After settling the score with Lucius, Roland and the others took Cheal home and reported the incident to the police.


    Since it was already late at night, the investigation would be conducted the next day.


    Roland and the others were told to come back tomorrow.


    The next day, the body of Lucius, who had collapsed in the cave, was recovered, and Roland and the others were released after only a brief interrogation.


    When Roland left the police station, he passed a group of small children running away.


    The ladies are gossiping and the workers are hard at work.


    With the root of all evil removed, the entire town seemed to have regained its peace.


    Roland''s heart, however, still remained downcast.


    A new month had arrived.


    The old dungeon closed and a new one appeared.


    A new battle had begun.


    Adventurers headed for the dungeons in high spirits, seeking glory and prey they had not yet seen.


    With that, the battle between the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" Roland and the "Golden Eagle" Isto began.


    As Roland had expected, the second unit led by Isto ran out of breath after five levels.


    Monica and her team, who had been prepared for a fierce battle, were almost disappointed at the lack of response.


    Even though Isto and his men were already losing the battle, they still forced themselves to follow Monica and her men, and in the middle of the first level they ran out of strength and had to get stuck.


    The "Golden Eagle" was forced to send out a rescue party for them.


    Roland had no choice but to order Jill to form a unit to go to the rescue of the second unit.


    Thus, as most had expected, the "Mining Dungeon" fell into the hands of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree.


    Monica and her team received the blessing of the people as the strongest unit in the city, while the second unit lost its face and was laughed at and ridiculed by the people.


    The second unit is scheduled to be dismantled soon.


    At any rate, the dungeon was successfully conquered, and the "Adventurer''s Town" was filled with a celebratory atmosphere again this month.


    The well-dressed man was looking around at the carriage stop with a map in his hand.


    As he did so, he was approached by another well-dressed man.


    He said, "Oh, you are the banker ......, I believe."


    You are ...... Count Elsen ......."


    The two were not particularly close, but they knew each other.


    They had met and shaken hands several times at upper-class parties.


    It''s unusual," he said. It is unusual for a lord to come to the city of adventurers, a free city.


    I heard there was going to be a parade to celebrate the dungeon conquest. Even though it is a free city, it is still within our territory. I thought I''d take a look around once in a while."


    I see.


    I would like to see the adventurers in all their bravery at least once. That being the case, what is your business here?"


    To hear the monthly report of the Golden Eagle.


    I see. As I recall, your bank had a stake in the Golden Eagle.


    Exactly.


    Then the person you''re after is the same person.


    When the banker was puzzled, Count Elsen smiled mischievously.


    It''s Roland. I was just on my way to see him myself. What do you think?　Would you like to share a carriage?"


    The banker looked a little wary, but shrugged his shoulders.


    My position does not allow me to refuse an invitation from a lord," he said.


    Count Elsen laughed openly.


    There is no need to be so formal. This is a free city. Let''s forget about your status. Well, but I would be happy if you accept my invitation. Oh, the carriage has just arrived. Let''s get on it.


    They got into the carriage that had just arrived.


    The driver received their trunk cases and stowed them in the luggage storage.


    Count Elsen and the banker chatted for a while as they rode in the carriage.


    Then, they hear cheers coming from far away.


    Oh? That''s a lot of cheering.


    It looks like a parade is approaching."


    Oh, so this is the blessing parade held in the "City of Adventurers. Let''s see. Can I see it from here?


    Count Elsen opens the window and looks toward the cheers.


    The carriage was passing along a small road in the city, so he could see the adventurers parading through the streets below and the people cheering from the side of the road.


    The three dungeon conquerors, Roland''s, Lilianne''s, and Arik''s teams, were being congratulated by the people of the city.


    Among them, Monica was still the most popular.


    Nearly twice as many people as in the other units gathered in the ranks to cheer her on.


    She is now becoming a new symbol of the "Guardian of the Magic Tree" and the "City of Adventurers.


    At the head of the parade, she waved a banner bearing her coat of arms and was cheered on by the people of the city.


    Is that Monica Vermeerle, the renowned archer of the Guardians of the Magical Tree?


    I heard that you were number one in the number of defeats this term, as you were last term.


    Count Elsen turned a slightly amorous glance at Monica.


    She''s a lovely young lady. She still has some immaturity due to her youth, but in a few more years she will be a good-looking beauty. She could be as beautiful as Jill or Lillianne.


    The staunch banker frowned at Count Elsen''s words.


    Count Elsen chuckled.


    Don''t look so difficult," he said. That''s the power of Roland. He finds a rough diamond in a stone box and polishes it until it shines.


    When Count Elsen said this, the banker sat back down with his arms crossed, looking uninterested.


    The "Guardian of the Magic Tree" seems to be taking off like a flying bird. They have conquered dungeons and produced popular adventurers. Indeed. I''m not doing a very good business at all.


    I guess it will take a long time for the Golden Eagle to rise again, huh?　I heard that Roland has been appointed head of the guild. ......"


    He resigned as head of the guild of the Golden Eagle.


    Resignation?　Why again?"


    It seems that he had some thoughts about the change in Lucius. Well, I can understand his feelings. I have been in this business for many years, and the fact is that it is difficult to nurture managers. As soon as you give them a lot of power, they become arrogant and grow. Especially young managers. They act as if they think they are allowed to do whatever they want. They may mistakenly believe that they have already accomplished something. When they attain a position, it is only the beginning. That''s when the real competition begins.


    So what?"　Bottom line, what is Roland doing now?"


    He is going to concentrate on his development. He is also registered as a special advisor at the Golden Eagle.


    Hm. I see. ......"


    Count Elsen looks out the window on his cheekbones.


    （The guild leader of the "Golden Eagle" is once again vacant.)


    Count Elsen turned his attention toward the "Golden Eagle" building.


    The statue of a hawk on the ceiling of the magnificent auditorium, the symbol of the "Golden Eagle," stood somewhat forlorn.


    The hawk, which usually glares sharply at the ground from a great height, seemed to be at a loss, having lost sight of its master.


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