We lead the demons through the forest.
　Naturally, I'm at the front of the army, and the four cadres - Milo, Gilanka, Drake and Bau. The total number of troops following behind them is 15,000.
　It's a number that would feel like a nightmare in a human city.

''Well ... with this number, can we bring down the city of Rapace?''

''Probably, it won't be a problem. The city of Raphas is the closest city to the ruins of Rilkara, so there are a good number of adventurers in the city. However, there aren't many adventurers of that high rank.

Really?

''To begin with, it's because the Ruins of Rilkara is not a very popular labyrinth. The level of the demons is generally high, and even the most high-ranked adventurers will reach their limit around the middle level. At least, I've heard that the only adventurer who came back alive from the 20th level or lower is that brave man, Goldova.

....

　Yeah, well, the level of the demons was definitely very high.
　I remember that even I, who was a brave man at the time, almost died a few times. After passing the 20th level, it was definitely very tough.
　After all, when I first entered the ruins, my level was 70. But after two weeks of going downstairs and defeating all kinds of demons, I had risen to level 92.
　Well, thanks to that, I was able to get the 'Book of Job Change' at the lowest level - the 45th level.

''Hmm... how high is the adventurer's level?''

I'd say 20 to 30 at the most. There's only one S-ranked adventurer, though.

Oh, really?

''Yes. He is a level 63 great swordsman, aka 'Iron Lump', a man named Angus Hoolgar. Due to his advanced age, he has retired from adventuring and is currently in the city of Rafas, where he mainly mentors the younger generation and maps the ruins of Rilkara.

Hmmm...

　Level 63, huh? As expected, I'll have to deal with it.
　Milo is level 45, Gilanka is 43, and even though Bau's level has risen, he's still 34. And even Drake, who was considered to be the strongest adventurer, is level 59. It may be partly due to the age of the overlap, but he's the strongest human I've ever met.
　Well, level does not equal strength, but even so, it would be quicker for me to deal with him than for the executives to deal with him.

''Oops...It's over there.

Yes.

　In the distance, I can see the city.
　This is the town where I once stayed for the night when I challenged the ruins of Rilkara. At that time, I remember sleeping in a soft bed for the first time in a long time.
　However, for two weeks from the next day, I invaded the ruins of Rilkara with the intention of dying.
　It's a bit awkward to lay waste to such a city now, though.

"Hmm........my lord.

Yeah?　What's the matter, Gilanka?

There are quite a few people gathered in front of the city, Your Majesty. They're all armed.

Oh, really?

　At Gilanka's report, I narrowed my eyes and looked toward the city as well. But unfortunately, I couldn't see anything. Gilanka seems to have good eyesight.
　But I wonder what happened to the fact that so many people are gathered here.

''Kun Kun.......Master, I smell something burning!

I'm getting a killer vibe...

I think it's probably because of that.

　Bau's nose sniffs the smell of burning, and Milo's wariness rises.
　Drake points to a small turret-like building diagonally in front of our direction of travel. And from such a turret, a ray of smoke billows out.

I see.

'I've never been based in the city of Rafas, but I remember hearing about it from a colleague. I have never been based in the city of Rafas, but I do remember hearing from a colleague that demons occasionally flood in from the ruins of Rilkara. He told me that they have a wolfsbane stand ready for such a demon attack.

So they think we're from the ruins of Rilkara?

I'm sure. They're all demons that don't exist in this neighborhood. Especially when it comes to minotaurs and red caps.

Hmmm...

　The ruins of Rilkara, huh?
　Come to think of it, I don't remember much anymore, but there were demons in the level 90s. The Nightlord Wolf I killed with a single blow is level 88 or something like that, I think. As I recall, the maximum was level 91 for the Guardian Golem.
　Come to think of it, I've conquered a ridiculous labyrinth, haven't I? Thanks to that, I was able to discard the abominable brave man.

''Well, boys,''

Oh.

Ha!

Yes!

"Ha.

Now, we're going to take the city of Rafus. But it won't be a massacre. It's just to scare them.

You're not serious, sir.

　Miro frowns at my words.
　I'm sorry for those who were so excited about the war, but I'm only human. I don't want to slaughter an entire city that easily. If we do that, the countries around us won't be silent.
　Of course, I'll do it if I have to.
　I'm not going to go easy on the empire that killed my family.
　I'm just saying that I will peacefully take my city and leave it at that.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do it. But even so, I plan to take the city as peacefully as possible.

We understand, Mr. Noah.

No problem, my Lord. We'll work as our Lord wills.

　Drake and Gilanka thank him so reverently.
　On the other hand, Milo, Bau is somewhat unhappy. Bau, you are my healer, you don't have to be so hot and bothered.

You don't have to be so bloodthirsty.

Yes, sir!

　Jessica is a military strategist in her own right.
　Well, it was Jessica who suggested this time.

Well let's see what we can do about it.

