I took Iris and Commander Lanning to an inn town called Fife.
　Then, in a dimly lit alleyway, I captured three leaders of the mercenary guild.

　In the process, one of the elven women got caught up in the process, but she seemed to be an acquaintance of Iris's.

'Iris, Ms. ......?'
'Char?　It's Char, isn't it, honey?

　I'd like to ask them what their relationship is: ...... but I'll save that for later.
　The reason is that the city guards have heard about the commotion here and have come to see us.


　* * *


　The guards apparently got a call that someone was fighting in the alleyway and rushed over.
　We almost got arrested for that, but fortunately, Commander Lanning explained the situation to us.

　As a result, the guards began to apologize in a frenzy.

'We're sorry!　I'm so sorry!
''I didn't know you were the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and I apologize for my disrespect: ......!
And what's more, I didn't expect to see the famous "Dragonslayer" in person: ......

　Furthermore, even the chief of this city's guards would come in a great hurry.

''I am truly sorry about this ....... Not only did I let the leaders of the mercenary guild into the city, but I also caused trouble to the Dragonslayer Lord and the Commander. It was all because of my negligent supervision. I apologize from the bottom of my heart: ......

　Come to think of it, there should be a castle gate in this city, right?
　I wonder how the leaders of the mercenary guild managed to sneak past the guards' checks.
　Maybe they were forging their IDs.

　It seems that the head of the city's guards will be responsible for looking into the details of that situation.
　Probably, it also serves as atonement for the trouble they've caused us.
　He also said that he would review the city's security system.

　Anyway, since we've captured the leaders of the mercenary guild, let's go back to the royal capital.
　Of course, we'll use 【Spatial Leap】 to move.　
　The destination is the King's Capital Inn ...... my room.

　There was no one in the room.
　Lily and the knights of the Kingsguard are probably processing their requests at the Adventurer's Guild right now.

　The leaders of the mercenary guild should be rolled out in a corner of the room for now.
They shouldn't be able to move due to the effect of [Lightning Paralysis S+].
　When the knights of the Kingsguard return, let them take us away.

　We sat on the sofa in the reception room.
　I've also asked the elven woman to come with me.

　We have asked the Elf woman to come with us so that we can ask her about the situation in detail.

'Would you like to start by introducing yourself ......?'

　In a subdued tone, the elven woman says.

'I am Charlotte Healy, Char, please call me Char. I'm a bit of a long-lived elf. I was originally an A-ranked adventurer, but I'm retired due to circumstances. I was in a party with Iris until a year ago. ...... Does the name "Princess Knight's Ball" sound familiar to you?

　Of course there is.
　It was the party that Iris was a member of before, and it was made up of only A-ranked female adventurers.

　...... Incidentally, as for Iris, as soon as she heard the phrase 《Hime Knight's Ball》, she had her head in her hands.

''Ugh, why did you use such an embarrassing name ....... I want to erase the me of the past .......

　Apparently, the person who named the 《Hime Knight's Ball》 was Iris.

Iris-chan, don't be discouraged. I like the name "The Princess Knight's Ball", I think it's beautiful.
I don't want to know: ....... That word is instant death magic for me right now. ......

　Gulping, Iris nods.
　I'm going to interrupt her, because if I don't, we're going to be reminiscing endlessly.

''Char, do you have a minute?''
Yes. Yes, Master Ko.
I'd like to know more about what happened earlier: ......
Yes, sir. It's just that--

　Charu gave a small nod and told me the story of how he came to run into the leaders of the mercenary guild.
　However, it wasn't very special.

　At that time, Charu had been walking around the city looking for an inn for tonight.
　But on the way, he got lost and wandered into a back alley ...... where he came across three executives of the mercenary guild.

''You mean you met the cadres by chance?''

　Commander Lanning asked, and Charlotte nodded.

''Yes. I was very surprised when he suddenly grabbed my arm. If Ko-sama hadn't come to me, I don't know what would have happened by now. ......

　Charu turned over slightly and shook her body with a shudder.

''Ko-sama. Thank you so much. I will definitely repay this favor.
'I just did what I deserved to do. Don't worry about it so much.

　More importantly," I continue.

"'Taking you with me would be more than enough to make up for this failure! One of the ...... executives said something like that. Can you think of anything, even a small thing, that might help?
Uh, well, you know: ......

　Charu pondered for a while and then eventually asked, "What do you know about this?

'I have heard that Master Ko owns the ancient ruins of Onen. Is this true?'
Yeah. That's right.
Thank you. Please tell me one more thing. You are known as the Dragon Slayer, did you defeat the Black Dragon of Extinction?

　Hmm?
　How does Charr know the name of the 'Black Dragon of Extinction'?

　I shook my head, wondering.
　Then Char told me while looking at me with his purple eyes.

''Ko-sama, the reason why the mercenary guild leaders tried to kidnap me is surely because I am a survivor of an ancient civilization.

　...... Yes?
　............ A survivor of an ancient civilization?
　What are you talking about all of a sudden?

''So, after all, I think it was fate that we met today.
　--I've been waiting for you for 5,000 years, 【Brave Man】.



　Then.
　I heard a voice in my head.

''Specific conditions have been met. The sub-skill [Hero] in [Otherworldly] is released.