While walking towards the knights, I temporarily stopped to assess the situation. I used binoculars to observe the knights 300 meters ahead. Not only did they not seem to notice me, but the argument between two individuals appeared to be escalating.

Advancing another 50 meters, I noticed Lizlina sitting down on the ground, starting to cry. The person she had been arguing with seemed perplexed, scratching his head. Moreover, people around them gathered, engaging in conversation with Lizlina.

...Wait, what are those people even doing in a place like this?

Approaching within 200 meters, I called out Lizlina's name loudly towards them. A person with a bow noticed my voice and turned towards me.

Lucky! ...But, is it just me, or does that person with the bow seem poised for action?

'Warning! Danger detected at 12 o'clock, potential enemies.'

Hey, isn't that a bit much? I'm the one who helped you all, and you're treating me like this! ...Well, I guess it's only natural. They don't know me except for Lizlina, and at this distance, they can't see clearly.

Ah, that's right. If I get this close, the headset's long-range microphone function should work... I think?

I stopped walking, turned the headset knob with my left hand, and decided to listen to the knights' conversation.

'Waaahhh! El-chan must be here! Only El-chan's attacks come to mind! ...sniffle!?'

'Who could perform such a stunt? And, that person is nowhere to be found!'

Sorry, I'm right here. And your comrade is aiming for my life.

'Um... Vice-Captain, there's someone walking towards us. How should we handle it?'

'What, what kind of person? How many are there?'

Oh, finally, they noticed! Did the person with the bow not convey my presence after all?

'I can't see clearly, but it seems to be one person. They don't seem to be carrying weapons, but they have something like a black rod... They might be a thief pretending to be a civilian.'

'A black stick? Myurina, is that person's hair white!?'

'Well, wait, Lizlina. I don't have magical eyes skill like Keith, so I can't be sure.'

Lizlina, identify me quickly. I might get shot by that person you're talking to!

'Mmm!?'

'Okay, wait, both of you! Myurina, are they truly alone? Can you see anyone else?'

'Yes, I don't see anyone else. I think it's just one person.'

'...It does seem like just one person. Leave the orcs there and let's go meet them!'

'Vice-Captain, they might be dangerous!'

'Azeth, I understand. If that person turns out to be Elaina, as Lizlina says, we would be disrespecting Captain Guell's benefactor. Besides, we are knights, right? We can't be scared by something like this. And what if the person walking is actually a civilian?'

'...Vice-Captain is right.'

'We'll approach cautiously. Keep your weapons sheathed. If they are indeed a civilian, mistaking us for bandits might make them run away. Everyone, let's go meet them!'

Well done, Vice-Captain. You're a person who can make decisive judgments.

''Understood!''

'Ehehehe... It's been a while since I last saw El-chan. I'm looking forward to it.'

'What nonsense are you spouting! We haven't confirmed if that person is Elaina yet! And what about your response?'

'Ah!? I-I forgot! I'm sorry, Vice-Captain Beiger!'

'You really are... I'll make sure to inform Captain Guell about this.'

'Waaaahh!!! You're so mean, Vice-Captain Beigeeeer!'

Lizlina, my condolences. I'll gather up your remains, so please rest assured.

After turning down the volume with the knob on my headset, I started walking towards the knights to meet Lizlina.

"El-chaaaan!!!"

As soon as Lizlina recognized me, she ran towards me, shouting my name, and hugged me.

"Haa... haa... E-El-chan! Haa... I, haa, missed you, haa, y'know..."

"Ms. Lizlina, I appreciate that you're happy to see me, but did you have to sprint here at full speed?"

She was sweating and panting so much while talking that I couldn't quite understand what she was trying to convey. Wait, is Lizlina leaning on me? I feel like I'm supporting her body. No, it's not my imagination!

"Kyuun"

Look, even Lizlina's summoned beast is looking up at her with concern.

I opened the menu, purchased a bottle of sports drink with points, opened it, and handed it to Lizlina.

"Here, Lizlina-san. Have some sports drink."

"Haa... haa... Thank... haa... you... haa... El... haa... chan..."

I didn't really understand what she said, but Lizlina stepped back from me after taking the drink. She began drinking it, still catching her breath.

"Haa... I finally caught up. Hey, Lizlina!! What's the deal with suddenly running like that? Honestly, you're..."

Lizlina, lost in drinking her beverage, didn't seem to hear him, so I decided to greet the person holding two swords near me.

"Um, since the conversation doesn't seem to progress, let me introduce myself first. Nice to meet you, I'm Elaina from the General Guild Adventure Department."

"Hmm? Oh, right. Let's put off scolding her for later. My name is Beiger Dalton, a human, and I serve as the Vice-Captain of the Kingdom of Liedgarm's Second Knight Order."

"I'm Azeth! As you can see, I'm a dwarf from the Knight Order. And this here is my pride and joy, my axe!"

A short guy proudly displayed a long-handled axe. Come to think of it, the guild staff mentioned that dwarves cherish their weapons like their lives.

"My name is Myurina Libias, a beastfolk, specifically a rabbitfolk. I'm Lizlina's peer, though our ages differ."

Oh, I see, so Myurina is Lizlina's peer.

"By any chance, were you able to hear me because of those ears you have?"

Well, there weren't any obstacles around, so it wouldn't be strange if my loud voice was audible from this distance.

"Hehehe, that's right. I'm sorry for aiming my arrow at you earlier. I couldn't hear clearly because of Lizlina's crying."

