Oh, my God, Father!

　Lady Celia popped into Viscount Grimoire's office with a panicked look on her face.

''What the hell is going on, Celia?''

　Viscount Grimoire looks at Lady Celia in surprise.

''That's it!　The future of disaster, the sight of demons overrunning the city, has disappeared from my vision!

''What?!''

　Viscount Grimoire-sama and I both involuntarily stand up at the unexpected event.

''No matter how many times we tried until after noon, all we could see was a scene of doom, but when we divined it just now, the scene had cleanly disappeared!

And what of my land?

We lived in peace!

''Oh!''

　Viscount Grimoire-sama made a clenched fist and let out a roar of excitement, but he slumped into his chair as if he had lost his mind and fell over.

''To do this right after I hired that man.......I guess my decision was right after all.

'I'm sure that Lord Org heard the Master's words and defeated the source of the disaster.

Hmm, that's the man who slayed the dragon. Your reward should be bouncing.

　A harmonious air that I hadn't felt in the office for the past few weeks was flowing through the office.
　As expected of an A-ranked adventurer, had he sensed a hint of disaster from his negotiations with Viscount Grimoire-sama and moved independently?
　This activity, if it's him, it might not be surprising if he's promoted to S-rank in the near future.

　◆

Oh, Mr. Lex!　It was just right.

　When we returned to the Adventurer's Guild after defeating the demon, the receptionist, Elma-san, called out to us.

''What's wrong, Elma-san?''

Sorry for the wait. Finally, we've received the auction rewards for the Dragon and Evilboa.

　Oh, we'll finally get our money for Green Dragon and Evilboa!
　However, it's only Green Dragon and Evilboa, so I don't think I can expect that much.

''Also, I have received the payment for the Evilboa that the lord-sama bought from me, so I'll pay you for that as well.

Oh, that's going to be a lot of money, man!

I don't know. He's a green dragon.

Huh ... so that's not what I'm talking about, is it?

　Huh?　What do you mean, Miss Elma?

Anyway, I'll pay you your auction fee, if you'll come to the reception room.

Don't you want to be the window?

Auction fees tend to be large sums of money, so we give them to you indoors so that no one else can hear them as a precaution against problems.

Oh, so you don't know what your brother got for that?

''Even if you're close to me, you shouldn't forget to be polite at the very least. Team Dragon Slayers' leader, Jairo?

'Gah!　Don't use that name!

　Jairo-kun, whose team name has become an embarrassing part of his past, lurches around.

"I don't mind being on the team, okay?

'What?　Are you sure?

　Elma glanced at Jairo-kun, who was slumped over.

'They're going to ask you later anyway, so it's the same if they ask you now.

That's my brother!　I've got a lot of pockets, man!

　Oh, it's back.

...Okay. All right, gentlemen, this way.

　We were led by Elma-san into the guild's reception room.
　Then, as we all enter, Erma-san closes and locks the door.
　It's so tight.

''Then I'll give you the reward for the auction.

　As she said this, Elma placed a large bag on the table.
I felt the table creak with a missile.
Next, she gently places the smaller bag on the table. Is that a fine amount?

''This is the sum of Lex's Dragon, the three Evilboa, and my lord's purchase of the Evilboa, 20 white gold coins.

　Twenty gold pieces?　It's even less than I expected.

Hey, isn't 20 gold coins too few?

　Gyro-kun, who seems to have thought the same thing, leans back in his chair with a disappointed look on his face.

'No, Mr. Gyro. It's not twenty gold coins.

　Mr. Norbu says a few words of correction to Gyro-kun.
　Huh?　But you just said 20 gold coins?

Twenty white gold pieces.

　Platinum?　Um ... I'm pretty sure that's the name of a special gold coin issued when it's difficult to pay in gold, right?

How much gold is a white gold coin?

Well, I think...

When asked by Mina, Norbu fumbles with his memory.

'Ten thousand gold coins, sir.'

""Every single gold coin!"

　A surprising amount of money pops up and everyone hums along.

