The carriage moved without rest.

-Keeek!

Sweat broke out on the foreheads of the mercenary guild members who had finished their battle preparations.

A group of wyverns! It was a monster that could annihilate a decent knight order with just one.

The fierce aura emanating from the group of wyverns that were crossing the sky was enough to give them goosebumps all over their bodies.

"Khuk... why did those bastards appear here?"

"Don't let your guard down."

"But captain. It looks like they're just passing by."

-Keeek! Keeek!

When he looked out the window at Pirkan's words, the group of wyverns was flying past the carriage.

"Why are they just passing by...?"

"That's right... it looks like they're flying as if they have a destination...?"

Although wyverns, which lived in colonies, sometimes moved in groups, they were mostly independent individuals that hunted alone.

For such wyverns to be moving in a group like that, it could only be a case of the entire group moving.

But the young individuals that were commonly seen in a group's movement were not visible.

And the movement of a wyvern had to have a strong individual at the lead, a young or old weak individual in the middle, and a strong individual of about the 2nd rank to protect those middle individuals at the end.

But the group of wyverns that was visible now was not like that. They were just flying in a group without any order or discipline.

'That's not a simple movement.'

Lucas's expression was serious as he watched the group of wyverns flying away.

"Haa... that was a close call."

"I thought I was going to die here for sure."

They had gripped their swords so tightly that the marks of the sword hilts were clear on their palms.

The tension that had filled the carriage began to slowly dissipate.

"Phew... now, eat this."

They were so nervous that they suddenly felt hungry and began to take out snacks and put them in their mouths.

"Thank you."

A smile spread on the members' lips as Nella, who had received a piece of jerky, said thank you.

"Right, she's a very admirable young lady. She didn't even change her expression when she saw the wyverns, did she?"

"That's right. Khuk! But brother, did you see the captain's face?"

"Khahaha! I saw it. That, battle stance!"

Everyone burst into laughter at the sight of Sament, who was imitating the captain's tone and form when the wyverns had appeared.

"Khahahaha! Ouch!"

The captain, as the members were teasing him, finally gave them a flick on the forehead.

"I'll get you! And you guys! Huh? You were trembling so much! As you guys said, the two young ladies sitting here were much more composed!"

"No, captain! Why do you keep hitting my head! This is why my hair is falling out..."

"Khahak! Hey, why is it my fault that your hair is falling out? Then I won't hit you from now on, so let's see if your hair grows back."

"...It might not grow back because it's already fallen out!"

Pirkan, with his lips pouted, carefully rubbed his bald head. The sight of him anxiously worrying about whether even a single strand had grown or fallen out made the hearts of those who were watching ache.

"Hey, I get it. I get it. When we go to Citata this time, I'll buy you that new hair growth product."

"...Really?"

"Hey! Of course! I'll buy you a whole bottle of that!"

"Hehe... I see."

Pirkan's expression instantly brightened at the captain's promise.

"Let's go a little further and eat."

"Ugh... I'm already losing my appetite at the thought of eating in this scorching sun again."

"Ugh..."

***

Aman's office.

"No, you're saying you still haven't found them?"

Aman, who had become the new head of the school, was shaking down the faculty who had not been able to find Lucas and his group for two days.

Aman was also searching everywhere, but he couldn't find any trace of the group.

And the seal of the contract was also fading, so he was going crazy.

"That is... we have searched everywhere, from Divanos to Deladakhan. But..."

"But what but? No, more importantly, isn't it the order to completely erase the traces connected to the dungeon before proceeding with the test?"

"..."

"Are we holding the test for a day or two? And, even the beginner class students would have this much common sense!"

-Thwack!

As Aman, who had roughly put down the file in front of him, shouted, the shoulders of the faculty in front of him hunched up.

At first, they couldn't understand how such a young upstart could be appointed as the head of the school and the Mage Tower Master.

But as the semester and the year went by, Aman's true value began to shine.

He had completely reformed the system of the Mage Tower, which had been stagnant and corrupt, and all the large and small jobs in the academy and the Mage Tower, which had been mostly based on recommendations and had been a source of much talk, were now being filled through interviews or tests.

At first, there were many people who put a brake on Aman's move, and there were also many who tried to bribe or persuade him to make him their own.

But Aman, who had come from another country at a young age, had no connections from the beginning, so there was no one who could ask for a favor based on a relationship, and even if there was, Aman would not have granted the request.

"Get out! If you can't find the missing students now... the professors will also have to be prepared."

As Aman's cold voice echoed through the room, the professors rushed out of the room without exception.

"Haa..."

Aman, who had collapsed into a chair, let out a long sigh.

"Where in the world are you..."

If things went on like this, it could be a really big problem.

And if Lucas died without even handing over the warehouse... it was truly terrible.

And this was a dereliction of duty.

It was no different from abandoning the duty he had said he would help Lucas finish this life well.

