There is almost no natural rainfall in the southern continent.
　Only those who have become close friends with the elves will know this, and no one else.
　It's safe to say that no one who has seen this lush forest and witnessed the actual rainfall would believe it.
　Everything is just managed by the elves and magically made to rain.

　Therefore, during the restoration of the village, there were no interruptions due to rain, and the work proceeded without delay.
　Thanks to the swift work of the elves who were skilled in magic, the village regained its functions within a few days.
　The buildings and landscape still lacked a sense of life.
　However, it was still a familiar village that I remembered, and it filled me with nostalgia.

As planned, the Kingdom of Euresia will be visited by Garde Obec, who is accustomed to the land of humans, and Rigel Alstroemeria, Fiehl's brother, as a symbol of friendship.

　Vio announced in front of the elves gathered in the square, and Garde and Rigel came in front of me.
　I was reassured by the choice of two people who were familiar with humans.
　However, in the long history of the elves, this must be the first time that high elves have been sent to the northern continent, except for those who left their villages on their own, such as Phiel.

Are you sure you want to send a High Elf?

Wouldn't that be a symbol of friendship? Besides, if Phiel goes to Euresia, Rigel will miss him.

　When Vio looked at Rigel with a teasing look, Rigel blushed and shook his head.

That's why I'm asking you to take care of these two.

"Yeah, we've got company on the ship, so Neya and I will take you there.

　The Elves' ship would be conspicuous in the northern continent, so we'll have them take the pirate ship.
　A large number of elves saw them off, but there was no sign of Phiel and Celetia.
　They are still working on their magic, trying to make the most of the little time they have.
　But after I send them off, I have to train Neya too.

"Master Walth, are you really thinking about defeating the raging dragon Era?

What are you trying to say?　That doesn't sound like Neya.

　As soon as we left the village, a very serious-looking Neya asked me in a voice that Garde and Rigel could not hear.

To be honest, I'm afraid all of you will be a liability, except for Master Walth. In particular, it would be completely out of place for me to be in the defeating party.

　I'm not sure if it's because I've seen Celestia's rapid growth and Pheuel's original sense of magic up close and personal, and I've felt the limitations of a fighting style that relies solely on the body, or if I'm just genuinely worried about defeating Era. I'm not sure.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. And even if I take them with me, I won't ask them to do the same things I do. I'm just asking you to do what you can do. How far you can raise the level of what you can do depends on Neya's effort. I have high hopes for Neyer's motivation, though.

　I look at Neya to see if I've put a little too much pressure on her.
　Neya betrays my expectations in a good way, and the mysterious expression on her face changes into a cheerful one.

I feel like punching myself in the face for not realizing that she was expecting so much from me. I'm going to put all my energy into this Neya Fromage and train it until it becomes the strength you expect.

"Well said, ....... I'm counting on you.

　The level of enthusiasm is a bit too much for me, but I can't help but think it's a good thing that the training is worthwhile.
　If they are this motivated, I am sure they will follow me to the end even if I make it a little harder.

With this group, we should be able to get to the coast in a day or two, so let's speed things up.

　Neya also decided that it would be better to start training as soon as possible, so she increased her speed, but Neya, Garde, and Rigel followed her without changing their color.
　The distance we had walked for several days to get to Celestia had shrunk as if it were a lie, and by evening we had reached the coast.

　There, she saw the boat she had come in, another boat, and Benetnash and Fekda.

Welcome back. Master Walth, Master Neya.

Your timing is always good. ---- Neya again?

No, it's just a coincidence. I crossed this morning and was going to wait for your return.

　Benettonash says it like it's nothing, but his sense of timing and quickness is always frightening.

And who are the two men behind you?

　Benetnash gives a stern look to Garde and Rigel, who are behind me.
　I took this to mean that he was looking at them this way not because they were strangers or elves, but because they were men. Maybe that's it.

　When I told him that Garud was an elf with excellent magic and swordsmanship and that Rigel was Fiehl's brother, Benetnash's attitude immediately changed.

I see, so you are our guests.

"They were sent as a symbol of friendship, so be polite. I would like to ask Benetnash to teach them magic in the Kingdom of Euresia.

I'm at your service.

And don't let the pirates know that the elves are our guests. They probably don't know we're from the Kingdom of Euresia, but try to keep our relationship to the outside world. Garud and Rigel should be aware of this as well.

I don't mind.

That's fine with me. I'm fine with that, too. Master Veer has asked me to keep our relationship private.

When you get there, you might want to cover your ears with a hood, like Pheuel did.

　Elves are generally reluctant to cover their ears.
　Elves don't like to cover their ears because it's tantamount to hurting their pride.
　Still, there were no complaints from either of them about covering their ears this time.
　It is clear that they are very conscious about the assignment given to them by Vio.

"Neya-sama, then we will take our leave.

　Benetnash, who had boarded the boat, looked respectfully at Neya.

"Benetnash, Fekda, give my regards to the others. I'm going to hell for my training. I'm not sure if I'll make it back.

"Hell training: ......

　Instantly, as if he noticed something, Benetnash stared at me and bowed his head, asking me to take care of Neya.
　I can feel the pressure to return her safely now that I've asked.
　Neya didn't say it, but I'm guessing she was referring to the defeat of Era.


　I don't want to think you're serious about my training.

I know. I'll get you home safe. I'll take care of the Kingdom of Euresia. This is also an order from Celestia.

"Yes, sir.

　The boat that Fekda began to row was rocked by the waves as it slowly made its way towards the pirate ship, gradually becoming smaller and smaller.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to have to.

Let's go. I have more time than I know what to do with.

"So be it. Let the hellish training begin.