366-359 Chasing further




Just before he spoke, he noticed that the girls were not looking good and decided to call out to them as cheerfully as possible. 
'Lucy, Queena and Saran, thank you for your hard work. You've been exploring at a pretty fast pace, haven't you? I was in a hurry to catch up with you because I couldn't quite catch up.
 Then the words that I hadn't expected to come out of Lucy's mouth came out.
'I've been using object X to avoid demons as I went along, so I almost never had to fight them.
Object X?
 I wasn't expecting that the Knights were using Object X as a demon repellent, I was plainly surprised.
'It was Captain Lumina's decision to use Object X as a demon repellent. He instructed us to take it as well on a regular basis after we found out about the efficacy of Object X.
 Queena said, looking at me with a slightly resentful look in her eyes.
I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that she was complaining as if she was broke from drinking Object X.
'Quina, don't stare at Luciel like that. There's no doubt in my mind that drinking Object X had an effect.
'I admit it but that's not what people drink.
 Saran-san followed up, but I certainly don't want to drink if I don't have to, as Queena says, I don't want to drink!

''Well, let's just say it's all because of the evil gods. By the way, there doesn't seem to be any sign of Lumina-san and the others?
'Everyone was to leave a barrel of object X with us to keep the demons out, and we're going to go ahead and say we're going to find a place where we can get a little bit of security.
 The three men's complexion clouded over, and Lucy mouthed this in a thin voice that seemed to squeeze out.
 The reason why these three stayed here was because their holy attribute magic was highly appropriate, so they were either mentally exhausted by the trap of crushing healers, or they were probably trying to keep the other knights and healers alive.
 Even so, I don't know if the knights were hiding in the labyrinth to level up, or if they were forced to accompany the War Maiden Holy Knights, but it would be a complete drag.

 However, if it were originally, there would have been an option to turn back, but the reason why the Saintly Knight Squad of War Maidens went on ahead may have been to help them as well.
 But that's why it's dangerous to search the labyrinth with restrictions placed on it, so it would have been better if they had waited... I can't help but think that.

''You were preceded by the War Maiden Holy Knight Squad alone........''
''Yes. Except for the knights here, all of them....
'There were quite a few casualties. And maybe it was because almost all of them were severely wounded, unable to move, but the captains had to get ahead of us.
 Lucy-san was at a loss for words, and Saran-san told me instead.
 But then, Lumina-san and the others would push themselves a little too hard to go through the labyrinth.
 If they weren't slowed down, they'd do that much....
 But since the enemy waiting ahead could be an evil god, we have no choice but to chase it with all our might.

 I decided to make a choice for the knights I had just healed.
''I will only say it once, so listen to me. I will now chase after the War Maiden Holy Knights who have preceded me as I originally intended. You all have the choice of staying here with Object X as a shield, or you can choose to stay here in the hermit's stables with your horses until we escape from the labyrinth.
This is insulting, but as an S-level healer, you must allow us to accompany you.
Yeah. I don't think that's an option at all.
You can't keep all the credit to yourself again.

 You were dying a moment ago, but you're in good spirits.
The first thing that comes to mind is that the goal is to escape from the labyrinth, although I don't mind accompanying you. That's why I will prioritize the trampling, so if you guys who faced the demon ask for help, I won't help you. I'm not a knight who helps the Order, I'm a healer who protects my people....
 I told him that much and opened the stables with the hermit's key. 
'You have one minute to get in. If you don't go in, I'll leave you there.
 But even so, perhaps because of their pride, no one honestly wanted to enter the stables.
 Then, several demons approached nicely.
 It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them.
 I called out to Lucy and the others after confirming that the knights and healers have entered the stables.
''Are you all good?''
 I tried to stir things up a bit, and the reply was just to show by action, so I rushed into the approaching demons, and with magic and coordinated attacks, I tossed the demons around and defeated them in the blink of an eye.

''Each and every one of the War Maiden Holy Knights is strong.
It's a cakewalk if you don't slow them down.
''I know that Luciel has become stronger, but even the sisters of the War Maiden Holy Knights are the strongest in the church headquarters.
 It seems that with the fetters of the knighthood removed, he's regained his original movements and cheerful expression. If this is the case, it's safe to ask him to accompany you.

I'm sure you've seen it. There's no problem with this. I have the impression that everyone ahead of me is in a bit of a hurry, so let's chase after them.
 The three of them turned serious as I told them that while I tucked the barrel of object X into the magic bag over here.

