Looking at the list of skills displayed on Seraphina's license, I could see how she had been struggling to allocate skill points.

　◆Skills acquired ◆.

　Skill Level 3.
　Aura Shield, oppressive march, Fanatic.

　Skill Level 2
　Shieldspary, Defense Force, Niououra, Fudo's Breath, Provoke.

　Skill Level 1.
　Shield slam, counter tackle, defensive stance, bodyguard.
　Training Method 1: Medicinal Herbs Knowledge 1: Stoic

　Skills that can be acquired

　Skill Level 3.
　Aura Smite: Attacks with a shield. It is easy to become critical. Your attack power increases with the shield's defense. Temporarily increased defensive strength is also reflected.　Required Skills: Aura Shield, Shield Slam
　Breaching Charge: Brings up your shield and smashes through walls and other structures. If your shield is harder than the enemy's armor, you can destroy it.　Required Skill: Shield Slam
　Guardian Task: When you successfully guard, the damage you take is converted to an "Aura of Wallbreaker" and granted to a designated party member. You can also grant it to yourself. It cannot be used consecutively.　Required Skill: Nioura
　Forced Entry: You can set up your shield and advance by flicking enemies off. Delays enemy attacks in a certain area for a very short time.　Required Skill: March of Suppression

　Skill Level 2

　Riot Guard: knocks the enemy back significantly and slows them down when they successfully defend.
　Prepare to Intercept: invites the enemy to attack, and the more people who fight back at the same time, the more damage you inflict.
　One-on-One 1: Train in town with a designated member to gain experience.　Required Skills: training method 1
　Training Method 2: Experience is increased when performing actions related to muscle strength at a party.　Required Skills: training method.
　Submission 2: After putting the enemy in 'captivity', the attack power is greatly reduced. Can only be activated bare-handed.　Required Skill: Submission 1
　Ground Seeker: improves the ability to search for enemies in a prone position, making their presence less likely to be detected.
　Medicinal Herb Knowledge 2: When mixing herbs and herbs, the effect is greater. Efficiency of production per material is increased.　Required skill: Knowledge of Medicinal Plants 1
　HEAVY EQUIPMENT KNOWLEDGE 2: Enhance the performance of heavy armor when equipped with it.　Required Skills: Heavy Armor Knowledge 1
　Sidearm: Allows you to equip an auxiliary weapon such as a dagger.

　Skill Level 1.

　Submission 1: A joint move puts the enemy into a 'bound' state. It can only be used bare-handed.
　Iron Head: Attacks with a head-butt and grants a stun.
　Shock Absorb 1: Reduces impact-related attacks.
　Troop Lead: Prevents party members from losing track of you until you move to your destination.
　Delayed Retreat: Delays enemy pursuit by acting as a decoy when fleeing.
　Minesweeper 1: You can sometimes be able to see through the types of traps buried in the ground.
　Heavy Armor Mindset 1: When equipped with heavy armor, you can extract a bit more performance from it.
　Patriot: When acting in conjunction with a vehicle, you can anticipate attacks aimed at the vehicle and prioritize skills used to counterattack or defend against it.

　Remaining Skill Points: 8

　She has acquired many skills in order to serve as a frontline fighter and catch enemy attacks. However, among the unacquired skills, there was one left that could further enhance her defense.

''Isn't this 'Heavy Equipment Know-How' still being taken to save points? Since Seraphina-san is heavily armed, I think it's quite effective.''
'When I first came to the Labyrinth Country... when I went up to level 2 and chose a skill, I took the skill 'Knowledge of Medicinal Plants' so that I wouldn't be wounded and retreat from the front line for too long, instead of 'Knowing how to wear heavy armor'...' ...Once the potions became available for purchase, it became a skill that I didn't have much use for.

　It's not uncommon for us to choose one of two options and then fail to get the other. We have skills that we don't get, even though we feel they have merit, too.

