South Laurier.
　It is a small town in the southernmost part of the Kingdom of Carlitz, with an idyllic landscape and a nostalgic breeze.
　Even though it is such a town, goods from the south pass through here at least once, and it is the gateway to the Kingdom of Carlitz, an important information hub.

　As soon as we arrived at such a town, the words "It's a nice town" leaked out from Celestia.
　Those words made me happy, and I replied, "I guess so.
　After all, it feels good to be praised for one's own country, and since I've been away for a long time, I couldn't respond until the moment I could.

"Walth, have you ever been here before?

I've never been to ......, but I've studied it and know what it's like.

　Seretia looked at me quizzically, "Hmm, study ......," she said.
　I pretended not to notice and decided to look for an adventurer.

There are fewer of them than I thought," I said deliberately.

　According to my memory, I should be able to see adventurers just by walking around the town, but there were merchants, but no adventurers.
　Feeling uncomfortable about the unnatural lack of adventurers, I decided to head for the Adventurer's Guild rather than an inn.

　Normally, there would be five or six groups in the adventurer's guild, but there were no adventurers anywhere in the guild. As far as I know, I don't remember the adventurer's guild in South Lorient, the gateway to the Kingdom of Carlitz, being this deserted. 　

　From what I heard at the guild headquarters, it was supposed to be the disappearance of someone who had been commissioned to eradicate paganism, but for some reason, it didn't make sense that there were no adventurers in sight.

I wonder if paganism has anything to do with it. Celestia said.

Don't tell me what you're asking," I said, heading for the reception desk.

　The guild staff continued to work, and if paganism really had something to do with it, it would have affected the church-backed Adventurers Guild. However, the guild staff did not seem to have changed at all, and the adventurers did not seem to have disappeared after receiving the request.

It's like they've suddenly run out of ideas," said Celestia.

　Celestia sits in her chair and does nothing, as if it were someone else's problem.
　I don't want you to work, but I do want you to stay out of my way.

I'd like you to tell me that we're getting close to the heart of the matter. If the guild can't figure it out, we'll just ask the adventurers.

　It's hard to imagine that all the adventurers have disappeared from the town.
　It's hard to imagine that all the adventurers have disappeared from the town. There might be a rumor spreading among the adventurers.

But you didn't see a single adventurer on your way here.

It might have something to do with the ...... hours. The taverns here open at night.

The tavern here opens at night," Celestia said, her voice rising.

"Just so you know, I'm the only one moving. It's more dangerous at night, so there's no need for Celestia to accompany you.

　It was a bit risky to leave her alone, but since only the guild headquarters staff knew her identity, there was no need to worry.
　But Celestia, looking out the window, said, "No, I'm coming with you.

　I rebuked her, saying, "It's really dangerous," and she replied, "This Crown system is my mission, isn't it?　It's Walth's job to protect you from the dangers associated with it. Isn't that right? I'm sure you're right.

"That's true, ...... but...

"Then how can I not go? Isn't that right?　I have to take this opportunity to broaden my horizons.

　As Seretia said, if I do everything, it will hinder my growth as a princess.
　Therefore, I could only shake my head in silence.



　I spent the whole day observing the town from the third floor of a cheap inn on the outskirts of town, but no adventurers appeared, so I took Seretia out into the town just as the sun was setting.

If they weren't at the tavern at night, the town would be completely devoid of adventurers. When I said, "We'll be out of here soon then," she replied, "Why not, we need to find out why.

　Apparently, Celestia doesn't understand her own inability and position.

The first priority is the safety of Celestia. If only we had one more, we'd be better equipped to defend and defend ourselves," I said ruefully.

I can fight too! I looked at Celestia, who was shouting, "I can fight too!

　If the adventurers in this town were as good as beginners, it might not be a problem, but since we don't know what level of adventurers were there, we can't talk about them if they can't even handle intermediate level magic like Celetia.

I know it doesn't make sense for me to disagree with you. But don't ever leave me--

　Before I could finish, ten men with their faces covered with cloth surrounded me and Seretia.
　They have swords in their hands and have no intention of discussing the matter.
　All signs of humanity disappeared around us, and as if to support these men, there was no one left.

"What do you want from us?　I'm not sure if you know how to hold a sword or not, but you don't look like an adventurer or a thief.

"............

　The men just kept silent and showed no signs of moving.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I think it's a good idea. I'm not sure what to make of that.

"It's not too late. It's not too late. Put down that sword. ----" He stopped when he said that.

　A faint scent made me stop talking.
　It's a slightly sweet, yet pungent scent ---- called Somnus, which has been used in assassinations to render people unconscious.

I'm sorry, but somnus won't work on me.

　My body is now resistant to this kind of drug. But the moment I said it, I felt a weight on my back that I had never felt before.

"Hey, pull yourself together, .......

　Celestia fell to her knees and leaned on my back.
　By the time I turned around and caught her, she had passed out with a pleasant sigh of sleep.

　Since Seretia had fallen asleep, I decided it would be best to get this over with, so I set my sights on the man who seemed to be the commander, who was surprised that I hadn't passed out.

I think we need to talk to you.

　If a novice, not an adventurer or a thief, is doing this, it might have something to do with paganism.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do.

I'm not sure what your skill level is in combat. Let's hear why you've resorted to somnus to do this," I said with murderous intent.

　As I struck the man, who was cowering on his stomach, I ripped off the cloth and found a mild-looking old man's face. All the people who saw him hurriedly took off the cloth covering his face. All of them were good-looking young men, and it was immediately clear that they were far from being involved in battle.



I'm sorry, sir.　We begged the chief. Let the chief go,' said one of the young men, dropping to his knees, and all the others followed suit, pressing their foreheads to the ground.

Let him tell us what's going on.