After accomplishing their mission of defeating the chimera nesting around King's Landing, Arios and his men returned.
　People cheered when they saw Arios and the others.

　In Horizon, the name of the brave has fallen to the ground, but...
　That's not the case in King's Landing.
　The hope of mankind.
　The savior who would defeat the Demon King.
　He was treated as such and had the support of many people.

　Although some information about the city of Horizon is coming in........
　No one is taking it seriously, as it's a distant city, so the facts must have been distorted, and no one is taking it seriously.

'Sigh, I'm tired. It's been a long time since I've been on such a nasty mission to kill a chimera. Hey, hey, we don't have to do this anymore, do we?　It won't be another day tomorrow, will it?

　Leanne sighed with a weary look on her face.
　She hates the idea of hardship because she really wants money, honor, and status for fun, and she hates the idea of hard work.

'What about tomorrow ... what about tomorrow?　We may have a mission to do, but we can't be more picky. Right now, we have to regain our reputation, and besides, we have to be strong.

　Mina is a priest raised in the church, so she serves both Arios and the country.
　Therefore, they don't find the duties given to them to be a hassle.
　However, in a fundamental way, they only have their own interests in mind, and in a way they were similar to Lean.

　Aggus asks Monica, 'What do you think of that area?

'What's going on in that area?　Is there another mission tomorrow?
''Well I can't say for sure until I get back to the royal castle and check it out, but I'm sure it's probably not there. We've been doing nothing but missions lately, you know. As expected, I need to take a break once in a while.
Well, that helps.
Yay, the first day off in ages!　Hey, hey, you're doing all these missions, so of course you're going to get paid, right?
'Yes, I hope that's not a problem. From what I can tell, you're all doing your duty well, and there's nothing to stop you from getting paid.
'Hmmm, what shall I buy?　Maybe I should look around for an accessory or something.　Mina, do you want to watch it with me?
'I'm not interested in that sort of thing...'
You're a girl, you should learn to dress up. You are a girl, you should learn how to dress up. I'll show you how to dress up.
Well I'll leave you to it.
What about Monica?　Do you want to join me?
'Excuse me. I appreciate the invitation, but I have a few things to do...
Well, if that's the case, then I'll have to do it. Well, okay. I'll go have fun with Monica.
I hope you have plenty of nourishment.
Yeah, I'm going to do that.

　Over the past few days, Leanne, Mina and Aggus have become completely comfortable with Monica.
　Arios, on the other hand....

Tsk.

　He keeps his friends at a distance and spends a lot of time alone.
　How could a knight sent by his country be at the center of the party instead of himself...
　It's not a very pleasant story.
　It's a party formed for me.
　Hence, I have to be the center of it.

　Despite these childish thoughts, Monica's personality is vastly superior to Arios', and her friends get to know her better.
　All Arios can do is sullenly keep his distance.

　It's like a child's rebellion.
　It was a laughingstock, but she didn't have the time to be aware of it.



----------



　The next day.

　As Monica had said, no new assignments were coming down, and Arios and the others were given their first vacation in a long time.
　Mina was taken by Leanne to go shopping.
　Aggus seemed to enjoy a meal and went out to the castle town as well.

　Arios wasn't in the mood to go out and was relaxing in his room at the inn.
　He sat on the couch and read a book.

''Excuse me.''
Monica.

　As we were having a peaceful moment, an intruder appeared.
　It's Monica.

　I thought you said you had something to do, so why are you here?
　When Arios gives her a quizzical look, Monica smiles softly in answer to her question.

''My business is........to talk to you, Arios-sama.
Talk?
'Maybe it's just my imagination, but I feel like Arios-sama is avoiding me...'
You're right. I'm avoiding you.
Why?
You don't get to be friends with the watcher.
''I don't mean to keep an eye on Arios-sama... but I can't blame you for thinking that. In fact, I have been told to report Alios-sama's actions to the king.
I don't know. You think I'm gonna be friends with that guy?　I can't answer that, man.

　Arios waved his hand as if to tell us to leave...
　Monica ignored it and sat down next to Arios.
　Then she pulled her alluring body closer to Arios.

'I'm so sorry. I'm afraid I've misled you.'
"A mistake?
'Indeed, I may be keeping an eye on Arios-sama. But that's only because it's my duty... and I don't want to do that myself.
I don't know.
''I admire you, Arios-sama. I think he's a wonderful person as a brave man. And I also find him attractive as a member of the opposite s*x.

