Three days have passed since we parted company with Cardinal Sairala.

　We have relocated to an oasis in the desert called Leero, where we continue our search for Behemoth and the Silver Star.

　As for leaving Belka, we were not forced by the Cardinal to do so. But if we, who have been staying in the Temple of Law, suddenly leave the Temple and move to an inn in the city, it is obvious that we will be scrutinized in various ways. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do.

　It is frankly a hassle to deal with such people. That's why I decided to leave Belka.

　For the record, I have no animosity towards Cardinal Sairala.

　It's me who is to blame for the earlier one, for trying to tear up the side papers.

　I tried to lighten Wisteria's guilt for helping Pope Noah, but the Cardinal refused to do so by pointing out the danger of the dark elves. Regardless of the relationship between the Dark Elf and the Immortal King, the fact that Wisteria turned into a deformed form and rampaged through the city of Belka is a fact, and reason is on the Cardinal's side.

　I was aware of this and tried to convey my intentions, so it's not surprising that the cardinal had a stern expression on his face. Moreover, the basis of my actions were based on the self-interest of "making myself strong". If there was a balance for measuring good and evil, I would have definitely placed the Cardinal on the side of good.

　Well, it was obvious that the situation would be worse if Wisteria was handed over to the legal theocracy, so my request was also to protect Belka - but as expected, it would be too much of a bug to ask me to guess that much.

　I don't believe in the cardinal or legalistic religion enough to reveal all the circumstances and ask for their cooperation. That's why I tried to use my past gratitude as a shield to get my demands met.

　As a result, the Cardinal and I ended up parting company, but the Cardinal still said in the end, "I'll cover what happened the other night.

　Now Wisteria could not be accused of a crime. In that sense, I'm not just antagonistic towards the Cardinal, I'm even grateful to him.

　One of the reasons I decided to leave Belka was because I didn't want to cause any more trouble with Cardinal Silara.




　That's how I came to the Leelo Oasis, but this is not the first time I've been here. It was also the oasis that I used the other day when I took Katia to survey the unexplored areas.

　Although it is in the middle of the desert, the Leero Oasis is a busy place with many shops. There is also an abundance of spring water, and many adventurers use it as a base for their activities.

　The distance from the Belka is long enough to escape the scrutiny and curiosity, and the influence of law and religion is small. In many ways, this is a suitable base for our current situation.

　The five people who have accompanied us so far are Lunamaria, Sparrow, Wisteria, Ilaria, and Katia. Of course, we also brought Klau Solas with us.

　As for Katia, I'm a bit confused as well, but the girl who is looking for the white knight Alou is working with me, who is embittered with the Cardinal. It seems that she has her own thoughts as a priest of the Hokage, but she seems to have decided that it would be more expedient to follow me for the sake of her primary objective, which is to find Alou.

　As for the other priest, Ilaria, after learning about the series of circumstances, he let out a deep sigh in a disgusting manner, but that's it. To this day, I haven't heard any particular complaint. I'm not sure if they have restrained themselves from being in a position to complain, or if they've given up on the futility of complaining.

　Lunamaria and Sparrow both spoke positively to Wisteria, seemingly trying to keep their new companion from feeling stifled.


'When I first left the forest, Seal-san helped me to adjust quickly to city life,'


　Now it's my turn," the sparrow says, eagerly. The way she clasped her hands tightly together and fumed with her spirit is really smiling - and also encouraging. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them.

　And so, having moved our base to the Leero Oasis, we are preparing to search for the behemoths, as I mentioned earlier.

　Unlike before, when we searched vaguely unexplored areas, this time we had an idea. Needless to say, it was Wisteria.

　The most important piece of information revealed by the silver-haired elf's mouth was about 'divine beasts'.

　The divine beast that Wisteria refers to is probably Behemoth. And it is said that the behemoth is slowly circling around the warding that covers Andorra.

　The way it seems to be trying to protect Andra, and also to watch her, but no matter what the truth is, there is no doubt that the behemoth is prowling around Andra.

　In short, if he waits near Andra, he will eventually discover the behemoths.

　Based on Wisteria's story, I would guess that the area of Andorra is not as large as the forest of Titis. Depending on the speed at which the behemoths were walking, they would not be waiting for a year or two.

　Of course, there is still a chance that we will be held up for a month or two, but even so, it's better than wandering around an unexplored area with no idea what to do. If push came to shove, there was the option of flying around Andorra in the Clow Solas.

　The reason Wisteria hadn't been able to find the behemoths before was because she had to walk through an unfamiliar desert. If they used air travel, the chances of finding the divine beast would be greatly increased.

　If there was a problem with this strategy, it would be the Andorra elves. How would the elves react to the humans and wyverns wandering around their country? It would be a disaster if they thought they were intruders and attacked.

