With a dull thud, the ground exploded.
　The ground was gouged wide open along with a fist-sized stone that was lying around, which seemed to indicate the extent of the man's anger.

　But that didn't make him feel better, the man clenched his fists again and--

"'Bombing--'
Stop there. Anything more than that and you're in trouble, okay?

　Just before you swing down, a voice interrupts, and your arm snaps to a halt.

　You can look and see a familiar figure walking towards you, but that's why the man - Oswald Hylander - let out a tongue-lashing.
　It was only natural, since he was the source of all this.

"...... You're here!
"Hey, that's a hell of a way to put it. I--Oh, I'm your employer, okay?　I think there's such a thing as a proper attitude, don't you?　I'm the only reason you're doing this in the first place, right?

　Certainly, what that person said was true.
　It was thanks to that person that he was an employer and that Oswald was not 'disposed' of.

　But as for the latter, he was the one who seduced me.
　It's a different story if you obeyed because you heard that you could rage against elves.

　But in and of itself there is not much to say.
　It's just that I was dumb enough to be tricked.

　But that said, I didn't like the way you used that as an excuse to curry favor.
　And besides--

"It's your fault I'm doing this shit. ......!
It's a punishment, that's the extent of it, isn't it?
"...... tsk.

　I admit what I did, and I can't argue with the way I was treated.
　But that being said, I don't like this man.

　That condescending look in his eyes, that all-seeing smile.

"You're not the only one who's struggling in the first place, are you?　I'm having a hard time with that, too, right?
"Ha! ...... hardship?　It looks like you're playing with me, don't you think?
Do you want to try this instead?　You know how hard it is, right?
"Oh, you want to do ......, I'll be happy to do it, okay?　Just ...... I'm just going to flail about as much as I want. ......!

　If I could get permission, I really would have done it.
　But as you can see, he doesn't shake his head.

　I click my tongue again.

You can't go to ...... yet?
It's not time yet. Well, soon enough, I'll let you do what you want to do. Just like we promised.
"...... hmmm

　It is true that I decided to accept such a punishment because I had a promise to do so.
　The reason I've been able to endure this much irritation is because I think I can turn this irritation into exhilaration.

　But still, I didn't like this person.
　So far, this has certainly been exactly what you've been told to do ...... but never trust, Oswald's instincts whispered to him.
　That eye, that smile, is not worthy of trust.

　But then, Oswald thought it was none of his business.
　If you're going to do something, do what you want.
　Then just smash it down.

　This time.

Well, okay. Pretty soon?　Don't break it?　If you make me wait too long, ...... I'm going to go rogue on my own.
"Do what you want. . if you want to make the arrangement meaningless.

　I sniffed at the incessant clapping.
　If you go that far, I'll go with you for a little while longer.

　Honestly, I'd like to throw it out now, but that's also annoying.
　Well, all you have to do is gather up all your resentment and beat it out of you then, Oswald said, lifting a corner of his lips as he thought about it.












　It had been exactly a week since Allen and the others had left Laurus.

　The city was quite large, perhaps even a size larger than Laurus.
　The city is said to be the second largest in the empire after the imperial capital, and of course it is suitably crowded.

　Duke Finis of Lagergren in the Viktor Empire.

　It's a city that Curtis said he was supposed to stop by just once on the way.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
No, indeed, it's not. Laurus and here are both cities that would be easier to count from the top. The others are ...... various, right?　There are desolate places that are just like villages, and others that are reasonably lively. But still, there are only a few of them in the empire that are this far, though.
Oh, so it's not so different from other countries. But it's a good thing there are more bustling cities than you can count.

　Allen and his friends are walking around the city chatting about such things, but of course, they didn't come here for sightseeing or fun.
　Their main purpose is to procure supplies.

　Nevertheless, Allen and his team still have enough left over, and I've heard that if they keep up the pace, they should be fine.
　Curtis also seems to be the same when it comes to food, but there's one thing that must be replenished.

　Fuel for the carriage.



　As mentioned above, the carriage you and your friends ride in is a mage tool that is classified as a reloadable tool, but in fact, the reloadable tool is further classified in two ways.
　The fuel used is either reusable or disposable.

　The communication mages that Rees used before were of the reusable type, which can be reused by recharging the user's magical power even if the fuel runs out.
　However, if you don't reload the magic, it can't be reused and is inappropriate for a magic tool that constantly consumes a large amount of magic like a carriage.
　Obviously, it's too late to reload the magic and if it's going to be used that way, it doesn't need to be a loading type.

