"Did you finally clear out the entire city? I didn't think it was a wise choice... but you've worked hard nonetheless. Thanks to you, the number of casualties will be greatly reduced."

The two of us stayed up all night hunting demons in the city center.

The rescue team that joined belatedly probably caught some demons too, but it wouldn't compare to the amount the two of us hunted. After all, a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood from demons piled up along the path we took.

"It seems the Great Demon didn't appear. That's a relief. It was so quiet on this side that I was worried they might be pulling a trick in the rear."

The reason for this was nothing special.

Isn't my concept one where, even if I'm not fiercely competitive, my pride reaches the heavens?

When you add the belligerent Berserker who even possesses an indomitable will to that, the answer is obvious.

The two of us engaged in a war of nerves over who could catch demons first and who could catch more, running competitively. Because of that, we ended up staying up all night without even resting.

"As for the troop situation, aside from the severely injured, most have shaken off their sickbeds and gotten up. It's now time to repair the broken castle walls and buildings... but thanks to you guys, we won't need to do any operations to search for demons."

If I said it wasn't exhausting, that would be a lie. But if our hard work reduced everyone else's trouble, then I'm satisfied with that.

Honestly, what made it hard wasn't so much the physical fatigue, but rather my ears being overworked from listening to the Berserker's manic laughter and thunderous calls—'Uwahahat, bring it on!'

"Good work."

Anyway, I briskly turned my head away while listening to the Archmage's explanation. I didn't go through that hardship just for the Archmage's sake, so I decline the words of gratitude. It meant something like that.

Seeing that, the Archmage let out a faint sigh instead of smiling in satisfaction. His reaction seemed slightly different from before, which was a new experience. Was he really that worried?

"Ah, the bodies are arriving."

At that moment, the people who had gone out to do repairs returned, carrying carts full of corpses. Wearing thick shoes in preparation for any potential bowel worms, they were all civilians who had come out to volunteer.

"It's a complete mess..."

"This is the problem with the rear. Nobody ever comes back dead in one piece."

Most of the corpses had their limbs torn apart or crushed from being attacked by demons. With so many people having been eaten by bowel worms or crushed to death by sand tigers, it couldn't be helped.

The same went for those who died after turning into demons from demonic energy erosion... even if their limbs were intact, it wasn't exactly a pleasant sight once demonization had progressed.

"Their faces are all smashed in. At this rate, we won't even be able to tell who they were..."

'... For the record, that's not my fault. I'm not shifting the blame; I seriously killed them cleanly!'

"It's the Martial King!"

"What about the Martial King? Don't tell me he's dead?!"

"The Martial King is dead?!"

At that moment, a corpse with its neck half-slit was taken down from one of the carts. A black and white Cutie. I wouldn't have known, but judging by the reactions of the people around, that guy must be the Martial King.

"I don't know if you've heard, but it seems the Martial King also made a deal with a demon. Since we've also secured testimonies that he used a bizarre power, no one will be able to cover this up."

The Archmage spoke up again as the corpse was being unloaded. He seemed to be explaining it since he knew I hadn't heard the related details.

More importantly, hmm. Originally, the plan seemed to be finding the Martial King's flaws to shatter his career and have him punished... but that's just how the world works.

At least it's a good thing he didn't die as a hero. I've sent away so many criminals by now that I wonder why I should bother caring about the Martial King getting judged, but it's still better than him not facing any consequences at all.

"With demons involved, the Lord won't be able to avoid an investigation either. Feigning ignorance won't be enough to get out of it. It's likely that the concealment of murder will come to light in the process as well."

On a separate note, why is he telling me all this? I don't really care about these things.

"The moment it's known, there will be talks of a fine stripping away half of his fortune, up to a maximum of him being stripped of his position. If it were any other region, it would be an immediate dismissal without a second thought, but the circumstances in this city are a bit different."

Poetic justice is an ending any human can't help but like, but my concept couldn't care less. Because it's not my business.

"Is that it?"

'Ah, so he wasn't just talking to me?'

I quickly checked the complexion of DeB, who had suddenly interjected. The signs of erosion had disappeared; he must have taken his medicine after I left. His arm is still in a splint, but the Inquisitor will heal that when she has some free time.

