05



"Marriage disaster kamaisal...?
　Shiroe repeated the name Soujiro had given him.
　It was a name he had never heard before. Ever since Elder Tail was a game, the number of Enemies that have appeared in the game has been enormous. Shiroe didn't know all of them.
　Nevertheless, he has at least a general memory of the names of the main Enemies that appeared on the Japanese server. Aside from that katakana noun, Kamaisaru, the name of the Marriage Canal is much more distinctive. It was hard to imagine Shiroe himself forgetting it.
'Yes, that's what he called himself.
Well, that's not marriage. That's a marriage scam.
　Nazuna takes over Soujiro's words.

　The tatami-matted flooring and shoji screens, a calligraphy in masterful handwriting hangs in the alcove.
　Shiroe and Akatsuki are visiting the Japanese-style room of the West Wind Brigade Guild House, one of Akiva's leading fighting guilds. They were greeted by the West Wind Brigade Guildmaster Soujiro and his right hand man, Nazuna.
　From Shiroe's point of view, these two are colleagues at the old prodigal tea party, the Debauchery Tea Party.
　It's a good thing that you can't get away from it. Akatsuki, on the other hand, is accustomed to the atmosphere of this room, and is trying his hand at the tea cakes that are served. Akatsuki's private room at the Horizon of Records is a smaller version of this room. He doesn't seem to be bothered by sitting on his knees.

"Shiro-senpai was right, he was a strange enemy.
I didn't think Sawjiro would ever see it.
You didn't expect that, did you?
'I was expecting it, or rather, I thought that if I asked everyone, maybe I'd get some information that I'd met such an enemy.
　The reason why Shiroe and Akatsuki visited the West Wind Brigade is because they had a consultation with Soujiro. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. I'm going to the west wind," he said in the living room, and Akatsuki agreed to come with him.
　Shiroe's inquiry to Soujiro was about the "monster that calls itself a catastrophe". The transformation of the Enemy that occurred after the Catastrophe, or the existence of a special Enemy. Or the existence of a special type of Enemy. Shiroe started to gather information to find out more, and at first she hit the jackpot.
　Soujirou and Nazuna, as Shiroe had foreseen... or as he had imagined, brought him more information than he had ever imagined.
It seems there are reports of other encounters too.　It doesn't look like it's the same one.
Nazna, you're looking great.
Well, you know. We have a girl information network. That's an amazing thing. Stones.
　Shiroe had actually received information about the monsters known as "katana".
　It is only now that we know that these monsters are called Kenkaisha, but reports of new monster species being discovered on this Yamato server are not so rare.
　Most of them were the spontaneous beliefs of adventurers who had lost their external attack sites, but when I examined those reports of misunderstandings, I found that there were inevitably some that I had misjudged or misremembered, but that they were in fact new species.
　The number of such eyewitness accounts has increased in the years since the disaster.
　It's not just that some unknown information has come to light too late; it's that more and more of them are coming to light with each passing hour.
　Although I don't think that all of those new monsters were liturgies, according to what Soujiro and the others had said, they had encountered more than just the West Wind Brigade.

　According to them, the Kamaisaru Marriage Monster had the ability to "disguise itself as an earthling" and "charm the opposite s*x".
　After the city's defense mechanisms were lost, a young merchant disguised as an Earthman invaded the city of Akiba, recruiting various female adventurers to his side.
　It seems that the West Wind Brigade came to defeat this enemy because some members of the Soujirou Guard were suspicious.
''You are as reckless as ever,''
We're a guild of decency, aren't we? We're a guild of decent people, and we don't like people messing with our girls.
That's right, my lord.
　For some reason, Akatsuki nodded proudly at Nazuna's words.
'Did Akatsuki help you too?'
No, I've never heard of it.
　If that's the case, Shiroe isn't sure why he's nodding good-naturedly there.
　With Shiroe beside her, Nazuna stretched her chest and Akatsuki cocked her head respectfully. With a glance at Soujirou, he asks, "Why are you reacting like this? When I sent out the distress signal, "It seems we've become good friends," he replied. Girls seem to become friends very quickly when they eat something sweet together," came the amicable reply.
　The only person who can say such a peaceful thing is Soujiro.
　Shiroe thinks so.
　Fortunately, Shiroe has a good memory, and she hasn't forgotten the tragedy of the Libra Festival. I'm sure you'll remember what happened to Shiroe and the other three when they "ate something sweet together" at the Danceria's cake buffet. They are, after all, not the same vessel as Soujiro.
　Shiroe decided not to get too deep into the matter.

