"It seems they die if they eat divine power."

How many hours did we manage to get some shut-eye after staying up all night?

Once we woke up, the Archmage informed us of that fact.

The main point was that the beasts were the same as the Jahukayas of the Great Forest—only a different species, sharing the trait of eating mana without possessing demonic energy—and that they could also eat divine power, but would die as a result.

"The number of Jahukayas is already so small, and it took time to transport them to the Magic Tower, so they only began the experiment two days ago... I heard every single one they fed divine power to ended up dying as well."

To think that the already scarce creatures died from this experiment. I prayed for the souls of the mages who must have screamed in despair.

Thanks to their sacrifice, we learned that this was not a new enemy and that it could not neutralize divine power. It was an absolute relief.

"But that isn't what's important. What's truly important is..."

"Where these things are being born, right?"

"Your words are exactly right."

"Then we should investigate the direction the animals are coming from... Wait, we can't do that. You said they were swarming in from all directions."

Meanwhile, DeB and the Inquisitor took turns exchanging opinions with the Archmage. The Berserker? She was present, but dozing off.

"Khuuuuh."

"... It might have been better to let the Berserker sleep longer."

"Shall I take her to her room and come back?"

No, she was just completely passed out. She had this look of 'this is too hard' and 'I don't understand' from the moment the conversation started, and she finally gave out.

BANG!

"Khuu— Huh?"

"...?"

"Who..."

Just then, the door to the dining room we were in burst open. Someone had swung it open as if kicking it.

"What, I heard they were staying here?"

Their presence approached so quickly that I thought it was some new information, but judging by their attitude, that didn't seem to be the case.

But just who is that guy to be kicking our lodging door open? Judging by his attire, he isn't from the Temple.

There isn't a branch of the Magic Tower in this city, and he isn't dressed like a mage either, so he probably doesn't belong to them.

"You are..."

"Please, didn't we ask you to wait just a moment!"

"Oh my, Young Master!!"

We were bewildered for a moment. Just as the Archmage was about to say something, new people barged in.

They were dressed in a way that brought to mind a few Priests and employees—or perhaps servants, given the setting.

"Hey."

They grabbed the initial intruder from both sides as if trying to escort him away. Some even tried to close the open door.

However, the one who fought through all of that glared at us with a crooked gaze.

"I heard a Hero came here, is it you lot?"

Putting aside how he knew information about us, his personality perfectly matched his wealthy attire.

"Oh my, Young Master!"

"We apologize. We will resolve this swiftly, so if the Proxy of God could graciously overlook this with a generous heart..."

"You guys get away. I'm asking a question here! Are you the Hero!"

I stared at the man who looked like a wealthy family's son even if you were jumping in place.

My concept's personality was probably worse than his, definitely not any better, so I had no intention of saying anything...

"Are you mute bastards? Why aren't you answering?"

"Young Master!!"

"Stop this at once! Even if you are the Lord's son, we will not tolerate this any longer!"

Him? What kind of guts did he have? To act like that in front of two massive individuals (the Berserker and the Archmage) nearly 2 meters tall?

I didn't know exactly because I lacked a measuring tool, but I was also roughly around 190 centimeters myself.

That really wasn't ordinary nerve. If I were in his shoes, I would have chickened out, said 'I opened the wrong door,' bowed 90 degrees, and bolted.

"The Berserker is amazed! Can a person really get that round?"

"Pfft."

"Indeed. I am also amazed."

"Inquisitor..."

In the midst of this, the tactless Berserker spouted the raw truth, and the pure Inquisitor agreed with her.

I had no intention of making fun of obesity, so I didn't bother adding to it.

One of my friends once gained a ton of weight from stress-induced binge eating... Yeah. I could worry about it, but I didn't want to make fun of it. They suffered way too much back then.

"Wh-What? You stupid musclehead...!"

"Please let's go, Young Master!"

"We are sorry, we are so sorry."

"Let's leave it at this and go."

On a separate note, he'd be good at judo or wrestling. Usually, when people get that big, they struggle just to put strength into their bodies, but his ability to hold his ground was no joke.

"Let go! I'll walk on my own two feet! Damn it, came all this way for nothing."

Though of course, he'd need to fix that personality of his first to do that.

"If I'd known there was just a young brat of a girl, a pale beast brat, and a filthy half-beast, I wouldn't have bothered with a Hero or whatever..."

"Young Master!!"

Wait, what did he just say? A young brat of a girl? A pale beast brat? A filthy half-beast? Is he kidding me??

