Red Stone City, inside the City Lord's office.

Nova was buried in a pile of documents, working overtime to handle official duties.

After rescuing the Duke's Daughter, Duke Alama didn't go back on his word and indeed gave them a city.

And not just any city, but one located on a major trade route with a rather prosperous business scene.

Though only the management rights of the city were transferred to them, and not a noble title.

Nevertheless, it was quite a generous reward. Besides a small amount of regular monthly tax, all the surplus generated from managing the city could go into their own pockets.

This was much faster money than risking their lives as adventurers.

As for whether it was easy or not?

If you ask Night Owl or Ivan, they'd definitely say it's easy.

But ask Nova and it's a different story...

Bang—

Another stack of files was placed in front of the desk by Gall.

With dark circles under his eyes, Nova looked up and asked, "What is this, again?"

"Uh... three foreign businessmen's complaints against Night Owl," Gall answered, looking elsewhere.

"Is she back to her entrapment operations again?"

Gall nodded and took a slight step back.

Nova's voice trembled as he spoke, already seething with anger. Since becoming city lord, his temper had worsened...

Sure enough—

"What is she trying to do?"

Nova quickly flipped through the stack of complaints and then threw it onto the ground.

"Is she only happy if merchant caravans are forced to detour away from her!? Gall, bring her to me. Where is she now?"

"Probably patrolling..."

"You mean she's still at it? Get her over here, quickly!"

Under Nova's urging, Gall hurried out of the office at a jog.

About 20 minutes later, a dirty and beggar-disguised Night Owl was dragged in by Gall.

From the moment she walked in, Nova stared intently at her. If looks could kill, Night Owl would have died three times over.

"Night Owl, care to explain what you're up to with that outfit?"

"Uh... experiencing life?" Night Owl said with an innocent look, causing Nova's temples to throb.

He threw the stack of reports toward her.

"Disguising as an intellectually challenged wandering elf, deliberately luring foreign merchants to talk to you.

And then revealing your identity when they try to take you away, capturing them for a hefty sum?

Is this what a security officer should do?

You're clearly running a honey trap!"

Night Owl shifted to hide behind Gall, sticking out her tongue, "If they didn't have bad intentions, there'd be no problem, right? I'm just eliminating potential threats!"

"Eliminating potential threats?

Do you realize that thanks to your efforts, the number of merchants entering the city has decreased by 20% compared to previous years?

What do you think those merchants you conned will say about Red Stone City after they leave?

Can't you ever just settle down?

Even if you just did like Ivan and spent all day soaking in magic power, that would be more helpful to me!"

"I'm not a magic addict!

Besides, I'm a security officer now, so if I don't clean them up, then I'm useless!"

"Then go after pickpockets! Why target foreign merchants?"

Night Owl pouted, swaying from side to side, refusing to meet Nova's gaze.

She had an expression of "say whatever you want, I'll do it again next time."

The tasks were completed together, and the roles were distributed as agreed.

Although Nova was the leader, he didn't have the authority to dismiss Night Owl.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't explode.

Gall quietly withdrew to a corner; he could sense Nova was reaching his limit.

"City Lord! There's a directive from the Supreme Council."

"Ha—hoo—" In front of outsiders, Nova quickly regained his composure and hurried to the Communication Crystal.

When Nova returned, Gall was sitting obediently in a chair.

Night Owl had already changed back into her tight black outfit, hanging upside down from a bookshelf, swaying left and right.

Seeing Nova, she asked, "What's the big deal? Even using a Communication Crystal."

Long-distance communication has a huge magic power consumption, so generally, letters are used unless it's important.

"The request is to escort the priest of the Bright Church to Oath City, the capital.

Also, there's a non-mandatory summons for us."

"Hmph, so basically nothing was revealed," Night Owl grumbled, "They previously called away many Diamond Level adventurers, and now they're summoning us too, but they won't say why. Anything mysterious can't be good!"

"Non-mandatory," Nova reminded.

"So what is it then? A vote?" Night Owl asked.

Nova nodded, "Gall, go get Ivan."

Soon enough, the groggy Ivan was carried over by Gall.

Nova explained the situation to him while Ivan nodded, though Gall doubted he was fully awake.

"I agree to go; if I stay here any longer, I'll go crazy from you guys." Nova cast the first vote in favor.

He was being honest.

Ivan spent his days hitting the Demon Crystal, living in a constant daze.

Night Owl was always stirring up trouble, more of a hindrance than a help.

Gall was an honest person, without any vices.

Unfortunately, the half-dragon's intelligence wasn't sharp, so he could only help with errands.

All the burdens of managing the city's affairs fell solely on Nova, no wonder his temper worsened.

Now with the summons, it was an excellent opportunity for him to take a justified break.

As for potential dangers?

What adventurer is afraid of that!

"I'm not going!" Night Owl only wanted to enforce her own sense of justice in the city and had no interest in the kingdom's affairs.

"I'm fine with anything." Gall abstained.

"Ivan?"

"Huh? Ah!" Suddenly called by name, Ivan seemed to wake up slightly, "Let's go, go."

Then he slumped back into the chair, leaving one to wonder if he understood the discussion.

But—

"Then with a 2 to 1 vote, we will personally escort the priest.

Gall, prepare the carriage and half a month's worth of food.

Night Owl, prepare potions based on the amount for the next Underground City.

I'll find someone to take over the duties of city lord."

"Yes."

"Yes—"

Night Owl vanished in a flash, while Gall took Ivan back.

One day later, beside two carriages.

"The Lord of Light bless you, we entrust this journey to you all."

The three priests bowed slightly, and Nova hurried up to exchange pleasantries.

All three were Gold Level priests from the Red Stone City church, two women, and one man.

The church actually had a Diamond Level priest, but he was too old.

Old enough that Nova suspected that if he dared to bring him, the priest would die halfway.

So they left the elderly priest in the city because the communications didn't specify anyone by name, just that priests above Gold Level should be sent.

These three should be enough to meet the requirement.

As they departed, Night Owl sat on top of the carriage in charge of keeping watch, her legs dangling as she asked:

"Captain, why are they gathering priests and adventurers?

Didn't they just requisition a batch of magic materials from the city recently?

Just what are they planning?

They're not planning to go to war with the Demon Race, right?

If that's the case, I'll bail."

Night Owl was an elf. If things got dangerous, she could indeed slip back into the Elf Forest at any moment.

"How would I know," Nova half-lay in the carriage, enjoying the free time not tackling paperwork, "but it's definitely not war. If it were, they'd be mobilizing the army and grain, not just magic materials, adventurers, and priests."

-----------------

Two days later.

Night Owl: "There's a situation ahead. Tell the old man to stop sleeping and get up for a scout!"

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