I saw Grizz's men now lying on the ground like zombies, their bodies unable to move except slowly.



"Okay, I'm going to take a ten-minute break. If you don't recover well, it will be harder than dying.

　Domorte's voice had no answer.



　We were in the process of retraining our men from scratch at Grizz's request.

　Then Grizz suddenly said something very serious.

"Rock,...... I don't like to ask you to do this, but ...... please!　I'll play the money and you can help me plow the snow to the village of Colon."

　Grizz had been wondering how to tell me this during the training, and he had been acting a little strange since we met today.



　But suddenly the name "Colon Village" didn't ring a bell at all. On the contrary, I had never heard of it.



"Grizz, what's going on all of a sudden?"

"No, a friend of mine regularly goes to a place called Kolon Village to deliver his goods, but this year there was a sudden heavy snowfall and the road to there was closed. The snow came more than a month earlier than usual and no one could have predicted it. If we don't get supplies to the village, people may starve to death, but they don't have enough wizards.



　Griz seemed to want to ask for Domorte's help, but he suddenly began to ramble on, his usual calm demeanor completely different from the rest of the group.

　I dare to refuse the offer, and try to find out what Grizz is up to.



"Well, I've never heard of that place, and I'm sure Grizz can ask someone else to do it.

"No, I've never heard of that place. But ......"

"Grizz, ......, we're on the same side. It'll be a lot easier if you just let it out."



　Grizz was very nervous and suspicious, unlike his usual confident demeanor.

　He was clearly hiding something.



　If you tell me that people will starve to death, of course I will help you.

　But if there is another reason, I need to know.

　This is definitely not because Grizz's reaction is funny.



"Huh. ...... stay away from me for a bit. I need to talk to Locke alone."

　As I moved the servants away from around us, Grizz came up to me and started whispering.

"Locke, are you sure you won't laugh?"

"Laugh at what?"

What?" "What I'm about to say."



　Grizz's face turns red. He looks like a boiled octopus.

　When a grown man like him makes a confession that makes everyone around him shun him and his face turn red, it seems to me that I have no choice but to listen to him seriously.



"What?　What's with the serious look on your face? I'm used to Grizz's eccentricities, so I won't laugh.

--Yes, you're right. I'm not laughing at you.

　Lucky suddenly comes up to me and listens, showing that he doesn't hear me. Lucky is clearly amused.



"Rock ......"

　He looks at me, but I slowly shake my head.

　Lucky is going with us anyway.

　There's no point in saying anything here.



"Huh. "Huh. All right. You know, ...... actually ...... that ......."

----Tell me what you want. I'm getting a little tired of training your boys.

　Lucky's tail is wagging wildly from side to side.

　For all intents and purposes, it looks like he's enjoying himself.



"Okay, I get it. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you this at my age, but I've found someone I like."

"Mm-hmm. And?"

"Oh, I knew it. I had a feeling.

You're rich. Why don't you just pay for it like you're buying a demon?



　Before Grizz knew it, Domorte, Shannon, and Mellow had gathered behind him.

　Grizz's face turned from red to blue.



　I put my hand on Grizz's shoulder. I whispered in a low voice, "Give it up," and he slumped his shoulders and began to talk almost emotionlessly.



"I'm trying to help people, but the girl wants to buy an ornament made of a rare stone called snow stone, which is hard to find in this town. So I approached a merchant who goes to the village and told him that I was just in need."



What brings you to me?

"Because it's hard to get a group of people with strength and power at this time of the year, and I wanted to be as secretive as possible, so I was only going to tell my best friend, Rock. ......



"Papa, you are so sweet to go shopping for a gift for someone you love!　I'll definitely help you out."

　Before I know it, the putras are scrambling around at my feet .



　I wonder if it's a habit of mine to gather my friends when I exorcise them.

　Only Mr. Gargoyle was still accompanying his men for a rest.

　That's Mr. Gargoyle for you.



　Still, I think I need to ask him for more details.