Marina, saying she had business to discuss with the Guild Master, spoke with the receptionist. Before long, she was shown to the Guild Master's office.
Naturally, there were some among the guild staff who recognized Marina, and it seemed that person had put in a word with those above.
Because of that, she didn't have to wait at all. Marina's figure disappeared into the back of the guild.
The reason Rei and his party had come to the guild with Marina was to prevent her from being harassed by any shady characters.
Given that, there was no particular need to stick together from this point on, so they waited for Marina in the bar attached to the guild alongside Yohanna and her group.
Naturally, they ordered a massive amount of food while doing so.
Rei, Elena, Ara, Elk. Plus Yohanna and her comrades.
With that many people, there was no way one table would suffice. Rei, Elena, and Yohanna sat at one table, while the others sat at a nearby table next to Rei, in order to deal with anyone trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
The patrons in the bar were naturally paying attention to Rei's group, but the others, beginning with Elk, kept such onlookers in check and ensured they couldn't listen in.
"So, why are you guys here anyway?" Rei asked while eating a sandwich made with stewed boar meat and vegetables.
Yohanna put on a slightly serious expression before answering. "Um, I heard that rare and highly effective potions can be found in this dungeon..."
"Potions? Why again... no, is it for Vihera?"
"Yes."
At Rei's words, Yohanna immediately nodded. Seeing her demeanor, Rei immediately understood as well.
Yohanna and her group now belonged to the Kingdom of Mireana, but they were originally people born and raised in the Bestia Empire. Moreover, during the civil war, they had fought alongside Vihera.
Additionally, Vihera had always enjoyed great popularity within the Bestia Empire, and not a few among Yohanna's group harbored feelings of strong admiration for her.
Given that, it was only natural that upon learning Vihera was unconscious due to the Unbris incident, some would want to do something about it.
And so Yohanna and her group searched for a method that could restore Vihera's consciousness.
First, trying to use magic themselves was impossible. Among those who had migrated to Gilm, there were a few who could use simple magic, but if Vihera's consciousness could be restored with that level of magic, Rei wouldn't have been struggling this much.
They went to people who could use Recovery Magic and tried to get alchemists to create potions to restore consciousness, but Rei had already tried both approaches, and they were rejected as soon as Vihera's situation was explained.
They thought about various other things as well, but naturally, the methods Yohanna and her group could come up with were things that people like Rei and Marina had already tried.
And so, what remained was...
"A Magic Item obtainable in the dungeon, huh."
"Yes."
When Rei stated the conclusion at the end of the explanation, Yohanna nodded readily.
Inside dungeons, sometimes items like Magic Items and potions that would normally be unimaginable could be found. For example, the Power Axe that Ara was using to keep watch at a nearby table was also an item found in this dungeon.
If that was the case, then finding a highly effective potion was not impossible as a possibility.
Of course, if asked whether they could really obtain the specific item they were after, the probability would have to be described as extremely small.
But even so, the only thing Yohanna and her group could currently do for Vihera was about that much.
Because of that, roughly a month ago, Yohanna and her group had started coming to this dungeon in search of potions.
Granted, the fact that they had already finished their winter preparations was probably a big factor as well. That was why they could afford to search this dungeon for a potion that could restore Vihera's consciousness.
Also, diving into the dungeon naturally meant encountering monsters, and they could obtain Magic Stones, Subjugation Proof Parts, and depending on the floor, other materials. Even if they couldn't obtain potions, they could sell those items, so it wasn't as if they were earning nothing.
"The other day, a Lizardman was carrying a pretty nice halberd. Well, since nobody could use it, we sold it," Yohanna said with a smile.
It must have sold for quite a high price. The others also had happy smiles on their faces.
"...I see."
"So, why did you come to this dungeon, Rei-san? Are you also here for potions like us?"
The tone Yohanna used to ask that question seemed like she had already decided that was the answer. Having fought through that civil war together, she naturally understood the feelings Vihera held for Rei. Therefore, they came here to restore Vihera's consciousness. That was what she thought when she asked.
However, to Yohanna's words, Rei shook his head.
"Eh?"
Unable to comprehend Rei's action, Yohanna asked back with a puzzled look. Naturally. She had been completely convinced that Rei and his group had come here seeking potions, just like them. She had asked, but it was more for confirmation than anything.
To such a question, getting back a gesture of denial was naturally cause for confusion.
Slightly... truly only slightly, the look Yohanna directed at Rei became stricter.
"You aren't just here to make money... right?"
"Well, yeah."
Rei readily agreed with Yohanna's question. Knowing the relationship between Rei and Vihera, Yohanna became even more bewildered by his words this time.
"Umm, so what exactly did you come here to do, Rei-san?"
"To restore Vihera's consciousness, of course."
"No, but..."
Yohanna muttered, as if she couldn't understand at all.
Elk, who had been watching Yohanna's state, opened his mouth with a slightly exasperated look. "Rei, maybe you should leave it at that. This young lady doesn't understand what you're saying."
"Young la..."
Yohanna wanted to object to being called a young lady, but since it was Elk who said it, she couldn't complain. Having been in Gilm for only about a year, Yohanna naturally knew the face and name of Elk, a famous Alias Holder and A-Rank adventurer, even in Gilm. Against someone like that, there was no way a newcomer like her could voice an opinion, and she reluctantly fell silent.
Though, if the topic had been about Set rather than herself, she might have bitten back.
To calm down a little, she took a sip or two of the ale on the table. And once she calmed down, Yohanna was able to predict what Rei was trying to say, and shock seeped into her expression.
