"Purify!

　The battle begins, as it should, with Haruka and Natsuki's magic.
　There is no choice but to use this magic against the undead.

　It's a good idea to wait for a small group of people in a large area, but when it comes to a large number of undead and a small number of people who can use light magic, it's quite the opposite.

　If they don't approach us, we can safely cut them down by continuing to use Purify from a distance, so there's no point in approaching them.

　In addition, since they were waiting for us in a very dense group, it would be very easy for Haruka and the others to use magic.

　The first spell melted more than a third of the skeletons, and just before the second spell was about to take effect, the skeletons finally started to move.

　But that's not a good response. If they rush in, they're just sitting ducks, to put it bluntly.

　The two Purifyers fly at the group again, and the skeletons fall to the ground.

　It's a clean sweep.

　In the case of the group we fought at the entrance to the abandoned mine, they had begun to move immediately after the first spell was cast, and they approached us in a somewhat scattered manner.

　Compared to that, this was clearly a tactical error.

　It was obvious that the vanguard hadn't fought at all, and there were only four Skeleton Knights and a Skeleton King left.

Could it be that the Skeleton King is an idiot?
"I don't know, maybe it's just a matter of his body.
"I see. It's based on a stupid aristocracy.

　I don't know if that's true, but if it's worse than when Skeleton Knight was in charge, I can't deny that possibility.

Let's go, then!

　The one who jumped out was Toya.

　It is possible to use Purify, but there are only five of them left. We should play some part in this.

　In an instant, Toya crushes a Skeleton Knight and approaches the Skeleton King, and Yuki and I follow her.

　To prevent the Skeleton Knight from heading towards Toya, I would control the two with my spear, and Yuki would take care of one.

　The knights are a little tougher than mere skeletons, but for those of us with a certain amount of experience, we can manage them by force.

　By the time I had somewhat forcibly crushed the head of one and decapitated the other, crushing their rolling skulls, Yuki had naturally finished off a skeleton knight as well.

　And the Skeleton King had also disappeared, leaving behind a magic stone and a sword as well.

　　　　What a little fish.

"What a little fish. Even though he's a king.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　I think it's better than being too strong and unruly, but I don't understand the feeling.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

　The moment I was about to say that, there was a rattle in the air, like something collapsing. I'm not sure what to do.

　When I hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound, I saw that part of the wall had collapsed, leaving a dark hole in the ground.

It's not a collapse ......, is it?
The timing is too good--no, too pinpoint.
There's a slope going down.

　In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out by yourself.

　It's possible that the wall collapsed because of the battle, but he didn't use any fancy magic, nor did he bang on the wall.

　In addition, there is a path that conveniently leads to the back of the dungeon. ...... If you think about it from a game perspective, the path opened up because you killed the boss.

"Is this what a dungeon is like?

　Haruka and the others all shook their heads at my question.

"We don't know much about dungeons. We don't know much about dungeons, at least not as far as we know.

Yes, yes. My common sense only covers a few things.

I've asked around and done some research, but I don't have much information .......

　In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

　The only information he has gathered is that "dungeons can have unusual environments" and "treasure chests appear".

　There seems to be a part that says that it is ecologically impossible for demons to exist without food, but this is true not only for dungeons but for demons in general, so it seems that it is difficult to distinguish whether it is a dungeon or a cave inhabited by demons.

　If there's a treasure chest, it's almost certainly a dungeon. .......

　If you're a branch chief, you might be able to ask for more information, but we don't have the kind of relationship where you can casually ask.

"I'm a little curious about where we're going, but we're going home, right?

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to talk to him, but I don't feel like I can.

Yes. It's already been a week, you know.

　The schedule was for a week to ten days, but the timing was just right.

　I was a little curious about the new area, as Toya had said. I'm a little curious about this new area, but we'll see.

Oh, but I'd like to check out some of the side streets, if that's okay with you?

I'm fine with that. I don't mind. I've got plenty of food and stuff.

　The upgraded bunk was more comfortable than the first one, and he was less tired than before, probably due to the fact that he had gotten used to it.

　So, no one particularly objected to Yuki's suggestion, and we spent another day or so completing the missing parts of the map.

　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

　It was a little after noon when we returned to Laffan.

　We ate lunch at Aella's store for the first time in a long time, and then headed to the adventurer's guild.

"Hi, Diora. I found you.
Welcome back. Congratulations!

　I walked over to Diora, who greeted me with a smile, and placed the heirloom sword I wanted on the counter, along with the six swords with crests I had collected.

