Take the two 'Slow Salamanders' out when you go through the second level. From there, he used the 'Scroll of Return' to escape out of the labyrinth.

　Syrone was taken to the Guild Saber Headquarters. Kuzelka-san saluted towards us and left with Khosrow-san.

''Brother, everyone.......I'm glad you're safe.......!

　Madoka rushed over to us to see if she had been waiting for us. As I approached her, who was in tears, Igarashi-san smiled softly at her.

''So that's the end of the story.......but that's not really the case. For now, I'd like to take a break with the whole party for now.''
'Yes, how will you eat?　I'll get it for you in a minute.

　It's almost dusk, and preparations for dinner had begun at a nearby house. It's only been a few hours since we entered the "primary color plateau", but we suddenly became aware of our hunger, and it seems that everyone else is the same.

I'm not sure if asking for a caterer at the inn today is a good idea. There are some restaurants I'd like to go to, but tomorrow we may have to change quarters.''

'Yes, you can make a reservation and the 'couriers' will deliver it to you. Then I'll ask the restaurant for about three different dishes.
Oh, well, I've been there before and it was delicious, so I'd like to try 'Ryotenro Shokudo' and 'Leuven's Wind' and some pasta and pizza.

　Misaki was scribbling the names of the stores she had been to in her notebook, wondering when she had procured them. Everyone seems to have no objection, but Melissa raises her hand.

''Well it's not good enough to just have store-bought food, so I'll make the pasta and pizza. My dad taught me how to make them.
'I could help you with that kind of cooking. I'm making great progress with Melissa's direction, and I'll be your assistant again today.
Let me help you with that, too, since I was outside this time.
''Suzu-chan, when you say that, I haven't been able to do anything about it, but... why was Suzu-chan the only one with a lot of morale built up?''

　It certainly bothers me, but I guess that's how strong the connection between Elitia and Suzuna is - and for some reason, Suzuna is staring at me.

'Suzuna, what's wrong?'
........... I'm sorry, I only did it because it was necessary, Aricht-san........
Well, well, well?　Suzu-chan, maybe you're more motivated now that you've become friends with your brother.
Misaki, we'll talk about it over there....

　Suzuna had the audacity to cover Misaki's mouth with her hand and take her away. Is it possible that me and Suzuna's trustworthiness has something to do with the rise in morale - no, I don't think that anyone's trustworthiness is outstanding compared to the other members.

''I think me and Theresia-san's morale has risen a lot too...''
..........
''Well I'm having a hard time getting morale up. Maybe I need to be more motivated.
'Oh, I don't know.......brother, you know, how's my morale?　Is it easy to rise?

　Madoka has activated the morale release "Effect Item" before, but Melissa didn't even activate it when her morale was at maximum. Her morale gradually declines when she leaves the labyrinth, so I'd love to see the effect when she can use it next.

''Ah........er, yeah. Theresia-san is embarrassed, so let's talk about the morale boosting method another time, shall we?
'Yes. I'm probably harder to raise than Kyouka-san. I'm going to do my best to help you cook to increase your brother's credibility!

　If cooking raises your trustworthiness, then the cooks of the labyrinth country must have garnered a great deal of trust.

　In my case, every time I support them, my trust level increases, and although it has become a mysterious profession, I'm still glad I chose the 'rear guard' position. This is because the party's trust in me has deepened, and I've gotten through many a tight spot.

''........kohon. Don't think too much about the trustworthiness of the party, Backbu-kun. If you think about it seriously from now on, everyone else will be in trouble.
'Well I know trustworthiness is important, but to think deeply about it?'

　I thought I was going to ask casually, but Igarashi-san smiled vaguely and left first with everyone else.

　Teresia is also red as a boiled octopus from earlier, so it's somewhat difficult to line up next to her. It's a hardcore occupational disease to be the last guard on the way home as well.

　◆ ◇◆

　I called out to Louisa, who was working at the Green House, and was about to report back to her, but since it was already time to get off work, we decided to wait until we returned to our quarters.

　I'm sorry to leave the cooking to everyone else, but I promised to help again another time, and faced Louisa-san across the table in the living room of the terrace house.

''First of all, I'm glad that we have successfully completed our search again. I heard that you also rescued other searchers in the 'Primary Color Plateau'.
There's a lot of things, for a reason, Louisa, but did you hear about that too?
'I heard that a person named Shirone Kuznoha, who worked in the same group as Elitia, was interfering with you. His actions against everyone in the 'Four Seasons' are a serious violation of the regulations. Mr. Shilone will be sentenced and then re-educated.

　I heard that Grey will be re-educated as well, but I wonder if the rehabilitation will work. Khosrow said that he would 'become a true human being', so it seems that he will receive some pretty strict guidance.

''First of all, before that, about what happened in the 'Small Island of Illusion'.......that labyrinth is considered a sanatorium, and there are very few people who make achievements to which their contributions can be added. However, since Atobe-sama's party has left a lot of achievements, we will count them.

