‘–I didn’t sense anything suspicious from his presence.’

It was noon, and we were having lunch in the Dining Hall within the Academia. Garuku’s remark was made during that time.

By the way, perhaps because there are few lectures, there aren’t many people in the Dining Hall either. I thought we, as Adventurers, might stand out, but perhaps because we were with Hedda, the few remaining students only glanced at us once and didn’t interfere.

And Garuku’s earlier remark. Since Hedda was present, Garuku wouldn’t show himself… as if in agreement, Lefin appeared and spoke.

“I suppose there’s a bit of an impression from his appearance, but I didn’t sense anything from his demeanor or aura.”

“…Hmm, I wonder about that.”

Hedda murmured. Seeing that, I asked her a question.

“His name was Marion, do you know him?”

“Yes. He’s a Captain in a different squad from Arete’s. I don’t think his reputation is bad.”

“Then, was I mistaken?”

As Sofia spoke, Hedda shrugged.

“Since even the Spirits didn’t sense anything, it could simply be a matter of a bad impression. From here, it’s a question of whether you, Sofia, and the others are convinced.”

“Understood.”

The conversation ended there… Sofia and the others would continue their verification in the afternoon. Thinking it would take a while, I watched their training progress and mentioned Sylvie and the others.

“I’ve had my Familiar observe them since Arete arrived. The same goes for this person named Marion, who Sofia was concerned about.”

“So if they do anything strange, we’ll know immediately, right? By the way, Ruon, what do you think about Sofia’s words?”

“I think it’s possible that as a Descendant of a Sage, she had some kind of intuition. Well, since I’m using my Familiar, I can handle anything that comes up.”

“Then there’s no need to worry. By the way, Ruon, it’s become difficult to participate in the Extermination Squad.”

“The battle was called off with the appearance of that person named Marion.”

Kuuza looked troubled. Even so, whether we would have been accepted even if we had won is another matter.

“Kuuza, regardless of the outcome of the battle, I think you probably wouldn’t have been hired. That battle seemed to be more of Arete’s personal will.”

“…Did she have some kind of grudge against me?”

“She seemed to vaguely understand your abilities, so I’m sure she had some thoughts about it.”

“She must have really taken a liking to you.”

Sylvie said. Kuuza then tilted her head.

“Me? Well, we did interact quite a bit…”

“Did something bad happen, and she held a grudge?”

“…That’s possible.”

Does she have any idea? Well, I won’t pry into that.

“Anyway,”

I gathered myself and said to the two of them.

I’ve met Kuuza’s acquaintances and there were some interesting people. Since we’ve gotten this involved, why don’t we take some action?

Lord Ruon, do you have a plan?

Once the Extermination Squad departs, we can just follow them. What do you think, Sylvie?

So we observe from a distance… Alright, I’ll join too. Ruon, what about Sofia?

Sofia will probably want to come along, so we’ll go together. We don’t know what kind of battle it will be, so it’s better to have more people.

It’s certain that we need to be careful, as we have no idea what kind of Demon Race this is or what kind of battle it will be.

Also, Arete’s ability… judging from her head-on battle with Kuuza, it’s certain she’s quite strong. I don’t think Kuuza was serious, but the fact that she could respond to him like that means her ability is definitive.

…For now, we’ll wait and see until there’s some movement.

Sylvie and the others nodded at his words, and the discussion ended.

As long as the Extermination Squad doesn’t move, we’ll just be watching Sofia’s training… I was thinking of researching ways to counter the Demon King during this time, but it seems the Gods have no intention of letting us rest.

Early the next morning, immediately after I opened my eyes, I received a report from my Familiar… it was,

—Are you serious?

I muttered and jumped up. After getting ready and meeting up with my companions, I immediately announced,

The Extermination Squad has moved out.

Huh, today?

Sylvie asked in surprise. I immediately nodded and said,

They’ve already left the Town… I’m changing the plan, is that alright?

I have no objections.

Sofia also agreed. Therefore, we quickly began to act.

Since the Familiar is definitely following the Extermination Squad, it’s not difficult to track them. In addition, we are also observing the person named Marion, whom Sofia mentioned as suspicious. If they take any suspicious actions, we can move immediately.

Let’s head straight there.

With my words, everyone started moving—after leaving the Town, everyone began High-Speed Movement.

During that time, it was Sylvie who spoke.

Sofia, you said you had a bad feeling about this person named Marion, does that mean she’s involved with the Demon Race?

Since Lefin and others said they didn’t feel anything in terms of presence, I think it’s just my imagination…

I support Sofia’s opinion, though.

When I mentioned that, Sofia was surprised.

Lord Ruon?

Lefin and Garuku said she wasn’t suspicious, but that’s just about Magic Power, right? There’s a possibility that she’s colluding with the Demon Race as a Human. I have a feeling that Sofia might have that kind of intuition.

Is it because I’m a Descendant of a Sage?

I think that sort of thing is related.

Recalling her prophetic intuition, it wouldn’t be strange for her to sense something. In any case, if there’s an unsettling element, it’s safer to observe it.

So, if she were colluding, what do you think would happen?

Sylvie asked. I thought for a moment and said,

No matter how many Elite Guards you gather, if there’s an Insider and information is leaking, it will turn into a very bad situation.

I agree… Are there many cases of traitors?

I don’t know if there are many… Well, those kinds of Humans are usually just used and discarded by the Demon Race.

If Marion is a traitor, that kind of end awaits her… While I was thinking that, Kuuza spoke up this time.

Lord Ruon, I don’t know what kind of battle this will be, but for us, it’s a battle full of uncertainties.

Yes, I think so too.

…Do you think we can do something if we intervene?

It depends on the Demon Race’s abilities. But if we act, I think we can expect some results.

Immediately after the mention, we saw Knights and Magic-users moving in a line in our sight. We hid behind cover to avoid their gaze and observed them.

“The problem is we don’t know where the Demon Race’s dwelling is. It’s difficult to get ahead of them.”

“There’s also a possibility that it takes several days to reach where the Demon Race is.”

Sylvie’s mention… well, indeed. This might become a battle of Leaders.

Let’s move without being noticed. Everyone, be careful.

Everyone nodded at my words—then observed the movements of the Extermination Squad. Their travel speed was decent, but it seemed they still had a long way to go to reach the Leader.

It would be good to send out scouts to check on the Demon Race’s situation, but they haven’t. They might be using Familiars for reconnaissance, just like me. Either way, we currently have no means of finding the Demon Race’s dwelling.

I thought we had no choice but to patiently follow them… but then, a change occurred that night.