"Damn, what the hell is going on in this country..."
Exactly, it was the worst night of Arnold's hunter life.
The battle when we hunted the Thunder Dragon in Nebulanubes was also a fierce battle, but that battle, after careful preparation, was one that was prepared and challenged, and not one that occurred abruptly without any prior information, like this one.
The finest lodging I've ever had taken as one of my collaborative thanksgiving is not proportionate given the battle against the High Spirit (High Element) for risking my life.
In the spacious living room the companions sat like dead people. You couldn't sleep, your eyes are congested, you're clearly out of life, and all in all, you're out of the hegemony that hunters should be equipped with.
The major burns and wounds sustained in the fierce battle with Thunder Elf are all-out healing with potion and healing magic, but mental fatigue does not disappear so easily.
Not as good as the other members, but Arnold himself still felt an unwiped fatigue all over his body after a night of sleep. Not to the point of not being able to move, but far from being in full condition.
The problem is not just physical condition. I've consumed a lot of supplies that the hunters have always aligned, and I need maintenance on my gear. In particular, there is heavy wear and tear in the protective equipment system, and some of these items need to be new.
"According to what I've heard, even Zebuldia rarely has spirits appear in people... but there's more to it than bad luck"
Ei responds to Arnold's words with a tired look.
The lightning elite who raided Elan was an opponent who played Arnold with a level 7 corresponding power and not a glimmer.
Countless lightning falling from the sky easily burned down the castle gate, rendering half of the knights who turned to defense incapable of combat with one blow. The bow and arrow naturally did not hit most of the magic in its presence flying at high speeds, and in the time it took to get rid of it, the near the gate similarly became abandoned.
No, it was the Arnolds who were gaining high resistance to lightning after the battle with the Thunder Dragon that was stopped by this degree of damage. Had it not been for Arnold and the others, Thunder Fairy would have broken deep into the town, causing deadly destruction throughout Elan.
You've been in really bad shape since you came to this country.
Arnold dismissed the dissatisfaction he nearly put in his mouth by tongue-in-cheek.
That's what everyone at the party thinks, even if they don't say it.
A spirit is like a natural phenomenon. Compared to dragons, pure destructive power is inferior, but troublesome is difficult to follow.
And at the same time, the Spirit was a being who did not appear in public like or more than a dragon.
If it is to become a powerful advanced spirit among spirits, it is so rare that leading hunters are ready and finally encounter secrets for a long time.
Arnold's purpose is "A Thousand Changes". To that end he went out of his way to push through a sudden storm and even came to Elan.
I didn't want to receive requests for cooperation or anything, but I can't accept them if they are powerful enough to be lightning sperm.
Arnold and his newcomers' reputation in the land is just not high. If you choose to escape here, it will greatly affect your activities after this in Imperial Capital.
But what worried me more than that was the trend of Thousands of Changes.
"Why didn't The Thousand Changes come out!? He must be level eight in this country!?
Advanced spirits are powerful. The Knights, of course, can't get fat with most of the hunters in line.
It's either a super first-rate magician or a first-rate hunter who smoked enough Mana Materials to beat that. And there can't be a constant presence in a medium-sized town like this Elan that can beat that one.
If Arnold had received a request for cooperation and not left, there would have been nothing he could have done.
And that's why I couldn't figure out that Klee Andrich didn't show up during that commotion.
"I didn't fear the lightning elite. We were able to deal with that because we had experience fighting thunder dragons."
"They didn't even look at the Seekers Association. Didn't you notice?
"But how could it be that you didn't notice that alarm?
"If your reputation is right, it's not weird to hit your hand right away..."
Let Ai tilt his neck at his friends who like to think of themselves.
The hunter's general merits can be seen as soon as he examines them. Arnold and the others are also looking into The Thousand Changes and The Mourning Ghost.
That figure, which can be imagined from merit, was courageous and sometimes cold, defeated numerous powerful demons and phantoms, stepped through the treasure hall, and solved countless difficult requests - exactly, in the eyes of the hunter.
The background is enough to make Arnold roar once he saved the country.
Even if we didn't have all the party members, I don't think it would be enough to cover the entire lightning elite or two.
Most importantly, I couldn't imagine that man, who always had a distracting laugh at Arnold, rushing to the appearance of lightning elves.
Ai nods and concludes to his companions who say thoughtful things.
"I don't know where you are - it was on the roster of incoming towns, I'm pretty sure you're in this town. I guess I'll have to ask when I catch you. What, a small town compared to the Imperial Capital? You'll soon find it."
…………
Arnold narrowed his eyes to the words.
You're absolutely right. Originally, this chase was in Arnold's favor.
The Fog Thunder Dragon (Fallen Mist) doesn't specialize in people, but they're not running away.
I don't know where the destination is, but catching up is only a matter of time.
scolding the body complaining of fatigue and looking around at the party members.
"Buy more depleted supplies. Find out where Thousands of Changes is and what's happening."