　Nazuna looked down at the stack of papers in hand and continued.
''What we're hearing over here right now are Sislau the Plague's liturgical disaster, Zafun the Abomination's liturgical disaster, Bagris the Degree's liturgical disaster and.......''
"And then there's the classic marriage disaster we helped organize.
That's about it.
　The bundle of paper looked like a hastily prepared report memo.
'I put the details of the story in a memo, though. ........What are these guys, White?
　Nazna's voice takes on a lower tone.
　A small mumbled word was "smell". It's probably a gut feeling for Nazuna. She appears to be a brusque, lazy, heavy drinker and a slacker, but she has a keen instinct. Shiroe was rescued by Nazuna during the Tea Party, and she abused him ten times as much as she rescued him.
　That said, it's true that she is at a loss for answers.
　A new monster added in the Cultivation of the Noosphere. It was easy to explain it that way, but it didn't seem to be the truth either. However, there was currently no way to corroborate the information Shiroe had learned. Probably, there's no way to corroborate it. I have a hunch that Shiroe has such a feeling.
".........
'They're the enemy, aren't they?　White senior.
　So I couldn't respond immediately to Soujiro's words.
　I think they are the enemy. I'm sure it will stand in Shiroe's way to the adventurer's future. But I'm not convinced that this is an enemy in the true sense of the word. No, in fact, I have a feeling that they are not the enemy.
They are attacking us, so we have to fight them.
　So Shiroe paraphrased Soujiro's words, neither confirming nor denying them.

　But it seems Soujiro was still good.
　He smiled broadly, as if relieved, and said, "I'm glad. I've already beaten him," he murmured.
　Ah, I see. Rather than choke on Shiroe, Shiroe understood that he was worried about the person he had already defeated.
　For some reason, a junior colleague named Soujiro seemed to adore Shiroe. He has always been fond of me. From then on, we would often go out to dungeons all over the world with a party in addition to the activities of the Tea Party. When Soujiro and Shiroe would go out, he would often team up with Naotsugu or Kazuhiko, and Shiroe was envied by Soujiro fans like Sahime.
　He's a kind-hearted boy. Soujiro is a good-hearted boy.

But there's something different about him than most monsters.
These people could be affected by the catastrophe. Or maybe it's the Cultivation of the Noosphere.
　When Shiroe was distracted by these thoughts, Soujiro and Nazuna asked her.
　They are both intelligent. You don't need to know the circumstances to know the correct answer almost by intuition alone.
''It's both,''
Hmmm.
　You're going to be able to find out if you're going to be able to get a good deal more than you're used to. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them. Maybe that's because she's older than Shiroe.
"Is there anything we can do to help?　White senior.
　In response to Soujiro's question, Shiroe said, "I need more information. Then it's time," he replied. He nodded widely to Nazuna, who was as perceptive as ever, "I guess that means we just have to protect this city.
'Nah. Then it's just like we've always done. Leave it to me.''
　Soujiro smiled with a squishy, relaxed smile.
　Shiroe was relieved to see that good-natured expression of a person who seemed to have lost his strength, but he also felt that he shouldn't be spoiled.
　It reminded her of the platform of the old Akiba Station, where luminous insects were dancing.
　Shiroe's request for help in establishing the Roundtable was accepted without asking for any reason.
　Soujiro's response was lighthearted, but that doesn't mean the determination and vows he had made at the bottom were light. It is true that the Round Table was able to be established because of Shojiro's support. It was the West Wind Brigade that protected the Alliance of the Crescent Burger from the bad publicity and pressure it received when it was first established. Shiroe found out about it after the fact. There was one man who was a bit of a cunning schemer. Shiroe was only saved. It was warm and heartfelt.
"Well, let's just say we're getting better. We're getting stronger, too.
You can count on me, White.
"You can count on me, my lord.
　I don't know why, but I found Akatsuki, who was undertaking like the other team, amusing and Shiroe chuckled. Sojirou blurts out in response.
'What the hell, Souji?'
Anything. Shiro-senpai. ...Girls are strong, aren't they?

