the act of going down a road trampled down by giants
　In that amount of time the Rays were able to see where the giants were.

"Ah... I see. You won't be able to make any sense of this even if you scout from the sky. It is surrounded by woods and covered with trees."

　Beyond Ray's gaze was what we should call a cave.
　In fact, the entrance is about five meters high and large enough for a giant to enter.
　The width was as large as that of two giants... but there was no doubt that one of them would be able to enter without any problems.
　There were many trees growing around such a cave, which, as Ray said, would not be found in the cave.
　However, it wasn't a deliberate arrangement for the Jaya people to plant trees or something like that, but it was really just a coincidence.
　Still, it was true that the entrance to the cave had been hidden, and Ray had no idea when he was on a set to scout the majors from the sky.
　There was no doubt that it was an uninteresting incident for Ray, even by accident.

"But is it really going on? Because this cave... doesn't look that big?"

　As Vihela says, the rocky mountain itself, with its cave entrance, doesn't look that big.
　Of course, it can be predicted from the outside that if the size of a person is a few people or a dozen people, it will be large enough to hide.
　However, when asked if there were hundreds of giants about three meters tall... or more than a thousand of them, all of them could disappear, the answer was no.
　Rey tries to say something to Vihela's words... suddenly stops moving.
　No, Ray wasn't the only one who stopped moving. There was a slight delay from Ray, but all the others had stopped moving, and were concentrating their attention on... exactly the signs of approaching us from the cave.

"The explanation of that is... wouldn't it be possible to ask him.

　洞窟を見ながら呟くレイの言葉は、当然中にいる者にもしっかりと聞こえたのだろう.
　自分の存在を見破られたことに一瞬躊躇しつつ、それでもすぐに洞窟の中から姿を現す.

「いやぁ、まさかこんなにあっさり見つかるとは. 完全に予想外だったよ」

　そう告げる人物の声を聞き、レイは一瞬疑問に思う.
　どこかで聞き覚えのある声だったからだ.
　それがどこでだったか……そうして思い出すよりも早く、洞窟の中からその人物は姿を現す.
　どこか育ちが良さそうな、そんな男.
　その男の顔を見て、レイはようやくその人物の名前を思い出す.

「リュータス……だったか？」
"Do you know him?"

　Marina asks, judging by Ray's impression that she is probably acquainted with him, but still doesn't seem to be on his side as long as he comes out in a place like this.

"Oh, I'm afraid I don't know you, but I'm sure you know me. You told me before that you had saved a merchant who was attacked by thieves when you came with Seto to scout Mejogo?"
"You said it,"

　Elena muttered, recalling Ray's words.

"But from what I have heard, it must have been a merchant who saved Ray, at least not the sort of person who came out of the Jaya facility."
"Well, thank you very much for your harsh opinion. But don't blame him too much, for I used to hide my identity."
"Were you hiding your identity?" Well, there were a number of guards with me... well, considering I had them, I expected them to be more than just peddlers."

　Lutus makes a light look of surprise to Ray, who tells him as he looks deep into the cave.
　...and make it, not float it.
　The pretension of the bodyguards is probably an expected event for Lutus.

"If you are as powerful a man as me, my bodyguard will be useless. He must be a very powerful man, though."

　The atmosphere is slightly different from that of my previous encounter with Ray.
　However, it was easy for Ray to imagine that he had met Ray by chance before and that he had created a personality in the sense of falsifying his background, and that the character of Lutus now is the real personality.

"Well, I think you're pretty good at it, considering you're in Lavrellina."

　Even if you're good, it's only a small country, Levrellina, after all, and it's not that strong in a big country like the Kingdom of Milliana.
　When Ray says so out of the blue, the bodyguard gives him a murderous air.

(Were you dissatisfied with being underestimated for your ability, or did you want to prevent the damage to the Lutas that you are protecting from... I don't know, but I'm immature.)

　Of course, the Rays are aware of a hidden bodyguard.
　They probably understand it, but it was a thoughtless act to reveal it here.
　Do you understand that kind of interaction or not?
　Lutus opens his mouth without a trace of concern.

"Yes, sir," He's one of the best in the world. and yet, for a notorious adventurer, is that the case?"

　It looked a little shocked, but was it really a shock, or was it just pretending to be like that?
　Ray couldn't tell it either.
　All I know is...

"I never thought I'd admit to being a Jaya so easily. I thought I'd make a little more of a mistake."

　When you hear the word "the best of the jayas," you can tell at once where you belong.
　It was surprising to Ray that the words would come out of Lutus's mouth.

