Ten days have passed.

　The snack shop Crescent Moon, which has been popular every day, has become a fixture in the town, and its large line of customers has become a specialty.
　Today, the four shops are probably working at maximum speed to handle the influx of customers in the crisp summer weather.

　But this place is a spacious space away from all the noise.
　It was a huge conference room on the top floor of the Guild Hall, a key building in the city of Akiba.

　This conference room is not an independent zone, but is built as an area in the same area as the Guild Hall. It is a place that even a vagrant can enter if he or she is so inclined, but it is a place that is hardly ever reminded by people due to the fact that the Guild Hall is a heavily guarded building with many people coming and going, and it is on the top floor.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.

　In the conference room, many people were now gathered.
　In the center of the huge concrete space with its high ceiling, a huge circular table was also set up.
　The people seated at the table were representative of the Akiba city.

　Isaac the Black Swordsman, head of the Black Sword Knights.
　The guild master of the Honesti, Ains.
　Krusty, the Mad Titan, who leads the D.D.D.
　William, the young leader of the Silversword.
　Soujiro, the harem-type guild master of the West Wind Brigade.

　Michitaka, the powerful general manager of the Maritime Organization.
　Roderick, the guild master of the Roderick Trading Company.
　Karashin, leader of the Eighth Shopping District.

　Marielle of the Crescent Moon Alliance.
　Woodstock, the trainer of Grandale.
　Akaneya, the master machinist of the RADIO Market.

　And Shiroe, who wears the guild tag for the Log Horizon.

　The 12 players seated at the round table often have several aides standing behind them, which means there are less than 30 players in this huge space.

　The expressions of the gathered faces were varied.
　Some were anxious, some were snarky, some were expressionless, and some seemed confident. Each of them had been summoned to the conference room by the invitation that had been delivered last night.

　The title of the invitation is "On the City of Akiba".
　Signed jointly by Shiroe and Marielle of the Alliance of the Crescent Moon, the invitation was titled "On the City of Akiba.

　Most of those gathered here were leaders of large guilds. The Maritime Organization, Roderick Trading Company, and the Eighth Shopping Street are all major producers' guilds.
　The Black Sword Guild, Honesti, D.D.D., Silversword, and Westwind Brigade are all large or highly successful fighting guilds.
　The Crescent Moon League, Grandeur, and Radio Market are all small in size, but they were attempting to become the cornerstone of a small- to medium-sized guild liaison group that had once tried and failed.

　There was only one guild name that no one had ever heard of, Kiroku no Horizons, and that was the name of a guild that no one had ever heard of.

　However, when it comes to a guild large enough to be assembled here, everyone has a certain amount of information gathering ability. Less than a quarter of the members turned a questioning look at Shiroe's presence.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. Some of the members are a little surprised that the beverage is not previously sold in the Crescent Moon, but there is a silence that seems to swallow the small upset.

　Shiroe sat quietly.
　But he wasn't quiet, even his feelings were not quiet.
　This meeting was a battlefield for Shiroe.
　It's a battlefield of sword fights and flames as large as any large scale battle you've ever been in. It's a good thing that you can't get rid of it. Most of the members gathered are enemies from which compromise should be drawn. Otherwise, they are relying on themselves, a few allies. I can't let them realize that there's no room for either of them.

(It's a war I wanted to start, right?)

　As Soujiro said, this world is a prison. Everyone is caught in the curse of survival. The despair of having no place to return to, the wilderness with its monsters, and the fetters of powerlessness.
　For Shiroe, it's fair to say that she's been driven by the situation every day since the catastrophe. They had been living to cope with the situation in front of them, to prepare for it, and to increase their chances of survival.

　But this strategy was different. It's not about saving Touya, saving Minori, or bringing some kind of order to this Akiba city; ultimately, it's about Shiroe's selfishness. It's just a way for Shiroe to get what she wants, even if it means sparking a battle that she doesn't have to.
　Of course, Shiroe believes that there are benefits.
　Not only for himself, but also for the people he cares about, and for this city of Akiba. Shiroe believes that there are benefits to this city.
　But that doesn't mean that this was essentially the result of Shiroe's selfishness.

　In that sense, Shiroe had achieved freedom for the first time since the Catastrophe. For the first time since his selfishness, he is giving his all in a battle he started to make his wishes come true. It certainly brought a great sense of tension and sobering pressure to Shiroe, but it also gave her a strong sense of joy.

'Shiroechi?　Are you okay?

　A kitten standing right behind me asks me a question. I can now accept those words without question. Nyanta, Naotsugu and Akatsuki - who is not here, but who also wears the tag of the guild - are taking on this first battle as a four-man guild. Although we are in different locations, we have only one battleground.

　Victory for this comrade.
　Shiroe strongly wished for that.

　Tensions in the field are rising and soon all the invited guests are gathered.
　Shiroe stood up and gave the opening address.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come here.
　My name is Shiroe from the 'Horizon of Records'. I have a question and a favor to ask of you today. I know it's a bit complicated, so I'm sure it will take some time, but please stay with me.
　Shiroe breaks off the words and looks around.

