n

n

nChapter 100

n

n

nThe clucking of chickens resounds in the morning .

nAccompanied by Melissa in the form of a date and with Rollo riding on my shoulder, we arrive at the headquarters of 【Belgart】 .

nA single special carriage was parked there .

nI have seen this kind of rectangle, coffin-like special carriage once before .

nIt’s the carriage that had been parked at the slave market in 【Hekatrail】 .

nJust like before a unicorn symbol is drawn on the carriage’s side .

nMaybe the leader of the large company is the slave trader who came to do business at that place?

nThere’s no way for that to be true, is there…?

nWhile harbouring that doubt, I enter the building of Belgart with a sidelong glance at the peculiar carriage .

nMelissa came along until in front of the door of that luxurious room she had guided me to the other day .

n“Shuuya-san, that’s how far I go . Please do your best with the negotiations, okay?” (Melissa)

nAfter giving me a formal work greeting, she winks at me by closing one eye, turns around and leaves .

nShe had a lovely expression when she closed one eye, but it was her work mode face .

nAs expected, she won’t take a conspicuously over-familiar attitude with me at her work place .

nWell then, the interview will happen on the other side of this door .

n“Rollo, get into the hood . ” (Shuuya)

n“Nya . ” (Rollo) (T

/N: Do I really need to say every time that it’s Rollo nya’ing? No, I guess not, let’s abolish that practice, less typing for me!)

nRollo gives me a light answer .

nShe dives from the shoulder into the back hood attached to my overcoat .

nAre they already waiting inside?

nNow then, let’s confront them .

nOpening the door by turning the door knob with a feeling similar to sitting in on a job interview, I entered the room .

nHuh? They are still not here?

nOnly Dino Hildecore, the boss of 【Belgart】, was in the room .

nThe leader-san of the large company hasn’t shown up yet .

n“Shuuya-sama, since I will introduce you, please sit in the seat over there and wait a moment . ” (Dino)

nI was greeted with polite speech by Dino-san .

nAfter doing a courteous and formal bow, she opens the light brown door located in the back of the room and goes outside .

nAfter some time passed since she left, the light brown door was opened again .

nA trader wearing gaudy clothes enters the room together with Dino-san .

nAnd there was a female dark elf, who had one side of her face covered by a silver mask, behind him .

nAh, I saw him once already after all .

nThe slave trader possessing a piercing gaze and wearing a refined outfit .

nBesides, that dark elf is here as well .

nDoes that mean that he is a slave dealer and also the leader of a large company?

nThe slave trader, who had the appearance of a noble, starts a cheerful conversation with Dino-san at the entrance of the room .

nWhen I looked towards them, the dark elf next to the slave trader returned the look .

nMutually exchanging looks, we begin to observe each other .

nShe has silver hair and silver pupils . There’s a slight tinge of red around the silver colour .

nShe has beautiful eyes . Her ears are also elf-like, long ears growing to the side .

nHer skin is pale, though it’s a hue that gives an image of delicateness .

nBesides the large black collar hanging from her neck, she’s wearing risqué defensive garments that exposed her skin to a degree causing one to worry about its actual defence capability .

nA bra-type, high-class leather armour with gold stripes protects her big breasts with their nice shape .

nThe so-called Bikini Armour . It’s an item emphasizing my beloved boobies .

nThe part protecting her flanks is a tightly constricted vest with a thin leather belt that seems to make her waist stand out .

nIt’s a vest that tightened her body strongly . Her butt has an average size .

nThe panties, or rather the swimsuit item she’s wearing is plainly visible .

nAlthough she’s also wearing something like tassets that extend diagonally sideways at the lower part of the leather armour, one could appreciate her white high-leg pants because of her short buttocks…

nI end up staring at them unintentionally .

nNo good, no good .

nPulling myself together, I examine her equipment . To the last it’s her equipment…

nA garter belt-like black leather obi sexily wrapped up her thighs from her waist . Two longswords are dangling from her hips along her thighs .

nShe possesses long legs that are lean like the legs of track-and-field athletes allowing her to stand smoothly and continuously .

nFrom her feet up until close to the thighs she wore red, long leather boots as if boasting about her stimulating great stride .

