"So, I have something to discuss."
After finishing the adventurer card, I said to the receptionist.
"Yes, what would you like to discuss?"
"I'm looking for an adventurer named Agetha. Do you happen to know her?"
Initially, I came to the adventurer's guild to investigate Agetha's whereabouts.
"I'm sorry, but no, I've never heard of her."
Hmm, 100 years later, the vampire Judite mentioned that Agetha was the hero who defeated the Demon Lord, so I thought she might be somewhat famous. It seems I was mistaken.
"In that case, do you happen to know anything about the hero?"
Even if she doesn't know Agetha, perhaps she knows something about the hero.
"Could it be that you, Kiska-san, are interested in participating in the war? It would be extremely reassuring to have someone of Platinum rank participating in the war."
"What exactly is this war about?"
"Well, it's the war between the Hero Army and the Demon Lord Army in the Arianne region to the west."
I recalled hearing about it. A massive war took place a hundred years ago between the Demon Lord Army and the Hero Army. I remember that the Hero Army had a decisive victory in that war, leading to the defeat of the Demon Lord. The war was named after the battle site, the 'Battle of Arianne.'
So, this war is currently ongoing?
"To participate in the war, what should I do?"
Given that Agetha, a Hero, is highly likely to participate in this war, joining the war myself might be the quickest way.
"Well, I believe they were recruiting soldiers…?"
The receptionist began searching through her documents for more information. It seemed like it might take a bit of time, and while waiting, I heard a loud noise as a large door opened and closed.
"I heard there's an adventurer here who cleared the Katarov Dungeon! Someone please step forward!"
I turned around to see a female knight in armor standing there. An adventurer who cleared the Katarov Dungeon, that's me.
"I know you're here. Just come forward and reveal yourself!"
Her intense expression was overwhelming, and I found myself hesitating about whether to step forward or not. Should I keep my distance and stay uninvolved?
"Ah, this is the adventurer who cleared the Katarov Dungeon!"
The one who pointed at me and said that was the villager who had guided me to the adventurer's guild.
The villager stood beside the female knight, and it was probably him who had guided the female knight to the adventurer's guild.
"It's you. Why didn't you identify yourself right away?"
The female knight stood before me and spoke with an intimidating expression.
"Um, I was in a hurry…"
I thought to myself that I should come up with a better excuse, but I couldn't think of one, so there was nothing I could do.
"Well, fine. We don't have a moment to lose. Come this way."
With an uncompromising attitude, the female knight forcefully grabbed my arm.
I tried to resist, but her grip was too strong. I couldn't resist at all. As a result, I was dragged along and left the adventurer's guild behind.
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Where she brought me was the entrance of the Katarov Dungeon.
There, a group of about six men and women were gathered.
The group varied in age, height, and appearance, but there was one common feature.
Without exception, every one of them had weapons that looked formidable.
In other words, this group must be adventurers.
"I brought him. The adventurer who cleared the Katarov Dungeon."
Saying so, the female knight presented me to everyone.
"Hmm, is this the one? Doesn't look particularly strong to me."
"But it's reassuring to have someone who knows about dungeons. Hey, what's your name?"
A tall and handsome man with a gentle look in his eyes spoke up.
"I'm Kiska."
"Kiska, huh. I actually have something I really want to ask you."
"Well, what is it that you want to ask?"
I didn't really have the time to entertain their request, as I had other important matters to attend to.
"Are you trying to tell me we should trust this guy without knowing his situation!?"
The one who interjected was the female knight who had brought me here.
"Canaria, calm down. If we want his cooperation, we need to gain his trust first."
"I'm sorry; I overreacted."
The female knight lowered her head and stepped back. Based on their behavior, I wondered if this man was the leader of this group.
"All right, Kiska. I have a favor to ask, and I need you to keep this confidential."
"Understood."
"Please remember, Kiska, we've been pursuing someone, and we've tracked them to this Katarov Dungeon. We know that this person sought refuge in this dungeon. That's why we were looking for someone with knowledge of the dungeon's interior, like you."
I see. It made sense that I would be more knowledgeable about the structure of the Katarov Dungeon than anyone else.
"Could you tell me more about this person you're pursuing?"
I asked, curious about who would run into a dungeon like this. Ordinary people would be killed by monsters if they entered a dungeon. So why would someone willingly enter a monster's lair? While I pondered these questions, I waited for their response.
The tall man spoke in a calm tone and revealed the shocking answer.
"The Demon Lord."
"Huh?"
I was rendered speechless by the shocking word.
"Uh, who exactly are you people?"
I asked hesitantly.
I couldn't help but imagine who the people were that had come this far in pursuit of the Demon Lord.
"If I say 'the Hero and his companions,' would that make sense to you?"
It seemed I had been unwittingly drawn into something incredibly troublesome.
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