Light spilled through a crack in the curtains. I suddenly woke up in the early morning, when the sky was beginning to turn white.

''Ah....''

　In front of me, holding my mouth in amazement, was Ms. Louisa, dressed in her receptionist's uniform and ready to go.

　Louisa-san poofed up and left. She put her hand on the sofa and seemed to be peeking at me - I wonder if she was worried because she was sleeping like she was dead.

'Oh, good morning, Louisa. Are you ready to go out now?
Yes, yes..... even as an at-large staff member, you will be assigned to your regular duties while you're in District 5.
Good evening. Would you like to have breakfast?
'We have just had refreshments delivered by Maria at the 'Forest Diner' arranged for us. Hot coffee and tea, and soup also arrived in a pot of magic tools.
''Coffee that's something I've missed. I haven't had a taste of it since I came to the Labyrinth Country, can you get it in some labyrinth?
''Yes, it is said to grow wild in the labyrinth of this district. It's located in a place where it's difficult to get to, so the amount available is limited.......Would you like to drink it, Atobe-sama?
Yes, I'd like a drink if I could but if we're all going to have one, I'd better wait.
There's enough for everyone, so feel free to join us.

　Smiling, Louisa smiled at me. She brought the pot and poured the coffee into the ceramic cup that had been prepared to match and served it on a saucer.

　I had already known when I poured the coffee, but the aroma - just drinking it brought back memories of my days as a company employee.

'Rear, how can you drink coffee without sugar... I think it would be better if you added milk to it and made it into a café au lait...'

　I don't know if that happened - Igarashi-san once brewed me a café au lait in the company's coffee machine. She served me a café au lait when she came to work after I had pulled an all-nighter, unable to bear to look at me, who had become a living corpse.

　I had always been a black drinker, but after about a 50/50 split, I started to choose cafe au lait as well. Igarashi-san can't drink it without adding more sugar - the reason I know this is because I've served it to her as a subordinate too.

''Yes, delicious.......Luisa-san?''

　Louisa-san is looking at me with a troubled look on her face - I've been thinking about other things and getting up in the air, my bad manners.

　But Louisa-san shrugs her shoulders and chuckles, as if she's a person who has no choice.

'Something about the coffee...?
''Ha, yes ... it's not so much a memory. I just remember that I used to drink a lot when I was working under Igarashi-san.
...Which coffee is better, then or now?
'Well, yeah. It's hard to call it a match...
''Well isn't that the part where I can say that Louisa-san is better than you?''

　I was expecting someone to wake up by now, but it was as expected - Igarashi-san, who had just given her name, comes out of the shadows shyly.

'Good morning, Kyouka-san. You've been kinder to Atobe-sama than I've heard you say, haven't you?
Well, that's not true, but he pushed you many times harder than that, and he wasn't a good boss at all. Even Mr. Rearward avoided you at the end.
No, no, you've been avoiding...
You've been avoiding it, haven't you?

　That's partly because I reported directly to Mr. Igarashi, and we had too many opportunities to work on the same project, and that's why the rumor started that I was Chief Igarashi's favorite.

　Igarashi-san didn't realize that at all, and I felt awkward explaining the situation to him. When I had just been reincarnated, I still wanted to complain to her for appointing me and entrusting me with the job - and even so, I regret that was not the place to be stubborn.

'Oh I'm sorry, I'm not trying to question you. It's more like I want to apologize, even if I remember now...
So, you're not going to call Master Atobe by his name?
'What ... hey, can you give me a minute?　Louisa, you're not being mean to me today...?

'What?　

　I was unintentionally upset, and Louisa smiled at me. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time here.

　◇◆

　When everyone was up, we had breakfast and finished getting ready to go.

''Brother, Falma-san can't leave Ward 8 right away, so he will arrive tomorrow.
'Oh, you've been in touch. Thanks Madoka, I think we've talked about this before, but I think we should go buy a cart today.
'Really?　Wow.........I've always admired wagons. Having a cart makes you look like a full-fledged merchant, doesn't it?
'So we're going to go to the place where the wagons are sold first, and then to the archives, right?

　Igarashi-san, who had been listening to the conversation, comes up behind Madoka and puts a hand on her shoulder. Madoka is embarrassed, but Igarashi-san's do-gooder - friendly appearance makes her smile.

'Celes-san introduced me to someone with knowledge of the curse seal, so I don't know if I can contact him at the archives or if he has any clues as to his whereabouts.
'Really?　

　Since we are not always all there, I'll share the information with you again. There will be a big difference in everyone's feelings between swallowing the situation and acting on it.

