The next afternoon, I was heading to the coffee shop that Zeke had designated as the place to discuss the defeat of the Phoenix.
...... But despite the fact that it was also before an important discussion, I was walking with a somber air.

It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of this article.

First of all, more than half of the adventurers couldn't even write the necessary paperwork to bring the materials to the city, and until this morning I had to write the paperwork for more than 20 adventurers.
That alone was hard work, but that wasn't the only problem.

The adventurers and the townspeople were at odds with each other too much.
The adventurers disregarded the people of the city and the people of the city disliked them.
It's a good idea to have a good time.
I'm not going to be the only one who's been in a position to do that.

...... I can't tell you how many times I've tried to withdraw my previous statement and pretend that my service to the city never happened.

Nevertheless, in the end, the reason we decided to continue the adventurer's service was because there was so little material flowing into the city that we had to rely on such adventurers as well.
According to what Mary told me, the price of the guild's materials kept going up and up.
Because of that, even though they had been in the Maze City for many years, some people were leaving, and if the adventurers wouldn't let the materials flow, Mary-san was also thinking of leaving the Maze City.

At the very earliest I had no idea what the guild wanted to do with that story.

However, it was certain that Mary-san and the others would have a lot of trouble as it was.
Furthermore, even though the guild alone is troublesome, there's also the problem of the adventurers.
The adventurers have become much more docile after I showed my power by hurting the adventurers who caused them problems.
But that doesn't mean there is no chance of adventurers causing problems.

'Huh. ......'

I couldn't help but let out a sigh at the problem for which there was no solution.
I really don't know what to do about it, and I have no idea what to do about it.
It's not a problem that can be left alone, and I can't help but wrinkle my eyebrows further.

...... Brother, are you okay?

I came back to myself from my thoughts at the sound of Narsena's voice, which echoed at that time.
When I turned to the side, I saw Narsena staring at me with a worried look on her face.
With that expression on her face, Narsena opened her mouth.

''If you're not feeling well, your brother can take a break ......

I almost chuckle at Narsena's words, wondering if she looks quite tired.
In fact, the paperwork, yesterday's commotion, and the worries I have no hope of resolving, have made me feel quite tired.
I didn't have time to check up on myself this morning, so I just don't know if I'm in a very bad place or not.

I'm just going to talk about it today. Thank you for your concern.

...... We don't want to overdo it.

Yeah, I know.

Still, I had no intention of missing this discussion.
It is true that I am fatigued, but that is mainly mental and there is no need to worry too much about it.
Besides, missing the discussion in the defeat of Phoenix was something I wanted to avoid as much as possible.
Narsena is much higher than me in terms of ability, and she's no exception in terms of brains.
But she's still inexperienced and her knowledge of demonic beasts is still inexperienced, and she's also emotional.
I don't care if it's other quests, but if it's against a super-difficult monster like the Phoenix, it would be better for me to go along with him, as I have more experience, just to be on the safe side.

''I can see it!

It was just as I was gathering my thoughts that the coffee shop I was to meet at came into view.
When I saw the coffee shop, I pulled myself together once again.
Anyway, for now, I should put the adventurer and the guild out of my mind and focus on the Phoenix.
With a newfound determination, I sped up my steps a bit as I headed to the coffee shop.


◇◆◇


By the time we arrived at the coffee shop, Zeke's party was already there.
It seems that the two women and Zeke are Zeke's party members.

Thank you for the other day.

'Don't worry about it. Just focus on the Phoenix for now.

Yes!

One of them is Aamir, and I can't help but smile as she bows her head to Narsena.

''Well, Mr. Lausto,''

......... Yeah?

...... But when Aamir turns to me after mingling with Narsena in conversation, I'm momentarily stunned, unsure of what I'm going to do.

''I mean, I'm sorry for everything!

What?

Aamir didn't notice me, but thrust something at me and bowed his head vigorously at the same time.
After a night's rest, I realize what Aamir held out in front of me, a leather bag of money.

'Oh. I'll take both the apology and the gratuity money.

It was then that I understood that Aamir was apologizing to me and reached out my hand in a hurry.

''This is all I have for now, but I will pay you properly eventually. I am truly sorry for treating you unfairly with the lightning sword.''

Just as I received the leather bag, Aamir raised his head once, but then bowed his head again with his apology.

