It's well past midnight now. We return to our quarters near the Middle Guild.

　Serafina-san returned to the same quarters as us, since she was going to be an official party member for the time being. Adeline seemed a little sad, but she seemed to be cheered up a little when Serafina soothed her by saying, "Don't worry, it's not like we're saying goodbye to this life.

　This time the quarters are of the apartment type, but they have a living room, two large rooms, one small room, and even a bathroom and kitchenette.

　It's a three-story dormitory, and our room is on the first floor. I go through the common area corridor and stand in front of the door of "101" and ring the doorbell. It doesn't take long for the door to open.

'Brother, Ellie-san is........'
'Yeah, I'm safe. Having said that, there's been a lot going on but I'll talk about that inside.

　We all walked into the room and Suzuna, who had been sitting on the couch in the living room waiting for us, stood up. Sion was resting in the corner of the room and Madoka was stroking her fur, but when she realized we were back, she jumped up and turned around.

'Welcome back, brother Arihito, ladies and gentlemen...'
I'm home, Madoka. Theon is looking well Suzuna, how are you feeling?
'Yes, thanks to you, I feel better after resting. I was told that dinner is good for the body's recovery and it's working very well.

　Suzuna's strength and magic power have fully recovered. The reason we were able to dive into the labyrinth after we fought 'The Calamity' was because of Maria's meal at 'Forest Diner'.

''....Suzuna. I need to apologize to you for something........
.........

　Before Elitia could say all that, Suzuna was running off.　

　Suzuna hugged Elitia. Then, putting her hand on Suzuna's back, who didn't say anything, Elitia said in a small voice.

'I'm sorry for worrying you,'
'Yes I was really worried about you. But if you're safe like this, that's all that matters.......
Thank you. I won't worry you anymore. I would never do anything to betray your trust...

　Elitia and Suzuna were laughing at each other. Misaki, who was watching them, turned her back, but when she turned around, her eyes were red - she seemed to have cried when she got it.

'Huh~ I was worried too, but I'm more vulnerable to friendship between friends than I am. It's like I want to hug someone else too.
Well, now that you mention it, why is it me...

　I'm also impatient for a moment, wondering how I should react - Misaki is hugging Igarashi-san's chest, burying her face in a careless manner.

''Eh, because Kyouka's sister is so receptive, lately. You think so too, don't you big brother?　Don't you want to muffled like this?
"Go-ho, go-ho.......no, don't look at me like that, Igarashi-san.
''Don't worry, I know your rear end doesn't have any strange thoughts. Misaki-chan, I wonder if you're not hard under your armor.
'That's right - the only time you can muffle is when you're not an armored sister. I'll be aiming for that next time, brother.
'I'm not going to live up to your expectations if you reject me, though... Igarashi-san?

　I'm not angry, and Igarashi-san is laughing. Misaki's words and actions were so free that she laughed - I noticed that everyone except me was laughing.

''.........''
"...Theresa.

　Sometimes it feels like Theresa is smiling at me. That sub-humans have lost their emotions, but I've always denied it.

　Even now, Theresa seems to be smiling as she pulls at my sleeve. The pain of the eroding mark of servitude seems to have subsided now - and yet, I'm not sure it's not painful at all.

'Atobe-dono, you might want to consult with the medical office about Teresa-dono's condition.
'Yes ... yes. Would you still be able to see me at this time?
'Theresa, thank you so much for going to Ellie's place even though your equipment is broken...'

　Theresia shook her head slowly as Suzuna lowered her head.

''Theresia got behind the 'monkey marquis' so she and Aricht could escape in combination. But Theresia.....
'I hope you don't mind if I talk to you now, including that. I want you to take a break and then gather back in the living room.
Yes!

　Everyone's responses are in place - even the always quiet Melissa.

'BOW!'
''Hmm........It looks like you're going to be okay, Sion-chan. Higuchi-kun, will you be okay to bathe last as usual?　Or shall we come in outside?

　The compartment where the quarters are located also has a bathhouse attached to it, so we can all go in without waiting our turn. Then, I should go with you - I was just thinking about it.

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

　I can tell by the gesture that Theresia wants to stay here.

''Well Rear-kun, we're going to go outside, so please take care of Theresia-san.
''Brother, Louisa is in the Middle Guild, but she'll be back soon.
Okay, I'll make sure we're ready to meet you.

　Mr. Louisa has been in the quarters once with us, but he said he had something he wanted to do today.

　If you enter the labyrinth without permission to enter the five-star labyrinth, you are essentially given a penalty, such as a ban on exploring for a certain period of time. There is also a deduction of contribution points, so they can be returned to the previous ward because of that - that's why diving into the labyrinth without qualifications would be taboo as a rule.

　Louisa-san has been talking to the guild headquarters about the conditions necessary to get that permission. It's difficult to make any more special measures, but after today, there are six more days to go, and if that doesn't qualify us to explore the five-star labyrinth, we'll be taking a risk.

(The members of the team taking on the Marauder of Monkeys must be in good shape. If you include the rest days, the number of times they can enter the labyrinth is limited... Since there have been cases of equipment being destroyed, that should also be taken into account.)

　The labyrinths you explore in order to increase your strength should be chosen as much as possible for their benefits. For example, that would be a place where we can get materials to enhance our equipment.

　Everyone goes off to bathe, leaving me and Theresa alone. When everyone leaves, there's someone at the doorway talking to someone - Ceres and Steiner.

