We followed Melissa to a meeting room on the rooftop of the City Hall... or a large table on the rooftop where we could meet.
"You are that great hero Eisen..."And those apprentices.It's a pleasure to meet you! "
So I received such a greeting from a young man in a wizard's robe - the mayor of a magic city - who was waiting for me with several city staff.
“My name is Shard, and I am the mayor of a magical city.I heard the story from your Melissa.Mayor Lunette and I would like to thank you for your cooperation in this matter. "
He, who called himself Shard, once again politely thanked us, keeping an eye on us.
Thinking that you're a young man with a lot of energy, I also return my words.
"It's nice to meet you."... but I still don't know what's going on before we cooperate.Tell me what's going on in this city right now and what you're doing. "
“Yes, I'll explain that to myself and the mayor of Lunette.It will be a little longer, so please sit down. ”
After seeing the mayor take his seat, the mayor spread the map on the table.
“The first thing that happens is often the previous.I started by observing a fire pole rise from Mudder Mountain, a volcano in the eastern part of the city. ”
After pointing to the mountain on the map, he turned to the large mountain that was actually visible outside.
"That mountain, isn't it? I think you can see it from here."
"It's becoming a tourist attraction."Is the eruption the cause of the pillar? "
Ferra asked.
“It may not be possible.Indeed, Mader Mountain is an active volcano.It's just that there's no volcanic ash out there... and as far as we can see, the most likely cause is the power of the Lord of the Mountain, the "Empress of the Flaming Fox". "
Lord of the Mountains...? Is there such a thing?
Shard affirmed to Linne, who was hanging herself.
"It's a demonic beast that's been around for quite some time.Since ancient times, we have established a cooperation system with magical cities. "
That's right. I've heard since I was in a trading city that there were no more demon beasts in the mountains, even when there was an evil god.
The mayor of the magic city nodded to Rowe's words.
"Exactly, because I knew that the Empress also had the intelligence to understand human language and was not willing to cause harm to people."Even in my generation, until just a few moments ago, I was friendly and had nothing to do with it.There were many times when we met in person. "
"It's changed lately."
In response to my question, Shard shook his head with a difficult expression on his face.
"... yes, that's right. The fire pole that came up from the mountain was made by the" fox fire ", a magic that is unique to the empress.Somehow, when the investigation team headed for Mader Mountain, they were filled with angry words, "Don't get any closer" near the middle belly.
― ― And it was reported that if you go one step further, you will feel the dangerous atmosphere of being burned.
"I see. If you hear a voice of anger and you feel a fever, well, it's dangerous."... so, what happens now? "
"First, the investigation team returned, and at the same time, it was forbidden to enter the mountain."The decision seemed good, and the pillars of fire grew stronger and stronger day by day, so that the flames that melted the mountainside spurted out.Lava flowed through the city, and there were cases of bullets flying into the city.As you can see, Mader Mountain and this magical city are not far away. ”
Shard said, glancing at the mountain in front of him.
Sure, Mader Mountain is not too close, but it's not too far away.
The distance between them is about a few kilometers by sight.
It's still uncertain how powerful the Empress will be.
... if you were a living demon beast from ancient times, you wouldn't be able to do it with powerful power.
Thinking like that, Shard was explaining more and more,
"Of course, it is dangerous, so I sent the investigation team many times to visit what is happening to the Empress and why, but I can't walk properly on the mountain where I don't know when it will lava, and it is the current situation that I am forced to return before I reach the residence of the Empress in the stomach."
In other words, the cause is not being investigated.
"Yes, but things are getting worse and worse."There was no volcanic ash, but I had to consider the possibility of lava coming to the city.However, magic suppression had its limitations. "
"--That's why they came to me for consultation and called me.Because if this keeps up, the magic city is dangerous. "
That's what Lunette said, as if to connect with Shard's words.
Place the bow and arrow you had on the table.
I see. Sniper.
Lunette nodded to my words.
"With you, we can get you from here to Mader Mountain."I wonder if I can drop the blast stone that came from the sky. "
"That's right. It's actually filled with icy magic, and when the flames and lava wind up on the mountain skin, it is suppressed by selling it and freezing it."The rocks blowing from the mountains are crushed with the precision of a divine deed.... I really appreciate it. "
"Oh, is that so?" That's exactly what a lunette is. "
Having said that, Lunette let her tail shake.
“No, it's easy at this distance.When you have to, you can set the target's magic power to an arrow to release a [tracking arrow] that keeps track of the target.If it's just flames or rocks, there's nothing to remove. "
The lunette can be struck with various magic effects on the arrows.
You can freeze, burn, or numb targets.
Increase the speed of your arrows and increase their traceability, allowing you to shoot in a variety of applications.
“If she's safe from this distance and prevents the flames from the mountains, she's certainly fit.”
"Yes.... and when the Empress comes to bump her anger into humans in earnest, she has to shoot an anesthetic arrow or a sedative arrow from within her reach... in the worst case scenario, an attack arrow."That's why we're holding meetings on the roof as long as we can. ”
Something is wrong, so that you can move immediately.
"That's right, Mr. Eisen." I don't really want to assume that I will attack the Empress..... "
Shard said with a sad expression.
As the mayor, even if you know that you have to do something for the city, it is certainly difficult that you may need to shoot a demon beast with whom you have known for a long time.
So, I asked Shard if I could get some more information.
"... have you ever spoken to that angry empress?"
"Since the investigation team was no longer able to leave, I've had Lunette release her arrows towards the residence in the stomach of Mader Mountain.However, there was no response to that question and it was ineffective. ”
"Can you read?"
"Yes. The Empress lived with people and was familiar with them."Even now, city officials are still trying to do something about her, but there are many people who like her as much as they do their best. ”
Not only Shard, but the Empress was very attractive.
