Volume 23 (1/2)

[]

In order to defeat Gisu, Rudeus was able to win over the leaders of the various countries and one of the World Powers as his allies

He was successfully able to tame The Great E her and was noare of Gisu's whereabouts

Gisu was in Biheiril Kingdom!

However, North God Kalman the Third was there as well

Should he win over North God as his ally first or should he give a call out to Sword God first?

Just when Rudeus was starting to waver, information from the Mercenary Group arrived that ”Someone like Ruijerd was found”

The place he was found at was Biheiril Kingdom

Thus, Rudeus decided to edom where the three people namely 『Gisu』, 『North God Kalathered

The conference room in the Orsted offices

There, I sat directly across from Orsted

On both sides, Eris, Roxy, Sylphy, and Zanoba could be seen respectively

Roxy was keeping the record of proceedings

”——Is what happened”

I gave Orsted the report of the last sequence of findings all at once

Gisu, North God Karlmann III

When I told hidoood mood

It never came from his mouth, but he had an atmosphere as if he wanted to say ”Good job!”

I also continued h spirits

”…”

However, as soon as I reported that Ruijerd has been discovered, that good mood disappeared

To put it plainly, his expression clouded

”… U?”

He seems kind of mad, but kind of not

Seelared at me

After all this tis to quake

However, if I don't know the reason, I become a little anxious

”… In the Kingdore God is also there”

Ogre God

That rere God lives, is to the east of the Kingdom of Biheiril

No, I didn't forget

However, I need a confirmation

”Didn't you say so an enemy easily?”

”The current generation Ogre God has been an apostle in a past loop”

I see

Then, the chance that Gisu's location is a trap has increased

Alternatively, Gisu's objective re God

Even if we discuss that in the conference rooo there directly

However, we are currently in the conference room

Let's focus on things that can be discussed in the conference room

”I'd like to discuss our plans from now on, that included”

”Yeah”

”For the present, we have thisit off and not going to the Kingdom of Biheiril is an option”

For the tiy

”There is the chance that this is a trap by Gisu, or rather Hitogami However, we don't knoe'll have another chance to catch Gisu, who keeps running about, so this could be seen as the perfect chance I regret not being able to call out to the Sword God, but I think I should head to the Kingdom of Biheiril Is this okay?”

”I have no objections”

In any event, ianon her own

I didn't hear what route she'll be taking, but I'm certain it will be a while before she arrives

One or two er

In order to meet up with her, as well as to tell the people there about her, going to the Kingdom of Biheiril is unavoidable

”There are 4 things we need to do

Find Gisu, and crush him

Find North God Karlmann III, and persuade him

Find Ruijerd, and persuade him

Find the Ogre God, and either persuade or crush him

In that order of priority… if that's okay with you? Orsted-sama”

”… Yeah”

Personally I'd like toelse, but even so the North God should be first

As for the Ogre God, it would be easiest if Atofe ran into hi the sea

If I don't get in contact with her, that's probably ill happen

Or rather, how should I go about contacting her?

I don't think there's any way other than the coraph established at Fort Necross

… Well, itabout that until Atofe arrives Or rather, there ency contact is pretty inconvenient

”Furtherh, I'll call in for reinforcements for our side”

The enedom of Biheiril

However, if after gathering our forces in Biheiril, it turned out that he had already escaped then I would look like the boy who cried wolf

I' that happens from time to time, but trust in us will still lower

”I don't think it'll be too late to call in reinforcements after Gisu has been discovered”

The ene to have a decisive battle

It's better not to call in our allies until after that has been decided

If we repeatedly discover Gisu, call in allies, let hiather any allies when the tiless

”For that sake, I think we should establish teleportation circles at each location for calling in reinforcements”

The Kingdom of Biheiril is a se cities

The capital Biheiril

The second city Irel

The third city Heilerul

”In the vicinity of each of the three cities, I will set up teleportation circles”

I throw a glance at Roxy

”The number of people who can accurately draw teleportation circles is liht happen, and asked reat teacher to prepare a number of teleportation scrolls Applause, please”