　Well, well, it's strong. It's too strong, Shiroe said, standing up.
　Soujirou muttered to Shiroe as he said his goodbyes, frowning at his numb legs.
''It was a strange enemy. Shiroe-senpai.''
　It must be a litany of calamities.
　Soujiro raises his eyebrows as he goes through his memories.
''I don't know what to call it. It was like the Elder Tail for the first time since I came to this world.
It's like the Elder Tail.
'Yes. Of course, I've never seen them before, and they attacked me in strange ways, and they were strong.
Yeah, it's more than just the people of the earth.
It was like a game. It was like killing an Elder Tail monster, but with a very hazy enemy.
　Shojiro's words are always sensible. I'm not very good at explaining the process in a way that is easy to understand, because I have the ability to arrive at the right answer in a single step.
　But Shiroe took the words to heart.
　It's a good thing that you're able to find something there that you should be able to understand.



　　◆06



　By the time I left the West Wind Brigade's guild house, the sky had already turned an Akane color.
　Even at nightfall, the streets of Akiba are bustling with activity, though not as much as in the original world.
　Peddlers looking for an inn.
　Food stalls boasting of their flavors selling prepared foods for dinner.
　The Adventurers are returning to their base of operations from the fields outside the city.
　Shiroe and Akatsuki walked side by side through the crowds of adventurers and earthlings.
　They watched the people passing by. The orange-tinted scenery was reminiscent of Soujiro's words, "Like the Elder Tail. I suppose he is referring to that time when there was nothing to do but look at the scene through the display. But now, this hustle and bustle in front of him couldn't be thought of as a game.
　What made Soujiro choose that word? It's a good thing that you're not a fan of the game. So he didn't know what Soujiro wanted to say or what he was feeling.
'My lord,'
　Had they walked enough?
　Shiroe perceived the passage of time more as a result of the location shift than as a sense of time.
　It was Akatsuki's voice, which seemed to ask questions, and a lovely movement, tugging at Shiroe's sleeve, that lifted Shiroe out of her reverie.
　Before he knew it, Shiroe paused, realizing that he had forgotten her presence.
'Hmm?　What?　The "Akatsuki
　Looking at Shiroe's face from below, Akatsuki looked thoughtfully, "Are you tired, my lord? He asked.
'What?　Why?　That's not true.
Okay.
　When Shiroe replied immediately, Akatsuki, as usual, replied with few words. Immediately after the catastrophe, Shiroe would have tried her best to keep the conversation going, but now she was less inclined to do so. Maybe Akatsuki wasn't looking for a good conversation. He was just really worried about me. Now Shiroe understood that.
　Looking up at the beach, Akiba was beautiful at dusk, just like that time when he had walked along the beach.

