Alec and I were walking down the corridor of the manor, heading for the magistrate’s room…

“…Oh?”

“That’s the 1st Unit. Rick must be inside.”

In front of the magistrate’s room stood a group of soldiers that had a different air about them than the mansion’s regular guards—more imposing, or rather, more stern.

Rick must be inside, and they were guarding him…

The guards back in Liesel’s room in the capital were a lot more approachable… Guess this just reflects the character of the unit.

When those guards noticed us approaching, one of them called into the room and, like a proper doorman, bowed and opened the door.

Yep… definitely the 1st Unit.

Anyway, when we entered the room, the magistrate Claude came out to greet us.

His desk was spread with documents, and over on the guest sofa, Rick was similarly going through paperwork.

They were sitting apart, but it looked like they were working together… Would’ve been easier if they just worked in the same spot.

“Captain Alexio, and Vice-Captain Sera. Thank you for your work on the mission.”

“Not at all. Today, we’re all grateful to the city for hosting us.”

Claude, speaking to Alec, looked somewhat relieved.

Even though Claude outranks Rick in position, maybe being alone with him felt awkward.

Come on, Rick.

It’s fine to be serious, but don’t go making others uncomfortable because of it.

“Well then, since we’re all here, let’s hear the report. Vice-Captain Sera, you’re returning to the capital today, aren’t you?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s right.”

As I smirked at Rick—who was still scowling and absorbed in his paperwork—Claude, having finished his greeting with Alec, shifted to requesting the report.

Well, the report is really just a brief summary of the 1st and 2nd Unit’s findings—nothing complicated.

It shouldn’t take long to wrap it up, so let’s just get it done quickly.

Apparently, they were going to use the reception area for the report, so the two of them moved over there.

I floated along behind Alec…

“Hey. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“…No. Naturally, we’d arrive first.”

Alec took a seat across from Rick and casually apologized for being late.

Rick simply brushed it off.

Sure, the 1st Unit had taken the main road straight here, while we’d been wandering around the forest—of course we’d take longer.

So yeah, it was reasonable that we were later… Still, I was half-expecting at least a snide comment.

Bit boring that there wasn’t one.

As I watched him from over Alec’s shoulder, I saw…

“…Hmph.”

“!?”

He scoffed through his nose!

◇

We hadn’t been there at the time, but the 1st Unit’s findings had already been reported. Alec was the one giving the summary now.

That said, there wasn’t much to tell.

Nothing unusual, everything was as per usual.

“Since the incident last winter, many adventurers have entered the forest, but no abnormalities have been reported… Seems about right.”

Claude nodded while listening to Alec and continued writing his report for Liesel.

There was probably some kind of template he was following, but the speed of his pen was impressive.

I’m the one who’s supposed to bring that report back to the capital, but… He doesn’t need to rush that much.

“The forest was pretty stirred up, so there may have been some changes in the territory boundaries, but overall things seem to have settled… Rick, how was the highway?”

“No issues. If anything, a few bridge foundations had debris caught around them. We’ll have that cleared once the water level drops. I’ll be staying in this town—what about your side?”

“I see… I’ll be staying too, along with two others. The rest will be under Zighart’s lead.”

Both our unit and the 1st Unit were conducting investigations across the territory, but not with all members moving together.

After arriving at a town, we split into a team that stays and a team that moves to the next.

Those who stay hire local adventurers and carry out investigations… and repeat the process.

Unlike the magic-infested lands, the western side of the capital’s territory seems manageable with this kind of manpower.

Well, our squad is mostly made up of former adventurers, so we work well with local adventurers.

The 1st Unit, on the other hand, works with the city’s soldiers, but they frequently collaborate with them on internal security, so they should manage fine.

I was listening, nodding along, when Claude cut in.

“Captain Alexio, Captain Rick. Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but could you check this?”

It looked like he had finished the report and handed it to them.

Alec took it, read it carefully… and, finding no problems, picked up a pen and signed it.

Then, rolling it up with a practiced spin, he handed it over to me.

“Sera, let the lord know everything is proceeding as planned.”

“Same for the 1st Unit.”

Rick handed his over as well.

Didn’t even get a chance to read them…

“Alright, got it.”

I answered them both cheerfully, but… yeah, I really have no idea what’s in these.

Well, I’m just delivering them, and no one’s going to ask me for the details… but I’m kind of curious what they actually say.

Maybe I’ll ask when I get back?

Looking at the clock on the wall, it was just past six.

If I leave now, I’ll easily make it back before dinner… But it’s after work hours.

Guess I’ll ask tomorrow then?

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera ・【Hideout】+1 【Prayer】 【Mira’s Blessing】 【Wind’s Garment】 ・【Floating Orb】+1 【Shadow Sword】 【Scarlet Bee Needle】 【Fairy’s Eye】 【Lesser Dragon’s Lung】 【Amber Sword】 【Danrem’s Thread】 【Serpent’s Tail】 【Ankle Bracelet】 【Amber Shield】 【Purple Wings】 【Red Sword】 【Monkey’s Arm】 ・4 cards

Seriana ・【Area Identification】・【】・39 cards

Elena ・【】・【Green Fang】 【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec ・【Power Strike】・【Red Shield】 【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards