144 Let's take care of her next time.

After dropping my brother off safely, I'm having dinner at a tavern and thinking about my future course of action.

My brother's impression when he saw the two of them was, "I definitely felt a disturbing presence from Exdoik, but I didn't feel much of a threat from that guy.

I'm not sure if it's a demon or something.

But I felt that guy was more dangerous than that.

I couldn't detect any magical power through detection magic, but my instincts told me that he was dangerous.

If you ask me what's bad, I can't answer, but bad is bad.

...... is all I can say?

But my brother looked at me like that and said, "Suit yourself.

This doesn't mean that you were treated coldly.

At first I thought so, and he looked sad, but then he said to me.

"Harkdock, you may have a second-rate brain, but I can boast to others that no one can match your ability to detect danger. You're the only one who can approach the danger that only you can smell. If you think it's necessary, go ahead and do it. You can't be too reckless if you're working alone.

My brother usually tells me not to do anything I don't want to do.

But my brother, he saw that I was itching to do something about it and decided it was important to take charge.

Gather as much information about the man's danger as I can, as much as you can understand.

I'm not going to do anything rash, I'm just going to let you handle the whole thing.

...... Just how do I get in touch with him?

I think it's not that hard to find .......

If you ask around to the guys in Rio de Janeiro about the whereabouts of Ecdysius, you should be able to find him eventually.

But in that case, there's a high possibility that they'll know where he is and be waiting for him, right?

He's dangerous enough as it is, and we'd like to avoid any kind of battle.

But even if you do find him, how do you get in touch with him?

I don't have any talent for acting, and I don't know if I can get any satisfactory information from contacting him.

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do that.

Oh ...... think, think, think me!　I'm just a scaredy-cat if I don't show my brother a good time.

Do you have a minute?

Shut up!　I'm trying to think!

That guy didn't look like he was good at hand-to-hand combat.

What do you say we just kidnap him?

Even if he's smart, he's still a force to be reckoned with. .......

"Hey, hey.

I said shut the f*ck up!　I'll kill you if you interrupt me!

Who the hell are you to interrupt me?

I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

......?

I'm not sure what to make of that.　I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

He has short, flaming red hair, a large claw tattoo on his right eye ......, and a large sword with a blade like a row of teeth on his back ........

I've got a bad memory, but I know this guy.

She's Gillista, a female adventurer working in the back riods.

If you see her, don't approach her, don't talk to her, and don't provoke her, because she's a crazy, crazy fighter.

That Gillista is holding the hilt of his greatsword and smiling.

...... Let's hear what you have to say.

I'm not sure what to say.　That's the fastest way!

You're just quick, aren't you?

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

The people around me are starting to get upset about the attack, and it's not good for me to stay in this bar.

What's worse, if I'm banned, I'll have even less of a place to relax.

I can't discuss it, I'll have to run or fight.

Come on, come on, let's go!

f*ck it!　What if I'm banned from a store that pays my bills?

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

The first thing you need to do is change your location.

There's a reasonable amount of people around, it's not a good idea to involve the general public.

You guys, get away from here!　If you get caught, you'll die!

I avoided Gilista again as he slashed at me, blowing up the entrance to the tavern.

It's a big swing thanks to the size of the weapon, but it doesn't give you any leeway if you get hit.

But with this flashy appearance, the people around you are starting to flee the scene.

If you run away, you might catch up with them and get caught up in them, so you have no choice but to intercept them right here.

Equip the whirling cudgel that was on your waist.

With a snap of his wrist, he rotates it two or three times to feel its weight and length.

"Oh, that's your weapon?　It's so plain, isn't it?

Yes, it is. Isn't it plain?

I don't have the sense to handle long objects like swords or spears, and I can't fight with my bare hands or keep my magic power strengthened all the time, so this kind of weapon is the most suitable for me.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

You can feel the weight of Gilista's greatsword in his footsteps.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and how you're going to get it.

I'm not sure how much you can do, but you never know until you try!

Gilista swung her sword wide and rushed at me.

It is possible to step in and strike a blow from here, but if ...... it is withstood, the return blow may kill you instantly.

You will find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

As soon as I tried to move sideways with minimal movement, Instinct kicked me, saying that was a case of instant death.

I don't need to understand, if instinct tells me to do something, I'll do it!

I made a larger-than-necessary dodge to the rear.

But thanks to that, I understood the meaning of the danger that Instinct had sensed.

There were two trajectories of the greatsword that should have been swung in a straight line.

"Oh, you knew about this sword?

"Well, I heard you're a magician.

I've heard that you're a magician. The big sword opens and closes with a snap, and it wriggles around like the mouth of a beast.

It's like a beast's mouth. If it opens when you swing it down, then it can close the other way.

It's a pain in the ass, it's hard to avoid!

And that's not all... my magic power that's been dripping into the surrounding area is all gone.

It eats up magic power, which is too incompatible with my methods.

But it's still better, since Gillista's fighting style is mainly based on that big sword.

One deep breath, one turn of the whirling club.

I'm glad you're not afraid, it makes killing each other more fun.

"Who's going to kill each other? I don't want to deal with your crazy sensibilities. I'll finish you off.

You've got a bad attitude, but I like a strong man.

I don't like big swords wielded in a ladylike manner, I like a woman who is affectionate.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. ...... This is a good way to test your skills.

I'll be back.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

He told me that it was most likely because of what he heard that he went to check out the man who was with Jestaff.

He said that if they were to meet in the city, it would definitely lead to a fight.

That's why we've decided to split up and search for Gilista.

We are divided into three groups: myself, Wulfe, and Ecdysium, who can stop Gilista single-handedly.

I'm walking around the city with him. .......

I'm not sure where Gillista is now.

