1 Chapter 1

"Is this the main building of the guild? ...No, is this one the

headquarters, ma'am?"

Riff took me to the guild.

It was a building near the center of the Kingdom of Kuzera, the royal

capital.

From the looks of it, it's a huge, seven-story structure that looks like it

could be able to eat ten whole houses. How much excellent piece of land did

they buy up?

I heard that the closer it is at the royal capital's center, the higher the land

price it would be, though...

She can give me a hundred gold coins, so I wonder how much money this

organization alone has.

"Umu, that's splendid! It's not the main building, but the headquarters. Or

rather, don't use polite language again, it's creepy."

"There's an appearance aspect to it, after all"

"Stop that. That subservient attitude reminds me of those greasy, puffed-up,

upstart merchants whom I don't understand what they're thinking. When

they found out that I'm not a child, they suddenly started grinning, so it's

creepy." (TN: It's called legal loli)

"O,oh"

Well, if you say that much to me, I can't help but fix it.

In the first place, I don't like to use honorifics too much either. Though Riff

looks like a child to me.

"It must be hard, looking like a kid and all."

"Really. I was originally a beautiful woman with a nice body...… See,

just like that girl."

"Originally...? Hoh... that's true"

Riff said something that seems to bother her. But more importantly, the

woman she pointed to was also a beautiful woman, though I wasn't much

interested in Riff in the past.

She is a woman who can attract people's attention just by her looking at the

large bulletin board inside the guild.

She has long fiery red hair, red eyes, and a body with feminine lines. She's

got a good face, too, so she attracts people's attention just by her walking

around —— eh, she's looking this way, right?

"Somehow, isn't that person looking this way?"

"Well, it's fine. Let me show you around the guild~"

"No, she's staring, you know. What's this, it feels like she's glaring at us,

though."

"That's fine. Let's get inside. We haven't been exposed yet."

"You say some very ominous things. Nevertheless, she's coming, though, in

this way"

I guess this girl is what they mean when they say 'seeing a starving prey'.

She was coming straight at us, with a glaring gaze directed in our direction.

"This is bad! Let's go, Zeid!"

"Eh? Eh? What, what!"

Riff grabs my hand.

The soft, small hand, that could even barely hold my pinky finger, was

overflowed with magic power that created a wind as the aftermath.

"『Transfer』!"

It was a magic chant.

Moreover, it's just a word.

I still didn't believe it.

But this little girl has definitely lived for decades. She has that much magic

training, and concentrated and dense magic power that I could feel that way.

Ah, even I admit it.

This is undoubtedly a 『Master』 class of a large organization with

branches in many countries.

...That's why, I want you to not glare at me.

"I unconsciously did it..."

"Unconsciously, is it?"

"Yes... my apologies..."

I bow my head lightly in acknowledgement.

The little girl looks at me with an accusing look.

"You unconsciously... just repelled my 『Transfer』!"

I repelled the 『Transfer』 magic that she had activated in order to escape

from the red-haired beauty.

It's probably because she was trying to transfer me with her. Since her

magic power has clung to me ...

It's kind of like a defense instinct. I want you to forgive me.

"Mumuh, I don't think we can get away from her anymore with this"

"Sounds like it."

The outside and inside of the guild.

Even though we were quite a distance away, the beautiful woman came

right in front of us without losing her breath.

"What is it, Quena. What can I do for you?"

"I'm not here for you or anything, Riff! That's the Zeid guy you have there

with you, right!"

The beautiful woman called Quena pointed at me.

"Ah, I'm Zeid, though"

"What is it, did you fall in love with him at first sight?"

"Fa,fall in love at first sight...? Huh! You mean love at first sight!? I,it

wasn't such a thing, you know!"

I was cut down real quick. It hurt my heart because the other person is a

beautiful woman.

"Don't play dumb, Riff! You're going to give him S-rank over me, aren't

you!?"

"If that's the case, it has already been decided by the discussion, though.

Are you still planning to complain about it?"

"You're talking about the discussion between the S-ranked people and the

guild's executives, which almost no one participates in!? Why should we Aranked people be left out!"

"That's natural. Do you think that an A-ranked person can have an opinion

about S-ranked personnel, which is higher than them?"

"I have no problem if the members in the current A rank are promoted! But,

I'm saying that it's weird for a guy who suddenly comes out to instantly

become S-rank!"

Apparently, Quena is against me being promoted to S rank.

I've heard this before. Guilds have a rank system, and S rank is the highest

rank. It was also said that to become an S-rank adventurer, you need to pass

an exam that is held only once a year, and only one person can pass it. Well,

I've heard that it's only once every few years that it is actually been

received, though.

"You want me to at least prove myself, don't you?"

"That's right! The other A-ranked guys won't be happy if things continue as

they are!"

"But Zeid has already been recommended by the S-rank Soria Aiden. And

from various other executives."

"[Saint of the Light Star] Soria Aiden-sama ... Well, many

adventurers recognized him because she enthusiastically recommended

him!"

What, it was appointed to me.

I, from the light star? I've received a recommendation from the saintsama...? And from various other executives as well ...?

I wonder if there were a lot of people who recommended me, and not just

Riff.

I don't know why. I'm sure I don't have any connections to be

recommended, though.

"But... I still can't recognize him until I check him with my own eyes!"

"Haa, you're still annoyingly complaining, well then, hit him. Go ahead, hit

Zeid and kill him."

"Aren't you being too radical!?"

Riff is going to let her take my life so easily.

It's very confusing. Quena, please don't turn your murderous eyes on me

either. Don't put your hand on the sword you carry at your waist.

Gacha. (TN: SFX)

And then Quena pulled out her sword. What was in the red scabbard, was a

red blade that was actually burning. It looks really hot.

Or rather, eh?

"Wait a minute. Are we really going to fight? Right here? No, no, people

come and go normally here, though"

"No excuses! We just need to not cut up other people or buildings!"

"No, if I hold back, you won't be able to see everything that you want to

see, right?"

"Guh... then, let's do it! Let's change location!?"

When I answered back, she sulked.

Even if you say that we'll change location...

"Then why don't you fight in guild style?"

""Guild Style?""

Quena and I overlapped our words.

Then she pokes at me, with her face as red as her hair and eyes.

"Don't cover my words with yours! It's like we're on the same page!"

"No, that's unreasonable."

Is this place black too? Will I be bullied by my seniors?

"I'll have to explain that to Zeid for the time being. Do you know what you

have to do to raise your rank?"

"Aren't you supposed to take requests?"

"Umu. It's important to take requests. However, to be precise, 『points』

will be given when one fulfills a request."

"Point, huh"

"This time, the guild style of competition I mentioned is a match based on

those points."

She then gave a brief explanation.

It was about competing for the number of points earned by completing

requests.

The date and time are three days from now.

I wonder why it's three days.

This was simply what was decided since it would take a long time to

complete a high-ranked request.

"Fuhn. I don't mind, but this is gonna be my advantage, you know?"

"Hou, why?"

"Because I know more about points than he does. And how to turn over

requests smoothly."

"That's true. You who have climbed up to A rank alone without having a

party will be exceptional in ability and know-how compared to others."

"Fufuhn"

Perhaps because Riff praised her, Quena looked proud.

"However, I thought you could win on that. Zeid"

"Are you sane...?"

"Umu, there is no madness in my eyes."

"Hmm. Well, okay."

Riff then nodded confidently.

It was a pleasure for me to be trusted so openly. In the chivalric order, I was

always told 『There's always someone to take your place! 』 or the

likes...

"Ah, that's right. If Zeid loses, we'll pretend that he didn't get the S rank,

but what if Zeid wins?"

"What? Shouldn't I just tell everyone that he deserves to be an S rank?"

"Soria has already done that"

"What am I supposed to do then?"

"That's not for me to decide."

Riff looked at me as she said this. Being lured, Quena's eyes looked at me

as well.

I see. She wants me to impose the compensation, huh.

Well, if I lose, I'll be stripped of my title, so I guess that's a natural

progression.

"Maybe you could be my guide, then?"

"Guide? What's that?"

"I'm not very familiar with the world, you know, other than the order I was

in before. I just listen to my co-workers and catch glimpses of it as we

complete our missions. So, I thought I'd ask you to be my guide for a

while."

"Haa? Well, if that is all, then I don't particularly mind, though"

Is that really fine?

Quena was looking at me with a face that was saying so.

No, no, it can't be helped, alright. This was what came to my mind.

Besides, I don't think it's unexpectedly bad. The only thing that would be

taken away from Quena would be time, and I wouldn't have to worry about

anything strange going on out there. Since I could hear a lot of stories about

the outside world from her.

