After finishing my report, I went to the medical center near the guild to check on Rival-san and the others. The man in the magician's office said it would take about three days for him to return to work, but he was said to be non-life threatening.

''I'm sorry, I'm sure Aricht is tired too, but I had to ask him to show up.
'It's true, I'm always a little tired after a fight. It's not as much of a burden on me when I have company.
You're a real piece of work. It's only been three days since your debut and you're already starting to look dignified. I know you don't have much time left in this district, but it's good to see a rookie like you. I hope you'll come to District 8 once in a while, because I'll miss you.

　Mr. Rival has met and seen off many rookies. If it was one of them that left a strong impression on him, it was nothing short of an honor.

Thank you, Mr. Aricht. Thanks to you, we didn't lose any of our guys.
Brother Rival is our benefactor. He saved us when we were trapped in the maze in the first level.
'If it's true, you should continue to hide in the labyrinth with ambition, get a good armor and aim for the top. That's why, Arihito, you're a dazzler to me. We'll do what we can. Arihito, I know it may be a burden to say this, but let us trust our dreams to you.
Okay, I'll go as far as I can. I'll go as far as I can. But I also think it's always good to start dreaming again.

　Handing over the rescue of a novice to a backbencher and diving into the labyrinth again - every party has the freedom to make such a choice.

''Well yes. Well what were you talking about as if you had given up. Arihito, you really are........
''I, too, would like to be attacked by a strong enemy I haven't seen yet. You'd think what you're talking about, letting Rival use your shield, but...
I was so scared that I couldn't do anything to that hideously colored monster. But since I feel like I'm going to die inside if I keep losing I will struggle as miserably as I can.
"I'm always a little bit nervous too. But even so, my friends are there for me, so I'm not running away, that's all.

　Barriers that were unreachable by one person may be surpassed by working with a companion, or by someone in the party gaining new skills.

　The fact that the 'rearguard' is so versatile in assisting my fellow party members is where I feel the possibilities of skills are limitless - but the skills of my fellow party members are also powerful, and I've been helped many times.

　I wonder if I will one day meet Rival-san and his friends in another ward with the sparkle in their eyes as explorers - who have regained their ambition. That's another thing to look forward to as we live in this labyrinthine country. Because among the countless parties, the number of people you can get to know by chance is probably limited.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　We left Rival-san and the others and headed to the square in front of the guild. Then, Falma-san had brought Ashtarte with her, as if she had come to pick up Sion.

''Ah........Thank you for your hard work, Atobe-sama. I would like to express my gratitude as one of the residents for saving the town.''
If you say so, I'm a resident too. We need peace in this town, you know.

　Falma-san chuckled elegantly and looked at Sion, who was sitting up and being stroked by Igarashi-san on the neck.

''I understand how this boy feels through what happened today. 　I will continue to be part of the party.
'What ... well, it's not that bad, he's such a fuzzy, big, cute dog, is it okay?'
Bow.

　I don't know why Igarashi-san is upset - I guess he was hoping that Sion would be happy to join him.

　I've been saved many times by 'covering' too, and Sion can be counted on. Theresia doesn't look scared anymore, and if I can get her to be the vanguard with Elitia, the party will be even more solid.

''Thank you, Falma-san. With your words, will you let me take care of Sion.......no, will you allow me to officially join my party?
'Yes, with pleasure.

　Sion is sitting up and wagging his big tail fluffily - a leisurely movement, unlike when he does a tail counter.

'Ashtarte, Sion will come back with Atobe-sama, and he'll be more respectable. Don't worry and see him off.

　Ashtarte looked back at Mr. Farma quietly and then approached Zion. She then licked my child's fur with a peroration and began grooming him.

　When he was done with that as well, Theon put his face to his mother's chest once, and then gently pulled away. Ashtarte's eyes narrowed and he came to me and made his way to the ground.

'It looks like that means nice to meet you. Master Atobe, could you please pet Ashtarte?　So, that would be an approval.
'Yeah I'll make sure Theon gets home safely. I'll miss you, but I'll come back to see you regularly.

　Ashtarte closed his eyes when I stroked his head - that was a sign of submission, or trust, for them.

'By the way, Farma, what is Ashtarte's level?'
Ashtarte is level 13. He's usually an errand boy for the guild and goes to the more difficult labyrinths in the upper wards, so...

　Even though a level 9 Elitia is an unbeatable strength at the moment, what's more than that - honestly, one of them seems to be able to maintain the security of the 8th district, but does that mean that the strong have a job to do?

''I wonder if Sion will become that big when he reaches level 13 too...''
'Haha, if levels and size had anything to do with it, Ellie, you'd be a lot bigger!
'Huh ... so I'm telling you, I'm not small. I'm well within your average height.