A thunderous applause began

Confetti danced and fell on Roxy standing on stage

Roxy held a athered in the hall, and they fainted one after another

In my mind, at least

”Regardless of whether we do or don't discover Gisu, we'll cut off all his escape routes

We'll send people to the neighboring countries and hways

For this, we'll use the Rudo Mercenary Corps here in Sharia”

Rinia and Pursena

Aisha will also move, I'm sure

”Once the escape routes are closed off, we'll search for Gisu As soon as he's found, we'll call in reinforceo”

What's i certain the enemy is there

After that, is to make sure the opponent doesn't run away before our forces are gathered

Fortunately, Biheiril is enclosed by forests,countries

It won't be that difficult to prevent hi

Of course, when Kishi+rika found Gisu with her ami

In that case, the chances are high that she was detected by Hitogami in return

There's a chance that he has already escaped

According to Gisu's letter, if he was trying to make comrades then he would even be able to escape the forest

Securing the surrounding countries is just for peace of mind

”I see Then ill establish the teleportation circles?”

”Let's split the work The three of us will divide the locations between us”

”… Wouldn't that be a probleeted”

”Yeah”

At Sylphy's words, I nodded

Putting whether or not to believe it aside, Gisu's letter said that the one being targeted is me

If I act independently, it's quite possible for me to fall into a trap

The danger of each of us getting crushed separately also exists

”However, thanks to Orsted-saami's surveillance

Gisu and Hitogami can't sense me or Orsted-sama, or the people around him

Nonetheless, this is Gisu we're talking about; he may be able to find me with anachronistic methods

In other words, findingmethods

That's why I'll disguise myself

Before I'm discovered, I'll quickly establish the teleportation circles”

Regardless of whether or not it's a trap, I shouldn't show myself too quickly

Thus, I'll use a disguise

Even disguised, if I gather information to try and find Gisu, I'll be exposed sooner or later

However, I'll be able to avoid a scenario where i the country, I'm surrounded and destroyed

If I'o about it well, even if Gisu has placed a trap, I can still take the initiative

If there's no trap, it ic eye was outside of both Gisu's and Hitogami's expectations

In that event, Gisu will probably run away

On the other hand, Gisu should have business that brought hidom of Biheiril

Until I arrive, he may try to finish his business up until the last minute

By disguising then the amount of time before he runs away

There's no reason not to

”If Rudi wants to hide from Gisu, it may be best to have a diversion”

Roxy gave that proposal

A diversion

In other words, o to Biheiril”

If the chuathered fish, but they could only catch s for wasn't there, they may become confused

”A diversion, huh? Any specific ideas?”

Roxy nodded

”Yes How about having one of us go to the Sword God?

Queen Ariel said she'll send reinforcements at any time

Ghyslaine and Isolte should be included in that

Those two are faainst us or fall behind

Even if the Sword God were to becoather infor contact, and even if we can't get the Sword God, we could at least bring Sword King Nina with us”

Sword King Nina, huh?

The person I dom of Asura

The one who Eris herself wanted to make a comrade, which is unusual for her

She's no substitute for the Sword God, but if she's on par with Eris, she'll certainly be a battle asset

If he's an ene aside whether we can do it, if both Ghyslaine and Isolte are there, I don't think anything is impossible

”Ah, in that case I'll do it”

Sylphy raised her hand and said that

Sylphy will go to the Sword God… well, she should be able to handle negotiations

She's more or less acquainted with Ghyslaine, Isolte, and Nina, after all

Further will act as a diversion

Since the children have already been born, there shouldn't be ami is well aware of who I want to protect

If o different ways, my whereabouts become harder to discern

However, there is one concern

”… Isn't it dangerous?”

”Of course there is danger However, we know Gisu's whereabouts, so I think the danger will be little”

That's certainly true

Gisu won't want to have the people he had won over as comrades crushed one by one

If Gisu is somewhere else, his allies should be there with him

Or so I think, but those thoughts may have been read

”I think Hitogao, wouldn't it be successful as a diversion?”

