Four months have passed since Aldis and the others left Trier and began living in the forest near the King's Landing.

　Shedding the weight she used to wear all over her body to be inconspicuous, Ardis hunts ferocious demons one after another around the King's Capital.
　Since he has no intention of hiding his sword and sorcery, he has earned the reputation of being the "Defeaters of the Three Greatest Devils" as well as the nickname "Master of Sword and Sorcery".

"There's no one in the King's Landing who would be foolish enough to mess with you anymore.

　was the word of Cesare, the informer.



　Although Aldis had become a mercenary with a complete reputation, he didn't try to party with anyone else to take the job.
　Among the mercenaries who usually team up with four or five people, Aldis, who always acted alone, was very conspicuous.
　On top of that, he easily defeated strong demons that other mercenaries would finally defeat in a party by himself, so it was only natural that he would attract even more attention.

　As for Ardis, there was no hindrance in acting alone.
　Rather, considering that they were dealing with a demon class, most mercenaries would only be a drag. Not many mercenaries of Ted and the rest of the 'Byakuya's Bright Star' class would be able to do that.

　It's true that if you think about efficiency, you want people like Greshe and his team in Tria to carry your bags and collect materials.
　However, when it comes to recruiting people, they are all too eager to take advantage of the three powerful demon vanquishers. If that's the case, it's better to be hunting alone.

　So today, Ardis was walking alone on the main street of the royal capital, Gran, towards the artisanal street.
　The three swords that he had ordered before were completed, and he had received word from the inn where Ardis was staying.

'Are you there, master?'

　I knocked lightly on the entrance door and walked in without waiting for an answer.
　This is the blacksmithing shop I passed many times over the past four months in order to put magic power into the sword I was in the middle of forging. There is no longer any hesitation in Ardis.

''Welcome, Ardis.

　It was his apprentice, young man Horst, who returned his voice.

　His attitude was much softened compared to the first encounter where they had gone head to head.
　It was because he understood from his master's words that Aldis was not an inexperienced new mercenary.

　You can't expect to be hostile as expected when dealing with someone who can pop out six hundred gold coins without it.
　Even if you are a craftsman, he seems to understand in his own way that getting good paying customers is important to make a living.
　A mercenary like Aldis is a superior customer that a craftsman wants to keep in touch with.

'I got a call that it's finished, ......, where's your master?

I'll get him. Give me a minute.

　Horst went to the back to call the master.
　A few minutes later, the master and Horst come in with three swords in their arms.

'Sorry to keep you waiting, Ardis,'

Is that a finished sword?

　Aldis's eyes were fixed on the three swords.

'Yes, the masterpiece of Schmerz,'

　Three swords are placed on the table.

What's your name?

This is the 'Tokiharugasumi'. This is the 'Tokiharumasumi', the sword that contains the magic of the wind.

　The master draws a single shortsword from its scabbard.
　The sword barrel had a light yellow-green luster.

　This is the characteristic that appears when the seven-colored powder (Lesia powder) is mixed into the metal.
　Depending on the attributes of the person to whom the magic power was given and how the magic power was put in, various colors are obtained.
　This is why Lesia's powder is called seven(-) color(-) powder.

This is called 'Tsukishiro Blizzard'. It is imbued with the magic power of ice.

　Next, the master pulls out another shortsword.
　The sword barrel is covered in a snow-white color.

''And the last one is 'Sotensaika. I increased the strength and sharpness of the sword barrel with the non-attribute magic power.

　It was a broadsword that was longer than the other two.
　When Ardis took it in her hand and pulled it out of its scabbard, the sword barrel glowed a faint blue color. It's a calm color that reminds me of a well-defined autumn sky.

'What do you think?　All three are good, aren't they?

'Yeah, thanks for doing a good job. Here's the rest of the payment, take it.

　After deducting the two hundred gold coins that had been paid in advance, Aldis paid the remaining four hundred.
　The leather bag filled with four hundred gold coins was received by the apprentice with a trembling hand.

''As soon as possible, I'll go to the forest now.

　With a slight wave to the master, who waved him off, telling him to come over whenever he needed to adjust his handles and scabbard, Aldis went off to hunt in the Caussus Forest, which stretched east of the royal capital.




　Few people set foot in the Caucasus Forest, where demons haunt.
　Mercenaries for the purpose of hunting beasts and demons.
　Peddlers and troopers trying to pass through with their guards for shortcuts.
　Others are probably just treasure hunters, getting rich off of rare collectibles and excavating ancient ruins.

　It is believed that the area where the Forest of Causus was located was once dotted with cities in prehistoric times.
　Many of them are in a state of disrepair, buried under the vegetation, but several structures that look like ruins have been discovered so far.

　Of course, unlike hunting and peddling, excavation of archaeological sites is not always successful.
　More often than not, it is not even possible to find the remains after spending a considerable amount of money and effort.
　There are the occasional treasure hunters with mercenary-like warfare skills, but they are usually little more than new mercenaries.

