The guild staff woman who is a keeper opens the fence of the keeper's house and lets us through. As she feeds us, she tells us about the biology of the coral pigeon.

This 'coral pigo' is an animal that is very similar to the so-called penguin. They have a fence that goes all the way to the ocean, so they can't swim out.

　With a rough explanation that only a reincarnated person can give, I'm convinced that it's still a penguin.

"They like to eat 'sword trout' and the like as food, but they also eat shrimp, crabs and seaweed. And as the name implies, they have a habit of eating hard things like coral.

　When Igarashi threw a small Sword Trout into the sea, Coral Pigo, which was in the water, jumped out and caught it with great dexterity.

I've heard that penguins eat rocks. Why are they doing that?
'There are many theories, but there's a reason why 'coral pigo' eat hard stuff. They produce magical stones in their own bodies and sometimes lay them like eggs.
''That's great.......do you have a specific magic stone you want to generate?
It depends on the food they are fed, so most of them produce 'tidal water stones' at the breeding grounds. You can buy them as a souvenir. Would you like to buy one?
So can I buy one?

　Tidal Water Stone

　A magic stone that produces salty water.

　You can buy a "tidal water stone" with ten gold coins - it's not that there are so many of them, but they only produce magic stones once a week.

　It is said that besides the tidal water stone, different breeding methods produce different magic stones - I was uncontrollably curious to see what kind of magic stones they produce.

''Is it possible for ordinary explorers to raise 'Coral Pigo'?
"We often get inquiries, but there are certain conditions that must be met in order to keep 'Coral Pigo' docile, and we need to encounter 'named' 'Coral Pigo'. As you know, 'Named' is not easy to encounter...
'Thank you, if that's what you mean, I'll look forward to seeing you here.
Yes, you'll have a good time with your companions.

　The staff had just returned to the management office when Igarashi-san, who had just finished feeding them, came over to us - a group of white feather-covered pigos, about the size of knees and below, followed behind Igarashi-san like baby birds.

'I think they're adults now, but they're so cute with their peepers. Even if people say these are demons, I wouldn't be able to fight them if I met them in the labyrinth.''
'I've seen demons like Watadama that are so powerful when you look closely at them... so it's comforting to see these demons.

　Pigo and his friends are flirting with Theon lying on the sandy beach - an idyllic scene that soothes my heart.

　When the time comes for me to retire, I hope to live on an island like this one. I know it's too soon to tell, but this island is one of the most paradise places I've ever known.

Thank you for asking if we can't keep her. I keep talking to Rearward-kun about what I want to keep...
'When you said penguins that lay eggs and magic stones, I thought they'd be good to keep on the farm. It seems you have to meet a 'named' to keep them well.
'Do you mean to say that they found these kids 'named' on this island before?　If you've done it, I'm sure it could come up again.
I don't think we'll be able to find him while we're here, but there's always the possibility that we might be able to find him if we do.

　We're chatting and laughing, but based on our previous tendencies, I think there's a good chance we'll encounter 'named'.

　I didn't expect the recreation center we use on vacation to be a labyrinth either, so there are moments of relaxation, but also moments of adventure. I wonder why this island is called 'The Small Island of Illusion' - I'd like to join the members who are strolling around and see a bit of the island's scenery. Of course, I'm sure this place has already been explored to its fullest.

''Igarashi-san, would you like to have some more fun?''
'Well but if you play around too much, you'll get emotional. Everyone, I'll come back to see you when I get another day off.

　Igarashi-san stroked the heads of all the pigo's gathered at her feet and left the keep with me. I heard peepers and chirping like chickens, and Igarashi-san seemed to be pulling back - any animal that lovable would feel the same way.

　◆◇◆

　The forest that occupies most of the island has a walking path set up in it. Water seemed to be coming from deep in the forest, and the water was flowing - not so much a small river as a sloping gravel path covered in a thin layer of water.

