The fighting dwarves dispersed to where they were being attacked by the ant monster.
　There were no non-combat dwarves here, and only King Rockwell's entourage remained.

Keti, Kefin," he said, "as soon as you are in danger, pull yourselves together. We'll discuss our plans from there.
I look away from the dwarves as they scatter and I start giving them instructions.
''Ha.''
　I'll hand them both the lights, just in case.

"You slaves must follow my instructions, or you will end up going into the anthill alone. "You slaves must follow my instructions, or you will be sent to the ants' nest alone.
Hey, man, why don't we get a weapon?
You can't do that with your bare hands.
　Two men, from among the slaves, spoke up.

'What's your name?'
"Mapolo.
My name is Jablon.
　I checked the contents of their declaration, and other than having magical aptitude, there was not a single word about weapons or anything else.

'If your main focus is magic to begin with, you don't need a weapon, right? And these two are more capable than you think. You'll be back on your feet as long as you don't think anything stupid," I told them.

I told them, "We'll get out of here.
Don't give Lady Luciel any trouble.
　Ketty and Kefin said and walked off, and the slaves slithered off too.

'Remember, your future depends on those two reporting in,'
　As he told them this, everyone suddenly became very active and went past where Lionel and the others were fighting.

'Lionel, King Rockwell will have to stand by, please.
　As I said this, they stared at the cave where Ketty and the others had disappeared, burying the enemy.
　This is how we are going to stay here as our base of operations.

''Well, King Rockwell's entourage, what has happened to the non-combatant residents?
"....in the abode of the king.
So bring him to me.
What are you doing?
King Rockwell's entourage is staring at us as they think of their companions who are not in a combat position, or so they say.
''I'll have you help me with the food. It's a lot more stressful when you're hungry.''

　I laugh and reply, and Grand-san again throws a few words of persuasion at his slightly venomous aides.
''Luciel-dono is basically kind, you know. But lately, I've learned to be a little stern with my opponents. I won't be as bad as you are.
...if Master Grand says so.
　Several members of the entourage walked towards the king's abode.



I smiled at Mr. Grand, who was bringing me the delicious part, and called out to him.
'What are you talking about? I don't expect you to understand that no one is going to tell you that you're disappointed and that you have this much authority in the dwarven clan.
Mr. Grand looked away and replied.

''I knew you had authority. But I don't know the contents of the letter, and given King Rockwell's attitude and the events of that place, you can't blame me for thinking it was conspired against, can you?
"...I knew the king had a son, but I didn't know he was that dark.
I guess Mr. Grand really didn't know. I continue to talk, just as a check on the dwarves' attitudes, including King Rockwell's, hoping for a slight improvement in their attitude.

'If Kefin had made a serious move, all but King Rockwell would be dead, right? Well, I'm sure Keffin wouldn't have been able to pull out a sword.
...you trust him.
　Ms. Grand, who was momentarily stuck on my words, told me that and meditated.
　The expression on his face as he hesitated was somewhat painful.
　So I honestly told Ms. Grand how I felt about Lionel, Ketty and Kefin.

'Like Kefin, I believe there is no chance that Lionel and Ketty will turn against us. Still, if it weren't for them, I'd be long dead by now, I think. They consider me a lifesaver, and vice versa, but they also save my life.
'So it was. But normally they would want to be free from slavery why would they want to remain slaves?
　Mr. Grand opened his eyes again, and he was serious, so I decided to answer him firmly.

'I can guess, but I haven't asked. I don't think I'll be asking in the future.'
Don't you want to hear it?
'I don't think. If you want me to listen to you, I'll listen to you, and we'll have a problem together. But that's all.
"...why?
The reason I can't talk about it is because I think it's because I'm not able to process myself. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for, but it's not a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
'You won't regret it?' Mr. Grand asked with a mysterious look on his face.
'You will, won't you? But the real battle begins when you hit the wall. No one can do everything perfectly, and I'm an ordinary person. Besides, even that Lord Leinster is regretting his mistakes.
You've come a long way in the last few years.
　Mr. Grund narrowed his eyes and nodded.

　I was a little happy to hear that.
　No matter what abilities you think are cheats, people will fail.

　When a huge wall is suddenly built in front of you, do you really have two choices: give up or get over it?
　I think that's the most important thing to me, whether it's breaking down walls or coming up with a way to walk beside a wall.

　When you compete with a big company, even if you are losing in terms of initial and running costs, it's not a matter of a price war, but if you can come up with a proposal that meets the customer's needs, you can compete.
　If you are a salesperson, you can turn the tables on a customer, even if it's a little bit expensive, if you have knowledge of the product and can make a proposal based on a thorough research of what the customer wants most.
　Of course, it's true that not everything can be done well.
　But if you give up on anything, that's the end of it.

