How could he explain it? Kyousuke crossed his arms and nodded his head.
　It was obvious to Kyousuke and the others why the bloodline was after the unicorn, the white horse. But it would be difficult to explain it in one word. When I was troubled, the adventurer Lesbon continued.

'Then I'll change the question. What are you guys?　How can you communicate with us?　For a symbiotic relationship between monsters, it's strange indeed.
Ummmmm....

　This is another difficult question to answer. Can we honestly say that we are human beings and that we are visitors (trippers) who have moved on from another world, and will they believe us? Or is it right to be honest?
　After pondering for a while, Kyousuke remembered his interaction with Serena at the base two months ago. At first, Kyousuke and the others hadn't tried to have a proper exchange of information with her. That had stalled the air, it was true. If they had been able to explain their situation earlier, the development might have been different again.

　At this point, we should leave aside how trustworthy the adventurers in front of us were.

'We are visitors (trippers),'

　Kyousuke said clearly.

''I was originally a human. During the transition, I was transformed into a monster and I'm dressed like this. In order to return to my human form and return to my original world, I'm going to the forest where a wise man named Master Majina lives.
The visitor...?

　Lesvon tilted his head quizzically.

''The visitor, that visitor? I'm sure there are a few acquaintances in the adventurer's guild, but.... It's a rare pattern that they can change their appearance.
Now this question. Have you ever heard of the Red Moon Bloodline?

　Suddenly, I'm going to ask an in-depth question.
　It was two months ago that Kyousuke and the others left the Grandeldoe Knight Kingdom. At that point in time, I heard that the Blood Clan had appeared in various parts of the Old Continent. However, we weren't told any details about what happened after that. It's been two months since we avoided the densely populated areas and crossed the ocean in a bypassing manner. Has there been any change in the war between humanity and the blood race?

　In response to Kyousuke's question, it was Filhana, not Lesvon, who reacted first. She twitched and moved her facial muscles, but didn't show any more attitude.

'I know. It's an enemy species of humanity. Its characteristics are similar to those of a vampire. They often mess with the Central Empire, but the battle lines are deadlocked.
Are we evenly matched in terms of strength?
'I doubt it. I'm sure Red Moon isn't serious about it either, but it doesn't look like the Empire is doing everything it can to fight back either. So, well, it's a skirmish. What's wrong with those guys?
Does that count as a 'question'?

　Kyousuke asked, and Lesvon laughed as hard as he could.

'You're a mean one, aren't you? Well, that's fine with me.'
Maybe I can tell you what you want to know. Maybe they were the ones who asked you to capture the white horse. The reason we were sent to this world and turned into this is because of our own blood.
Yeah.

　Lesvon's eyes narrowed. He stopped talking once here and turned to Filhana behind him.

'What do you think?'
It's hard to believe they were visitors. I have no reason to believe it.

　Filhana shrugs and says plausibly.

'The study of summoning visitors and using them as a fighting force itself has been around for a long time, so it would be a natural development if Redmoon is trying to do that and supplement their strength. However, their purpose still remains a mystery and is a subject of debate in the Empire and the Adventurer's Guild as well.
Isn't the purpose of the invasion?

　Hakuba interjected from the side. Kyousuke nodded. From what Beni had told him, it seemed like he had been defeated in his former world and had fled to this world to attack the central empire for an invasion.
　But Filhana waved her head in the air. She checked with her gaze to see if she could speak to Lesvon, and after a small coughing fit, she got good at it again and began to speak.

'Our force management is too crude for an invasion. Although their individual abilities are very high, compared to the former Shuraosa and Underworld Demon invasions, their overall strength is quite small. The Imperial Clockwork Alliance (Dial Knights) and the Guild's Five Divine Stars aren't working at all, either.
What's that exciting word?
It's like the Ten Famous Men and the Four Heavenly Kings.

　To Hakuba's muttering, Snowdrop replies. I haven't gotten too deep into the circumstances of this world, but it seems that there is still such an existence.
　In other words, the Empire is preserving the equivalent of the strongest force. It's not that the blood clans aren't serious, but from Kyousuke's standpoint, I have no idea if the blood clans have the strength left to deal with that Dial Knights or not.

　The Luke that clashed with Benii was certainly stronger than any opponent he had fought before. But how much strength was left on the Blood Clan's side with that much strength?

