'Hmmm ... it's a bit hot. I wonder if the desert and other wards with many labyrinths are affected in any way.

　Igarashi-san tugs and flaps at her chest, but the gesture seemed to come naturally. I'd be honored if she was forgiving of me, but the cleavage was so deep that I don't need to think about it now, and I'm furious at myself for almost attracting her gaze.

'Rear, what's up?　I'd look up and ... oh no, is there a bug in the ceiling or something?
'No, no, not at all. I'm sorry, I just wanted to look up for some reason.
'Really?　If you've got a stiff neck while you're in a meeting or something, we can take a break for a bit.
No, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern.

　Igarashi-san says, "Feel free to do so," and shows me her license. I knew it would be dangerous if she bent forward, so I reached out my hand and took it.

　Skills that can be acquired ◆.

　Skill Level 3.
　Windmill: The Windmill swiftly wields a spear to strike enemies around it. The number of attacks per unit will be increased if there are few enemies.　Required Skill: Spinning Spear

　Skill Level 2
　Spinning Spear: When attacking, your blows will be strengthened by the amount you spin your spear.
　Bravely Song: Improves everyone's attack power and morale. Release your allies' fear. Required skill: Brave Mist
　Spearman's Blessing: Disables enemy piercing attacks when activated.
　Thrower's Blessing 2: Improves distance, strike, and accuracy when throwing the spear. Benefit from the "piercing attack". Required Skill: Throwing 1
　☆ Earth Puppet: Borrowing the power of the earth spirit, the user generates an autonomous mud puppet that acts autonomously. It has no offensive abilities, and its strength and defense depend on the user's ability. Required Skill: Decoy Puppet
　Einherjar: Can be used against an enemy that is disabled. Reduces the target's hostility and allows you to add it to your team the next time you can act. Only works on humanoid targets. The success rate depends on the difference between the user and the target.
　☆ Pole Dance: You can activate it while equipped with a long-handled weapon. Agility and evasion rate increase for a set amount of time. You may charm an enemy while avoiding an attack. Cannot be used consecutively. Required Skill: Warrior Girl's Enchantment 1

　Skill Level 1.
　War Maiden's Glossy Dance 1: When an enemy is of the opposite s*x, a low percentage of attacks will be canceled.
　Penetrating Strike 1: When equipped with a spear, a portion of the blow will ignore the enemy's defense.
　Freeze Thorn: Freezes the enemy's legs, slowing them down.
　Bullet Repellent 1: Makes it slightly harder for enemies' indirect attacks to hit you.
　Throwing 1: Throws a spear to attack. Throwing 1: Throws a spear to attack the target, increasing your accuracy compared to normal throwing.
　Freeze Weapon: Temporarily grants an ice attribute to the target weapon.
　Seishin no Stance: Unleash a certain percentage of an anomaly that disrupts concentration. Your next attack will become a critical strike once.


　Remaining Skill Points: 3

　A quick look at the variety of skills is astonishing - there are skills from "War Maiden" and skills that seem to be derived from Igarashi's original characteristics. The 'Kiyohama no stance' is probably the stance of the naginata.

　The fact that this stance can be taken with 1 skill point is an unbeatable deal. The true value of this is demonstrated when you equip a weapon that produces a special effect when it is critical - a weapon like Fobidoun Sais that can take down an enemy with a single hit when it is critical is a spear-type weapon, or a warrior maiden (Valkyrie). When you come out with a long-handled weapon that seems to be your forte, there is no reason not to take this stance.

　The problem is still the allocation of points. The acquisition point for 'Kiyohama no Stance' is 1, but even that 1 point has to be carefully allocated.

''Oh, there's a skill level 3 coming up it looks like it says something strong, but if you take it, you'll lose points.''
''It's a pretty powerful offensive skill. If the 'Windmill' has more than five attacks, you can expect it to be quite powerful if used against a single demon.
'I wonder if Windmill is a windmill.......it's going to be a somewhat flashy attack. You have to take the 'Spinning Spear' as a necessary condition, so it looks like you'll have to forgo it this time. What we can take with the current point........