　Hearing the exchange between Igarashi and the others, Falma smiled again. She must be feeling a little lonely too, as she approached Sion and gently stroked his neck.

　◆◇◆

　As the plaza in front of Akebono's Field is being restored, Madoka will be clearing out her usual open-air stalls and stocking up in my newly rented warehouse to continue her activities as a merchant.

　When Madoka came to "Mrs. Orelus Manor" she was in awe of the gorgeous interior, but when I asked her what she could do as a merchant, she explained to me in the common room. We all sit down to listen to Madoka's story over a cup of tea as she introduces herself.

　Taking off her turban, which she always wears, Madoka adjusts her slightly flattened black bob cut. All of the members wearing the headgear are taking it off now, but like Madoka, she said it's hard to get a habit out of her hair.

''It's nice to meet you, but I'd like to greet you once again, although I was introduced to you by brother Arihito. My name is Madoka-Shinonogi.

　Everyone is going to be named one by one, too. Sion is not allowed in the mansion and is in a kennel for escort dogs - although I've heard that there are some quarters inside that are safe for dogs to enter.

'I chose the position of 'merchant' and became a member of the 'Merchant's Guild', so I can contact shops in the Eighth Ward that are members of the Guild by license. I can search for a specific product when I need to find it, find the location of the workshop where I can have the materials processed, and check on their schedules.
It's just ... it's like a merchant's prerogative.
It's so convenient not to have to go to every single store.
If possible, I'd like to see the rune installed with my own eyes, but can you give me a quote for processing or something?
'Yes, although it will take me a little while to get back to you. I can give you a quote from several of the same vendors.

　As far as this story goes, it's as if only 'merchants' have the privilege of being able to use online shopping. Whether there is one person in the party or not makes a big difference.

''I can contact Melissa-san's place as well, so I can ask her to process the materials of the demons that were defeated earlier. Since I need to authenticate the party leader, can I ask you to press here, brother Alihit-san?
Hmmm... Oh that's handy.

　Mr. Alihito-Atobe, report from the dismantling station

　32 pieces of flying doom. Material not available.
　When we dismantled the Flying Doom, we found two "sucker stones".
　5 sweetbirds, which can be turned into meat, weapons, and armor.
　Death From the Sky: 1 body, skin can be made into armor.
　The Red Box is found in the body of death coming from the sky.

　I thought there would be no way to process the flying doom of the tentacle mass, and I was right. Is it as bad as it looks if it can't even be used for food? But since I killed a large number of them, the drop item 'sucking stone' is out - from the name, could it possibly absorb a little bit of strength at the same time as the attack?

　It seems that Sweet Bird feathers can be used for arrows, so I have them processed into Suzuna's arrows. I heard that I could make a hat out of feathers, so I decided to have that made as well.

　And the death that comes from the sky - after dropping the tentacles, the skin can be cleaned off, which can be used for armor, apparently. It seems that the contents of the red box are much less than the black box, but the box is a mass of romance, so I'm looking forward to opening it.

''........The armor that can be made from that 'named' is an armor that fits your body with a rubber-like texture......''
Well, if you see me there do you want me to wear it?　I think Lady Armor is still good enough for you, Ellie's approval.
'I think Kyouka's armor will certainly be useful for a while, but it would be nice if someone could equip it, since armor with a name is rarely made. How about Teresia?
..........

　I didn't know what kind of equipment it was, so Theresia just looked at me in silence. I wonder what would happen if I evolved from body armor to rubber armor - wouldn't I finally lose my Lizardman-ness from the neck down?

'Well, we'll have to wait and see how it performs. If you can make it into a piece of equipment, it's better to have it done.
'Then I'll send the order here. Which blacksmith would you like to use?

　I thought that if I was introduced to Louisa-san, she might be able to give me another hole in the wall, but for now, I looked through the names of the shops in line.

''........The craftsmen here are the highest level? Level 7, the same as Falma-san.
'Then the supporters are stronger than us, the searchers...'
There are different levels of craftsmen from 1 to 7, so I don't think they're all strong. If they want to improve their skills, they will inevitably be at a higher level.

　Since they're not exploring and they're just trying to support us, does that mean we're getting first place in the pecking order in the 8th district? Either way, I would like to see the skills of people at a high level.

''Well then, with the craftsmen here........wow, the bookings are amazing. Well, that's the way it goes.

'All right, I'll still try to find some contacts. Maybe I'll ask my maid, Mr. Millet, later.

　The equipment that I asked Melissa to process will be delivered tomorrow morning. Since the magic stones can be installed in a short period of time, we'll choose what we'll use on the spot and ask her to do it.

　Since it's still mid-afternoon, the rest of the day is free for each of us to do our own thing until dinner. I'll take a nap, and then I'll gather information about the blacksmith's shop.