CH 46

Chapter 46-: Footsteps of Collapse

(TL By GUST)

Arios and his group were still staying in Horizon.

Now that you have the Shield of Truth, there is no use in this city.

In order to continue the journey to subdue the Demon King, we must head to the next city.

However, there was something missing.

Money is the cost required to subdue the Demon King, and a huge amount is paid monthly.

Supplies such as armour, food and water can be procured locally by giving the name of the brave man.

What is lacking is human resources.

With Rain leaving the party, there is no one to support Arios in the shadows.

No one carries food and water that, when put together, weighs a decent amount.

No one creates a map and maps it.

There is no one to negotiate with the people of the city and take an inn.

……etc.

Rain's exit from the party caused all sorts of chores.

Originally, that's what Arios should do ...

Arios, who are conscious of being the chosen ones, seriously think that they are not doing such chores.

Therefore, I tried to pull Rain back, but ... I failed.

So I decided to find a replacement.

I asked the Adventurer's Guild to announce the recruitment of party members.

The effect was outstanding.

Many people applied for the possibility of becoming a member of the brave party.

The number of people gathered is actually dozens.

As expected, I can't take everyone, and as I said to Rain, I don't need a shackle.

Arios and others will have an interview and carefully select the members ...

"Disqualified"

At the interview site, which was rented from a room in the inn, Arios coldly told the adventurer man who came to the interview.

The adventurer man was the same Beast Tamer as Rain.

The ability is high, and not only animals but also lower-class monsters can be tamed.

The man knew that he would be behind the party, and almost cleared the conditions set by Arios and others.

However……

"If you can't fight, don't talk."

"But that's what Beast Tamer is ... I can use monsters to fight!"

"How many monsters can you use? For example ... different from monsters, but can you use the strongest species?"

"Well, don't be crazy. People can't use the strongest species. Even if you talk about such an impossible story ..."

"Well ... in other words, you're less than him."

"that person……?"

"Even if you can use a monster, it will take some effort? Do you want to cooperate with us? Is the monster that you can use really useful? Isn't it useful? And the tamer can use it. Is there only one? If you use a monster, who will support the supply line? Are you? Will you bring a lot of luggage, food, and water? Then, well, it doesn't matter. "

"Cormorant……"

"We want at least someone who can fight and still provide logistical support. You don't meet that requirement, so you're disqualified."

The man couldn't say anything to Arios's harsh words.

Drop your shoulders and leave the room.

"At all ... there are many people who can't use it."

Arios shook his tongue as he couldn't control his frustrated feelings.

In fact, the man who was disqualified now was very well suited to support the Arios.

Bears can be tamed to carry their luggage, just as they did in the rain.

In addition, the man spoke well and was good at negotiations.

However, Aryans were not satisfied with that alone.

With Rain, I was able to fight to some extent.

At least during the battle, I was able to protect myself.

It was a hands-free existence.

That kind of consciousness worked, and the man's evaluation was lowered.

It can't be helped compared to Rain, but I'm conscious of it somewhere.

As a result of continuing the interview in such a condition ...

"Mina. Will you call the next person?"

"That ... the current person is the last."

Mina, who is interviewing with me, said awkwardly.

"In other words, is it annihilated ..."

"That ... Arios has a little strict selection criteria, isn't it?"

I couldn't see it, Mina said so.

At first, I agreed with Aryan, but ...

When it comes to failing all dozens of applicants, I really want to say something.

"... Is Mina wrong in my judgment? Do you want to say that?"

"No, no. That kind of thing ..."

Mina hardens like a frog glared at by a snake.

The anger of Arios was clearly transmitted.

Before, this wouldn't have happened ...

Mina was confused.

And I didn't notice.

Previously, Rain was acting as a lightning rod, accepting Arios' unreasonable anger.

Who will Arios' anger fall to now that there is no rain?

Who will get the eight hits?

"... I'm sorry. I don't mean to do that. I think Arios's judgment is correct."

Fearing unreasonable anger, Mina ran away.

When Arios' words were correct, he obeyed blindly.

Arrange words that are only in shape and have no content.

The result is ... nothing.

It may look good, but it's empty.

The bond of the party that may have existed for a while disappears little by little.

Not to mention Mina, Arios is unaware of that.

"I can't help it. I'll stay in this city for a while, maybe because Aggas and Lean, who are acting differently, will find a good one."

"But the trip is delayed ..."

"There have been a lot of things these days. If you don't rest your body once in a while, you won't be able to continue."

"Yes ... I'm sorry. You care about us."

"It's natural. Are we friends? It's natural to care about them."

Nothing is as empty as a word without content.

Are you aware of that, or are you unaware of it?

Arios smiled as if he was caring for his companions.

"Mina should take a rest for a while. I would have been tired from the interview."

"That's right ... I'm sorry, but I'll do that."

"Oh, slow down."

"What about Aryan?"

"I have a little work to do."

"Don't overdo it. Arios is a brave man, so if he collapses, the world may be in trouble, not a metaphor."

Mina's words seem to be worried about Arios and haven't seen Arios.

I was concerned about the existence of a "hero", not an individual Aryan.

In a sense, Arios doesn't care about the fragments either.

He seems to be worried about the individual, as if he were not looking at the individual.

It's an empty exchange.

If Rain was here, he might have been frowned upon.

"Oh, be careful."

Are you aware of the meaning of Mina's words, or are you pretending to be unaware?

Arios responds normally and sees off Mina leaving the room.

"..."

Arios, who was alone, took out the tool bag.

From the inside, pick up a ring with a jewel of a terrible colour.

I got it through a certain route when I was alone.

The price is 50 gold coins.

For the general public, it's an astronomical number.

The money that Arios has is entrusted by the country.

So to speak, national tax.

However, Arios bought the ring without hesitation.

Is it money entrusted by the country, not your own?

National tax?

That doesn't matter.

This is necessary.

It is indispensable for a certain purpose.

So I bought it.

There is no such thing as wasting money.

Rather, I would like you to be pleased that you were able to help the brave.

Arios was seriously thinking about that.

"... If you use this guy ..."

Rings are more than just ornaments.

It is a magic item and has a certain effect.

And one more.

If the wearer is trapped in negative emotions, it can lead to terrible and dangerous situations.

It is an act of sending salt to humanity's natural enemies.

An act that could endanger innocent people.

Arios was all aware.

The hero's magic ... No, I'm doing the magic of people, but that's okay.

I'm not going to choose the means to achieve the purpose.

"I want to use it right away ... I can't really use it. It's a hassle if I get a foot. Do you want Aggas to do it? I said it without permission ... "

Aryan said that Aggas was supposed to be a companion, but that he was throwing away.

That was the current state of mind of Arios.

Aggas and others may at least still think of themselves as a bonded party.

But Aryan ...

"... No, do you want to stop it? When it comes to the crimes of my friends, it will be troublesome. The reputation will fall to the ground."

Arios rolled the ring on his palm and had a dark ... dark look on his face.

"Well ... isn't there a good piece rolling somewhere? Isn't there such a convenient piece that uses this guy to erase the rain?"