GILF Hunter

Elena took a small medicine bottle from her pocket and handed it to Airi.

’Here, take this.’

’What... is this?’

’It will sober you up a bit. I got it from Louise just in case.’

Sobering medicine...? Such a thing existed.

Airi took it and carefully brought it to her mouth. The medicine had a faint fruit scent and a sweet taste.

’Ah, I think I feel better.’

The effect kicked in almost immediately. Airi felt her slightly dizzy mind clear up in an instant.

...If there was one minor side effect, it was that because her mind had become so clear, what had just happened became even more embarrassing.

Still, the intoxication had certainly vanished.

’Do you carry medicine like this all the time?’

’I don’t usually go that far... but I originally intended to give this to the Leader.’

’To me?’

’When you’re exchanging greetings, you end up receiving glass after glass. At first, it’s not easy to choose who to decline.’

Fortunately, since Ian wasn’t that weak to alcohol, it didn’t seem like he would need to use the medicine Elena brought.

’How is it? Do you feel better?’

’Yes. Thank you...’

Having regained her senses, Airi stood up.

Seeing that Airi was fine, Elena finally looked at Ian and stated her original business.

’Then shall we head back to the party hall? There’s someone looking for you, Leader.’

’For me?’

He couldn’t even guess who it might be. It would be faster to count the people in this hall who *didn’t* want to talk to Ian.

Following behind Elena, the three of them returned to the party hall.

People’s gazes gathered on them immediately.

And there was someone who approached Ian and Airi first. It seemed to be the person Elena mentioned who was looking for him.

’Greetings. Leader Ian.’

’...Hello.’

It was the Mayor.

Since the city hosted the party, it was natural for the Mayor and council members to be there... but Ian hadn’t expected him to approach so openly.

The Mayor, approaching Ian, spoke with a cheerful laugh.

’Could we have a brief chat?’

’Understood. Let’s do that.’

Accepting the Mayor’s proposal, Ian nodded.

Regardless of how the parties competing for the position felt, there was no reason for Ian to avoid him first.

In that situation, the one more flustered than Ian was Airi.

’Then... wh-what about me?’

’My apologies, but I’d like to speak with him alone for a moment. I’ll see you in a bit, Miss Airi.’

The Mayor spoke to Airi with a genial smile.

Airi looked at Ian with an expression like an abandoned puppy, but it couldn’t be helped.

＊　＊　＊

Ian walked down the hallway with the Mayor for a while.

They arrived at a small room at the end of the hall. It looked like a good place for a quiet conversation.

Ian sat across a table from the Mayor.

The Mayor was a man with the impression of a well-built, middle-aged merchant who looked like he would be very good at business.

Since Ian heard he was originally a merchant, that impression wasn’t exactly wrong.

...What’s his business?

Ian thought to himself while looking at the Mayor, who wore a good-natured smile.

Actually, Ian hadn’t exactly hidden his tracks that thoroughly, and he was too famous now to start hiding things anyway.

It was about time everyone realized that the one helping the other side was Ian.

In the approval rating race, the current Mayor had been in a much more advantageous position until now.

The balance had been broken recently partly due to Leona’s active efforts, but if one looked deeper, it was thanks to the information Ian had provided.

If he had realized that, it wouldn’t be strange for him to try and recruit Ian.

’I’ve heard many tales of Ian’s Mercenary Group’s heroics. In that sense, I’d like to provide some sponsorship to the group...’

’I appreciate the sentiment, but we are in a state where we no longer need sponsorship.’

’Actually, I’ve already sent it. The items should be arriving at Louise’s workshop about now.’

’....’

Then, the Mayor immediately held out a map to a certain shop.

’This is a place called Lucius’s Shop. It’s a place where rare items are often traded, so many people heading into the Labyrinth seek it out. I’ve put a membership and a small deposit in your name, Leader, so please stop by when you have time. There will be many items helpful for Labyrinth exploration.’

’....’

The Mayor’s sponsorship had already entered Ian’s pocket without giving him a chance to refuse or even notice it.

The Mayor looked at Ian and gave a pleasant smile.

’The sponsor over there is somewhat lacking in these areas, aren’t they? That’s how people from the military usually are.’

People from that background think you don’t need something unless you specifically request it one by one. The Mayor complained jokingly and laughed softly.

In the end, Ian was the one to give up first. He had intended to feel out the Mayor’s true intentions, but this wasn’t an opponent for that.