"Does that mean you've found a way to restore Vihera-sama's consciousness other than potions?"
"That's right. Though, it's a method with various problems attached. And that leads to what I was discussing with Marina earlier."
At Rei's words, Yohanna recalled that Marina had told her earlier to ask Rei about it. Gulp. Swallowing not ale but saliva, Yohanna turned a serious gaze toward Rei.
"Please tell me. How can we restore Vihera-sama's consciousness?"
At Yohanna's words, Rei looked around. Confirming that Yohanna's comrades were acting as a wall, shielding them from the surroundings, Rei eventually opened his mouth.
"I have an acquaintance who is an Undead... a Lich Lord. He says that if he uses an S-Rank monster's heart, he can restore Vihera's consciousness right away."
"...Eh?"
Perhaps she couldn't understand the words that had come out of Rei's mouth. She didn't know what she had been told. Looking at it that way, Yohanna stared back at Rei.
"Um, that... I'm not quite sure what you mean, Rei-san."
"Figured as much."
The one who agreed with Rei's words was Elk. He nodded as if to say he understood Yohanna's feelings, then spoke.
"I understand how you feel, young lady, but what Rei is saying is true. Well, I haven't actually seen this Lich Lord myself, though."
"Lich Lord... eh? Ah, an S-Rank monster, so that's why you came to this dungeon?"
Yohanna was surprised by Rei's words about knowing a Lich Lord, but she still worked her mind to understand why Rei and his group had come to this dungeon.
If they were just getting treatment from the Lich Lord, there was no need to come to a dungeon. They could simply have the treatment done in some forest away from prying eyes.
But if an S-Rank monster's heart was necessary, then such a rare monster wouldn't be found just lying around. However, the Silver Lion was in this dungeon.
In terms of obtaining an S-Rank monster's heart, there was no doubt that there was no better place than this.
"So, what should we do? I know it's not my place to say this to you, Rei-san, but we can't handle an S-Rank monster..."
Perhaps finding it pathetic herself, Yohanna muttered with a sad look. In her heart, she wanted to do anything she could for Vihera. But the fact that she didn't have the strength to fight an S-Rank monster was something Yohanna herself understood well.
Yohanna muttered in frustration. Her comrades, who had been listening, also showed expressions of equal frustration.
"Rest assured. Though maybe that's not the most engaging way to put it, our fighting strength for the battle against the Silver Lion is already sufficient. What I want to ask of you is to watch over Vihera and Rhodos while we fight the Silver Lion on the lowest floor."
"...Ah, I see."
At Rei's words, Yohanna showed an expression of understanding, though with a hint of disappointment.
"It's known that there are no monsters other than the Silver Lion on the lowest floor, but considering worst-case scenarios, I want someone to stay with them."
That was something Yohanna could accept as well. When challenging an S-Rank monster with a small elite force, they couldn't afford to pull unnecessary personnel away from it. It was a known fact that there were no monsters other than the Silver Lion on the lowest floor. That was precisely why the desire to hire someone reliable, even if their skill level was only moderate, must have been strong.
(Besides, the fact that I'm here is probably a big factor. There's no way they could leave the unconscious Vihera-sama to men.)
Since her comrades were also from the Bestia Empire, they held something like deep loyalty toward Vihera. But at the same time, it was also a fact that Vihera had a figure and body attractive enough to captivate anyone at first glance, and if such a person was unconscious in front of them...
Whether they would be able to suppress the desire that would well up from within was something they couldn't say with complete confidence.
"So it's essentially a guard... position?"
"That's right. Though in practice, it'll probably be more of an escort role."
"And my son Rhodos as well," Elk added. But the moment Rhodos's name came up, Yohanna and her group's faces tensed for just a moment.
Naturally. Rhodos was the enemy they had fought in the civil war. Though there were almost none who had fought him directly, many had seen the strong obsession he held toward Rei. Because of that, many had feelings about Rhodos's name.
But if Rei, the one Rhodos had been most obsessed with, said nothing and gave permission, then... Yohanna nodded.
"Understood. I can't say we'll treat him the same as Vihera-sama, but we'll do everything in our power."
"Yeah, that's fine. I've heard about the relationship between you guys and Rhodos, and just doing that much is enough for us. No complaints here. Thanks."
Elk also knew what his son had done. Knowing that, if he was honest, he thought it couldn't be helped if Yohanna refused. But even so, since she had properly accepted the guard duty like this, there was nothing but gratitude.
Elk's words of gratitude probably erased the lingering resentment toward Rhodos that had still remained, however slightly. Yohanna returned a smile to Elk.
Though, no matter what Rhodos did, Yohanna never thought he could beat Rei. That was why the resentment Yohanna held toward Rhodos must have been small.
To Yohanna and the other Former Mobile Unit Members, Rei was the symbol of the strongest. Single-handedly burning entire enemy armies, and even defeating an S-Rank Adventurer. Though Rei himself didn't acknowledge his win against Noise.
"Ah, come to think of it, Rei-san. The reward for this request... I can look forward to it, right? I hear you gave Mirene the right to spend a day with Set-chan."
She remembered her rival, no, her nemesis in the truest sense of a heaven-sent enemy, boasting proudly to her about that.
Because of the situation with Vihera, that right had not yet been exercised. But that conversely meant that Mirene boasted about it to her every time they met.
When would they spend time together, what would they do? Being told about it every time they met, Yohanna naturally found it unpleasant.
"Understood. I'll give you the right to spend a day with Set too. As for the others, we'll discuss it case by case."
Saying that, Rei reached for the skewers.