Roxy said what I was just thinking as if to emphasize it

But… Huh?

If you think about it that way, isn't my plan problematic?

Establish teleportation circles within the Kingdo from place to place should take half a day or more

Isn't it possible for my forces to be crushed individually?

So to seem like an all-out war

This isn't a flag for my scattered comrades to die one by one, is it?

No, since cos and such have noHowever…

”But, I'm a little worried… Maybe it would be better to stop with this plan…”

”Rudi…”

Roxy suddenly heaved a sigh

As if she can see through hts

”Listen up, Rudi

Adventurers entering a labyrinth aile person

If everyone does everything that they can do, the chance of returning alive increases

Until noe considered the [so over the children

After all, toin a far-off place beyond our reach

However, right now, the plan I suggested is [so we can do], and I think it will raise the chance of everyone returning safely”

Chance…?

However, that's true Nothing is ever certain

Even if you think it's completely safe and certain to succeed, unexpected situations can occur, and so you didn't think about can cause it to fail

”I know that Rudi wants to keep us safely locked up at home

However, even if we're locked up, if you lose, it's the end We'll all be annihilated

There's a risk to everything

Let's brave the dangers, so that we can all be s in the end”

If anyone dies, would I be able to smile?

I go to the Kingdom of Biheiril, and when I coone

Would I be able to smile then?

No, I wouldn't

”Rudi, we're already parents

Let's not just look at ourselves, but into the future”

At those words, Paul's face suddenly crossed my mind

If Paul were alive, at this moment, ould he say?

When he went to the Teleportation Labyrinth, he took

During the teleportation incident… he had a lot going on, so I'll set that aside

Before then

When ere living in Buena village

At the very least, Paul didn't lock me away at home

I'e where if you walk away a bit you erous, he let me walk around on my own

Zenith, too, when she wasn't pregnant, worked in the village's clinic

Even when she was pregnant, during her stable period, I think she went toddling out a few times

Paul wasn't always right

He didn't have any clear enemy

However, right now, I'm still alive

Thinking of it like that, saying no to everything is a bit overprotective

No, but the circumstances are completely different…

”Yeah It's just as Roxy says”

Sylphy gave her agreement

”We'll bear the risks When the ene as one of us remains to take care of the children, it will be fine”

”… That's right!”

Eris nodded to Sylphy's words

I don't know if she was able to follow the conversation up to here, but at least she was in agreement with Sylphy

”…”

Zanoba and Orsted didn't answer, but they didn't voice any opposition, either

”Okay, then let's go with that Any objections?”

No objections

Then, let's go with this plan

While hiding my presence, we'll split up to find Gisu, and if he's found, we'll close off his escape routes and wait for reinforcements, then crush him

”Then next, let's work out the specifics”

All that's left are the details

As a result of our discussions, ere split into the following teams

The tea countries to close off Gisu's escape routes:

Aisha, Rinia, Pursena, and the rest of the mercenary corps

The diversion teaet Nina:

Sylphy, (Ghyslaine, Isolte)

The tea to the capital:

Zanoba, Julie, Ginger

The tea to the second city:

Rudeus

The tea to the third city:

Eris, Roxy

After each team sets up teleportation circles, they will separate and search for Gisu and the North God

Just like Sylphy proposed earlier

Zanoba will

Eris and Roxy will deal with the Ogre God

The team that eliminates the escape routes will take orders from Aisha, so it'll probably work out fine

My job became related to Ruijerd

The Ogre God who has been referred to as this and that since long ago

The North God Karldom of Biheiril

Ruijerd who has deep connections with me

We can't quite predict Gisu'sour forces

It would probably be best to leak some information and play it by ear

The dom of Biheiril will move out immediately

If aste time, Gisu's whereabouts may become uncertain

I don't want to have to search for Kishi+rika over and over again to get her to find Gisu

Sylphy will move out a little after that

Ariel said she will send reinforcements immediately, but she has her own circumstances

Ghyslaine and Isolte probably won't arrive in just a few minutes

Julie, Ginger, Rinia, Pursena, and the rest of the mercenary corps have their own jobs that they're still in the middle of, so we'll tell them to prioritize this instead

It may be unreasonable, but this is the critical moment

We have to do this, even if it's unreasonable

Is this a chance or a trap?