　Maybe it was the rain that had fallen yesterday, but the April greenery was even more lustrous and reflected the glowing reddish-red sunset. A quick-tempered tavern lit an orange "Hotarubi" lamp and began to call for people to come in, and two or three adventurers walked in.
　Compared to Earth's Akihabara, Central Avenue has ancient trees and mossy, discarded vehicles, so visibility is poor. But the moss-covered shoulders were lined with stalls lining the moss-covered shoulders with skewers and fried foods, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
　This is the dusk of Akiba's streets.
　Shiroe and Akatsuki stopped and looked at it for a while.
　'It smells delicious, too, my lord,' whispered Akatsuki, as her sleeve was tugged on.
　It must be the smell of fried buns.
　Shiroe was amused by Akatsuki's reaction and gave a small smile.
'I don't mean to ask you to buy it, you know. 'My lord,'
I don't think so.
Okay.
　This reminded Shiroe of the scene from the West Wind Brigade.
　I'm sure you'll find that Akatsuki, who is rather shy and understaffed, was quite friendly with Nazuna earlier on, but that's not always the case. It's not that he was always like that. At least until Shiroe left Akatsuki, Akatsuki didn't seem to be actively flirting with anyone other than those in the Horizon of Records.
'Do you play with Nazuna?'
Hmm. Nazna has a knack for good restaurants.
Okay.
　Shiroe nodded to Akatsuki, whose tone was heartily bouncy.
　Apparently, Akatsuki's range of friendships is expanding.
I'm not just going with Nazna. I'm going with Riese, Mikalaj, and the princess.
Really?
　He nodded, but as Shiroe, he was quite surprised.
　Of course, I know that Akatsuki would sulk if I showed him my surprise, so I don't show it on my face. I won't show it, but I can say that it was quite a groundbreaking event. The names Akatsuki mentioned include the West Wind Brigade, D.D.D. and, I believe, members of the Roderick Trading Company. And to top it all off, it's Princess Reinesia.
　Before leaving for negotiations with the sacrificial clan in the north, Shiroe remembered that she had asked Akatsuki to protect Princess Reinesia.
'Many things have happened in my lord's absence.
Okay.
　Just as Shiroe gained many things from the Path to the Abyss, Akatsuki must have gained many things from Akiba.
　After the Catastrophe, technology, autonomous organizations, and monsters weren't the only things that had changed.
　Shiroe and the others themselves have also changed. This did not just mean a change in level or the acquisition of oral traditions. Rather, it's something that is hard to see, the connection with people. Shiroe, who had never thought of it in that light before, remembered the expedition to the north.
　He remembered his best friend Naotsugu, who had been with him all along. It's not a matter of time before you get to know them, but it's a matter of time before you get to know them. William, the guild master. The Violet Star of the Sacrifice Clan. Li-Gun, the magician. And Demiquas.
　Good encounters and bad encounters echo each other and lead to the present.
　I'm sure they were not in vain.
　Shiroe looked down and Akatsuki answered, "Yes. The sunset was slowly setting. It's time to go back to the guild hall for dinner.

''Shiroe-san,''
　As they were approaching the front of the guild hall, a girl's voice, different from Akatsuki's, sounded.
''Minori.''
　Minori, who came running up to them at a small run, was not dressed in her miko costume when she went out on her adventure, but in plain clothes with a blouse and tie.
''Mm. That was a nice vibe.''
Shiroe-san, Akatsuki-san, are you home now?
　Minori, who joined them in a bouncy gait, looked up at Shiroe from the other side of Akatsuki. The smiling Minori seemed to be in a good mood today.
'Yes. Did Minori finish her part-time job?
Yeah. I got something for you today.
Today, too.
　Akatsuki corrects Minori's words in a mortified tone.
　In both hands, Minori was holding a bag full of ingredients and chemicals.
　They must have been given to her at her part-time job, the Production Guild Liaison Association and the Roundtable Adventure Mediation Office.
　I've heard that Minori, who boasts a high level of paperwork skills in spite of her age, is valued as a first-class asset in these workplaces as well. She is a bubbly and articulate woman who is also an idol at the counter.
　Akatsuki quickly holds the package that is about to overflow and fall out of the bag and asks Minori if she is okay. The two of them freeze in an arranged stance, "Can I hold it? Shiroe asked, but Minori seemed to have something to show him.
'It's hei-chara. 'Because, muh-uh.'
　Minori shoved the nearly overflowing bags into her shoulder bag and took the strange cloth bag with both hands as if showing it off.
It's my 'magic bag'.
Oh!
　Minori's big smile catches Shiroe and Akatsuki's attention.

