The imperial city of Zebrudia is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, including the surrounding countries.
The streets are well-developed and lined with streetlights. There are many people, and with the exception of a few areas such as the Decadent City District, there is no difficulty in seeing even at night. Because there are many rough hunters, patrols by the Knights are relatively frequent.

However, once you step outside the walls surrounding the Imperial City, it is a world of the weak and the strong, no different from any other country.

There is no artificial light, and demons appear not infrequently. There are times when phantoms leak out, as in the previous episode of White Wolf's Lair, and there are times when we are attacked by human bandits.
Even so, the roads leading to the Imperial Capital are better maintained than those in other cities, which is truly frightening.

As I left the gates of the imperial capital, in the slow-moving carriage, I immediately felt the first regret of my vacation.

Outside the gates, there was true darkness. Thick clouds spread across the sky, hiding the moon.
At the very least, we should have left in the morning. This time was different from the time of the [White Wolf's Den] or the time when I was accompanying Liz. I want to beat myself up for leaving at night when I had the right to make the decision a few hours ago.

In the first place, as a common sense for hunters, it is recommended to take action in the morning unless there is a reason not to. The reason is that many demons and illusions are night-sighted.
I'm sure Liz, Sitri, and Eva know this, but they wanted me to check for them at least once.
If they had, I would have changed the departure time to the morning. ...... Maybe Liz and Sitri are night visionary and didn't mind, and it's completely my fault, but don't you think they trust me too much?

It had been a long time since I had ridden in a carriage, as I rarely left the Imperial Capital or even the Clan House.
I felt a certain nostalgia for the unique vibration that was transmitted to my whole body.

Treasure hunters often start using carriages when they have some money to spare. The main purpose of the carriage is not for transportation, but to carry the items they have acquired, but the hunter's income jumps when they become skilled enough to use and protect the carriage.
The Ghost of Sorrows also used a carriage. Anthem was too big to fit in the carriage, and Liz and Luke ran outside, so it was only me (and sometimes Lucia) who rode in the carriage, but now that I think back on it, I think it was fun.

Although the ongoing shouting matches are out, the dangerous adventures of the past are good memories.

The box-shaped carriage Eva prepared for us was a medium-sized one.
It was probably intended to be used by hunters, and although it was not large enough to sleep with legs stretched out, it was sturdy and had a guard seat on top of the carriage. The carriage is equipped with a suspension system to reduce vibration.
There is not enough room for the whole party in the carriage, considering the location of the luggage, but that is what a carriage is for hunters.

While I was feeling sorry for myself, the carriage continued to move forward, and the view from the windows on either side changed from dark to dark.
It's very different without lights. How could White and Black, who were sitting on the gallows, drive the carriage in this darkness?
Am I the only one who can't see at night this time? ...... I've already charged the Owl's Eye, but now is not the time to use it.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

'Why aren't you running today, Lisa? You're always running. ......'

'Oh? You'd touch me if I left you alone with Crye. I won't let you.

'............ I'm a little nervous with just White, Black and Chiro, so I want you to run outside. ......'

'I'm the one who's worried! You're always the one in charge, so why are you inside today?

'Because it's also a trial run for ...... White and Black.'

In the darkness, Liz and Sitri are arguing with each other, their eyes shining brightly.

In the corner, Tino, who had been dragged by Liz as if he were kidnapped, was holding his knees, looking just like me. I wondered if the masked incident was still lingering, or if it was a countermeasure against Liz Sitri.
Except for the initial greeting and the opening apology, Tino was like that the whole time. I miss our conversations, but it's hard to talk to him when he rejects me like this.

It was a relief at least that the three men hired by Citri were at the guard's table and the guard's seat and could not be seen. However, seeing this scene, no one would think that we were going on a vacation.
If it hadn't been at night, I would have been a little more excited. .......

'Mr. Cry, which route do you want to take?

Sitri places a bottle of light next to the map he has spread out. A vague, minimal light illuminated the map.

There were a number of handwritten inscriptions on the map, which showed the imperial capital and the surrounding areas.
The purpose of this trip was to buy time, take a vacation, and pick up Luke and the others. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

'Do you have any opinions?

