Nice to meet you. It's Melody.

　The green-haired Mr. Sifu bowed his head towards us.

　He was about the height of an upper elementary school student. Her hair was braided in a braid and pulled back at the back of her neck.

　To be honest, he was an Iris.

　He's got a little dirt on his face to make him look like a wannabe.

　Me, Iris, and Rafilia talked it over and decided to give it a 'boyish look' so as not to give away our identities as much as possible. The equipment is a leather armor and a dagger. I kept both in the carriage, just in case. He has a scarf around his neck to cover his collar.

　He's also undressed, and in this way it's hard to tell if he's really a boy or a girl. It's cute, though.

　By the way, on the surface, she says, "Iris-sama is resting because she's tired from her trip. We don't want to wake him up. It's still early in the morning, and the villagers respect the Ilgafa lord's house, so it should be fine until we return after killing the crawfish.

''Ilis-sama has introduced me to help you with your quest. Best regards!

　So, Iris, aka "Mystery Thief Melody," is full of energy.

Haha!

　Natalia received that greeting, and for some reason she was holding her chest.

''Nah, what a child you want to ...... protect.

I'm just a beginner, so I'd appreciate some guidance. Senior!

"Senpai!

　Again, Natalia slumped back down, clutching her chest.

　I've told Iris and Rafilia about 'Natalia-san's troubles' that I've heard about.

　Natalia seems to think that she has a bad look in her eyes and that she scares the children. It doesn't seem that way to me, and both Iris and Rafilia agreed. But if it bothers him, it can't be helped.

　So we decided to help Natalia gain confidence in herself, while giving Iris some combat experience.

　When we were asked for advice, Natalia-san said, "I want to help rebuild the adventurer's guild in Ilgafa. With a serious Natalia-san, the Adventurer's Guild would be fine.

I'm glad to have a kind mentor. It's been a long time since I've been on a quest, so I've been worried about you: ......

　Iris said.

　'But, Natalia,'

────

...... Um, Natalia?

Ha!

　Natalia shook her head in a hurry.

'S-sorry. I'm just happy that a cute boy called me 'senior' .......

Boy: "Boy: ......?

Isn't it?

Let's see, which one is it?

　Iris lightly brushed off and spun around, spinning around.

　She decided that the gender was unknown.

'...... cute.'

　Natalia, I'm getting poofy.

　Okay, ......, I guess they don't know who "Melody" is.

Oh, I see. I'll protect you, as the head of the department!

Thank you, sir. Senior. But .......

　Melody (Iris) took my hand in hers.

'You said you'd protect me,'

　Then Melody (Iris) looked at me and smiled.

　Come to think of it, yesterday I told her to stay by my side as much as possible because I was worried about you.

'This is the first time we've done a quest together, isn't it? Let's do our best. Big brother.

All right. Then stay as close to me as possible.

Of course!

　Melody squeezed my hand with both hands.

'...... Melody, ...... too attached.'

'Miss ......, brother.'

　Melody (Iris) narrowed her eyes and whispered in my ear.

'...... It's not often you get the chance to do this with your brother in public like this,'

...... Well, that's what the quest is for: ......

　The reason I allowed Iris to join the quest was to relieve her stress.

　I've been freed from the mission, but in the port city, Iris is still a 'Sea Dragon Priestess'.

　She's using her skills to get out of the house and other things, but she still can't walk around the town freely, yet.

　That's why I thought it would be a good idea to disguise myself and join a quest like this. With me and Raphilia with me and Natalia, a high level adventurer, it wouldn't be too dangerous.

...... And besides, Iris wanted to call me 'big brother' in public.

　Iris puffed up her cheeks a bit and murmured.

I'm a "sea dragon maiden", so Iris and I call each other "Iris-sama" and "Souma-sama" in public. I'm an adventurer hired by Iris, and she is my employer.

　We can't call each other by our familiar names in public, let alone at home.

　This is what Iris has been complaining about all along.

...... I've been putting up with it until now. I need to vent at times like this .......

Do you have to go to ......?