''Of course, it's not without damage on the Imperial side. Depending on what happens to the bloodline in the future, the Clockwork Alliance might also move.
What's the guild's five something?
''The Five Divine Stars are all individualists......... They're all people who won't move without a reward money, or want to fight the strongest guy...''

　What makes me uneasy here is that Kyousuke and the others can't discern if they can establish friendly relations with that central empire. According to Serena and her mother, the Queen, the Empire is now very exclusive to monsters. When Kyousuke and the others are exposed as visitors who have been transformed by the hands of the bloodline, there is no guarantee that the power of that Clockwork Alliance will not turn towards us.
　That's why Kyousuke and the others avoided a direct route eastward across the continent.

''I know you guys are hostile to the Red Moon, but it's best not to rub up against the Empire too much.

　The Lesbons advised me of the very thing I was thinking about.

'The Empire is powerful, but it has a tendency to expand its power by forcibly subordinating what it can use. Security is guaranteed, but freedom may not be.
''And the existence of the Five Divine Stars is also a way for the Adventurer's Guild to defend itself by pushing out its name value.
It's pretty complicated, isn't it? Everywhere.

　I feel like I shouldn't get too deep into political issues, and on the other hand, I feel like I should be more familiar with this area.
　After all, it doesn't look like we're going to get much useful information at this point.

Is there anything else you want to ask me?

　Kyousuke turned around and asked Hakuba and Yukinoshita.

'Is there anyone else you've been asked to catch?'
Yeah. You said it was Lycanthrope.

　Lesvon answers the white horse's question. Lycanthrope. A beastman. In other words, it would be Inugami Hibiki.

'What else?'
You don't listen.
Well....

　Hakuba's face fell. The implications of that were clear to both Kyousuke and Yukinoshita. The stray classmates were not only Inugami, and the fact that their names weren't mentioned meant that they were already likely to have been captured.
　The air becomes heavy at once.

''I'd like to confirm this from here as well...''

　Filhana raised her hand.

"So it's correct that the one that made you guys transition (trip) and change your appearance into monsters is an enemy species of humanity that calls itself the 'Red Moon Blood Race' (Red Moon)?"
Yeah. And by the way, they're trippers. They're from our world.
...I see.

　Filhana runs a hand over her mouth and begins to ponder with a difficult look on her face. I can't help but wonder if I've talked too much, but as it stands, if the exchange of information can open up new avenues, it's better than nothing.
　The most important thing that Kyousuke and the others should be concerned about right now is how to escape from this continent. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you're in the middle of the day.

As I said before, we want to see Master Majina. We have to cross the ocean for that.
Oops. Let me ask some questions. You talk more than you should.

　Lesbon interrupted Kyousuke's words with his ship arm.

'You say you are visitors. But the first place you were sent to isn't this new continent. The name of the Adventurer's Guild, the word 'visitors', and the existence of Master Magina can only be heard in the Old Continent. In other words, I think it would be an unnatural situation for you guys to be in this new continent...
What's the point of knowing that?
I'm the one asking the questions, Utsurogi. Information is worth money in itself.

　'I've lost one of my arms,' Lesvon continues, 'so I have to figure out how to make money.

'You do some information trading in the Adventurer's Guild?
Finding that out on your own is a genius, Utsurogi.
Are you kidding me?
Well, don't worry about it. Just talk to me.

　Kyousuke responded to Lesvon's question with a subtlety.
　The place they were sent to was first of all the west side of the old continent. Since there was a possibility that Serena and the others would be in trouble, I will not mention the Knight Kingdom. We must also consider the possibility of this information being traded and talk about it.
　Then I tell them about being forced to move in space in the aftermath of the battle with the Blood Clan while crossing the ocean.

'It's a spatial disaster (spacial hazard). It can occur when powerful forces collide with each other.
Does that happen often?
''Not really. That would only happen if it was a battle between the Imperial Clockwork Alliance class of people.

　From Beni's pretense, that spatial disaster was deliberately caused. At this point, it's clear to Lesbons that Kyousuke and the others have a fighting ability comparable to the Dial Knights, but I won't go into that any further.
　How much power would it take to be on par with Beni and Luke in terms of combat ability?
　It's impossible for Kyousuke to do that first. Would it be possible with Yukinoshita's maximum output?　When I looked at her, she muttered with a mouthful of food, 'I won't do it. That's true.

