A room on the top floor of the City Hall, a large, bearded man in front of us plopped down on a three-seater couch.
　A big, bearded man in front of us slumped down on a couch for three and said, "It's really a bunch of kids, huh?

"But it's really all kids, isn't it?

　I replied with a grimace on my face.

Really? I'm coming of age this year, after all.
Hmph, you're not a fifteen year old kid. They'd be mere maids at a party.
''Well I suppose it would be for you. Chancellor Cyrus.

　The big, bearded man I heard - Cyrus - frowns.

　It is a free city, in other words, a city without a lord to rule it.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. For a long time, the city has remained free from feudalism.

　The city was run by a council called the Lacana Free Citizens Council, of which Silas was the chairman and head of the executive branch at the same time.
　So, this is the bearded man in front of you, the chief executive Fiona was referring to.

"Don't call him the chairman. It's just too stuffy. I won't call you that, except to the members of the House of Representatives.
What do I call you, then?
'Anything, as long as it's not the Speaker. Whether it's my dad (dad), my husband, or the mayor. I don't have any of those positions.
Well the Mayor.

　Maybe that's what most people call me,

　Silas sniffs and says.

'So?'　Is it true?　You're the one who destroyed the imperial capital with such pomp and circumstance that you escaped here.

　Amu and the others sitting next to me stiffen up, as if they are nervous.

　It seems that Fiona didn't hide anything about us.
　Maybe before Amu was kidnapped.

　I let out a small sigh and tell her, "Of course not.

Of course, that's not true.... the only thing I destroyed was the imperial castle. Moreover, I put it back together properly before I escaped.
Kakka!

　Suddenly, Silas opened his big mouth and laughed.

'You funny little bastard!　The princess has sent us an unbelievable mess. Maybe we'd better turn them in to the Imperial Guard before they do something to us!　Right there, with the brave young lady.

　Amu hears this and turns his head slightly.
　I say quietly, "I wouldn't recommend it.

"I wouldn't recommend it... unless you want to make Lacana a city that's only talked about in history.
Kakka!　Big words!
And I'd appreciate it if you didn't make any jokes with bad taste that might upset your companion too much.
Hmmm... a companion?　Are you sure you're not mistaken about yourself?

　I sigh at Silas' conspicuous manner, and I can't help but sigh.
　I'm not very good at this sort of thing.

Yes, I know. Well, then, let me ask you straight up. Do you really belong to Fiona's camp and you're willing to hide us?
Huh, what's that?　No, I'm not.

　Silas said and twirled his cigar.

He said, "First of all, neither I nor this Lacana belong to any camp. This is a city of freedom loving adventurers. We decide everything for ourselves. We must not be swayed by the whims of others. It's just that I'm using the princess for my own ends.
....
Well, kid. Do you know what this means?
'I wish you would stop talking like you're testing me. Maybe that's why.
Kakka!　Very clever, kid!　That's right.

　Silas says.

'All the Emperor's children are drooling at the sight of this city now. If there is no war and no new land available to them, they will naturally have trouble rewarding their supporters. But in order to maintain the camp, we must promise them something in return for winning the battle for the imperial throne.''
....
"No one owns us here in Lacana, and that's what we're going to get in return. I'm sure every prince has promised his supporters the emperor of this city. And of course, a share of the wealth that the dungeon generates. But.........with the princess, it's a different story. It's very simple. The Holy Princess has a lot of money. I don't have anything to give her in return.

　I knew it, I guess.
　If you have the power to see the future, all investments will be successful. In order to make it up from a situation where there was no backing, at least money was necessary.
　There is no such story on the market, but I could imagine that he had substantial assets.

　In addition, to Fiona, who saw the power of the people as greater than anything else, the feudal system should only be a system that went against that dynamic.
　She had little reason to go out of her way to get Lacana.

''It's only because of those circumstances that we have a loose partnership. Thanks to Princess-san's ability to connect her face to distant merchant associations, we can sell the dungeon's resources at a good price. The richer the Chamber of Commerce, the more money they'll be able to collect on their investment. It's a win-win situation. But.........if something inconvenient happens, they can betray each other at any time.
...I see.

　It seemed to be a more pragmatic connection than I had imagined.
　But ... this might have been a good thing.
　If Silas had been a follower of Fiona's, it would have been very hard to read the inner workings of the man.

　Politics sometimes involves love, hate, and honor. It was the same with the battle for the throne that he was involved in at the end of his previous life.
　Things like that are so out of control.
　If the relationship was only connected by profit, the signs of the end would still be easy to see.

　Silas laughed with his eyes peeled back and continued.

'How about it, kid. Are you satisfied with this foolishly honest answer?
'Yes. I'll have to back it up later to see if it's really stupidly honest. But.....

　I try to fight back a little.

I don't know what to do with myself after receiving such an answer. I don't think we'll be able to sleep easy if you don't get rid of you and threaten the council and take control of this town.
Kakka!

　Silas spits out his cigar and leans toward me.

"Oh. Go ahead, kid.
....
But this town is not going to turn out the way you want it to.

　... no. He doesn't seem to be someone who can be swayed by this level of threats.
　Real politicians sometimes incorporate even their own life and death into their policies. This man must be one of those extraordinary people.
　I'm not a good bargaining chip maker.

　When I'm silent, Silas pulls back his upper body and leans against the back of the couch as if it were nothing at all.

I don't want to make an enemy of the princess, either. It's a good idea to have the holy knights in your pursuit, however, it would be too much for you.
No, I see.