'...... It's going to explode.　Physically or psychologically.

　Iris looked into my eyes and said.

　...... I don't want the explosion to happen. You don't know what effect Iris's dragon's blood will have on you.

　And also because our motto is to have fun and relax as much as possible in our work.

Okay. Then you're free to do what you want with Melody.

I'm so glad. Big brother!

What's up, Il... Melody?

"Heh. Big brother, big brother. Onii-chan. ...... Hmmm.

　Stop rubbing your cheeks together.

　Look, Natalia's looking at you.

"──── Oh.

　But why is he covering his face with the palm of his hand? Natalia.

I feel like I'm looking at ...... something very precious. ......

　Natalia's eyes were peeking through her fingers.

I've never seen boys get along like that before.

　I see. It's true that adventurers are temperamental.

　It may be rare for adventurers to be so close and protective of each other.

　Rafilia also looks at me and Melody (Iris) with admiration. I don't think it's the same as "You're a double hero, aren't you?" though. Also, Rafilia doesn't have to transform. She doesn't have to take her mask out of her leather bag.

"I've never had so much fun in my life. Let's do our best for the sake of that little ghost boy, for the sake of the lovely Melody and Nagi's friendship.

""Oh."

　We were united and decided to head for the abyss where the giant crayfish, Crayfish Fang, was waiting for us.






　Here, we reconfirmed the information the village chief had given us.

　Natalia had done a thorough job of asking the village chief and his wife what they knew about the crayfish.

The village chief and his wife told us what they knew in a cursory manner.

　The villagers used to use it to water and wash their horses and livestock, but now they went all the way to the upper reaches of the river. And in case we run into "Clayfish Fang", we're in a group.

　What we wanted to ask them to take down, but we were unsure because we didn't trust the Adventurer's Guild in Irgafa.

　They would pay us well if we killed the crawfish.

　Finally, he told us about a small stone monument near the edge of the river.

　It is a memorial to the people who died when the river was swollen, but the village chief didn't know much about it.

　Finally, we reaffirmed the ability of Crayfish Fang.




Clayfish Fang.

　A giant crayfish with tusks. The one at the edge of the abyss is less than two meters in size.

　Its skin is hard.

　Its main attacks are cleaving with scissors and dashing into the body.

　It has a strong sense of nawareness, and if a fellow "Clayfish Fang" appears near it, it will go berserk and fight until one of them is dead.

　The meat is very tasty, but you can get a good dashi (soup stock) when you boil it.




　That's all the information we got from the village chiefs.

　Based on that information, we decided to make a plan.






Well then, let's split up.

　I said.

'Me and Melody will draw the enemy to us. We'll create an opening for them to attack, so Rafilia and Natalia, you'll have to attack them from behind.

I'm with my brother on this one.

　Melody said as she intertwined her fingers with mine.

'If there's just one enemy, there's no fear of them poking you in the back if you disperse. On the other hand, you can upset the enemy by pincering them. Besides, senior Natalia said that you have experience fighting the 'Clayfish Fang', right?

Yes, yes, it took three of us to take him down.

''Then let me use that combat experience. The greatest offensive power among the four of us is Rafilia's attack magic and Natalia's spear. So I think it's best to make the most of that ...... me.

　Perhaps noticing her usual tone, Melody added a final word.

''Indeed, I too have an 'assault technique (charge)' skill with my spear, but...''

　Natalia looks at me and Melody with concern.

'But I don't like the idea of putting you guys in danger. ......

I'm willing to walk through the line of death with my brother.

　Melody, the mystery sifu, looked at me, her cheeks reddening a bit.

'Besides, in case your father is about to tear ...... your brother and I apart, we might have to go on an escape. I guess it's kind of like a prep session for that!

　Come on, Iris, don't be like that.

　And he had a big smile on his face.

"I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

...... but also.

The only normal family we have in our lives is Ili - Melody, so we have to take care of it.

'Yeah. If that's what you want to call it: ...... ehehe.

　Melody hugged my arm again, squeezing it.

