“A First-Class Adventurer... I apologize, but may I confirm your Guild Card?”

“Of course, go ahead.”

The Guild Card I handed over shimmered in seven colors.

This was an Orichalcum Guild Card, a privilege reserved only for First-Class Adventurers.

—Yes, I had been forcibly promoted to First-Class, thanks to the collusion between Marquis Endlord and André.

The reasoning was simple: if I, the leader, remained at Fourth-Class while Shannon, a First-Class Adventurer, was in my party, it wouldn’t look right.

By the way, Guild Cards are registered with the owner’s magical energy and blood, making forgery nearly impossible.

The knight, upon seeing the name "Bruno" inscribed on it, gave a nod and returned the card.

“Confirmed. I sincerely apologize for doubting you. I am Lenster, entrusted with the defense of this outer wall.”

“Sir Lenster, may we proceed with mopping up the remaining enemies?”

“O-Oh, if you would, that would be immensely helpful…”

Lenster was a noble, being a knight.

And yet, he was speaking to us so formally.

I had heard that First-Class Adventurers held a social standing equivalent to knighthood, but Sir Lenster, being entrusted with such an important role, was likely a hereditary noble.

For someone like him to be so cautious around us… He probably wasn’t sure how to treat us. It was obvious that he was wary of offending us.

To avoid adding to Sir Lenster’s stress, I decided not to delve too deeply into the matter and instead focused on exterminating the remaining monsters.

Besides, I wasn’t quite sure how to navigate social distances in these situations.

“Whoa… A real Griffin Rider… This is my first time seeing one.”

“Same here. Just how strong is he…?”

“No, sure, the Griffin Rider is impressive, but clearly, the most amazing thing is that turtle! Did you see that enormous body? No matter what kind of monster, if it gets stomped by those feet, it's over in one hit!”

As we continued the monster extermination, I could occasionally hear voices from those on the outer wall.

Until now, they had been fighting while remaining hidden, focusing solely on defense. But with the danger passed, they had begun gathering on the outer wall.

Looking around, I could see adventurers emerging to collect monster materials.

Those who had come outside were now watching us fight, shouting whatever they pleased.

“Mii…”

It seemed Ivy was bothered by being called large, her eyes narrowing.

That unwritten rule about never asking a girl’s weight apparently applied to Ivy as well.

For now, I had her reduce her size to one where I could ride on her back.

Since we needed to move frequently to eliminate the monsters, a more maneuverable size was preferable.

And so, as we continued slaying monsters to cheers and soaring through the sky to excited cries—

The monster extermination was finally complete.

Adventurers were already dividing up the materials.

Everyone was giving us thumbs-up, ensuring that no one was trying to steal anything in the chaos.

Well, hoarding money and materials wouldn’t do me much good anyway, so just like before, I planned to lend or give them away to support the town’s reconstruction.

Just as we were about to join in the dismantling—

“Hmm… Looks like I’ve drawn the winning lot this time.”

“—Huh!?”

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the sky.

It was a humanoid monster, covered entirely in blue-violet scales.

Wings sprouted from its back, and a third eye gleamed on its forehead.

Its presence alone made it clear—it was no ordinary foe.

Most likely—one of the Demon King's Ten Fingers.

I swallowed hard.

Noticing my reaction, the creature let out a smug, sinister chuckle.

“Slaughtering so many monsters single-handedly, and with such efficiency… Spectacular! You must be the Hero! I am Gavarius, the Left First Finger of the Demon King’s Ten Fingers. I shall kill you here and rid our lord of his troubles!”

“Wait, hold on—”

“No need for words!”

There really was no need for words.

As if to cut off any further conversation, Gavarius lunged at me.

With a sharp motion of his right hand, his claws suddenly extended with a metallic clink.

If that hits, I’m done for!

“Barrier!”

I immediately deployed a triple-layered barrier with all my strength.

The clash of claws and barrier rang out with a high-pitched shatter.

Gavarius managed to break through one layer.

Even with all my strength, he still got through… He’s strong.

[Big bro Bruno, I won’t let him lay a hand on you!]

As we passed each other, Sanshita struck at Gavarius with his front legs.

Gavarius caught the attack with his free left hand.

A chance!

“—Suuuh…”

Summoning my now-signature magic, I unleashed multiple Light Arrows in a straight line.

Each arrow accelerated the one behind it upon impact, until the final arrow reached an absurd speed.

Ray had given this technique its name.

“—Pile Light Arrow!”

The hyper-accelerated arrow, incapable of being dodged, struck Gavarius dead center on his forehead.

“Wha…?”

Gavarius was sent flying, the arrow piercing through his skull and continuing past, exploding in the distance.

When the light from the blast faded, Gavarius lay on the ground, barely clinging to life.

“Gah… R-ridiculous… That I, ‘Wingslash’ Gavarius, would be felled in a single strike…? Hah, as expected of a Hero…”

“…”

“…Mii?”

Ivy and I exchanged glances and tilted our heads.

Should we correct his misunderstanding?

But just as we decided to tell him the truth out of sympathy—

Crack.

A dry, snapping sound echoed.

It was the sound of something breaking—yet there wasn’t a single branch in sight.

The thing that had cracked wasn’t wood… but space itself.

The air split, revealing a void of absolute darkness.

From within, a single boy stepped forth.

Wearing a black eyepatch, looking even younger than me, he pointed a finger at us.

“Dirge Flash Lament.”

“Mii!”

Dark energy erupted from his fingertip as Ivy let out a cry.

Barrier after barrier shattered under its power, over a hundred of them before the attack finally dissipated.

…What insane power.

“I see. You do qualify after all… The turtle and the boy who commands it, just as the weaklings reported.”

The boy casually moved his finger.

Then, he unleashed Dirge Flash again—

This time, at the dying Gavarius.

Without thinking, I leapt forward.

I barely managed to deflect the attack with an angled barrier.

My right hand tingled painfully from the sheer force.

Looking down at the now lifeless Gavarius, I turned to the boy.

“Why attack a corpse? Wasn’t he your ally?”

“Ally? Hardly. The Left-Handed Demons are nothing but rabble to us.”

With a snap of his fingers, the darkness swallowed him.

“Wait, who are you…?”

“I am Quattro, the Right Fourth Finger of the Demon King’s Ten Fingers. Take care, Hero—don’t die before our lord can kill you.”

And then, he vanished.

Like it had all been a dream.

“But I’m not… the Hero…”

“““UOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!”””

The deafening cheers drowned out my feeble protest.

Quattro could wait for later.

For now, the threat was gone.

As I raised my hand, my fellow adventurers rushed forward.

And before I knew it, I was being lifted up and tossed around.

Thus, despite the interference of the Demon King’s Ten Fingers, the defense of Galaria was a success.

And as we continued south, securing every port town, our party of saviors became both feared and revered across the kingdom.

And thanks to that, more trouble awaited.

Ahh, why does nothing ever go as planned!?