MTL: uniquegasuki
Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)

With Iraida (イライダ) and Makushiimu (マクシーム) are guarding them from behind, Oofuia (オーフィア) and Arii (アリー) are standing in the branch a.s.sociation’s lobby.
The other 9 members of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu (月の女神の付き人, moon G.o.ddess’s attendant)』 are standing by at key entranceways in the a.s.sociation’s building.
As she showed the stern expression of a chief, Oofuia made her way to the reception desk.
The branch chief, who realized the hopeless situation, slowly swallowed his saliva.

The atmosphere in the lobby was quite tense.
Although it is not early in the morning, there are a few hunters present. As for the hunters who accidently happen to be there, for those who are unaware, their companions informed them about the organization 『Maruuna・Niyuumu 』. Among the hunters who were uninformed about the group, when they saw Iraida and Makushiimu lined-up behind Maruuna・Niyuumu, they knew something big was going to happen.

「I, Oofuia, the head chief of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu 』 have come here to request a report from the chief of this branch.」 (Oofuia)
When the arrogant staff member saw the dark green robe, his nervousness shown through.
「Y-yes, reporting.」 (staff member)
Without saying much, the staff member hurried to the back room of the building.

With this hands calmly placed behind his back, the branch chief didn’t appear afraid.
Zauru is also standing behind him.
Like usual, the branch chief called them to his office.
「Oh my, who do we have here, Oofuisama. I thank you very much for having come all the way to this remote location. Did you come here for a request? Nevertheless, I welcome you here. Everyone here in Sarewado (サレハド) has heard of your splendid achievements, so by all means, feel free to grace this village with your ability. Is that not why we cooperate with another?」 (Yakofu)
The branch chief says this all without pausing.
「Thank you very much; however, I came here today for a different matter.」 (Oofuia)
She continued to speak.
「There has been a complaint filed against this hunter branch; I’m here to investigate that matter. Oh, branch chief, the complaint is directed at you.」 (Oofuia)
「Oh, that, there must be some sort of mistake; otherwise, someone is plotting against me.」 (Yakofu)
The branch chief gave an exaggerated sigh.
「Let us see, you arbitrary interpreted the a.s.sociation’s rules in your favor, outright abused the a.s.sociation’s rules, abused the rules pertaining to obligatory requests, falsified hunter records, and dismissed a potential calamity report. Do these sound like mistakes to you?」 (Oofuia)
「Of course, it does. Everything I have done, it falls in line in according to my duty as the branch chief. I have no memory of committing such deeds. Are these complaints not lies? If that is the case, then there is no need for you to deliver judgment.」 (Yakofu)
Oofuia grieved as the branch chief showed no signs of remorse for his crimes, only anger.
「Is that so? I had hope that you would admit your crime, but you do not.」 (Oofuia)
「I have committed no crime; I’m sorry, but there is nothing for me to confess.」 (Yakofu)
The branch chief tilted his head as to show his puzzlement, a display of his arrogance.
Oofuia and Arii glanced at each other.
They brought out the copies of Kurando’s hunter requests.
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/>「Will you still play dumb after looking at these?」 (Oofuia)
A stack of papers is left on the branch chief’s desk.
「What are these?」 (Yakofu)
「Ah, they are evidence of your abuse of the hunter a.s.sociation’s rules. I can’t seem to understand your logic behind sending a Ruterera (ルテレラ, 10th-star) to complete a Riguserupu (リグセルプ, 1st-star) rank request.」 (Oofuia)
「Well, there is a reason for that. The hunter was recommended by the 『white spear (白槍)』, Makushiiimu・Daaru (マクシーム・ダール); I thought it wouldn’t be a problem for the newcomer. Anyhow, he was able to complete the request in 4 days, magnificent work, you see.」 (Yakofu)
「Then, why are there no records of the request? Well, is the writing doc.u.ment not proof enough of your misdeed?」 (Yakofu)
「H-hey now, that must be one of the staff members’ mistake. Yes, a human error.」 (Yakofu)
「About that, the request was recorded for Iraida・Baagin, but for some reason the records for the other person had not been recorded. Is that also a mishap?」 (Oofuia)
And thus, Oofuia looked over to the staff members by the desk in the back room.
They looked down and didn’t raise their head.
「Really? Isn’t that just the magic tool malfunctioning? Perhaps, the tag is defective.」 (Yakofu)
「There was no problem with the tag. Who do you think I am; I happen to be the original holder of that magic tool. So, the magic tool is defective, huh. Okay then, let us escalate the matter.」 (Oofuia)
「Now now, there is no need for Oofuia to go through all this trouble.」 (Yakofu)
「Your concern is not needed as there is no one more certain than I.」 (Oofuia)
Having said so, Oofuia pa.s.sed through the swing door at the reception desk and begins to check the magic tools used to record hunter related information, one by one.
After awhile, she finished examining every tool and learned their contents.
「There are no problems; the engineer in charge of maintenance did a good job as the tools are in great condition.」 (Oofuia)
「H-how strange. They have a tendency to malfunction every now and then.」 (Yakofu)
「By chance, huh? Then, what about Baron Potapenko’s (ポタペンコ男爵) Toramora herb (トラモラ) shiodzuke (塩漬け) request, it was accepted per say the a.s.sociation’s rule and all parties had accepted, so would you care to explain why the request became invalid upon completion.」 (Oofuia)
Perhaps the branch chief was relieved that the topic changed, he took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead before giving a reply.
「You see, we had received a direct notice from the parliament. Under their authority, we had the right invalidate the request; however, during that time, the newcomer was unavailable and thus we couldn’t contact him. It was out of our control.」 (Yakofu)
「That is the a.s.sociation’s mistake, and not the hunter’s fault.」 (Oofuia)
「But, rules are rules.」 (Yakofu)
「Is that so? Then shall I contact Baron Potapenko and ask him about the request?」 (Oofuia)
「That is,」 (Yakofu)
「I would like to hear Baron Potapenko’s testimony.」 (Oofuia)
「About that, you see, Baron Potapenko had been pestering the newcomer about the Toramora herb.」 (Yakofu)
「The problem is that you did not contact the newcomer.」 (Oofuia)
「Ah, that was my responsibility and it is inexcusable.」 (Yakofu)
「So then, why is it that you did not investigate

