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In today’s world, it was normal for each country to have many adventurers’ guilds, but the Lezau Duchy had just one until recently.

However, as the adventurers’ position and reputation swelled, owing in part to the four heroes’ efforts, the demand for guilds had skyrocketed. As a result, various guilds had been established in Lezau Duchy, the most recent of which being the one in Logholt.
　
And it was precisely Count Tamayna Fonan who was the nobleman in charge of the city of Logholt. He was the current leader of the Fonan family, a powerful family in the Lezau Duchy.

“I see. So this Count Tamayna Fonan is the one who’s after your research, right?”

Merc, who was seated in a chair listening to Astard, asked a question with her hand on her chin. Astard, in turn, gave a gentle nod.

“That’s right. The Fonan family has a high standing in the Lezau Duchy. It would have been preferable if we could have avoided making matters complicated, but we can’t allow the Fonans to get away with it if they have ties to the empire. We must do everything possible to bring this injustice to light.”
“The assassin also informed us of this, but given their standing, we will likely face a lot of difficulty if we try to investigate the Fonans’ residence.”
“You’re right.”

Astard walked back and forth in the room, nodding in response to Merc’s statements.

“Should we sneak in?”
“No.” Astard said, “Because it will be acquired illegally, the evidence will not be accepted unless it’s extremely solid. I believe it would be ideal if we could gather reliable information, present it to Duke Lezau, and have him act on it.”
“And just how are we going to acquire that reliable information?”
“I’m still thinking about that.”

As a result, there was no way for them to initiate at this time. Merc exhaled softly.

“So? What’s going on with your partner? Is he safe?”
“Probably. I don’t even know his exact whereabouts. I heard he’s renting a property in the next town over, but I’m not sure where that is…”
“The next town over? Do you mean Botoe? Isn’t that Count Fonan’s territory?”
“It is.”
“Tsk. Just why did he go there?”

At Astard’s affirmation, Merc scratched the back of her head. As he continued to walk, Astard gave her an aggrieved expression.

“We would not have chosen this location had we known the Fonan family was linked to the empire. However, the Dungeon of Probation was the ideal location for our research. We had no choice but to settle here.”
“So, is this person that you’re collaborating with Doctor Zoana Glodel?”

Astard stopped his foot from stepping out and carefully pulled it back the moment he heard Merc’s question. He then uncomfortably tilted his head.

“… How?”
“Inside the Dungeon, you also heard the assassin mention that the Doctor had fled his homeland. And Doctor Glodel is the most well-known Doctor inside the Chulice Empire. Furthermore, he’s the one that published the Principle of the Strong. It’s only natural that he would reach the conclusion that a Gai could evolve into a Falgaro by absorbing the Life Force from Magic Stones.”
“Your perception operates in peculiar ways¹.”
“Are you picking a fight?”
“No, I’m complimenting you. I guess there’s no point in hiding it from you. You’re right, my collaborator is Doctor Glodel. Rather, you could say I’m his collaborator.”

Astard easily confessed it and sat down slowly in a chair with armrests in front of the Merc. After which the corners of his mouth curved upward in a self-mocking fashion.

“The Doctor asked me about his research because I have considerable understanding of magic and because I had encountered and fought the Falgaro. Another reason, I suppose, is that he wants to use my name so that he can conduct his research in the Dungeons in a place where he has no backing.”
“And you took him up on his offer?”
“I did. We’ll be able to prevent Falgaros from appearing if we grasp why they emerge. It will be for the benefit of future generations.”
“You have a point there.”

It was widely known that a Falgaro emerged every few centuries. To put it another way, since the previous one emerged about a decade ago, there was no likelihood that another one would appear during Astard’s lifespan or that of the people alive now.

Of course, this was not the case with Merc, who was an elf, but Astard, a mere human, would gain nothing from the research. Even if Astard didn’t age, it didn’t imply he was immortal, therefore this research was, in a sense, for the benefit of future generations.

“There’s another reason why I took on the Doctor’s proposal.”
“What is it?”
“It’s because the Doctor barely made it out of the Empire alive. He decided to rely on me after leaving the Empire with his sole living relative, his young granddaughter. There was no way I could turn him back.”
“And just why did he flee?”
“It appears that his relationship with the Empire went downhill, largely due to his research.”
“But why? It’s not like his research would cause the Empire any trouble.”
“Naturally it wouldn’t. In the beginning, it appears that the Empire was even supportive of his research. They’d even provided him with research facilities, funds, and personnel. The Doctor admitted that he was first grateful, but that he quickly realized what they were up to.”
“What were they up to?”
“They’re the same as Count Fonan. Instead of preventing Falgaros from appearing, the Empire planned to exploit the Doctor’s research to purposefully produce them.”

Astard’s demeanor darkened somewhat as he furrowed his brows, as if angry. He then slowly rose up and began walking with a tiny shake of his head.

“The Chulice Empire is now in a difficult position, as she is pitted against the Five Kingdom Alliance. I believe the Empire is planning to break free from this predicament by using the Falgaro. The burden on the Empire will be relieved if a Falgaro appears in one of the Five Kingdom Alliance’s territories.”
“I see. The Empire is probably thinking of attacking the Alliance after they exhaust themselves from fighting with the Falgaro.”
“Correct. Attacking while an opponent is weak is the Empire’s preferred strategy.”

As he walked, Astard murmured cynically, and his words reminded Merc of a question she had meant to ask him.

“Oh yea! Is it true that the Kingdom of Aratan was destroyed? I heard that they were invaded by the Chulice Empire after they messed up inside a Dungeon.”
“It’s true…”
“Where is the Saintess then? According to what I recall, Iriem was born in the Kingdom of Aratan.”

Astard’s shoulders dropped in an unexpectedly clear manner when he heard Merc’s query. His behavior spoke for itself.

“I-Iriem immediately went back to Aratan after we disbanded the party. Apparently she wanted to see her brother. I… I-I haven’t heard from her since then…”

With his fists clenched, his voice trembling, and his gaze falling to the ground, Astard murmured. After hearing this, Merc’s mind swelled with terrifying thoughts.

“Y-You can’t be serious…”

Merc spoke with a dry tone.

The wounded shouldn’t fight!

“This can’t be…”

You’re such a brute. Just why did I decide to party up with someone like you?

“The Saintess…”

You really are hopeless.

“Iriem is missing…²”

Fufu! I think I’m beginning to understand you better…

‘Why…’ Iriem’s voice, her words, and the dialogue that Merc recalled all too well made her chest tighten more than usual.

1. Robinxen: It’s elementary my dear.
2. Robinxen: Oh dear. This smells fishy.