One day some time after visiting the temple, Bence-san suggested that we exchange information with the other adventurers.
　Now that the anomalies around Sevalia have subsided, the reports of diabolus sightings have decreased considerably. And even if there are, they are often misjudged.
　However, the adventurers I met this time had encountered the Diabolus at about the same time they fought at the shrine.
　When they returned after their investigation, they found out that we fought at the shrine and wanted to talk to us about it in detail.
　So, Bence suggested that we talk about it with other adventurers while we still can.
　That's why I'm heading to the Association of Sevalia today with Sisha in tow.

The best way to do this is to have a look at the other adventurers. I'm getting nervous.''

'Don't be freaked out, please be bissy. You'll be insulted as a fellow adventurer if you look like that!

'I'm not trying to play games with you, but...'

　The other party seemed to be a B-rated party of five people, and when they all get together, the numbers are very large.
　So we decided to select a representative and one chaperone to meet with them once.
　And after discussing it with Esther and the others, we decided to take Sisha with us this time.

　As I said, we chose her because we didn't want to be lambasted, and because she seemed to be able to understand the conversation reasonably well.
　If it were true, Esther would have been the right person for the job, but she was declined because she looked too young.
　There was nothing wrong with Noll, but Sisha was chosen because of her tactics and insight into people.
　I don't think it's going to be the same as it was with Dius since we're also B-ranked now, but since we're meeting for the first time, we have to make sure we're ready for it.

You're going to represent us, so you have to behave appropriately. This is one of the things that will affect your credibility with them.

Is that how it works?

'Yes, if you have a confident look on your face without any evidence to back it up, they'll generally believe you. Also, if you're having trouble replying, just smile silently for now. It's not good for you to be taken for a bad answer. If something happens, I don't remember saying anything like that, do you?　I can fool you into thinking that it's a good idea.

　This guy, he's still saying things I wouldn't expect from a priest.......
　In a sense, he's reliable, but is it right to choose him as a chaperone?
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea to choose a chaperone, but it's a good idea to put your hands on your hips and spread your chest.

''At any rate, this me is with you. There's nothing to worry about. Okura-san, please stay dosh!

'Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'm counting on you.

Yeah, that's okay.

　It's true that if you're this imposing, your first impression is that you look dependable.
　........Well, since you're attending as a representative, let's do our best to deal with it with dignity so that we don't lose.
　There may be similar opportunities in the future, and it's time for me to get used to it.

　When we arrived at the association, we were ushered into a conference room where seats were arranged to face one desk.
　I was here early, so I sat down and waited, when I heard a knock on the door.
　As soon as I got up from my seat and got ready to greet him, Mr. Bence walked in.
　And followed by a couple of men and women.

　The woman has short golden hair and a dignified look. She is dressed in a sleeveless jacket and long pants, which seems a bit light for an adventurer, but it suits her well.
　The man has blue hair upside down he has a bit of a scary look to him. His jacket is open in front of him, revealing his stiffly cracked abs.
　Even so, he doesn't look muscular, but is generally toned and slender.
　I was about to gulp down a spiteful gaze from a sharp gaze that looked as if it was about to bite me to death, but I held back.
　
　For now, I bowed lightly in silence, and only the woman smiled and greeted me in the same way.
　We take our seats again as Mr. Bence takes his seat.

''Ooh, yeah, thank you for being here today. As I told you the other day, we have set up this meeting to discuss the anomalies around Sevalia. So let's begin with a mutual greeting.

　At Mr. Bence's urging, I got up from my seat and began to greet him.

''I'm Heihachi Okura. I was asked by the head of the Association of the King's Capital to come and investigate the anomalies in Sevalia. I've only been in this town for a short period of time and I'm sure there are some things I can't quite figure out, but I hope you'll be able to help me out.

