'Well then, Delilira-san will be at Rafilia-kun's place. I've got to get ready for my bath.
Saying that, the saintly lady went back down the aisle.
In the end, it seems that she decided to listen to Rafilia's request.
She's really a good person. Saintess. But if Rafilia tries to sink the golem into the bottom of the bath, you have to stop her. For God's sake.
''Well, Cecil's dungeon can be found at ......... so be on your guard.
Cecil is smart. And he knows exactly how I do things.
Based on that, he must have made the dungeon based on that.
When I proceeded while thinking about that──I found a fork in the road.
A straight pathway and a pathway leading to the right and left respectively.
Furthermore, there are letters carved on the wall. It's Cecil's character.
I see ...... that it says about each route .......
"The left one is 'the route that requires wisdom,' the center one is 'the route that requires quickness,' and the right one is 'the route that requires skill' ....... Interesting.
'Cecil-chan, you've split the route into three.
I guess that means we should each try our hand at what we're good at.
It doesn't seem to mean that any one of them is the right route.
I guess they want you to split the party into three and try them apart.
But ...... what would happen if all three of us together completed them one by one?
Cecil's going to cry.
Yes, I know. I made that for you.
That's a big deal.
That's a big deal.
You're talking about Cecil, aren't you?
Rita, Rita and Letitia look at each other and nod at each other.
Then I guess we have a definite route.
"I'm going the 'tech route' and Rita-san is going the 'quickness route'.
So, Nagi is the 'wisdom route'. That's perfect.
Rita and Letitia said.
Certainly, that's the best solution.
If it was Cecil until now, it would definitely be the right thing to do, but...
Do you think a grown-up Cecil would make such an obvious choice?
What do you mean, Nagi?
'The saintly girl said it. She said that both Cecil and Rafilia are growing up. Especially Cecil. So we should think of it as a growing mindset, right? Especially since Cecil has always been the closest to watching me fight.
...... Sure, maybe.
Cecil was the first to make a master-servant 'contract' with me, and we've been together ever since.
They all know how I've outsmarted the nobles and brave men, too.
Of course, I also know how Rita and Letitia fight.
If it was Cecil so far, he would have honestly challenged us head on in our strengths.
But the Cecil that's ahead of us is the Cecil that has been trained by a saintly woman.
Now that she's grown up, she might be able to come up with some complicated traps.
''You shouldn't underestimate the current Cecil. The grown-up Cecil is probably more wise and stronger than ever before.
Surely, ...... Nagi is right.
'You're still tiny, Cecil-san, aren't you? That should make you grow faster.
"............?
Hmm?
It was like I just heard Cecil's voice out of nowhere.
Is it my imagination?
'Anyway, if I were to compare Cecil to what he is now, you should think of him as 'Cecil Version 2'. It's just like the saint said, 'Cecil is amazing. I'm sure he's much prettier and prettier than you've ever seen him before, and I'm sure he'll be able to use his magic and strategies in ways you can't even imagine.
"...? Eh ......!"?
Sure, you might be right.
'I've been watching Cecil-san for a long time, and that's what Nagi-san says.
So, if I continue to honestly go the 'wisdom route', I'm underestimating Cecil. That would be disrespectful to Cecil, wouldn't it?
So you're saying that I should go a different route than what I'm good at?
'Yes. I think I should go the 'quickness route' here, Rita should go the 'technology route' and Leticia should go the 'wisdom route'.
'! ?
'If Cecil was outsmarting us, by changing the route we were taking Cecil's wisdom head on, right? That means I'm not going to underestimate Cecil.
'But, Nagi-san. What if Cecil-san hadn't been outsmarted ...... and really thought we were going to go the route of our specialty?
In that case, we'll be fighting in the areas we're weak at, right?
You've reached .......
'That would make it hard for us - which means we'd have to accept Cecil's challenge as much as we could, wouldn't it? If it's an area you're good at, it might be over quickly. But if it's your weakness, you can fight longer. That means we have to train ourselves, just like Cecil and his friends, right? It's the same hardship that brings me closer to Cecil and Raphilia.
"I see!
Normally, my theory would be to choose the easiest route possible.
But it's like a challenge - a message - from Cecil to us.
You should take it head-on, as much as you can.
"Then I'm going to go the 'quickness route'.
"I'm the 'tech route'.
I'm going the 'wisdom route'. Cecil-san, I'm going to accept your challenge!
"────!!! (bang, bang, bang, bang on the desk)'
Thus, me, Rita and Letitia headed to our respective routes in order to receive Cecil's challenge.
─ The quickness route...
"'toto, toto, toto...
The ones at the end of the 'quickness route' were highly mobile golems.
Their small bodies had wings, and they held something like a soft sword in their hands.
''Those high-mobility type golems are 20 of them?''
"You'll be flogging us with that soft sword.
Reggie, who was in a magic sword state at my back, said.
A number is floating on the wall. 20" - the same number as the golem.
There's a door on the other side of the room. It's locked now.
There's writing on the wall.
