With Ryoko-san, Louisa led me to the back of the first floor of the "Green House". There are doors on either side of the corridor; the one in front is just a wooden door, but the three at the back are made of a different material and are black in color.

　It was probably ebony, the same material as my sling. It seems that I can tell what it is made of from the beginner's appraisal scroll, but I'm more concerned about the stone embedded in the door, which has a familiar shape.

(Was this........some kind of constellation? But there are nine.......what does it mean?)

This is the symbol of the land of the labyrinth. I've never been given a detailed explanation of its meaning, but...
'Do the upper echelons of the guild know...?'
'Yes, perhaps. I have been promoted to the staff of the Seventh Ward, but I don't yet have enough authority to access the secrets. I have been given the position of librarian for the Guild's archives here in the Seventh Ward, though.

　Come to think of it, Seraphina-san said before--that there is an archives in the odd-numbered ward.

''Louisa-san, if possible, I'd like to visit that archives once...''
'Yes, of course it's fine. It will be when you're off duty, but there are not many adventurers to take on at the moment, so I'm sure we'll have time to show you around. What will you do, Ryoko-sama?
If you'd like. We have a lot to learn about you, too.
'Some of the books in the archives are dedicated to individual professions, but I can give you permission to view almost all of them if you are in Master Atobe's hierarchy. I can also give you access to confidential material.

　Louisa says with a smirk - but when I say 'confidential material', I remember the words 'trade secrets' and 'external secrets' and get nervous.

'Then please go into your room. I'll bring you some tea.

　Louisa opens the door and invites us in. Me and Ryoko-san are left alone, and she seems to be wondering where she should sit, her eyes sparkling at the antique looking table.

'Are you interested in this kind of furniture or something like that, Ryoko-san?'
'Well how did you know that?　Yes, I'm a fan of old furniture. Even when I won first place in the pecking order in the Eighth Ward guild, I was allowed into a very atmospheric room... I've always wanted to have furniture like this when I have a house of my own one day.
'Oh, I didn't realize that I'm not a fan of this sort of thing, but it's certainly prestigious.

　I asked her lightly, and Ryoko-san answered me eloquently.

　Yes, the fact that they too have risen to the seventh district means that they have experienced first place in the eighth district's rankings.

　Even such a capable person is struggling in the seventh district - or rather, they are blocked by the 'alliance'. It was good that they were able to meet up with the girls before they were stranded for too long.

'Oh, um. Can I ask you one question?　Mr. Atobe is going to....

　Ryoko-san is in the middle of saying something, when there is a knock on the door with a bang. I get up from my seat and open the door, and Louisa-san comes in, puts her cup on the table and pours tea from the teapot.

'Thank you for your patience. Now, please report back to me as soon as possible. May I have a look at your license?
Yes, nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.

　The license is presented on the table - and Louisa, looking how nervous she was, put her hand on her chest and breathed deeply, and then looked at the license through her one-sided glasses (monocle).

　◆ Results from this search ◆.
　We're in the first floor of the Sheep God's Bed. Ten points.
　Madoka's level is now 3. 30 points.
　Melissa's level is now 4. 40 points.
　100 points for defeating 2 "Grand Mauls".
　Defeated the antagonist beetle, 1800 points.
　25 points for sub party defeating a Grand Maul.
　Increased trust in party members 140 points
　Increased trust in sub-party members 200 points
　A total of 13 people conducted a joint search for 65 points.
　Searcher's Contribution ・・・ 2410 points
　Seventh Ward Contribution Ranking 255

...?
''Ha, yes. There was a giant beetle-like demon flying in the distance, and at first we thought it was a 'fake beetle'... but we didn't think it had a name until it was approached, either.
'By license, the demons interfered from outside the range of detection................. I don't think that such a thing is possible... even for an adventurer in the upper wards.
'It's amazing ... we were just amazed to see it too. We were so embarrassed that we could barely keep up with them.
'So, Nutme-sama's party mainly defeated two Grand Mauls. I think each of the members are up in the pecking order as well.

　Since the pecking order has moved up about 39 or so, is it safe to say that it has jumped up again? If so, there are still a lot of searchers between the group with the first in the pecking order as the leader.

''How many contributions do we need to make in a single exploration to move up the pecking order from here? I need to know that as a criterion when deciding whether to retreat or not.''
Well.........even those searchers higher than Atobe's are regularly searching and maintaining or adding to their contributions.......with 1,000, the pecking order will almost certainly go up......with 500, the status quo will probably be maintained.

　That means my pecking order has risen so far up the pecking order, which means it's hard for most parties to even maintain their contributions without being negative.

'Our party was lined up from 2548th place to four, and now that we've been able to work with you, we've also received about 900 contributions for the amount we've beaten named. That moved us up the pecking order to #1983.
''Congratulations. A thousand in one search is a very excellent performance in the seventh district. Atobe's people make an even bigger contribution when various conditions mesh together but I think 2410 is an unbeatable result when we are still warming up our engines.

　During the Stampede, I was able to earn a figure of 5060, but that was a big deal because that was an emergency, so I was able to defeat a lot of demons. Normally, there's never that high a concentration of demons, so as Louisa says, it would be hard to earn even 1000 contributions.

