One Feartrent and three Dirty Mash. I defeated them without a problem, and found a box tangled at the base of Trent's body.

　It's a wooden box - like a box that looks like a part of Trent's body that has been altered. It's big enough to carry around, so I let him touch the storage key to transfer it.

'That storage key is handy - I wish I could send a human too.
''It would be impossible for an inanimate object and a living creature to have different transfer magic to deal with. Even if we can transfer safely, that doesn't mean there won't be accidents.

　The corpse of a demon can be transferred to the warehouse, but not if it is still alive. It is thought that the magic that corresponds to 'material transfer' and 'summoning' is different.

''Eh.........then does that mean that transferring with a trap or something would be incredibly dangerous?''
'Well that's not to say there aren't any. You don't hear about it in the Eighth Ward, but in the ward I was in, people were inevitably losing their lives to poor quality traps.

　It looks like I should prioritize wielding Theresia's 'Fingertip Technique' as a countermeasure against the trap. Perhaps I could disarm the trap of the box I just picked up and open it - but for now, I'll ask for the help of the boxmaker, Falma-san, as a rice cake maker.

'The only apples this Trent is wearing are small berries.
''It's rare, so that means it's not easy to find. Thank you for looking for me, Igarashi-san.
'You sound like some kind of apple farmer, sorting apples in that cross spear.
.....
'Oh, Ellie laughed... Ellie rarely smiles, so it feels like a win-win to be seen.
What are you talking about? I have a normal laugh too. You're right, Aricht.
'If Misaki's joke makes me laugh, I feel like I could make you laugh too... and that's it for the chit chat. Looks like the entrance to the second level is right over there.

　A pathway formed by the branches of two large trees organically intertwined. It looks like a scene straight out of a dark fantasy film.

In our world, we could film a fantasy film in the same setting.
''Oh, I wish I could have gone to see it at least once with my brother. Isn't there anything like that in the Maze Country?
There are some people who choose to be actors because of their profession. There are theatres where those explorers are doing it, but not movies, as expected. Not that there isn't entertainment.

　All the exploring will rub off on my mind, so a break will be important. It's not like I'm going to tell you that I'm coming out on a temporary basis today, when I was going to make it a rest day.

　Sion looks like he wants to go first, staring at the path to the second level - the fog is so thick that I can't see what's ahead.

　The demon that Georg and his party defeated is on the other side of it. I want to fight with my trump card, Morale Release, available, but my current morale is 66 - which means I've been in the labyrinth for about 30 minutes.

(The current morale I can raise at one time is 11, 99 in 9 times... this is not very efficient. If I can raise 12 at a time, I can charge it up in 40 minutes. (Somehow, besides this chain grab, I've got to find equipment that enhances the skills that strengthen my allies).

　Or get some other way to boost morale. The fact that Elitia doesn't know about it means that it would have to be a very rare tool or a rare profession to do so.

　If we can wait another 20 minutes to release morale, then it's not too late - I think so, but remembering Georg's appearance, we have to rescue the 'North Pole Star' as soon as possible, even if it's every minute.

'Alright, let's proceed. We'll be able to release our morale while we're searching upstairs... until then, be very careful.
Yes, all right. Zion, let's go.

　Bau," Theon barked, advancing at the front of the pack. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　When I went out to the second level, the air was more damp, or rather, more heavy than the first level.

''Hiya........Bi, I was surprised. What is that eerie voice.........

　 A strange voice, like a bird, like an animal I've never seen before, could be heard from the forest.

　There is nothing within the range of the 'eagle's eye' to see. There was no doubt that Georg and the others had passed through here, but there were no traces left behind, either.

　Sion cooed and sniffed, but still, there didn't seem to be anything unusual at the moment.

''There's a path, at least... but if we leave it unattended for a long time, it's going to be covered up with grass, making it more difficult to explore.