　The girls have finally completed the "Magic Bag". It's not just Minori, but also Touya, Isuzu, and Rundel House who use the bag every day. The Crescent Moon Alliance's Serara also obtained the Bag of Magic.
　On the contrary, Minori's group had given the city of Akiba a boon, and not a small one at that.
　The amazing hides of the steel-tailed pterodactyl (wyvern) that Minori and her team brought back allowed the magic bag to be used by the low-level adventurers in Akiba's streets. However, Karashin persuaded the craftsmen of the Daichijin to lower the level of quest orders. The Eighth Shopping Street even paid for the production of the bag, so even the most junior member of Akiba's town is now able to own a magic bag of his own design.
　The battle with the steel-tailed pterodactyl, the many encounters, and the inextricable conflicts Shiroe heard about over the course of many nights from Minori's mouth.
　The girls had experienced a lot on that journey. They had experienced not only fun, but also painful feelings of being torn apart. And yet, Minori and the others are still laughing.
　Shiroe was frankly amazed.
　If he had been part of that trip, he didn't know if he would have been as kind as Minori and Touya. I don't know if I would have been as brave as Isuzu or Rundelhaus to inspire the Daichijin.

"Hohoho!
　Akatsuki gazed at Minori as she spun around, looking older.
'Minori designed this?'
　Shiroe knew this from Karashin, but she asked him about it. I don't know what it is, but the Minori Design "magic bag" with its sprawling arms and legs is very avant-garde. That's right! Minori spoke up with a big smile on her face, and Akatsuki said, "Wow!　Minori!　That's a lot of girl power! They were in high spirits with each other.
　Shiroe stared at the scene with a kind of dazzling feeling.
　It's probably a good thing, after all, they are changing. I'm sure that's a good thing, and that's what I believe when I see them.

I'm going to buy some souvenirs while I'm at it.
I agree!
"My lord, I have a craving for buns.
Akatsuki-san loves red bean paste.
　Shiroe suggests a souvenir, not to spoil it, but the two of them respond in an echoing manner. I'm pleased to see the improvement in teamwork. But Shiroe wanted take-out. The takeout would allow her to eat with Naotsugu and Team Leader Nyanta. They wouldn't have to take the attacks of the two alone.
''Mmm, it's supremely sweet.
Do you want to do some Jell-O for a change?
Is Minori unhappy with Anpan?
'It's not like that, but, you know. It's a variation.
Mmm-hmm.
　The exchange between Minori and Akatsuki continued lightly. The somewhat reserved manner in which they held each other back has long since disappeared. Since they live in the same guild house, they're becoming more open to each other. Even in such a small way, there are changes.
　It would be perfect if they avoided talking to each other on either side of you across from each other.
　Shiroe smiled pathetically behind her glasses at that thought.
　I tried to think of such a thing, but I know they won't listen to me even if I say it. When you are in a bad mood, women intentionally pervert our arguments and when they are in a good mood, they pass it off. The same was true of Intix.
　As for her, she is always in a good mood and never listens.

"Why don't you buy them both?
That's right, Akatsuki.
Okay.
I'd like strawberry shortcake, if I could. Shilohé, I'll buy you some. I'll give you a treat and you can have one too.
　The owner of the pretty voice was Tetra, who grandly interrupted Shiroe, who was trying to find a good landing spot. As usual, she was a coquettish idol with a small silk hat perched on her pink hair.
''Muhaan!''
　Akatsuki tries to pull off Tetra, who jumped on him as if to tackle Shiroe's waist.
'Don't stick to your lord. You half-idol.
I'm not half bad, I'm perfect. Speaking of the galaxy, it's the galaxy!　Even Shiroe is happy to be attached to you.
No?
"I'm not indecisive just because of this!
　Tetra slumps back in disbelief as if she has seen something unbelievable and is surprised. This self-proclaimed idol overreacts to just about everything. In spite of the fact that she has only been in the guild for a short period of time, Tetra is such a character that she has become completely familiar with the "Record Horizon".
''Oh, I didn't know that you thought of me that way...''
Mm. Hey, Shiroe-san. Let's go to Kanako's!
My Lord, the butterflies are waiting.
'Wow, get me some shortcake too!
It's only in season. It's cherry blossom buns. If you don't eat it now, when will you?
All right. Let's pull Shiroe-san along with the three of us and get the person who didn't struggle to the end to do us a favor!
'What?　I'll take the left one then.
Then I'll take the right foot!
　What kind of torture are you going to do to me?
　Shiroe shrugged with a bitter smile.
　As he listened to the buzzing voices of the three parties, Shiroe looked up at the sky, which was turning purple.
　There was so much to think about. This little happiness was sad. Twilight is looming over the world. Shiroe was only a graduate student, but she was in a position to know it.
　There is no end of death (dead end) for an adventurer.
　But there may be an end of time (time up). Shiroe chewed on that premonition.



