After that, I returned to the carriage as if nothing had happened, put Amu, who still looked sleepy, on the back of the cart and set off.
　It took a few hours to go on the road in the mountains.
　Shortly before the sun rose directly overhead, the city walls came into view in the direction we were going.

''Well that's it.''

　The free city of Lacana.
　A city of adventurers, developed by the wealth brought by dungeons.
　I've heard of such a city, but of course this is my first time to visit it.
　I was muttering my thoughts to myself.

I'm not going to be able to get out of it.

　It's taller than the Imperial City, let alone Rodnea.
　In addition, even the gates, upper passages, and the wall towers that stand between the gaps are monstrous, and they seem to be quite cautious about threats from the outside.

　It was strange.
　It's not that this is a strategically important city.
　Although it was a rich land where resources could be extracted, its source was a dungeon, so it wasn't a place that could be taken away like a mine or port.

　I don't think we have to be that vigilant about the attacks of demonic tribes and enemy armies, but.......

''Maybe they're preparing for the Stampede.

　Amu, who was awake a moment ago, answered behind me.
　I look back at him.

"Stan... what?
It's Stampede, Monster Stampede. Stampede, monster stampede, when monsters gather in packs and attack a village or town. It doesn't happen very often, but since we're surrounded by dungeons and forests, I guess they're just in case.
Well that's what it's all about.

　This is the first time I've heard of it.
　In a previous life, there was a nighttime gathering of demons that swarmed in packs at three o'clock in the morning, but they never attacked the capital or villages. The best that could be done was to eat the people they encountered.

　The phenomenon is similar, but the reality is a different story.

''I'm sure there was another wall inside that one.
''You're even expecting us to abandon the outer edges. If it's an adventurer's city, there's plenty of forces to go around. How does that stampede happen?
'Well......... It seems that there are times when one type of monster just happens to have a large number of outbreaks, or it seems to have escaped from other strong monsters... but more often than not, we don't know why. I've heard that all kinds of monsters appear at once for some reason. It seems to happen more often when there is a large dungeon or forest nearby.
Mmm-hmm.

　All kinds of monsters, all at once, for some reason....
　After hearing this, I had an idea why.
　If dungeons give birth to monsters, then if the conditions are right, they will appear in large numbers.
　When I thought of the power flow I could feel from this land - the first time I found this since my reincarnation - I could imagine the conditions.

　But I don't need to worry about it now.

　While I was thinking about that, the carriage was advancing to Lacana.


****


　After passing through the city walls, what I saw was a city where miscellaneous is a fitting description.

　The buildings are simple, and there aren't many high-rise buildings. Compared to Rodnea or the imperial capital, it seems unrefined. But on the other hand, there are many people, and their appearance is also varied. There are races with unusual hair and skin colors, as well as the appearance of sub-humans.

　And, as expected, there are many people carrying weapons.
　It's just like an adventurer's town.

　Me and Amu, who entered Lacana, sold the carriage at first.
　It was hesitant because it was originally prepared by Fiona, but I couldn't afford to keep it.
　I'll have to reimburse her if she asks me to return it.

　So, financially, I had some leeway.
　While putting away the bag of gold coins, I go through the crowded town with Amu.

So, what do we do now?　Seika.

　Amu says beside me.

'I think we should look for a place to stay for now, though.
That's the thing but I think I'm going to see the sheikh here first.
"The Emir of Lacana?　Why?
Since Fiona said she's told you about us, it seemed like a good idea to show our faces.

　And... if possible, I would like to know if they are willing.
　If you can, I want to know if she's a potential enemy of ours.

　Fiona may claim to be her ally, but she's just a man.
　She might even sell us out to a faction of brave men who are after a brave man if she decides it's in her best interest to do so.
　I'm not sure I'm even sure of Fiona's intentions before that.

