Everyone came back from the baths outside, so I let them rest in their rooms as they wish. First, we'll report to Louisa-san, and then we'll have a meeting with the two people in the workshop.



　The results of this search
　5,000 points for subduing the labyrinthine stampede.
　2000 points for being the most successful person to put down the stampede.
　Aricht's level is now 8. 80 points.
　Theresa's level is now 8. 80 points.
　Kyouka's level is now 7. 70 points.
　Elitia's level is now 11. 110 points.
　Suzuna's level is now 6. 60 points.
　Misaki's level is up to 6. 60 points.
　Melissa's level is now 8. 80 points.
　Theon's level is now 7. 70 points.
　Seraphina's level is now 12. 120 points.
　55 points for participating in the defeat of a Death Stalker.
　Defeated a Calamity, 4800 points.
　Increased trust in party members 270 points
　10 points for fighting with Marcus' party.
　10 points for fighting with the party in "Kuserka".
　100 points for rescuing Kurt.
　100 points for rescuing "Fran".

　Searcher Contribution... 13075
　Cumulative Special Contribution... 15,000
　Fifth Ward Provisional Contribution Ranking 345

''This is the first time I've ever had a five-figure contribution in one search...''
'But I guess that doesn't mean I'm the best ever in the Fifth Ward. It's sobering to think that there's an upside to that.
''Perhaps there is a record that we put out after being holed up in the labyrinth for several days with a large number of demons in the labyrinth. Since all of you have come from the seventh district, the fact that everyone's level has risen also contributed greatly to the contribution... I think it's essentially impossible to produce such a record in a few hours.

　I made the impossible possible - to say that I did something big, but I had Cuselka and the others to help me defeat The Calamity, and the fact that I was able to use the city's facilities was a big deal.

　The power of Murakumo, Alfeca, and Ariadne is also great, but it's not listed in the results display - is it because that's the kind of rule that their actions are shown on the license, but not calculated in the contribution?

'Louisa-san, we had the help of the Secret God.......Ariadne and the others in this battle. As for their contributions, does that mean that the guild does not calculate their contributions? This has been the case in the past, so this is a new question.......
''You mean that the actions of the people of the Secret God are not evaluated in the same way as those of the searchers? In the guild, even if a party is under contract with a secret god, as a rule, we do not ask for information to be disclosed. This is because the 'Secret God' is an object of faith in the Labyrinth Country. The guild organization does not consider itself to be so omnipotent as to assign a grade to the actions of a god.
'Thank you, if that's what you mean I'd like to personally pass on the well-deserved praise for their contributions.
I wish to be given something that will make me as strong as the Scythe Blade that I was allowed to take in before.''

　Murakumo, who had placed the sword on a stand to stand on, speaks to me - I wanted to ask him one question too, so I asked Louisa to wait for a moment and spoke to Murakumo in my mind.

'Murakumo said that he was able to use a new technique with the power of the "Scythe Blade", but I wonder if it's correct to recognize it as the "Tenchi Blade/Zan Iron".'
''There's no problem with that perception. ''Ocean Mantis'' had an ability called 'Slashing Iron Blade Strike' that destroyed metal equipment, although the master hadn't seen it. It seems to be more powerful against insects when used to enhance weapons, but that's not the case if I absorb it.''

　It means that 'Aetherial' weapons like the Murakumo are different from normal weapons in every aspect. It absorbs the power of demonic materials without changing its prototype, and learns new techniques - although in order to break the chains made of the 'Hertect Steel' of the 'Monkey Hou', it is necessary to unleash that technique with the arm of the machine god.

''You may sound weak, but it's quite difficult to ask me to cut that chain again. If it is wielded with the power of the Machine God, even I can feel the limit of its strength.......Even if it is broken, it can be regenerated, but it will take ten days at the earliest.''
'I'll keep that in mind. If you have a material that makes it stronger, you can tell me again.
''I'd appreciate it if you would. Or you can prepare a means to cut that chain other than me, or fight to prevent me from being restrained.......One thing I fear is that the Monkey Prince, who knows that the Heltect Steel cannot be easily destroyed, may use it as a defensive trump card.''

　When the chains of that 'Heltected Steel' dragged Alpheka along, the enemy was clearly above the imagination - we need to take the best possible measures to avoid being trapped in a predicament. With an eye on strengthening Murakumo, we will seek another direction. Assuming we slash that chain in the same way, we must be prepared to break it with that blow if we don't strengthen the Murakumo.

　It is difficult to completely block the actions of a threatening enemy. The Monkey Hou's abilities that we saw could be considered a small part of it, and it would be good if the enemy didn't have countermeasures against any kind of status abnormality, but the 'named' so far have often lifted the status abnormality and strengthened their own abilities when they were cornered.