investigate the report about the potential disaster; is that not your duty?」 (Oofuia)
Inside the a.s.sociation became noisy.
A potential monster outbreak is a threat to the country itself. Even if Dorugan (ドルガン) didn’t investigate, they must have at least heard the rumor about it.
In the past, there have been countries that made light of a monster outbreak and had half their country destroyed.
「Hold it, I definitely never heard such information.」 (Yakofu)
The branch chief acted as if he was unaware of the report.
It has been quite a long time since the branch chief and Sarewado (サレハド) village had experienced a monster outbreak. As a result, their caution to such an event had waned.
In other words, they were more or less willing to believe a report from their local hunters rather than that of a stranger such as Kurando.
「Then, are you saying you did not receive a report from a 10th-star hunter called Kurando?」 (Oofuia)
Oofuia turned to look at the face of the arrogant staff member.
The branch chief glared at the staff member; all the while, Oofuia watch them, sweat oozed from the staff member’s forehead.
「……I received nothing of the sort.」 (staff member)
As she watched him, Oofuia was disappointed by the staff member.
「……is that so? I have confirmed it with my own eyes, the shield and club of an ice warrior.」 (Oofuia)
Once more, inside the a.s.sociation became noisy.
「It may be impolite of me but, perhaps, Oofuisama is mistaken?」 (Yakofu)
「……oh yes, you could be right as I am quite old.」 (Oofuia)
「Many apologizes, it is a conclusion that anyone would a.s.sume.」 (Yakofu)
The branch chief showed a somewhat relieved expression.
「Iraida・Baagin (イライダ・バーギン), what do you think?」 (Oofuia)
Suddenly, upon being called on, Iraida stepped forward. As usual, she is wearing a tight red corset-like leather armor that emphasizes her breast.
「Yes, from what I saw, the small shield was indeed an equipment that had belonged to a monster.」 (Iraida)
Iraida and Kurando had gone to the mountain to confirm if the equipment was from a monster. However, there were no traces of the monster and they didn’t venture deeper as there was only the two of them.
「Unless, I, Iriada・Baagin, am mistaken; then otherwise, what I’m saying is a lie.」 (Iraida)
The branch chief then begins to speak.
「I don’t know. For argument’s sake, it is impossible for me to listen to the reports of every refugee that comes along.」 (Yakofu)
「Rules are rules. My point is that you did receive the report.」 (Oofuia)
「U, u, uh, I received no such report――」 (Yakofu)
「――quiet you. I have already contacted the hunter a.s.sociation headquarters in this country. From here on, the amount of evidence will only increase so I ask that you be obedient.」 (Oofuia)
「S, shut up. I don’t know what I don’t know. It isn’t my fault, the staff members are to blame. I was in the dark about all of this. Where is your proof that I’m involved?」 (Yakofu)
The branch chief screamed and shouted, pushing the responsibility onto the staff members.
Even at this stage, none of the other staff members spoke up. All of the staff members here are local residences of this village. They are unable to go against the branch chief and the former

