It's been more than ten days since he went to Mt. Lemuri, and he ended up hunting in the cave to the north, but he started going there occasionally.
　It seems that the experience was better for the lizardmen, probably because the level was higher, after all.
　There were eight Kepools coming out at once, so I could get a good amount of magic stones as well.
　However, if I let Noor use his skills, he'll fall again, so I'm hunting while he attacks me... but it hurts a little that his attacks seem to get through.

　While spending those days, I came to the Adventurer's Association today as well.

''Hm?　I have a strange feeling it's going to be an oddly noisy day.

Is there something wrong, sir?

　When I entered, there were more people than usual and it was noisy.
　You can see a few different parties talking to each other here and there.
　I looked at Widge-chan's reception desk and saw a few people discussing something, although I couldn't see them clearly due to their large armor.
　Hmmm, I guess I shouldn't interrupt them. It's noisy in the association, so maybe we should go to the hunting grounds without talking today.

''Ah!　Okura-san!　Hey, please don't leave!

　We told Noll and the others to go outside and headed toward the entrance to get out of the association.
　But before we could get out, Widge spotted us and told us not to leave, screaming.
　What is it?　Do we have something in common?

Can I help you?

'Hah, I'm glad. I was wondering what I'd do if you didn't show up, Okura-san.

　He breathes with a hand on his chest in relief that he was able to keep her back.
　What's so important that you wouldn't come?

Hi, Okura.

It was Dius. What's wrong?

　As I walked up to Widge-chan's reception desk, the person I had been talking to turned to me. Apparently it was Dius.
　Miggle and Sumika-chan and Gauss-san are also with me.

''Yes, I actually have an urgent request. I asked Dius-san to go as well, but I'd like Okura-san to go as well.''

　So it's an urgent request. And the fact that you're inviting me to the party, I'm guessing it's a request for multiple parties.

"You know that the location of the demons are strange these days, right?　That's why I've been told by the head of the association to be very careful with this urgent request.

　I'm pretty sure he said something like that when he was in Asterios. I remember getting 300,000 G as an apology for that time.
　But still, you're saying that the head of the association personally asked you to be discreet?　There's something very unusual about this.

Aren't you going to ask for an A-list adventurer?

'We have asked the A-rated people to go elsewhere. Therefore, we are requesting Dius-sama and the others to go to the recommended location of B-rank.

　If it was a request that might cause so much concern, then it would be better to ask an A-rank adventurer to do it.
　When I mentioned that thought, I was told that the A-rank had already headed elsewhere.
　Does that mean the urgent request is happening elsewhere at the same time?　

'All right, I don't mind. And what is the nature of your request?

'Yes, we have a request to take out the area to the west where the hikobolts live. We are beginning to see signs of a major strike, so the condition is that we must take out the core individual before that happens.

　Hmm?　The core individual in the Great Defeat?
　He said it with a nervous expression, as if a crisis was imminent, but I have no idea what he's talking about.

''Um........what is the great defeat?　And what is the core individual?

What, you're an adventurer and you don't know it?

　Dius reacted to my words, and his party members also looked surprised.
　On the other hand, no one on our side seemed to know, and when I looked at Nol and the others, they tilted their heads to see if I answered that they didn't know.

　Since we didn't know, we were given some general information about the Great Defeat.
　It is said that there are two types of big defeats: the first is when an overwhelmingly strong demon appears, and the second is when a swarm forms around a nuclear demon and runs rampant, which is called a big defeat.
　The A-ranked adventurers don't seem to be very numerous, and because it happened in more than one place, they seem to have been sent out to an area where there are no other adventurers they can entrust with.

'Heh, I didn't know there was such a thing.

''The herd, if left unattended, can do quite a bit of damage, even for weak demons. We have to defeat them before that.

I understand the Great Defeat. And what about the nuclear individual?

　If you ask about a nuclear individual, it seems to be the pinnacle of the demon pack. In other words, it seems to be a demon that has been chosen as the leader.
　Once this is determined, the demons don't do their normal wandering after they spring up, but instead become under the control of this nuclear demon and gradually form a group.
　This time, the signs seem to have been discovered when the unusually grouped swarms of hikobolts frequently engaged with the adventurers.
　When they heard the report, they checked other areas and found the same signs and made an urgent request.
　With the group incomplete, this request is to strike the core individual first and stop it before it develops into a major defeat.

That core individual is considered dangerous this time. There are two types of demons at our destination: hycobolts and tyrannic scobolts. And if there is going to be another unusual outbreak this time, what we are expecting is the appearance of the Kobold Lord.