"Well, but I don't you think there's any way to deceive me now that I've met him here?"
"I don't deny it,"

　There was a figure of Lutus in this cave, believed to be the giant's shipping destination.
　So if you say that it has nothing to do with Jaya, it's not very believable.

"But aren't you trying to deceive me? Why did you come out of front? If you were to run away, there would be other hidden passages."
"Oh, are you collecting information? You're more shrewd than I expected. ... well, I'll tell you that this is only a little too late for you to know, but I'm afraid this is the only gateway to the cave. Well, of course, there were a few more before... you know what I mean?"

　Lutus didn't say it until the end and looked at it, but Ray knew immediately what they wanted to say.

"Giant,"
"Correct. The place that continues outside was not the only place where the giant could pass, but even if it was large enough for people to pass, it could easily break down if the giant raged. So there's no other way out there."
"... important information, can I tell you so easily?"

　The information leaked from Lutus's mouth was quite surprising to Ray.
　Of course you can't swallow the information.
　Still, it's an unquestionable fact that it's important information.
　But it's only natural to wonder why they give us such important information.
　Elena, who was stepping back and watching their conversation, felt the same way.
　But Lutus continues with a smile on Ray's words.

"In the first place, we've had such a good hand as Ray. Whatever you try to hide, you'll soon find it. Then you'd better tell me the information you can tell me, and then let me have a go of it after I've been caught?"
"Young!"

　One of the guards hiding behind the rocks in the cave shows up saying such things.
　Surely they didn't expect Lutus to reveal the secrets of their organization so easily.A stern-faced man in his forties or fifties glares at the Reyes and stares sideways at them.

"What are you going to say to these people! You're going to carry Jaya on your back! Be aware of that!"
"That's what I said. Now that the Reys have come this far, I don't think we can do anything more. If I try to fight back here, do you think I can do something about them?"
"That's..."

　The man who spoke to Lutus was also good at reading his opponent's strength, as long as he was on guard.
　It was obvious to him that the Ray's abilities far outweighed themselves and their men.
　If Lutus doesn't leak information here, it's definitely a battle.
　That would have ensured that they would lose.
　Still, as a member of Jaya, I can't simply follow Lutus' words.

"I understand what young and young mean. However, 儂 has grown up in Jaya. That's not acceptable."
"... I suppose,"

　At the man's words, Lutus looked momentarily disappointed.
　But soon the expression disappeared into his usual faint smile.

"So what are you going to do? Do you know that there's nothing you can do about it?"
"I understand that, but... still, 儂..."

　Then the man who cut his tongue draws a dagger from the sheath of his waist and holds it.
　It was a clear antagonism, but it was Ray, not Lutus, whose blade was directed at him.

(That's right)

　Ray was quite relieved about it.
　Lutus is likely to obey them calmly and will give them a lot of details.
　I would like to avoid such a person being targeted if possible.
　I was confident that if I was to be targeted, I would have been able to deal with it at all costs, so this development was something I really hoped for.

"And? What are the others going to do with this man... if you don't want to stop him?"

　They appear one by one, following Ray's words.
　It is obvious to Ray that everyone is better than Jaya's elite.

"There are many people who come with you more than I expected. ...are you not as popular as I expected?"
"Excuse me, though, that I cannot deny it in the light of the present scene."

　In fact, Ray felt about 10 people in total.
　And they stayed with Lutus.
　In other words, eight had given up on Lutus and blocked him.
　It wouldn't have been strange if Lutus lost confidence in his unpopularity.
　There was no doubt that the sweat on Lutus' forehead came from his unpopularity, not from the heat of summer.
　At least that's what Ray sees.

"Well, for the time being... if we can do something about them, we'll get some information,
"Well, I don't think we can talk about anything because of a lot of circumstances.

　Lutus reminds Ray of the man who died the moment he tried to say something in the basement.

"Ah... I see. Do you have that cursed spell?"
「……」

　Ray muttered, but for some reason... yes, Lutus looked dumbfounded at Ray.
　That's the face of an incredible object or person.
　It's a very unusual figure for a rheumatus who usually makes facial expressions and doesn't show any real expressions.

"What's the matter?"

　That's why Ray was suspicious of Lutus and looked at him.

"Let's not underestimate her!"

　Ray, who could not have seen a better gap in front of him, must have hurt his pride.
　With a dagger in his hand, he quickly closes the gap with Ray.
　I have confidence in my skill.
　That was why he was proud to be in charge of guarding Lutus.
　But... I could never forgive Ray for his lack of presence in front of me.
　A step in with such indignation is undoubtedly a step in the heart of a man. There's no doubt about it.
　But... Ray was in front of him, the man's only and biggest miscalculation.