El Taref, a city in the western part of Ciel-Teira, is a medium-sized city that is the center of the Count of Keeley's domain.
　The city is surrounded by the castle where the Count resides, and it is also surrounded by walls.

　The sun had already set, but the downtown area of Eltaf was still somewhat bright.
　One of the taverns on the street where drunks and stray dogs roam, the Leaping Fish Pavilion. Four adventurers occupied the tavern, which had a "Closed Today" sign on it.

"Night Python, eh ......

　A woman in a modified monk's uniform sighs as she fills her empty cup. In the fingers of one hand was a long gas bottle.
　She is a woman of about thirty years of age, with a slightly whimsical air about her. Her s*xy weeping mole and blood-red lipstick caught my attention.
　She was wearing a white and dark blue monk's uniform, decorated here and there with metal accessories, and her skirt was torn wide to make a slit. This is an outfit that no sensible priestess would ever wear.
　With her elbows slumped on the table, she continued to drink and smoke.
　Her name is Diana. She is a fourth level adventurer and a member of the Dragon's Throat party in this city.

You're based in someone else's territory, right?
"Yes. I'm not sure what to make of that.

　I'm not sure what to make of that. The man with the shaved head was sturdy, but his height was about average, and as a vanguard, he seemed to lack a bit of dignity.
　He wears heavy armor, but his lightness may make him look less dignified.
　He is Hugh. "He is Hugh, the shield bearer of the Dragon's Throat.

　A man who had been munching on some grilled meat on the bone nodded at Diana and Hugh's questioning words.

"The Count doesn't want to go that far. He's just trying to get them out of his territory.

　He's a big, muscular, dog-faced man with a dark brown fur coat. His ears are pointy triangles that sit atop his head.
　Needless to say, he is not human. He's a Kobold, a kind of beastman.
　He is the leader of the Dragon's Throat. Benedict the fighter.

"It doesn't have to be now. ......
It has to be now. The Count has been working against the Night Python all along. But you don't know what's going to happen to the country. The situation might change and he might not be able to move, so he wants to bring the plan forward and get it done before that happens.
I see.

　The owner of the bar and Benedict are friends, and on a day when the bar is closed, they have rented the bar as a strategy room for the party. The drinks and food are paid for afterwards, and they are eating and drinking without permission.

　They were talking about a series of measures being taken by the Earl of Keighley, the lord of this city and the surrounding area, to eliminate the criminal organization Night Python.
　Benedict was told that this was the final stage.

So, our job is to do what we were told. In the meantime, we'll be looking after the Count.
Leader. Are you sure you want to do this ......?

　I'm not sure if you've been drinking or not. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

I don't mind. I don't mind. But the most dangerous thing is .......
I don't care, I don't care.

　I don't care." Deanna's words were interrupted by a girl who was eating grilled fish in a polite manner.

That's what adventurers do.

　She had shoulder-length blond hair that was gently wavy. Wisteria eyes and cherry-red cheeks. Her dark-colored hooded robe was a bit large and unrefined.
　She is Iris, the last of the Dragon's Throat. At only eleven years old, she's a wizard of the fourth rank.

　As Iris continued to eat her meal with a clear face, Diana seemed unhappy.

I'm not a fan of ...... Iris, even if she is.
It's not that I don't care about Iris, either.

　Benedict shook his head as if to excuse himself.

Are you sure about this, Iris?
"Are you sure, Iris?" "Diana. I'm a fourth level adventurer just like you.
Yeah, .......
And what would you do without me, Catherine?

　The Earl of Keighley's family is mostly knights and adventurers. Even his wife, a former priestess, knows some magic. The most vulnerable of all is his daughter, Catherine, who will turn 11 this year.
　If Night Python were to threaten or retaliate against her, she is the one most at risk of being targeted. The Count is also concerned about this.

　The Count requested that "Dragon's Throat" escort her. One of the requests was for Iris to be Catherine's shadow.

　Deanna was about to say something, but swallowed it.

"Okay, that's fine. But just be careful not to do anything dangerous. I don't think the four of us can be beaten by an ordinary opponent. They're a big organization, and they'll use all kinds of dirty tricks like vomit.
"Yes, of course.
Then I'll go and ask the Count for his answer tomorrow.



　Seeing that Deanna grudgingly agreed, Benedict concluded the conversation.

　At this point, however, Hugh raised his hand lightly, tipping his mug with one hand.

Leader. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that, but I don't think you should stay here forever being obliging to the Count.
"......
I have no complaints about the Count's work. He pays me well.
　But there's not enough work for us here. We can't keep going out looking for work every time. I'd rather go someplace where there's better work.

　The Adventurer's Guild of Eltah is responsible for the whole of the Earldom of Keeley.
　Its size is not very large.

　A party of fourth rank (guards) is a mid-level adventurer.
　It would be unseemly to take away quests for low-level adventurers, such as the extermination of giant rats in the sewers, and more importantly, it would be unprofitable.
　However, it is difficult to find quests that are suitable for a party of 4th level guards in a small county. Therefore, the "Dragon's Throat" would sometimes travel to neighboring territories or even to the capital to earn money.

　Before he became an adventurer, Benedict worked as a bouncer for the Earl of Keeley, and he was indebted to him for his help and connections. As a result of this connection, he was often asked to work for the Earl.
　However, it is difficult to make a living only from the Count's requests.

It's not just that, it's dangerous to be in this country right now. In the meantime, even though the civil war is over after the coup,......, there is no telling what will happen next. I'm sure you're not the only one.
"I'll think about it ....... We'll have a decision by the end of this job.

　Benedict said, keeping his triangular ears down.

　The worldly Hugh was a forward thinker and would blame Benedict for any laxity in his thinking. However, 'even so' is often the case, and in the end it was Benedict who made the decision.

"Are you finished?　Well, I'm going back to the inn first.

　Iris, who had finished eating the grilled fish, stood up, seeing that the party meeting was now over.

Can I give you a lift?
I'm fine. It's only a few blocks away, besides.

　Iris picks up a cane that was propped against the wall. It's a long cane with many gold rings on it, like the brim of a sword.

If anyone tries to do something stupid, I'll just turn on them.
"...... Well, yeah.

　Deanna chuckled and blew a thin stream of purple smoke out of her mouth.