The Gathering of the White Swords.
It is the most famous and most prestigious gathering among the hunters of Zebrudia.

Hosted by the Emperor, only a select few hunters who are recognized as having contributed to Zebrudia are allowed to attend.
I don't know much about it since I have never attended it, but in addition to the Emperor, there are many other important figures of the Empire in attendance, and being allowed to attend the gathering as a hunter is said to be as good as a promise of success in the Empire.
Rumor has it that it started when Ark's ancestor was called by the emperor after capturing a treasure hall in the imperial capital after a deadly battle. The White Sword of the White Sword Gathering is said to have originated from the Rodin family's treasures, the Holy Sword.

The invitation to the Gathering was a straightforward process to glory, but I was in the mood to retire right now.
I don't want to go just because the emperor is going to be there, but there's no reason for me to go if there's going to be a bunch of high-level hunters from the imperial capital in attendance.

Compared to these warriors, I'm like a rubber ball.
In addition, I don't know anything about etiquette, so whenever I go to such events, I usually end up doing something rude before I know it.

The beginning was already just around the corner.

I didn't have time to enjoy the afterglow of my vacation, so I spent the whole day thinking about countermeasures, but my empty mind couldn't find any countermeasures at all.
But my empty mind could not find any solution. Oh, it's been a day, so it's only two days away.

I definitely don't want to go. I'm getting a stomachache.

'I don't want to go to ......, I'm getting a stomachache'.

I whine in the Clan Master's office, depressed, and Eva sighs deeply and says emphatically.

'No.'

She was straight to the point. Isn't it ...... unfair to postpone a project that you've gone to the trouble of taking a vacation to get away from? No, it's not fair.

Apparently, it's all the Abyssal Fire's fault. The war between the Demon Staff and Akasha's Tower was like a beehive poking at the Imperial Capital, so they had no choice but to postpone it.
Level 8 is truly a frightening thing, as they postpone an event that has never been postponed since its inception.

I want to complain, but of course I won't complain directly. The mere mention of it could burn me to the ground. In the hunter industry, those without power have no right to speak.

It was too late to go on vacation again. I'm sure they'll be appalled that I ran away so blatantly once, and if I try to run away again, Eva will run away from me.

But I really don't want to go. I snapped my fingers.

'Yes, let's have Ark go.

'............ As you know, Ark-san is called Ark-san.'

That's right. Ark is called by Ark.
He is a member of Rodin's bloodline and is a regular at the gatherings. How many years did you say he's been called? .......

'...... I don't have any clothes to wear.'

'The dress code for treasure hunters doesn't seem to be strictly specified, but ...... we do have one. It's custom-made.

In response to my nonsense, Eva brought me a dress on a hanger. It's a tuxedo, and it looks very well tailored.
Tuxedo ...... Are you going to wear a tuxedo? ............ Absolutely not.

'......I don't remember being measured.'

'Mr. Citri had it. If you are a hunter, there are some people who wear heavy armor and helmets, but ...... Cry does not usually wear armor.

I'm sure that will get you noticed.
Let's think about it calmly. First of all, I don't want to attend. Absolutely not. No matter what.

I warn Eva, who stares at me.

'Well, I don't mind, but if you take ...... any of my party members, you'll definitely get in trouble.'

'? The only person invited is Kry-san, as the party's representative. ......'

'You're crazy.

I hate it. I definitely don't want to go to such a deadly place by myself.
I mean, there's the old lady of Abyssal Fire and Destroyer, right? At that point, you're out. I'll ask Ansem to go.

As I shuddered and tried to think of a way around this, Eva flashed her glasses and gave me some additional information.

'Only one attendant is allowed.

'Okay, let's take Ark with us.

'No.'

'Let's take Anthem.

'That's not allowed in the ...... venue.'

Eva's tone was very serious, and for some reason I felt like I was being accused.

I don't think I can enter, but it might be a problem to take Anthem to such a place. After all, he's a big, intimidating guy, and he might unnecessarily provoke the nobles and other brainy hunters.

If he couldn't use the method of escape, he would cower to the hilt. I'll just stay in the corner and try not to get spotted. There's no one better than me at getting by.
I'll even get down on my knees if I have to. If that's the case, my companions will be limited to those who are willing to get down on their knees.

At that point, it's pretty much narrowed down. ............ I guess I'll have to ask Arc to call in his absence and have him come along as my companion.

It seems that Arc always chooses one of his party members to go with him. There is a fierce battle going on.

'That's ...... going to make me want to kill him.

