hour' that Roderea was referring to was this Giselle Galfen.

In other words, the 'Grail Chamber of Commerce' was divided into two groups: those in charge of business and those in charge of guarding, and the Chamber of Commerce has developed. It's a good idea. That's great.
'No, this is in reference to My Lord's thoughts, sir.
It's my fault again, isn't it?
"Legend has it. 'My Lord said. My Lord said, 'If you stick to one crop, there will be a food crisis when it fails. Be sure to grow two or more crops at once.
I'm just saying,
Legend has it that he taught us the art of warfare so that we could sell our produce in the foothills.
That's because of the demons that come along the trails.
What's the legend about using messengers as martial arts training tools?
I just let him chase after the errant bat.
You've been training on the cutting edge.

　Rodelia is nodding admiringly.
　Behind her, Giselle looks at me quietly.
　She looks curious, as if she's looking at a rare creature.

''S-Sorry. I'm sorry.

　When I looked back at her, Giselle hurriedly lowered her head.

'Let me introduce myself again. My name is Giselle-Galfen. My age is 16 years old. I specialize in the fighting style of defending the party and caravan with my large shield and counterattacking with my spear.''
Yuki Glossalia, 13 years old, is a C-level sorcerer. I'm a very common human sorcerer. It's a pleasure to meet you.
'I don't think it's already normal to be a C-level magician at 13.
Just pretend I'm getting preferential treatment because I'm a nobleman.
'Ha, yes. So.....

　Giselle is staring at my face again.

''........Yuki-sama is the legendary......My Lord.......''
Yeah. Does Giselle know that story too?
Yes. But I........I don't really feel it yet. The reincarnation of My Lord in your story is right in front of me...
The current me is the bastard son of the baronial family, Yuki-Grossaria. You don't need to be aware of Dean Nosferatu in your previous life.
Okay, okay. I'll do my best.
I want Giselle to be the vanguard of the party. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it. As for me....well, I'll take care of it.
Yes, sir!
Thank you, too, for introducing me to Giselle,
No, no, I'm glad you trust Giselle, too.
You only have to look at Giselle to know you can trust her.

　I looked at Rodelia and Giselle and compared them.
　Their hair was different colors. Rhodelia's hair is gray and Giselle's is a dark blue.
　Did I mention that Giselle's Galfen family was a branch of Rodelia's Couffe family?
　And there was no one with the surname Galfen in "Fira Village".

　But Rodelia and Giselle look a bit like each other.
　The shape of the eyes and ears look exactly like Rodelia's ancestor 'Gates-Kufe the Worker'.

"...My Lord.

　Rodelia looks at me.
　She puts her finger to her lips, out of sight of Giselle.
　I noticed, and apparently, so did Rhodelia.
　She pointed out the window. That's where Rodelia's messenger bat is waiting for her.
　In other words, she means "I'll talk to you later".

　I nodded back to Rhodelia.
　Everyone has their own set of circumstances.
　I have no doubt that Giselle is trustworthy. That's all I need to know.

"Will we have time for this?　Giselle.
Yes. What is it?
"Before we explore 'Elysium', Iris... is that too much to ask? I'd like to introduce you to Odette.

　Iris should be in the detached palace today.
　No matter how many escort knights you are, you can't make an unannounced visit.
　If you summon the other side, it would be difficult to send them back.
　I'll send Iris a message about Giselle via bat communication, and let's just make sure to meet up with Odette.




　I headed into town with Giselle.
　I told Odette that I would fly Dick the bat and meet her at the quarters. As for Iris, Neil will be here later to call me on time, and I'll tell him then.

'Oh, by the way, I remember there was some snacks Remy wanted to eat. Let's get some.

　I stopped in the main street of the town.
　This area leading to the nobleman's district is lined with stalls and stalls.
　It's Martha and Remy's shopping spot.

"Sorry, Giselle. Giselle. Do you mind if we stop off for a bit?
Okay. I'm fine.
'You don't have to be so formal. Just make it look like a normal hired adventurer.
But I'll do my best.

　So I took Gisele to a shop recommended by Martha and bought some baked goods.
　And while we're at it, let's go to a cafe and have a cup of tea.



........It's delicious.
It's Martha's favorite restaurant.