Ah, I see. My voice was probably drowned out by Lizlina's crying.

"Thank you, El-chan! It was sweet and yummy!"

Lizlina said this while holding up the empty bottle.

She drank the entire bottle?!

"Well, I'm glad you liked it, but now that we've finished the greeting each other with Vice-Captain Beiger and the others, let's get to the main point."

"Huh? When did you finish greeting Vice-Captain Beiger and the others?"

"Just a moment ago. Lizlina, were you just drinking and not listening to the conversation?"

"Uhh!?"

Yeah, she wasn't listening. Her expression shows that.

"Hey, you!"

Beiger looked at Lizlina with furrowed brows, but let's save the reprimands for later please.

"Um... is it okay if we discuss that matter after I finish talking with you?"

I said that, but Vice-Captain Beiger was busy scolding Lizlina, so it seems he didn't hear me.

"Ms. Elaina, when Vice-Captain Beiger becomes like that, it's better to leave him alone."

"Haa... Is that so?"

I look at Beiger, still scolding Lizlina, and Lizlina, who is repeatedly apologizing while sitting on the ground. Yeah, it seems impossible to interrupt.

"By the way, what do you want to talk about? We are open to discussing it if you'd like!"

Well, since they're from the same Knight Order, I don't mind. Besides, I want to save time.

"Yes, I just want to confirm something. When I left Gozess, I didn't receive any information from the General Guild about orc sightings around here. ...Are you perhaps here to investigate orcs?"

The two exchanged glances and then turned towards me.

"We came here as part of our training. So we haven't heard anything about orcs."

So, the Knight Order also hasn't heard about orc sightings...

"Could it be that we were the first to confirm the presence of orcs here?"

"Seems like it!"

"Wait a minute!!"

Myurina looked at me, as if wanting to say something.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"We also have something we need to confirm with you."

"If it doesn't take too long, I'll listen."

I want to collect the orcs I defeated quickly and head to the capital.

"Alright. Did you really help us? Is it true that you're the one who defeated the orc?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Myurina looked away, placed her hand on her chin, mumbled something under her breath, and then turned back towards me.

"It's unbelievable, but you're the one who helped us. What kind of magic did you use? Is that paan sound related to that magic?"

She thinks I used magic to defeat the orc. In reality, I just sniped it with my SVU.

"sniff! It wasn't magic, Myurina... sniff! El-chan defeated the orc with a weapon called a 'ghunn'... sniff! It's that black rod El-chan is holding ...sniff!"

A teary-eyed Lizlina explained in my place. By the way, I didn't notice when the scolding had quietly come to an end.

"Wait, so this is the weapon that Captain Guel was talking about?"

"Yes... sniff! It looks different from what I saw, but it's the same thing, right, El-chan? ...sniff!"

"Yes, that's correct. However, this time, I used a different gun since I was shooting from a distance."

I'd like to explain in more detail, but we're short on time, let's keep it simple.

Beiger stepped forward and looked straight into my face with a dignified expression.

"Ms. Elaina, thank you for saving us. We owe our lives to you. I apologize for this delayed gratitude."

"Oh, well, um, you know, no need for thanks or anything! I-I didn't really do anything!"

I can feel my face... my face is burniiiing...!!?

"No, this is not in my position as Vice-Captain. It's a sincere expression of gratitude from me personally."

"Awawawa..."

Overwhelmed with embarrassment, I covered my face with my hands, sat down like a little girl on the spot, and started squirming while twisting my body left and right.

"Ms. Elaina, what on earth is going on with you?"

"Vice-Captain Beiger, please leave it at that."

"Lizlina! What on earth happened to her exactly?"

"El-chan is extremely shy. Because of your words of gratitude, she ended up like this. Didn't I tell you about this, Vice-Captain?"

Lizlina spoke to the Vice-Captain with a bewildered expression.

".... a-and, about this... I n-need to r-report to the g-guild... I m-must..."

"O-Okay."

The words weren't coming out smoothly. I shake my head... Focus!

"Um, let's go and retrieve those orcs... a-and head to the capital. What about the horses?"

"We didn't bring them as part of the training."

Hmmm, that's a problem. They didn't bring horses... Well, I guess I'll have to use the Humvee.

I bring up the menu and summon the Humvee 1151 again, getting in it first.

"Let's head to the capital for the time being. Mr. Beiger and the others, please get in."

Looking at Beiger and the others, they were frozen with surprised expressions.

Well, it's not surprising that they would be amazed by this.

"W-What is this!?"

"It's a vehicle. Please get in quickly. Also, keep this vehicle a secret. No matter what."

"I-I understand! However, is it okay for this vehicle not to be pulled by horses?"

"It's okay."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"It's not a lie, right?"

"It's not."

"It's safe, right?"

"...Yes."

Ugh, this Vice-Captain doesn't listen!!

"Vice-Captain Beiger, let's do as El-chan says. We need to hurry, or the orcs El-chan defeated might get eaten by wolves."

Nice one, Lizlina!

"Uhh!? Alright."

Beiger, seeming like he wants to say something, and Azeth, who is excited like a child, sit in the back seats. Myurina takes the gunner seat and starts looking around for some reason. And Lizlina sits in the front passenger seat, giving me an expectant look.

"Everyone's on board. Let's go then."

After saying that, I start the engine and set the Humvee 1151 in motion.