the former n.o.ble, Zauru.
「I see. Now then, to preserve evidence this hunter a.s.sociation branch will be temporarily closed.」 (Oofuia)
「I-idiot, do you think you have the authority to do so.」 (Yakofu)
「I do not. However, if I, the head chief of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu』 were to report this to the hunter a.s.sociation in other countries, hunters would stop coming to this village. Would you not be troubled if high ranking hunters stop coming here?」 (Oofuia)
This one remark was deadly sharp.
Of course, this would not only affect the branch chief but also the staff members.
If high ranking hunters stopped coming here, how long before the village is swallowed up by magical beasts.
It was no longer a matter of opposing the branch chief, but rather their families lives would be at risk.
Without being able to sustain their livelihood, the villagers and the village itself would perish.

「B, by the orders of the branch chief, I was told not to keep Kurando’s hunting records.」 (staff member A)
Following the first person’s confession, the others begin to speak up one by one.
「Me too.」 (staff member B)
「I-I also was told to say it was my mistake. I’m sorry.」 (staff member C)

Oofuia did not want to resort to threatening them. For now, the branch chief will be restrained until the headquarter’s staff member’s arrival and any evidence that has been preserved is to be collected.
Aside from the sales of excess magical beast material in connection with local former n.o.bles, there were other false reports that had been summited to the hunter a.s.sociation’s headquarters.
Nothing was left out.
「I don’t know, I don’t know. f.u.c.king b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, you’re setting me up. s.h.i.t, s.h.i.t, s.h.i.t.」 (Yakofu)
The branch chief raised his voice and looked around at the faces of the staff members before trying to run out the back door.
However, the members of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu』 were blocking the exits.
The women jumped out from the side and caught the branch chief, forcing him to the ground.
「No, no, I’m innocent. s.h.i.t, women, let go, I’m being kidnapped, why――」 (Yakofu)

Oofuia breathes out a sigh of relief.
「Arii, I’ll leave the rest to you.」 (Oofuia)
Afterward, Arii and the other members of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu』 left the a.s.sociation building.

――Dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong, dong

A high pitch bell rings throughout the village.
It took Oofuia by surprise.
Immediately, Makushiimu and Iraida noticed it.
「Makushiimu, Iraida, take care of the villagers. I will go command the a.s.sociation’s hunters.」 (Oofuia)
Iraida and Makushiimu nodded and then rushed out the building.

