The sun's rays caught his eyes and Allen squinted slightly.
　Looking up at the sky, he saw a stunningly clear sky.

　The warm light pouring down from the gentle swaying of the body, though irregularly, was enough to make you sleepy.
　The drowsy situation stimulates your sleepiness and you bite down on your absent-mindedness.

If you're sleepy, it's okay to go to sleep?　I'm sure I can handle it by myself now ...... and, you know, we have just the right pillows here.

　And if you turn your gaze to the voice, there's Leeds's smile as he blurts out such things.
　You can understand the intent of tapping your own thighs, but Allen shrugged his shoulders as he returned his gaze to the front.

It's a good idea, but I think I'll pass. I'm not going to be able to use that pillow because it's too expensive for me.
"Mmmm. ...... You don't have to refrain from ......

　With a disgruntled look beside him, Allen chuckles.
　Although I have some idea of what Leeds wants to do, I can't let it happen in many ways.

''I mean, if I sleep while Beatrice is resting, I don't know what the point of taking shifts is,''
It would make sense, since you two can rest at the same time, wouldn't it?
"Well, you know. It's certainly valid if that's what you mean: ...... So, do you want me to make a suggestion when you wake up, Beatrice?
...... of course they'll say no to that!
Yes, I'll have to give up then.

　Smiling, Leeds puffed out his cheeks as if to express his dissatisfaction, but that's it.
　You know which side of the story is correct without being told.

I think I understand why Leeds came up with such a thing, and I'm happy about that, in itself.　It's not just me, and I'm sure Beatrice is too. But at the end of the day, it's our own decision and we're doing it for ourselves. There's no need for Leeds to try to do anything, you know?
It may be ...... but ......

　I know, but that's what I'm curious about.
　You are really a good person, or you have a difficult personality, in a way, and you smile.
　You really don't have to worry about it.

　This is because the reason why you chose to travel is of your own volition.
　The journey ...... is what Allen and his team are now traveling through.

　But that doesn't mean that they are moving from one frontier city to the next.
　This is the result of a request of some sort.

　But the client is going to be Leeds.

Well, and I don't think it's time for Leeds to worry about that, do you?
What kind of ...... is that?
Considering how long it took us to get here, we're almost there. I mean, maybe that's it?
"What?　Which is ......!
Look at that. See those pea-sized, village-like structures over there?　Maybe it's that.
...... Sure, you can see that. I see ...... there is ......

　Leeds was staring in the direction that Allen was pointing in, as if he were staring at her.
　It's as if he's an enemy of his parents.

　And in a way, it's probably right.
　To Leeds, there may be someone else there who is just as good, or even better.

　The purpose of Leeds' request was to go to a village.
　And that is to meet a certain person in that village--

"There's ...... your uncle ......

　As he listened to Leeds' mutterings, Allen looked up at the sky and thought back to how he came to be here.










　The only way to find out where it all started was with the adventurer's guild.
　It was at the Adventurer's Guild that I heard the story that led to this.

　The reason why Allen had gone to the guild that day was to ask when he could exchange Fenrir's materials for money.
　It's not that I'm in any hurry to get the money, but three gold coins were flying off the shelves in one day.
　You're going to be able to see if you can convert some of your money into cash if it still takes a while.

　Incidentally, the reason why Allen is paying all of this is because he decided to take the hassle out of it and pay the balance later.
　Although Leeds and the others have money, they don't carry it around in gold coins, but only have something that can be converted into cash.
　It's also a bother to convert them into cash, so Allen is paying for the first time.

　So, to summarize, it will take some time yet.
　I thought that I needed to discuss this with the receptionist, and as a matter of habit, while making small talk with her, I gathered recent information on ...... where I suddenly heard something of interest to me.

　You will be able to find out more about the particulars of the person you're talking to.
　The information is 50-50 as to whether it is reliable or not: ...... Still, I was curious because the celebrity was someone that Allen also knew.

　His name was Alfred Baverstam.
　Formerly known as Alfred Ad Astera (・・・・・・).

　He was once the second in line of succession to the throne, but he didn't want to compete with his brother, so he threw it away and rose to the position of vice-captain of the First Order by virtue of his ability.
　He was the king's brother and Leeds' uncle.

　But as I've said before, he's supposed to be deceased.
　At least that's what Allen was told: ...... In fact, his body has never been identified.
　So, although he is presumed dead, he is also technically missing and therefore is said to be living quietly somewhere.

　It's not just that he's a good friend of yours, but that he's also a good friend of yours.

"-- What?　Is it true that ......!
...... It was just supposed to be part of the small talk, but it was unexpectedly bitten.
"Oh ......, sorry ......
"No, it's fine. ......

　It was as if she was just grabbing at you, a very rare ...... or maybe the first time you might see her in a bad way.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of this article.
　It's just a matter of time.



