The person to whom Populus bowed his head reverently was neither a man nor a creature.

　It was the back wall of the Great Capitol, a huge mass of magical power that leaked a pale light from within it.

''I apologize if I made you feel unseemly. As you can see, I am now a body that cannot move from here - do you understand why I rudely greeted you with a minute body earlier?''

　I could only look up at it in astonishment.

　The fact that the demon race is different from the human race in shape, but it is still a full-fledged creature.

　However, the light that shines in front of you and emits a voice that seems to reach directly into your head is not a very good thing, but it's an existence that you can't believe is a living being.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm not sure if it's a good idea.

　The only one of us who is keeping a cool head is Dustin.

"Have you lost your body for some reason? I'm sure one of the demon kings I defeated was in a similar state. The pressure of the magic power is too different from that time, though. ......

　Dustin muttered as he looked at the glow of what he thought was the administrator Fraxinus.

　I listen to it, change my perception that it's just a rare but not impossible phenomenon, and decide to get back on track and start negotiating.

　It might be a natural reaction to be surprised, but I'll put it off until I've done what I need to do.

'Administrator Fraxinus. I would like to negotiate on behalf of the ground.
''Of course. That's why I asked you to come up here.

　The negotiations that the White Wolf Knights (me and my friends) are proposing can be divided into two main categories.

　The first is a request for information on the Demon King's Army, which is thought to have escaped to the Deeper Realm.

　The other is that they want to ask for permission to use the neutral city of Athropolis as a base for adventurers to explore.

　Naturally, since this is a negotiation, we are not going to make demands unilaterally, but rather on the premise that we will listen to their wishes in return.

　First of all, we tell them what we want, have them present us with conditions that Fraxinus thinks are commensurate with that, and if they feel it's unreasonable, then we explore the room for changing the conditions for each other - we've just taken the first step towards that.

'As long as we are neutral, we cannot accept the first request. As long as you are neutral, we cannot accept the first request, but if you ask us to apply and then ask for our help, we will not stop you from doing so.
...... I understand. I knew this wasn't going to happen when you first offered me the three conditions.
"As I suspected, you're in a difficult position. You seem to be in a difficult position.

　I couldn't help but chuckle as Flaxinus saw through the background.

　This request had been asked for by the Golden Fang Knights on the premise that it might not go through, but try it just in case.

　At any rate, I just made the suggestion and tried to bring back a reply that it was still impossible.

''The second request is not reluctant. I would have rejected it if you were using the town as a base to fight with the demon king's army, but if your direct goal is to explore, there is no need for that.
''Even if the results of the search are to advance the battle against the Demon King's army, is it ......?''
'It's acceptable. All races and forces are in residence on the same terms, not just you. But you can visit ......

　Administrator Fraxinus cut off his words once, thoughtfully.

　Is he thinking about it, or is he waiting for our reaction?
　It's hard to read his thoughts because I can't see his complexion, or even his appearance.

''In order to benefit from ...... this city, you need to undertake a service to keep the city safe and neutral. I told you so earlier.''
Yes. And if it's unacceptable to you, you can reject it and leave the city.
'The nature of your contributions will vary from time to time, but as a general rule, you will be asked to take on obligations in proportion to the amount you can afford.

　I'm going to have to concentrate on not missing a single word as I anticipate what is going to be said.

It's not a matter of being trapped and running away, but of being well prepared for the visit of the earthly people ...... and as a condition for accepting them as guests and sharing the bounty of the city, I would like to ask a favor of you who are here now.
It's ...... which?

　It felt like that was the case after all.

　Even if he thrust too big a demand on those who had rolled into the neutral city for various reasons, he would definitely not be able to achieve it in the first place.

　On the other hand, making too light a demand on those who could afford it would cause those who couldn't afford it to complain that it was unfair.

　When you think of it that way, we, who have a peaceful and stable base in Green Hollow, should be faced with a reasonably heavy demand--

The light has long since gone out of the hierarchy, and the minds of the people are in turmoil due to anxiety and fear. However, I have been forced to focus my efforts on maintaining and protecting this city, which prevents me from taking any drastic action. Therefore, I am writing to you at ...... to take the light back to the city.

--no matter how much, such a request was unexpected.

'Wait a minute ......!　You can't tell me that you want me to undo the ceiling (sleigh): ......!
"...... That's right. ......!　[Restoration], skills ......!

　Behind my impatience, Noir raises his voice loudly without warning.

　However, Noir was shushed out of the room by the simultaneous glances from everyone in the place, and instead, Hild, who sensed the intent, took over the explanation.

'If the 'morning' was lost due to the failure of the ceiling's luminescent function in the underground space, then it might be possible to restore it with Commander Luke's [Restoration] skill. That's what it means.
...... No, wait a minute. How much area do you think you have? My personal magic power is limited to one house, and even if I wanted to use magic crystals, how much do I need to scrounge up ......?

　I've been dealing with and using the evolved 【Restoration】 skill for over a year now.

　That's why I'm well aware of the limitations at the moment, and I also understand that 【Restoration】 of the entire ceiling of the underground space is not realistic.

　This guy is a matter of pure energy resources.

　No matter how high the skill's performance is, whether or not it can exert its effects over a wide area depends only on the amount of magic power that can be poured into it.

　And my magic power itself, no matter how much my skills evolve, remains at about the same level as others.

''There's no need to worry about it. I've already analyzed where the system is failing. The area has turned into a den of magical beasts Fenrir Wolf, but we will be sending our forces here as well.''
In other words, all that's left to do is go to the site and fend off the Fenrir Wolves while [restoring] .......
Please rest in the city until you depart. We will only accept adventurers after their contributions have been made, but you are already guests here. You are already guests here, and we would like you to recover from the fatigue of your journey.

　I turned over and held my forehead.

　I even have the feeling that each and every escape route is being carefully crushed.
　I can't think of any reason other than my own personal refusal if I refuse the request in this vein.

...... I understand. But if it turns out to be impossible to restore the site, could you change the conditions to something else?
'Yes, sir. All right then, Master Luke White Wolf. I trust you with the morning of this new world.

　It was a burden that I doubted I would be able to carry even if I were entrusted with it, but I somehow swallowed my weaknesses and shook my head to show my approval.