'So, you're going to see Master Magina. He said he was sent over here in a spatial disaster. So you want to go back to the old continent.
It will.
I guess we're talking about whether or not I can help, but let me think about that one for a minute.
Okay. I'll just think it's lucky I don't get turned down more often.

　The information gained from this exchange of information was significant. However, it's not so much that we got enough to turn things around. It would be best if the adventurer's cooperation is obtained, even if it means looking for stray classmates.

''Speaking of which, did you get a request from the bloodline to capture a white horse?''
Not that one yet. It smelled so bad. Well, it's a good thing I didn't get into a fight with you guys. I don't want to lose another arm, that's for sure.

　'Maybe it won't be just an arm next time,' is what I think when I look at Snowball.

'That's about all I want to hear from you over here, Lesvon.
All right. Then we'll pull up to the relay camp.
Watch out. There are blood imps and ghouls on the prowl.

　After talking that much, Kyousuke and the others parted ways with Lesvon and Filhana.
　After walking a bit west on the sandy beach, Kyousuke asked Hakuba and Yukinoshita.

'Did we talk too much, me?'
That's about it. Besides, if you're going to get cooperation, you're going to have to talk that much anyway.
It's Inugami-san and the others that I'm worried about.

　Snowflake still walked at the front of the pack, waving his white sleeve. The sweat and steam had already stopped.

''Hakuba-kun, who else was there?''
Kumazaki and Tentahara. For their purposes, I don't think they've been killed.
So he's been caught. Just like Koganei-kun.

　Every time Koganei's name was mentioned, Kyousuke felt bitter. Even if he hadn't given up on his rescue, it had already been two months since he was captured by his blood family.

'It's one thing to come out as an enemy, isn't it? ''Utsurogi-kun,''
Yeah, I know.

　Kyousuke reveals a bit of irritation at Yukinoshita's fact-filled mannerisms.

'If you know what you're talking about, fine.'

　If Hakuba's prediction is correct, the three people trapped by the enemy are Koganei, Spiderzaki, and Tentahara. It's a form of the moment when the class was split apart. Then, there are still other students who could be captured.
　The situation isn't much better.

'If you know, good.'

　Yukinoshita said again. Up to its meaning, Kyousuke had no idea.




'So, what do you think?'

　After parting with the three monsters, Lesbon asked Filhana again.

'How far do you believe their stories?'

　Filhana is an adventurer, but she is from the holy city of Fianderg and knows a bit about the inner workings of the Empire. Perhaps that's why he was the first to react when the name of the Red Moon blood race (Red Moon) was mentioned.

''They said something like that at the end, that the Red Moon has little demons, corpse demons, etc. under their command. The wights are a new breed of undead that have been observed in the last ten years.
You think they used a piece of the King's piece to create it?
''There was a replica of the King of the Dead, too. That makes the situation quite serious.

　It means that the Red Moon, an enemy species of humanity, somehow possesses and uses relics from the Mythical Warfare Era. Many of the pieces are stored in the imperial capital, but the whereabouts of many of them are still unknown.

''What's the king piece that the empire is requesting the guild to search for?
''The King's Piece of Death and the Demon King's Piece. There is no doubt that the Death King Fragment is in the hands of the Red Moon...
"A demon king piece........ As I recall, the little demon is a member of the Demon King's household........
It's not as direct as the daemon species, but it will be.

　This exchange of information could be said to have yielded a greater harvest than expected. After all, we were able to obtain important pieces of information that we didn't even know if the Empire had.
　If Red Moon was in possession of two of the King's Pieces, the situation was more serious than expected. If this information was passed on to the Empire, a battle for the pieces could break out between the Central Empire and Redmoon, and the skeleton Utsurugi would be caught in the middle of it.

''Do you want to sell this information to the Empire?''
''Regardless of what happened to Utsurugi and the others, I feel like it's better to let the word out that Red Moon has a king piece. If there's a spatial disaster, that means there's a Clockwork Alliance or a Five Divine Star class enemy.
Well, yes.

　Besides, it was a gossip article that Filhana had been collecting in facsimile.
　He had made fun of it as a silly three-sentence article, but maybe some of the information listed there was connected to Utsurugi and his friends.
　Of course, we should be cautious about handling this one. If this came to light against the Empire, it would mean that the only thing that would be taken away between the Empire and Red Moon would be their own custody as well.