「It’s a monster raid, an Ekusupuroodo (エクスプロード)! As there is no branch chief to take lead, I, Oofuia the head chief of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu』, a Riguserupu (1st-star) will be taking command.」 (Oofuia)

She spoke in a loud and dignified voice to calm the startled staff members.

「Go, contact the village chief and the former n.o.bles. Also, go issue an obligatory request to gather up hunters. If you can, try to enlist the help of the priests.」 (Oofuia)
Upon her orders, the staff members moved in order to protect their village.
Suddenly, Zauru was nowhere to be seen.
Did he run away? However, Oofuia didn’t have any time to spare for him now.

「The monsters are advancing down from the Arerudouria (アレルドゥリア) mountain range like an avalanche. At this rate, the first wave will reach the backreach the back gate in roughly 10 minutes. Their numbers, unknown, but they appear to be ice type troops.」 (gatekeeper)
The gatekeeper who had rushed through the swing door of the a.s.sociation building, while out of breath, he informed them of the situation in a loud voice.

「Send the non-combatants to the front gate and use the magical beast driven carts to evacuate them from the village. Tell the defense corp to gather inside the gate and give them permission to engage in combat. Also, sc.r.a.pe up any bows, stones, and oil you can find.」 (Oofuia)

Inside the a.s.sociation building, it had become quite busy as people are buzzing about.
The hunters began to gather one after the other at the a.s.sociation.
But, it seems not all of the hunters has been gathered as some might have run away.
However, now is not the time to condemn them.

In a loud voice, from behind the counter, Oofuia spoke to the ma.s.s of hunters that are present.
「Silence!」 (Oofuia)
The noise quieted down.
「In place of the absent branch chief, I, Oofuia the head chief of 『Maruuna・Niyuumu』, a Riguserupu (1st-star) will be in command. Alright then.」 (Oofuia)
No one voiced their discontent.
「Presently, a group of 1000 ice type monsters are descending down the Arerudouria (アレルドゥリア) mountain range and are headed for this village.」 (Oofuia)
The hunters became noisy.
「Quite. Those of you who have gathered here, your task is to intercept the group of monsters.」 (Oofuia)
「L-let us run away.」 (hunter A)
Someone said.
Before anyone else could say another word, Oofuia spoke up.
「I must inform you all that the magical beast driven carts have already departed; therefore, desertion is impossible as you won’t be able to catch up with them. As of now, you all have no choice but to fight. Although, worry not, because among us are several high-rank hunters. We have with us Makushiimu・Daaru, Iraida・Baagin, Gurosso・Sureinofu (グロッソ・スレイノフ), and Arubaumu’s (アルバウム) hero, Hayato・Ichihara (ハヤト・イチハラ). Victory is not impossible.」 (Oofuia)
The eyes of 50 or so hunters fall onto Hayato.
Hayato, who had been involuntary nominated as the hunters’ pillar of hope, stood there in silence. Surrounding him are his party members; that guy Erica (エリカ), a girl wearing a school uniform, a dark colored girl with long ears, a maho-shoujo (magical girl) wearing a tapered hat, and a tall tiger tribe beastwoman.
Hayato Ichihara had become very famous on this continent for showing great prowess in combating monsters.
Inside the hunters, a faint light of hope had been lit.

「There is no time to get into contact with the surrounding towns and settlements. At best, we can only hope for reinforcements. We will be protecting this village. If we do not hold them off here, the damage will spread as far as Tansuku (タンスク) and Buruoru (ブルオルダ). In that case, it will affect the families of everyone here. As of now, this is a crucial moment.」 (Oofuia)

And thus, Oofuia and the hunter defense corp & several staff members along with a few volunteers from the village, a total of 200 hundred people must hold and defend the village from an unprecedented calamity, a raid of 『Aisu・Ekusupuroodo』 monsters.

Oofuia cast a fleeting glanced in the direction of the cave on the mountain.
As the ice monsters approached the village, she prayed for everyone’s safety.