By the time we left the second level, it was already morning, and the sky was a pleasant blue sky. Everyone's footsteps are light because of the fact that we won safely - but we can't let our guard down.

''Gullllllllllll!''

　But before I could use the "General of the Lord's Army", everyone quickly reversed their ranks and checked them with the long-range attacks of Suzuna, Anna and Ryoko, and then the close-combat staff launched a series of attacks. and sweeping.

''I wonder how many Aero Wolves have been killed in total now.......I think they've accumulated quite a bit of material?
Yes, the two parties have combined to take out twelve of them.

　Melissa uses her 'storage' skill to recover the materials for the demons. Madoka is counting the number of defeats, but with twelve of them, they could be used for something.

''Igarashi-san, there's replacement armor in the storeroom, what do you want to do?　If I can repair or modify it, though, I could consider fixing and using my current armor.
The spare armor doesn't come with 'light weight' so it's going to be slower to move... but it seems to have better protection.
'If you want to maintain your current speed, then modding would be a good idea. This time we got a lot of materials that we can use to process our armor, and we still have some extra magic stones and runes, so I think it would be good to take a period of time around here to get our equipment in order.

　Our goal is to move forward as soon as possible - but since Elitia, who has the most urgent situation, says it, we should take the thoughts put into it.

The most important thing is to use the magic stones and runes as much as possible, or else they're useless. It's not good to have things that go unused while increasing.
''Isn't it about time we had a nice little magic stone that makes me, a gambler, dramatically stronger?　I don't feel like I could have contributed this time, you know?　It's kind of like 'Fortune Roll' came off too.
'I don't think so. If we set a trap there, it's not going to be a 'Messenger of the Shepherd' for sure... if that was the case, the people who tried to hunt 'Thunderhead' before would have encountered it.
'Is that so...?　If that's what my brother says, I'm starting to feel that way. Ehehe, thank you very much.

　Besides that reasoning, I have an idea why the 'Messenger of the Pastoral God' appeared.

　The "Horn of Pleasure" - it was a technique that targeted women and put them in a state of fascination. When there are more than a certain number of women in the party, the 'Messenger of the Pastor' will appear. It could be something like that.

''Aricht-san, um........''
Hmm, what do you need?

　Suzuna speaks to me in a reserved manner. Did she look difficult because she was thinking about it?

　-- or so it seems, Suzuna's cheeks blushed a little, and as she slowed her pacing to line up beside me, she asked in a voice that the other members couldn't hear. Although Theresia, who was right in front of me, would hear it.

'The enemy from earlier was the first to make an evil sound. So, Melissa-san was manipulated... but it seemed that some of the other members of the group, me, Kyouka-san, and the others didn't seem to work, so that's what bothered me... Arihito-san had a reason to Do you understand?
'Well ... er ... er, well, you know ...'

　The higher your trust level, the more resistant you are to the 'fascination' that the enemy sets up for you. I know that, but there's something subtly flippant about saying it as it is.

　It's because everyone, including Suzuna, trusts me--doesn't it sound like I'm making a very big mistake if I say that it's because everyone trusts me--doesn't it sound like I'm making a huge mistake?

'I have an inkling of what's going on. Maybe that's what it is...''

　I wonder if the same indication was shown on Suzuna's license. Since we're in the middle of a battle, I'm assuming people don't check the display or anything.

'Ring a bell.......what do you mean?
Ha, yes ... well, it's necessary, so I'm going to 'mediumize' the mysterious goddess and send a lot of magic power to each other and Arihito-san ... well, that has nothing to do with it, does it?
Well, well, I mean I think it's more than a little related. But if Suzuna thinks that kind of thing is weird, then I guess I'd better choose another way to increase my faith value.

　If the combo of "Energy Sink" and "Assist Charge" will increase Suzuna's faith value as well as her faith level, there is a concern about how to repeat it too much.

　The thing to respect above all is Suzuna's thoughts. I've just given Ariadne a proper explanation and thought of other ways to do it - and then.

Because I know, but still...

　It's not hard to see why I'm so dull here. That the reason Suzuna is nervous is because she's trying to say thank you.

