We continued to gather food until the evening.

　After we returned to the tower, Illtimina-san would process the furball rabbit in the kitchen.

　She would peel off the fur, take out the internal organs, and cut up the body - when I got to that point, it was no different than the meat I was used to seeing, the meat sold in supermarkets and other places.

　It is then immersed in a wooden bowl of 'healing spirit water'.

'If you soak it overnight, it preserves better.

　He said.

　It's a two or three day journey to Medis, so they don't smoke it out.

..........

　Meanwhile, I myself left a record of this tower with a piece of paper and a brush that I borrowed from Illtimina.

The statue of the Goddess who produces the "Spiritual Water of Healing".

　A view of the chapel, living space and kitchen.

　The large door of the tower, which is covered with ivy and cannot be opened.

　A crack in the second floor, a doorway.

　A long spiral staircase looking up from below.

　The watchtower and the view from there.

　--(The long spiral staircase, looking down the stairs, and the view from it.

(Even for just a few days, this was my home...)

　It's a forgotten place from people's memories, but at least I won't forget it alone.

　I'll also add the locations of the 'Stone Pedestal' and 'Mural' to the simple map of the Great Forest of Aldoria that Iltimina-san drew before.

　So that I won't be troubled when I visit again someday.

　Or when someone comes to visit, I want them to be able to make use of it.

　We finished our dinner with the "healing spirit water".

　And in preparation for tomorrow, we decided to go to bed a little earlier than yesterday.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Like yesterday, I am in the arms of Mr. Illtimina.

　How much time has passed in the darkness?　But I didn't get any sleepier.

(You sound like a kid looking forward to tomorrow's field trip...)

　I would chuckle small.

　But I was not only looking forward to it, I was also worried.

　Because there was no guarantee that I would get out of the forest in one piece.

　Even in my previous life, when I was safe, I felt like I'd died in an accident. How could I be safe in this more dangerous world?

...he was killed once by a skeleton king over here, too.

　I shuddered as I remembered.

　And - the strength of the arms holding me in place suddenly became stronger.

'Can't you sleep?'

　I hear Illtimina's voice above my head.

　Oh, I was moseying around, and I woke you up.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up.
No.

　It's a gentle voice.

　Then she gets up and lights the lantern.

　The room becomes brighter and brighter with a bow.

　I can see her there, too.

　I sit up too, and we sit on the floor, facing each other.

　I let out a sigh.

I can't see straight. I can't sleep.
Well.... But that's what happens the night before you go on an adventure. I've had that happen to me, too, now, haven't I?
Illtimina, too?

　She's like a terrific adventurer I'm a little surprised.

　I roll my eyes, and she chuckles.

"What do you do in that case?
I won't. If I can't sleep, I'll just chalk it up to 'stay awake.'
..........
Then I just lie down and rest. Sometimes I just fall asleep, and sometimes I stay awake until dawn.
Is that what you want?
Because I had to.

　She says matter-of-factly and laughs.

'That's how I can't sleep. Then I'll just have to accept that I am.
..........

　And that, too.

'You're awesome, Illtimina, aren't you?

　It's a look of respect.

　But she gives a small wry smile as she receives it.

'Although, it's only recently that I've come to believe that. When I was Marle's age, I was like, 'I need to sleep! And 'Why can't you sleep!' And so on and so forth, and I've exhausted my mind in a hurry.
Really?
Don't tell anyone else, okay?

　She puts her index finger to her lips and says, wickedly.

(Oh, I thought you were a mature person, but you have this look on your face?)

　It was a bit surprising, but it was kind of cute though.

　And I asked her one more thing I was curious about.

''Illtimina-san, have you been an adventurer since you were a child?''
'Yes. ........There was a lot going on in my childhood. It was a time when I was just struggling to survive, and there was no age limit for adventurers. There was no other life to choose from, but...

　Those crimson eyes are looking somewhere far away.

　The expression on her face, lit by the flickering flames of the lantern, is sad and fragile, and I'm kind of worried.

　And then she unexpectedly

Yes.

　He clapped his hands together with a pang.

(?)

　As it was, she stood up and went to her luggage backpack, which had been placed in the corner of the room, and pulled something out of it and came back to me.

　In her hand was a single-edged dagger in a scabbard.

　She places it on the floor in front of me.

'I'll lend this to Marle,'
What?
This is what I carried with me when I was a little girl on my first adventure. I still carry it around with me as a good luck charm...

What's so important?

　I'm puzzled, and she says to me in a mysterious tone.

'These are Marl's fangs.
...fangs?
"Yes, sir. Your fangs will be the weapons you use to defeat the enemies of Merle. You will have the power to confront any fear that comes your way.

　I see.

(That's the power of assumption.)

　To encourage me, to inspire me, to walk, to fight - to fill my mind with beliefs and make the world a living force.

　And she's handing me the center of that suggestion, she's handing me the center of that suggestion.

Are you sure?
Yes, sir.

　I reach out and grab the dagger.

　It's heavier than I expected, and my hand slowly pulls the dagger out of its scabbard.

　-- illuminated by the flames, the silver blade, scattering light.

''.........''

　It's a short blade, but it felt surprisingly powerful.

　It's beautiful, I also honestly think.

　But it was also used to stab a furball rabbit in the throat - I mean, the brilliance of this blade also has the power to give death.

　It's beautiful, it's terrifying, and it makes my heart beat a little faster.

'Marl.

　Mr. Illtimina calls out to me, fascinated.

Merle doesn't have to use it and I don't want him to use it. But please keep it in your hand. Then you will no longer be a helpless child.
..........
A warrior with fangs.

　His crimson gaze and strong voice made my heart tremble.

　Geez.　

　I gripped the hilt of the dagger.

　Then I slowly tucked the blade into its scabbard.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you're not going to be able to get your hands on any of these things. --I'm sure you'll be able to find it.
Yes, sir.

　She smiled beautifully.

　And so, we decide to sleep again.

　As I held Illtimina-san's arms, I myself held the dagger in its scabbard to my chest.

　Before I knew it, I had fallen into the world of sleep.

　And so the night passed - and the dawn arrived for us.