Maybe we'll be late today.

　I said to Martha as I returned to my quarters.
　Martha put her tea in front of me and waited for me to continue the story.

We have a missing person in the 'Magic Guild'. I'm going to go in search of it, so it's going to take longer than usual.
Yuki-sama........are you sure you're not in danger?
It's a dungeon, a little dangerous.
'Martha can't keep up........'
'I can't help it. But I wouldn't do anything dangerous enough to worry Martha.

　Flora-Zamel was lost in the fourth layer of the undead infestation.
　As for me, I'm good at dealing with the undead.
　The goal isn't to annihilate the enemy, but to rescue Flora-Zamel, so I don't think it's that dangerous.

'But we might not be able to make it to dinner. Get some rest first today.
I understand.

　Martha held her chest and sighed.

'Then Martha will be waiting for you to rinse your bath.
I don't know if you'll get back to it today.
That's all right, sir.
...Is that so?
Martha thinks it's best to wash up properly, since you will inevitably get dirty after being explored in the dungeon.
'All right. As long as Martha doesn't insist on washing me, I don't mind.
..........
Why didn't you say anything?
'And you know what? Actually, Martha is working with Remy on a dungeon-friendly lunchbox for her and Remy.
What's the story behind the bath?
I'll have your lunch ready in a minute. Do you have time for me?
'....Yeah. I'll come back here once before I go to the dungeon.
I understand. Well, I'll make a bento for Yuki-sama that will make her feel better when she eats it.

　Martha smiles and heads to the kitchen.
　Remy, who was asleep in the corner of the living room, wakes up when he hears her footsteps. He comes over to me and greets me, "Goshujin, welcome back," and then follows Martha. Remy seems to be completely accustomed to life in the royal capital.


''Kiki. ''Five people. ''An errand from His Royal Highness has arrived...''
"This is Neil. Please open it. 'Five peoples.'


　I looked out the window and saw that Dick and Neil, the bats, had arrived.
　They had delivered a message from Iris.

''Your highness Princess Iris has made contact with old Zamel.

　Neil perched on my shoulder and said.

The place is the reception room of the guest house in front of the royal palace. The place is the reception room of the guesthouse in front of the royal palace. His Highness Iris and Her Highness Odette are going to be in attendance.
Where is His Highness Cain?
''I was let through, but she's too busy to be present. Instead, a C-class magician named Demeter-sama is here.
As for me, I was going to just let them talk me through it and go straight to the dungeon...

　It's not like that.
　If I had slipped up and rescued Flora-Zamel, then the wind would be tighter on Iris because she is a party mate.
　That's probably why Iris gave me the opportunity to talk to the Zamelites.

　I have no objection to this either.
　We're human beings, so we might as well do it the human way.

All right. How much time do we have?
He said he would be here in an hour.
Neil, tell Iris I understand. Dick, go to Odette's. Tell her we're going to meet up with her and go to the State Guest House and then to the 'Grail Trading Company'. Ask Giselle to give word to Giselle to be ready to leave.
"'There it is!

　Dick and Neil flew out the window again.
　I know where the guesthouse (geihin-kan) is.
　Right after I came to the King's Capital, I was just briefed on the 'guard knight selection examination'.

Martha. I'm going to go to the royal palace for a moment.
I understand.

　Martha stops cooking and comes over to me.
　Quickly, she takes out a comb and tones my hair, then adjusts my tie. Finally, she trims the collar and hem of my dress and nods her head.

Yes, that's perfect. Now it's perfect.
I'm sorry for the trouble. Martha.
Martha is just doing what she wants to do.

　Martha reached out and ruffled my hair.

Martha also likes Yuki-sama with her unkempt hair. I like to see different kinds of Yuki-sama. That's why I only show the proper Yuki-sama to all the great people. This........is like Martha's selfishness.

　With these words, he smiled and sent me off.




　The reception room of the guesthouse.



　An hour later.
　Odette and I were in the guest house in front of the royal palace, in its parlor.
　The people here are me, Iris, Odette, and Demeter-sensei, a C-class sorcerer.
　And old Zamel, an A-class sorcerer, was sitting in a chair with his shoulders slumped.

''Let me say at the outset. I am not affiliated with the 'Cain School' here, I am sitting here as just the Eighth Princess Iris.

　First, Iris interjected.

''I ask that both Zamel-sama, the A-class sorcerer, and Demeter-sama, the C-class sorcerer, forget about the factions and allow us to talk.
I understand. Now I'm an old magician who wants to save my grandson.
I have also received word from Master Cain that he has no intention of using the young sorcerer's crisis for factional warfare.

