It is said that Hafenfeld prospered as a commercial city because it is located at the mouth of the Rhyne River, which stretches through the Kelmut cultural area.

　And along the banks of the Rhyne River, there was a shop called "Heil & Kraut", a favorite of mine.

　It's a small two-story brick shop that sells tea and medicinal herbs on the first floor and serves as a cafe on the second floor.

　I took Aqua there and sat by the window.

Welcome.

　When you ask the waitress to order, you can see the sparkling water of the Rhine River from the second floor window.

　Yeah.

　It's quite an escort for a guy who was brought here in a hurry.


　Crunchy crunchy......

　But we're not here for a date.

　The purpose is to be interviewed.

'Isn't that great! So you've already earned your Class B license.

　When I talked about the details of this expedition while sipping tea like this, Aqua cried out in admiration at every step.

　The pen that runs through the notes is so fast it looks like it's going to smoke.

''Mana......''

　I'm not going to be able to get to the top of the table and light a cigarette.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to support my fellow countrymen in battle if I'm aiming for the A-class S-class in the future, I'm not going to be able to support my fellow countrymen in battle unless I've also grown in my own personal strength.

I see.

　Now, while we are talking like this.

　Suddenly, Aqua's eyebrows quirked suspiciously.

''What's wrong?''

　Did I say something funny?

......

　I thought so, but apparently his gaze wasn't turned toward me.

'What's going on?'

　I ask again.

'Eiga-san. Have you ever heard of a female hero party?

Yeah, I know. It's always at the top of the charts.

Over there sits a member of that group, the bandit Tordo.

...... Heh.

　I've heard of her name only because she's the ace of the female brave party.

　You're seated behind me.

I'm sorry. I'd like to have more orders.

　So I turned around to look back at the motion of calling the waitress.

　Two men were sitting at the counter.

　A man in a black suit and all-back and a boy with silver hair.

"Which one of them is Told?

The suits.

How about the silver hair?

I don't know where you are.

Hmm.

　Aqua takes a couple of sips to her lemon tea, and then mutters again after a thoughtful moment.

''But then again, why is Tordo, the ace of the female heroic party, in a city like this?

I thought you were just here for a normal adventure.

It's true that the Kermut culture is a region with a high number of quests, but there's no quest area that an S-class party can handle. That is not the case with the upcoming Demon King Animus, but ...... that is what Cross and his team have been assigned to do.

'So I thought you were just here to see the sights? There's Glico in my boat, too.

You can't use her as a benchmark, can you?

　Well, that's that.


　As we're talking, the two men eventually get up and cross our seats.

　I'm looking at them sideways and thinking, "Those guys have an air about them.

'Huh? ......

　The silver-haired boy looked at me and shouted.

''Hey. Aren't you Eiga-san, famous for your nurturing skills?

What? ...... well. Yes, but.

　He's a little boy who talks in a very rude way.

I'm a fan. Shake my hand.

What? ......

　Still, I'm a fan-focused person, and I shake his hand.

'Wow! Thank you.

　Up close, the silver hair was so beautiful that it could be mistaken for a woman, but the skinny chest showed that he was indeed a boy.

　I'm sure he's about the same age as Emma and Derry.


I'm sure you're not the only one. And this is?

　Then Toldo, who was paying the bill, turned around.

'That's Eiga Janis. You see, he says he raised that brave party miracle five.

'Oh! You're the cultivator of the rumor mill.

　I shake his hand as Toldo also holds out his hand.

'As a first adventurer, I'm looking forward to it. Now I'm wondering how you're going to train your party.

Yeah, sure, thanks.

So, Mr. Eigha, good luck.

　The silver-haired boy said, and they left the store.


'It's suspicious: ......'

　Aqua, on the other hand, puts a finger to his chin and pushes him silent.

'What? Aren't they nice people?

　Two and two.

I'm especially fond of Aega, who claims to be a fan: ......

