Riot Grasper

"Ugh... guh... what the hell am I...? Ouch -"

The captured villagers freed all of them and kept in the square, in their stead, soldiers detained by the earthly magic "Ground Tied Locks (Earthbound)".

It's a bit of a creepy sight to have a lot of clutter and objects with forms like drum cans rolling around.

One of them - Van seemed to wake up, and when he looked at this one, he yelled as if he'd forgotten the broken rib pain.

"Ki, you guys! You think you can do this for free!? I'll make sure you make this atonement! Oh, yeah, I'll protest the Adventurer Guild too! Ha ha... I remember your face well! It's too late to regret it now!

Talk a lot... I totally forgot about when I met you in Imperial City.

Something's going to harass me with the nethineties... and for the record, it's not a bad idea to bury everyone here alive.

... is sort of a joke.

Only this time, apparently, I don't blame you.

"- Shut up, Van. If you'd listened to me in silence earlier, wouldn't it be all resentment? I thought the first thing you had to do was make sure I was safe."

It was the man dressed in luxurious noble clothing who made Van look down and say those words.

"Oh, Dear Andel!? also, I'm sorry. Looks like you're safe. Most importantly. No, but... what's this...?

He says all the soldiers around him are in custody, but only Andel is free, so he can't really grasp the situation.

"It's not that strange. If you understand who I am, you will know with your children that it is smarter to be on your side than to be an enemy."

"Is that what they say, ha...?

"We got into a fight because of an unfortunate mistake, but these people changed their minds and promised to serve me."

"Well... I don't even know how to keep my life aside... not to mention that some of them are also subhuman!?"

"Shut up, Van. Looks like you've assembled an elite soldier as my escort... but are you going to look at the status quo and tell me you were able to do your part correctly?

"No… no face, no"

Generally, half of the troops should be judged devastated or utterly destroyed if they become incapable of combat, and it is right to put retreat into perspective, but in this case because of the overwhelming numerical advantages and Van's failure to speak of that order to the end - it was literally wiped out.

"I said that a settlement had been reached. Rather than cling to such a few things, do you not think it is the choice of the wise to draw those with their arms to their side?

"Yes. I apologize for being too rude."

"Hmm... if only I knew, if I knew. So... your lord will take your men home as soon as possible. You'll need help with the wounded, and staying in a place like this won't cure anything."

"But it..."

"I, too, shall take my own private soldiers back to the Empire City. What, don't worry about it. This soldier is wounded, but they'll guarantee safety on the road."

Those who defeat all the soldiers here will be escorted, so it may be safer to go home.

"And in this case... I forbid any out-of-putting of events that were this village. Nor will any further harm be inflicted on the villagers, nor will any act of reprisal against them be tolerated, as you have just said. If you work for those who have become my men, your lord will regret it."

"I got it... just like Andel said"

He didn't seem entirely convinced, but I guess he's not willing to go against Andel against face to face.

When Van's nose finally calmed down, I unlocked the Ground Binding Tablet (Ground Binding) that I used to tie him up.

"... cum"

A glance at this one has turned a less friendly gaze, but he doesn't seem to be going to throw up any more vices.

When I also sequentially untied Van's men, the soldiers, they left before sundown, after a quick end to the first aid for those who were injured.

Whatever Van is, they're good soldiers, so they switch quickly.

All that remained were the private soldiers that Andel was bringing in, and it could be said that the number had decreased significantly.

"- Well... and let's talk a little bit about the future?

That's what I said, and I walked out with Andel.

Many of the houses in the subhuman village had been burned, but he had asked the villagers to lend him one of the cabins left to burn safely.

When you open the door and go inside...... isn't there an unbroken man rolling with his clothes stripped off?

... you already know.

A man with a pair of pants close to this bare is the real Andel.

There's no way we can accept the suggestion that we settle with Andel from that state and serve even as subordinates.

Andel, who tightened it up, fainted immediately after that, and came to the point where he was wondering what was going on, and the help came at a good time.

"Are you glad it's like that? I'm so relieved you're back there safe and sound."

"No... honestly, I was made to realize once again the convenience of that ability. Oh, thanks to what you told Van, I think it's almost impossible for him to get a weird little bit out, and thank you so much - Mr. Rahal."

The intelligence team also rushed a little late to follow Mr. Cecil's rescue request to the subhuman village, as he was rewarding Kroko instead of a biographical dove.

"Well, not everyone can change who they are."

I heard a while ago about the conditions for Mr. Rahal's ability to transform, etc.

