Chapter 40

After finishing breakfast, I stood in front of the skinheads. They were surrounded by golems and were trembling in fear, but the moment I approached, they prostrated themselves.

"Sorry... I'm sorry..."

They apologized with all their might as soon as they saw me. They were shaking and terrified. Were these golems really that scary?

Anyway, I needed to talk to them. I approached one of them nearby.

"Hey, I want to talk to you for a moment."

"Y-yes..."

But when I tried to make eye contact, sweat burst from his face, and he almost rolled his eyes back.

"Hey, don't fall asleep. This isn't going to work if you do."

"Y-yes! S-sorry!"

I slapped his face a few times, and he seemed to come to his senses. What's wrong? Are you tired?

"N-no, I'm not that strong against magic... I can't... breathe..."

I see. That's a problem. I just want to talk.

"Um... who's the strongest among you?"

"Y-yes, it's me."

The large skinhead raised his hand. I thought he had the toughest face, so he must be the leader.

I sat in front of the large skinhead. He was trembling but didn't faint. Is that what strength is?

Well, as long as we can talk, it's fine.

"Alright, can you tell me who you are?"

"Y-yes..."

They seemed quite exhausted from their morning rampage. The Q&A session went surprisingly smoothly.

"I see. You're an adventurer group from the Armed City, and you came here on a request from the capital Prossia, right?"

"Y-yes, that's right."

"Hmm. So, why did you come here instead of returning to the Armed City?"

The large skinhead thought for a few seconds before speaking quietly.

"Our Armed City has a command center where adventurers receive requests. A sexy lady there told us there was treasure here and to check it out."

"Really... treasure, huh? Did you find it?"

"N-no, we found a few magic stones, but nothing like treasure."

I see. That makes sense. I've walked around here, and there's no treasure.

"Of course, I didn't expect that this place would be a magic spot where someone with powerful magic lives... I'm really sorry..."

I see. They didn't know I lived here.

"Is that really the only reason you came?"

"Y-yes! That's it!"

They don't seem to be lying. So, they didn't come to target me or my house.

I understand that. But,

"I don't like that you entered my garden without permission."

"---Y-yes! I understand! I'm reflecting on my actions, and I've shaved my head!"

No, you were already bald.

"If that's not enough,---you guys too!"

"O-okay! We'll shave our heads!!"

Following the skinhead's order, the others started to shave their heads with their knives and swords.

"No, shaving your heads is fine. Actually, don't do it. Don't leave trash in my garden."

It's more of a nuisance. But, well,

if you're this remorseful, it's fine.

"There was no damage. Clean up the broken armor pieces, and you can leave."

"R-really...? You'll let us go? You won't put our heads on display as a warning...?"

What kind of barbarians do you think I am? Well, if they had damaged my house, I might have given them a good punch.

"Are you sure you won't target my house again? And if you tell that command center there's no treasure, you can go."

"Y-yes!! Thank you for your mercy!!"

With that, the adventurers cleaned up the trash around my garden and fled.

●

I heard their story, but there were still some unclear points.

"A sexy lady, huh?"

If she's a lady, she must be a woman. But do I know any sexy women?

Sakura and Hestia are cute, but not sexy, and Dionea is beautiful, but not sexy.

"Would a stranger really send a request about treasure in my house? I don't understand the purpose..."

Hmm, well, it doesn't matter now.

They might have been misled by false information.

From their behavior and words, they seemed like the type to act without thinking. Besides, there's no point in thinking too deeply about it now. I didn't even know about the Armed City.

"I'll ask Hestia about it."

With that thought, I headed to Hestia's hut. She was already outside, looking at the sky.

"Hey, Hestia, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure."

When I called out, Hestia nodded. But then she pointed to the sky.

"But... before that. It looks like we have a visitor."

"Visitor?"

When I looked in the direction Hestia was pointing, a dragon with rainbow scales was circling. Then,

"May I have permission to land? Is it acceptable, ancient princess and new sovereign?"

A raspy voice spoke to me.