'I'll follow you, Cry-chan.'

Lyss replied immediately, and Sitri nodded with a smile. It's been like that ever since I became a hunter.
I'm sure I've been in a lot of trouble because of my mismanagement, but I'm not sure if I'm too mentally strong or if I should be happy that they trust me. .......

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'I'm going to ...... follow you to the Murata .......'

'I'm sorry, Tee's kind of lost his confidence!

'Yeah, yeah, that happens sometimes. ......'

But Liz's words were gentler than usual.

Lately, I haven't been able to show Tino my best side at all. In order not to be abandoned, I have to show him that I can do it when I have to.
I raised my arm and stretched out my finger, and made a large circle around the area between the Imperial Capital and the [Castle of the Demons].

'At any rate, we can't go through here.

'Yes. You can't go through this,......, and may I ask why?'

'...... I have a hunch. Let's not take a step inside.'

The enclosed area is the Earldom of Gladys.
I'm not brilliant, but I have experience. There's no room for error in this "thousand changes". I had trouble with Miss Eclair, so I checked the location of the estate.

I don't think anything will happen if you just pass through for a while, but I've even received a request. I haven't received it yet, but it is said to stay away from danger.
Even if you don't approach him, you will be in danger. I don't even want to think about what will happen if I get close.

Citri smiled warmly at me, not even bothering to give me any logical reasoning. It's soothing.

If you don't take a step into Gladys territory, you'll have to take a long detour to get to the treasure house.


'All right, sir. So do you want to cross the northern mountains or go through the western forest--mountains and forests, huh? ...... Tee-chan, just for reference, which do you prefer, the Thunder Dragon or the Lost Giant Demon (Pote Drakos)?

'......?

Tino looked up and for some reason looked at me instead of Sitri. I'm not sure why, but I'm sure it's because I've never seen anything like it.
I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not. I've never heard of the Pote Dracos, but I'm sure they're dangerous enough to stun Tino.

'No, I'm not getting it!

Naturally, he denied it.
First of all, thunder dragons rarely appear. I've heard that they live in the mountains, and I've actually encountered one, but they're rare among dragon species, and their numbers are even smaller than their danger level, so it's impossible to meet them even if you wanted to.
As for the latter - I don't even know its name because I've never heard of it before, but since I don't know much about dangerous monsters that can be encountered in the forest, the probability of encountering it must not be high.

I think it's a logical, sensible, and reasonable idea. Citri is worrying too much.


Liz's cheeks puffed out at her sister's words, and she folded her arms in front of her chest to argue.

'Sito? There's no way I'm going to answer that, is there? I'm not sure what to do. Stop making random predictions!

I told you, nothing will come out!
I'm sure that Citry and Liz are on my side, but they don't seem to trust me.

I'm not sure what's wrong with trying to understand Kry's thoughts even a little bit. It's still a low hit rate, but I think it's a reasonable lineup. ...... Are you out of luck, Mr. Cry?

No. Definitely, nothing. This is not an adventure, it's a vacation! But if you insist, I'll--I'll make sure of it.

Without answering Citri's excited look at me, I slide my finger down the map.

'Aside from the mountain range that we have to cross, we can avoid the forest if we go around it.

'But that would take too much time to arrive at the [Universal Demon Castle] - the rate of appearance of powerful demons is quite low in the plains. It's too little income. I know this may be a bit rude, but I think we should take some risks with Black, White and Hi-iro.

These are well-reasoned words from Sitri, who rarely says no. What's the real deal? .......

I'm sure you've heard of it. When he finds a dangerous place or an interesting object, he wanders closer.

Normally, I would have been carried away by his words, but today I was different.
I looked back into Citly's eyes, which were as still as the surface of a calm lake, and said clearly.

'It's okay. We have a town to go to, and the purpose of this trip is a vacation! Here, Tino, don't be frightened. ...... I wish you would trust me once in a while.'

'I do,.......'

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, it's possible that you'll be able to find it in the marketplace.

'I really don't mean any harm. It's just that we've been through a lot lately--not only Tino, but also Liz and Cicely have been working a little too hard. After taking you out of the Imperial City, I think you should take some time off to rest and get in shape. It's just a trip, a trip. A vacation. Demons and illusions are off. Eat good food, get some rest, do fun things--there's nothing dangerous about it. Really?