　　◆07



　The scent of oil and spices wafted through the halls as the servers, the Daichijin, scurried to the right and left. Orders from the Black Sword Knights' adventurers flew incessantly to the girls.
　Training with the unfamiliar earthlings can be even more exhausting than an adventure. And what would relieve their fatigue is a good meal. The members of the Black Sword Order have an insatiable appetite for good food, even as they raid the enemy in large-scale battles.
　The guild master, Isaac, was no exception. He moved well and ate a lot of good food. He believed that this was the basis of physical fitness, even in a world where physical performance was determined by level.
　As he put his knife into the thick meat, papers were placed soundly on Isaac's table and the barley wine on the table rippled.
'Good evening. Mr. Isaac.'
Oh?　Oh. Ain't that a Karashin?
Good boy.
　The guild master of the Eighth Shopping Arcade, Karashin, sat down across from Isaac.
　The noisy shop suddenly quieted down. The Black Swords Guild is a group that is more of a gymnasium, one that values hierarchical relationships. If you're a member of the guild, you'll be squeezed out by a sharp-eyed senior member if you're sitting in the guild master's seat without permission.
　And Karashin is the "outsider". It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to find out what's going on.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's interested in this kind of thing.
　Isaac points a fork with a meat sticking out of it at Karashin, who, whether he knows what's going on around him or not, still gives him the same sales smile.
'You're so easy on yourself these days,'
'You're not the type to care about that, are you?　Mr. Isaac.
Well, yeah. It's not this one, it's you.
Ha-ha-ha. Ha-ha-ha, I choose my partner, too.
d*mn. You just don't get it, do you?
　The Eighth Shopping Street is a production guild that places a particular emphasis on trading with the Daichijins, and the master of the guild, Karashin, is an impostor who deals with thousands and thousands of merchants from all over the world. The master of the guild, Karashin, is a man who has dealt with the traders of the Earthmen from all over the world.
　He took off his trademark hat and called out to an earthling walking nearby. Yeah, I'll have a cold one and a fried mackerel.
　The waitress, dressed in tailor-made clothes, scribbled down her order on a memo in hand, bowed, and headed for the kitchen. It seems that he is very adventurous and thorough in his manner.
"Tasty fried mebaru.
'Right. It's like that's what I'm here for.
Did you go to work today?
Don't say "migrant"! This is the first branch of the Daihachi shopping arcade. It's just an observation. Besides, you have to check the ledger.
　The dining room was attached to the trading house, which is a sort of outpost of the Eighth Shopping District in Maihama. The establishment of a branch under the leadership of Lord Corwin, the leader of the League of Free Cities of Eastar, was not without its share of troublesome negotiations, and it is said that Kalashin was the driving force behind these negotiations. Rezalic told me that this is the reason why no one complained about the Eighth Shopping Center's chapter being located in the city, rather than the Maritime Organization or Roderick's Trading Company, which possesses a variety of advanced technologies.

