The Volcanian Confederacy.
　It is a country in western Latesia that was formed by a group of weak countries.
　It takes the form of a parliamentary system where the representative members meet and talk to each other.

　Not only humans, but also many sub-humans live in this city.
　The United Nations is an unusual form of country that excludes sub-humans, as there are many countries that exclude them.
　However, the demon race will not be accepted by the stone, though.

Don't take off that bracelet in front of people.
I know. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to keep your magic in check.

　Currently, Elfie has a magic item called the "bracelet in disguise" attached to his arm.
　It is a bracelet with the effect of disguising a demon's magical power as a human one.
　It was in Elfie's head, and I had him put it on before he entered the United Kingdom.

　Thus, after hiding Elfi's identity, I stepped into the confederacy.

''Even so, it's such a vibrant country that it's hard to believe there's a labyrinth nearby.

　Seeing the number of people walking within the city, Elfie muttered to himself.

　This is a large city at the foot of the volcano that contains the Purgatory Labyrinth.
　It is called 'Hot Spring City' because hot springs often come out when you dig, and so on.
　It is said that many people visit the city for its hot springs.

　In addition, there is a union here called the "Adventurers' Guild".
　The reason for this is that skilled adventurers gather from all over the world to register as adventurers.

''I came here once thirty years ago, but it wasn't this lively,''

　Over the course of thirty years, the population must have grown.
　I came to this city once with a group of friends to take a break from traveling.
　The landscape of the city has changed so much that there's not even a trace of it anymore, though.　

----

　As I remember the false peace, I think about what I need to do.

　In this city, there are two things I must do.

　The first is to capture the Purgatory Labyrinth and obtain the Labyrinth Nucleus.
　The second is to search for the traitor and take revenge.

　I've already told Elfie that there's a revenge target in this city.
　If we use her magical eye, it will be a little easier to detect them.

　First, let's prepare what we need to do in order to accomplish our goal.

◆

　Beyond the tourist stalls, we came to a section where adventurers gathered.
　Armor shops, blacksmiths and item shops are lined up.

　The reason we came here is to prepare our equipment.
　Aside from Elfie, I need to prepare the best armor possible to make up for my current weakness.

　Since I have a superb material, the Demon Crystal of the Earth Demon General, I want to use it to make weapons.
　That's why we have a blacksmith for us.

　There was a large shop in it that dealt with three things: weapons, armor and blacksmithing.
　According to the signage, they also sell parts of demons and magic stones for cash.

　When you open the door, the bell that was attached to it makes a clanging sound.
　As soon as you enter, weapons and armor were lined up in a cramped space.
　There is a counter a little further on, and at the far end is a room that seems to be for blacksmithing.
　It seems to be a soundproof door, so you can't hear the noise inside.

''Welcome meow!''

　A clerk wearing a uniform came out of the back door with great vigor.
　It's a good idea to have an ear that seems to belong to a cat on its head, and it sways squishy with each run.
　It seems to be a clerk of the "cat race" (warcat).

　We came to the counter at the urging of the clerk.

We would like to ask you to do some blacksmithing. We need you to make a sword from the materials we brought with us, will it be OK?
Well, then I'd like to see the material.
Elfie, get me out of here.

　In the end, the magic crystals and other items are tucked away in Elfi's head.
　It's because I was able to store more in this guy's head than in my pouch.

''I understand,''
''Meow!''

　Elfie sticks his arms in his head and piles the material stripped from the earthen general on the counter with a thud.
　The shopkeeper's ears are pinned up in surprise at the shocking picture plane.
　I'm sorry.

''Nya, well then, we'll have to wait a while.

　After checking the material, the clerk dropped back towards the back door with a twitching expression on his face.

'...... something, I think he looked at me like I was a monster.
I'm not surprised.
"I don't understand." ......

　While exchanging such an exchange, a different clerk came out of the door.
　A dour-looking old man with a gray-haired head, wearing blacksmithing goggles.