　The king pieces and their monster visitors.
　Those topsy-turvy skeletons hadn't realized it yet, but they were now on the verge of becoming the center of a typhoon that was rolling between the Empire and the Red Moon.

'By the way, Filhana, that's what that unicorn was talking about.
What's that got to do with Lesbons?
Well, no.




'Yes!　Guys, shoo!　Let's get together, Cora!

　Himemizu Rin shouted as she stretched and contracted in front of the stump she had snapped off herself. He rustled through the bushes, and Wallno, Karasuma and the others returned. Ozaji wasn't there, he thought, but he was following a bit closer to Wallino's feet.

'Hi, Himemizu-san...?　What's going on?

　Azuki, who has stuffed a large wooden tub full of acorns, asks me fearfully.

'No thanks!　Come on, come on, we're all going home!　Phew!

　How could I not? The reason why Rin's tension is going crazy is because of the consultation she received earlier from Kabeno and Ozaashiki. Kakeno says he wants Ozaji to speak up more clearly and Ozaji wants him to be more honest with him. It's more like love counseling than a solution to a mental problem.

　Himemizu Rin is also a normal high school girl (albeit a slime now) and a caring one at that. As a rule, it's not an aversion to complaining about other people's love affairs, and she's happy to help.
　But this is the situation!　It's a pain in the ass!

Well, it's about time we went home.

　Rin called out to them all while daring to raise the tension. They all responded with a 'woo-hoo' and began to sluggishly make their way to the dugout on the hillside. Rin mended her smile (though she didn't have a face) and took her place at the end of the line, and the next moment she stretched out with great force and snatched one of the people in the line.
　The body of the slime stretched out. Steady training could make it behave like a panic horror movie.

''Uhhhh!''
'Shh!　Karasuma-kun, shh!

　It was Karasumaru Yoshitsune, the Raven Tengu, who dragged him into the bushes.

'Nah, what the hell, Himemizu? I thought it was a slime....
'It's a slime!　Karasuma-kun, just listen to me for a minute!
What?　I thought you were kinda good when you were human, but...
'Yes, thank you!　Because that's not what I'm talking about!

　Rin is aware that she was reasonably popular when she was a human, so she is not intimidated by this level of popularity. If you call it the arrogance of a person of the upper school caste, you're right, but that's also factored into the equation. It is necessary to have the strength of mind to endure the jealousy and rumors of girls.

　No, that's not the point.

"Karasuma-kun, you're good friends with Ozashiki-kun, aren't you?
Hmm. So-so.
Do you like Chi-chan, Oza-chan?
'Oh..... Well, yeah. It's been three months since we talked about it.
Oh..... We were on a school trip, weren't we?

　After all, the day before the bus crashed, Karasuma and Gozashiki were in the same room talking about the girl he liked.
　So who was Karasumaru's favorite girl?　What a tactless tweak would make things complicated, so Rin decides to keep quiet.

''Well, both Ozaiki-kun and Chi-chan have been asking me for advice on a lot of things...''

　The only person who could be counted on here was Karasuma. Rin tells him for now what she's heard from both Kabeano and Gozashiki.

'I see.... It's tough for Himemizu too...''

　The classmate covered in black feathers muttered this with all the sympathy in his still pitch black gaze.

"When you're wondering if Utsurogi is going to have an affair...
Seriously, that's it. Well, if I had the resourcefulness to flirt with you, I wouldn't be in such trouble. Kyousuke doesn't have much of a character, you know. It's not that I don't have a relationship with him yet, but.... Well, that's okay, but...

　Right now Rin's frustration with Kyousuke would come out in large quantities if she swung upside down, but this isn't the time to talk about it.

''Well, I think it's just a matter of confessing to Ozaiki-kun and Kyou-chan....... Is there anything that we can do to help you...?
Why don't you call them up in the middle of the night?　Using each other's names. It's like a school trip.
'Mmmm. I don't know...?　Well.....

　According to Karasuma's story, Gozashiki Do-suke's parents live in a high-class inn. Chihaya Kabeno is actually the daughter of the inn's keeper, and the two have been friends since childhood. Ozaiki first became interested in soccer when he was in kindergarten. Apparently, Kabeno used to play soccer with him and was an iron-clad goalie, but when she entered the fourth grade and Mikazashiki joined the local youth soccer club, they didn't play together as much.
　Kabeno also joined the girls' basketball club in junior high school and they became estranged, but when he entered high school, he suddenly joined the soccer club as the manager. Obviously it was with Ozaji in mind, but since Kabeano is as stubborn as a wall and Ozaji rarely asserts himself, there is no progress from there.