　The results of the last search
　We have entered the unexplored territories of Small Island of Illusion. 100 points.
　Captured 1 "Wings of Treasure in the Snowfield" for 240 points.
　Increased trust among party members 35 points
　Trust in "Seraphina" has increased by 10 points.
　Adeline's credibility has increased by 10 points
　Ryoko's credibility has increased by 10 points
　Trust in "Maple" has increased by 10 points
　Trust in "Ibuki" has increased by 10 points
　Trust in "Anna" has increased by 10 points.
　A total of 15 people conducted a joint search for 75 points
　Searcher's Contribution ・・・ 510 points

　As for the 'Ice Statue' summoned by the 'Treasure Wings', it seems that no contribution points were added to it even if it was defeated. I didn't expect the contribution itself to go in, so I'm grateful for this point as well.

　However, Louisa-san is looking at my license with a difficult face - that expression, which is following the string of letters with her one-sided glasses (monocle), looks somewhat sad.


''Ah... this, you see, is probably due to the fact that we worked together when we moved to another island. My skills also helped me recover from my fatigue.
''Recovering from fatigue.......Atobe-sama can use such a skill, can't you? I'm a guild employee, so I don't have the opportunity to have you use those skills, so it can't be helped.

　Smiling, Louisa-san laughs, but something impulsively makes me want to apologize. Should I make up some reason for this, or should I let Louisa-san experience 'Supportive Recovery 1' to reduce the fatigue in her eyes, shoulders and back caused by office work?

'Louisa-san looks like she's going to be really stiff in the shoulders - she's been a big help to me, so if it's okay with me, I'll give her a massage anytime.
"Misaki-sama I'm fine, I'm not that tired...

　Misaki comes out of the kitchen in her apron and goes behind Louisa and starts rubbing her shoulders. She seems to be quite good at massaging, and she's doing a pretty good job of it - she gets distracted quickly when she thinks she's helping with the dishes.

''Misaki-chan, Melissa-san wants to ask for pizza toppings...''
Oh, yes!　Because when it comes to putting cheese on top, there's no one better than me!
Don't put too much on there, because there's a lot of other stuff on the menu.
Sister Kyouka, don't worry about it~. We work out all morning and all night long.
Yo, about the night Misaki, I'm in danger, so you need to tone it down a bit.

　Elitia gives Misaki a gentle chop. Misaki is flipping her tongue out and being silly, but I wonder if she's also exercising at night, or is she throwing pillows without my knowledge.

''........Mi, Misaki-sama is always cheerful and a party mood-maker, isn't she?''
Sometimes the bad moods can be too much, but I think that lightness is certainly essential.
'Huh, brother, didn't you just praise me!　Is it my imagination!
'Misaki, if you can't concentrate, I'll top it for you.
Oh, there's a salami made of some mysterious meat...!
It's no mystery. It's all about the meat from the Angry Boar.

　I've had a sandwich with 'Wild Boa' bacon before, so it seems that 'Boa' type demon meat is treated similarly to pork in the Maze Country.

''Well ... sorry for the buzz, but ... Can I report on the exploration of the 'Primary Color Plateau' as well?


　The results of the last search
　We're in the third floor of the primary color plateau. 30 points.
　Two Slow Salamanders captured, 240 points.
　3600 points for defeating a three-sided cursed mud giant.
　Eliminated a Winged Butterfly of Pity. 3200 points.
　Increased trust among party members 25 points
　100 points for rescuing Ryoko.
　100 points for rescuing the maple tree.
　100 points for rescuing Ibuki.
　100 points for saving "Anna".
　10 points for fighting with Ryoko's party.
　100 points for rescuing "Shirone.
　500 points for delivering "Shirone" to the guild saber.
　Aricht's level is now 7. 70 points.
　Theresa's level is now 7. 70 points.
　Kyouka's level is now 6. 60 points.
　Melissa's level is now 7. 70 points.　
　Searcher Contribution ・・・ 8375 points
　Seventh Ward All-Time Contributions Ranking 1
　Sixth Ward Contribution Ranking 1176


　It seems that the amount of contribution for defeating the 'blue butterflies' doesn't add up, but it still exceeded 8,000 points - defeating two 'named' bodies in succession was significant.

''This is........Atobe-sama, did you also defeat the 'named' when you rescued the 'Four Seasons' people and the one called Shirone?'''
''Yes, two levels and one on the third level... everyone in the Four Seasons had been captured by the demons, and we couldn't free Shirone without defeating the demons.
''Oh really, even though I always prepare my mind for this when I receive Atobe-sama's report. I felt like I was going to lose consciousness again. Truly reckless.......no, I guess this isn't reckless anymore, Atobe-sama.

　Louisa takes off her single pair of glasses. Then she held her upturned cheeks in embarrassment, then smiled at me with a little moisture in her eyes.

''Congratulations, Atobe-sama. Even if you earned your contribution at the stage of being in the seventh district, it will only be reflected in the sixth district's explorer rankings as a reference record... but even so, being ranked 1180th out of the 8,000 people in the sixth district means that you can still use the top guild from the beginning, and I am.

　If you go to the sixth ward, the initial pecking order is not low. However, depending on the number of searchers trying to get up to the fifth ward, the competition will be higher - after all, it's a breakthrough shortcut to be able to go to the fifth ward at this stage.