　And the fact that she's still being reserved after coming this far makes me reflect on the fact that it still takes time to build a relationship of trust. The 'trustworthiness' seen as a number is not everything.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to prevent the status abnormality called 'fascination' if the party is tightly united.
''........I don't think so.

　Maybe it's because Suzuna mentioned her name, but Elitia, who was ahead of me, seems to have heard her - she leaves the front row to Sion and Igarashi-san, and then slips back to us. Rather than being angry, she seems to be somehow embarrassed.

''Well when you're ahead of me, what you're talking about behind me sometimes bothers me?
'Excuse me, Elitia. It's bad manners to talk about this kind of thing unless you're also in the presence of Elitia.
'Hey, I don't know what we were talking about, and there's no need to set up so many manners, but...'
'Well, well, even though it's an exploration until we get home, you guys from the 'Four Seasons' are here too. I think it's nice to have a picnic once in a while.
..........

　Even Theresia, the middle guard, seems to be listening to the conversation while walking not too far away from us.

　I don't know what kind of stories she's interested in, but she's always listening and understands.
It's just that her sensibilities seem to be a little different from what I think of girls this age - and there's still most of what I don't know about Theresa, either.

'I hope to be able to talk to Theresia-san as soon as possible.
'Well yes. I'd like to talk to Theresa too.
'What do you think your brother speaks like, Theresa?　I am, you know, surprisingly calm.
I'm not so sure about that.

　I imagine what it will be like when I can hear Theresa's voice one day, but it's not yet formed by my poor imagination.

''..........''

　Looking at the way he fights, one would think he had an active personality, but that's not necessarily the case.

　The thought that if there was someone who knew Theresa before she became a subhuman - the thought suddenly passed through my mind.
Where did she come from, was she a reincarnation, or was she originally a resident of the Labyrinth Country?

''I heard that the leader of the 'Alliance' is planning to fulfill the contribution to move up to the Sixth Ward in tomorrow's search... but the number of 'named' defeats still doesn't meet the requirements, right?
'Yeah, that's what the members of the 'Alliance' said.
''We don't need to follow the same method as the 'Alliance' to meet the conditions for moving up to the Sixth Ward. But as far as 'named' is concerned, it's really a matter of luck, so if we're not good at it, we'll be stranded for months... If the 'alliance' knows the conditions for the appearance of the named, it's conceivable that if they can't defeat us, we'll defeat them. Since it's such an organization, we'll be at a reasonable risk, but...

　There have been two cases in the past where they had to fight with 'named' objects discovered by other parties without choice. Redface and Juggernaut.

Maybe the reason they were scouting us is because they wanted information on the 'named' ones too.
'I suppose that's part of the reconnaissance. In the meantime, we should try to gather information in town when we get back, too.
Isn't there an informant in town?　The manager of the clothing store seemed to be from that type of person, though.
'Misaki-chan, that sounds a bit rude...'

　Suzuna chided Misaki, but I couldn't say for sure because I was thinking the same thing. Mr. Corleone doesn't seem like a very uptight person - when he brought the gun in a silver case, it was like a scene out of a gangster movie.

'I'll just spend a few days processing equipment or so - maybe I'll spend some time in town gathering information.
'Oh!　Kyouka, now you can go for a shoulder massage!
''What... what in the world are you talking about?　People are walking around with serious caution... right, Zion-chan?
BOW!

　Igarashi-san, who says her body is lighter since she became a "war maiden," probably doesn't need a massage - but if she wanted one, she could ask Louisa to do it for her.

　Even on her day off, she's still moving in some way, but as a former company employee, the sound of the word is too soothing. I'm sure everyone is exhausted from the continual search, and I want them to be sufficiently refreshed.

　　　◆◇◆

Hmmm........I feel like my work is done. What is this sense of freedom?
'I've been nervous the whole time. Sigh, I want to go straight to bed without taking a bath...
''Me too.

　When they came out to the plaza outside the labyrinth, the maple and ibuki stretched out wide. Anna looked tired and held her mouth and yawned, while Ryoko-san looked embarrassed at the three of them.

'Excuse me, this girl Tachi.......she switches off too quickly.
'No, I know how you feel.
'Ah ... wow ... me ... that's right, if I walked around town in a bathing suit like this, people would think I was a strange person.
''Well well this may be a bit of a mismatch, but please put on my suit. As long as you give it back to me when we meet again, I'll be fine.
''Are you sure?　Sorry, everything...
'I'm the one who's sorry I borrowed your precious boa coat and I'd like to thank you for something else.

　When Igarashi-san thanked her, Ryoko-san looked at me for some reason. Then she smiled and closed the front of Igarashi-san's boa coat more tightly.

''I'd be happy to join you again, exploring or otherwise. I'll be happy to return this coat to you any time you want.
Thank you, Ryoko.
''No I'm the one who should be thanking you. Atobe-san, may I?

　I drape the suit I've been carrying without wearing it over Ryoko's shoulders. This is still a suit on top and a swimming suit underneath, but it's still an outstanding outfit.


I have a lot of work on your suit, even on my sister Ryoko...
'There's an extra sleeve - if I wore it, it would look like a swinging sleeve.
'Thank you, Mr. Atobe. I'll take good care of it, wash it clean and return it to you.

　I was about to tell them that it was fine as it was, and then I realized that there was a problem with that. In the meantime, the 'Four Seasons' went back to their quarters.　

''If your brother's suit is a strong piece of equipment, it's going to be hard to take it off.
'No way, but the suit itself doesn't have any special effects.
'I feel like walking around in a man's suit would attract attention in a different way...'
So why didn't Kyouka just put a suit on?
''Well, that's a bit of a stretch for me, but I'd have to go through a lot of steps...''
"If I wear my suit, Igarashi-san will be very sloppy. That wouldn't fulfill the purpose.....　What's going on, guys?

　I don't know why he's giving me a subtle look - did I say something strange? The problem is that Igarashi-san's armor is broken, and it should be a matter of natural concern that my suit would be dangerous because it would be too open at the collar.

''Brother, since I'm in urgent need of one, could you leave the spare suit with me?''
What's the use of a sudden need for........you don't think Misaki's equipment is broken too?
'No, no, no, that's not true. Everyone says it's necessary, too.
'Oh, you know what ... don't take the conversation in a strange direction all of a sudden. We can talk about the suit later, I'm going to go report to the guild.

　Elitia dismissed the conversation with a snap and took the initiative to walk towards the upper guild. We followed suit and began to move.

''Igarashi-san, do you want to stop at a clothing store on the way?''
'Yeah, well it would be nice to have Madoka-chan take your clothes out of storage, but you can only change in the changing room, so it would be nice if you could.

　　　◆ ◆ ◆

　Igarashi-san took off his armor once and changed into his clothes. After that, we turned our feet to the upper guild - and then.

　When we entered the ground floor lobby of the "Green Pavilion", a silver-haired man walked over to us with a woman - the woman was probably heavy, and her belly was a little bigger.

'I'm sorry, Rolando. At such an important time...''
'Don't worry about anything, this is all a gift from God. Let us take care of the rest.

(Roland.........Roland-Vorn. The leader of the 'Alliance for Freedom', as Louisa said...)

　From the looks of it, Roland seems to be of an age approaching mature age, but the woman with him - probably Roland's wife - appears to be much younger than he is.

　Her name was Daniela, as I recall. She has an exotic vibe to her, and she snuggles up to Roland. They noticed us and looked at the members in turn, starting with Elitia, before reaching me at the back of the line.

　We stepped forward to say hello here. Roland didn't show any particular movement of emotion, as if he hadn't been informed about us by the members of the 'Alliance'.

''Well that's a face I don't see.
'Nice to meet you. I've been with this guild since yesterday, I'm Aricht-Atobe.

　I know what's going on over there, but they don't know us. If Gray hasn't reported anything to Roland, then he has an agenda.

'I'm Roland-Vorn. I'm number one in the pecking order of the Seventh Ward and leader of the Alliance for Freedom.
'I'm Daniela-Vorn. I'm part of Rolando's party.