"Are you sure that's what you want? Quena is saying that she'll do

anything, you know? Something like a man and woman's mufufu..."

"Wait, I didn't say I'd do anything!?"

"What, do you think you're going to lose?"

"No, I don't think so!"

"Then, all is well"

"...? Tha,that right. Well, it's true..."

"Eh. Then can I cancel your role of being the guide, and change it to you

becoming my woman?"

"No!?"

"What the heck..."

I tried to break in there, but it didn't work. Her guard seemed to be tight.

Then I shouldn't have said that from the beginning ...

"Then, if I win, the S rank promotion is mine! If Zeid wins, then I'll be his

guide! Isn't that fine!?"

"No. Who said anything about making you an S-rank. We'll just withdraw

Zeid's S rank promotion."

Quena poked her head at Riff's quip.

She's cute, but she's cunning.

Or rather, maybe it's because she wanted to become S rank herself that

she's flaring up at me.

Well, I don't see any other reasons in particular, so I guess that's about it.

Riff coughed lightly and started it over.

"Then, if Quena wins, Zeid's S rank promotion will be revoked, and if Zeid

wins, Quena will be Zeid's guide. Is that okay"

"Yes, that's fine"

"Ah. I have no problem with that too."

With the consent of me and Quena, the guild-style points competition has

begun.

I wonder which request should I accept. I was thinking about this as I

looked at the request forms that were posted in disarray in front of the long

bulletin board that ran from one end of the guild to the other.

Next to me is Riff as my advisor.

It seems to be some kind of a handicap for me, who's an amateur. However,

I shouldn't borrow her powers.

Before the requests, I suddenly have a thought.

"Does she have spare time?"

"What's with that suddenly"

"I was wondering if she has nothing better to do since she's suddenly

having me do a match and taking care of me."

"Are you talking about Quena? Ah, since that girl thinks that winning this

will bring her closer to S rank. In the first place, she was close to S among

the A ranks from the beginning. She has been busy with some nominated

requests, you know?"

Hou.

A nominated request is probably like receiving a request literally by the

requester's nomination.

Well, she seems to be obsessed with being S rank, but from the public's

point of view, even an A rank is a place out of reach ... that's what I've

also heard.

She's probably a great woman, too. I don't know that, though.

"I'm talking about you, too, you know. I thought you were supposed to be

in charge of this organization."

"Tentatively, that's correct"

"... I'm not saying that you're great, I'm saying that you have a lot of

spare time, don't you. That's why, it's not something you can puff up with

pride, right?"

Riff turns up her nose in a pompous manner, with her flat little girl-like

chest.

"I have excellent subordinates, so there is no problem. Rather than that,

have you decided which request to get"

"Is that something that can be done so lightly ...?"

What a pretty irresponsible guild master.

I'm wondering now if it was really safe to enter this kind of place. No, well,

I don't belong to the guild, and adventurers are just subcontractors, so I

should consider it better.

Well, nonetheless.

The receptionist and the staff members who I occasionally see seemed to be

lively and happy.

At least, unlike the order where I was in, there were no dying people who

could be mistaken for zombies.

It must have a good environment, this place.

Now then, it's the request.

There are countless requests posted on the board. These ranged from things

that even a child could do, such as picking herbs or defeating goblins, to

things that required a higher rank, such as destroying an Orc settlement or

fetching a Fenrir's hair.

However...

"Hmm, none of them makes sense to me"

"Hou, then let me tell you"

As a rough guide,

F rank request is 1 point

E rank request is 3 points

D rank request is 5 points

C rank request is 10 points

B rank request is 30 points

A rank request is 50 points

It was something like that.

However, there was no S rank, which is the most essential.

I also feel that the number of A rank is small.

"Is there any other place you can post the requests?"

"This is all we have at the headquarters. And then there's nothing but

nominations and urgent requests that come in."

"Is that so..."

I suppose that's true.

Even just looking at the few A-rank requests that are posted, it is at a level

that can destroy a village.

Such requests cannot be done at a mad pace. It's no wonder that there is not

a single S rank located above it.

And above all, this is the royal capital. It's the heart of the kingdom.

Most of the places have been reclaimed and the Knights' eyes are shining

on it....

Wait a minute.

"If it's in a remote area or something, are there any S-rank requests?"

"That's a good point of view. However, if it's in a remote area, there's no

one rich enough to pay for the request fee. That's why, there are even

branches that don't even have A rank."

"Isn't that too easy-going"

As I was lazily thinking about it, the guys who were forming a party took a

few A rank requests.

"Ah, there's an A rank"

"What are you going to do, then, there are some people who come to the

Royal Capital to earn some money. The requests are limited."

"That's true. I'd better get going."

Quena had already left the guild with a request.

I don't have time to dawdle either.

"By the way, Quena took one A-rank and two B-ranks."

"Eh. Is such a thing possible?"

"Simultaneous request acceptance is allowed with special approval. It was

because Quena has gained our trust."

"Can I do that?"

"Even though I approve of your abilities, since Zeid has never experienced

fulfilling requests before, it's going to be tough."

So that's what Quena was talking about when she said advantage, huh....

Thinking like that, as a newcomer, it puts me at a disadvantage.

If it already happens like this, I guess I'll just go ahead and accept requests

without thinking anything about it.

"Hah, I've only slept for three hours this week."

While grumbling, I took the highest point request from the bulletin board

for the time being.

Three days had passed since the day that Zeid, Riff, and Quena had made

their agreement.

The only ones there were the receptionist, the eager newcomers, and the

guild master, Riff.

The door in the guild is opened and Quena comes in.

It was just in time for the promise.

But, there was no sign of Zeid.

Riff, noticing Quena, waved and called out to her.

"Oh, you're back. It's been three days."

"Yeah. One A-rank and two B-ranks were tough as expected. I didn't even

have time to go back to the guild."

"So you've really accomplished a lot in the last three days huh"

"Did you think it was impossible?"

"To be honest, I thought that with that rank, the number of people required,

and the time it would take, it would only be possible for someone with a

party of A ranks."

"Are you suspecting me of being a fraud?"

"Hahhahha, if you had done that, I would have already seen through it, little

girl."

"Tha,that's a very harsh thing to hear. Well, I'll take that as your trust in me,

though."

"I trust you, you know. Even so, achievement report for all three requests

huh~, that must feel good."

Quena pulls out huge horns and fangs from the burlap sack, that she was

holding, which has the size of a fist.

The burlap sack is a magic item, and it can store contents that cannot be

imagined from the outside.

What Quena took out from there were monster horns and fangs.

She had already presented the request to the client, and she also had the

document she had received from the client, which was the proof that her

request had been fulfilled, and she took it out and handed it to the

receptionist.

In other words, it was the report of the request's accomplishment and the

sale of the monsters' parts.

Both of which were instantly redeemed by her.

After a while, the receptionist handed her thirteen gold coins and twentyseven silver coins.

But there was something else that Quena mentioned before the money.

"110 points, right"

"Oh, that in three days, huh"

Riff's eyes widened.

It's one of the conditions for taking the exam to be promoted from A rank to

S rank. The total number of points must exceed 10,000.

It seems like an endlessly long road, but if Quena can keep up her pace this

time, even an amateur who starts with the lowest rank of F will be able to

take the S rank promotion exam by the end of the year.

"A request isn't the only way to earn points, but Quena is already capable

of challenging for S rank with just requests."

"That's natural. Most of my current accumulated points are from requests."

Quena tells so a little proudly.

Quena's accumulated points are already among the highest in A ranks.

Although some people have been counter-stopped, it's just a few. Moreover,

they are not able to move up to S rank, but are stuck in A rank.

Considering these aspects, Quena was the person with the best chance of

being promoted among the A-ranks.

That's why, she has been showing her rebelliousness to Zeid, who easily

overtaken Quena and snatched the S rank. ...

"More importantly, where's Zeid? The promise should be until today. Any

requests fulfilled after this day will not be valid, right?"

"Ah, of course. There's no favoritism."

"Then maybe he ran away?"

"Kuku. Isn't there anything else that feels out of place?"

"Feels out of place?"

Riff softened her expression with a little mischievous grin. Quena then

looked around while lowering one eyebrow.

Did he bring some huge monster with him after defeating it?

Are there clots of blood somewhere? No, there's none at all.

The headquarters, the face of the guild, is kept clean, so such filth is always

removed.

Then, maybe he's already in the guild?

No, there is no sign of Zeid.

"What was it, there was nothing in particular. Maybe he really did run away

because he couldn't get any requests. ...——there are... no

requests...?"

Quena's face paled.