Itfor the former

Using the coraphs, we told the plan to Ariel and Cliff as well

Ariel iive you my utmost support,” but Cliff still hasn't replied

Unlike Ariel who has a lithograph in her rooh the mercenary corps, so it probably takes time

”Any questions?”

I looked over the surroundings, but nobody raised their hand

There don't seem to be any

The one who looks a little worried is Zanoba

Looking at the state of affairs, higher priority is given to the third city which is closest to Ogre Island and the second city which is closest to where Ruijerd was spotted, but the capital has the erous

Ginger's inforh, and Zanoba's a powerful coic

'Don't end up dying now' or so hts

”Zanoba, be careful”

”I knoever, rather than for myself, I'm worried about the shop”

”Oh, that's right…”

For the record, whether it's the store or the factory, they should still go on even if the top brass isn't there

However, if neither Zanoba nor Julie are there, if some major trouble occurs, I don't knoill fare

”So you wanted to leave Julie behind?”

”Hahaha, I proain”

Zanoba's really loved by Julie…

Or rather, I wonder how Zanoba feels about her

I wonder if they've made love

That's kind of a hard thing to ask

Zanoba has times when he kind of pulls back one or two steps from women

If someday he has children then I fully intend to tease him and call him a lolicon bastard, but I don't want to butt into his affairs too much as an outsider

”Eris too, are you alright?”

”…… I'm fine”

Eris looks dissatisfied

It seeo with me

However, if she did that, there wouldn't be anyone who could guard Roxy

Furthermore, if I'm with Eris, we'll stick out like a sore thumb

She can't do anything covertly

That's why I put her with the one who stands out the second most, Roxy

They're also a kind of diversion

”I' alone”

Certainly, I'm also worried about myself

I wonder if I can properly avoid Gisu's attention while gathering information

Gisu's information skills are top-class

Unless Ifor North God Kalman or Ruijerd, I'll be noticed by him

If he notices me too early, he'll naturally run away

In the first place, nothing good ever happens when I act on my own

”Well, I'll make it work out somehow”

It would have been better if I had gathered one or two people who are good at gathering intelligence

Regretting it noon't change anything

I couldn't predict the situation turning out like this

”What will Orsted-sae the coraphs and protect my family”

”…Sure”

”Thank you very much”

Orsted is house-sitting

He stands out, so he's not really suited for infor

There may be times e need him, but it's best if he stays here whenever possible and comes to help when the battle starts

Of course, there is the matter about his mana, so it would be a problem if he participates too much in battle

He's so like the last trump card

Or rather, it's for the sake of preserving his mana that he has me as a subordinate

As such, having Orsted fight can be considered to be our loss

”…”

Orsted stays silent

I get the feeling he wants to say so, but I can't see his facial expression because of the helmet

I wonder if he's concerned

No, we're about to undertake a massive plan, so he must be tense as well

”Rudeus Just in case, you should wear that ring”

”Ring?”

The Death God's ring

Suddenly told that, I looked at my hand

On n

It's what I got fro Kishi+rika, I started wearing it for no particular reason

”Can I ask the reason?”

”It's just in case Si it has an effect”

”…Understood”

I don't really get it, but if siuess it's fine

When the time comes, I'll probably understand

”Also, there's one…”

”Ummm…”

Someone raised their voice

Orsted held his tongue

Who's the foolish employee who cut off the president's words?

But looking over the surroundings, no one's saying anything

No one's raising their hand, either

However, it was a woman's voice

Which means the offender is one of those three

”Chairman——”

If she's calling me chairman, that means it's… huh? She's not here

”There's a visitor——!”

