"Hi, can I have a word?"
I give a small nod.
I knew he'd be here by now, and the timing couldn't be worse.
Aspizal smiles and sits down next to . I don't really care, but since you're so close, could you please sit a little further away?
"About soti. May I hear back from you?"
"I can take it on condition."
I was going to say no, but then things changed.
Aspizal's eyes widen slightly at my reply.
"I was expecting you to refuse, so I was surprised by your answer. And? What are the conditions?"
"Let check first. What exactly do you want to do?"
"First we have to cleanse Darzain. They have to decide whether they want to follow or my father. Then we will dispose of the people who refused and break off relations with Tcke. But it's difficult to destroy them because they don't operate in this country alone, but we should be able to at least make them unable to operate in Urs Laguna. After that, we need to do sothing about the Gnosis..."
I shake my head.
How greedy is too much?
Aspizal smiles at my attitude, knowing what I'm thinking.
"So we'll just have to get rid of Tuke. That's about it, roughly?"
Well, it's not a bad deal for either.
The Tuke's are a threat to .
In addition to not knowing who they are, it is obvious that they would get involved if they had the chance, so they want to crush them and clear the air.
Aspizal looks at and urges to talk about that side of the story.
"Firstly, I'm joining forces with you guys temporarily, not as a subordinate. Secondly, non-interference with from now on. Lastly, I need sothing from you."
"I don't have a problem with the subordinate thing. I don't want to tie you down from the start. As far as non-interference is concerned, I don't mind as long as you leave a window."
"A window?"
"Yeah.If sothing happens, don't you think it would be more convenient if we could contact each other?For the future, you know?"
Sure, it's not so bad if I can make a complaint if they do sothing over there.
I mock myself for sounding like I'm the complainer when I hear that much.
"So... what's the last thing they want to prepare?"
"...... Oh, that's the thing..."
I utter my last request.
"...... I see. I understand what you're saying. It's a fruitful story for us too, and I'll be ready for it. ......"
After listening, Aspizal nodded broadly.
But there was a problem. I can understand that point sohow.
"Is it ...... ti?"
"Yes. I'll do my best to hurry, but I think it will inevitably take so ti."
"Can you make it?"
"I'll make it. Don't forget your promise."
"Okay."
Aspizal smiles and holds out his hand.
I take his hand and shake it.
Now the insurance is in hand.
Frankly, I'd rather not have to use it, but Fatima just told I'm being too optimistic.
I should assu the worst.
"Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get moving, shall we? First of all, we have to go back to Urs Laguna, but how are we going to get back there?"
To a certain extent, that's fine, because there's no reason to keep it hidden anymore.
In any case, they've already seen us.
"You've seen it too, the land dragon. I rode it here."
"Ah, that big earth dragon. I've seen it before too, but it looks very different. The arms are very thick. Or did you do sothing to it?"
You're very perceptive.
That's why I don't like dealing with people like this.
"I'll leave it to your imagination."
...and I just shrugged my shoulders.
Aspizal stood up, saying that the conversation was settled without any further questions.
"All right. I'll talk to Azusa and tell her to move over there."
"Then I'll let Hieda know that I'm leaving here."
"Well, when we're done with each other's business, we'll et up outside the temporary tent on the south side of town."
We nodded to each other and each walked off in different directions.
After a short search, Hie was easily found.
I thought it would take a while because he was busy moving around and didn't stay in one place, but it was quick once we got to where the people were gathered.
I approached them, vaguely thinking that soone like that naturally attracts people.
"Hieda-san."
When I called out to him, Hie turned around with a sowhat tired look.
"Oh. Roe, thanks for all the work you've done for us. And? What's up? What's happened?"
"Sorry, we've got to get back soon."
"...... I see. ...and? When are you leaving?"
It's a surprising reaction. I thought I was going to be told to stay behind.
"You're strangers. It wouldn't make sense to ask you to stay and help, would it?"
He cowered his shoulders and added that he had guessed what I was thinking.
"Thank you for saying so. We'll be leaving shortly after."
Hieda gave a small nod as he said this.
"...You seem to have a reason. Anything I can do to help?"
"Just a feeling."
"I see. You are a benefactor to and my country.Next ti you co back, I promise to host you as my guests."
Benefactor? Don't joke about it.
I've just paid the price for what I've done. Besides...
Considering the circumstances around , I couldn't bring myself to owe him a favor.
"After all, when you've caused so much damage, it's enough not to be called a war criminal."
Frankly, Hie shakes his head in denial.
"No, there was no other chance to finish him off other than that one ti. You just didn't miss that chance. That's why I say of the three of you, 'Heroes who saved the country by killing the monster'."