''Atobe-sama, have a cup of tea.''
'Oh thank you very much, Louisa. Sorry to keep you waiting.
'A sword you can talk to, you have such a valuable thing in your possession.

　Louisa was surprised at first, but now she has come to accept that what I do is "just the way it is".

　The tea Louisa brewed for me was the right temperature, and a sip of it warmed me up. This would not make me feel cold.

''As it was mentioned in the results report earlier, you have defeated the demon that caused the stampede, so you will receive five thousand gold coins as a prize.
'They didn't come out with a bounty, but is that because they hadn't done any damage to the searchers yet?
''It will be. Based on the destruction to the city and other factors, we have calculated the bounty that was originally supposed to be put on the city... it could have been higher, but the initial bounty amount in the fifth district is limited to five thousand gold coins.

　There's no possibility of not defeating them until the bounty is higher from the beginning, so I'm grateful just to be provided with five thousand pieces.

Next, let's take a look at the search results in Red Chamber of the Fiery Sky. They escaped quickly, but since they were engaged, their contribution has not been negative.


　The results of the last search
　We're in the 2nd floor of the Red Chamber in the Hot Spot. 20 points.
　10 points for fighting a group led by the Cautious Monkey King.
　I escaped the maze in a short time. -30 points.
　Increased trust in party members 10 points
　100 points for rescuing Elitia.

　Searcher's Contribution ・・・ 110 points
　Fifth Ward Provisional Contribution Ranking 345

　When Elitia entered the labyrinth on her own, she was left out of the party once. I incorporated her into the party when I found her, but it seems that she was still judged as a 'rescue'.

　At 110 points, the rankings do not change. I thought it was just fine if it wasn't a negative - but I noticed one thing after seeing this result display.


It's true... what does it have in common with The Phantom Winged Butterfly?

　Kuzelka said that after defeating the named "Sky Star", the explorer is said to be given a special qualification.

　If these two demons have something in common - not only do they fight the explorer, but they also have a special interference?

(The named subordinates of the 'Monkey Hou' were the usual black stars. The characteristic of the Winged Butterfly is its karma-related skills. Does "Marquis de Sar" have a similar ability?

　I think the word 'prisoner' refers to the guardian of the prison, but the 'monkey lord' who stands on top of him is holding the searcher captive and subordinate.

　In other words, that fort is a prison made by the Monkey King - there seems to be a connection between the act of entering a prison and the rise in karma. It is not possible to conclude from the two bodies alone that the commonality of the demons in 'Sky Star' is that they have skills related to karma, but it can be formulated as a hypothesis.

''I've heard that defeating a demon with a 'sky star' on it will give you a special qualification. Do you know about that, Louisa-san?
''No........I'm sorry, but before I met Atobe-sama, I was just doing my daily duties as a receptionist. I'm sure you've never imagined that the time would come when you would have access to that kind of special information. But....

　On the day we took our vacation in the "Small Island of Illusion", Louisa-san seemed to have sunk a bit. She seemed to be sad that she couldn't accompany us on our quest - but there was a sparkle in her eyes now, as if she had been blown away.

''Supporting Atobe-sama and the others all the time means that my position and authority will change with it. I also heard that again today from my boss. As an exclusive employee of the 'Specially Selected Searcher', I will be moving from the position of 'General Staff' to 'Specially Appointed Staff' and my salary will be increased...
'Oh that's great. Congratulations, Louisa. I have to congratulate you on this one.

　I can't help but let out a voice that I rarely let out. I guess that means I wasn't longing for a raise in salary or words like "promotion" in my own way - I feel happy that Louisa-san's promotion is as good as it is for me. It may also mean that she is serving up admirably when she is in the guild.

''Ye-yeah.......it's all due to the help of Atobe-sama and the others.
'So that's right. Well, let's go for a drink at the end of the month...no, let's definitely go for a drink as a launchpad. It will be after we've finished everything safely.
''Yes, sir. I'll be fine whenever you want me to be. The most important thing is that Atobe-sama and the others finish their search and come back safely, because that's what will last forever.

　I shook hands with Louisa-san - I meant to say hello once again and for now, but I wanted to share the joy of promotion.

''.........''
'And Theresa-sama thank you very much. I look forward to working with you in the future.

　Louisa-san shakes hands with Theresia as well, and then Louisa-san leaves - there are two bedrooms in this quarters, but this time Igarashi-san, Louisa-san, Seraphina-san, and Melissa are sharing the room.

　Misaki and Suzuna, Elitia and Madoka seem to be getting along well with each other, and I can hear the occasional sly voice coming from the room. Celes-san, who had joined them, came out, breathed something tired, and took out a bottle of drinks from the cold storage room with the magic stone.