　Normally Iris can't do this kind of thing in front of people. Now that I'm in disguise, it's like I'm trying to make up for it. Raphilia's also giving a thumbs up in a "goofball" kind of way.

　Natalia is at ......

──── dazzling.

So why are you holding your nose, Miss Natalya?

　It's like we're holding back a nose bleed.

　I hope you're OK. Natalia, you are not in bad shape, are you?

　We don't want to be out in the open, so I'm going to have this quest be Natalia's achievement: .......

''Are you okay, Natalia?''

'Yes!　Of course. I am now full of energy and strength. No matter what happens, I'll be fine!

　Natalia raised her spear and gutted it.

　You look fine. Okay then.

''Well then, can I ask you to finish the mission?　Senior Natalia.

We'll draw the enemy to us. Senior.

I need your help for that ghost. Senior.

　Me, Melody (Iris), and Raphilia interjected.

'Oh, we'll take care of it!'

　Natalia looked up.

'I've never had such a fun quest before!　Let's use my full strength to take down the evil demons!

　That's why we decided to split up and start our operation.






────────────────






The Crayfish Fang is a giant crayfish.

　It was only a few weeks ago that the creature, which can move between land and water, arrived at the edge of the abyss, not far from the sea.

The "Clayfish Fang" has a strong sense of nawariousness.

　This means that the creature is happy to take up space with other creatures.

　So he knew that there were people who would take advantage of this abyss. It was easy to get rid of them. The humans broke into the place where the cows were being washed and wielded a giant pair of scissors.

　After the humans were chased away, it was time to build a nest.

　The scissors were used to break down the soil around them and harden it back into a livable structure.

　There were some stone monuments around, but it didn't matter.

　The fishes were fed by the fishes from upstream. When they were done building their nests, they would attack the village and fill their bellies.

　While thinking about this, the giant crayfish "Clayfish Fang" was about to start building its nest again today - when...



"Giggling!



　Nearby, I heard the cry of a demon.

　When the demon 'Clayfish Fang' raised his head, he saw the figure of his own kind around the forest on the river bank. His body was smaller than mine, but his scissors were subtly larger than mine. He was waving those scissors around and making a laughing sound at us.

　A kindred spirit!　What is this place?　You've come to take the Nawabari!

"Gigaaaaahhhhhh!

　The giant crayfish "Clayfish Fang" screams out.

　Then it kicks the river bottom and comes ashore. It howls again. The enemy does not flee. They are staring at us, their long crayfish whiskers quivering. Clayfish Fang runs off to remind the enemy of his lack of manners. Wielding a giant pair of scissors. Straight ahead, towards the enemy of my kind. And then...



Brother, it's now!



　The moment you hear someone's voice from right beside you, the landscape changes.

　The figure of my people, who had been threatening me, disappeared completely...



　There was a huge, sturdy-looking tree in front of me.



''Gu?　Vaaaaaaah!?''



　Thud.



　The giant crayfish went head first into a large tree.



　And then...



Activate.　'Delayed Combat (Delayed Arts) Lv 2', axe!



　The tree that was right next to the giant crayfish tilted.

''Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

　There is a cracking sound and the scissors snap. Beard bends.

　The giant crayfish is stuck, head first into a large tree. Furthermore, the big tree that is on top of it.

'──── ooh, ooh.'

　Then the giant crayfish, Grayfish Fang, was trapped between two trees and completely unable to move.





──────────────────── ...





Natalya!

It's time for you to finish.

'What?　Ah, yes. ''Assault Spear Breaker (Spear Charge), LV6!''



　Crunch.



　Natalia's spear ripped through the body of a giant crayfish.




She shot out Greyfish Fang!






''Well done! Senior!

'Wait a minute. How did this happen?

　Huh?　It's funny.

　Why does Natalia seem unhappy when she's completed the quest without incident?

'Why did 'Greyfish Fang' head that way so easily!　Mr. Melody!

Because I provoked you, okay?

'Why did Miss Raphilia blindfold me then!

Melody-sama's provocations can be hard on the eyes if you're not used to them!