"... Did you just insult the Proxy of God and their companions?"

"What if I did? What're you gonna do about it?"

"Young Master, please...!"

Even to my ears, it was a severe insult. Then how would those accustomed to this world feel?

The Temple officials, who had been trying their best to handle it mildly—probably?—because he was the Lord's son, turned red and blue with rage.

"How dare you speak to the Archmage...!"

"Oh... a half-beast. That's a derogatory term I haven't heard in a while..."

"Mmm."

Our party was much the same.

The Inquisitor, who was always gentle as long as demons weren't involved, completely hardened her expression, and the two who were insulted as beasts turned coldly pale.

"Can I kill that?"

Even the Berserker, who had been yawning leisurely, reacted. Although she didn't change her expression, her words grew quite harsh.

"What did that musclehead just say—!"

"Insulting the Proxy of God is no different from insulting God. We will no longer treat you with courtesy. Drag him away!"

"W-Wait a minute!"

"Wh-What! You bastards!"

Whether it was fortunate or a shame,

The Temple moved first before our party could teach him a lesson. Along with an angry shout, they began using force in earnest.

"Let, let go of me! I'm the one who will be the next Lord— Ah, it hurts! Let go!!"

"Hah, as if blaspheming against God wasn't enough, you call yourself the next Lord when there is already a legitimate successor? We will report your crime of treason to the Lord as well!"

"W-We're screwed..."

In other words, you could say they'd given up on controlling their strength. Judging by the fact that they even drew upon their divine power.

Having seen the Inquisitor use her strength, I knew that would 100% leave a bruise. If it was bad enough, it could even break a bone.

"Let, let go!"

"Take him away, throw him in prison!"

In any case, it only made the servants who had been desperately trying to stop him look pathetic. Unable to do anything, they were just stamping their feet anxiously.

"Do not step forward. Berserker, put down your halberd."

"But! The one who insulted the Archmage—"

"Can I really not kill him?"

"Unless you are angry about the insult to yourself, there is no need to do it for me, Inquisitor. You can't either, Berserker. He's going to be taken away anyway, so there's no need to kill him and become a criminal."

On the other hand, the Archmage pressed his temples with a sigh while the man was being dragged away.

"We apologize. Due to our negligence..."

As if to wrap up the situation, the one remaining Priest apologized, looking ready to bang his head on the floor in repentance.

The man's remarks weren't their crime, so he was likely apologizing for not stopping him right from the start.

"It is fine. How could you have stopped the Lord's son from pushing his way in?"

"No, it truly is our fault. Knowing what kind of person he is, we should have paid closer attention..."

"Didn't I say your apology was enough? More importantly, are you alright? You were insulted as well, yet I handled it arbitrarily..."

"Pardon? Ah. I'm used to it, so I'm fine. It wasn't swept under the rug, and he got dragged away properly anyway. But rather, are you alright, Mage Boss?"

"... I am fine as well. There were far more discriminators back in my younger days."

"Oh..."

"They're all idiots. Race or whatever, everyone dies if you snap their neck."

Was it because anger was starting to well up at their words? The Berserker's remark nearly made me reflexively talk back.

Honestly, wasn't it true? If you snapped their neck, pretty much any creature, race or otherwise, would die.

"Do not get used to being insulted. Delinquent, that goes for you too. No one should be despised for how they were born, nor should anyone become accustomed to it."

"... Are you really saying that after brushing off being called a young brat of a girl yourself?"

"I am young, and I am indeed a woman, so what is there to brush off?"

She didn't even recognize the insult as an insult... Should I find it funny, or say she's the real winner here?

"... If you don't get it, never mind. But if no one should be despised, what was all that about treating me like a criminal before?"

"That was...! I... It's true I judged you hastily...! But you acting like a thief and being treated like one is completely different from being treated as a half-beast just because you were born into the Cutie race!"

On the contrary, it might actually be easier to live life for someone this tactless about these things.

While I was thinking that, the Inquisitor shouted furiously.

"Unbelievable. Are you taking my side or insulting me? You're saying you still thought of me as a thief in the end."

At that, DeB muttered a few words with a hollow laugh. Was he grumbling because he was dumbfounded? Well. He didn't seem upset.

The Archmage smiled warmly.

"Ah, right. Hey, Priest. I heard he's the Lord's son, but why did he come here?"

Perhaps finding the nuanced atmosphere ticklish, DeB changed the subject. It was certainly something I was wondering as well.

