Beating the "Breath of the Ancient Wise Men".
　That's my future policy.
　I took Lily with me and returned to the city of Surie with 【Spatial Leap】.

　The sun was setting in the western sky, and the downtown area was already crowded with many people.
　Although there were many incidents during the daytime, the residents seemed to have already returned to their normal lives.

　When people find me, they will call out to me quite casually.

''Oh, isn't that the [Dragon Slayer]!　Thank you for protecting the city!
"I heard you killed the Needle Turtle in one fell swoop!　The Slayer of Dragons, the Great Tortoise Slayer, once again!
I heard you beat up the head of a guild of mercenaries chapter.
So the Great Tortoise Killer is a murderer again?

　Murderer.
　I think that's just a murderer.
　I didn't kill the branch chief," he said.

　...... While I had a subtle expression on my face, Lily was chuckling beside me.

''Ko-san, the people of the city adore you, right?
Well, I guess so.

　I replied, and then I realized one fact.

'I don't think I've ever seen Lily laugh before.
...... I was laughing at you, wasn't I?

　Lily nodded her head.
　Her silver-haired twins swayed curiously.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's probably because of Ko-san. ...... I've been on my own until today.

　Lily's words were terribly heavy considering her circumstances.
　They were ignored in my parents' home because she was a concubine's child, and when I talked to the teachers at the Academy of Magic about the "Breath of the Ancient Sage", no one seemed to take it seriously.
　If I had been in Lily's position, I would probably have complicated my distrust of people.

But now, it's different. I'm not alone.

　At this time, I was wearing a suit, but Lily, who was walking beside me, timidly reached out with her left hand and unhesitatingly pinched the tip of my right sleeve.
　If I had a younger sister who was a year older than me, would it have been like this?

　
　* *


　We first headed for the guard's station.
　When I asked where the lord, Count Mayard, was, the answer came back to me: "It seems he is in town with his knights as originally planned.

''It seems he is in town with his knights as originally planned.

　Originally, Count Mayard had led a group of knights to Surie for the defeat of the Needle Turtle.
　It would be convenient if he would come to Surie.
　I'll explain to Count Mayard about The Breath of the Ancient Sage and ask him to think about how to deal with it together.

　I thanked the guards and left the staging area.
　Next, I headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

　There are two reasons for this.

　First, to meet up with them.
　Currently, I'm asking Iris to gather information.
As soon as I finished my research on the Breath of the Ancient Wise Men, I would meet up with her at the Adventurer's Guild in Surie.
　The guild building has a cafeteria attached to it, so it's a good place to wait for people.

　Secondly, the quest report.
　I had initially been asked by the guild master to stall the Needle Turtle and give it time to get ready to intercept.
　As a result, I ended up defeating the Needle Turtle, but I'm sure I finished the quest, so I should make sure to report back to the guild.

　I called out to the guild staff at the window and was immediately escorted to the reception room in the back.
　I have Lily accompany me.
　I'd like to explain to the guild master about the "Breath of the Ancient Sage".

　As soon as he saw me, the guild master ...... the young bespectacled youth bowed deeply.

''Thank you so much for saving the city of Surie for this time. To defeat the Needle Turtle alone, as expected of the 《Dragon Slayer》 Lord ......!　I'm so glad you're here in town: ......!

　When the guildmaster took off his glasses, he was crying with tears in his eyes.
　On the outside, he looks like a "nervous and proud elite", but inside, he may be the complete opposite, an honest and inspiring person.
　By the way, his name is Popolo Pollois.
　It's kind of cute.

''I've received many other reports about the activities of 《Dragon Slayer》Dono. He killed the undead that were rampaging in the city, and even exposed the evil of the mercenary guild branch leader. ......
Yeah, you're right.

　I nodded at Popolo's words.

'The undead user and the head of the mercenary guild's branch were in on it. They both seem to be members of an organization called 'Breath of the Ancient Wise Men'. ...... It may be hard to believe, but I'd like you to listen to what this kid has to say.

　I look over at Lily, who's sitting on the couch next to me.

'What?　I'm going to speak, aren't I ......?
'Let the people directly involved explain first. I'll fill you in on the details.
Okay, okay. If you say so, Mr. Ko, you can go to ......

　Lily began to talk about The Breath of the Ancient Sage in a confused manner.
　The content was very well put together and I didn't have to add much to it.

　After I finished listening to the story, Popolo had a difficult expression on his face.

''To be honest, it's hard to believe Lily-san's story without giving it away, 'Yes, I see. ...... An ancient sorcerer who has been alive for five thousand years, and an underground organization trying to revive it. Common sense tells me it's just a child's joke.''

　But," continues Popolo.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it is a good idea for you to be able to get your hands on a new one. You believe Lily's story, right?
Of course.
In that case, I'll trust Lily too.

　Popolo repositioned his glasses and said

'There is an old saying in the city of Surie,' he said. 'Trust in your friends who believe in you. ...... However, I cannot run the Adventurer's Guild on my own. Organizations are complicated in many ways.

　Well, it's not surprising.
　If we're going to get full cooperation from the Adventurer's Guild of Surie, we're going to need more factors.

　...... And I have a valid card to play.
''What would happen if I received a request from my lord, Count Mayard, to strike the 'Breath of the Ancient Sage'?
''The Adventurer's Guild is like a public institution, so of course we will follow the lord's request. ...... Don't tell me you're close to Count Mayard as well, Ko-san?
Well, that's something.

　As a matter of fact, the liking for me from Count Mayard is awfully high.
　However, I don't think it's something I should bother to brag about.

''Tomorrow, I'm going to talk to Count Mayard about the 'Breath of the Ancient Sage' as well.
Yes, sir. I'll be prepared to do the same.


　Thus, the report to Popolo ended well and we returned to the guild lobby.
　Just in time, we ran into Iris.

I'm sure you're not Ko. ...... And Lily-chan?
Hey, good evening ....... Long time no see, sir. ......
'Yeah, long time no see. I mean, why are you here?
Um, .......

　Lily looks up at me like she's in trouble.
　Now, how do I explain it?

'Iris, Lily, since we're not going to stand around and talk, why don't we go to the cafeteria?
I'm fine. How about you, Lily?
Yeah, I'm fine.

　Since the two of them agreed, we headed to the cafeteria attached to the guild.
　Fortunately, the seats were reasonably empty.
　We took a seat at a table for four.

　As soon as I sat down on a chair, Iris said.

I want to go ahead and tell you about my harvest. ...... I think I may have found the root of the Breath of the Ancient Wise Men.