“I understand that Rokuto wants to investigate the Demon Race’s actions. I also haven’t directly seen what the Demon Race is doing, so I think investigating it is a good idea… but Rokuto, what’s the method?”

When I asked, Rokuto replied, meeting my gaze.

“Just as Humans maintain Highways, Gnomes create various paths underground to travel across the Continent. While Humans only refer to the location of our King as a Gnome Dwelling, our kin are actually scattered throughout the Continent.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Among them, there is a path we use within this Nation… and one of them is in the path, and there is also a large former Gnome Settlement where Gnomes lived in the past, so we can check deep underground.”

“I see, so while it’s not visible above ground, you might be able to find something by going underground.”

“Yes.”

“And Sofia and the others too…? No, would it be better to act alone?”

“I think it would be better to go alone.”

Lefin followed my words.

“Who knows what could happen underground… It would be safer if Lord Ruon and we acted alone.”

“Well, that’s true… so, you mean we should move secretly? Then the investigation will be limited to nighttime.”

“We have no problem moving all night, but Lord Ruon is—”

“No, I’m fine. There were times during my training when I fought all night.”

I didn’t intend to do that… Then Lefin said, a little surprised, “Understood,” and

“Then, let’s start acting once we get close.”

“Understood. By the way, where is that place?”

When I checked… it was quite close to the Town where I could get information about Redras. It was just what I needed, so it was hitting two birds with one stone.

“Then, that’s that.”

And so—the discussion ended.

From the next day onwards, we continued further in the direction of the Stronghold. As we got closer, we also started encountering Monsters released by Redras.

They weren’t quite mid-game Monsters, but they were formidable enough. For example, Claw Demons—they have abilities somewhere between lower and middle-tier among Demons, but the fact that they’re appearing means that to defeat Redras, it might be a bit tough without at least one Intermediate Technique or Magic.

Sofia has one Advanced Technique, but it consumes a lot of Magic Power and other resources, so it can’t be used frequently, and it’s also a Wind attribute, which Redras is resistant to… For a realistic battle, we’d want a skill that borrows the Gnome’s power or a skill that can be used more often.

“Yah!”

Sofia’s cry… The opponent was precisely that Claw Demon, and this time we encountered a single one.

Sofia started by unleashing ‘Aerial Sword’. As it struck, Alto approached and unleashed ‘Buster Blade’, a general lower-tier Greatsword technique.

This is a simple technique that delivers a wide-swinging blow, but its power was sufficient, and the enemy was greatly intimidated. Then Kyarun and Stella’s coordinated attack—Ignos and I were providing support, but for a single enemy, it seemed unnecessary.

“Alright, let’s move on.”

Alto said. He commanded the front lines, and I made decisions from the rear—before I knew it, that was our formation.

Eventually, we reached the Town. It was a place that also existed in the game, named Ortak. It was located slightly north of the center of the Robeil Kingdom, and it was also the central point of the trade routes within the KingNation.

Perhaps because it was now close to Redras’s Castle, Soldiers and Magic-users could be seen everywhere. The entire Town was enveloped in tension, and it was clear that the fact of the Extermination Army’s retreat was being taken very seriously.

Can we talk to the soldiers who went to exterminate it?

Alto commented, looking around. So I opened my mouth to lead them to the event.

First, it might be a good idea to check the situation in the town.

So, the Guardhouse?

Alto nodded and said, “Then let’s go,” and we headed straight for the Guardhouse.

The Guardhouse we arrived at shortly after was quite large, and I understood that it was commensurate with the size of the town.

“…Huh?”

A soldier on guard at the entrance called out. We approached him,

“We came to find out about the situation in town.”

“…I see. If you can prove that you belong to a guild, you can come in.”

I presented my certificate and went inside. Sofia and the others followed as companions… The Guardhouse’s entrance hall had few people, but it was enveloped in a heavy atmosphere, just like the town’s.

“It’s quite a lot… Is there anyone who can give us information…?”

Alto looked around. Then I shifted my gaze to the right… There he was.

A single magic-user by the wall. I didn’t know if he was on a break or waiting for a soldier, but… when our eyes met, he approached us.

“From your appearance… are you adventurers?”

“Yes. We wanted to hear various stories and get information… If possible, could you also tell us a little about the Demon Race that has a stronghold?”

After saying that, the magic-user looked down. He seemed to have something on his mind regarding Redras… Eventually,

“Just a little more… just a little more, and we should have been able to defeat him.”

The magic-user said. Alto was the one who reacted to that.

“A little more? Is there any basis for that?”

“…The Demon Race called himself Redras. He used a special barrier to block all of our attacks.”

The magic-user recounted. In response, Sofia showed a stern expression.

“Was that… unbreakable?”

“Just before we retreated, his barrier was forcibly dispelled. It seems he was building the barrier using the magic power in the castle interior, and we pushed him to the point of depleting the castle’s magic power… but we fell short by a step…”

“Currently, what about that barrier?”

“The magic power in the castle interior can be observed from outside, roughly, but the amount of magic power hasn’t changed compared to when we retreated. So it seems the barrier is still unusable.”

“That’s why he might be creating monsters.”

Alto said. Then the magic-user said, “Probably,” and nodded.

“That’s highly probable… He might have released a large number of monsters to buy time to rebuild the barrier.”

“So, we can defeat him now?”

Sofia said. Her face was serious.

“If what the magic-user says is true, then it’s highly likely that this Demon Race named Redras is preventing humans from approaching… If the monsters stop attacking, it means he’s been able to rebuild the special barrier. By the way, can the Extermination Army no longer move?”

“With this many monsters spread out, coordination will be difficult… However, some members of the Knight Order seem to have ventured in again.”

The magic-user told us more.

“The number of monsters had drastically decreased compared to when the Extermination Army surged in… If the Elite Guard’s formation is ready, I want to go immediately, but…”

A frustrated expression. He himself might be injured.

After hearing him out, we left the Guardhouse. Everyone seemed to have something on their minds, and all were equally silent.

Looking at their expressions, Sofia, Stella, and Alto seemed to be in the mood to fight. Ignos, on the other hand, seemed undecided, and Kyarun had a complex expression. Perhaps they were hesitating.

I guess I’ll wait to talk until everyone has sorted out their thoughts… As I thought that, I remembered the investigation Rokuto told me about.

If I were to do it, it would be tonight. If we fight, we’ll leave town tomorrow. From there, it’s a straight shot to Redras’s Castle, so this is the only chance to investigate.

Investigating after defeating him is also an option… No, it might be better to check both before and after defeating him.

War with Demons existing in the game and investigations outside the game. What will happen, I wonder? — While thinking, I decided to arrange for lodging for now.