(..........Well, I'm thankful that everyone came, at any rate. I'm sure Soujirou put the wheels in motion for me, but....... We didn't have to go through the troublesome process of convincing people individually afterwards.
　(For that reason, today, this is the time for a decisive battle.

Couldn't we just cut to the chase? You're the prodigal, Shiroe. It's not like I don't know you.
　It was Isaac the Black Sword. He is one of the most high-level players on the Japanese server and a veteran warrior. He is a genuine warrior who has been in the vanguard of many large scale battles. Shiroe has also been invited to participate in several battles as an assistant in those battles. I didn't think he'd remember a lowly job as an enchanter. But apparently that wasn't the case.

"What's the point of this place?
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it. He was a typical "young elf lord" looking young man with his flowing silver hair pulled back in a bun. The young man had a rather short temper, and he kept changing his legs over and over again.

With your permission, I'll get right to the business.
　What I would like to discuss, or rather, propose, is the current situation in Akiba.
　As you know, after the Great Disaster, we are left behind in this other world. We have no hope of returning to our home planet. I don't have a clue about this at all, as far as I know. It's very painful, but it's true.
　Meanwhile, under these circumstances, the atmosphere in Akiba is deteriorating.
　Many of my colleagues are demoralized, and conversely, some are desperate. The economy is in shambles, and the efficiency of the search is not improving at all. We want to do something about this situation. That's why we've asked you to come here.

　Shiroe spins his words with half an eye.
　It's okay. The words to be spoken are repeatedly recalled, so concrete that you can no longer feel their touch.

"What do you propose to do when we get together?
I don't want any trouble...
Why do you need to bring that up now?
I know what you're gonna say, but what can you do?

　As if to stifle a few murmurs, Ains, the middle-aged guild master of the Honesti, asks a question.
''Is it like the previously failed Small and Medium Guild Liaison Group?''

'It's close. But I'm told it failed to do so.
　When Shiroe glanced at the two guilds involved, the Grandale and the Radio Market, their representatives nodded, a little pale. I'm sure you'll find the same thing with the Crescent Moon Alliance, but it's too small a guild to sit in this seat. It's not a small number of groups that are more than fifty times larger in number.

It's true that those plans have fallen apart. But I think that was a lot of pressure. The plan at that time was for small and medium-sized guilds to get together and try to compete with the big guilds.
　........In other words, it was a battle of small guilds getting together and trying to protect their own interests. Our plan failed.

　That's right. When you said you would cooperate with us, in the end you were just serving the interests of your own guild. That's why it didn't work out, and it broke.
　Marielle received and supplemented Akaneya's words from Akaneya, a master class in the sub-profession of , a sub-profession that produces mechanical clocks and crafted objects.

''This time, you're going to call on all - at least all the forces that represent the city of Akiba to coordinate their interests?
'That might have some effect, though. On the other hand, it would increase the difficulty of interest coordination itself, wouldn't it?　Impossible. Nonsense.

　The participants began to respond to the words of Marielle and the others.
　The name of Marielle, or the Crescent Moon Alliance, was also written on the invitation. From this, the participants' minds were filled with the question, "Isn't the true identity of this meeting, in other words, a continuation (...) of the failed Federation of Small and Medium Guilds? I guess there was a suspicion that this was the case.

(That's an obvious guess...)
　However, even if the name was familiar to those in the know, it would have been difficult to call a meeting on the name of Shiroe alone.
　The fame of Marielle and the Crescent Moon Alliance, which sold snacks, made it possible for them to hold this meeting. These two values of fame and fortune were enough to get the meeting to be held this time. Shiroe believes that this misunderstanding is the price to pay.

The purpose of this meeting is a little different. The purpose of this meeting is to improve the current situation in Akiba.

　The sound of Shiroe's clear words were interrupted by the sound of him leaving his seat.

'If that's what you're saying, then we're out.
　The one who stood up was William of the , who was annoyed from earlier. He corrected the position of the saber at his waist and tossed his cloak.

We're a fighting guild. I don't care about the atmosphere of the city. This is just a place to come back and exchange items. You're not going to be able to get a good deal more than just a few minutes.
　--It's a good thing that the people who are interested in the town can do the town's business.
　I'm not saying there's anything wrong with asking for advice. It's a waste of time. But we're not interested in that. Just do it without us.
　William dismissed that much and left the conference room.

　The air in the room was buzzing.
　The heads of the Grandale, Radio Market and the Crescent Moon Alliance looked particularly pale. Shiroe had heard that more and more people were dropping out of the small and medium-sized guilds like this in the last days of the Liaison Association.

　However, Shiroe himself, who was carrying on with the conversation, had fully expected this to happen.

(Silversword is leaving, and...)
　Shiroe analyzes its influence and its penetration into the battle station and updates the scorecard in his mind.

　It's true that the is a large scale combat guild, but that doesn't mean that they are essential to this seat. The largest combat guild or the largest producer guild . If these guilds were to leave their seats, we would take steps to keep them back, but it was calculated that one or two guilds would kick the seat from the start.

　More importantly, William and the others left and couldn't leave the restless atmosphere of the conference hall as it was.

