The total number of adventurers was about a hundred.
　The adventurers, including me and Kåñëa, have been deployed to the north side of the forest where there was a mass outbreak.
　The operation would begin soon. But despite this, the adventurers' faces were not tense.


As expected, they are accustomed to their surroundings.


　I suddenly muttered.
　But Kåñëa immediately returned my words.


''That's not true. There aren't many demons appearing on the north side of the forest. And I'm just reassured by that.''
'Not appearing much?　Then why are we here?
Because there aren't enough of them, adventurers.
There are nearly a hundred of them.
'Yes. But if it were true, we would have gathered more. At least twice as many.
'Seriously?　But why: ......
......


　There was no exact response to my question, just a silent eye contact as if Kåñëa was reprimanding me.
　Ah, I mouthed.


'Could it be ...... my fault?'
Yes.


　Without a pause, Kåñëa answered.
　I heard that the number of adventurers in the vicinity of the city has decreased due to the fact that they have carried out too many requests from the king's capital, and that has had an effect here as well.


The adventurers have gone all over the country and to other tribes that are in balance. That's why the Holy Republic and the neighboring kingdoms were only able to scrape together this much strength.
...... I'm very sorry about that.
'No, that was bad because I didn't know what you were capable of, either.


　An amazing feeling of apology overflows. Quena seemed to feel some kind of guilt as well.


'Besides, that idiot didn't stop and was amused, and in no small part you're not the only one responsible.


　A vein floats on Kåñëa's temple.
　Perhaps it's a riff. I've felt it too, but as a guildmaster, she seems to be quite hedonistic.
　However.
　But I still did it.
　It's not that I act without thinking.
　But even so, I felt that there were many aspects of her that lacked knowledge and opinions. I think it's because I've been living in a closed environment for too long.


'I'll continue to gain more insight and knowledge to carry out my requests.
...... It's only a matter of carrying out the request. Normally it's for your own good. I'm beyond amazed and I respect you for that.


　Kåñëa smiled bitterly.
　'Speaking of which,' I asked Kåñëa, 'how are you doing?


'How are you doing in the other direction?　Is the Knights of the Holy Republic in charge of everything?
'No, that's not true. From what I've heard, it just so happens that the Third Order of the Kingdom of Kuzela was staying nearby.


　The Kingdom of Kuzeera, the Order.
　It's an organization I used to belong to. There are three knightly orders, the first defends the vicinity of the capital, the second protects the interior of the kingdom, and the third protects the adjacent borders.
　I belonged to every order. It's because when I had a mission, I was run around from the first to the third order.
　The third knight order, which happened to be in the neighborhood, is also a member of the original organization. Besides, when they came to the rescue of the Holy Republic in the past, it was also as a member of the Third Order.


''I see. The Holy Republic and the Kingdom of Kuzeera are allies. So it's a form of defense between the three forces of the guild, the kingdom and the republic?
Yes. You will.
Ho: ......


　I thought I saw part of the reason why the soldiers of the Holy Republic were so energetic.
　If it was the Royal Knights, they would never have done the costly thing of hiring adventurers. They wouldn't have called their allies. For the reason that they didn't want to create a debt, and because they didn't want to show weakness.


　Hmm.
　After all, I can see how bad the Royal Knights are.


　I'm going to be able to see the exhausted faces of my colleagues.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.


　And then there's Sheila. The girl who was suddenly promoted to the deputy commander of the First Order. She seems to be an elite from a knight's school, but she wasn't very familiar with the field and didn't seem to understand the detailed situation of the knight's group. However, she had a foolish sense of justice.


　I hope the knights who were impatient with the crumbling status quo didn't make any strange choices. ......


You wouldn't happen to be worried about the Knights of the Realm, would you?
What. How come it's so sudden?
You're right. I'm worried about you because you're weirdly serious. ...... It's a good thing that you're a former employee of the Knights of Columbus. It's a good idea to be able to do a job with them, because that's the only thing that matters.
'Yeah, but ......
And now the commission is about to start. And it's urgent. To say that the face of the guild is on the line would be an understatement. We need to focus on this, don't we?
Yeah, don't worry. I know that.


　The defeat of the demons hasn't started yet. However, I had already searched for the demons in the vicinity.
　Releasing magic power like a thin wave, I can sense the difference between the magic power and inorganic objects that respond. By constantly doing this, you can see the quality, number and location of the demons as if you were looking at a map.


'...... That's right. As far as the request is concerned, it's like I'm the one who has a say in it.


　I raise my hands to about my head and shake my head from side to side, as if to say Kåñëa is overwhelmed.


　'No,' I utter.


'You're a big help. You'll be okay.
"--Hey!　So you don't have to talk about those things!


　Kåñëa's face turned bright red again.
　She sharply poked me near my second arm.


　While we were chatting about such things, the sound of the whistle finally echoed throughout the forest and the defeat of the demons began.