A young girl is hard to follow but you mustn't drink without permission.
Please don't hesitate. Mr. Ceres, may I have a meeting now?
Well, well, well, Steiner, you really like dogs.
"That's already. It's soothing just to be with you.

　Mr. Steiner, who didn't move like an ornament next to Theon, who was lying down and resting, but when Celes-san called him, he responded properly - I was beginning to wonder in earnest what was going on in his armor.

　Mr. Steiner stood up with a crunch and sat cross-legged on the floor, as the sofa was too heavy for him to sit on.

'I'm sorry I'm so shabby looking. I've heard you right, you can start.'
'Isn't it about time you took off your clothes just to sleep... well, you know...
Okay, let me get started. This is the new material we have.

　Candidate materials that can be used for processing
　The materials for the Demon of the Winged Butterfly of Pity (1 unit)
　The antennae of the Pity Winged Butterfly with scales on them.
　The tail from Deathstalker x 1
　The Frozen Demon from The Calamity - 1 unit
　Nine tails in The Calamity x 1

　Looking at the list, Celes-san put her hand to her chin and pondered, hmm.

''There is enough material for two 'named' bodies, but only some of it can be used to process equipment. There are many parts that lose their strength and function when they are defeated.......but this time, it's quite interesting.
''I looked it up, and that great scorpion has resistance to all attributes. How did you manage to ice it?''
'Misaki added a weakness with a card with a rune on it, and that enabled the ice attribute.
I see. The Demon clown card. I'm glad to hear that the steel card I used to attach the rune to was of some use. I'm grateful for the work you've done.

　Ceres-san smiles very happily. I have not talked much about what equipment was useful in battle, but I would like to report frequently on the aspects in which the equipment was useful.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that the part that powers the heat ray from the tail is only dormant because of the ice. It is the 'Queen Scorpion's Lingering Light' that converts magic power into heat rays. According to past records, the explorers who dismantled the Calamity on the spot where it was defeated, removed it before it lost its function. If we freeze it, there will be no need to rush to dismantle it.
''Oh, I see.......There are some materials that can only be obtained under special conditions. Has that 'Queen Scorpion's Lingering Light' already been taken out?
''Melissa-san's 'connoisseurship' can determine which parts of the demon's material can be used. I've put the dismantling on hold until Atobe-sama's instructions. It looks like it's better to take it out and process it right away.''

　You've taken that much into consideration, and for us, we have nothing to say. I'm a novice when it comes to demon materials, so Melissa's knowledge and skills are very dependable.

''Combining the 'Queen Scorpion's Lingering Light' with the 'Nine Tails', I can create a weapon that replicates The Calamity's abilities... or should I say, this is no longer a weapon. Due to its weight, it can't be used as personal equipment, but if it can be carried, it will display exceptional power.
"This 'nine tails' is a special material and cannot be separated into individual pieces. The armor and the part of the spear where the scissors were changed can be used for equipment.......but it's still heavy, so it will take some time to process it.

　Weapons that are heavy - if we were to operate them in our party, we would have Alphecca carry them.

''How long would it take to make a weapon with 'afterglow' and 'nine tails'?
I'd appreciate it if you could take a look at it for three days. We'll need to test it to see if it will work in this big scale.
Okay, then.
I'll process all the other materials if Atobe-sama is willing. If you want to strengthen the equipment you have now, you'll have to keep it, in which case you'll need replacement equipment.

　We'll take that into consideration and strengthen our armor. Is there a possibility that there is a good piece of equipment that can be purchased in the fifth district - I'll have Madoka come over and discuss it with her as well.

　◆◇◆

　Ask Madoka to get information on the equipment that is in circulation in the Fifth Ward. Madoka, who is a member of the merchant's union, can receive a licensed list of goods from shops belonging to the union without having to visit them in person - good equipment is still in high demand, and is limited when it comes to fitting your profession, but there are a few items you'd like to purchase. Found.

　The equipment you ordered
　The Nerds*x Gauntlet" x 2
　Nelzex Glebe" x 2
　The Shaman of Shirarafuma Dressing x 1
　1 piece of 'Shirarafuma no tsuna' (the white knotweed)

　In the Fifth District, equipment made of the metal "Nelzek silver" seems to appear on the market from time to time, the gauntlets cost 800 gold coins and the glebe costs 1,000 gold coins, but I had Serafina and Igarashi equip them for me, respectively.

