Chapter 38

The lobby of the association was filled with Ophelia and Alie, with Irida and Maxim standing behind them, guarding their backs. The remaining nine attendants of the 'Maiden of the Moon' were stationed at the entrances and key points of the building. Ophelia, with the stern face of a chief lady-in-waiting, headed towards the reception desk without any airs, like a snake slowly swallowing a frog that was already half-dead, the branch manager.

The lobby was enveloped in an unusual atmosphere. It wasn't early morning, so there weren't many hunters around. Still, those who happened to be there and knew the 'Maiden of the Moon' were whispering to their companions who didn't. Even the hunters who didn't know the 'Maiden of the Moon' were quietly observing, wondering what was about to happen, with Irida and Maxim standing there.

"Could you please inform the branch manager that Ophelia, the chief lady-in-waiting of the 'Maiden of the Moon,' has arrived?" Ophelia asked the stony-faced staff member, who tensed upon seeing her deep green robe. "Yes, right away," the staff member managed to say before hurrying off to the back of the association.

The branch manager appeared without any sign of guilt, walking slowly with his arms crossed behind his back. Zaur was behind him, having been cursing in the branch manager's office as usual.

"Oh, my, Ophelia. Thank you for coming all the way to this remote border. Are you here to accept a request? If so, we welcome you with open arms. Your achievements have reached even this border town of Sarehad. Please, use your skills to the fullest here, and we will provide all the support you need."

"Thank you. However, I am here on a different matter," Ophelia continued. "We have received a report of misconduct at this branch, and I am here to investigate. The person reported is the branch manager, you."

"Oh, that must be a mistake. Or perhaps a plot to bring me down," the branch manager lamented dramatically.

"Reports of arbitrary interpretation of association rules, misuse of association rules, abuse of the mandatory request system, falsification of hunting records, and failure to conduct emergency disaster investigations have been filed. Are these mistakes?"

"Of course not. I have fulfilled my duties as branch manager according to the rules. I have no knowledge of these accusations. Perhaps the accuser is lying? If so, it would be unacceptable to use your sense of justice for such purposes."

The branch manager sighed and feigned anger at the false accusations. "Is that so? I had hoped you would take responsibility for your actions, but I see that is not possible."

"There is no need to atone for something I did not do."

With the branch manager standing defiantly, Ophelia signaled to Alie. Alie walked to the reception counter and placed a stack of papers. They were copies of the guild's request forms.

"Even after seeing this, will you still pretend?"

The branch manager looked at the stack of papers on the counter. "What is this?"

"Proof of the abuse of the mandatory request system. It's unreasonable to assign a ten-star hunter with a guide a request that could be given to a one-star hunter."

"It's just a precedent. Given Maxim Dahl's recommendation as the captain of the 'White Lance' and a one-star hunter, I thought it was reasonable. He completed the request in four days, after all, which is impressive."

"Then why is the request not recorded in his hunting records? The copies of the request forms are sufficient proof, I think."

"Oh, that must be a mistake. People make mistakes."

"Even if this is all his hunting records? Irida Bargain, who hunted with him, is recorded, but not him. Is that a mistake too?"

Ophelia looked around at all the staff behind the counter. They all avoided her gaze, not meeting her eyes.

"Is that so? Perhaps the magical equipment malfunctioned? Maybe his tag was faulty?"

"His tag responded without any issues. Who do you think I am? I am the keeper of the original texts of the magical equipment. A malfunction in the recording equipment, you say? I see, let me check it for you."

"No, no, that's not necessary, Ophelia."

"There is no one more qualified than me. Please, let me."

Ophelia pushed open the swinging door next to the reception counter and began checking each piece of recording equipment. It took only a few minutes to check them all.

"There seems to be no issue. The technicians must have done a good job. They are in excellent condition."

"That's odd. Perhaps it malfunctioned by chance."

"By chance? ... Then, regarding the request for Tramora grass from Baron Potapenko, which was invalidated after completion due to a clarification of the request rules, is that not a clear misuse?"

The branch manager, seemingly relieved by the change of topic, wiped the sweat from his forehead and responded. "We received an emergency notice from the council. A new staff member was in charge of the front desk and, due to a lack of authority, could not inform the hunter who was about to accept the request. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"That is the association's mistake, not the hunter's fault."

"But rules are rules."

"Is that so? Then why did Baron Potapenko receive a notification that the request was accepted?"

"That, that..."

"Baron Potapenko has also testified willingly."

"That must be because the new staff member was eager to inform the baron, who was eagerly awaiting the Tramora grass."

"Was it not a failure to inform the staff?"

"My lack of virtue, I apologize."

"Then, what about the failure to conduct the emergency disaster investigation? That is a clear violation of the service regulations."

The atmosphere in the association became tense. The emergence of monsters is a threat to the nation. Even in Dorgan, where monsters had not been confirmed for a long time, every hunter had heard the rumors. Some countries had lost half their territory to monsters.