If you regret it, it can take you a long time to get back on your feet. Still, time flies, so I try to do what little I can every day.
Perhaps it's time for us dwarves to push forward as well.
　Grand-san's muttered voice didn't reach me.


　Five of the healers who had been released where such conversations had been interrupted came into view.
　All of them were jittery, but it didn't take long to understand that it was because they were in a dimly lit hole. Normally, healers don't go to places where demons can come out. And it's a dimly lit cave. It was mentally tough on the healers, he remembered.

　Looking at the five of them reminded me of the days when I was desperately trying to get Instructor Brod to train me, and I wanted to pat myself on the back.
　Even if I could start this life over again, I would still act the same way in the city of Meratni...and that was Kokoro when I got caught up in the whirlwind of thoughts.

Then, the five healers, may I ask you to introduce yourself? Oh, but first, let me introduce myself. I'm Luciel, an S-level healer who has returned from the Yenis branch to the church headquarters.
　No surprise in my introduction.
　I'm sure the one I know taught me.
'Well, I'd like to begin, my name is Merid, a healer formerly of the Kingdom of Rubruk, Plasta.
"My name is Fanz, a healer, also formerly of Plaster, in the Kingdom of Rubruk.
My name is Narat, and I'm from the Illumassia Empire of Deresud.
My name is Norman, and I'm also a member of the Illimasian Empire of Deresud.
I am Esther of St. Schurmur's Cooperative Kingdom of Ebiza.

'Sorry, but since it's a contingency, I'm going to have to speak in line with my rank. Can you all use the area barriers?
"Yes.
It's not working.
Then the four of you will split up into two groups and come back to where the dwarves are gathered, if you are about to cast an area barrier and deplete your magic.
Wouldn't it be better for you to recover?
''It's actually better. But if your level is low, you'll still be able to use your magic less often, so please level up.
Does that raise the bar?
　The four of them gave me a dubious look, but I decided to affirm it.
'I think it will go up. I've had a few experiences with it. But that is affected by your magic skill level and other factors, so please take it seriously.
"Yes.
　Pairing up with the same affiliation they went their separate places.

'Well, aren't you a healer?'
　I approached the remaining Estia and she nodded quietly and opened her mouth.

'I'm a spirit magic swordsman.'
"Spiritual mages?
'Yes. I don't know about the others, but JOB does.
...You mean you're going to use spirit magic?
''Hmph, yes. Spirit magic has nine attributes: light, fire, water, earth, wind, wind, darkness, lightning, ice, and wood, and it's a person who asks a spirit to use magic in exchange for magical power.
　A genie version of the wizard? If Lord Leinster is the same way, then perhaps this woman is strong as well?
　The War Maiden Holy Knights, Keti and Nahlia are also a stronger section than me........

''........So what can you do?''
I can heal, assist, attack, and interfere with a bit of magic and use my sword and shield.
"...why did you become a slave?
'After shopping, we went to eat at the rice shop and found ourselves in a slaver's carriage.
　That's totally illegal slavery but what kind of place sells sleeping pills? I wondered, and the word "rice shop" made me feel uncomfortable.
'....Rice shop?
Well, they're just about to give us some food.
A restaurant.... how long can you fight?
　I didn't think he was a transmigrant... or maybe I was making too much of a leap, but I decided to be careful not to bypass him.

'Probably the best of the slaves?'
I see.

　I produced my holy silver sword and shield and decided to give it to Estia.
'I swear to the gods and spirits that I, my followers, and the dwarves will not be disadvantaged in the battle, so take it.
"I swear...
I need you to protect me for a while.
'What? Aren't you going to run into the ants' nest?
'If we go into the cave now, we'll be attacked if we're not good at it. If that's the case, it should be more efficient to get everyone rested and fed.
..........
　Esther looked away.

　I could see it, I guessed, but just when I was about to give her a job that she could handle, at least Mr. Glitter, washing vegetables, the dwarves returned to the king's abode.

　That was with dwarf women and children, who were not in combat jobs either.
　The group brought food and there were large pots and pans of food.
'Thank you for coming. Although the battle is taking place nearby, we will do our best to ensure that you are not in any danger. As a sign of that, I'll put up defensive wards on all of you.
　I announced that I was going to put an area barrier on them to give them some peace of mind, and then I deployed the area barrier.

　At first, the dwarves had confused looks on their faces, but as soon as I lightly smacked their hands and faces, they began to get excited, perhaps because there was no pain.

It's good for you guys to get excited, but we need to get started on the food preparation!
　Immediately, King Rockwell said a few words, and the dwarves began to move briskly, and I assisted them as we waited for Ketty and Kefin to return.