"And the tentacles that were reported... are they best to be knocked down after all right.

　Langa nods gravely to Dusker's words.

"That's the case with all the information we've gathered, but it's also true that the location is not very good."
"Why don't you just leave it to Ray, who was fighting yesterday?"

　It was one of the knights in the conference who interrupted Langa's words.
　It is true that Ray and Vihela, both of whom have great powers as individuals, were battling tentacles in the underground space and, as far as reading the reports submitted, were dominant.
　That being the case, if we didn't stop the fight as of yesterday, and if we left it to them, they would have knocked down the tentacles, and we wouldn't have to worry about it.
　It was a knight who told me so, but another knight refuted it.

"That being said, there was little information about the tentacles at the time. We got some information from the captors, and that's when we finally found out a certain extent of the situation. That's what we call force majeure."
"And... it's Ray. Let him fight the tentacles in the underground space to his heart's content. It's no surprise that the underground space will collapse and the whole area will be engulfed in flames."
"Well, I don't think it would be a problem if it were all about that area, but if the damage had been inflicted on the aristocratic streets, it would be fair to say that the judgment of Lord Langa was appropriate."

　Called Ray, the first thing that comes to mind is the magic of annihilation by a tornado of flames.
　Some of the people here saw it directly with their own eyes during the war with the Empire of Bestia, which makes me think so.
　In fact, Ray can use many other magic tricks besides wide-area annihilation magic, and he has plenty of personal battles.
　However, it is only natural that the impression of the scene directly seen by our own eyes will remain strong.
　Some people did not participate in the war for some reason -- the defense of Gillum, etc. -- but there is no doubt about the appearance of their comrades.
　That's because Ray has done so much.
　...the evidence would be the dismantling of the Giant Turtle, which is now taking place right next to Gillum.
　Of course, Giant Turtle didn't beat Ray alone, but it's undoubtedly true that Ray played a major role.
　That being the case, there is no one here to doubt Ray's ability.

"I'll get back to you,"

　Dusker's words stop the chat.
　After a sip of tea on the table, Dusker reopens.

"In this case, is it still a place of question? It hurts too much to be near the barony. ... Langa, can you call the tentacles that come out of that underground space somewhere else... ...well, if possible, away from Gilm? If the other person comes out of a crack in the space, it seems that you can do that."

　At Dusker's words, Langa shakes her head with a difficult expression.

"Is that difficult? No, it may be possible to do that over time, but until it is completed, we need to sacrifice our tentacles endlessly and have them quiet."
"...how much time do you specifically need?"

　When Dusker says it takes time, he asks after a moment of thought.
　a low, low, low voice
　That's the kind of voice that sounds from the bottom of the earth.
　The voice contained a strong will to be the lord of Gilm.
　Langa opens her mouth, pressed by Dusker's voice.

"I can't say for sure how long. Not many people have information about the tentacles. I caught a man named Javis, who was in charge of this case, but he doesn't seem to know that much about magic."
"I suppose,"

　The report is also read by Dusker.
　According to it, the man, Javis, was a fighter and didn't seem to know much about magic.
　There may be some magical fighters in the world, but if you don't see them firsthand, Javis doesn't look like that type.
　That being the case, I could hear from Javis about the general circumstances and what, but I could not know how to stop him from calling the tentacles or break the contract.
　If so, there are not many measures to be taken.

"How many criminals are there now?"

　No one here can understand the meaning of a word that comes out of Dusker's mouth.
　What it means is... sacrifice.
　In order to keep the tentacles from raging, they must sacrifice themselves as a matter of course.
　In Dusker's capacity, it is not natural to sacrifice innocent people.
　But what happens if it's a guilty person?
　That would be a matter of course.
　A criminal, who is certain to be executed rather than a minor offense, has no problem.
　This seemed heartless, but in a sense it was only natural, given Dusker's position as lord of Gilm.
　and whether it's good or bad...

"There are about thirty people who need to be executed now."

　Yes, because Gilm is a remote area, it is easy to obtain very rare materials and magical stones, and at the same time, there are many high-ranking adventurers, and if crimes occur naturally, crimes often become serious.
　As a result, there is an unthinkable abundance of criminals who are certain to be executed.
　The use of such criminals as sacrifices against the tentacles is not a matter for Dusker to hesitate. … Regardless of his inner feelings.

"Well, and how many sacrifices do you need a day?"
"I'll look into it later and let you know as soon as possible."
"Yes, do it,"
"Dasker,"

　Dusker, who was talking to Langa, suddenly calls out to him.
　Looking to the voice, I saw one of the men in charge of domestic affairs.
　The man bows his head slightly and then opens his mouth when his gaze prompts him to speak.

