"It's my first time in the castle."

 

Amako, the fox beastman next to me, looking up at the castle and exclaiming in admiration. I took her with me to the castle yesterday in the early morning as Rose had told me.

Greet the guards as you always do when you enter the castle before entering the castle. As soon as we entered, the two maids bowed and welcomed us into the castle.

 

"Usato-sama...... And your companion, isn't it? I will take you to King Lloyd."

"Usato was amazing."

"Don't sound surprised, because I know I don't look good either."

 

I'm not used to being a sama, so I smile awkwardly. As it is, I walk down a familiar passage and am immediately led to the hall where the king is. The maid opened the door and went inside as she was instructed, and Lloyd, Sergio, and many knights, Sigurd, and Welsie. And then there were Kazuki and Inugami-senpai.

 

"Oh, you're here, Usato-sama."

"It's been a few days."

"Is she the Amako?"

 

Lloyd's kind eyes turn to Amako next to her. She was slightly frightened, but she looked at Lloyd and nodded slightly.

 

「...... Oh I see?????? Well, now that we've got it all together, I'd like to talk about why we got everyone together. Usato-dono, I want you to listen to Kazuki-dono's place."

"Yes, I'm going, Amako."

"Uh, yes."

 

Perhaps he was nervous, but when he tapped his shoulder lightly, he stretched his tail and looked at me and replied. After all, I wonder if it is nerve-wracking to meet the king of a country, but I have met him many times, so I am not so nervous.

He and Amako move towards the end of the hall where Inugami-senpai and Kazuki are.

 

"Hi, Usato-kun."

"Yo, Usato."

"It's been a long time, and both of you seem to be doing well."

 

I don't know what it is, but I feel like we've both changed a little bit in the last ten days. It may seem trivial, but I wonder if the two of them were also training...... Maybe it's because I heard that you might go on a trip?

 

"The fact that we all got together...... It's about sending another letter asking for cooperation from other countries. This is a conclusion reached by the Ministers, including myself, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Legion...... The second battle with the Demon King's army was more painful than the first. The brave men who helped us were also in danger of death, and without the presence of the rescue team, the casualties would have been innumerable."

 

Lloyd's expression calmed and he looked around the hall after a pause. I glanced around, but no one had an expression of opposition to the king's words...... Rather, he is tightening up as if he has made up his mind.

 

―――You are really adored, and because you are a straight Lloyd with no inside and out, many people follow you. And it has formed a country that seems to embody the character of Lord Lloyd.

 

"Let us take action, we have had enough of being frightened by the immediate threat, and even if we are rejected, we must communicate the threat and unite in the face of the threat of the Demon Lord. I will send the letter in fifteen days, to the majority of countries on the continent."

 

The majority of the continent, or in that case, a large number of people can't move to send out a single letter.

Moreover, if you were refused cooperation the first time, it can be seen that just sending a letter will not be effective. If that's the case--

 

"Inukami-dono, Kazuki--"

 

Those who are in a special position, that is, the brave.

 

"And Lord Usato."

"Yes, I'm the one...... That's it."

 

When I nodded yes, my name was called, and I was stunned.

Inugami-senpai, Kazuki, and Sigurd nodded for some reason, as if it were a matter of course, so apparently no one objected. No, I knew I was going to send a letter, but in my case, I just ...... it would be sent to a country that doesn't have much influence.

Amako, who was as stunned as I was, said, "Usato...... It was amazing...... he mutters, trying to say a word to the king.

 

"I'm sorry, I've given you too much trouble."

"No, the people of this country are important to us, so we will gladly accept the task."

"Hehehe, can you go to different countries...... It's hard, but it's fun. Usato thinks so too, doesn't he?"

「......... Yes, that's right."

 

I have no objection to going, but I let out a small sigh so that people around me will not find out that I have been entrusted with an important role.

Mr. Lloyd, who didn't know how I felt, pursed his mouth happily, turned his gaze to me and Amako.

 

"I'm sorry Usato-sama, but the place where you send your letter is somewhat peculiar."

"Special ......?"

"I'll explain that later, but for now...... Now I have told everyone what I need to tell them. This concludes this meeting...... Brave men, Lord Usato, Amako, and Welsey and Sigurd will stay here."

 

At that point, Mr. Lloyd ended the conversation and ended the meeting.

They left in a line, but me, Amako, Inugami-senpai, Kazuki, Sigurd, and Welsey didn't leave, but stayed in place, staring at Lloyd. ...... Hmm? There are about three people I don't know...... I wonder who it is.