It looks like a lot of things have happened while we've been holed up in the workshop. Theresa, have you been out in your broken suit?　I'll have it fixed by tomorrow, so just keep it here for now... what's the matter, Aricht?
'Mr. Celes, we brought Elitia back from the Red Chamber of the Flaming Sky.
Hmm, that's what we've all heard. So that's where you got something from.
''Yes. ''The Brilliant Ape Marquis'' used a skill called 'Curse Erosion', which interfered with Theresia's slavery seal. The license indicated that it would override the slavery seal. By using that skill, the Monkey Prince is increasing his subordinates.
A curse, yes. That's not his trump card, is it?
"Master, you've got something in mind.

　Mr. Ceres sits down on the sofa and takes out a thin leather-covered book from the shoulder bag he carries with him - apparently a notebook.

''Well Theresa, may I see it?''
..........

　Theresa looks at me - when I nod back, Theresa turns her back to Ms. Celes and unclasps her suit.

　The hair from her mask hangs over her neck. Celes-san gently parted it and checked the servant's seal - it's not visible from my position, but it should have changed slightly in shape.

''........I never thought I'd see this here.

　Celes-san muttered, then put on her glasses, took out a quill and ink, and wrote something in her notebook.

'I can't let you catch a cold. Alihit, please.
Yes, yes....

　With Theresia's upper body exposed, I take great care to approach her from behind. When I put my jacket on, Theresia tugged at the collar.

''........Atobe-sama is really a gentleman. Don't people say you're cute?''
That must be why people love him so much. He is too young to wither away, and that depends largely on his character.
'No, no, now is not the time to talk about that...'
Yes, I know. What do you think of your skills in this labyrinth, Ariecht?
'Skills ... I think it's something that you can use depending on the occupation you're suited for, but it seems like there are some things that different occupations have in common.

　I don't know if that's the intention of the question, but I'll try to think about it and answer it in my own way. That answer didn't seem to be far off the mark, either.

''Yes ... in this labyrinth country, aptitude affects events. But that event does not exist in an infinitely different form. This is not a sure thing, but a rule of thumb.
Rule of thumb...
There are many things that I do not understand. And yet I know what I don't know, but I have the knowledge that comes with being the senior citizen of a maze.

　Saying that, Celes shows me the note. What was drawn on it was a similar size to the slavery seal, but with a different pattern.

''A 'curse erosion' is the carving of such a curse mark. In Theresa's case, it will take another six days or so for the curse to completely erode her.
"The same time Atobe and the others are in sector five?

　Celes nodded back at Steiner's words.

'There is a possibility that Theresa's actions may be interfered with while the overwriting process proceeds. If you are not going to participate in the search, Steiner and I will keep an eye on you, but there is one thing that I must tell you. If you defeat the Marquis de la Salle without fulfilling the conditions to lift the curse, there's a chance it won't be lifted at all.

　-- if only we can defeat 'The Monkey Prince', we can save Theresa. That hope was denied by Celes-san's words.



　Celes nodded again. Then he looked at me and smiled.

''You don't seem to have broken down at all, even though you've been subjected to more conditions under these difficult circumstances.
I've already made up my mind. Tomorrow, I'm going to start working on how to lift the curse as soon as possible.
That leads me to my earlier point. If a person who possesses the skills of a curse possessed by the Marquis de la Salle also possesses the skills of a searcher, it is highly likely that they have the ability to break a curse. Since the skills of demons and searchers are similar in some respects.
'I see, so that's where it all comes together.
Mr. Ceres, do you know of anyone with those skills?

　Ms. Ceres didn't answer the question right away.

　She gave me a distant look, then laughed, wrote something in her notebook again, cut out the page, folded it up and handed it to me.

'Maybe this ward is just a fate. There may be an old acquaintance living in this ward. I haven't seen him for a long time, so I can't say for sure.
That person has skills in the curse system, doesn't he? Okay, I'll see what I can find out.
I don't know if my letter can serve as a letter of introduction, but if you are looking for it, you should go to the museum first. If you have to look for one, you should first visit the archives. They should have information about the curse mark.

　Celes-san's acquaintance might know how to lift the 'curse erosion' - if you go to the archives, you can find a clue to that person.

''Master, if you know him, why don't you introduce him directly to him?''
Aricht is better suited to the task than I am to meet him in person. Well, that's good........we'll stay in the workshop until daylight, but before that we'll consult with you on how to strengthen your armor. I'll repair Theresa's suit in the morning, but I'm sure you have a lot of material to work with.
'Yes, please. Uh, Theresa....
'I think it's better to take a bath first.　I'll take care of Miss Theresa's suit here.'

　It's not because I took off my clothes once anyway. I feel a 'pressure' though somehow - Celes-san and the others seem to want to lead me in that direction.

''..........''
''Well I guess I'll go in with you today. Is Theresa okay with that?
It's all right, isn't it? I've been in the same boat with Steiner, haven't I?
''Oh, um ... Master, I think it would be better to have you two come in today.　It's hard for the master to always make the steam too thick.'
The Mist Spell doesn't consume much magic, but I guess I was the only one who thought it would be a good idea.
Master Ceres, I mean, what better time to...?

　The one who came into the living room was Louisa-san - she also has a duplicate key, so it's no problem for her to come in, but for some reason, there's something disturbing about her smile.

'Will Louisa also not shed the back of Alihit?　You are at the prime of your life and you need to enrich your days.

Yes, yes... what?

　After Louisa-san somehow pushed me to reply, I realized I had agreed to something outrageous - Ceres-san seemed to be enjoying herself and Steiner-san shrugged her shoulders. He may be unwilling to do so, but such a gesture shown in his armor was unexpectedly charming.