“And how do you plan to do that?” Lucille asked. “Do you want to turn the streets of Red Mount into a warzone?”

“Yes,” Belmont said. “Better the streets than your homes. A city can be rebuilt, but people cannot.”

The council exchanged a glance. Lucille raised her hand and a shimmering blue dome formed over them, blocking the Happy Sunflowers from hearing what they were talking about.

After several minutes of what appeared to be intense debate, Lucille allowed the dome to fade. She didn’t look happy, but the other council members were determined.

“We aren’t in a position to refuse help, no matter who is offering it. However, we need some degree of proof of your competence. Do you even know how to fight against these monsters? Or are you simply seeking fame without the ability to back it up?”

“I think we can answer that,” Arek said, glancing at Malissa.

She gave him a grim smile and pulled out the large chunk of meat that they’d carved from the Wyrm. Arek nodded at the monster’s horns, which were still sticking out of the corners of his bag.

“We fought one of them on our way up,” Arek said. “It was annoying, but we didn’t have any serious difficulties. I don’t think we’d have much of a chance in a head to head fight against the boss monster, but we should be able to at least stem some of the rabble.”

Rovin rose from his chair, ignoring the protests of the guards as he walked over to the party. He inspected their prizes for a few moments, then gave a curt nod.

“This is a Wyrm,” he agreed. “They’re one of the more troublesome monsters in the dungeon, although the Wyverns are worse. If you can help us handle these, we’ll have a better chance of holding off until the B ranked team gets here.”

“Then we have no time to waste,” Belmont said. “We need to bring all the food towards the center of the city and begin setting up a perimeter to defend. Anyone who can fight needs to start setting up traps in the streets, and everyone must be informed that we are no longer safe outside our defenses.”

“We’ve already got a lot of that in place,” Valea said. “The city stores its grain in an underground silo directly, and there are runes that can make a barrier around the center of town. It’s not going to hold against a horde, though.”

“That’s good at least,” Belmont said, rubbing his chin. “Do you have a way to get everyone to the center of the city without causing a stampede? Will the barrier protect everyone?”

“It’s rather large,” Rovin said. “It was meant to withstand a siege from a guild for a few days, and everyone can fit in it. It won’t be comfortable, but we’ll fit.”

Despite the situation, Arek had to hide a smirk. Belmont was completely in his element, and the complete confidence the man exuded had already started to get the council to hang onto his word.

“Right. You do that. Keep soldiers posted on the walls and let them pick off any monsters they can from afar, but don’t engage in melee combat. We can’t afford to lose any lives at this stage. My group will start setting up traps along the outer edges of the town. When the monsters overflow and attack the town, we’ll try to route them in the streets as best as we can while falling back.”

“You’re going to stay outside of the barrier?” Rovin asked, his eyes widening. “I can’t ask my guards to do that. It’s suicide.”

“We’re already dead,” Belmont replied. “Unless your barrier can last for a week?”

Rovin grimaced. “Four days, maybe. Probably not even that.”

“Then we have no choice. You can tell them, of course. We can’t afford deserters during the fight.”

“And if none of them volunteer?”

“Then we’ll hold the walls as best as we can,” Malissa said, stepping forward before Belmont could respond. “We might be able to distract them for a little while, but you’ll probably all die shortly after we do.”

Rovin swallowed. He gave them a curt nod.

“I’ll do what I can. Please remain here for the next few hours. I can mobilize the city quickly, but you lot running around setting up defenses will only instill panic.”

“Just make it quick,” Belmont said as the four of them sat down a short distance away from the council. Rovin started barking out orders to the guards as the other two members headed outside, presumably to start rallying the citizens.

Arek let out a chuckle. “It seems like we really can’t avoid getting into trouble no matter where we go.”

“Except this time, we can’t afford to run away,” Belmont said, his hands clenched.

“Don’t worry, Belmont,” Ming said. “We’ll save the town. Their soup is too tasty for them to die.”

Belmont nodded absentmindedly. Arek wasn’t certain he’d even heard the words that Ming had said.

“While we wait, maybe you could tell us what Magus’ letter said?” Arek offered, trying to lighten the mood. When he saw Malissa’s grimace, he realized he’d made the wrong call.

Belmont nodded before Arek could retract his statement. “That’s a good idea,” Belmont said. “Perhaps he’s discovered something about that Howler guild.”

“It really isn’t good news.” Malissa sighed and pulled out the letter. “Magus has been ordered to drop the investigation against the woman that attacked you.”

“What?” Belmont exclaimed. “Why?”

“Let me finish,” Malissa grumbled. She lowered her voice. “He said that he ignored the orders and continued the investigation anyways. Her first name is Lynn, and she works for the Howler guild. The Howlers have apparently taken over the majority of Riverfall with almost no bloodshed. They bought out every merchant in the city, but the Adventurer’s guild doesn’t care since they pay their taxes and it’s not technically illegal to buy everything.”