The flames were making a roaring sound rather than a crackling sound.
It was late at night, and the moon was shining brightly in the sky, but the lakeside was as bright as if it were daytime.

The simple campfire that had been built from the firewood that the guards had scavenged was now burning steadily even in the strong winds, thanks to the potions that Citri had poured into it.
The campfires were arranged to form a smile, as Citry had suggested, and although it was hard to tell from close up, it would be very conspicuous if you looked down from the top of the Galest Mountains.

It was already nocturnal demon activity time, but there were no signs of demons appearing. Perhaps it was because Liz had been so eager to catch a big one for her supper.
It seems that our wild child was one of the best in the ecosystem around the lake.
A little farther from the campfire, there were many big game that Liz had hunted lying around, and the blood that had been drained from them was splattered all over the place, creating a strange space.
Citri was diligently cutting up the edible parts and bringing them to us, but it was clearly not enough for this group of people to eat, and there was too much meat.

This was by far the strangest campfire I've ever experienced.
The flames never seemed to die down, and the number and arrangement of food was excessive for a party of this small size. Blood dripping from skewered and roasted chunks of meat, pots and pans simmering away.
And above all, Black and the others sitting on the ground, pale and exhausted, and Tino with a tense expression, added to the strange atmosphere.

To the casual observer, it might have looked as if they were performing a strange ritual. It's a weird kind of sabbat that can't be shown to the public.

Of course, the reality is that it's a fun, fun campfire, but when the three of us are exhausted and Tino is nervous, even I can't fully enjoy it.

Only Sitri and Liz were as natural as ever. Sitri was cooking over the campfire without a care in the world, and Liz was playing in the lake at night.

'What do you think, Mr. Cry? It's perfect. ......! It definitely looks like you're smiling from the top of the mountain.

Sitri puffs out his chest somewhat proudly, indicating the campfire.
I don't mind that kind of playfulness either, but right now I had other things on my mind. In order to make many campfires, I was forced to pick up a lot of firewood, and the three guards were about to die.

All of them are obviously not amateurs, but it was indeed tough to collect firewood right after a hard march (by the way, some of them were hunting energetically, but don't think that's normal).

All three of them are about to die. If I had noticed, I would have stopped them, but while I was watching Tino and the others bathing in the water, Citri seemed to have given them a quick order, and by the time my consciousness left the two bathing in the water, fussing over them, it was already over.

It's good to find pleasure in small things. I might even be tempted to build a smiling campfire in some cases.
But I try not to bother the people around me as much as possible as a prerequisite. Even if Citry's instruction was my right as an employer, it would be too humane to use exhausted Kuro and his friends just for fun.

Citri is smilingly roasting a crocodile skewer for me. He looks like he's having a great time with no ill will at all.
I let out a small sigh, and in a depressed mood, I made a suggestion in a low voice.

'Sitri, Black and the others, aren't you using ...... them too much?

'What? Is that so? ......?'

Sitri's eyes widened.
He knew from the start that she wasn't using Black and the others maliciously.

Perhaps she didn't see the urgency of Black's situation.
Looking back now, our adventures had always been deadly. Compared to that, picking up firewood after a fight to the death is nothing, I guess he thinks. I guess I've been a hunter too long and my mind has become a hunter.

It's been a long time since I've been with you. It'll only be a short time, but I'm sure I'll make him back to his sensible self.
I'll be with you for a short time, but I'm sure I can make you back to your sensible self.

'But ............ they are ...... that ...... criminals, aren't they?

It was an unexpected word.
Criminals,......, criminals? I'm not sure what to make of that. There are a lot of hunters who look like criminals, so I didn't expect that pattern at all.

But then, why hire criminals at all? Could it be that they are being hired by the government as part of their rehabilitation or something? I don't know much about Sitri's connections, so I can't say.

Is it part of his prison work that he was mistreating Mr. Black and the others? It's also a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
When I wrinkled my forehead, Sitri laughed as if to say there was nothing to worry about.

'But if that's what Mr. Cry says, then let's not ...... overuse it.'

'......What? Wasn't that a punishment?

I'm not sure if it's okay to change things around just because I want to.

'Of course, it is a punishment in a sense. But ...... I've learned a lot about their performance in the past few days.

It's not enough to replace the parts, and it doesn't seem to be enough to stick with," Citrie said, tilting her head with a shy smile.