Tsuu! Then a bead of sweat ran down from her forehead to her cheeks.

Her cheeks that had been lifted in an attempt to make fun of him became

stiff.

The bulletin board that Quena pointed with her finger ———— has a far

less number of requests than usual.

"Wha,what does this mean!? Did everyone suddenly get motivated!?"

"Fuhfuhfu, you've noticed, huh. And don't you dare run away from reality.

There's no way anyone could suddenly get motivated, you know. Well, they

were inspired by a few parties, but..."

"What do you mean, "inspired"!? Because this is ...!"

The number of requests that have decreased is not just one or ten.

It's hundreds or thousands—— it's at that level!

"Perhaps, are you saying that Zeid did this!? All the A rank requests are

gone... B and C ranks too! All that's left are D rank or lower, isn't it!

Moreover, they're quite scarce..."

"Hahhahha. Thanks to that, many adventurers have left the royal capital.

Complaining things like 『there's no work here, though! 』"

Riff smiled with amusement as she recalled that time.

"Then Zeid really...!? But how? Is that, even physically possible ...?"

"He started out taking them one at a time. However, when he completed ten

of them in just one hour, the receptionist also gave him special approval. He

has been taking care of a whole region's worth of requests since he was

granted special approval."

"What, that's..."

Perhaps because of a back injury, or because she was exhausted every day,

Quena collapsed from her feet.

"To be honest, I didn't expect it either. For the past three days, I haven't

seen him eat or sleep."

"He fulfilled all those requests in such a state!?

"Umu. What a ridiculous guy. Hahahahaha!"

"No, no... is he really human... that can't be imitated, even in the S

rank of the uninhabited area(ominous place outside the human world)..."

Quena dropped the burlap sack that she was holding.

It must have been such a shock to her.

"The,then, where did Zeid go? Don't tell me he's still on a request?"

"No, no, after completing a series of requests, he said, 『Now there won't

be any requests for Quena to take! Hahaha! 』 and went to stay at the inn."

"I don't remember him being that kind of character..."

"If he doesn't sleep, then his head is going to be strange, you know. That's

all there is."

"I mean, the idea of him getting another request is terrifying. Hmm, but

that's right. As expected, if he has worked for three consecutive days, he

would want to sleep ..."

"No, it's not exactly three days."

"Eh?"

"I heard that in the chivalric order, he worked for a week and only slept for

three hours." (TN: The very definition of overworking)

"Eh!? So he worked for another three days until the headquarters ran out of

requests!?"

"That's why I have told you. I didn't expect it either!"

While already having fun so, Riff convulsed with laughter.

She also admired Zeid for completing the requests so easily. She was so

surprised that she could only burst out laughing.

"A,ahaha..."

Quena also smiled. With a dry smile.

◇◇◇

I wake up with the sun.

I wonder if it was about yesterday evening when I finished all the requests

and went to bed.

I took a lodging and went to sleep when Riff said, 『Quena can't catch up

with this point difference physically anymore』.

As expected, my lack of sleep had reached its limit.

I start washing my face and the birds finally start singing.

It was the usual sight.

I'm feeling rather refreshed, having slept more than usual.

Me waking up like that —— I was feeling guilty about it.

I went outside and wondered if it was really okay to be so lazy.

Then, I headed to Quena's house, which Riff had told me about. It was a

luxurious single-house in the center of the Royal Capital, near the guild. I

then rang its chime.

"...Are you stupid enough to be up at this hour?"

Quena scolded me, rubbing her half-open eyes in her nightwear.

"What time is it, isn't it morning? It's normal to wake up at this time, even

if you're only getting a minute's sleep."

"No, no, no, it's only when you're a slave. There's no way that's normal.

Rather, it's just fine for us adventurers to wake up at noon."

"Is such a thing allowed..."

"On the contrary, how can such an old slavery system be tolerated?"

Quena pointed out with an amazed look.

In the chivalric order, it has been going on calmly...no way.

"Or rather, what are you here for?"

"I was thinking of asking you to be my guide."

"...At this time?"

"Yeah"

"I don't remember being asked to be a slave, though..."

"Now I feel sorry to be informed of that, I think."

In fact, I somehow realized that Quena wasn't the only one who wanted to

sleep.

There weren't many people walking in the street. Only one or two people

passed behind me as I stood in the doorway.

"Besides, what am I supposed to do as a guide? Is it okay if I give you a

tour of the Royal Capital?"

"Well, that's about it. Also, I'd like to know what Quena was talking about,

that 『how to roll a request』."

"Fuhn, well, that's cheaper than a tour of the Royal Capital, you know.

When it came to how to roll a request, it seems that Zeid was already able

to do it naturally."

"I have done it?"

"Yeah. Riff told me that you've kind of 『took and assimilated requests

from a whole area』. Also, if you see some herbs, pick them up even if you

don't need them, to fulfill the guild's request to collect herbs. That's about

it."

"Oh, I see."

It looks like a rough job of special recognition, but it seems to be

convenient that anyone can practice with medicinal herbs.

However, she also said, "Well, picking herbs is only for D rank. I don't see

any adventurers above C rank doing that".

"Then, well, come again around noon."

"Why?"

"If you want me to show you around the royal capital, you have to do it at a

time when everyone is awake. It doesn't make sense now. Besides, I'm

sleepy. ...Fuhaa"

She stretched out her body and yawned.

The lines of her body sticking to her thin nightwear were wonderful.

"Then I'll see you at noon, so please."

"Ye~s. Good night~"

With that, Quena went back into her house.

I'm jealous of her being able to sleep even when the sun had risen.

Even if I were to crawl into my softly wrapped bed now, and the sky is dark

and there is no sound, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to sleep.

It's a habit I've developed over the years.

I'm afraid for my eyelids to close.

So with that —— I guess I'll just work until noon.

◇◇◇

"...are you, kidding me"

Quena was looking at me with reproachful eyes.

Her gaze hurts.

"I feel bad"

"No... Why would you perform a request up to near evening! What

about your promise with me!? Why do I have to go all the way to this forest

to find you!"

Quena's voice echoed through the entire forest.

The nearby birds scurried away.

"You misunderstand it in the guild... How can you be in here this late?

You'll usually realize it sooner."

"Well, whenever there's job left to do, I just feel like I have to get it done."

"It's not a job, it's a request, a.re.quest! It's up to you whether you want to

take it or not!"

Quena points her index finger and nails it at me many times.

"That's not what I'm trying to say. If I don't take it, the contract money I

received from Riff won't mean anything."

"Contract money, is it... you didn't sign up for anything, right? Actually,

that's more of a transfer fee, you know."

"Hmm, when I got my S rank card, I was told to accept as many requests as

possible, though"

"As many requests as possible!? That's what they all say! You can't expect

them telling you to take everything!"

Quena complains while holding her head.

She's not a guild employee, so why is she even thinking about their job, is

what I thought.

"Listen, okay? Most of the adventurers have disappeared from Royal

Capital because you've completed all the requests from A rank to C rank. If

an S-rank-sama works any longer, the jobs of the people below them will

disappear! Think about the balance. Besides, you wouldn't benefit from

anything less than A-rank money and achievements."

I see.

She had her own reasons too, didn't she? It's the opinion of an adventurer,

not of the guild staff.

She's saying that if I don't stop, I'll consume all the requests. If that

happens, she'll have to change location as well. I guess that's what being an

adventurer is all about.

Quena has her own home, which makes it difficult for her to change the

location of her activities, so she's probably thinking of refraining from

doing so.

"I'm sorry about that. I wasn't considerate enough."

"No... you're honest, very much so."

Quena's face looked like she has lost interest in it.

"Well, whatever. Then, as promised, I'll give you a tour of the royal

capital."

"Are you sure? It's almost evening."

"Yes. Even if it isn't daytime, the royal capital is fun even at night."

Quena said happily, looking quite enthusiastic.

In the meantime... am I being accepted?

"I see. But first, let me meet with my client and report my

accomplishment."

"...... I understand."

Following Quena's back, I dragged a large number of goblin corpses that I

had tied up with a rope.

She smiled bitterly, as if she has been defeated, but it was something trivial.

◇◇◇

"This is a first-class restaurant. You have to make a reservation for the

superior dragon steak, but it may be served normally. They are also a

purveyor to the royal family."

"If you're looking for weapons and stuff, this is the place. They've even

had well-known and stalwart men come all the way from afar."

...

...

Like that, I was taught various places.

However,

『...the meat ... is delicious, but... my stomach is rejecting it...!

』

I remember that its fat was so good that my stomach was surprised and my

body couldn't stop twitching.

