We moved together with Refleia all the way down the staircase leading to the fourth floor.

Even though many parties were exploring the Mist-Enshrouded Great Garden, it was rare for explorers to run into each other.

While the labyrinth's vast size certainly contributed, the main reason was the thick fog. Some claimed this fog unconsciously guided explorers in different directions. Well, it sounded like a far-fetched story, but in a mysterious place like a labyrinth, who could say for sure?

In reality, we hadn't encountered any other party until we reached the staircase.

A party had been assigned to guard the staircase, and if by any chance the Demon King came down, that party was supposed to sound the horn.

Well, in any case, the Demon King probably won't appear today.

"Ah, we'll be joining the watch here too. Please take care of us."

A group of watchers had already gathered at the stairs leading down to the fourth floor.

Though calling them "watchers" was a bit of a stretch—there was really nothing to do until the Demon King appeared.

Monsters rarely showed up around the stairs, and there was no smartphone to pass the time with.

In fact, the adventurers seemed to be just playing a card game.

"Ah, please take care of us... Wait, isn't that Hikaru?!"

One of the adventurers turned around and it was Alex, the handsome Canadian.

"Wait, didn't you say you were leaving?"

"That's what I was about to say. But... I get it. You couldn't miss an event like defeating the Demon King, could you?"

I'm staying here to secure first place in the viewership ratings, but Alex seems to have stayed just because he finds it fun. He's truly enjoying this other world—so much that I'm even a bit envious.

"Hikaru, do you know someone in the adventurers' guild?"

Reifrea pops her head out from behind me, causing Alex and the others to stiffen and simultaneously exclaim, "Ah," "I," and "U."

"This is Reifrea Ashbald, who's teamed up with Hikaru. Nice to meet you."

Reifrea politely introduces herself.

Bowing slightly, her long, silky platinum blonde hair cascades down, giving her an oddly alluring look.

　

"I-I-I-I'm Jack Alexander Fox! You can call me Alex or Jack—whichever you prefer!"

"Oh, I'm Cannibal! I'm a Silver-rank adventurer!"

"Oh, same here! J-Jar-dan!"

Alex and the others begin their introductions, stumbling over their words as if they might bite their tongues off. The last one—Jardan or Jajardan?

Incidentally, Kanibeur has red curly hair, wields a shield and an axe, while Jajardan has blue hair and a noble, aristocratic face, though he's rather plump. He's clearly a light-armored spellcaster.

"Hey, wanna play cards with us? Alex made these cards—really fun!"

Judging by the arrangement of the cards, they'd been playing gambling poker.

Honestly, Alex claiming he made the deck himself takes some nerve. Maybe it's a case of 'first come, first served,' though.

I glanced at Refliah's face.

There's nothing wrong with them going with Trump. From a ratings perspective, it might even bring in better numbers than doing nothing.

But Reflia had absolutely no intention of doing so.

"Sorry, but I'd like to be alone with him."

"Huh?"

Without a word, Reflia suddenly took my arm and quickly pulled me down the stairs.

Glancing back, the three silhouettes frozen in astonishment looked strangely memorable.

◇◆◆◆◇

"Is this area okay?"

After descending the stairs and passing the first landing, Reflia stopped.

"What's up? They were just standing there, stunned."

"But they were staring at us weirdly, weren't they?"

"Hmm, well, I guess that's true."

"That's right."

My own sisters were often looked at with strange eyes, so I can kind of understand.

Curious stares. Even if the person has no ill intent, it's still uncomfortable.

I can see why someone as beautiful as Reflair would inevitably draw that kind of reaction.

"Well, guys are just like that. They're not bad people, really."

"I know that. And... it's true that I wanted to be alone with you."

Saying that, he gestures for her to sit.

The three-tiered stairs are made of rounded stones, just like the garden, so they're not hard to sit on.

Still, there's a slight chill coming from the fourth level, making it feel a bit cold on the skin.

"Reflair, if you're sleepy, you can sleep. I'll keep watch."

"I'm not quite sleepy yet, really."

The stairs are usually avoided by ordinary monsters.

But one mustn't let their guard down—apparently, it's not a 100% guarantee, and very rarely, monsters do descend downward or ascend upward.

So, for both of them to fall asleep here would be suicidal.

After all, there's also the possibility that the Demon King could be coming up.

　

A space dominated by silence.

The sound of the waterfall on the fourth floor, and even the voices of Alex and the others, who should be just above, are nowhere to be heard.

"Ah, but if we're here, we might not notice the Demon King if he's on the third floor."

"No, I don't think he's there yet. On the contrary, I can sense something dangerous coming from below."

"You can sense it...? The Demon King's presence?"

"Kind of. It's just that the feeling from the spirits is different."

"Amazing... being the 'Chosen One' really is something."

This sense had come from sprinting through the forest with everything on the line, as if my life depended on it.

I could vaguely sense beings—living creatures or monsters—whose spiritual power was particularly strong.

Of course, a large part of this ability came from the favor of spirits, but it was one of the few unique skills I'd acquired.

"Then, if the Demon King starts climbing the stairs, we'll know, right?"

"It's not certain, but I think I'd be able to sense something powerful like that."

"Then I'll be counting on you!"

In truth, if the being called the Demon King was truly powerful, I'd be able to sense it.

There was a firm, though unproven, confidence in that.

Still, the Demon King didn't seem to be near yet.

For now, it'd be better to rest a little and prepare for battle.