The King

Is it true that...?

I watched the scene in front of me in disbelief.
The reason for this is because it was his daughter and his vassals that he had sent off in desperation.

''Yes, when we arrived, the land of corrosion had disappeared.

　His daughter, Megrielna, nodded to her daughter's words and the vassals who accompanied her.
　They are loyal vassals who have served me for many years.
　It is not the kind of people who would lie to you.

But how did such a miracle happen?

　It was nothing short of a miracle, wasn't it?
　It is hard to believe that such a convenient event could ever happen.

"The local villagers say it was the goddess who brought it about.

Goddess?

'Yes, it is said that when the goddess prayed, light enveloped the surroundings, and the next moment the corroded earth returned to its original state.

　I can't believe you're a goddess?　I do not deny the gods, but at least the gods were sent to earth in the age of mythology.
　After the gods had finished their long war with the evil gods, they moved their dwelling to the heavens.
　After that, we have no record of the gods appearing on earth.

　But if Megrieluna's story is true, then it can only be the work of the gods.

In fact, we, too, saw a light like the sun shining out of the depths of the Corroded Earth. And when we arrived at the place deep in the Corroded Earth where the Temple of the Seal was supposed to be, we found that the entire mountain where it was supposed to be had collapsed.

Collapse?　What happened to the seal?

　If this seal collapses, the ancient beast that was sealed away will awaken!
　If that happens, the world will be ruined!

I'll talk about it.

　A young priest sent from the temple comes forward to replace Megrielna.
　As I recall, this young man is the grandson of the chief priest.
　He looks so calm that it is hard to believe that he is one of the old demon's relatives.

"The seal has been destroyed by an unknown person.

What?

　Destruction?　That vermin-infested land is cursed with a seal?

So is the beast still free?

'No, the seal has been destroyed, but as Princess Megrielna said, the land that was the land of corruption has returned to its original state, and there is no sign of the resurrection of the evil entity that spewed the deadly poison of demons.

''How........?

　

''Your Majesty, as for the Corroded Earth, it's time for a fresh investigation.

Hmmm. Because of the content, I suppose we need to consult with the other countries that were adjacent to the Corrosive Land.

　Russell interrupted me at the right time.
　We've known each other for many years around here, haven't we?
　Which reminds me of something important.

I don't know. I've been so surprised that I've forgotten to tell you something important.

"Your Majesty?

　Yu stood up and went to Megrielna's bottom.
　I just hugged the bewildered Megrielna gently.

It's good to see you back alive. And I'm more than happy to oblige.

Hey...

　I don't know if I've caused you any problems.
　But for once in my life, it's all right.
　For now, as a father, not a king, I want to be happy for my daughter's safety.

Oh, thank you ... thank you.

　And in my arms Megrieluna spins small, shy words.

　I don't know what in the world happened to bring this about, I don't know anything about it.
　Even if it is for the benefit of our country, we can't simply rejoice when we don't know the true intentions of the other party.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with the results of the unidentified goddess, and I can't help but think that we should be grateful for the results.

◆.

　One day, a while after we opened up the Land of Corrosion, we came to the Adventurer's Guild.
　We came to the Adventurer's Guild after receiving a call from the guild leader.

'Ah, we've been waiting for you, Lex-san!

　When we enter the guild, the receptionist comes right over.

'What is it?　Did you do something else, big bite?

Oh, man, what have you done now?

　The adventurers who were watching the scene shouted out as if they were chilling us.

It's not really a big deal! We don't know what they're talking about because we were called in suddenly.

Come on, you don't need to worry about that. Come to the back.

　The receptionist pushes me back and takes me to the back of the guild.

''I mean, are you sure you want us to follow you?

　'What do you mean?' asks Gyro-kun uncomfortably to the receptionist.

''Yes, this time it's about all of you.

All of us?

　Liliella and the others nodded their heads, wondering what they were talking about.

'Guild leader, we have brought Lex-san and the others with us.

Oh, come in!

　The receptionist opens the door when she hears the guild leader's permission from behind the door.

'Come in, ladies and gentlemen,'

Excuse me.

　When we entered the room, the head of the guild who was reading the papers looked up.

It's a long time since I've seen you. Well, sit down.

　The guild leader urged me to sit down on the sofa, but it's a small place.
　Even if Megri-san and Norbu-san weren't there, it's still tight for the four of us to sit on the sofa.
　It's a good thing Aydra-sama didn't sneak in a golem today.

'Looks like we're one person short.

　The usual members are supposed to be the two missing, so I wonder if the guild leader is referring to Lady Idra.

He wasn't originally one of us, but a soloist.

Yeah, well, that's all right then. You're the one I wanted to talk to the most, big-time eater.

Me?

'Yeah, actually, one of the banned areas, the Corrosive Earth, disappeared a while ago. Do you know anything about it?

　The head of the guild asks me questions as if he were investigating.
　I'm not sure if this is about the Corrosive Earth, but there is no evidence that we were involved in the Corrosive Earth.
　But there's no evidence that we were involved in the matter of the Corrosive Earth.

