Odette's point of view.



　A few days after Yuki and Iris left for their frontier inspection.
　Odette was continuing her investigation to enter the fifth layer of "Elysian".

''If we don't break through that 'magic-eating barrier', we won't be able to enter the fifth layer...''

　Odette mused as she looked at the gate leading to the fifth level.

　The gate is currently closed to traffic.
　This is because the passage to the fifth level is too dangerous.
　The stairs were covered with stones and rubble, leaving little room for people to pass through.
　Even if you pass through, what lies ahead is a magical barrier. If you touch it, the magic power is instantly lost. The sorcerer will not be able to move.

　However, even so, the creature of a sorcerer wants to investigate.
　That's why the 'Magic Guild' had no choice but to issue an official ban on traffic.

''Even though Yuki has taken care of the fourth layer of undead, it's useless if we can't move on.
It can't be helped. Dear Odette.

　A girl next to Odette, holding a large shield in her hand, said.
　She carried her shortspear on her back and looked around carelessly.

　The girl's name was Giselle-Galfen.
　She was hired by Yuki to be the party's vanguard.

I've been asked to guard Odette in Yuki-sama's absence. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't be too reckless, but...
You're not Yuki. I don't go crazy.

　Odette shrugged.

'I just wanted to see the entrance to the fifth level.
'And yet... why is it that only the fifth level is not accessible? It's so easy to get to the fourth level.
We won't be able to get to the fourth level easily until we find a hidden passage.

　Odette sighed.

'But it certainly didn't have a blocked passage like the fifth level. It's going to be hard to get through. If possible, I wanted to find a clue to help us break through before Yuki and the others returned.

　Even if you look around, there is nothing that could give you a hint of breaking through the barrier.

The fourth underground level of Elysian is a vast cemetery.
　As far as the eye can see, it is lined with mossy tombstones and stone monuments.
　These are the remnants of a time long ago when this place was still used as a human settlement.
　Some of the gravestones are relatively new. That one may have been installed by the guys from the 'Sanctuary Church'. It is also a relic from two hundred years ago.

　A large number of ghosts used to gather in this place.
　Now it is quiet.
　This is because Yuki has purged the ghosts from the crowd. That's why Odette and Giselle were able to come alone, and this way they could quietly examine the gate to the fifth layer.
　Sooner or later another group of ghosts will appear and start wandering around the fourth layer, but that's another story.

''I'm sorry to keep you company. I think it's time to go back.
Are you sure?
There doesn't seem to be any clues to the fifth level in this hierarchy. The only thing left to do is to examine the letters on the tombstones one by one and look for a spell to lift the barrier, but that's what the 'Zamelites' are doing.
It's a long story.
It's the surest way to be sure, when you have the people and the money. But I think we need to find another way.

　Odette nodded towards Giselle.

'We may have an answer to the example by now. We'll return to the 'Magic Guild' to find out for sure.
Okay. Dear Odette.

　And so Odette and Giselle returned to the ground.




''I'm sorry. Odette-Suray-sama's application for 'Request for information about the Armed Ogre's Great Shield'.......has not yet been approved.

　The receptionist bowed to Odette.

　This is the ground, the reception desk of the 'Magic Guild'.
　Odette's shoulders slumped in disappointment when she heard that the application she submitted a few days ago hadn't been approved yet.

After investigating the fifth underground level of Elysian, Odette immediately began to look into the great shield used by the Armed Ogre.
　The reason for this is because he thought that shield could be a clue to the barrier at the fifth level.

　About a month ago, Odette fought an armed ogre with a huge shield when she traveled with Yuki. That demon's shield had nullified all kinds of magic. So Yuki avoided the shield and only aimed at the Ogre itself to defeat it.
　That shield was taken to the 'Magic Guild' after Yuki retrieved it, and it was the object of study for the magicians.

　In order to break through the barrier of the fifth layer, Odette submitted an application to be shown the research materials of the shield, but...

'It's no use to you if it's not allowed. I'll find another way.
'No, not disapproved, it is pending. Since His Highness Prince Cain is currently absent, he is unable to make a decision on whether or not to allow you to view the materials. Since the research on that item is being conducted jointly by the 'Zamelites' and the 'Cainites'.

The head of the "Cain Faction", Prince Cain, is on a border patrol with the C-class magician Demeter.
　For that reason, the application forms involving the "Faction of Cain" are being held up until the prince's return.

　The receptionist explained that and bowed her head apologetically.

''Well if that's the case, it can't be helped.

　If I could, I would have surprised him by going into the fifth level before Yuki returned.

(Yuki never ceases to surprise me. I need to get back at him once in a while.)

　What would Yuki look like if he broke through the barrier on the fifth level?
　Would he accept it calmly? Or would he say, "Great, Odette! I wonder if she would speak up.
　Maybe she would stroke Odette's head, as she did with the children in "Feela Village"? I'm going to put my hand on her golden hair and gently...

(...what are you thinking about?

　I can't help but blush at the image that pops into my head.
　To be happy about being patted on the head - even though he and Yuki aren't like that.
　That's not the same as Iris──Thinking that, Odette held her face.
　He thanked the receptionist who was looking at him curiously and went out of the building.
　Making sure that the heat in her cheeks (cheeks) has subsided, she takes a slow, deep breath.

