......... Sounds like it'll be easier to take down than you think.

It was dusk, and we were on our way home from the vermilion-tinted coffee shop.
I was talking to Narcena so, a little excitedly.

''Yes. Truly, Zeke and the others were a party of what can only be described as direct adventurers, right?

To my words, Narsena, who is also excited, shows her agreement.
The people around us were looking at us suspiciously, but I knew that Narsena couldn't help but be in that state.

The discussion about defeating the Phoenix, and the final plan that came up there was for me to get the Phoenix's attention while Armia prepared to release her magic.

If I was able to attract their attention, the Phoenix would no longer be the target of an attack on Armia.
Of course, no matter how much I try to attract Phoenix's attention, I can't prevent a fireball from flying into Armia with a stray bullet.
However, according to Sieg, he can use his magic sword to repel stray bullets, if it's just a stray bullet.
Also, in case of emergency, Narsena was to have a special magic shield for the battle against the Phoenix.

With this, even if something unexpected happened during the Phoenix battle, we would be able to get through it.
Because we were able to judge that, Narsena and I could not hide our excitement.

Even if it was just me and Narsena, I believe that defeating the Phoenix was not impossible.
But we couldn't deny that the fight was a gamble.

That's why we couldn't hide our excitement at the improvement in the situation.

But we mustn't let our guard down.

But the situation has improved, and that does not mean that victory is assured.
I remember the time when I defeated Hydra, I had just barely cornered her after a fierce three-hour battle, only to have Surberia be poisoned.
Honestly, super-difficult monsters are an existence that you can't relax, even if you push them to the very edge.
Even in a desperate situation, the existence of Super Difficult Demon Beasts are capable of upsetting the odds.

The only way to avoid such a situation is to prepare for it.

''Let's go shopping.

''Since the defeat of the Phoenix is in a few days, we have to get ready for it now, don't we?

With that thought in mind, I step out in the direction of the city while discussing it with Narsena.
Thinking that I'm going to go buy materials for the defeat of the Phoenix now.

''Wait a minute!''

......... Huh?

Suddenly, it was then that a voice sounded like it was calling us back.

When I turned around, it was Lila, the woman who was the healer of Zeke's party, who was there.
When she came to our side, Lila's breath was so ragged that she couldn't hide it.
For a moment, I wondered if something had happened to her.

'I know I was late in telling you, but thank you so much for getting Aamir back on his feet.

But the next moment, when Laila bowed her head vigorously and told us this, I realized that her fears were misplaced.
It seems that Lyra's reason for coming here in such a hurry was not because of anything, but to tell us these words.
I understood that, and I couldn't help but loosen my cheeks at the sight of Laila's unbelievably righteousness, which is usually unthinkable for an adventurer.
Apparently, Aamir was able to get into a good party this time.

''I couldn't say it in front of Aamir, but Zeke is also grateful to you guys. Thank you so much.


But the next moment, I raised my head and told her, and my expression changed to one of awkwardness as I realized Lyra-san's misunderstanding.
It seems that Laila-san thinks that I was involved in persuading Aamir.
To correct that misunderstanding, I open my mouth with a wry smile on my face.

''I didn't do anything.

No, I don't think so.

...... Huh?

Thank you so much for giving Aamir a chance to make amends.

...... But what Lila said next made me realize that I was the one who was wrong.

I'm sure you've been listening to the story, or perhaps Lila knew what happened between Aamir and Narsena.
It seems that Laila-san knew what had happened between Aamir and Narsena, and that she was grateful to me on top of that.

I understood this from Laila's behavior, but I couldn't hide my confusion.
To be honest, it's not that I didn't blame Armia for wanting something in particular.
So, I'm going to tell Laila that there is no need for her to thank me.

I'm so sorry for what Aamir has done. You may be so happy that you have forgotten what Aamir did to you, but that's not why you are here. But that doesn't take away the past that Aamir hurt you.

But before I could open my mouth, Lyra-san bowed her head to me deeply.

''That sin will be paid for not only by Aamir, but also by us. It's a responsibility that Aamir has to fulfill, and yet it's our responsibility for deciding to let that girl into the party.

