Eli-chan.
We're about to throw a welcome party for Madoka-chan.
We've got tons of good food.
I-I'd be really happy if you'd come.
I...
We have a new partymate now!
We all have to celebrate together! Right?
Come with us, Eli-san!
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST REARGUARD
HIDDEN WOUNDS AND A WARRIOR'S CONFESSION
I'm so full.
Okay, so now that we're done eating, how about a game?
What game?
I'm so glad you asked!
What's the best game for deepening relationships?
It's gotta be this!
You mean... the King Game?
Well guessed, Kyouka-san! Do you know a lot about it?
W-Well, I know how the game works,
but I've never played it.
Okay, then, let's get started!
Everyone, draw a chopstick!
Whoever draws the one with the red mark on it is the king,
and the king's orders are absolute!
Here ya go!
Okay! Who's the king?
I-It's me!
Congratulations, Suzu-chan! Go on, give your order!
Um... What kind of order should I give?
All the chopsticks have a number written on them,
so the classic route is to say, "Number X has to do what I say to Number Y."
I see...
Then... Number 5 has to give Number 3...
Um, can the order be something like, "shake their hand"?
That's fine, but you're the king! You can make it something more daring!
Such as...
Something like this... or that...
Anything goes!
Oh, but if it's something sexy, try to keep it sensible!
Huh?! You mean that might happen to us when it's our turn to take orders?!
Giving orders is hard!
Overthinking this kinda thing only makes it harder.
Just bust one out!
Th-Then Number 5 has to do something kind to Number 3!
That's what you call daring?
I guess that's typical Suzu-chan, though... or something.
I guess Atobe-kun was Number 5 and Theresia-san was Number 3.
Yes. Theresia, it doesn't hurt, does it?
She looks like she's feeling good.
Deepening relationships is a good thing,
but the game has only just begun!
Misaki-chan, you're not trying to make Atobe-kun do anything weird, are you?
Huh? C-Come on, now! I'm not targeting him or anything. Not in the least!
Th-Theresia-san?!
You're all red!
A-Are you okay?!
What just happened?
Was his shoulder massage too good?
Wait, is this...
the same as that one time?
Y-Yeah, it might be.
Is something wrong?
N-No, nothing!
Okay, Theresia-san seems to have calmed down!
Ready for the second round?!
Yes! I'm the king!
Okay, here is your king's order!
Number 2 has to confess to everyone who it is they're interested in right now!
Um... who's Number 2?
It's me.
Ooh! Okay, Number 2, Eli-chan! Let's hear it!
Truth is, I've noticed all along that there's someone you've had your mind on!
Eli-san...
Oh, if it's too embarrassing to talk about something so serious,
you can tell me in secret later...
It's not that.
What's on my mind isn't what you're imagining.
The thing I've held in my heart all this time...
is a girl I met in Labyrinth Country.
She's been waiting for me in that labyrinth all this time.
Waiting for you?
When I was in the White Night Brigade,
we were attacked by a monster called a Shining Simian Lord.
It took my friend away...
but the Brigade did nothing to help her.
It's captured lots of Seekers by now.
That monster is intelligent. It finds ways to use people it's defeated.
The people it captures lose their souls...
and become dependent on it.
Dependent?
It won't get away with that! I'll kill that fiend!
Eli-san!
Please don't carry pain like that all alone.
I'll get stronger so I can be of help to you.
We'll save your precious friend together.
You aren't alone.
Thank you.
I was too weak... I couldn't save her.
I couldn't do anything.
Arihito...
When you said we'd be taking the promotion exam...
I panicked.
I just wanted to go save my friend as soon as possible.
I'm sorry I acted like that.
Thank you for telling us this.
A lot of things make sense now.
I have my reasons for needing to start moving forward again...
and I can't do it by myself.
Let us all renew our promise to help you.
That said, Elitia...
Like Suzuna said a minute ago,
we need to get stronger before we can save your friend.
So we'll take the promotion exam and improve our skills.
Is that all right?
Thanks.
My level and prior experiences don't matter.
Just treat me like another member of your party.
Okay, got it.
There are a few skills I'd personally like you to get,
but in general, what you want is what counts.