　Compared to the other swords, which were more utilitarian, the heirloom swords had more ornamentation on the scabbard and looked more expensive.

　However, the sword itself is made of white iron like the other swords, and the decoration is within the range of practical use, so the value of the sword is not that high.

　However, the fee of 300 gold coins for a month's work is a little low, considering the amount of money we usually earn. It's not a deficit, but ...... yeah, we've become extravagant(?). We've become extravagant(?).



　I'm hoping that if I can get a good handle on the emblematic sword that I collected with it, I'll be able to make some money.

I'm sure you're right. ....... I'm sure there's no mistake about it, but I'll have to check with the Viscountess Nenus before I can pay you your reward, is that okay?

You can't blame them. You don't even know if it's real or not.

The Kergs are still unsettled, so it may take some time. ...... If you want, I can write you a letter of introduction, and you can negotiate with Haruka and the others?

No. I'll leave it to the guild. I'll leave it to the guild. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that our party's name is "Meikagami Seisui".

　At Diora's suggestion, Haruka immediately shook her head.
　We don't want to negotiate with the nobility either.

　We can talk to them in a normal and polite manner, but I don't know if that's enough when dealing with nobles here.

　I don't want to cross a dangerous bridge when I can sell some favors to them.
　It would be better to sell my name a little.

Is that so?　Well, if you're good, you might be able to get some protection. ......

"No thanks. A little good impression is enough, for now.

All right. I'm willing to negotiate for other swords as well. Oh, and just so you know, the Viscountess will deduct her commission from the purchase price of all swords except the one you requested.

"I'm sure that's true. Of course, I don't mind.

　It's a little irregular, but like other materials, the guild buys them and sells them to others.

　If we can't sell it, and it's hard to negotiate directly with the Viscount, it's only natural that we get a commission.

What do you know about Kerg's prospects?

To put it bluntly, I have no idea. I'm sure the lord would like to keep it as quiet as possible. ......

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. So far, the only impact on the rest of Kergu has been a slight delay in the shipment, but if the shortage of food in this city becomes apparent, ......

You're saying it would be more damaging if we didn't take strong measures?

Yes. The town's furniture industry has been generating a modest amount of tax revenue.

　Not to mention the support of the people, will it have an impact on the industry?

　It's not a democratic system, but it goes without saying that it's easier to rule a lord who is supported by his people or a lord who is not supported by his people.

By the way, what is strong-arming?

"Well, ......, the Order of the Sutomy Saints, I believe. They'll be crushed by force. Those involved will probably be executed.

　We looked at each other at Diora's simple words.

　In Japan, they would say it was a suppression of religion or something, but this world is not so easy.

　They are already disturbing the peace of the town.

　The reason why we have not reached that point yet, despite the fact that we could be crushed at any moment, is because of the stain of the previous generation.

　Don't they understand that they are walking on thin ice?

　--I wonder if they don't understand that they are walking on thin ice, and because they don't realize it, some of them get carried away and fail.

　Someone should be able to steer the ship, but if the saint's skills are brainwashing, she may not be able to make such a decision.

"I see. I think it's best to stay away from Kerg.

"Right. Armed adventurers tend to be looked at a bit harshly at times like this.

　If you are the protagonist of the story, you might be scrambling to clean up the mess because your classmates are involved, but basically, we turn our backs on such things and secure a safe zone. We have no intention of jumping into a minefield.

　Whatever our classmates do, it's not our responsibility, and we should wait for someone else to solve it.

　If I had to guess, I'd say it's probably Adverstice's fault, but she didn't instigate it, and in the end it's her own quality, yeah.

　If she did not do anything wrong, but in reality, she is disturbing the public order, we can not protect her.

How's the fertilizer going, by the way?

It's going well, sir. In this town, the distance between the hunting grounds and the town is relatively close. It seems that the Lord Commander was thinking of it as an insurance policy, but since it seems to be profitable, he's going to continue regardless of the situation in Kerg.

It's true that the work of adventurers in this town may be just right.

　Most of the adventurers are on logging escorts in the southern forest, so bringing the compost there will make it easier to collect the demon corpses and reduce the distance the adventurers have to carry them.

　The adventurers can earn some money, and the farmers can produce more crops and increase their income.

　Even if the deputy doesn't make a profit from the fertilizer sales, the tax revenue will go up as more crops are produced, so there is no problem.

　So, it's a win-win situation.

　If I had to guess, I'd say that we, the developers, don't make much profit, but that's okay. We're adventurers by trade.

　I'll just be satisfied that I contributed to the development of the town.