　Elitia proceeded to cut away the tall grass that seemed to be in the way of her progress with her sword. It's regenerating fast, or maybe it's showing signs of growing from where it was cut - after seeing the tree and mushroom demons, it's kind of creepy to think that even mere grass might be an enemy.

''Rear-kun, can I put some Brave Mist on you just in case?　It would be dangerous if that tree from earlier came out of nowhere.
''Yes, by all means. Since the magic consumption is so high there, it's time to charge it up.

　Current Situation

　Kyoka activates Brave Mist.
　Arihito activates "Assist Charge" → Kyouka's magic power is restored.

Ah, Rearward-kun, I think magic is important too, so don't recover so pompously.

Oh, Suzu can think like that too. It seems to be a nice feeling.
''That's because... magic power is like the life force of the mind. When you recover, it's only natural to feel better.

　Since Elitia followed up with me, I didn't have to embarrass Igarashi-san - or perhaps the Assist Charge is increasing in confidence every time it's activated?

　I imagine myself going around giving an assist charge to the woman I'm aiming at - how evil. Of course, assisted recovery should not be abused either, so abuse is not allowed.

''Great, I want to share my magic power with my brother too. Then don't pour so much magic power into it!　I can do that.
'Rah meh. You're all embarrassed, don't make too many self-deprecating jokes.
'Haha, sorry. It's just so creepy, I can't relax if I'm not joking... Huh?

　Theon, who is in the lead, stops - a little further on, there is a place where the forest has opened up to become a square, and he looks at it and doesn't move.

'BOW!'
"...Theon, what's there?　Beyond.

　Even though Elitia in the second row called out to her, Sion kept her tail and ears up, not looking back and focusing her attention on the front.

''........people.......that was.......''

　A woman stands in the middle of a grassy square. Her hair is draped over her face and her expression is unreadable. Her hair is white, but I wonder if that's her original constitution, or if she's about the same age as Igarashi, or even younger.

　The woman approaches us. The equipment she is wearing is broken in places - but it doesn't seem to be too traumatic.

''Are you... a member of the 'North Star'?　I'm glad you're okay, but what happened to your people?

　The woman, her white hair reaching around her shoulders, finally looks up at the sound of Elitia's voice. Her skin is pale, but when she looked at us, she showed a smile.

　She looks friendly, but also somewhat bewitching - I know it's rude to describe her as such, but there's something too lifeless about her, something unnatural about her.

'My people are doing well, my dear. They're resting down the road, why don't you guys come along?
Well that's good. I heard you were attacked by The Named One, but you managed to escape.
Yes, nothing dangerous. My name is Sophie and it's nice to meet you.
'I'm Elitia. I'm the vanguard at this party.

　--Elitia is talking, but not letting her guard down. I can see that she is trying to pull out her sword at any time.

　What Georg was saying and what she is saying don't match up. It's also strange that she's so calm, even though she's in danger of being wiped out.

We met Georg on the first floor, he has already escaped from the labyrinth and you had better get out of there too. If there's anything you need, we'll help you with that.
Escape...?　I don't think there's any need to be in such a hurry to leave. Yes, since we can't have the harvest after defeating the 'named' alone, why don't you guys take it too?

　The woman clasps her hands together and says. We defeated "Named" - I don't think it's impossible for a former first place party in the pecking order, and it's possible that Georg just had to flee for a reason and it wasn't as critical as he thinks it was.

(-- even though his equipment was broken and he didn't have a weapon?)

　Georg had mentioned, the red one from The Arctic Star. We hadn't been told what her occupation was, but her leather light armor and other equipment suggested that she was a sifu, a rogue, or some sort of swordsman with an emphasis on body language.

　However, she has a sheath at her waist, but there is no weapon that should be there. The leather breastplate is heavily damaged and, perhaps as a first aid measure, grass is wrapped around her chest to hide her skin.

''Well it's not nice to hear this kind of thing after having a tough time fighting a powerful enemy. What kind of opponent was that named one?