You're strong, handsome, and have no problem taking any of your party members, what an honorable student you are. I guess those who have it all are different.

And then, in reaction to my overly spinning head, I let out a big sigh. I narrow my eyes.

I'm getting tired of thinking about it. ...... There's not much time left before the meeting, and I'm starting to feel like I should just take anyone who's available.

I don't want to make an appeal, I don't have any ambition, if I read the atmosphere and stay quiet like a country bumpkin, the gathering will be over in no time.
Yes, I have the Mirage Form. All I have to do is change my face with it. There seems to be a good number of nobles here, so I can blend in with them. If you're wearing a tuxedo, you don't have to worry about being recognized by your outfit.


I'm ...... brilliant today.


I was smiling at the nice idea when suddenly the door opened with a bang.
It was Liz who came in. I'm glad to see that she's as energetic as ever, even though she just got back from a long trip, but I couldn't help but widen my eyes at the sight of her. Eva also stiffened.

Lise was wearing a bright red dress. It was a dress with a deep slit at the thighs. The tight-fitting dress with a plumed collar suited her lithe figure well. The slit showed a glimpse of her tanned skin, giving her an indescribably s*xy look.
However, the only thing that spoiled the atmosphere was the "Highest Roots" that covered her legs as usual.



Spinning around triumphantly on the spot, Liz says a little shyly.

'Hey, does it look good on you, Crye?

'It looks good, but ...... what's wrong? That outfit?

'Heh, ......, "Gathering of the White Swords", you can only take one person, right? I thought I should wear something that wouldn't bother Kry, so I prepared it.

...... No? No, no, no, no, no, you can't. The outfit suits you, but it's the worst pattern.
And you're so flamboyant, you'd go out and sell it even if you weren't in a fight. You would go to the emperor to fight him.

But ......, you're all set. It's not like you're going out for fun.

I couldn't say anything to her as she acted as if she deserved to be invited.
If it wasn't a particularly important event, I'd be happy to take you. .......

I'm not sure what to say. You can wear whatever you want, but not a bright red dress.
It's okay, you don't have to look like that. ...... I know. I'm not taking you with me.

And then, through the door that Liz left open, came in Citrie.

She was wearing a long black dress. Her white skin was bare from her shoulders to her breasts, which was refreshing since she always wore a robe (even though she had just been to the hot springs). She even wore a not-so-fancy hair ornament in her hair, which she usually didn't wear, and I couldn't help but look at her.

Citri frowned at the sight of his guest, but then smiled when he saw his modest form.
He turned to me and made a frown with a big smile.

'How about it, Miss Kry? I had it made for the Gathering of the White Swords. I don't think you'll be bothered by this outfit!

'......? Sito, what do you mean by that?

'Of course, it's perfect for fighting. Look, ...... I can't hide my arms, but--'

You can't hide your arms, but you can hide your skirt. Her thighs are white and veiny. There was a leather belt wrapped around it, and several small bottles of potions were set on it.

Reece, who was being casually fought, immediately started to bite her.

'Sito, you can't handle a sudden battle, can you? Stay back, I'll go with you!

'Sis, you don't know how to be polite.

'Huh? You don't need etiquette!

No, I think you do. .......

If I had to pick one, I'd go with ...... Citrie. The dress is not too flashy and looks great on you. It's true that I'm not sure about my close combat skills, but I'm sure she can follow up on any mistakes I make.


'Oh, that ...... is ...... fine if you want ---- nothing.'

Tino peeked out, saw the two sisters glaring at each other, and rushed away before entering the room. I'm not sure if Tino also heard that I was going to the White Sword Gathering and came over.

Actually, I'm not going to .........


'Oh, cry! Is it true that you're going to fight a strong man? Take me with you!'

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

If I were to take him, it would be Citly or Lucia ......, but if I take Citly, Liz will be in a bad mood and Lucia is in her rebellious stage.
And Eliza is missing anyway. Eliza would disappear soon. I remember the first time we met, she was lying in the desert.
After all, her second name is ...... "Lost" Eliza. .......



'Kry, you'll choose me, right? I'll be a good boy, okay?

I'll be a good boy, right? This is not the right place for this!



Lizzie and Cicely both crowd me, looking confident. Eva is looking at me nervously.
I rubbed my eyes and said with a big sigh.


Ark is in the hall anyway. If anything happens, Ark will take care of it.



'Eva, I'm sorry but you need to prepare ....... I'll have you come with me.'

'............ Yes?'

Eva rolled her eyes and looked back at me as if she had been taken aback.