　'White Rafu Hemp' has a better feel and higher strength compared to normal linen. It was available as clothing that Suzuna and Melissa could equip, so the miko outfit was purchased for eight hundred gold coins and the tsuna for one thousand gold coins.

　At least five thousand four hundred gold coins, but the prize money from The Calamity almost offset it. Now that we have a decent use for our money, we should be more or less aware of our income and expenditure in the future and save our money.

　First of all, regarding the materials in The Calamity, the processing and enhancement details were as follows.

　◆The materials of The Calamity ◆

　Using "Afterglow" and "Nine-Tails" to create "★ Queen's Tale".
　Kyouka's Ambivalents → Use the Spear to add a Penetrating Strike Enhancement 2 to strengthen it to +1.
　Elitia's High Mithril Nightmare +7 → Use the Shell to reduce all attributes by 1. Strengthen to +8.
　Seraphina's Great Shield of Mirrored Armor → Use the Shell to add a reduction of 1 for all attributes (+1).

　I decided to use the shell, which works well with metal armor, to strengthen the equipment of the two vanguards. As for Elitia's armor, they'll finish it up in the night - I can't get over Steiner, who's in charge of processing it.

　There are two arm spears, and they work well with spear-type weapons, or long objects, but Igarashi-san's 'Eluminate Cross Spear' was used to strengthen the 'Ambivalents' because of the strength issues that arose, and one was left behind because it has no use right now.

　Melissa has already called Mr. Rykerton, and the two of us are starting to dismantle "The Calamity" - when we're done, Melissa said she'll bathe and rest again, but we're going to go to the archives tomorrow morning, so we'll use that time to go to the museum. It might be a good idea to give Melissa a break.

　Next, the materials from Winged Butterflies, could be used to strengthen the members' armor.

　The Winged Wing Butterflies' antennae can be used to string Suzuna's bow, and her bow has been renamed. It seems that equipment can also be renamed when not wearing runes.

　Material of the Winged Butterfly of Pity

　Suzuna's Asheriko's Bow +2 will be modified using the Antennas to change to the Bow of Genshoku +2.
　Theresia's Eluminate Razor Sword → Use the Tentacle to acquire the Invisible Slash (+5)
　Theresa's Chameleon's Boots → Use the Forewings to add a Flame Reduction 2 to strengthen it to +1.
　Misaki's Bat Leather Cloak → Use the Forewings to add "Flame Reduction 2" to strengthen it to "+1".
　Seraphina's Nelzex Gleave → Use the Hindwing to add a Flame Reduction 2 (+1).
　Theon's Hound's Leather Vest +3 → Use the Hindwing to add a Flame Reduction 2 to strengthen it to +4.
　Elitia's Gauntlet of Quick Work +1 → Add the Flare Division skill using Scales to enhance it to +2

　Since this whole process cannot be done in one night, I will have them start working on it tomorrow afternoon.

　Since I found out that the materials of the "Pity Winged Butterfly" can be used as a countermeasure against the flame attribute, I asked as many members as possible to put "Flame Attribute Reduction 2" on them. Since Igarashi-san, Suzuna and Elitia have "Flame Attribute Reduction 1" attached to their ornaments, including Melissa, I want to somehow reinforce the flame countermeasure in other ways - including Melissa's, which includes a powerful attack that uses flame in the yet-to-be-seen actions of the Shining Cauldron. It's not hard to imagine that there is.

　Finally, the material of the "Deathstalker", the processing destination was as follows.

　Material of "Deathstalker" ◆

　Seraphina's Eluminate Battle Rod → Use the tail to add the "Poison Attack 2" skill (enhanced to +2)
　Theon's Beast Crawl +2 → Use the scissors to add the Restraint Attack 1 skill to strengthen it to +3.
　Kyoka's Nelzex Glebe → Use the shell and add "Poison Resistance 2".　

　Serafina doesn't have many opportunities to use weapons, but she uses "Rod" as a weapon. Since she will inevitably get close to her enemies more often, it would be effective if she could use that opportunity to give them a status abnormality.

　As for the scissors, she has a painful memory of having been captured by Theresa - however, Restraint Attack 1 stops the target, which may be useful in stopping a seeker controlled by the Monkey King.

　The immediate plan for these processes will be done tomorrow or later as well. There are two runes that we have not used, but we have one policy in mind for these.