''We're down to eleven seats, but we'll continue on.
　The reason for inviting you to this meeting is to call for the formation of the Roundtable to discuss the issue of Akiba's self-governance in the city of Akiba, as Silversword said earlier.
　We have two main objectives for now.
　Firstly, to improve the atmosphere of Akiba's streets. More specifically, to guide it in the direction of regaining its vitality. The second is to improve public safety.
　With these two goals in mind, we aim to become an organization that can solve problems related to the autonomy of Akiba's streets in the future.
　The response of the field was again silence.
　It's a silence that occurs as the participants explore each other's responses.

(This is where the real work begins.)
　Shiroe looked around at the expressions around her with the awareness that she had finally passed the starting point.

　Indeed, the members gathered here would be able to affect about eighty percent of the population of Akiba's city. The guild of assembled members alone has over six thousand people in its ranks. That was a third of the players living in Akiba's city.
　On top of that, with so many major guilds gathered, there were many friendly guilds and semi-affiliated guilds as well. There is a wide range of horizontal connections, such as the availability of materials and hunting together.

　As long as the members gathered here could agree, it wouldn't be too difficult to get the consensus of all the residents of Akiba's city. Of course, that was also the result of Shiroe's choice of guilds to invite them to the meeting, as it would result in that.

　But because of that, it was infinitely difficult to get agreement among these giant guilds. The difficulty is many times greater than "destroying a guild". Shiroe knew this before he began his challenge.

"But first, could you tell me the criteria for selecting members?
　The first person to break that calmness was Ains. The guildmaster of the major combat guild asked in a calm, middle-aged voice, just like his appearance.

''I understand. ''I see. The criteria for selecting the members we've invited here.
　First of all, the Black Sword Guild, Honesty, D.D.D., and West Wind Brigade were chosen from a large combat guild or a guild with high achievements. The same goes for the Silversword.
　The Maritime Organization, Roderick's Trading Company, and the Eighth Shopping Street were chosen as the three major production guilds.
　The Crescent Moon League, Grandeur, and Radio Market represent the smaller guilds.
　Don't get me wrong, I did not invite these three guilds as stand-alone guilds, but rather in order to get the opinions of those who did not join a guild or who were not able to sit in on the discussion, as well as smaller guilds. The fact that the guild itself is small does not mean that it should be ignored in the weight of its voice. Also, if this meeting were to be passed, I think we would be asking you to do just that.

　Although there was expected to be an outcry over the participation of all the small and medium-sized guilds, this seemed to have been received unexpectedly calmly.
　It was true that the total number of members of the major guilds invited here was six thousand. However, conversely speaking, in Akiba's city, there were other.......in other words, nine thousand people who did not join a guild or belonged to small and medium-sized guilds.
　I've been told that I'm a representative of those people, and my argument that I'm a representative of those people has been well received.
　Of course, there is a good chance that the meeting was overheard on the assumption that it would fail, but Shiroe observed.

'And you?'
　The one who asks in a few words is Krusty, the leader of D.D.D., the Mad Titan. Despite his name, he was a dapper man with glasses.

"I'm here as the presenter and initiator of the event.
　Shiroe asserts.
　We will hold a meeting to autonomize this Akiba city. And if the conditions of participation in the conference are the size of the guild and its visibility in the city, then Shiroe himself is not qualified to participate in the conference.

　The guildmaster of a new, small to medium-sized guild, which is hesitant to even call itself a small to medium-sized guild with only four members, will not listen to anyone when they talk about the future of Akiba's city.
　Even in terms of the qualifications of the participating guilds chosen by Shiroe himself, he was out of line.

(But that's not the point.)

　In terms of eligibility, it's probably not. So has a large guild that should be eligible for it ever made the city better?　If you're asking me if they've ever done anything for us since the disaster, the answer is no.

(It's been proven that waiting around doesn't always get you what I want. ...Call me arrogant, but you're right. I'm just being selfish. I'm done being modest. I don't have to make do with what I have to offer. I will do what I want to do. --I will do what I want to do, including the prep work and the meeting.

Hmm......... So you went to the trouble of organizing and sending out invitations in order to qualify for participation?
　Krusty's question was because he sensed exactly what Shiroe intended to say. So Shiroe answered that question with a heartfelt, "That's right.

'If that conference were to be inaugurated, by what means would you deal with the security?　No, what's the problem with the security situation in this case in the first place?
　"The Black Sword" Isaac's question made Shiroe brace himself.

''It's no secret that some guilds have placed them under house arrest under the guise of protecting beginners, right?　I cannot say that such a situation is healthy.
　The Black Sword's Isaac flinches at the words thrust straight at him.
"You're talking about the EXP pot, aren't you?　But I wouldn't say that was against the law.
　--EXP Pot. The meeting was buzzing at the sudden mention of a proper name. More than half of them reacted in a "Oh, you're still coming to that topic" kind of way. Whether they themselves were legal or illegal, it was probably true to some extent that they themselves had a somewhat backward feeling about it.

'There is currently no law for players. It's just sophistry to say that they haven't broken a 'law' that doesn't exist. That's something everyone here understands.
　Shiroe continues with a grim expression on Isaac's face.

"I'm not limiting this to the EXP pot.
　The problem is that for us players, there is no 'law'. In today's world, we can actually do whatever we want.
　Of course, that's hardly a detriment to us. As long as we're OK with ourselves.