Stop it, it's embarrassing.
And hero is the furthest thing from my vocabulary.
"Oh, yeah. Well, that's why we'll leave from here."
I felt uncomfortable, so that's all I could say.
"Oh. Thanks for everything, man. See you again."
I lightly bumped my fist against Hieda, who ca at with a fist, and left the scene.
What a refreshing guy he was.
After all, do great people have to be that bold?
I mocked myself for thinking it was impossible for , no matter how hard I tried, and headed for the eting place.
Aspizal and Yonomori were already waiting there.
"...I've heard about you. Please take care of for a little while."
Yonomori was subtle, but seed to have no objection to teaming up.
"Oh, and sorry to be so quick, but..."
"I've already made arrangents for the things you asked for. As soon as they're ready, I'll have them sent to the Oratorium."
"Sorry."
When I say this, Yonomori gives a small shake of her head.
Now it's my turn.
"Savage."
The Savage, who had been hiding nearby, broke his invisibility and appeared when I called out to him.
"Oh, that's amazing. Hey, can I touch it?"
As soon as Aspizaru saw Savage, he asked with a twinkle in his eye, so I gave him permission if only for a mont.
Savage is disgusted by the sticky touch all over his body, but it's like a form of entertainnt.
I told him to bear it and ignored him.
"Did you co here on this land dragon?"
"Yes, I did. And you'll have to cross the forest on it on the way back."
It's faster than a carpet.
"Well, does that an the three of us?"
"Yeah."
When I said that, Savage turned his head up slightly as if to say, "What?".
Yonomori stares at Savage.
"I'm sure I could straddle it, but what about you guys?"
What are you talking about? and Aspizal will get on with it, but you're going to be carried by Savage, you know?
Savage's cheeks twitched slightly, but I ignored it.
"Well, let's get going, shall we?"
Savage folds his knees to get into a comfortable riding position when I call out to him, Aspizal straddles him like he's been waiting for , and I ride behind him.
"Um... ?"
Yonomori points to herself.
I poke Savage lightly on the head and reluctantly pick up Yonomori.
Yonomori screams in surprise, but I tell her to hold on to it without a care.
"Savage. You have one month to cross the forest. Can you do it?"
He replied that he couldn't, but ignored him.
"Go."
Savage let out a sigh, kicked the ground and leapt. He kicked further in the air and accelerated.
He flies towards the forest with arrow-like speed.
"Oh, oh! Wow, this is amazing, Azusa, this is amazing!"
"Hey, how fast is this going? I an, I'm scared and afraid! Put down~!"
As I watched the excited Aspizal and Yonomori desperately clinging to Savage, I wondered with a faraway look in my eyes when I would be able to have a carefree journey.
It's another beautiful day.
A blow from a thick arm like a log gouges the ground heavily.
The impact scattered stones and mud around the area and struck everyone present.
I - Heidi - quickly protected my face and got through it, but small pains hit my body when I was hit by a pebble or other object that was not protected by my protective gear.
Heidi checks her surroundings with a frown of pain on her face.
There are six of us who went through this request together with .
It looks like all of them are safe.
"Is everyone safe!?"
When I call out to them, they reply in various ways.
"Yeah, I'm okay..."
"I have aches here and there, but I'm fine."
Once I'm sure everyone is safe, I look ahead.
A huge monster - a urushidae - roars and throbs nacingly at us as we look at it.
It has short but thick limbs and a generally rounded shape.
Normally, these monsters do not co down to human settlents very often, but not at this ti of year.
In this season, when winter is over and spring has just begun, the Ursidae awaken from hibernation and appear to attack people with an empty stomach.
For this reason, requests for escorting or killing them are often made at this ti of year, but the dangers are so great that adventurers below the blue level are not allowed to take on such requests.
In fact, the Ursidae are strong monsters.
Its log-like arms can crush a human body with a single blow, and its thick fur scatters the power of magic and repels blows.
Blades work, but it is difficult to penetrate them without using heavy objects.
If you have enough firepower to break through the defences, there is no problem, but few have enough power to finish off a urushidae with ease.
If you want to kill them safely, it is recomnded to challenge them with five to ten n.
However, there are many stories of adventurers who, greedy for rewards, challenge the Ursidae with a small number of n, only to be beaten back.
This ti, I took part in a joint quest of two parties, but as it was the first ti for all of us to take on the Ursidae, we were not very good at working together, let alone at getting the job done.
Apart from , there are six of us: two sword-bearers, one axe-bearer, one bow-bearer and two wizard-witches in the rearguard.
Naturally, all of them are blue adventurers, but I have to say that their abilities are, frankly speaking, not very good.
