Currently we are in the Tanil Empire's Major City Grisia's border. We arrived 3 days ago through teleportation gate. 

We mostly hung around idly around the the city. We did a few scouting and other things but our party didn't do anything major. 

I, Luna, and Mira were currently the guild building. We were waiting for the other 9 parties to arrive. Besides the other parties all the other major people and Aces were also present. And oddly, there was also Sir Ian here for some reason...

“So... Why are here?“

“Huh? I didn't tell you?“

“...“

“I guess, I didn't. Well, since I am a researcher myself, they asked me if I could also come here in case I see anything out of place.“

“... Are you that good of a researcher?“

“... You... Haaah... Well, I am mainly into artifacts but even that is a part of researching. I am really influential when it come to this regard.“

“I see. So, even besides combatants they are bringing along others too?“

“Hmm. It is necessary. The Tanil Empire themselves are giving there full support in this expedition.“

“Well, they have to.“

We talked about a few other stuff that wasn't really related to the previous topic and finished out ongoing talk as all the other parties arrived. A total of 5 were from our school and 5 were from the adventurer's guild. I saw the Hero party with more than 12 party memebers enter. It really is surprising that people still support him. Well, actually they have to.

Somebody who seemed to be the commander of this whole expedition stood up.

“Hello, everyone! I am Rial De Tanil. The Crown Prince of the Tanil Empire and the current commander for this expedition.“

While saying this he seemed to be giving me glances here and there. 

“This expedition is a dangerous one. The casualty rate is stonishingly more than 95%. Due to this a rating of SSS+ has been given to it. I hope all of you have read research binder given out to everyone. If you haven't well I suggest you atleast give it a glance tonight.“

Well, I can't deny that he is emphasizing the important parts. He continued on to explain a few details of the dungeon and finished his talk.

“So, does anybody have anything they want to ask?“ (Rial)

“Yes. I have something in my mind.“ (Roben)

“Please don't hesitate to say so Mr. Roben (The Hero).“ (Rial)

“Are we all going to enter in one group? We have nearly 100 people, with 9 Aces and many researchers won't it be crude to put everyone together?“ (Roben)

“Well, thanks for asking me that and I was going to mention it a bit later too. But anyways, the answer is no. Managing 100 people isn't simply possible in a dungeon. Even though the dungeon is really large, it still isn't managable to control this 100 people that can destroy a small country in a day. We have already assigned 3 groups with having 30-35 members in each group. Each group has three assigned Aces. Even though I am saying 3 groups, we all will still be staying together. The groups will be in a 1-1-1 positioning with the front group or the 1st will be taking charge of the frontal assault, the middle or 2nd group will be in charge of supporting other two groups and the last or 3rd group will care about the rear. We will be rotating the groups clockwise every 5 hours for good awareness. That's all.“ (Rial)

“I see. Thanks for answering, Prince Rial.” (Roben)

“It's my pleasure.“ (Rial)

They continued on more of their talk. We didn't ask anything or rather we didn't need to. Us 3 already knew eachothers fighting styles, so we didn't need much other preparations. And after a bit this discussion ended and we all headed to our temporary home also known as an inn. 

I was currently in my room as Luna and Mira were having night talks. Soon a knock came in. I already knew who it was so, I didn't bother much and opened the door.

“Good evening, Mr Deathsborn.“

“Good evening to you too, Crown Prince.“

“Please don't be so formal.“

He maintaining a neutral positioning through all the exchange. 

“So, what are you here for?”

“Can we talk in private? It's a bit difficult to talk about it out in the open...“

“Oh, my bad. Come in.“

After coming in and sitting in one of the chairs, I offered some refreshments but he declined. He seemed to want to get to the main topic.

“Okay, so you can start.“

“Yes, Mr. Deathsborn or should I call you Airu Heathens?”

“Deathsborn.“

“Alright. Well, Mr. Deathsborn. You see, you are kind of a difficult matter to us.“

“Why so?“

“Well, as an adventurer you are near S rank. Even besides that you defeat a God Stage Ace of the Dulan Empire. To be honest, you are the one we are most worried about.“

“Worried about?“

“Yes. Currently, you do not belong to any faction of power nor any church. You, by yourself, are enough to destroy a country. No power wants to leave you alone neither do they want you to go to other power forces.“

“... Did you come here to threaten me?“

Before I even released a bit of my intent, he answered. 

“No no no. Please don't misunderstand. Everyone knows the possibilities of offending you. No one wants to sacrifice their army for just a single person and we Tanil are the same.“

“...“

“Well, we did dig up your information but it's just so little that it's a laughing matter to threaten you over something. Well, I am curious about something though.“

“What?“

I didn't show anymore courtesy. I didn't need to as he himself wasn't showing any. 

“Well, from our information, it seems like you had white hair in the Heathens' residence. Is it true?“

“...Yes.“

“...“

After a bit of silence, he smiled a bit and started talking again. 

“Do you know Mr. Deathsborn, the Gurn Empire (Elf Empire) which is blessed by the world tree and the God of nature has a record of a white haired being. We don't know what the information is but we do know is that they show their utmost respect to anybody that has white hair even ignoring their species.“

“So?”

“You should go and visit it sometimes, that's what I am telling you.“

“Well, I might. I'm not sure about what I want to do.“

“Is that so... Well, back to the main point. Your party has 3 people. You, the Saintess of Humanity Luna Snowcry, who is also likely to become somebody none of us can control, and lastly Mira Lorance. Even though the Moon Church is not an orthodox Church, it is still one of the top Church having the Eloq Empire as it's medium. The Moon church is mysterious, so we don't have much information about her since she is a holy knight of that church. Did you know these?“

“Yes.“

I knew everything he just said. Even though I never used Akashik Record on both of them, I knew most of the things about them, mostly due to the game or them telling it themselves. Luna still has some secrets which she says she doesn't want to tell me yet and I don't really care about Mira's background. 

“Your party is strong enough to not need any other groups. Well, still according to the procedure we have placed you in the second group.“

“Okay. Is that all?“

“Yes.“ 

As I was about to get up from the chair, he seemed liek he wanted to talk again.

“Can I ask you something? It's personally from me.”

“Haah... Sure”

He just slightly smiled at my remarks. 

“Well, I heard that you rejected to be the commander?“

“Yes, it's annoying and I don't want to follow the process of everything.“

“Is that so? Can I request you something?“

“..?“

“Can you be the vice commander of this expedition? It's not like the commander, you will just help me a bit that's all.“

“No.”

“Atleast consider it a bit?“

“My answer is no, and it won't change.“

“I see. Well, you can forget I ever asked that. Lastly, do you have anything you wish for me to do?“

“Huh?“

“Well, think of it as a favour.“

“... Noth—”

I was about say nothing but I stopped on my tracks. I remembered somebody.

“Can place somebody in the 2nd group?“

“Well, who is it?“

“Ian Bogswon, a researcher.“

“Oh, well no problem. Consider it as done. Anything else?“

“No, nothing.“

“Alright. Then I will be taking my leave.“

“Yes. Let me see you out.“

After sending off Rial, Luna came back. She knew already who came. And started asking me what he wanted. I told her everything not hiding anything. 

“Hmm~ Why do they want you to be the commander so much?“

“I don't know.“

“Hmmm~ well let's ignore it and go to sleep. I don't think we will be able to rest from tomorrow on.“

“... Why do you have an excited face for that?“

“It's a researcher's blood line.“

“...“

“Come on, let's go to sleep~”

“Yes yes, my princess.“

TBC-

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