nHer style is great . The high-leg leotard-like equipment suits her extremely well .

nThe beautiful dark elf-san seems to be capable of using Magic Observation after all .

n『She’s keeping mana in her eyes . I feel a special mana presence from that silver mask as well . 』 (Helme)

nHelme pointed out .

nCertainly, there’s a subtle amount of mana gathered at the silver mask .

nThe silver mask has beautiful ornaments, too .

n『There is a butterfly ornament coloured in gold and black applied on the mask?』

n『Yes . It suits her . 』

nSurely it does .

nWhile the female dark elf and me stare at each other, the conversation between the leader of the large company and Dino-san finishes and they come over to the place where I’m sitting .

nIn this case, I suppose it’s better if I stand up and force a smile?

nOh well, let’s get up .

n“— Shuuya-sama, this here is Keragan Chianelas-sama of 【Oath of the One Horn】, the management organization of the 【Large Company Dual Bell】 . Then, please sit down in your respective seats . ” (Sino)

nHe has been introduced like that by Dino-san .

nI also name myself before sitting down .

n“I’m glad to meet you, Keragan Chianelas-sama . I’m a C-rank adventurer . I’m called Shuuya Kagari . ”

n“How very polite . Since I’m no more than a mere merchant, it’s fine without attaching a -sama . This time I have been asked about this by Dino-san . I’m called Keragan . I’m told that you want to participate in the Underground Auction as a guest by all means . ” (Keragan)

nAfter speaking in a polite manner, Keragan-shi lightly bows his head and sits down in his seat .

nThe female dark elf next to him kept standing .

nAt the same time I also sit down in the opposite seat of him .

nIt’s greatly different from his arrogant attitude of showing a piercing gaze the other day .

n

n

n“… Yes . It is as you say . ” (Shuuya)

nI stated concisely .

n“I understand . Then, Shuuya-sama, excuse me, but can you please show me the aforementioned gold coin for the sake of confirming your participation? I believe you have been told by Dino-san, but after all, I have to see it with these eyes since I’m a merchant…” (Keragan)

nThe large platinum coin? Is it no good unless I show it no matter what?

nWhen I moved my sight towards Dino-san with a questioning look, she nodded silently .

nCan’t be helped then, let’s show him, huh?

nI touch the bracelet then and there and mutter 「Open」 . I took out a large platinum coin from the item box after operating it with a peep-pop-pah .

nI take the gold coin between my index finger and middle finger as if holding a shogi piece and place it on the table .

n“With this it’s fine, isn’t it?” (Shuuya)

nKeragan checks the large platinum coin on the table by touching it .

nHe deeply nodded obviously agreeing, and placed the large platinum coin back on the table after glancing at me .

nI immediately put back the large platinum coin into the item box .

n“Certainly… it’s a genuine large platinum coin . This settles it . I will gladly guide you to the Underground Auction, Shuuya-sama . I also plan to exhibit this female dark elf next to me at the Underground Auction . Currently I have her learn various things by taking her around . Shuuya-sama, by all means I’d like you to bid with a high price for this special and unique female dark elf during the time of your participation . ” (Keragan)

nYes! It looks like I will be able to attend it .

nJust as you wish, I will buy this beauty of a female dark elf .

nHehehe .

n“That’s right . She’s lovely…” (Shuuya)

nAs if seeing through my perverted mind, the female dark elf throws a glaring and stabbing glance at me with her silver-coloured eyes .

n“Hahaha, I see, I see . … I’m looking forward to it, I guess . From now on I’d like to get along with a first-class adventurer like Shuuya-sama . If you are a possessor of such a rare item box, your budget has likely still much more leeway…” (Keragan)

nEven though I’m still C rank, his flattery is skilful, ain’t it?

nWell, I will humour him a bit .

n“Though it’s only a bit . Ah, there’s no need for sama in my case either . ” (Shuuya)

nThe instant I said it with a nuisance of “if it’s money, I do have it?”, the eyes of Keragan that had been gentle grasped my entire body after shifting into a piercing look .

nHis smile immediately changed into that suiting a merchant .

