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Maltgartz’s stronghold was located in a place somewhat separated from the battlefield.

Under the tent that protected him from arrows and magic, Marquis Kenneth Angus who commanded the dragon “elimination,” listened to the subordinate’s report.

“What is the situation?”
“It is going favorably at present, General.”
“I see. His Highness will be delighted.”

Kenneth, who donned luxurious armor and had his beard fixed in a curled shape, nodded over and over, and then glanced at the four people standing by in the corner of the tent.

“You did well, adventurers. Your guidance was truly accurate.”
“Oh, glad to hear that… I mean, we have gone to the depth of the mountain before.”

The leader of the party Seventh Dice, the giant fighter Gemel, looked appreciative of Kenneth’s words.

Mount Kuguse was the biggest obstacle in attacking Setulev.

Even for hunting the dragon, they needed a guide who knew the terrain well, but they couldn’t find anyone useful in Maltgartz. In Maltgartz, where the officials handled most of the work that adventurers normally did, there were few freelance adventurers who stepped into unexplored regions seeking money or adventure, and their relations with the Adventurer’s Guild, which held the information about them, was poor.

Thus they tried searching for ones in Setulev instead, and immediately found them.

Adventurers who were familiar with Mount Kuguse, had at least above-average skill, and would stop at nothing for money, even breaking the ban to enter the mountain.

“So, uhh, about the officer thing we talked about…”
“Oh yes, I will put in a good word for you. It’s a cheap reward to pay. We in Maltgartz always welcome skilled exterminators, so by all means. You will be welcomed with the highest recognition.”
“Thanks for that…!”
“Right. You may withdraw already. Have some rest.”

The candy they used to bait Seventh Dice, which seemed to be troubled by money, was the talk about officers.

Monster exterminators belonging to Maltgartz weren’t quite recognized as knights but still served royalty, in other words, they were officials.

The kingdom would be covering their cost of food.

“Hehehe, do you know? Maltgartz exterminators make even more than average adventurers. I mean, they get a salary even when there’s no work. If we became the highest ranks… hihehehe! Well, that evaluation fits us perfectly!”
“Yeah! The Kugutfulm b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲ had no eyes, I tell you! But those who can tell know it right away!”

The four adventurers talked about money and laughed sleazily as they left.

“It’s good that they’re such a naive bunch.”

As Seventh Dice left, Kenneth spoke with a cold, condescending tone.

“Are you sure it would be a good idea to recommend scoundrels like them?”
“Those with adventurer origins are ultimately all like that. I have no expectations. But they have some skill, so we can just keep sending them to the front lines until they die.”

Officers had their duties. They were outlaws that seemed to fail to realize even that. Did they really think Maltgartz would properly treat people like that?

They took the officer matter at face value without considering anything, so it saved them quite a big trouble.

Four people were going up the road they came down a few days back.

They crossed the thickets, ran up the boulders, and ran up the waterfalls using protrusions as footings.

“F̲u̲c̲k̲! This is too damn quick!”

Tim, who was casually charging through the mountain road despite his heavy armor, cursed openly.

It happened while they were taking their time to search for the Dragonian interpreter. No, they weren’t taking their time. This simply happened too fast.

According to Tim’s hearsay about the Adventurer’s Guild’s judgment, Maltgartz didn’t seem to have information about Mount Kuguse, so they would be doing the investigation first based on how they acted.

Lucella, who knew Maltgartz’s Adventurer’s Guild’s situation also agreed to this point.

They moved faster than was estimated.

It felt like that.

“What should we do?! I mean, what do you plan to do?! I will help if I can… but we’re up against an army that came to kill a dragon, you know?!”

Given the situation, Lucella was now dressed in that embarrassing combat outfit that he had previously taken off.

They weren’t in the city so no one would see him. Rather, the short skirt instead made it easier to move compared to the dress if he dashed without care about his panties being seen.

“Don’t worry. Adventurers have their way of fighting. I wouldn’t even dream of getting on Maltgartz’s bad side by getting in their way, but it can’t be helped if it’s out of our hands.”

The armored man gave a calculated stern smile.

“They’re trying to take down a mighty dragon as humans, so dragon subjugation is very delicate work! I doubt they have leeway now. In other words, there’s a high chance that we can throw their entire plan off if we just break one gear of it!”
“It’ll be another story if we directly get in their way…”

Wein, dressed as a phantom thief, looked behind to confirm the situation.

“If the monsters chasing us just happened to head their way, we wouldn’t be at fault, would we!! You f̲u̲c̲k̲i̲n̲g Maltgartz b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲… You made a blunder with this quick action. Setulev’s Adventurer’s Guild will issue the restricted area designation the day after tomorrow! They will prove that we’re not to blame for this!”
“Grrrraaahhhhh!”
“Grooooaaaahhh!!”

Several roars arose like an echo. The four weren’t running as fast as before. There was a giant lizard dripping poison from its head. A fierce beast that looked like a combination of lion and tiger with an octopus on top. A flamethrower rhinoceros beetle the size of a cow. And many many others. They were adjusting their speed so that the Variants chasing after them would be able to keep up.

“Come now, come! Doesn’t it smell real nice you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲!”
“Roooaaar!”
“Hissssss!”

Wein scattered the pink sand from a large bag as he ran.

That caused the monsters to get even more agitated and charge at them in half-frenzy. They were rushing at them so madly they just crashed through the trees without a care.

“That’s the monster attractor and stimulant! Only crazy people would use it in this situation, though…”
“No worries! We’re crazy enough!”

Their group which kept growing larger and larger rushed on toward the dragon’s nest with enough force to almost split the mountain in two.