'That's 20 pieces, so that translates into 200,000 gold coins.

"20 gold coins, that's it!

　It's a bit of a surprise, huh?　It's so much money, it's like a kid's pocket money.

And that's a hell of an amount of money.

　Elma-san begins to explain in detail to us in amazement.

''In this auction, we sold the demon part by part. Scales, bones, skin, internal organs, nuclei, and so on. Dragons in particular are demons that have nowhere to throw away their materials, so almost all of them were sold for a lot of money. Bidders would be proud if they got any of them. Among them, everyone seemed to want the most precious part, and bids were placed at an unbelievable rate.

　I mean, how badly do you guys want a Green Dragon?
　Is that it?　I wonder if the unexpectedly high price was due to the fact that materials in good condition, even for a demon of the size of a green dragon, are conversely rare!
　In the sense of being popular with maniacs.

''The Evil Boa was also able to sell the whole thing without cutting the fur into small pieces, so I heard that the great aristocrats were able to sell it for a lot of money.

　Ha, it's amazing how rich people spend their money.

"....

　Jairo-kun and the others seem to be at a loss for words.

But it's really an amazing amount of money.

The payment from the lord was also significant.

My lord?

Yes, he says he'll pay for the destroying of Evilboa and the dragon.

Kill money?

''Yes, defeating the dragon and Evilboa that were rampaging in the territory is an act that will lead to the stability of the territory. Therefore, the reward will include a fair price for their defeat.

'My lord would never do that...'

'Well, that's an unnaturally large amount of money nonetheless...'

　Elma nodded her head, wondering what she thought of it.

　But it's an amazing story.
　I'm impressed that there was a nobleman who cared about his people.
　There are good noblemen in some places.

If that's the case, I'd appreciate it.

My brother's an awesome guy.　Normally a D-rank wouldn't make this kind of money!

Jairo, who has recovered from the shock of 200,000 gold coins, shouts.
　Well, it's true, I'm surprised at this amount of money too.
　Adventurers can be very profitable.

''I explained that the total amount is 20 white gold coins, but the money we have prepared here has already been subtracted from 16,000 gold coins, which is 8% of the guild's auction item fee. The smaller one is 18 white gold coins, and the larger bag here is 4000 gold coins, minus the commission.

　Oh, the bigger bag is the change minus the fee.
　The change is 4,000 gold coins...

''Yes, if you have a large amount of money, we can keep it at the guild bank as well.

　I mean, you said we should give that to him.

Well, we have the magic bag.

　With that, I put the reward in the magic bag.

''That's a shame...''

　Elma-san muttered with a heartfelt regret.

''Be that as it may, when you defeat the big demons in the future, please apply for a purchase from our guild!　I'll charge you a fee, but I can get a good price for it if I put it up for auction!

That's just because the guild wants a commission.

What?　...What are you talking about?

　Elma-san stiffened for a moment at Mina-san's tweak, but she quickly became calm.
　Hmmm, professional work.

''Oh, speaking of which, speaking of big names...''

　I tell Elma-san about the Cursed Viper I just defeated.

''Therefore, would you be willing to buy it?

　Since we've hunted it all the way down, if it's worth the money, let's sell it.



　Something about Elma is getting fired up.
　She must be a person with a great work ethic.

'But that's a cursed demon, right?　Are you sure?

　And Megri raised a question about the Cursed Viper.

'Oh yeah, right!　You can't dismantle it if it's cursed, brother!

'Oh don't worry. The curse of the Curse of the Curse of the Cursed Viper goes away when you die.

''Is that so!''

Yeah, that thing is similar to the cursed boost of body strengthening magic, so it's like Gyro-kun was unconsciously releasing a recovery spell. It's the monster version of that thing.

No, more importantly, didn't you just say demons of the demon world?

　For some reason, Elma-san asks me as she pulls and shakes.

''Yes, it's a demon summoned from the demon world by a demon using a gate.

''Majin-mmm!''