　Giselle, sitting across the table, is now wearing an adventurer-style coat.
　I left my armor at the 'Grail Trading Company'. The only things she is equipped with are a spear and a short shield.

''I........haven't been to many shops like this.
That's surprising.
Is that so?
The 'Grail Chamber of Commerce' is a big chamber of commerce. Can't they at least afford a cup of tea?
'It's the Chamber of Commerce, isn't it? I can't help but think about the costs and benefits I'm paying before I drink tea.
An occupational hazard.
Lady Rodelia does have meals and tea with her business partners, though.
At work?
I'm sure you're aware.

　Then Giselle laughed.
　A little bit, the tension seemed to have eased.

''........Yuki-sama is my lord, right?

　Suddenly, Giselle murmured to herself.

''The guardian god of the 'Feela Village' in the legend of the 'Grail Trading Company'........''
Yeah, but...
Really?
What's the point of lying to me?
''Well I've heard about the legend of My Lord too. But I couldn't believe that the person in that story is right in front of me...
I think that's normal.
'I thought the My Lord story was like the founding legend of The Grail Chamber of Commerce. You see that a lot in stories and stuff, right?　A royal family received a divine oracle, or a merchant merchant merchant received a revelation and developed a revolutionary new product.
Yes.
That's what I thought the legend of My Lord was all about.
'A legend to unite the clans of Rhodesia?
Yes.

　Giselle nodded, apologetically.

'I understand that Yuki-sama is an 'amazing magician'. But........I can't really feel that you are the legendary My Lord. So I'm a bit at a loss.
Isn't that enough?

　I said.

'As I said before, I'm Yuki-Grossaria, the bastard son of a nobleman now. To me, the people of the Grossaria family are family, and Martha the maid, and Remy are just like that. I don't need to be treated like a legend. Just treat them like any other employer.
Are you sure?
'I didn't reincarnate to make trouble for my boy. I am.

　Hearing my words, Giselle let out a long sigh.
　Her shoulders seemed to relax.

'I intend to blend in and live like a human being in this world. So if Giselle can only think of me as a normal human being, I'm more than welcome to do so. Treat me as such.
'I understand!　My Lord........no, as Yuki-sama wishes.

　Then Giselle laughed.




　The meeting with Odette ended easily.
　Odette seemed to be relieved by the fact that it was an introduction to Rhodelia.
　Afterwards, Neil the bat was doing it from Iris's place, and they exchanged information.
　He said that Iris was stuck in a royal relationship for a while.

"We can't force her out," he said. We'll have to take a look at the fourth level first.
Our goal is to discover new "ancient artifacts". We should be willing to explore the unexplored areas.
I'll do my best.

　That's why we decided to go to the 'Magic Guild' to apply for a search.





''──Do you want to use the hidden passage?''

　The woman at the guild's reception desk said so.

''On the second level, we have discovered a hidden passage that leads to the lower level near the entrance... no, I know you know, but just in case, it's a rule to tell you...''

　The woman looked at me and Odette's faces and looked away apologetically.

''The hidden passage is a shortcut to the lower levels, so it is a condition of use that a C-class sorcerer must accompany you. Your Highness Iris's party........Yuki-Grossaria-sama is a C-class sorcerer, so it's no problem.
'But once you're in the dungeon, you can't check to see if you're using a hidden passage.
You may meet the sorcerer who has gone in before you on the other side of the exit.
A beginner sorcerer would know what to do with it, right?
Yes,

　The woman at the reception desk nodded.
　I looked at Odette. She has an approving look on her face.

''Also, we've been notified not to force ourselves to go to the lower levels. We won't make people disposable like that organization(...) in the past. That's the position of this 'Lindbergh Magic Guild'.
You're good.
We proudly administer ancient magic.
If that's the case, wouldn't it contain information on the fourth level?

　I asked.
　The woman at the reception desk looks surprised.

''Well you know exactly what I mean.''
''If you are a senior sorcerer, you'll probably do some research first, considering who comes after you. Even though there are still a lot of blank spots, I'm sure you've grabbed some information.
There you go. Over.

　The woman at the reception desk held out a rolled up piece of parchment.

