A large number of guards and adventurers stand out as a matter of course.
　It's winter and cold, and even though there aren't many people going out compared to spring and autumn, there's no shortage of them.
　On the contrary, you have to go out to work and shop... in that sense, it was only natural that you would notice if there were many people on the move.
　And it's only natural for people to ask if they know each other in the group, wondering why they're doing this.

"Oh, hey, Dowl! What are you guys doing.
"Oh... I'm sorry. I have a big job ahead of me, so I can't afford to talk to you. I'll come to your store tonight, so please give me a drink."

　An adventurer called Dowl in his thirties answers to a familiar bar owner.
　The owner still seems to want to hear something, but Daul decides that if he continues to talk, he will be left behind, leaving the owner who still seems to have said something.
　The shopkeeper could understand that there would definitely be a big uproar because they were not dressed to walk around the city, but were well armed with armor and weapons.

"...come back alive! Then I'll treat you to the things you have saved!"

　Daul responds to the shopkeeper's words from behind, waving his hand lightly and moving on.
　There are some people who communicate in similar ways elsewhere.

(Well, it's kind of like a movie... well, it's common in this world.)

　Walking with Seto and Vihela, Ray has this impression.
　In fact, for adventurers who are next door to death, let alone those who work on the frontier of Gilm, fighting for their lives is not uncommon.
　After that, we all move on with a few similar communications... and eventually we get closer to the aristocracy, and there are fewer people around us.
　Some were surprised to hear that the aristocracy was being investigated!? But they were not supposed to say where they were going, so they were not supposed to say that.
　If this had been just a few adventurers, some might have spoken about it.
　However, as long as the guards were with them this time, and the other adventurers were with them, we can't afford to talk so easily.
　Also, in this case, the fact that there are many people who love Gilmoo is great.
　There are many people who don't have that much local love for Gilmoo...but it's not that they don't hate Gilmoo, and there are many close friends in the city.

"Oh, I see you,"

　In the midst of this, Ray muttered, when he saw the aristocracy.
　The Lays, however, are not going straight to the barony, but turn along the way.

"But it's interesting, isn't it? Is it because the royalists and neutrals are betraying us?"
"I don't know. I don't think the expression of authenticity is right, but I'm not the head of the family here. In that sense, it's easier to do it than really attract the aristocrats. ... Besides, it's possible that wealthy merchants are buying it because it's not the aristocratic quarter."

　Nevertheless, Ray, not to mention a merchant, was suspicious of his own words that the aristocrats had betrayed him.
　This is Gilm. The city of Dusker, the leader of the neutral faction.
　Therefore, it is natural that the head of the family is a reliable person, as is the case with aristocrats, and it is natural for the neutralists to know how much Dusker is and how powerful he is.
　It's hard for Ray to believe that he can antagonize such an opponent so easily.
　Moreover, those who have worked as aristocrats will have a stronger sense of fear than Ray.
　Given the circumstances, it was not surprising that this incident was simply the work of the royalists... but it is also true that Ray actually encountered someone related to the royalists in the underground space.
　That's just what the person was saying, though I don't know what it really is.

(A document I found written in code. There were some other clues, so I hope I can trace them from there. ... Well, that clue itself could be a dummy... can't you deny it?)

　In the worst case, the man Ray met and was killed by the tentacles was himself a member of the royal faction, but I don't know how true it is.
　No, I can't deny the possibility that the person actually seemed completely convinced of it, but it was just the person who was convinced of it...

(Well, I don't think it's impossible to say that.)

　When you walk with that thought in mind, it suddenly stops.
　Ray didn't stop because he wanted to, but because the people who were walking in front of him stopped, so did Ray.
　But Ray understood why.
　Because I could see the house that was raided yesterday, and I could see other houses that might be connected from the underground space in the house.

(Considering the size of that underground space, it's safe to assume that it really extends to most of the mansions around here. ... To be honest, I'd like to know how they created such a space. Like topographical manipulation, like that kind of skill... or earth magic?)

　Ray recalls the underground space he went under yesterday, listening to Langa and the guards around him explaining who was heading for which mansion.
　The raid has been told that if they found the underground space yesterday, they should immediately turn back.
　He was also told that if it was impossible to do so, and that he would fight the pink tentacles, he would give top priority not to defeat them but to defend themselves and survive.
　The pink tentacles have already been explained.
　It has a special ability to absorb internal organs, meat, and body fluids just by touching it, even though there are no tusks or mouths.
　But it also means that it's safe if you don't touch the tentacles, and that's why I was told to defend myself.