"He covered up people dying, and it just ends with a dismissal?"

"The penalty for concealing a criminal isn't that harsh. You know that."

"There's no way someone who covered up a murder stopped at just that! He must have deeper corrupt ties, and if those are investigated too...!"

"They might come to light. But that is not our jurisdiction, and we don't have the luxury for it. You know that well too."

"...!"

The Archmage quietly whispered while stroking his staff.

"Our job is to stop demon worshipers and execute demons, not to clean up corruption. That is the responsibility of the people who remain."

"... But still."

"Yes, yes. You must be furious. I understand. Indeed, how could I not know that nothing is more infuriating than a situation where we must overlook a crime. However, we cannot meticulously take care of every city and every person."

"..."

"Didn't you say so yourself once? That it's easier to help by clearly dividing what you can and cannot do. You might hate to admit it, but accept it. Anything beyond this falls under what we cannot do."

"... Understood."

DeB didn't look entirely convinced. He really seemed to dislike the Lord, and as someone who knows Gans from the Thief class, I could roughly guess which nerve had been touched.

It's just that I couldn't bring myself to side with him since the Archmage's words weren't wrong either.

"Thank you for understanding."

"... I don't need those words."

"Yes, but thank you anyway."

Still, it's a relief the Archmage is good with words. If the Archmage wasn't in our party, we really would've been in big trouble.

"Putting that aside, it's quite a shame. All this trouble breaking out in a city we came all the way to just to recruit talent. The ones we thought were talented all turned out to be traitors. But it's not like we can take someone subpar along either..."

As if to change the subject, the Archmage brought up another topic. Considering our purpose for coming to this city, it was a point that needed to be mentioned at least once.

Though as someone who knows of the Berserker's existence, I feel somewhat reluctant about it.

Is the Berserker not up to the Archmage's standards? Aside from my reluctance to have her join, there's no way the Berserker's skills are subpar. Is she being excluded from consideration right from the start because of her personality?

"Well, um. There is one decent person."

"Oh, is there?"

At that moment, DeB spoke up cautiously. Even though his facial expressions rarely showed noticeable changes, his complicated feelings were clearly visible.

"Well, she did hunt a sand tiger entirely on her own, right? Judging by that, her skills are definitely solid, but..."

"Oho. A skilled fighter who can take down a sand tiger alone. Seeing as you're mentioning her, there shouldn't be any issue of betrayal, so that's not a concern. But is there another problem?"

"Uhh..."

If I somehow have a guess as to why he's hesitating like that, would that be too narrow-minded of an assumption?

"Hmm, never mind. I'll tell you when things are more certain."

"If that's what you think, then do so. However, if it takes too long, you should just set up a meeting for us. I plan to observe the situation a bit longer in preparation for any additional invasions... but honestly, the chances of that seem low."

"Yep."

Fortunately, that name didn't immediately come out of DeB's mouth. Though whether that name would have actually come out is something even I don't know.

"Ah right, speaking of rest, Demon Knight, you should probably rest soon as well. I was short-sighted. You can go now. If there's an additional invasion, you'll need the stamina to participate, and if there isn't, we'll have to leave the city."

I briefly pictured the Berserker in my head, who not only kept up with my stamina but didn't fall behind me in the slightest.

"Oh right, I've already sent word regarding the seal. You should be able to receive a spare before we leave the city, so don't worry too much about that."

As for the bet itself, I ended up winning by a narrow margin... but because of that, I really don't want to run into the Berserker again.

She seemed likely to challenge me again to settle the score over the fact that she lost.

"There you are! I was wondering where you'd disappeared to!"

"...!"

"You're..."

"Comrade, let's go! At the end of a battle, there must rightfully be booze and meat!"

However, speak of the devil and she shall appear. Less than ten seconds after I thought about how I didn't want to see her, the Berserker suddenly poked her head in.

Unlike me, who was relatively clean due to my clothes' automatic washing feature, she was still soaked in demon bodily fluids.

"This Berserker has already reserved a spot! Now, let's go!"

I didn't hide my disgust toward the approaching Berserker. DeB also had an uncomfortable expression and didn't seem to welcome her.

"Piss off."