The other reason is that if we could fortify our defense without relying on skills, that would be ideal...
'I see, if you can improve your defensive abilities without skills, then you can save some skill points. I think it would be good to improve your basic physical abilities and then add more skills on top of that... 'Knowledge of medicinal herbs', can you identify plants that can be used as medicines?
''Yes, although only rudimentary medicinal herbs will be found in 'Knowledge of Medicinal Herbs 1', it is possible to find medicinal herbs in the labyrinth. But more importantly, in order to carry out this mission, I think we should acquire skills that can contribute to the operation...

　The nature of the occupation of 'mobile infantry' and the aptitude that Seraphina-san herself has. If that is reflected in the skills that can be acquired, it's no wonder that there are things related to 'training' other than 'defense'.

('One-on-one' and 'training methods'.......does Seraphina-san also have the qualities of an instructor?)

　Ryoko-san was also a 'swimming instructor' by profession, so she seems to have the qualities of an instructor. We didn't have a chance to be introduced to the skills of the 'Four Seasons', but I'm sure she chooses her skills with the same worries as we do.

''I think it's best to take 'Heavy Armor Know-How' to 2 first. It will always increase your defense, and there won't be many situations where this will be a disadvantage.
'Yes, sir. Then I'll spend three points and get you up to 'The Heart of Heavy Armor 2'.
''I think 'knowledge of medicinal herbs' is also very useful, so it's difficult to decide whether to raise it to 2... but... as Seraphina-san said, can I have you prioritize the skill as a defensive trump card?
'Yes, sir. No need to say 'opinion', just relax your shoulders.

　I haven't been able to switch it up very well either - it's an honor for me to want to be treated by Frank, so I'll have to adjust to it somehow.

''This 'submission' sounds good for stalling enemies in close proximity. Does that mean you have some martial arts knowledge, Seraphina-san?
'Yes, I had the opportunity to learn martial arts before my reincarnation. It was part of my training course, and I've had a few real fights.

　This means that not only is she a shield user, but she is also strong without a weapon - a strength of the military, or a profession where self-defense skills are essential. Anyone can learn martial arts, though, so some explorers may have a civilian background, but they may be skilled.

''Since it is unlikely that there will be a situation where I will be able to let go of my shield, I decided that this skill will not be needed as often as it should be, so I did not obtain it until now. Is it conceivable that this skill would be effective against the 'monkey lord'?
'It's possible. The joint technique would be somewhat effective for any type of articulated demon... but there's a risk if it doesn't get through. It could be that approaching them without a shield is dangerous, though.

　A combination of "Forced Entry" and "Submission 1" could be considered, but you'd have to go bare-handed after "Forced Entry". Even if they were to cover up with other members, it would not be practical to carry a shield on their backs or discard it in front of the enemy.

''The combination of bottoming out the offensive power of 'Aura Smite' with 'Heart of Heavy Armor 1' might also be effective as a means of attack. But if at all possible, it's better to have separate roles for attackers and defenders.
''Then should I get the 'Guardian Task'? The use of this will reduce the risk for Elitia-dono to enter the bosom of the enemy. The fact that you can grant yourself an 'Aura of Defense' in some cases will also be useful.
'Breaching Charge' and the like are also good skills that I can imagine using, so if I can pick a skill to take in battle... I don't seem to have enough grace in the fight to say that. It really troubles me.

　The skill of breaking a wall by holding up a shield and hitting it with your body - it seems to be useful in siege battles, but it is currently impossible to determine if breaking a wall is a viable tactic. There is a possibility that you can use 'Queen's Tail' to do the same thing, but if you can, you'll want to use it to attack the main body of the 'Monkey Prince'.

''Then I'll keep track of the skills and acquire them as I determine them during the mission.
Thank you. I may ask you to get it from me.
I understand. I don't feel that we have any problems with cooperation in combat at the moment, so I hope we can work to reduce the load on Aricht-dono.

　Serafina-san says so and holds out her right hand - does that mean she wants to say hello again?

　When you shake hands with her, her hand, which is still not wearing a small hand, is more slender than I imagined. However, I feel a sense of strength that I would know I would lose in a normal arm-wrestling match.

'Lastly, if you don't mind, may I ask you something?'
Yes, I'm at your service.
What effect does this 'stoic' skill have...

　I've always been curious about it, but I wasn't sure if I should ask because I felt like I was getting sidetracked.