Tilting his head, he looks at the trio, and his eyes meet with one of them, and he winks. I waited for the king's words with the impression that he was a very friendly person.

 

 

●

 

 

"First of all, Amako, thank you for saving our country from a ruinous future."

"What!?"

 

When there was no one left, Lloyd suddenly bowed to Amako and thanked her. Both Sergio and Welsey were panicked by Lloyd's sudden action, but the one who was most flustered was none other than Amako.

 

"I couldn't say it publicly in front of everyone, but I want to help as much as I can, if not to return the favor."

「...... See you then."

"The last place where Lord Usato will send a letter is Mialak, the land of water."

「！ ...... There's--"

"A floating city in the center of the great river that crosses this continent, and far beyond it is the land of the beastmen."

 

Cheng Cheng, that's why Master Lloyd arranged for me to go to the land of the beastmen under the pretext of sending a letter to the country called Miarak .......

 

"But it's a tough road...... I'm sorry to Lord Usato......"

"It's also a request from me, so I'm happy to accept it."

「...... Thank you."

 

Rather, it is this person who should be thanked. I'm sure Lloyd has gone to great lengths to make this impossible wish come true, and I can't thank him enough.

...... Even so, is it a country located on the water...... Is it a country that is not that big because it is on a river? Or is it that it is located in the center of a very large river like ...... lake?

 

"Now, what about the country to which the letter is sent...... Alfie, you're Lord Usato."

"Yes, I told you, Usato-sama...... It was Amako-sama. Come over here."

 

A woman dressed like a scholar with flaxen hair tied into a braid leads us out of the hall.

This is the first person I've ever met. I've been to the castle many times, but I've never met him, so is he an outsider? Or is it someone you never met by chance......

I bowed to Master Lloyd and the Inugami seniors, and as I walked out into the corridor of the castle, the woman walking in front of me turned to me and Amako in a bouncy voice.

 

"It's the first time we've met. I'm Alfie, and I'm a scholar in this country. Well, even though I am a scholar, I have a wide range of research, but to put it simply, I summarize the literature that will lead to the development of this country and propose it to Mr. Lloyd as a single case, and I accumulate knowledge for emergencies...... In other words, it's okay to think of yourself as basically a lazy person! This time, I would like to teach you the geography of the country to which Usato-sama gives the letter. Oh, but it's not that hard. The roads are well made, so if you watch out for monsters and bandits, you should be able to pass them all in a few months."

"Usato, this story is long."

 

Alfie, who had finished talking about all the matters in quick succession, was walking ahead with a smile on her face at Amako's words. This person has a very strong character. But I understood the requirements and so on. In short, this person taught me a lot about the country and geography that he gave me a letter to.

 

Alfie walks in front of me towards the edge of the castle, which I have never been to before. When she came out into the castle where there were few windows, she stopped in front of a large wooden door, turned to him with a smile, and pointed to the wooden door with her hand.

 

"Here, this is the boudoir given to me, but I think the other rooms are probably used by my colleagues, so please don't hesitate to come in."

"Huh......"

 

When I entered the room as I was guided, I was greeted by a terrifying array of papers and books piled up to the point where they almost reached the ceiling.

Perhaps to make way for us, he prepares chairs and tables while brushing off the papers and books scattered on the floor by hand.

Confused, Amako and I sat down in our chairs, and Alfie, who had been rummaging through what looked like a bookcase, took out a large piece of paper from a large book and dusted it off.

 

"Well, map, map, map...... This is it. yes, then let me explain."

 

A map spread out on a desk? Alfie points to the map and begins to explain it.

 

"The Lingle Kingdom we live in now is the closest place to the Demon Lord's Realm."

 

He points to a large green spot, a sign away from the plains where he fought the Demon King's army. There are a few forests and small villages around, but there are certainly no large countries nearby.

 

"And the place where the Demon King ruled was on the other side of a large river that ran through the plains, and they came across ...... river."

"Cheng Cheng"

"First of all, let me tell you that the place where Usato-sama and the heroes are going is the same only at the beginning."

"Same?"

 

If each of them is going to hand over the letter, shouldn't they go separately?

 

"I understand your doubts, but from the Lingle Kingdom, you will have to go through a steep road along the way, so I will ask you to take a safe road even if it is a little detour, in a direction that emphasizes safety. Therefore, the journey to deliver the letter is from here, in the magical city of Luxvis."

