The distant air is replaced by Noel's pummeling of the palms of his hands.

Sigh. I'm sorry for making the air weird and everyone else is sorry too. Well then, let's get back on track and continue our investigation.

　At Noel's words, we start walking again.

　At that moment, I glanced at Mei Fan with a sideways glance.

　She was biting her lip and her clenched fists were shaking. I thought about calling out to her, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to step in when I didn't know what was going on, so I couldn't say anything.

''Huh....

　With one sigh, he turns to face forward. Right now, it looks like we'll have to focus on the mission rather than Mei Fan.

　For a while after that, we continued to investigate.

　As we went around the area that had been reported to us, Noel-san's face became increasingly grim.

　Karius-san had an even more difficult face than usual, and Mei Fan also had a somewhat somber look on her face.

''........Is there something so bad going on?''

　I ask Karius-san fearfully.

''..........''

Mr. Karius?

　He didn't respond for a while when I spoke to him. When I called out to him in question, he turned to me, looking unusually relieved for him.

'I'm sorry. I was just ... thinking about ... something.

"Thinking?

Yeah. Yeah, kid. Have you ever heard of a being called a demon?

　Suddenly, Karius-san spoke up, something I hadn't expected.

''A demon, sir?　Yes, just in case you have a name or at least a rumor...

'Right. Then you're asking about what kind of being, too?

Yeah. My dad will take you through the process.

　I nodded in confirmation.

　Then Meir interrupted me from the side.

'Hey hey Gerald. What is a demon?

　I've grown up with all sorts of heroic tales and legends told to me by my dad, and it's probably not surprising that the rest of us don't know about them. If you're going to be an adventurer, though, it's probably a good piece of information to know.

'You mean monsters that look like demons, but are more troublesome than demons. In a nutshell.

"...?　Uh, what does that mean?

"There are differences between various legends and heroic tales, but the one thing they all have in common is that physical attacks don't work, they are insubstantial and consist only of evil energy that leaks from the demon race, and they can only be defeated by magic or similar means.

...Wow.

　My words make Meir don't get it.

'It's not like I don't want to meet a demon if possible... in short, you can't defeat it even if you kick it, hit it, or slash it, right?　That's a foul, that's a foul!

If it was just the degree of foul play, I'd say you're pretty good at it, Gerald.

　It was Noel-san who said that with a bitter smile.

''But as you just said, Gerald-kun, it's an awfully nasty and disgusting enemy.......for us humans.

Enemies, so demons are really monsters?

You're here.

　Noel replied immediately.

...Wow.

　The expression of Myl's face is twisted in disgust. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure it's not an ordinary demon, but an enemy that doesn't have any substance is a powerful enemy without even thinking about it.

　Even so.

''There is.......how can you be sure of that?''

Well, I can assure you that it is.

　Noel-san muttered as he turned his caring gaze to Mei Fan.

''Because of what appeared, in this forest. ........It was only about six months ago.

'　It's....

　I had imagined that he had confirmed that Noel-san was there, since he immediately answered that he was there, and that he had confirmed that he had appeared.

　However, the fact that he appeared only half a year ago was indeed unexpected. I was unconsciously speechless and stood there in a daze.

　When I looked at Meir from the side, a look of anxiety appeared on her face as well.

　This time I turned my gaze towards Karius-san and he nodded with a somber look on his face. The fact that the earnest senior adventurer, who rarely skipped a single one of these jokes, shook his head made me realize that Noel-san's words were true.

''True, I see.''

Yeah. It would have been better if you weren't lying, though.

　Noel-san's voice sounded somewhat tired as he spun his words with his eyes down.

''And it's not as if what happened half a year before that had nothing to do with this investigation either...''

　That's where Noel-san stagnates. She glanced at Mei Fan again and closed her words with a puzzled slump.

　And after hesitating many times, she

'Well, I'll tell you guys the details when this mission is over. I'm sure you'll be involved.

　He tried to beat the conversation.

　But Mei Fan, who had remained silent, interrupted him.

''If it's about me, that's fine.

''Oh, no, no, Mei Fan. I wasn't trying to be cautious of you....

In any case, you're not making any progress. So of course it's better to talk about all the circumstances that are difficult to say first. Half a year ago, a demon appeared on the scene, many adventurers were killed, and my father was among those who died.

Mei Fan-chan.........

But I don't believe that my father was killed by a demon!　My father was........because he was strong. He was much, much stronger than me, and I respected him, and he was a beloved mentor and, most importantly, I never saw him lose!

　Mei Fan's voice is pained. The politeness has somehow been mourned from his tone.

'My dad was killed. Stabbed in the back... by a man who was supposed to be an adventurer, who was one of us... by a gant...!

　Exclaiming in frustration, Mei Fan bit her lip and depressed.

　For a while, no one could say anything, but eventually Mei Fan herself muttered.

''I'm.......sorry. I'm so distraught.''

It's okay. It's okay I'm sorry I made you say the hard things.

　Noel-san's voice became damp.

　However, she closed her eyes and took one deep breath, and immediately regained her usual 'decent woman' face.

''........Well. Mei Fan, you're right. It's a difficult situation to talk about, and that's why it's sometimes better to talk about it first.

　Mr. Noel turned to me and Meir.

　We also straightened our posture and prepared for the ease of listening.

'Yes. Let's hear it.

Yeah. Whatever!　Because I'm sure Gerald can solve anything!

　Leave it to me.

"Heh. You're a solid kid, aren't you? Especially you, Gerald. As a magician, you're going to be very involved in this matter, so I want you to listen to me very carefully.

　Noel-san also seems to be willing to rely on me.

　The fact that he relies on me also proves that I have the ability to do so, so I don't feel bad about it. Well, I still think that Meir has too much blind faith in me, though.

''Then let me explain it to you. This investigation and the demon incident six months ago. How are they related to each other?