　Is it a rule among them not to say 'wife' when they're acting as a party? Daniela leaves Roland's side and looks at us with guarded eyes.

'A nice middle uncle and a beautiful, wheat-skinned woman... you're a picture perfect couple!
Misaki-chan........don't say that, she'll hear you.......

　Misaki and Suzuna talking behind her - Roland raised his eyebrows slightly at the sight of them, but Daniela, surprisingly, gave him a kind smile.

'I thought you were some kind of soldier or mercenary. How can an amateur come up to this point in good shape? Luckily, you've managed to gather a bunch of excellent 'job' guys.
We've managed to get this far by working together with our friends. I think we've had some luck, for sure.
"If you are aware of this, don't think you can just climb to the top in the future. This is not a world where you can get by on luck alone.
'....What are you talking about, Roland? You're lecturing someone you've never met before again.
Mmm.....but I'll tell you what...

　Rolando still looked like he wanted to say something, but Daniela stopped him. Apparently, it's not the balance of the relationship that I thought it would be - his wife is in a stronger position than he is.

'I'm sorry, he's always like this. Is it Alihit-san, or is it Atobe-san?
Both are fine. My last name is Atobe and my first name is Alito.
''So, Mr. Aricht, then. I'm sorry, I have a monopoly on the best hunting grounds mediated by the higher guilds at the moment, but it's only temporary. Please don't be too offended.

　I guess it's not a mistake to say that they seem to be kind - but I guess that means there's a difference between that and this. Daniela-san proudly professes that they have a monopoly on the hunting grounds.

''Well don't feel bad. Luck alone won't get you up to the upper wards.
''No........we'd like to see what 'Ochiyang's Beach' is like, too, but.... Because we could go up in other ways.
Yeah. Well then, let's just say it's a big help to us. Convenient, you might say.
You've always said that if everyone can make it up to the Sixth Ward in one piece, there's nothing better than that, as you've always said. That's what we owe our lives to.

　Rolando scratched his head skinny-headedly, pushed by his wife's momentum.

　--but when he looked at me again. His eyes were never those of someone who was formless in front of his wife.

'We all have our own reasons for moving up. If you guys had come a little earlier, I would have invited you to join our organization...
'We'll see what we can do, we'll make it work. Don't worry about that.

　If we stomped our feet, we'd be the first to go - I thought that, but I didn't think I should say anything needlessly provocative.

'I know I'm saying this, but he's also a man who would only spend all his time drinking and women if he wasn't in a fight. He doesn't have the right to preach to people. I've managed to catch the reins for you, so you girls can rest easy.
'What are you talking about ... you're not a good listener. Don't talk to me like I'm a middle aged delinquent.
"Well Mr. Roland, please don't be offended if I have to ask you something. I've heard that Mr. Rolando and your organization's man, Gray, are making the female explorers cry.
What ... is this guy for real?　Grey's guy, what are you doing without my knowledge...
'That's why I told you, you shouldn't leave the soliciting to chance. I'll talk to everyone about it.

(That's what I mean ... Gray was abusing his position. If Mr. Rolando was not involved in Gray's actions, this should tighten things up once.)

　If we continue to let Gray act as he pleases, there is a possibility of interference at some point in the future. It was a good opportunity to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Voln here.

'I'm sorry if Gray has caused you any trouble. I'll let him know.
Well then, let's keep up the good work for each other. When we move up to the Sixth Ward, we won't see each other so much.

　After the two of them walked out, I exhaled heavily - the exchange wasn't as hostile as I thought it would be, but they were still competitors.

'Atove-sama ... ah, good. You were talking to them about something, so I was wondering when I could call on you...'

　Louisa seemed to have seen our exchange and was horrified. Indeed, he would wonder what was going on, since it was suddenly me and Mr. and Mrs. Voln talking to each other.

''I was just greeting them for a moment. Louisa, may I report to you as soon as possible?
Yes my heart is already starting to race, but........

　I wonder how much this report will surprise Louisa - I'm looking forward to thinking about it. I could tell by the looks on their faces that they were all thinking the same thing.