The big man puts his feet up on the table and fans his chest like he's hot.
　Watching him, I say, "This is a bar.

This is a bar," he says. This is a bar," he says. Why don't you order a drink, Mr. Zamlug?

　Zamrugu, the leader of the Red Wing Gang, the first party in Lacana, looks at me with annoying eyes.

You know how much money I've lost? You have no idea how much money I've been dropping off here. I'm not going to sit around and let you complain about it for a few minutes.

　Perhaps it was true.
　Although they weren't equipped for adventurers, their clothes and shoes were of the highest quality. He seems to have earned quite a bit of money as he stands at the top of Lacana's adventurer's party.

And what do you want from me?　It's hot today, and I hope they don't stop anywhere near it if at all possible.

　Zamrg lowers his feet and leans back on the table, staring at me.

"You don't talk to me like that, do you? You have a lot of nerve.
....

　As I silently looked back into his eyes, eventually Zamrg leaned back in his chair and opened his mouth.

'Ha, I see. I'm just a guest of my father's.'
'Dad...?　Oh, you mean the mayor.

　It wouldn't be a blood relative. It's possible to be called that, he said, at some point in time.

'I don't really care, but I wish you'd say what you want first.
You're looking pretty good for a newcomer. Seika Lamprog.
....
''When I heard that some nobleman's kid became an adventurer with a woman, I would bet with my buddies how many days he would die... but I didn't expect him to not only survive, but to start showing up in dungeons for mid-level players. Thanks to that, I lost a lot of money.
'I'm sorry to hear that. Well, we got lucky over here.
'Luck?　You're not. You're real.
....

　Zamlug takes a beat there and changes the subject.

'I hear you've been recruited by that Lloyd's bastard.
Yes. I've declined to join.
Why?
'Not really. I just didn't share his thoughts.
Ha, I'm sure you do!

　Zamlug's voice gets louder.

''Well it looks like you are too.
Of course.

　The big man snorts.

'Helping each other at a large party?　Fool. What does it mean to be an adventurer? You don't know what you're talking about.
I don't know, but what's the point of being an adventurer?
You're free.

　Zamrg says outright.
　There was a sincere echo of the rough man's words, only there.

'Do you have any idea what freedom is?　It means that we are not subject to anyone's control and therefore do not need anyone's help. Because we are free, we can be true to our desires. Because we are free, we hone our strength hard to survive. That's how Lakana has developed with desire and a thirst for life.
....
"The powerless die, the powerful survive. What's so funny about that?　Because of the constant search for power, this city can now be a free city. If his pampered party rules spread to all adventurers, the city would lose its desire and thirst for life. Such a Lacana will eventually be swallowed up by the Empire.
....
I don't want that kind of party to be at the top of Lacana. The guiding principle for all adventurers in this town should be a powerful party. A party like the one my father used to lead...
I didn't share Lloyd's ideas.

　I was fed up with the long story, so I interrupted him rather forcefully.

'It's the same with your story, isn't it?
Huh?
What kind of freedom do you expect from an adventurer?
What... what?
Many adventurers have no choice but to come to this city and dive into dungeons with no money, no handlers, and no information, just to survive. What's the point of this?　Isn't it as good as being bound hand and foot and being dragged along by the situation?
.........
'And in a situation like this, power is of little use.
You are...
'Well, but I see today why you've been looking at Lloyd for so long.

　I laugh, the corners of my mouth hanging open.

You were jealous that your beloved mayor was putting someone you didn't like to work for him, weren't you?

　I remember when Lloyd had been called into Mayor Silas' reception room.
　That one, apparently, looked like he was usually asked to do something.

　Zamrg had removed the expression from his face.

''...Is that an insult to me?''

　Adventurers value face value.
　Especially for this man who stands at the top of the Lacana adventurer's ladder, he would not be able to overlook an insult to himself.

Well as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter how you see it.

　I didn't care if he was going to hit me or not, though.
　But this man must have come for something, too. It's not a good idea to fight back without hearing about it.
　I have no choice but to add a few words to keep things under control.

"It's just that I've been indebted to him a few times in the past.
I don't owe that bastard any favors.

　Zamlug seemed to have sorted it out in his own mind that it was a thing to do to preserve the honor of Lloyd, to whom he owed a debt of gratitude.
　Then he got to the point.

'Enter my party. Seika Lamprog.
.........What, you were a solicitor too?

　I'm disappointed in this unexpected appointment.

So you want the four of us to join the Red Wing Gang?
There aren't four of us. You're the only one. The extra ones are just a distraction. But I promise you that you'll be well paid. If you share it with your friends, you'll make even more money than you already do.
It seems that you are greatly overrated. I'm just a porter and a healer.
Stop lying to me. How can a guy from Lamprogs be the leader of a party of girls and not a social worker?
''It's true that I can handle some magic, though. Anyway, I'm afraid not. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I don't feel comfortable sending them off on their own for an adventure.
Are you one of their parents or something?

　Zamrg says dubiously.