　Serafina-san - squeezed the hands on her knees, and her face gradually became redder and redder.

''Oh no, I was just wondering about you for a moment, so I'm sorry.''
''When I first came to the Labyrinth Country, I was searching for a lot of things... although I'd like to think that those skills are still useful. It's like a godsend, and I'm sorry I was so inexperienced.

　With that, Seraphina operated the license after a bit of hesitation and showed it to me.

　◆Seraphina's skill details ◆

　Stoic: Continuing to live an ascetic lifestyle will increase your ability values in general and reduce your chances of suffering from some conditions.　

'Such a skill........Seraphina, that's why you don't drink, isn't it?
We don't know the details of what constitutes abstinent behavior. But we do know that he is currently less susceptible to the condition, and we know that he is in good physical condition.

　I'm sure there's a lot more to abstinence than just cutting out alcohol and other preferences, but we shouldn't try to ask too much about that.

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

　Theresia doesn't say anything, but she's getting subtly redder - I wonder if she also associates with that direction, after all. I'm starting to feel fiercely embarrassed for me.

''........I think this skill is precisely what is appropriate for Arihito-dono.''
What...?
No, no I'll send someone else out to meet you.

　Serafina-san gets up from her seat and leaves the living room. If she refuses to entertain herself in order to activate her 'stoic', does Seraphina-san originally like to drink alcohol - in this way, even though they may be together in battle and so on, there are things I don't know about her on a daily basis! .

　There are entertainment districts in the labyrinth country, but how do other parties deal with such desires? Since I'm partying with women, I can't afford to lose their trust in me, so even if I do have a drink once in a while, I don't think I can have a night out by myself in principle.

''.......Good evening.''
Good night, Igarashi-san. Let's have a quick meeting....

　I get up from the couch to greet Igarashi-san, but she looks somewhat uncomfortable after she sits down to face me.

''Ko, kohon. Rear-kun, Serafina-san seems to be calling you differently than she has been calling you, but...?
Now that I'm officially a party member, I was asked to relax my shoulders.
Oh, that's right... the strength of your shoulders, you don't really tease your shoulders that much, do you?
'Well this is my take on it, but I think it's just that a frank relationship is easier to work with.
Yes, yes, I know that's what you meant. You can call it Frank or friendly. I think it's better that way.

　Igarashi-san was talking without looking at me at all while crossing her arms. When I looked at Theresia, she also nodded her head as if she was wondering.

''Well it's a party, so we should all get along with each other, or is it... fair?　I mean, that's why I, you know, I know it's weird to say that now, but...

　She says in a small voice, glancing at me. It's like I'm being checked, weakly intimidated by something, what is this?

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

　I couldn't just keep asking Theresia for help - I thought about it.

　I finally realized what Igarashi-san was trying to say. It's too late for me, or perhaps I don't have an ounce of delicacy - but there's no way I can cut it out myself.

　We've been partying for a long time now, so why don't we call each other by our names Frankly - and so on.

　Even now, if I'm not careful, I'm afraid I'll end up calling her "Chief". Respecting her as my boss is a habit that will continue even after my reincarnation.

　What a joke, as expected, I know that it would ruin my relationship with Igarashi-san. Igarashi-san, who mumbled 'fairly,' would not be offended by being called a lower name. I'd like to think not.

''Uh, yeah. Kagami.........''
'........Oh. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Theresa is here too but it's an important meeting to choose your skills, so we need to focus on it.

　The timing was off to the hilt - when I was ready, this is it.

''...?　What's up, Rear-End. Were you just going to say something?
No, it's fine. Thank you again for your hard work today, Igarashi-san.
You too. We went to a big bathhouse, but there are also bubble baths, electric baths and herbal baths. Each district has its own unique sand bath.
That's something I'd like to get into.

　After defeating the monkey marquis, Theresia should be able to go to the bathhouse with everyone else this time.

　It's possible that the level could be increased during the preparation period, but that's not an absolute. We have to make the most of the skill points we have at the moment - it seems that Igarashi-san is the same, and she unusually tied her hair back and changed into the face of 'Chief Igarashi' who was going to the meeting for the first time in a long time.