In the morning, I woke up.

　Looking up at the ceiling, I stretched out, "Hmmm. I felt like I hadn't slept well in a long time.

(I wonder if it's thanks to Illtimina-san?)

　With that in mind, I picked myself up and looked next to him.

　No one was there.

'....Huh?

　I'm alone in the blanket, and that sweet Iltimina-san is nowhere to be found.

(What?　(Why?)

　A little flustered, he looked around.

　The door to the living space was open, and a fragrant smell wafted from there.

(Huh, what is that smell?)

　I followed the invitation and found myself in the kitchen.

　I opened the door.

Oh, Merle. Good morning.

　There she was, smiling in the morning sun.

　I shouldn't.

　I felt myself feeling terribly relieved.
　Confused by this, I replied, "Good morning.

'What are you doing?'
I was just getting breakfast ready.
For breakfast?

　Such is the kind of meat and vegetables she has at her disposal that have been boiled in a pot.

(Huh?)　(Soup?)

　A small red magic stone had been thrown into the Kamado, from which a bright red flame was blowing up.
　That fragrant smell was born from the pot on the fire.

''What happened to all that meat and vegetables?''
'I used the preserving meat I had. And then we went out for a bit and gathered some wildflowers and nuts.
..........
It's a preservation meat, so it might be a little tough, but...

　Iltimina said, and transferred the contents of the pot to a wooden plate.

　It seems that the meat and vegetable soup is complete.

If you like.

　At my prompting, I take a seat at a table in the kitchen.



　I clasp my hands together in front of my chest.

"Well, then, I'll take it.
Bon appétit.

　He stretched out a wooden spoon and took a bite.

　It's delicious.

(I've never seen meat and vegetables taste so good!

　Even though it was just stewed, the flavor of the ingredients flooded my mouth, and happiness welled up in my mouth every time I chewed.

The "Healing Spiritual Water" alone was enough for a meal.

　But if that was the only way to eat every day, I might have gotten bored with it.

　I think I've heard in a previous life that food is not only for building up your body, but also for enriching your mind.
　I feel like I'm realizing that.

　As I eat the soup, Illtimina smiles as if she is relieved.

I'm glad to hear that you like it.
Mugu Mugu....................Illtimina-san can cook too?
It's just a little bit.

　Really?

　But it's good.

Hmm. You're going to make a great wife, Miss Illtimina.
..........

　Mr. Illtimina scowled at my frankness.

　Then she held her mouth and smiled somewhat ticklishly, "Marle says some interesting things," she said.

　But I didn't miss the slight flush on his cheeks, did I?


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　After breakfast we moved to the chapel and got a little more serious.

　We sat on the floor facing each other in front of the goddess statue.

　The first one to speak was Iltimina.

'Marle. We're going to leave this tower tomorrow morning.
Yes.

　I nodded widely.

(...finally getting out of this forest.)

　My heart beats faster, faster.

'And I'm going to spend the rest of the day preparing for it. To be exact, I'm going to explain the route and get some food.

　Hmm.

''First, let me explain the route. After we cross the 'Toggle Cliffs', we'll go straight north and traverse the 'Aldoria Great Forest' to the nearest city from here, 'Medis'.
Up north, Medis, right?
Yes, sir.

　Iltimina nodded.

'Perhaps my companions there, Kilt and Solstice, will be waiting for me to return in distress for ten days. We had such a rule in place in case of emergency.

　I see.

　And so Mr. Illtimina took out a folded sheet of paper from the pouch of his waistband.

　On the rough surface of the unfolded, fibered paper, a fan-like shape was drawn in ink.

　Probably a map.

'This is the Great Forest of Aldoria.

(Yeah, I knew it.)

Is it shaped like this?
'I've simplified the drawing quite a bit, but yes.' -- first of all, this side is the Toggle cliffs, and we are now around here.

　A white finger is placed on the wide side of the fan, on the part of the X drawn on that one point.

　The finger quickly moves to the circle on the main part of the fan, and

And this is the medis.
Yeah. ... how far away is it?
In a straight line, about 4,000 maids. That's about two days on my feet, and about seven days on Merle's.
..........

　Well.

How much is one medal, by the way?
That's about it.

　The two hands indicated that it was roughly one meter and together.

(So that's 40 kilos!)

　There was more distance between us than I expected.

'So, I'm sorry Marle, but I'll carry you with me as we move.
Yes.

　As expected, this was not a situation in which I could have my own agenda.

　She laughed at me, as if relieved to see me being so understanding.

　But then she quickly pulled her expression tighter.

Once in the forest, we will check the direction of the sun to the north. Along the way we'll find the hunters' forest huts, where we'll spend the night.

　Hmmm.

''But while we're on the move, it's possible that we'll be fighting with demons. There may be other reasons as well. There's a good chance that things won't go as planned and we'll be in the field, so please be prepared for that.
Yeah, okay.
We're looking at two days plus a day's grace. --Any questions so far?
No, I don't.

　Shake your head and then.

"Just to confirm, 'Move to the Medis' and 'Meet up with your friends' - those are the two goals, right?
Yes, that's right.

　Ms. Illtimina nods in satisfaction.

　I exhale heavily.

　I'm sure it's going to be a tough couple of days on the road.

　Like this tower, there is no longer any place safe, and there is always danger between us.

(But...)

　This trip is going to take the biggest toll on you, right, Illtimina?

..........

　The truth is, she doesn't need to take me, a stranger, with her.

　But it's completely and utterly her good intention to take me with her. I can't just forget that and take advantage of her kindness.

(At least I have to do my best not to slow her down.)

　sizzling sound

　I clench my little fists.

"Merle.

　Suddenly, Illtimina-san's white hand overlapped with it.
　Hmm?

　When I looked up, her crimson eyes were looking straight into my face.

'Just a word of warning. --Don't be afraid to rely on me.

(...what?)

　I stare back at her.

　She stares at me with her eyes.

'Because that would be the most dangerous and annoying thing for me to do on the journey to-morrow.
..........
Please, please don't forget that, okay?

　She laughed gently at the end, cooed and gripped my hand tightly, and her white hand moved away.

(........................I can't compete with her.

　I chuckled a small laugh and thanked her, deeply in my heart.