''I've been told to give it to all C-level mages who are aiming for the fourth level.
Thank you.
There are a few sorcerers who have called off their search after seeing the information. If you think it's too difficult, I think it's a good idea to wait until after the search of the preceding units is finished before you head out.
I understand.

　Me, Odette and Giselle moved away from the reception desk.

''................What kind of floor is the fourth level?
No matter what happens, I will protect you both. And at the cost of my life.
You don't have to pay for your life. Let's just take a look.

　We stood in the corner and opened the parchment.
　It contained the basic information about the fourth level.


"Graveyard.

　A survey team, including a C-level magician, entered the fourth level.
　The surrounding area was a large flat area, lined with countless grave markers. It was probably a cemetery made in ancient times. There were also grave markers that seemed to belong to the 'Sanctuary Church'.
　The fourth level was a nest of undead.
　He was advised to take sufficient measures such as holy water.
　That's all.


''.......It's okay. My shield is a magical shield that has been passed down for generations. It can also protect you from ghost-type demons. But I'll do my best to protect you both!

　Gisele - although she was pale - declared with a serious face.
　But...

"...Yuki-sama. What's the matter with you? With a scary look on your face.
Well I've got some memories of the ghost.
You're getting a scary look on your face....Yuki.

　I noticed that Odette was looking at me, too.
　She had a worried look on her face.

'I know what you're thinking,'
'It's not that I'm mad at you, though. I'm just convinced.
I know how you feel. I was attacked with him... by a bishop, a dead man.
Well yes.

　It seems like a long time ago.
　When Odette and I took the exam to select our knights-in-waiting, we were attacked by a dead spirit that wasn't supposed to be there.
　It was a dead spirit from the Sanctuary Church that was summoned by the Ancient Magic.

　The explanation on the part of the "Magic Guild" was that a priest or bishop of the "Sanctuary Church" died in the giant dungeon "Elysian" a long time ago, so their souls must have been called up.
　I was curious about where it came from.

''....I see. So there was a nest of undead in the fourth underground level?''

　Those guys must have been summoned from there, right?
　That means there's a possibility that there are other Ghosts related to the "Sanctuary Church" on the fourth level.......

　........In this era when things have settled down, their ghosts.......

''Can't we erase them all together?
Yuki. Calm down.
'I'm not mad at them. I just don't like the fact that their ghosts are still around in this day and age.
I know. I know.
No, I'm not going to do anything rash. You worry too much. Odette.
Just go. I'll go back to my quarters and have some tea. Come along, Giselle.

　What the hell is going on here? Odette.
　Giselle is very pale.
　Was I really that scary?

　It's........it's true that even though they're dead spirits, I don't like having the people of the "Sanctuary Church" so close to me.
　Part of me wants to beat them up and ask them why they started the war, but.......

　I'm not going to be reckless.
　We decided to pretend to be human.
　I'm going to do what I have to do, and I'm not going to give myself away until I'm away from the human world.

That's not going to happen. Odette.

　I take a deep breath and then say a few words.

'I won't do anything rash.'
It's true.
'Yeah. I don't mind going through the fourth level.

　My goal is to obtain new "Ancient Artifacts" and "Ancient Magic" and raise the bar.
　Then I can take Iris back legally.
Raising the rank of the 'Magic Guild' is a means to an end, not an end.
　I've decided to leave that kind of thing to the 'Cain Faction' and 'Zamel Faction'.

''For now, let's go to my quarters. You haven't shown me around since we moved in. There's some leftover snacks I bought earlier, so let's get Martha to make some tea and have a smoke.
Well.....

　So why are you grabbing my clothes sleeve? Odette.

Let's go. I would like to speak to Martha, too.
With Martha?
'Yes. About the faction's emblem.
I don't think you're listening to me.
It's a tale of two maidens. Let's go, Giselle.
Yes, sir.

　We walk out of the reception area and start walking.
　As we step out into the hallway, we pass a sorcerer with a very blue face.
　The face is familiar. Is that from the "Zamelites"...?



"Lady Flora Zamel has gone missing on the fourth level!


　A shout came from the room the sorcerer had jumped into.


''The prototype magic tool has gone out of control. Call old Zamel at once!　And Master Cain. Call a council of wise men.................... Help Lady Flora..........!