　According to Wisteria, as long as they didn't try to break through the wards and enter Andorra, there would be no problem, but they would need to tread carefully in the area.

　In addition, attacking divine beasts is not a problem in itself. In Andorra, behemoths are referred to as 'divine beasts' or 'great beasts', but they are not necessarily objects of faith or veneration, according to the report.

　In Andorra, behemoths are used to execute elves that have become possessed by evil spirits, which means that behemoths also use elves as predators. If the wards surrounding Andorra were to disappear, the behemoth would attack the elves without mercy.

　In that sense, the elves might be rather pleased if they defeated the behemoths.

　Finally, the 'Wall of Sand' that was an obstacle during the last survey - a massive sandstorm that occurs in the unexplored areas - Wisteria seems to be able to roughly detect the time and place of its occurrence. If there's one person, they can force their way through the sandstorm with the protection of a spirit. But as expected, six people and one cow can't do it.

　The Wisteria's view is that the "Wall of Sand" that is currently occurring will subside in the day after tomorrow, so we are currently making a final check of food and water.

　--It was at this time that a man claiming to be the leader of the "Desert Eagle" came to visit.






''Hahaha!　You're drinking good, dragonslayer!


　The man laughed and drank a mug of ale as I frothed it after the toast. The man drank as if to say "toast the cup" as in "toast the cup," and the container, which was twice as big as mine, was emptying in a flash.

　By the way, that bottle was not ale, but fire spirit. The amount of alcohol in the bottle is not twice as large as mine, but the person swallowing it down is as if he or she is drinking water.

　Black Knight Joel.

　That is the name of the Nombei in front of me, the leader of the Desert Eagle. Of course, Black Knight is an alias. Probably, it was named in response to the 'white knight' of Arrows.

　His age was in his mid-thirties. At first glance, his appearance with his stubble looks crude, but if you shave his beard and trim his hair, you might find that he has an unexpectedly handsome appearance.

　Joel appeared alone in front of us without warning, and when he said his name, he put his hand on my shoulder familiarly, inviting me to join him for a drink.

　I'm not sure of the identity of the person I'm talking to, but when I see Katia staring at Joel, I realize that her words are true. I'm not sure if Katia was a member of the Silver Star, but Joel is an irreconcilable foe or not, but at the very least they are not on good terms with each other when it comes to drinking. He looked at me as if to appeal to me to quickly turn him away.

　There's nothing for me to talk about with "Desert Eagle". Maybe it's something to do with Wisteria, but unlike legalistic religions, I don't feel the need to talk to the 'Desert Eagle'. I've got a good prospect of discovering the behemoths, and there's nothing in particular that requires their cooperation.

　Just as I was about to decline his invitation, Joel whispered in my ear, "I need to talk to you about Arrow. Probably not even a good Lunamaria with a good ear couldn't hear it.

　Those words brought me to this place.

　The reason why I am meekly going along with the drink is because I am waiting for the other side to open up. By the way, the place where we are drinking is outdoors, and there are other drunken people hanging around. There is no shopkeeper who comes to ask for your order. Those who have money to spare go to the covered bars, and they are the poorest people in Leero.

　The drunks and stall keepers would never dream that the Commander of the Desert Eagle and the Dragonslayer are in the mix.

　This is probably a better place to have a secret talk than in a closed room.

　Joel opened his mouth just after he had sipped his fourth cup of fire wine.


''You, is it true that you had a dispute with the Temple of Law?''


　The casual tone of his voice as if to ask what last night's dinner was about. But something in his voice told me that this was the real issue.

　I shrugged lightly and responded to their question.


''I'm not in a struggle. We've just been told that we can't cooperate in the future as a result of this one's overreach.

Haha, that's what people call it when you get in trouble.


　Joel, who laughed lightly and fanned the fire liquor, exhaled in a satisfied manner, wiped his mouth, and shot a second arrow at me.


'Do you have any intentions for the cardinal?

'No--I came because I heard you had something to say about the stars, and what does the temple have to do with it?'

Don't panic, it's just a quick check. It's not easy to talk to a guy who's stuck in a temple.


　Joel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object from underneath his clothes.

　A silver star-shaped emblem.

　I squinted slightly when I saw it. I'm sure you'll find that the seal that Joel took out was familiar to you. The same thing that Katia always wears on her chest - the 'Silver Star' recognition slip.


''Looking at that face, it looks like there's no need to explain this one. The back of this thing has the owner's name engraved on it. Take a look.


　I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do, but it's not. I received it in the air and turned my attention to the name engraved on the back of the seal as I was told.

　Should I say, as expected?

　The name of the leader of the "Silver Star" was written there.