I'm home.

Welcome back, bro!

　When I return to the mansion in King's Landing for the first time in a long time, Jairo-kun and the others will greet me.

''Welcome back.''

Welcome back.

Welcome back.

　You all look well.

Listen to me, brother!　We got a C!

Really?　That's great, gyro!

''No, my brother got a B grade as soon as he could........''

　Well, I have a past life and a previous life.

But Liliella said that it takes a lot of time to get to C grade. When you think about it, it's amazing.

"Heh, I don't know.

　Jairo-kun laughs happily and scratches his cheek.

'But more importantly, you have something to tell Lex.

That's right.

　Mina pointed out to me, and Jairo-kun looked flustered.

'What do you mean by telling?'

'That's right, brother!　Yesterday the Adventurer's Guild asked me to give you a message to come over as soon as my brother gets back.

　From the Adventurers' Guild?
　What the hell do you want?
　I wouldn't like it if it was Kuujima-related.
　But if it's something to do with Kuujima, it's okay because Mr. Byrne and the others haven't come back yet.

I understand. I'm going to go to the guild then. Thank you for taking the trouble to tell me.

Don't worry about it. You're living in the same house as me.

You think it's only natural for you to live with us. It's only until you save up enough money to stay at the inn in King's Landing that things get troublesome.

　Huh?　I was thinking about that.
　You didn't have to worry about it.

Besides, I hope you'll take us on your next adventure with you!

All right. Let's all go on an adventure together next time.

　It was good that I promised him that I would, but I hadn't yet realized at that time that I couldn't take Jairo and his friends on my next adventure.

　◆

Are these new ruins?

　I came to the Adventurer's Guild and was taken straight to the reception room at the back of the guild.
　The head of the guild who was waiting for me there asked me to search for a newly discovered ruin.

Recently, ruins have been discovered in a certain dangerous area. I need you to help me explore the ruins.

But why me?　I'm sure there are many excellent adventurers in the guild of the royal capital.

　That's exactly why I think there are professionals exploring the ruins, unlike me, a first-year adventurer.

''The reason for that is because it's a dangerous area.

　Dangerous area, I believe it was a dangerous land that only adventurers of a certain rank were allowed to enter.

The Carbunganu Mine was famous for producing rubies, and it was connected to a natural cave. It was fine, but a bunch of A- and B-ranked demons came out of the cave, and in the blink of an eye, the mine was full of them. It seems that the mine was taken over by demons in the blink of an eye.

Shouldn't you have sealed up the hole that led to the cave?

The thing is, the demon that came out of there was a new species that had never been discovered before.

　Heh, a new kind of monster that came out of the cave.
　I'm very interested in it.

The materials that can be extracted from this monster are also very valuable. Rather than gems that will one day be lost, it was decided that the monster that can secure an unlimited supply of precious materials would be worth more money, so the mine and the cave became an A-rated danger zone, and the connected hole was left untouched.

　Greed got the better of me.

I'm going to go back to the beginning, but the ruins inside the cave are quite dangerous. The party of adventurers who discovered the ruins went to search again and never returned. And the new A-ranked party that came in never came back either.

　Isn't that pretty bad?

The country and guilds have taken a serious look at the situation and have declared the ruins an S-ranked dangerous area, which even an A-ranked party cannot return to, and have temporarily banned exploration within the mine. They have also temporarily banned exploration within the mine.

　Wow, this is getting kind of important.

I mean, the reason you called me is because...

''Yes, I want you to inspect these ruins with the S-ranked adventurers we have assembled.

"S-ranked adventurers 'They'?

　Don't tell me that I'm not the only S-ranked adventurer who will be joining us?

''Yes, it's an unknown ruin that even A-ranked adventurers will be wiped out. We've decided that it's worth exploring even with the full force of the guild.

　Surveying the ruins within a dangerous realm with a group of S-ranked adventurers.
　That's great, I'm getting kind of nervous.
　It reminds me of one of the most popular episodes in Rygaard's story, the heroes' encounter.
　It's a story of a gripping battle in which Reiguard and other S-rank adventurers defeat a fearsome giant monster that cannot be defeated even if multiple nations join hands to fight it.

Of course, it's not just the S-ranked ones. We're also looking for talented A-rank adventurers to serve as both dewormers and camp guards. If you want, you can have your party members join as well.

I see... That's right, so Rieliela-san can participate too.
　But as expected of a C-ranked gyroscope, it's unlikely you guys can join in.

Can you do it?