'Then fine. Once. Come along for the ride once. You'll be rewarded for all you want.
'Once...?　Where are you headed?
South Mountain. I'm gonna get the boss.

　After a long silence, I open my mouth.

"Does that mean........it's in response to Lloyd's plan to take out the East Boss?
Yeah. That's right. We can't let them monopolize the honor of defeating the boss. If the League of Renju stands at the top of every party and many adventurers follow his ideas, this city will be corrupted. As the number one party in Lacana, we must not allow that to happen.

　Zamlug continues.

'If we're a small elite, the mountains to the south are easier to capture in terms of terrain than to the east. This heat is forcing him to abandon his plans. Now is the perfect time.
....
But even with my party, it's not going to be easy for five of us to take down the boss. That's why I was gathering all the men I could find and you're going to help me, Seika Lamprog.

　I get a bitter look on my face.
　Are these guys even trying to beat the boss?

　I sighed and shook my head.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I have to decline...

　Then I suddenly stopped speaking.
　I glanced at Zamrg and thought for a moment in silence.......and then reconsidered.

'....No...okay...'

　I nodded with a thin smile.

"You want me to come with you to beat the Southie boss?


****


　When I left the guild and went back to my room, Yuki poked her head out and said, confused.

'Um, Seika-sama?　Are you sure?　Even if you've defeated the southern boss. Where's the dragon vein story...
Not all right. We're not gonna kill him, boss.
What?
''That Zamrg, that adventurer...probably strong in his own right. I thought about leaving Lloyd alone, but this one is dangerous.
Uh, in that case...
That's why you're going to interfere. I'm going to help you. I'm going to go along with you. I'm just going to have to do something about it.
'Oh, but I think that's a good idea!　And how?
You'll see. I've got a great idea.
If it's Seika-sama's idea, there's no doubt about it!

　Yuki said in a bouncy voice.


****


　By the way.......and a few hours later.
　Amu and the others really came charging into my room.

"Saker, please. Give me a cool one.

　As soon as I entered the room, I fell on the bed and said to Amu, who was rumbling about, with half an eye.

"Go home.
'Don't say that!　Come on, you guys.

　Yifa and Mabel, prompted by Amu, followed her.

''Uh, yeah. Seika-kun.......no?
Ggh.....
I'll do anything.
And don't take it lightly, like you do everything.
It's hot and drafty in our room. I can't sleep well these days. Please.

　And then Amu closes one eye.
　After a short time of silence I sighed heavily.

I can't help it.
'Yes!　Thanks, Seika!

　Amu makes a happy sound.

''It's still sweet.......Seika-sama.

　Yuki whispered dumbly in her hair, but she couldn't say anything back.

　Eventually, the three energized people began to frolic as the floating Hitogata began to take the heat out of the room.

'Haha, great!　Even a nobleman wouldn't be able to enjoy such luxury!
'Huh ... it's cool, Mabel.
I'm glad to be alive. I'm glad you're alive.

　That's great.

I'm sleeping over here today!
Hey, are you going to sleep three people in that bed?　It's just for one person.
It's big enough to stuff in. Come on, Mabel, come lie down. What do you think?
It looks fine.
So I guess Yifa's on this side of the line then.
Uh, yeah...

　The three of them used the bed together and the girls seemed ready to go to bed.

'Huh, it's been a long time since I've slept comfortably.
Make sure you keep your blanket on. And I'm going to stop the surgery after midnight. It's not good for the body to get cold when it's asleep...
Okay.... you're such a jerk sometimes, aren't you?
Jeez...!
'Wow....'

　Then, before I could even turn off the light, I heard the sound of sleep coming from the bed.

".........

　Maybe I had trouble sleeping and really didn't sleep well, or maybe I was just tired from playing with the kids during the day.
　Well, at least for today, that's okay.

I mean, where am I going to sleep?

　I am at a loss to look at the already full bed.
　But once I allow it, I can't help it.
　I rummage through my stuff, thinking I'll just throw on a cloak and sleep on the floor. When I think of my childhood and my journey across the continent, such a bed is fine enough.

Seika-kun I'm sorry.

　I turned at the sound of an apologetic, small voice and saw Yifa looking at me from the side.
　She continues.

'Seika-kun's bed, it's like I'm taking it away...'
'What, you're up. I mean, like, nothing else but that.

　Bed robbery, boys.

Do you wanna trade?　I don't mind being in that room over there...

　I smiled at Yifa and reached out to pat her on the head.

"Don't be afraid. Besides, Amu would probably beat me up if I slept in there in the morning.
'Ummm ... yeah?　But....
That's okay. You three sleep well together.
Yes?

　Yifa, who replied, tucked the blanket up to her mouth.
　'Huh.

'.........Yifa.
"?　Yes, Seika-kun.
Isn't this a tough time for you?

　Yifa blinks a few times and answers my question in a cheerful voice.

"Yes, it's fun. "Yeah, it's fun. I'm able to help people by myself. And besides....it was a little scary at first, but the people in town are really nice. After that, Ake-san gave me a fruit today. He said it was our thanks.
Okay.

　I just smiled at that moment.

I'm glad to hear it.