　Old Zamel and Dr. Demeter nodded.

''In the first place, this accident was caused by a prototype created by us 'Zamelites' that went out of control. To begin with, the accident was caused by our 'Zamelites' running amok, which led to the destruction of the dungeon and the disappearance of my grandson, and I can only apologize for that.
''If the fourth level of undead react to 'Ancient Magic' and 'Ancient Artifacts', countermeasures will be necessary. We don't have any sorcerers who can move quickly.
"I even thought about riding in with the Phantom of the Lord, but...
'Please be calm. Lady Zamel!　Then the entire 'King's Horse (Lord)' will be possessed by the ghost!
Then what do you want me to do?

　Old Zamel tapped the desk with his bony hand.

'My grandson, Flora, is in the basement all alone!　And yet the Zamelites continue to hold meetings. They even stopped me from coming here.
...You mean it's going to take some time?

　I said.
　Old Zamel looked at me.

'Then you don't mind if I go?'
We have been informed that you are offering to find your granddaughter.
'Yes. I know Flora's face. The fourth underground level can be reached quickly by using a hidden passage. Then we can avoid the undead and find her. That should be fine.
But if you use 'Ancient Magic' and 'Ancient Artifacts', you too can be bullied by the undead!
I know, sir.
That's why we Zamelites are puzzled, because we don't know how you intend to use Ancient Magic! How do you guys plan to use the Ancient Magic?
We don't use 'ancient magic'. We get by on messengers and normal magic.

　Of course it's a lie.
　As for the countermeasure against the undead, I'm going to use my Myster Blood.
It's because Myster Blood has a purifying power.
　If you use it well, you should be able to find Flora-Zamel while avoiding the undead.

''I have an excellent messenger. It's a good idea to avoid fighting and just focus on the search, then you should at least be able to find Flora-san's location. If it's difficult to rescue her, I'll come back immediately and report back to you. After that, you guys can form a formal search party and rescue her all at once.
You're sure?　It's going to be quite dangerous...?
Instead, you must promise me two things.

　I said.
　Odette is next to me, nodding with a serious look on her face.
　I've told her what we're going to talk about. She should be able to put in a good word for me.

'For one thing, you're not going to hear anything about how we explored the dungeon,'
What... what?
I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to keep this between us.
Exploring the world with witchcraft and conventional magic is quite dangerous. The way it works, our coordination and formations are already something of a skill.

　Odette took over my line.

''As for the magic and technology you developed independently, you should be allowed to keep it secret to some extent. We can interpret that as falling within the scope of what Yuki says.
Odette is right.

　I'm on board.
　That's what I'm talking about, Odette, you can count on it.

"...All right. My grandson's life is irreplaceable.

　Old Zamel nodded.
　I continue.

'On one more condition, sir you must give up the 'replica lord' you have created.
What?
My first priority is to rescue Flora Zamel. If the 'Replica Lord' is out of control, I will flee. If it pursues us to the third level, we will destroy it with 'Ancient Magic'. We would like your permission to do so.
But that's as good as it gets.
We'll try to avoid destruction if at all possible.

　Once again, Odette took over my line.

''If the 'Replica Lord' cannot be recovered, I will report to Zamel-sama about where it is. Yuki has said that Flora-Zamel-san's life is the first priority. It's just a matter of priorities.
That's what I mean.

　I'm on board again.
　I'm going to leave it up to Odette to persuade old Zamel.
　I'm not used to persuading people with power.

　I mean, I don't know why I'm sparing the 'replica lords' at this point in my life.
　I've never had a blood grandchild, but I've always thought that in these situations, humans put the lives of their families first. Is there an exception? I don't know.

'I accept all the terms.

　Old Zamel slumped his shoulders and said.

The Replica Lords were originally the brainchild of my best pupil. It was he who advised Flora to use it. Neither I nor he had any idea that it would turn out this way.
'Old Zamel's number one disciple you are Mr. Agartha, the B-grade sorcerer.

　It was Dr. Demeter who answered.

I see. I see," he said, "I can understand why she would make a replica road if her theme is the reproduction of 'ancient artifacts'.
You may pass this information on to His Highness Cain. "You can pass this information on to His Highness, if you wish. As a faction, we'd like to return the favor.
'Neither Yuki-Glossaria nor Odette Slay are 'Cainites'. Old Zamel.
'Really?　I thought you were already in His Highness Cain's faction, but...

　Old Zamel is surprised.
　Well, it's no surprise that he doesn't know any information about a magician who just joined the 'Magic Guild'.