'It's not too far from Akiba.
　Offering Kalashin water, Rezalic sat down beside them.
　Due to the preparation of materials for large-scale battles, Rezarik and Karashin have been friends for a long time. I've heard that they exchanged various information privately, especially after the 'catastrophe'.
It's a good idea. Yes, if I'm the only one. The Giant Owl, it's a quick jump.
Do you even have an OWL?
''All the big guilds don't have the Eagle Lion (Gryphon). That's only for raiding guilds.
　Compared to the Giant Owl, the Giant Owl is not as fast or as long as the Eagle Lion, and its reuse is restricted for a longer period of time. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well as the fact that you'll be able to get it through raid quests, but as far as Isaac is concerned, it's a lukewarm vehicle.
"You guys are so weak.
Yeah, it's not looking so good. I'll pay a hundred times the price of your food, Isaac.
　Keeping his smile, Karasin said quickly.
'd*mn you.'
I don't really care about those things, though.
　Rezalic interrupted Isaac's words nonchalantly.
'Hey,'
What does it matter?
Yeah.
　This guy is the same kind of guy as Rezarik, Isaac decides. A bastard who dodges with a flutter on the verge of his own explosion, who doesn't know if he's insensitive or has the balls for shit. And Isaac was beginning to review such an opponent.
　The waitress put a plate of steamy food on the table. A white plate with golden brown fried mebaru, chopped cabbage and a heaping pile of tartar sauce is appetizing.
Oh. It looks good. Good.
　When he inserted the fork, the batter ripped apart with a zap. With an onion-full of sauce, Karasin dipped into it with gusto and chewed on it.
　Isaac sniffed at Karasin, who nodded enthusiastically and quickly devoured his fries. Rezalik ordered two more plates of fried mackerel for the waitress.
"d*mn you, you come here to interrupt me?
No, of course not. It's work, just for fun. Yes.
　From the document bag at his waist, Kalashin pulled out a sheet of paperwork. Isaac took it and handed it to Rezarik without a glance.
'A round table?
Well, eventually.
　Isaac asked as he took one of the flies from Karasin's plate at his first officer's words.
'So what is it now?'
For the time being. I wonder if he's a monster named Tenkajou.
　From the two plates of fried rockfish that the waitress had newly brought in, Kalashin replied, stabbing one of the flies.
Yeah, it's in your ear. What is that...?
　Isaac pulled a plate of hot flies to hand while passing the reduced plate to Rezaric. Rezaric sighed and shared a few flies from his plate with Isaac and Kalashin at a time.
'I don't know either. And I don't know if the earthlings are in a warlike mood, either.
...the soldiers the West is gathering?
　One of the concerns of the Roundtable was that the adventurers of Minami and the Westlanders, an organization of landowners in the western part of Japan, had joined forces to build up their military.
That's right. They've caused so much trouble over there. Besides, welfare, budgets, equality.
That Ains is a pain in the ass.
Well, we'll just have to face each other and get by.
"Hmm.
　Isaac brought the last of the Mebaru fly to his mouth and looked again into Karasin's face.
'What's that? 'Mr. Isaac,'
　He's a spindly gentleman, always smiling. He has a soft spot for women and is quick to grow a nose, chatty and uptight in his relationships. He acts awkwardly and only takes advantage of the best in things. He's a monk who is a model of such a soft man. That's the way I saw it at first.
　When Isaac was in his old world, he didn't like that kind of man himself, and those men didn't come near Isaac. They were both from different worlds, and that was just the way it was supposed to be.
　But why, if you talk to him, this guy has a certain streak to it. If it's light, it's light in its own way, fluffy and wandering around. If it's soft, it's soft in its own way, and it gets in between the two sides as a buffer. In this new world, Karashin fights in a way that Isaac does not. I understand that. Now that I understand, I can't beat him over the head with it.
I'm just saying, you're not a small fish.
'What a mess!　It!
It's all right.
I don't know. It's still an autonomous organization. It's easy to throw them out, but it's hard to make more, isn't it?　Roundtable.
Well.
"So is Isaac, so you'll have to work! Hey, hey.