That's the accusation. The law is in place. In fact, if a player engages in combat in a no-fly zone, he will be penalized with death.
'It's a 'result' and not a 'law'. It's simply a law. ...To put it more clearly, the 'cause' of fighting in a no combat action zone only has the consequence of 'attack from the guards'. That can't even be called a rule. It's just a phenomenon. We didn't approve it and we didn't make it up. How can such a thing be a 'law'?

　Isaac keeps his mouth shut at Shiroe's words. The Black Sword Knights are one of the major combat guilds that are believed to have purchased EXP pots. He's probably making a strong argument to disguise his dark thoughts.
　However, it was an obstacle in the path Shiroe was conquering. That's why Shiroe will do everything in his power to cut them down.

For example, the other day I went to the town of Susukino.
　For example, I went to the town of Susukino the other day, where a guild called Brigantia was running a business of kidnapping young non-player girls and selling them as slaves to players.
　The participants in the meeting looked at Shiroe with a perplexed expression.

In terms of what I just said, this is not 'illegal'. The guards won't attack you. Is that the kind of 'law' we are talking about?
　In this world, yes. At least technically, it's possible.
　In terms of "can we or can't we", we can.
　But there is a difference between "law" and that, isn't there?
　The question I want to ask is: "Do we recognize that about ourselves? That's the part that says, "The Law". Isn't that what 'law' is all about? It's where we place the rules that govern us.

　You can make up any excuse you want.
　For example, the reason why they're putting new recruits under house arrest is for their own protection. Or that they are confiscating EXP pots in order to supplement the cost of living that the newcomers can't earn with their meager combat skills.
　As for the non-player characters, they could argue that they are just puppets with AI gadgets, and that they don't have human rights. At the very least, it is not possible to prove that they are not AI-inspired dolls and that they have human rights. History has proven that human rights are not something to be proven in the first place, but something to be won.

　Therefore, Shiroe's tactical goal was not to dismiss each of these excuses. The goal, at least in this short term, is to get everyone to admit that they need to be disciplined in a different world, a lawless world.

　Some of the members of the council kept their mouths shut and others voiced their opinions in response to the questions posed by Shiroe. The conference room was abuzz with noise, not only from the regular representatives, but also from the conversations of their chiefs of staff.

　There seemed to be two main reactions.
　One was the opinion that some kind of rule making was indeed necessary.
　The other opinion was that such a consensus was impossible.

The Silversword left the meeting, saying it wasn't going to take place, but they did allow the meeting to continue. --What if there were forces in Akiba that didn't approve of the meeting?　In other words, a force to be reckoned with against the policies of the conference.

　Krusty, calm and precise as ever, asks Shiroe a question as if he represented the latter's opinion.

'I will fight. Specifically, we will expel them from the streets of Akiba. Even if they were to infiltrate the city, it would be very difficult to do so. We will naturally consider disbanding them.

　Shiroe's answer elicited a loud throbbing response from the combat guilds and others.
　It was the same as the astonished cries of Marielle, Henrietta and Xiaolong in the meeting room two weeks ago.

　''Disband the guild.'' ''Expel the guild.''
　It's easy to say in words, but it's extremely difficult to do. In this world, even 'death' is not a deterrent. This is because of the resurrection. As long as "death" is not a deterrent, captivity also greatly reduces its effectiveness. Even if they are captured or imprisoned, ultimately they can escape if they commit suicide.

　In such a situation, it is infinitely difficult to inflict fatal damage on the organization known as the guild.

　However, the atmosphere was slightly different from the disappointment the three of them had experienced in the Crescent Moon Alliance's conference room. Right now, this meeting is filled with the top members of Akiba, a group that affects nearly 80% of the city's residents.
　There are many things that are impossible for the Crescent Moon Alliance to do, but are possible if the members of this meeting agree to do them. For example, they could place surveillance at all the gates of the city of Akiba, and if an arranger tried to enter the city, they could set up a PK and eliminate him. Also, in the production guilds, they do not sell any goods to the arrangers.
　Of course, the hassle and cost of this would be enormous. But we can put tangible and intangible pressure on them in this way.

But that wouldn't be possible without the help of a fighting guild like ours.
　"Isaac of the Black Sword" throws a waking word at Shiroe.

''Roughly, if it's ten and twenty people, well, it's still good. That's how we can punish them. But if a guild like the ones that are gathered here don't follow the council, ignore the council's decisions, and say 'law' to hell with the law, then that's war.
　Even if a meeting is started, there is no guarantee that a consensus will be reached on each and every item dealt with at that meeting. In fact, how could they ever come to a consensus under such circumstances?　We tried to get a consensus of opposing views, but it turned into a war, so what's the point of a conference?

　Isaac had a valid point.
　The members who had gathered in the meeting muttered their agreement and a murmur of agreement spread.

　For example, if his Black Sword Knights revolted, they would have 190 members, and with that many 90-level members gathered, it would be virtually impossible to counter them. Since fighting in the city is forbidden, they would have to be captured or sent to the other zones for capture or penalty kicks, but even if they won, the guild would not be decisively damaged.
　Economic pressure, such as refusing to do business, is also unlikely to have an effect on a guild with more than a certain number of members. This is because most of the guild's internal demands are met by the production sub-professional holders that exist within.
　Of course, it would depend on the level and ratio of sub-profession holders, but with 50 people, it would be possible to create a self-sufficient system.

