Arios and his party left River End and headed further south.
　From there, they took a course to the west.
　The southern continent was a rolling plain to the east, with a series of steep mountains to the west.

　Arios and his group stepped into the mountains and headed straight for the back.

''Oh, it's so annoying.''

　It's uncharted territory, so there's only a beast trail.
　The vegetation was so thick that it seemed to be blocking our way.
　We cleared the bushes as we went, but we didn't gain any speed.
　Leanne grumbled, as if frustrated by this.

'There's ivy tangling around, and lots of bugs... haha, I need a bath...'
'Leanne, don't be selfish. We have a noble mission and we are on that journey.

　Although Mina admonishes her, Lean doesn't seem to have changed her mind, just replying back with an appropriate yes yes.
　However, this is the usual scene, so Arios and the others don't seem to be bothered by it.
　The only one who is concerned about Lean's condition is the adventurer who is leading the way.

''What's going on?''

　Arios noticed that the adventurer was glancing at Lean and called out to him.
　The adventurer smiled affectionately as if to cover up.

'No, no, it's nothing. If I may say so, I'm not sure if the braves have a secular side too.
Even though we're brave, we're still human. I'm sick and tired of having to go deep into the mountains.
Indeed.
I'm counting on you.
Yeah, I'll take care of it.

　It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be counted on by a party of brave men.
　The adventurous man leads the way, as if he were staking out the lead.

　To be exact, he's second.
　First in line is the demon he uses, the Bloody Bear.

　As the name suggests, it's a large bear demon.
　It was a demon comparable to a C-ranked demon, and it reigned as the Lord of the Mountain.

　Such a Bloody Bear was tamed by an adventurer man.
　He was a Beast Tamer, a well-known Beast Tamer in the southern continent.
　His abilities are outstanding, and he is able to taste not only animals, but also demons.

　It just so happens that he was visiting a rural village on vacation...
　That's where I was approached by Arios and the others to work together, so that's what I was told.

'But I'm surprised,'
What's that?

　The adventurer looked at Arios' words in wonder.

'The fact that a beast tamer can also use demons,' he said. I know this is a bit of a stretch, but isn't a beast tamer the weakest job anyone would ever want to be?　And yet you're using a C-ranked demon like this, and you're gaining a certain amount of power. I figured it wasn't a sight to be seen very often.
'It's nice to hear you say that. I've had to go through a lot to get to the power I have now.
"Hmm.

　Arios looked at the adventurer from foot to face as if he were inspecting him.
　This man could be useful.
　It would be useful to be able to use not only animals, but demons as well.
　In light of the world's common sense, he has unparalleled power for a Beast Tamer.
　If he joins his companions, it will definitely make the journey easier.

　After thinking that far, Rain's face flickered in Arios' mind.

''Well by the way, I have a small question for you.
Yes, what is it?
Will you be able to use your most powerful species?
'What?　Is it the strongest species?

　The adventurer looked puzzled by Arios' question.

''No, no way. No, no, no. The most powerful species cannot be used. There is no way anyone can use that thing.
I see.

　Hearing those words, something cooled rapidly in Arios.
　If I can't do what Rain was able to do, then I don't want this man.
　If I achieve my goal this time, as I had originally planned, I'll cut him off there.

　Not knowing that Arios was thinking of such a thing, the adventurer proceeded to the front of the pack in a good mood.
　They have to cut branches and such from the trees for Arios and the others following them, but it's an easy task.
　The Bloody Bear in the lead is big and just walks and makes a reasonable path.
　The other demons are afraid of the Bloody Bear and won't come near it.
　It's an easy job.
　With this, he would be able to accomplish the request without any problems.

　



----------



　After an hour or so, Arios and the others reached the summit.
　The summit was open and had a good view of the mountain.
　There was a small open space where they could take a break.

　In the middle of the square, a small shrine could be seen.
　It was a wooden shrine on a flat stone.
　There was nothing else, but a lonely scene.

Here's your hero.
Thank you ... Agus. And Leanne and Mina, I want you to be on the lookout for people around.
Yeah.

　Aggus nodded and turned back a bit the way they had just come.
　Leanne and Mina scattered from side to side.

'Hmm.'

　Arios looked at the shrine.
　It looked so tattered that it looked as if it would break just by touching it.

''........Hey, can you send that demon over here?''
'What?　Why?
Come on. Come on.
Okay, all right. Here you go.

　The adventurer followed the instructions, puzzled by Arios's strong tone of voice.
　He ordered Bloody Bear to move next to Arios.
　But..........

Gah!

　As he tried to approach Arios at the side of the shrine, Bloody Bear was bounced off an invisible wall.
　For a moment, the air trembled and a purple light ran through the air.

''Wha, what...?
Oh, so that's how it works.

　The adventurer was flustered by the unexpected, but Arios was calm, as if he knew.

　There was a ward around the shrine to keep the demons at bay.
　That's probably why it couldn't be destroyed even if it was built deep in the mountains like this.

　Is there any value in protecting such a tattered shrine with a ward?
　A person who knew nothing about it might wonder.
　In fact, the adventurer looked confused.

　However, Arios is different.
　He knows that this shrine has value.
　

　Arios drew his sword.

''Yoo, hero-sama?　What are you doing?
Stay back and we'll tear down the shrine now.
What?
'I'll break the wards, so there will be a certain amount of shock. You'll have to have someone show you the way back. It would be a hassle if you were to get hurt unnecessarily. Just stay back.

　Arios said matter-of-factly, and the adventurer was blatantly dismayed.

'What, why that shrine?'
This shrine is where they dedicate the equipment I need.

　A ring called "Tears of Heaven," a legendary piece of equipment, is dedicated to a mountain shrine.
　With this information, Arios and his team hired adventurers to climb the mountain.
　Otherwise, they wouldn't have come all the way to a place like this.


"...you're just an employee of mine and you're going to get in my way?
'No, I didn't mean to... but it's said that the people of the village at the bottom of the hill built that shrine... and also that it keeps the bad luck away...'
Huh....

　Arios let out a boring sigh.

'Of course that's superstition, isn't it?'
'No, but it's quite plausible...'
'If this shrine is supposed to contain disaster, shouldn't it be more important?　But ... look at it. A wreck. There is no respect for it at all. How could such a shrine contain any disaster?
And yet...
If there's something locked up in there, you're not my enemy. Who do you think I am?　I'm a brave man.
....

　Arios said in a strong tone, as if he wouldn't allow a rebuttal.
　Looking defeated by Arios, the adventurer closed his mouth.

　With the adventurer silent, Arios nodded in satisfaction.
　And then.........he swung his sword down at the shrine.

''Hee!

　Bloop!　and the shrine collapsed.
　The air trembled and the adventurer shrank back.

　Just ... that's all.
　Nothing more happens, only silence dominates the place.

'See, there's nothing to it.

　Arios moved the wreckage of the broken shrine and took out a ring from inside.
　It's the legendary equipment, the Ring of Heaven.
　With this, we have no further use for it.
　Let's get off the mountain immediately and go to our next destination.

　........That was the time.

「……くすくすっ」

　子供のように無邪気な笑い声が響いた。