That might allow us to call in new heroes, but losing someone we knew was too painful. That had to be avoided at all costs. It sounded like Kizuna was in a pretty weakened state too.

“So before instigating the main operation, we need to do some scouting. We don’t have any time to waste, so I’ll go locate the building where Kizuna is being held. L’Arc, you go and check out the dragon hourglass. Everyone not joining us, avoid being alone. Just pretend to be regular people and scout the region,” I ordered.

“That works. I’ll go and take a look at the dragon hourglass first. Seeing as she doesn’t understand what people are saying, I’ll take a drinking sister along with me,” L’Arc said.

“Oh my! I would rather go with little Naofumi, if possible,” Sadeena said.

“This place is a key position. Sadeena, I really need you to use your sound waves to check out the defenses around the dragon hourglass,” I asked her. I was pretty sure we could escape via portal, but we also didn’t know what might happen. We needed as many options as possible.

“If that’s what you want, little Naofumi, then no problem. You just keep little Raphtalia safe,” she told me.

“I will,” I promised. Then Shildina put up her hand.

“What about me?” she asked.

“You want to get lost that badly?” I asked her. She slumped her head.

“I’ll stick with her!” Filo said cheerfully. She was gripping the morning star that Romina had modified for her—it was now more of a bolas—and looked ready for action. I was willing to bet she could just charge into battle and smash her bolas into the enemies as she passed them. According to Romina, it was now a pretty convenient weapon, able to both be copied as a projectile by Rishia and by Kizuna’s weapon too. Three birds with one stone—now that was good work.

“If anything happens, I will be there,” S’yne said. She stuck a small pin into my armor. She was suited to this, being able to both check out our escape and the enemy terrain. With that, then, L’Arc was going to take Therese, Sadeena, Shildina, Filo, and S’yne and go check out the dragon hourglass.

“We’ll gather information around the taverns and guild,” offered Itsuki, taking Rishia and Ethnobalt along. That left me, Raphtalia, Glass, Chris, and Raph-chan.

Divided up into three parties, we headed into the capital of the enemy nation.