"Ray, it's our turn."
"Oh, ... set,"
"Gruly!"

　Rey answers Viehra's words briefly and moves forward with Seto.

"I'll get Ray to act with them,"

　What Langa said was one group.
　However, the number of people is clearly smaller than that of the population.
　Langa opens her mouth when Ray has a question about what he means.

"The reason why Ray and his men are so small is to divide the fighting power equally. ... Well, when Ray and his men all come in there, they are definitely the best."

　I nod to Langa's words in agreement with others who have heard her.
　In fact, Ray, Vihela and Seto have enormous military strength.
　But when people ask me if I don't mind a few people... Ray can't nod honestly.

"I understand the military issue, but I don't understand the small number of people. Isn't there not enough manpower to investigate?"

　Of the two and one, especially one. Seto cannot, of course, cooperate in the investigation, and it is difficult to get into the house.
　Ray and Vihela are not used to investigating like guards, though they have no problems with their military capabilities.
　That would naturally increase the burden on the guards.

"I understand that. We have only a limited number of guards available. Of course, we'll send our support when we're done investigating other places."

　Langa also wanted to have more guards and adventurers for the Reys, if possible.
　However, as long as the enemy in front of us seemed to be a strong enemy, it was absolutely necessary to equalize our forces.
　... in fact, it must have something to do with the fact that so many guards want to join the Ray's team.
　If an enemy appears, we believe that Ray and Vihela will not harm us.

"Ray, isn't it okay? You don't have to worry about someone taking over your strong opponent."
"No, it's probably only Vihela who's worried about that. I don't think you'd normally worry about that."
"Oh, really? Well, if Ray says so, I think I'll do it just in case."

　Vichela says so, seemingly completely disbelieving.
　Ray tried to say something back to Vihela, but before that, Langa spoke.

"I'm sorry, but I wonder if you can stop the quarrel. For now, we need to prioritize the investigation first."Vichela, who was called a fickle talker, looked a little happy, but said nothing more.
　Ray, too, remains silent, wondering if they should take time out of themselves.
　Seth looked at them in wonder, wondering what was going on.
　Seeing the two of them, Langa says that the conversation is settled.

"Well, each one of you must go into a coercive investigation! Don't back down, no matter what they say, and whatever authority they use to turn down the coercive investigation. I've got permission from Mr. Dusker, and I'll still be responsible for anything that happens as a captain of the security forces!"

　Langa's words push him on the back, and each of them heads to his assigned mansion.
　In addition, the Ray's were assigned to a mansion next to the one which was raided yesterday.
　...however, the grounds of the residence are quite large, so they are not as close as they are to the neighborhood.
　Such a place was allocated largely because Ray encountered a pink tentacle yesterday.
　Of course, that underground space is likely to be connected to the surrounding residences, but there is still a good reason why everyone disliked the neighboring residences, which were being investigated when they encountered the pink tentacles directly.

"I don't think it's going to change anywhere that leads to that underground space after all."
"Oh, but some of the houses that Ray went into yesterday may not be connected to the underground space. For the owner of the house, it's probably terrible because they're suddenly being raided."
"That's... I suppose,"

　Ray agrees with Viehla's words, but one of the adventurers who was listening to them speaks out.

"And it's a compulsory investigation, so if you're involved in any crime, you might get caught there even if you're not involved in this case."
"Too miserable."

　If it does, there's no doubt that you'll be unlucky.
　It is, however, a case of criminal involvement.
　If nothing had happened, there should have been no problem with being forcibly investigated.

(Well, I understand you don't want to be investigated in the first place.)

　It's not easy, if not impossible, to have a large number of strangers coming into one's estate with or without a crime.

"As a guard, don't have a hard conversation to say,"

　One of the guards listening to the adventurers' conversations, including Ray, says so with a wry smile.
　There was no doubt that it was a topic of confusion for a security guard.

"Oh... I'm sorry. Was your choice of topic inappropriate?"
"Not really, but considering that we are going to start a raid, I hope you don't try to demoralize me if you can. But... I'm going now. I'm waiting for them."

　At the guard's word, Ray turns his eyes to the estate where they are about to conduct a raid.
　Not surprisingly, it's noticeable that guards and adventurers gather not far from the estate.
　Then, if such a thing happened as it should be, the curious would gather, and if there was a gatekeeper in the house, it would have been natural to tighten the guard.
　If it were a small group -- essentially compared to today -- as it was yesterday, then it would be another story.
　Things probably won't go smoothly.
　With this in mind, Ray was going along with the others towards the house of his destination.