　My steps and the steps of the army never stop, and we head straight for the city of Rafas.
　Then I came within sight of the walls and gates surrounding the city of Rafas, and the adventurers gathered in front of those gates.
　I raised one hand to bring the entire army to a halt.

All right, I'll go first. Milo, Gilanka, follow me. Drake, I'm leaving you in charge of Jessica.

Oh.

Yes, my Lord.

"Ha. Master Noah.

　The total number of adventurers was something like three hundred. Some carried swords, some carried spears, and some held staves in the rear.
　In the middle of these adventurers, my eyes first met with an elderly man holding a huge battle axe.
　From his appearance, I could tell that he was different from ordinary adventurers. Perhaps this man was the S-ranked adventurer Drake had mentioned, Angus Hoolgar.
　However, unlike such an imposing Angus, the adventurers around him are somewhat fleeing.

''Oh shit.......what the hell was that horde.......''

He's gonna kill me...

Hey, isn't that the demon from the Devil's Forest...

I've got a minotaur or something... and I don't think you can...

　They might think they were speaking in a whisper, but they could hear it loud and clear.
　What is it, 'Devil's Forest'? Could it be that the forest where the hidden village of the elves is located? Was it such a mysterious name?
　Well, I didn't care about that and didn't stop walking.
　We need to negotiate with the representative of this place--Angus--first.

Don't come any closer!

...?

Who are you?　You look like a human being...

Yeah, I'm human.

　That's what Angus said in return.
　What do you see in me that makes me look like a demon? Well, I've heard that there are demons that mimic humans, too.
　But there's no need for them to mimic humans at all.

"Excuse me, are you Angus?

...how do you know my name?

Do you feel like you represent your city?

I'm just an adventurer. I only lead the neighborhood watch in this town.

Oh, yeah.

　So I wonder if there is a lord somewhere.
　The city of Rafas itself isn't that big, and maybe it's like the edge of a noble estate.

''Well then, can you tell the lord?

What are you...

'I won't do anything if you shut up and surrender this city. If you run away, I won't pursue you. But if you resist, then 15,000 demons will enter the city now and slaughter you. If you don't want the demons to kill you, then you should vacate this city as soon as possible. Within a day.

....

　Angus raises an eyebrow.
　As expected, it's not a condition that can be answered immediately. But unfortunately, I don't plan to wait that long either.
　If you resist, I will slaughter you - because that word is not a lie.

Well I'll give the word to my lord. Hey, someone!　Go tell the lord!

Yes, sir!

Oh, me!　I'll go!

I'll take care of it!

　With Angus' words, the adventurers start running.
　The crowds of adventurers are dwindling in number as they enter the city through the gates.
　I wonder how many of them are going to go tell their lords. I mean, most of the adventurers are gone.
　I'm sure you'll find that Angus and a dozen or so others who lost their chance to escape are the only ones left. There were about three hundred of them.
　This doesn't mean that Angus doesn't have a lot of popularity, it's more like he ran away out of fear.

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

　Smallly, Angus lets out a sigh.
　Then he thrusts the tip of the axe - the part that is the tip of the spear - into the ground and Angus sits there.

''I beg you.''

Hmm...?

"My name is Angus Hoolgar, the 'Iron Lumber'. "I am Angus Houlgar, the lump of iron, an old man who was once known as 'S-Level Adventurer. My head is not worth much, but with my life, I beg you. I do not care what you do with my bare head. But spare the lives of the city's people in exchange for it!

....

　I want to protect the lives of the people of the city, even if it means using my own life as a shield.
　You're an adventurer, but you sound like a knight.
　But I'm not going to kill everyone in town, either. I've said from the beginning that I won't do anything if you just quietly surrender it.

'Hmmm.'

　But I like the spirit of it.
　It's like a knight in a heroic tale, a hero of the people. I like that way of life.
　Which is why, in this case, I have to play the bad guy.

"Okay, Angus Houlgar.

　Controlling Milo and Drake with my hands, I made my way to Angus' neighborhood by myself.
　Maybe they would take me by surprise, aiming for my life, but I didn't feel that way. In reality, even though the distance between me and Angus reached a point where I could attack him immediately with a battle axe, Angus did not move.
　And then - Angus closes his eyes.
　I'll give my life, those words are not a lie.

''Then be prepared.''

....

　I flick my middle finger with my thumb toward Angus' forehead.
　This is supposed to be the chic way.
　Against a knight who is determined to protect his people even if it means giving his own life, he launches an attack with no great force and says, "I've got my life now, so do the rest. Now do what you want with the rest," and save his life. I remember reading such a heroic story when I was young.
　That's right, an attack with little power.

"Phew, that's a life...

Blah, blah, blah, blah--!

They're... what?

Wha...?

　Angus was in agony.
　He wallowed in pain for a while, and then after a while more, he stopped moving.
　.........What, my deco-pin is powerful enough to kill a level 63 adventurer?

Oh, no.

　Such was my expectation.
　It came true with the birth of the blunt colored collar that I often see around Angus' neck. It has become.