I know it's not very convincing coming from someone who's always resting. But that's what I really felt.
I'll forget about the fact that I gave Tino a punishment game. I'm the one who gave him the job and I'm the one who wants him to rest, both are true.

At my heartfelt words, Tino shook his shoulders and stared into my eyes.

'Are you sure you want to believe ...... me? Mastaa.'

Yes. You can trust me. ...... Tino.

Just as I nodded strongly, my ears caught a small sound of rain.

I check the window. The number of droplets on the window glass quickly increased, and it turned into a downpour that I couldn't believe hadn't been falling just a few minutes ago.
The roaring sound of the wind and rain. The horses may have been startled by the sudden change in weather, and the carriage shook violently.

The body of the carriage was sealed, so no rain could get in, but the horse pulling it was a living thing. If it was a platinum horse, the storm would not have been a problem, but it would have been impossible to drive an ordinary horse in this downpour.
In the first place, marching in the rain is far more dangerous than marching at night.

The sound of wind and rain blended with the sound of a small, irritated voice coming from outside.
I wonder if Black, White and Hi-iro are okay.

The weather suddenly collapsed and I was at a loss as to what to do, when suddenly there was a flash of lightning. A rumble of thunder followed. The carriage bounced and came to a halt.

You hold back your scream just in time. No one was frightened, but it would have been uncool to scream here.

The wind and rain slamming into the car is so strong that it doesn't seem like it will stop in a short time.
What should we do? ...... We're stuck here. If the storm had come a little earlier, we could have left tomorrow, but it's too late.

I'm getting cold. I put on my cloak and buttoned it tightly.
It's not the first time that Citly, Liz, and I have been caught in a big storm outside.
I'm actually a rain man. And I have bad luck. .......

'Suddenly it's raining like hell: ......'

'I think I'll go outside ...... and take care of my horse, it's on loan.

At that moment, Liz, who had been looking out the window, said.

'All right, Tee,...... let's run.

'............What?'


I'm not sure if it's because the temperature is low, but there's a hint of steam rising from his skin. He glanced out the window again and nodded in satisfaction.

'Wow, isn't that a perfect storm ...... for training? That's right, Crye! You have potions, right, Shito? I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

'Yes, yes.

I'm not going to let you blame me for the ...... weather.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'd like to know what you think.
Lightning Potion...... is a crazy potion I've seen before that attracts lightning. I remember hearing about the principle, but I don't remember it.

In addition to that, I quickly put together a variety of other potions and put them in a special circular box and handed it to Liz.

Tino had gone completely rigid. His eyes were wide open and he was looking at Liz as if he was dreaming.
I guess even Tino didn't expect this turn of events. Perhaps, a running horse is running in her brain right now.

'Lies--'

As I raised my voice to stop her outburst, Liz said with the brightest smile of the day.

'Don't worry, Cry-chan! Tee's already taken in a lot of Mana Material, and she's been training well, so she probably won't die from a single blow! Watch over Tee's courage!

'Wait a minute...'

By the time I was about to speak up, Liz and Tino had already disappeared into the storm.
A second ago, they were so close that I could almost touch them, but it seems that I pulled their arms and took them away. I was drenched by the strong wind and raindrops that blew in through the open door.

I couldn't catch sight of Liz and the others as they disappeared into the darkness. And in my mind's eye, I could clearly see Tino's gaze as if he had been betrayed by what he believed in, just before he disappeared.


The most precious things always slip out of my palm. It always does.

'......'

'Hey, Sis! Take Black, White and Hi-Lo with you! ............ d*mn it! Why do you always ignore me and leave the door open? ............ I'll have the tent ready in a minute. Kry, please wait inside for a moment.

Sitri begins to prepare the camp, smiling as if nothing had happened. I wonder if this is nothing to a high level hunter.
It's impossible for me to catch Ryz. Citri is the only one I can rely on now.

'Can you call Liz and the others back for me, please?

'Yeah, ...... I can't, but ...... is there something wrong?'

I know. .......
As if to drown out my thoughts, a tremendous crash of thunder rang out.