The room Iltimina and the others were staying in was a corner room at the end of the corridor on the third floor of the Adventurer's Inn "Arsen's Delicious Food".

　When we opened the wooden door, a room that was larger than expected greeted us.

''Ugh...''

　I couldn't help but admire it.

　It was a really big room.
　The first thing I noticed was a bunk wrapped in clean sheets - three of them lined up against the wall.

　On the hallway side of the wall, there was one large chest of drawers, plus a set of desks and chairs. On the desk, beautiful red flowers are displayed in a thin vase.

　On the sunny east and south walls, there were large windows.
　Through the transparent glass, I could see the beautiful city of Medis and the street in front of the inn and the people passing through it.

(Yes, it's a terrific room...)

　It was a bit of a waste of time for me, living in an abandoned tower living space.

　I moved a little closer to the bed and touched it.

(Wow, that's soft.)

　And they were moist and resilient.
　Even the cotton sheets were smooth to the touch.

(What's in this comforter, I wonder?　(Maybe it's bird feathers or animal hair...)

　fluffy

　Hmmm, it's frustrating, but even my prized "leaf comforter" is completely defeated in front of this feeling.

　That's just the way it is.

Merle's boy. I'm sorry, but I need you to step aside.
What?

　Suddenly, I was approached by Mr. Kilt.
　When I turned around, she was still holding Solstice, still asleep, in her arms. I'm sure he's going to put her to bed.

'Oh, I'm sorry,'

　I hurriedly gave up my spot.

　Mr. Kilt nodded, "Mm," and spilled his silver hair over his shoulders as he gently lowered Solstice's small body onto the bed.
　Her purple bangs, which had become disheveled, were gently brushed back with Mr. Kilt's fingers.

　I, too, peer at the girl's sleeping face from the side.

"Solstice, are you okay?
Don't worry. You are looking better. You'll wake up in a few minutes, and you'll wake up naturally.

　Kilt-san's tone is calm.

　If you ask me, it's true that his complexion, which was pure white in the forest, now has a blush on his plump cheeks. It's kind of like an apple, it looks a bit delicious.

''Good........''

　I smile, relieved.

　Kilt-san looked at me for a while, and then looked back at his other companion - Illtimina-san.

　Iltimina-san was in the corner of the room, trying to unload a large backpack that was also loaded with the fangs of that red-fanged dragon.

''Hey, Iltimina.''
Yes?

　thump

　The floor shakes, and Mr. Illtimina stops in his unloaded position.

　Kilt's hand lands on my head with a plop.

'You're going to take this little Marle boy and take him on a tour of the Medis now.

　...Yes?

　Like me, Illtimina-san's crimson eyes roll up.

''Now?''
Hmm. You've had to go through a lot of trouble to get to this point, haven't you, Marl's boy?　I'll have to give you a bit of a workout.
I agree with you.
Solstice is not to be feared. I shall be watching over you.

　Puzzled, Mr. Illtimina looks at me.

'What do you want to do, Marle?'
Of course I'd like to do some sightseeing in the Medis, if Mr. Illtimina is willing!

　It was an immediate answer.
　I felt sorry for Kilt-san and Solstice, but after all, this was my first time in a different world city, and I couldn't help but want to see it with my own eyes.
　I'm sure my blue eyes, looking back at Illtimina-san, were shining with anticipation, excitement and curiosity.

　In response, Illtimina-san smiled bitterly.

''I understand. Then I'll take Kilt's word for it. --Huh, let's go together, Marle.
Yay!

　I thrust my hands up in delight.
　Then I looked back at Mr. Quilt, who had made a wonderful suggestion.

'Thank you, Mr. Quilt!　I'm going to have fun!
Yeah. --I hope you're making lots of good memories.

　Kilt-san smiled calmly, shook her silver hair, and nodded widely.

(.........?)

　But what is it?
　That neat smile, but to me it looked a bit sad, apologetic, and strange - a bit like that.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Soon, Illtimina-san and I got ready to go out and left the Adventurer's Inn, Arsen's Delicious Food.

''Well, where are we going?''
Why don't we go to a clothing store first?
Clothing store?
'Merle's been wearing the same clothes for years. I'll buy you some new clothes.

　If you ask me, I've been wearing these clothes ever since I was reincarnated.

　No, I've been washing them properly with the 'Spiritual Water of Healing', right?　But, as expected, there are frayed, torn, and soaked stains.......
　I trace the seam from my left shoulder to my stomach with my finger.

But I still want to treasure this dress that Illtimina-san sewed for me.......
I'm not sure...

　Illtimina, suddenly, held her mouth and turned her head to the side. Her shoulders trembled a little, as if she was enduring something.

(????)

　Eventually, I coughed out a cough, and then I got a strangely clear face.

You mustn't worry about such trifles. Let's go, Merle.
Uh-huh.

　Pulling my hand away, Illtimina-san starts to walk away.
　But her ears, which I could see in the gaps in her long hair, seemed to be turning red.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　And so Iltimina led me to a single shop, facing the main street.

'Here?'

　I pout.
　It wasn't an ordinary clothing store, it was an armor shop for adventurers, specializing in shields and armor.

　Illtimina-san smiles at me.

''Yes. If you are going to continue your journey, it's better to have strong clothing as well. I feel safer in a store like this.
Oh, okay.
Shall we go in?

　Confused, I was pulled by Illtimina-san's hand and we walked into the store together.

''Hey, welcome!

　As soon as you enter, you hear a cheerful voice from the back of the store and someone who looks like the owner comes in.

　Hmm?　He is a very short man.

　His face was an uncle with a beard, but his head was about the same position as mine as a child. But he had a muscular body and looked like a round rock.

(Could this man be a dwarf?)