　Sion seemed to want to drink the water, so I took the appraisal scroll out of the pouch and appraised it - it was fresh water with a low mineral content, apparently suitable for drinking. Now that it's safe, we take a break while Theon drinks the water.

It's a mysterious place with many large trees. There aren't so many living things here, and it's quiet...
It's called 'The Small Island of Illusion'. There are traces of wood cut out of the island, but they stopped developing it right away... Maybe because they decided to use it as a recreational center.
I wonder if that's why. The fact that you can see the map means that it looks like they've gone through everything, but...

　When we came to this island, our license allowed us to view the map. It seems it's because it's a labyrinth that's under the control of the guild.

''Ah........Brother, thank you for your help!
'It was just as well, Lady Atobe. I was with Lady Theresa earlier, but I found a small spring deep in the forest. Now Lady Theresa is waiting for me near the spring.
Rear, since we're going to be here, I'm going to find some people to help us explore the forest.
........Igarashi-san, are you still curious about it?

　I laugh and ask her, and she laughs shyly too - that's what I mean when I ask her to look for 'Coral Pigo' 'with a name'.

'Of course I won't go deep and if I can't find it, I'll just focus on resting.'
'You have an interesting story to tell. Is there anything I can do to help?
If you're looking for something, I'll do my best with the 'Merchant Glass' your brother gave me!

　Serafina and Madoka are on board as well. I told them about 'Coral Pigo' and told them that I wanted to look for 'named' on the island.

　◆ ◇◆

　I know it's not something you can find if you look for it, but it's a recreational activity that's separated from the rest of the day until dinner time, so I asked everyone to join in.

　Louisa likes to rest with Melissa on the sunbed, as it's less likely to get sunburned. Melissa also likes to sunbathe, and is getting sleepy as she takes a break from moving around.

　The weather was just right, neither hot nor cold, and we saw the occasional creature, and thankfully there were no mosquitoes. Everyone is strolling around in swimsuits, so it helps not to have to worry about insect bites.

''...But you've gone far enough back.''

　I came alone to look for Theresia, but I couldn't see her easily, so I couldn't help myself. The same is true of Seraphina, who went back and forth between the spring and the entrance to the forest where Terezia is said to be located, but Madoka has surprisingly good stamina, too - I'm surprised I don't get tired of it myself, but I guess the higher the level, the higher the upper limit of stamina will be.

　We're getting closer and closer to the source of the stream, and the water volume is increasing to the point where we can call it a creek. The trail was cut off, so we continued on through the forest - and then.

　--The sound of water could be heard from the end of the path.

　I carefully scramble through the leafy branches that block my path. Then I see a gaping hole in the forest and a clear spring as wide as a swimming pool.

　And I notice - the 'chameleon boots' that Theresa took off are placed in line by the spring.

'--Theresia!

　There was no way that this could be true, that something had happened to Theresa - and yet I couldn't help but call her name.

　Instantly, a wave arises in the fountain - and with a bang, something pops out of the water.

"..........
Tele.....gia?

　Standing in front of her was unmistakably Theresia - she had been wearing boots earlier, but it seems that she had taken them off to swim in the fountain.

　Her black hair, peeking out from inside the hood of her lizard, was wet and dripping with water. I started to see her in her bathing suit in the bathroom, but when I see her again in this way, I get a different impression - the location of the spring in this forest makes her look mysterious.

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

　Theresia shakes her body with a shake. That doesn't completely cut off the water, though.

　The water flew over here as well, but I didn't pay much attention to it. The water temperature wasn't low, and it seemed to be just the right temperature for swimming.

''..........''
Oh, yeah. I'm fine, even if I'm a little wet Teresa, are you sure you don't need to wipe yourself?

　I hand Theresia the towel I had with me in case I had to swim. Theresia puts the towel inside the hood to get some water, but she seems to be fine with just a simple wipe down and hands it back to me.

''..........''
Hey, what's up?　You seem to be holding back on something...

　Since we've been working together for a long time, it would be good to separate from each other once in a while - I wonder if she sensed that I was thinking that way too.

