In the operations room of the "Wings of Flash" Clan, Sylvia sat alone, her head in her hands, in heavy silence.

The operational meeting with the executives has just ended. Several concrete operation plans for rescuing Anastasia were proposed, but none of them lacked certainty.

The guild has also hinted at the possibility of a worst-case scenario extermination request.

After closing her eyes tightly, Sylvia picked up an old, worn leather pouch.

Carefully untying the leather cord, what emerged was a polished monster's claw, as it was gleaming dully like obsidian.

It was obtained a few years ago, on a subjugation request she took on with Anastasia for the first time, when she had just been promoted to A-rank.

The toughest claw of the mighty magical beast they had finally slain after wandering on the brink of death. After completing the request, Anastasia offered this claw to Sylvia as a memento, and Sylvia, in turn, presented Anastasia with one of the same claws to commend her valiant efforts.

"...Anastasia... you always do such reckless things..."

A precious friend. One of the few people she could truly trust and show her true self to. And now, that friend was in a desperate situation. She wanted to help, no matter what it took. But as a leader, someone entrusted with the lives of many comrades, she couldn't act on emotion alone. That dilemma was weighing heavily on Sylvia's heart.

Suddenly, the door to the operations room was gently knocked.

Wiping away the tears that had welled up, Sylvia spoke in a calm voice.

"...Who is it?"

"It's Christophe. Are you free right now?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Sylvia took a deep breath and then gestured for them to enter.

Christophe entered quietly, wearing his usual gentle smile. However, Sylvia immediately noticed that he was carrying a different atmosphere than usual.

"Sylvia."

At the sound of his calm voice, Sylvia turned back to him with a forced, composed expression.

"Christophe-san... What is it?"

"Regarding Anastasia-san's request this time, could you include me in the expedition team as well?"

"...Why?"

"That's... I did say I wanted to try entering the Labyrinth, didn't I? I thought it would be a good opportunity."

Sylvia understood immediately that his words were just his own kind of lie.

That's precisely why Sylvia immediately shook her head.

"...No, Christophe-san. You mustn't come. It's too dangerous. It's the 20th floor level, you know? And besides, the Nightmare Phantom mentioned in the report... Now that such a unique monster has appeared, there's no telling what other irregularities might occur. If something were to happen to you... I―"

Sylvia's voice trembled. With the current situation of almost losing Anastasia, she had no room in her heart.

However, Christophe opened his mouth as if to interrupt those words.

"If someone is in trouble, I want to help. Is it difficult to incapacitate Anastasia and bring her outside the Labyrinth?"

"...Yes, that's right."

"Then, if I accompany you, the chances of treatment should increase. If there is even a slight possibility of treatment... if there is a chance to save even one more person, would you let me come with you?"

"It's wonderful that you want to help Anastasia... but... that's―"

"No, Sylvia. Of course, I want to help Anastasia too, but more than anything, I want to help you first."

"Me...?"

"That's right. The you who's worried about Anastasia."

At Christophe's words, Sylvia pursed her lips tightly. His straightforward words caused the tears she had been trying to hold back to overflow.

It was a pure expression of emotion, not as a leader shedding their mask, but as a friend and a human being seeking help.

When Sylvia learned about Anastasia's current situation, her first thought was not to get her hopes up.

As a leader, she always tried to consider the worst-case scenario first. She didn't want to see hope.

She had been forcing himself to believe that there was no longer any way to save Anastasia. Faint hope sometimes leads to greater despair. That's why she shouldn't have hoped. She had sworn it so firmly.

(But, Christophe-san... Christophe-san is here...)

His recovery magic defies common sense. The miracle that kept her alive. The miracle that broke Ester's curse. The miracle that even restored Fana's lost bodily functions. His hands are right in front of her now that have made the impossible possible time and time again.

He's the kind of guy who's willing to follow her, even knowing it will be difficult.

(If you say something like that, I will start to get my hopes up.)

Christophe's words effortlessly shattered the wall of the heart that Sylvia had desperately built up.

She wants to rely on his strength. She wants him to save Anastasia. That long-suppressed, desperate wish surges up from the depths of her heart like a dam bursting.

Her calm judgment as a leader and her pride as an S-rank adventurer were both crumbling.

However, as a friend, she wants to help Anastasia.

And if that only hope is the person standing before her right now...

"...Christophe, san..."

Sylvia was sobbing as she tightly gripped Christophe's sleeve. Her voice was no longer that of an S-rank adventurer or a clan leader.

"Please... will you... accompany me... in rescuing Anastasia?"

As if squeezed out at that pleading,

"Of course. Shall we all go and help?"

"...Yes! Let's go."

Christophe nodded with a smile.

Chapter 32