nHow nice . He’s a merchant that dives into a scene of carnage after sniffing the smell of money .

nI feel a unique aura .

n“… Got it . … There are the first department of slave auctions and the second department of high-class items auctions at the Underground Auction, but is there something you are aiming for?” (Keragan)

nSomething I’m aiming for, huh? You might say that my goal is a high-class combat slave .

nI want to look at unknown items as well .

n“No, something particular is… if I must say, I’ve been only considering to buy a special combat slave . I don’t know what kind of high-class items will appear on the auctions . I plan to decide whether to buy them on the spot . ” (Shuuya)

n“I see, I see . Then I’d like to tell you a bit about the second department . Going by the usual years, it starts with things like refrigerators and magic communication shells and then continues with magic tools possessing an interesting story like the Upper Score 21 of the Demon King, cursed spirit clothing, gold rings of the gods, unknown items of the ancient Arsen Dynasty, armours, arms connected to the world of spirits and special steel sheets that you have never seen before and which only react to space-time magic . ” (Keragan)

nRefrigerators come up just like that…

nMagic communication shell, what’s that? Going by what I imagine from it’s name, it looks like something similar to a wireless radio or telephone .

nIf it’s something that handily usable, I might end up buying it depending on the price .

nSince it seems that the Upper Score 21 of the Demon King is cursed, it’s a no-go .

n“… Hee, such kind of items will be exhibited, eh?” (Shuuya)

n“Yes, various really mysterious items appear in the labyrinth cities . Rare materials from monsters and treasure chests, items produced by the labyrinths themselves, etc . ” (Keragan)

n“I see . I was able to hear a bit about it, but I will look forward to it . ” (Shuuya)

nWhile nodding to my words, Keragan took out a cloth from his pocket .

n“Yes, indeed… well then, there’s something I have to give to you, Shuuya-san, for participating in the Underground Auction . Please accept this Viewing Badge . ” (Keragan)

nWhat I was given is a round cloth with a unicorn design embroidered onto it .

n“If you have this viewing badge, you will be able to enter the plot of the Chianelas Family which is also my family . The Underground Auction takes place on the last day of winter . Please make sure to not forget . Since I’m often at my residence or in the trading company in Pelneet after summer, please make sure to visit my mansion in 【Labyrinth City Pelneet】 before the appointed day . ” (Keragan)

nHe’s telling me to find his mansion in 【Pelneet】 by myself?

nI wonder where’s the place where the actual auction will be held .

n“… Will I find your mansion right away? And, where’s the location of the underground auction?” (Shuuya)

n“My house is located in the west of the noble block that’s on the northern side along the labyrinth city’s third ring road . The front of my house is decorated with a large crest that has the same mark as that viewing badge . I think you will be immediately able to tell since it stands out quite a lot with the big unicorn bronze statue in the garden . And, given that the yearly auction venue where the underground auction is held, changes, even I don’t know of it at the moment . ” (Keragan)

nThe location changes every time?

n“I see, got it . ” (Shuuya)

n“Well then, allow me to return since I have to proceed the trade . ” (Keragan)

nAfter Keragan, the large company leader, stood up hurriedly and discussed something minor with Dino-san, he leaves the room while talking the dark elf along .

nI chuckle .

nWith this I will be able to take part in the Underground Auction .

nThis cloth is a sign?

nLet’s put it into the item box so that I don’t lose it .

nAfter putting away the cloth and having a light chat with Dino-san who’s still in the same room, I left the room .

nShall I talk to Melissa before leaving this place?

nWhile searching for her, I peek into the other rooms and passages that were nearby .

nOh, there she is . There are also coworker-like people around her .

nShe’s in a room filled with the scent of ink and a pile of parchment documents and books .

nIt’s pretty obviously a workroom .

nMelissa and the others are deeply focussed on complicated talks across the table while showing serious expressions . I wonder whether it’s all right to call her…?

nNo, I will call out to her .

n“Melissa?” (Shuuya)

n“Ah, Shuuya-san!” (Melissa)

nAfter talking a word or two with a co-worker while having a red face, she came running to me .

