We found the impostor who was responsible for the destruction of Liliella's village, and we continued to walk with them, hiding ourselves with magic, until we finally reached the target of the scam, the village chief's village.

''Alright, we'll just have to wait a little while before we do what we normally do.

Oh.

"Heh-heh.

　The trio are discussing their future plans from the shadows.
　During the trip, I had heard hints that they were going to commit a fraud in the village of the village chief, so I had no doubt that they were the culprits who had tricked everyone in Riela's village.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it right.

　Nevertheless, I've managed to restrain myself since I've convinced them many times that if I wanted to catch them, I'd have to hold the scene.

''I understand, so please, stop hugging me every time I restrain you.

'No, because at this distance, I was going to have to go winging it or something, or I was going to come into contact with them...'

　Yeah, it's close enough. If we make contact, the magic will wear off.

Oh, it's moving.

　As the sky was beginning to darken, a group of three men pretended to be wandering travelers and entered the village.

　Then, as we discussed before, they tell us that it is getting dark and they want to rent an inn in the village.
　And when they are told that there is no lodging, they pay a small amount of money to the village chief and succeed in staying at his house.

　Then, at the dinner table, they pretend to listen to the village chiefs' concerns and announce that they are A-rated adventurers.

''Ho, are you really going to accept the request?

Yeah, it's another fate. Normally this is forbidden, but I'll accept the request without telling the guild and at a discount!

'Oh, oh!　You are our lifesavers!　We won't be able to offer you much, but we will provide you with the best possible hospitality!

　With that, the leader of the trio stopped the village chief who tried to get his wife to serve him more of her secret sake and food.

No, you don't have to do it. You have a hard life too, don't you?

　At first glance, the statement seems to be a statement of concern for the village chief.

''That's a lie, simply because if you're drunk, you'll be in trouble when you run away.

　Liliera-san, who was literally watching right under my nose, explains the true meaning of the trio.
　However, it's only me and Mohammed who are listening.

　While the village chief was impressed by their concern, the leader of the trio got down to business.

But you'll have to pay us in advance. The guild doesn't know, and we're going to be asked to do it for cheap. If we don't get our reward at least, we won't be able to fight.

Yeah?　You want payment in advance?

　Suddenly the chief is confused when he is asked to pay in advance.

It's okay if you don't like it. "If you don't like it, that's fine, we don't need to take the request.

That's not...

You guys are out of line!

The leader admonished his companions for their rude comments.

I'm sure you'll be offended by this, but if you get a request directly from a small village like this without going through the guild, it's not uncommon for the client to complain about the job after it's done and not pay you. And since it's not through the guild, I can't even ask the guild for help. There have been times when I've ended up working for nothing and crying myself to sleep.

　The leader of the village explains to the chief that it's hard for them too, but it's inevitable.

That's why the advance payment of the reward is a request to show your determination to protect your village.

You're prepared to...

That's what I'm saying. If you don't like it, you can leave this village and move to another village with fewer demons.

Oh no, I'm not moving!

But you can protect everyone in the village with that.

　The trio pointed out to the village headman a way out.
　If you don't like it, you can run away, and if you refuse, you can say no.
　But this is an illusory option that does not seem to exist.

Let us discuss this with the village people.

　With that, the chief excused himself.

''It's the same as in my village. The chiefs also said that this is how they were tricked.

　Liliera-san is glaring at the trio as if she's about to attack them.
　But Liliera-san is desperately holding back.
　But Liliera is desperately trying to hold back, to make sure that she catches the scene of their crime.　
And after a while the village chief comes back.

"I understand. I'll pay you in advance.

　In the end, the village chiefs made a choice they should never have made.

'It's settled,'

Please, please, please protect the village.

Yeah, I'm on it. I'll give you what you pay me to do.

I'd like to thank you for your support.

　The three of us immediately started watching the fields in the village that evening.

I don't know if it's proper for me to say this, but why do I have to go along with such a shady story?

Well, it seems that people who are cornered have an extremely narrow view of things.

　Sure, an unnaturally convenient A-rank adventurer shows up, who also conveniently accepts the job with good intentions, but only asks for the reward up front.
　Well, it's very suspicious.

''But we've been driven to the point where we'd fall for such a story. We and these people...

　Lilliera-san's face was contorted with embarrassment and anger when they were shown their past selves.

　◆

Shouldn't we help you with that?

　The village chief questions the three men who came to the field at night.

You can stay if you want, but we can't protect you from high-ranking demons that come out. We have been given the task of exterminating the demons that attack the field. The request does not include defending people who are in danger from being rammed into the field.

'We're a liability to begin with. We're A-list adventurers. It's a lot harder to fight with amateurs.