'I saw a crawfish-like shadow!　Next to Mr. Melody!

I'm sure the magic of the land helped with that wish of yours, Marc-kun.

　Melody (Iris) closed her eyes as if in prayer.

'Did the tree fall on ......?'

　Still, Natalia was not happy.

　It can't be helped. I'll be honest with you.

I hit it with the axe and it broke. It seems the axe I got in the village was very sharp.

No way!

　I'm pissed.

　The strategy this time is simple. First, Melody (Iris) creates an illusion of another "Greyfish Fang" in "Illusionary Space".

　As soon as the nerdy fellow pounces on me, I use the giant hatchet from Delayed Combat (Delay Arts) (25 swings) to cut into the tree.

　The village chief gave me a second-hand hatchet to replace mine. It's to replace my portion of the payment.

　The demon then rises to the top of the tree, damaging it badly.

　And the fallen tree blocks its movement.

　That was it.

''It's strange. When you take down a large demon, you're supposed to surround it with everyone, block its movements, and then struggle to defeat it, right?　Why is it so easy to block your movements?　Am I going to be able to just stab him and be done with it?　Are you sure this is the right thing to do!

　Natalia-san was in a panic.

　I thought I had chosen a way to beat her that was as uncheat-like as possible, but it was too irritating for Natalia's serious roots.

''It can't be helped,''

　I exchange glances with Ilis and Rafilia, all three nodding simultaneously.

　Okay. Let's keep on talking as if nothing has happened in the past...

'Oh, lost boy's soul. Thy desire is fulfilled: ......

　I knelt down and spoke to a stone monument on the riverbank.

May your soul rest in peace.

The demon is defeated, so may he rest in peace.

　Melody (Iris) chants my words.

'Nothing will disturb your sleep anymore!

　And then Rafilia, and then...



　Pan.



　Me, Melody (Iris) and Rafilia joined hands with the monument.

　And then...

"Thank you ...... everyone.

　From behind the stone monument, a ghostly marque boy appears.

　There's a young woman standing next to him. If there is one, it's ...... his mother's spirit.

'Now I can sleep peacefully ...... who worked the hardest to defeat the ...... demons...' ...

""This is my first victory."

　We both pointed at Natalia at the same time.

'Yeah?'

　Hey, hey, hey.

　Don't scare the peaceful ghosts. Natalya.

How dare they accuse me of being the hardest worker here?

Because it was Natalya who did the finishing touch.

Your friend was standing by so we wouldn't have to worry about it.

Natalia, you held back well so that Master and Lady Melody could jump out if they were in danger!

""Right?"

　We hold hands and surround Natalia.

　We go around in a kind of "Kagome-Kagome" flavored circle.

　And thanks to Natalia's presence, I'm certain that I could carry out my plan without worry.

　Natalia's Spear Charge, LV6, accurately pierced the giant crayfish's vital points. My "Delayed Combat" was released in order to defeat the tree, so I couldn't attack it right away.

　So let's just say that it was Natalia's fault that I was able to kill the crayfish so easily.

"...... ugh. I can't do that. I ...... such a ......

　Natalia doesn't seem to be convinced yet.

"Thank you, ...... sister.

　Marc, the ghost boy, came to Miss Natalia and knelt down.

　Then he took her hand and kissed it lightly.

'My mom and I were swept away by the rising river, and we were separated and died. ...... When I thought I had finally found my family, a demon nearly destroyed the stone monument .........' ...But now we can sleep together: ......

...... woo ......

　Natalia stared at the kneeling Marc boy.

'...... You're not afraid of me, are you?'

"Why?

Because all kids are afraid of me: ......

"Hey, sis. I know you're a good person.

　The Marc boy smiled vaguely.

'...... I was just surprised yesterday. ...... I'm glad it was your sister who found me...' ...

　With that, the boy Marc disappeared.

　When I noticed, the motherly ghost also disappeared. The only thing left on the ground was a single word: 'Reward is here. In the dirt." was left on the ground.