　Okay, that's a safe greeting!　This will make a great first impression and... what?
　I thought it was perfect, but the woman sitting across from me rolled her eyes and looked surprised.
　What? Was there something funny just now?　Even the man sitting next to you has a puzzled look on his face.
　Today, I've reduced my equipment to a certain extent for greetings, and I look normal.
　When I glanced at Sisha, she shook her head as if she didn't understand why.
　When I was also troubled by the two of them, the woman stood up while huffing and puffing as if she had regained her attention.

I'm sorry, I'm surprised it wasn't what I imagined from what I'd heard in the rumor mill. I'm Gret, I'm sorry I couldn't help you this time. I'm sorry I couldn't help you this time.

　Eh.........what kind of rumors do you hear about me being surprised by a normal greeting, what kind of rumors do you hear about me?
　I wondered that, but I quickly changed my thoughts as Goulet-san continued and lowered his head.
　I was about to open my mouth to reply when the man interrupted the conversation.

I'm not sure what you're bowing to," he said. You just came from somewhere else and you just happened to get the credit for it. You're a lucky guy.

"Mars, don't be a sore loser. I told you to stop doing that.

'What?　I'm not souring on losing--

　Mr. Maas tried to continue his story further, but he suddenly stopped saying it and began to flinch.
　
　Yes, it's as if Esther-san often does that.

''Wha, what?''

My name is Sisha Alvi. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Oh, hey it's Merce.

　Even though it's just a greeting, the momentum from a while ago is gone, perhaps because of the pressure.
　

"I'm sorry, my companion was rude to me.

No, don't worry about it. More importantly, the rumors are....

'I've heard stories about your party from other adventurers, the one I hear most often is that you beat up a B-rank adventurer when you were E-ranked? I've heard that the guy who was the leader in particular would have people around him in awe just by looking at him... but when you meet him in person, it's normal.

'Uh-huh, I see you've been told that. I'm here today to exchange information, so I'm just dressed normally.

Well I'd like to see the rumored outfit.

　Before you know it, we'll have beaten Dius to the punch!
　
　Is it better than being licked?

'Let's get on with it, instead of talking about something that doesn't matter.

'Yeah, right. Well, let's start with a summary of the current situation, shall we?

　Bence nodded at Marth's words and began to organize the flow of events so far.
　First of all, there was a series of reports of diabolus sightings around Sevalia.
　At the same time, there was an anomaly that changed the demons that sprang up in some of the hunting grounds.
　They tried to raid the shrine of the guardian gods and make them lose the blessings that were protecting this area.
　But we stopped that, and Diabolus was gone from this area... or so we thought.
　It turned out that Gretto-san and the others had encountered it in another area at the same time.

''Since Okura-san and the others defeated the demon in the request of the temple, the reports of sightings had decreased considerably. There's a possibility of misplaced sightings or other demons, so I don't know if all of them are those demons, but...

That's the demon you and Gretchen encountered this time, isn't it?

'A flying demon with red eyes, black all over, and a trident, right?　We've encountered it a few times too, so there must be no doubt about it.

　Yeah, that matches the Diabolus feature.
　And if we've seen this thing a dozen times, there's no mistaking it.
　So it was Gret and the others who were investigating before we came?
　Following this story, Sisha now began to ask questions.

''It certainly matches your features. So did that lead to a battle?''

Yeah, I was just one step away from being able to escape. You're a demon that only runs away fast.

'They're flying, so it can't be helped. Don't worry about it, just cheer up.

'Oh?　I don't care about that!　Don't act like you're a priest who doesn't even fight directly!

　Stop it!　Don't say that to that martial priest!　I'd gladly start fighting demons!
　I was worried that he would say something strange in response to the provocation, but Sisha smiled and remained silent.
　

　But by the way, Mars-san has a strong sense of right and wrong about us.
　Earlier, Goulet-san said he was souring on losing, but is he unhappy that we got the credit for it first?
　Even now, he seemed to lose his temper at the point where he was able to escape, so maybe he has pride.
　Even if we disagree with each other poorly, it will be troublesome later on, so let's not mention it here.
　While being distracted by the exchange between Sisha and the others, Grette-san continued to talk.