Okay, but let me use your suggestions as a reference when possible.
Sure.
ACQUIRED SKILLS: DOUBLE SLASH, SLASH RIPPER, RISING BOLT, BLADE RONDE, BLOSSOM BLADE, ARMOR BREAK,
I don't think Red Eye is a cursed skill.
PARRY, SLICE LV. 1, COUNTER SLICE LV. 1, AIR RAID, SONIC RAID, SECRETS OF THE SWORD LV. 1, ▼BERSERK
Blossom Blade doesn't have a symbol on it either,
AVAILABLE SKILLS
SKILL LEVEL 3 ▼BLOODY ROAR, RED EYE (DETAILS UNLOCKED ONCE GAINED AND USED)
so I think the same goes for that.
SKILL LEVEL 2 ×CROSS SLASH: UNLEASH POWERFUL ATTACK WITH WEAPONS IN BOTH HANDS (PREREQ: DUAL WIELD)
Okay, then I'll get Red Eye.
×DUAL WIELD: ATTACK STRENGTH NOT REDUCED WITH WEAPON IN NON-DOMINANT HAND
×HIT AND AWAY: INCREASE EVASION WHEN HIT WITH COUNTER; BOOST INDIRECT HIT ACCURACY
I want to help to the party in any way I can when it counts.
SKILL LEVEL 1 ×PIERCE LV. 1: ATTACKS WITH STABBING SWORD PIERCE THROUGH A TARGET
×WEAPON BREAK: REDUCE FOE'S WEAPON DURABILITY WHEN USING CERTAIN SWORDS
Okay, got it.
×MAINTENANCE: INTUIT WEAPON'S BREAK POINT; PERFORM EMERGENCY REPAIR WITH PROPER TOOLS
×FEATS OF WAR: BETTER EXP AND DROP RATE AFTER DEFEATING ENEMY LEADER
And that's case closed, I guess!
REMAINING SKILL POINTS: 3
Wait, Misaki-chan...
Did you propose the King Game because you knew Eli-san had something bothering her?
Oh, I don't know about that.
Which answer would sound cooler?
Misaki.
Thanks for giving me an opportunity to talk about that.
Don't mention it! Thank you for the treat!
Theresia and I will go to the Mistral Forge tomorrow to improve our weapons.
Then we'll go to the Monster Ranch to contract with the Demi-Harpies.
The rest of you, get plenty of rest so you'll be ready for the Shrieking Wood.
Okay.
Uh, hang on, Onii-chan!
Take a look at my skills, too!
I think I leveled up a ton after fighting that giant monster!
Could you check mine, too?
And mine.
I have to get stronger so I can help Elitia-san's friend, too.
Y-You're mistaken!
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST REARGUARD
Thanks for treating me to that shy face!
Oh? You don't appear to have reservations.
I'm sorry to drop in unannounced.
My name is Arihito Atobe. I was hoping you'd strengthen our weapons.
Your companion is a Lizardman.
You are not prejudiced against demi-humans.
Is that a fair assessment?
Theresia is a valued member of my party.
A splendid way of thinking.
You show no discrimination toward demi-humans.
It is my wish to live in a world where more people are like you.
Please, come in.
Allow me to welcome you to the Mistral Magical Forge.
I am Steiner, the blacksmith here.
Now, strengthening weapons requires magic stones and ores.
What have you brought?
Well, I have this.
I'd also like you to install a rune.
What?! A rune, you say?!
Oh, dear. I just popped in without thinking.
And I have Steiner here to deal with customers for me...
B-Boss, you're heavy.
Ah, I apologize.
Steiner-san, who is this child?
I am no child! I'll have you know I'm the elder of this duo!
I'm also the owner of the Mistral Magical Forge, Ceres Mistral!
Ah, yes. You are looking at my ears with a most perplexed expression.
I'm sorry!
Ah, you are not to blame.
I'm sure you don't often meet members of this world's original native races.
Original native races?
Indeed. Those who reincarnate here often call me an "elf,"
or a "jade" after the color of my eyes.
Because I am of a race native to Labyrinth Country,
I have taken on a job that reincarnated folks cannot:
that of Runemaker.
Incidentally, I have also used runes to make this suit of armor move.