　What kind of a fancy name is that for a kobold?　Tyranus and Lord........

''How much of a demon is that?''

In the labyrinth, around level 15, the Kobold is called Kobold Road.

　Fifteen levels ..............That's definitely not good.
　At least a B-rank or higher, and a demon around the 15th level, it could be quite strong.
　It's probably weaker than the boss Auld Slime, but it might be as strong as Steel Slime or stronger.
　I couldn't see the stats, including equipment, but Dius was also reasonably strong in the bare bones.
　Even so, in a place where a group was forming, it would still be tough to deal with demons on the 15th level of the labyrinth.

''If I'm going with you guys, that's reassuring. I'll take care of you this time.''

Yeah, well, it's nice to meet you too.

　We shake each other's hands and agree to work together.
　This is the first time in this world that the parties are cooperating with each other? I didn't expect it to be with Dius I couldn't imagine it from the first time we met.

●

　Since it was an emergency, I hurriedly got ready and ran out of Sting.
　If it were true, I could have gone without any particular preparations, but....

I can't believe how hard it is to walk normally.

We've come a long way, haven't we, sir?

　It means I'm going with Dius and his friends. That means I can't use my magic carpet and beacon.
　I'm starting to get a little sick of walking on my own after all these years. It's like going back to walking after you've gotten used to cars.
　Even Noll is walking a bit languidly.

'I'm so lucky to be asked to work with Esther and the others!

'Don't get too excited, Miggle...'

'Because it can't be helped. I'm so excited to be with a cute girl like Estelle!　I'll protect you!

Yeah, I'm counting on it.

　Me and Nol walk behind me, and Esther is near Dius and Miggle-chan.
　Dius looks embarrassed to see Miggle-chan so excited........it's a precious embarrassing scene for Dius.
　Esther is smiling and passing off her enthusiastic approach. That's as good as it gets.

''I heard that Gauss-san had many good experiences, so I wanted to talk to you if I had the chance to talk to you. What kind of attacks have worked best for you so far?

"Hmmm, well that's what I'm going to do now...

Well it's starting again.

　Sisuha and Gauss, and Sumika walking behind them.
　The two of them start talking about something very disturbing and she's trembling in fear at that.
　Yeah, I don't want to be in that circle either. Could it be that Sisuha and Gauss-san are compatible?
　Sisha is listening to his words, nodding happily as he speaks sincerely as if he is remembering the old days.

''Ah, it looks like a demon came right away. It's just right and I'll show you my skills!

　We kept walking towards our destination, and halfway through, Kobold came running in the distance.
　There was still a lot of distance between them, but Miggle-chan found it and somehow became very active and started to nudge and shoot the arrow.
　The arrows she fired hit the Kobold's head beautifully, shattering its head cleanly as if an apple had popped.

''........Huh?''

'Miggle, what did you just do?'

'I just attacked you the same way I've always attacked you!　I'm surprised that Kobold's head blew off all of a sudden... why is that?

　Doesn't it usually blow up in such a flashy way, or does Dius' party have a strange look on their face when they see the result.
　
　Right now, Nol and I have an extra 65% attack power combined.
　


●

　We've been walking for a while and still haven't reached our destination.
　A magic carpet would take a few hours, but on foot it would take more than half a day.

''Esther, are you okay?''

Yes I'm fine. Don't worry, brother.

　Little by little, Esther's walking speed seems to be slowing down.
　I've managed to keep up with her, but her expression is also hard and she seems to be pushing herself too hard.
　Thinking back, I feel like I haven't done any long distance walking since I summoned her.
　Maybe this time we're all in a hurry so everyone's walking slightly faster.

''It's not a good idea to push yourself too hard, is it?

'You don't mind if I carry you on my back?　I have a reputation for my physical strength, me.

　Noll and Sisha also notice and call out to him, but he says he's fine and wants to keep walking.

'It can't be helped ... here, you can get in.

Yes, but...

　I decided to piggyback it because if I didn't, I was going to walk until I strengthened myself with support magic.
　I don't want her to get mentally fatigued before she gets there.
　That's why I decided to carry her on my back. Estelle is light, and she should be fine until we camp out today.
　I squat down in front of her and encourage her to get on her back.
　Dius and the others were looking at us a little surprised to see what was going on. It's kind of embarrassing........

''I'm.......sorry.''

Please say thank you for that.

　Puzzled, but apologetic, she gets on my back.
　She puts her arms around my neck and I support her around her thighs.
　She looks apologetic, which is hazy, so I tell her to thank me instead of apologizing here, looking behind me.
　Hearing this, Esther looked a little puzzled and then smiled.

'Thank you, brother,'