　Elma-san exclaims.

''Uh-huh, well, that's how you'd normally react.

Yeah, that's a pretty obvious reaction.

　For some reason, Mina and the others are nodding happily beside me.

'Come to think of it, in the material I read about demons in the demon world before, there's a name called Cursed Viper... Wait, wait a minute!　Okay, sir!　I'm going to get the higher ups, so you'll definitely have to wait for me!

　As soon as he said that, Elma ran out of the reception room and went away.
　And within a few minutes, she came back with a man in tow.

'Oh come on Elma, what the hell is an emergency?　And what are these kids?

　Apparently, the man was also brought in without telling me what he wanted, and I'm confused.



　As if in a great hurry, Elma regulates her disordered breathing.
　And now that her breathing was finally under control, she resumed the conversation.

''Lex-san, this person is the guild leader of our adventurer's guild. Since this issue was beyond my authority, I asked the guild head to come over.

Guild Master?

　It's a big deal.

Hey, this is Berkeley, the guild leader. Nice to meet you!

　The guild leader greets us in a friendly manner.

''It's nice to meet you, my name is Lex.

Gyros!

It's Mina.

"Megri.

Norbu, nice to meet you.

'Oh!　So, Elma, what do you want?　I'm still busy with this, you know.

　I was called in to work. I'm sorry to hear that.

'The only thing a guild leader does anyway is drink and gamble, right?　You're a former A-grade student, so you should work diligently at times like this.

Formerly graded A?

When I responded to Elma-san's words, Norbu-san, who was beside me, gave me an earful.

''It's customary for the head of a branch of the Adventurer's Guild to be appointed by someone who has been an A-rank adventurer.

Oh, yeah?

'Yeah, I'm awesome. Hahahahaha.

　Good, he seems rather nice.

"Sorry to interrupt your good mood, but a Cursed Viper has been found near town.

'Cursed Viper?　As I recall, that means...

It's a grade A demon that lives in the demon world.

''Yes, yes.......what?!''

　After a pause, the guild leader lets out a cry of surprise.

"Why is a demon from the demon world on earth?　Elma!　Alert all adventurers to urgent needs!

Rest assured that the Cursed Viper is already dead.

'Right!　So let's hurry up and notify the church and the wizards' union................for real?

　Geez, the head of the guild shouts in surprise.

In addition, they have confirmed the existence of a gate that connects to the demon world and the existence of demons.

"What?　There are witches in this time period?　Or in other words, they're actually real?　Well, at any rate, if this is related to the demon world, we need to report this to the government and have them move our troops right away!

They've already beaten the gate and the demons.

"What's all this shit over already?

　Hmmm, you're a very high-strung person.

Elma, don't make too many bad jokes. I'm still the head of the guild, remember?

　Huh?　Did she think I was joking?

Well, it's true. I have the body of the Cursed Viper with me.

　As expected, I don't feel good about Elma-san being considered a liar.
　If I give proof, the guild leader will believe me.

''That's right!　My brother wouldn't tell a lie!

"Cursed Viper corpse ... well, that's okay. Bring it to the demolition yard out back. They're probably mutants of the Big Viper or something.

　Hmm, they don't trust me.

　◆

　We followed the guild leader to the demolition place behind the guild.

"Wow, I didn't know this was a dismantling place!

It's our first time in there.

''Of course. The only people in here are the top-ranked parties that have hunted the big game. Come on, bring your prey to me quickly.

　The guild leader rushed me, so I quickly took out the body of the Cursed Viper from the magic bag.

''Come in.''

'Come in, you, the Cursed Viper is a huge body bigger than home.......what the hell?

　The guild leader is surprised at the Cursed Viper he took out, but I think this guy is a normal size for a Cursed Viper.

"Oh, hey!　Where the hell did you get that thing out of there!

　Oh, that's over there.

It came from the magic bag.

A magic bag.　You lost that thing?　Where did you get that?

　Lost and found?　What's that?　This is just a regular magic bag.

