The store that went up in flames was soon extinguished by water magic.
　Guards and adventurers who could use water magic immediately after the blaze rushed to the scene, causing almost no damage to the area.
　However, the store was completely destroyed by fire.
　Even the items inside had been uprooted and burned to the ground.

　It turned out that the cause of the store catching fire was due to flaming magic.
　It seems that the flames were shot into the store and caused it to go up in flames.
　It was obvious, but it was a man-made fire.

　Definitely Merwin's handiwork.

　Fortunately, Nyammer and Zoortz were safe.
　They are now in the spa city hospital.

　It seems that Zoortz covered up for him, and Nyammer seemed to be slightly injured and didn't leave a mark.
　However, Zoortz was not so lucky.

　When he covered for Nyammer, he received a large burn when he covered for her.
　He was told that even if he used the healing magic, he might be left with an after-effect.
　If you show it to a senior healing magician, you might be able to heal it, but the girls don't seem to have the time to do so now that they've lost their home.

　Nyammer regained consciousness in sickbay, but was admitted to the hospital as a precaution.
　Zoortz still hasn't woken up.

　After they were taken to the hospital.
　We headed to the hospital to make sure the shop's cleanup was done for the moment.

　After calling out to Nyammer, we walked into the room where Zsoltz was hospitalized.
　Misha was sitting in a chair beside Zsoltz, who was asleep in his bed.

'I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you. ......
Hmm. It's really not that big of a deal.
'Elfi is right. Don't worry about it.

　Misha's expression is dark.
　It didn't have the rusty atmosphere of a few hours ago, and now it was lifeless, as if it was possessed by the Grim Reaper.

　Without looking at us, Misha said in a trembling voice.

''...... While the two of you were gone, Merwin came to this room.

　''I'm sorry to bother you, Misha-san,'' it seems that Merwin, with a bouquet of flowers in his arms and multiple werewolf species (werewolves) in tow, has visited this room.
　Seeing Zsoltz, who was still unconscious, Merwyn made a deliberately pained expression.

It's a very unfortunate accident, isn't it? I'm sorry for your loss. I don't know who did it, but I hear that witchcraft was unleashed on your store?　Very sorry to hear that. However, the owner of the ...... store, Mr. Zoltz, or one of the staff members who spend time there, did something to cause someone to resent him or her?

　He said so.
　Misha's mind went blank and he was hitting Merwin.
　However, it seems that he was twisted down by the werewolf species (werewolf) that was waiting behind him.

''Oh, scary. If you're quick like that, someone might hold a grudge against you?　This time, it might not be more than a burn, right?

　After saying that, Merwin left.

　In short, this is a threat.
　Misha frequently clashed with the werewolf species.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get away with it if you're going to pounce on me any longer, that's what Merwin came to say.

　Even though there was so much fire, the reason there was almost no damage to the surrounding area could be because Merwin had taken care of it beforehand.

It's a good thing that you're not a fan of this kind of thing," said ...... old man, who picked up me and my friends when they didn't know what to do with their right or left.
　When I was about to collapse from hunger, he fed us.
　He gave us a bath and some clothes.
　They even gave us jobs because they didn't have any workers.

　Misha speaks with a pouting look on her face.
　How grateful they are to Zoelz for helping them and how grateful they are.

'I was ...... thinking that I had to return the favor. If you don't like the fact that I'm poking at you, then you should just go directly to me ......!　Why is Nyanmell and Grandpa involved in ......

　Misha wailed as she slammed her fist on the desk.
　Her eyes were faintly dark, yet they only glittered and shone.
　After a while, Misha breathed wildly on her shoulder and covered her face with her palms.

'I'm sorry, I'm distraught. I'm sorry you had to come all this way, but I'm ...... going to have to ask you to leave today.
...... Got it. Let's go, Elfi.

　He is about to leave the hospital room with Elfi.
　Before the entrance door closes.

"You must be Misha.

　Elfie turned back to sickbay.

'Don't misjudge what you should be doing. There are probably some people left in your life that you care about and want to protect. Then keep an eye on them.

　As soon as he said that, the door closed with a sound.

'...... revenge, etc., only those who have lost everything.

　It was impossible to tell through the door if the muttering had reached Misha's ears.

'Shall we go?'
Yeah.

　First of all, let's clean up the trash that has been following us around.