That would be a lot of work.)

　And you can't take out all the small fish and earn a contribution with the current density of demon population. A good hunting ground will attract people and some will try to monopolize it and compete for it.

　That said, there are reasons to be shunned in an overpopulated hunting ground. Even in this seventh district, there are many labyrinths that are shunned - many of the people who have been promoted from the eighth district will be stranded, so there are risks that we don't know about yet.

''........Louisa-san, I heard that the number one ranking in the current seventh ward's pecking order has created something called an 'alliance' to monopolize the hunting grounds. As a guild, how do you see that situation?
''Did you ask for Atobe-sama too? We do not violate the guild's rules regarding solicitation in the ground floor lobby, but if the solicitation is prolonged, the guards may monitor it. We have received complaints to the guild about a searcher named Grey who sometimes strongly urges people to join a party with a particularly large number of women.

　Gray - the gray-haired, man who was recruiting the 'Four Seasons'. Ryoko-san's expression clearly clouds up when that name is mentioned.

''........Those guys are the first place group in the seventh district, right? If they are promoted, will they all leave?''
'I can't reveal too much information about the other parties, but their activities affect all seekers who are aiming for first place, so I'll explain as much as I can without being offensive. First of all, the name of their alliance is called 'Alliance for Freedom (Beyond Liberty)'. The leader is 'Rolando Voln' and the deputy leader is a person named 'Daniela Voln'.
'Voln ... if you have the same last name, are those two family members?
'Yes, you are married. Mr. Rolando is in the 'Airborne Division' (Airtroop) and Daniela is in the 'Doctor' job.

　It didn't matter what they wrote about their occupations when they entered the Labyrinth Country, they wouldn't be accepted. That means they both had experience in a previous life or an apt occupation - if they were former paratroopers, their bodies would have been trained from the beginning.

　And a doctor - I had only seen a nurse (nurse) other than a teacher who was still a healer (healer), but it still confirmed that people of all backgrounds came to the labyrinth country.

'Mr. Rolando was able to get out of Ward 8 for a short time, but by the time he was first in the pecking order in Ward 7, he was ill and had to recuperate for a while. He had been recuperating for some time. His wife was treated and he recovered, but after two years of recuperation his ranking dropped to the bottom of the pecking order and he has just returned to the number one position. Despite the blank, I'm still at level 7, and I'm one of the best in District 7.
''Even for someone so tough, it's not easy to move up to the Sixth Ward.......''
''Yes.

(Contributions notwithstanding ... level 6?)

　Ryoko-san seems to have noticed at the same time as me, and she looks at me as if she's confused. Then she said to Louisa-san instead.

'Louisa-san, the 'named' we encountered today had a level of 6... our party hasn't been able to contribute much, but can we count it as a condition for promotion?'
'Yes, of course. It's a good idea to have two more of them to congratulate you. Considering the difficulty of encountering and defeating a named person and the difficulty of defeating him or her, but I'm inclined to think that it would be better if it were you, Atobe.

　While we are concerned for our safety, Louisa-san tries to act stoutly, as if she doesn't want us to see her anxiety.

　I don't intend to rush or force myself to go up to the sixth ward. However, if the person called Roland is in a hurry to not encounter the 'named' - that's a bit worrisome.


'It could be thought of that way. After only Mr. Rolando's party has moved up to the Sixth Ward, it would be possible to take turns moving up one party at a time, taking turns with the party that concentrates its contribution. That's the way it's often done.
'I learned a lot. I think we're going to have to do something similar.
"...Atobe-san, are you sure?　We've only just met, and it would be very helpful if you would just cooperate and explore with us, but we can't bother you that much...

　Ryoko is horrified and waves her hands in refrain. With that beat, the front of her boa coat opens up, and the swimming costume underneath - and when I look at it again, it's a very uncool outfit.

''Oh ... sorry.
No, no, I'm not. I'm sorry as well.

　The buttons made of animal horn-like material that held the coat in place were fully opened. I used to fasten the front when I walked around town, but to quickly remove it indoors - what a surprisingly bold thing to do.



　Louisa is taking notes in her notebook, but what am I supposed to say? Every time I react to the swimsuit, I feel like I'm being misunderstood by the women around me.

　I fear that one of these days I'll be in some kind of trouble, but it's not like everyone is going to equip me with a bathing suit to show me how to do it. There is no room for water sports in the daily exploration. The name of the labyrinth called 'Beaches of the Falling Sun', which seems to be suitable for swimwear, has been mentioned.

''In that case, I should prepare a swimsuit too...''
.........A, Atobe-sama, did you hear me? I'm sorry, my God....
Mr. Atobe, do you have any swimming experience?　Well, if it's okay with me, I do enjoy coaching, so...

　It's a very tempting proposition, but if there was a watering hole in the labyrinth, would there be time to swim?

　--You can't deny that you would swim if you could find a safe place to swim. It is certainly necessary to not only stoically dive into the labyrinth, but also to relax.

