In the eighth district, about thirty buildings were damaged and the number of injured was forty-six, of which two were seriously injured.

　It is not unusual for stampede deaths to occur and the number of demons tends to increase due to being shunned by novice searchers, so they regularly invite higher-level searchers to sweep the swamp for demons. However, they entered the stampede area much earlier than expected, and this time the situation has occurred.

　The reason why the guards didn't enter the labyrinth to aggressively defeat the demons was because they prioritized protecting the security of the town. They are not that large a group of people who must immediately rush in if there is a karma rising reaction, and their level is not very high. The captain of the eighth district's guard was at level 5, and the other searchers were almost below that level.

　Hence, it was very difficult to raise the level - it should be very difficult to do so. We, who frequently encounter 'named', are growing at a rate that is usually unthinkable.

　It's not as if Elitia didn't level up consecutively, but she had accumulated 5 experience bubbles - if we defeat two level 5 named ones, there's a chance she too will level up. There's no penalty for the loss of experience since I'm exploring without a break, but I'll have to verify how much it will be reduced by resting eventually.

　Aside from that, I had everyone wait outside today, and as the leader, I reported the results of the battle to Louisa-san.



　The results of this search
　1,000 points for subduing the labyrinthine stampede.
　Aricht's level is now 5. 50 points.
　Theresa's level is now 5. 50 points.
　Kyouka's level is now 4. 40 points.
　Suzuna's level is now 4. 40 points.
　Misaki's level is now 3. 20 points.
　Took out 32 Flying Dooms, 480 points.
　Took out 5 Sweetbirds, 80 points.
　Capture of 3 "Demi-harpy", 240 points
　1,600 points for defeating the bounty hunter Death Comes from the Sky.
　Party members' confidence in each other has increased by 300 points.
　Total of 32 men rescued. 960 points.
　100 points for rescuing "Reval".
　100 points for rescuing Madoka.

　Searcher Contribution ・・・ 5060
　Eighth Ward All-Time Contributions Ranking 1
　Seventh Ward Contribution Ranking 332

　Checking the numbers with his monocle, Louisa breathes in admiration. I've been running around the town and defeated all the enemies in sight - but more than the contribution I've earned from that, I've been able to subdue Stampede and defeat the 'Death Coming from the Sky' and rescue the wounded.

'Louisa-san, what do you mean by that, after all?'
''Since Master Atobe has made a very significant contribution in a short period of time, the guild has incorporated you into the pecking order of the seventh district without examination. Congratulations, you'll be able to use the Seventh District's intermediate housing from the start.
A mid-range house ... could you possibly rent a house?
'Yes, although it will be a terrace house. Many people choose to live in an apartment complex because they prefer the condo type.
Yeah, well, we have different lifestyles.

　We're going to live in a rented, rental-like house for the time being, so we're not going to be able to sit down in a good place - but I'm sure we'll find a place in a ward somewhere that we'd like to use as a base eventually.

'But I'll miss being untested. I think a party called 'Polaris' who is staying at the same place has an exam coming up, so I'd like to take it with them if possible.
''The North Star........oh. If you're those people, you're going to start your examination in the Calling Forest early today. It seems they haven't returned yet, but...
'So you didn't see him in town. Do exams sometimes take a few days to complete?
''Yes, from the seventh district, we will need to camp in the labyrinth, so we also train for that as well. There are also night raids by demons, and dealing with them is included in the test items.
'That sounds like a lot of things, good training. I'll have to consult with my colleagues, but may I take the exam tomorrow as scheduled?
''Yes, if you wish, we will of course prepare a test for you. I won't be participating in the battle, but one guild saber will accompany you just in case.

　Then Georg and the others in "Arctic Star" will come back safely, no matter what happens. They have a lot of willpower, too, and they're likely to come back after passing their tests with flying colors.

''Well then, I have to go to a meeting about the restoration of the town, so I'll have to excuse myself.
'I think it's going to cost quite a bit of money, but if it's too much of a burden, I'll take it from me...'
No, we have a fund made up of all the residents of the ward for this kind of thing. In principle, there is no need for you to personally contribute to the fund. All you need to do is give us your heart.
''Well I'm a little relieved to hear that. The mercenary agency was half destroyed, so I thought it would be quite difficult to repair it. And the other buildings were also destroyed when we were fighting.
''Even with this, the damage is on the small side. If the type of demon that ravages the ground comes out, it can cause tremendous damage, both in terms of human and physical damage... In order to prevent that from happening, the Stampede's danger level must always be kept below a certain level.

　I felt Louisa-san's demeanor was slowly softening, but today it seemed to be a stiff reception, probably because she feels responsible for the Stampede.