'We've been exploring the coastal area in the southern direction for a while, and what we encountered must have been close to the time when you guys defeated the demons at the shrine or something. Maybe a survivor escaped. I can't believe there were five other bodies like that, just hearing about it gives me chills.

　Hmm, I'm curious about the contemporaneous part.
　It seems to be one of them, but was it doing something else instead of coming to the shrine?
　If that's the case, it's possible that the shrine was a decoy... How well prepared is that demon?
　It seems that whoever is behind the scenes is a very troublesome opponent.

Do you have any idea where the demon has run off to?

'I tried to follow him for a while, but he ran off towards the sea and had to give up on the way. I don't think they crossed the ocean that way, but...

　Either they escaped to the other side of the ocean, or they escaped to the ocean side to some extent, and then took a detour and ran off to another land, but either way, it doesn't seem to know where they went.
　Hmmm, as I was puzzling over my head, Mr. Bence spoke up.

''The place where Mr. Goulet and the others encountered this time is around the southeast, right?

Yes, I know.

If that's why he escaped to the ocean side maybe he escaped to the Kojima area.

　...Kojima?　Is this an island?

Is that the island with the shrine to the temple?

Yes, every few years the temple asks for a large scale escort to that island. Sometimes all the people from the temple go to that island. If it's possible that a demon may have escaped there... but there's nothing in particular there except that shrine...

　Oh come on, we're starting to get connected to the temple-related stuff again.
　You don't think Diabolus' real life is on that little island, do you?
　But if it's something to do with Master Testudo, Irina and the others should notice it, just like at the shrine.
　I'll have to go to that small island to find out.
　I was thinking about this when Mars-san began to speak.

'I don't know, though, does that monster have anything to do with the temple?　I'm guessing that the one you encountered was a shrine, too.

''I wish I could figure that out, but the shrine we went to last time served as a ward to protect Sevalia from the demons. In order to erase that ward, the demon in question was sabotaging it.

'Seriously, I never believed in a guardian god, but...'

So the story about the guardian god is true.

　Both Goulet-san and Marth-san looked surprised when they heard about the role of the shrine.
　Oh, if you're surprised, then these people didn't believe the story of the guardian gods?
　Sisuha also wondered about it, and started asking the two of them before I could ask.

''From the looks of it, don't you two believe in Lord Testudo?

'No, that's not why I'm here........I have a party member from Sevalia. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

We're based in this town, but we haven't seen a single example of the power of the guardian gods.

　From the way you said that some of them are from Sevalia, these two weren't raised in Sevalia?
　So they're from the outside and are adventurers using this town as their base.
　They must have stayed here for a long time because they're based here, but they still don't believe in a guardian god, he said.
　A blessing is not something you can see, and people from the outside probably don't believe in it so easily.
　That's why the last time you were asked in the temple if you were from there, you were told to be happy or something.
　
　As I was lost in thought, Grette-san made a suggestion.

'Either way, the matter of the demon in the example might be more of a problem than I thought. ........if it's okay with you guys, why don't you go with me to the place where we encountered the demon?　Let me show you around.

Hey!　Why are you with these guys!

'They're discovering things as soon as they come to Sevalia. Maybe they'll find something we can't?

　Hmm, I guess I'll be accompanying the other adventurers. I'm a little nervous since we just met today, but I'm curious about the place where Diabolus was said to be.
　If I'm with the people I actually encountered, it's a sure thing, and this isn't a bad way to get connected with a B-rank adventurer.
　Considering Marth-san's words and actions, there's going to be a problem... but let's try to find a way to solve it well.
　I looked over to Sisha for confirmation, and she shook her head to signal that it was okay.

''Yes, we'll accompany you if it's okay with us.

　With my approval, I'm going to temporarily form a party with Gulet and the others.
　A party with B-ranked adventurers other than Dius.....................hopefully it will end well without any problems.