　Igarashi-san may not be aware of it, but it may be that her chest is heavy, but she is leaning forward while supporting it with her hands - it's probably not her imagination that she feels Teresia's gaze stinging.

　'Pole dancing' and all that. I've been in the dance club and the Cleave club, but I've never done anything of this sort before.
'No, no, I'm not expecting that to happen...'
The way you put it, it sounds like you don't expect me to do it at all. I know, I know, what's written seems to work against this enemy. And if the fascination succeeds, we might not have to fight those people who were made to be the 'Monkey Prince's Gentlemen'.
I'm sure that this "Einherjar" will be very effective, although the conditions are strict, as long as it avoids engaging in conflict with the manipulated searchers. And I think humans would be included in the 'human-shaped target'.

　A bipedal demon would not fall under the category of "humanoid", nor would a monkey or orc - but a "human" or "subhuman" would certainly be a target.

　If you take a skill that is limited in its effectiveness, it lacks versatility. In this case, a great effect can be expected, but Igarashi has other powerful skills, so this is a problem.

　In order to defeat a powerful demon like the Marquis de los Muñoz, should I increase the maximum instantaneous attack power of the entire party, or should I avoid engaging the Marquis de los Muñoz's Attendants and rescue them at the same time? If you can't defeat the Marauder of Monkeys, they are of equal priority.

　Should I hold off on using the Earth Puppet to draw the enemy's attackers, for now? Or should I decide what role I want to ask for, and then improve my skills in the search before going into battle with the "Monkey Prince"?

(What you decide now could make a decisive difference. Since he can't make a single wrong move, should he hold off while there's still time to do so? (It's possible that Igarashi-san's level could go up one more level.

　Is there one that I should definitely take? After thinking about it, I pointed to the lowest skill.

''This 'Seishin' stance,'' like the 'Swarming Wolf Stance,' is a potential target for my morale release.
''Rear-kun's morale release... I looked at the license records after the fight was over, and it's about spreading the effects of a skill that makes everyone individually stronger to everyone else.
'Yes. The conditions for activating my morale release would be when I'm injured. In a fierce battle, that kind of opportunity would come naturally...

　In the middle of talking, Igarashi-san looks up and stares at me. These eyes - angry and not so angry, a look of condemnation.

''Just like Rear-kun is boosting our morale, we may have skills to boost your morale too. If it's not a skill, but some other way I won't let you call your injury collateral damage when you find it.
'I'm sorry ... but is it collateral damage? I had no idea that the words you see in the movie would apply to me.
You've already got enough to get through a crisis like the hero in the movie. But the difference is that it's our actions that determine whether we survive or not.

　Most of all, they have to live - to rescue Luury and break Theresa's spell.

　Still, it's not easy to divide them. When I think that there may be searchers who have lost their friends like Elitia and are unable to move forward, I can't help but wonder if we can't save them.

''Well I think the whole strategy is important, but if I had the skills to protect you, I'd take that as a priority. I'm sure everyone else has that as well.
Thank you, Igarashi-san.........
It's for the best, considering from

　Igarashi-san says something embarrassing, but when she realizes that her face is reddening, she coughs and raises herself up and leans back against the back of the sofa.

'So... which skill should I take? There's a lot of options, so do I hold off for now?
'If you look closely, there's one skill I haven't taken on yet that's a morale booster. 'Bravely Song,'
Oh I'm sorry, I must have missed that.
''But I can take charge of raising morale with my skills. The morale release can only be used once in a single search, so using skill point 2 is something to think about.
'Well then, shall we consider whether to take 'Einherjar'?
Yes, but I would like to save the Kiyohama stance or the Bulletproof 1 at this stage. But at this stage, I'd like to take the 'Kiyohama no Stance' or 'Bulletproof 1'.
'Eh....'

　Aside from "Seishin no Stance," "Danbuyoke 1" was surprisingly well received by Igarashi-san.

He said, "Mr. Igarashi-san is also one who is reckless in times of need. I wanted him to have some skills that would be useful in his defense.
W........Oh, I was still angry about that.......?

