A dull longsword and a heartbroken villager

Roland looked at the awkward Ellie with amusement and hooked her chin with his finger.

"It won't happen again next time, don't be angry."

Hearing Rolando's incredibly gentle voice made Ellie blush.

When Rolando saw Ellie's appearance, a wicked smile imperceptibly crept onto his lips.

That fairly handsome face leaned close to Ellie, and he spoke in her ear in a soft, gentle voice.

"How about I stay with you tonight?"

"Hmm..." Ellie covered her shy face with her hands, but she was filled with anticipation.

However, Rolando quickly put on a serious expression.

"Then let's continue our investigation."

"The two Imperial soldiers just now were probably Colonel Eric and Captain Alice."

"As for the adversary, they are probably either from the Federation or the target of the investigation."

"The most urgent task is to find Colonel Eric and Colonel Alice."

Rolando's words were clear and logical.

"Tristy, can you find Colonel Eric and Captain Alice?"

Tristy is an elven ranger with many methods for finding people.

“I can give it a try,” Triss nodded.

With her eyes closed, Tristy focused her mind.

"Light and airy wind sound"

This spell, typically mastered by rangers, allows Tristy to discern subtle differences in the sound of the wind.

It can even distinguish the noises in the wind.

However, the prerequisite, of course, is to have good hearing.

However, the elves' long, thin ears are definitely reliable, and since elves are a race that excels in magic, the effect of this kind of magic is simply unparalleled.

These special abilities completely compensate for the elves' poor physical attributes.

“Found him, Rolando,” Tristy said coldly.

“Well done, Tristy, take us to find it now,” Rolando said happily.

Rolando was initially quite upset that Alice had cut off the communication array she had given him.

However, with Tristia around, finding familiar faces in Inlai is still quite easy.

"Yes, but we need to be quick, their positions are constantly changing."

Having said that, Tristy had already walked ahead.

The hero's group of friends then set off with Triss to find Eric and Alice.

Although Rolando and his companions are all rated as A-rank adventurers.

However, Eric and Alice's fighting abilities are still very important.

"Colonel of the Ages" Eric.

Although Rolando was unaware of this title when he was a neutral adventurer, he learned just how prestigious it was after joining the Empire.

"Colonel for life" refers to the fact that Eric's rank remained that of colonel and never changed afterward.

It's not that Eric lacked merit or ability, but rather that Eric himself was too lazy to become a general.

It should be understood that there are very few generals in the entire empire, and every general is a highly respected officer.

But Eric simply didn't want to be promoted, so he remained at the rank of colonel, refusing all opportunities for advancement.

However, this colonel had achievements and strength comparable to a lieutenant general, which made everyone in the army dare not underestimate him.

The ranking system for adventurers is generally applied to the strength ranking system in other places, but it is not accurate.

Because an adventurer's level is based on their quest completion, it cannot accurately reflect their individual strength.

It is a well-known fact that adventurers of the same level can have vastly different strengths.

On the surface, adventurers of all ranks have the ability to fight monsters of the same level in a one-on-one fight, but that doesn't prove anything.

It's like an Imperial Lieutenant General is only slightly stronger than an A-rank adventurer, while an Admiral is directly stronger than an S-rank adventurer.

The marshal was even able to easily defeat an S-rank opponent, and was not afraid of facing two S-rank opponents.

"I really don't know who could fight Eric so fiercely." Rolando frowned, following Triss ahead. After escaping the battle with Eric, Bray went to great lengths to finally find Sass and Marlene hiding in the park.

Bray sat down on a park bench.

“I’m exhausted.” Bray glanced at Sass.

"Bray, are you hurt?" Marlene ran to Bray's side, looking very worried.

"Why are you so nervous?" Bray ruffled Marlene's hair.

"Because Marin will be unhappy if Bray gets injured."

Marin's words startled Bray.

"I understand, I won't get hurt so easily," Bray said in an exceptionally gentle voice.

“Yes, it’s a deal.” Marlene looked at Bray, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Okay, it's a deal. I really don't know what you're expecting."

"Can you tell me what happened now?" After finishing his conversation with little Marlene, Bray asked Sass in an annoyed tone.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything little by little." Sass rubbed his temples.