　This is a question to be sure. The few pieces of information Georg gave me about 'named', and if it seems to match it, I won't have to question her.

　--A monstrous grass came out from underneath her feet and sucked the strength of her companions.

(..........grass...?)

Wow!

　Current Situation

　Zion's "Danger Perception 1" is activated.
　Sensing the "puppet" status of "Sophie".

Hey, everybody, get away from that man!　"Don't let up!
No way...........

　The woman who called herself Sophie looks down again - a different, maddening smile appears on her mouth.

''I want to know what kind of demon...?　Then I'll tell you. You will be 'feeders' too...!

　The demon you encountered

　★ Vine Grass Puppet Master: level 5 In Combat Drop: ?
　Sophie: Level 4 Puppet Drop:.
　Jake: Level 4 Puppet Drop: ?
　Mikhail: Level 4 Puppet Drop: ?
　Tyler: Level 4 Puppet Drop: ?

　Theon was alerted to the open space of the forest. The soil underneath its feet exploded up in several places, and the grass popped up with a force that seemed to impale the heavens. Elitia gulped when she saw it.

''........My God......after all, the 'North Star'.......''

　-- annihilated and controlled by demons. It was a scene that could only be considered so.

　Grass popped out of the ground, tangled together to form a cocoon like shape. Emerging from the middle of it were adventurers who had all dyed their hair white and had lost their vitality - probably the faces of the 'Arctic Star'. All of them have grass wrapped around their bodies - they are probably being manipulated by that thing to suck out their strength and at the same time become 'puppets'.

''We need to increase the nourishment.......more, more, more, more...!

　The grass grows out of Sophie's back, and the grass that had been wrapped around her body spreads and twists around her entire body at once - and the coiled grass turns into several light blue flowers.

(If we defeat the main body, we can free the members of the Arctic Star... we can only fight with that in mind. But where is the main body........if it's underground, how can I pull it out.......!

You'll be fed up with it, you f*cking dog!

　Current Situation

　Jake" activates "Power Strike".
　Alihit's 'Support and Defense 1' is activated → Target: Sion
　4 damage to Theon.
　Activate Theon's Tail Counter → Jake is hit. Support damage 11

Wow!
Goooo...!

　The blow delivered by the level 4 Jake's mace goes through to Sion - Sion's level 4, so even if I put my supportive defense on him, he couldn't get no damage.

　However, the counter blow is clearly bigger, and Jake blows up and rolls on the ground. Seeing this, but not flinching, a man who looks like a sorcerer named Mikhail and a man named Tyler, equipped with an axe, attack me.

''How dare you do that to Sion-chan...!
Kyouka, Theresa, wait!　Aricht, these people........

　Can it still be saved? Or, if they are manipulated, will they ever return to normal?

　I can't afford to be lenient about holding back and buying time against an opponent who cannot be unscathed, even with supportive defense.

Either way, it's too dangerous to put Suzuna in front of Jake and Tyler. (Is there any way........something.......!

　Current Situation

　Alihit's Eagle's Eye is activated, which detects the actions of the Puppet Master of Vine Grass.

　Then, in the midst of the circulating thoughts, Sophie's behavior interrupts my consciousness.

　No - behind Sophie. The hostility of someone behind her is directed at Misaki...!

Can you remember that I'm here too?
　Jump out of the way!

　I shouted as I tried to stifle the chill. It was right after everyone who followed my support jumped away from the spot.

　◆Current Situation◆

　The Puppeteer of Vine Grass activates the Puppet Grass

Kyahhh...!
Mischief!

　Misaki tries to jump backwards, but she's on her ass - and the grass pops out of the ground right in front of her. As Suzuna pulls Misaki further away from the grass, I quickly replace the magic bullet with a sling and release it.

''Theresa, join us!
Huh...!

