With Monica's guidance, Arios reached a small city to the south, far from the king's capital.
For once, it's a city named Flam, but you might be right to say village.
Although there are many buildings, most of them are private houses, with no commercial or entertainment facilities.
As much as a dining room for the people of the city serves as a concurrent inn, there is nothing else that seems distinctive about it.
However, being rural worked positively for Arios.
The case of Wang Du will be known by many...
The notoriety of the brave Arios had also reached this rural area.
But in the countryside, therefore, no one has come face to face with Arios.
No one could have stayed in the inn without realizing who Arios was.
Once you have checked in and moved to your room…
"Ah, Arios!?
"Good, you're safe"
Leanne and Mina were in the room.
There is also the figure of Agus in the back.
"Leanne, Mina...... and Agus too. Why are you here...?
"We were in jail too, but Monica's people helped us."
"As Leanne said, I was also helped by Monica's people"
"Agus, you too?
"... oh yeah"
Now, Arios has his doubts.
It's not so much disbelief...
Light discomfort, like a fishy little bone stabbed in the throat.
Monica is a knight who serves his country, and since she is under the king's command, she should have a pretty high status.
Yet you helped yourself until you abandoned that status.
What about that thought?
Also, who are those who cooperate with Monica like that?
Though I care about a lot of things...
Arios, once, gave up his thoughts.
My body was exhausted because I had been in jail for a long time.
Standing is a hundred million robberies, sitting in a chair installed in a room.
"Did you and Monica help you too..."
"Also, that means Arios is in Monica too?
"Oh. I've been helped to the point of danger. I have to thank you."
"No, not at all. I'm Arios, your... No. Because I'm on your side, Arios. This action against Arios was unjust and could not be overlooked."
"Right, right!? We didn't do anything wrong."
"There's no way there's a problem with what Arios, the brave man, does. I'm sure we had a profound idea that we couldn't have imagined."
Over this period, Leanne and Mina don't want to admit their nonsense.
Even though Arios was driving the plan...
In addition to falling innocent Rain, he says he used unfair force, but he doesn't do reflections.
They didn't really think they were guilty.
I didn't even think of the shards.
Escape if anything is inconvenient, without looking directly at sin.
If you ask me, I'll do the reverse guile and try to deceive you with force.
On top of that, the problem is solved, and I intend to get through it.
One day, that bump will come around...
Keep your eyes off that reality.
Continue pretending not to notice.
Like Arios, they were falling.
Seeing them like that, Monica laughs.
Laughs very satisfactorily.
But.
Only one person had a different idea.
"Arios... it's one thing about the King's Capital, how could you do that?
Agus turned a stern gaze, as he questioned Arios.
"If that's the story, you'd have explained it before it ran, wouldn't you? Rayne is a pain in the ass and will get in our way any minute. Make the elimination before then. Isn't it simple? And Agus would have been convinced of that, too?
"I was certainly convinced about eliminating Rain. But. I've never heard of killing another adventurer for that."
Arios smashed his tongue into Agus' disputing words.
Agus here these days has pinned his mouth on something and Arios' behavior.
Arios thought it irritating.
The leader of the party is not Agus, this is who he is.
I can't believe you're talking to a brave man who's been chosen to be a warrior...
Brain muscles that can only be shields, you just have to listen to what they say quietly like dolls.
Arios seriously thought that way about his companion, Agus.
"The cause of this is obviously in Arios. The King was to be judged for his excessive actions of killing adventurers. Do you understand that?
"... as a result, we were all safe. That's all right."
"Not good. We've been disqualified from a brave party. What are you going to do now?
"There's only one brave man, this me. Agus, you're nothing but an aside. And yet, wouldn't you say it in our face?
Arios and Agus' gaze clash, and the bees and sparks scatter.
Seeing that, Leanne and Mina panicked.
"Hey, hey... this is the time to stop fighting - Right?"
"Arios, Agus... I think now is the time to join forces and overcome this crisis..."
"... so is that"
Agus pulled back honestly.
"Well... I think I said a little too much. Forgive me."
Unsurprisingly, Arios also honestly pulled back.
The apology spilled out of that mouth was real.
"... Phew"
Seeing those Arios, Monica seemed to enjoy herself.
What does that face show?
If, at this stage, Monica could have realized what she was thinking, the fate of Arios and the others might have been different.
――――――――――
Night.
Called in a letter, Arios went outside the inn.
Turning back, there was Monica watching the moon and night.
"Dear Arios, I apologize for calling you outside"
When Monica noticed Arios, she lowered her head with a pepper.
"Fine. This much, I don't care."
Arios responded with a probable attitude.
Monica had helped me, and against her, Arios had shown a rather soft attitude as well.
"So... what's going on? Does everyone else have a secret story about calling me here on purpose?
"Yes, you're right"
Monica continues the conversation with a gentle grin.
The grin was like the Virgin Mary... even like the devil.
"I want to propose something to Arios before we talk about what we're going to do."
"What kind of suggestions?
"Let's get rid of Mr. Agus."
That's what Monica said, smiling unchanged.
"What does that... mean?
"It means exactly what you say. Mr. Agus seems to be oblivious to Arios. It's like having a spark, and it's imperative that it's a problem if it stays like this. I thought we should deal with it before then."
"You want me to banish the party?
"No. As the word goes, I thought it would be best to eliminate"
"It's..."
Seeing what Monica wanted to say, Arios clogged the words.
Arios as the word selfishness has been embodied, but just not as fallen into the hands of the members who have accompanied him for many years.
I fought as much as I did earlier, but that's why I don't do anything stupid to kill you.
"... Monica. I appreciate it. [M] You've helped us so many times. What would have happened without you"
"I am only acting for you, Arios... and for the brave"
"You might be right to accept your words like that. But how dare you kill Agus..."
Arios was disqualified as a brave man.
I was sentenced to death.
I lost everything.
What's left of such an arios...
He's one of us.
Agus, Leanne, Mina.
He, they are the only ones left.
I can't have that kind of company in my hands.
That's just not all I can do.
At this time, Arios remembered Rayne.
I thought back to Rayne's appearance as my buddy.
It doesn't change how Arios feels bad about Rayne.
But.
Only at this time did I feel like I only knew a little how Rain felt about taking care of his people.
But...
"... even if Mr. Agus betrays Arios?
"What?
Monica spilled a devilish whisper to shake Arios' heart like that.