　I'm not sure I can see through the scheming on the spot, but if I'm a shikigami and keep an eye on it, it will eventually come out.
　I'm going to inform you of the arrival of the brave men and see what you think.
　It is inevitably necessary to find out if this is a safe place.

''And I'm sure the sheikh would know a good, inexpensive place to stay.
Oh, yeah. You might as well ask someone here anyway.

　When I added that, Amu nodded his head easily in agreement.


****


　The executive branch of Lacana is located in the center of the city.
　After a short walk through another gate in the city walls, the city hall facing a large square came into view.

　It is indeed a magnificent building. It has a more imposing appearance than the merchant houses and cathedrals in this area.

　Now, what should I say to him?
　Some voices could be heard arguing with each other.
　Apparently they were in a dispute.

A fight in a place like this?　It's a strange city.
It's not like we're adventurers.

　As I was about to walk past the side to avoid getting involved - a human being flew in from the crowd.

''Whoa.''

　I jumped back in a hurry.
　The man who fell from his back to the ground seems to have grown out of it.
　I hear a voice from inside the cracked human fence.

You little bastard!　You did it!
So what. You want to get your ass kicked.

　The voice sounded strikingly familiar.
　I froze in place, then moved closer to look into the human fence.

　There were three people there.
　The one with the distorted face and screaming was a slender man who looked like an adventurer.
　A small gray-haired girl carrying a battle-axe on her back was standing opposite him.
　And lolling behind her is a girl with dull blonde hair and cat hair.

　Let's see.........

''Me-........Mabel?　And Yifa?　What are you guys doing here?

　Next to me, Amu shouts in surprise.
　The two girls turn to us.

'Oh.'
'Amu-chan........Seika-kun.......'

　They both roll their eyes.
　But eventually Yifa ran to us and hugged us.

"Hey!
Yifa?　You.....
.....

　He puts his arms around me and Amu's neck and cries out softly.
　We both shut up involuntarily.
　As I'm stroking the back of her hair, Mabel walks up to me and says, "Amu, Seika....

I'm so glad you found us, Amu, Seika. You found me.
Mabel you're not in a place like this.
They've been chasing us.
"What?
'Well, um ... how long have you been in Lacana?'
Since yesterday.
'Yesterday!　How did you get to the point where you're ahead of us... or is it?

　Rodnea is closer to Lacana in terms of position.
　It didn't take ten minutes for the 蛟(醉) to get there. If Fiona had flown a pigeon the next morning, the two of us would have learned more about the situation that day. Then she could have had a full day to prepare and get ahead of us.

　But...

How could you possibly...
Do you ask?

　Mabel said, sounding a little angry.

''Eh...''
Yes.....

　Yifa lets go of our arms and rubs her red eyes as she says, "Amu-chan was taken away and Seika-kun disappeared, and then I didn't think it would happen.

It's not a good idea to stay at the school," she says, "Amu-chan was taken away and Seika-kun disappeared... and then I didn't think it was going to happen... I can't just stay at the school... ...
'Well I knew you'd heard the whole story, didn't I?　Well, you know, about the imperial castle....
'Yeah ... from the headmaster ...'

　Yifa nods.
　Yeah, well, I guess so. I didn't think I could hide it, but........

　This time, Amu turns an apologetic face to Mabel.

"But........it's nothing to do with you guys. We can't go back to the school anymore. Even if you asked us to come to this place...
I'm not involved I've known about Amu all along.
'Eh....'
''The reason I was adopted by a nobleman and came to the school is because of you. It's the same reason you were kidnapped. So........I can't be irrelevant now.
....
"I'll stay with you until the end. Okay?

　Amu chokes on his words and looks down at Mabel, who says it straight.
　I tell the girls with a half-smile on my face.

I'm sorry," I tell them with a half-smile. I'm sorry I had to worry about you, you two.
'Wait a minute!