　Monica whispered sweet nothings as she pressed her body against him.
　Arios raised an eyebrow but....
　The sullen look on his face had faded slightly.

　Although I was loosely aware of the fact that he was a watchman sent by the government, but.......
　Without that, Monica is an immensely beautiful woman.
　She has a personality that makes a man stand up for himself, and her style is perfect.
　I don't feel bad about being wooed.

　However, Arios is not so stupid as to take the bait with a whimper.
　Once, I keep my distance.

If you want to talk to me, that's fine. If you want to talk to me, fine, but if you're going to talk like that, I won't join you, will I?
'It's a story of great interest to you, Arios, but it's a difficult question.
'If you don't have a story, get out of the room now. Or do you think you have a story that I would bite on?　If that's what you're talking about, though, I don't mind talking to you.
Yes.

　Monica answered immediately.
　She opened her mouth with a smirk.

'Lane Shroud,'
What?
You were once a member of Master Arios' party, weren't you?
Where did you hear about Lane...
'I'm an elite, despite my appearance. I have a lot of good subordinates, so I'm very good at gathering information.
What are you going to do with all this talk about him?
I thought you might be interested.
....

　Arios doesn't deny it.
　That's what I mean.

"According to my research...

　Monica smiled and told him about Rayne.

　That he was called the 'Hero of Horizon'.
　That he had taken the five most powerful species into his party, and also added a ghost to his party.
　Having defeated a demon, he was promoted to a B rank.
　You rescued the princess and made a connection.

　The events that happened are told in order.

　However.........
　
　If he told her that, Arios would certainly go off the rails.
　That would be an interesting thing to do........
　But now was not the time.

　Monica explained, thinking about that, except for one point.

'Ridiculous.........It's impossible for that useless person to be that upstanding. That's impossible.............I mean, it can't be!

　Arios shivered wanly when he heard about Rain's activities.
　You're useless.
　You're a failure.
　And yet you're more active than you are... I can't forgive you!

　It's an extremely selfish thought, but there's no one to point it out.
　Dark emotions swell within Arios.

''I think Arios-sama is right, too. The Rain Shroud has indeed set forth a number of achievements. However, he lacks this thing called dignity. I think the word 'hero' is more appropriate for Arios, who is of God's blood.
'What, you know what I'm talking about. Well I'm better than that scum. He's just a beast-tamer and I'm a brave man I'm better than him, of course.
Yes, of course. That's exactly what it sounds like.

　Monica smiled gently and lifted Arios up incessantly.
　Arios in his calmest moments might have noticed the distorted emotions behind Monica's smile, but...
　The current Arios had lost his composure after being brought up about Rain.

　As Monica lifted him up and guided him........
　The thought that you are the one who is superior is tainted by the thought that you are the one who is superior.

And yet........that Rain guy is in the capital? What is he planning to do this time?
I understand you're planning to take the exam for promotion to Grade A.
Oh, I see...
'If Lane Shroud passes the test it's not going to be interesting. According to current records, the youngest A-rank in history is 21 years old. However, if Lane Shroud passes, that record will be broken in a big way. People might even applaud him. People might think he's the second most courageous person in the world.
'Silly!　I'm the only one brave enough to do it!　That guy can't be a hero!
'Yes, that's right. There is only one brave man, Arios-sama. That was just an example, so don't worry too much about it. However, I was concerned that it might turn out to be a reality if it continues...
What's your point?
Would you like to eliminate it?

　He said it so easily that Arios was surprised.
　Monica continued to speak as if to tell him the obvious.

'Let's get rid of anyone who would stand in Arios-sama's way.
'Is it okay for you to talk about such things?　Aren't you keeping an eye on me to prevent me from doing that?
''That's also a mission.......but I'm thinking of Alios-sama first. That is why I cannot allow the Rain Shroud to bother Lord Arios.
''Huh hahaha, what the hell!　You know the story.

　Arios, feeling better about Monica's words, let out a laugh.
　I thought she was an enemy but.......no.
　This woman is an ally.
　She's a being who follows her.
　She is a pawn who can be treated as she pleases, just like Aggus, Mina and Lean.

　Recognizing this, Arios gives a twisted smile.

'Interesting story. I'd like to hear more about it, wouldn't you?　Of course you're planning ahead, aren't you?
'The details need to be fleshed out, but the basics are already in place.'
All right. Why don't we do you a favor? You're right. This Lane guy is a problem. I've been wanting to do something about it for a long time. If it's possible, it's worth taking you up on your offer.
'Call me Monica, not you............................hmmm.