　Considering this, there was a high probability that no matter how many of Shiroe's proposals for this conference were approved, any proposal that the major guilds opposed would not be able to gain the support of the conference. In other words, the major guilds would have veto power, which would make no difference to the current situation.

　Shiroe lowered her gaze and repositioned her glasses.

(So far, it's generally as expected to unfold. Indeed, under normal circumstances, once the meeting is concluded, they would have an internal dispute afterwards. ........but that's not good enough for this time)

I'm afraid you have to admit that it's not very realistic, is it?
　Krusty's still has a slender, elegant profile and asks questions.
　It's hard to believe that this intelligent-looking man is feared as a 'madman', but it's true. The proof of this is the fact that he continues to speak in a calm, caustic tone.

''I think there is a point in having that meeting. But it's ... a pose of sorts, and I don't think it's going to exert any practical binding force.
　Shiroe raised one hand quietly at the point.

　Gazes gathered as if they were distracted by Shiroe's gesture, and a momentary silence fell in the conference room.

''Today - about four hours ago now. I purchased this zone called the Guild Hall.

　An air of emptiness flowed through the members.
　It took a moment for everyone to understand what the words meant.

'Naturally, I have the right to set up the zone, and that right includes the right to enter and exit the zone.' --that is, the people I have designated as blacklisted cannot use the guild hall.
　That, of course, means that they can't use the Guild Hall, the banking facilities, or the safe deposit boxes.

　Henrietta let out a deep sigh as everyone stared at Shiroe with a strange expression on their faces, as if something was stuck in their throats.

'Look. It's a pitch black black black.''
　Marielle, who had been watching the meeting with bated breath, nodded at Henrietta's mutterings of dismay and pity. Siloe's words sounded like a death sentence.


　◆


　When he woke up in the morning, he would wash his face with the water that filled the trough.
　The rude furniture was originally in the stables, used for the manger. I wash my face in the cold water that fills the trough and wrap myself in the dirty cloak.
　This is one of the rooms in the Guildhall of the Hameln assigned to the newcomer's miscellaneous sleeping quarters. It's shabbily furnished and minimally equipped for life.

(I have to go to the kitchen...)

　The time to get ready in the morning is hectic. Each of us is beginning to move according to our assigned roles. Minori is on the breakfast delivery duty, so she has to go to the kitchen to get the breakfast.

　I hope that the day will be trouble-free. Minori prays.
　Today is a special day.

　Minori hurriedly got ready and headed to the kitchen.
　There, the owner of the cook's skills, who was up early, would be making black wheat bread. I don't think it's shoddy food. In this world, even the most extravagant food tastes the same. In other words, this meal of black bread and water could be considered a feast. I've been telling myself that for two months.

　Minori greeted the "cook" in a low voice and quickly pulled out a large tray. In addition to the same novice cook, there are other executives in the kitchen to guard the kitchen. Minori hurriedly began to fill the jugs with well water so as not to make eye contact as much as possible.
　All in all, it was enough for 35 people. He placed the water and black bread on a large wooden tray.

'Wait a minute.'
　The man's voice made her shrug reflexively.
　Minori felt oily, disgusting sweat oozing down her palms.

(Why. ........I didn't do anything. (It's supposed to be normal.)
　I absolutely had to do what I normally do, but I stumbled into the morning.

'Ha, yes,'
　I squeeze out a reply, thinking that even I sound like a mosquito buzzing and fading away.

'Ha. You have a spicy look on your face. .........an?　Can't you at least say hello?
Yes...... Good morning.
　The guards sniffed boringly and made it difficult.
　Minori restrained herself and returned the greeting.

''Well, that's fine. .... you're a 'seamstress', aren't you?　How old are you?
I'm at level 32, sir.
So I can sew 30 units of leather armor now. You can improve your skills today with a leather apron and leather gloves.
Yes, sir.
　He bowed his head a few times and left the kitchen. Minori's heart was pounding and her heart was about to break.

　I've received several calls from Shiroe since that night.
　It's the time when the guild has gone to bed after dark.
　As I wrap myself in my cloak on the cold concrete floor and catch my breath, I hear the sound of a bell in my ear. It's a signal that signals a telepathic message from Shiroe.
　Of course, it was impossible to have a conversation in the stillness of Hameln's bedroom at midnight. Most of them are small coughs or small cues with a light tap on the floor. A few words were exchanged in the absence of the guards. I could only make out a small voice so that they wouldn't know I was sounding tearful and pathetic.

　Many of the communications from Shiroe were trivial.
　Once a day, or once every two days. It was short, and only enough time.
　Topics like where they went today, who they met with, that sort of thing.

　Shiroe apparently had company now. A guardian warrior named Naotsugu, who is full of light-hearted and weird jokes, but who is dependable. There's a bitter little woman named Akatsuki, who is an assassin. Then there's an elderly swashbuckler named Nyanta, whom Shiroe calls his squad leader. I also heard the names of Marielle, Henrietta and Xiaolong from the Crescent Moon Alliance.