Still, what an intriguing human you are.
There are many who hire demi-humans as mercenaries,
but few walk around in public with them.
She seems quite fond of you, as well.
She has been standing in position to defend you since you entered.
Theresia, you don't need to be wary of Ceres-san.
Indeed so!
I even showed you two my hand because I like you.
Huh?
You are willing to walk around town with a demi-human,
and you look out for each other at all times.
That is not a sight I see often.
And? Where is the rune that you have brought?
Hmm... elmina iron, a poison crystal,
two gaze stones, a confusion stone, and...
a magia rune!
Magia? What happens when that's added?
It changes a weapon's attacks to magic attacks.
It is handy, but you need a weapon with a slot for it.
A slot?
Come to think of it, my weapon had one.
Can you add it to this?
Yes, and we can add the magic stones, as well.
What shall we do with the elmina iron? It's ideal for armor.
A partymate's armor...
Oh, but I didn't bring any.
Mr. Atobe, I will ask the Carrier to bring your armor here.
Thank you.
Now, let's put this rune in the slot!
It's been so long since we installed a rune! Isn't this exciting, boss?
Words of power, become one with this object.
Enchant Rune.
Now we'll add the magic stones.
It appears we were successful.
When a rune is added to a weapon, it gains a unique name.
You should take a look.
BLACK MAGICAL SLINGSHOT +3
Black Magical Slingshot +3...
Enables poison, confusion, and stun attacks.
This is great! Its attack strength is up, and it can add status ailments, too!
Thank you so much!
Oh, Ceres-san, as for the other gaze stone...
Theresia, would you rather be able to stun enemies or avoid being stunned?
How lovely, Theresia.
It would have been sad if your master brought you and didn't give you a present.
It's not really a present, huh? We're just strengthening your gear.
What are you saying? A gift is a gift, no matter what shape it takes.
Just accept it gracefully.
SHORT SWORD: ADDS STUN EFFECT
Celes-san, Steiner-san,
thank you for seeing us without an appointment today.
Not at all.
When the Carrier brings your armor,
we'll work on it and then send it back to your lodge.
Okay.
That was beyond wonderful, wasn't it, boss?
A human who has bonded with a demi-human...
Perhaps there is still some hope for this world after all.
I agree, boss.
Theresia, I know we were going to the Monster Ranch together,
but let me handle that alone.
You go let the others know that the Carrier is coming.
Thanks.
Wow...
Might you be Mr. Atobe?
Yes. I'm here to register my Demi-Harpies for summoning.
Yes, the guild has informed me.
I'm in charge of this ranch. My name is William Christensen.
Since the Demi-Harpies have already submitted to you,
all we need to do is put this armor fitted with summoning stones on them,
and you can summon them at any time.
Hey, Milith.
Take Mr. Atobe here to the Demi-Harpies.
Is that a cow's tail?
You got it, Grandpa!
She's huge...
in many ways.
Now, Mr. Atobe, let's go see your Demi-Harpies.
Oh, dear. They're all terrified.
Why is that?
When humanoid monsters are captured,
they're often put on display...
or people just take the parts they can use as materials from them.
I think that's why they're scared.
Milith-san, I'd like to help them feel less cautious and trust me a bit more.
What should I do?
Trust them.
Huh?
If you're distrusting of Demi-Harpies, they'll sense it.
Got it.
You don't need to be scared.
You three gave us quite a fight. At first, I thought we had to kill you.
But I won't do anything mean to you anymore.
Please lend my party your strength.
From now on, I want you to use your beautiful voices not to attack people,
but to protect people.
All right, the summoning contract is now complete.
When we summon you, please use Lullaby.
Now I've done everything to prepare us for the Shrieking Wood.
All that's left is to receive our gear from Celes-san and Steiner-san tonight.
The promotion exam starts tomorrow.
Hey, did you hear a Named monster showed up in the Shrieking Wood?
Yeah, I heard! And it's preventing people from getting promoted.
Polaris is in the middle of the exam now, right?
Yeah. I don't know what's happening,
but we should hold off on going.
Yeah. I'd rather stay alive.
I'm Georg, leader of Polaris.
You're a pretty interesting guy.
Is Georg's party all right?