-- often after leaving the adventurer's camp.

　After passing over a few hills, a different scene from the night scene of the wild mountains came into view.

　A vast subterranean lake lit by a modest amount of starlight and moonlight pouring down from the dark ceiling of the underground space.

　A mass of dazzling light was floating near the center of the lake.

　The brave Ezell, who was walking in the lead, stopped at the best vantage point at the top of the hill and exclaimed in admiration.

''Great ...... by any chance, is that ......?
The demon city of Athropolis. It looks just like the scenery from the report, but this one is more than I imagined.

　I stand next to Ezell the Brave and carefully observe the scene below me.

　In the center of the subterranean lake, what appears to be a mass of light is an island filled with lights that illuminate every part of the town.

　It's hard to guess the size of the city since there's nothing to compare it to, but it seems to have one foot in the door of a small city rather than a town.

'Anyway, let's get to the lakeside first. If we get that close, the administrators will notice that we're here.
No, that's not necessary.

　An unfamiliar voice echoed out of nowhere.

　In the next moment, all of us were on the brink of war, with Garnett and Ezell glowering around me with their swords at the ready between us.

''Please let down your guard. We have no hostile intent against us.''

　I carefully move my eyes in the direction of the voices.

　A single dead tree growing there - the surface of which seemed to move in waves - began to rise in a shape that resembled the outline of a human being.

'Welcome, Luke White Wolf. I am Fraxinus, the administrator. I am sincerely sorry that I have to speak to you in a temporary vessel.''

　The voice was definitely coming from that dead tree.

　However, it was not a sound that emanated from a human mouth, but a truly strange sounding voice that could be perceived as if it was a combination of different sounds made to sound like a voice.

''Administrator Fraxinus ...... you are the head of Asropolis. I'm Luke, Commander of the White Wolf Order.

　The outlines that emerged in the dead wood became clearer and clearer, until eventually they resembled an extremely elaborate wooden bust, and even the eyelids (eyelids) opened up.

　I stifled my surprise and tried to act as calmly as possible.

　I've already heard this too from the Adventurer's Guild.

　I've already heard from the Adventurer's Guild that the entity claiming to be the administrator of Athropolis left a message to the adventurers not in his body, but in his temporary body.

I heard that he wanted to speak directly with the human side of the administrator. I understand that you wished to have a face-to-face conversation with your human counterpart, so I was wondering what kind of negotiations were necessary.

　I won't relax my guard while attempting to interact.

　In the unlikely event that Fraxinus returned my hand and attacked me, there would be no way for me to resist myself.

　In that case, I had no choice but to rely on Garnett, Hild and the rest of my friends, as well as the trust that they would protect me no matter what.

''-- Wait a moment. I will complete the establishment of the connection (link).

　After a few seconds of pause, a light dwells in the eyes of Fraxinus as he emerges on the surface of the dead tree.

　The eyes look first at me, then at Garnett, and then at the brave Ezell in my field of vision - suddenly they stop moving.

　If it were a human being, would it be called 'speechless with surprise'?

　I can't really know because of the lack of change in his expression, but there was definitely something that drew my attention.

'Uh, yeah, what am I doing ......?'

　Ezell let out a puzzled voice.

　Fraxinus turns his inorganic eyes on me again and speaks without moving his mouth.

''I beg your pardon. I'm sorry, that sword was made by a dwarf for a human. I'm sure you have it in your possession now.
'It was officially transferred from the dwarves who kept it for generations, and I made some alterations to it as well as repairs. If it's offensive to you?
''No, I just reveled in the fact that the sword has been passed down to the present day. Have you ever used your offensive skills while wielding it?

　The second half of the statement seemed to be a question directed at Ezell, so I turned my head to Ezell and urged him to answer.

'Actually, I'm still thinking of using ...... to test it out. ......
'Feel free to shake it if you get the chance. I'm sure you'll be surprised.

　After telling Ezell something thoughtful, Flaxinus quickly corrected the derailment and got to the point.

　Just from the exchange up to this point alone, it was keenly apparent that this tree man (dryad) was not an inorganic, emotionless being, but an intelligent life form with intelligence and emotions.

　His current body is a substitute for his temporary body, though, so he doesn't have any expression-like expressions floating around.

''Asropolis has a philosophy of neutrality towards all forces and acceptance of any species. However, that's only for those who respect our neutrality and principles: ......'
If we don't promise to abide by the rules of Athropolis, then you won't let anyone on the ground trespass on the city.
''Yes. Therefore, we need to negotiate with the person in charge of the people exploring this hierarchy ......, i.e. the one who leads the White Wolf Knights.

　It's such a great responsibility that you want to run away.

　Since I knew beforehand that this is the kind of business I had in mind, I have obtained consent from Florence, the head of the guild branch, to delegate negotiations and decisions to the White Wolf Knights.

　So there's no need to return to the ground to discuss with other organizations each and every time, and I'm allowed to make a decision right here - that's why the pressure was so great.

　I looked at Garnett for a moment with a sideways glance, while I was catching my breath.

　Oh, yes. What is the matter with this kind of pressure?
　You dared Lord Rembrandt head-on, saying that you would be a man worthy of being the consort of the Lady of the House of Argentea.

　You can't accomplish that if you're still frightened at this level.

I know that. Please tell me the terms.
'Thank you for your understanding. The first one is ......'

　Fraxinus lays out the demands of the human side in a nutshell.

　--One. You are forbidden to engage in espionage and the use of force within the city, except for self-defense.

　However, this does not include intelligence gathering and dueling after applying to the administration.

　--one. Attacks on forces and individuals moving from the city are prohibited until the person in question has left the area in question.

　If an attacker attacks a target immediately after leaving a city, even against a hostile force at war, the attacker shall be treated as fully hostile to the city.

　--one. The forces and individuals benefiting from the city undertake services to keep the city safe and neutral.

　The administrator shall assign specific tasks to each of them according to their abilities.

'There are other detailed laws, but we will not allow you to enter the Athropolis without first accepting these three conditions.

　To be honest, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised.

　I was prepared for what kind of demands I would be confronted with, but when I opened the lid, I found that the demands were straightforward.

　The content of the request was justified by the fact that they proudly call themselves neutral.

''You're free to come and go in and out of the town and act as long as you don't break any of the rules?
"Of course. "We are a tree on which all species can rest their bodies.
What if I don't agree with the third condition: "What if I don't agree with the ...... service activity?
You are not permitted to continue your stay in Asropolis, but beyond that, there is nothing more. You are free to leave the city at your leisure, subject to the second condition.

　I thought about it for a while, making sure there were no pitfalls in the three conditions listed and the question and answer session, and then gave my answer to move forward.

'I accept the conditions, sir. We can discuss this in more detail in town.
Yes, sir. Now, please move to the lakeside. We'll fix you up with the road to Athropolis.