　Hmmm, as far as I'm concerned, I'm interested, but I'll have to confirm Liliella's intentions.

'Can I talk to my friends first?'

That's fine. I'll need to make some adjustments, so I'd appreciate an answer within three days.

I understand.

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

That's why I've been asked to participate in a joint request to search an S-rated danger zone.

　When I returned home, I explained the situation to Liliella, Jairo and the others.

''How bad a place is an S-ranked danger zone?

''In the B-ranked Forest of Demonic Beasts, the forest itself is a demon, and all the trees have been attacked.

""Scared!"

　Even Jairo-kun, who is always so confident, has this reaction, so Liliera-san must have been a pretty brave B-rank.
　Well, he's been promoted to an A-grade now.

''So, what do you do, Liliera-san?''

Well....

　Liliera ponders for a moment.

''There's no reason to worry about it. Lex's brother is going, you know?　If that's the case, then the request is accomplished, right?

　Jairo-kun says, but Mina stops him from doing so.

'Fool, A-rank is the camp's escort, so he's separate from Lex. They can't help you if anything goes wrong.

　Well, that makes me worry, too.

I've made up my mind.

　Liliella looks at me as she decides whether to accept the request.

''I'll take it, and although I can't participate in the S-ranked party, I'll be responsible for guarding your place of return.''

　Oh, that's a very encouraging statement.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Liliella.

Yeah!

"d*mn it!　We could have gone on an adventure with my brother if we'd been ranked A earlier!

''Be patient. You're right, we're not experienced enough to keep up with S- and A-rated adventures.

　Thus, Liliella and I decided to participate in the request for nomination in the S-ranked prohibited area.

　◆

　A week later, we were outside the royal capital.
　This was because the meeting place for the nomination request from the guild was outside the royal capital.

　We could already see the adventurers at the meeting place.
　Although the number of people are not many, they all have a guarded look in their eyes.
　So this is the A-ranked adventurers who were gathered from the neighborhood?

"Gentlemen, thank you for coming.

　At that moment, a voice that passes by very often echoes through the assembly area.

''I'm Wanda, the auditor sent by the guild. Please take care of me from now on.

　The Adventurer's Guild official, who introduced herself as Wanda, began to explain the request.

''First of all, I would like to thank you all for your courage in coming together for what is a very dangerous request.

　The survey hasn't even started yet, and they thank me.

As you all know, this is the third most dangerous area in our history, an S-rated area.

　Third in history?　That means that there are two more S-rated danger zones.

Although this is an S-ranked danger zone where no one who enters will ever come out alive, you'll have to rest assured that this is an A-ranked danger zone where you'll have to work hard. ........well, if you're not careful, you'll die.

　He said something plainly scary.

'You will be escorting the camp in front of the mine and the second camp we plan to set up in the cave inside the mine.

　Hmmm. We're building two camps.

"We've already set up camp one in the open ground of the mine. We'll set up there first, and then in the morning we'll set up the second camp inside the mine.

　So they're going to expand their area of operations to be safe.

And the S-ranked danger zone in question, this unprecedented danger zone is to be explored by people who can, of course, overcome the danger!

　Wanda holds her right hand up to the heavens.

''Yes, an S-ranked adventurer!　It's Roddy of the Harsh Storm, Saint Foca, Celestial Demon Ramies, Lisou of the Twin Great Fang, and the expected newcomer, Lex, the big game eater!

''Oh!''

　The adventurers who had gathered there let out a cheer.
　Or rather, I think there's a funny pillow word in front of my name....

'Wow!'　It's unheard of for five S-ranked people to participate!

And I'm told that one of them just recently got an S-rank.

New S-rated. Let's see how good you are, man.

　The adventurers are talking with each other excitedly about the participation of S-rank adventurers.
　However, I'm like an S-ranked adventurer by accident, so don't expect too much.

''Quiet!''

　When Wanda-san raised her voice, the voices of the adventurers quieted down.
　The speed of this switch is like an A-rank as expected.

''We have three objectives. First, to set up a second camp inside the natural cave inside the mine. Secondly, we are going to dive into the ruins inside the cave to check on the safety of the A rank adventurers' party. And third, to explore the ruins.

　Mr. Wanda separated his words here for a moment.

'The details will be explained to you when we reach the camp in front of the mine and rejoin the members who have preceded us. Then you will get into the carriage we have prepared for you.

　With Wanda's instructions, the carriage door opens.

'Let's go then,'

Yeah.

Give me a minute.

　I was about to climb into the carriage with Liliella, but Wanda stopped me from doing so.