''Well Louisa-san, there's something I want to talk to you about later.
''Yes, we have been notified by Guild Saber Headquarters. You have received a request for help from the Fifth Ward.

　It's two upper wards, and there's a danger of Stampede - even though we're only helping to defend the city, the opponents we're fighting will rapidly increase in strength compared to the seventh ward.

　Even so, Louisa-san listened to the news calmly. She must have known from the time we became 'Encouragement Searchers' that there was a possibility of going to a higher-ranking ward temporarily.

''Perhaps it would be less dangerous to go forward one step at a time. But I could tell that Atobe-sama and the others wanted to get to the fifth ward as soon as possible, since I could tell from the eighth ward that they wanted to get to the fifth ward as soon as possible.
Mr. Louisa.
''I will go with you to the Fifth District. Although I won't be able to participate in the battle, as Atobe-sama's personal assistant, I would like to see what you do in the Fifth District.

　Can our power work against the demons of the fifth district? If we can get through, we can reach it - the chance to save Elitia's best friend will come much sooner than we imagined.

''We're going to discuss and decide whether or not to go to the Fifth Ward.
''Isn't your feelings already the same as everyone else's? If you Atobe-sama are able to continue to defeat the 'named' demons in the seventh district, then your power will also work against the normal demons in the fifth district.

　Louisa's encouragement had reached everyone in the kitchen. I don't need to check again, but the feeling is the same for all of us.

'If we've come this far, we'll just have to take advantage of the opportunity... we have to help Elitia-san's friends as soon as possible.
''Well it was only a short while ago. In the beginning when I first met Elitia-san, I thought it would be much longer before I could go to the Fifth Ward.
'I'm not much of a fighter at all, but I'm not afraid to go anywhere with my brothers. Oh, I don't mean it in a bad way, so don't worry about it, brother.

　I'm not saying that this group is not afraid to take any chances. We always keep the tension alive when we're fighting demons.

"...thank you, guys.

　But Elitia, who has actually experienced it, understands better than we do - the dangers of a party trying to move up to the Sixth Ward to fight in the Fifth Ward.

'Kuserka-san said the convocation is tomorrow. We should have a good meal and a good night's rest today, too.

　As Igarashi-san said, the doorbell of the terrace house rang. Madoka went out to deal with it, and the 'couriers' brought the food from 'Ryotenro Diner' and 'Leuven's Wind' into the living room.

　At the same time, Celes-san and Steiner-san, who were in the rental workshop, and - 'Four Seasons', Seraphina-san and Adeline-san, who had finished their treatment at the medical center, also come in.

It's always a lively party here.
''I said that, and the master was worried about it all the time. So when I came in front of the house, everyone was here...'

　Celes-san, who was on Steiner-san's shoulder, pouted in embarrassment.

''Well these girls would very much like to see Lord Atobe and the others off.
''Fortunately, there were very few injuries from the battle with the 'Mud Giants'... so rather than wait until tomorrow, they wanted to see Atobe-san and everyone's faces today, so I came with them. Captain Seraphina said that we shouldn't make any noise, though.

　The four members of The Four Seasons didn't say anything for a while when they walked into the house. I get up from the couch and greet the girls - I wonder what I should say to them, too.

　I'm glad we're both okay. We'll go on ahead, but everyone is fine too - I guess that's fine, but it's not the word that feels right. While I'm thinking about that.

''........Atobe-san.......''
Younger...!
Brother...!
Arihito.....

　The four of them all run up to me in unison - I felt like I was about to be hugged, but they all stop a step in front of me and look at each other and smile shyly.

''Haha........oh no, we're breathing perfectly even at times like this, Uchi.
Oh, I just wanted to thank you, sir. Unlike the maples.
''Well I don't think it would be a bad idea to at least give him a hug, considering what happened when Aricht came to help us.
'That's true, but we shouldn't do anything that would take Atobe-san away from you. That's right, Kyouka-san, Louisa-san.
'Oh, you don't have to worry about me. I'm sure you don't feel bad about being liked by everyone, either, Mr. Higuchi.
'If you say so, Kyouka-sama, then I'll just say that I agree with you. It's good to see you again, gentlemen.

　Louisa stands up from her seat and shakes hands with the four members of The Four Seasons. Everyone who has finished preparing the food also comes out and becomes congenial at once.

　Serafina-san comes over here and bids us farewell. For some reason, Adeline-san is clenching her fist tightly behind her, I wonder if she is encouraging Seraphina-san.

''Lord Atobe, I will accompany you when you go to the fifth district. I have a special order from Third Lieutenant Kuzelka to accompany you if there is a phase where I can be of assistance.
''Thank you, that helps. I've always thought that when you're fighting an enemy in the Fifth Ward, it's a matter of how you get past the first attack (first contact).

　Seraphina-san puts her hand to her chest - she's in the military uniform of a guild saber, but I guess she usually wears it when she's not wearing her armor. Adeline-san is in rough clothes, so it seems that she is free to dress when she is off duty.