“─So, I’m thinking of going to hunt the Witch of Lust to obtain the Sacred Remnants.”

The day after I formulated my plan to defeat the Witch of Lust and seize the Sacred Remnants, I shared my thoughts with the people along with Sylvia.

“Hunting, hunting, huh…”

Ms. Martina, who can be seen as the representative of the heroes currently in the city, heard this and repeated the word ‘hunting’ a few times in her mouth before letting out a deep sigh and speaking up.

“Originally, discussing hunting a witch isn’t something that should be brought up so lightly… But at this point, the only solution that comes to mind to counter the resurrected Witch of Gluttony, as you said, is gathering the Sacred Remnants.”

After mumbling that, Ms. Martina looked at Sylvia and me with a serious gaze and asked, “Anyway, since you’re bringing up hunting, you both believe there’s a chance of success, right?”

“Yes. During our last fight, Sylvia and I figured out that we could combat the abilities of the Witch of Lust. Now that I’ve nearly fully recovered my physical condition, I’m confident we won’t lose.”

To Ms. Martina’s question, I confidently nodded in agreement. Our abilities had an advantageous match-up against the Witch of Lust.

Besides, unlike last time when we fought while exhausted from fighting the Witch of Gluttony, I was now filled with energy from adequate rest, making me sure I wouldn’t lose.

Upon my confident answer, Ms. Martina also nodded as if she understood and muttered, “Okay, I see.”

However, right after that mutter, Ms. Martina suddenly fixed her gaze on me with a suspicious expression and asked, “That’s fine, but… why does it sound like you’re saying you two are going to hunt by yourselves? You’re not really planning to go alone, are you?”

“Um… well, since it’s the Witch of Lust we’re dealing with, having too many people might complicate things…”

When I stammered out that we were thinking of going alone, Ms. Martina let out a deep sigh and said, “Rejected.”

“Huh…? Why…?”

“Why, you ask? Do you think I’d let just the two of you head out to hunt a witch without knowing what might happen? If you were just going to go with the two of you, I absolutely wouldn’t allow it.”

The outright rejection from Ms. Martina made me feel a bit deflated. How could she be so firm? Did she really find us that untrustworthy…?

As thoughts like that made me feel a bit down, Ms. Martina smiled slightly as she looked at me and added an explanation.

“Why are you getting so gloomy? It’s not that I find you untrustworthy. I know better than anyone how capable you are from fighting alongside you. But you see, we’re attacking the stronghold of a witch who has already led troops into battle before. You can’t know what unforeseen circumstances might arise. What will you do if you need reinforcements? What if something happens that you can’t easily resolve with just you two?”

“That’s…”

“Plus, as you know, hunting the Witch of Lust is ultimately a strategy to find a way to counter the Witch of Gluttony. It’s not too much to say that humanity’s fate is at stake here. We need to put all our efforts into this. Sending just the two of you off under such circumstances is simply absurd.”

Given that we currently have no way to counter the Witch of Gluttony, acquiring the Sacred Remnants through this hunting mission is perhaps the only hopeful prospect.

In that context, everything Ms. Martina said was completely valid.

But,

“However, everyone else besides Sylvia and me might be at risk since they don’t have a way to counter the Witch of Lust’s powers…”

Having vivid memories still fresh in my mind about how people moved according to the Witch’s desires, I couldn’t help but worry about anyone else going along.

It could happen again, after all.

That’s why I found it hard to easily nod in agreement with Ms. Martina’s comments.

Seeing me hesitate, Ms. Martina directed a glance toward Sylvia and said,

“Well, I understand your concerns. Still, this hunting party will include Lady Astra from over there, right? So under most circumstances, the people traveling with us shouldn’t fall prey to the witch’s powers. She was instrumental in protecting the city from the Witch of Lust. Can she not handle a few people accompanying her? Isn’t that right, Lady?”

“…Yes, that is correct. I’m not sure about the scale of the hunting party, but I’ll ensure that no one within my sight falls victim to the Witch of Lust’s abilities. Ah, but this ends up like this. I was so looking forward to a thrilling adventure with only Miss Scarlet.”

At Ms. Martina’s question, Sylvia responded with a playful expression, appearing a bit disappointed. She seemed to think that going alone was never really going to happen, as if she’d known from the start this would be the outcome.

“…Well then. In that case, we’ll gather the hunting party and set off.”