''I know it's a little late now, but who the hell is Celes-san?　I can't believe I know someone in the Fifth Ward, he's actually more amazing than I thought...

　Misaki is admiring it, but I'm curious too, to be honest. Right now, though, Celes-san and Steiner-san are already in the workshop, so I'll have to ask them questions about that area when I get a chance.

'If you didn't tell me everything, then there must be some reason for that. What kind of occupation is it for someone who knows about curses...?
'I can think of a few things... but Shirone was also in a profession that had something to do with curses of some sort.

　Syrone's occupation was 'Spelllocker', but the weapons she dropped were two swords. 'Heaven Stiletto' and 'Bloodsucker' - if you were to use both at the same time, you would be a two-faced swordsman, but I think that's a bit far from the fighting style you might imagine from the name 'spellcaster'.

"She was originally a 'dual swordsman'. Why did she switch to 'spell wielder'... I'm sure the reason is to explore the possibility of being able to wear the 'Colored Equipment'.
"Color me...

　The name of Elitia's weapon is 'The Scarlet Emperor's Sword', and it is named after a color. So it has a color name, that's what it means by 'color name'.

''You mean there are other weapons with color names, and they are also cursed?
''Yes the number owned by the 'Byakuya Brigade' right now may be increasing, but the Commander and a few others should have them. It's not necessarily a weapon, but sometimes you can find them as armor.
''Elitia-san, do the people in the brigade have control over the cursed weapons...?''

　At Suzuna's question, Elitia's expression became cloudy. Then, looking at her sword in its sheath, she said.

''First, equip it and turn it into a unique profession. That's what it means to be 'chosen to equip', and I'm sure the only person in the brigade who has reached a higher stage than that is.......my brother, Johan.

　It's more than that - does that mean that you have overcome the curse by wearing the "Colored Equipment"?

　The occupation of Elitia's "Carse Blade" is also showing signs of change after the battles so far. When he defeated a thousand demons, his unique skills were released and he was able to learn the 'Scarlet Dance'.

''Are there any conditions to reach a higher level?''
''I don't know. My brother said that each color of equipment has different requirements, but that guy doesn't really trust his companions, because he doesn't really trust them. Vice Commander Agnes also said that sometimes he doesn't understand what his brother thinks.
''Still, if you're going to act together... to the members of the brigade, Lord Elitia's brother is someone they can trust as a leader, isn't he?

　Seraphina-san said that, but Elitia did not affirm it.

'I know I shouldn't speak ill of my immediate family but your brother has changed. He used to be a quiet man who used to lose track of time on his days off and read books.''

　If you are an explorer in a labyrinthine country, harsh events are not unlikely to occur.

　If something happens that only changes Elitia's brother significantly, you shouldn't have too many preconceptions about him before you know it.

　Even if the brigade doesn't help Rulie, we will definitely help him out. I don't know how our attitude will be perceived by the brigade, but we can't be concerned about it.

''Well even if you have a disagreement with Elitia's brother, I'll still support Elitia unconditionally.
'Aricht thank you. For now, I think that's fine as long as we don't have to see each other. As long as we've made up our minds and left the brigade, I think it's better for both of us.
'Ha, I would have been quicker to talk to you if you were a kind brother. He seems a bit scary from what I'm hearing, so I guess I'll just have to watch him from a distance.

　Misaki says so, but as for me, I'd like to talk to her when I get a chance. Because I'm curious as to why Sirone would come to the Seventh Ward and do something so hostile to us.

　If it was due to Johan's instructions, then I have to judge that he has an end in mind, where he is willing to use any means to achieve his goal. I can't let my guard down against the brigade, although that's something I've felt for a while now.

　◆ ◆ ◆

　There is a workshop in the northwestern part of the Fifth Ward where carts are made. The head of the workshop is a bearded man, a little older than I am, but his oil-stained gloves and other features give him the appearance of a skilled craftsman.

My name is McCain, and I'm the second generation of this workshop. What do you need a cart for?
'She's a 'merchant' and has the skill of 'cart equipment'. Eventually I'd like to carry different loads on board, but this time I'd like to use it to load heavy weapons.
Do you need a cart, little girl?　You're going to be dealing with a heavy weapon, or a pretty big one from now on. In that case, we'll need a load-bearing aid.
Do you mean the load-carrying capacity can be increased or something like that?

　Mr. McCain nodded and brought out what looked like a metal rod with a hole in it.

''This is the handle of the cart. If you change this part to one with a magic stone hole or rune slot, and attach a 'light fossil', 'floating stone' or even a 'flying stone' to it, the performance of the cart will change dramatically. The weapons and carts you have on you are the same in size, but they're still the same. For someone who is skilled in cart equipment, that is.