 

Magical City, Luxvis. I'm sure it was a place where there was a healing wizard from that country? Also, I ...... that there is a beastman who hid Amako.

 

"Of course, I'll give the letter to Luxvis, because there are some people over there who are the best on the continent when it comes to magic. However, discrimination based on magical qualities is also intense, so please be careful Usato-sama. ...... I'm worried that you, who have been taught healing magic by Lady Rose, will inadvertently blow up a student."

 

Amako giggles at Alfie's words, which she smiles playfully.

I can't laugh.

 

"You're kidding, I'm not that monster."

「...... Huh?"

 

Now, I heard a surprising voice next to me, but I ignored it. I'm definitely a human being. He's not powerful enough to make a human fly like a pinball like Rose, and he's not a devil who can heal a stunned human and make him run.

It's really weird that everyone in the lifesaving team looks the same as me and Rose.

 

"Calling Mistress Rose a monster seems to be a man of good reputation, and if I give you a letter in Luxvis, you will have to go to three countries and give her a letter."

"Three, if you add the country of beastmen, ...... four."

"Oh, no, it's the number of beastmen in the country. Nominally, there are two, but in the case of Usato-sama, it is somewhat special, so I will include the country of beastmen in the number. One is the final destination, the Mealak, the country that is here."

 

Next, he pointed to a place where a large expanse of a large river is enlarged in a circle, and in the center of it is a mark that looks like a country.

―――It's a long way from the Lingle Kingdom.

 

"Giving a letter to the queen who rules here...... The rest is a short distance from Luxvis...... This is it. Samariar, the land of prayer."

"Samaria...... Huh?"

 

Amako asks the name and shakes her tail. Is there something in this country? ...... I wonder what. I have a very bad feeling.

 

"This is ...... In a sense, it is the country that seems to be the most supportive...... I'm a little uncomfortable with subhumans."

"Is that excessive?"

"That's why I want Amako-sama to be very careful when entering this country...... It seems that it is okay to enter, but it is better not to take him if you have an audience with the king...... I'm really sorry for those of us who know the situation, but Samaria exists in a different direction from the country where Kazuki-sama and Inukami-sama are headed......"

"Okay, don't apologize, I'm just happy to help you."

 

It seems to be a country of prayer or something religious...... I wonder if it's okay. I'm an atheist, so I don't think I'll be affected by that, but if the king finds out about Amako in addition to his subhuman exclusivism, it could be a big deal.

 

"But isn't it surprisingly few, that we only send three?"

"We don't have much time," he said, "and the knights in other positions will be responsible for sending them to other countries. And all the kings of the countries that Hero and Usato-sama go to give directly are difficult people, and they are not the kind of people who cooperate so easily. But without their help, it's impossible to fight the Demon Lord."

「......」

"That's why the Lingle Kingdom is showing its sincerity and determination by sending the main forces of this country, Brave and Usato-sama."

 

...... Isn't it a great responsibility?

 

「...... I don't know if I'll be able to show my sincerity when I show up."

"It depends on your skill, and although you may not have noticed, there is no one in this country who does not know you. The rescue team is a lifesaver for everyone. Isn't it transmitted to other countries to the extent of rumors? Whether you believe it or not, ...... don't know."

"I'm not happy about being famous......

 

Sigh and shrug your shoulders. I hope the rumors don't go on their own.

Well, that time is the time.

 

"And it's about the land of beastmen...... To be honest, we don't know much about the Beast Nation. I ...... only to get a boat from Mearlark to take me to the other side."

"It's okay there, I'll explain it to Usato."

"Well, that's a relief, because it's a closed country, so the only materials we had were from a long time ago."

 

I guess so. After all, it is one of the clans that is forced to lick the bitterness of human existence. There was no interaction.

But the beastman's country is quite far away. In that case, how many people will come with you? To be honest, I want you to follow me and the person who can deal with the Bulllyn that I plan to take with you, and the beastman Amako if you have to, or if you want to, a person with common sense.

 

"How many people are you planning to go on the trip?"

"As few as possible, it's preferred, so it's about five, but Usato-sama might prefer less. If you're running on the battlefield, it's going to be hard to move if there are a lot of people."

"Oh well...... That's right."

 

It was a brilliant guess.

This person knows what I'm thinking.

 

"Besides...... There was talk of having him accompany the hero, but the beastman country he would eventually head to is becoming more vigilant due to slaves and discrimination that have been prominent in recent years, so even if Amako-sama is present, even if Amako-sama is present, it may be considered hostile and may be attacked immediately...... In the end, it was only one or two people, centered on Usato-sama......"