nSome of her co-workers ask “Her boyfriend?” They stare this way while saying stuff like “Hee, he’s a tall man . ”

n“— Did it finish safely? Ah, let’s go this way?” (Melissa)

n“Yea . Ah, got it . ” (Shuuya)

nWhile being led away by Melissa in order to avoid her colleagues’ looks, we leave the room’s entrance and go into the hallway .

n“The discussion with the leader was successful . Therefore it seems that I will leave this city in a while . ” (Shuuya)

n“T-That’s right, isn’t it…? You won’t be here anymore…” (Melissa)

nMelissa ended up spilling tears while revealing a distressed expression .

n“I’m sorry, okay?” (Shuuya)

n“No, something like that… you are an adventurer after all, Shuuya-san . I’m not your wife or girlfriend either… That’s because I won’t become such an annoying woman, right? Besides, although there’s a bit of a distance to 【Labyrinth City Pelneet】, it’s an adjoining city . It’s almost inactive, but we should have a branch over there as well . ” (Melissa)

nNot my wife or girlfriend, huh?

nIs she using being a convenient woman as sales point?

nWe have a physical relationship, but won’t it cause troubles to her to chase me that far?

nThat’s the feeling here? If that’s not so, I might simply dance on her palm though .

nHowever, that doesn’t matter either .

nI had my fun, too . And she’s an adult .

nYou might say it’s a behaviour befitting a member of a thief guild doing it for the sake of obtaining information .

nHowever, she has a pained and sad expression due to being divided from me .

nI feel her affection . She’s honestly adorable .

n“… In that case, it doesn’t seem like this will be the last time . ” (Shuuya)

n“Yes!” (Melissa)

nThe lovable Melissa who pretends to be tough .

nShe has a cute look . I lightly hug her as if being lured by that look .

nAnd then, close to her ear .

n“Melissa, from now on you will be able to do your best at work . And, thank you for the information, okay?” (Shuuya)

n“Yes! Shuuya-san as well, please take care of your body . ” (Melissa)

nAfter hugging each other tightly, we separated while floating refreshing smiles .

nBidding farewell from Melissa at that point, I go outside the headquarters of 【Belgart】 .

nThe contract with Dino-san will continue until I actually attend the Underground Auction .

nThe date of the crucial Underground Auction is winter .

nCurrently the season has just become summer . It’s still quite a bit into the future .

nWhat should I do until then?

nFirst… as I will be leaving Holkerbaum before long, let’s head to the Labyrinth City Pelneet after doing one or two final requests in this place?

nI will go look at the requests in the adventurer’s guild .

nWhile thinking about that, I continue walking through an alley .

nOnce I did, Rollo, who slept inside my hood, woke up and got down on the ground from my shoulder .

nWhile Rollo trembled on the ground, she changes into her Horse Lion Mode size from her usual Kitten Mode size .

n“Nn . ”

nRollodeenHorse Lion Mode released a throaty voice .

nShe makes her tentacle that was stretching out from around her neck coil around my waist .

nOnce again she put me on her back .

nGet on here, huh? Just as she wishes, I spread my legs and saddled on top of the black-haired RollodeenHorse Lion Mode .

nI feel her strong muscles through my long legs .

nShe wants to run with me riding her .

n“It’s fine . Run as you like . ” (Shuuya)

n“Nyanyao . ”

nRollodeenHorse Lion Mode purrs with a feeling of 『Hold onto me nya』 .

nWhen I wondered whether she would head to the main street, it was somewhere else .

nFour tentacles in pairs of two extend to the left and right from both sides of her neck .

n— Huh? What’s she doing?

nTwo tentacles overlapped and turned into one thick tentacle . She stabbed the resulting two tentacles into the ground on the left and right side .

nMoreover, making the two tentacles rotate time and time again in a spiral form, RollodeenHorse Lion Mode moves her torso to the back while stretching the tentacles like rubber . (T

/N: Gomu gomu no roketto!)

nThe tentacles caused a warping sound similar to twisted elastic bands .

n… N-No way .

nAnd then, in the instant she released the tentacles— Uhyaaaaa, it was just thaaaat . Wind blows suddenly against her body .

nRollodeenHorse Lion Mode with me mounting her vigorously flew up into the sky .