Why exactly did he come looking for us?

"Well, um. I don't know for certain either, but..."

The Priest grew slightly flustered at DeB's question.

However, he didn't feign ignorance till the end. Although we said the apology was enough, it seemed to have left him with even more guilt.

I could see him trying to squeeze out an answer with all his might.

"Perhaps... he intended to urge you on the subjugation of the wild beasts. Due to the sudden surge in beasts, the Young Lord's wedding ended up being delayed."

The answer, however, was quite unexpected.

Seeing how he distinguished between the Young Lord and the second Young Master, the Young Lord was probably the eldest.

Does it mean he cares for his family even if he's a ruffian? That's strange. Didn't he say earlier that he was the one who would become the next Lord?

"I'm wondering who he thinks he is to urge us... but let's say he's asking for help because the Hero is here. But what on earth does the wedding have to do with it?"

"That's... hah. The Young Lord's marriage partner is the Young Lord of Ednium."

"Pardon?"

"... A marriage between Young Lords. That is rare. Even for political marriages, they wouldn't normally wed successors to one another."

"Ah, it's not a political marriage. It's a love marriage."

"Oh, a love marriage."

"And?"

"... It seems he believed that once the Young Lord weds, she would step down from the successor position and go to that city."

Only then did I understand. It was an extremely optimistic view of things, but it wasn't an entirely impossible scenario.

"Is he an idiot?"

"How foolish. To believe he could become the Lord while acting like that."

"I don't know what marriage has to do with stepping down as the successor."

"That's quite... an astounding judgment."

Even so, didn't he even consider the possibility that the other party might be the one to come over?

"... It's not strictly because of the wedding. Compared to the estranged relationship between the Lord and the Young Lord, the second Young Master receives all the Lord's favor."

"That guy??"

DeB asked back by spinal reflex. However, rather than taking it as disrespect, the Priest nodded in agreement.

"We find it questionable as well. The Young Lord takes after her mother and is truly wise and sensible, yet why the Lord would... Ah, apologies. As a servant of God, I shouldn't be speaking ill of others."

"It is fine. God will forgive you as well."

No, wouldn't this not even count as talking ill? Spouting about another family's affairs carelessly is obviously not good... but to this extent? Isn't it just on the level of a warning?

"Good grief. Humans, honestly."

"But he should receive proper punishment this time. An insult of this magnitude will get him sent to a monastery, so even if the Young Lord leaves for another city, that man will never be pushed to become the Lord."

While I was pondering, the Inquisitor prattled on as if relieved. Her sheer determination to absolutely not let him become the Lord was practically boiling beneath her voice.

The Priest's expression grew subtle.

"He probably won't go to the monastery."

"Pardon?"

"He is the Lord's favored child, after all. The Lord will hush it up somehow."

"... It's the crime of insulting my companions inside the Temple, of all places. You're saying he'll hush that up?"

"... Considering his past record, it's obvious the Lord or the Young Lord will personally come to the Temple, kneel in apology, and donate millions. Because that money could help thousands of people, we've turned a blind eye until now... but this time, we will entirely follow the Hero's opinion. Yes."

The expressions of the Inquisitor and DeB crumpled simultaneously. "I knew it was right to kill him." The faint remark flowing in the background belonged to the Berserker.

"I apologize."

Unfortunately, the Priest's prediction was dead on.

In less than an hour, the Young Lord visited bearing an enormous amount of money.

"It is my fault for failing to properly look after my brother. I beg for your generous mercy."

She even abruptly fell to her knees. Even though it wasn't her own fault, she showed no signs of hesitation.

Perhaps it was less because she considered her brother's fault as her own, and more because she was simply too accustomed to this action.

"... Please rise."

At the Inquisitor's words, the Young Lord stood up with a graceful movement. Her black hair swayed so smoothly it made you wonder if it was silk.

"We never asked for this kind of apology."

"... I apologize."

"An apology from the Young Lord, who has no relation to this incident, even more so."

At Kimchi Dumpling's words, the Young Lord shut her eyes tight. Her cherry blossom-like eyes were hidden behind her eyelids.

"I wish for the apology and fitting punishment of the one who insulted my companions."

The Young Lord opened her eyes again at the Inquisitor's demand. 'This has become a headache.' Such a look surfaced briefly in her eyes before sinking away.

"... I dare to beg of you, Proxy of God. Please, could you accept the apology for the sake of my face?"

"Why would me accepting your apology elevate your face?"