　So they usually hire a few mercenaries to guard them when they head to a dangerous place to investigate and excavate.
　As long as they are in the vicinity of the entrance to the Causas Forest, they won't encounter dangerous monsters, so a small number of guards won't be a problem.

　If the treasure hunters themselves are strong, they might even step into the forest on their own.
　However, the place where Aldis is currently located is located very far back in the forest.
　It is completely within the range of the Whips' habitat, and there are few people who can walk through such a place by themselves.

　That's why Aldis ran through the forest as fast as she could.

　This is because screams for help could be heard, and the results of the magical power search showed that three huge magical powers surrounded a single human-sized magical power.

　Aldis instantly leaned forward and kicked the ground.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.

''Ta, help me ......!

　In less than ten seconds, the owner of the voice appears in Aldis' vision.
　A small person wearing a long blue robe with a single backpack is dressed in a light outfit.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of it.

Go!

　Aldis frees Tokiharugasumi and Tsukishiro Blizzard, which were in their sheaths.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get it right.
　The blue sword blade against the neck of the serpent ripped through the flesh as if it were being sucked in and cut through the bones without any resistance.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you can see your own head.
　With the momentum of his run, Aldis stopped a short distance away from Ractor's body and called back the two swings in the air, satisfied with the sharpness of his new sword.

''A good sword.''

　As expected of him, he had only trained with the seven-colored powder.
　With this, it wouldn't be likely to break even if he faced a 'red-eating' level enemy.
　After wiping off the blood glue (chinori) and sheathing all three of them, Aldis finally looked at the person who had screamed.

'Child ......?'

　Because of her high-pitched screams and petite build, I was sure Ardis was a woman, but apparently I was mistaken.
　Although her face is still young, there is a hint of masculinity in her facial features.
　The reason why his voice is so high is probably because he hasn't yet entered the alteration phase of his voice.

''Are you okay?''

　Aldis calls out to her, her expression softening so as not to scare her.

'Yes, yes ....... Somehow ......'

　As he pulled up the boy's hand, which seemed to have been dislocated, a question flashed through Aldis' mind.

　The boy in front of her was clearly overflowing with a sense of being out of place.
　This is deep in the Caucasian forest, where demons also inhabit the forest.
　It's a place that only skilled mercenaries would even try to enter.

　I can sense a larger-than-average amount of magical power from the boy, but that's only for his age.
　I'm not sure if they are trained for battle, as they don't even have a sword oval in their hands when they were pulled up.
　I'm not sure I have the strength to wander around a place like this all by myself.
　Pearl White's hair was also too beautiful and uncomfortable for a mercenary.

''Where are the rest of your people?''

　If this is the case, then it is natural to assume that this boy went into the forest with another human being and got lost. Or it is natural to assume that he survived alone after his companions were defeated.

　So Aldis asked the boy about his companion.
　If you are lost, I will take care of you until I bring you to your friends. That's what he thought.
　But when asked about his companions, the boy was reluctant to open his mouth.

'Is he beaten?'

　The silence was replaced by Aldis, who caught the silence for the worse.
　The boy shook his head in denial and opened his mouth in a sullen manner.

'The guards are ...... and have left first. ......

Is ......?

He said, "At that rate, ......, the escort so far is the market rate. From now on, it's going to cost you extra, says ....... If you can't pay it, the escort is done ...... and that's it.

　Apparently the boy's hired bodyguard had left him in the middle of a forest like this.
　Hearing the outrageous story, although he didn't show it on his face, Ardis was inwardly indignant.
　Because of people like that, mercenaries will always be treated as ragpickers and reserve crime fighters.

I see. ....... I understand what's going on. For now, let's get out of here for now. A big one is coming our way.

The big ......?

　The boy, who has no idea what he's talking about, looks at Aldis with his dark blue eyes.

'Probably a demon,'

'Huh!　Well, demon: ......!

　It seems that the magic probe used to confirm the boy's location had caused the surrounding demons to become unwantedly curious.
　An extraordinarily loud reaction was advancing straight toward Aldis and the others.
　If this is the case, they will be plunged into battle within five minutes.

''Let's go quickly.

　After a few words, Aldis forced the flabbergasted boy onto his shoulders and left the scene where the wreckage of Racter and his friends lay.

　After about five minutes of distance, he lowered the boy to the ground in a good vantage point.

I think it's safe to say that we'll be able to get away from here. So, about that earlier.

　When the boy, who had been looking around, calmed down, Ardis cut him off from the conversation.

The place is not safe enough for someone who is not used to fighting to wander around by himself. If you want to return to the capital now, I can take you there.

　It was Aldis, who originally came over to hunt for whips to see how his new sword was doing.
　His bosom was warm enough, so there was no particular problem with wasting the day.

You're not going to be able to get your hands on any more of them. Now you can hire a proper escort.''

　But despite these kind words, the boy's reaction was strangely muted.
　After a short silence, the boy turned his head to avoid the quizzical gaze of Aldis and opened his mouth emphatically, "I have no money.

I don't have any money. ......