n— We are flying in the air . Oy .

nThe tentacles that extended from the bottom of her neck to the left and right are contracted into her torso .

nFrom among the four tentacles that had acted as two elastic bands two tentacles are reduced by being reeled in and vanished as if being absorbed into the bottom of her neck .

nHuh? No sooner than that, she produces tentacles at the left and right of her torso next .

nShe began to deploy them to the side and accomplished a transformation similar to gliding wings .

nThe black wings seize the wind, produce lifting power and glide through the sky—

nWe soar while diagonally breaking through a cloud .

nThe wings growing on her left and right are large, black wings with a feeling that matches the feathers of hawks and bats .

nShe might be flying by gaining lifting power, but I could also sense that she was releasing miniscule amounts of mana through her wings . Is she naturally manipulating magic?

n“You were able to do such stuff as well…” (Shuuya)

n“Nn, nyanyaa . ”

nShe is purring in a great mood while flying .

nHelme appears while jumping up and down in a section of my visionary field .

n『— Rollo-sama, how amazing . You are flying through the air . It feels faster than the time when we moved with Your Excellency . It’s a great view . The wind spirits are always enjoying this scenery, I guess?』 (Helme)

nWho knows .

nThough I don’t think that there are any spirits that have retained their consciousness like Helme either .

n『I’d like to actually experience it once by going outside . 』 (Helme)

n『Got it . Hold onto my waist . Be careful . 』 (Shuuya)

n『— Yes!』 (Helme)

nHelme flies out from my left eye while in her liquid state .

nWithout getting scattered by the wind, a human-shaped Helme appeared right behind me in an instant .

nShe circles both her bluish black arms around my waist and presses her soft tits against my back .

nShe showed up while being earnestly glued to me .

nShe seems to be capable of solidifying her body swiftly without succumbing to the wind force .

n“Helme, are you all right?” (Shuuya)

n“Y-Yes . The wind feels nice . ” (Helme)

nLike that, all of us enjoy the sightseeing flight .

nWe circled around above 【Demonic Steel-City Holkerbaum】 .

nMy beloved piece of music resounds within my mind while we are enjoying the sky .

nI wish I had my iPhone .

nI want to fly through the air while listening to various songs and recording the scenery .

nI wonder whether there isn’t any recording-device type magic item?

nSeemingly getting bored of the sightseeing flight before long, RollodeenHorse Lion Mode descends towards the port of 【Holkerbaum】 right below us .

nShe gently lands with her limbs while using her tentacle wings and tentacles like cushions .

nThe ship workers, who were labouring in the port, are surprised by us who suddenly intruded upon them from the sky .

nThem being surprised is understandable, too .

nI’m bothered by their gazes, but I jumped off RollodeenHorse Lion Mode .

nThe adventurer’s guild should be in this neighbourhood .

nAt this opportunity I will look for a request there .

n“We will go to the adventurer’s guild . ” (Shuuya)

n“Yes!” (Helme)

nHelme, who is walking next to me, made her leafy skin flutter in a wavy motion and changed her teint into something similar to western clothes worn by humans .

n“Nya . ”

nRolloBlack Cat, who gives a reply with a quiet voice, returned to her small cat mode from her horse mode size, and settled down on her usual spot .

nWe step into the adventurer’s guild and advance to in front of the board with the posted requests .

nLet’s do a harpy hunt as a last request here?

nIs what I pondered, but I found a request that caught my eyes .

nClient: Shopping Street Association Director Phila Elizard

nRequest Content: Request for C Rank and above . Bodyguarding .

nSubjugation Target: Thieves, Assassins

nApplication Period: 30 days after accepting the request

nSearch Area: none

nReward: 2 Silver Coins per day . 6 Gold Coins if you defeat the assassins

nSubjugation Proof: none

nKey Points: I will be targeted by assassins . Please protect me .

nNote: I will wait for you at 【Smithy and Miscellaneous Goods Elizard】 in the shopping street along the main street . If you manage to defeat the assassin, this request will finish at once . The reward of six Gold Coins is limited to the fact that you defeated the assassin .