There you go. If you don't want us to fail, you need to stay home and keep your ass in the game. I mean, what's the point of hiring us if we can fight for ourselves?

　I'm not going to be slowed down by being told that much, so the village chief and the rest of the village residents are going home.
　When there was no one left, one of the three men murmured to themselves.

We're here to help. You were just going to make sure we didn't escape, weren't you?

You know, we were forced to get you guys a discount for your trouble, and now we have to do it for you.

　The men's faces were smirking while their mouths blurted out that.

　◆

　Then, when it was well past midnight, they started to move.
　First they walked around the village one by one, calling themselves "patrols".
　Then, after a few more rounds, they all gathered in the field.

All are asleep. The one who was watching us is also dozing off. Now's the time to run.

　The trio nodded and left the village, throwing off their guard in the field.
　Then they made a big detour around the village and came to the road they came from.

''Well, let's go home then, shall we?''

Yeah, there's no sign of the monster.

I've done what I'm being paid to do.

　It seems that they are still planning to escape while the villagers are asleep.
　It seems that the patrols also pretended to be doing their job in order to catch the villagers off guard and make sure they were asleep or not.

'I knew they were the worst imposters.

　With them ignoring the field guards and coming out of the village, Liliera-san can't take it anymore and slams the spear's stone thrust into the ground with a don.
　That's right, if you've come this far, there's no need to make them put up with it anymore.

　But it was that time.
　A shadow appeared behind the trio.

"But where are you going?

　That was the village chief.
　It seems that the chief was also hiding and watching the three of you.

Don't tell me you're going to just throw the request out and run away?

　The trio looked bothered by the village chief's questioning as his face paled.

''Hey, what's the matter with you all sleeping? You're not doing a good job!

It's not my fault, you know. That guy was just pretending to be asleep.

I don't want to hear any excuses. I'm just going to take care of it.

"Shall we get rid of it?

　The three men draw their swords, and the village chief is scared out of his wits.

"Hey, I'm sorry to tell you, but I'm going to have to kill you.

I'll say you were attacked by a demon.

If you hadn't slept, you wouldn't have had to pay for it. Now that you're here, you can curse your own presumptuousness.

　The trio attacked the village chief with a cruel smile.

''Lilliera-san, mofo!

Yeah!

Kyu!

　I let go of my hand that was holding Liliella.
　At the same time, Fluffy also jumps off my head and runs off.

''Hah!''

"Ze!

Coo!

　We stop the three men from attacking the chief.

What the hell are you doing?

　They shout in surprise at our sudden appearance.

"We're the good guys!

What?

　When we stopped the attack, the three of us stepped back in a hurry.

''What the hell is going on?

　The village chief is confused by the dizzying developments, wondering what's going on.

''These three are con artists posing as A-rank adventurers!　We've been spying on these guys from the shadows the whole time we've been trying to catch them!

What?　Scam!?

　The village chief has a puzzled look on his face when it is explained that the three of them are not even adventurers, but con artists.

"They know who we are, what the hell do you know about us?

　It seems that the trio didn't think that their identity had been exposed, and they seem to be surprised.

If you don't know, we'll tell you!　I'm ... a survivor of a village that was tricked into perishing by you guys!

　Liliera-san shouts with a look of anger.
　Her eyes filled with anger must want to tear them apart at any moment.

''Survivor?

"Ho, ruin?

　The trio and the village chief are surprised at the same time.

　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect.

''Everyone in my hometown and village who was swallowed by the Forest of Demonic Beasts because of you guys, and your father's revenge!

　Liliera-san ran towards the trio.

''Kyu!''

"Oh, wait!

　I grab the Fluffy Fluffy, who jumped out at me as if to say I was going to be there too, and stop her.

Cuh!

　Why do you want to stop me," the mohumoff shouts in protest.

It's not just a matter of time before you're ready. You can't interfere with it.

...cu...

　Fluffy understood what I was trying to say and became meek.
　Yes, this is Liliella's fight, not something we can shove out the side.

''Oh, um, are you sure you want to let her fight alone?

　The village chief, who had been stunned by a series of surprises earlier, seems to have come to his senses and asks me if I don't need to cover him.

'Yes, it's fine. It's not a problem, she's trained hard for it. So I will never lose to those people.

　That's right, Liliera-san has been desperately training until today.
　To be specific, she has compressed the training that a normal person would spend years to train into a few weeks.
　I really admire her enthusiasm.

　The current Liliera is several times stronger than the Liliera she was when I first met her, or even ten times stronger.
　Even if it's 3 to 1, there's no way she'd lose to those guys.

''The Forest of Demonic Beasts.......I see, you're that village's.......''