"Hmmm, ...... type of thing you can ask me about?
...... Yes, you do. If you don't mind me saying so ......, no, it's a bit late for that. Besides, I would have told you if I had the information to begin with.
"So that means ......
"Yeah. There is no assurance that you will be able to get the information and it is a very private matter, so I have kept it to myself until now. ...... In fact, our reason for being here is not only because of the general, but also because of something related to what we are talking about. I'm sure you're aware of this, and I'm sure you're aware of it.
Well, I guess I didn't tell you the whole story for sure, I guess.
"...... Sorry, Mr. Allen,
No, no need to apologize to me. It's not like I was lying or anything, it's just a private matter. So ......

　When asked with a glance what this meant, they looked at each other and then Leeds nodded.
　Then, according to what was spoken--








"Hmm, ...... looks like we're about to arrive.

　And when I turned around to hear a voice, I saw Beatrice peeking in through the window of the gyoza-dai.
　I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't notice her, but she seemed to have woken up before I knew it.

Hey, good morning. I'm so glad you're awake.
"Just now. And ...... is already there in the consciousness of Master Leeds?

　It's a good thing that you're talking to this close by, but Leeds was still staring ahead.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what's going on in your life.

It's a good thing that you can't get rid of them because of ...... regret.
"...... Sorry about that.
"Well, ...... I don't know what the apology was for, but whatever it was, it wasn't necessary, like I said at the time. Again, like I said at the time, I just wanted to relax and have some fun.

　The reason why ...... is traveling like this is because, to put it simply, we thought that we had been working a little too hard lately.
　You've come to the frontier in search of peace and tranquility, but fighting dragons and Fenrir has kept you away from that peace.
　You'll find that the peace was many times more peaceful when you were at the mansion.

　Of course, that was Allen's decision ...... but there's a limit to that.

　That's why Leeds' suggestion was a godsend.
　I'm going to go to the rumored village, that is.

　It would take seven days by carriage to get to the village, and basically what you do there is to find people.
　The search for peace is not possible because everything is not settled yet, but it's still good for a little relaxation.
　That's why, regardless of the fact that Leeds and the others said it was a private matter, Allen followed along with them.

...... You're really the same as always. If you're in the mood for it, there's nothing you can't do.
That's a bit much, don't you think? Well, even if I could do everything, I'd still want some peace and quiet.
I remember you saying something like that when we first met. I thought you were going through a lot at the time: ......
In a way, that's not wrong. It's just that a lot of things happened a long time ago, in the past tense.
You are so much younger than me, you know.

　Beatrice gives a wry smile and shrugs her shoulders.
　Beatrice thought he was joking, which is true to a point.

　However, it was a long time ago, but it was a long time ago.

Well, at least it was a nice change of pace.
"...... It sure is.

　There had been no information about the demon since then, and there had been no progress.
　It was time for a mix of irritation to set in, and it was just as well.

"Well, you don't have to worry about it in many ways.
...... Okay. So I'll say thanks. After all, I'm sure Master Leeds was relieved to have you with us.
Well, I hope you're right: ...... Well, I'll just say you're welcome. I'm just here to relax, and there's a good chance I'll come up empty, so I don't really want to say anything like that.
I know the chances of striking out are great, and so is Master Rees. ...... Still, I suppose I couldn't help but check.

　The rumor of the discovery of Leeds' uncle is something that originally originated in that town.
　So that's one of the reasons why Leeds and others came there.
　We're here to find out if it's true.

　And the fundamental question is: why did you come to do that: ...... something that Leeds' uncle had his bottom half bitten off by a demon right in front of him.
　It's not just a matter of how much time you have left, it's also a matter of how much time you have left.
　It's not a wound that can be saved by any stretch of the imagination ...... and that was before Leeds had awakened to her healing powers as a saint.

　Therefore, Leeds was unable to do anything in front of her uncle ...... and she still regrets it to this day.
　If only I had woken up to the power then.

　However, it is inevitable.
　You will be able to find out what you can do about it. ...... But just as you are about to recover, a gossip reached your ears.
　It's a good thing that Alfred is actually alive and looking for an opportunity to go into hiding to take revenge on the royal family for the poor treatment of him.

　Of course, that's not possible.
　In the first place, there is no evidence that the royal family treated him poorly, and he renounced his claim to the throne because he did not want to fight with his brother.

　But still, there was one thing that could not be ignored.
　As a matter of fact, no one has confirmed that he's dead.

　The lower half of his body had been eaten away by several people, including Leeds.
　But soon after, the ground collapsed and his body fell down the cliff.
　Because of that wound, there is no way he could have survived, and although he was pronounced dead, ...... or even left open the possibility of his death.

　You'll be able to find out if the rumor was true.

"Well, it's starting to come into focus, isn't it?


"Yeah. Well ......

　Allen's eyes narrowed in front of the village where he had seen his person.
　Then he muttered to himself, wondering what would happen.