No, I get it

The voice is far off

Everyone's gaze turns to the door

This is the receptionist Lil elf-chan's voice

What was her naain?

”Excuse o check it out”

I told everyone not to disturb the , but…

It ency

I moved from the president's office to the lobby

”…Uo-”

The instant I entered the lobby, golden light flew into my eyes

He's golden

Froold

A person wearing shi+ning gold ar there

”Wha……”

”Hey there”

The golden light casually raised a hand

In that voice and those

An even olden suit of armor

A golden knight

I've heard that the Fighting God's arold

I've also heard that Badigadi once, as an apostle, donned that golden arht with Laplace

That's it, he's co to attack

Gisu was a decoy!

Hitogauard!

”This person see the teleportation circles under Her Majesty Ariel's orders”

…As if that could happen

Looking closely, the arht, but it's actually a dull ocher

”Ah, nice to meet you”

The man took off his helmet

What was under it was a head of black hair, which is rare in this world

He looks around 50 years old

He had many wrinkles, and the appearance of a veteran

”It is a pleasure to ht, Sándor von Grandeur”

”Ah, very pleased to meet you I am Rudeus Greyrat”

He bowed to me, so I returned his bow

That's quite a name

I've never heard of the house of Grandoire, but he's probably a noble

”Earlier I received secret orders from Her Majesty Ariel, and thus came here”

Saying that, Sándor presented the box he was carrying under his arm

Earlier… Just now, huh?

We had just finished telling her the plan That was quite fast

”I see And this is?”

”Inside is a e your appearance I was told it was necessary”

Oooh

Coic tools

It's as used to disguise Ariel

At any rate, she was quite prepared

She , in case it became necessary

”Please confirm the contents”

”Yes”

I peeked inside, and certainly, there was a green ring and red ring set that I re

The person wearing the green ring takes on the facial features and hair color of the one wearing the red ring

Using this, I can transforer

”Also, this is the Kingdonia

If anything happens, feel free to use this and her name, her majesty said”

He handed over another box

Looking inside, there certainly is athe crest of the royal family of Asura

Since it's brand new, she probably thought writing a letter each time was bothersome and had it made for me

It looks like I have another debt towards Ariel

”Furtherive assistance to Rudeus-sama”

assistance…

In other words, a filler until reinforcements can come

As expected, it's hard to send a Sword King and Water Ehts that seemed to have some free time

No, calling him filler would be unfair to him

He's also a fine reinforcement

Ariel should have chosen someone who can maintain confidentiality

Someone on't talk about the teleportation circles

”Hm? We?”

”Yes Come on, say hello”

Sándor gestured with his chin, and the wall moved

The large suit of ar like an ornament in the corner of the room moved

I didn't notice that ar there… he really has a weak presence

However, once you notice him, he has quite a presence

Heavy dark grey arantuan battleaxe

It's an axe warrior

”… I'a”

”……Ah, nice to meet you, I'm Rudeus Greyrat”

It seea

He seeht, not an axe warrior

However, even though his na, he has a kind face

He doesn't talk iant

He seems to be in his 20s… no, he may even be in his teens

Sándor, on the other hand, is a ed man with decent looks covered in ocher

He's also a little wide, but if you coa, he's quite skinny

It's the kind of pair that would appear together during a boss fight in some castle

”Now, please giveyou want”

”Uh, well…”

He went through the trouble of co here, but what should I have him do?

Would the proper thing to do be putting him with the mercenary team…?

No, putting hiood

However, there will probably be fighting

”…Chandell-san, can you fight?”

”Yes, of course I'dom of Asura”

The strongest, huh?

However, Ghyslaine and Isolte probably aren't included in that…

”It'll probably becoht with soht with you?”

”It's alright From the moment I decided to serve Her Majesty Ariel, I've been prepared to throay my life”

Hnnnn… then I guess it's fine

Arielfor him to be disposable

I'll put him with Zanoba

…No, wait a second

Isn't it a little strange?