''Um, okay ......?''

While watching such a state of Armia, I couldn't hide my confusion at the way she had changed.
In terms of change, the adventurer in the labyrinth city was clearly worse than the adventurer in the labyrinth city, but it seemed that Aarmia had changed a lot from her personality.
I hadn't noticed it when we met last time because I was in tatters, but it seems that Aamir's personality is quite different from before.

''Well then, let's talk about Phoenix.

I couldn't hide my agitation at the unexpected change for a moment, but Sieg's words brought me back to myself.
The reason we are here is to discuss the defeat of the Phoenix, not to show off the changes in Armia.
I tell myself that, I keep my surprise to myself and sit down in my chair.

'So let's get started,'

Zeke nodded his head to confirm that I was in the chair.
With that, we began the discussion, with Zeke-san as the facilitator.

The discussion to defeat the Phoenix, although it was called that, was essentially about how to attack the Phoenix's ability called the Flame Armor.

The Flame Armor, that is the flame that the Phoenix wears.
The flames that covered Phoenix's body as if to protect him were his very own armor.
And that armor of fire was said to be the most troublesome ability of the Phoenix.

Unlike other demonic beasts, Phoenixes were inferior in both physical ability and durability.
Even wizards that possessed skills could unleash magic that couldn't be compared to them, but since they only had long-range attacks, their movements would quickly deteriorate if they got in between.

...... And yet, Phoenix was called by the nickname of the vanguard killer.
The reason for this is precisely the armor of fire.
The armor that protects Phoenix's body emits an ultra-high temperature that is said to be impossible for humans to replicate.
It is so hot that almost all weapons are rendered useless by a blow or two.
A half-hearted weapon would not even be able to attack with a half-hearted weapon in the first place.

...... In front of that flaming armor, me and Narsena could be considered almost useless.
Even if Narsena equips a magician's basket of magic tools with a heat-resistant effect and I decide to fight with a great sword, the attacks I can make are only once or twice.
It seems that the magic sword that Sieg-san possesses can break through the flame armor, but there's no way Sieg-san alone can defeat the super-difficult demonic beast.

In other words, the mainstream of defeating the Phoenix would be the wizard, Armia, who would be the mainstream of the Phoenix's defeat.
However, it was also not easy for a wizard to damage the Phoenix.

The reason being that Phoenix had a keen sense for magic.
Just as the wizard entered the chant, Phoenix changed his target to the wizard and released a fireball.
If he unleashed a long-range attack, the vanguard would not be able to stall him as well as a super-difficult demonic beast like Hydra.

Those characteristics turned Phoenix into a terribly troublesome existence, despite having a body that was inherently inferior to other super-difficulty demonic beasts.
That's why me and Narsena were planning to force the game by bringing in a large number of weapons and fighting with disposable ones.

Honestly, we welcomed Zeke and his party to fight alongside the wizards, but our numbers remained small.
Considering that there are usually more than a dozen people in the defeat of the Phoenix, it might be better to forcefully push forward without relying on Armia down the road.
In the midst of rubbing together information for the defeat of the Phoenix, I entertain such thoughts.

'If it's Aarmia's magic, I can rip off the armor without being noticed by the unchallenged Phoenix: ......

Huh!

However, Zeke's words caused my thoughts to change drastically.

If we could only manage the fire armor, the Phoenix would be greatly weakened.

''To unleash enough magic without chanting to be able to strip Phoenix's armor, it would take a lot of time and concentration, no matter how many water magic enhancement skills Aamir has, no matter how many water magic enhancement skills he has. You can't use it against a phoenix that's coming at you indiscriminately with ...... fireballs.

I think I'm okay.

...... Huh?

Thinking that, I interrupted the words that a troubled looking Zeke-san was telling me and raised my voice.

'I can attract Phoenix for some time.

What about ......?

Zeke is momentarily speechless, as if he can't believe my words.
However, when you see Narsena and Armia nodding in affirmation of my words, you understand that my words are the truth and open your mouth, stunned.

''As expected of the person who defeated that Hydra, I should say: .........

But in the next moment, Zeke's stunned expression turned into a ferocious smile and he opened his mouth.

''With this, we can certainly play Phoenix.

His words were filled with excitement and unconcealed glee.