"I'm asking you to remember when the Thousands of Changes show up at the gatekeeper. You'll know when you get out of town....... Elan's Mayor has contacted you to celebrate your victory?
"There's no time to be entertained"
"That's right..."
The purpose of the Arnolds is common to hunters, but contrary to common morality.
I can't tell you why, but I couldn't be relaxed before The Thousand Changes, which I don't know when I'm leaving town.
"What do you do with the equipment maintenance? It's impossible to gear up in such a small town, it takes time. Fortunately, weapons are less worn. It will be a junior product, do you want to replace only completely damaged protective equipment"
"... right. A weapon would suffice. There will be no such thing as thunder sperm sturdiness in a person."
In the first place, a strong hunter's attack cannot be prevented with some sturdy degree of protective equipment.
"The Thousand Changes is in front of us. Let's just say you get some rest after you smash it."
Ei nodded with his usual floating expression at Arnold's words.
§
"What? Have you left town yet?
"Yes. About three hours ago."
Ei opens his eyes wide to the words of one of the gatekeepers.
It was unexpected. I didn't expect to stay that long, but it moves too fast.
From what I've heard, the purpose of The Thousand Changes is vacation. There is no particular need for urgency.
Hunters are intel on the strong and sensitive to the case.
Now Elan is making a scene in a major incident called the Raid of Thunder Elves. How can I imagine such things as a high level hunter leaving immediately without showing any interest in it?
The gatekeeper of a still young youth says as he panicked when he saw the faces of Ai and the others.
"Sorry, I was wearing a hood, and it didn't look very level eight - oh, yeah. But my colleague said it. One of the lines in" The Thousand Changes "was listening to Mr. Arnold and his thunderbolts intercept, and he was very impressed."
"Huh... impressed... so!?
"Huh!?
On Arnold's distorted look, the gatekeeper youth screams small and retreats.
The words of The Thousand Changes were clearly looking down at Arnold and the others.
I don't know where he was, but there's no way he's in this town and doesn't notice that alarm.
Leave it alone and show praise for the Arnolds who even struggled to repel it.
If they're low-level hunters, they don't feel anything, but they just seem insulted when the certification level goes up against them. From previous backgrounds, it is clear that The Mourning Ghost is not the kind of party to avoid a battle with Thunder Elite.
It was as if all the questions so far would be iced away.
Thousands of Changes didn't come out.
Perhaps he was watching the Arnolds fight from the outside. It's like - it's like parents watch their kids. Like I can always put you in help.
It is also convincing to think that I watched that battle from the outside and already knew it without showing interest in the lightning sperm raid.
We weren't ready yet, but we can't let it go so far in vain. Swallow anger and look back at your people.
"... we're going after him. Three hours should still make it. Turn your horse into something fast, you can spend as much money as you want"
"Heh. Get ready immediately."
Ei and a few of his buddies are in agile motion and go get the carriage early.
I'll definitely catch up and distort that seemingly unthinkable aspect with regret.
Arnold Hale had a vicious grin as if to convert the anger that was going to explode.
§ § §
Office of the Branch Manager of the Seekers Association Teito Branch.
Gark, who also worked for the processing of documents that came up in large numbers today, opened his eyes when he saw the report that came up from the gate.
"You think Klee left the capital? It's pretty early this time again..."
Klee Andrich is a hunter who won't be ashamed of his certification level 8, but if he had the only weakness, that would take time to move.
Everything seemed calculable, but from a guard who knew nothing, he was always made to hiss.
This nomination request is particularly important among a number of requests.
If successful, Count Gladys' hatred of hunters will ease and there will be no substitute for the other hunters or simple money.
Wouldn't Klee extend such an important request, too?
Kaina, who brings the paperwork, blinks and says to Gark, who only rarely breaks his face while thinking about it.
"But didn't you, Klee, take the requisition?
"............... that idiot - ugh!
By accident, or are you calculating that far?
A request form is a piece of paper containing details of its mandate issued by the Association of Explorers. It's supposed to be handed over to the hunter who requested it.
Perhaps he didn't leave the capital without knowing what was in the nomination request. Klee Andrich is not that stupid, he has left without ever looking at the requisition, and has come home after a solid job (it is unclear how he found out what was in it without looking at the requisition).
But not this time. This time the nomination request ordered from Klee is a joint operation with the Knights in Gladys possession. The request form for nomination from Sir Gladys is not just for confirmation of the contents, but also has the meaning of an identity card.
I know the face of "Thousands of Changes", so I may be able to manage contact without a request form, but I am certain it will damage my heart certificate.
And that can be fatal if you deal with a hunter-hating nobleman.
"Klee, there's a gap between the guides too... he said he was going on vacation or something..."
"Can't you handle his seditious habits? Damn, does anyone feel like taking a vacation request from a nobleman!
Regardless of the mood, the request form must be delivered somehow.
Gark suppressed the headache, which should have been clear, and commanded Kaina exaltedly.
"Hey, do someone and let Klee deliver the requisition and the message. He knows Klee's face. Rewards are to be deducted from the nomination request."