'I brought it in from home as normal?

''What kind of house is this?!

　Everyone in the village has one because it's useful for everyday use.

Hahaha....

　The Guild Chief let out a ragged breath, as if he was tired of shouting.

''........That's what I mean, Guild Chief. You believe it's true, right?

　Kukuku and Elma spoke to the guild leader with a smile that made her bite back a laugh.

'Elma, why didn't you tell me?'

'What?　I've been reporting properly since he defeated the dragon. Isn't it the guild leader who didn't take the report seriously?

Don't tell me this is the new guy who took down that dragon?

　The guild leader looks at me with a horrified face.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them. So, from now on, please do your work diligently.

　The staff around me nodded their heads.

Godd*mn it, you conspired with me, you son of a b*tc*.

　Could it be that these two are not getting along?

So, Guild Master.

'Yeah, I know, I took down the dragon alone and there's a dead demon from the demon world right in front of me. I'll take your word for it. It's Lex, isn't it?　I mean, you're the one who killed the demon, right?　Where are the wreckage of the gate and the bodies of the demons?

　The head of the guild, whose mood has changed dramatically, asks me.
　So this is the ability of an A-ranked adventurer.

''I threw away the gate and the demon's corpse in another space, so there's nothing left.

Seriously?

　The guild leader scratches his head as if in trouble.

''What's bothering you?''

　Maybe it was a bad way to beat him?

'No, if the body is still there, we can report it to the state and alert them, but I'm afraid the big man won't trust us first if we don't have it.

　Ah, the aristocracy is like that, isn't it?
　If there's no physical evidence, they assume that we're trying to fabricate credit or padding the budget to create a sense of crisis.
　I know exactly what I'm talking about because I struggled with that in a past life.

'We've seen it!　As my brother's magic sucked the demon in half with his magic!

'I saw it too. It was pretty magical.

'Demon, that was a more horrible kill than that cursed viper over there. I thought they were going to kill us all.

I testify that it is true in the name of the Church.

　Jairo and the rest of you can testify that my words are true.
　They're all good kids.

"Well, there's a corpse of a demon from the demon world, we should freeze this thing with ice magic and bring it to the military. That way, they'll have a sense of urgency.

I'm sorry, I threw away the evidence.

　It's a bit difficult to collect things you've thrown away in another space.

That's fine. The important thing is that you didn't make any sacrifices. Leave the rest to the adults.

　Oh, you're a grown man!
That's the kind of adventurer you can count on!

I'm sure you understand, but this is a matter for all of you to keep to yourself. If a demon is involved, this is a matter for the state to act on. I don't want to sow the seeds of anxiety around the people by going into the wrong hands.

　As expected of the guild leader, it's an appropriate decision to think about it later.

'Wait a minute!　That's going to mean that you didn't have a chance to make an impact!　That's zuri!

　Jairo-kun protests to the guild leader that he's not satisfied.

'It's okay, Gyro-kun. I'll just think about ordinary people's lives first.

But you know what?

　Jairo-kun doesn't seem to be convinced when I say it's good for him.
　Such a sweet kid.

"Don't worry. The reward for this will be based on the purchase price of this item. I'll be able to upgrade you to a B-ranked adventurer, based on my authority, in recognition of the fact that you have defeated a highly dangerous demon.

　What?　I got a B?

"Oh!　Seriously, it's a B grade, bro!

　For a change, Jairo-kun cheers with excitement.

''I'd really like to give him an A-rank for single-handedly defeating an A-rank-equivalent demon, but if I give a guy who just became an adventurer a high rank too soon, he'll suspect you of having raised his rank through connections and cheating. Let's just say that this time, I'm going to say that you raised your rank through the guild's dangerous appointment request.

'I see, it's the same as when you were promoted to a D grade.

　I don't want to be dragged down by jealousy, you know.

'Yes, that's true. We're seething at that point as well. But it's okay, Lex-san, you'll be promoted to an A-grade in no time.

　Elma-san smiles and encourages me.