『I'm sorry! I was slashing so hard that I broke the forge! 』

Just by me swinging my sword, the smithy was cut into two. It was

fortunate that I didn't hit anyone.

"...Haa"

Quena is holding her forehead and letting out a sigh. It's like she's saying

that her head hurts.

No, I'm aware of that, too.

I asked her to be my guide, but it didn't go well.

"I'm sorry, I'm not really cut out for high-class places."

"I had a sneaking suspicion that it was the case. But that's not good enough,

you know. An S-rank has to have an S-rank status. Since even your clients

will be of higher quality."

"Certainly, when I was having a match for points against Quena, many of

the A-rank requests were commissioned by wealthy merchants. It didn't

feel like they were of high stature because they yelled at me, though."

"I've heard that, you know. It's because you barged in on them in the

middle of the night to get the document to accomplish your request, right?

It seems you've been running around all night."

"Eh, that's because, I heard you could turn in your achievement papers any

time."

"That's one way to do it, but for the time being, please consider the client's

circumstances. Since it would be a hassle if someone who can make an Arank request makes a complaint."

"This is also a business huh"

If so, I'll have to get used to it ... is it?

However, a high-class restaurant costs 30 silver coins per meal, and a topclass blacksmith costs 30 gold coins per sword.

"The more I get used to it, the scarier it gets..."

"If you're going to be doing this, at least endure it."

"Yes..."

With tears in my eyes, I nodded.

I see, that's right. Come to think of it, this is work, too .... Then I have no

choice but to do it.

No, it's okay. Since I'll force myself to get used to it. If I think of the good

food as poison, it will taste good, and even a sword that cuts strangely will

be fine if I hold it carefully.

"Hey, Zeid. Even so"

"?"

"If you really hate it, you don't have to do it. Since there are things that

people can't do, and things that they're not suited for. Adventurers have a

lot of freedom in that regard."

"Is that, okay? Because they said, "Don't use the word 'hate' even if it kills

you". It was said that I was spoiled if I can't do that."

"...So it's really the story of when. You probably aren't a resident when

you became a slave, are you"

"Not exactly..." (TN: She's basically saying that if Zeid was a slave from

the start)

Quena was taken aback.

Ah, it's not good. She's tearing up.

"You're a good woman, aren't you"

"Wha,what the heck, that's disgusting! This is what it means to be a guide,

you know"

"Well, I was expecting a mechanical explanation."

I defended myself from Quena, who was poking me with a red face, and

looked at the stalls that were open in the street. A good smell then tickled

my nose and my stomach growled.

"What is, that?"

"That's Bifborn meat skewers."

"It looks good ... I want to eat it ..."

"Eh? If you want to eat it, you can. You can buy one with one copper coin."

"No, but ... Ah"

That's right. It wasn't in my head.

I'm an adventurer now, and I can eat freely. I'm even full of money.

Recalling that, my feet turned to the stall.

"Uhmm"

I went in front of the old man at the stall.

What should I do in this situation?

At the time I was allowed to go out a few years ago... No, I wanted to eat

at a stall, but I had spent all my money at the cafeteria.

I don't know... how to do this.

"Haa, it can't be helped. Please give us five for now."

"Alright, it's five copper coins"

Quena paid the money, and the old man at the stall handed her a bag of

skewers.

I was a little impressed by the series of actions...!

"Yes, here is one gold coin"

"Oh, thank you!"

I then took a gold coin out of my burlap sack and offered it to Quena.

However, Quena withdrew her hand without taking it.

"Hey, what seriously is that?"

"Eh? No, it's like your commission..."

"No, no, even if that's the case, there's no way I would get a gold coin as

expected! Do you understand the value of this?"

Quena asked me with a somewhat angry expression on her face.

I understand how the value of money works. However, I have few

opportunities to actually spend money and touch them.

"If you ask me, then it's easy to give it... I guess?"

"Of course not. With that, I can't leave you alone."

She puts her hands on her hips and looks stunned.

I'm ashamed...

"Then, yes. You'll have three. And the two are mine."

"Thank you. So how much do I have to pay you?"

"It's fine, it's just this much. I'll give it to you."

"Eh... I don't feel comfortable to have asked you to show me around

while you buying me food."

"That's why you were being used for their own purposes. Be a little more

dignified. Benefit is the most important thing."

"Tha,that's right, isn't it... Hagu ... delicious!!"

I ate the meat skewer that Quena had given me.

It's crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside...! The entanglement

of sauce and fat remains in my mouth, and the scent tickles my nose ...!

Delicious!!!

"Are you even listening to me? That level of change of mind is fast..."

It seems that Quena was shocked yet again, but more importantly, the meat

skewer is delicious. The content of her talk flows from my right ear to the

left.

"I wasn't listening much! Since it's too good!"

"Wait a moment. Pull yourself together! With that sort of..."

"Mogumogu. No... it's okay"

"What?"

"The other day, while looking at the clients. I've changed my mind about a

lot of things."

"? What do you mean"

"The old man blacksmith said, 『Ah, no more, it's time to stop. Even if I

continue now, I won't be able to make anything good! There's no point in

working on a day like this! 』, even though he seems to be insanely severe.

Ah, certainly, I thought there's no point in continuing if I'm poor at it."

"Heh"

"The obaa-san at the inn was cleaning even though there were no

adventurers left and no one was around, and I was wondering if there was

any point in doing so, then she said 『——Yes, it's true that there's no one

here, but if I clean it up tidily, it gives me a firm feeling, and a boost for

tomorrow.』. I hadn't really thought about cleaning before, but now it

seemed like a good idea."

"Work isn't something you're made to do, it's something you do." (TN:

This basically sums up the whole point of their conversation)

"Ah, that's true"

So I realized once again how vicious of an environment the Order has,

where everything was forced upon you.

And how free of an occupation the adventurers have.

As I was thinking about this ——my adventurer card quivered, while

emitting a low sound.

◇◇◇

Guild card.

Also known as an adventurer's card.

It's square and big enough to hold in my fist. It seems to come in a variety

of colors, but mine is black, and the texts are white.

With it, I can view my status, requests that are posted on the board, and

even make a reservation for a request.

And I was told that there are three reasons why a guild card rings.

The first was, it being a call from the guild. If I violated a rule, or

something like that which needed to talk about.

The second was, a nominated request. The meaning remains the same; the

guild will contact me if I was nominated by a client.

And this time, it's the third one.

An emergency request.

It's up to the adventurer to decide whether or not to accept the request, just

like a normal request.

However, if you don't accept it, your points will be deducted and you may

even be demoted in rank.

"A massive outbreak of monsters in the Holy Republic, right"

Quena was looking at her card as well. There was no sound or vibration

from it. It could be set arbitrarily. It is in order to avoid being disturbed by

vibrations or sounds while executing a request.

"It's an S rank request. And the amount of completion money is quite high."

"The Holy Republic is a neutral country with a lot of money going around,

right. Besides, in emergencies like this, people would jointly contribute

their money."

"Is that so. Nn, and then there's this travel allowance."

The content displayed on the card was 『Travel Allowance: 10 silver coins

from the Kuzera Kingdom to the Holy Republic』.

"Ah, that's the guild's compensation."

"Eh, I could get paid for just moving? Our step is a step for the country

..."

"What are you talking about? You're not planning on walking to get there,

are you? You're supposed to go by carriage, you know. It would take a day

to get from the Kingdom to the Holy Republic. Besides, it's a round trip, so

it would be less"

"Oh, yeah ..."

I miss the days when we had to march even after dawn.

Defeat the monsters that attacked me while adjusting my eyes at night in a

fatigued state....

Ah, those were fun times....

"Hey, what are you crying for?"

"...Well, I was just indulging in my memories. Hahaha ..."

I let out a dry laugh.

For the time being, I pour my magic power into the area displayed as

"Accept Request".

"Zeid, you're taking this request?"

"Ah, yes?"

"You don't especially need to go out on such a far place, right? For your

point."

"No, no, I have to carry out the work I received."

"You said you got it... Well, I don't have any requests booked either, and

I'm not sure if Zeid can handle it alone, so I'll take it."

Quena traced her adventurer card. She seemed to have accepted the request

as well as I did.

If she has the freedom to refuse, she also has the freedom to accept. It could

be thought of as opposites.

I am grateful to the organization called Guild. Because if I had worked like

before, I would definitely have been destroyed.

On the other hand, I can't be too dedicated and let myself crumble on my

own.

Knowing this, I accepted the request. But, I didn't expect Quena to come

with me.

"You don't have to guide me there ..."

"This isn't because I lost the game, you know! I just can't normally leave

you alone!"