With Laila's words, I realized the reason why Armia had changed.
It was my encounter with Laila and how it had changed Aamir.

''And thank you, too. Thank you so much.

The next moment, Lila raised her head, turned to Narsena and smiled at her.

''It's a shameful thing, but we couldn't get Aamir back on his feet. If it wasn't for you, Aamir might have broken down like that.

What, uh-

With a self-mocking smile, Narsena can't hide her confusion at Laila-san speaking so.
Apparently, Narsena didn't expect to be thanked in this way, and she can't hide her surprise.
Laila-san laughed at such Narsena, and in the next moment she bowed her head widely.

So, thank you so much. I'm glad you're here.''

What? Yes!

In response to Lila's words, Narsena nodded with surprise on her face, but still somewhat embarrassed.
At the sight of the two of them, I unknowingly smiled at them.
Apparently, Lila was the least informed person at Zeke's party, and I didn't know what kind of person she was, but in terms of personality, she was someone I could trust.

''I'm sorry to be so abrupt. I really wanted to thank you. Just to add to that, there's nothing wrong with that.

After a bit, Laila raised her head, this time turning to me and apologizing in a punishing manner.
Apparently, Laila-san had noticed that I was upset when she first ran to me.
I opened my mouth to tell Lila that she was apologizing for that and that it was okay to not worry about it.

'No. Don't worry about it.

I didn't mind at all that Lila's actions had misled me.
After all, Laila had come here in a hurry to thank us.
I'm sure that if he hadn't come running, we would have already left this place.
You can't blame them, considering the situation.

'Yes. I'm glad to hear you say that.

As if she understood that feeling from my actions and words, Laila-san told me with a soft smile.
It was in the next moment that Lyra-san made a face as if she remembered something.

''I have to get back to prepare for the defeat of the Phoenix, so I have to get back to .......

Oh, yes. We'll have to get ready too.

Laila's words remind me that we were just before we went to the city too.
And from the way Laila-san is acting, she's hiding the fact that she came to us from Aamir.
I guess we have to return as soon as possible so that Aamir doesn't suspect us.

''I'm sorry I held you back,''

Laila told us and started to go back to where she came from.
But on the way, she turned around and smiled at us.

I'm going to repay my gratitude to you by playing an active role in defeating the Phoenix.

It was filled with an excessive amount of confidence to call it a vow.
I will repay my debt by defeating the Phoenix, because those were words that could only be uttered with an excessive amount of confidence.
After those words, Laila-san, who had left this place at a short run, did not look back.



◇◆◇



A little while after Lyra-san left, Narsena was still staring in the direction Lyra-san had left.
What came to mind in her gaze was pure amazement.

''There are ...... female high-ranking adventurers who are so cool and classy.

In the next moment, the words Narsena announced were filled with emotions that could be described as both admiration and astonishment.
It seems that Narsena's presence in Lila's life was a shock to Narsena.

'...... Lalma-san, such and such!'

'......... Oh, yeah. I think Master is the exception, or rather, the one who shouldn't be put in the human category in the first place.

...... Exactly.

...... but the following words from Narsena made me cringe.
Apparently, Narsena was not so much influenced by Lila's presence as she was poisoned by her master's presence.

'Haha ......'

You got something to say to me? I couldn't help but let out a sigh as the image of my mentor, who was so proud of me, appeared in my mind.
If you've been with him for a long time, you can't help but react like Narcena.
After all, that's what a master is.

But despite the existence of a master, Laila-san would certainly be an excellent person in terms of personality.
In terms of ability, I haven't seen it clearly yet, but since she's a member of Zeke's party, she must be quite good.

While I was thinking this, I began to look forward to defeating the phoenix.
It's not something that can be done lightly, I told myself, but the looseness in my mouth didn't disappear.
Apparently, Narsena has the same feelings as I do.
I realized this when I turned my head to the side, stopped smiling and opened my mouth.

''Well then, shall we go to town too?''

Yes!

The anticipation of defeating the Phoenix, we couldn't hide it as we walked into town: ......