''Besides, I want you to get your ass up in the ranks and into the danger zone as quickly as possible.

"'Danger zone'?

　Me, Gyro-kun and Megri-san nodded our heads at the words we had never heard before.

''It's about a realm that low ranked adventurers are not allowed to enter.

　Norbu explains.

''Places that are so dangerous that the state and the Adventurer's Guild forbid the general public and weak adventurers from entering them, that's called the Danger Region. The danger area has ranks and is divided into three areas, B, A and S. Only adventurers of at least the same rank as the dangerous area can enter this area.

I mean, you have to get at least a B to get in.

Does that mean you're giving Lex a B grade because you want him to explore the danger zone?

You got it, girl.

　The head of the guild affirms Megri's point.

''The Dangerous Realm is literally a dangerous place, but the achievements there are certainly an adventurer's achievement. If you traverse the realm, that's a surefire way to rank up.

"Treading the Realm?

　The head of the guild nodded at my question and continued, "I want to see a solution to this problem as soon as possible, because there are places in the danger zone where there is an ongoing and growing danger to humanity in the future.

There are places in the danger zone that need to be resolved quickly, there is an ongoing and growing danger to humanity in the future. For example, we all know about the Corroded Earth, where the entire area is a poisonous swamp, right?

I know.

Yeah, I know.

I hear that the church is also looking for ways to cleanse the corroded earth.

Didn't we have one of those?

It's there!

　Oops, Gyro you're the only one who didn't seem to know that.
　But I didn't know such a dangerous place was built in this day and age.
　It's scary.

They say this swamp is expanding year by year and will eventually swallow up a lot of human settlements. The government is looking for a solution to the problem of those places that no one could do anything about and the only way to fix them is to dispose of them and quarantine them.

　Heh, it's kind of like the story of Kadok, the adventurer who saved a village from being invaded by a demon curse.
　It's inappropriate, but I'm getting excited.

''So good luck and traverse the danger zone. Because when that happens, you'll be officially recognized for your exploits!

''Regardless of the guild leader's irresponsible expectations, all of us in the Adventurer's Guild have high hopes for Lex-san's activities. Unfortunately, this time's activities will be too important, so we can't evaluate them outwardly, but even so, we have evaluated them properly in the guild's internal assessment, and we will reflect these activities in our assessment eventually.

　Elma-san and the guild leader come looking at me expectantly.
　I'm kind of embarrassed.

''I don't know how far I can go, but I'll do my best!

　You're not going to be able to do that.

'Oh!　Seriously, you do it, Aug!

Heh-heh. It's all about skill.

　When we returned to the lobby after finishing our conversation with the guild leader, Aug-san and the adventurers were having a great time.

What's the matter, Aug?

Oh, Lex!　How are you holding up?

'Yes!　We killed another snake demon today!

'Oh, yeah, right!　Come on!

　Mr. Org bumps me on the back like he feels good.

'You look so happy, what's going on?'

'Oh, you heard me right!　Look at this!

　With that, Aug pointed to a boar demon.

''Huh?　Isn't this an Evil Boa?

That's right!　I was working on a demon slaying job, and I ran into it!　That was pretty tough, but I wasn't the enemy before my killing blow!

'Great!　You're very good, Mr. Aug!

Hmmm, well, I'm getting strong myself, being able to take out a B-ranked demon by myself.

You know, that armor you're wearing.

　The adventurers around me teased me about it.

'Ugh!　It's all about luck!

　It's nice to have a relationship where you can laugh at each other while fighting like this.

That's right, a tool is only a tool, and it's Mr. Aug's ability that brought down the demon!

Well, it's nice to hear you say that.

I can see that, because it's a very clean cut.

I know, I know!

　Yeah, I can see that. This stunning little kid's Evil Boa.
　It's so tender on the grill, it's delicious.
　Usually children's eavilboa are guarded by deadly adults, so you rarely come across them.
　I'm proud of you for finding them, Mr. Aug!

It's gonna be another great day of drinking!