Some time had passed when the bandits on deck were tied up, and the bandits, who, perhaps because they were in the sandboat, were less effective than those on deck, had fought back a blow or two.
　But it was still not evening, so of course I was heading for Ghosh... here came a problem.
　In other words, it doesn't matter if the sandboat is Ray's, but how do you carry it?
　...of course Augusto and Zarroost, who had this problem, knew that Ray had an item box, but by common sense he thought sand serpent would be impossible... Ray touched the sandboat and stored it in a mistling.
　What is an item box like? It was not until I realized it by storing a huge object called a sandboat, but Ray himself spoke without any particular concern.

"Well, shall we go?"
"No, no, I didn't think it would be so easy... wouldn't you normally brag more about item boxes if you have rare magic items?"

　Augusto, asking for a moment, Ray turns his eyes to the bandits, who had just begun to walk in a bind, without a trace of concern.
　Most of them were captured unharmed by the king's coercion, and only those who happened to be in the sandboat were beaten back and injured.
　Of course, just because you get hurt, you don't treat it.
　We didn't have a good personality here to behave like that to the person who attacked us.
　bandits walking in the sand with their ends tied together by ropes and their ends tied to a carriage.
　Just as I took for granted despair on his face, I noticed an invincible smile on the faces of some of the bandits.

(What? Do you think you can run away from this situation? No, you can't move around... You must know that it's impossible because you saw and felt with your eyes what Sett was like.)

　So why? Ray has such a question.

"The Roost".

　As Ray walks on the sand, he calls out to nearby Zarroost.
　Unlike before, Zarroost, riding in a trap, turns to Ray, trying to calm down his fear of Seto.

"What's the matter?"
"Don't you think the bandit is strange?"
"...of bandits?"

　At Ray's words, Zarroost turns to the bandits tied in beads.
　As he walked like this, the effect of the king's coercion that Seto unleashed has already disappeared, and some bandits look frightened at Seto, but some of them have smiles on their lips.

"Oh, don't be there he said. But why do you have such leeway? They should certainly be sold to slave traders at this rate."
"There must be something in it said. -- I'll ask you just in case, that none of your bodyguards are in contact with bandits?"

　No. Ray thought he'd say so, but Zarroost didn't reply immediately and just had a difficult look on his face.
　Then, he breathes and shakes his head slightly.

"I can't say for sure that I'm not there. Especially this time it was a sudden request for a bodyguard. That's why there are newcomers in the group, so I can't deny the possibility that they're in it."

　The faces of those acting as bodyguards pass through Zarroost's mind.
　Those who have been having parties for a long time are excluded, and those who have known each other are withheld. And the most suspicious of all was the newcomers.
　Of course, newcomers are acquainted with Zaroust and understand a certain degree of personality. However, they don't understand their personalities as deeply as party members, nor do they know each other more than they know each other.
　If that happens, the most suspicious thing about the present situation will be the newcomers.
　I didn't want to doubt the newcomer for Zarroost, as he knew me at least a little.

(Still, it is true that he was attacked by bandits.)

　Deserts are so vast that it is not easy for bandits to find targets.
　That's even if you have a sandboat.
　But it's not difficult to turn over one or two new adventurers with the power of the Elema Trading Company, which can lend you a sandboat.

(As long as you do your job in Gorsuch, of course you will know more about Elema's business.) given one's recent power...)

　I couldn't get away with it as long as it was my job, even though I had done the nasty thing of doubting my comrades.

"What do you think we should do? Answer from Ray's point of view."

　Asked for Ray's opinion as a well-intentioned collaborator, Ray opens his mouth, turning his eyes to other horse-carriages.

"Well, it might be dangerous to think that only the bodyguards are betraying them." It is undeniable that there may be some merchants who betray them."
"...I don't really want to think about it,"

　Auguste and his longtime merchants probably didn't want to believe there was a betrayal to Zaroust, if possible.
　But at the same time, I can't deny Ray's words because I know that human beings betray their weaknesses easily.
　Watching Zarroost like that, Ray continues.

"You're arriving in Gorsuch tomorrow, right? At the camp today."
"That's what happens. ... I mean, if you move tonight?"
"There is a possibility. You're going to collect information from the bandits tonight, aren't you?"
"That's what I'm going to do. I would normally like to gather information now, but... moving is my priority."

　Looking at the bandits tied in beads, Zarroost exhales.
　Some predict that they wouldn't speak, but wouldn't give information in front of their peers.
　If you do so, you will find out that you have sold your company.
　The best option was to do something about the psychological barrier, one by one.

