Ray, sensing what appears to be the mastermind behind this attack, headed for the spot with Seto, but no one was there already.
　"I checked the surroundings, but they still couldn't find a clue, so Ray and Sett eventually returned to the inn..."

"Ray, I don't think there's a clue... in that way."
"Oh, I found a place where the mastermind seemed to have been a little while ago, but it was a little late."

　Ray answers Rodos, who was waiting outside the inn, with a small shoulder tuck.
　Rodos tries to say something to Ray for a moment, but immediately shakes his head.
　It's amazing just to know who you couldn't find, so you don't deserve to complain about it.

"Mr. Dusker is waiting," Also, call out to the guards just in case in point. It's basically prohibited to fly in a set in the city."
"Grull".

　Seto looks displeased at Rodos, but when Ray caresses his neck he quietly returns to the stable.
　I saw her back and was about to enter the inn...

"Oh, wow, wow!

　I heard a voice like that from the stable.

"What's still going on!"

　Ray made his way towards the stable screaming, but what he saw was a stiff guard and Seto leaning his head in some difficulty.
　Just by looking at the scene, Ray understands what happened here.
　Sure enough, he broke up with Seto on the grounds of the Wheat Pavilion at dusk or the Golden Pavilion in Egjil, but many people here see Seto for the first time.
　If the Rank A monster Gryphon emerges alone from the darkness of the night, it will make you want to scream.
　He breathes that he was completely out of consideration for this, and calls out to the guards who are sitting on the ground.

"I'm sorry to have surprised you," But this set is not the one who harms others, so if possible, don't be afraid... is it impossible? Well, don't worry about it."

　It's one of the crimson pieces that claimed the lives of so many of the Westian imperial troops in the spring war. Thinking it would be impossible not to be afraid, Ray tells the security guard that he will reach out for a moment, but soon finds it meaningless and withdraws his hand.
　If you're afraid of Seto, you'll naturally be afraid of his partner and crimson.
　I don't think you understand it, but the guard nods a little and manages to get up on the spot.

"No, no. I'm sorry I screamed."

　There were some other guards around, each looking at Ray and Sett with a somewhat unsettled look on his face.
　Even though I understand a lot of things, I still have experience, so I guess it's inevitable that some sense of challenge will emerge.
　Perhaps Seto felt the atmosphere around him, but after a little regrettably purring, he returned to the stable.
　The guards must have had some feelings for Sett's. Lock up the fainting mob with a complex expression.
　The performance is good, after all, because of his experience working as a security officer.

"... Ray, let's go."

　a hand placed lightly on Ray's shoulder as he watched it
　Looking over there, Ray saw Rodos' face.
　When they heard the screams, they probably followed Ray as soon as he moved.

"Well, then, please. And there were some people in the inn who seemed paralyzed, so you had better be careful about that."
"Well, yes," Yes, thank you for the information."

　Lightly waving to the guard, who opens his mouth to smooth things over, Ray returns to the inn with Rodos.

"Don't worry too much,"

　On the way, Rodos, walking next to him, suddenly tells Ray so.
　Ray didn't know what was being said for a moment, but soon realized it was about the attitude of the guard.
　I didn't expect Rodos to offer any words of comfort... that kind of inner feeling was on his face. Rodos, who was looking at Ray's face, is visibly offended.

"Well, in your case you wouldn't mind a little of that sort of attitude. I was a fool who tried to encourage you."

　When I tell you that, you leave Ray there and move on quickly.
　Ray soon follows suit and pats Rodos on the shoulder thankfully.

"Look, I'm sorry," It was just a little surprising."
"...hmm,"

　Perhaps Ray's words made him feel a little better, but Rodos's mood softens a little.
　Don't miss the situation, Ray opens his mouth.

"You see, I must go to Mr. Dusker and report on the matter. You, too?"
"I know!"

　Still, he goes into the inn with Ray, expressing his reluctance.
　If someone had watched it from the side, some might have felt that they were friends who probably couldn't be honest with each other.
　But if it were Seto, he would never have admitted that Rodos and Ray were friends.





"I see. I'm paralyzed, but my fighting power is quite there."

　muttered Dasker when he heard Ray and Rodos' report.
　I have already received some reports from my subordinates, but it was still helpful to hear reports from an adventurer's point of view.

"Well, and I felt like I was being amplified rather than brainwashed. Especially the hatred towards me was quite strong. I was able to catch him alive, including by destroying the joints of his limbs, and I wish I could get some information from him."

　From there, we may be able to trace the mastermind behind the scenes.
　Ray tried to say that, but he came back with Dusker shaking his head and Elk's bitter expression. And Min frowned slightly. All the other guards in Dusker's room have similar faces.

"Mr. Dusker?"

　You must have noticed it. Rodos, who also reports next to Ray, says so.
　It was Elk who answered Ray and Rodos' somewhat bewildering questions.

"I got a report shortly before you came. Some of the rioters caught in the cafeteria and lobby are completely unconscious. He seems to have used recovery magic and potions, but it was all useless."
"I see. To prevent information leakage... or simply to strengthen it. I wish it would be the latter, if possible."