After she said so, Quena turned away.

Umu. Well, it's a welcoming story, and I'd better appreciate it... right?

"You're being very kind to me even though you said that I should focus on

my own interests."

"Do,don't honestly say such things! It's embarrassing!"

She poked me while turning her face bright red.

"Let's go, then. First, we have to arrange for a carriage."

"A carriage? Ah, but since we're not that far to the Republic, wouldn't it be

faster to walk?"

"...You should stop thinking that way, you know. The only people who

can keep up with you are also inhumane being."

"...?"

Well, certainly in the Order, I was told to walk so as not to leave the rest

behind.

There was not simply a connection ... I wonder if it's because they

couldn't keep up with me. However, Rande, the leader of the First

Chivarlric Order, said, 『It's not because I can't keep up with you! It's in

order to avoid mission errors in the estimated time of arrival...– 』 or

something like that.

Umu?

Oh well. I guess I'd better use the carriage now since I've been given a

travel allowance.

"Ah, speaking of which"

Quena clapped her hands as if remembering something.

"Soria Aiden-sama, the [Saint of the Light Star] who strongly

recommended you, is the first priest of the Astea religion, the state religion

of the Holy Republic. Maybe, she's there."

"Hmm, is that so. Or rather, although she's a priest, she's an adventurer?"

"Yes. I've heard that due to a large number of monsters or interspecies

conflicts at that time, the guild side sent out requests to her for her healing

system, and before anyone knew it, she became S rank. I heard that it took

her only a little over a year since the points of each of her requests are so

large."

"Heh, that's amazing."

"...Are you being sarcastic? You got it in a day, you know."

Quena looks at me with reproachful eyes.

"Since in my case, it's a recommendation. I think it's amazing that Soria got

promoted through the regular route."

"Even if it wasn't through a recommendation, you wouldn't need a week

..."

"Hahhahhah, that's impossible. Since there won't be requests anymore."

"Ah, that's true..."

Quena goes in front of me while saying "Well, whatever...". I guess she

is planning to arrange a carriage.

I went next to Quena in a short run, trying not to get left behind by her.

The Holy Republic, huh.

Come to think of it, a long time ago, that was the country I went to protect

on an expedition with the chivalric order. It was because we're allies. But I

don't remember much in detail about it.

Well, if I ever meet Soria, I'll have to thank her.

It was thanks to her strong recommendation that I was able to join the guild

and had the opportunity to get out of the chivalric order.

◇◇◇

We arrived at a major city of the Holy Republic.

Apparently, this isn't its central city, but its scale isn't small and it has the

size and landscape that can be compared with the royal capital.

A large bronze statue of a goddess was erected in the square near the center.

The statue looks like a beautiful woman holding a cane. It's huge but not

intimidating, and it seems to have the capacity to accept everything.

『All adventurers who have accepted the guild's request, please gather

here!! 』

The knights of the Holy Republic were gathering near the statue.

Yes, the statue here was the meeting place for the adventurers. Quena was

also here next to me.

"...you're, still eating"

"Nmuh. It's as delicious as the skewers of the royal capital."

Quena looks at my way with a scolding gaze.

It was still too early for the meeting time, so I bought some meat skewers

from a street stall. I think what makes it different from the Royal Capital

was the taste. This is fatty meat, but I could gulp it down. Its flavor was

refreshing. For this reason, I have gone the extra mile. ...

"Ah, you want some?"

"No, no. Don't give me that 『I don't want to share it ... 』 look. Rather

than that, it looks like the registration's open, so I'll go on ahead."

"Eh, but it's not time yet, right?"

"We're going even if it's not time yet. See, take a look."

Quena looked in the surroundings. I followed Quena's line of sight as I was

told. What I saw were the same adventurers as us.

Everyone was looking at us instead of toward the reception desk.

"They are?"

"They're waiting for us to go first."

"Why?"

"That's easy. Because we have the highest rank out of all of them."

"Ah"

I kind of understood it.

Adventurers have the freedom to accept requests. There are probably some

adventurers who haven't accepted the urgent requests that came in this time.

Those adventurers were looking at me and Quena.

"I guess they think that if the higher ranked people take the request, they

can secure a higher achievement rate and a minimum level of safety. That's

why, they're waiting for us to take it."

"That's clever"

I honestly thought so.

If I were in their shoes and I had come to such an idea, I would have put it

into practice.

Then Quena opened her eyes a little and said.

"Aren't you angry?"

"No, no, why would I be?"

"Since they're like hanger-ons*, you know? I think it's normal to get

irritated on them, though" (TN: A person who just tags along)

"Hmm, is that so? Isn't there some sort of adjustment on the guild side?

Like the higher the rank, the more money you get from completing

requests"

"Yes, well, you're correct."

After finishing the skewered meat, I toss the wooden skewers into the trash

cans set up in the square without making a single inch of difference in my

movement.

"Isn't that okay. It just means that no one wants to die."

It was the same with the chivalric order.

I always go first.

That's how we've been able to complete dangerous missions together. Still,

they survived the harsh days, as they escape or even meet death from it, and

live through it.

Still, it doesn't change the fact that we're in a dangerous situation.

So it's natural to want to survive and reduce the chances of sustaining injury

even a little.

Besides, it would be foolish to scold them over minor things and not take

the request.

Above all, it's even more so if the guild is willing to adjust the rewards

fairly.

"You're, really weird"

Quena followed me while saying so.

And the adventurers who had been watching us followed, while stroking

their chest with relief.

On the way to the reception desk, I asked Quena about something that had

been bothering me.

"Come to think of it, aside from Quena, how did the other adventurers even

know about me?"

"Eh? You're pretty famous, you know? You were an outsider who jumped

in and became an S rank and devoured most of the requests in the vicinity

of the royal capital in just three days. I'm sure your face is pretty well

known through magic items."

"Eh, is that so..."

I feel a little chilly about the facts that I learned for the first time.

I see. Come to think of it, when I meet adventurers sometimes, they avoid

me. I wonder if that's because my face is known.

They don't want to get involved with a man who dried up the requests. ...

I went to the reception desk while thinking so. The receptionist was a fresh

young man. He probably just joined the knights.

In the chivalric order of the kingdom, all young men of this age look like

they are about to die, but the young men of this country look very healthy.

"This is the reception desk. May I borrow your card?"

"Yes, here you go."

"Certainly, I confirm it... eh. You're S-rank...? The party name is...

yo,you're solo?"

"Hmm? Solo? Party?"

I received words I don't understand.

Am I a solo? But Quena's with me, so I guess it's a party?

As I was thinking this, Quena, who had been waiting behind me, popped up

and supplemented me.

"There are solo ranks and ranks given to parties where several people

gather. Zeid is a solo, but since you're an S rank, you can take any request.

This request was also addressed to a solo, so that makes you a solo."

"Oh really. Then I'm a solo."

"Ye,yes. I acknowledge. The procedure is now complete, thank you for your

cooperation ...!"

"A,ah. Please treat me well"

He asked me to shake his hand. When I grabbed it back, he grabbed it with

both hands and bowed deeply.

This is how much expectation he has for S rank, huh. Which is precisely

why I feel like the responsibility is on my shoulders.

Well, it's not like I'm going to crumble under the pressure or heavy

responsibility, though.

Then, most of the adventurers completed the registration process. And this

mission ...——no, the request started.

◇◇◇

A total of about a hundred adventurers had gathered.

The adventurers, including myself and Quena, were deployed to the north

side of the forest where the monsters were in large numbers.

The operation is about to begin. Despite this, the adventurers' faces showed

little signs of tension.

"I guess they're used to it."

I suddenly muttered.

However, Quena immediately replied to my words.

"That's not the case, you know. There aren't many monsters in the northern

part of the forest. They were just relieved with that"

"There's not much out there? Then why are we going on that part?"

"Because there are only a few of us, the adventurers."

"There's nearly a hundred of us, right?"

"Yes. But if that were the case, there should've been more people that

gathered. At least more than double of us."

"Seriously? But why ...?"

"..."

I didn't get an exact answer to my question, but Quena just looked at me

silently as if she was reprimanding me.

Ah, so I said with my mouth.

"Perhaps... it's my fault?"

"Correct"

Without pausing, Quena replied.

I've heard that the number of adventurers in the vicinity has decreased due

to the overwhelming number of requests from the Royal Capital being

fulfilled, but that also has an effect on us here huh.

"The adventurers have gone to places where there are still requests, to the

countries here and there and races that are in balance without conflict. So

even if they scraped together the Holy Republic and the neighboring

kingdoms, they only had this much strength."