　I opened my eyes for a moment and gave a short retort.
　I'm not so sure.
　You think that's all this guy has to say about me?

　It's understandable, if you think about it.
　I'm not sure that a child, not yet an adult, would think that this town could be cleared in a single night.

　If that's the case, it's convenient.
　If you think you can be held back by the degree of the Holy Knight, then so be it.
　I'm thankful that I'm not feared, and that's what I'm most grateful for.

...Yes, of course.

　I nod and say, "I, for one, do not wish to antagonize Her Highness Fiona.

I, for one, do not wish to antagonize Her Highness Fiona. I can promise you that I will be quiet. And?　What are we going to do with our time in this town?
'Hmm, do what you want with that stuff. You don't have to be quiet about anything.

　Silas is puffing on his cigar again.

"I'm not here to shelter you," he says, "but no one in this town will reject you. But criminals, of course, will not. If your pursuers run amok in this city, you will be arrested like any other criminals, you will have your money taken away and thrown outside the city walls. If you are too naughty, you will naturally end up a slave.
....
So you are free to go about your business as residents of this city. No one will prevent you from achieving that freedom.
....

　I see.
　It seems that it was true after all that this man was a collaborator.
　I'm sure it's just a matter of pride for the head of the free city that he won't do anything that would benefit the powers of the empire, that he goes to the trouble of saying something like that.

　I can't help but say that I'm going to say it.

"Well, I was actually kind of hoping that you'd be able to take care of my life for me, but...
"Spoiled people, why don't you take care of yourself!　No such instructions were given to me by the princess either. Well, I suppose it could be that she was expecting it but I don't know. If you need money, you'll have to give it to the princess yourself. Otherwise, you'll have to earn it. You can be a merchant's maid, a blacksmith's apprentice, an adventurer, or whatever you want to do.
....

　Well, that sounds too good to be true.
　I suppose it wouldn't be much of an expense for him to feed us, but I suppose he would not take it personally if he were to entertain a nobleman.

　And besides... in a way, it's all on schedule.

　I'm going to let out a small breath and say, "Well, since we're here, let's have an adventure.

I'm going to be an adventurer, so I'm going to be an adventurer.
Oh. That's good.

　Silas smiles broadly and says, "I knew a powerful man would say that.

He said, "I knew someone with power would say that. If you are capable of destroying the castle, you should be able to earn enough money to surround yourself with three women.
Don't be ridiculous.

　It was then that Mabel opened her mouth.
　She looked straight at Silas and said.

'I can at least earn my own food.
"Law.

　Silas looks at Mabel with admiration.

''You have a good eye, my daughter. That battle-axe is no longer a decoration, it seems.... That reminds me of a brave man, too. What do you think, young lady, is it possible to fight?
Well I was ten years old when I killed my first monster.

　Amu looked up and stared at Silas with those young grass-colored eyes.

'I can't tell you how many times I've been to the dungeon and the forest. I've even defeated the Lesser Demon and the dungeon boss, Black Naga. I was already an adventurer long before I came to this city.
Kakka!　Oh no!

　Silas laughs, opening his mouth wide.

'You guys are going to be good residents!　At best, encourage and earn it. This city is only enriched by lust and violence.

　That said, though, and that's where Silas loosens his tone.

''You don't know anything about the dungeons in this area yet. I don't think so, but I've heard that the difficulty of some of the dungeons has increased in recent years. We can't afford to get killed too soon. I'll give you some flexibility at least for the first time.
Convenience...?
I would have called for you, but...

　Just then, there was a knock at the door of the room.

"You're here at the right time. Come in!

　The door opens and a figure enters the room.

　He was a tall, somewhat intelligent looking man.
　He is slender, but probably well trained. Judging from his clothes and the sword he carried, he looks like an adventurer.

"Oh, Lloyd. I've been waiting for you.
Sorry I'm late, Mr. Mayor. So, can I help you...
That's him.

　And then Silas tapped me on the shoulder.
　I jerked with the force of the blow.

I'm sure you've heard that they're going to be adventurers, so let them know a little bit about the guild and dungeons. You're going to be an adventurer, so give them a quick tutorial on guilds and dungeons.
It's very sudden again...
What, you don't like it?
'No way, no way. By the way, I understand that you are the mayor's messenger, but can I recruit them to my party?
Of course, that's your decision. Do what you will.
Then I'd be happy to.

　The adventurer called Lloyd holds out his hand to me, "How do you do?

I'm Lloyd. I'm Lloyd. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. Well...
"...Seika Lamprog. Thank you.

　I take his hand in mine and squeeze it back.

Lamprog a distant countess, if I remember correctly.
Yeah, well,
Let's not ask for details. That's the manner of the city. I hope you will remember this when you have the opportunity to get to know other adventurers.

　And then Lloyd smiles softly.
　It wasn't a very adventurous smile,

　Silas says loudly.

'It's Seika Lamprog. The best way to live in this city is to be accepted by it.'
''........Does that mean that you should follow the township?
No, I don't have to do it. You can change the city if you want. That's how Lacana has come to be.
....
Well, we'll figure out what it means. If you don't understand anything else, you can ask him. He'll be happy to tell you everything you need to know. How to strip materials, tips on how to pickpocket a pickpocket, and a good whorehouse. Click!
Please don't make that joke in front of my wife.

　I let out a small sigh at their exchange and open my mouth.

"Then let me ask you a question right away.

　Well, since you're here, I'll take this opportunity to ask you.

Do you know of any good places to stay?