...... you say that?

'I know this because I've been a fan of Mr. Eiga's for a long time. I've never met anyone who is of the same mind.

Oh, really?

...... we'll get out too.

　We left the shop as Aqua said so.

　The road along the river was overflowing with people, as if a domestic flight had just arrived at the nearby boat landing.


　Gaya Gaya: ...... Gaya Gaya

　A lot of them are merchant-like and adventurer-like.

'Aqua, what do we do now? If you haven't booked a place at the inn yet, I can show you around.

　It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

　I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who are interested in this, but I'm sure you'll also find a lot of people who are interested in this.

　Are you still curious about it?

The ship is about to leave for Goetheburg Castle!

　The captain yelled at them at the landing, and Tordo and the boy got on board.

　Are they going to the castle of Göteburg?

Good.

　By the time I thought that, Aqua was putting her bag back on her back beside me.

'...... I'm going after them!

What? Why?

'It's a press hunch! Please tell Mr. Cross and the others to meet me at the castle!

Hey! Wait.

　But instead of listening, Aqua starts to run.

　What a hurried guy.

　But maybe that's what being a reporter is all about, eh?

　I was looking off the back of my duffle coat at that thought, but she turned around in a hatchet and came back once and said.

'I'm sorry that I promised you this ...... earlier. I'll give it to you as an apology.

　Saying that, he handed me two tickets for the "Eiga" activity photos.

''Are you sure?''

Mr. Eigha, you've never seen an activity, have you?

Well, .......

'Instead, please get to S-rated soon and take me to the regular screenings in Zahalbert.

　Smiling at that, Aqua ran back to the ship.



　◇



So I expect you to travel for a while.

Yes, sir.

　When I returned to the ship, I called Saionji Kanako and told her about Aqua and Tordo.

　I think I'll have her go to Goeteburg Castle for a while.

'But I'm glad.'

What?

You must be worried about your dear friend, Mr. Eigha. If you trust me to take care of them, don't you have a lot of trust in me?

That's not what I'm talking about. I'm just thinking that if properly serving the lord of Okuga as a spy is what it takes to be a true spy, then it would make more sense for him to properly follow my orders on that secondment.

O-ho-ho, you're still a bit dull.

　Saionji Kanako feigns misgivings with her beautiful eyes, which are visible through her red mask.

　The mole around her eyes is strangely deceptive.

　Well, I can't trust that kind of virgin b*tc*.


　Tonton......

　Then a knock on the door.

'Master Eigha,'

　It looks like Igarashi-san.

Then. I, myself, am going to take my leave.

　And with that, Saionji Kanako droned off.


　Gacha......

......

　When I open the door, I'm relieved to see the same ponytail and sharp eyes standing out as usual.


'I have a letter for you,'

I see. Thanks for your help. ......

　The letter was, to my surprise, from the Minister of the Imperial City.

　But even looking at the text, I can't read the Far Eastern culture letters.

''What does it say?''

It's all about the Congress at the beginning of the year.

　Oh, come to think of it, the minister said something like that.

　I think the minister himself said it was okay to be absent from the meeting if you have things to do.

I wonder if I should go to that.

Since this is the first congress since Aiga-sama became the lord of Tokumo, I think it would be safer for you to attend the opening ceremony alone.

　Hmm.

　Well then, I should be able to get the territory unit to fight in the B-class quest area without me by then.

''I'm going to attend, but I'll get back to you as soon as we get closer to the date, and I'll respond with .......

Yes, sir.

　With that said, I asked Igarashi to write for me.

　Crunchy crunchy: ......

　It's still difficult to write vertically, but today I'm writing with a feathered pen and ink.

　A tight skirt sits poised at a desk.

　The black eyes that are dropped into the letter.

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


I'm not going to be able to get the same thing for you. Is it okay since yesterday?

Excuse me?

　I didn't say anything else as he glared at me.