In a corner of the castle town, the men were there.

We got what we need. All we have to do is wait for the handover.

"When will the recipient come?

"We'll be here within a week.

"What should we do until then?　The demon needs to be fed. We need to keep out of the town's demon hunter network. We can't stay here too long.

"Go into hiding. We'll provide the demon's food. Don't do anything rude or disrespectful.

　The other half of the man scowls sullenly.

"Don't rot so much. When that thing is done, you'll be back home and moving up. Until then, you just be patient.

　The other man thought that the man in front of him was unhappy with his superior's response.
　In fact, he too had always been fed up with the slowness of his superiors.

All right. But you need to stock up on Orem's fruit. I keep them in here. I'll try to get him to eat as much as I can.

All right, all right. I don't want you to sulk and affect your work. Then you're going to be cool.

　With that much said, the man walks out of the room.
　The remaining man turns his attention to the corner of the room.

"That's why. Sorry, bear with me for a while. I'm coming with you.

　Then the man approaches someone in the corner of the room.
　The man walks up to the man and lets him take care of her like a dog.
　The man also pets her affectionately.
　Then he mutters to himself.

He mutters, "...... I don't feed you, I feed you.

　◇

Haha, I'm glad I took the job, but what will I do now?

　Lasse lets out a sigh as he walks the streets of King's Landing.
　He wonders how to resolve the missing persons request he received from former General Maldo.

As I suspected, it was a mistake to accept this request.

　The dryads complain to Lasse.

"King's Landing is a big place. "King's Landing is a big city." "It's a big place to find people from there. ...... And I don't know the faces of the people who are missing. Wouldn't that be hard to find from this material alone?

　The dryad opens the bag given to him by former general Maldo's butler on his way home and takes out the documents inside.
　You will find a description of the people who went missing in the capital, with their names, identities and characteristics.

Fifteen people we know of. If we include people from the slums and others who are still unaccounted for, the number is likely to rise.

　How can you afford to do anything else when you have things to do?　That's what the dryads said.

"Well, I'm sure you were blinded by the money. I'm sorry about that.

"If!

　Lasse stopped the dryad as he was about to say, "I should go back and take the request now.

"Isn't this situation similar, don't you think?

"Huh?

　The dryad scowls at Lasse's words.

"Once, during a war with our neighbors, many humans were gathered into a secret research facility for sacrifice as an experiment to harness their demonic powers.

　It was when Lasse and his team were in the army.

They forced their captives to sign up with demons and tried to manipulate cursed, empowered test subjects.

But that plan has failed.

"Oh, yeah.

　In fact, the experimental subjects who had been given the power of a demon were forced to become experimental animals, but the experiment failed completely as they ran amok with anger and hatred, ignoring the compulsion of the curse.
　Lasse and the others, who rushed in soon afterwards, were horrified to see the horrific scene and went into a battle with the attacking experimental subject, which was fled by the laboratory's people.
　There was no research material left in the facility, and most of it had been taken out or burned.
　All that was left was a few fragments of the materials, destroyed equipment, and the remains of a human who had made a contract with the devil.

That device at the facility at the time, that too had a large jewel at its core. It was smashed to pieces when we found it.

Does that mean that a neighboring country is planning to conduct the same experiment in this country?

　The dryad looks tense.
　It's a natural reaction, after what she also risked in that battle.

"We're not sure. But the demon-related items that were stolen, plus beings with the power to steal other people's appearances, and the humans that are missing in King's Landing. If it's connected to a place called King's Landing, then it's only natural to assume there's a connection.

　There was not the usual aloof expression of Lasse, but the profile of the man who was once called a hero.

'Huh!　Mr. Lise, ...... is lovely.

　The dryad gazes at Lasse's profile with a maiden's face.

"Oh, ...... after all, if you're going to plant a seed in a corpse, there's no one better than Lasse-sama!

　It sounds crazy, but this is a clear expression of the dryad's affection.
　To germinate one's seed from the corpse of one's dead spouse as nourishment is nothing less than an act of love for the dryads.


　The drawings are quite disturbing.

"Come on, let's meet up with Letty and the others and decide what to do!

"I'm so excited!

　And as he was about to walk away, Lasse stopped to see what he found.

What is that?

　◇

　Merck was walking.
　He received a call from his superior to the Knight Commander's office.

(Do you want to ask me how the search for the killer is progressing?　Or is it a Rise thing?　(Either way, we've only just begun our search, so I hope it doesn't interfere with our work.

　Merck wonders what unreasonable demands will come from his boss, Commander Frieda.
　To be honest, you have a pain in your side.

Commander Frieda, you wanted to see me?

"Oh, Merck.

　Commander Frieda is in a good mood.

As far as I'm concerned, that's when I say the worst things. Prepare yourself!

"Good day, General.

"Hmm, you know what?

Yes, you have some good ideas in mind, don't you?

"Ha-ha, that's my loyal subordinate. You are well aware of this.

(Yes, I know, I know, I know.)

　As far as his bosses are concerned, Merck's gut clenches up to endure the thought of a slippery slope that would be beyond his imagination.

"Rejoice, I've decided to set up a cordon to catch the people who took the treasure from me!

Huh?!

　Merck was shocked!
　General Frida said we're going to set up a cordon.
　That's the same as saying that he's declaring some kind of emergency in King's Landing.

"Hey, General ......, you don't think that's an order in the general's name, do you?

"Mm, that's right!

　Depressing Merck.
　The orders given in the general's name can't be more than a miscommunication.
　Suddenly, not only citizens restricted by the cordon will be stranded, but merchants who came to do business will be stranded.
　It's the nobles who are most afraid.
　All kinds of complaints will come to General Frieda, asking why the cordon was set up.
　And I'm sure it's my job to handle the complaints.

......

Ha-ha-ha, so moved by my snap judgment that I couldn't even speak. I've been thinking about it. We must not search for the culprit in secret or risk his escape. But now the culprit will not be able to escape from King's Landing!　All we have to do now is go to every house in King's Landing to find the culprit again!

　That was a terrible outrage.
　It was a terrible thing to do to people's feelings.
　Merck felt a sharp pain in his side, as if he was being jabbed by a spear.

　◇

"What?

　The man couldn't believe his ears.

"That's why the royal city is on emergency lines. They've put up barricades all over town, so there's no way to get to and from any part of King's Landing!

　A man comes back from food shopping and explains the unusual situation going on in the town.
　The man doesn't understand what's happening.

What is it? Check this.... I mean, is there a war on?

　The men were baffled.
　wondering what in the world was going on in this royal city.
　What they don't realize is that this extraordinary situation is an act of warfare done solely to capture them. They don't realize that this extraordinary situation is an act of warfare just to catch them.

You're not trying to catch us....

"No way!　What kind of idiot would do such a stupid thing to get back something that he had his people steal?

　There it is.

"d*mn it, we'll just have to flee from King's Landing in the dark of night!

"Don't act so careless!　Now we have to go into hiding and wait.

But what if an official comes in here!

They won't. I've been living in this town since my grandfather was here. Nobody thinks I'm a spy.

　Yes, the other half of the man was a neighboring country's spy rooted in King's Landing. He lived quietly in the capital and was responsible for providing the neighboring country's spies with information gathered from rumors of the townspeople, merchants, and conversations of officials and nobles.
　And, in cases like this one, to shelter their friends.

　But at ......

"Is the Knights of Tendo!　We got a call that a violent criminal has fled to this area!　Let me remodel the house!

!

　Here comes the curtain on the great blockade that shook the royal capital.