Trinitas Mundus

Episode X: The Dark-Haired Woman Adventurer

The Rays returned to the “Arid Eagle's Nest” pavilion, an inn, after Periclitle Defense Commander Randall Ogburn.

Already after 5 p.m., many adventurers are eating, but also yesterday, the Rays take their discreet seats in the back.

Thanks to that, Nellie, the supplier, just came to pick up the order and never heard from around.

(It was yesterday today, and won't you continue to have that much trouble? Well, I'd prefer this because I can eat quietly)

The three of them were eating slowly and discussing what to do with their responses to Randall.

"That's what Mr. Randall was saying, but what do you think Ash should do?

Ashley answers his question slowly, including booze in his mouth.

"Right. If we're the only nearby monster hunters, you can take it, but I'm not in favor of leading the adventurers of Periclitle."

When Ray asks why,

"Leading unreliable men to fight powerful enemies is suicide. It's less than the people of the UAE, such as the army, who can't take orders from their commanders. At least it's better not to lead while the individual adventurers don't recognize us."

(Ash's right, isn't he? Perhaps the adventurers here are used to moving on their own party members alone. I wouldn't be able to move properly if I gave the order because I was a commander there)

He nods at the word and asks Stella for her opinion as well, but returns much the same answer.

"It's also strange for me to say that soldiers who can't heed orders could put the whole force in crisis. In my previous battle with the Auga, I put Mr Hal and the others in crisis. I disagree with those who can't work together and go to the enemy without it or training."

"Right. I think Ash and Stella are right. I don't even know what the people here are capable of. Then I think it would be safer for the three of us to fight Ash and Stella on our backs."

I came to the conclusion that I would say no to Randall, and then I was relaxing and squandering my liquor.

November 7th.

As I eat breakfast in the dining room as I did yesterday, the brunette woman adventurer walks past Ray again.

Is he as tall as Stella - about a hundred and sixty cm? The age is about twenty years old, white and beautiful skin that highlights the dark black hair, the carving is not deep, but with a neat face, the dark eyes make you feel the strength of the will.

Next to her, there's a big red-haired Halvard guy, about the same age, who talks tight.

Behind them are two similarly-aged, beastly swordsman and healer-looking human women. Are the four of them partying, laughing from time to time, leaving the inn.

Ray follows one of her with her eyes, as if she's not in her eyes other than a brunette woman. And with a small voice to such an extent that it didn't even sound like Stella, she was whining "Luna".

Having seen how it goes, Ashley and Stella look worried about him before dropping off the women adventurers.

(Who is it? This is not Ray's usual appearance. What does that have to do with the story of the novel Ray wrote? Or love at first sight...... no, that shouldn't happen. Such a thing......)

(Something's wrong with Master Ray. Again, I have a feeling this place is dangerous. Especially the eyes that stare at that archer is absolutely weird. Maybe we should change the inn. We need to talk to Master Ashley later......)

When the female adventurers disappear from Ray's sight, Ray's expression returns to normal.

And I realize my memory of what I was doing now is fuzzy.

(What was I looking at now? What were you trying to do? Weird... If this continues, you might want to stop hunting demons too... If you're in Japan, I'd love to be tested, but there are no psychiatrists in this world...)

I realize my condition is a dangerous one and start thinking about leaving this city.

(It's suicidal to go into the woods and be as frightened as you are now. If Ash and Stella meet dangerous eyes, they can go somewhere safe.)

But something like obsessive-compulsive comes up in his head that he shouldn't leave here.

(... no. I have to stay here. I really need to be here... and out in the woods...)

After breakfast, Ashley and Stella cared about Ray, but he answered okay and went back to his room.

The two left start consulting on Ray.

"That state of Ray is not the norm. Maybe it has something to do with him being called into this world, but I feel like he's in danger..."

Stella nods loudly at Ashley's words.

"Yes. I agree. I think we should leave this city if possible. Master Ray won't like it, but I don't think he can save the city with us. Then..."

"In Ray's case, not necessarily... right, I'm in favor of leaving here too. Especially without that brunette..."

Ashley was buying Ray's intelligence and thought there was a chance he could save the city with him. But when I think of his eyes looking at a brunette, I think I don't want him to see that woman.

(Maybe it's feminine, but I don't want to see Ray attracted to other women. Besides, when I talk to her, something changes, something breaks...)

Stella had an accurate insight into Ashley's mind.

(Master Ashley doesn't want that woman to take Master Ray. That's the same for me. I feel like something happens when those two meet...)

The two agreed to leave the city and, at least, to tell Ray about changing the inn.

When you tell Ray about it,

"I'm not leaving the city. I don't know why, but I think I need to be in this city. If you leave this city, you will regret it. That's what I think..."