(If I'm by your side, I'll notice. If I'm away from you, I'll remember. You're a real troublemaker, aren't you? (Yuki is)

Dear Odette.
What?

　My heart almost jumped out of my chest when he called out to me unexpectedly.
　When I looked up, I saw Giselle looking at me with concern.

''What's wrong, sir?　You seem to be doing something....
No, no. It's nothing.

　Odette groomed her hair and tapped her cheek to tighten her expression.

''I was just depressed that my request for access to materials (shiryoetsuran) about the item in question didn't go through.
Oh, really?
I'm going back to my quarters. We'll meet there to discuss the future.

　Odette and Giselle left the grounds of the 'Magic Guild'.
　Then they entered the main street of the nobleman's town and started walking down the road to the inn.

　When they looked back, they could see Yuki's quarters in the distance. When he came to King's Landing, Yuki used to live next to Odette, but he moved out when he became a C-level magician. Sometimes Yuki would fly to his quarters, but Odette rarely visited him anymore.
　Now that Yuki isn't around, there's no reason to visit her.

(I would like to hear many things about Yuki from Martha, but I can't visit her when the Lord (Aruji) is not there, can I?

　Of course, if you visit, Martha and Remy will welcome you. I understand that.
　I suppose I could visit them if I had a reason to.

Dear Odette. I see that you have a bat lodged on the roof of your quarters.
No, it's Mr. Dick.
Can you tell?
I've seen you a hundred times. I can tell the difference. That's Dick, the leader of Yuki's messenger demon "bat army" - what?　How did you end up here!

　Odette ducks the hem of her robe and starts to run.
　The bats, which had been perched on the roof, noticed this, and flew towards Odette.

'Come this way, Mr. Dick,'

　Odette taps her shoulder, and Dick the bat comes over.
　He squeezes his wings dexterously and stays on his robe wrapped shoulder.

'You are supposed to be with Yuki and Iris, aren't you?　Did something happen between you two?
"Squeak.
''I can kind of understand. You delivered a letter from Yuki, didn't you?
"Ky.

　Dick shook his head at Odette.
　On his chest was what looked like a pendant. A cylindrical piece of paper was tied to the tip.
　Odette removed the pendant from Dick's neck and removed the tubular paper.

　Upon closer inspection, she saw that the other bats were wearing the same thing.

'Is that a different letter?　Or is it the same one?
"Cu.
You nodded later. So, does that mean Yuki sent more than one letter to you?

　Maybe that's because he wanted to make sure that even one of them would be able to reach the royal capital and convey the information.
　Does that mean that the incident happened enough for him to think that way?

'Is this a letter from My Lord?　Dear Odette.
We've heard that a demon and a mysterious knight have appeared in the border region.
"Squeak." "Squeak!

　In response to Odette's words, one of the bats moves to Giselle's shoulder.
　The other one spreads its wings and flies towards Yuki's quarters.

'One of the letters would be for Martha and Remy, and the other one would be for Giselle and Rodelia from the 'Grail Trading Company'. You're as cautious as ever, Yuki.
'Oh, is that what you mean!
"Giselle, please head to the Grail Chamber of Commerce. I will return to the 'Magic Guild'.

　The letter firmly states, "Pass this information on to the Magic Guild.
　At the same time, I heard that they are also running a fast horse, but there is still no information that it has arrived at the royal capital.
　That means that the only people who know this information are Odette, and Giselle.

(Is it correct to say that Yuki asked me to do this?)

　Strangely, Odette's heart becomes warm.
　A really troubled person──While thinking about such things, Odette leaves Giselle and heads to the 'Magic Guild' that just came out.

If you report to the guild, it will inevitably be reported to the royal family. The country itself can be put on alert. Yuki is aiming for that, right?
"Squeak.

　At Odette's words, Dick nodded.
　Even though we don't understand each other's language, our wills somehow communicate with each other. Perhaps it's because of the "Myster Blood" that Yuki gave me a while back.

(Then, I am Yuki's subordinate, or perhaps a resident who relies on Yuki-Nosferatu as a 'guardian god', just like the residents of 'Fira Village'. (Hmmm, this is getting fun)

　What Yuki conveyed to me was literally emergency information (urgent information).
　However, the "Magic Guild" doesn't currently have a Prince Cain.
　If that's the case, the person to whom the information should be given is...

'Huh?　Dear Odette-Slay. How can I help you?
I'm here to request a meeting with a senior sorcerer.
''Ah, yes. Would it be all right if the visitation could take place the day after tomorrow?
'I see. Well, please apply and give us a message.
Who would you like to see?
"Dear old Mr. Zamel, a Grade A magician.

　Odette picked up her skirt and gave her formal bow as a nobleman.

I have received word from my friend Yuki-Grossaria. This is a matter that concerns the safety of Miss Flora-Zamel, who is accompanying you. I'm going to ask you to just contact them. Please just add 'urgently' just to be sure.

　With a posture that didn't have a minute to spare, Odette declared such a thing.