"...I'm, deeply sorry"

"No, that was my fault because I didn't know what you were capable of and

I challenged you to a match."

I was filled with a feeling of great apology. Quena also seemed to feel some

kind of guilt.

"Besides, that idiot didn't even stop you as if having fun, so it's not just

your fault."

A vein floated in Quena's temple.

Perhaps she was referring to Riff. I've somehow felt it, but the girl Guild

Master seems to be quite the pleasure-seeker.

However.

Even so, it was me who did it.

It's not that I'm acting without thinking.

However, I still felt that I lacked knowledge and experience in many

aspects. It was probably because I had been in an overly closed

environment.

"I will continue to deepen my knowledge to carry out requests"

"...To the end, your purpose was to only fulfill requests. Normally, you

would work for yourself. I'm already beyond amazed, I honestly respect

you, you know"

Quena smiled bitterly.

Speaking of which, I asked Quena about something.

"What will they do in the other areas? Are the Knights of the Holy Republic

in charge of everything?"

"No, they're not. I heard that the Third Chivalric Order of the Kingdom of

Kuzera happened to be staying nearby."

Kingdom of Kuzera, Chivalric Order.

That's the organization I used to work for. There are three chivalric orders,

from the first to the third, the first protecting the vicinity of the royal

capital, the second protecting the interior of the kingdom, and the third

protecting the adjacent borders.

I belonged to every order. This was because, I had been running around

from the First to the Third Order whenever there was a mission.

The Third chivalric order, which happened to be nearby, would also be the

organization to which I originally belonged. In addition, the last time I came

to the aid of the Holy Republic, it was also on a mission as a Third Order.

"Is that so. It's because the Holy Republic and the Kingdom of Kuzera are

allies. It's a form of protection by the three powers, huh; the guild, the

kingdom, and the republic"

"Yes. That's correct"

"Hah..."

I felt like I saw part of the reason why the soldiers of the Holy Republic

were doing well.

If it had been the kingdom's chivalric order, they would never have done

something as costly as hiring adventurers. They even wouldn't call in any

allies. Since they didn't want to owe anyone anything, and they didn't want

to show any weakness.

Hmm.

It turned out that the kingdoms' chivalric order was in an extraordinarily

dangerous situation.

What comes to my mind are the faces of my former colleagues who are

exhausted.

As a matter of fact, I was working many times harder than my colleagues. I

wonder if there were enough hard-working people in the Order to fill that

void.

...Perhaps there were.

I can't help but wonder if they're in a very bad situation with me gone.

And then there's Sheila. The girl who was suddenly promoted to Vice

Commander of the First Order. She seemed to be an elite of the knight

academy, but she wasn't very accustomed to the field and did not seem to

understand the details of the knight order. However, she possessed a

straightforward sense of justice.

I hope that the Order, impatient with the collapse of the system, doesn't

make any strange choices....

"You're, perhaps worried about the Kingdom's chivalric order, aren't you"

"Eh. Why all of a sudden?"

"Your face tells me it's a bullseye. ...Haa, because you're so serious, I

got worried. Look here, the Order is your former workplace, so you need to

divide it firmly. It's the same with a request; once it's done, it's done."

"Ah, I know, but ..."

"Besides, the request is about to begin now. And it's also urgent. It's no

exaggeration to say that the guild's reputation is at stake. You need to focus

on this, you know?"

"Yeah, rest assured. I know that."

The subjugation of monsters hasn't started yet. However, I had already

spotted the monsters in the area.

Emitting magic power like a thin wave, I could sense the difference

between living and non-living things through the response of the magic

power. By doing this all the time, I can see the quality, number, and location

of the monsters as if I was looking at a map.

"...Oh, yes. As for requests, it feels like I don't have any right to say

anything about it"

Quena raised her hands to her head and shook her head from side to side, as

if she had lost her mind.

No, then I say.

"Thank you. You saved me."

"——tu! As I said, you don't have to say such a thing!"

Quena's face turned red again.

She sharply poked me near my upper arm.

While we were chatting like this, the sound of a whistle finally echoed

throughout the forest, and the monsters' subjugation had begun.

2

"Flame Sword!"

Quena slashes horizontally with her burning flames. The blazing flames and

the sharp, bright red blade cut through multiple monsters that were standing

in a vertical line.

I haven't seen her ability clearly.

However, I felt that I understood the reason why Riff feared her even as a

joke.

Quena is strong.

『Teyah! 』

『Tah! 』

In addition, several adventurers were also fighting in the vicinity.

They were called hanger-ons by Quena, but they were not weak at all.

Rather, they were pushing up the front lines.

To put it bluntly, I have no turn.

At first, I was very motivated to fight, but the adventurers went ahead of

me.

"You're not gonna fight? You"

Quena asked me as he stabbed a B-ranked monster that was lying on the

ground.

"No, I just thought it would be a bad idea for me to interrupt your

momentum."

"Fuhn. So you're handing over the merits. It's like your way of atonement

for what you've done, heh"

"Atonement ... is it. It's nothing like that."

The number of monsters you kill and the materials you obtained from their

corpses are worth money.

Hence, it's a separate reward from the request achievement money.

That's probably why their momentum is so good.

Therefore, I shouldn't go out. I have to leave some of their financial

resources left in or near the royal capital.

That's the kind of responsibility I should bear.

But I also know that I am overthinking this.

I also understand that the depletion of requests is a matter that should be

resolved by the guild.

And that they're not weak enough adventurers for me to care about.

Nevertheless.

I found that skipping out reduced my feelings of guilt.

"It's my first time. Being like this"

I inadvertently said it.

There are too many differences from the Kingdom's Chivalric order that I

used to be in, and they are too far apart...

It was as if I was living a different life.

Then the cleaning of monsters came to an end.

It was said that their numbers were small, but it was a close call. No one

was seriously injured. Even if they were injured, they were only lightly

injured.

In the midst of all this, I suddenly found a piece of crystal.

It has a light blue color... with a hint of magic power left.

This is a magic item. It can be used for a variety of purposes, depending on

the type of magic circuit one puts into it.

They range from those that produce water and fire for household use, to

those that can be used for transfer.

And this is ....

"Oh my, there was a guy using magic items for cleaning up here"

As I held the shard, Quena appeared behind me and said so.

You startled the hell out of some people. And it felt like she was getting

closer. I could feel her plump breasts approaching my back.

"Ah, this magic item, I've only seen it once ——"

『This a message! The knight order of the Holy Republic, which has been

fighting for subjugation in the west, is in a state of destruction! All

adventurers, please support us as soon as possible! 』

A loud voice interrupts my words and gives us that news.

He must've come in quite a hurry. The member of the knight order who

came to give the message was shaking his leg.

『Destruction? An order powerful enough to maintain neutrality like that

...? 』

The adventurers were saying so as their faces turned pale. The destruction

of the Knight order of the Holy Republic seemed to be a bizarre event.

Quena, who had been smiling in a relaxed manner earlier, also opened her

eyes wide with a feeling as if she was shocked.

"What are you being vacant for. It's a request, let's go"

No matter what the situation, I know what I have to do.

It's the subjugation of monsters. That's it.

◇◇◇

State of destruction.

Indeed, that was the appropriate word.

A great deal of fresh blood fills the ground, and trees that have been

knocked down lie pitifully on the ground.

They must've used a number of large-scale magic. Since the earth has been

gouged out.

"What does, this mean..."

Quena painfully said.

Probably a member of the troupe. A young man in armor, though he still

looked young, stood in front of us adventurers from the north side of the

forest.

"As you can see. We managed to push through the front lines, but there

were still many monsters. The monsters got drawn to the smell of

blood..."

The area where the tents had probably been set up as a simple camp seemed

to have suffered a lot of damage.

They are probably carrying the wounded to a location further down the line.

All that is left on the battlefield are knights who are no longer breathing.

Let me send a wave of magic power and examine the monsters. ——I see.

"It's about twice the quality and number of the monsters we just had a fight

with on the north side."

"I,is that true!? I had heard that there are few monsters in the north and they

are relatively weak, but.... still, I can't believe it was twice that ... It

happened at a time like this, when the main forces of the Holy Republic's

knight order are unable to convene due to other matters.... The chivalric

order of the kingdom is also still having a hard time defeating the

monsters..."

The young man says with a bitter look on his face.

He was a young man who didn't seem to have been given a rank yet, but the

fact that he knew so much information meant that he was probably at the

commander's level.

That's why, from his point of view, it feels like a desperate situation.

However, I'm here.

"If it's this much, then I'll deal with it"

"Eh? We,well. However, even if it's not the main unit, one of the knight

orders has been in a state of being destroyed, you know...?"

