Do we have a deal?

　Mr. Kilt asked back.

　Mr. Mohaini nodded yes.

There have been a lot of 'Great Black Monkeys' in the forests around the village recently. Do you want to hunt them yourself?　I'm going to tell you a story about the Toluuga Empire.

　It's an unexpected suggestion.

　We couldn't help but look at each other.

　Then Mr. Mohaini told us more about the situation.

　In fact, in the last few months or so, the number of sightings of the Black Great Ape has increased, preventing the villagers from entering the forest and making the food situation worse for the entire village.

　This was also the reason why Turkia was in the forest.

　As the daughter of the village chief, she wanted to gather food for the village, so she went out on her own to gather it.

(How reckless...)

　I'm kind of stunned.

　Turkia sticks out her tongue and shrugs her shoulders in a small way.

'The cause is wacky death.

　Mohaini said.

　In fact, the Black Great Ape breeds heavily every seven years.

　This year was a lucky year for them.

　As a result, more and more of the Black Great Monkeys are chased out of the herd, and they've been spotted around the village.

(So it's a natural disaster for demons.)

　According to Mohaini, if it's the same as in previous years, the warrior group of the "Toluga Empire" will come and exterminate the "Black Great Ape".

　But that's about a month or two away.　

　So.

Everyone will be able to help me defeat the Black Great Sickle, and I will be able to help you.

　The village chief of this village said so.

　I see.........

(If you're in trouble, I'd love to help you.)

　I think.

　I look up at Kilt's profile.

"..........

　Mr. Kilt put his hand to his chin and pondered something.

　His golden eyes looked at Mr. Mohaini.

　Ms. Mohaini smiled serenely, smiling smugly.

　Mr. Kirto's eyes widen.

''I see.''

　Mr. Kilt muttered.

　Then he nodded widely.

'Aye, I understand. I'll take care of that deal for you.

　He declared with a smile.

　Mr. Mohaini also smiled, "Douzo, yoroshiku ogaishimasu.

(????)

　I felt like something was being exchanged between the two of them that I couldn't understand.

　Torkia and Solstice nodded their heads as well.

　Poe, too, imitated the two girls and tilted his head with a cackle.

　Iltimina-san is the only one who understands, and she has a calm face for one of them.

　After exchanging promises, it's late tonight, and we'll be staying at Chief Mohaini's house.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


That's a very nice man, my dear.

　Ms. Kilt said as she led us to the guest room and left the five of us alone.

　Everyone looks at her.

　As I sat down on the bed, I asked.

'Is this about Mr. Mohaini?'
Yes.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'Do you know why that old man, Marle, insisted on such a deal?
I'm not sure.

　I honestly shook my head.

　If we take Mohaini-san's words to heart, he's probably talking about 'defeating demons' instead of 'information on the Toluga Empire'.

(But it sounds different with the way Kirt-san just said things, doesn't it?

　Mr. Kilt says.

'It was for the sake of the strawmen.

　For us?

　I can't help but stare at Kirto's face.

If you continue to march southward, you will surely get involved with the government of the Toluga Empire. He has allowed us to prepare for that time.

　.........er.......

　I'm sorry, I still don't understand what it means.

　Solstice doesn't understand either, or she's pondering with a difficult face while folding her arms.

　Beside her, Po-chan was also imitating her troubled appearance.

　Iltimina-san smiled while

Merle?　Do you see what we look like from the 'Toluga Empire'?

　He asked.

'What?'

　That's.........

　As I thought about it, Illtimina-san gave me her answer.

It's a foreign invader who has entered their own territory without permission.
!

　I stiffen.

　I looked at Mr. Kilt.

　Mr. Kilto nodded, shaking his silver hair.

That's right. We don't mean to, but that's no excuse.

　Oh no.....

　But, if you ask me, it was indeed true.

　Kirt-san says.

''That's why that village chieftain-dono wanted to let me take credit for this before Wawa and the others came into contact with the government of the 'Toluga Empire'.
Good work...?
Yes.

　Mr. Kilt nodded broadly.

'I suppose you will be granted a pardon for the crime of going AWOL, for having vanquished a demon that threatens your village?

　Ah.....

(I see)

Even if we don't go that far, they'll at least listen to us.

　With that, Mr. Kilt looks toward the parlor.

　His eyes narrow.

With that in mind, the chieftain has made a deal with the warriors.　

　He told her in a voice full of gratitude.

(Mr. Mohaini....)

　I was also somewhat excited.

　If we had only been given information about the Toluga Empire, we might not have been able to get the Empire to even listen to us. At the very least, we were in a position where we couldn't even complain about it.

　Mr. Mohaini noticed that and went out of his way to take it into consideration.

　Perhaps it is because of the friendship between me and Jess, which has lasted for 30 years, that he has gone to this extent.

　Ms. Illtimina pats me on the head.

'I'm grateful for that, really.'
Yes.

　I nodded widely.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

''In fact, it could be that the village is in trouble. Let's make sure we defeat the 'Black Great Ape'.
Yeah!
Yes, sir.
Yeah.
.......................

　We smiled and nodded.

　And so we fell asleep that night.

　--And the next day, we set out to defeat the Black Great Ape.