'I'm flattered that you remember me!　I can make you guys regret what happened then!

Idiots!　You can't beat us with a woman's thin arm!　We're still ex-mercs, we are!

　The trio swung their swords at Liliera-san.

''Hah!''

　Liliera-san didn't get confused by the three people who attacked her at the same time, but squirmed into the bosom of the man on the far right.

''Wha!　Fast!

''Cease!''

　Before he could finish his last statement, he used two spear thrusts to pierce the thighs of both legs and then took off outside.

''Geez!''

　I crush one of the legs first, making it impossible for him to escape.
　It's a good decision to shave the enemy's strength while making it difficult for them to escape.

　I'm sure that Liliera-san is planning to capture them alive when she didn't kill them with a single thrust.
　Or does she think it's lukewarm to kill them so easily?

What was that speed?

d*mn it!　I never heard of such a monster woman!

Who the hell is this bogeyman?

　Mr. Liliera turns to the men angrily.

''Tch, let's get away!''

　This was a surprise, and the remaining two easily abandoned their friends and ran away.

''Well, wait, don't abandon us!

　It's pathetic for the bad guys to be in this situation.

You're not going to get away with this!

　And that's when it happened.

'Goooooooooooooooo!

'Gaaaaaaaah!

"Shhhhhh!

　A huge swarm of demons appeared from the darkness and blocked their escape route.

ooohhhh?

Why are these huge demons so close to the village?

　It's true that it's surprising to see such a large demon appearing so close to a human settlement.
　I'm sure these are the demons that will target the fields.

　I'm not going to be able to tell the difference.
　I leap towards the demons.

Lights!

　And then I activate a large light magic behind me.

""Gischaaaa?"

　The demons were dazzled by a large light that suddenly appeared.

''Say!''

　I first kicked the first one as hard as I could, and then the blown-up demon hit my companions behind me, stopping my momentum.

"Kyuuh!　

　Then a mofo popped out of my shoulder and slashed the second demon's throat flute.
　Wow, it's pretty sharp. I'll have to cut its claws next time so it doesn't accidentally injure someone.

　I left the second one to Fluffy and I used my sword to sever the neck of the third one that had fallen due to collateral damage.

''This one is done. Leave the rest to Liliera-san........''

　I looked behind me and saw two of the trio standing there dumbfounded, looking at me.

''Huh?　What's going on here, folks?

''Also, there were more monsters!

　Excuse me.

Well, who are you to kick down a demon with your bare hands?

　I'm just a regular adventurer.

He's a real "A" rated adventurer.

What?

　The leader of the trio turned at the voice called from behind and a spear was thrust into his leg.
　Quietly, without a sound.

''........Eh?''

　After a moment, the leader notices the spear stuck in his leg.

　Wha, what the hell is this?!

''May!''

　Liliera-san kicks the leader away with a brilliant sobat.

''Gboaah!''

　Then she pulls the spear out of the fallen leader and looks at the remaining one.

''Hee, hee!''

　The remaining one seemed to have lost his back and was trying to crawl away.

'Did you think I was going to let him go?'

　Liliera-san, who caught up with him from behind, thrust a spear into the man's leg.

''Ugyaaaah!''

　The man thrashes around in pain.

''Do you think this is going to end the anger of everyone back home?''

　Liliera-san's anger is tremendous, and her murderous spirit is cutting through to my skin, which is not the direct target of her anger.
　At that time, a white shadow landed in front of the man.

'Wha, what?　........Hee!

　It was an adorable mofo figure.
　However, he had finished eating and his mouth was red, though.

''Hmph.''

　After encountering a nice gaping hole in the middle of the night, a bloody, mopey, fancy creature, the man passed out, succumbing to fear that outweighed the pain.

''Huh, that's enough.''

　Liliera-san dropped her shoulders wide as she was distracted by the mofo's intrusion.
　Her appearance was an indescribable smile that seemed to clear her mind and make her sad.

''Well I thought you'd have a little more crunch to you then, but you're even more gutless than I expected.''

　Liliera-san looks like she's out of practice, but that's just not possible.
　Because those three, their movements are just a hair's breadth from amateurs.
　Anyway, even if they said they were mercenaries, they probably ran away from the real war when they found out about it.
　So I guess that's why they gave themselves over to the con man.

''Liliera-san, those three are imposter adventurers and con artists. There's no way they're going to be the real B-ranked adventurer, Liliera-san.

　I explain to Liliera-san while lashing out at the three of them.

''........that's true too.

　Liliera's face looked a little proud as she muttered that.

　In the meantime, the lights came on in the village and it started to get noisy.
　Apparently, this commotion was even heard in the village.