"Where are you!!!"

Aman's desperate voice filled the room.

***

The mercenary guild and the other group, who had arrived in Citata, cheered.

"Gaaah! Brother!"

"Right! You've worked hard!"

From the moment they saw Citata from afar, the mercenary guild members had been having a heated debate about what they would eat and do first when they arrived in Citata.

But it was now early dawn.

The schedule, which would have normally taken two days, had been rushed through by everyone who had joined forces and had run like crazy.

And the reason they could run like this was because Nella's spirit magic had played a part.

Every time the horses got tired, Nella used healing magic to make them run as if they were new, and she helped to keep the temperature cool by constantly pouring water on them.

"Thank you! Really, I've only heard of water spirit masters... I didn't know they were this good!"

"But... please keep it a secret."

"Of course! Of course!"

The fact that Nella was a spirit master was still a secret. It was surprising that she could use both magic and spirits at the young age of fourteen, but the moment anyone found out that she could summon an intermediate spirit, peace would be over.

The mercenary guild members, who understood Nella's position a hundred times over, promised several times that they would keep the secret no matter what.

"Let's get an inn first! The captain will get you a room too."

"Right, that Skir... whatever and that side can share a room, and our admirable Miss Nella and the bold Miss Pola can share a room."

In fact, Lucas and his group wanted to go straight to the county estate.

But they couldn't just leave without even saying a proper farewell to those who had come with them, leading their tired bodies, and just give them a shock.

The group, who were looking at each other, answered by nodding their heads slightly.

'We can sleep here today and go in the morning.'

The mercenary guild members also knew that these were students who had fallen behind at the academy. So of course, it was the order to return.

"You've worked hard! Then sleep in and let's meet at the restaurant for lunch!"

The captain, Alex, handed each of them a room key and went up first.

"Then, sleep well! Hollow Shells!"

"Didn't I tell you not to call us that!"

"Khak! I find it so funny every time you use that old man's tone! Sleep well!"

Skir was puffing out his cheeks like when he was young at Sament's mischievous prank.

"Sleep well."

"Right, sleep well! See you tomorrow."

"Sleep well, oppa."

As Pola and Nella also scattered to their rooms, only Skir and Lucas were left.

Although they had been together for a long time, this was the first time they were sharing a room.

Just as an awkward silence was flowing in the air, Lucas opened his mouth.

"Let's go to sleep too."

"Uh-huh. We should."

The awkward silence was brief. Lucas and Skir, who had returned to their room, fell asleep without even having time to dust off their bodies.

***

The Emperor's office.

"So?"

The face of the secretary, Radolf, was full of embarrassment at the emperor's dry voice.

"Voices are growing louder, asking if it's okay to leave Citata as it is."

"No, so? Is the Rodrigo County saying they're going to create a country?"

"That's not it, but..."

"Then isn't it okay to leave them alone for a bit? It's not like they're evading taxes or exploiting the residents, is it?"

"But there are rumors that they might declare it a country if this continues."

Radolf played his last card.

If they really did create a country, it would surely be a blow to the high prestige of the empire.

But the emperor's expression was as dry as before.

"Are they raising their own troops?"

"..."

"I haven't heard anything like that yet."

The county was not doing anything that could be criticized in all its proceedings.

Perhaps because they had already tasted the bitterness of power, the county was just silently doing what they could, helping the people around them, and borrowing the hands of Gold Nine for most of the profitable actions.

The public opinion of the empire was already strongly in favor of the county. Of course, some of the central nobles were jealous of them and were slandering and cursing them.

"It's not like it's harming the imperial family, and it's not like they're exploiting the empire's people or harming the residents, so on what grounds are you saying we should drive them out?"

This was very embarrassing. No matter how much the emperor had changed after overcoming a near-death experience, he had not expected it to be this much.

When he had driven out Prince Jeros and had ascended to the throne, he was a person who had killed his own brother, blinded by the throne.

"Am I wrong?"

"...No, Your Majesty."

"Right, are there any other matters?"

"..."

"If not, you may leave."

The emperor waved his hand and buried his gaze in the pile of documents again.

"Yes. Then... ah!"

Radolf, who was about to turn and leave, stood in front of the emperor again.

"...?"

"Students have gone missing from the academy."

"Hmm... how many?"

"A total of four."

"How?"

"They said it happened while they were taking a practical test."

Grad's expression seemed to become serious for a moment, but it soon regained its composure.

"Well... Headmaster Aman will take care of it."

"..."

"You're not expecting me to handle the matter of the academy's students going missing, are you?"

"N-no."

"That's a relief. You may leave."

As the secretary, Radolf, left the room, the emperor pressed his temples as if he were tired.

"Phew..."

The emperor, who had been taking a few deep breaths and exhaling, slowly opened his closed eyes.

"This job is not something you can do for a long time."

A red light flashed in the emperor's eyes.

(End of Chapter)