78-72 Invisible advance corps, capture meeting for safety

Most of them were still dreaming when I woke up. I started to stretch as I watched them and tried to figure out how I should treat them, the criminal slaves.

I think they're pretty good at what they do.

Even if they don't have the individual prominence of Lionel and the others, everything is organized and works together at a very high level, and it works well together.

Once the Healers' Guild is rebuilt and the Healing Institute is established in Yenis, I'll be back on the road.

I felt it was a shame to leave them in the Healer's Guild in Yenis at that time.

''As expected, it's hard to take them all with me, and I wish I had a way to do it~''

I muttered something like that and before I could start my magical workout from stretching, Nahlia woke up and I decided to make breakfast with her.

Thinking about who I'd be taking on my journey.

After finishing breakfast and checking each squad member's physical condition, I tell them the goals for today.

'This will be the labyrinth created by the activation from here on out. There are reports that Red Lizardman, Firebear and other demons will also appear. It will take more time to search for them than yesterday, but there's no problem. The target is forty levels, but today we will continue to advance with enough caution, thinking of safety first!

"Yes.

He added while hanging area barriers on each squad.

'If the demons are so strong that it's difficult to explore, we'll have to think about organizing our squad. Apparently the traps will become more vicious from here on out, so make sure you're careful.

Kefin and the others were dumbfounded for a moment and then started laughing.

''Did I say something funny?''

'No, I'm just glad you're worried about us, because if there were more people like the S-class Master, it would make life easier for guys like us.

Kefin and the others grinned and set off to explore the thirty-one levels.

I wanted to be angry, but for some reason I couldn't get angry at that smile.

I let out a sigh as I hung an area barrier on my group as well and began my search.

'It's so hot,'

It feels like the temperature has risen by about ten degrees. It's not the heat of the sun, but a soft heat like when you're near a stove.

You better get some water often. Don't hesitate to tell me.

I told Lionel and the others. I only feel the heat on my face because of the temperature-controlled equipment, but they're receiving this heat with their whole body, so it's unbearable.

We met up with them at every fork in the labyrinth that stretched out in four hundred meters square and proceeded. We filled in the map gradually, but although our speed didn't change, the number of burns and scratches gradually increased.

Even so, when I put the area heel on them, they seem to be happy to get on with their search.

''I feel like we're doing the devil's work, is this right?''

I wish I could explore as much as they do.

'I want to go too! Double the fun.

That's what the battle-crazed duo said.

Their wishes will surely come true soon. The map above the forty levels does not exist.

I didn't say that as I proceeded through the labyrinth.

It took me an hour to go up one level, but when I went around the labyrinth of trials, it took me a full day of walking to get there, so I realized how effective manpower tactics are in the labyrinth.

We decided to have lunch in front of the stairs leading up to the thirty-sixth level. I opened the lid of the barrel containing Object X a bit to keep the demons away and returned to the others and was met with a suspicious look.

''Well you can drink that, but I didn't put it there to make you drink it. That way the demons won't come near you. So there's no need to keep watch. We did it because it's more efficient for everyone to get a break at once.

When I told them that, they were all staring at the barrel of object X with astonished faces.

They kept looking in the direction of the barrel while I was cooking and eating and while they were resting after eating.

And it really seemed that they were revising their perception of Object X, the awesomeness of Object X, to the fact that no demons were coming close to them.

Just what do they think of me drinking with an unconcerned look on my face as I dodge even the demons, Object X? I didn't have the courage to ask.

Thus, just like yesterday, I retrieved maps from each squad and filled in the blanks, and once again began to notice the many traps.

'So you're okay with us going up like this?

I asked the three leaders of each squad and Kefin replied on behalf of the three of them.

We can get to the 40th level. But after that, if we want to be safe, we'll have to increase our numbers.

When Kefin said that, everyone, including Kefin, had a look of regret on their faces.

''Well alright. Now, I want you to re-organize your squad from three squads to two from here.''

He looked surprised when I said that, but that was my plan all along.

''I can get to the forty levels.

I could feel the anger in Kefin's words, but I laughed and replied.