"No, in my case, it's okay if someone with some knowledge and common sense follows me, and if too many people rush in, the beastman's response will be extreme."

 

As long as Amako nods her head, it seems that what I'm saying isn't wrong. Then who will come...... I ...... want someone strong enough to be defeated by bandits.

......... A. You might be able to trust him.

 

"Well, what about the people who come with you...... What about Mr. Arc Girdle?"

"Arc Girdle...... Oh, the guards! Cheng Cheng, is it him? He's surprisingly knowledgeable...... Hmmm, Usato-sama has good eyes."

 

The cool red-haired guard, Mr. Aluk, is a reliable person who can withstand bandits and protect our rescue team during the battle with the Demon King's army. Besides, he's a great and bright common sense person.

 

"I'll check on it after this, and he'll be happy to do it right there...... Well, I'm done explaining...... Not anymore...... Oh, I forgot. This is after we have been to the Land of the Beastmen."

......"Well, we have to go back here."

 

I completely forgot about it.

Yes, we have to go back here. I've always thought of it as a beast man's country, a beast man's country, so I forgot about it.

 

"It's simple, it's just a matter of going back to Luxvis and going back from there, and I can send you a letter on the way back, but I can't let you go that far."

"It's going to be a bland way home......

 

Well, better than going...... Easy, huh? It's okay to say this in a situation where there is no prospect of being able to fulfill the mission properly.

 

Alfie, who had finished talking about everything, bowed to me and Amako before going to the hall where Lloyd was.

For the time being, I was told that I could go home for today, so I was allowed to go home quietly.

I wanted to meet Senpai and Kazuki as well, but I'm sure they will have something to think about when they hear about their travels, so I'll save the opportunity for another day. Fortunately, the departure is about half a month later, so there is still time.

 

 

 

 

"That's why."

"Hmmm."

 

After dropping Amako off at Sarlat's shop, I tell Rose, who is watching Ferm's training at the training ground, what Lloyd said and the country I'm traveling to.

 

"You've been going to a troublesome country for quite a while, but you'll be fine."

"Is it okay to be so optimistic......

"What, are you worried?"

 

Rose looks at me with a smile on her face, and she involuntarily sighs with a feeling similar to resignation.

 

"It's not as uneasy as coming here for the first time and training with the leader."

"Don't tell me?"

"Hey, hey, I'm going to ignore ......."

 

He looks at Ferm, who is painfully doing push-ups under the leader of the group, who is sobbing funny, and scratches his cheek. It's still just Rose on board, so why is it so painful? I was a rock when I was your age.

 

"Well, try your best, I was tougher."

"Huh!? ...... Damn it, if you can do it, I can do it too...... Whew."

 

While sweating profusely, he frantically moves his arms and does push-ups. Rose, who was on top of Ferm, swept up her hair in dismay and crossed her legs .......

 

"I'm going to the 'forest' with him soon, and I'll ask you to stay in the meantime."

「...... Isn't it early?"

"He's going to try to take it easy right away, and he's going to have to hit it in a place where he can't do that."

 

Is this demon going to forcibly correct his laziness?

 

「...... Well, no matter what time of year it is, it's a road that everyone takes."

"Your time is special, this guy is a little lacking in guts, so I'm going to leave him until the last minute."

 

He is so engrossed in push-ups that he doesn't realize it, but tomorrow Ferm will know hell and unreasonableness. But I don't think it's going to be any worse than I am, so I should be relieved there. ...... Hail.

 

"...... Hah......"

 

Ferm falls face down on the ground as if she is collapsing with a bang, probably because she has been exercising at a sudden overpace, and Rose, who is inevitably sitting on her ground, goes from sitting in a chair to sitting in a chair.

 

「...... Chipper...... How many times has this happened? Wake up, 500 more push-ups, this is a waste of food!"

"Uh-huh......"

"Wow...... I've already gotten up so many times, but I can't do it, this kid ......."

 

Rose stood up and began to stomp on her as she collapsed and her shoulders were shaking slightly, with her feet covered in healing magic.

Gradually, I heard something like a cry, so I silently bowed to Rose and left. If this continues, I am likely to get involved. I don't mind training, but maybe something sad will happen that will keep Ferm holding a grudge against me for a long time.

 

「...... yes, go for it."

 

She can't hear me...... Probably not.