And in the story of changing the inn, "Isn't there a reason to change it? Well, I hate to get tangled up like I did yesterday, but the food is delicious, the rooms are good," and I don't even fit this.

"Two days in a row. Am I flattered with my memory of breakfast? What can you do in such a situation?

When Ashley says that in strong shape, Ray rarely says it back with a hips.

"Then I'll work with someone alone! I won't bother you both!

That's all I said, I tried to leave the inn by myself.

"Wait! That's not how it always is. I'm worried about you! You understand me!

Ashley tries to take his arm, but is shaken off.

"Is Ash my protector! I have to do this. I..."

Ray walks down the hallway with a bump and grunt as he raises his "Mayuri".

Ashley was shocked by Ray's terrible rejection and unable to move.

(Ray, what happened to Ray? What have I done... what should I do...)

Stella, who I didn't think should stay like this, quickly turns around in front of him.

"Master Ray is crazy right now! We are so worried about you! Please... please, just calm down and talk to me once! Listen to me!

To her desperate persuasion, his expression softens a little.

"Thank you, Stella. Sorry, Ash. Too much."

The two exhale a ho soothing breath into the words.

"You two are right, I may be strange right now. Let me think for a second. Ash, I'm so sorry."

Ray returns to his room and sits in a chair.

(What happened to me? I can't believe you said that to Ash. It feels like someone is manipulating me, like I'm not me anymore)

He was anxious and frustrated by his inconsistent behavior.

(You can regret it. Let's get out of this city. If it's enough to hurt Ash and Stella, if your relationship with them breaks down, you can ignore the will of what called me here. No, you can defy me thoroughly if you want to manipulate me on your own)

And he made one decision.

(I don't care if the 50,000 people here get unhappy or die. I don't care what happens to this world. Ash is more important than the world!

And declare war on the beings who summoned themselves.

(If you're going to manipulate me any more, if you're going to ignore my will, that's fine. But I'll turn you against me! Even if you are going to die with your own hands, you will never speak of it! I don't know if he's a god or a demon, but if he hurts Stella, I'll fight him with my life!

He is strongly aware of it and slaps his cheeks with a parn.

(Let's apologize properly to Ash again. And let's get out of this city. Doctus, Aurelia, and let's get ahead of it......)

He left his room and headed towards Ashley's.

She sat on her sleeping table and lay her eyes down.

Seeing that, he bows his head, "Sorry about earlier," and sits beside her.

"What was wrong with me? It's stained with excuses, but I might have been manipulated by someone earlier. I can't believe I hurt Ash... I'm so sorry."

She says nothing and leaves her body with him.

"Let's get out of this city. I made up my mind. I don't know who the guy who called me here is, but if you ignore my will, if you hurt Ash, kill yourself, but you defy me."

Ashley shakes her head wide at the words.

"No! You can't think about dying! A world without you... so..."

Ray held her gently and said, "It's okay. Because I won't die. I don't do anything Ash doesn't like," he whispers in his ear.

"Let's go say no to Mr. Randall now. And I'm leaving this city tomorrow, too. Let's change the inn too..."

Ashley was relieved to return to his former self as he buried his face in his neck.

(He put it back on. To my beloved Ray. Good......)

"I have to thank Stella. But it was good. If it weren't for the two of you, I'd probably be gone."

Ray mouths Ashley gently before getting up.

Ashley looks a little remorseful, but slowly stood up to follow him.

The two go to Stella's room and Ray repeats what he did to Ashley.

Stella heard the story and said, "So you're leaving this city!" and smile.

"Yeah. I'm going to go to Mr. Randall's now and I'm going to say no to this one. The inn is a day, but let's find somewhere else."

Stella, like Ashley, was relieved.

(Now I can get it back. I can have as much fun traveling as I've ever had......)

When they packed their bags and removed the inn, the three headed to Adventurer's Guild headquarters with Randall.

Once again at the reception, when he informs Randall of his visit, he is immediately put through to the reception room.

Randall welcomes the three of them with a smile and asks Ashley, "Looks like you've come to a conclusion.

Ashley nodded at the question and Ray started talking on his behalf. He bowed his head,

"I'm going to say no to yesterday's story"

Randall is somewhat panicked by the words and says, "If the conditions are dissatisfactory, I'll get in touch with you,"

"We're leaving this city tomorrow, so we can't take it."

"Are you leaving the city? Why are you leaving town all of a sudden? Also, did you even get tangled?

"No, no particular trouble," Ray shook his neck sideways.

"If... if you don't need to leave the city in a hurry, just once. Will you do it? I'm asking my people to tap into the importance of collaboration."

Head down Randall, Ashley gets a troubled look.

(My father's old comrade will get me this far. Can I say no to that unhindered?

Ray noticed Ashley's expression, "What do we do?," she whispers confirming her intentions.