The officials around Shard were wondering why they were so angry and flaming, but they couldn't help it.
“As the Mayor of the Magic City put it, my direct targeting of the Empress is truly a last resort.I'm sticking around to make sure I don't lose sight of the time to shoot. ”
That's what Lunette said.
In other words, I didn't recognize the Flaming Fox Empress as an enemy yet.
The damage didn't seem to have been caused by the lunette's sniping.
"Yeah, it's a great lunette to be able to protect the city properly."It looks like your power as a sniper hasn't dropped. "
"Yes, because it is one of the forces praised by my mentor."Rather, even after I became mayor, I am still training. ”
Lunette puffs up her chest and tells her confidently.
"... ah, by the way, it looks like you praised me for what you just said, but is it possible for you to stroke me?"What about my mentor? "
"Yeah? Stroking you?"
"Yes, when this is over, I would like you to caress me as much as you can, but I decided that it would be better if you caressed me now because it would be more motivating."I personally think that the points of the previous remarks are high, but how about that? ”
Lunette turned her wolf-earned head towards me and said.
... oh, there's something close to Feira around here.
Unlike her, it feels subtly circular, but anyway, you want to caress her in public, you want to do it.
Yeah, if I don't have to finish this, I'll caress you.
If that's what Lunette wants, I don't mind doing it.
Thinking so, I stroked my ears.
Then, with an extremely serious expression, he began to wiggle his tail.
Looking at her, Melissa, who was nearby, was somewhat dumbfounded.
"...... I've never seen a mayor like this before......"
Fela smiled at the puffy voice.
"Ah, that's right in front of the secretary."Surprisingly, since Lunette is straightforward in her emotional expressions, she's the type you want right away.It's hard to get on my face, and I don't say much about letters. "
Ah, yes. Mr. Lunette's letters were always very clear.
Right? But let's make it the way you want it to be, so it's stable to keep an eye on Lunette-chan's performance.
There was an impression party held nearby, but Toro's lunette didn't seem to bother me at all, and I was still stroking it.
I should say that it is stroked majestically.
With that grandeur, she looks at me and talks to me.
"Oh, wonderful. I'm motivated and my head is turning..."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry to have stroked your head, but what sort of solution do you think my mentor has for this matter?"
"Hmm, that's right. Even if it's a solution.There's still not enough information.In the meantime, I thought I'd better ask the Empress herself more. "
That's what I first thought when I heard the explanation.
Why is the flame blowing?
Why did you tell me not to go in there?
For what reason is the Empress angry?
Are you really angry in the first place?
I'd like to know a little more about that area, and I'd like to hear it from myself.
"That's... we want to do the same thing."
Shard nodded and gave a bitter expression.
"Yeah. I know. It's not dangerous, is it?So -- if you don't mind, I'll talk to you. "
I said casually, stopping the hand that strokes the lunette and saying, "It's about time."
"Eh...!?"
Shard exclaimed in surprise.
That's all, the officials around him opened their eyes.
I was wondering if the response was quite unexpected.
"Getting close to Mader Mountain is dangerous...?"
"Yeah, I was listening, so I know that.... but it's also dangerous to move without knowing the circumstances. "
Although the types of danger are different.
For my part, I decided that the risk of leaving the cause behind was greater than the risk of getting into the mountains without gathering information.
"Besides, it won't take long to get to that mountain."I think I'll go there for a while and let you go back. "
You can walk there in less than an hour.
That's why I was looking at Mudder Mountain, thinking it wouldn't be a problem.
That's when it happened.
"Kyuu...?"
From my pocket, Flame Fox turned away from my face.
"Um... Eisen-san? What the hell is she...?"
Because of the sudden appearance of the flaming fox, Shard asked with his eyes wide open.
Surely they will be the first to see this child, and I will explain it lightly.
"Oh, before you get here, give me a hand."I'm going to take care of him until I get home. "
"I-I see..."
"But what's the matter?I can't believe you're showing your face now. "
Flaming Fox was attacked by a Lizard Man, or he was quite cowardly. Basically, he remained in my inner pocket.
I felt it so far if I was trying not to expose myself too much in public.And yet, when you show your face,
"--Does that mountain have anything to do with it?"...... so maybe that's the mountain where you live? "
And he asked Flaming Fox what he had thought, and he said,
"Kyun"
Apparently, your answer was well-known.
Flaming Fox pointed at the mountain with his forefoot as he shook his head vertically.
It shows a firm desire to go.
"Hmm? Seems dangerous, but you still want to go?"
I don't know if you understand what we were talking about earlier.
... you're still too young and unstable to tell me your will.
So, once again, I told them about the dangers of going to the mountains.
”Kyuu, nnh”
The desire to go seemed unchanged.
I was intimidated until the end when I was ruined by the Lizard Man, but maybe I was surprisingly strong.
And if you really want to go on your own terms,
"There's no reason why I shouldn't go."
Eisen thinks we should respect our motivation as much as we can.
So it's settled.
"Yeah. Mr. Shard." There's a danger, but I'll go to Mader Mountain.It's the same as listening to the circumstances, but she says she has a place to live.I'd like to check that too. "
I had at least two kinds of errands on the mountain.
In that case, it's a good idea to get there early.When I tell them that,
"I see..."
Shard closed his eyes for a few seconds.
"Okay, so again, among the research teams, we are going to select an elite professional with excellent thermal endurance.And I hope I can accompany Eisen to review and guide her. ”
"Oh, that's helpful." Thank you, Mr. Shard. "
More information is available to people who know how the mountains used to look like.Saying thanks, Shard shook his head to the side and looked at us with powerful eyes.
"No, that's all we can do."Rather, I just want to thank you for taking on such a dangerous role.... yes, we need your help to protect the city. "" Yes, I understand. "