Odette's point of view.




　This was the fourth level of the giant labyrinth, Elysian.
　Odette, along with the other sorcerers, had come to the temple in the center of the underground crypt.

''We will now investigate the stairs leading to the fifth underground layer. This time, the guild has ordered Demeter-Sprengal to command the investigation unit. I look forward to working with you.

　C-class sorcerer Demeter said.

　Lined up in front of her were the sorcerers of Odette and the rest of the 'Magic Guild'.
　They were the ones who had been scouted for this joint investigation.

As you may know, the stairs to the fifth underground level are blocked by molten metal, wood, and debris, making it impossible to pass through. They will remove the obstruction later, but before they can do that they need to find out where the stairs end.
''Can't we have His Highness Cain and old Zamel give us a 'King's Horse (Lord)'?

　One of the magicians raised his hand.

''Wouldn't the legendary 'Royal Horseman' be able to remove obstacles as easily as he could?
'The idea came up in the Guild's 'Council of Wise Men'. But it was rejected.

　Demeter shook his head.

'The reason is that it's not secure. There could be traps in the passage. It's also possible that a powerful demon could come up from the fifth layer. Regardless of how powerful the Lord's Legion is, it can't fight in a small space while they are clearing away the debris. There was a chance that the ghosts with a mind of their own would take it away. That's why we decided to use the Lord's Armor only after we had secured our safety.

　With that, Demeter concluded her story.

(.............just as Yuki had thought.

　While listening to the story, Odette was nodding her head.
The reason why the 'Council of Wise Men' is reluctant to use the 'King's Horseman (Lord)' is also to be expected.

　You will be able to see that you have a very good idea of what to expect.
It's probably because they don't know much about the Lord of the Rings.
　They may think it's an invincible 'ancient artifact'.

　I'm sure Odette knows a lot about the "Royal Horseman".
　It's because Yuki taught me more about it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it and I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.

　The same is true after finding out that the stairs to the fifth level are impassable.
　The three of them were discussing how to successfully get through.
　That's why I can understand the danger of using the 'King's Horseman' to open the passage.

''That's why your messengers will be so important. The ones here are the ones that use messengers that are suited to narrow spaces.

　C-class magician Demeter changed the subject.

''You will now send a messenger to the fifth level of the stairs, and I want you to find out the condition of the passageway and what is there in the fifth level. I want you to find out the condition of the passage and what is on the fifth level. The information will be shared with the entire "Magic Guild". We need your help for the guild and above all for the kingdom.
""Yes, sir!"

　The sorcerers take up their positions all at once.
　This time, they will be divided into groups of several people each, and they will send their messengers in turn.
　Odette is the last group.

(.........How would Yuki's messenger have investigated the matter?)

　As she prepared, Odette suddenly thought about it.

　Yuki's messengers have a will and act on their own decisions.
　It's perfect for investigating at a distance.

(Most importantly, bats and foxes wouldn't be able to move in such a small space.)

　Yuki can't use snakes. It is said that they have an affinity for each other.

　Also, Yuki doesn't want to get his users in danger.
　When I asked him about the reason before, he said it's because he's developed feelings for the messenger.

　Yuki uses bats as her messenger because she's used them in her previous life and is used to them.
　So he knows how to use it safely, apparently.

　As an immortal, he doesn't want his messengers to die.
　That's probably one of the reasons why Yuki doesn't increase the number of messengers.

(Yuki and the others should have left for their territory patrol (ryochi-junkai) by now...)

　In fact, Odette wanted to go too.
　But it can't be helped when I received a request from the 'Council of Wise Men' of the 'Magic Guild'.

(And Yuki's family..................and the matter of Lyle-Carmine's writing. That person is dangerous in the fifth layer. He said it's better not to go in there.)

　The fifth level is dangerous to whom (...)
　To Yuki?　Or to all humans?

　Even so, we can't afford not to investigate.
　As long as there are remnants of the 'Sanctuary Church' in the Empire, the means to counter them are necessary.......


''.........No. With my messenger, we can't proceed any further........
"...halfway down the stairs, and it's flanked by a metal wall.
"...there seems to be a gap in some of them, but it can't be a rat or a mole to get through it. It has to be a much thinner creature...


　A short time later, the first group of people reported that the stairs were blocked with debris, metal and wood to the back.

　It seems that the staircase is blocked to the far end by rubble, metal and wood.
　Beyond that, there is a metal wall - a metal wall that is clearly man-made.
　There's a gap, but it's too small.

"Hmm. A slimmer creature....

　Demeter, the sorcerer, looked at Odette.

'Odette-Slay. You are using a snake messenger, aren't you?
Yes. And the size... in some cases, you can make it any size you want.

　Odette specializes in the magic of the earth attribute.
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　I learned the "Ancient Magic" which summons snakes to be used as messengers from my tutor.
　This was to prevent her father, who interfered with her, from raiding her room.