n“I wonder, how about this one?” (Shuuya)

n“Nn, nya . ”

n“You will act as a bodyguard?” (Helme)

nHelme asked as she was looking at the request board next to me .

n“That’s right . It has written ‘Please protect me . ’ Let’s protect her, okay? Helme, please cooperate by becoming my eyes . ” (Shuuya)

n“Yes! I will turn into water and become your eyes, Your Excellency . ” (Helme)

nMmh, well, then I will accept this request .

nBelow the board with the posted requests, there’s a edge with plenty of wood tags .

nBorrowing one wood tag from there, I take it to the receptionist .

nI presented my adventurer’s card and the wood tag to the receptionist .

nAfter placing a hand on the crystal ball, the request is immediately accepted .

n“Here’s your card . ”

nGiven that I was handed back my adventurer’s card by the dark-skinned receptionist, I went outside the guild while looking at it .

nName: Shuuya Kagari

nAge: 22

nTitle: Dragon Slayer

nRace: Human

nOccupation: C Rank Adventurer

nAffiliation: none

nCombat Occupation: Spear Warrior – Chain User

nCompleted Requests: 17

nLet’s go to the target location, the shopping street?

nIt’s the main street with the hotel where I’m staying .

n“Rollo, let’s go . ” (Shuuya)

n“Nyao . ”

nRollo changed into the Horse Lion Mode size .

nI jump and get on top of RollodeenHorse Lion Mode .

n“Helme, return into my eye . ” (Shuuya)

n“Yes . ” (Helme)

nShe liquefied in an instant and leaps into my left eye just as usual .

nAnd, without time to give instructions to RollodeenHorse Lion Mode, she starts running .

nShe runs and runs . She runs while her limbs move flexibly .

nShe dashed swiftly through the main street after cutting across the port in an instant .

nPassing in front of the revived Large Tree of Holker, we arrive at the shopping street in the blink of an eye .

nAlthough she’s fast in the sky, she’s also fast on the ground .

nOnce we arrive at the shopping street, Rollodeen seems to know where we are heading and progresses on the shopping street at a calm pace .

n

n

n【Smithy and Miscellaneous Goods Elizard】 .

nSomething like a steel cudgel serves as signboard .

nRollodeen stopped moving in front of the store .

nAfter immediately dismounting easily, I enter the shop .

nThe interior gives an impression that befits its name .

nMany finished smithing products such as longswords, spears, shields, armours, etc . , and metal utensils such as frying pans, pots, ladles, etc . are lined up .

nI headed deeper inside while looking at the shelves displaying such items .

nSince there was a clerk at the reception located inside, I address them .

n“I accepted the bodyguard request . ” (Shuuya)

n“Welcome . Then, please this way . ”

nThe clerk greeted me with a bob of their head and guided me through a door located next to the reception desk .

n“Everyone that accepted this request has assembled in this room . Here you go . ”

nThe place I was guided to is a room similar to an ooblong parlour .

nJust as the clerk said, several adventurers waited there .

nMagic lamps set up at the ceiling and the left and right walls are brightly illuminating the room . There was a clean desk inside the room and a door at the left inner part .

nThe adventurers have nice expressions and look strong .

nWhen I enter the room, the adventurers turn stern gazes at me .

nI gaze at the adventurers with Magic Observation .

nI check one, two, several .

nThey are ordinary, I guess… uh-oh… I found a quite strong-looking adventurer .

nThe strongest is this guy? An Asian eyepatched man with long black hair .

nThe eyepatched man stared at the place with the desk and door located inside the room .

nHe is gathering mana in his legs and hands like a Chinese martial arts user . I was able to guess his developed muscles because of his large shoulder width .

nAs a longsword is visible at his waist, it seems that it’s his main weapon .

nI shift my gaze to another adventurer .

nThere were two more excellent people who are clad in Magic Combat Style .

nOne of them has an acorn head with unkempt hair .

nA thin silken bandana is wrapped around his head in order to restrain his naturally curly hair .

nThe nose of his perfectly round face has a big width, a scar and nose hair growing out from it .

nA steel mace with a square ruggedness is visible at his waist .

nHe really looks like a low bred, savage man .

nThe other one wears a cloth hat and he possesses a distinct face albeit uneven .

