After cleaning up the demons, Arios and the others returned to River End.
　They reported to their lord that they had finished their request and headed to the inn on their feet.
　We ordered a reasonable amount of food and alcohol and took a seat.

''I'm glad it all went off without a hitch.
Yeah, I know.

　Aggus nodded at Mina's words.
　They were satisfied with the fact that they had been able to stop the Stampede beforehand.

　In contrast, Arios and Lean had a huffy look on their faces.
　They had been conveniently used to exterminate a mere demon, themselves, as brave men.
　That kind of perception was in both of them, and it hurt their pride.

　Seeing them, Aggus calls out to them.

''Are you still not convinced?''
What makes you think that's gonna happen? There's no reason for us to leave. I wish the adventurers and knights of this city could do something about the Stampede's omens.
Each one of them was out. Don't you think it can't be helped?
'I don't think so. It was the negligence of the guilds and lords that left the city unprotected. I'd like you to put yourself in the shoes of the one who will pay for it.
Well, I don't know, but...
Wouldn't you like to think that it was just good training?

　Mina opened her mouth to cover for Aggus.

'We still need to be strong.
It's...
'Sure, it's not a good idea to treat us like convenient handymen... but it's been a good experience nonetheless. Can't we just divide it up as a way to get stronger?
Well yes.
Well, I'm willing to do anything as long as I get paid, okay?
'Leanne you need to think a little more deeply about the mission we have.
I'm thinking about it. But you need the money, right?
It's, well...
'But, well, maybe I didn't have to earn it now that my new prep money has arrived.
Totally....

　It might be useless to say anything to Leanne.
　Giving up like that, Mina resumed her meal.

　The other three also ate meat, drank, and had a peaceful time.
　River End is not an affluent city, but with so many travelers and merchants coming and going, the lodgings are well stocked.
　The food was also of high quality and satisfied the palates of Arios and the others.

''Brave sir,''
Hmm?

　As Arios and his friends continue to eat, an elderly man calls out to them.
　It's a man who looks like he's from somewhere else, Arios thinks.

　And so it should be.
　The elder man is a member of the entourage serving the lord of this city.
　Even though they didn't speak much to each other, it could be said that Arios had a problem with not remembering his face.

''Thank you very much for stopping the Stampede's precursor,''
Oh, yeah. I'm good at that.
'Yes, that's exactly what happened. We were at a loss as to what to do but you really helped us out. Again, thank you for your help.
Don't forget that I made it happen, okay?
Yes, of course it is.

　Arios speaks as if he is the only one who can take credit for this.
　But that's just the way it's always been.
　Neither Aggus, Mina, nor Lean say anything.

'Well, if you need anything, you can tell me. It's not always possible, but if you're feeling up to it, there's nothing I can't do to help.
'Yes, yes. Truly, my brave friend is very dependable.

　It was a boring request, but...
　It didn't feel bad to have a compliment directed at him.

　Thinking about that, Arios was in a good mood.

''Well do you have a minute?''

　A man dressed like a merchant interrupts their conversation.

'What are you?'
I'm just a humble merchant. I've got something to tell you and you don't have to thank this brave man for it.

''Haha, is it really what the brave man did for me I doubt it.
Who are you?　Don't you think it's not very polite of you to suddenly say something like that?

　Arios looks grim as he is speared into a good mood, and Arios looks unhappy.
　He glares at her as if to intimidate her, but....
　Still, that didn't stop the merchant-style man from talking.

'A thank you is for those who deserve it, right?　I think the brave man will be ruled out.
What the...?
I know what happened on Horizon.

　Arios frowned slightly.
　The lord's entourage gave him a curious look.

''What's wrong with Horizon?''
''The other day, a demon tribe showed up and did quite a bit of damage. The demon was defeated by Horizon adventurers, which is strange. The story goes that there was a hero in town at the time, right?
That's just a rumor, isn't it?　I know what happened but we were already out of town by then. I'm not impressed with the way you've been fed a poor quality hoax.
A hoax my merchant friends, all of whom say the same thing?
That's not a rumor.

　A new man joins the conversation.
　He seems to have been drinking quite a bit, and his face is flushed...
　He glared at Arios, anger clearly on his face.

''I am a resident of Horizon!　Right now, I'm out shopping for the materials we need to rebuild... and I sure as hell saw it!　The brave man is in town.
Huh.
'The brave master didn't do anything for me!　You're traveling on our tax dollars and you've done nothing to help us!　I heard that a friend of mine went to ask for help from a brave man, but he was ignored!　I don't care what happens to Horizon. Haha, what's the point of being a hero? You don't even have the courage to fight demons!
You....!

　The man's tirade was indeed unbearable for Arios, and he sat up.
　In a hurry, Aggus restrained Arios.

''Calm down.''
You've been mocking me this much and you want me to shut up!
Look around you.

　The surrounding guests all looked at Arios.
　The emotions in their eyes.......contempt and disappointment.

　Everyone knew the rumors about Arios.
　Everyone knew what Arios had done.
　Even the lord's entourage had heard the stories.
　It was just that, due to the achievement of stopping the precursor of the Stampede, they just pretended that they hadn't heard the rumors.

''Guh........!

　Arios, as expected, flinched as he was hit with cold stares from those around him.

''You're giving me that kind of look...''

　Dark emotions lingered in Arios' eyes.
　His hand reached for the hilt of his sword.

''Arios!''
I'm just kidding.

　Arios shrugged at Aggus' strong words.

'How could I possibly do something stupid by dancing around a trivial rumor?　...I'll be back in my room first.
'Oh, yeah...'

　Shaking off the surrounding gaze, Arios climbed the stairs and disappeared into the back of the inn.
　Taking that as a signal, the murmur returned.

　The brave man is suspicious, after all.
　Can they really be relied upon?
　Do you want him to be a brave man?

　Stories like that are flying all over the place.
　It should have been praised a while ago.
　Now, they don't look at you with respect.
　They just look at you the opposite way.

''Huh ... what's with this air, it's the worst.
'Leanne, it's not like that...'
It's Arios' decision to let this happen. It's not our fault.
It's...

　Mina can't say anything to Lean's words.
　Because inwardly, she believes that Lean is right.
　Because that's how she subconsciously puts the blame on him.

''Well do you have a moment?''

　Aggus says in a hushed voice.

'What?'
'There's something I want to talk to you about while you're at it.
What is it?
'Didn't a lot of money disappear when you were at Horizon?　That ... could be ... the work of Arios.
'What's that?　What do you mean?
Keep your voice down.
Do you have any proof?
'None. But given the circumstances, there's no one else who can get at the money but Arios.
It's...
But what did you spend it on?　Quite a bit of money, isn't it?
'I don't know about that. I don't know but we may need to keep an eye out for Arios in the future. I just wanted to talk to you about that.
''Oh no... only Arios, the brave one, would do such a thing...''
How can you be sure it's not there?
....

　Mina was silent in response to Aggus' question.

　From the standpoint, I want to assure you that there is not.
　However, Arios has been acting strangely lately, such as the matter of neglecting the demon race.
　This had created a hesitation within Mina.

　A dissonance arose within the brave party...........and it was growing little by little.