"Huh? Searching for my sister?"

As we walked away from the Forest of Trees, I immediately jumped up after hearing Aliyah's explanation.

Of course, I didn't literally jump up, I was just surprised by Aliyah's actions.

"Just because we're registered as mercenaries doesn't mean we have to accept any task! Searching for your sister is considered a task?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Aliyah said while flipping through her elf skill book.

"After all, she exchanged something very valuable with us. It's a good deal, why would you oppose it... Oh, right, maybe if he brings along some magic skill books, you won't mind, right?"

"Sorry, but... I'm not very familiar with magic."

Kilia, who was walking ahead, said apologetically.

"What? An elf who isn't familiar with magic?"

This time, I was the one surprised. After all, it was the first time I heard of an elf who wasn't familiar with magic.

"No, no, I mean pure magic stuff. If it's just magic arrows, I can still handle it."

"Well, forget it, it's not a big deal. But I do have some concerns about the skill books you've borrowed."

After all, I had borrowed many skill books, although I didn't go through the proper borrowing procedures.

"I just think that if you have such deep hatred for humans and can't tolerate some of their behavior, it might cause trouble if you cross paths with unnecessary people. And that would be a problem for us."

"What are you afraid of? Aren't you the National Mage of the Ais Empire? I remember most National Mages are viscounts. With your relationship, I don't think any noble title is a big deal for you, except for Duke."

"Well... that's not the fundamental issue. But now that the Snake Eye has started such a large-scale operation, there's no point in hiding and investigating. It's better to directly join a force and fight against them, don't you think?"

"I don't mind, as long as it's fun."

Aliyah casually replied and continued flipping through her books.

"Ah, this is the reason why we gather together, right? There's no special purpose, just for fun."

"That's true, but this place doesn't belong to us, and it would be troublesome if we pay too much attention, right?"

"That's true... but there are still many people we know here. Don't tell me you don't have any feelings after being with that mercenary group for so long."

"The Scarlet Rose Mercenary Corps!"

Aliyah corrected irritably.

"Okay, okay, it's your Scarlet Mercenary Corps. But do you really have no feelings?"

"Ah, well, alright. I admit that everyone is a good person! I don't want anything bad to happen to them... Ah, I really don't know what those Snake Eye guys are thinking!"

"If we only knew, it wouldn't be so troublesome."

I shrugged.

"Kilia."

"Yes?"

Kilia, who was leading the way, immediately turned around to look at me.

"You said you want us to help you find your sister... That's not a problem, but the problem lies in the information about your sister. If we want to find her, we need enough information. Frankly speaking, we have no idea how many elves will be kidnapped and brought into human cities within a year."

"Well..."

Kilia looked pained and thought for a long time, then suddenly took out something from her pocket that looked like a pocket watch.

"This is what those people who kidnapped my sister left behind!" I picked it up. It was something with what looked like a family crest imprinted on it. When I pressed the button on top, it actually opened up like a pocket watch.

"Oh?" I said.

But this wasn't a pocket watch. Inside was a metal chunk, and it didn't have any specific shape.

Based on my years of experience playing games, this thing probably needed to be combined with something else to form some kind of key.

However, when I took off that metal piece, what I saw behind it surprised me.

"This is..."

I felt familiar with this thing, and as I turned the metal box in a certain direction, I couldn't help but smile.

"Do you remember when we saw the Royal Guards in a hurry to leave in Blue Lake City?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Look at this."

I handed what was in my hand to her.

"This mark is exactly the same as the mark on their horses."

"What! The Royal Guards of the Witte Empire!"

Chilia next to me suddenly flared up with anger.

"Hey hey hey, what did I just say? Calm down! If you don't stay calm, there's no way we can save your sister. If you can't control your emotions, I'll just let you go back yourself. Although it's troublesome, it's not impossible for us to leave the forest sea directly."

"This..."

Chilia thought for a moment, gritting her teeth.

"Fine! I will stay calm."

"Actions speak louder than words. If I find any more problems next time, then it's really over."

Then I looked at Aliyah.

"It seems that slacking off won't work. Now we have to go back to Blue Lake City and have a good talk with the Guild President. According to his personality, he should be more than willing to help us."

"That's true, but this time we're going against the national machine."

"Don't be afraid~"

I smiled.

"We've already dealt with the Chelfa Empire, so dealing with the Witte Empire shouldn't be a problem."

"Are you planning to completely destroy the capital of the Witte Empire this time?"

"How could I? I'm such a civilized person."

I shrugged.

"Of course, I wouldn't rule out that possibility."