The wind was roaring in my ear.

　The scenery below us was changing one by one like a picture story show.

　The red shape of Mount Skim rises as if impaling the heavens. The mirror-like surface of Lake Toya spreads out in front of it. The sheer cliffs of the Atento Pass, which remind one of a giant sword.

　The view from the sky is worth seeing. I was thinking about this as I boarded the Clow Solas on my way to Belka.

　My companions, Sparrow and Lunamaria, seem to agree, and their mouths are repeatedly filled with admiration. Occasionally, a scream would accompany the exclamation, but this was due to Crow Solas changing maneuvers to avoid the clouds.

　Unaccustomed to the high-speed maneuvering of the wyverns, the two of them hug me tightly whenever the saddle swings. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the saddle. In other words, we were facing me head on.

　When both sides hugged each other tightly in this state, the level of closeness increased, creating a rather troubling composition.

　--In case you're wondering, I didn't deliberately make Klau Solas take a rough maneuver, yes.

　Anyway, the long journey to Belka, which would take half a month even with a carriage, can be completed in less than three days by riding on Klau Solas. At this rate, we should be able to reach Belka by noon tomorrow.

　To add to that, you can reach Belka in a day if you only take the Clow Solas. The flying ability of a serious indigo (indigo) winged beast (wyvern) has reached that level.

　But doing so would also greatly increase the burden on the rider. If it were just me, there would be no problem, but it's too much to ask Sparrow and Lunamaria to have the same amount of strength as me. Both of us have flown Clow Solas many times before, but this was the first time we'd ever flown a long, fast flight like this one, so we desperately needed to take a break. That would extend the time it took to reach Belka.

　--The two of them were so energetic and motivated that I wondered if they really needed to take a break.

　It's a good thing that the two of them are moving around, not showing any signs of tiredness as they prepare their lunches and feed Klaus. The contents of the lunchbox were prepared by the priest Sela and the sparrow before their departure.

　When I jokingly suggested that I should buy it at an asking price, the priest replied, "Well, in that case, let me know what you think of it as payment for it," in a joking manner. I was even more troubled when a nearby Luna Maria giggled and added, "I'm also making one dish, so I'd like you to guess who made which one.

　There was no way that I, who had been picking medicinal herbs for years while biting into black bread, onions and garlic, could distinguish between them in detail.

　However, if I give up now, my dignity as the leader of the clan will be compromised. Probably Lunamaria's food does not use meat, and the sparrow's food is mainly made of mushrooms. There is no choice but to mobilize all the knowledge in this area and somehow arrive at the correct answer. I decided to do so - and the results were disastrous.

　When both of us had taken my preferences into account when making the meat dishes, there was no way we could have hoped for a correct answer. We were both happy and sad, with mixed feelings.

　We continued on our way to Belka, exchanging such conversations along the way. Fortunately, we didn't have any trouble, and on the second day after leaving Ishqa, we could see the sandstone ramparts guarding the Belka in our field of vision.



　With the Belka in sight, I dropped Klau Solas off in the mountains, out of sight, and made my way on foot to the city gates. This was the same way I had come with Ilaria.

　To tell the truth, I had initially thought of riding directly to the gates with Klau Solas. If the dragon knight came without warning, his presence would spread throughout Belka in the blink of an eye. If it turns out to be the rumored dragon killer, I'll be the man of the hour. If that happens, it will be easier to gather manpower and information.

　Just stand out in a strange way and say "I'll make a name for myself by defeating the Dragonslayer (Dragon Slayer)! It's also troublesome to be teased by people like that. I'm sure there are plenty of people like that in this town, considering what I've seen and heard before.

　That's why I decided to avoid any flashy appearances for now, and instead give priority to joining up with Ilaria. After hearing about the current situation in Belka from Ilaria's mouth, if necessary, I'll reveal the truth about the dragon killer.

　Fortunately, I have a letter of introduction from Pope Noah in my pocket. If I show it to Cardinal Sairala, the man in charge of this place, the Temple of Law should be able to cooperate with me. In that sense, there was no need to rush to make a name for myself.

　While I was thinking about this, I arrived at the castle gate.

　As I've mentioned here and there before, there is no human state to the west of Belka, and there is no need to worry about inter-intelligence or secret agents from other countries. For this reason, the security of the city gates is extremely lax, and the last time I was here, it was almost a bare street.

