Black haired wise man Chiyuki

　The Kingdom of Velos is the largest of the northernmost group of nations in the human world.
　While most of the kingdoms around it are poor, only this one, Velos, is thriving.
　The double walls of Velos protect the human city and the farmland and orchards.
　In a normal country, the ramparts would be so full of houses that there would be no room to build a wall to protect the farmland outside the ramparts.
　That's why it's difficult to work on farms without worrying about the demons in this world where there are so many of them.
　However, Veros has a wall that protects the farmland, so I can farm with more peace of mind than in other countries.
　That's what makes this country prosperous.
　Veros fruit wine is so popular that even in the distant republic of St. Renaria, it is a favorite product. That's another reason for Veros' prosperity.
　Now we're in the royal palace of Velos.
　It might be difficult for an ordinary civilian to meet the king, but Rage is a brave man chosen by the goddess Raina.
　Therefore, when I announced my visit, I was easily granted permission to meet with her.
　We were ushered into the royal palace's visitor's room.
　The couches were very soft and fluffy with soft feathers.
　The maidservants of the palace serve us with drinks.
　The drink is the fruit water of Velos.
　The fruit water is a little sweet and sour, and is very smooth and easy to drink.
　We relax and wait for the king.

It took you a long time to get here after all. Mr. Chiyuki.

　Reno, sprawled out on the couch, yawns and says to me.

'Right. Reno. It's really getting late.'

　He looks at Syrone as he says this.
　Shirone is unhappy with the fact that it's getting late, or maybe she's in a bad mood.

''I didn't think I'd be involved in a ruckus in the Kingdom of Xentea~''

　Nao gives Rage a meaningful look.

'It can't be helped. I'm a brave man. If someone's in trouble, I have to help them, right?'

　Rage says, without taking offense.

'In your case, Rage, you're a beautiful woman in trouble, not a man in trouble.

　I say this in a sarcastic way.
　We were on our way to the kingdom of Velos and stopped by the princess of the kingdom of Zentair, who asked us to slay a demon.
　The demon was easily defeated, but the beautiful princess asked us to stay in the Kingdom of Zentair for a while.
　We spent a few days in the Kingdom of Zentair, which further delayed our arrival here.
　This has made Silone in a bad mood.

'That being said, we were in trouble, that's for sure. I couldn't leave him alone.''

　Then he chuckles.
　Totally this guy is ....... I press my forehead.
　I was about to complain. A voice tells me the king is coming.
　As I answer, the door is opened and Ekaras, the king of this country, comes in.
　He must be fatter than before. But how good he seems to be has not changed.
　And the queen, Corfina, is following behind her.
　This couple seemed to be on good terms with each other when they came before.
　It seems to be the same even now.

''Welcome, brave souls. It's been a long time.''
Long time no see. Long time, brave men.

　Ekaras and Corfina thanked him.

'It's been a while. His Majesty King Ekaras.''
It's been a while. Queen Corfina.

　Me and Rage curtsy.

'It's been a while. The black-haired Sage Lord. By the way, what are the heroes here?　What can I do for you, sir?

　Ecclesiastes asks us as they sit down on the chairs offered in the guest room.

'Oh, about that, actually: ......'

　I explain about the Silvery White Witch of the Castle of Sweets.

'How! So, then, could the anomaly in the Blue Forest be the work of that witch?!

　Ekaras yells out in surprise when he hears my explanation.

''An anomaly in the Blue Forest?''
''Yes. As a matter of fact, there seems to be something strange going on in the Blue Forest these days.

　Ekaras explains.
　The first incident happened two months ago.
　Demons from the depths of the Blue Forest began to haunt the streets.
　At first, he thought it was temporary.
　However, the number of monsters that appear on the streets is increasing and not decreasing.
　Moreover, even unseen pollywogs began to show up, which made Ekaras and the others realize that something was happening in the Blue Forest.
　The rangers, who belong to the kingdom, tried to explore the area, but it was too dangerous to get close to them.
　Rangers are experts in outdoor activities such as hunting and gathering medicinal plants in dangerous forests.
　They don't fight monsters for a living, but they know the forest better than anyone else.
　If these rangers can't get to them, the forest is in great danger.

''Then there's nothing we can do about it. ......
Yes. However, I was worried about doing nothing, so I was going to gather a group of freedom fighters to form a search party and send them into the forest.

　I nodded my head in agreement. It doesn't seem to do anything.

