The demons saw.
　From deep within the valley, a series of white towers emerged.
　It was a structure that the demons had never seen before in their lives on this land.
　No, it wasn't a building.
　It was pure white and wet. It was soft. It had a faint warmth to it.
　Yes, it was a creature.
　Why did the demons understand it?
　The answer is simple.
　Those who saw it and those who didn't saw it were ripped away by the white tower and plunged into the valley.

　The answer is simple.

"Lord, we've knocked down every demon that was up in the valley.

　The Kraken reports to Lasse with a look of consternation.
　That's right! The white tower was the Kraken's foot.
　He had been asked by Lasse to slay a demon that had fallen from the top of the valley and attacked people.
　Specifically, he was dropping the demons on the edge of the cliff to the bottom of the valley with a mother-in-law-like gait, tapping the dust left on the edge of the window to say, "There's more dust!
　And then the merman and others go to stop the demons that are barely breathing.
　By the way, the Kraken's legs don't have eyes, so the harpy took over the role of its eyes to prevent it from attacking humans by mistake.

Ohhhh!　The wind is so messed up that it ruffles the feathers!　Master Raise ~ Grooming!

"Yes, yes,

　Returning to pet the Harpy's head and comfort her.

"Good job Kraken and the Harpy. Let the rest of the demons go rest, please.

"Yes, sir.

"Yes!

　Here Lasse calls the Kraken's name first.
　Even for such a (personally) shoddy job, it's important for a proud demon to know who to praise.
　Kraken and dragons are more likely to do so because they are powerful as a race.
　Conversely, Lasse knew in his heart that being adored was more important than the order of the harpies, so that would be helpful in times like these.

　Lasse had been asked by Kara's grandmother, Mitic, a priestess, to destroy the demons that lived around the village.
　Mitic, who had been ill for a long time, was mentally and physically weakened and had difficulty rebuilding the wards that guarded the village, so she asked you to protect the village until her body fully recovered, or at least until she recovered enough to use her magic.
　The ownership of the materials of defeated demons will be given to Lasse, and in some cases the village will purchase them.
　Of course, you'll also get paid separately, so it was a good way for Lasse to earn some extra money.

Then I'll return to the village. Then I'll return to the village. I have to help the children gather the wharf.

I understand, good luck with that.

　Quay final is a job to collect valuable medicinal plants and mushrooms that grow on the walls of high cliffs that are usually unreachable by humans.
　Normally, this work is done by hanging a rope from the top of the cliff, but this time, the Kraken's legs lifted the children up to serve as a foothold.
　Moreover, the Kraken's suction cups are weak and absorbent, so there is no risk of falling off if the Kraken loses its balance, and parents can work in a safe working environment.
　The children were also very excited to see the Kraken's legs moving freely in the high places.

Now, let's head down to the children waiting for me!　Because I am capable, unlike the dragons!　Kuhahahaha!

　While looking at the happy Kraken's rear end, Lasse was thinking about the real request Mitic had asked him to make.

I wonder what to do about Mitic's request.

　◇

　The time goes back to half a day ago.

I need you to protect this village.

"Protect the village, is it?

Yes, however, this is a token request. My real purpose is to find, seal, or annihilate the demon I have sealed.

It's also an outrageous request: "......

　Lasse let out a disgusted sigh.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about them.
　Even Bael's Apostle, who was defeated by a dragon, was able to treat dozens of adventurers and volunteers like babies.

No, it's not crazy, right?　You have a dragon with you," he said.

　Lasse reacts to Mitic's words.
　Because Lasse never told her she could use a dragon.
　Lasse is trying to figure out where the information came from.

"Heh. My granddaughter said she was sorry she couldn't ride a dragon.

　Mitic, who has read Lasse's inner thoughts from his eye movements, clears the air as soon as possible.
　It's also to keep Lasse from getting suspicious, and to tease Lasse, who is expecting someone's dark plans.

but he's not ready yet. (Capable is capable, but he's not ready yet.)

The dragon's breath destroys the demon's body and drives it back to its home world. Furthermore, demons scarred by the dragon's magic will not be able to interfere with this world for a while. That's the best of both worlds. How's that?　Will you do it?

　Mitic asks Lasse for permission to make a request, laughing with a caracara and vivacious smile.

"I'm sorry, but my job is not to hunt demons, I'm a jack-of-all-trades. I'm not a demon exterminator. You can ask the church or the Order for that kind of thing.

　In view of the risks and benefits, Lasse declines the request prematurely.
　Demons aren't just strong. Some demons are even better at scheming with their wits than humans.


　Those demons, Lasse thought, were more troublesome than less powerful ones.
　That means he wouldn't want to be on the radar of dangerous people.

That's unfortunate. But the fact is that a demon has escaped from my seal. It has escaped to the outside world and may come in contact with you. When the time comes, all you have to do is tell me what you know without a fight. You don't have to do this now. You give me the information, the head of the demon, and then I will pay you your fee. For now, just keep it in the back of your mind. But could you at least ask me to kill the demons around the village?

Well, that's about it.

　I guess he wasn't expecting to get the request from the start. Mittick ended the request early and asked me to kill the surrounding demons.

Oh, I'm so grateful!　Then it's all yours!

　Mitic smiles and thanks Lasse.
　It's the very smile of a little girl who can't quite believe she's Kara's grandmother.

"So, you know, that ...... no, it's nothing.

　Lasse thought about getting information about the demon, just in case, but once he heard about it, he accepted the job.
I retract my statement at the risk of being forced to .

"Hmm?　What?　Do you want to know my secret of youth?　Good, I can't tell you all about it, but I can tell you about the great adventure of my youth!

"Achoo!

　It was Lasse who inadvertently hit the old man's old story switch.