　If you want to prevent information leakage, you'll never wake up as long as the goal is to put them in a coma. But if it's a strengthened negative effect, it might wake you up with some kind of precipitation.
　Ray muttered with that in mind, but immediately shook his head.
　For either reason, I don't think the mastermind behind this case is taking it into account.

"Oh, I don't think we'll find out by tomorrow at least when we leave here."

　Elk muttered, scratching his head.
　Looking at his bodyguard, Dusker asks Ray again.

"And what do you think was the purpose behind this?"
"Perhaps it's a military survey here. I'm afraid I've let those who set it up slip."

　It has already been reported that he and Seto have approached what they thought was the mastermind.As a Dasker who heard it, he wanted to do something about it here.
　But I have to understand that it is difficult.
　If this attack was intended to investigate their own war potential, those who were pulling strings behind the scenes must have been ready to escape immediately if something happened.
　And in fact, they're fleeing in the face of Ray and Sett.

"You've got a bad eye on you,"

　The murmur out of Dusker's mouth was undoubtedly indicative of his true feelings.

"But, Mr. Dusker, I don't know who is after us, but isn't it the best way to attract the eyes of the Westian Empire?"
"Well, you are right, Min is right. The other party we invited was attacked at night. I'm sure the magistrate and lord here will be punished in some way. for he had his face crushed as hard as he could."

　Comforting Dasker...or rather, nodding as if Elk agrees with him, telling him what he thinks honestly.
　It probably made Dusker feel better. The strength of the body relaxes and puts the weight on the back of the sofa where it was sitting.

"Well, surely it can't have done more in terms of attracting attention. I'm starting to feel that it would be better if Ninglei continued his journey than he would participate in the competition."
"That's true... if it's a competition, Ray will only have to suffer by himself, but if he continues his journey, other faces will have to suffer."
"Do you mean I'm the only one who has trouble?"

　Listening to Rodos, Ray interrupts in an involuntary manner.
　However, Rodos nods without hesitation.

"It's only natural that an outsider like you should be able to manage just by going to a competition, right? Then you could use that exceptionalness to reduce the burden on me."

　Despite this, Rodos's inner feelings were honestly subtle. 　
　Surely, if you act as you say, you will be able to do the job of attracting the eyes of the empire with ease.
　But then Vichela's gaze will undoubtedly be directed to Ray as well.
　Wouldn't it be better for me to go to a competition? Suddenly... I feel like it's not such a bad idea.
　I'm certainly less well-known than Ray.
　But it's no exaggeration to say that he's still a member of the Rank A party, and that he's a Rank C adventurer at the same time, considering his age.
　And above all, maybe... really, maybe that Vihela would look at me.
　When I first met him in Goto, he was so fascinated that I wondered if he was being used in the magic of fascination.
　Of course, even Rodos has had some experience with beautiful women. Being acting at the Rank A party, it was only natural.
　like Guildmaster of Guillum, Elena of General Princess, and, above all, Min of her mother.
　Nevertheless, it was the first time I'd ever been so conscious.
　However, even Rodos, who is out of touch with love, can see that he is attracted to Ray, and he doesn't reject it.

(If I play well in a competition... maybe she'll look to me too.) Then...)

　Rodos murmured inwardly, and spoke to Dusker.

"Mr. Dusker, do you mind if I take part in the competition?"
"What?"

　What are you saying all of a sudden? Dusker looks at Rodos, but his parents, Elk and Min, look as if they were saying something.
　However, Elk had an interesting smile and Min had an unimpressed expression.

"If you're going to attract the attention of the Westian Empire, it's certainly enough to have Ray. However, just in case, if I, who is a member of the Axe of the God of Thunder, could participate, I would be able to attract more attention. And there are two guards, mother and father."

　Thinking for a few seconds after hearing Rodos' words, Dusker nods yes.

The aim of the third prince group is to rescue their lord. If that's the case, it's definitely better to have as many elements as possible to attract their attention."

　Dusker once told me so far as to acknowledge Rodos' words. The moment Rodos heard it, he breathed out relief.

"But if it attracts the attention of the Westian Empire, it is naturally meaningless to lose the preliminary round. Do you understand that?"
"Of course. I'll win the preliminary round and make it to the final tournament."

　For Dusker, Rodos' proposal was good and bad.
　It is true that participating in the final tournament will attract the attention of the Empire, and that adventurers of the Kingdom of Milliana will be highly capable. At the same time, Dusker's own stock, which employs the adventurer, will rise.
　It is also convenient for Dusker that an adventurer named Rodos can demonstrate his power rather than the power of the Rank A party, the Axe of Thunder God.
　But... it's only if we can make it all the way to the final tournament.
　If you lose the preliminary round, all of it will be reversed to negative feedback.

"... Elk,"
"I don't know if I'll be able to make it to the finals, but I can assure you that I'm good enough."

　After a short question, I thought about it for a few seconds... and then nodded and opened my mouth.

"Okay, I'll admit Rodos to the competition."