The reconstruction work in Sevalia was almost done, and the town had regained the bustle it had before the demon attack.
　The fishermen had also acquired new boats with the support of the merchants and the state, and fishing seemed to have begun to resume.
　There were also some remnants of demons left behind, but they were also defeated by adventurers and the army, and there was no longer any danger of being attacked.

　There's no longer any need for us to stay in Sevalia to help out, and the Adventurer's Association seems to have completed their investigation of the strange happenings in the Holy Land.
　And I was told that they have finally decided on the reward, so today I came to Cis-Ha and Sevalia to talk about it.
　However, they didn't head to the Adventurer's Association right away, but first visited the Temple of Testudo in order to meet with Irina-san.
　The Adventurer's Association told us that Irina couldn't leave the temple, so they visited her and asked her about it.
　So we came to the temple to talk with Irina and her friends before going to the association.
　As usual, there were a lot of visitors outside the temple, but a temple worker led us to the garden, where we met Irina.
　We hadn't seen Irina-san in a while and she greeted us with a smile.

'Okura-sama, Sisha-san, it's been a while.'

It's good to see you too. It's good to see you looking well.

I'm sorry to have disturbed you at such a busy time. We couldn't make the decision to report to the association on our own.

'No, we are sorry that you had to come for our own reasons. We can't leave the temple now either...

　She told the Adventurer's Society that she couldn't leave the wards to maintain them, but perhaps Irina's inability to leave the temple was for Master Testudo.
　It seemed like he'd used up most of his power when he re-established the wards on Sevalia.
　It's unlikely that Testudo-sama has disappeared since then, but I'm curious to know what has happened since then.

''Is Master Testudo alright?''

Yes, we've been praying for him and he's stable. However, since then he has gone into a deep sleep and now he is susceptible to outside influences. The people who come to pray cannot enter the temple now, and it is very difficult for them to meet with Mr. Okura and the others.

'If you put up that many wards across Sevalia, it can't be helped if you do. It's a miracle it didn't disappear, so we may have to focus on recovery for a few years at most. If there's anything we can do to help, we'll be happy to help.

I am very grateful to hear that. We'll try to work on it for a while, but if there's anything we can do to help, we may ask.

　Umm, it seems that Irina-san and the others can't help you now.
　It's not like she's injured, so it doesn't seem like it's going to be cured by Sisha's recovery magic.
　Is it possible that he's been asleep for a few years? I wanted to ask you something, but it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to listen to you with this.
　It can't be helped, but for now, let's just talk about the association. This is Master Testudo's case, isn't it?

So, have you spoken to the Association about Mr. Testudo?

'....No, the Society's people visited the temple the other day, but they didn't talk to us. Even now, there are many visitors to the temple, and Master Testudo is asleep. We have our hands full, and we will decide whether to tell the Society of Adventurers or not after the temple has been settled or after Master Testudo wakes up.

'Then we'll have to go along with Irina and the others.

Thank you. I'd appreciate it if you would.

　I knew I hadn't mentioned Master Testudo. Even now, even if it's to the entrance of the temple, there are a lot of worshippers coming to the temple.
　The Adventurer's Association will protect you if you ask them to keep it a secret, but there's a chance that the story will leak out for some reason. It would be better to keep quiet for now.
　Other than that, I've kept my mouth shut about a lot of things, including an explanation of what happened in the Holy Land. Now it will be safe to ask anything at the Adventurer's Association.
　After the talk was over, we finished our business at the temple, but before that, I decided to ask Irina-san about that matter in passing.

''Irina-san, do you know the place called the farthest land?　Master Testudo was muttering to me when I summoned Caron...

　The farthest land, that's what Testudo-sama muttered when he saw Karon-chan.
　It sounded like there were dragons and elves, but are they in that farthest land?
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to find your way back.
　If only Irina-san knew something about it.... I swallow a gulp of spit and wait for Irina-san's answer, who is pretending to think about my words.

''The farthest land, huh........I don't recall hearing of such a place. But I may have an idea.

Really?

It is a story that Lord Testudo told me before he fell asleep. It is said that Lord Testudo once came to this land by crossing the raging continent and sea beyond the Holy Land. Therefore, that raging land must be called the farthest land.

'A continent across the sea beyond the Holy Land...'

'Yes, he said the holy place was also meant to keep us from going there. He said that the demons were also much stronger than here.

''There's a continent with such powerful demons? I'd love to go there.

　Guffawing, Sisha smiles with an amused smile. I don't want to go to a continent where there are demons that Testudo-sama says are strong or something.......
　Hmm, the continent beyond the holy land across the sea? Even if I go there, it looks like it's impossible to get there on a normal ship, so it's going to be a long time coming. It would be nice if they could get a vehicle that crosses the ocean in a gacha...
　With useful information in hand, this time when I was about to return from the temple, Irina-san gave me a smile and a word to see me off.

She smiled and said, "Okura-san and Sisha-san, please continue to come to the temple. It will be a long time before I can invite you inside, but I would like to see you all again. Please tell us many stories about your adventures and Okura-san and the others... especially Okura-san's stories.

Wow, that's a lot of promise, isn't it, Mr. Okura?

'What?　No, no!　Miss Irina, please don't tease me!

I'm sorry. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see you for a while.

　Thus, we left the temple after being seen off by Irina-san who smiled funny, and we left the temple.
　Huh, I was surprised that Irina-san would make such a joke. She has a mischievous side.
　I was just thinking about it when Sissiya sighed while looking at me with a jittery look in her eyes.

The only thing I can think of to say is, "Oh dear, you're a tricky person. That eye, she hadn't given up on Okura-san yet.

