Yes, let's actively search.

"So, does anyone here know where the True Chaos… that person is? I heard something about a prayer room, but…"

"Ah. I might know something about that."

An adventurer raised his hand. Apparently, he'd spotted the True Chaos God heading toward the prayer room.

"By the way, what does the target look like?"

"Ah. She's a young woman, late teens or so. Blonde hair and red eyes."

What! A young woman!? C-could I perhaps have a little taste before offering her as a sacrifice to the Goddess— wait, hold on. That thought just now was totally something a bandit's lackey would think. Ahem. Let me get myself together…

"Can someone that young really serve as a queen?"

"Her alchemy skills are top-notch, ya know. She can fix a completely destroyed golem just by tapping on it."

"She might be even better than the previous Chaos God. Dunno for sure though."

"Made me think she ain't callin' herself 'True' for nothin'."

"Hah? Our Chaos God-san is obviously superior. What 'True Chaos God.' I'll marry that woman off to a pig and rename her the Newlywed Pig God."

"Hey, you guys. Don't speak that forbidden name aloud, and definitely don't praise her. The Goddess is getting angry."

What even is a Newlywed Pig God? If you're gonna give her to a pig, give her to me instead.

"Nya, then let's go raid the prayer room right away, nya!"

"Wait, who even are you? Now that I look closely, I don't recognize your face."

"Yeah, really. Didn't notice, but who are you?"

"Oh, I'm the A-rank adventurer Misha, nya! If there's no one else A-rank or above, I'll be taking charge, nya!!"

"What are you talking about? Blade's the one in charge!"

"Yeah, that's right! Blade's such a good guy he even mended the holes in my socks. Can you do something like that!?"

"As if we'd trust some stranger we just met! It'd be different if Blade vouched for you!"

What even is the deal with Blade-senpai? His trust rating is off the charts.

"Ah, well, hold on. She's actually a genuine A-rank, Misha 'the Gale.' Well, I'm not sure about her commanding, but she's definitely a valuable asset."

"Hah? Are you underestimating me, nya?"

"Alright, alright. Then Misha's the general and I'm the strategist, okay? Leave all the tedious commanding to me. When we need raw muscle, I'd like you to exercise your authority as general."

"Very well! Leave it to me, nya!"

Hmm, as expected of Senpai. He's got Misha wrapped around his little finger.

The other adventurers were on board too, nodding with "If Blade says so."

"Alright! First, let's try tracking where she went toward the prayer room. No point in everyone going, so a small group will head in. The rest of you, gather information… If the queen comes back, stall her. If she tries to flee, capture her."

Oh right. There's always the chance she comes back on her own.

… Goddess, can't we just wait here for the culprit to return?

"Did I not say you have three days? Do you really think she'll conveniently waltz back by then?"

Yes ma'am. We'll actively search for her.

 

*

 

And so, our prayer room expedition set off with eight people: me, Misha, Blade-senpai, and five adventurers including the guide.

The chosen adventurers all excelled at exploration. Sekko-senpai was among them. They topped out at C-rank, maybe B-rank, so there were limits to what they could do, but extra hands never hurt.

"Here. She was walking down this road."

"What time?"

"Around noon yesterday."

Apparently she'd been walking while holding a crystal ball, peering into it as she went.

"Let's just follow the road for now."

Here's hoping we can reach the prayer room this easily. With that in mind, we pressed onward.

Proceeding along the inside of castle walls still under reconstruction, we seemed to be heading toward the center of town.

"If we're thinking simply, the prayer room would be at the center of town… maybe?"

"Placing important locations at the center and protecting them with walls. That might've been the original design of this town."

After walking for a while, we came across a tunnel. It was slightly inclined, descending underground.

"In here? Just in case, have two people scout the surrounding area. The rest will head inside. Sekko, I'm counting on you."

"Got it. Alright, Mahat. You're with me."

Leaving Sekko-senpai and one adventurer behind, we ventured into the tunnel.

As we walked through the single-path tunnel with its vaguely futuristic feel, we came upon a small room with a lizardman inside.

Half its head was encased in some kind of metallic mechanical device.

The moment our eyes met, it lunged at us, only for Misha to grab it by the scruff and slam it to the ground.

Though neutralized in an instant, the lizardman kept hissing and gasping, still showing the will to resist. There wasn't a shred of reason behind those eyes.

"Hey, this ain't a lizard beastkin or demi-human, nya. It's a dungeon monster lizardman, nya."

Dungeon monsters don't need to reproduce, so they sometimes lack the organs for it.

Some have them, some don't. But if they don't, it's definitely a dungeon monster. Or so I'm told.

"… Huh? Then maybe this place is… a dungeon?"

"Even so, what's with this thing on its head? What even is this?"

Good question. A modified lizardman?

Taking another look around, the walls were unmistakably mechanical, giving off the vibe of those late-game dungeons in a certain Final-esque Fantasy.

… Come to think of it, the Chaos God was the Last Boss, huh. Though I beat her first.