It looks like an instruction manual for this room. It's like...
I hear that neutralizing all the golems will open that door.
"So be it.
The reason why the squishy sword of the golem is red is because it has paint on it. When you get hit by that thing, the paint is supposed to get on your body. So, if it turns bright red, we lose .......
"The Elf girl said she'd prepare a bath for you, knowing this.
Maybe it's a good way to train your quickness.
Rita might be able to alter herself and grab the golem in a heartbeat.
But to grab it, she'd have to get close to the golem.
In the process, she would get splattered with paint. Cecil might have built a room like this in anticipation of that. This is a room that cannot be cleared by Rita's quickness alone.
''That's quite a feat, Cecil. I think it's a good idea to block Rita's abilities.''
I try to call out to the ceiling, but there's no answer at .......
Strange.
When I was in Raphilia's room, I got a quick reply.
'Maybe Cecil is in one of the three rooms.
"Or perhaps he's waiting for you at the finish line.
We don't want you to wait too long. Let's just get this over with.
"Yes, sir! Well, I guess that's where he comes in.
Yeah. Since you're here, let's get Cecil to watch this one grow up.
I took out the soft golem 'Ritogon' from the luggage on my back.
But his appearance has changed from before.
Now it's a pure white figure with large wings - the form of a miniature celestial dragon that has absorbed enough magic power.
''White. Please. Drive those golems over here!
"Acknowledged by the Lord!
White wakes up and spreads his wings.
With the ability of "Furai", he slowly jumps up. I'm going to go around the room, and then - towards the winged golems.
''This, this, this, this!''
Golems, they're panicking.
As expected, they didn't expect White to have evolved.
They flap their wings and head towards White, but White has a translucent shield called "Shirudo". The paint doesn't understand White. So.....
"'Koto koto ────!'
The golems came towards us in single file.
Right on schedule (・・・・).
'Let's go. Leggy!
"Yes, sir! Lord!
I hold up my magic sword, Leggy.
The winged golems are quite fast. When it comes to speed, Leggy and I are no match for them.
But if they're coming at you from one direction, it's easy to catch them with your sword.
"Activate! 'Jusui Kenjutsu, LV2!' "Nah-nah-nah!
Shurun.
The demon sword Reggie gently accepts the 'squishy sword' held by the golem.
''...... thing?''
Hold it.
"A little, a little, a little and a lot.
Gulp.
With the golem trapped, the magic sword Leggy arcs in an arc.
With the momentum of the rush, the golem was deflected 180 degrees in the direction of the direction──.
With magic, you mean, not brittle?
'Yes. It's not designed for combat. It's used for carrying small packages and for reconnaissance, and it can also be used to deliver messages to someone. It's also possible to send a message to someone. It's useful when everyone is working apart.
You've reached ....... It's very helpful for me, as I don't have any 'mind-linkage' skills.
Well, I'm going to give it a try and send word to Lady Letitia.
Cecil strokes the translucent bird's head.
The bird floats up with a swoosh, and flies towards Leticia's shoulder.
Then, in her ear──.
"I want a child of Nagi's.
""──────?!"
Letitia and Cecil's faces turned red.
''Ce, Cecil-san! I don't want you to say this to me!
Oh, what's that? It's funny. I was supposed to say hello normally: ......
Once again, a messenger flew away from Cecil. Together with the first one that flew off, a total of four birds. That seems to be the limit number. While they were flying around Letitia──.
"I want to be with you, Nagi.
"I remember the warmth of Nagi.
"I dream of being one.
"It's so happy and ...... comfortable.
He repeated the word very embarrassingly.
'Why did you have to go to ────?
"Cecil-san. Don't tell me you're not in a state of 'loyalty run amok'!
Loyalty run amok - this is a symptom that Rita suffered from before.
You can't get away from the fact that you're too loyal to Nagi, and because you spent so much time away from him, your loyalty has gone out of control.
If Rita is subject to 'loyalty run amok', then so is Cecil.
That's what's happening here, Letitia thought, but...
''It's not. I have properly overcome the 'loyalty runaway' so that it won't be unseemly when I see Nagi-sama again.
Really?
Yes. I'm going to leave the loyalty that seems to be overflowing to the messenger for once. That way, I can look at myself objectively, and by speaking my mind, I feel a little bit better about it, you know?
That's it: ────!
Leticia couldn't help but shout out.
'Cecil-san has developed a habit (habit) of letting the messenger put his feelings for Nagi-san on it! Do something quickly. What if you find yourself in the same situation in front of Nagi-san!
If you find yourself in the same situation in front of Nagi-sama: ......
In Cecil's mind, the scene Letitia told him to see comes to mind.
The messenger demons flying around Nagi.
One after another, the messengers speak of their feelings for Nagi. Cecil's hope.
This will be revealed in front of Nagi and - and everyone else.
When that happens....
What can I do about it? ......
Calm down, my dear. It's best to air out any excess loyalty you may have. That's what you did, Rita.
Okay, I understand.