　So we can just keep it quiet.
　If we were to do something too flashy, it wouldn't be good for us to stand out.
　I want to keep a low profile.

No, I don't know.

　But the guild leader frowns dubiously.

''Ho, is that so?　I've got word that you guys were seen flying through the air, heading in the direction of the corroded earth.

'We just happen to be going in the same direction, don't we?　We were just killing demons in the neighborhood, you know?

''Well, it just so happens that the adventurer's guild in the town closest to the nearby Corrosive Earth happened to be the nearest town to the Corrosive Earth, and they took down a large number of dangerous poisonous demons that live in the Corrosive Earth and brought them to the guild.

....

".........

The room was filled with silence at the words of the guild leader.

'Hmmm, that's an awesome coincidence.'

''Hahaha, well there's no way that's a coincidence!　If it's just one or two of them, there's no way you'd be fooled by dozens of them being brought into the guild!

　Oops, that's not good.
　It's too much trouble to dismantle it, so I brought it to the guild, and now it's our fault.

The information came in just as I was about to investigate the matter of the Corrosive Earth under orders from the higher-ups. It wasn't a surprise to me at the level of surprise, you.

"Hahahahaha!

　Okay, we can laugh about it.

Well, that's okay. I didn't call you down here to scold you. I just wanted to know if you guys were involved.

'No, we were just taking down a demon,'

That's what you want me to do?

　When he said that, the guild leader let out a deliberately loud sigh.

''Alright, alright. We'll just pretend this story was done by some S-rank, and we'll keep who did it a secret.

　Oh, as expected of a guild leader, he knows what he's talking about.

"d*mn, that's why the S-ranked ones. You must have solved the problem in a way that you couldn't tell anyone else, right?

Now, what are you talking about?

　From the way the guild leader talks, it seems like all the other S-ranked people have a lot of secrets too.

''Hey Guild Chief, do S-ranked people have so much to keep secret?''

　Jairo-kun asked the guild leader if he was curious about what the guild leader had said.

Hmm?　Yeah, they're S-ranked, by the way. Of course, they have a number of trump cards that they can't share with others. Like the location of undiscovered ancient ruins where magic items are buried that only we know about.

Oh!

Other things, like the secret lost magic passed down from our ancestors and how to make potions.

Oh, wow.

　Jairo and Mina look interested in the words of the guild leader.　

"For adventurers, outstanding skills and information are a source of food. Of course, even with guilds, there is information they don't want you to know.

".........

　And that's where everyone looks at me.

"[I]t's true.

'What?　Why are you looking at me like that?　I'm just an ordinary adventurer, unlike Mr. Roddy and the others, okay?

　As expected of real S-ranked adventurers, it's rude to lump me, who was lucky enough to be S-ranked, with them.

''Oh yeah, those who are able to move up are usually unaware of their own peculiarities.

Convincing.

"So how does that make sense to you?

I mean, the guild leader's out of the loop, too!

Anyway, that's all the more reason for the guild to make sure it's okay. As long as we know that someone solved the problem.

That's pretty sloppy.

The country is relying on the power of the S-ranked ones, though they don't admit it openly. The country won't interfere any more than it would if it were to ignore the S-rank by meddling in its own affairs.

　That's right, I've heard that story even in my time.
　It's because when they couldn't use the country's official military force, such as the knights, they asked for help from an outsider with adventurer-like powers.

But then you won't get the reward for releasing the Corrosive Land.

'What?　Is that right?　I mean, was there ever a reward?

　Oh, that's a new one for me too. I didn't know there was such a thing as a reward.

''Yeah, the problem of the Corroded Earth is not only a problem in this country, it's a problem that has been bothering several countries. The land we develop is becoming uninhabitable because of the poison. That makes you want to pay to solve the problem.

Well, that would suggest that the reward is very, very generous.

　And Mina looks at me.

''That's right. If we collect all the rewards from all the countries, we'll have a solid 10,000 gold coins.

Ten thousand gold pieces?

Liliella and the others roll their eyes after hearing the guild leader's statement.



'Yeah, I thought so too. I feel like I could make some money if I worked hard enough.

Being around Lex makes you lose your financial sense of reward, doesn't it?

Yeah. If we take out dragons at random, we can usually get a thousand gold coins or something.

No, you guys are just plain weird.

　Hearing everyone's conversation, the guild leader sounds dumbfounded.

''Well, that's fine. Bigger eater, you're okay with that, aren't you?　You could even become a nobleman of the country of your choice if you come forward, you know?

'Oh, that's nice to hear. I like to live a sober and peaceful life.

I see.

　When the guild leader heard my answer, he just shut up and said that was the end of the conversation.
　It's the last thing I want to be, a nobleman.

Then we'll leave you with that.

Oh.

　After finishing our conversation, we decide to leave the guild.

I'm not sure what we should do now. I'm going to have to increase the number of friends I have in order to receive a request since Norbu and the others aren't around.

Well, it's not safe to be without a bandit and a monk, indeed.

If you could do everything on your own, like your brother, there's a different story.

'No, it's not. Even if you can do a lot of things on your own, your friends are important. There's only so much you can do at one time by yourself.