'You're exaggerating that you haven't given up.... You mean you were still trying to get me to the temple?

''Uh ... well, sort of. If you ever go to the temple again, you'll definitely have me or Esther with you.

　His words earlier were joking, but I wonder if he was half-serious.
　In a way, I feel like I saved Testudo-sama, and is it possible that you want him to stay in the temple forever?
　........I was wondering what I would do if he told me to take responsibility for destroying the holy place.
　The island was split in half by Karon's attack, you know. I wonder what happened to the Holy Land after that.
　For now, I'll follow Sisha's advice and ask her or Esther to accompany me when I have a chance to go to the temple again.

　The next destination was the Adventurer's Association, which was the purpose of my visit to Sevalia today.
　When we arrived and entered, we were shown into the room of Bence-san, the chapter leader, as usual, and seated face to face.
　Then the usual machine gun talk began.

'Okura-san, Sisha-san, I'm sorry to have you come all the way here!　Now that we as the Adventurer's Society have finally completed our investigation, I can finally tell you about the reward!　Well, I can't thank you guys enough for helping with the recovery efforts as well!　Especially since Sisha's recovery magic saved me!　They treated all those injured people in a fraction of the time.

'Oh, um, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I have to tell you about the investigation...'

Oh, sorry, sorry!　I almost went off topic again!

As usual, our branch chief can't stop talking, can he?

　I don't know how long this will go on if you just sit back and listen.
　He's a nice guy, but if he doesn't correct the trajectory, he keeps going off topic.

As for the results of the investigation, I've come to the conclusion that what Okura-san and the others have told us is true, along with what the temple told us. I'm still planning to continue the detailed investigation, but for now, the reward for paying Okura-san and the others is 300 million g.

'What?　300 million Gs!

That's a lot of money again. ...You can buy all the good booze you want.

I don't know if it's a coincidence or not, but it seems that the fog at the place that used to be called a sacred place has disappeared. I was surprised to hear that the remote island had been torn in half. I can't even imagine what kind of battle it was. It's scary just to imagine what would have happened if such an opponent had come to this town.

　When I asked for details, I heard that adventurers and association people went on a ship to investigate to see if the battle in the Holy Land was really there.
　Apparently, they had planned to do a half-formal investigation since the area is always covered in a thick fog, but when they got there, they found that the fog was gone.
　I went straight to the sacred ground and found an island that had been cruelly torn apart, and the demons that lived there, the military personnel, were working hard to fix the island.
　When they tried to approach the island, they were threatened by the Military Sea Angels, and ran back to the island in a hurry.
　And that's how they believe the story of the demon we fought in the Holy Land is true.
　I mean, 300 million g........I think I've earned quite a bit of money so far, but I'm going to have a nervous breakdown if I'm offered that much money.

To be honest, after solving that many problems, even 300 million g's are not enough. And I'd like to do what else I can to help. I'd like to prioritize materials and information. Also, Christophe and I have discussed this with him, and we're thinking of recommending A-ranked adventurers.

"We're A-list adventurers?

'Yeah, Okura-san and the others' successes are no longer in the category of B-ranked adventurers. The Adventurer's Association thinks it's a shame to leave them as they are. It's still between me and Christophe, but I think the Adventurer's Association as a whole will be talking about it soon. You should hear the details from Christophe-san. Okura-san and the others are going to return to the capital, right?

Yes, the reconstruction of Sevalia has been completed and the investigation of the demons has been completed. I'm sure I will personally come to Sevalia again, though.

I've done a great deal of work now, and I'd like to be free to have some adventures for a while.

　I think 300 million g alone is enough for me, but it would be very helpful to get materials and information turned in as a priority.
　
　But at the same time, there will be more and more complicated requests, and my activities may be restricted.
　Being in a higher position means there's going to be more work to do accordingly.
　If this is going to raise you to A-rank, it would be better to discuss it with Estelle and the others once before making a decision.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.　There's nothing I can't pay for, but I had to do a lot of things in that mess...

''It's okay. I don't have to spend that much money, and the thought of taking it back to King's Landing with me would be rather helpful.

'You're really a big help to me, Okura-san and the others are very nostalgic!　I'll be happy to help you if you need anything, and I'd love to have you back in Sevalia!

　I have a magic bag so I can easily carry any kind of large amount of money, but I'm keeping this one a secret for now.
　It's not like I'm going to spend the money right away, and if I can get it, it won't matter if it's in the royal capital.
　Even though the reconstruction is almost complete, Sevalia is still going to be in a hurry.
　We should also need cash to give as a reward to the adventurers who are receiving normal requests.
　Let's receive the large sum of money quietly at the adventurers' association in the royal capital.
　Bence-san gave me a certificate of request accomplishment and a bill of reward, and I left the Adventurer's Association.

''Huh, so that's really the end of what we have to do in Sevalia.

That's true. I guess it's finally a weight off my shoulders. What are you going to do now?

''Hmmm, there's been a lot of talk about the farthest reaches and promotion to the A-list and all that, but for now, I'd rather be free to do whatever I want for a while.

　Didn't you just play the ceiling gacha last time?

Hey, hey, hey, did you forget?　That pain I had to endure on the ceiling gacha!　If only I had more stones back then, I could have gotten a lot of UR!　Even the units... now that you've got some free time, this is the perfect time to resume collecting magic stones in earnest!　Gather the stones with an uncompromising, unwavering will!　Only in stone!

What?　 I've been trying to automate the magic stone recently, so this might be a good time to think about it in earnest.

　Kukkuk, finally the long overdue mutation of Sevalia is resolved and we're free!
　I'm going to get fired up and focus on collecting magic stones to avenge the humiliation of this last ceiling gacha!