　However, if Louisa-san, Ryoko-san - and Igarashi-san, people who have trouble directing their gaze even when they're normally dressed, were all in swimsuits, would I be able to stay calm?

''Atube-sama.......what's going on?　That's right, I'm a guild employee, but the problem with me coming with you on private business is that...
'Yes, no that's not a problem at all. If you get a chance, I'd love to join you. Before I was reincarnated, I used to rent the gym's pool to swim in to relax between jobs.
I'll also have to find something to replace the beat board........

　Why was there something oddly s*xy about them, even though they just seemed to be enjoying themselves? Louisa-san and Ryoko-san were laughing harmoniously now, wondering where the initial confrontational mood had gone, but now they were laughing at each other. I was optimistic that they would certainly get along if they talked, but I didn't expect them to open up so quickly.

''Well if you don't mind, I'd be happy to join you when I get the chance.
'Ha, yes. By the way, Louisa, are there any labyrinths that require you to go underwater?
'Yes, thank you. But there are very few explorers who can enter the water, so there are still many untouched labyrinths. There are some people who specialize in those areas, though.

　I wonder if there is such a thing as a "diver". I've been dreaming of diving in Okinawa for a while now, and I'm intrigued by it as long as I'm prepared to go underwater.

　　　◆ ◇◆

　Louisa said she would join us at the dinner table after she finished her work, and once we parted, she told me about the "box store" in the Seventh Ward.

　There are three red boxes and two wooden boxes. The one we got in the eighth ward is exciting, but the new ward's box is even more promising - considering the formidable nature of the 'Backstabbing Beetle', it looks like it will contain one or two pieces of magical equipment.

'We rarely had a chance to open the box - and since it was just a regular box, we were told that any boxmaker could open it.
There is a difference in the difficulty of opening the boxes as well. In District 8, we had a great boxmaker do it for us.
We were jumping up and down with joy once we found it.......what came out of it was mostly money. One of the magic stones came out, and that's how we were able to strengthen Kaede's shoes.
'Heh, shoes........I see. So that powerful speed of stepping in was also the power of the magic stone attached to the shoes?

　While talking about this, I check the license display and head to the place where everyone is waiting for me - and then.

　The friends' current location is a short walk from the 'Green Pavilion', at a corner of a street lined with shops. It was labeled 'Boutique Corleone' there. Sion doesn't seem to be able to enter the store, and is sitting and staying in the store - when he sees me, he gives one small bark and wags his tail with a flap, so I pat his head.

If it's a boutique, does that mean people are shopping inside?
''Oh I'm sorry, Atobe. I have something I want to buy as well, so I'm going to go do some shopping. Once I find those girls, I'll do some quick shopping and return.
Yes, go ahead and... hmm?

　I was going to wait at the front of the store, but a neutral figure who looked like a clerk at the back counter - he was wearing makeup but was probably a man - came out and spoke to me.

'Oh, come in. We have a men's section, do you want to see it?　I'll coordinate with you so that you won't be embarrassed wherever I put you.
'I'm sorry, no ... um, are you the clerk over here?
'Yes, that's Corleone, the owner. Don't worry, I've got a female clerk to take care of them. I'm only interested in dressing men up.
'Ha, ha ha I, well, I don't really care much about dressing up so... oh no!

　He suddenly grabs me by the shoulders with a gasp. Since he has a very short haircut and his physique is completely male, it is quite scary to be pressed by Corleone-san.

''Well the only thing you don't know is yourself, right? Those girls are in trouble too.''
What are you talking about?
It's nothing. You have money, don't you?　I'll sell you a suit similar to the one you have now. I'm glad you found someone to wear it, because in the labyrinth country, all people wear rugged armor or something. A man who can do it is a suit, don't you think?

　He's a dense person, but I unexpectedly came across a store that makes spares for the suits I've been coming to in one piece, without a change of clothes for a long time. I'm sure everyone else has bought all the clothes they need too, so I'll take my word for it and let them make me a new suit.

''Eh........Kyouka-san, what is that, you're going to get a headache,''
........Oh, I don't speak too loudly. It's not too different from Ibuki-chan, is it?
''That's not true, I'm no match for Kyouka-san, haha...''
'It's a distraction, so keep that kind of talk to a minimum. I can't relax and choose.
'Like Ellie, you should use something that doesn't inhibit your movement as much as possible. Maple, you shouldn't choose anything too fancy.
I'm not looking at anything flashy. I don't show it to anyone....well, it's true, right?
'Well I don't mean to pick something that won't inhibit you. Anna, don't watch me too closely.

　As I walked into the suit fitting room, I could hear the conversation in the store from somewhere else. Even if I didn't listen carefully, I could even hear the conversations of the other members.

How about you, Suzu?
'I don't know why, but I can't wear regular underwear... oh, they sell stuff I can use properly. Good........
Teresa do you want to wear it?　No, it will be out of shape. But I wonder if it's okay because this suit fits so well...
..........

　I shook my head, almost imagining the difference in what I could equip depending on my profession - and I shook my head. Then I put on my new tie, praying that I wouldn't run into everyone when I left the fitting room.