Two days after I had shopped at Lyna's store, I had come to Lumina's private room.

　'So what do you mean by talking?'
　When I came face to face with Lumina-san, who made me tea, I decided to properly express my current feelings in words.

　''Yes. Particularly for the past six years, I've been going through so much that I don't even know what the 'le' word for love is, so I was really happy to be able to do it with someone like Lumina-san, even if it was to thank her.
　'It's embarrassing to be told that on a surprise visit.
　You can't help but think it's honestly cute when you see a slight blush on her cheeks.

　''I'm sorry. But I thought I would properly tell you........I respect you, Lumina-san. I have a fondness for you.
　"...Does that mean you like me?
　I thought I could see a little bit of anxiety and something in Lumina-san's eyes as she stared at me, but I don't try to fool her.

　''Yes but I honestly can't decide if this is a romantic feeling or if it's because I respect and trust you as a companion.
　So.....
　'I don't know what you think of me, Lumina, but I would like to take the time to face what I think of you.
　This is my honest feeling.
　It's possible that it's just a misunderstanding, but it can't be helped because I was the one who wanted to be honest with Lumina-san.

　''Hmph. As I thought, Luciel-kun is serious. I didn't think you'd come to report that all together.
　'If I had stayed at the church headquarters all the time, that would have been fine, but once I decided to go to Meratni and relearn a lot of things under my mentor...'
　'Well then you should go and train hard. If you beat me, I'll do what you say.
　I was almost paranoid, but I felt like I couldn't waste a second if my goal was to win more than that.

　''Well this expedition is scheduled to last about two months, so I'll come back when I get back.
　Hmm.

　Smiling with a slightly embarrassed expression, Lumina-san was beautiful to behold.
　I saved Lumina's expression in my brain and decided to go to the Pope's private room this time.


　I asked permission to enter the Pope's private chambers, and as soon as we finished paying the manservant, the Pope opened his mouth.
　'So you've come here this time to discuss the matter with Lumina, right? I think it's good for the concubines, but it's what the spirits think.
　I tell him the story of this visit, disappointed that the first voice is that.

　'It's not about romance, I'm going to head to Meratni once tomorrow, so I'm here to greet the Pope before I do.
　What, are you serious? You're not funny.
　Where did you hear about this subject?
　It's a secret.
　''I see. Me and my squires and I, including Rosa-san, went shopping yesterday, so I brought a gift for the Pope, who is usually very helpful to us...''
　Haha, I understand. Rosa stopped by on her way home from shopping with Luciel and the others yesterday.
　Well, I guess so.
　I thought that the only person who would bring that kind of information to the Pope-sama's ears was the head of the Order, Catherine-san, but in fact, from hygiene management, it was Rosa-san's job to take care of the physical condition of the Order.
　That's why Keti and Kefin had grabbed the information that she was said to visit her private room in order to put in a report to the Pope.

　''........I'll take some time to seriously think about Lumina-san once. It goes without saying that we will or will not go out with each other, but the danger of our lives will continue to follow us.......
　I'm very serious and I'll have to make arrangements to go to the magical Independent City of Nerdal.
　Are you sure? Thank you.
　My tension was up.
　It was partly because I wanted to go to the Aerial City, but also because I was eager to learn attack magic.
　This would make it harder for me to die again.
　Just thinking about it would give my mind some breathing room.
　That's how I felt.

　''We don't want you to die easily, and my intuition tells me that you'll be able to become like your father if you succeed.
　

　''I'm going to be diligent. I will contact you when I arrive in Meratni. We plan to return to the Holy City in two months, but if there are any delays or other delays, I will report back to you.
　Hmm. Be careful.
　Ha!
　I left the Pope's private quarters after a brief greeting.

　Next I headed to the training ground where Catherine was being beaten up.
　'Aren't you overdoing it, Lionel?'
　'It was Keti who did that. Apparently, Lady Catherine and Ketty must be very close in ability. Ketty is just like that.
　...you look a little battered. Huh? Where's Keffin gone?
　I rushed to get the healers.
　How worried Kefin is about Keti........

　I drew a magic circle on the two of them with a magic circle chant and activated an extra heel.
　''To be able to control it so firmly at this distance.......that must have been quite an effort.
　"Trying, or... at the time, I just didn't want to die. I think that's all I was thinking about. So maybe it's more accurate to say it was out of necessity rather than effort.
　'Master Luciel must have a talent for hard work and continuity.
　Lionel tells me this with a smile, but it's only because he's supported by his proficiency appraisal that he was able to endure it.
　I had to answer that in my mind.

　'Tomorrow we'll leave after morning training is over, after we have breakfast, so tell them that.
　I understand.
　I told Lionel that and walked off into the labyrinth.


　The demons in the Labyrinth of Trials had reverted to from zombies.
　The number of demons had dwindled down to the point where I could walk around one level and not even encounter them.
　''Any healer who can cast purification magic seems to be able to handle an exorcist.
　I decided to proceed through the labyrinth.

　There were double-digit numbers of demons I had encountered by the time I got to the boss room on the tenth level, but there were no demons grouped together.
　''I could kill the boss room in a blink of an eye with cleansing magic too but if this was it, there's a chance it would happen again.

　You don't know that I've stepped through at level one, but the knights of the Order know how good I am.
　If I had a mock battle with a priest knight or holy knight, I could win with magic, but when it comes to a purely technical match, I win or lose.

　Since I'm such a soloist, if I had a magic tool that could prevent the smell, the miasma, and the mental interference of the wraiths, I might be able to step through again if there wasn't a boss every ten levels.
　
　I decided not to traverse the labyrinth, but rather to proceed to the thirty levels before turning back.

　I defeated the demons and collected the magic stones, and when I left the labyrinth, there were people in the shop.
　To my surprise, Granhardt-san was taking Catherine's place.
　Granharto-san may not have known I was there, but I felt as if she had a disgusted look on her face for a moment.
　''Thank you for your help. Why did Granhard-san use the stall here?'
　'My current duties. I was investigating those who recently disappeared just before Master Luciel stepped through the labyrinth, and this was the only place I could think of.
　'I see. I've gone up to the thirty levels and never met anyone. Would you like to take an oath as well?
　That won't be necessary. I've already had the opportunity to examine you and find out all about how you worked your way up to that position and what you've accomplished since then.
　While lightly pulling Granhardt-san, who spoke with a sniffle, I greeted him and got into the magic elevator.
　''It's scary in many ways, but if he's in that position, I'm sure he'll come back properly.
　Relieved, I had dinner with Lionel and the others and fell asleep with my angel pillow, only for today to get a good night's sleep.
The next morning, we would leave for Melatni.