"It should be fine since the person himself who had grasped the enemy is

saying that he will deal with it, you know. You should be treating the

wounded as well."

"Ye,yes... but there are quite a few of them, so... ah. I,I know this is a

very rude question, but may I ask to get some help from the other

adventurers?"

I heard a timid sound.

That's how many people were injured, huh.

"Well, if that's what the other adventurers want, why not?"

"Tha! That's right, isn't it, even though there are many monsters, there's no

way that's... eh?"

The young man gave a look as if saying 『Is this guy sane?』 in return to

me.

If you look at me like that, it's like I'm saying something strange. Please

stop that.

"You heard him, guys~. If you don't want to get hurt badly, please help this

knight."

Each of the adventurers nodded at Quena's instructions.

Well, they don't need to worry about making money from here anymore.

I guess they understood that.

Under the guidance of the young man, the adventurers left the place.

"You're not going, Quena?"

"What is it? Will I be in danger if I stay?"

"If I were to apply the guild's standards on them, I'd say there are six A

ranks, thirteen B ranks, and forty-two C ranks."

"What's with that. Didn't you say that it's about twice the quality and

quantity of the north side? That's about ten times more already."

"It was until a moment ago. Just at this moment, it increased dramatically."

"... What's going on?"

Quena asked, finally realizing the seriousness of the situation.

I show her the piece of crystal that I picked up earlier.

"It's this"

"That's the magic item you were talking about. So, what's wrong with

that?"

"This is not for an attack. It's for guidance."

"Guidance ...? Could it be for the monsters!?"

Quena raised her voice as if she was too surprised.

"What's with the surprise?"

"Of course, I'll be! It's a magic item that, like the Slave Collar, is banned

from use even among conflicting races, you know!"

"Eh. Was that so?"

"On the contrary, how could you not know about it!"

Perhaps from Quena's point of view, those words were a rebuke to my lack

of common sense.

But I answered quite seriously.

"Because it was commonly used in the Kuzera Kingdom."

"In the kingdom...?"

"Ah. It was used for the purpose of subduing the monsters all at once

because it'll be troublesome if their appearance frequency becomes high.

... This magic item is the same as that."

"Really!? Then this magic item is ...."

"It was about 『The Kingdom's chivalric order, who happened to be

nearby, came to support us』, but even if they're close, they're probably

near the border. They're far from here. It's hard to imagine that a knight

order would be able to reach this forest as fast as us light-weight

adventurers, you know."

Adventurers are in different areas. Though some of them have been staying

in the Holy Republic since the start. In addition, carriages have been

arranged for us.

On the contrary, the Chivalric Order is moving in unison. It's more like

walking.

Their march was supposed to take a long time, but their movement was as if

it was forecasted by them.

"That's too suspicious."

"...That's not all. They're the kind of people who balk at rescue requests

from various countries and arrive late, the chivalric order of the Kingdom of

Kuzera. And yet, in the midst of such an extraordinary situation, they

happened to be in the vicinity and rushed over to help. It was an

unbelievable move of them, coming from the perspective of a former

member of the group."

"Bu,but isn't it too much? What's their purpose in the first place?"

"Purpose... huh"

『Gouuuuuh!!』

A monster, caught by the smell of blood, attacked Quena and me while we

were in the middle of our conversation.

It's a bear-like monster with horns and is four meters tall. Its horns are

electrified. It has both magic and muscle power. I guess this would be a B

rank.

"Ti,Tial Bear ...! A B-rank already appeared!?"

To have interrupted our talk, it's bothersome.

"You're in the way."

With a finger flick to its forehead, I obliterated the upper half of the Tial

bear's body. Now it won't be able to move anymore.

I continue to tell Quena, who was staring at it blankly.

"Well, let's just ask what the purpose of the Chivalric Order of the Kingdom

is —— To those who were sneaking around in the back of this horde of

monsters."

My wave of magic power had already caught a few people. And what

they're holding was probably the complete set of pieces that I am holding

—— the magic item.

◇◇◇

In the camp laid out by the Knights of the Holy Republic down the line.

After wiping out the monsters, I came face to face with the young

commander I had met earlier.

A few more knights are also in the same tent.

"Th,the Third Order of the Kingdom of Kuzera caused this mass outbreak

of monsters, is it!?"

The young man asked me, as I looked at the members of the Kingdom's

knight order that was sticking out.

"Yes. This magic item is the evidence."

"That is...?"

"This is what attracts the monsters. It seems that it's forbidden, but it looks

like it is actually being used like this."

"No way, the kingdom used this ... But why!?"

The young man asked with a look of disbelief on his face.

From the looks of it, he's not going to believe me even when I tell him the

rest of the story. But, well, the situation needs to be explained.

I take a glimpse at the tattered members of the Kingdom Knights.

"It's invasion, right"

The members of their troops turned away with a difficult to stay in this

place look.

"Invasion!? I,is the kingdom in opposition to the Holy Republic!? Bu,but,

isn't the Third Kingdom knight order coming to help us in the event of a

crisis like this..."

As you can imagine, he didn't seem to believe much of what I said.

Well, I suppose that's true, too. It's hard for him to believe me when I say

something strange. But that shouldn't mean that they have no trust in the

guild.

He simply couldn't believe a man who was suddenly promoted, even

though he was S rank.

In the first place, it is natural to trust the country when it comes to an

individual and a country.

However, Quena, who was standing beside me, also interceded.

"It was certainly what the knight there was saying, you know. Zeid

interrogated them and they said, 『The Kingdom intends to invade the Holy

Republic』."

"...That is. Somewhat unbelievable..."

He's being very inarticulate.

Well, he may be a commander class, but this is beyond the level of

judgment that a single soldier can make.

However, even if this is the case, we can't just leave it at that.

The content of the request is to subdue a large number of monsters. In other

words, it's a cleaning-up battle.

Since the monsters are being controlled by the Third Chivalric Order behind

the scenes, it is possible that the extermination of them will be part of the

request.

And we've actually captured a member of the Order.

This battle will not end until the source is eliminated. If we don't do that,

the situation will gradually become worse and worse. The moment I was

about to tell him to call a higher-up.

The tent of the base was torn off.

"Where are the injured!?"

A beautiful girl with vivacious-looking peach-colored hair entered the

room.

Those who saw her smiled brightly all at once, and everyone said her name

uniformly.

"""Soria-sama!!"""

"Soria Aiden ... the [Saint of the Light Star]"

Quena, who was standing next to me, seemed to have been caught off

guard. She was stunned.

I was a little surprised as well.

It seems that this girl was the one who strongly recommended me to the

guild. She is S rank and is even called a saint——.

She was probably still in her mid to late teens.

She has large eyes and lightly pigmented white skin, with thin lines but a

strong core. I guess she has a feminine body.

I wonder what it is. She has an aura called The Saint floating from her.

I wondered if it was because I was looking at her too closely while thinking

about it. My eyes met with Soria's.

"..."

"..."

For a moment, the air froze. There was so much silence that was flowing.

Eh.

Did I do something?

I can't find the answer.

For the meantime,

"Hello"

I bowed lightly.

It's a face I'm not familiar with, but she has recommended me to become an

S rank. Perhaps she knows about me.

And that expectation was probably correct.

Her face flushed so beautifully red that it made a ka~h sound effect.

"Ze,Ze,Zeid...san!! I,I,I'm sorry, but I need to focus on healing right

now! That's right, Zeid-san's sto,sto,sto,story ...! I have to heal now!!"

She seems to be quite confused.

However, I somehow had an idea of what she wanted to say.

"Don't worry about me, please heal them first."

I hear she specializes in healing. If so, I think she can't leave it alone since

there were injured here.

"Thank you very much!!"

I didn't even do anything, but she thanked me with a heartfelt look of

happiness.

The young man who I had been talking to earlier instructed the knights in

the tent in a reverent manner.

"Please escort Soria-sama to the tent where the injured individuals are!

Thank you for coming all this way, Soria-sama. Please take care of our

comrades!"

"Yes, I'll take care of them!"

She left with a big smile on her face. In order to heal the wounded.

"That's Soria Aiden-sama, you know. They say she's the best healer on the

continent."

"Ah, I could tell just from being in the same space for a bit. She was

amazing."

"I didn't know you could see that. I only thought she had the aura, though."

They didn't seem to be surprised or confused by my conversation anymore.

Quena said as if she was used to it.

3

In the tent packed with me, Quena, Soria who has finished healing, and the

knights of the Holy Republic, Baran Zudy, the leader of the Third chivalric

order and also known as [Crimson Lotus], enters.