They don't have that many complicated procedures, and they feel jealous that it's a strong yearning for the person, envy, etc - I mean, I want to be the person! It seems to be conditional on two things: having thought of it and having touched the other person directly.

"By the way... where the hell did you envy Andel rolling in there?

The convenience of the ability to transform has swelled me, and it doesn't seem that there are complicated procedures, but I wonder if I can find someone who meets those conditions.

At least I don't admire people like Andel, and I don't want to be.

"Have you ever been envious of the environment around an individual, even if they're unattractive? Like having a lot of money or living in a privileged position."

I see...... is that an ant too?

"I honestly envy this guy who's in a good position to hear all kinds of useful information from Minister Gilbaran."

Talking about it, I heard the door of the cabin open properly.

Rim and Ray are the ones who came in.

"... How's it going? How's Mr. Arnold?

Mr. Dore was safe with no noticeable injuries, but Mr. Arnold's wounds were pretty bad.

The battle was over and he was treated first, but he wasn't conscious any time soon.

"Yeah. I just woke up, so I think I'm okay now"

"That's good"

I think I'll be able to make good on my promise to Mr. Millet that I'll bring you both back safely.

Besides... if something had happened to Mr. Arnold, Andel rolling on the floor without a joke would have been ground beef by Rim's hand.

Totally like a villain, but I still have trouble getting this guy to die.

"Phew... is this Andel? Noblemen look like this. You don't have any shards."

Ray threw those words away at Andel, who was wearing a pair of pants, with his eyes as if he could even see them in a bug.

"- Ugh... this is...?

After a while, Andel, who had passed out, moves back and forth.

Ooh?

Mr. Rahal had returned to his original appearance at some point.

"... oh, you guys! What the hell are you going to do with me!? Yes, Van... where is Van!? Protect me now! Where are you!

"Uh... If Van Ludwar, he just left, didn't he?

"Hey, what's so stupid... there's got to be something about him abandoning me and running away..."

... I didn't technically run away, I was sent home on your orders.

"No, I'm really home"

"... Damn, it's the one you can't even keep on the knight's wind. I'll make sure you regret it later!

"That would be if you could make it home safely. Shouldn't you be worried about yourself first?

To Mr. Rahal's words, Andel blued his face slightly.

"Don't be ridiculous! Who do you think I am? If you become one of my men now, I'll specifically forgive you for all the disrespect you've done. I'll give you as much money as you like."

"Hey... didn't this guy know where he stands yet? Make it a little easier for you to understand, okay?

Ray said so and gave in slowly, grabbing Andel's index finger.

"Ha ha...! It's not me giving in to torture or anything. If you can do it, you can try it!

"Heh... can I do it? It's been a while but I wonder if I can do it well...... Sometimes bones don't heal beautifully when they fold in weird directions. When you twist after a pounding, your nerves get caught in a broken bone and rub, so this hurts so much that you're going crazy again. You'll find out soon enough because you have a pair of pants if you chip. Do that in order from index finger to pinky finger, thumb at the end? If it's all bearable, the next one is on the other side."

"... Enough"

"Hmm? Did I say something?

"Do as I say. Talk about anything. So... get your fingers off me now"

"... Huh?

"Let go, please…"

What is this, scary?

I mean, it breaks my heart too fast!

No, well... I don't think I'd keep it long if they told me that either.

He then threw up all the information before time had passed.

It's all about the hidden doors and the treasure trove in the Minister's mansion.

"- Heh, heh. Apparently you're looking for something to say, but if you're gonna let me go, why don't you help me?

"I'm sorry... but you don't deserve to believe me. Then you'd better go on your own."

That said, Mr. Rahal changed his appearance once again.

"What? Ko... what is this... me, the other one...!?"

Indeed, I cannot help but be surprised at this.

But... that's a really handy ability. I want it to be a little serious.

"Well... I think we should move on to action more than we've been in these situations... Sage, you're better off. Really?

If we do this so far, it won't be possible to do it just as if nothing happened.

I don't regret boggling all the soldiers who attacked the village, but if we let Andel go like this, he'll probably retaliate with every hand.

He doesn't seem to be the type of person who can forget how beautiful it is to have been served hot soup like me.

Probably...... this fight just has to get to where it's going.

If so, are you sure you're okay?

- That's the question.

Ji...... staring at Lahar as he transformed, thin and Lahar's original appearance appeared in his eyes.

Previously, I could just break it right now when I said that staring at a changed state just made me bonk like blurred eyes.

Perhaps one step forward in earlier battles is affecting it.

Yeah...... I think I can handle it.