Chapter 55

The next afternoon, I was heading to the café that Ziek had designated as the place to discuss the Phoenix extermination.

...However, despite it being an important meeting, I was walking with a heavy atmosphere.

Yesterday, I had become quite fatigued from the problems that arose when the adventurers were made to serve the town.

First, the documents required for the adventurers to bring materials into the town were such that more than half of the adventurers couldn't write, and I ended up writing the documents for over twenty adventurers in the morning.

That alone was a heavy workload, but the problem didn't end there.

The relationship between the adventurers and the townspeople was extremely hostile.

The adventurers looked down on the townspeople, and the townspeople disliked the adventurers.

In such a situation, it was impossible for things to go smoothly.

Yesterday alone, I had to half-kill four adventurers who tried to assault a young woman in the town and then treat them.

...How many times did I try to retract my words and make the service activity in the town disappear?

Still, in the end, the adventurers' service activities continued because the flow of materials into the town had decreased to the point where we had to rely on them.

According to what Mary told me, the price of materials in the guild has been continuously rising.

Because of this, even people who had lived in the labyrinth city for years were leaving, and if the adventurers didn't supply the materials, Mary was considering leaving the labyrinth city as well.

Hearing this, I no longer understood what the guild was trying to do.

However, it was certain that Mary and the others would have a hard time from now on.

Moreover, the guild was already a problem, and there were also issues with the adventurers.

By showing my strength and beating up the adventurers who caused problems this time, the adventurers have become much more subdued.

However, that doesn't mean the possibility of them causing problems is zero.

"Ha..."

Faced with a problem with no solution, I couldn't help but sigh.

Really, I have no idea what to do.

But this is not a problem that can be left alone, and I inadvertently furrowed my brow.

"...Big brother, are you okay?"

At that moment, Narsena's voice brought me back to my senses.

Turning to the side, I saw Narsena looking at me with a worried expression.

With that expression, Narsena opened her mouth.

"If you're not feeling well, big brother, you can rest..."

Hearing Narsena's words, I couldn't help but smile wryly, thinking that I must look quite tired.

In fact, I was quite fatigued from the documents, yesterday's commotion, and the unresolved worries.

I hadn't had the time to check on myself this morning, so I might be in a worse state than I realized.

"No, it's just a meeting today, so I'll go. Thanks for worrying."

"...Don't overdo it."

"Yeah, I understand."

Still, I had no intention of skipping this meeting.

While I am fatigued, it is mainly mental, and there's no need to worry excessively.

Moreover, I wanted to avoid missing the discussion about the Phoenix extermination as much as possible.

Narsena is far more capable than me in terms of ability and intellect.

However, she lacks experience and has shallow knowledge about monsters, and she can be emotional.

For quests other than this, it might be fine, but for a super-difficult monster like the Phoenix, it's better to have someone with experience, like me, to go along.

"There it is!"

The café where we were to meet was in sight just as I was organizing my thoughts.

Seeing the café, I steeled myself.

I decided to focus solely on the Phoenix, putting aside the issues with the adventurers and the guild.

With renewed determination, I quickened my pace towards the café.

◇◆◇

When we arrived at the café, Ziek's party was already there.

It seemed that Ziek's party members were two women and Ziek himself.

"Thank you for the other day."

"Don't worry about it. Let's focus on the Phoenix now."

"Yes!"

Among them was Armia, who bowed to Narsena, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Mr. Laust..."

"...Yeah?"

However, after talking with Narsena, when Armia turned to me, I was momentarily stunned, not knowing what she was about to do.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done!"

"Huh?"

Arima, without noticing my confusion, thrust something at me and bowed deeply.

It took me a moment to realize that what she had thrust forward was a leather pouch containing money.

"Ah, yeah. I'll take the apology and the reward."

At that moment, I understood that Armia was apologizing to me and reached out my hand in a hurry.

"I only have this much now, but I'll pay you properly in the future. I'm really sorry for the unfair treatment with the Lightning Sword."

When I took the leather pouch, Armia raised her head once but then bowed again with her apology.

"Um, I understand...?"

Seeing Armia's behavior, I couldn't hide my confusion.

If we were to change roles, the adventurers in the labyrinth city would be the more dangerous ones, but it seemed that Armia had changed significantly in character.

I hadn't noticed it before because she was in a bad state, but Armia's personality seemed to have changed quite a bit from before.

"Let's discuss the Phoenix, then."

I was still a bit shaken by this unexpected change, but Ziek's words brought me back to reality.

We were here to discuss the Phoenix extermination, not to showcase Armia's change.

I reminded myself of this, put away my surprise, and sat down.

"Shall we start?"

After confirming that I had sat down, Ziek nodded and said.

And so, with Ziek as the facilitator, we began the discussion.

The discussion about the Phoenix extermination, in essence, was about how to deal with the Phoenix's ability called the "Flame Armor."

Flame Armor, the fire that the Phoenix envelops itself in.

This fire, which covers the Phoenix's body like armor, is indeed a shield.

And this Flame Armor is said to be the most troublesome ability of the Phoenix.

The Phoenix, unlike other monsters, has inferior physical abilities and endurance.

It can cast magic that even skilled mages can't compare to, but it only has ranged attacks, and once it is within range, its movements become sluggish.

...And yet, the Phoenix is known as a "frontline killer."

The reason for this is the Flame Armor.

The armor that protects the Phoenix's body emits a super-high temperature that is said to be impossible for humans to replicate.

Almost all weapons become unusable after one or two hits.

With mediocre weapons, it would be impossible to even attack.

...In front of the Flame Armor, it's safe to say that Narsena and I would be of little use.

Even if Narsena equipped heat-resistant gauntlets and I fought with a greatsword, we could only attack once or twice.

Ziek's magic sword can apparently break through the Flame Armor, but it's impossible for Ziek alone to defeat a super-difficult monster.

Therefore, the main force in the Phoenix extermination would be the mage, Armia.

However, it's not an easy task for a mage to damage the Phoenix.

This is because the Phoenix has a keen sense of magic.

As soon as a mage starts casting, the Phoenix changes its target to the mage and launches a fireball.

If a ranged attack is launched, the frontline can't stop the Phoenix like with a super-difficult monster like the Hydra.

These characteristics, combined with the inferior physical abilities, make the Phoenix a particularly troublesome existence.

So, Narsena and I planned to bring a large number of weapons and fight with a strategy of using them up to win.

Honestly, even with Ziek's party and the cooperation of a mage, the number of people is still small.

Considering that a typical Phoenix extermination involves over a dozen people, it might be better to rely on brute force rather than on Armia.

While discussing the information for the Phoenix extermination, I had this thought.

"Armi's magic can strip the armor from the Phoenix without casting, but..."

"!"

...But Ziek's words changed my thoughts significantly.

If the Flame Armor could be dealt with, the Phoenix would be significantly weakened.

"Even with the skill to enhance water magic, it would take a considerable amount of time and concentration for Armi to cast a spell powerful enough to strip the armor. ...It can't be used against a Phoenix that launches fireballs indiscriminately."

"I think it's okay."

"..."

I interrupted Ziek's troubled expression with my voice.

"I can keep the Phoenix occupied for a certain period."

"..."

Ziek was momentarily speechless, as if he couldn't believe my words.

But seeing Narsena and Armi nod in agreement, he understood that my words were true and opened his mouth in astonishment.

"Indeed, you are the one who defeated the Hydra..."

But the next moment, Ziek's stunned expression turned into a fierce smile as he spoke.

"With this, we can definitely defeat the Phoenix."

His words were filled with excitement and unhidden joy.