　So it should be fine this time, too - as if to mock my optimism, a haughty voice rang out.


"Hey, you guys, halt!


　Just as they were about to pass through the gate, three men appeared and blocked their way with a who-what voice. I looked behind me and saw that we were also blocked by the same number of men.

　Six men, in all likelihood. All of them are armed and are spreading an intimidating air as if this is not enough.

　Perhaps fearing collateral damage, the people around them are moving away like spider spiders. The men don't even look in that direction, so it's clear that their goal is us.

　I can't help but get bored. We've come all this way on foot to avoid this kind of thing, so why am I being swallowed as soon as we arrive?

　The sparrow was wearing a hat, so he wasn't looking for the horns of the demon. Now, what do they want? I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the other side is in trouble.


"Do you have something to do with us?


　I didn't want to cause an unnecessary commotion, so I responded as politely as possible.

　As I did so, I kept my eyes on the other man's movements without being careless. The men's armaments were not those of the Canary Regulars, so they wouldn't be Belka's guards. On the other hand, the six men were wearing the same type of armor, suggesting that they belonged to some kind of force.

　I'm not sure if it's the same as the one you're looking for, but it's the same as the one you're looking for.


'That's an elf behind you, isn't it?

Yes, as you can see.


　Clad in the robes of a sage, Lunamaria wears a hood to protect herself from the strong sunshine of Belka, but keeps her distinctive long ears out. If you ask her if she is an elf, she can only say that she is an elf.

　The leader of the group nodded his head emphatically.


We, the Desert Eagles, are on the trail of an elf criminal. We are hunting an elf criminal, you must come to our headquarters for questioning.

'We only arrived in Belka today. I don't know what the elves you're after have done, but it has nothing to do with us.

We'll be the judge of that. Just follow me. Your refusal or escape will be considered an admission of guilt.


　It's a one-sided assertion that doesn't have an ounce of intention to listen to what I have to say. When I heard that, I let out a snort.

　I decided that this was not the kind of person to be polite, so I stopped speaking respectfully and shrugged my shoulders.


'That's pretty wild talk. I don't think you are a guard, and I don't think you have the authority to interrogate me.


　The leader's face twisted sourly as if he sensed the contempt in our attitude. The metallic sound of a clank was a signal that the men had put their hands on their weapons.


''Are you going to defy the 'Desert Eagle'?''

'I told you I just arrived in Belka today. I don't know what you're talking about when you call me a hawk, a hawk.


　Well, I can tell from their attitude that they are a worthless organization. I was glowering at the six men in front and behind me while inwardly thinking about this.

　But then I heard Lunamaria's whispered voice coming from right behind me.


''Master, I can handle it, but...''


　Lunamaria, who knows I'm trying to avoid the commotion, says she's willing to follow them. It's also an expression of confidence that they can get away with it any way they want, even if they take you to headquarters.

　But I shook my head and dismissed Lunamaria's proposal.

　I didn't want to cause a ruckus, that's for sure. But if the noise came from the other side, that was a different story. I'm not a man of deep reckoning - bowing my head, bending my knees and crawling around to avoid trouble for the sake of the greater good. I'm not sure I'd be able to do that if the demand was for the handing over of my people.

　I'm sure that this is how the elves were brought down. Thinking this, I called out to the sparrow.


"Sparrow, I'm not going to tell you to stay back.


　Since I brought him in as an asset to the Clan, I need him to stand next to me, not behind me.

　When I told her that, Sparrow said in a strong voice, "Yes! He replied. There was no surprise or fear there at all. At this rate, the sparrows should be able to act without fear, even if these people tease them in my absence in the future.

　The leader of the group got fed up with our lack of trepidation, and raised his voice to intimidate us.


We are the only A-ranked party in this city's adventurer's guild. If you make enemies with us in this city, know that you will not get away with it!


　Of course, that intimidation has no effect on us.

　According to what I've heard before, there should be two A-ranked parties in Belka, so the phrase "the only A-ranked party" bothered me, but I don't think I'd get an answer if I asked here.

　I took a step forward, thinking it was time to get this done.

　I looked at my opponent, who backed away from me as if pressurized, and lifted my lips up.