'Yes, sir?'

"I'm sorry, but are you going to have to take a ride in another carriage, please?

　Me?
What does that mean?

'Mm, I'd like you to ride in the S-rated adventurer's carriage.

　Hmmm, I have a feeling it's going to be troublesome.

　◆

　Since this was a direct request from the guild, I had to part ways with Liliella and ride in the S-ranked adventurer's carriage that the guild had prepared for us.

　At first glance, the carriage that only carries S-rank adventurers looks luxurious, but that's not the case.

You'll be forming a temporary party from now on. But no matter how S-ranked you are, it's difficult for those who have only just met to cooperate with each other. So I hope that in the time it takes to arrive at your destination, we can deepen our friendship among the S ranks.

　I was told.
　But I wonder if we'll get to know each other better in the short time it takes to get to our destination?

Hey, big game.

　Just as I was worried about what to do, Lisou-san from the Two Great Fang spoke to me.

''Um, are you talking about me?

'Yeah, you're the big eater, aren't you?　They say that he defeated S-ranked demons in a row and became the youngest person to enter the S-rank.

　Ah, so that's why you're a big game eater.
　That's kind of an embarrassing two names.
　........I think I understand why Jairo-kun was embarrassed to call himself the Dragon Slayers.

''Oh my gosh, you're amazing!''

　The next person to come into the conversation was Saint Foca.
　This person looked to be in her mid-twenties, but she was a very maternal woman, especially with her breasts full of motherly qualities.

''From what I've heard, she was manipulating magic that I've never seen before, but what if it was Lost Magic?

And now, Heavenly Demon Ramise joins the conversation.
　This person is a very scholarly wizard.
　It is understandable that he is a researcher studying at the Academy of Magic.

I'm sure you've defeated Kraken and Megalohoale this time, right?　Why don't we play another game when we get to the ruins?

　And Roddy from Team Cyclone is as competitive as ever.

　I thought the S-ranked adventurers were all scary people, but they seem to be surprisingly friendly.
　They are very friendly people.
　Are they concerned about me, who is younger than them?
　They wanted to hear what kind of demons I fought and how I got through it.

　Maybe they are curious about the demons that they have never fought before.

I see, such a way of fighting.

Body strengthening magic? There's a useful magic nowadays.

　No, it's just ordinary magic.
　Apparently, Foca hadn't had much opportunity to come into contact with ordinary magic, and she seemed to be interested in hearing about very ordinary magic.

　That's when it happened.
It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family.

Nuh-uh.

Totally.

　As expected of a warrior, Lissou and Roddy were quick to get their balance and hold on.
　But Foca-san and Rameez-san can't stop and come over me.

''Oh, I'm sorry!

　Foka-san's chest covered my face, and even more so as Rameez came bumping into me from behind, my face was buried in Foka-san's chest.
　I mean, it's painful!　I can't breathe for real!

"Hahaha, that's a great bite!　You just ate a foca's chest right away!

If anything, I think it's the opposite of what it means to eat.

　Hey, guys, stop laughing and help!

Mooch!

What's more important than that?

　Mr. Risou wondered about the sudden sudden stop and opened the small window in front of the carriage and called out to Miss Gosha.

'Ah, Mr. Risou!　Oh, my God!　There's a swarm of demons approaching from ahead.

'A bunch of demons?

　Mr. Roddy hears this and immediately opens the carriage door and walks out.

''Hmm, how much of a catch is that?''

　Lisou-san left next, so I followed him.
　And when I looked ahead, I saw the appearance of the demons approaching from the other side of the street.

It's a high troll, it's an A-ranked demon, but it's low intelligence places it at a lower level than other demons of the same rank. But because of its high regeneration ability, even an A-ranked party is in danger of being annihilated if attacked in numbers.

　Rameez-san, who came from behind me, explains the demons to me.

''Hmm, the demons we encounter on the streets are A-ranked jobs, but with that many, do we struggle a bit?''

In this request, we S-ranked adventurers will leave the fighting on the road to A-ranked adventurers so that we can focus on exploring the ruins.
But after all, we're dealing with high trolls.
　Since there are so many A-ranked adventurers here, we don't need to worry about them.

''Alright, let's intercept them!

　The A-ranked adventurers immediately got out of the carriage and waited for the high trolls to get ready to intercept them.
　That's a swift response as expected.

''Gentlemen, I want you to wait!''

　It was Wanda, the guild's employee, who said.
　The A-ranked adventurers also looked at him, wondering what the hell was going on.

