At that time, kingdoms, empires, and other nations had formed an alliance and were at war with the Demon King's army.
　At that time, the werewolf species (werewolves) were on the side of the humans.

　When they had defeated three of the Four Heavenly Kings and broken through the final labyrinth.

　It was when they were fighting against the army led by the Four Heavenly Kings, the Demon King's Army, "Senhen".
　Our party was lodging in the Werewolf stronghold.

　I was trapped by one of the werewolf species.

　"We're going to be the first to have a chance to see what's going on.
　I shattered the warding with Spell Divouer and held the werewolf down with my sluggish body, and then the werewolf tried to take me alive.
　And I asked him why he had done this.

He said, "My life is in the hands of the magic controlled by Senhenhen. I was ordered to take you alive if you want to be saved.

　I can't die here to protect my werewolf species (werewolves).
　That's why he wanted to take me alive," said the werewolf species who called himself Merwin Johannes.

　So said the werewolf species who called himself Merwin Johannes.

　"The Thousand Variations was a demon race that used various magic techniques and especially liked to use and humiliate people.
　This time too, they were using Merwin to try to kill me.

　As a result, I pretended to be captured by Merwin and approached Senhen and successfully defeated him with my friends.
　We were able to win the war with no casualties.

　That's why I forgave Merwin.
　"You were being used by a thousand different people, so you're not guilty.
　I put away Merwin's betrayal of my life by sacrificing me so that he could live, and pretend that he was able to defeat Senshenka through his quick thinking.

I'm not going to be able to say that I owe you guys a debt of gratitude for saving my life. I will never forget the debt of gratitude I owe you guys for saving my life.

　I shed a tear and Merwin told me.
　He told me that he would help you in any way he could and that he would help you.

　Just before we rode into the Demon King's Castle, we were outnumbered by demons and demonkind.
　We were outnumbered by a large number of monsters and demons, and Merwin's werewolf army supported us.
　That's when Merwin said, "You're the one who saved me.

I am here to repay the debt of gratitude for your help. Let's end the war and build the world in peace that you have always wanted.

　I know what he really meant when he said that in The Golden Sword of Exploration.

''If the demon king, the brave, and the interferer disappear at the same time, there's nothing to say.''

　And.

"I can't settle down with Amatsu around,

　And.
　Liuzas and the others didn't seem to understand the meaning of these words, but I did.
　He wanted to hide the fact that he had betrayed them.

　For helping the Demon King's army defeat a thousand changes, that man was treated as a hero by the werewolf species.
　He wanted to eliminate me as a potential threat to his position.

　He had never felt any debt of gratitude in the first place.
　That's all.

　I must have felt like a hero in an RPG.
　In the final battle, the people who had helped me up to that point were going to help me.
　I felt selfishly rewarded by this development, knowing that all I had done was not in vain.

　Nonsense.

　Now I truly believe that.


◆

"My people have been a nuisance to you.

　After making the werewolf species lower themselves, Merwin bowed his head towards me and Nyammer.
　This seemingly sincere attitude made the onlookers admire Merwin for being a "done man".
　From this attitude, it seems that they are more trusting of Merwin personally rather than the werewolf breed being special.

'They have experienced discrimination in the past because they are a werewolf breed (werewolves). That's probably why they're over-sensitive. I will remind them well, so will you please forgive them?

　In a polite and apologetic tone, Merwin said so.
　The onlookers continue to look at me accusingly, "How dare you make me apologize to Merwin-sama," they said.

''Ha, yes nya ....... I understand, Nya.
Thank you.

　With a smirk, Merwyn thanked me.
　Then, he glanced at me as well.

''I'm sorry for the inconvenience you've caused, as well. Thank you for stopping my men.''

　He apologized and then approached us with a smiling smile.
　And right after I thanked him again.

　He put his face close to my ear.

Don't think you can make it in this town against us.

　'Bosori,'
　Merwin whispered at a volume that only I could hear.

"----,

　I'm not surprised.
　Yeah, I knew it.
　It's in your nature.

'Well then, ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the disturbance. We'd better be off.

　With that, Merwin left with the werewolf species in tow.

...... Are you okay?
'Yes, yes nya. Thank you for helping me out, Meow.

　He hasn't been injured, nor does he seem to have been deprived of money for his errands.
　Now we'll be able to go and buy the materials to make the sword, securely.

''...... Iori. Was that it?
'Yeah.'