　Yes, even if one person could do the sword, magic and recovery magic, it's impossible for one person to do everything at the same time.
　That's what I realized in the fight against Venom Beat.
　It's because Liliella-san stopped the demon's attack at that time that I was able to make it to the warding in time.

''Liliela-san, you really saved me this time. Thank you so much.

'What?　What, all of a sudden?　Well, I don't feel bad about it.

What, Miss Liliera, what's going on?

Yeah, Liliera saved me from a dangerous situation.

Well, that's just great, Miss Rilyella!

Well, it's not much to ask.

But it's not like Lex is going to thank you for that, is it?　I'm curious. It sounds like there was something else going on that time other than slaying a demon?

'Yeah, yeah, I'm curious too.'

Yeah. I'm curious too.

You see, Megri and Norbu are both concerned.

So I don't think it's a big... what's the big...

　We turned around at the sound of voices.
　Then, Megri and Norbu were there.

""Megri!" Three and Mr. Norbu?

Oh, I'll get to that later.

　Norbu looked sad, but I don't think it's an afterthought!

You got a good job?

''Yeah, I'm fine now over there. Idra-sama's bodyguards are no longer needed except in an emergency, thanks to the shadow warrior golem Lex made for me.

That's good to hear.

'Thanks to that, I had a lot of trouble with His Majesty and your mother asking me where I got that thing from, but...'

　When I said that, Meguri-san looked very tired.
　The golem Megri-san is referring to the other golem she made after she returned from the Corrosive Earth.

''I mean, if I tell you about the golem, wouldn't you become a shadow warrior?

'Master Aydra told His Majesty and your mother. She said I no longer have to be a dangerous shadow soldier because of this. Well, in fact, I'll need a place to hide it when I'm not using it. With that in mind, I had to tell His Majesty and my mother, my boss as a shadow warrior, about it.

　Oh, sure. When I thought about it, I didn't think about where to put it away.
　Maybe I should have given them a set of magic bags.

'But I really didn't want you to say that you bought it from my handlers. I appreciate that you didn't honestly tell me you bought it from Lex.

　Oh, you made sure to keep me in the dark, didn't you?

What did you say to him to convince him?

"He explained that he bought some magic items that an adventurer had excavated from the ruins. It's not a weapon or armor, so he couldn't immediately turn it into money, so he negotiated and bought it cheap. In fact, it's true that if a nobleman saw it, he would think it could be used as an assassination measure.

It's true that many of the magic items that are excavated at the ruins have no idea what to do with them, so they are often bought cheaply. But how did you explain the fact that you look exactly like Miss Aydra?

I told him that when Master Idra touched him, he looked exactly like him, and he managed to convince me.

　Megri-san, you must have done your best to convince him.

'By the way, even if you say you're going to hide it, where are you going to hide such a huge golem?　Is it in the wardrobe?

'If I put it away like that, the maids who came in to change clothes will faint.

　Megri-san lets out a small sigh at Gyro-kun's question, and answers about the golem's hiding place.
　I mean, is it okay for us to ask?

''Idra-sama's room and my room as a shadow warrior are adjacent to each other, so it was decided to hide them in my room. Even the maids are not allowed to enter there.

　I see, you're storing the Shadow Warrior Golem in the Shadow Warrior's room.
　In a way, it might be the right hiding place.

''Speaking of which, are you done with your business with Norbu?

'Yes, I'm done too. I may be called to church for a while yet, but soon you'll be able to join in on your adventures as usual.

"Oh, well, then we can have another adventure together!

　Jairo regained his strength after learning that Megri-san and Norbu-san would be able to venture together again.

It's a good thing that you're not a member of this group, or else a lot of things would be difficult. Ordinary adventurers can't fly with magic.

You're right!　It doesn't feel right without these four guys!

Oh, my God, are you sure?　If it was just the two of us, we could have been included in Lex's party, you know?

What?

　And at Mina's words, Gyro-kun stopped moving.

''Ah!　Seriously!　Sheesh!

That's terrible, Mr. Gyro!

　Jairo is seriously disappointed, but Norbu reproaches him bitterly.

'Hey, I was just kidding, Norbu.

Are you sure?

'Really, really!　It's true!

Pfft.

　Mr. Megri, who was listening to their conversation, chuckles with amusement.

Mr. Megri?

'Yeah, I knew these four were good. Really.....

...Yes.

　Norbu-san, who had been crowding Gyro-kun, nodded in agreement with Megri-san's words.

'So, good to see you again guys. And Lex and the others.

Oh, oh!　Nice to meet you!

Yeah, it's nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

I don't know. I don't know. You have my back.

It's nice to meet you too.

Squeaky?

　And that's how Gyro and the other Dragon Slayers were reunited.

''Alright, let's make a new equipment for Gyro-kun's party to celebrate their reunion, using the materials from Venom Beat!

""You'll have to do it outside of King's Landing!"

　I was going to make new equipment for everyone to celebrate, but for some reason Gyro-kun and the others refused to do so at all costs.
　Everyone is so modest.