　It has no combat power, but it lasts for a long time. It's just right for an investigation like this one.

Then we're gonna need you to look into it.
Yes, sir.
You don't know what's on the other side of the wall. As soon as you feel you are in danger, you will retract the errand boy. That's good.
"Yes. Mr. Demeter.

　Odette activates "Ancient Magic".
　A magic circle is created on the ground and a small black snake appears.
　The snake nods at Odette and, with a swoosh, enters the stairs leading to the fifth level.

　Odette closes her eyes and synchronizes her senses with the snake.
　At that moment, horrible, goose bumps appeared.

　All around them were chunks of rock and metal that tried to crush Odette's messenger.
　There must have once been a staircase here.
　But the only thing that touched the snake's body was a wispy piece of wood or a sharp piece of metal.
　The steps of the stairs were mostly buried under the rubble.

(...and...it's incredibly uncomfortable...)

　It was a sensation as if the power was slowly being extracted from her body.
　Odette suddenly remembered the time when Yuki gave her the "Mystel Blood".

　The blood, which was literally overflowing with magical power, filled Odette's body with magical power.
　She remembers the sensation of the magical power permeating her entire body.

　What Odette felt now was the opposite of that.
　It was as if the magic power was being extracted from the depths of her body through the messenger.

(.....but as far as I can go, I must go.

　Odette's messenger reaches the metal wall.
　Just as the sorcerers had said, there is a small gap by the wall.
　Odette lets the snake slip through. Scales scrape against the piece of metal. There is a disgusting sound. But we can go on.

(Almost ... almost ... almost ...)

　Suddenly, a snake came through the metal wall.
　All the debris and metal pieces that had blocked the passage were gone, revealing the slippery staircase.
　It had gone through the barricade.

　However...

What is this...

　Beyond that, there was a pale barrier (barrier).
　The moment it came closer──Odette's strength was released from her body.

(..............................sucked the magic power?

　After all, it's the opposite of Yuki.
　There are traps set up in this passage that suck out the magical power of those who touch it.

(But.........if it's Yuki's 'invasion (hacking)'.......)

　Odette hurriedly shook her head.
　If the magic power is sucked out of you the moment you touch it.......Yuki's 'erosion (hacking)' might not even be understood. Rather, it's dangerous. It's because we don't know what kind of entity is creating this barrier.

　Even while I was thinking about it, my magic power was being sucked out.
　Odette instructs the messenger to hurry back.
　As it is, she returned her senses to her body and, with a thump, she dropped to her knees.

'Are you okay!　Odette-Slay!


　Odette reports under her breath.

''If we don't break through that, we won't be able to enter the fifth level. We can get rid of the obstacle but that barrier may not be able to be broken through with our 'ancient magic'. No......................
Take a deep breath. Calm down and talk to me.

　At Demeter's suggestion, Odette repeated a deep breath.
　For some reason, Yuki's face came to mind.

　I was unable to follow Iris and Yuki's, patrolling the territory.
　If that's the case, it's my role to do something about this barrier.

　Lyle-Carmine──Yuki's family in his previous life warned him to stay away from the fifth level.
　That's probably because there is a barrier that eats magic power.

　That barrier would not be able to be hacked by 'magic blood'.
　Perhaps even the 'Royal Horseman' might be forced to become inoperable.

　Lyle-Carmine probably didn't want to put My Lord (........) in danger.
　If that was the case, it was his own role, his best friend in this world, to remove that danger.



　Odette smiled wryly.

　It's decided what to do.
　From now on, the "Magic Guild" will begin removing the obstacles.
　In the meantime, I'm going to think of a way to disable that barrier.

"That man's........family in his previous life.......is not going to lose to me.

　
　The only thing occupying her mind is 'I want to help Yuki' - that's all.

''........Demeter-sensei. In the fifth level of Elysium, something (.........) is alive (............)

　Odette looked around at Demeter and the other sorcerers and declared.

''There must be a magic-eating barrier in the fifth underground layer and something that is creating it. Perhaps a team of investigators will be formed by the 'Magic Guild'. I would like to invite you to join us!
Okay, okay. I will speak to His Highness Cain and old Zamel.
I'm aware of a magic-eating barrier... or something similar.

　Those that eat magic and those that nullify magic - they are somewhat similar.
　By analyzing the things that nullify magic, we should also know how to eliminate the barriers that eat magic power.

　As I recall, there were other things that had the ability to nullify magic besides the 'King's Horse (Lord)'.
　That should have been carried into the 'Magic Guild'.
I'm sure that armed ogre has that shield.

It's impossible to get the Lord's Shield, but that shield can be used as a material.
　If we could ask Prince Cain and old Zamel to set up a research team...

Watch me, Yuki. I'm going to make sure that I'm safely hidden on the fifth level by the time you return. I'll take away your worries about your family from your previous life.

　Odette declared to Yuki, who was not here.