　It's a powerful weapon, but when you attack it, you also get wounded by it, 'Ambivalents'. Igarashi-san's discarded attack with it saved the party, but there was something I couldn't help but think about at the time.

　Igarashi-san could sacrifice himself for the sake of the party. When you are in a situation that makes you do so, you don't always get through it safely.

'I can't say I'm angry, that's such an offensive thing to say. I just wanted to say that just as Igarashi-san cares about me, so do I.'
''I'm sorry ... no, no, is it the part where you say thank you?''

　I would like to thank her for neither of those things - but she still seems to feel sorry for me when she was my boss, and there is still a part of her that is reserved.

　That's why I wish I had been able to change what I called her at the right time earlier, but I'm not sure if I should cut it out again.

''I think 'Ambivalents' is a trump card and a weapon that can be used in the Fifth Ward. However, you have to be prepared for all the risks when you use it.
'Yes, well when you use your trump card, make it as powerful as possible. And make sure that your concentration is not disrupted when you use it. The Seima Stance, which can do both, is surely useful. But 'Bullet Repellent' is fine, because I have other skills for evasion.

　Igarashi-san says that and gets the 'Seishin no Stance' for me. He then smiles at me and Theresa and takes the cross spear hanging on the wall.

　With the blade wrapped in cloth to protect it, Igarashi-san holds the spear - with her body halfway down, her left hand on the spear and her right hand raised high. The blade of the spear is pointing downwards, but as you can see, it's seamless, yet it's a beautiful stand.

''The 'Seima Stance' is this form... but after taking the skill, it still feels like a strange power comes out of it.''
''No, it's brilliant. The handling of the Cross Spear (Cross Spear) is similar to that of the Cleave, isn't it?

　Igarashi-san puts her spear back on while blushing her cheeks in embarrassment. Theresia, who had been staring at her, quickly stood up, so I looked at her to see what she was going to do, and she tried to imitate Igarashi-san's stance with nothing in her hand.

'You've been watching me very closely, Theresia-san. Thank you.'
..........

　Theresia nodded silently and sat down on the couch again. It seems that she's no longer standing and watching over me, and she's settled on sitting down and witnessing the meeting.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　Misaki and Suzuna came next - I was worried that they would get sleepy while waiting, but they both still look fine.

''Huh~ Why are you so patient, big brother?　When you're talking to Kyouka's sister after a bath, wouldn't you normally have no patience with her?
Um, that should give you some patience, right?
Oh, you know what I mean?　My brother has become so calm and collected, he's as bad as ever,
'I'm sorry, Misaki-chan, I've been fine while I've been waiting...'

　Suzuna seemed to be having a hard time, but she could somehow guess why Misaki was so excited.

'Maybe Elitia would feel more energized if she saw Misaki too. No, it's not like she can't help but come out.......I wonder.
'Yeah, I don't mean that as a question, but I definitely want you to feel better, okay?　But that doesn't make me frolic, because I'm always like this.
'Haha that's certainly true.
'Oh, smile like that. Isn't your brother a bit mean today?

　Of course, I don't mean to do that, and I consider that kind of thing in Misaki to be an irreplaceable virtue.

　And for Misaki and Elitia, who are the same age as me, Suzuna is a literal pillar of mental support for Misaki and Elitia, as she steps back and watches from the back - not something I should be willing to say as an adult, but her composure keeps me grounded too.

'Mr. Aricht, we were also looking at the new skills in our own way and trying to figure out which one to choose.
'Thanks, I'll take your input to the best of my ability.
'Then we'll start making decisions, Suzu. I'm going to feel like a cameraman watching over the two of them until I'm asked for my opinion.
'I'd like them to look at me normally if they could. I'm not used to having a camera pointed at me.
Huh, I'm getting more and more comfortable with your calm demeanor.

　Suzuna smiled softly at Misaki's joke and showed me her license.

　◆Skills that can be acquired ◆.