　One of the reasons I came to this city is that guy.
　But I didn't expect to suddenly encounter him in a city like this.
　I'm glad I didn't have to search for him.

'I had a twinge of fear for that moment that you were going to kill that man.
I've been thinking about that, too. I won't be able to get over the fact that I just killed him. And if I kill him in public, I won't be in the maze.

　I suppress my gut churning with the future battering of my gut.
　Because that guy won't be the only one I want revenge on.

...... Nyammer!

　At that moment, a woman with a severely panicked expression rushed over to me.
　It's a woman of the cat race (warcat) with an eye patch over her right eye.

"That warcat is...

　I met her at the guild yesterday, an adventurer named Misha.

''...... lady!''

　Nyammer hugs Misha as she runs up to him.

"I heard you were tangled up with a werewolf species and I ran over, are you hurt?　Are you okay?
'I'm fine Nya ...... the guy over there helped me out.'

　It was only then that Misha seemed to notice my presence.
　I let go of Nyammer and the woman bowed her head.

'You guys helped me ....... My sister took care of me. Thank you so much.
No. ...... Don't worry about it.

　I was only helping myself.
　Besides, you just saved me from being tangled up in a werewolf species yesterday.

"...... I'd like to thank you, for now, if you don't mind. Can we move on?

　There are still a few onlookers left around.
　It's not a good idea to have a conversation while being watched, so we decided to move out of the way.


◆

　Afterwards, we went into a nearby restaurant and talked.
　Apparently, Misha is a sister to Nyammer.

　In the course of our conversation, I asked Misha about Merwin.

I haven't been in town that long...

　With that preamble, Misha began to speak.

　Once, a few years ago, demons flooded out of the labyrinth and the hot spring city was in danger.
　At that time, a squad of werewolf species led by Merwin had apparently saved the humans.
　Since then, they have been living in the Confederation.

　For that one incident, Merwin is said to be considered a hero.

　That's what I read in the library.
　So I was convinced that Merwin was in town.

"And isn't there more than just humans in this town?　That's what I'm talking about. That's why sometimes there are differences in customs and such.

　When trouble got out of hand, Merwyn seemed to step in and quell it.
　It seems that many of the werewolf species that have flowed into the city have also been rough, but Merwyn has controlled that as well.
　For that reason, Merwin is appreciated by those in this city.

　Because of that, it seems that there is an unspoken understanding in this city that Merwin, and more importantly, that he should not mess with the werewolf species.

"It may seem like a good guy when you hear all this, but ...... the werewolf breeds use Merwin's power as a good thing to spread their reach throughout the city.

　Not only does Merwyn have the respect of the people, but he also has connections with many different people.
　He has connections with the leaders of the Adventurer's Guild, the President of the Allied Parliament, and so on, so it seems that unless there's a good reason for the incident, it will be rubbed out, even if it happens.

''Is that why the guards didn't show up after all those people had gathered?
Yeah. When it comes to werewolf species, the guards don't work. If they do move, it's the other side that gets caught.

　I see.
　So the adventurers had a taboo on talking about the werewolf species.

I'm sorry for the trouble you two have caused. If you ever need help, just talk to me. I can help you.
......, yes.

　You're a force to be reckoned with. ......?

　After replying vaguely, we parted on the spot.

◆

　Then he returned to the inn.

　I sit down on the bed and exhale.

'A werewolf species called Merwin, he seems to be a pretty nasty opponent too.
I don't care. We'll just hunt them down and kill them.

　However, I'm not going to do anything about it right away.
　I'll analyze that guy's behavior and attack him in a place where he's not seen.
　If possible, it would be nice if we could have a jickier 'conversation' in a place where there are no people like the labyrinth.

...... more than that.

　He turns a jittery look at Elfie, who is sitting next to him.

'Don't eat in bed. If you're going to eat, go to your room.

　Even though we took a room for two, Elfi was in my room.
　He was munching on some hot spring buns that Elfi had bought on the way to my room.
　They're steam-boiled buns, which look like Earth buns.
　On the way to the inn, they bought a lot of them.

It's too much trouble to move. Here, I'll give you one to eat.
...... huh?

　Ever since we left the labyrinth, we've been camping out in the field, and our bodies are getting tired.
　For now, I need to eat well and get in shape.

　I let out a sigh and accept a manjuu from Elfi.

''It's still good to have a meal with someone else.

　And so we ate mocucco and hot spring buns on the bed.