　When we turned our heads, we saw the fragile adventurer from before looking at us with a furious look on his face.
　Oh, that's when we saw him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?　Hey, kid!　How do you think you're going to get rid of it, you bastard?
"...Mabel, who is this guy?

　Mabel gives the man a quick glance and then begins to explain to me in a nonchalant manner.

"I was going into City Hall, and I was accosted by that guy and those two guys over there who were sleeping.
The one you were throwing away. I heard you were called out, why?
I thought Yifa was a slave.
What's... uh...

　I figured it out.
　These two men were probably trying to make some money by catching escaped slaves.

　By its very nature, Lacana is a place that attracts people from all walks of life, and naturally, some of them are ex-slaves who have escaped from their masters.
　Naturally, there are not a few former slaves among them who ran away from their masters.
　Some of the escaped slaves have a high bounty on their heads, and it seems that arrangements are circulated around the country through merchant associations and adventurers' guilds. It wasn't surprising that some of them had their eyes on it.

　They're both women and children. It's certainly not natural for them to drift into this city.
　Aside from Mabel, who carries a battle-axe and is vaguely atmospheric, Yifa doesn't even look like an adventurer. With her good looks, it's not surprising that people would be suspicious of her.

''So, what did you answer?''
'Yes, but...' Yifa.
Well why do I have to be honest with you?
Ugh, I'm sorry!　I didn't want to....
So?
When I explained to him that I wasn't a runaway slave, he wouldn't listen to me and almost forced me to take him away.

　Mabel points to a man who is stretched out.

"I just knocked one guy out.
...I see.

　I think I know what happened.

"I'm sorry, Mabel,
'It's fine. But Yifa is in danger of not getting licked more. He's tangled with me four times since we left Rodnea.
Ugh....

　Yifa's shoulders are slumped, but it seems like a no-brainer.
　This girl, she's got an opening. It's not that she's weak.

　But that's okay for now. I turn to the adventurous man.

"I'm sorry, but I'm the master of this boy. We've been separated for a long time. I wasn't planning on it, but I think he planned to meet me here. I'm sorry for the confusion.
Huh?　Are you an aristocrat?

　The adventurer man yells at him, his expression twisted in a suspicious manner.

''Hey, do you have any proof, proof!
Evidence?
'If it's not in the form of a collar key or a branding, I say show me the deed!

　I make an expression of annoyance at the ridiculous request and become impatient inside.

　Oh, no........come to think of it, I left her certificate in the dorm room......

　Well, I'm sure the headmaster will keep it for you.
　Anyway, I usually reply with a straightforward argument.

"I don't carry that kind of thing around with me, do I?
Then you got no reason to claim it's yours. Why don't you hand that to me?
Why?
I'll see if anyone on the guild's payroll falls under that category. That's how it's supposed to work. Of course, if there isn't, I'll believe you and give it back to you. Well, right now there's no need to go looking for it today. Why don't you let me keep it for a night until tomorrow?

　Yifa gets a sticky stare from the man, and she shrinks back as if she's scared.

'If that bothers you you know what I mean.　We were just doing the right thing, and now there are people getting hurt!　What will you do with what he was supposed to earn? Hey, nobleman's boy.
....

　Well, he's not leaving for free. He's a pretty mean bastard, isn't he?
　Come to think of it, I didn't even carry a weapon, and I guess I've been licked. I don't see myself as an adventurer, either.

　I look around at the growing crowd and think for a moment.
　Then I lift my mouth out of the air and say, "No.

"No.
What?
'No,' he said. I'm not paying you and I'm not going to play efa. I don't see any reason to play your games.
Well, if it goes through...
Well. What if it doesn't pass?
d*mn it...!
Hey, hey, Seika!

　Amu tugs on my arm in front of a man who is about to draw his sword.

"Hmm?
How could you have ever messed with me?
I thought we were being licked. In a town like this, you're supposed to take a shot at the new guy, right?
Yeah, I suppose you could say that, but your shot was...
It's okay. It's okay. I'll adjust.