''Normally, it is the job of the A-ranked adventurers to fight the demons they encounter on the street, but for once, I'll have a certain S-ranked adventurer fight them,''

　S-rated?　What the hell happened?

Mr. Lex, would you mind fighting for me?

It's me?

　Didn't expect you to call me?

Is that Lex the big game changer?　Isn't he just a kid?

No, he's in the guild, he's an adult.

''Even so, he's young. Are you really an S-ranked Lex?

　When the adventurers found out that I was an S-ranked Lex, they voiced their doubts about my youth.
　It's true that I myself wonder if it was some kind of mistake that made me an S-ranked person.

''As you can see, your youthfulness can cause doubts in the people you fight with. So I want you to fight alone to show everyone what you are capable of.

　Especially to the S-ranked people, Wanda added.
　As I understand it, she wants to show that I have the ability to be an S-ranked player, so that the S-ranked people can trust me that I won't drag them down.

''I understand. I'll take care of it.

Isn't it a lot of work being done by yourself?

　Foka-san complained to Wanda worriedly.

'No, no, they're only high trolls; an S-rank wouldn't even struggle.

I wouldn't burn it down from this distance.

　Lisou-san and Rameez-san are in an atmosphere where it's natural to be able to beat them.

"Ha-ha-ha, it's all right. It's not a problem for this boy's strength, as long as he's a high troll. In fact, can't we have a competition to see who can hunt more?

　Does Mr. Roddy want to reassure you or compete with you?
　I'm sure it's both.

　Oh well. There are a bunch of high trolls approaching, and I need to intercept them.
　I step forward and draw my sword.

"You fight with a sword?

But isn't that thin sword too thin to fight a High Troll?

A sword of normal size won't do much good against a highly regenerative high troll.

　The A-ranked adventurers seem to be curious about what kind of fight I'm going to do.
　But I'm sorry, I think it's going to be a rather low-key fight.
　Because my opponent is a high troll whose only selling point is his regeneration ability.

　I draw the group of high trolls close enough and pour magic power into my sword and unleash my magic while swinging it sideways.

''Melting Wave!''

　Blue flames dwell on the surface of the sword, and ripples of flame spread out in a fan shape as I trace the trajectory of the sword I swing.
If one were to look at this scene from above, they would see the ripples spreading around the object that had fallen to the surface.

The ripples continued to pass through the crowd of high trolls, and when they were about 50 meters behind them, the ripples disappeared.
And after the magic disappeared, the upper half of my body was severed and only the lower half of my body was running towards me.
However, after that lower body also ran for a while, it collapsed to the ground as if it had realized that the upper body was gone.

　The high trolls showed no signs of regeneration, and although their vitality kept them twitching for a while, they began to move less and less, and finally stopped moving.

　I witnessed it all and told Wanda.

It's over.

Huh?

　Wanda and the others look at me with a scowl.

''So, the defeat of the high troll herd is complete.

...done?　A bunch of A-list demons?　Already?

　Yeah, and the high trolls are long dead.

"...and...

....

　For some reason, the people around me are silent.
　Huh?　Did I miss something?

"Holy shit!　What the hell?

A single blow to a high troll?　And with a sword?

No!　That's magic!

But what kind of magic is this?

Look!　Cut off the face of a downed High Troll!　There's a scorch mark on it!　That's what sealed the high troll's regenerative powers!

"What?　I'm telling you the truth!　Not a drop of blood spilled. You burned the cutting surface in an instant....

It's a hell of a spell.

　Suddenly, the adventurers started screaming, and they all crowded around the high troll's corpse, contemplating how I defeated it.

　That's right, Melting Wave is a magic that sends a slash of fire flying and cuts through a wide area of enemies.
　Moreover, the slash emits high heat, so it instantly burns the wound.
　It is a magic developed to counteract demons with regenerative abilities, so most of the demons with high regenerative abilities can be dealt with by this magic.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. That's brilliant.

　And then Lisow and the others come in.

'Yes, big deal,'

But more importantly, the magic that you're using now, could it be Ro?

No!　That's some real talent!　Aren't you getting stronger than ever!　Yeah, I still wanted to compete!

　It looked like Mr. Ramies was about to say something, but Roddy's words were drowned out by the overlay.

'How did you do, Wanda?　Has this demonstrated your competence?

　I tried to show that I could take out enemies quickly and consistently without being too flashy, but I think it was a bit subdued.

"...oh, yeah. Enough, now people will recognize you for what you can do.

　Good. Now it looks like we'll be able to work together in the future.