'It's very clear water... this certainly makes me want to swim in it.'
..........

　Theresia looks towards the spring and quickly raises her right hand and points to it. She points to the far end of the spring - although it's clear, you can't see all the way to the bottom.

'Have you found anything in this spring?

　Nodding with a chuckle, Theresa tried to go into the water again. However, she stopped and turned around and held out her right hand to me.

''Well are you going to tell me what you found, too?''

　I nodded again. Then I wouldn't be able to keep my clothes on either.

　I hope I won't be surprised when the others come in like I was when I found Theresa's boots - and I leave my undressed clothes on a large rock that was nearby.

''..........''
Oh, this. They had a swimsuit sale at the waterfront hotel. It was nice to have it on, just in case.

　Theresia is staring at me - uncomfortable as if she's being observed, but I think she has an average figure with no particular features.

　If I had to say so, I've been gaining muscle mass mindlessly since I came to the Labyrinth Country. It's probably because of the battle with the demons, it's been trained somewhat.

''.........''
Well, let's go in and do some prep work and then I'll be in trouble with Theresa if I get a cramp in my leg.

　Theresa shakes her head with a shake - and begins to do some preparatory exercises with me. I bend and stretch my legs as if I'm going to watch.

'Theresia was still swimming now, so I'm sure she'll be fine, but you're going to keep me company.
..........

　Theresia didn't answer, but followed my lead and did a forward bend and upper body bend - and I realized that this move was subtly dangerous when I was wearing my swimsuit. There's a gap in the swimsuit, and depending on the angle, it might be visible.

'Looks like it's safe now, let's go in then.'

　I get the part of the water far from my heart used to the temperature of the water first - cooler, but just right to get in.

　Theresia enters the water quietly with a thump. It's time for me to follow her lead and enter the spring - but the sand at the bottom of the water slips and I lose my balance in the process.

''Whoa...!
.....

　I thought it was okay because it wasn't that deep - but as soon as I fell into the water, I knew that Theresia was trying to help me.

''Huh ... ah, sorry Theresia ... you were careless.''
..........

　After propping me up and making sure I could stand up properly, Theresa gently pulled away. When I looked underwater, Theresia was standing up with her legs wrapped around me - I wondered if it was instinctual, or if she had experience swimming like this.

''...........''
'Don't worry, it's not like I can't swim. Can you take me to what Theresa found?

　Theresa nodded - and then proceeded to breaststroke to the back of the fountain. I followed with a face-up crawl.

　It's risky to swim in a place where a demon might appear, but so far there's no sign of a demon. With Theresia's 'Searching Extension 1', I'm sure I'll be able to spot them early on if they appear nearby.

　When we came to the back of the spring, Theresia looks back at us.

''..........''
You mean down here?　Diving.....

　Should I have asked Ryoko-san, who is a good swimmer, to accompany me - but she also said that she would take a break with Louisa-san after she left the ballet, and if she was taking a nap, it was bad enough to wake her up.

''Well okay, let's dive in then.

　Theresa nods, takes a deep breath and goes into the water - I follow suit.

　I couldn't open my eyes at first, but I ventured to open them. There is light in the water, and it looks bright blue - I take Theresia's hand and we move through the crystal clear water.

　I roll my tongue at the idea that Lizardmen are such good swimmers, but I manage to move my legs like fins to keep up with her.

(....................!)

　So is the fact that the spring is deeper than I thought - I didn't think it was this deep when I saw it from the shore. You'd have to go under to find out this in person.

　And at the bottom of the water, there is an area where the sand has been removed, as Teresia had been examining it earlier.

　There is something at the bottom of this spring. But the area that can be investigated in one dive is very limited, and before you can examine any amount of it, you won't be able to hold your breath.

(This, drowning here is indeed........can I return.......!

(....!

　Noticing my condition, Theresa pulls my hand and goes up into the water. But absently, when the surface of the water is so close, my consciousness fades away.