''If we organize our troops after reaching the forty levels, we can assume that coordination won't work. It's not that I don't trust you, I just don't want you to struggle needlessly. Besides, it's the first day in a long time that I haven't had any stress. Let me enjoy it to the fullest for a bit.

I don't know how my excuse was perceived by them, but after they looked at me with pity, they agreed.

I filled in the blank space up to forty levels, but there was not a single treasure chest.

I don't know if it had already been retrieved or if there were no treasure chests when a new level was created, but I reached the boss room on the forty level.

''Gone.''

'Yes. He must have moved on.

Maybe they've found Shazza and the others, Nya.

...likely?

I thought they'd be here if I got this far, but Lord Jasun and the others were nowhere to be found. Lionel and Ketty responded to my mutterings and each of them said what they thought, so my thoughts came together.

'We'll take another break today once we've destroyed the demons in the main room. From tomorrow onwards, we'll look at the situation above and use this place as a base to proceed while we search for Jasun-dono and the others.

I understand.

Lionel bowed his head as he said that, and Keti followed suit.

The boss of the forty levels wasn't the chimera that Lord Jasuan had fought, but five saber tigers covered in flames.

Their speed and attack power was very high, but Lionel blasted them away with his large shield, and Kefin and the others finished them off with a whole attack at once.

In this case, I remotely heeled the injured crime slaves while Nahlia checked the demons that seemed to be approaching us, Dolan held up his mallet, and Paula protected me with her three-meter class golem.

I'm sure the battle that normally would have been a painful one, but this time it was over in just a few minutes, and I was relieved to see that it was over in just a few minutes too.

The dinner went on in a harmonious mood, with each of us talking about how well we did in the battle.

After I finished drawing the map after we ate together, the captains of each squad, including Kefin, Yarbo, Vadell and Lionel, began a strategy meeting.

''Then we'll start the strategy meeting. It's the forty levels we'll be going to tomorrow, but it's expected that the demons will be stronger and the labyrinth will be wider. Suggest how we should proceed on that basis.''

Well, let me start.

I nodded as Lionel raised his hand and asked to speak.

'I believe we will be operating in three squads starting tomorrow, but I think that myself and Keti will join the search party we have been working with separately, and we will form the rest of the squad as Luciel-dono's guards.

When Lionel said that, there was a shout of protest.

'Old man, even we can manage to fight if we have more people!

Kefin yelled at me for saying that, but I was worried because it would increase the danger of the two of us not being near each other, but I also thought it would be the most efficient thing to do.

''Well it's to make the search more efficient and to reduce the chances of dying even if you get injured, right?''

''Yes. If the demon that came out here on the upper floor was strutting around normally, I hope he's injured, but instant death is a possibility.

Geez.

Kefin looked down with a face that looked like he'd bitten down on a bitter bug when he was told that. He must have been aware of this.

'Even if Luciel-dono is attacked, as long as he can continue to recover, they can be our shields. We have golems too, so it won't be that dangerous.''

"With a magic stone, you can do anything.

Paula grabbed my hand and said.

It reminded me of someone from my past life, but I quickly shook my head and accepted the proposal.

All right," she said. I'll leave the formation of the team to you. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about the heat countermeasure and the search, but can you create a grimoire as a heat countermeasure?

I can do it. But do you have to?

Paula nodded her head.

'We're so used to being in a hot place that we don't know what it feels like.

Dolan added and answered. If that's the case, they must be vulnerable to the cold. The question came to me, but as I looked around, I replied that I didn't need the others either.

'I see. The only thing you need to do is to rehydrate frequently when you're sweating. The next step in the attack depends on the situation, but I think the limit is five levels a day. I'm fine with one level a day as long as you keep an eye on the wear and tear of each team. Do you have any objections?

This was not raised by anyone.

''I'll have Dolan and Paula take a look at the equipment exhaustion. After that, you can discuss the formation and other matters with each squad.

"Yes.

While training my magic manipulation after the meeting was over, I muttered as I thought back to the fact that it took me more than a hundred times longer to reach the forty levels in the Trial Labyrinth.

''With this... no, it's just good luck. It's not possible for this rate to continue forever...''

He kept his mouth shut any further and prayed to God and his ancestors that tomorrow's search would be safe.