　The man who had been watching our exchange smiled a somewhat relaxed smile.

Ha, I don't need a female squire to tell me off.
Enough of this exchange. Come on, Piggyback.
Don't call me a skinny kid!

　He suddenly raised his sword and the adventurer approached.
　I made a sign with my hand and said, "Oh dear.

"Phase of Earth and Water - White Moon Tower Technique.

Nwaaaaah!

　A thick plaster pillar suddenly rose up from under the man's feet and lifted his body higher and higher.

''Hiiyaaah!

　A man screams and flails at the top of the pillar.
　However, the lower half of his body is completely buried in the plaster, so of course there's nothing you can do about it.
　I mean, don't flail around too much. This thing is fragile, it'll shatter and fall off at worst.

　Amu says impatiently.

It's not a good idea to have a good time.　Where's the talk of adding or subtracting!
You did. You're fine.
But you're limping!
It's true.

　When I looked up at the end of the pillar that stretched to about six lengths (*about eighteen meters), the man seemed to have fainted.

''........Maybe he was afraid of heights. He was screaming earlier, too.
Haha that's good, but you've gone all out.

　I could hear cheers from the crowd around me. Some of them were whistling.
　It's like a spectacle.
　No, that's what I intended to do with my flashy skills.

"You guys, don't you forget that we escaped here?
If you're too jumpy, they'll take advantage of you. You've got to keep your head up for a while. And you know what?

　I can't tell you how many times I've said it.

"This stuff doesn't get in the way of being noticed. Don't you think?
'Hmmm.... Well, that's probably true. Compared to destroying the imperial castle.

Boys!　What the hell are you doing?　Scatter, scatter!

　At that moment, a few guards came rushing in from the direction of the building.
　I wondered if they were the ones who guarded this place.
　The guards scattered the crowds and looked up at the plaster tower as if they were dumbfounded, and then approached me.

"Did you do this?
Yeah.
''Huh ... no private fights here. Of course, you knew that, didn't you?
........eh....

　Really?
　I turned around impatiently to see Amu shaking his head from side to side in disgust. Mabel and Yifa also look uncomfortable.

　It's not good.
　I hadn't been aware of this in Rodnea, but it's no surprise when I think about it. It's not a matter of if it's a formal duel, but if you allow a private fight in the city, there's no public safety or anything.

　I was in a hurry to excuse myself.

"No, but they were the first to...
No private fights. No exceptions. Are these women your friends?　Then we'll have them all come to the stuffing station. Don't tell me you're penniless.
Wow, if you're going to ask for a bribe, we're going to have an idea...
No, it's not. Fine.

　This sucks.... A fine is too painful here.
　I was making plans to escape somehow when...

'Oh, don't do it, don't do it, don't do it!

　A thick voice echoed through the square.
　All of us, including the guards, turned our heads in the direction of the voice.

　A large man was walking from the town hall.
　He had a rugged beard and dark skin. He has a fine shirt and jacket sloppily pulled down, and he is holding a cigar in his mouth.
　The big man turned to the guards, waving his hand in the air.

The big man turns to the guards, waves his hand in the air and says, "Don't mess with them. "Don't mess with them," he said, "they're just guests of mine, I'll take care of them. You take the one who is stretched out there.
Ha ... ha!

　The guards quickly turn on their heels and carry the man Mabel had thrown away first.

　The big man," he says, smiling as he stands in front of me.

He smiles and says, "Hey, kid. "Oh, boy, I owe you this one," he says, "and you know it. You know what to do.
Well, that's okay. Just enough for a fine, though.
Hmm. Then you'll get it back to me right away.

　The big man looked up at the adventurer slumped at the end of the plaster tower and said, "That guy, as I recall, was never very good at heights.

The big man looked up at the limping adventurer at the top of the plaster tower and said, "He's not very good at heights. "He's not very good at heights," he said.