Seeing Sylvia’s reaction, I couldn’t disagree with Ms. Martina’s idea of forming a hunting party.

Was I a bit reckless for seriously contemplating going alone at first?

While I thought that, suddenly Ms. Martina questioned me.

“…What’s wrong? Are you really not keen on going with others?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“It’s not? Your face looks like you just bit into something sour. If you’re uncomfortable, now’s the time to speak up. I need to reflect your opinion.”

I guess my expression showed too much.

I considered just brushing it off, but under Ms. Martina’s not-so-subtle prodding, I had no choice but to speak honestly.

“It’s not a big deal… I just hope others don’t have to go through risky situations. Though, maybe that’s a bit unreasonable.”

“……Ha. I see you’re quite the selfish one.”

Ms. Martina’s incredulous remark drew a wry smile from me.

I understood that what I was thinking might be selfish.

However, I didn’t want to witness anyone, like Yoon Si-woo or Ms. Eve, getting hurt or worse, because of me again, no matter what.

I didn’t want to increase the burden on my heart any further.

Noticing my thoughts, Ms. Martina tapped my shoulder and said,

“Still, selfish lady, try not to worry too much. Even though we’re forming a hunting party, we’ll choose only those who can pull their own weight. Even if I said earlier, I can’t put too much burden on Lady Astra.”

Having said that, Ms. Martina turned to everyone gathered around and began discussing.

“Well, since that’s settled, I’ll choose the personnel to go hunt the Witch of Lust along with these ladies. Honestly, if it were up to me, I’d want to go myself—”

“Captain.”

“Oh, right. I know. That’s not allowed, right?”

Ms. Martina clicked her tongue at the mention from a subordinate standing nearby.

While she was indeed the most fitting person for a small elite hunting party, as the only one currently holding the position of captain, she was like a mental pillar for the city.

If she left her post, the people would undoubtedly feel uneasy.

Furthermore, since both Sylvia and I would be away, it was all the more necessary for her to remain in the city, just in case.

Realizing it was impossible for her to volunteer for the hunting party, Ms. Martina let out a quiet tongue click, scanning the room before speaking up.

“So, is there anyone from this group who wishes to volunteer? Anyone who feels they can look after themselves?”

As soon as those words were spoken, someone quietly raised their hand.

And everyone who saw the person’s face held their breath in silence.

“…Are you saying you wish to join the hunting party?”

“Yes, if possible.”

The one who raised their hand was none other than the head of the Dolos Family.

Diakonos Dolos.

“Wait, wait a minute.”

Seeing that, Ms. Martina furrowed her brow as if troubled.

The reason for her agitation was not only that Diakonos, who had been quietly reflecting on his own after being freed from the Witch of Lust, had rarely expressed his opinion, but also…

“You’re not even a hero. What can someone like you do in the hunting party…?”

The main reason was, of course, that he was not a hero.

Unlike his father Telos, who had lived almost his whole life as a hero, Diakonos had led his life as the head of the Dolos Family.

It was unexpected for someone like him to volunteer for the hunting party, which left Ms. Martina flustered.

“Even if I’m not a hero, I have enough strength to take care of myself.”

Crack.

With that, Diakonos simply sealed Ms. Martina’s lips with a single action.

He crumpled the metallic badges he had worn on his chest into his hand, crushing them together to form a solid mass.

With a heavy thud, a lump of metal fell onto the table from his grip.

The reason he could do such a feat stemmed from the fact that he was a descendant of the once-renowned hero, Dolos.

As he threw a glance at the onlookers, Diakonos murmured,

“The direct descendants of Dolos can manage at least this much effortlessly. At the very least, in terms of strength, I shouldn’t lag behind others.”

Muttering that, Diakonos picked up the lump of metal he had just dropped.

“Whatever you need me to do, even if it’s just the manual labor.”

And as he ripped apart what had once signified their honor, which felt meaningless now that he realized he had been fooled.

“I wish for an opportunity for Dolos.”

He bowed his head and pleaded.

“So that we can contribute to closing this long-standing feud.”

He asked for a chance.

“Please, I beg you.”

Tears fell from the eyes of the once-honorable sinner, landing on the shattered pieces of honor scattered on the floor.

A few days later, on the corner of the list of the hunting party set to depart,

A few names affiliated with Dolos were added.