There is not a scratch or stain on his luxurious armor. He has a beard and

greasy skin, and a sarcastic look on his face.

Baran noticed me first.

"Ahn? Oh, oh, oh, well, well, well. Aren't you the kingdom soldier who

betrayed the kingdom for money? Zeid-kun"

Baran approaches me with an indescribably stupid look on his face.

I wonder if he is trying to irritate me in his own way. To tell the truth, I

don't feel a twinge of irritation at all.

I just said "Hi" to him with a light bow.

"Ah. I understand. It's awkward, isn't it? Haha, well, that's right. It must be

hard to face your former boss. Moreover, it's after you betrayed us...

how much more so?"

I have never felt sorry for these guys in particular. That's a selfish

misunderstanding. In the first place, it was not a betrayal, I should have

followed the proper procedure to withdraw from the group, though.

Well, but if I talk back untactfully, it will deviate from the main subject.

More than that.

"Leave me alone, we have better things to talk about right now."

"Leave you alone? Hahaha, you're being desperate to escape, you traitor! I

wonder if it's because you have such a hopeless personality that you are

lured by money?"

Hmm.

I don't mean to run away from this, but I guess I'm getting a lot of hate. The

meaning of his words is taken in a distorted way.

As I was pondering what to do, Quena, who was standing next to me, let

out a sigh.

"Hey, you know what? It's like saying that the kingdom and the Knights are

a bunch of incompetent people, that have pulled out people whom they

can't pay for, in which they can be greeted as S ranks in the guild."

"Wha,wha,wha...! You are mocking the Kingdom of Kuzera and its

proud Knight Order! In addition, I am the Commander of the Third Order!

I'm Baran Zudy, the [Crimson Lotus]!"

"I only know you by name, only by name."

"What! Then I suppose you have heard the anecdote of how I, all by

myself, held off an army of the Empire! You've got to be kidding me!"

Perhaps overflowing with emotion, Baran drew his white silver sword.

Quena was completely uninterested and wouldn't make any eye contact

with him.

It got into a strange stalemate.

"Ahem, Baran-san, isn't that enough?"

Soria said so after coughing once.

Baran also flinched when he saw Soria. It seems that Soria's influence is

that strong.

Well, now the atmosphere is finally less weird.

The rest of the talk, however, will be even more chaotic.

The youth commander looked Baran in the eye.

"Actually, it seems that a member of the Third Chivalric Order, who was

being in custody in another tent, was using a prohibited magic item. May I

ask you for your input?"

"Wha,what?"

Baran looked clearly upset.

"In fact, the magic item here seems to have something to do with this

uproar. It is something that guides the monsters."

"I see. A deranged member of the troupe did something, huh. Then I can

just dispose of the man."

Without even listening to the words of the young commander, Baran simply

dismissed him. I could see that Soria was more than a little surprised and

angry at this.

"He,he's your subordinate, you know!? You're going to end it with a

confusing brief comment of "deranged"!?"

"What else can I do about it? What can you do about what has been done?"

"That's... the Knight order of the Kingdom must also be responsible for

it!"

"I can't control each and every one of them, you know."

Baran scratches his ear with a small, silly smile. It's as if he didn't hear

what they were saying. It seems that he has no regard for the knight whom

he has abandoned.

The young commander continued with a hint of disgust.

"It seems, that he installed the magic item on your order."

"...What was that?"

Baran glares at the young commander.

"On this me! Are you laying the blame in front of my eyes in order to

yield!? That troupe member is an incorrigible piece of garbage ...!"

Baran reveals his anger, spitting all over the place.

Oy, oy, oy.

From the point of view of the captured members of the troupe, this would

be a boomerang, though.

"Is this person always like this?"

Quena, who was next to me, put her mouth to my ear and asked so.

I nod lightly.

"He's very self-centered, you know. It's something the Knight Order have

in common, though."

"I understood that from what I saw. It can't be helped, this is the kind of

person their leader is."

Quena shrugs helplessly.

As we were having this conversation, Baran continued.

"Then bring him to me."

Those were —— the words I expected.

It was something about the captive member of the troupe.

"...Why?"

The young commander asks Baran.

Baran says with a snort.

"Since I really have to ask if that troupe member claims that it was

commanded by me. It is possible that you are trying to frame us, the Third

Order, for a crime we didn't inflict."

Baran said seeming very sarcastic.

Apparently, he is incapable of caring about others. He doesn't even seem to

choose his words.

It seems to be quite unpleasant, but somehow, the young commander shook

his head vertically.

"...Is that so, I understand."

The young commander ordered one of his knights to bring him in.

And then ———— the prisoner of war came into the tent.

◇◇◇

In front of Zeid and the others, Baran verbally abused the captured knight.

『You are a useless piece of trash! 』

『It's outrageous for you to accuse this reputable me! 』

『What do you think being a knight is! What you are doing is no better than

thieves or even livestock! 』

『You know what will happen to your family in the country at this rate,

right!? 』

It was like that.

It had already become something of a half threat.

Zeid knew that this was the current state of the knight order, so he said

nothing. However, the members of the Holy Republic and Quena were quite

stunned.

It is unusual to blame a subordinate in public, tearing him to shreds like

this.

Notwithstanding the fact that he is a prisoner of war, notwithstanding the

fact that he is a human being who works under him.

He shouts abuses without even a word of concern.

The captive knight even shed tears.

Baran continues to ask such a knight.

"You, mentioned that I ordered you to set up the magic item.….. Is that

true?"

Baran glares at him.

The captive knight's body stiffened, but he managed to keep his lips from

quivering as he tried to speak.

"Tha,that's. Correct ..."

However,

Baran loudly interrupted the captive knight's words.

"Like I said before! If you ever try to falsely accuse me, I will not

acknowledge it. It's not just you I'll condemn... your family too."

"——Tsu!"

The captive group members look shocked beyond words. Despair, fear,

anxiety … they have dark faces mixed with such negative emotions.

They looked down with shadows on their faces as if to say, that they have

given up everything in this world.

Baran, perhaps satisfied with his dominance at the sight of them, plays with

his beard elatedly.

"Yup, yup, then that's fine. You just became deranged and installed a

forbidden magic item. You aren't commanded by anyone, right?"

"...It's di... fferrent"

"Ahn? What was that? I can't hear you~"

They won't be able to go against him anymore.

Baran had that composure. So they just dared to listen to him being

provocative and amused.

Contrary to expectations, however, the prisoner of war looked up and said

something with determination.

"I'm saying it's different! I was ordered by you to give them the magic item

——...!?"

However.

Before he could say all that, his head —— had separated from his torso.

"...Eh?"

Those, were the last words uttered by the head that tumbled to the ground.

What his head saw was Baran wielding a sword dyed with blood.

◇◇◇

"Fuhn! I wish he had not said anything unnecessary. It's pitiful that he was

deranged until the end. Now, if you'll excuse me. If you still have

something to say, please come to the Kingdom."

Baran leaves, while spitting out.

They never picked up the corpses of their slain compatriots, let alone put

them into their view. They're like stones they can see from here and there.

Baran leaves, and a few seconds later.

Inside the tent —— the true scene was flowing out.

"——And so, well, it's pretty clear that the Third Chivalric Order, and by

extension, the Kingdom, was involved in this"

I broke the illusion magic I had cast on the place.

The illusion that Baran had slashed also fizzled out like a shimmering

flame. And the prisoner of war knight appeared from another place in

perfectly good health——.

"I don't know what to say..."

It was the leading figure of the Holy Republic who uttered those words,

unable to hide her surprise.

She was called Soria. She seemed to be the top person who can respond in a

hurry even in this emergency.

"Well, there's no way a knight could have a magic item that could lead

monsters to here in the first place."

Quena nodded in agreement with my words.

The prisoner of war looked down in disgust and did not deny it.

"This sequence of scenes is preserved in the magic item of video recording.

For the time being, an emergency meeting will be held at the upper

management to decide how to respond. Zeid-san, thank you very much for

this opportunity."

The man who is supposed to be a fairly superior person bowed his head to

me. In addition, Soria, the young commander, and the others bowed their

heads in unison to me as well.

"No,no, it's just part of the request."

It's embarrassing as expected, so I want you guys to raise your heads.

I thought so, but then someone who seemed to have more authority said.

"No, I will double your commission since you have done so much for us!

Thank you so much for saving our country from a crisis…!"

She bowed even more deeply.

"Oh, no. Please raise your head. I'm happy just to hear you thank me like

that, you know"

Those were my true words.

I receive requests and get paid. That's what I do as an adventurer. However,

along with the money comes a "thank you". The receptionist also says,

"Thank you for your hard work." to me.