"Strange, at this point, why would the master be surprised to see the Temple of Poseidon? Didn't we receive their challenge letter earlier? Look, it's still there, stuck in the wall." Eldew looked at me strangely and pointed to the blue trident that the Hero Party had thrown over three days ago, still embedded in the wall on the other end.

"Huh? That's just a weapon, there's no message attached to it. How can I get more information so that I can be prepared and not be surprised by anything?" I showed an even more puzzled expression than Eldew.

"Master is truly foolish. Even I can see through the details of the Hero Party from that thing," Meruvie interjected. She had quite a smug expression on her face. Could it be that she still held a grudge against me for hitting her on the head earlier?

"Uh, you, you little... you're not allowed to touch my face, let me finish..." From Meruvie's words, it was easy to guess what I was about to do.

How could I let you finish? Being arrogantly reprimanded by someone as small as you, as the master, wouldn't my dignity be blown away?

From then on, all Meruvie could emit were sounds like "yie...yie...ya...ya..."

"So, what can we see from that trident?" I humbly asked Eldew.

"That trident. It is entirely blue, and there are crown-like patterns on the handle and spearhead. With such obvious features, it indicates that it's Poseidon's trident."

"Huh? Is that true? Poseidon's trident is a weapon of divine artifact level, isn't it?"

I couldn't help but exclaim.

To think that a divine artifact was used as a challenge, how grand could this Hero Party be? Furthermore, what surprised me even more was that there was such a divine artifact hanging on the wall for three days, yet Eldew, who loved money, hadn't taken it down to sell?

"Of course, it's definitely not the original, just a replica," Eldew said with a contemptuous look flashing across her face.

Of course, it must be a replica. I was really scared for a moment.

This was Eldew we're talking about. If there really was a divine artifact hanging on the wall, how could she not take it?

Speaking of which, this Hero Party was unexpectedly a bit petty. They made such a big fuss about the challenge, but in reality, they used replica divine artifacts.

How embarrassing, my face would probably turn red if I were in their shoes.

"And, on that trident, there was a small flag hanging at the beginning, with their Hero Party emblem printed on it..."

"Huh? There was a flag? Why didn't I see it?"

I observed the trident carefully again, but I couldn't see what Eldew was talking about.

"Actually, that flag was blown away by the wind in less than five minutes. If I hadn't happened to be buying ingredients at that time, I wouldn't have been able to witness that scene. After all, the autumn wind blows hard."

"Huh? So that flag was their challenge letter? Blown away by the wind in less than five minutes. Hahaha, what were they doing? Are they all fools?"

Suddenly, the immense pressure I had felt from seeing the Moving Temple diminished. This Hero Party seemed like complete idiots. How strong could they be? They were probably just a group of lucky fish who happened to form a Hero Party, and this Moving Temple was probably just a coincidence for them.

"If I didn't see it wrong at that time, the emblem of this Hero Party is mainly composed of wave patterns. So, combining all the information available, it's not hard to guess the identity of this Hero Party," Eldew continued.

"Hahaha, they're just some unknown fish, really lucky that you know about them," I said relaxedly, unable to stop laughing.

Although I had been defeated by the unknown Hero Party twenty-nine times before, it was only because I hadn't shown my true strength, or maybe my stomach was slightly cramping that day. If I put in a little effort today, I might even be able to send their base's cartwheel flying.

"Symbolized by Poseidon's trident, with the Temple of the Sea God as a Moving Temple, and wave patterns as the main emblem. The upcoming Hero Party should belong to the Third Elf Church within the Holy Komya Empire. They are ranked third in the Komya Hero Party and ranked eighty-seventh on the continent, known as 'The Companions of the Sea God'.""Hahahaha, ha? Uh, ahem... cough cough cough... cough cough cough cough!!!" I almost choked to death on my own saliva. As a sea monster and the Sea King, it was almost as if I died from my own saliva!

"What, what? The eighty-seventh? A two-digit number for a hero's group?" I shouted in disbelief.

What is going on here? How could the top heroes from the mainland attack my small town, The City of Moria? I thought the relationship between the Holy Komia Empire and our West Aflandu was not good. Why did they send a team of human-shaped monsters?

Please spare me! It seems that they have brought the Temple of Movement with them. They are fully determined to conquer The City of Moria.

"However, this ranking is from three months ago. I heard that recently, the servants of the Sea God underwent personnel changes. The old members have almost all retired, and only a few newcomers remain in the group. In fact, they haven't even reached the maximum number of members, only four."

Perhaps seeing my panic and the urge to jump off the city walls, or perhaps just narrating the situation, Eldew added.

Retired? Newcomers?

My anxious heart began to calm down.

So, it's just a few rookies who recently joined the hero's group who want to try their luck here.

That's right, this is the perfect place for rookies to test themselves. After all, I am weak... oh no, I mean, I am a lover of peace and dislike violence. Every move I make is filled with gentleness and elegance. Even if they arrogantly attack my city, I usually only use less than 30% of my strength to spar with them.

However, rookie heroes? They are even cuter than small fry heroes. There is nothing simpler than deceiving naive humans with sweet words.

Thinking of this, an uncontrollable smile appeared again.

"Hahahaha..."

"But among the four current members, there seems to be someone resembling the Holy Sword Hero."

...

I choked again.

"Can you just finish your sentence in one breath, you damn punk!" I couldn't help but shout in anger and frustration.

If it wasn't for the fact that I couldn't even pay salaries, I would definitely deduct Eldew's pay!

My inner emotions were swinging like a pendulum. Sometimes soaring high, sometimes falling to my knees.

Ordinary heroes and Holy Sword Heroes are like two completely different species.

Not to mention, in the entire continent we live in, there are only four Holy Swords...