Originally, the party was made up of two parties of three plus , so the balance between the vanguard and the rearguard is well balanced.
However, in terms of skill, the three in the vanguard just set out in the dark, and the bow carrier should just be a check and balance, but when I see them repeating ineffective attacks, I can see their intention of actively trying to finish them off.
It is the sa for the two Witches, who are all on the offensive with the sole intention of finishing them off, so they are not taking advantage of their large numbers.
The fact that all of them are still in their teens and have risen to the blue ranks shows that they are talented, but they lack experience, and the idea that they want to be admired for finishing the job is also apparent.
If it wasn't in a situation like this, it would be laughable and appropriate for his age, but in a life-threatening situation, it would literally be fatal.
But in a situation where lives are at stake, it's literally fatal...
I was there as a backup, but I can't say that.
Inhale and exhale. And concentrate.
Fortunately, the opponent is only one opponent. The place is open, so the possibility of unnecessary flanking is extrely low.
As for the actions of our allies, they are all at a standstill, so the possibility of them taking reckless action is low, although it's not impossible.
Let's go...
I kick the ground and run.
I make a big move, and all the attention of the place is focused on .
The Ursidae were seen to be slightly lowering themselves, as if intending to intercept them.
When I got sowhat close, I dropped the magic stone I had planted in my sleeve into the palm of my hand and gripped it tightly.
As soon as a crack appears, the stone is thrown. At the sa ti, I dropped my gaze to my feet and watched the shadow of my opponent.
The shadow's movent showed that Ursidae raised his arm to strike down the flying foreign object... but he was too late.
The magic stone, reaching the limit of its durability in the air, shatters and releases the magic inside.
A sound and a flash of light spread.
I looked up where I had passed the flash and checked on my opponent.
I saw Ursidae rubbing his eyes and struggling to regain his sight.
There is still a distance between us, but it is enough for .
I held my arm straight out towards my opponent.
The chain weight I had planted flies off and wraps around Ursidae's neck.
When it is firmly entangled, I reel it back in. My body is pulled back and the distance is shortened quickly.
I swing my arm in the air and unwind the chain.
The chain around the neck cos off and rewinds back to my hand.
I fly with the montum of my body being pulled and land on Ursidae's shoulder.
I cling to his neck, but I don't aim for strangulation. It's impossible with my arm strength.
I pull out the dagger from my waist and thrust it into his eye, twisting and stirring it when it sinks to the hilt.
The urushidae flailed about in an attempt to shake off, but I didn't fight it and jumped down with the montum.
As soon as I landed, I jumped backwards to gain distance.
...I had a good response...
I don't let my guard down until my opponent stops moving.
I concentrate on my opponent's movents and prepare to move.
Ursidae was swinging his arms around for a while, but gradually his movents beca weaker and -.
- and collapsed with a ground shaking sound.
I watch him for a while and relax when he stops moving completely.
When I looked back, the adventurers on my side were looking at in dismay.
"Did you beat it?"
The sword-carrying vanguard called out to in a fearful manner.
"Sohow. But more importantly, are you guys okay?"
"Yes, sohow, but..."
He says this as he looks back at the others.
Everyone else gets up one by one and walks over to us.
"I'm sorry. I was called in to act as a check and balance, but I shouldn't have interfered."
"No, if Heidi hadn't stepped up, probably a few people would have been killed..."
The other mbers of the vanguard shook their heads helplessly, but on the other hand, the relatively energetic girls in the rear guard crowded in.
"Great! Heidi-san! No, let call you sister!"
"I respect you as a woman for killing the Ursidae single-handedly!"
"It's no wonder that you were the only one in your party to make it to the Red!"
Yes, I did. I had risen to the rank of Red Adventurer before I knew it.
I'm Heidi of Anomaly, a third-level Red adventurer.
I'm registered as a party mber, but I've been on my own for a long ti...
I glance at everyone I fought with this ti.
Even though I knew I shouldn't, I couldn't help comparing it to Roe.
I was a little sad that the days without him were becoming the norm.
I'm steadily moving up through the ranks and accumulating achievents, and there are many people who call out to .
Would you like to join the sa party? Won't you start a party with ? Won't you be my wife? Won't you beco my wife, sister?
There have been so solicitations that I don't understand the aning of in the latter half, but I have so far refused all of them.
For , there is no one else I would rather be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other than Roe.
People around say he's dead, but why? I have an unfounded belief that he is alive.
Maybe I just want to think so, but -.
"I miss him..."
I mutter quietly in my mouth.
The words are swallowed up by the voices of the adventurers around , and no one hears them.
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