　What Shiroe tells me is what he has done and is doing. It's a world that Shiroe can see, to put it bluntly.

(I and Shiroe are in the same world. ...We are in the same world, yet the world looks so tired and dirty to me.... Shiroe-san says it's beautiful and spacious...)

　That's hard for Minori.
　I don't think it's "unfair. The reason the same world looks so shabby is probably because his eyes and soul are clouded.

　While Shiroe is surrounded by bright, happy and kind people, the people around her are not. I know that I have a jealous heart inside me. Shiroe's world is dazzling and warm, while my own world is dirty and cold. It's hard for Minori because the dirt inside her heart seemed to ooze outward.

　Shiroe spoke faintly.
　That he had never settled in any guild before.
　That I've repeatedly been a mercenary-like helper here and there.
　I've never been able to build, destroy, and nurture a guild by myself.
　But after all, he finally decided to make a place for himself.

　But in Minori's opinion, that's just Shiroe's groundless fears. It's just a matter of time before we get rid of it. Because Shiroe was kind to Minori and Touya. It may have been an insignificant act of kindness, but that kindness is now helping Minori and Touya.
　The world around Shiroe is one that she has won. And if I don't have the world Shiroe has, it's because I didn't get it.

　Perhaps Minori lost it in the days after the Catastrophe.

(I spent the days after the Catastrophe crying for someone to save me. So I lost it...)

　Minori thinks so, along with the bitterness and pain. It's the same reason he joined the Hameln. I wanted someone to save me, and I wasn't willing to do it myself. I lost it because I thought someone else could save me. Shiroe and himself were given equal chances. It's just that I couldn't take advantage of the opportunities that Shiroe was able to take advantage of.

　So in that sense, this situation is not "unfair".
　Even if the glorious things around Shiroe aren't around him, it's not Shiroe's fault at all.

(And if I feel that way, I'm really going to have to do it this time........ (It wouldn't even be worth asking Shiroe to speak to me.)

　And now, if Shiroe is going to start walking to grab his place, then even I should be able to do it. ........I may have lost all my possessions, but as a novice player, it's as if I didn't have any possessions to begin with.

　I have Touya. I have a family to take care of.
　It's okay to go out into the city and live in the darkness of an abandoned building, whether it's scary or lonely, just like hiding in the dark. After all, if only we had been prepared for that in the days following the catastrophe, we wouldn't be in the situation we are in now.

　I forced myself to regain my composure and headed for the living room, where my fellow newcomers were supposed to be.

　Shiroe seemed to be really acting to rescue Minori and the others. Moreover, from the actions that could be sensed from his words, it seems that he is trying to free not only Minori, but all the novice players in the .

(Shiroe-san is an amazing person. ........cool, mature, good looking, knows everything, tall, kind......)

　Minori's cheeks heat up as she also realizes that her thoughts tend to be a bit loopy.

　Someone like that is trying to help him.
　He appreciates that Minori is worth it.
　Of course, Minori herself can't very well believe she's worth it. More than half the time I think that's a buy-in from Shiroe. To be honest, I even think it's some kind of mistake.

　But Touya is different. Touya muttered, "That's cool, brother. And after spending a very long time in silence, he continued, "...I'd like to become one, too.

　I'm proud of Minori, my brother.
　If Touya thought that way, then Minori herself must be as well. Minori has to prove to Shiroe that it was not a mistake to save him then. If not in the future, he will lose the right to be called upon by Shiroe in the present.
　In order to do so, you can't be allowed to think of "unfairness" as a mother-in-law thing.

　It's good to envy. And it's good to suffer from envy.
　If that pain gives you the strength to move forward, then come on. Minori thinks so. But she doesn't have time to be bothered by the backwardness of "unfairness".

　After handing out the bread to the other kids, Minori takes a small bite of black bread in the west corner of the room she usually uses. It's not good, but it's not extremely bad either, and she swallows a little bit of the somewhat blurry, uninspired food under her breath.

　Inside the living room, there are no mid-level members of the guild.
　The new players who have gathered around them give Minori a questioning look. Minori nodded at their gazes, whispered to them to try a little harder, etc.
　The knowledge that Shiroe taught me was very common for beginners and was mostly common sense knowledge that was the basis for everything when playing Elder Tail.
　However, in this different world, cut off from web-based strategy sites, those little bits of knowledge and tricks are a huge advantage for Minori and Touya. Their broad and shallow knowledge, not limited to their main class or sub-profession, has made Minori and Touya more than just "novice players".

　They tried to use that little bit of knowledge to ease the unreasonable demands of the Hameln, and before long, that attitude earned them the trust of those same novice players.

　Handing the hot water that he had specially smoldered to the child who seemed to be in bad shape all morning, Minori continued his thoughts.

　Shiroe told me that she would contact me during the day today. I have to act when that call comes.
　I've already talked to my roommate for a few minutes, and Touya should understand what we're doing today.

　Minori didn't know when she'd hear from him, but she figured it would be in the morning or at night. If it was daytime, Touya and his team would be on a hunting trip. It would be hard to do any kind of strategy if the rescue targets were dispersed.

