The information that came in from the southernmost city on a fast horse was that the monsters were now being confirmed outside the dungeon, not in the dungeon. And in order to learn more about this information, Leon, the fastest in the labyrinth city, was sent to the southern city in the first place.


It's a good idea," he said. It's a great idea to meet Brooklyn. I just got my requirements from a knight, you know?
You're my replacement.


　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them. It seems that such a Leon has already had relationships with several women in the royal capital, and Eunice seems to be pissed off.


It's a good idea to bring back whatever information you have.
I'll take care of it.


　Leon replied in a voice that didn't show the seriousness of the monster's appearance, and after dealing with all the clan members who had swarmed him, he left.

　As Leon headed to the southernmost city alone, the Stampede's countermeasures were talked about, mainly by the Maze Conqueror's team. There is only information that a monster has been confirmed in the southernmost city, but this time it is the stampede that is experiencing unprecedented events.

　Normally, the response to a stampede would be led by the king or by a nobleman under his command. However, this stampede was unprecedented, and it was obvious that something unforeseen would surely happen. That's why this time the king had entrusted the command to the dark elf Chrystia, who had experienced the stampede for hundreds of years in her position as the head of the Labyrinth Conqueror Squad.

　Of course, there was a rebellion on the noble side, but there was hardly anyone with the capacity to take responsibility for this Stampede anymore. Only the Kanchelsia family came forward, but they were persuaded by the king and Babenberg to back down.

　Then the representatives of the major clans gathered together with the nobles and musicians of the royal capital, led by the Kanchelsia family, and the Babenberg family who ruled the labyrinth city. Surrounded by such people, Chrystia, the leader of the Labyrinth Conqueror Squad, spread a large map on the wall and fastened the four corners.


''While we're at it, we'll gather a certain amount of forces to the south. Centria, the city closest to the King's Capital, and there the Babenberg family, a small band of musicians and part of the knightly order, and two clans will be on standby. Centria will be our supply point, and from there we will head to the front lines of the Stampede.


　Pointing to the map, Chrystia explained, and then turned to the dark-haired man with his arms crossed with his sharp eyes.


'One is the Red Demons. Weiss. We need your help.
Okay.


　Known as a lone explorer and possessing the unique skill of phoenix spirit, Weiss whispered back. Chrystia then turned to the one looking at the map with her eyes narrowed.


'The other is the Infinite Circle. Tutum, I have high hopes for your work.'
I understand.


　Tsutomu, who inwardly thought it would be something like that, responded in a nonchalant tone, sensing the seriousness of the atmosphere around him. If he acted as if he didn't want to be received here, even the knights of the royal capital would beat him to death.

　Cristia took her eyes off Tsutomu and opened her mouth as she looked around at everyone.


''We'll gather as much information as we can from the south with this group and reduce the Stampede's momentum. Perhaps we'll have the other knights, musicians, Golden Examining and Aldoret Crow take turns on the front lines. However, until enough information is available, I will use Weiss, who has a powerful unique skill, and Tsutomu, the white mage who contributed the most to the defensive line in the labyrinth city. I'm assuming that the size of this Stampede is more than the last one. So at first we will focus on survival and bring back as much information as possible. Then, after we figure out the scale of the Stampede, we'll allocate the appropriate forces.


　Saying that, Chrystia shook her cropped silver hair and suddenly looked into the eyes of the nobles and knights of the royal capital as if looking into them. The aristocrats who were looked at like a bottomless abyss freaked out their bodies, and the knights unintentionally took a critical stance.


''Wha, what!　Those eyes!
This stampede is unusual. But I can only predict that it's even better than the last stampede. If we fight among ourselves, we can't afford to lose. I hope you understand that.
What are you talking about?　The searchers!
..........
''Due to the feud between the King's City and the Labyrinth City, events that would be detrimental to the defensive battle have already occurred. From what I've seen, the quality of the equipment assigned to the searchers is clearly poor. This might be the only one right now. But if this is overlooked, there will surely be a breakdown in the operation. This feud needs to be remedied before the Stampede gets into full swing.