I'm walking with him through the city. ...... "Well, I wonder where Gilista is." "Look at you, ......, you should feel a little more threatened.　If Gilista goes on a rampage, it's inevitable that he'll attract a lot of attention, isn't it?

That may be so.

...... Don't tell me you've planned for Gillista's arrival?

Ha-ha-ha. I don't know what you're talking about.

Come on, give me a serious answer. Is this some kind of a ruse?

This is more like ...... the one I don't like than the usual him.

He doesn't seem to have completely switched, but there is a change nonetheless.

He laughs sarcastically while showing a deliberately worried face.

"It's not so much a ruse. It's not so much a ruse as it is an act of throwing a stone into the lake to see what it does to the surface.

...... Shouldn't we be cautious now?

"After we've captured our guide, it wouldn't be surprising if the other side already knew that something was looking for them. But that's just a theory, right?

Then tell me what you really think. I'm not going to enjoy having a redundant conversation with you right now.

I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but both of us have decided that we need to switch. That man is a nasty sort of person.

You said something like that yesterday. ...... Is that what you're talking about?

Just from the story of Ecdysium, he didn't seem like that much of a talent. .......

He saw the look on my face and saw through that idea, and he held up his index finger and kept talking.

"That's not what nasty means, Iliad. I know you think a nasty person is a wise man like Marit, but it's not. They're irregulars who are perceived by many to be no threat, but who make irreversible moves from out of sight.

"Out of sight?

Yes, he suddenly places an irrelevant piece on the board. But because of that piece, the game is reversed. Annoying, right?　But that guy has a hidden ability to make sure of that. Well, there are people like that, you know.

I know he's a dangerous guy, but if he's ...... dangerous, is there anything you can do about it?

Yes, there is, in a very simple way. But if you fail to do so, you will suffer the consequences. Let's be very careful.

I should ask for more details, but I've lost my chance to get them now.

I heard a roar in the distance.

Whoever had made that much noise was definitely Gillista.

If so, then Gillista was already in battle.

Let's hurry, it looks like Gillista is starting to fight.

Well, we'd better hurry, because Gillista might lose.

You think Gillista's going to fall behind?

Even if Gillistas can win nine times out of ten, they'll pick up one win on the first try. Unless there's a complete disparity in ability, Gillista will be at a disadvantage.

If that's the case, then I'd better hurry up, pick him up and run in the direction of the sound.

You're carrying him more roughly than usual, aren't you?

Even I have my moments of frustration.

That's true. I'll take it in stride.

"Bite your tongue.

He can't do me any harm in this situation.

And yet, I am in a mood to complain to him.

I guess this is my selfish desire to be the man I want him to be.

But that doesn't change the fact that he's still him, a personality with a self.

If I accused him of denying his own worth, am I allowed to deny him now? .......

"Whose forgiveness do you want?

"Don't talk.

I was shocked. He has become quite sensitive now.

He has to be aware of who he is dealing with, who he has to be serious with.

There's only so much I can do, so I'll do my best.

If he changes in an undesirable way in the face of his enemies, I will only eliminate them so that he can be who I want him to be.

I'll do my best.

"Well, what do we do now?

I'm looking at Gillista on the ground and thinking about the future.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to finish him off, or if letting him live will only fuel his irrational desire for revenge.

Think about the merits and demerits of both letting him live and killing him.

If Gillista appears in the future, it's more likely that he'll get in my brother's way.

I have to avoid putting you at a disadvantage because of me.

I'd better kill him. We ended up killing each other, but that's what you want, right?

He holds up the whirling club and stares at the back of Gillista's head as he falls.

The head of a person who is unconscious and has not even been strengthened by magic can be crushed without any problem.

It's a little uncomfortable to kill an unconscious woman, but ...... it was my fault for not deciding to kill her when she was awake, so let's just get it over with.

He swung the whirling cudgel and swung it down in a straight line.

The whirling cudgel's blow never ...... reached the back of Gillista's head.

"...... Who are you?

My attack was met by the sword of a woman who suddenly appeared in front of me.

I'm not sure if she's an adventurer or a knight from some other country.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I know this man. I can't let you kill him. If you insist, I'll be your opponent.

I can't let you kill him. If you insist, I'll deal with him myself." Detecting magic, get information on this lady knight at ...... What the hell?

The sophistication of her body and magic is beyond common sense.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

She's human, but she's not human, that's all I can think of.

I could have fought Gilista if I'd been prepared, but not this woman.

But it seems to me that she's not a maniac without reason.

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

No, that's .......

Oh, that's it. That's it. That's pressure.

You can't just come in here and kill me and expect me to kill you.　It's not reasonable, is it? Is twisting reason a thing that knights do?

"Mugu ......

You're in trouble, you're in trouble, you know Gillista, you know Gillista's fighting spirit.

I'm not sure what to do.

It's a good idea to get some more information on this lady knight.

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

If you want me to let you off the hook, don't be a joke and give me something in return. It's a good idea to know the details.

I don't have a lot of money on me.

I'm not looking for a money solution. I don't have a lot of money. - I'm not trying to solve anything with money. - Give me some information, why did Gillista attack me, who are you, what's your relationship with this guy?

"......

I'm sure you're not the only one.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'll answer that for you.

What?　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

I've been so distracted by the knight that I didn't notice the guy who was walking up to me.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

The newcomer was the man who had been by Exequim's side yesterday.

Oh, look, Instinct is kicking me so hard, it hurts, it hurts!

Something's different from yesterday, it's worse than that, it's too much.

It's a mixture of various things, and in the depths of it, there's something incredibly bad.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

It's been a long time since I've been knocked unconscious face to face with a ...... person.

Do you have ......

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.