''The 'Tumble' rune will be effective when used by the party's shield-using Seraphina, who is a great shield user. This rune can only be attached to armor. It would be ideal if we can find armor with a rune slot that fits Seraphina's needs.

　Sion will also protect his friends with 'covering', but a shield is still needed for the role of receiving the enemy's biggest attacks. I had asked Serafina to come and give me her opinion.

Thank you for using your precious materials for my equipment. I agree with the policy regarding runes as well. Are rune slots, after all, often attached to the armor found in the labyrinth?
That's right. In order to create a rune slot for a new piece of armor, a special material is needed. It is also possible to add slots to equipment with slots by synthesizing them. The problem is the "Silver Sand" that is needed for this synthesis. It seems that the chances of obtaining it increases as you move up the ladder, but the demand for it is so great that it is not available.
''It was on the market at midday today, but it's sold out quickly. If we make it a bidding system, it will be monopolized by a few people, so when it goes to market, it looks like the price is fixed at a thousand gold coins.

　Madoka is still a bit of an innocent, but as a 'merchant' she's so dependable that her tongue rolls off her tongue every time. I can't help but admire her as she smiles and laughs while explaining more than I'd like to hear.

　I knew the scarcity of the "True Silver Sand", and I couldn't have her waiting around for it to appear on the market forever. The most practical way to obtain it would be to refine the 'metal lump'.

''The labyrinth where the 'True Silver Sand' is easy to mine.......If we were to decide on the next place to explore, that would be one of the options.''
'We have found one black box, and I'll think about it after I open it.
The only thing that can surprise you is how often they call you. Falma must be surprised to be called in this often. I met Rykerton and he was happy to see you in the Fifth Ward.
"Mr. Rykerton?
'Mr. Rykerton's wife seems to be in the Fifth Ward right now. She's been in the Fifth Ward since she moved up from the Sixth Ward more than six months ago.

　Mr. Rykerton's wife had become a sub-human while carrying Melissa - I had heard that she was also continuing to work as an explorer in order to become a human again.

'I haven't heard anything from Melissa yet, but I'd like to get a chance to meet your mother.
'You are ... no, I'm not going to tell you anything. Aricht, don't be surprised to see Rykerton's wife. I'm sure you'll be all right.

　Melissa's mother is a 'warcat', and whatever she looks like, I would like to thank Melissa for her activities and her gratitude for that.


'Yes, yes, Miss Seraphina. How can I help you?

　He suddenly called me by my lower name, which caught me off guard and made me upset. Serafina-san must have had a thought and changed the way she was called, but she was blushing.

''No, no.......it's after we officially joined the party, so I didn't want to be too much of a stranger. Was that rude...?
'It's all right, I'm rather happy about it myself. I was allowed to call him by his name, not Lieutenant Edelbert.
Lord Arihito, it's already late at night, but that means everyone is still fine. Would you like to continue with the selection of skills?
'Well, let me consult with Seraphina as soon as possible. Come over here, we'll decide on Theresa's skills next.
..........

　Theresa remained standing for a long time when I told her to sit down, but she finally complied - and sat down next to me, with a little pause to sit down next to me.

''Well it's complicated for young girls these days to have no problem bathing together, but to be embarrassed to sit next to you.''
"I think I know a little something about this........well, master, I'd better get to the workshop.
''Hmm. You should also think about whether or not you will use the Rune of Struggle, Alihit. Considering the power it possesses, it will be difficult to decide who will be equipped with it, but if the time comes when you will need it, it will certainly be the power that holds your hopes together.

　Celes-san and Steiner-san leave the room. Serafina-san sits across from me - once again, her appearance before bedtime is quite rough. Sheer clothes like a tank top and shorts are a big gap from her usual armored appearance.

''.........''
Te Teresa?

　Theresa is staring at me - I wonder if she's realized what I'm thinking. Now is not the time to be thinking about the Gap or anything like that, that's for sure. No, I don't know if Theresia is looking at it with that in check, but my chest is prickling.

''Aricht-dono...?''
'I'm sorry. Um.....
'Even though it's a Guild Saber license, you don't have to be so nervous about it. My newly acquired skills will be here.

　Indeed, as a Guild Saber, her license is different in shape from the explorer's. I changed my mind and asked her to show me the list of skills that Seraphina has.