　Current Situation

　Aricht activates a Force Shoot Stun and hits Puppet Grass E.
　Puppet Grass E" is stunned.
　Theresa invokes the "Double Throw
　Puppet Grass E hits the first level. Support damage 11
　Puppet Grass E hits the first level. Support damage 11
　Killing a Puppet Grass
　Vine Grass Puppet Master's health has decreased.

　Shooting a sling at the grass demon didn't help, but thanks to Theresia's pursuit, I was able to take it down with support damage included.

　Fixed damage is still versatile, after all - and when I ran my eyes over the license display, I could see that the main body's strength had been reduced.

'Would you like to join us...?　Then you'll be more powerful.
Sorry to say........but I don't accept advances from strangers.

　The freckled, short-haired young man named Mikhail shoots out a lightning magic while sending foam at the corners of his mouth - Igarashi-san avoids it with 'Blink Step' and then unleashes the spear hilt and thrusts it.


d*mn it....!

　There was no way to finish it, and even if Igarashi-san added or subtracted and attacked, she quickly recovered - it should have been a painful thrust, but the pain seemed to be erased in the puppet state.


d*mn it...!

　Tyler swings the axe and brings it down on Elitia. She steps away from it, but doesn't move to fight back. It's probably because of the level difference between them, and the possibility of killing her.

　I'd like to think it's because she's being manipulated, but Elitia's mental strength is clearly diminished by Tyler, who exposes his desires and howls and unleashes his axe with force. Just relative to each other, it will be an opponent that will take a lot of heartache.

(As long as they're in a puppet state, they can't be stopped... if they repeatedly evade the puppet grass and hit it on the surface, one day... really?

　If you keep defeating the puppet grass, you can defeat the main body. If you bet on it, you'll continue to endure the burden on the vanguard - even if you can't see the end in sight.

''Ahyahyahyahya!　It's beautiful to see him evade like that!
"Kuu.........don't say nasty things like that to me, d*mn it.......

　Igarashi-san's magic power is slightly reduced due to the activation of the Blink Step -- and even though it's being manipulated, Mikhail's gaze is directed at Igarashi-san in her battle maiden equipment.

　--Without a sound, something 'snaps' inside me. I'm only calm, I haven't lost my reasoning.

''Well I've never stared at it, even I've never stared at it. Didn't they teach you that karma rises?
What....?
Arihito-san........you are angry......and I feel the same way.

　I know the members of the North Star are not bad, but I don't want them to look at my people too much like that. Then what should I do - block Mikhail's actions, that's all I can do.

"--Come on, Demi-harpy!

　Current Situation

　Arihito summons three "demi-harpy" creatures.

　I pulled out the summoning stone pendant around my neck and called out--then three magic circles arose around me, a pillar of light stood up, and demi-harpy and the others appeared in the middle of it.

''Huh........Arihito, what on earth are you doing.......''

　Elitia can afford to look back at us. But as for Tyler, he's so bare of instinct that he can't even look at her. If he still has any memories of what he just did, it's going to be quite traumatic after he comes to his senses, but for now, we have to block his movements as well anyway.



　Current Situation

　Demi-harpy A" activates "Sleep Song".
　Demi-harpy B" and "Demi-harpy C" activate "Ring Singing".
　Jake," "Mikhail" and "Tyler" are sleeping.
　The effect of Sleeping Song is continued by the "Circle Singing".

　The demi-harpy and the others flap their wings and soar into the sky, and the three of them begin to sing together - this is the first time I've seen 'ring singing', but as long as they're singing incessantly like this, it's unlikely that the three of them who are sleeping will wake up.

''Such a move........Arihito, you really are a person.......''
'Hah, hah but Sophie is still... why isn't she sleeping?'

　Sophie is equipped with equipment that is resistant to sleep - no, no.

　When Sophie moved earlier, the license indicated that the "Puppeteer of the Vine Grass" had activated "Puppet Grass

　-- Sophie is more heavily influenced by the puppeteer's main body than the other three.