’Is there something you want from me?’

’Nothing at all.’

’...Are you telling me to take a hint?’

’Not at all. You truly don’t need to do anything for my sake out of consideration.’

The Mayor shook his head as if he really needed nothing and raised his glass.

’I likely have no chance in this election anyway. No matter how much money I spray, it’ll just be a waste.’

The mysterious new monsters pouring out of the Labyrinth.

The growing anxiety of the citizens.

And the mercenary group and officer-turned-council members who appeared like heroes as if they had been waiting for this...

If this was a stage created intentionally, it was a composition so perfect it was admirable.

The Mayor, having said he would give up on this election, spoke to Ian with a significant tone.

’However, there is one thing I’d like to tell you. Miss Lucia’s term won’t last very long. The only thing she can guarantee is the city’s safety—only that one thing.’

’...Isn’t that important?’

’Of course. It’s the most essential thing in this city. That’s why it’s something a Mayor should provide as the highest priority.’

When Ian asked with a puzzled face, the Mayor nodded as if it were obvious and answered.

It was a common misconception.

’As long as they pay taxes in this city, that is a right they naturally deserve to enjoy. But, who *couldn’t* buy safety with expensive money? By pouring out taxes, that is.’

’You mean that alone isn’t enough?’

’Yes. Right now, the citizens will naturally want that. Because it’s a restless time. Right now the threat is right before their eyes, and even if it’s a bit expensive, they’ll want to secure safety somehow.’

The Mayor spoke as if he were seeing clearly into the future.

’But that will last a year, or maybe two at most... Once the city stabilizes again, the moment will come when more and more people question the necessity of that high cost. If she can’t prove she deserves to hold that position otherwise, that’s the end.’

It was quite an interesting perspective.

And Ian thought it wasn’t a particularly wrong opinion either.

’Mercenaries naturally follow whoever gives them immediate benefit. You don’t need to do anything for me right now. However, when you feel those people can no longer provide benefits... you are welcome to come find me anytime when your mind changes later.’

The Mayor didn’t seem to be struggling to overturn a game that had already tilted; he seemed to be looking one or two years ahead.

He likely intended to recruit Ian in advance for that time.

’Well, you might not relate to this right now, but...’

’No. I have the same opinion. If I were a citizen with voting rights, I probably would have voted for you.’

When Ian replied that way, the Mayor asked with a look of great interest.

’Then, I’m curious what was different from a mercenary’s perspective.’

’A much greater danger is going to come to this city.’

Probably a massive nightmare that no one in this city could imagine.

＊　＊　＊

Airi was left alone in the party hall, separated from Ian.

To be precise, Elena was beside her so she wasn’t alone... but in reality, she felt no different from being alone.

Furthermore, Elena was a person who was unyieldingly popular, competing for top ranks in this party hall.

Having Elena by her side didn’t make her feel relieved; instead, she was anxious because it felt like she would draw even more of people’s attention.

It felt like everyone around her had eyes sparkling with interest.

...Should I run away and hide?

The moment Airi had that thought, she heard a voice calling her name from somewhere.

’Hey! Airi! There you are.’

’Hiek!’

There shouldn’t be anyone she knew at a party hall like this.

When the startled Airi turned her head with such a doubt, a face she truly hadn’t expected appeared.

’F-F-Frey... ma’am!’

It was the A-rank mercenary leader she had met by chance before. Frey.

Back then, when she first met Frey, she hadn’t known anything and had spoken casually, thinking she was just a kid. Fortunately, Frey hadn’t minded and accepted it.

She had nearly fainted when she later heard she was an A-rank mercenary, but she had relaxed thinking she would never meet an A-rank mercenary again...

Airi, wondering why Frey was in a place like this, belatedly realized that of course she could be here.

Since it was a victory party for mercenaries, an A-rank mercenary would naturally be present. It would be stranger if she weren’t.

Frey, approaching Airi, spoke with a smirk.

’What’s with that, between us? Is it because there are people around? Just talk comfortably like usual.’

’Hiek!’

Frey patted Airi on the back as if it were funny.

A commotion broke out among the surrounding people watching the scene. It was because Frey was also a significantly famous A-rank mercenary.

’Between them...? What’s her relationship with Miss Frey?’

’Are they friends, perhaps?’

’I knew it... Was it true that she already has the skill of an A-rank but is intentionally not promoting?’

Yet another strange rumor about Airi was added.