Defense-oriented, as expected.

The following day, Maple and Sally spoke at the guild home. They had said they sought uses for the two items, yet no further clues could be drawn from them now.

On the table, the two items lay exposed. They considered what to do when, just then, a guild member who had been out exploring returned.

“Ah, both of you back already? Hmm, what’s this?”

Crom reacted first upon seeing what the two had placed on the table.

“Maple found this item. I wonder where it might be used.”

“Maple found it… meaning no location at all has been determined?”

“That’s right! I can’t just dive in carelessly, and prolonged exploration is difficult… it hasn’t been found yet.”

“Do you know the item’s name?”

“Um, the box over here is called ‘Lost Legacy,’ and this glowing one is ‘Light from Above.’”

Another overly grand name… if it has a purpose, it must be tied to some event somewhere.

"Big sister, do you have any idea?"

"Hmm… I’ve never seen a place that would use something so grand."

"Then the name is our only clue. The stone tablet I read mentioned a few things in passing—this might be one of them."

"Really!?!"

"Those fictional characters Kanade read about… yes, knowing such an item exists might offer a hint if you look closely."

"Right, but don’t get too excited. And probably, we’ll need to fully upgrade the diving suit before we can reach the depths this requires."

Maple has been gathering enhancement parts for the 【Maple Tree】 as well, but it will take more time.

"Okay, I understand. So, tell me about the hints you found."

Okay, that light over there. They say it’s from above, but before it sank into the water, it must have come from a lower place in the sky.

Ah, so it was found underwater?

Maybe. Then a place high enough to have once been in the sky...

Good instincts. Anyway, the Lost Legacy seems to be tied to those machines we see occasionally in this layer.

Possibly. Not three layers down, but this one is also submerged in water quite deeply.

As Crom said, monitors and energy beam launchers from the dungeon Sally cleared would fall under that. Elsewhere, broken machines that no longer serve any purpose are caught in rocks or buildings, scattered about.

Yes. I thought it’d be nice to be able to craft more items.

Hmm. So, a place with many machines... that’s what it means!

Where might it be... Perhaps we’ll need to reinforce the diving suit after all.

The stone tablet said ancient civilization. So it might be deep underground.

If it’s lost, then the name of the item would fit. Not entirely wrong, perhaps.

We’ll search for parts while looking too!

We’ll do our best...!

Thank you all! I’ll definitely find something amazing!

When Maple says that... there’s a certain unease to it, though.

I understand.

Yes, that’s right.

Recalling everything seen so far, several things come to mind that could qualify as ‘amazing.’ It’s pleasant to see allies grow stronger. But the contents—anyone would see they are utterly beyond reason.

Crom, Iz, and Kasumi react quietly. With the hint, Maple shows clear determination.