　It was a word I chose for some reason, but McCain visibly reacted to the word 'tune-up'.

'I used to work as a car mechanic before I was reincarnated. At first I didn't think I'd be able to make use of my experience in this labyrinth country, but in the end, that magical tool gave me a taste of what's possible. I could make an engine with time, but I could substitute the same function with magic tools. I was shaken when I realized I could modify a cart with a magic stone.
'So you're saying... there were no wagons with magic stones on them before?
'It will. It's enough to say that the cart is just as good as it should be. There was a guy who wanted to attach a leftover light fossil to his cart, and that's how it all started. That's when our workshop started to offer such a service.
''Oh, um ... do I need to get those magic stones and prepare them in order for me to use the cart?

　Madoka said, and Mr. McCain laughed - pointing to a shelf in the corner of the workshop.

''You'll get a reasonable price, but we have magic stones ready for you as well. That's right, if you're going to load a cannon or something, maybe you should make a modification that allows you to load it with 'frames' rather than weight.

''I'll use this 'storage stone'. The current market price is 2,500 gold coins, but it's such a valuable magic stone that the price can go up more depending on the time of year. A cart fitted with it will be able to load things with a frame that doesn't depend on the weight.

　Considering the use of this time, it's just an essential modification. The expense is large, but it's difficult to find the magic stone I'm aiming for now, so I'd say I'm buying time with my funds.

''Oh, brother........''
'Don't worry, there's plenty of room in the budget. Mr. McCain, assuming you're going to have the storage stones attached as a requirement, can you make some modifications that will help with the move?
There are two types of modifications: those that make the car run on its wheels with magical power when the need arises, and those that lighten the handling of the car when pulling it by yourself. You'll need to decide what kind of car you want to make based on how you want to operate it.

　I felt like I was here to buy a cart, but I felt like I was here to buy some kind of automobile - it's similar to buying a car after deciding on an option.

'When the time comes, you can power me. As for situations where I can't materialize, I'll leave that to the master.''

　I can hear Alphecca's voice. Then Murakumo, who was carrying it on his back, also entered the conversation.

'Carts have a role to play as carts. Alfeca's role is not going to disappear.'
'I don't think that's what we're thinking about. Rather, when we put weapons on the wagons, it will reduce the need for the Murakumo.
''That's not true. The characteristics of a powerful melee weapon that a master can equip have room to contribute in the future in combat.

　Ariadne's parts - it's a bit surprising that the two 'armaments' would be arguing with each other, which is something that has never happened before.

''Both of you, I'm going to continue to rely on you, so don't get into any fights.
"...and do good.
'I want you to use me as effectively as possible. As long as the masters are strong, and the enemies are also strong, my permission to use them will be terminated.''

'What will you do, Mr. Aricht?　I've accompanied an armored vehicle before, and I'm sure I can assist in moving the wagons.
'Thank you, Seraphina. But since I'm part of the party, I'll do the job you entrusted me with.

　In terms of escorting Madoka, who is not accustomed to combat, I'll assume that I'll be able to get help from Seraphina-san and Sion.

　And as she wished, I'll have her strengthen it with a magic stone so that she can operate the cart alone - and then it became this specification.

　◆Haven Still Wheel +3◆
　Carts made of "Heaven Still".
　Carts made of hevenstil.
　Carts equipped with acceleration stones.
　For example, a cart made of Hebenstil.

The chassis is made of light and strong Haven still. It is a whitish shiny metal and is often used for equipment in the area around the 6th district. Sometimes we can get a better metal, but it's too expensive. But it's the second best metal we use for carts in our workshop, so you can trust us.
Thank you, Mr. McCain.
Well, as much as I would have liked to have seen in two days, it was a little tougher than I thought it would be if I hadn't been able to match the specs on the carts that I had originally built for sale.

　I discussed the dates with him at one point or another if it was possible, but Mr. McCain agreed to do so. He even said that the express fee would only be enough for the mana portion of the mana potion to use the skills used in the processing.

'Let me hear it if you can. What in the world are you in such a hurry for?
'We need these carts to defeat a certain demon. To take on the challenge as best I can and be prepared for it.
Well I guess that means it's time-limited. If you're not satisfied with this specs, you can always tell me again. I can make it even better if you have the time.

　Mr. McCain laughed, tapped me lightly on the shoulder, and said

'When you get back safely, let me hear a little bit of the saga.
Yes, by all means. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. McCain.

　As I finished the request to build the cart and walked out - out front and started walking to the archives, I could already hear the sound of metal hammering behind me.