This matter has slipped beyond our control.
It’s no longer something we can solve among ourselves.
Luke stated this and insisted on returning to the city.

Although he had previously suggested we return, the response from our team was notably different this time.

“Do we really have to go up…?”

Ray’s voice, sulking and dripping with reluctance, revealed her desire to stay down. Yet, her demeanor already hinted that deep down, she acknowledged the need for a return.

Leif took it a step further.
She cast her vote firmly in favor of going back.

“I think it’s right for us to return.”
“Hmm…”
“And once we’re up there… I have something to discuss.”

At this point, it would be hard to stop her.

‘The atmosphere has shifted since the conversation with Elowen.’

Perhaps Leif felt she could no longer keep it a secret. The catalyst for this change was undoubtedly Elowen. Was there something shared only among elves?

Ray considered voicing her opinion but hesitated, looking at Luke and Elowen standing firm on either side.

Since the three of us lacked any talent for barrier magic, even a distant conversation could be awkward. After all, in a world where long-distance eavesdropping spells exist, it was better to be cautious. While Luke and Elowen likely wouldn’t misuse such magic, one could never be sure in this unpredictable world.

“Fine. Let’s go back.”

Our original purpose in descending to the second layer was merely for a casual visit.
Unless there was a grand goal like searching for ancient ruins, simply having defeated the Sentinel was enough to say we had experienced the second layer.
Moreover, regardless of whether we went or not, it felt like Luke was determined to go back up. If that was the case, it would be better to ascend with him as he guided us.

“Elowen…”

Swoosh—
Elowen clung to Leif's back.
As Leif, startled, darted over to me, Elowen drooped her sharp gaze like a abandoned puppy.

“No questions to ask?”
Three of us come down, and five go up.
‘That’s convenient.’
At the very least, it would cut down on the time for taking shifts on watch.

§

On the way back to the city.

The day Luke was in charge of meals, Leif found herself right in front of “it.”

“…We still have supplies, right?”
“Supplies must be conserved as much as possible. The second layer is a place where any situation could lead to isolation. Supplies are our lifeline. Remember that.”

Luke began to lecture us on the 100 principles every forager should hold.
In front of him, a pot of stew was bubbling, emitting a rather appetizing aroma.
The bubbling sound must have sounded to Leif like the tolling of a judgment bell.
What was boiling inside was none other than the labyrinth rat meat we had freshly caught that day.

“Uh… I’ll pass on breakfast today. I’m feeling a bit off…”
“You still need to eat. No matter how high their limits may be, foragers must replenish their energy. Or is it that? Are you feeling nauseous or having diarrhea…?”
“Aaaah!”

Oh dear.
Luke’s fundamental foraging principles were too overwhelming for Leif's feminine sensibilities.

“Leif, I’ll share my food. I have a lot of dried fruits, but…”
“That’s not enough. Didn’t you bring any meat?”
“…I managed to get some locally…”
“Huh, elves have their peculiarities, but that’s unfortunate. If you’re a fellow forager, you should be from the training center. You’re being too careless. Proper supplies should…”

Leif and I could only accept the ladle he had dropped, choosing to ignore Luke’s lengthy sermon.

“Let’s eat first.”
“Yeah.”

Leif and I, acting like food testers, took a sip of the stew.
“It’s delicious, isn’t it?”
Ray, who would praise anything, gave a rather unreliable review, but it was genuinely quite good.

“Yeah. But the meat flavor is a bit too strong. It might be a bit harsh for elves.”
Not all elves are vegans, but just like how Elowen only brought dried fruits claiming they were food, their diet tends to lean more towards vegetarian.

“If there’s extra, we’ll eat more ourselves.”
Ray said nonchalantly.
However, the pot didn’t have any leftovers.
‘Who said elves are vegetarians?’
They eat meat just fine.

§

Once we ascended to the first layer, the difference was striking.
The thinning concentration of magical energy, the clear and clean air, the warm sunlight—everything felt brighter.
So this was what the world looked like.
Having spent so much time in darkness, it was almost blinding when I first stepped out into the first layer.

‘Did Phylon and Nathaniel cast healing spells on their eyes since they’re divine spellcasters?’
In any case, it was simpler to travel from the first layer to the city than from the second layer to the first.
First of all, with the number of us increased to five, there was no one to pick a fight with.
Luke, with his visual presence that screamed he was no ordinary person, likely made anyone hesitant to engage with us.

Moreover, Luke’s guiding was different.
He showcased the skills of a seasoned forager without holding back, leading us smoothly all the way to the city.
While Meha seemed to want to take her time casually, Luke was determined to take the quickest route.

“Wow, we made it out fast.”
Ray muttered as she took in the city scenery she hadn’t seen in a while.
“Yeah… it ended so quickly.”
In response to Ray’s statement, Leif agreed, but Luke’s words still carried a sense of urgency.

“Sorry, but I have to head off first. I have an obligation to report this matter as quickly as possible.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for your hard work.”
“You all too. I look forward to seeing you again in the Abyss someday.”

With a brief farewell, Luke swiftly disappeared.
Reporting the new paths generated in the Sentinel’s territory to the alliance was indeed an urgent matter.