(If you hear a lot of people tell a lie, you'll understand it.)

　Some of the bandits look away in horror, perhaps realizing that Zarroost is looking at them.
　Some might be wondering what to do with themselves, but others with smiles might have been trying to keep them from realizing what they thought.

"Anyway, it's only at night that we collect information. Let's concentrate on moving on now. Ray may not understand, but deserts are easy to kill."
"I know. It's not my first time in a desert, either. -- well, it's Dungeon's desert, and I don't think I understand it completely."

　The word dungeon comes out of Ray's mouth and Zarroost looks a little interested.

"Dungeon?" I'd like to go there at least once, but unfortunately there are no dungeons in the Sollein country, of course."
"Dungeon? In a small country like ours, even a dungeon wouldn't make it look like a labyrinthine city." On the contrary, it will be difficult to capture dungeons on your own."

　Should we be happy or sad that we don't have a dungeon in our own country? The response varies from person to person.
　What's to be pleased with is the creation of a very valuable place called the labyrinthine city, where merchants gather for dungeon monsters, magical stones and materials, and at the same time, adventurers gather for dungeon.
　As a result, it will develop economically, and tax revenues as a country will increase significantly.
　What is sad is the danger of dungeons. Monsters can overflow from the dungeon, and the more people gather for the dungeon, the bigger the trouble becomes.
　It was obvious to Ray that August was a better person than the latter, though it was a matter of two extremes... or of two sides.

"Well, it's true that Dungeon has a lot of problems."
"A dungeon doesn't come out right away when you say you want it."

　Auguste replies to Ray's words.
　As we move through the desert talking in that way, the evening sets in, Zarroost speaks to August."Mr. Auguste, I think we should get ready for the camp. It's a little early, but we need to get the information out of the bandits."
"...that's right. Shall we?"

　After a little thought, he nodded to Zarroost and began to prepare for the camp.
　It's common sense that desert nights are cold, and it's not uncommon for them to drop below zero.
　It was hell in a different way compared to what we call a blazing hell in the daytime.
　That's why preparation is so important when camping in the desert.
　like bonfires, meal preparations, tents, etc.
　I can't forget to take care of the coachman.
　Still, there was no doubt that this would be an easier encampment than usual. Because...

"Is it really OK to leave Seto to watch?"

　Ray nods confidently to Zarroost, who asks him to be careful.

"Oh, there's no problem. As you know, Seto is a glyphon. He has five senses much sharper than ordinary people. and if there is any one who will come to the rescue of the bandits that I have caught, don't miss them."

　Ray's words are heard not only by Zarroost but also by others.
　This was intentional, and was a check in case there was a bandit in the merchant force or bodyguard who was connected to a bandit... or a bandit behind a bandit.
　Few people will be able to move, even though Rank A monsters are on guard.
　If any of the bandits had heard Ray's voice, they would have to give up at that point.

"And Ray has his own tent?"
"Oh, I'll do that over here, so don't worry. But Seto doesn't seem to want to leave me very much, so my tent will naturally be near the center of the camp."

　It's only natural that there's a sentinel near the center of the camp. Given Seto's ability, he can act as a watchman wherever he is, but for Augusts and Zarroosts who have just met him today, he cannot be trusted to that extent.
　There were fewer guards than usual, but at least two told Ray that they would keep watch with Sett.
　Still, Ray accepts it rather than complaining.
　I even feel uneasy about Augusto and Zaroust's attitude, wondering if I can trust Seto to that extent.
　But Auguste and Zarroost see with their eyes some of the power of Ray and Sett.
　If Seto had any intention of harming themselves, he could have done it.
　When the camp is ready like that, the next meal will come.
　Usually Ray would have taken his share of the food out of Mistilling and eaten it, but now that he's in the desert... he's in another country, he's tempted to eat the country's own food anyway.
　And what was served was a kind of dish like rice porridge.
　What is a little unusual is that instead of white rice, there is a shredded bread in it, and that milk... was the base of the soup.
　It should have been called a rough man's dish, but it could be said that it is a fairly luxurious dish for adventurers of the world to eat when they are out of town.
　Ray treats the food to Augusts with running daggers.
　Augusts who drank the water were celebrating the taste of the water with even tears.
　For desert dwellers, water is still a special thing... an event that has made Ray realize, and as a result, Ray is treated with ungrateful hospitality by the Augusts.
　Although the bandits who were captured should have been given a minimum amount of food and water, they were given a certain amount of water because they were able to afford it due to the dagger of Ray's running water.
　This was because I felt that if I was too weak, I might be beaten up by slave traders.
　And... the night will soon break.