　For that reason, carriage types use disposable fuel, which is also a problem.
　The fuel itself is not readily available.

　Disposable fuels are mainly called magic stones, but they are also a type of magic tool.
　Only an alchemist can produce it, in the sense that only an alchemist can produce it, but this is why there are many places where it is scarce or where there are limits on the number of purchases.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the next level, but also of time before you get to the next level.

　However, if that was all there was to it, there was no reason for Aren and the others to go to the city.
　The reason why Aren and the others are walking around the city is because, to put it simply, they're going to stay here today.

Are you sure you want to stay here?　It doesn't take long to get the magic stones, so shouldn't we leave right away, considering the rush?
I've been thinking about it for a while, but I'm right in the middle of ...... and I thought it would be better for my health if I took a good rest for a while. It's not a problem if you arrive at the imperial capital early and are too exhausted to do anything about it.
"...... sure?　If you take a break in the imperial city or something, you're a dumbass.
That's why. And I'm sure he needs his rest as well as you and I do.
"Oh ...... that's for sure. . and sitting on the board all week long, just because it's possible.

　I try to take a longer rest for my evening meal to rest my body there, but that only serves to ease my mind.
　Resting here made sense.

"She wasn't even in the bath.
He's my bodyguard. You can't play the role of a bodyguard once you're in the bath. ...... Well, to begin with, it's amazing that you can take a bath while traveling.
...... I guess that's what I thought. It's true. I was quite surprised at first, but I've gotten used to it.
"...... Allen, so what's the use?

　The gaze is directed at you as you say it, and you shrug your shoulders in return.
　I'm sure you're a bit more modest, though, since you only take a bath once every three days.

I think you're missing the point.
But I have to admit that Mr. Allen has helped me a lot. I would love to invite you to my house.
I don't think it's a good idea, okay?　You don't know what you're going to get, inviting Allen in or whatever.
"...... Agreed?　I'm going to get caught up in something awesome when I find out.
"Isn't my reputation funny?

　How can you have such a reputation when all you want is peace and quiet?
　I don't understand.

Well, regardless of whether or not Allen's assessment is valid, is he taking it slow now then?
...... Maybe you've done it. You are finally free from your role, albeit for a while. I'm giving him a hard time and I hope he gets a good rest.

　Now Curtis isn't accompanied by his bodyguard, apparently in order to keep him rested for as long as possible.
　The city is safe and secure, so there is no need for an escort, and they made it possible by asking you to deposit the carriage and reserve a room at the inn first.

　The reason why Allen and the others are walking with Curtis is also to make it happen.
　If they head to the inn, it will be left to them.
　Although you were told that you were sorry to accompany them, there was no problem, as you were interested in the other cities of the empire.

　The only problem is that we may not have enough time to find out if this city is in line with Aren's objectives--

Well, I'll look into it next time.　I'd also like to check out the towns and villages we've passed along the way, if possible.
"You're not slick like that, are you ......?
It's not something that can be done in a hurry.

　Of course I haven't forgotten what I'm here for, but that's it.
　There is no such thing as a hurry.
　The best thing to do is to go about your business as usual in order to get things done when they need to be done.

...... but you don't know if there will be another one?
"Yeah, well, it depends on what you're going to do. ...... Well, you'll just have to take it as it comes.
...... If you keep thinking too far into the future, you'll get caught flat-footed. For now, the question is whether we will be able to get out of here safely tomorrow.
"Uh, ...... certainly is. We should worry about that first.
"With ...... Allen, it's no wonder anything happened.
So is your assessment of me not strange?

　The smile that is directed at you is one of reluctance, although you know it is a joke.
　It's not just the past that causes a ruckus, it's .................. well, humans are beings that live in the future, not the past.
　You should not be too caught up in the past.

It's not just the past, it's the future.
No, no, no, so it's not true. You'll prove it by getting out of town tomorrow without a problem.

　I'm told that the city is well guarded by the duke's family, and that this keeps the city safe and secure.
　Besides, the sun is already starting to set today, and tomorrow we'll leave right after breakfast.
　Since you're only in town for a short time, nothing extra can happen.

　You are going to be able to find out what is going on in the city.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

　I'm not going to be able to do anything about it even if you are in a hurry.


　Just as he said it to himself.

　But even if he knew, he let out a breath to push away the inevitable emotions, and Allen slowly walked forward, consciously keeping pace with everyone else.