According to the information we have received in advance, we have received a report of an outbreak of <> in the far west of the country.

"The information came from a gentile country called Mitsuho, which is located further out in the Harihari Desert. He said to be careful."

Yes.

Erza wants to say that Jin has already solved that problem, but she can't.

"There is one more thing, but it was not mentioned in the pigeon mail.

The pigeon messenger is fast, but its disadvantage is that it can only carry a very limited amount of weight, so the amount of information it carries is limited.

"I heard that an envoy with this detailed information is coming this afternoon.

As they are talking, the butler announces the arrival of a visitor. Speak of the devil and he will come.

I'm on my way. I'm on my way. ...... Elsa, see you later.

"......"

The remaining Erza looked a little difficult and was thinking about something.

"Oh!"

Then, unusually, she hears Moritz's voice.

"Brother, what's going on?

Unexpectedly, Elsa also went to the direction from where she heard the voice, towards the front door, and her eyes widened.

"Brother?"

There stood her second brother Fritz.

"Brother, it's been a long time. Elsa is here too. ...... where's Jin-dono?

Just me this time. Back home.

I see. ...... brother, I have an urgent message.

Oh, yeah, sure. Come inside.

The three siblings went to Moritz's office.

"Is it okay if I stay?"

Elsa asked, just in case she was technically an outsider, but Fritz laughed and answered, "Yeah.

"Yes. I would be very grateful for your opinion.

"What the hell is wrong with you?　<?"

I heard that the problem has been solved.

Reuthert was the first to receive such information.

"...... Elsa knows anything about this?"

"......"

Elsa wonders for a moment if she should say that she was there when Jin exterminated the .

But Fritz seems to take her silence as an affirmation.

I understand. If you don't want to say it, don't say it. I'm not at all ...... what my sister's son-in-law is ......."

I didn't know what he meant by that. Fritz started another conversation.

"Brother, here's another story."

Fritz was a man who called people <>> in public and in the presence of others, but when it was just the family he called them <>>. By the way, he only calls his mother Marlene <>.

"Yes, let's hear it."

"We've received word that a band of vicious thieves have entered our lands. They came to Randall's territory with a few of my men.

The other men were sent to Banne, in the heart of Randall's territory.

"I came here because I wanted to say hello to your mother.

Fritz laughed and said he was allowed that kind of discretion.

"The bandits?"

"Yes, that's right. Rich merchants or thieves who are willing to break into the homes of lords, village chiefs and mayors and hurt people.

"...... scary."

"Indeed. The problem is that they don't care if there are guards on duty.

Are people being attacked even if they have security guards?

......, yes. They are very good at what they do.

Moritz nodded, his face turning slightly pale.

"Okay. Let's reinforce the security.

But Erza stops him.

"Wait, brother."

What's wrong?

I don't know what to think of this band of thieves. They're not normal.

Yes, they are.

Maybe we can't handle them alone.

With these words, Mauritz and Fritz realized what their sister-in-law was trying to say.

"Elsa, are you saying that the bandits are using golems?"

"Yes.

"Indeed. ......"

Moritz ponders.

"I don't think our finances can afford to buy a golem right now. ......"

Elsa saw her brother's condition and said,

"Brother, Edgar is here."

She said.

"Edgar. ......"

She felt that she could not rely on him much considering his slender boyish figure.

Erza thought it was understandable to see her brother in such a state of uncertainty.

It is true that Edgar is not as good as Golem, the automata of Horai Island created by Reiko and Jin, but Edgar is also an automata created with the highest level of technology using rare materials.

Despite their appearance, they are capable.

However, Erza did not say such a promotional thing, but only said.

"Don't worry, I got it."

"...... is that so?"

"Well, Reinhardt's got his black knight (Schwarzlitter) and his neon lights."

Fritz looks a little worried.

"Well, I'll be with you for a while, don't worry.

Fritz said cheerfully and got up to greet his parents.

"But... a band of thieves..."

We have just finished collecting the fall taxes, so we certainly have things.

However, the tax in Randall's territory is on wheat and other .

It would take more than 20 men to transport them.

"I suppose we can assume that there is a golem in that sense as well."

"Still, it would be difficult to sneak that much stuff out, I think."

"That's true. The means of transportation. But there doesn't seem to be any information on that.

"...... empty?"

What?

If we could fly in a hot air balloon or something, it might be possible.

"Hmm. ......"

The principle of a hot air balloon itself is simple. Just make a strong, airtight bag, point the mouth downwards, and hang a gondola for people to ride on.

Then, heat the air by a fire under the bag, and fill the bag with the warmed air. If the buoyancy exceeds the weight of the bag, it will float.

It is not surprising that someone has created it.

"Let's increase the security."

Moritz sat up.

"......"

Elsa returns to her room.

She took a small breath as she entered her old room, which still had the furniture from her daughter's time.

Then she sits down on her bed and activates the communication function of her <>.

For a while after that, Elsa had a conversation with the old man.

Fortunately, the night passed uneventfully.