Boundary Labyrinth and the Foreign Magician

"Thank you for waiting."

Waiting for a report in one of the hotel rooms, the knights returned.

but somehow there are more people besides Mercedia and Chester. A knightly woman with a cleaver's eye and a cleric-style man with a distinctive mustache.

"You've never talked like this before. He's the head of the Knights, called Mildred-Calvary."

"I'm Derek-Borger, the Inquisitor."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Theodor-Gartner."

Mildred is the Knight Commander, and Derek the Kaisel Beard is the Inquisitor, right?

"First - answer the question from me."

Apparently Derek was in charge of the magical interrogation of Fernando and Jasper.

Summarizing that story - there were two adventurers who accompanied us to the Night Dark Forest. I'm staying at a lodging somewhere close to the port in the West End.

"As for them, Jasper knew each other, and the sun was shallow, because they were willing to go out in a liquor store. He doesn't know much about it. Because if you look for the Knights, it's going to be gold... because he said he had a similar idea to Jasper. Looks like we're getting along."

Would it mean that Jasper relied on them to share his thoughts after he broke up with his former companions?

"I'm not one of the guys caught with him... so you're saying goodbye again"

Mercedia squeaks.

"Those guys were originally from the West Side - they said Jasper and his longtime buddies Gorotsuki weren't running adventurers."

Derek answered his Kaisel beard with his fingers.

"Fernando was originally from the West End, too. He said he knew Jasper's name as a man who would do anything depending on his money."

I see. Were you in a relationship where it was easy to get acquainted with you through a lateral connection?

So Fernando took it and used it for Greg's ride.

"Well, that's where the information you squeezed out of them is. At the moment, all I care about is why you care about the people you end up with."

Jasper didn't have enough credibility to engage the incarcerator, but I don't know how far he was guessing from their side when he saw it. Depending on that, it would be divided into how they had been deceived, or knowingly cooperated.

If you look at it on the surface, it is the end to that extent. That said, even at their place, soldiers will be there tomorrow.

But... that's no good.

"To be clear, I suspect those two may be demons."

"Become -"

When I say it, the faces of the people in line have a uniformly surprising look.

"Is that a well-founded story?

Chester asks.

"Not so much as a rationale, but I was a little concerned. Considering that the demon was investigating matters related to the sealing of the Moonlight Temple, and that Fernando said that if the adventurer touched it, he burned it..."

It doesn't matter if you're not a demon, if the agent you were trying to infiltrate failed, we're just talking about infiltrating the next person.

"Speaking of which... you sure do. I tried to touch that door, but it didn't burn."

Mercedia agreed as impressed.

"Although it is possible that there has been a change in the door. It just wouldn't be a good idea to go check on the Night Dark Forest. I wonder if Jasper or Fernando will get away with it if they find out more about it than they did."

"But... if they were demons, would it be dangerous to do the soldiers and make them listen and take them?"

Chester roars.

Yes. Then it's the two dances when Lynette the Demon. Well, the next time there's two worst opponents - maybe.

"What do we do?

Mercedia tells Chester.

I don't care what you do, if there's room for discussion with the devil, maybe you can find a way.

As far as I know how they think about humans - the answers are narrowed too.

"After sealing off the perimeter and putting a stop to human damage, we step in with a handful of elites who are likely to be able to counter the demons, okay? We were working with Fernando anyway, so we'll need to find out."

I don't like being dusty. If you're an adventurer who was hired for money and just didn't know anything... then you should just apologize for not suspecting it. We're talking about categories where suspicion can originally be hung up, and it's harder to find a wrongful crime than there is an interrogation. Besides, scrutiny and fellowship of clients is part of the adventurer's job.

"Again... that's a rambling story"

The knights laughed bitterly, but there were no objections. Mildred and others are laughing with pleasure.

"When it comes to demon opponents, it will be the Fei Long Squad's turn... but you have a problem"

Chester says with a look like he chewed up a bitter bug.

"The Greggists are under investigation, so the morale of the Flying Dragon Squad sucks,"

"Yes."

Anyway, it is a flying dragon squad that costs money to maintain such as bait. So I guess I was allowing a guy like Greg to rise up who liked to hear more about the nobility than the knight's share of the mood...... Greg, who was eating into the Fei Long Squad, was caught, so as it stands, you can see that the troops are dysfunctional. Though it would not be the turn of the Fei Long Squad to block traffic or induce evacuation.

"Still a few elite, huh? It's gonna be hard to move as a unit."

Arm up, Mildred said.

"Either way, I'll go. It's not about cooperation, it's about personal circumstances."

If you were hesitant to know there could be a demon, it wouldn't be any different from when you were my mother. My neck goes in, and if I have thoughts, I smash it.

"... to sum up the story, he chose a few elite men who could ride the Fei Long and beat the devil with Lord Theodore,"

"I don't mind that."