“Aren’t you going?”
Ray’s question, almost like a summoning, was directed at Elowen.
Elowen ignored Ray, as if she hadn’t heard her.

It was only natural for Ray to frown.
“Hey, answer me.”
“…I’ll contact you later.”
“I’ll be waiting.”

Only after Leif stepped in did Elowen finally relent.

“Wow, you’ve completely captivated her. What’s up with you, Leif? Are you turning into some princess?”
“…I’ll tell you later.”
“Uh, okay.”

Ray shrank back at Leif's cold response.
I cleared my throat to lighten the mood and said,
“Let’s head back for now. I’m going to check out the Telema Academy. You two head to the inn first. I’ll drop by tomorrow.”
“Got it.”
“Understood.”

After seeing the two off to the inn, I made my way alone to the Telema Academy.
The inn where the two were staying was on the way, so it wouldn’t take too long.

Upon arriving at the Telema Academy…

“What’s going on here?”
It had changed.

“Here! Number 15 in line!”
“No, why hasn’t the allocation been done yet?”
“Can’t you do it a bit faster?”

The first floor of the academy, packed with people like a pub, was noisy like a marketplace.
The receptionist Hecate looked as if her eyes were spinning from dealing with the crowd.

“Oh, Roman, you’re here?”
At Meha’s calm voice, I finally recognized that I was indeed in the Telema Academy.
But the moment I saw Meha, my sense of reality faded again.

“Uh… Meha? But what’s with that outfit…?”
“This?”
Meha lightly held up the hem of her skirt and twirled around gracefully.
The skirt flared out, and an apron fluttered above it.

That’s right.
Meha was wearing a maid outfit.
“What do you think? Does it suit me?”
“Uh, it looks good, but…”

What on earth is happening here?
Did she change her business sector?

§

Skylar Martin tensed his body, anxiously wondering how the woman in front of him would react.
If he didn’t, he felt like he might just crumble right then and there.

Since the incident at the training center, Skylar had stepped down from his position as chief.
And the new job he took up was at the Foraging Alliance.

Despite being somewhat experienced, he was also half a parachute hire, so he couldn’t avoid this assignment.
Specifically, he had to relay commands from the Grand Duke and the Alliance to the Pioneer.

As Skylar chewed on the tension created by the responsibilities he’d taken on, finally, the woman’s lips parted.

“So, you want me to go down?”
“…Because you’re the only one who can.”

The remaining Pioneer in the city.
What Skylar had wanted to say didn’t even need to be voiced.

Pioneer.
The rank established to honor the first expeditionary force, it represented the utmost honor bestowed upon those standing on the frontlines of the mystery…

‘A shackle, if you will.’
The political structure of Les Leman is complicated.
Although it seems the Grand Duke holds absolute power, it’s not the case.

A one-man legion.
Monsters capable of standing against armies grow in the Abyss by consuming its magical energy, and this place, Les Leman, is where they reside.

Thus, the city dispersed its power structure.
Even the strong, who could recklessly destroy laws, had to recognize and respect that structure.

The city’s laws are overseen by the Grand Duke Council, composed of 50 members, while the Grand Duke is only involved in administration alongside his 12 advisors.
The enforcement of laws is included in that administration, so the Grand Duke holds both administrative and judicial powers.
However, even that is imperfect, as there are those who can check the Grand Duke’s administrative and judicial actions.

The Council of Ten.

The leaders of colossal organizations ruling the city, walking disasters encapsulated with absolute power.
Even without holding an official position, their influence and force could impact the entire city.

The Council of Ten serves as the Grand Duke’s advisors and supervisors, possessing the authority to influence the exercise of that power.

Yet, power inevitably comes with responsibility.
In exchange for sharing power with them, the Grand Duke gained limited command over them.

“This is why I said I wouldn’t accept.”
“Then you can relinquish your Pioneer rank.”
“Hah! I can’t afford to be scared of taxes.”

Tax exemption benefits.
A typical privilege granted to those who join the Council of Ten as Pioneers.

“I guess there’s no choice.”
She openly clicked her tongue and leaned back against the sofa.

With her arms sprawled across the couch, she raised her head.
The monotonous grid pattern of the ceiling.
Her recent life had been much like that.

Thinking she’d raise a disciple she received late, perhaps she had been away from the Abyss for too long.
Maybe it was time to descend once again.

“Is it alright if I assemble the personnel?”
As her head tilted back and her face was once again directed forward, Skylar froze, meeting her changed gaze.
It was the sense of powerlessness felt by the weaker in front of an absolute power—not a matter of hostility.

Even Skylar, known as an expert forager, felt endlessly insignificant before her.
That’s the nature of being a Pioneer.

Though it had been quite some time since he stepped away from the frontlines, the essence remained unchanged.

“…Of course.”
At Skylar’s strained response, she smiled.
The fierce smile seemed to anticipate the coming turmoil.

Challengers.
Pioneers who constantly expand the horizons of their awareness.
The giant who claimed that stone after a long time stood up.

“Then let’s move right away.”
The guild master of the Frontier and the only Pioneer in the city.
Viola Pelletier.
Her declaration of return had arrived.