''Then join the 'Zamelites' now!　Of course, I'll pay you separately, but...
I thought we agreed to refrain from talking about factions for now.

　Iris clapped her hands with a bang.

The first thing you need to do is to give Yuki the information she needs to rescue Flora-sama," said Zamel-sama. Also, I'll have the 'Magic Guild' prepare the necessary items for the search (tanseki). Would you please tell that to your brother - His Highness Prince Cain, the Second Prince, Demeter-sama?
I understand. Your Highness Iris.
Yes, Your Highness. Your Highness.
Now, Master Zamel and Master Demeter, please prepare yourselves.

　At Iris' words, old Zamel and Dr. Demeter stand up.
　The two leave the reception room, and the sound of their footsteps can no longer be heard.
　I wonder if Iris confirmed it, or if she was--

''Don't let me worry you. My Lord.

　He said that with an anxious look on his face.

'When Dick-san told me about it, I thought my heart would stop beating. Why is My Lord supposed to go and help Miss Flora-Zamel?
I guess I was just curious about 'replica lords' and how to get rid of the ghosts.
Is that why?
Also, I wanted to explore the fourth level underground when no one else was around. As well as a treasure hunt.
He's not a child.
He's a child. I'm only 13 years old. Let me do some childish things while I'm at it.
Again. My Lord.

　Iris held her forehead in annoyance.

''In any case, Flora-Zamel-sama's search party should have been sent out. Old Zamel is also a blood relative of a nobleman close to the royal family. If the royal soldiers and sorcerers cooperated, they would have been able to rescue Flora-sama. Just.........
That's going to take a long time.
''Odette is right. If we're dealing with undead that will swarm us when we use 'Ancient Magic' and 'Ancient Artifacts', we have to take countermeasures.
I understand. By the way, Your Highness Iris.
'What is it? Odette.
'Alice from "Fira Village" was once rescued by My Lord after she got lost?
Yes, about four times... what do you want me to say?

　Iris' face turns bright red.

''Milo.......no, Yuki-sama. Have you told Odette? About the Alice lost child case!''
I didn't say that. Odette guessed that on her own.
I didn't think I'd get lost four times, but...

　That's right.
　It's because they would try to get out of 'Feela Village' in the middle of the night and come to the old castle.
　If the bat army at the time hadn't noticed, they might have been in a lot of trouble.

It's because of that that Yuki got into the habit of rescuing lost children. That's why I can't leave Flora-san alone.
It was my (Alice's) fault?
No way.

　The next thing I knew, I was putting my hand on Iris' head.
　Just like I used to do to Alice two hundred years ago.
　Come to think of it, I remember when she was lost and crying like this and she stopped crying.

'I just want to study the 'Replica Lord' carefully while I'm looking for lost children and make one for Iris and Odette. That way we can explore the dungeon safely.

　Besides, this 'Elysian' search was started as a countermeasure in case the Northern Empire joined forces with the remnants of the 'Sanctuary Church' to attack us.
　In addition, I want to at least exterminate the ghosts.
The remnants of the Sanctuary Church alone would be a problem, but if the ghosts of the Sanctuary Church were roaming around in the basement, it would be troublesome. We don't want them to be possessed by the living and provide the Empire with unnecessary information.

You'll be able to get Odette and Giselle from the Grail Trading Company to accompany you. I'll be quick to go and quick to come back.
I understand. I'll support My Lord.

　Iris said and took my hand in hers.

'Let me know if you need anything,'
I understand. I'll see you later.

　I told Iris what I needed to do for the search.
　Then Odette and I had a quick meeting - and when it was over, we got a call from Dick that Giselle had arrived at the quarters.

　We separated from Iris and went to our quarters.
　We each packed up our gear and met up.

We each got our gear and joined them. Martha.
We'll be waiting for you to return early! We're coming in!

　Martha and Remy said that and handed me a lunchbox.
　Apparently it's an excellent thing to eat while exploring. I'll tell you what I think later.

I'll tell you what I think later. Then let's go, Yuki.
I'm ready, too, sir!

　Then we all three of us went to the Magic Guild.
　Iris took care of the reception procedure, so we went to Elysian without any trace.

I'm going to go! I'm going to search. "Goshujin. I'll leave it to you!
Please. Bats.
''Yes!''

　You'll need to use hidden passages to reach the third level.
　From there, you can rely on my Myster Blood.

　As quickly as possible, I'll be able to rescue Flora-Zamel...
　If possible, let's identify the ghosts on the fourth underground level and get out of here.

　If they're the ghosts of the Sanctuary Church, let's eliminate them.



　While thinking about this, we headed for the dungeon.