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Since Luneville had many new buildings the number of bugs was low, so I somehow managed to calm down my breathing. When I checked the bugs… I mean monsters at the arena, I noticed that they had been transformed quite a bit.

Based on their transformation, it seemed that they were immediately thrown into jail when they were carried in. Or perhaps their transformation began once they caught them, and when the trader could no longer contain them, they decided to wash off their hands and imprisoned them.

At any rate, the situation seemed to be in a deadlock at the moment, but the patrol unit seemed more exhausted since they were suddenly attacked.

The monsters were lying in wait while utilizing the complex, maze-like underground layout, and you could even say they were enjoying their hunt.

As I was thinking about how the old me would’ve slaughtered them all with remote spells. Bard had just invaded the arena.

“Bard.”
“Woah, that scared me!”

Our voices were exchanged from the wind crystal at hand, for the time being.

“Please head down the stairs that’s just right of you. Don’t forget to erase your presence either…”
“O-Okay. …Are you alright?”
“…Hehe, don’t worry.”

I won’t lose it and turn the arena into an empty lot.

“Once you’re down there, turn left at the second crossroads.”
“Got it. Wait… can you see the arena’s interior?”
“…No, I’m just estimating it based on the map. I’m just trying to guess the places where Frank and others may be, so prepare yourself.”
“Understood.”

Damn. His instant reply made him sound a little cool there.

I mean, I was leading him right where Frank was in reality.

“Ah, please wait a bit…”
“Huh? Sure.”

I acted like I was checking the map… but I was just observing the monsters’ movements.

“…I got it. Keep going straight at the next intersection and head down the stairs at the end of it.”
“Got it.”

As I was observing the monsters, the reinforcement group entered the arena.

I cut my connection with Bard’s wind crystal and connected my magic power to one of the others from that group.

I also didn’t forget to act as if it would be harder to connect without magic power.

“….you….me?”
“W-what?!”
“It’s not just a crystal?! Should I just put magic power into it?!”

I’m glad they were quick on the uptake. It would be a serious matter if they found out I could load magic power all the way from the branch.

“It’s the reinforcement squad! We’ve just entered the arena!”
“Understood… I am receiving reports from Bard who has gone ahead, so your groups should split into one that focuses on exterminating the monsters on the first floor, and one that transports the crystals.”
“Got it. How should we form the groups?”

I focused on the monsters to check their status.

They had originated from four species – Rondo Red Ape, Laobra Felis, Lauloa Chiroptera, and Rondo Glyptodon.

Each of those groups was ranked C based on the original commissions, but with their transformation, their abilities have been enhanced to B.

“Have five people who can handle B rank subjugation commissions accompany the transportation unit… as for the rest, please make up as many units as you can with at least 3 people that can handle B or higher ranked subjugation commissions.”
“Understood! Everyone, you heard that, right?!”
“““Yeah!”””

Next, I connected to Bard while they were busy forming the units.

“Please go down to the second basement level as is.”
“Okay.”
“After that, follow the outer circumference until you reach the second crossroads.”
“Gotcha.”

The monsters underground sensed the reinforcements above and their movements turned more flustered.

They were trying to create interception groups, but it was a bad move to divide your battle power when you didn’t know the opponent’s skill. You stupid idiots!

…No good. I feel so bad my thoughts are turning childish. I have to end this fast.

“Illya, we finished forming up.”
“Understood… Then, I will confirm the magic power of each group, so please say your number and put magic power into the crystals.”
“Understood. I’m the first squad.”
“Confirmed.”
“I’m the second one.”

There were 5 squads in total ignoring the transportation one. As I was giving them their respective instructions, Bard reached the intersection.

I was pretending this time so I just waited for him to contact me.

“Illya, I’m there.”
“…Understood. Then, head left of the direction you came from. Go straight at the next crossroads.”
“Okay.”

Away from the arena… or rather, maybe from outside the gates, Claude and Cathy were dragging a human male with them.

Based on what I confirmed earlier, there were no reports about this, so if he decided to flee it must mean that he intentionally left the monsters in the jail.

“The first and the second squads, proceed straight as is. You will encounter the enemy at the first block, so the third squad should take the right turn and do a pincer attack from the back.”
“““Got it.”””
““What about us?””
“The fourth and fifth squads should follow the third squad to the right, and then take left at the next crossroads and continue straight, taking care of the monsters there. Squads first to the third should join up with them once you are done with your subjugation.”
“““Got it.”””

“Bard, I’m sorry. I mistook the path a little. Please take a detour at the block right ahead and head to the hallway that connects to the stairs from before.”
“Huh? Okay.”

He was acting so obedient it felt scary.

I was having him avoid the monsters, but did he realize it?

…Oh well. It’s bothersome to think. Or tiresome, rather. I’m close to vomiting here.

“The transportation unit here. We’ve reached the junction.”
“Understood. Can you see a door inside the store to the left?”
“Yeah, I can.”
“Please head to the side entrance from there.”
“Got it.”

Things were going well here, but the patrol squad was the problem.

Frank’s group was forestalled by the instructions of the transformed Rondo Red Ape that was acting as the monster leader.

They wouldn’t get taken out, but since Frank has chosen a place that only has one entrance, there was no place for Bard to sneak in from.

…Can’t be helped.

“Bard, turn left and follow along the wall, and once you reach the third block, throw one crystal deeper into the alley.”
“Huh?!”
“And please pour magic and chant while doing so.”

Bard showed confusion for the first time there.

“I mean, I’m bad at magic, you know?”
“Don’t worry. You just have to make the crystal explode.”
“How is that not worrying?!”

Yup, this fits you better, Bard.

Well, the crystals weren’t cheap, so it was a natural reaction.

“Please do. I heard it through the crystal, there are monsters gathered ahead. Nothing is more precious than life.”
“…Got it.”

Now, for the trader that made light of human life… It seems he was being interrogated by Ector once he joined up with Claude. It didn’t seem like he was possessed by a demon, but if someone from the outside had been manipulating him, he might not remember anything.

But that turned out to be a needless fear on my part, and he planned to cause an uproar… I mean terrorism in Luneville. Maybe a demon took advantage of that to make the situation even bigger.

At any rate, maybe he was a human supremacist…

He didn’t seem to be related to the guild so it shouldn’t be one of the people the vice-branch master warned me about, but he could be a spy from that fishy Raihand Empire.

At any rate, I was warned but look at this predicament. While I was disheartened, Bard contacted me.