“If they are in Traage, then we should make arrangements immediately…”
Before Efil could even finish speaking, Mist shook her head.
“There are circumstances, so it won’t be that simple.”
“What do you mean?”
Mist slowly stood up and took a book from a shelf in the room. She then flipped through the pages.
“It has been exactly one year since Kokufu was defeated. This is an article from a certain news organization at that time.”
The opened book was placed on the table. Picking up the book, the three of us looked at the page. Several clippings of articles were pasted there. It was likely a scrapbook.
“Please look at this article.”
“Let me see, excuse me…”
――――――A-Rank Adventurer Christoph and Party Annihilate Bandit Group ‘Kokufu’!―――――――
Today, a most joyous announcement was made by our glorious King of Trisen, Lord Zel. The notorious bandit group ‘Kokufu,’ which has been causing trouble throughout the land in recent years, has reportedly been defeated by a party led by Mr. Christoph, an A-Rank adventurer hailing from Trisen. Kokufu had committed murder and robbery in various countries and was internationally wanted, yet no one had been able to ascertain their whereabouts. Each member possessed high abilities, making them a group that even the Knights could not easily confront, earning them the moniker ‘The Phantom Bandit Group.’ Recently, a certain village within Trisen’s jurisdiction suffered damage, a fact that is surely fresh in everyone’s memory. It was Mr. Christoph who rose to the occasion in this situation. Through his own investigation, he successfully located the leader of Kokufu and managed to take his head. Lord Zel, in honor of this great achievement, has decided to bestow the Trisen Medal of Honor upon Mr. Christoph. With this, Mr. Christoph has become a true hero of Trisen in both name and deed. We must pay close attention to the future exploits of this great new hero.
―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――
“…I see.”
“The adventurer you are looking for is likely Christoph. As the article states, he is currently being celebrated as a hero of Trisen. Carelessly making a move against him could escalate into an international problem between Traage and Trisen.”
So he’s someone the Adventurer Guild finds difficult to deal with. Still, Trisen is truly a troublesome country. At least, for me.
“But, with so much evidence? I don’t care if he’s a hero of some country, are you telling us to just accept this and cry about it!?”
“That is…”
“Sera, calm down. What Mist is trying to say is that preparation is necessary.”
I calmed Sera down, who had gotten worked up, but it was true that preparation would take time. This case involves international issues, and it would likely take a considerable amount of time to resolve. If only there was something absolute that could demonstrate our legitimacy—
“—Hm?”
Did something just…
“Master, is something wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing. Let’s continue the conversation.”
It’s definitely not nothing. And well, this reaction is—
『Sera』
『Eh, are we talking here? Is this a secret conversation?』
I switched to the high-speed communication within the subordinate network, which only subordinates could participate in.
『Has your Detection Skill picked up any big shots around the area, a group of four?』
『Let me see… I feel a rather strong presence at the Town Entrance. Judging by the feel, around level 50, I’d say.』
『As expected…』
Coincidence does happen. If that’s the case, then I’m lucky.
『Does this group of four have anything to do with the situation?』
『I don’t quite grasp the situation…』
I displayed the Status within the subordinate network.
『This group of four is probably the Hero.』
『『『——!』』』
Previously, Melfina went to Delamis and received an oracle from the Shrine Maiden. The record orb received at that time was an A-Rank item, capable of storing all sorts of information. Although the orb itself was returned to the Shrine Maiden, the Hero’s Status data, uploaded to the subordinate network, still remains. Surprisingly, I was able to sense the Hero’s presence from that Status. Naturally, I had marked the presence of these four individuals.
『It seems they just entered this town a moment ago.』
There are no knightly reactions around. Did they come to Traage alone?
『Are those the ones the Princess mentioned…』
『Hero…』
Even though they are different people, it must be complicated for Sera, whose father was killed by a Hero in the past.
『Sera, as you understand, this Hero is a different person.』
『…I understand that with my head.』
However, I can’t seem to sort out my feelings yet. It looks like I’ll need to monitor the situation and offer support.
『That’s good then. This time, I plan to have these Heroes lend a hand.』
『Indeed, if they are Heroes, their fame and popularity would easily surpass Christoph’s. With evidence, and the backing of the Guild and Delamis, Trisen won’t be able to object.』
『Are you going to pit the Heroes against Christoph and the Kokufu remnant?』
『If you do that, I won’t be able to fight, will I?』
『『『………』』』
『Why do you all go silent so suddenly!』
Of course, that’s not the only reason. The strength of the Heroes is at best mid-to-high A-Rank adventurer level. There’s no guarantee they can win against Christoph, his party, and Kokufu. What would Melfina say if I let them die here…
『Haa… Let’s clear my head and announce the plan.』
～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
“Mist Mist, I have a proposal.”
“A proposal, you say?”
The strategy meeting concluded, and we are finally moving on to preparations. Mist’s cooperation is essential for this plan. If the plan succeeds, we might even be able to incur a favor from Traage. That would increase the chances of obtaining rice. I will obtain rice no matter what!
『Master, leave the cooking to me! I will surely reproduce the recipe!』
『The phantom ingredient from the King’s hometown… I, too, will do my best to materialize and eat it!』
『You two sometimes crack me up with those sudden jokes.』
With absolute determination, we began our actions.
