Leanne seemed to enjoy my reaction, but finally she was satisfied and answered my question.

'It's exactly as it was displayed. The word 'passionate' is an emotional expression, but if I were to express it in a simple way, it would mean 'passionate' or 'lustful'.
That's.......................

　Indeed, I thought that might be the direction in which the word was meant to be used. But when I was actually told that it was, I was troubled by the reaction.

''There is a way to heal without using the 'Altergast' spirit mark (charm). It depends on your relationship with your party members, though.
"...sounds like a good way to wear the 'charm' for a week and keep it in check.
'Hmmm ... it's fun to watch a youngster get embarrassed.

　Since Celes-san said she was 115 years old, Leene, who calls Celes-san 'that girl', would probably see me as considerably younger, but there's something unsettling about it.

''........For now, we've been able to control Kyouka's condition. It's time to get down to business. What you guys want is something to do with that sub-human child, right?
'You've already guessed it. We were introduced to you by Mr. Ceres and we've been looking for you.

　I took out Celes' letter, which was in the inside pocket of my suit, and handed it to Leene.

　She took it, but didn't open the seal to check the text, but placed it on the table.

'The reason 'Scarecrow' fought you guys is because he's a 'guide'. I told him to make a small check when anyone in the party has the 'curse mark'. If you don't have a certain level of competence, you won't be able to do anything by having them come to me.
''........Scarecrow' is a demon that Leene-san is following?　Or.....
"He's a doll that moves with the skill of a 'living doll' he's a scarecrow, just like his name suggests. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world. His name is William.
William....

　It seems more like a person's name on Earth than a labyrinthine country. I was curious about the origin of the name, but I wondered if it wasn't something to ask as soon as I met him.

''As a level 11 swordsman, it can be said that he is on the high side in the Fifth Ward. But this William's strength is equivalent to level 13. I'm surprised he had the courage to stand up to it.''
''Well this one had no choice but to fight with all its might. But my own attacks weren't effective at all I was prevented from doing so by the 'Ranbu Kengei'. There was no point in just standing up to them.

　Elitia did not accept Leene-san's praise outright. Leene-san huffed and turned her gaze to the sword strapped to Elitia's waist.

Celes is the one who is devoted to those she likes. I told her not to have too much of an attachment to a particular explorer, but I guess she forgot about it.
'We have a contract with Ms. Ceres as our party's exclusive craftsman. That's one of the reasons she comes to the district from the Eighth Ward.
.........

　Leanne-san's eyes widen slightly - I can't immediately determine what part of my words surprised her.

I don't know how the guild allowed a 'Rune Maker', which is now a rare position, to become exclusive to a particular party.
''Does that... have something to do with the fact that you don't see many 'Jade People' who are supposed to be the people of the Labyrinth Country?''
'You have good instincts, Mr. Aricht. But if you haven't heard anything from Ceres, I don't think it's right for me to tell you. Right now it's more important for me to hear what you guys are up to. Do you mind if I show you the curse she received?
Theresa, are you ready?
..........

　When Theresa nodded back, Leene sat Theresa down in her chair and turned her around.

　Parting her hair at the back, the curse mark on the back of her neck has partially changed color. The black pattern is beginning to turn red - to a fiery red, which I associate with the word 'shimmering'.

''This curse was received from the 'Cauterizing Monkey Prince', wasn't it? Every time that demon is defeated, it extends its survival period... the current individual's survival period is probably the longest it has ever been.
'You mean it gets stronger every time it reappears........' I've heard of different characteristics, though.
'Named' may have inherited the memories of the previous individual. In that case, the searcher often has an unexpected struggle. They know how to stand in for the previous individual's weaknesses, and sometimes they manifest them as skills.
''........Was it long before the 'monkey marquis' started using spells?
''I don't know. The explorers we defeat don't provide all the information to the guild it's true, the other explorers are competitors.

　Looking at Serafina-san, she nodded as if Leene-san was right. It's difficult to say whether I can provide information on all the opponents I've fought so far, too - especially the matter of fighting the 'parts', which is a secret for the party.

　The fact that it appears on the license means that some of the information is registered, but if Murakumo and Alphecca are the only individuals, it's useless to the rest of the party while they're with us. I don't feel as if the guild is aware of all of our movements, nor do I feel as if Louisa-san and Kuzelka-san and the others are talking to us.