◆



　The sun is setting and night is coming to the spa city.
　Streetlights here and there illuminate the city to the point of dazzling.
　But even so, there are places that cannot be illuminated fully.

　Take the back streets, for example.
　Back streets, where there are no streetlights, are covered in the darkness of night.

　Maybe it's because of the fire, but there are few people on the streets tonight.
　The back streets were a perfect circle of people.

''Hee, hee.''

　In the midst of such darkness, Gordon collapsed to the ground.
　It's impossible, his clenched throat screamed.
　This is how easily they could get themselves killed, etc. ----.

　Today, there was one instruction given by Merwin.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

　The only thing left to do is to follow them, along with their friends, and monitor their movements.
　Stupid humans can't see the tail of a werewolf species (werewolves) that is skilled at hunting.
　So it was supposed to be an easy mission, as usual.

　By Merwin, the shop of that cocky cat race (warcat) was gone.
　The guys inside got hurt too, and Gordon couldn't stop laughing at Misha's crying at the sight of it.
　I wanted to directly mock her for defying us and telling her that's what happens when she defies us.

　In such a good mood, we went on with the instructions given to us by Merwin.
　Until the middle of the day, there was no problem.
　But after the two of them walked into the back street, everything broke down.

　A black-haired boy and a silver-haired girl.
　The friends who had followed them into the back street had lost contact with them.
　It was a mistake to go there to check on them.

　As soon as he stepped inside, Gordon was stitched to the ground by a flying sword.
　The intense pain made it impossible for him to understand the situation.
　The next moment, he thought he saw the red lotus light and his friends all prostrated themselves on the ground at once.

''Hm, you caught it easily.''

　The silver-haired girl's eyes have been glowing red for some time now.
　By the time they realized it was the Demon Eye, none of them were able to move.

''Don't scream. If you shout, consider yourself lifeless.''

　Another voice.
　A boy appeared, as if he had been blocking out signs before, or as if he was coming out of the darkness.

'You said Gordon or something,'

　The boy looks down at Gordon with the stab of his sword and asks him that.
　Gordon can only nod, unable to speak.

'Was it Merwin who was following us?'

　He asks in a low voice.
　There was no way he could answer, "Yes," and when he was silent--

''Guh, gaaaah!''

　The flesh was gouged out by the sword stuck in his leg.　
　The moment he screamed, his mouth was suppressed and he couldn't even call for help.

''I'll ask you one more time. Did Merwin tell you to do this?
''Hee. Yes, that's right!　Merwin sent us!
Why did Merwin send us to follow you?
I don't know!　We were just following orders!

　This was true.
　The only thing Gordon was instructed to do was to watch.
　He hadn't even been told why.

'I see. Where's Merwin now?
Hi, mansion. I think he's at the house.
"There you go. ......

　The boy muttered softly and pulled his sword from Gordon's leg.
　He almost screamed at the violent action.

'Well, let's ask you one last question, then. Did you guys burn down Misha's shop?''

　His voice was devoid of emotion.
　I felt no anger, no sadness.
　Hence, I didn't know what he was thinking and it was terrifying.

'Oh, oh ....... And, but it wasn't us who burned it!　It was someone else who did it, under Mr. Merwin's direction!

　I can see my companions on the ground glaring at me.
　But it can't be helped.
　They have been pierced through the legs.
　You can't run away or disobey.
　It's better to speak honestly than to be killed.

　Gordon's expression froze the next moment as he thought that.

''It's done. Elfi, turn it off.
!　!

　The werewolf species other than Gordon also asked as if they were frightened.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

'You don't see those guys who came after us earlier, do you?　What do you think happened to those guys?

　With those words, Gordon looked around the alley and found them.
　He noticed a charcoal-like stain on the ground.
　I thought it was dirt.
　But that couldn't be--

You're going to have to find out for yourself what the answer is.

　The next moment, a flash of red lotus blinked.


◆

That's all they've been after. No sign of the perimeter.
Yes, sir.

　The back streets are empty.
　It's just charcoal strewn to ashes.

　I want revenge, not murder.
　But still, I won't tolerate them if they get in my way, and I have no reason to show mercy to them.

　So, for now, we're done cleaning up the people who were following us.

　The rest.

We just need to get rid of the big book of trash.

　Under the cover of darkness, we made our way to Merwin's mansion.