nHe is lightly dressed exposing their upper body half .

nI get that he has the physique of a black man’s torso .

nTwo cutlass-typed weapons that had long cloths coiled around them hung at his waist .

nThere were also other adventurers who clad themselves with Magic Combat Style, but you might say that they didn’t reach the level of the three people I was looking at currently .

nSince C Rank adventurers and above were mentioned on the request paper, I have the impression that quite the experienced ones have gathered here .

nWhen I’m thinking about that, the door on the left inner side is opened .

nThe one who appeared from the door was a beautiful human woman .

nStrong-looking, armed men appear together with her in order to protect that beautiful woman .

nThe armed men line up behind the woman .

nThe beautiful woman has walnut-coloured hair .

nHer skin is darkish as if it had been sunburnt slightly .

nAbove her blue eyes there are template-like slender eyebrows . The shape of her nose is nice, too .

nShe wore superior silk clothes similar to a stretch blouse with a slit at her collar .

nThat beauty moves her small mouth .

n“… Everybody, I deeply thank you for having accepted the request of being my bodyguards on this occasion . My name is Phila Elizard, your client . I’m the owner of this store . Before all of you will truly start on this time’s task, I will explain the details regarding this request . ” (Phila)

nHer name’s Phila Elizard, huh?

nShe bowed while placing her hands on her chest .

n“To start off, I will begin from the matter of me having persuaded the feudal lord in order to press forward the bridge construction in the south of 【Holkerbaum】…” (Phila)

nAt that point she makes a little break by coughing once .

n“The persuasion of the feudal lord was successful and the dwarven stone union and the merchant guild, who obtained the official permission, formed an alliance and started with the construction of the bridge . At first the construction proceeded favourably, but… in the middle of it, mysterious accidents kept occuring, and in the end a worker got involved in a murder case after being killed by someone . Because of this incident, the construction had to be halted . ” (Phila)

nPhila-san shook her head left and right while revealing a mortified expression .

n“Furthermore, my colleagues of the merchant guild received threats from shady organizations and my store was harrassed by an increasing number of violent ruffians as well . However, I didn’t want to yield to such harassments . Therefore I got in contact with the city guards and the feudal lord to increase the number of patrols . However the answer to that was negative . Since they were unreliable… I asked an organization called 【Scales of Gaia】, a dark guild that controlled this area, to protect me, but there has been absolutely no message from that dark guild . … Thus I desperately protected this store together with my younger brother, but…” (Phila)

nAt that point Phila talks as if enduring the anger that has accumulated at the temples next to her thin eyebrows .

n“My younger brother was killed . He went out in a carriage for the sake of a business deal, but after getting attacked by someone on his way back home, my younger brother died… it was a carriage I should have originally boarded… If there’s a next time, they will likely target me . That’s why I hurriedly put up this kind of guard request for you adventurers . ” (Phila)

nSo that’s the reason .

nThat means she got dragged into a conspiracy regarding the bridge’s construction .

nThen one adventurer spoke up .

n“Do you know to what organization these assassins belong?”

n“No, absolutely not… until a bit ago I paid protection money to the dark guild called 【Scales of Gaia】, but there had been no news from them . Since it’s such an estranged relationship, I don’t know anything . ” (Phila)

nDue to those words, the adventurers got noisy .

n“Is it related to the case of the 【Owl’s Fangs】 branch’s destruction?”

n“No, I wonder about that . I don’t believe that they would come to this town now of all times . ”

n“Because it’s the merchant guild, aren’t they involved with a famous company around Lalarbin with its iron productions?”

n“If it’s Lalarbin, they can also get iron from the Lake City Luluzark, right?”

n“On top of the land route to Luluzark being long, it seems that the traces of the war are terrible, doesn’t it?”

nWas the turf of 【Scales of Gaia】 in this area?

nThen it’s only natural that there are no news .

nAfter all that dark guild doesn’t exist anymore .

nThat means…

nThe assassins or whatever are remnants of 【Owl’s Fangs】 or a fresh supply of troops from a different city?

nOr, is it a completely different dark guild, working for another company, as the adventurers say?

n

n

n

n