134 The next one is...

It was a bit of a hassle, but we succeeded in getting him to join the Schneid.

In the position of Lakra and Wolfe, it is inevitable that their support and ability will be conspicuous.

I have some confidence in my ability to talk, so I guess it went according to plan.

What do you mean, "as planned"? I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

That's right, the application finally went through and the guild card was issued, but when it came time to add your magic power to the guild card, someone with no magic power at all had to negotiate again, yes.

In the end, the guild card was issued specially for you, as you gave up the advantage of being able to verify your identity.

If you can't prove your identity, you may not be trusted in some places, but that kind of verification process is for high rank adventurers, not for low rank adventurers.

It was expected that this would happen after hearing about the guild system, and you should be commended for being able to register without that process. Now that you've steadily completed your requests and gained some trust, it's time to start gathering information. Everything's fine.

Everything's fine?

Shut up and help me when you have time to stare at me!

And now we're in the mountains, gathering herbs.

He has transformed the shadow of Kutou into a glove and is wearing it, with one hand forming a pair of scissors.

If she touches the weeds with her bare hands, the poison will cause eczema, so this kind of attention to detail is important.

"My job is to protect you. "My job is to protect you. If you concentrate on gathering herbs, you'll neglect your main task.

You're an inflexible one. You should learn from the others.

You're the one who asked for this. I don't like the way you're mobilizing people.

Not at all!　Why am I being made to do this?

I don't know how long you've been listening to this, but Ao appears from the bushes, joining the conversation.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

These are the only people I could think of who might be available in Tarz.

Gold and Purple agreed to help, but Blue was reluctant.

So I encouraged them to mobilize by saying, "You're ...... while Ecdysium is working hard.

In addition, Duvraeolli glared at me, saying, "You're doing this kind of work for the Lord," but he was willing to do it, so we got rid of him.

What's wrong with that?　It's a lot healthier than being cooped up in a villa.

I haven't collected herbs in hundreds of years, I feel like a child again. I've been gathering herbs one by one, just like you asked.

"Oh, thank you. Now give me that.

I moved to a more open area and spread out the herbs I had collected.

Then he took out a book from the shadow of Kuto and rolled it up.

This is an illustrated book of medicinal herbs of this world. In this world where printing technology is poor, the illustrations are also handwritten and a little difficult to distinguish, but the detailed characteristics are also written, so even a layman can somehow distinguish them.

Oh, there it is. Let's see, ...... and this one, too. Then gather the selected herbs here.

Wasn't there only one kind of herb you requested?

"Well, these are the ones I personally like to collect.

They don't look very effective to me. ...... Oh, I see.

Yeah, for myself. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

In this world, as well as magic healing, medicinal herbs are often used to enhance recovery power by interfering with the magic power in the body.

As a person who cannot be interfered with by magic, I need herbs for children whose magic power is not stable.

Since children are able to enhance their immunity with their own magic power once they reach a certain level, most of the herbs are used for babies and young children, and these herbs are not widely distributed.

It would be uncomfortable to ask the apothecary, whom we all rely on in times of need, to give us medicines that are in short supply, and it would be expensive to buy them from merchants.

It's also hard to have no magic power, isn't it?　Why don't you just become a demon?

Considering the guild card, I'm starting to wonder if I can become a demon.

Do you want to try?

No thanks.

If you've made up your mind to become a demon, you might be able to, but it won't look good forever if you've become a demon just to see if you can.

It's a shame. So, Duvraeori, can you gather these herbs for me?

It's a shame.

I don't want to have to go through the trouble of collecting them all. This herb is used in infusion, so pick a few leaves from each plant.

I see. It'll be more effective in the long run. It's the same theory as when you eradicate humans and there's no food left.

I don't want to go along with that nonsense, man.

I already know the smell. I'll be back.

Then I'll be off." With that, Duvraeori blends into the shadows and disappears.

You're a very serious guy. You're just as motivated as Exoik.

I'm sure you've heard of it.

Yes, I think Duvraeus' nose is more accurate than a dog's or a pig's, don't you?

"Say it like you mean it. In terms of medicinal herbs that I have collected, Ao has the most variety for some reason, so I guess growing up in the middle of nowhere is not a bad thing.

That was hundreds of years ago. Well, you're certainly more skilled than a boxed-in princess or a mere village girl.

Oh, provocation?　But Duvraeus will make up for it. He'll make up for it in no time.

You're on your own!

You're creating and using Duvraeus, aren't you?

It's getting noisy again.

Let's resume. But, Purple, you should not be so proud of yourself.

"Why?

That's the theory. Money's the problem.

"Mmm-hmm, yes. If the mistress wanted to, she could just open up the Ghanaian treasury and buy it from every country.

I refuse to use such means. I don't want to be one of those people who use the taxpayers' money for their own personal gain.

I don't want to be one of those people who use the taxpayers' money for their own personal gain.

I don't plan on getting sick that often. I've got enough on my plate.

What are you talking about? "What do you mean? You're the one the mistress, or Garne, needs. Investing the government's money for that is a necessary expense.

I am 妲己?