'I see. ....... So you've seen a lot of freedom fighters in town.

　In fact, by the time I came to the royal palace, I saw more freedom fighters than before.
　There would be freedom fighters in the Veros Kingdom as well, but they wouldn't be as numerous as that.
　Probably, they must be freedom fighters who came to this country, lured by the high rewards.
　For lack of a better word, freedom fighters are the mercenaries of this world.
　It's easier to get them to do dangerous work than its own citizens, such as knights and soldiers.
　And since no damage has been done to this country to date, the Knights are difficult to control.
　That's probably why they're sending the freedom fighters towards them.
　Ekaras might be a good person, but he might be ruthless in his decision for the sake of his own citizens.

''Yes, sir. 'Yes, we've been gathering the freedom fighters for ten days now. We already have about three thousand people on the roster.

　Ekaras says happily.
　Reno and Nao, who were listening beside him, let out a surprised voice with a hohe~.
　Three thousand is quite a large army in this world.
　I don't care if it's the Republic of St. Renaria or the Republic of Ariadia, but in this region where there are many poor countries, it would be difficult to gather such a large number of people.

''That's quite a large army ....... As expected of the Veros Kingdom.''
''No, the reason we were able to gather so many people is because of the cooperation of the royalty from other countries. Our country isn't the only one adjacent to the Blue Forest, so ......

　Apparently, Ekaras has asked other countries to announce the recruitment of warriors.
　The other countries are not strangers to the strange happenings in the Blue Forest.
　That's why they are cooperating with Ekaras.

''I see, so other countries are also aware of the mutation.

　Ekaras nodded at my words.

''With so many warriors gathered, and also the brave Lord, I'm sure the matter will be resolved soon.

　Ekaras laughs happily as he says this.

'Yeah, I'll take care of it.'

　Rage spits out his usual spare lines.
　But I don't feel the usual leeway.
　Perhaps it's a lack of confidence. I've never seen Rage like this before.

'Oh, as expected of a brave lord. I can rely on you.''

　Ekaras said happily, as if he hadn't noticed Rage's condition.

'It is. You. Why don't you introduce the freedom fighters to the heroes?

　Corfina, who had been silent until then, suggested.

''That's right. Oi, I believe Lord Red Bear was at the palace. Why don't you call him over?''

　Ekaras has his squire, who is waiting outside the room, call someone to come to him.
　A few moments later, a door is opened and a man and a woman come in.
　The man is a large man with the appearance of a warrior.
　He is half-naked and wears a bear's fur.
　He is probably a beast warrior who believes in the god of war, Torls. His bare upper body has a red tattoo painted on it.
　Believers of the god of battle, Thors, fight without armor.
　Nao says that if he were to compare the warriors of Tolls to a game class, they would be Barbarians or Berserkers.
　And the woman behind her would be a female warrior who believes in the goddess Amazona, the daughter of the Toles.
　The reason I thought that was because she was wearing bikini armor.
　The followers of Amazona wear bikini armor for religious reasons. As such, its congregation is easy to understand.

'Let me introduce you. He is Lord Arcus, the leader of the Red Bear Warriors. And this is his daughter, Lord Charis.

　Ekaras introduces the two of them.

'I'm Arcus!　My friends call me Red Bear!　I've heard of the hero of the light!　It's a pleasure to meet you!　Ga-ha-ha-ha-ha!

　The big man, Red Bear, laughed vigorously.

''Red Bear-dono is a renowned warrior in this neighborhood. I'm asking Akakuma-dono to be the leader of the warrior group.
"Don't praise me so much, my king. You're a match for the brave men of light.

　The red bear says with an embarrassed look.
　Maybe he has delicate nerves for a big figure.
　I look at Karis, the red bear's daughter.
　She's a pretty girl, not unlike her father.
　She looks about the same age as us and Reno and Nao.
　However, the several scars I can see on her arms tell me that she has already made a career out of being a warrior.
　Her slightly habitual red hair is pulled back, and her sleek, stretched-out limbs look very quick.
　However, I think the volume of the chest is a bit lacking. The poor thing is wearing only bikini armor, except for her arms.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more to say about it.
　Does that smile feel a little implied?
　As I'm wondering, Karis suddenly steps forward.

'Hey, you're the maiden with the sword, right?　Would you mind meeting up with me?

　Karis says, pointing at Silone.
　All of a sudden we were speechless.