"- Hmm. Then you can decide only to ask His Majesty's intentions later. Be ready by dawn."

Dawn, huh? You still have time.

"It's an evacuation guide, but you'll do the orphanage, too, right?

I know the orphanage is fine because it's away from the port, just in case.

"An orphanage in the West Side? All right, I'll make sure we arrange it."

"Regards"

"What about Lord Theodore? Wait here till the hour?

Mercedia asks me, I think.

"Because I care more about the house. I'll go back and tell him about it."

Whatever you do, you should talk to Grace and the others properly.

I was worried when I fought the demon before. It's not like we're going to fight all of a sudden.

"I'm home."

When I came back home, everyone welcomed me back with a smile.

Looks like Sheila and Illumhilt were waiting at home, too.

"What happened?

"Greg, we got a party and Fernando. Just..."

"Just?"

"We may be fighting demons. I've got about two suspected adventurers on their way to the West End tomorrow morning."

Let everyone know what they decided to do today.

West Side, Sheila and Illumhilt frowned.

"I heard the port was close, so it looks like we're away from the orphanage. The orphanage said the Knights would lead the evacuation."

"... thanks"

Their expressions soothe somewhat.

"Still, near the harbor - close to me and Illumhilt's."

"Well... it's better not to go back there today"

"... ok"

They seem to have convinced me, but I don't really get the look on my face.

Grace and Ashley do the same. If you turn your eyes, you won't have to ask. "I'm worried," he says in his complexion.

"... I'm a demon opponent, so I can't take them all like a labyrinth. It's like fighting with my personal feelings."

"Wow, I..."

After staring at each other for a while, Ashley opened her mouth first.

"If you mean it, I want to go with you..."

Ashley narrows her eyes.

Right. For Ashley, too, because demons are enemies.

"But... I'm sure I'll be on my toes right now. Maybe - my role is not to fight the demon face to face... but to allow my loved ones to hang their healing magic whenever they are wounded..."

The last one of the words went butt shuddered. I guess you're asking yourself if that's a good idea.

From what I can tell, the answer is not wrong.

I really want to go with you, I'm in more trouble than they say.

I'm sure what Ashley just said is something she thinks of somewhere during her usual labyrinth exploration.

It is Ashley's role to stay in condition so that she doesn't come forward too aggressively and can use healing magic at any time. Long mace and the like are just one way to deal with it when it comes to close range.

So - gently stroke Ashley's hair and answer.

"... yeah. So, maybe it fits. So you can safely step forward and fight."

"... Yes"

Ashley tilted her little neck and smiled.

"Theo-"

Eyes on Grace.

She looks straight at this one and asks.

"In me, do you get a foot clump?

"... no"

Shake your head, side by side.

At the moment, Grace is the only one in my crew who seems capable of fighting demons. And Grace has a reason to fight demons.

"I think Grace can fight. I'll give you a way to fight in five minutes."

"Theo...... thank you"

I don't mind fighting demons. There is no denying smashing demons.

But if you're serious, I don't like to let my loved ones fight demons. That's true from me, so I'm sure it's the same from them. On the one hand, I am the only one who is strong in my view.

But the only spiciness I can do is to look at a scene like that - I know.

That's why Grace wants us to fight, and if we have the means to do so, we fight together. I think that's the form of trust. Even Grace has something to do with my mother, so she wants to fight demons.

"... thanks, Theo. - Seal the ring."

Oh. Grace has always been in a state of liberation.

When the ring was sealed, Grace smiled and held me tight.

"... and Master Ashley"

"Yes."

Grace pulls Ashley in, too. Shaped to be hugged by two.

Soft feel. Warm body temperature. Smells like it tickles your nostrils.

Gently. Grace's been pouting on my cheek. When I look at her surprised, she smiles gently.

Ashley, who saw it, too - has let her lips touch her forehead and cheeks.

If you touch it, you'll be forced into the arms you hug.

... eventually, away from no-one, both of them... blushing though.

"Mmm..."

Sheila coughs up small. Everyone on this scene was blushing if they noticed. There is strangely relaxed air flowing.

"Yeah, yeah. If Ashley is patient, we have to be patient too."

"Mmm."

Sheila snorted at me, too, as Illumhilt told me to change the subject.

"Oh, yeah. I'm glad we're all waiting."

"Okay. I'm waiting for you to triumph."

And, Sheila turned a grin on me.

"Then let's eat. We were all waiting for Theodore to come back."

That's what Ashley said and ran for a small run towards the kitchen.

... nevertheless. Speaking of cheeks - I'm in a pretty good mood for that now. Is it good to be back at home once?

Someone I wanted to protect. Reasons to seek strength. Reasons to fight demons. Who wants to protect. It all feels... reconfirmed.

I won't let the demon or anything else take away from me.