That Is Why It Is A Problem

Kikori and Orphe’s return.

The subjugation of the Great Wyvern.

And the sweeping of the territory where the wyverns had been.

This information was enough to make the Defense Count say, “Huh?” It could be said that this was only natural.

Even after a mana stone that could only belong to the Great Wyvern was submitted, the information was still hard to fully believe.

The hastily organized investigation team passed through the former fairy forest and confirmed that, indeed, wyvern corpses lay scattered throughout the place named “Wyvern Valley.”

It seemed they had not swept them all away, and there were incidents where adventurers who went too deep were attacked, but… even including that, Kikori’s achievement became widely known.

However, at the same time… it also created a certain problem.

“I will say this first: this is not your problem.”

“Um, yes.”

When Kikori went to the mansion with the invitation he had previously received from Defense Count Seims… those were the words spoken to him.

A fluffy sofa, and expensive-looking tea and sweets.

Sitting in an office lined with furnishings that also looked expensive, Defense Count Seims looked utterly exhausted.

“I think you know because it has been rumored recently, but… the rate of adventurers failing to return has increased sharply.”

“Yes, I heard about that too. And if I remember right, the death rate among newcomers is high.”

“That is correct.”

Yes, those who had about the same amount of experience as Kikori, or even less.

The rate at which such adventurers failed to return had apparently risen.

That was… perhaps an effect brought about by the silver pendant shining at Kikori’s chest and Defense Count Seims’s pendant.

Those two things could be said to have caused it.

“The subjugation of the Goblin General, the Great Wyvern, and the wyvern swarm. Friendship with the fairies… Your achievements are great. Rather than a newcomer, it would not be wrong to call you an ace.”

“Th-Thank you very much.”

“Mm. It is only natural that you rose to silver rank all at once. It is natural, but… there are many people in this world who do not understand that this is exceptional.”

“‘If Kikori can do it, then I can too’? Shouldn’t idiots like that just die?”

Orphe, who was sitting on Kikori’s head, said that in a bored tone, but Defense Count Seims gave a faint wry smile.

“That will not do. The role of the Fortress City against the Contaminated Region is one that will continue for so long that it will not end in my generation, at least. A high death rate among the young people who will carry the next generation is not a problem we can ignore.”

“Idiots can’t carry the next generation, can they? Weak idiots die right away, and strong idiots die later. Isn’t that all?”

“Hey, Orphe…”

“No, it is fine. Every word is perfectly reasonable.”

Sitting deeply into the sofa… Defense Count Seims declared, “That is why it is a problem.”

“However, we must raise those weak idiots into strong idiots, at least. That is my job.”