　When Chrystia said that and stepped forward, the nobles involuntarily stepped back. Among those nobles, only one woman was looking back at Chrystia with a serious face.


''I know. This is a royal command. The nobles and knights, plus the searchers, are the communities that protect the royal capital. If there's a difference in equipment, let's make it right.''


　Brooklyn Kanchelsia, who was the only one not to be frightened back at Christia, turned back to the nobleman behind her and smiled.


''If you do something poorly next time, I'll be responsible for killing you, so be prepared, okay?
..........


　The nobles who had been so nailed by Chrystia and Brooklyn had no choice but to nod silently. And so the strategy meeting with the representatives of the various groups was over and some of the groups were heading to Centria, a city south of the royal capital.


　â?


Centria. Hey, hey.
Oh, you're on the front lines!　I'll do my best!


　Tsutomu told the clan members that he was heading to Centria with a grave atmosphere, but everyone didn't seem to be that bothered and immediately started preparing for it. Seeing the clan members in such a state, Tsutomu was a little disappointed, and then he went to receive the equipment that would be reissued by the nobles.


''Mu, then I'll go too.''
Oh. Thank you.


　That's when Garum offered to help, so Tsutomu went outside with him. A little later, Garum looked down at Tsutomu, who seemed to be hypervigilant about his surroundings.


'Aren't you being a little overly cautious?　That would be exhausting.
''I'm just doing what I deserve to do as a clan leader,''


　When Garum said that to him on the road, Tsutomu returned the words with a clear face. Then Garum shrugged his shoulders and sighed.


''If there's anything suspicious, I'll notice it. Besides, your concentration won't last long if you're not investigating the dungeon. You need to trust Korina a bit.
Korina?
'Didn't Tutum also put protection and haste on Corina during the dungeon survey?　You looked a little shocked at the time.
I see.


　Unlike the last Stampede, there was another healer this time. Tsutomu, who had taken the liberty of including Korina as a support recovery target in his head, muttered with a look of realization. Garum also looked as if he was out of sync with such Tsutomu.


'From the looks of it, you were trying to do everything yourself. Totally. Tsutomu is too much of a complete thinker in himself.''
'I didn't really think about it that much. But I was just doing it because if I wanted to, I could get around to doing it to some extent.
What?　Now let me report to all the members of the clan that Tsutomu was going to turn his hand all by himself. Perhaps Tsutomu will regret it.
...I knew it...without that one. I'm sorry.


　It was certainly obvious that Amy or Amira would be angry, so Tsutomu apologized honestly. Garum crossed his arms and nodded that it was fine, and then looked back at him accusingly.


'I don't know all the feelings of the other Clan members. But I'm sure there are many who have been influenced by Tsutomu to change and follow you.


　It's not only Amy, an early member of the clan, but also Hannah, who was taught to avoid tanks from Garum's point of view, Amira, who has been training with him in dragonization, and recently Leleia, who seems to have lost her distantness to Tsutomu. Besides, the other clan members were the only ones who had joined the clan after seeing Tsutomu's success.


'Besides, I've decided to follow Tsutomu from the moment I broke through the shell club. At least I'll follow you, and I can trust you with my back. So you can rely on me a little bit, too, Tsutomu.
I know, I know.


　From the last time I saw the Black Dragon fight during the Stampede, I know that Garum trusts his own abilities. To Garum, who said that with a reliable face, Tsutomu replied with a bitter smile.


''Well then, I'll tell everyone about it after I get the equipment.
'You should. You've been too uptight about the twombs since you came to King's Landing. To be honest, it's been hard for me to talk to you either.
Oh, really?
'Sometimes it seems like Tutom is somewhere far away,' he said. ....I won't pry about that, though.


　Tsutomu saw Garum walking with a slightly sad profile, but he had nothing to say.