...... I'm not sure, but I've learned a lot about their dedication over the past few days, so maybe that means the punishment is over?
Maybe it's not such a serious crime. They seemed to have listened to Citly along the way. .......

I'm sure you're right,......, but if I were to let you go, would it be a bad idea?

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
Anyway, I have been targeted by criminals many times in my life. I believe that all criminals should be thrown in jail, but I also feel pity for Mr. Kuro and his friends, seeing the hardships they have endured along the way. I feel that I can forgive them for minor crimes.

It goes without saying that I'm not in a position to forgive or not forgive, but--

Citry made a thoughtful expression for a moment, but the next moment, he pulled something out of his pocket and squeezed my hand.

'No,......, it's not a serious crime, and you're free to go. I'm sure they'll be very grateful to you.

He squeezes my hand for a few seconds, then gently releases it. All that was left in my hand was a small golden key.
Citri's face showed no sign of lying. It's the kind of smile I've seen so many times that warms the heart.

'It's the key to their collars. Once the collar is removed, Black and the others are free.

It's pretty simple. ...... Pick up the key and hold it to the light.
But criminals, huh? I'd like to release Black and the others as soon as possible, considering their exhaustion, but criminals, huh?

I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it to the town with the exhausted Black's. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. There's still ...... time to think about it.

'...... We'll just have to find the right time.'


I wondered if he had been thinking the same thing without my having to point it out. Or was it because I didn't say anything about it for a long time that I couldn't release Kuro and the others?
Both Sitri and Ryz (or rather, everyone around me is like that) respect my opinion too much. It's not impossible.

'Anyway, you're in charge of Kuro and the others. You look a little tired, so I'm going to let you rest. Is that okay?'

'All right, sir. I'll tell your sister that you've left Black and the others in Kry-san's care.

Citri's cheeks flushed and he replied in a voice that was more passionate than usual.

Now, what should I tell Black and the others? .......







I'd rather be captured as a criminal (Red) Hunter than go through this.
That was the common understanding of Black and the three of them now.

There was anger when the shackles were put on. When we found out that we were going to be taken on vacation as guards, we thought we would release the collars and rebel at any opportunity. But now, all I have is deep despair and resignation.

White, Black, and Hi-iro have been Red's hunters for a long time, dealing with hunters and knights. We've been through more than once. I don't remember how many I've killed, and I've even cracked the heads of those who cried out and begged for forgiveness while laughing.
But even from that standpoint, the infamous Ghost of Sorrows in the Imperial City was insane.

He already had no energy to resist. They've been through a different kind of hell. Now I can understand why we were captured so easily.

Hiiro was suddenly thrown out of the carriage and exhausted to the extent that he looked ten years older. Their swords are covered in blood and grease, and have lost their sharpness, becoming mere blunt instruments. The cloaks they wore are soaked in blood, and the smell and color probably won't come off even if they wash them.

The next time you find yourself in a similar situation, someone will surely die. No - it would not be surprising if all three of them died.

And even if Black and the others died, this carriage would go on as if nothing had happened. I was sure of that. For some reason, that frightened me unnecessarily.

I knew that Senhenhen Banka was a level 8 hunter and had solved many serious cases.
The "vacation" that Kuro and the others were caught up in was a journey of asceticism, breaking through powerful demons and troubles, as if to confirm this.

Thunder Spirit. A large number of orcs gathered to build a fort. The worst demons that indiscriminately attacked the demons on the way to the Gallest Mountains, which were obviously attacked by an abnormal number of demons--the "Lost Giant Demons". If it were any one of them, Black and the others would choose to flee.

However, "Thousand Transformations" and the other members of the party, "Zekikage", saw it as a vacation.
Sometimes they avoided trouble, sometimes they pushed it to other hunters, and sometimes they forced their way through. They laughed at the path Black and the others had made with deadly determination, and even tried to bait Hiiro, whom they had used without hesitation.

Kuro sensed a strong "familiarity" from this action.

Zekage and the others were accustomed to this battlefield, this deadly place. No, they've probably experienced more than that.
That's why they laugh and that's why they don't stop. The Zekage's certification level should have been 6, but it was clear that their experience and ability did not fit into that number.

There was no way he could match it. His power, experience, determination, and even malice are so far removed from his appearance that it's hard to imagine.

No matter how many times I imagined it, I couldn't imagine being a match for it. There is no way out of this despair. The only ray of hope is to end it by dying.
But would the woman who had collared Black and the others, the woman who always smiled and showed no more guilt than Black and the others, allow such a rescue?