"Ahaha. You're a very shy friend! There's no need to politely decline!"

"..."

"Whoa, an iron wall worse than a brick one..."

"Ah, the young hunter is here too. Come with us! There are people who want to see you!"

"Huh? Me??"

Ah, as expected, this is exactly why I don't want to be in the same party as her. I'm confident I could get along decently if I threw away my concept, but the concept itself is a terrible match with this kind of excessive tension.

I tightly clenched my fists at the Berserker, who was completely ignoring my words. She was laughing uproariously, thumping her chest.

"Are you perhaps worried the food won't taste good? If so, there's no need to worry! Kankan told me about the best chef in town! I asked him to cook for us, so the food will definitely be delicious."

I was wondering if there were any restaurants open in this situation, but she just hired a whole chef. That's hardcore.

"... I said piss off."

Regardless, I have no intention of joining that gathering. Concept or whatever.

So I tried saying it a bit more viciously, like a final warning.

"Hmm. Ah! Did it feel too burdensome?"

It didn't work.

"If that's the case, there's no need to refuse. We spent the night fighting back-to-back, did we not! A Norda warrior does not easily abandon someone they've fought alongside for even ten minutes. Much less a comrade who shared the battlefield! There's absolutely no need to feel burdened! The same goes for the young hunter!"

"No, I'm not really..."

"Let's go!"

"Please listen to what I'm saying!"

'No, that's not it.'

'It's definitely a good thing she didn't throw down another challenge saying I was the first person to beat her, but I never wished for an invitation like this...!'

"Hold on, hold on."

At that moment, the Archmage, who had been watching us, interjected. His eyes were somehow sparkling.

"Did the two of you fight together last night? I mean, to take care of the demons left in the city."

"Hm? That's right! It's been a very long time since I've met a warrior who could stand shoulder to shoulder with this Berserker! Ah, the young hunter was great too. Such seasoned hunting skills were rare even in my hometown."

'... This feels ominous somehow.'

"... Let's put the talk about the hunter aside for a moment. By standing shoulder to shoulder, can I understand that as you matching pace with the Demon Knight all night without resting?"

'H-Hold on. Sir Archmage, stop. Stop!'

"That's right!"

'Gaaaaaah!!'

"Is that so. Oho, yes. I see."

I screamed internally at the Great Sage's eyes, which were sparkling as if he had just found a great talent.

'I was wondering why he wasn't considering the Berserker, but it was just because he didn't know her skills...!'

"Do you have more people in your party?"

"Party? I travel with my older sister."

"Is she strong as well?"

"Uwahaha! Very strong! But she's shy, so she usually doesn't show her face. It'll be hard for you to see her."

"Oho. I see. Then do you have a specific purpose for your travels?"

"Not particularly! If there is a struggle against the strong, that is the path I must take."

'Even that conversation, no matter how you look at it, is just a background check for recruitment. He's laying the groundwork!'

'I was relieved because there was no sign of her joining us till the end, but to be stabbed in the back like this...!'

"Uh, Sir Mage."

At that moment, DeB, with a somewhat darkened face, grabbed the Archmage's forearm. Is he stopping him? Is he objecting to it?! For a moment, hope gripped my heart.

"The person I mentioned is indeed that lady... but you'll have to take this into consideration."

"Hmm."

Perhaps conscious of the humans with good hearing around us, DeB added to his whisper by tracing letters on his forearm to convey his thoughts further. He twitched his fingers so subtly that even I couldn't tell what sentence it was.

"I will definitely need to think about this part a bit more."

"...?"

However, it didn't seem to completely change the Archmage's mind.

"You there, when do you plan to leave this city? This old man has something he'd like to tell you, which is why I'm asking."

"As for leaving, well. I have no thoughts of leaving just yet. But a conversation with me? What business do you have?"

"Oh, it certainly won't be a bad thing for you. If so, could we have a chat tomorrow or the day after?"

"Hmm. Tomorrow or the day after? That should be fine. But if it takes longer than that, I might just leave first. I don't stay long in cities where the fighting has ended."

"It won't take that long. Don't worry."

'... I knew it. I knew it was an unavoidable fate the moment the Berserker appeared.'

'Sob.'