"So it's the material for the rock cave dragon (Earth Dragon)?

　The old man looked at the material on the counter and gave it a shot.

'You asked for a sword. That's good. I'll have it made in a few days.

　Then he was asked about his weight, height, and stance, which he answered.
　All the while, Elfie was sticky on the shields and swords on display, and the old man was yelling at him.

'Nyammer. Go buy some of the materials on here. You'll need it to strike your sword.
Roger that.

　That clerk is called Nyammer, apparently.
　He took the note given to him by the old man and left the store.

"You're probably here to defeat the maze anyway. I'll be there in time for that day.

　After saying that, the old man went back to the back door.
　He must have a craftsman's nature.
　It's the best way to get the most out of a dwarven blacksmith.

I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what that ...... human being is. You're an arrogant bastard!
You don't say that, you do!

　Anyway, the request for the weapon is done.
　Until the sword is complete, we can use the sword we stole from the treasure room.
　It's also a good enough piece of work.

　He left the blacksmith's shop and went out into the street.
　As usual, the street was crowded with people.

''We'll head to the Adventurer's Guild next.
Didn't you have to sign up for the Adventurer's Registry?
Yeah. To get into the maze, you need to become an adventurer.

　In order to protect the safety of ordinary people, only adventurers are allowed to enter the Purgatory Labyrinth.
　Normally, a ward is set up and there seems to be guards on duty.

　I have researched the situation in this area in the kingdom's archives.
　The restrictions on access to the labyrinth were more vague thirty years ago.

''...... And if it's a guild that attracts a lot of people, it would be easier to gather information about that man.
I see.

　We made our way through the crowded streets in the direction of the Adventurer's Guild.
　One of the reasons why there are so many people is that there are stalls spread out along the side of the road for tourists.

'To become an adventurer, you have to take a test. I'm sure you can afford it, but you'll have to brace yourself for some.
Stop, Iori.

　At that moment, Elfie suddenly stopped in his tracks.
　Then he blocks my path with his left hand.

'...... What's up?'

　I ask Elfie, keeping my voice down.
　'Don't tell me you've found something about a traitor?

"What, you don't know who's a hero?
...... What?
...explore your senses.

　I was confused, but Elfi told me to bash it out of my mind.
　Her eyes are not very serious, and I could even see the heart of the ever-present battlefield.
　I follow Elfi's gaze.

　There was a group of men lined up near a stall.
　They seemed to be adventurers, and they wore equipment of such a high quality that it was easy to recognize them at a glance.
　They were spreading a pinched and taut atmosphere.

　It's a peaceful city, but they seem to have a good amount of talent.
　Did Elfi react to that?

'They're strong. They won't stop gluing my sight and sense of smell to them.
"......, smell?

　Is it some kind of miscommunication?
　The moment he twisted his neck, Elfi grinned.

''Ah, the famous 'volcanic roast' which is a specialty of the Confederacy. It's an intriguing dish. ...... There's no shortage of it for them.

　Oh ...... you're talking about the food.

　You're not an adventurer, you're looking at the stalls in the back.
　I felt weakness and slumped my shoulders.
　Seeing me like that, Elfi's face becomes puzzled.

What's that look, Iori? It's a juicy steak and fresh vegetables cooked on a volcanic stone, a specialty that can only be found in this confederation.　Only in the United Kingdom can you find the best cuisine.
I told you to be careful. Where's the bite?

　Come to think of it, this guy was fussing about 'making three meals a day' in the labyrinth and 'calling the chef' in the forest.
　Maybe he's a fussy eater.

Well, that's no problem. We'll go to a stall and get a bite to eat...
No.

　He grabbed Elfi's clothes and stopped her.
　She gave him a resentful look.
　This guy .......

　It's complicated to think that I've fought to the death with ...... such a guy.

　I dragged Elfie, who was reluctant to go to the stall, to the Adventurer's Guild.