There it is. The Inquisitor's habit of taking things literally and throwing a fastball because she doesn't know how to interpret roundabout phrasing.

As a result, the other party completely froze. Her expression was faint, but she was likely scrambling to choose her words internally.

"That is..."

"Why should I apologize!"

However, the fleeting thoughts she had scrambled together soon became useless. The culprit of the incident had stormed in without an ounce of self-reflection.

The Young Lord's lovely eyes briefly turned frigid.

"You may be a Hero, but you're just going to drop dead to a demon anyway—"

On top of that, as the guy finally crossed the line, my concept also reached for its sword.

BANG!

"Keuhuk!"

"Aargh!"

"Demon Knight!"

I had been waiting for an opening anyway, so this actually worked out better.

I knew violence wasn't right, but I still really wanted to smack him over the head, you know? Under these circumstances, he made a remark that left my concept no choice but to step up.

"Say it, again."

I stomped on the ground right in front of him—literally crushed it. Until a crack split open and a crater formed—and drew my sword within a distance of less than 70 centimeters.

"Who is going to die to a demon?"

"Urgh..."

Perhaps due to the shock of me shaking the earth, he had plopped backward, saving me the trouble of craning my neck down to look at someone a whole head shorter than me.

My sword was hoisted up as if about to pierce his plump belly.

"Y-Young Master!"

"I asked. Who. Is dying. To a demon."

Perhaps because of that viciousness, he didn't dare avert his gaze. Not bad.

"If you bring harm to the Young Master—"

"I didn't ask you."

Good, good. I was even positioned with my back to the light source, so wouldn't an angle like this properly terrify that ruffian?

"If you don't want your tongue pulled out, shut your mouth."

"..."

Separately, this guy is a real joke too. He's surrounded by attendants and escorts, but seeing how not a single one is risking their life to try and save him.

He really lacks any popularity.

"Damn. I lost my turn to my comrade again."

"... You were planning to step in too? Hold it in."

"But that thing isn't worth keeping ali—"

"Aaagh. You're right, but keep it down! They can hear you!"

In the midst of this, it seemed the Berserker had been about to cause trouble as well. And not with an intention to move while considering the situation like me, but with full intent to kill.

"I-I am, t-the Lord's son..."

"That is not the answer to my question."

"I-If you hurt me..."

With things turning out like this, was me stepping up actually for the best? Because I only planned to stop at threats, at least.

Naturally, he is the Lord's favored son, right?

A mere threat could be swept under the rug coupled with their apology, but leaving a wound would likely make that impossible.

Besides, no matter how much we had the Hero backing us, there was nothing good about making an enemy of the Lord. Especially if this act bordered closer to illegal than legal.

"I told you, that is not the answer to my question."

"Eek!"

Thus, I merely held the sword up as if to stab him. The fact that the guy raised his guard thinking he was actually going to be stabbed was an intended misunderstanding.

SSSSSS.

... Even so, I didn't intend for this.

I inconspicuously bit the inside of my cheek as I watched someone's pants become stained with a dark color.

In exchange for someone's dignity, it seemed the picture of me backing off had become more natural.

"... It is an insult to stain my sword with the blood of a bug like you. Do not show your face to me again."

I sheathed my unswung sword. Then, I hurriedly stepped back before the urine could reach my shoes.

Having an auto-cleaning function was a separate matter from getting stained with excrement that didn't need to be stained with.

"... Let's roughly let it slide with this, Inquisitor."

"But..."

"Though he committed a crime, we do not have the right to threaten his life either, do we? It seems ending the matter here is better for all of us. What do you think?"

With that, the ensuing argument that seemed destined to drag on came to an end. I glanced back and eavesdropped on the conversation going on behind me as I left the room.

"I don't mind."

"Pfft. The Berserker doesn't mind either. I don't want to see such a pathetic thing any longer."

"... If you say so, we will do that. Instead, we will donate the money brought here as is. And you all. I will hold you accountable when we return. Take Hayden to the castle."

"... Yes! Young Lord!"

"C-Crazy, this is crazy... How could you do this to me... How could you..."

Sure enough, the matter concluded with a compromise.

"... I originally came to discuss a more valuable matter with you all, though."

"Well. If that matter is for everyone's sake, how could it be affected by this incident?"

"... Then, may I brave the discourtesy and request a conversation?"

"It would depend on what kind of matter it is."

"It is about a missive sent from Ednium."

Thus, the concluded matter brought a new development with it.

I had a premonition that our hopelessly clueless situation was finally going to be untangled.