Hugging her knees, she ruminated as if fleeing from reality. Just then, a voice called out from behind Kuro.

'Um, ......, are you okay?

'Yes!

His dazed consciousness awoke at once, and he let out a small scream. Shiro, who had been lying dead until then, and Hi-iro, who wasn't sure if he was awake or not, jumped up as if called by the god of death.

A voice without power. A voice without dignity. This voice is the most terrifying.

Krei Andrich. A thousand changes. The leader of the Strange Glyphs, the man Zekage and the worst of the worst fully follow.

He's also the only one whose strength was not apparent during the vacation trip.

His strength is not apparent from his appearance. His body is weak and almost untrained as a hunter, and he does not possess the supremacy that is characteristic of those who have absorbed large amounts of Mana Material.
He is unarmed, and his appearance shows nothing but gaps. If I had seen him in the city, I would have dismissed him as a mere civilian who did not make a living from rough trade.

But that's why he's so terrifying.

His black eyes were deep and calm, and he didn't raise his voice in anger like the Zekage, nor did he smile at every opportunity like the worst of them.

I've been watching you all along the way. I was observing.
He didn't do anything in particular. He didn't jump out in front of a pack of demons out of concern for his friends, he didn't act or change his feelings in any noticeable way. He's just an ordinary guy.

But it was definitely that man who set the destination for this vacation.

Zekage and the worst of the worst are his mistresses. The expression on his face was lustrous and every action he took showed that he was trying not to be disliked.

I remember how they almost got rid of me before I did anything the first time. He was the master of those two, and there was no way he could think of what would happen if he went against them.

He's not going to let this end easily.

'What is it, ......?

Before we left. Hai'iro, who had been so arrogant, crawled in front of him.
Come to think of it, it was this man who advised him to help Hi-ilo when he was dropped. However, what I can feel from his actions now is not gratitude, but intense fear.

I understand how you feel. What is truly frightening is not someone who is quick to explode in anger.
Black follows Hiiro's example and bows his head slightly as well. I'm not going to look into his eyes. To avoid looking into his eyes.

'............ You don't have to act like that, I'll tell you straight up. I've decided to let Black and the others go. I have permission from Citri.

''What?

I raise my head at the unexpected words. Both White and High-Iron look up at the Thousand Transformations with wide eyes, stunned.

Release? Did he just say that he's going to release it?

The Senhenhenbanka twitched its eyebrows and narrowed its eyes for a moment. There's a small key in his hand. The key to the collar that bound Black and the others.
There was a lot of room. From Hailo's position, he could rob them in the space of a breath. But Hiiro wouldn't budge an inch.

'Of course, I'm not releasing you right now. It's too dangerous here--I heard that Black and the others are ...... criminals. If they're released so easily, they won't be able to atone for their crimes, will they?

What are you talking about? ....... I swallowed the words I was about to say.


You're right, Black and the others are criminals. They've violated countless Imperial laws, and if all their crimes were to come to light, they'd be in deep trouble.
But Lise and Sitri are clearly above that.

That's when the [Thousand Transformations] smiled slightly. It didn't look like an act--it was a natural smile. He lifted a small key and shook it in front of him as if to show off.

'But I know. Your sins are not so great. For the past few days, Black and the others have been following Citri's orders very well. I think that's enough to atone for their sins, don't you? If they stay quiet until they're safe, I'll take off their collars and let them go.

On the face of it, those are too nice words. But from Black's position, he could see White's cheeks tense with fear.
Black and the others are Red Hunters. They're hunters who've committed all kinds of crimes and lived on the edge of the law. Even Black and the others are aware that they're committing serious crimes. But to say it's not a big deal?

I don't know how he received Black and the others' silence, but he waved his hand as if in a panic.

'Oh, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not going to ask Black and the others to fight as before from here on. It's relatively safe from here, and Black and the others are probably tired. ...... We're not in a hurry, so please take it easy. Well, I guess you'll have to do it, but ...... it's a vacation. Do you understand?

Vacation. The abominable word makes me shudder.
Sweet words. It's a word that blatantly encourages hope. But Black and the others don't have a choice in the matter. They simply nodded, like loyal soldiers.

White and Hiiro nodded silently. Black follows suit.
The "Thousand Transformations" sees the expressions on Black and the others' faces and relaxes its shoulders as if relieved.


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