　Skill Level 2
　Exorcism 2: Effective against immortal demons. Required skill: Exorcism 1
　Miko Dance: Draws the opponent's attention to the dance. Evasion rate increases.
　Inviting Soul: Draws the soul of the target person. It can only be used while the soul is away from the body.
　The spirit of the designated person in the party is transferred to another person. Required Skill: Mediumship.
　☆ Celebration: Add a ward to all members of the party to reduce attacks by immortal monsters.
　The Evil Spirit: Reduces or interferes with an abnormality that causes the party to lose control of their actions, or interferes by activating it beforehand. Required Skills: Exorcism 1, Purification.

　Skill Level 1.
　The arrow is shot upwards, hitting the enemy on a parabolic path.
　This will add the sacred attribute to the arrow when used with the bow.
　Purification: Adds the sacred attribute to those who are immersed in the water with you.
　Prayer: The entire party's success rate will increase slightly.
　Oracle: When the party is blessed by a god, they will receive an oracle. The content of the oracle depends on the god. Cannot be cast consecutively.

　Remaining Skill Points: 3

　Suzuna looks over at Theresia and looks a little apologetic.

'I was wondering if my profession might be able to learn a skill like breaking Teresia-san's curse... is it impossible to learn it at my current level, or is it impossible for my profession to break the curse?
'I think there's a profession that has the skills to break the curse, a profession. That's what Celes-san said.......and Suzuna has a role that only Suzuna can play. Let's keep that part in mind in a positive way.
Yes thank you, Mr. Aricht.

　Suzuna was hoping to be able to break the curse with her own skills, and for that alone, she was grateful.

'Suzu's skills are sneaky, the effects are all so cool. But I don't want to encounter 'immortal demons' too much - they look like they could be in a zombie movie.
''I had Suzuna take the 'Word Spirit' from me before, and I was able to defeat the 'Merciless Decapitation' with it. Depending on how you take your skills, I think you can become an expert against immortal demons, but you also have other unique and excellent skills, so I'd like to balance them out.

　I'm wondering what kind of skill level 3 is for Suzuna - I'd like to have another level, and I'm feeling particularly strong about this meeting.

''Can I keep the 'oracle'?　Ariadne-sama is our guardian deity, so we want to be ready to receive the oracle as a 'priestess'.
'Is this different from talking to Mr. Ariadne in a normal way?'

　It seems that there may be an effect that can only be obtained by using the 'oracle', which is probably different from using the 'medium' as well, but as an example, you can't know unless you use it.

　There is also a way to ask Ariadne herself with the 'Spiritual Medium' - and when I thought about it, Suzuna's cheeks were blushing for some reason.

''Oh, what's wrong Suzu, is it hot?　Even my ears are red.
I'm going to go get a little wind outside.
Oh, yeah. Good job, Suzuna.

　Suzuna gets up from her seat and leaves while Misaki looks at her curiously - not that she's angry, but she was smiling at Misaki, so she seems to be fine. She doesn't have to worry about going out at night, as she seems to just go out on her bedroom balcony.

'I guess I got carried away by the heat of the meeting, my brother's passion for it.
'It's not like that, is it?　Yeah, but ... maybe he remembered what I asked him to do before.
What is it?　My brother asked Suzu for a favor without telling her........well, that's.......

　I can somehow see that Misaki's imagination has developed in an extraordinary direction. However, there's nothing to be sorry about, so it won't be a problem to explain it.

''In order to get Ariadne's help, I need to raise her 'faith value'. Dude, what's up?
Suzu-chan, if you do that with your brother........no, it's fine. I sincerely wish for my friend's happiness.
'No, I just had my back turned and used my skills.
'Oh my God, what are you talking about, from the back or something!　Your brother had a back fetish!　I'm not sure I can see very well what's going on with my back!
..........

　Theresia, who had been watching quietly, put her hand around her own back - I wonder if she was curious, too. As far as I could see, it was a beautiful white back, with no parts covered in lizardman scales.　

'Don't worry, Theresa, you don't have to worry about it. Misaki shouldn't be too mischievous either.
..........
'Yes. I like the way you said it now, like my brother is now a teacher. Arihito-sensei, my skills are like this now. Please advise me on what to do!

　Ibuki had said 'teacher' too, but I wonder if it was associated with her suit. With that in mind, he looked down at her license to avoid distracting Misaki, who was finally ready to get down to business.