Afterwards, we started up a meeting after Gisu returned.
A gathering where everyone shows their face, including the standby group.
"It's while keeping an eye on Roxy's condition, but I'm thinking we'll do the next exploration in three days."
The director Gisu was informing us of this.
"Isn't that a bit too fast?"
The one who responded like that was Paul.
Exploring a labyrinth unexpectedly wears down on your nerves.
Especially a place like the Teleport Labyrinth that are filled with traps, where you have no choice other than to fight, while being careful not to take a wrong step while fighting.
Still putting aside the rear guard, like myself, the burden on the two advance guards is big, I'm sure.
"It's better for Roxy to enter a labyrinth sooner, rather than later, to correct herself."
"Hn? Ah, I see, I get it now. Certainly, that's true."
Paul nodded, but, I couldn't agree with it a bit.
Isn't it severe on Roxy, as well, to suddenly re-enter after her life was in danger?
"Doesn't sensei need just a bit more rest for a short while?"
"Hn? Ah... Senpai might not know this, but if a time comes up when you almost die in a labyrinth, if you don't re-enter it soon after you'll catch a curse that will make it so you can never enter a labyrinth again."
"Curse? Is there that sort, as well?"
"Yeah, I don't really know why, but after you’re imprisoned in a labyrinth and fearful of death, you end up being unable to do anything, it seems."
Ah. I've read about something like that in a manga, in my previous life.
A variety of panic disorder.
The so-called PTSD.
As a medical treatment to cope with it, I have heard that it's good to repeat the mistake you made soon after to cure it, as well.
I guess that means those sorts of things are the same in every world.
"Besides, Senpai is a beginner at labyrinths. It'll be better to enter a number of times at a short pace, to gain some experience, I'm sure."
"I see now, that makes sense."
After that conversation, the surrounding faces all opened their mouths.
"I can lecture, if it's on moving while using both attack and healing magic."
"It's probably better not to use the method Rudi used, or breaking down walls, to advance very much. There's the danger of a collapse."
"If you'd like, I can go to the front."
"I just thought, but Paul would you like to switch positions with me?"
Everyone had started talking about their impressions from last time and opinions on next time- Gisu, the director, was putting them into order.
Everyone's serious.
I thought it would be done more on the spot, but it seems that isn't the case.
Even if it's rotten, this is still a party of S rank adventurers, I guess. [4]
In regards to this meeting, the things I had to say were few.
It was just to the level of others asking about my thoughts on entering a labyrinth for my first time.
They're pros, I'm an amateur.
No matter how good I am with magic, I'm sure, it's no good if I forget about that premise.
Even if it went well the last time, it's not limited to going well this time as well.
"For the time being, next time I'd like to advance to clearing the third floor- it's dependent on the developments- but I'd at least like to search until we find the magic circle to the fourth floor, is that fine?"
"No objections."
Fundamentally, we continue ahead until we find the stairs to the next floor, and then decide whether we'll continue or return later.
In the case that we return later, afterwards, we take a straight line back to the point where we made it last time, and advance the exploration.
Last time, we descended down to the third floor, all at once, but it isn't limited to this time.
Since it seems that the longer a trip runs the greater probability that we'll fall into a trap, I guess, we greatly desire speed.
"Come to think of it, according to the book it seems the fourth floor gives off a completely different feeling. Becoming like ruins or something."
"In other words, it could be possible that there's a newer section as well."
"Hn...Well, that's what we should consider next time after the third floor. Next time it's the third floor."
"Yeah."
It seems when labyrinths, which exist for a long time, attach to adjacent labyrinths, they become situations with two magic crystals at the heart.
In such labyrinths, it seems the feeling of the labyrinth changes midway through it.
It seems that such a characteristic matches up with the Teleport Labyrinth.
Even though I say that, it seems that not all labyrinths with those characteristics have two magic crystals either.
It's only limited to being a possible problem.
According to the book, there should only be one magic crystal in the Teleport Labyrinth.
However, there's the possibility that it wasn't originally a teleport labyrinth but just a normal labyrinth you can find anywhere else. Then it collided with some kind of ruins, and became the teleport labyrinth, as well.
Some kind of ruins.
Right, for example, teleport ruins.
"What is that, a book you say?"
And there Roxy voiced a question.
"It's a book that Rudi brought along; it seems to be a memo of some fellows that cleared down to the lowest level of the teleport labyrinth. Roxy you should read it as well."
Gisu handed over the book in question to Roxy.
"He~, there was this sort of thing... I understand, I'll carefully read through it tomorrow."
It seems Roxy's plan for tomorrow is reading.
Then I'll stay in the inn as well.
I want to talk with Roxy more.
Though I don't know what would be good to talk about with Roxy?
If she's reading the book, then I guess it would be fine to talk about the contents of that book.
The asking Roxy and the teaching I. Yeah, that's nice. Quite nice.
"Well then, it's about the formation, but let's tamper with it a bit. Talhand, take over."
While I was thinking that, the topic progressed to the next stage.
Talhand cleared his voice with a [Cough].
This man decides the formation.
It's because he was in the very back and saw over the scene the most.
"Hmm, leave it to me."
Nevertheless, he stinks of alcohol.
This man always smells like alcohol.
When it comes to night Gisu drinks as he's bathing in it as well, but Talhand continues to drink throughout the day.
Although, once we start exploring the labyrinth he stops drinking for a period.
I wonder if he's a man capable of switching habits ON and OFF.
"The basics won't change from how they were until now."
Prepared on the table was a paper with two lines drawn on it and small stones with different colors.
First Talhand placed the light blue stone.
"First, just the same before, Roxy is the rear guard."
"Yes."
Roxy nodded.
And then, right next to that he placed a grey stone.
"Rudeus is Roxy's support. Roxy is the type that makes mistakes when things happen outside of her assumptions, but Rudeus possesses the "foresight" demon eye. Unlike his age he's considerably calm as well, he should be able to keep any mistakes in check beforehand."
"…Yes."
It's a remark almost as if Roxy isn't composed enough.
I'd like to object, but Roxy did make a mistake and step on a teleport magic circle after all.
It will become a snake in the bush.
But, after giving it some thought…
I can't predict things that I can't see with my foresight eye.
In other words, I have no choice other than to watch Roxy.
If I think of it, it’s a just cause to have Roxy always in my field of vision while in the middle of exploring the labyrinth- it's not bad in my regard.
Imagining myself watching Roxy, I start to feel happier after all.
"Let's try having Paul and Elinalise change places. Paul is in front and Elinalise is in the back."
While saying that, Talhand switched the red stone, Paul, with the yellow stone, Elinalise.
Even though that's the case, they're almost side-by-side.
I'm sure it's more of a change of roles.
Previously, their main roles were Elinalise being the shield and Paul being the support, but this time it's the reverse.
Paul is the main shield, and Elinalise is the support.
"Gisu is the same as previously."
Talhand placed the light brown stone far ahead.
And then, finally he put his own stone protecting the middle.
"I don't think it will be necessary, but there's a large number of enemies on the third floor. I'll become a wall between the rear guard and advance guard."
Scout: Gisu
Advance Guard: Paul (Main) and Elinalise (Support)
Middle Guard: Talhand
Rear Guard: Roxy (Main) and Rudeus (Support)
It's become this formation.
Excluding Gisu, it's become a feeling kind of like the Five Bamboo mahjong tile.
The formation of Windbreaker might be close. [5]
"Are there any comments?"