'If you can transfer your allegiance to the messenger, don't voice it, tell Nagi-san. You can do that too, can't you?
'You can do it. The messenger is a lump of magic power, so if you untie it, turn it into soft magic power, and melt it into Nagi-sama, rather than ......, the messenger will untie itself if you're not careful.
That's no problem.
It was good.
You're on the edge of your seat. Jesus.
Cecil and Letitia sighed.
Then they looked at each other.
When I was relieved to see ......, I got distracted.
Cecil, you need to tell me if you're a grown-up or not.
I am ...... not ready yet. I can't wait to become a calm woman like Lady Letitia.
I'm a work in progress myself, darling. By the way, Cecil.
"Yes, sir. Lady Letitia.
The errand boy that was perched on my shoulder has disappeared.
I'm out of it and I think I've melted.
'Yes, sir. And that's why you felt some strange magic around your shoulder, isn't it?
I'm not quite in control yet either.
'Don't worry about it. Now let's forget about the messenger and start attacking the room.
'Excuse me, Lady Letitia. Please. ......
So don't worry about it. We're all on the same side, aren't we?
Leticia turned to Cecil and closed one eye.
'Me and Cecil-san are part of the same party, family, and together, 'I want Nagi's child' ──── eeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Leticia's face turns bright red at the line that was uttered unexpectedly.
Why! Why are you doing this in front of Cecil-san──and while fumbling, I remembered the messenger demon that Cecil had released earlier.
The messenger demon created by Cecil's magic power and 'Loyalty to Nagi' that was staying on Leticia's back.
Immediately after Cecil was distracted, that one turned into magic and disappeared.
And if it melted together with the "Loyalty to Nagi" into Leticia, then...
No, no, no! I'm not thinking 'I want Nagi's children'! I didn't 'remember the warmth of our touch' or 'dream of being one'...!
'Calm down, Lady Letitia! That's my loyalty!
I know that. I know that, but...
"Yes, that's right, in case you guys ask me, I'll prove it's because of 'Loyalty Runaway'. Well then, I'll create a new messenger and...
"Don't take it any further, Cecil-san...!
So...
It took an unexpectedly long time for Leticia to capture the "Wisdom Route".
It's impossible for her to easily find the cord with the key in such a state...
Cecil's clothes were coming off just as planned.
...... Finally, I've settled in.
Sorry about that ....... Dear Letitia.
Leticia and Cecil, who were limping, had safely arrived at the goal of the dungeon.
─ Nagi's point of view...
Nice to see you finally. Cecil, long time no see!
'Yes, yes ...... Mr. Nagy.'
Huh?
I guess it's ....... Cecil is turning bright red.
Letitia is also looking away awkwardly.
I wonder what happened on the "wisdom route" .......
'It's not the same, you know. Nagi-san!
What's up, Letitia?
No, sir. That wasn't my real intention! Please don't get me wrong!
Tell me what's going on here!
'You can't do that! Such ...... such and such an embarrassing thing ......
'What's the matter with you, Letitia? So excited.
...... saint.
Letitia sighed, haha.
She seemed to have calmed down when she saw the saintly woman.
''I'm sorry for being so distraught. Saint Delilira-sama.''
''It's okay. That's how amazing Cecil-kun's dungeon was, right?
Yeah, it was great.
''That's right. Cecil-kun has grown up, hasn't he?
Yes, I can see how that's a good idea. By the way, Your Highness.
What is it? Letitia.
I'm talking about Cecil-san's errand boy.
Oh. Did you and Letitia have any contact with it?
Yes. It was a mind-blowing experience.
"It's great for messaging, scouting, and carrying a small package.
Besides, you can feel the thoughts you put on the magic: ......
'No, you can't rely on that ability very much.
Really?
That's right. That's because only people who sympathize with the thoughts that are carried by the magic will be able to understand it.
...... Huh?
Pop, Leticia opened her mouth.
What is it? As if stunned, Leticia's eyes are glazed over.
''Only people who share your thoughts can understand ......?
''Yes. That can only be conveyed to those who want to accept Cecil-kun's thoughts, or who want to be like him. The thoughts you put on your magic power can only be conveyed to people who don't want to become like Cecil-kun: ......, huh? What's the matter with you, Laetitia? Why are you covering your face with your hands? Why are you floundering? Hey!''
Mr. Nagi!
Huh? Why are you looking at me?
Letitia, why are you staring at me with a bright red face?
'Because it's not!
So what?
'No, sir! Absolutely not because I don't think of you that way! Don't get me wrong!
So explain it to me!
So how can you do that!
'Cecil! Tell me what happened in the dungeon: ......, why are you all red and sullen? What the hell happened in this dungeon!
Afterwards, I asked for more information, but neither Letitia nor Cecil could give me any details...
Neither the saint nor Rafilia knew what was going on.
Me, Rita, and Reggie were just amazed at the power of the dungeon Cecil had created...
In the end, what happened to Letitia and Cecil was a literal labyrinth of sorts.