Randall noticed how it was and said, "Take a few seats off. Talk to me in the meantime," he said, leaving the reception room.

After Randall left, Ashley said, "Your father's comrade is bowing his head. Is it hard to say no to it unimpeded…" or the end of the phrase gets smaller.

Stella said in Ashley's words, "I disagree!" Strongly disagree.

"Isn't Master Ashley worried about Master Ray! This time it's also to protect Master Ray!

Surprised by the strong emotions Stella shows, he says, "I know. So..." clouds his mouth.

Ray was watching the two of us and thinking about what we should do about the future.

(Ash must be hard. Mr. Hamish's old comrade, Tatsuya, who also saved his life, is Mr. Randall. I guess it's a hard choice for an insolent Ash......)

"Shall I just take it once? When that's over, I'm headed to Doctus no matter what. I can do the same for Mr. Randall."

When Ray says so, Stella also disagrees.

"I disagree. Master Ray, I'm afraid you'll change. Please..."

I was trying to convince Ray to feel like he was stuck.

"Thank you. But if Ash suffers, I'll just take it once. If it's going to go crazy, will you put me back on track?"

She tries to exhort, but sees that Ray's will is stiff and stuck in words.

Ray placed his hand on Stella's head,

"Let's make it as short as possible, it doesn't seem too dangerous either"

Ashley is pleased with Ray's care, but she also understood what Stella was trying to say.

"Stella, I'm sorry. Once and for all, you just have to do your part... if Ray's, Ray's, is going to go crazy..."

Ray blocks the word and smiles at both of them.

"It's okay. That will never happen again. If it's going to be..."

Stella takes his hand and shook his hand forcefully with a serious look, "I will, then, even in place of my life, ask you to go back to normal".

(I really don't like it. But this one is for Master Ashley... if this one changes... I will not forgive Master Ashley...)

Ashley was unusual for her, too, and her mind wasn't fixed.

(Shouldn't I think about Ray first? Little stranger to me, though my father's comrade of war. You risk losing Ray for someone like that?... but a friend of mine, whose father once deposited his life, has asked a young man like me to bow his head. Turning that down for no clear reason......)

It was a sign that Hamish could keep his life if he called it his comrade. Namely, he is likely a benefactor who has saved my father's life.

She had been slated for the education she had received from Hamish, for being sure to reward her for her gratitude, and for protecting the man she loved.

Randall came back about enough.

"Have you come to a conclusion?

Ashley asked the question,

"I'm going to take it. But..."

Randall said, "I'm sorry, I can't. I'll ask if there's a condition," he snorted with a smile.

"The period is short, if a survey of a relatively safe area…"

Randall, who heard Ashley explain,

"Ok, but so far, I'm thinking of two places to investigate..."

His explanation was that a survey of the streets from Periclitle to Riccadale, about eighty km northeast, or around the former village of Thysek, about one hundred km southeast, was a candidate, but both would be about ten days, plus round-trip days.

"It is around the old village of Thysek that is relatively safe, but it is an abandoned village, it becomes a camp during its stay. Every village has an inn until Riccadale, but so far every village is a dangerous zone where third-class demons wander. I want you to choose one."

Ashley, after checking with Ray and Stella, replied concisely, "On the Tisek side,"

"I'd like you to give me an overview of the members."

Randall nodded at the words,

"Fifteen, including you. There are two in the fourth level, but the level is late thirty. Later there are eight fifth class around level thirty and two young but excellent sixth. They've been doing this here for over three years, including grade six, so they're not amateurs."

Randall keeps talking as Ashley nods.

"By the way, there are three pairs of foursome parties. Nowhere is it unbalanced. Just..."

Ray overlaps the words.

"Just rarely have you ever worked with another party?

Randall nods loudly and replies, "You're right".

"Of the two in the fourth degree, Aldo, the beast man, will obey the man whose strength is above him. I honestly don't know about Boris, the other swordsman."

Ashley just nodded that she understood,

"I would like you to tell me the date and time of departure and the time of the face-to-face meeting"

"Departure is sudden and bad, but tomorrow morning. I intend to have a final meeting with the members of the investigative team at 2: 00 this afternoon. Let's meet up there. Ashley, I'm going to leave you to the captain, but that's fine."

Before Ashley answers, Ray answers first, "So please".

Ashley stares at Ray, but says, "You'd better Ash. Because I'm not for leaders," he laughs. She laughed a little as she shook her head to the side and said, "Got it. I'll take it," he acknowledged.

After that, Randall and the contents of the investigation, the scope of the investigation, and how to treat the emergency were packed.

The meeting was over in about an hour, and the three rolled out to the city to buy what they needed for the expedition.

I bought ten days worth of food and the supplies I needed and headed back to General Headquarters at 2pm.