The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated

The atmosphere of the entire field became somewhat heavier at that moment.

The knights and adventurers in the vicinity all looked in the direction of the somber Vivian and company. They were all quite surprised.

Vivian also trying to think about just what the issues were, so during that time, he also didn't speak up.

The one to break the awkward atmosphere there was instead Leon.

"Anyways, from now on we will be undertaking this secret quest together. As a part of the Lamdrion adventurer's guild, we all need to complete this quest perfectly for the sake of Lamdrion, so please take care of us?"

Leon who gently spoke those words extended a hand toward Vivian.

"..."

Seeing that, everyone continued to keep their silence. Even Vivian just watched the hand extended toward her with reluctance.

After a moment, Vivian finally sighed and moved to shake hands with Leon.

However, at that moment, someone interfered.

"Given that men and women shouldn't act immodestly with another, I should probably take your place, Captain Leon."

The alluring woman who had been looking at Leon with an enraptured expression suddenly came forward and took Vivian's hand. The gaze she gave Vivian was filled with hostility.

"Eudrice…"

Vivian quietly spoke out the other person's name.

"Indeed it's me. It's been a long time hasn't it Vivian."

The woman named Eudrice showed a smile, but that smile definitely didn't reach her eyes.

Leon, whose handshake was taken by Eudrice, imperceptibly wrinkled his brow before relaxing it without a trace. Then he lowered his extended hand.

Vivian and Eudrice who never noticed that begun speaking to each other.

"I never thought that you would be coming too."

Vivian locked her gaze onto Eudrice's face.

"The captain came, so of course I will also be coming."

Eudrice spoke as if it was only natural.

"Is that so?" Vivian seemed to have let out a sigh before immediately showing her signature gentle smile, "You really are just like always. Wherever Leon appears, you will also follow."

"Thank you for the praise." Eudrice spoke with a smile, "Originally, I didn't really want to come, but I knew that you're be coming."

It was quite clear what exactly she meant by that.

Eudrice was basically saying that it was because Vivian was here that she too would appear.

"So then?" Vivian moved her gaze to Leon and asked, "Are you really here for guildmaster Vivian's quest?"

That was the thing that Vivian wanted to confirm first of all.

That was because Vivian knew that Leili definitely knew full well about the issues between her and Leon's parties. Given that she asked her to take up this quest, there's no way that she should have also requested Leon's party as well.

Alrith also knew full well that Vivian's party had a number of issues with Leon's party. That as why he was so surprised at seeing Leon's party here.

Although there weren't any serious grudges between Vivian's and Leon's parties, there were definitely still issues. If it was someone else, they might not have cared about it, but Leili was Vivian's lifelong friend, so there's no way that she should have called upon Leon's party while knowing full well that there are problems.

The reality proved that true as well.

"Originally, guildmaster Leili requested another party." Leon didn't hide it and smiled, "However, that party had a few issues at the last moment, so we were directly tapped to replace them. Guildmaster Leili should also be getting the news about now right?"

That statement not only did not calm the atmosphere down, but instead made things even more tense.

"That is to say then, you're trying to ask forgiveness rather than permission huh?" Alrith spoke languidly, "If I'm not wrong, it should have been forbidden to leak this secret quest, right?"

After all, those who have accepted this quest were not allowed to leak the details to anyone else.

In that case, just how did Leon and group manage to get their hands on such secret information and then enact this plan for asking forgiveness before permission?

The answer was soon revealed.

"Naturally, it's information that I got."

Markray who had been constantly staring at Melika finally withdrew his gaze and proudly bragged.

"To other people, this quest is naturally quite a secret, but my father is also one of the people who decided on this plan. Is it strange then for me as his son to know about this matter?"

Alrith reacted to that statement with obvious disgust.

Putting Alrith aside, even Shien who was watching from the side had no words

That Markray guy's background wasn't something ordinary. His father, being one of the main governing authorities in Lamdrion, knowing about this particular operation wasn't particular strange.

However, as one of the main authorities in Lamdrion, he actually leaked the details for such an important operation to his son and allowed said son to freely give out the news. Such actions truly makes one wonder if there was something wrong with his head.

One could imagine that Leili who just got the news was probably fit to be tied over at the guild, right?

And this uninvited guy seemed to be trying to use his position to forcibly join this particular quest. No wonder was so disgusted.

(And he even said something about their party being so capable that they couldn't possibly be excluded earlier. That an obviously not what he's saying now.)

Shien basically understood just why Leon's party wasn't all that welcome.

Vivian took a deep breath and spoke, "I think I should wait for a decision from guildmaster Vivian before I can work with everyone."

It was rather obvious that Vivian wanted to wait for Leili to come and stop Leon's group.

However…

"That's not necessary."

When that voice spoke up, everyone came alert.

That's because that voice didn't came from just anyone. It came from a man with a great number of knights protecting him. He looked quite young, but he was fully armed and armored, bearing a very serious expression.

"Sir Balon!"

With Markray who had been strutting about all this time included, everyone there bowed in a respectful greeting. That told the ignorant Shien just who that person was.

The one who came was the son of the lord of the Murrow territory, the captain of the knight brigade, and the highest authority of Lamdrion, Balon Murrow.

"The inclusion of Leon's party was done with my approval." Balon looked everyone over and spoke mildly, "I know that you have had some issues, but you are all capable and talented individuals. For this operation, I hope to use as much of the capabilities of Lamdrion as possible, so I must ask everyone to keep the big picture in mind. I believe guildmaster Leili will understand as well."

"… Understood." Vivian was silent for some time before finally replying emotionlessly, "Since Sir Balon is saying so, then we will do all that we can."

"Yes." Leon also replied respectfully, "The big picture does not allow for any private squabbles."

"As long as you understand." Balon's serious expression softened slightly at that, "There's no time to waste, so start making the preparations for setting out immediately."

Everyone lowered their heads in acquiescence.

Shien, who was standing to the side as if it was none of his business, witnessed all this happen. In response, he was muttering in his own mind.