''I don't think we'll be able to catch up with Lumina-sama on our own.
'It's frustrating, but I'll have to rely on Luciel until we all catch up.
I'll stick with you as far as I can without slowing you down. I'll give you a service if you want it.
 No, if you're going to be red in the face, you shouldn't have said it.

'I understand. Let's go then.
 The miasma of the maze is changing, so I released a purification wave to purify the miasma and demons as I went along.
 It's a good thing that there are no traps on the thirty-first to thirty-fifth levels, and there are no monsters that can't be killed by a single hit, like the boss on the thirty-first level.
 As I was thinking this, I could hear the three of them muttering from behind me.
''I actually knew it was getting stronger by seeing it in action, but to defeat multiple demons in an instant when it should already be a pretty strong demon...'' 
'To demons and demonkind, they are nothing more than natural enemies.
'Maybe this will catch up with the captains soon. It's nice and easy to do it all for us.
 I feel like Saran-san has flagged me down, but no matter how far ahead of me I am, I don't think I'm going to enter the boss room on the 40th level.

''I'm good with the demons in this labyrinth. The dead spirit-type demons are easily cleansed, you know.''
'The higher-ranked demons have higher attribute magic resistance, which usually makes it harder for magic to work.
"As expected of a healer, a sage, a penetrating presence who changes the insane for the common good and speaks out of it.
Don't ask someone to do something just because you can do it.
 I guess it's completely bad news for Queena's. The only thing that helps is that she is not in awe of me, even though I've become too strong, and we can just talk lightly to each other.

''Anyway, maybe it's because Lumina-san and the others fought, or maybe it's because the miasma is starting to fade, so it's time to catch up.''
I don't see anything that says 'miasma'.
'Could it be that you're doing something out of the ordinary again?
If you're tired, we'll help you a little, but are you okay?
 The miasma is still a blessing of the title "Guardian of the World".
 The miasma is a miasma that can be turned on and off, but in labyrinthine places where the miasma is embodied, you can't help but see it.
 It's not always a bad thing that you can track with this, but....

'It's normal and I'm fine. So I'm fine. It's just that my control of my skills is still too lax and it's harmful.
That's not okay, is it?
It's something that takes some getting used to, so I've already taken to it... well, I didn't see you on this floor either. 
'Not that I doubt it, but are the captains really going this far?
 It certainly wouldn't have been necessary to come down so much if we just had a space that looked safe.
 But the presence of other knights and healers was enough to make me think about the various risks of taking too long to explore and proceed through the labyrinth.
 It wouldn't be strange to try to get ahead of them until they at least had a route to the forty level boss room.

''This is just my opinion, but I think Lumina-san probably chose the lowest risk search.
Without us?
''Maybe he saw how you all were mentally burdened by the use of recovery magic and thought that the War Maiden Holy Knights would be crushed if he continued to explore and protect the other knights and healers.
So what about the captains?
''You went to secure the route to the boss room on the fortyth level, right? Well, I'm sure there will be traps from the next level, so I'll be able to join you by the boss room.
'So we can't be chintzy then. Hiya.
 I did so, and as Saran-san tried to get ahead of me, I grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

''Please don't scream like that.''
No, you just grabbed me by the shoulders.
 Why does he suddenly go into damsel mode when he's usually an old man? It's still a mystery. 
 I pull myself together and explain why I stopped it firmly.
"I think there will be traps from the next level, and if you don't have the skills and abilities to detect them, you'll be in big trouble.
Lady Lumina and the others don't have those skills either.
I know, sir. So follow me closely. I'm going to skip a few more steps from here.
 After saying this, I descended to the thirty-sixth level, and as I proceeded through the fading miasma, I could hear the sounds of battle in the distance.

It seems that they are able to catch up with you. I'm sure that with your current abilities, the demons and demons that appear on this level should be no problem, but please be careful with the traps.
I'm going to make myself useful to you for having been allowed to live this long.
Luciel, hurry.
''I know. At any rate, [Purification Wave], now you know I'm here. Let's meet up with you.
A wise man indeed.
 After that, what was waiting for me as I rushed through the labyrinth was the War Maiden Holy Knight Squad, who were fighting and enduring despite being surrounded by demons.
 However, Lumina-san and Elizabeth-san were not there.