"[It's been a long time, Miss Rainvales].

Accepting the challenge from the city through the crystal ball, Amelia tilted her head in bewilderment. It wasn't the voice of the castle lord that she remembered.

— ... Grandpa is an alchemist?

"[Haha, I'm flattered that you recognized my voice].

— ... How can you use the communication network?

"I have asked the lord. I have a request for you, and I wanted to speak to you personally. Isn't that more convenient for both of us? Besides, we can hear each other's voices.]

- I see.

It wasn't that she didn't understand. The alchemist was more important in Noark than the lord of the castle. If it was his request, then the lord should have listened.

Amelia hurried to get down to business.

"So what favor do you want to ask for?"

"Oh, nothing special. But other than that, how are you?]

— ... You know that this question does not suit me.

"[Still not reconciled?]

Amelia remained silent and evaded the question.

He had known her since early childhood and was one of the few who knew her past.

"[Miss Rainvales, I have a hunch as to why you agreed to this task. But you must drop it for now. Your sister would not want you to take revenge-...]

"That's enough," Amelia cut him off coldly. "Stop talking about it, get down to business.

Those who remained had their own worries. She didn't want anyone to interfere in this matter, not even this old man.

— [... Ok. Then let's get down to business.]

After that, the alchemist named several items he needed, and Amelia wrote them down on a piece of paper so as not to forget. They were mostly alchemical ingredients, like magical reagents, nothing special, but in the conditions of Noark's isolation, they were difficult to obtain.

"[How long will it take to collect them all?]

"A few days are enough.

"Then could you only deliver me the Sleepy Flower Powder a little earlier?]

"I can send him right now.

[Oh, do you have?]

— … You already know what there is.

Sleeping flower powder had a sleeping effect. Although it wasn't that strong, she often used it because it had the ability to break through the Poison Resistance, not for the enemy, but for itself.

"I'll put it in a two-way subspace as soon as the transfer ends.

"Haha, so today's business is already over?] The old man laughed in a somewhat regretful voice.

At the moment when Amelia was about to finish the transmission, she stopped when suddenly a question dawned on her.

"But... What Do You Need Sleepy Flower Powder For?

Amelia felt uncomfortable even when she asked this question. It was a question she didn't usually ask. She rarely asked questions to others at all, especially out of sheer curiosity. But today...

"There are no alchemical formulas that require Sleepy Flower Powder.

Something was wrong. She felt like she was missing something important.

"[Oh, that?] An old man's voice came from the crystal ball. "[Dragon Slayer, Regal Vagos. I'm going to use this to treat him. Oh, not to make a cure, but because it'll be more convenient to put him to sleep first.]

— Have you figured out how to return his memory?

"[No, but I'll deal with his damaged body first. As you know, we need all the strength we can get].

"I see," Amelia involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief. Until his memories return, his recovery will not affect anything.

"[Haha, but once his body recovers, I plan to restore his memories as well].

Amelia tensed.

"It's just that the method is so radical that it's too much of a strain on his body right now, because the sample is so small, the success rate is only half.]

A success rate of 50% is too likely to be left to chance.

However, it wouldn't be a big problem if his body didn't recover.

- I see.

After that, Amelia turned off the gear. As promised, she placed the Sleeping Flower Powder in a two-way subspace... Of course, after adding a poison to it that destroys living tissues.

***

The second vine broke.

Everything was quiet for a while, and it calmed me down.

What the hell is this bastard up to?

Impatience began to creep into my soul. I was not yet ready to meet him. Although I had grown up in many fields, it was just the transformation of a 4th floor researcher into a 5th floor researcher.

But now there was only one vine left...

6th floor. I have to get to the 6th floor as soon as possible.

On the 6th floor, there was a chance that I would be able to absorb the essence I needed—my second core essence after [Gigantization]. If I get it, I can somehow compete with this bastard...

"Uncle!"

"Huh?"

"What are you thinking so deeply about?"

Ervena's voice snapped me out of my reverie. Is it because peace has lasted so long lately? Although only the second vine broke, and not the last, disturbing fantasies continued to bloom and fill my head.

"I'm sorry. What did we talk about?

"We didn't talk about it. I asked what we should order...

"Oh, yes.

Looking at the menu, I ordered a suitable snack and beer.

"And this place hasn't changed at all," Ervena said, watching the waiter take our order and leave. I didn't have to ask what exactly she was talking about.

"Even though we've changed so much.

The tavern was called Fidenpus, the same tavern where Ervena and I drank our return drink after the first expedition. Therefore, we could not get rid of a strange feeling. The barbarian, who had a hell of a hard time on the 1st floor due to the lack of a night companion, was now quite a well-known explorer in the city. Ervena, although not very famous, has also grown a lot by the end of her first year.

One look at her equipment was enough to understand these changes.

"It's the first time we've been drinking since then, right?"

"And when did you pay taxes for the 1st year?"

For reference, this was right after my move. Thinking about where to meet today, I chose this place for this very reason. It was obvious that Misha would not like it if I invited her home. After all, our house is a space shared by three people, so I couldn't do everything I wanted.

"Did anything happen on this expedition?"

— ... Yes, in general. As always.

When the drinks and meals arrived, we began to talk seriously. The main topic was each other's latest news.

Unlike in the old days, when we communicated every day, now we don't see each other so often, so there were no common topics except for this one.