　After biting into the bread, Touya and the rest of the members of the team started to move to another room to prepare for the hunt. The newcomers to the battle are gathered and today's expedition destination, members and formation are decided. The selected members then change their clothes, check their equipment and leave.

　Just then, Minori hears the faint sound of a bell in her ear.
It's coming! ........it's Shiroe-san.

　The palpitations that begin to run like a fast horse are the tension for the commotion to come. Even if you were to be killed, you would not die. Even if you know in your head, if a weapon is pointed at you, you will still cower.
　Minori doesn't know what kind of operations will be carried out from now on, but there is more than enough chance of it turning into a rough affair. The possibility of a battle is not small. But after thinking about it, Minori is determined not to show her disgraceful appearance.

　As soon as he takes the telepathic message, Shiroe begins to speak quietly at a volume that only Minori can hear.
''Good morning. --Minori?　...I'm going to start the mission as soon as possible. On my mark, as usual.
　Con. A single small cough is all it takes to return the affirmation.

"Is Touya in the other room getting ready?
　Affirmation again.

"Very well. You must leave the Guildhall in time for Touya to leave the Guildhall. All the newcomers. You can simply walk out the door. Don't worry. --We've taken control of the entire guild hall.

(Suppression?)
　Minori didn't understand the meaning of the words, but she answered in the affirmative for now.

I'm sure you're not going to be able to find out what's going on, but I'm sure you're going to be able to find out. The entrance hall of the guild hall is the headquarters of the rescue operation.
　Minori worked hard to remember exactly what it was.

I have an important battle to fight as a detached force, so I can't be there. The operation is being led by a girl named Kouryu. The only other person you can rely on is an assassin named Akatsuki. She's in the hall, or close by.
　My knees are so tense that my chest is painfully tight. But Minori returns the only small affirmation she can muster in desperation.

'Naotugu is camped in the temple. He can be counted on to help in the worst case. Then let's get started. --Let the escape mission begin.


　You're not going to be able to do that.


　The same telepathic message was received by Touya as well.

(Let the mission begin, brother.)

　Touya swallows a raw spit. She takes a slow, deep breath and runs her gaze over it, feeling her hands tense up at any moment as she straps on her combat gear. It's still too early to tell the others around you.

　I'm going to be able to say that I'm going to have to get all the newcomers out to the guild hall side. The Guild Hall and the Guild Hall zone, where Touya and the others are currently located, are connected by a single door.
　If everyone works together to break through the door, the mission objective given by Shiroe will be accomplished. Touya was confident that he could escape in less than 10 seconds if he was on his own.

　But Minori wouldn't do that.
　Minori would watch Touya leave before he escaped too. No, his sister (Minori) would get all the new members out as well, except Touya, and she'd be the first one to be shinigaried.

(Then I can't escape, can I?)

　I know my sister, Minori, is a self-punishing personality.
　It was the flip side of a sense of responsibility, but Touya suspected that he was the cause of that budding sense of responsibility.

　Touya likes his sister.
　A schoolmate had told her that siblings were something to butt heads about.
　It's a good thing that you can't get away with it.
　However, in Toya's opinion, the cause of the stress is a hierarchical relationship. There is usually an age difference between brother and sister. Most of the time it's only one to three years old. For children, the age difference is too big to ignore in terms of ability.

　On the older side, the younger siblings are likely to be poor copies of themselves; on the younger side, the older siblings are tyrants.
　That can be stressful to live with, sure.
　But twins are easygoing in that regard. Minori tries to take care of Touya every chance she gets because she is the older sister, but Touya doesn't think of Minori, who is only a few hours apart in terms of birth time, as a guardian.

　He thinks of her as a desirable partner, as a blood relative and as a partner.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them, as they are both twins. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in the marketplace. It was fortunate, Touya thought, that there was no such thing as a hierarchical relationship between them.

　But even though they were of equal age and had a relationship, she was still a bit of a coward. It's a good thing that you're a man, so it's your responsibility to protect your sister in such situations. It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

I'm going to go now. I'm going to call out to Gilmas, you guys line up in front of the guild hall.
　The leader of the hunting team who called out to him, that haughty "Summoner" (Summoner), dismisses him with that and leaves the room. Probably he went to the guildmaster's room.

　Touya shoves the cheap taiji into his belt and calls out to his friends behind him as he goes to the door.
''The rescue I've been talking about for a while is coming. ........Let's move to the guild hall hall now. Hurry!
　A hint of breathlessness. Everyone must have sensed the hint. A flurry of activity begins. The voice of restraint says, "Leave it alone, we don't have anything anyway" as people rush to get their belongings out.

　It's true that Touya and the others don't have any property. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

　Some of his friends nodded at Touya as he looked back behind him, putting his ear to the door. Touya opened the door and stepped out into the corridor of the guild hall and ran straight to the other small fish sleeping room.

　As he approached the door of that room, he could hear small screams and struggling noises coming from inside. Without even thinking about it, Touya opened the door briskly and what came into his view was the sight of a mid-level member of the guild struggling with Minori.
(Have they found out?!

　Touya gasped and gestured with her hand gestures to the frightened new girls who were watching the two struggle from afar to signal them to get out. At the same time, she made the short-haired bandit, who was trying to latch onto her sister and hold her down, take a body hit.