'Aww. Shut up, businessman. Your voice goes right into my skull.
If you cut me in half, I'll split you in half and give you a surround-sound chat on both sides.
　Isaac's eyebrows jumped up and a smiling Karasin stared at each other.
　There was a brief moment, and then they both blew out at the same time.
'I've never had a guy like you around. I thought you were more of a scaredy-cat.
I'm a guild leader too, so I can't keep getting smaller. It's a good thing. It's a good thing, because I've always thought of Isaac-san as a gorilla, 80 percent human and 20 percent gorilla.
What's the reality?
I have no comment.
Isaac, you're usually not a gorilla, you're almost a gorilla.
　Rezalic added as he poured some malt liquor into Isaac's glass and water into Kalashin's.
'I mean, Reza, you, whose side are you on?
　Rezaric's mouth loosened slightly in a serious gesture. Karasin claps his hands together and chuckles, and the tables around him burst into a buzz of laughter as a ripple spreads.
　As if to blend in with the whirlwind, Karasin whispers in a whisper.
''You may have a hint of it, but there's a bad atmosphere in the .
Yeah.
"A military buildup is underway...
I don't think the Round Table and Plant hwyaden have anything to do with each other, but the question is, can they be unrelated?
It must be difficult.
　The Roundtable and Plant hwyaden are not ostensibly hostile to each other. But what if their respective allies, the Alliance of Free Cities Eastal and the Holy Empire of Westland, were to clash with each other, by any chance?
　They were talking about whether or not someone they knew could be beaten up and keep a blank stare. That much is intuitively understandable to Isaac.
"Do you think Shiroe's guy saw this picture and asked us to raise the level of the Order of the Earth People?
It's possible. After all, Shiroe is a black-hearted man.
I'll have to ask him about that too.
　Karasin grinned at Isaac's words.
"So, you'll be at the Round Table. Isaac, you're on assignment here in Mahama, but I'm sure you have legs.　After all, we're a raiding guild.
Yeah. Yeah, the gryphon.
I don't have a girlfriend.
　Rezalic mixes back with Isaac, who dangles his summoning whistle. Isaac's words choked out.
'What a woman!　I don't mind that. I'll go out with him and then we'll break up right away, it's a pain in the ass.
'Hahahahaha. Do you want to plan?　A "joint party
Seriously?
Yes, of course. Bokaa, I know a lot about that.
You don't have a girlfriend, Karashin-san.
　It was Karashin this time who was cut by Rezaric's returning sword, which was cut off quickly.
　Certainly, if you have an opponent, there's no way you're going to be a hundred battles in a combination (that way). It was an open secret at the Roundtable that Karashin had been hinting at Marielle of the Crescent Moon Alliance, and the fact that it had come up empty was no different.
　The fact that it was an open secret at the Round Table, as well as the fact that it ended in a blank slate, is also a good thing, as even Isaac is not in a privileged position to be able to point at it and laugh. You can find five or ten people of the opposite s*x in that kind of relationship, but after a few nights in that kind of relationship, Isaac was always dumped. It seems to me that when you are clean, you treat women differently.
　He is not the kind of Isaac who can make fun of Karashin.
"Bu-ha-ha-ha!　He's a charlatan, but he ain't got no girl!
　But that didn't bother him, and Isaac gave him a big mouthful of a laugh.
''That kind of thing has nothing to do with a blind date.
　Karasin's poker face crumbled and his eyes were black and white as he argued back.
　Isaac's gulp of the warmed-up barleywine dropped as he watched, and he took a gulp of it. There's a lot of things he doesn't like about it, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with talking nonsense and drinking.
　Kalashin followed the spirits Isaac had switched from barleywine to spirits, and he followed with reluctance.
　If there's a lot of hassle, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy what's in front of you. Life is messy for the most part. It's only a fool's errand to wipe out the alcohol in front of you.
　That night they drank until they lay down on the stone floor of the tavern.
　The only thing that was etched in Isaac's mind as a pleasant memory was the fact that he had laughed at Karasin's taste in women.