"How is the atmosphere in your clan?" I'm also interested. Any news?

"I'm not sure. Even if there is, they don't tell us anything...

After serving as mercenaries in a familiar clan, Erwena and her sister, along with other clan members, continued their expeditions into the labyrinth. Their activity zone was the 5th floor. However, since our team only hunted in Hellfire Gorge, we haven't met in the maze yet.

"In general, I'm madly upset. I told you before, didn't I?" There's one person who flirts with my sister all the time. Now he's even pestering me.

— Sounds tiresome.

"Yes, I can't even shoot an arrow between his eyebrows, since he's the leader..." I just need to be patient. Until I get everything I need and leave.

The more we talked, the more I realized that she had changed a lot. It had been a little over a year since she had become an explorer, but unlike in previous years, she no longer had innocent behavior. To some extent, this was natural. A year in the labyrinth is enough time to see everything.

"Anyway, tell me now." Did you say you had something to say?

Thinking that the time had come, I touched on the main topic.

After a moment's pause, Ervena parted her lips.

"Do you remember?" When I said I still had a lot to learn from my sister...

"I remember.

She said that she would learn everything in six months, and would join my team. Well, it's been more than six months since then, but I've never been the first to talk about it. In addition, there were no vacancies in our team...

"Since you haven't said anything yet, I thought you'd changed your mind.

I thought that this topic was almost closed. But it seems that this was not the case.

Ervena resolutely refuted my words.

"Uh, what are you talking about?!" This cannot be. We are each other's first night companions!

Technically, my first night companion was Hans A, and hers was Hearts Young, or whatever his name was.

"So, what are you getting at?"

"I... I think it will take a little more time.

"What do you mean?"

"You're all rank 5, right?" Now I have nowhere to squeeze in... To be honest, it seems that there is no hope. Well, you even live together...

"Stop mumbling and speak plainly.

In response to my words, Ervena finished the rest of her drink.

"I regret it. Then... Why didn't I just accept your offer? I thought I could close the gap quickly, but it only got bigger...

It was more like lamentation than reasoning, but I think I understand what she is saying. She wanted to join our team, but I was sure she wouldn't be able to ask me to expel someone. It doesn't look like her stats are better than the current team members. Still, she didn't seem to change her mind.

— In general. So, what I want to say...

"That's enough," I stopped her there. First of all, it was necessary to clarify the misunderstanding. "From the very beginning, I had no intention of taking you to the team.

—... A what?

There was silence for a moment. It took some time before Erwena's eyes, motionless in the air, took on a questioning look.

"What do you mean?" You didn't say anything like that. I thought you agreed...

Ervena's eyes darted from side to side, unable to fix on one place, as if she were mad.

Oops, I didn't mean that. I interrupted her before the misunderstanding grew even more.

"Ervena, I'm going to create a clan.

"Oh, clan?!"

— Of course, not now, it will take a few more months. If you still don't mind, I want you to join-...

"Yes!" I agree!

The answer came before I finished.

"No, but first, a detailed explanation-...

"It's all right!" I'll join anyway!

— ... Well, since that's what you say. Either way, it's a secret. I haven't told anyone in my team yet.

"So I'm the first one you suggested to...?"

And?

I tilted my head.

"Isn't that obvious?"

If I hadn't even told them that I was creating a clan, how could I have offered?

Given our relationship, I didn't even need to ask Misha and Einar. Raven, as part of the Magic Tower, would surely refuse. I'm not sure about Mr. Bear.

He seems to have bad memories of the clans.

"He-he-he!"

As I thought about it, Ervena laughed strangely.

***

The drinking with Ervena, which began early in the evening, dragged on longer than expected. Initially, I planned to find out why she invited me, listen to the news and disperse.

"What?" Is the head of the clan bald?

— Yes, that's right. You can't imagine how hard it was to hold back his laughter when his wig flew off during the hunt.

The conversation with Ervena was more fun than usual.

Maybe it's because I've had a drink for the first time in a while?

It's nothing special, so why is it so funny?

Oh, the others will be waiting for me at home...

This thought came to mind several times, but each time Ervena told me some funny story, so I could not catch the right moment. Nevertheless, it was really time to return.

"Hmph, we have to...

"Oh, that's right!

"Huh?"

"Did I mention that I absorbed a new essence this time?"

A what? Has she absorbed the essence? I couldn't just ignore it.

"It's a very unique ability. And it suits me very well.

"Stop pulling the cat's balls, tell me." What have you consumed?

I straightened my posture and focused again on Ervena's words.

To begin with, it was a rank 5 essence. Since she had been recommended to her by her veteran sister, she was very suitable for an elf archer like her.

She wouldn't have to erase that essence afterwards.

Thinking about returning to plan a cultivation route for Ervena, I asked all kinds of questions about her newly acquired essence.

"Wow, you know what?" Uncle, your eyes lit up.

Of course, they caught fire. Whatever happens, I used to be the player who was more in love with this game than anyone else.

"This essence is said to be super unique. Of course, I wonder what it is really like.

"However, I don't know how to explain it. I can't show it to you...

Hmm, that's true. I was about to nod in agreement.

"Hmph, so what about that... Uncle.

Ervena stammered and looked at me.

Her face was still red, probably because she was tipsy.

"Do you want to see my special abilities up there?"

... And what should I do?