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Lying in bed, I look at the carpet actively moving around the corner of the room and twist my neck.

'I wonder if we're going to ...... crash, ......?

The anxiety I'd been harboring had calmed down.

Considering my bad luck, it's quite possible, but from the looks of Franz, this ship seems to be very solid. He knows that many dragons have attacked us, so he is confident that we will be safe even if we are attacked by a dragon.

Of course, it's better not to crash. The ship will arrive at its destination, the capital of Toaizant, the Land of Sand.
Toaizant is a small country compared to Zebrudia, but it has a flourishing culture of its own and a reasonably high level of technology, so the risk of being attacked within the country is probably not that great.



I feel like I'm thinking about something serious for the first time in a long time. Well, I'm not thinking about the escort plan, I'm just thinking about when it will end. .......

As I was mumbling to myself, there was a knock at the door.
I hear Thelum's voice on the other side of the door, and I rush out of bed, pacing and pretending to be working.

Hunters have pride, too. It would be unfulfilling if the leader was always lounging around. Unlike Eva, Telm probably doesn't know how pathetic I am, and if Telm tells the old woman of Abyssal Fire and Extinction about my disgusting behavior, she might say that she can't forgive me as a Level 8 and come to burn me.

Thelum, who showed his face, was in perfect condition even though it was night.

'I'm sorry to bother you at this time of night. I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page about the future. Kecak seems to be concerned.'

'...... Oh. I knew you'd be here soon.'

I get upset and try to look hard-boiled. You can't help but be pulled in by the hard-boiled atmosphere of Therme when she's nearby.

We'll discuss the future! What a solid hunter. I'm sorry to say that I'm a level 7, but that's a great sense of responsibility.
This is a fierce warrior who has been through a lot. I want Luke and the others who are always doing whatever they want to do to drink their nails.

'I'll have to repay the Abyssal Fire sometime.

'? That's quite a confidence you have, ......, but Lohse is definitely a class act when it comes to destruction. She's no match for surprise attacks. She's probably more of a destroyer than you think.

I'm sure you've heard of her.

What ......? I'm sure you've heard of it. Why?

It's even worse than I thought. I think it's more likely that you'll get burned if you don't thank her, but Terme doesn't seem to be joking.

...... When you go to thank them, make sure you charge your warding fingers.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to do it. We don't need to do anything in particular, we'll just go along with Telm as before.

'What?

Is that too much to ask? But I'm like a piece of trash in terms of combat and command skills, and in times of crisis, like when we were attacked by a pack of childrens, it's better to leave everything to the more experienced Thelm than for me to give orders.
I don't want to give orders, because if something happens, they'll blame me. Well, even if I don't give orders, they will blame me, but I still feel more comfortable that way.

'I'm sorry, but this is the way I do things. Yes, of course, I'll take care of the coordination. And I've already talked to you about Krus, so it's okay.

Franz-san has been listening to me for some time now, and the emperor seems to be benefiting from the prestige of level 8. As long as I don't do anything too fancy, I should be able to convince him. I think it's more likely that nothing will happen in the first place.

'Hmm ......, that means the execution is completely up to us,' he said.

'......Is there a problem? We'll support you if you need anything.'

'...... No, that's fine. If that's the way you want to do it, I'll just go along with it. It's an easy mission if you've set it up this way.

You've got a stern expression on your face when you say it's easy, but I guess that's the difference in our sense of responsibility.
Besides, ...... I didn't do anything to set it up. I'm impressed with your lip service. I wish I could grow old like this.


.


Despite Franz's efforts and the seriousness of Telm's worries, nothing in particular happened and the trip went smoothly.
The airship was very stable but not very fast, and it would take three days to reach Toaizant if everything went according to plan.
The first day we were tossed about by a storm, but after that no one came to call us, and we had a surprisingly peaceful time.
The color of Franz's face at the briefing was getting better and better.

I thought that he would arrive safely. Just as such thoughts were beginning to cross my mind, it came.

While I was playing with Crus in my room, Mr. Franz came running in.
The expression on his face was not one of fear or impatience, but one of confusion.

'A thousand changes, Your Majesty wants to see you.

'? What's going on?

There was no commotion. I roll my eyes, and Franz frowns and says.

'............ Look outside. I'm sure you've noticed--we're not getting out of this storm anytime soon.

'What ......?'

You look out the window. Outside, the sky is as dark as ever.