Sass knew just how bewildered Bray was right now.

After some time, Bray finally understood what had happened.

"Well, I think I passed by them once last time, and I should be thankful for not being caught on the spot."

"You're welcome," Sass said with a smile.

“I have absolutely no intention of thanking you,” Bray said seriously.

"... "

"What should we do now?" Sass frowned.

It's practically unrealistic to expect them to go directly to help Marlene find a home.

After all, the presence of Imperial soldiers investigating nearby clearly indicated they were after Marlene.

I really don't know what will happen after I take Marlene to my home.

“But I’m curious why they’re looking for Marlene.” Sass stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"Could it be because of Marin's parents?"

At this point, Sass suddenly realized that Marlene had never mentioned her parents.

“Marlene, tell me about your parents,” Sass said softly as he crouched down.

"Mom and Dad?" Marlene tilted her head, looking puzzled.

Oh no, could this child not even know what their own parents are?

However, it is clear that Sass's worries were unnecessary.

"Marlene doesn't remember what her parents look like," Marlene said, distressed.

Bray looked meaningfully at Marlene, who had a bitter expression on her face.

Marlene doesn't remember when she was in Clinton, nor does she remember what her parents look like.

"Has she lost her memory?" Looking at Marlene's appearance, Sass could only come to that conclusion.

“Marlene doesn’t know anything.” Marlene said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Hey hey hey hey!!! Marin-chan!!!! Don't cry!" Sass panicked immediately when he saw Marin start crying.

In contrast, Bray remained quite calm.

"This mission is really full of suspicious points," Bray said casually, stretching.

However, from Bray's blank expression and monotone voice, it was impossible to sense just how helpless he was.

“No matter how complicated things are, the first thing is to get Marlene home,” Bray said, standing up.

"But for now, let's find a hotel to rest for a while."

“Alright.” Sass nodded. Now they needed to catch their breath and, incidentally, evade the Imperial soldiers’ pursuit.

In Inleigh, the Imperial soldiers couldn't really cause much trouble, but it would be a different story if they were within the Empire's borders.

"Then it's decided. As the one paying, you choose a hotel," Bray said seriously, arms crossed.

"... "

This choice made Sass completely unhappy.

"Let's just go to whichever one we see," Sass sighed.

"let's go."

However, Bray did not move, which puzzled Sass.

"What's wrong, Mr. Bray?"

"Marlene's foot must be hurting from walking too much," Bray said, shaking his head as he saw Marlene limping.

Without saying anything, Bray picked Marlene up in his arms.

Because he's carrying a greatsword on his back, Bray can no longer carry anyone on his back, but he can still hug Marlene.

Marlene was very young, and as a little girl, she was quite light; Bray didn't feel anything special holding her.

"I see..." Sass remarked.

Sass himself had overlooked the fact that Marlene was still just a child.

A small child had to travel a long distance and run to escape imperial soldiers; his little feet didn't seem like they could withstand the strain.

"Bree~" Marlene was unexpectedly happy after being picked up.

Marlene leaned against Bray's chest, her long silver hair tickling him slightly.

“Behave yourself.” Bray glared fiercely at Marlene with his right eye.

However, when Marlene saw Bray's "fierce" gaze, she was not afraid at all, but instead giggled.

"So warm." Marlene kicked her little feet in Bray's arms.

"I'm so hot," Bray complained in a flat, monotone voice.

However, Marin seemed to really like Bray's dejected voice, and laughed even harder.

“Marlene seems to really like Mr. Bray,” Sass joked.

“A lolicon,” Bray said.

"I'm not a lolicon!!!" Sass retorted vehemently.

"Maybe." Bray shrugged.

"Brai, what is a lolicon?" Marlene asked curiously, making Sass almost spit out blood.

“I just like little girls,” Bray replied after a moment’s thought.

"Is Nabry a lolicon?" Marlene asked a pointed question.

"No."

"Doesn't Nabry like Marlene?" Marlene asked nervously.

"..." For this kind of question, Bray decisively chose not to answer.

"Bray! Bray!"

But Bray still didn't say anything, he just followed Sass.