'They were demons that we found to be troublesome enemies too, and I think it's inevitable to a certain extent that people would shy away from them. Can't we block off something like the source of the demons?
That's exactly what the 'demonologists' have only published the results of their research on some of the demons, but it's hardly clear.
''Then we'll just have to deal with it when the danger level rises. Let us know, and since we've already taken good countermeasures, I think we can reduce the number of demons efficiently.
"Once a stampede occurs, unless it's left too long, it can take days before it happens again. That's why we're reviewing our demon sweeping schedule and hoping to prevent it from happening again.

　Perhaps there are labyrinths in other wards that are often shunned, such as The Noon Marshes, and the danger of stampede is heightened in labyrinths all over the place, and guild savers and defenders are forced to deal with it.

　The most frightening thing is if a labyrinth where even adventurers active in the upper wards would have trouble reducing the number of demons caused a stampede - this is the damage even in the eighth ward, so one mistake and it could be a disaster.

　Diligently dive into the labyrinths that match your abilities, fight the demons, and prevent stampede in each ward. This is also the mission of the searchers.

　But not all of them are industrious and can't continue to fight demons with their lives.

''........Do you find the labyrinth to be a very troublesome thing?''
'To be honest, that's part of it. It's tough, it's full of mystery, and if you're not careful, it can cause a stampede. I don't know what it is about this country that has gathered so many of those things.... That's why I also want to run up the pecking order and learn more about things.
'Master Atobe you have very high aspirations. After all, it would be better for you to choose a better officer in charge than me, and one who doesn't bring his own personal feelings to the table...

　-- After I defeated the eagle-headed giant soldier, I felt that she had become somewhat reserved with me ever since I reported the results.

　I had guessed the reason for this, but if she was misunderstanding me, then I had to clear it up.

'Miss Louisa. I've rarely been recognized or pampered by people in my previous life. So I thought it was a dream come true that Mr. Louisa was happy to see me, or that he thought I was promising and asked me if I had plans to get engaged. Of course, I know it just popped up in a momentum.
"Well, that's.........I was so surprised and upset by the amazing achievement that Atobe-sama has made, and I'm very sorry....... ...!

　To say we are dazzled by money is a poor way to put it, but we all want money, and we would also prefer to have as much as possible. It's inevitable that almost anyone who is exposed to the monetary economy will do so.

'No, I'm glad I did. It would be a bit frustrating if there was someone else who was promising besides me, and Louisa fell in love with him when she was in charge of it, wouldn't it?
''That's not true........not everyone says the same thing. It's because Atobe-sama has treated me, a mere guild employee, and others with great care... and he is so humble that he doesn't even realize how great a contribution he has made...
''Well, um ... I'm not good at showing off my greatness. No matter how much the pecking order rises, I don't think my baseline will change. If I become stronger or more famous, there may be some behaviors that are required of me, though.

　What are you reluctant to say while achieving accomplishments at such a rapid pace - it's not surprising that you might say that.

　After all, Louisa-san is still the same as she was back then when she took care of me in a position where I didn't know what to do, and she smiled kindly at me.

''I think I'm finally beginning to understand a little bit more about the person called Atobe-sama.......I'm sure you won't find such a profound heroine even if you look for one elsewhere.
'I'm not a hero. I'll correct you on that but I'm happy when Louisa-san compliments me and I'm willing to do so. I'm thankful for my lack of confidence.
''So may I continue to play the role of being surprised and admiring your search reports a lot?''
'It doesn't always work out, but I'll do my best to make sure it does. Louisa, if you have time to spare after work, please come back to visit me. I know you're busy today, and I know it's going to be hard for you.

　I mean, that's what I was trying to tell you. It's a sad thing to be reserved and distant without permission just because I did what I could.

　But Louisa-san doesn't nod her head immediately. She makes some kind of wistful face and asks timidly.

Don't you still notice that...?
Well did you talk to the guys or something?
''No, no........nah, if you haven't noticed, I can't reveal this to you on my own.......''
'That being said, I'm curious. Oh, were you talking about me or something?　I hope it's not too bad.
That's not true either. Everyone trusts you so much, Mr. Atoobe... and the only thing I have to complain about is how... too pure you are...
E....pure?　Me?

　Could it be that he's living with everyone else and doesn't have any guilty thoughts, so he's wondering if he has any male instincts?

'I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ... I don't mean to sound thoughtful. I hope to be able to talk to you at some point, so could you give me a hold for now?
'Ha, yes. Let's see, you have a secret from me about the time Louisa stayed with you. If it's important, let me know when you've made up your mind.
''Really, he's... but you all have that in you...''

　Louisa seemed to be very confused about something - she agreed to come to our room at Mrs. Orelus' mansion after work today as well.

　Since we've been able to interact with her, I hope we can continue to be close to her, the officer in charge, along with our friends. That's what I thought - but I remained curious about what 'hidden things' she was sharing with her friends until I left the guild.