"Daxi"?　Never heard of him.

She's a famous woman in the history of our world. Legend has it that the king of the time was so infatuated with her that his country fell into ruin.

The king was so infatuated with her that the country fell.

By the way, there's an anecdote about a fox.

Oh, a beautiful woman and a fox would be a concubine. But she's the king, so there's nothing wrong with that.

What's that super theory? If Qian Jin were a king, she would simply be a tyrant.

Oh, no, no, no. We've been chatting too long.

I'll cut the subject off and get back to work.

There are many things in the mountains that can be used for medicinal purposes other than herbs, and I should take advantage of such opportunities.

Ilias, who had been reluctant to do so, was allowed to work nearby, as long as he was close by.

I'm sure the Ex-Doakes have joined their guilds by now and are starting to gather information. I'm not worried about Wolfe, but I'm a little worried about Lakra.

I know what you mean. But Lakra is Lakra, and when she does it, she does it, so there's nothing to worry about.

"You've learned to trust other people.

"Well, Lacra is not a stranger anymore. I'm already familiar with Lakra's genius, it's only natural to trust him.

Genius. ......

That's a strange way to put it.　I think Lakra and Exdoik's abilities are undoubtedly in the realm of genius.

That's not to say they don't have talent. It's not that they don't have talent, but their power comes at a reasonable price. I don't feel good about dismissing them as geniuses.

Ecdysium spent most of his life in a harsh world.

Lakra spent most of his life in the harsh world. Lakra was not understood by others and refined himself in solitude.

It's a talent that has blossomed because of this, and I feel nothing but envy.

That may be true, but ......

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bad experience.

...... You're right. I don't deny that you have a gift from your parents, but I'd like to see you put some effort into cultivating it, and I didn't give it enough thought.

"Well, you're a genius, that's for sure. It's not wrong to give credit where credit is due.

The two of you are now in a position to be appreciated by the people around you, and that's a good thing.

It is good that they are in a position to be appreciated by the people around them, and it is the role of the people around them to give them opportunities to make use of the talent that has blossomed without being buried.

"By the way, is your skill a talent too?

"Mine are acquired through experience and so on. If you're asking me if I'm gifted, I'd say ...... it's more of a trait.

If it's nature or ......, it's going to be hard to correct.

I don't want you to do that, and it will be difficult. The nature of man is not easily changed, though the Iliad has changed a lot.

Me?

I don't want you to do this, it's difficult.　If you talk to you back then, you'll get a good look.

Ilias, who had been working, stopped moving.

I'm sure you'll get a good look at it.

...... I'm not quite sure what to make of that.

It's like a haze in your mind or something, right?

Yeah, it's hard to put into words.

You want me to analyze it for you?

Analysis ...... is a bad idea.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I know a lot of things about you.

You make it sound like I'm simple.

If you were complicated, you'd have used "understanding behavior" when you met me. I'm not good enough to cooperate with someone who may or may not be my friend.

I don't know. ...... Oh well, let's hear it.

Now, let's get into the haze of the Iliad.

People don't change easily, so what Ilias has in his mind is caused by the thoughts that remain before he changes.

If you want a definite answer first, it's about the Blue Demon King.

"...... The Blue Demon King.

I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it. But when you learned about the lives of Gold, Purple, and Blue, you realized that they too were once ordinary people living in this world, subhumans. You have learned that their lives were ruined by Seiya Yukura, and that they became enemies of humanity because of the excessive power they were given. That's why you're able to trust them, though.

...... Yes, I do.

But at the same time as I realize that every Demon Lord I meet is human and I can't hold a grudge against them, I'm also feeling a lump in my throat from my past. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I encounter the Blue Demon King in the future.

"......

In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. But I'm in league with most of the Demon Lords I've come into contact with. In the event that you decide to join forces with the Blue Demon King, you will not be able to reconcile your feelings for both Ilias, who hates to avenge his parents, and Ilias, the knight who protects me.

I'm a knight protecting ...... you now.

For now. But the foundation of who you are now is the Iliad, the man who hated his parents and tried to protect his country from their threat. There's no way you can dismiss that, that's why there's a haze around your heart.

Ilias turned his head and fell silent.

This thought must have been born from the moment he learned that I would be in the third camp.

Ilias became a knight because of his father, and if I were to join forces with the Blue Demon King, who was the cause of his father's death...

Well, now is not the time to answer that question, let's cut to the chase.

You still want to analyze?　If I do any more analysis, I'll have to give you the answer.

"No, ......, that's enough. ...... It's not nice to have someone else analyze you so dispassionately.

The only thing that people like to understand is what they want you to understand, and that varies from person to person.

...... Well, then what is it that you understand that makes me happy?

"You're bothering me like that, and that means you're trying to be good enough for me to weigh your past. Thank you.

That's not very nice.

What, you haven't figured out that I'm a cunning man yet?

Well, you're a cunning man, aren't you?

The Iliad will be troubled again and again until the time comes.

But I know he's the kind of guy who can figure it out in the end.

That's why I can stay by Ilias' side.

I don't want to say that because it would mean that I'm spoiling him as much as Lakra.