　The knowledge of my previous life appeals to me.
　My eyes are riveted to the sight of Mr. Dwarf for the first time.

　Uncle Dwarf looks at the customer who came into the shop - that is, us - and is a little surprised, then looks curious.

''Hmm. Are you guys siblings, perhaps?

　We scowled when he suddenly said that.

'No, no, but ... what made you think that?'
We're holding hands.
Oh.

　It was pointed out to me, and I realize now that I'm not the only one.
　Turning bright red, we let go of our hands in a hurry.

'S-Sorry, Merle,'
No. No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, too.

　Uncle Dwarf was surprised by our reaction, and then laughed out loud, "Gahhhh.

'Why, why, why. First time lovers, eh?
Love...?

　Illtimina-san and I, we're both rigid.

　Regardless of that, Uncle Dwarf, while stroking his beard, looks at us jiggling like that - or, to be more precise, Iltimina-san's equipment.

'Huh?　That's a magical spear from the days of Thanatos, right?　And it's all very well used. ........You're a pretty good adventurer, aren't you?

　Uncle's eyes narrowed sharply.
　Under his gaze, Illtimina-san also huffed and regained her usual tone.
　She clears her throat with a cohon and replies in a calm voice.

''Since I'm still a 'Silver Seal' demon hunter in a manner of speaking.
Oh, for someone so young, you can do it.　So, what's a man of your stature doing in our house?
Give her a travel suit. And restore my armor.

　Then her white hand touched a hole in her armor.
　Uncle Dwarf stopped stroking his beard and rolled his eyes.

'Hey, hey?　How are you still alive after such a big hole in the ground?
Merle saved me.

　No, it was the 'Bright Stone of Life' that saved me.
　I shove it in my mind, me.

　But Illtimina-san's gaze gazes at me gently, and Uncle Dwarf says, "Huh? He looks at me admiringly.

'I don't know, but it's the mark of a good man to be able to protect the woman you fall in love with. All right, I'll make sure you get the right travel clothes, I'll look after you!
Oh, you're in love.

　Mr. Illtimina stiffens again.
　I laughed in annoyance and bowed my head to Uncle Dwarf, "Nice to meet you," for now.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Merle, you look great.
'Haha, thank you, Miss Illtimina...'

　Illtimina smiled and clapped her hands, and I gave her a bit of a tired smile in return.

　An hour had passed since then.

　During that time, I was made into a dress-up doll for Illtimina-san, dressed in all sorts of clothes.
　They dressed me in everything from short-sleeved, short-trouser, untravel-worthy things to glittery things that noblemen would wear, and for some reason, they also dressed me in girls' clothes with gusto, and in the end, I chose the first travel outfit that Uncle Dwarf had mended for me.

(But really, they look sturdy, don't they?)

　I move my arms and legs and think so.
　The fabric is thick, but that's not all.

　There is a cushioning material sewn between the fabric and the parts of the body that have joints such as elbows and knees, and the back side where the spine is located. This way, if you fall down, you won't get hurt and you won't get hurt.

　Plus, the way it's knitted, it's very breathable. They don't make you uncomfortable even if you walk for a long time and sweat.

　Also, the new shoes are made of a hard material at the ankles and toes. I put them to the test and they didn't feel a thing.

How's that?　Boy?
'Yes, I like it very much. Thank you.

　I smiled and thanked Uncle Dwarf from the bottom of my heart.
　He smiled and waved his hand with a not-so-full smile, "That's good," he said.
　Then he looks at Mr. Illtimina.

Well, it took you a while, but you're up next, aren't you?
Yes, please.

　Nodding, Illtimina-san unfastens the clasp on her armor.
　Eventually, a female figure emerged from underneath the armor, dressed in a shirt and trousers that looked easy to move in.

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

　This may have been the first time I had ever seen Illtimina-san without her armor on, and I hadn't looked at her closely.
　To be honest, I was a little nervous.

(Because, you know, she's just a normal woman, too.)

　I thought Illtimina-san was an 'adventurer'.

　But I was wrong.

　Illtimina was an 'ordinary woman' who was just an adventurer.

　Because she was an adventurer, it was natural for her to be strong...I had the illusion that she was an adventurer, but in reality, she was just an ordinary woman who worked hard and became a strong adventurer.

''Hmm?　What's wrong, Merle?
Nope.

　I look up to her.

　Someday, I want to become a man who can not only protect her, but also protect her like I am now - even after all this time, I'm still thinking about it.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Illtimina's armor, including her limbs, is removed and handed to Uncle Dwarf.

'How long will this take?'
Well, yeah I'll give you two or three hours. I'll have it done by the afternoon.
Then I'll come back and get you.
Yes.

　Mr. Illtimina takes a few coins from the pouch on his waistband and hands them over. Apparently, it's an advance. She pays the rest when she comes to pick it up.

You see, Ms. Illtimina. I'm going to pay for my clothes one day, I'll pay you back, okay?
No. I'm giving it to you.

　No, no, no, no, no, no.

　And as I tried to open it, her white fingers held my mouth.

(Huh?)

　She laughs, closing one crimson eye mischievously.

'I wish I could say that, but after that one incident at the inn, Marle seems very stubborn.
What, uh...?
'I know, sir. --then Merle's clothes will be loaned to you on an interest-free, demand-free, unsecured basis. Is that all right with you?
Uh-huh. Thanks....

　But I feel like I've been rolled over in the palm of my hand.
　Mr. Illtimina laughed happily and Uncle Dwarf laughed loudly and gave me a bash on the back, "Huh.

'You're going to be pulled by your wife's ass all the time in the future, aren't you?'
..........

　It's not that I'm not planning to marry Illtimina-san, but........I feel itchy, and I'm a little red and silent.