''You know a lot about this, Karasuma-kun, don't you?''
Well. I was a newspaper man in junior high school.

　I don't think being in the newspaper club has much to do with being familiar with the gossip in the class, and the reason why he switched to the gymnastics club from high school is also a mystery to me, but after all, Rin doesn't go into it.

'Newspaper club aside, I've heard a lot of stories about Gozashiki and Kabano. I moved from Kyoto when I was in sixth grade. There's an Izashiki Inn in my neighborhood, so I've gotten to know my family quite well. I didn't really start talking to my family until high school.
From Kyoto?　Is Karasumaru-kun's parents' house pretty nice too?
My grandmother's family runs a dry-goods store, but my uncle has taken over that shop, so it doesn't really matter.
Hmm..... I see....

　Rin finally released Karasuma's restraints there. Wallino and the others have gone far ahead. We have to go after them.

It's like people have history. I see. We were childhood friends from a long-established inn...

　That's what makes it all the more romantic. We used to be soccer friends, and now we're an ace striker and manager, and that's the relationship we're in. Well, I can't help but feel that I want to keep them together a little bit.

Speaking of which, I'd like you to answer this question in your own subjective way, Karasuma-kun.

　Rin and Karasuma followed Kano and the others out of the bushes.

'Those two, how's the filter?'
"Filter?
Yeah. I think both of them are out of the filter. In the adventurer's battle, Karasuma and Ryouka came to your rescue right away, but Chieko and Ozashiki didn't move.

　To begin with, there is the question of what exactly the filter is. From what I've seen, the effects seem to vary from person to person. We know that it dulls some of the human-like emotions, especially those that interfere with our activities as monsters, to an extreme degree.
　In terms of timing, it's not surprising whoever causes the filter break next, or has already done so.

After all, Kabeano is stubbornly keeping his true feelings to himself, and Gozaji rarely asserts himself, so I don't know.
Oh, so that's where it all comes down to...

　We were talking about this when I heard a rustling sound behind me.

　There was a rustling sound behind him. With a jolt, Karasuma shrugged his shoulders and Rin shuddered all over. The noise soon stopped. When I turned around fearfully, I could see two suspicious lights, from whatever they were, peering at me from between the bushes. A golden glow. It's as if the moon has shattered, like a piece of it.

　Rin got a ping.

"Oh, hey, Himemizu........
Karasuma-kun. Quiet. Maybe it's okay. I'm just too embarrassed to come out.
Hmm, oh, well...

　I don't know why she's there, but I'm not going to force her to pull out anything she doesn't want to come out of. Still, there will be a phase when she will be forced to come out sooner or later, though.

　For now, let's catch up with Kano and the others as soon as possible. That is when Rin was about to say that.

''Kyaaaah!''

　A scream came from deep in the forest, up ahead, that is, from the direction in which those walled fields had advanced.
　'Whose is it,' shouted Rin, not needing to judge who it was.

'It's Azunyan!'
What's going on? A bear!

　It's not a wild animal of any kind. Rin had a hunch. Even if he was out of filter, the walled field, which boasted a massive frame of over three meters, would not allow any wild animals to approach due to its majesty. Anything else that approached with an obvious intent to harm was prowling around in this forest.
　On the other side of Rin's consciousness, the figures of the adventurers she had engaged the other day flickered. It was a bypass. She hadn't expected them to come this far.

'Let's hurry, Karasuma-kun!

　Just as Rin was about to call out to Karasuma, a girl jumped out of the bushes behind her.
　It was a girl with a stark, unremarkable figure. In an instant, she put her hands and feet on the ground and changed her entire body into a wolf with silvery white fur and began to run in a straight line in the direction of the scream.

''It was the Inugami...''

　Karasuma mutters to himself. However, Rin's gaze turns to the ground where the inugami ran.

''...Karasumaru-kun, let's hurry.''

　Rin told Karasuma again.

'Hibiki-chan, you have a wound. And it's pretty fresh........ It looks like it was put on you just a few minutes ago.''

　The one that had fallen to trace its top of the ground that Inugami had raced over. What Rin had been staring at.
　It was a brand new bloodstain that had spattered from the body of the running wolf, and had not even begun to dry up yet.