''Huh?　What are you guys up to?
　The sound of a loud intake of breath. The short-haired bandit must have been trying to scream loudly. Her sister's frightened expression. With that expression alone, Touya once again feels his body involuntarily move.

　The lowered waist, the left arm spinning smoothly.
　It's not a matter of pulling out, it's a taiji that spurts out as if fired from its sheath. The glittering silver light becomes a line and strikes the target's throat.

　A samurai's offensive skill, the "hayani-e" (Lanier Scapture).
　Its effect is to crush the target's vocal cords, disrupting magic chanting. In this case, it wasn't magic chanting, but it seemed to be effective. The short-haired bandit coughed silently and pressed his throat.

　The Guildhall is essentially a no-fighting zone. If you act combat-like, a non-player character "guard" will instantly appear, even if he or she is not around.
　However, the no combat zone can be designated or cancelled by the zone owner. In the Guild Hall of Hameln, the ban on combat was lifted due to the need to 'manage' the newcomers.
　The mid-level members used that setting to inflict pain on the newcomers.
　-- at least until today.

'Stand down!'
　Minori stands up as if she was played by Touya's voice and pushes her fellow girls towards the entrance of the guild hall. There was no time to dawdle when things got like this. There's no choice but to inspire and guide their frightened friends.

　Meanwhile, Touya's side was facing a mid-level bandit in front of him.
　Hatred burned in the eyes of that man with a stern face. He was stirring up an unbelievable anger at having his throat crushed by a rookie player they had underestimated as a small fry. In fact, a twenty level difference exists between Touya and his bandits.

　The bandit pulls out a curved sword from his waist with a blade that could be 50 centimeters across, and slashes at Touya. The only effect of Hayaniere is to take away the ability to chant and speak. While it is very effective against sorcerers and healers, it doesn't take away the ability to fight from a physical arts character like the man in front of you.


　The bandit's sword point is sharp, and it overcomes Touya's defensive stance and slices through his body with ease. There is too much of a gap in their abilities to begin with.

　The reason why Touya's surprise attack was successful was due to the pride of the man who was careless that the new player would not be able to oppose him, and the one he used was Hayaniye.

　Many of the samurai's special moves have a long reuse restriction time, with most of them allowed to be used once every five minutes or once every ten minutes, and they are all so-called "one-shot" moves. This makes each move more powerful and has a very high hit ratio, and it's this characteristic that made them effective against mid-level players 20 levels higher.
　His special moves are powerful and diverse, but there are few easy-to-use mid-level moves that allow him to create pauses. This is a trait that the Samurai is destined to have.

　Haya Nee's effect duration is 15 seconds.
　The remaining time would probably only be about ten seconds. Touya suppresses his panic as he takes the thief's sword.

(No need to win. We'll just have to hold out here until everyone else is gone.

　Red blood splatter is spreading in the area. You don't even need to look to see it, it's flowing from Touya's body. Her entire body is aching, numbing pain. I can feel my hands and feet getting colder and heavier.

''Touya!''
　The bandit's attack is flattened by a mirror-like effect that glows light blue. The mirror shatters in an instant as the man with the level difference attacks, but it's Minori's 'damage blocking' spell. The bandit can be seen clicking his tongue in an abhorrent manner.

'Everyone's headed for the front door. Let's go down the hallway.
Come on. Come on.
　After taking a big swing to check him with a big swing, he and Minori left the small fish sleeping room. The hallway is no more than two meters wide. In this place, you can stop them without being turned to the side or behind.

''Gefu. Gah!
　But just then, the effect of the bandit's device, Hayanié, wore off. He clutched his throat and let out a cracked cough, then turned to Touya and shouted, "You have no idea what's going to happen to this treason!
"Do you have any idea what this treason is about?　I'll kill you over a hundred times, you little shit!
　Just as Touya and the others had feared, that barbaric voice echoed through the guild hall. A number of doors facing the corridor opened, and the ones who peeked out were the main forces of the , who hurriedly grabbed their weapons.
　The guildmaster with a dark look in his eyes. The Summoner doesn't even try to hide his frustration. The men in production stare at the new girls with lowly eyes.
　They all shout a threat and draw their weapons.

"What can you two do?
　The Summoner waved his arms wide, and a black wind arose. The swarm of feathered insects the size of an ant grain is the 〈Deadly Swoom〉. An attack spell with worsening vision directly struck Minori beyond Touya.

　Minori desperately chanted a damage blocking spell, but the level difference was too great. The shining barrier shatters like cracked glass as the swarm of black evil insects collide and crush one after another.

(Even a corridor can't prevent a direct rear-guard attack by magic, right? I'm an idiot!

　While scolding herself, Touya throws the taiji in her right hand as hard as she can in the pseudo-darkness caused by the winged insects. The figure reflected in Touya's field of vision is the figure of the "Summoner" wielding his staff in the depths of the darkness.

"Touya! Touya!
Minori, we're almost there!　Head down, head down!
　Touya rushed to the door of the zone as if he was going to body-slam his twin sister in his hands, which were no longer too damaged and blue-black, as he held her in his arms.