''........At this level of progress, it's probably five to six days, including today. Once the encroachment is over, she will become a member of the 'Monkey Prince' family.
''Leene, we are going to defeat the 'Marquis of Monkeys'. But if we don't break the curse, we may not be able to break it for good... that's what Celes-san told me.


　When I thought about it, even though Celes-san was knowledgeable, I didn't wonder why she, who didn't seem to be an expert by nature, had knowledge of spells - I didn't even question it.

''........Just as Arihito-kun just said. However, 'after the spell is lifted' is a bit different. It's one of the ways I can suggest, and I would say almost the only way.
Almost the only... what do you mean by that?
'The other way is to let me think of it as something that doesn't exist. But if you say 'it doesn't exist,' you're lying.

　I thought that such a manner of speaking showed Leene's sincerity. The 'another' would be something that would affect our morale just by asking.

''........How do I get the 'curse-eating'?

　In response to Elitia's question, Leene pulled back the brim of her hat to hide her face.

''Even if you're looking for it in the labyrinth, it's unlikely you'll get it by accident. Not to mention, under circumstances where there is also a time limit, there is little hope.
I still have to get it. I can't just hope for a coincidence please tell me. How can I get it?
'If you don't get the 'curse-eaters' directly from a box or other item dropped by a demon, you'll need to prepare a weapon to be used as the source. A weapon that is used as a 'spellcasting tool' and has the ability to 'carve spells'. As long as we can prepare that, all we need to do is find the 'Holy Stone'. I'll take care of the processing.''

　The spellcasting tool is the basis for the Curse Eater's weapon. We have to find it first, but is it something we can find in a store or in the labyrinth?

''Could it be.........''
Elitia, do you have any idea what you're talking about?
''Silone had changed his job to 'spellcaster'. If that profession has a connection to 'spellcasters'...
...those two swords that were found at the time. Let's check those weapons, Rear Admiral!

　Igarashi-san opens the curtain vigorously and says - I think the speed at which I turn my head to the side must have certainly reached the speed of light at that moment.

''Kyouka-san, in that outfit.........''

Haha, 'I've heard the stories! And that's how it came out...
''However, Kyouka-dono is right. Alihito-dono, let's have Leene-dono take a look at it as soon as possible to see if it can be used as a 'spellcasting tool'.
'I think the sticky substance on that weapon has been dropped by Ceres and the others, so I'm sure it's in the storage room when the work is done. I'll use the 'warehouse key' to take them out.

　Madoka takes out the key - even in the labyrinth, you can take out what's in the warehouse, so you don't have to go back to town once.

''........There it is, they've already finished the work and cleaned it up. I'll take it out.

　'Bloodsucker' and 'Heaven Stiletto'. If only one of these two was a 'spellcasting tool' - we gathered around Madoka, praying - and looked at the information displayed on her license.　

　*Bloodsucker +3◆
　If you are covered in enemy blood, your strength will be restored.
　The darker it gets, the more "Attack Power" you have.
　The Night Vision skill will always be active.
　Increased endurance
　Agility improves.
　・The "Heart Stone" is attached.

　Heaven Stiletto +4◆
　You will be more likely to get a critical strike when attacking with a "stab" attack.
　The "Attack Power" will be increased when both hands are equipped with different weapons.
　The "Attack Speed" will be increased.
　The "Silence Stone" is attached.
　You can carve spells.

This Heaven Stiletto can be the basis for the spellcasting tool, the "Curse Eater".

　When I found that description at the end, I couldn't help but revisit it again.

　Everyone looked at each other in admiration, too. Igarashi-san was happy to take Theresa's hand - this was definitely a step forward.

　However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. It's to find the other ingredient, the 'Holy Stone'.

　As if she saw my inner thoughts, Leene-san opened her mouth.

''The place where the Holy Stone has been found is at the foot of the 'Trembling Mountains'. I've never found it on my own either, but I've heard that it can be found on one level, so I want you to go find it carefully.
Thank you, Miss Leene.

　We have decided on our next destination - but before that, we need to earn a few more contributions before we leave this labyrinth. If possible, I'd like to fight non-spiritual demons that are troublesome to defeat, and achieve 3,000 contributions per exploration.