"If the sacrifice were to be offered as it is, I wonder if the Cobolt case would continue as it is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"That may be the case, but it's better than the tentacles raging the streets."
"And the case of the Covold ... is that, as the report says, Ray's building a wall to block most of the intrusion, and he's also attracted to the dismantling of the Gigant Turtle."

　One of the knights says so, reading the report.
　However, the report says that some individuals break into the guillem over mud walls.

"Well, will Ray help Gillum this much? ... This will not help me, too."

　With the dismantling of the Giant Turtle, I was very happy just to give jobs to the jobless, but on top of that, even some of the meat from the Giant Turtle had come to market.
　Some of the people here said they had been involved in the dismantling of the gigant turtles and had been given a share of the meat, and others had bought and eaten the meat they were selling.
　In that sense, many even thanked Ray.
　...as well as some who were annoyed by Ray's actions.

"There's no problem with Cobold as long as he's right now. As we've heard, even if there's a monster stronger than Cobold... if you're an adventurer of Guilm, including Ray, it shouldn't be difficult to deal with."

　Many agree with Dusker's words.
　Some of them were against it in private, but when asked if there was an alternative, they did not exist, and they had to agree with the opinion that they would sacrifice and buy time.
　We can't rely on wishful observations that if we don't do anything, perhaps the tentacles will disappear...
　That's why you can't speak directly, if you disagree.

"So, Mr. Dusker, would you like to let Ray know about it? In this case, Ray is very dependent on him, and above all, Ray fought against that tentacle in the underground space. I'm sure he'll come to inquire about it now that he stops halfway."

　For some reason, I've known Ray for a long time... that's why I know him very well, as long as it was Langa who first came to Gilm.
　I was reluctant to explain the idea of sacrificing a condemned person, and I'm sure he wouldn't look good... but I understood that if he spoke, Ray would understand.But it's just a matter of being honest, and if you hide it or misrepresent it, it will fuel Ray's distrust.
　Langa asks Dasker that he wants to explain to Ray because he understands it.
　Langa's words make Dusker think for a few seconds before nodding.
　Ray is nothing more than an adventurer in his capacity.
　That's why you don't have to go out of your way to talk about important things... as well as being an adventurer, Ray was unique in many ways.
　First of all, I'm with influential figures such as Elena, Vihela and Marina.
　They have a transportation system called a glyphon, and even an item box.
　Such being the case, it was inevitable that we should be able to get through the conversation so that we could get a quick hand in the event of emergency.
　It is also not impossible that Ray could be hostile to Dusker due to a strange misunderstanding if he had been hiding that he would be the victim of a death row prisoner.
　Dusker was confident that he was building a friendly relationship with Ray, and he was even aware that he was respected.
　That doesn't mean there's an option not to keep in touch with Ray.

"That's the case. If there's a monster other than Cobold, we need him to move right away."
"What about other high-ranking adventurers besides Ray?"

　Gillum naturally has other high-ranking adventurers besides Ray.
　Dusker turns to Langa at the civil servant's words on how to contact her.

"Langa, how many high-ranking adventurers are involved in yesterday's raid?"
"If you're a rank B or higher, there are about twenty of you?"
"... a lot. In this case, should I be happy?"

　Yesterday's enforcement investigation was a request with little commission and no guild.
　A guardman's messenger, patriotic toward Gilmoo... No, it's not a country, so it's a local love? He was approached by someone who could move.
　That being the case, Dusker, the lord of Gillum, would be pleased.

"Well, this case has had a lot of bad things, but on the other hand, good things have happened."

　It is for Dusker that so many people loved the city of Gilm where he lived... well, many of the people here nod happily at his words.
　There were a lot of headaches in this case, but I was very happy about that.

"But... well, I'm glad about it, but I'll leave it to Ray alone to let you know. Oh, and the people who are working with him. The wings of the Red Lotus are one of the key forces to do something about the tentacles."
"All right, then, like that." ... And yet, at this hour?"

　One of the people in the room looks out the window.
　It's already passed the morning there and it's almost noon.
　There have been several breaks in between, but quite a few people still look tired at this meeting, which has been going on since last night.
　Knights who are confident in their physical strength look more tired than civil servants who don't exercise much... I guess it's because this is a meeting.

"Well, well, we're going to have to take a break, we're going to have to give instructions to our people, we're going to have to gather information, we're going to finish the meeting here, we're going to resume tonight, and we're going to have more information that we don't have now."

　Dusker's words had brought the meeting to a close.