　When I dug up the place where the words had been, I found the 'Skill Crystal' in an old wooden box. Enclosed is a piece of parchment. It said "For when Marc becomes an adventurer"... They must have intended to give me this when they met.

　When I touched the skill crystal, I understood the contents. This is the "Surprise Level 4".




"Surprise Level 4".

　A so-called back attack skill.

　It increases the probability of a back attack on an unwary enemy and damage.




...... Please give that to Lady Iris.

　Natalia said.

　She had soothing, gentle eyes.

'It's only because Iris-sama allowed me to take the quest that I was able to get this. So it would make sense for me to give it to Iris-sama.

I understand.

I have found something else to treasure.

　Ginsu.

　Again, Natalia-san's gaze becomes sharp.

　Me and Iris - it wasn't me and Iris - I stare at Melody, and for some reason, I'm holding my face again.

'I'm going to become an 'adventurer to protect children' from now on!　I know that I won't be scared, so I'm going to keep an eye on them for a moment and protect them from all kinds of obstacles - and precious things!

　Sorry, I'm a little scared, Natalia.

　It's good to see your confidence growing, but something is spiraling out of control in the direction of the day after tomorrow: .......

"Miss Melody!

Okay.

You want to be with Souma-Nagy, don't you?

Of course!

　Melody (Iris) grabbed me by the arm and announced, "When your brother dies, that's when I die.

...... When my brother dies, that's when I die. My body and soul, down to a hair on my head, belong to you. The best thing about being born in the port city of Ilgafa, is that I got to know you!

'Then I'll fight to keep that kind of happiness.

　With a gleam in her eye that even felt like pressure, Natalia declared.

'Thank you for this fight. And let me go on to a new path: ......

　It was the moment when the port city of Irgapha saw the birth of the "Children's Specialists (mainly for little boys) Adventurers".







　Then we reported our defeat of the monster to the village chief...

　We had a late breakfast of crawfish soup for everyone.

　Then we went straight back to the port city of Irgafa.




　Natalia and I parted at the entrance to the town.

　She finally said, "I'm going to tell my father of my decision," and ran off with a smile like a different person from when we met. She said that she dreams of helping to rebuild the Adventurer's Guild from now on, and making it a place where people in need can go to for help.

　After that, he wants to make sure that the clients of some age group have a monopoly on him.

　I feel like I'm biased in some ways, but I'm sure Natalia would take care of her clients, so I guess that's okay ......?





　After that, I went home and Iris and Rafilia went back to the Ilgafa lord's house.

　All that was left was to wait for Cutlass and the others who went to the recreation area to open the 'Transference Portal'.



　─ The next day after I thought that ─ I was suddenly summoned by the Ilgafa lord's house.







I'm sorry for causing you trouble. ''Sea Dragon Hero'' which.

　In the reception room of the lord's house, the lord lord bowed to me.

''As a matter of fact, my lord's family's budget application form had this mixed in with it.

　Saying that, the lord held out a piece of parchment.

　What was written on it was...




"Summoning Budget for the Mysterious Adventurer.

　Budget for hiring a mysterious shifu who hides in the dark and conducts espionage activities (Chouhoukaku) in the port city of Irgafa.

　100 arsha per dispatch.

　May be accompanied by a mysterious elf "name undetermined at the moment".

　When summoning them, you must draw a designated coat of arms in the yard of the lord's house and utter the "Mystery Melody".





''──What shall we do?''

I'll... try.



　I tried.





　I got him.






"Let me go, big brother. You're not going to get your chance to play the role of a mystery shifu, are you, kiddo?

'I don't think it's possible when you're caught by me. Active ......

I'm sorry, Mr. Iris. I've fallen for the master's clever trap. ......

　That's why.

　It's been decided that I will summon the mysterious shifu Melody...

　Instead, he promised to "rebuild" Iris's skills on the road...



''So, when you activate that skill, Iris will transform into 'Melody'!

Excellent idea, Mr. Iris!



　...... Well, that's why.

　The first quest of "Mystery Thief Melody", aka Iris, was over and she had a new goal in mind.