"Destroyed...?
I inadvertently lurk my eyebrows in words that are not calm.
"What's this all about? Some kind of local disaster?
"No… it's artificial"
"Is that... is it possible that another country attacked?
"No, that's not either. Or my words were bad, weren't they? It turns out that it was done by someone... who was ambiguous."
From Natalie's face, the colour of the confusion was seen.
Looks like the Alliance hasn't got the exact information yet.
Still, you'd have a lot more information than I do not know anything.
Hear it out.
"Not really, I don't understand the story. Can you tell us more about this from the start?
"Yes, that's right...... sorry. Seems like I was confused just about everything."
I don't have a choice.
One village was destroyed.
It's harder to be calm when you ask me that.
"The beginning was the story of a merchant."
Natalie opens her mouth quietly.
Everyone heard that, including me.
"The merchant had a deal with the people of Pagos. Pagos was treating textiles as specialties, and he had an exclusive contract with that merchant. Every month, on the same day, the people of Pagos leave the village and go to the merchants to sell their textiles… somehow, this month, it seems that the villagers never came"
……
"The strange merchant decided to visit Pagos. Pagos got there about a week walking from River End...... nothing in particular. And… the merchant was to see the devastating Pagos, as if he had suffered a disaster."
Suddenly, the villagers were disconnected.
Destroyed village.
This alone shows that something unusual is happening.
It's just...
As far as Natalie's frightened face is concerned, things seem more serious.
I'm just listening, but I get nervous with nature.
"The house broke, burned... I hear the whole village was worn out, as it happened in the war. And... and the corpse of the villagers."
"Terrible......"
He imagined the sight, making Canade look like he was about to cry.
"Fortunately... there was survival. The merchant asked the survivors what had happened. Then the villagers said with their mouths shut. The devil has risen..."
"Devil...?
"What... is that? metaphorical...... stuff?
Nina tilts her little neck.
"I dunno... we guilds heard from the villagers but we could only hear the same thing... we were all in a state of panic. I think it was horrible."
"... the guild just listened?
"No way. I can't say enough, but I did the best I could. We traced the history of Pagos back to see if there was a being called the devil... and we looked at those parts as well."
"What's the result?
"... the devil exists"
Natalie nodded her nervously face.
"The literature that passes on to Pagos and the records of the past around it… After considering all sorts of things, I came to the conclusion that the devil exists"
"The Devil..."
"Don't you know his name or something? Or is it that demons are demons?
"Sorry, I haven't figured that out yet..."
To Canade's question, Ms. Natalie looked sorry.
"I'm just certain that someone called the devil exists. The demon, according to the story of the people of Pagos, seems to have been sealed in the mountains. Something happened and the seal was unsealed. And..."
"You attacked Pagos... and?
"Yes, that would be the guild's view"
……
Be a natural and rugged look.
A being with such immense power as to be sealed was unleashed.
The danger was proven by the destruction of the Pagos.
... Maybe this is a bigger case than I thought.
"Currently, the Alliance is giving you total strength to investigate the devil. As things stand, its appearance, its purpose, nothing is known... but the devil is the kind of opponent who destroyed one village and caused a large number of casualties. You're too optimistic to think that nothing's going to happen."
"Right."
"The Alliance has certified this one as an emergency request. If left unattended, the damage could be done to other cities as well as to Pagos. So we're going to do everything we can to deal with it. The main way to do this is to create and operate three squads."
"Nha? Three?"
"First, a team that investigates the demon's identity, purpose, etc. Next, a team exploring how to seal the devil. And… it's a team that crusades the devil."
I see.
You mean you're not just going to crusade, you're going to attack from all angles?
Examining the qualities and purposes is whether a compromise cannot be found.
Examining the seal is for insurance when the crusade fails.
The Alliance seems to recognize the Devil and his opponents as complete 'enemies'.
... Well, that's natural too.
Somehow, it's like they destroyed one village.
I don't know who that is, but it would definitely be harmful to people.
"Mr. Shroud."
Natalie looked straight at this one.
"We cannot deny that it is dangerous in this case. On top of that, I dare you. Please, can you help me?
"It's..."
"Mr. Shroud... no, Mr. Shroud, I feel like this case can be resolved safely... can't you please?
As far as I can tell, this request is dangerous.
Anyway, if it's just me, I honestly don't feel comfortable involving everyone.
But...
……
I remember my hometown.
This time the enemy... the devil and the others destroyed Pagos.
That looks overlapping with my hometown.
I don't think it's human resources.
How dare you leave me alone...
But get everyone...
"Ok!
"Canade!?
Lost in reply, Canade answers at will.
"Leave it to us. I'll see what I can do!
"...... hmm. Good luck."
"Until Nina... take that upon yourself..."
"I think Rayne cares about us... it's an extra favor."
"... Rain is... just like Rain wants to, okay...?
"Yes, yes! We're just gonna help you with that. Tania, Sola, Luna, Tina, everyone, you'll never complain."
"... more... count on it, I hope"
"Eh."
I was shocked by Nina's words, not least.
I was thinking about everyone...
Actually, maybe you didn't trust me.
Because it's dangerous, just think about keeping it away, and don't do anything sweet...
So, can you say you're one of them?
"... right. You two are right."
"Then..."
"I'm going to ask for this request. I can't leave you alone, I can't just leave you alone and fix it... and above all, I don't think it's any other HR. So I want to fix it at all costs. For that, can you help me?
"" Ugh. ""
Canade and Nina, all together, smiled and nodded.
Everyone else who isn't here, I'm sure, will respond with a smile.
Honestly, I was able to make a good run for it.
If this is destiny, then I feel like thanking destiny.
"Uh... so you're okay with me taking it on?
"Oh, I'll take it."
I snorted at Natalie's inquiry.
"Thank you! With the addition of Mr. Shroud and the others, I'm sure we'll succeed!
"You're exaggerating."
"No, you're not exaggerating. Mr. Shroud and his men are the heroes of the Horizon! With the addition of Mr. Shroud and the others, I think we can fulfill this request safely."
I want heroes to stop.
It's because of the blackness.
"Besides... I believe in Mr. Shroud myself"
Smile, Natalie laughs.
Unlike before, it's a warm smile.
"Nah..."
Look at that, for some reason, it makes Canade look like he's on guard.
Why not?
"Uh... I'll get back to it, but what are we supposed to do? You're gonna split the squad in three, right?
Investigation team examining the demon's identity and purpose.
Crusade against the devil.
An exploratory squad exploring how to seal the devil.
Where will we be assigned?
"It is not yet this decision, so it is a prediction… I was wondering if Mr Shroud and his team would be assigned to the investigation team"
"Nha? Aren't you a crusader?
He was willing to fight, and Canade looked a little clapped out.
"I think we can defeat the devil or whatever. Even if it's dangerous, it doesn't matter."
"Danger is the same for every squad."
"Well, Natalie's right."
The investigation team will be approaching nature to find out about the devil, so there should be a lot of danger involved.
The expedition, which examines how to seal it, is threatened with obstruction from the devil.
Needless to say, the crusade squad.
Explaining so, Canade strikes a flat hand with a convincing face.
"I see. You're in trouble everywhere."
"That's what I'm talking about"
"I know this request will be as difficult as it has ever been...... thank you"
Natalie said so, bowing her head deeply.