(I see. So that's what caused the Si sisters to be caught so easily.)

Hinori's eyes narrowed as she felt her magic power slipping away in front of the sphere that Larsen brought out - the "sucker's gem".

The amount of flowing out is enough to disable a senior spirit, and there is no doubt that it also affects Hinori herself, who is a spirit animal.

In fact, the wall of flames she had just created was also weakening in momentum.

(That... probably a magical tool. Even me, who has a resonance (link) with Virum, has been affected... If that thing is out in the world, all the spirits in the world might be hunted down.)

Probably a magic tool that has the ability to take away the magic power of spirits.

Hinori, who frowns at the danger of this, receives a telepathic message from Virum.

("Hinori sister? The amount of magic power flowing over there seems to have increased all at once, are you okay?")

("Yes, I'm fine. More importantly, I found out what caused the Si sisters to be caught. Wyrm, break the crystal-like sphere that emits a lot of light. It's a dangerous object that could be a fatal weakness for us spirits. It's not like this one has it and the main unit doesn't, so it must be there.'')

("Okay. Tell my sister Dear.... Tsk! Hinori is right. Sister Dear's magic power is starting to dwindle too!")

''I knew it... There are a lot of enemies over there, so be careful. I'll contact you again if anything happens.'')

("Take care of your sister Hinori, too.")

A small smile appears on Hinori's face as she finishes her telepathic story, feeling the kindness of her brother's concern for her.

''Alright, the fire has lessened! Now's your chance! Capture that spirit animal!

Hinori was silent because of her thoughts and telegraphy, but from the edge, it would appear that she was unable to move due to the effects of the "sucker's gem".

Prompted by Larsen's voice, the adventurers and mercenaries rushed towards Hinori.

(...Licked, right?)

Hinori, whose eyes became cold and indifferent in contrast to those of earlier, flapped her own wings wide and flew.

''Can you still move...? Use binding magic! We will not let you go.

Don't get me wrong. You don't have to run from your people.

Hinori moved directly above Larsen and the others, creating a number of flames that surrounded them.

Those who panicked at their situation unleashed water-attribute magic, but almost all of it evaporated before they could touch her.

'Burn up. Blaze Feather Rain.

With the flames produced as a starting point, countless red feathers descend on Larsen and the others.

''Defensive magic deployment!''

Several layers of dome-shaped barriers were deployed to catch the blaze feathers falling like rain, but they were unable to withstand the impact, and they shattered one after another like broken glass.

Only one or two unfolded barriers remained at the point where the smoke of the explosion had cleared, and their faces, which had been prevented at a crucial point, had turned blue.

(.........Can't even penetrate defensive magic of this level? The output is quite low after all. Well, it looks like I can do it if I shoot into them a few times.)

Once again, just as before, super-hot flames were created around Hinori, surrounding Larsen and the others, and just as the flaming wings were about to be ejected - ━━━

"Wait for me, Lord Hinori!

A half-elven man wearing robes that are recognizable at first glance as high-class goods, probably flying by the magic of flight ──-Shazar appeared.

Hinori was surprised by the unexpected appearance of the person, but she immediately fished her eyes out sharply and turned the brunt of it to Shazar.

It's Shazar, right? What the hell is that imitation? If you don't have a reason to... take it as a hostile act against us.

I understand your suspicions. I swear to you that I have no desire to antagonize Master Hinori or Mr. Virum.

Then why are you interrupting me?

If you give the wrong answer here, you will be killed.

That's what the murderous atmosphere that made me think so was scattered indiscriminately to the surroundings.

Its influence seems to have spread to the adventurers and mercenaries as well, and no one seems to be making any suspicious moves.

''There is no doubt that these men tried to harm Hinori-sama. But the Adventurer's Guild is in a great deal of pain to lose so many adventurers. Therefore, please leave the disposal of Larsen and the adventurers and mercenaries who followed him to me.

'Isn't that what you're saying? What good are we going to do if we miss the invaders now?

We'll be looking at those...

Hinori's eyes narrowed even more after hearing the convenient Shazar's argument, but when he looked through the paper Shazar handed him with some kind of workmanship, he turned around and let out a deep sigh.

'It seems to be the real thing...fine. That is, if you can manage it. If you can't, you know what I mean?''

Of course, sir. Thank you for your generosity.

Shazar slowly descends after bowing deeply to Hinori.

A murmur spreads among the adventurers as his face is clearly visible.

''Oh, hey, that's Farren's guild master, right?''

Why is Mr. Shazar here...?

No, that's not the point. Didn't you just talk to that genie?

With their turmoil elsewhere, Shazar, who had dropped in altitude, looked at Larsen and the others and began to speak in a matter-of-fact tone.

''To all those present here now, I tell you. Guildmaster Larsen of the Rastafarian Adventurers Guild is to be stripped of his position! Therefore, the request from the Rastafarian Empress is null and void. Put your weapons away at once!

・・・・・・

Larsen reacted with a twitch to Shazar's words, and he wasn't astonished, upset, or angered by the punishment that was suddenly announced, but simply looked at the owner of the voice.

'Larsen. You claimed to be 'commissioned' by your country to gather a group of adventurers and mercenaries, but you haven't followed due process, have you? We are obligated to report any request from the state to the Adventurer's Guild Association in advance, but when I inquired about it, the report hadn't been raised. This is not only a violation of the association's rules, but also a private use of power.

''...Hmm, it's a miscommunication by the guild staff. It's true that it's my fault, but isn't it a bit rough to dismiss me out of hand? Shazar.

Looking at Larsen, who refutes it in a nonchalant manner without seeming to be unnaturally impatient, it seems like there really isn't anything to be sorry about.

''Certainly, if it were originally a matter that should be decided after an investigation into yourself and Rastabel's adventurer's guild. But...''

Returning with a small smile at Larsen, who showed not a shred of agitation, Shazar said the reason why the Adventurer's Guild Association was the deciding factor in the punishment.

''You have been in the know with the Rastafarian Empress. We also found signs that you were providing confidential information within the guild and diverting certain tools and materials, as well as hiding information to prevent the association from knowing about it. I think the association's decision to overthrow it is, don't you?

・・・・・・

The fact that it was determined with certainty instead of being questioned made even Larsen's eyes narrow and he fell silent.

Larsen was silent for a while, but when he suppressed his mouth with one hand, his shoulders shook and he began to laugh.

Shazar. I figured I could fool you for a while longer, but I think I misread you a bit.

'If you're convinced, would you mind catching me quietly and answering my questions?

Hm. Do you think I'm just going to surrender to you?

Shazar, who deliberately shrugged his shoulders against Larsen, who held his great sword with a provocative smile, picked up the staff he was carrying.

'I don't think. That's why I came. I didn't stop Hinori-sama and I didn't save her. If I left it to Hinori-sama, he would be extinguished before I could extract information from you.