A few days ago .

Royal City, Kingdom of Sukuk.

Night.

At a lord's villa.



A figure observes from the shadows of this magnificent mansion. Several.

"Hasn't Lord Franca returned yet?
It should be soon. ...... No, wait.'

Out of the corner of their eye, a reinforced carriage approached from the street.
It stops in front of a mansion, and a strong man with a servant gets out from inside. He wears the fine clothes of a nobleman, but his posture is that of a soldier without scruples.

A shadow observes.

He doesn't look fifty years old. He looks like a nice middle-aged man.
'I guess that means a lot of people are fooled.
'What?
'I meant what I said: ....... Hmm, that smell....... Get down!

Boom!

The carriage was suddenly engulfed in fire.
The squire is blown to pieces, but the nobleman called Franka is unscathed by the brilliantly executed parry.

Was that you?
'No, of course not. ...... is coming, it's the Assassins.'
'Wow, just as I thought.

Multiple black shadows in the smoke of the explosion - assassins closing in on Lord Franca.
They were assassinating a nobleman on his way to the capital.
This is not an uncommon occurrence, but the scene that follows is somewhat unusual.
The lord of Franca draws a ceremonial-looking one-handed straight sword from his waist,

'-- [Warfare technique] Strong attack.

With a single swing, he struck back at three assassins.
After that, he continues to cut down his enemies with his brilliant swordsmanship, finally forcing them to retreat.

'........................'

When he was sure that the still-breathing Assassin was not rigged to self-destruct, he grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, lifted him up, and walked straight into the mansion.
Anyone would have thought that he was going to torture her afterwards.

Another figure who was watching from the shadows seemed to think so, too.

'...... amazing'.
'I can't believe he's unharmed. Not only are you a great nobleman, but you are also a first-rate warrior. ......'
'You can't steal from something like that.
'I know. So do I.
'Those assassins aren't one of us, are they?
Maybe.
'Why don't they just attack us in our sleep? Is this some kind of chivalry? You're an assassin.
'The house is heavily warded. You can't touch them once they're inside. They gave up the day before yesterday.
Oh, that's right.
'Look, I'm picking up voices.

People hold magic items like shells to their ears.
A man's voice can be heard coming from there. It's that of Lord Frank. He is mocking him.

'...... will not pay those who fail.

The figures nod in agreement.

'We got what we came for. Let's go back.
'So you wanted to make sure we couldn't steal it. Okay. I'm sorry, but that's impossible.

Another voice,

'Don't be so rotten. We'll get our chance sooner or later.

After these discussions, the shadows left.
Like shadows, like smoke, in an instant.





Day 6 of the dungeon attack.

Entrance to the dungeon guild.



'First, we will get the items at the sixth level.

As a teacher, Anna began to explain.
Prine and I say yes.

We need the help of a blacksmith. If not, we will ask someone here.

I raise my hand.

'Oh, there is one.
I'm sorry to rush you, but if you can make it here, please come. It's good for the blacksmith's experience. Then get your gear ready and meet me at the entrance of the dungeon in two hours.
''Um...''
What is it?
Are you coming too, by any chance, Anna?

Anna, the receptionist, looks puzzled.

'Of course not. I'm leading the way.
'By any chance, Anna-san, are you an adventurer ......?
'Oh, did I not tell you?

Anna spins around on the spot. Her axis is not shaky at all. It's obvious at a glance. She's not just a regular girl.

I'm Anna, the Songstress, the highest rank of dancer. Nice to meet you.

The way she bowed gracefully with her skirt and winked at us with a snap was really determined.

Seriously?

Rana-kun.

Anna chuckled.



'It looks good on you--your outfit.
'You're very cute, Ra!

Even Prine nodded with a smile.

That's right.

I've changed my job to a clown, so the guild gave me my initial equipment. That's good.
But the outfit is too flashy and embarrassing.
He is dressed in an asymmetrical red and yellow outfit and wears a hat with two halves on his head.

'Clowns, huh?

Anna giggles.
I slammed my hat down on my head.

'Oh, Ra, you can't do that.
'Shut up. Let's go buy some armor, Prine.
'You're shopping!
Oh, yeah. First, I'm gonna take off these ugly clothes. Then we'll talk.
'You're so cute.
'We'll get you some new armor. Something stronger.
'I want a pretty one.'

I was about to say, "If you get any prettier, I'll be in trouble," but then I decided not to. I think it would be misunderstood.

Prine picks up the two-timing hat I knocked off and smiles shyly wearing the clown hat.

How do you like it? Ra-kun.'
'Cute to death.'

I couldn't help but respond immediately. d*mn it.