I'm embarrassed. "Well, that's it for these herbs. Shall we meet up with them soon?

Yeah. By the way, what's the one thing you're glad they understand about you?

Well, I'd like to be able to ...... sleep soundly without being woken up.

I understand that, but it's up to you to make it happen.

That's harsh. The rest is up to you. ...... You want to live a safe life.

I don't know about that. Most people who know you know that.

I don't know about that. It's harder than it looks, isn't it?

What do you mean?

Don't answer the last question and start moving.

It's hard to put this into words, even for me, because even now I don't have a clear image of it.

◇ "Why not?

I'm not sure what to say.

I've been told by my brother to refrain from writing anything that might be dangerous!

The content of the research here is always directed by Nee-chan.

It's very interesting and new for Nora.

But lately, Nee-chan has been too busy to show up, and now Luko-sama has to make all the decisions about the research here.

I've finished most of what Nee-chan asked me to do, and I want to research some new magic on my own, but Luko-sama says no.

But even Nora is training to become a great sage like her master, she won't make it if she just follows behind Nee-chan.

Luko-sama doesn't understand the theory behind the construction of this magic properly!

"It's true that I don't understand it in detail. But my brother told me to stop anything that seems dangerous at his discretion. And I have a bad feeling about this, so no!

Are you insolent?

Insolent is fine!　When your brother is not here, I am in charge of this place, and I will use my authority as the person in charge!　If you really want to do research, please consult your brother when he shows up!

If you really want to do research, please consult your brother when he shows up!

No, this is not the place to make personal decisions!　You should only start when there is someone who can make the right decision!

The first time I saw him, he didn't interfere, but after Nee-chan got busy, he started nagging me about everything Nora did.

He doesn't have the ideas or the sense of style that Nee-chan does, but he just acts like a big shot.

He's just scary when he's angry and doesn't help Nora's training in any way.

"Mmmm ......!

Oh my god!　Your brother is at Taze right now, I'll tell him to show up and not do any independent research until then!　Is that clear?

"......

What's the reply?

....... - All right!

Okay, I'm locking the door and I'm leaving the room.

After leaving the lab, Master Luko locked himself in his room.

Then he took Nora to his room.

He would watch Nora until she went to bed.

I'll ask Marito-sama to come over as soon as possible, so please be patient, okay?

......

I don't want to see the face of Luko-sama, who won't listen to me. I'll wrap myself up in my quilt and not move.

I don't want to see his face when he doesn't listen to me.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

...... Okay, it's about time.

Leave the room and head for the laboratory without being seen.

This castle is full of people even at night, and if you're not careful, you'll be spotted easily.

Use the invisibility spell you learned from Exdo-chan to avoid making a sound as you make your way to the laboratory.

I'm here.

The key to this room is a special key that can only be opened with Luko-sama's magical power.

But that's only for the door, it's no problem if you can get through the wall.

In Nora's hands, it would be no problem to turn the wall back into sand.

It would be nice to be able to do some research in the Mixu-sama's room, but I can't do it properly without referring to the materials that Nee-chan wrote here.

Even if I wanted to take them out, the parchments are all enchanted, and if I took them out, Luko-sama would know, so I'm doing my research in secret like this.

It's dark in the lab, but you can put up with it by candlelight and start your research again.

"Well, I'm sure there's ...... on this shelf, that's it!

From what Nee-chan said, you can apply this and that theory to ......... well, not exactly.

Draw a diagram of the construction on a spare piece of parchment: ...... here, here, and here: .......

It would be great if we could make this happen, and I'm sure Nee-chan and Edo-chan would appreciate Nora more.

I'm sure Luko-sama will reconsider.

Okay, let's try building .......

Warning, you have exceeded the amount of information that the people of this world need to know. Warning, you have exceeded the amount of information that people in this world need to know. Please terminate the connection immediately and delete the relevant memories.

Hmm?　There's a strange voice echoing in the background.

Is there someone talking outside?

There's no one at .......

I've been building for a while, but now I have to start all over again.

Warning, you have more information than the people of this world should know. Warning, you have exceeded the amount of information that the people of this world need to know. Please terminate the connection immediately and delete the relevant memories.

Again!

It sounded as if it was coming directly from inside my head, but I had never heard a voice like this before.

I heard it when I was trying to build this spell, a side effect of some kind?

No matter. Now ignore the voice.

Warning, you have more information than the humans of this world should know. Warning, you have exceeded the amount of information this world needs to know. Please terminate the connection immediately and delete the relevant memories.

Ignore it, ignore it.

Warning, you have more information than your world needs to know. Warning, you have exceeded the amount of information this world needs to know. Please terminate the connection immediately and delete the relevant memories.

Yeah, that sounds good!

Now I just need to put this here: .......

Warning terminated, access to forbidden information by a member of this world has been confirmed. We have identified the subject as a danger to the world and request that you activate your deterrent.

Something's changed in the language, but I'm almost done!

Almost there.

"Hey, little wise guy. "Hey, little wise guy. You're doing some pretty naughty things in the middle of the night, aren't you?