"I have not heard such reports."

The branch manager, who had been stationed in Sarehad for a long time, where monsters rarely appeared, had become complacent.

"Then, sir, did you not receive a report from the temporary ten-star hunter, Krand?"

The stony-faced staff member turned to Ophelia. Even the stony-faced staff member, under the branch manager's glare and Ophelia's gaze, began to sweat.

"... No, I did not."

Ophelia looked at the staff member with disappointment. "... Is that so? I have seen the small shield and club of the Ice Warrior with my own eyes."

The atmosphere in the association became even more tense.

"Forgive me, but perhaps it was a mistake, Ophelia?"

"... Yes, I am getting old, so it could be a mistake."

"Such mistakes can happen to anyone, but I assure you, it did not happen."

"Irida Bargain, what do you think?"

Irida, called unexpectedly, stepped forward in her usual red-black leather armor with exposed upper breasts. "At the time, I only confirmed the small shield, but it was definitely a monster's equipment."

After confirming the equipment, Irida explored the shallow parts of the mountain alone or with Krand, but found no traces of the monster. She had to give up, as she lacked the strength to go deeper.

"Are you saying that Irida and I made a mistake or lied?"

The branch manager remained silent.

"I don't know. Even if I had received a report, I couldn't take the word of a wanderer seriously."

"Rules are rules. But if you had received a report..."

"That, that's not true. I did not receive any reports—"

"—Enough. I have already contacted the headquarters of the Hunter Association in this country. With the evidence we have, it would be best if you admitted your guilt."

"Shut up. I don't know anything. It was all the staff, not me. Do you have any proof that I did it?"

The branch manager, trying to shift the blame onto the staff, shouted and ran to the back door. However, the 'Maiden of the Moon' attendants were already there.

The branch manager was quickly caught and pinned to the ground by the attendants who emerged from the side.

"Shut up, it wasn't me. Damn kidnappers, grr—"

Ophelia sighed in relief. "Alie, please take care of the rest."

Alie bowed and, along with the other 'Maiden of the Moon' attendants, dispersed throughout the association.

---

Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang

The high-pitched sound of the bell echoed throughout the village. Ophelia was startled. Maxime and Irida also noticed.

"Maxime, Irida, please take care of the village. I will command the other hunters here."

Maxime and Irida nodded and ran out of the association.

"There is a monster attack! Since the branch manager cannot command, I, Ophelia, the chief lady-in-waiting of the 'Maiden of the Moon' and a one-star hunter, will take command."

Her firm voice steadied the hearts of the staff, who were about to panic.

"Contact the mayor, surrounding towns, and the old nobility. Issue a mandatory request as soon as the hunters gather. Seek the cooperation of the priests."

The staff began to move, determined to protect their village. Zaur was nowhere to be seen, but there was no time to worry about that.

"The monsters are advancing from the Aldoria Mountains like an avalanche. Their speed is slow, but the first wave will reach the back gate in about ten minutes. They are an army of ice, and their numbers are unknown."

A breathless gatekeeper burst through the swinging door at the entrance of the association and reported loudly.

"Evacuate the non-combatants with as many monster carts as possible. Only the vigilantes and volunteers are allowed to fight inside the gate. Gather as many bows, stones, oil, and anything else you can find."

The association was in chaos as hunters gathered. Not all hunters had arrived, and some had fled, but there was no time to reprimand them.

When most of the hunters had gathered, Ophelia raised her voice at the reception counter.

"Silence!"

The room fell silent with one word.

"Since the branch manager is absent, I, Ophelia, the chief lady-in-waiting of the 'Maiden of the Moon' and a one-star hunter, will take command. Is that acceptable?"

There were no objections.

"Currently, a group of about a thousand ice monsters is approaching from the Aldoria Mountains."

The hunters murmured.

"Quiet. I need you to defend against this group."

"Let's run," someone suggested.

Before anyone else could speak, Ophelia raised her voice.

"There are not many monster carts, so even if we try to flee, we will be caught soon. Therefore, we must fight here. Fortunately, there are many high-level hunters. Maxim Dahl, Irida Bargain, Grosso Slaynov, and the hero of Albaum, Hayato Ichihara, are here. We can win."

The eyes of the fifty or so hunters turned to Hayato, the only one present. Hayato leaned against a pillar, silent, with Erika, a girl in school uniform, a black-clad rabbit-eared girl, a magic girl with a pointed hat, and a tall tiger-like beast woman gathered around him.

Hayato Ichihara's fame had spread across the continent, especially in monster battles, where he was known for his unparalleled strength. A glimmer of hope appeared among the hunters.

"I have already contacted the surrounding towns. We can expect reinforcements. Let's protect the village. If we fail here, the damage will spread to Tansku and Burolda, where your families live. This is the decisive moment."

Ophelia and her team faced the unprecedented disaster, later known as the 'Ice Assault,' with fewer than two hundred people, including hunters, vigilantes, village