What awaited us as we descended the stairs was an unexpected sight.

(Huh?　(What, this?)

　The first thing I noticed was the sight of one of the wooden tables in the ground floor tavern, overturned.
　Beside it, two chairs have fallen over, and near it, a wooden mug is lying on the floor, spreading the liquid inside on the floor.

　And at the center of the devastation were those two people - Illtimina-san and Kilt-san.

(Huh?)　(Hey, what are you two doing?

　Surprisingly, that Illtimina-san, for some reason with an angry look on her face, was grabbing Kilt-san's shirt collar as if to tighten it up.

''Kirt........You know what you said, don't you?　That kind of talk, I can't possibly accept!
Come on, Irna. You know as well as I do that you know what's going on.

　Mr. Kilt didn't even resist, his golden eyes just staring at his companion's anger in front of him.

　Eh, yeah!

Could it be that they're fighting?

　She couldn't help but look at Solstice next to her.
　But she hadn't seen the two of them fighting before either, or she just looked so surprised that she couldn't even speak to them now.

　The other adventurers in the tavern were already far away from the storm zone of the two demon hunters.
　They seemed to be used to this kind of rough stuff, and their reactions varied from those who were quietly watching, to those who were ignoring them, to those who were enjoying themselves as a drinking buddy.
　But not a single person is willing to stop the fight.

(Well if they didn't, Arsen-san wouldn't be coming to call us out, would he?)

　Mr. Arsen, who was saddened by the devastation of the overturned tables and other items, said, "Oh....

How could you possibly know!

　buzz

　With a shout of anger, Illtimina-san waved her arms wide and threw Kilt-san away.

(Ugh, that's dangerous!

　But Mr. Kilt spun like a cat in the air and landed on a nearby table.
　He slowly stands up on the spot and looks back at Ms. Illtimina quietly with his golden eyes.
　A low, uncompromising voice escapes from those red lips.

'Then I will tell you again and again until you understand.' --"Then I will tell you again and again until you understand. This is where we will say goodbye.

　.......................
　Eh?

That little boy... it was me, right?

　Something in my chest froze the moment the meaning of it permeated my mind.

'Quilt.........!

　Illtimina-san bares her white teeth and gives an angry look.
　The white spear in her hand reacts, and the wing ornament clicks and spreads its wings.

　The moment she saw it, Solstice couldn't help but shout.

''Irna sister!　Quilt!　Stop it!　What the hell are you doing earlier?

　In a desperate cry, the two of them looked at me with a huff.

　There was also my figure standing there, dumbfounded - Illtimina-san's white beauty instantly got stronger. The white spear's wing decoration closes with a clunk.

''Oh, no, no ... no, Marle. What you just said was a mistake.........
I'm no different.

　An iron voice cuts off her excuses.

　Mr. Kilt gets down from the table and says to me, with a hard look on his face.

'Merle. You are to remain here in the medis. I can't be with the strawmen any longer.
..........
Kirt, you're not...

　Ms. Illtimina's angry voice sounded distant for some reason.

　I close my eyes.

(Ah ... I see.)

　It was.
　It was so tender of a time that I just kept forgetting about my position.

(Silly me...)

　Mocking myself, I take a deep breath.

　Yeah, I'm fine.
　It doesn't matter how much heartache this is. I'm okay.

　I tell myself, I remind myself.

　And then I open my eyes.

"...and...

　I crouched down in place and put my hand on the overturned table. It was heavy, but with a thud, I managed to put it back together.
　Next, the chair.
　He picked it up from its fall and arranged it on the table.

'Ma, ma'am...?'

　Illtimina-san makes an uneasy sound at my unexpected action.
　Kilt-san also looks at it, without saying anything.

　Con, con, con.

　I put the wooden mug that had been lying around on the table. It looks like I've made the entire contents drink on the floor, but there's nothing I can do about it, is there?

　I exhale, "Huh," and look back at Arsen-san and the other adventurers.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry for the disturbance,'

　Pecking and bowing their heads.
　The adventurers roll their eyes and look at each other. Arsen-san made a pained face, "Marle-kun........

　Solstice was looking at me with an indescribable expression.

　I laughed as if I was troubled, and then looked back at those two.　

''Illtimina-san and Kilt-san, I kind of understand the situation. But let's continue this conversation in our room, shall we?　
Merle....
Yes. I will.

　Ms. Illtimina's face fell in shame, and Mr. Kilt nodded with a genuine expression on his face.
　I smiled as much as I could and nodded to the two of them.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Back in the room, we settled ourselves in our places.

　Mr. Quilt went to the only chair in the room, which was provided at his desk.

　I went to my bed.

　Ms. Illtimina sat down next to me as if it was natural and took my hand in hers. I can feel the will to never let go from her fingers.

(Thank you, Illtimina-san........)

　His kindness always warms my heart.

　Then Solstice sat down on her own bed, perhaps because she couldn't take either side, but only as far away from her sister and Mr. Kilt as she could be.

　A heavy silence has fallen in the room.

(Hmm.........after all, you have to say it from me, the main culprit, right?

　Taking a deep breath, I opened the conversation.

'Mr. Quilt,'
"Hmm?
Can you tell me what you told Mr. Illtimina earlier?

　sizzling sound

　Ouch.
　Illtimina-san's fingers suddenly felt a strong force.

　-- but it's a pleasant pain.

　Because it empowers me, I am able to look at Kilt-san without looking away.

　Kirt-san's golden eyes stare at me gingerly.
　Then he nods broadly.

'I think Warawa may have spoken to the wrong person in the wrong order.
What?
No, it's nothing. --The story I told Irna is the same as the one you heard earlier. "I'm going to leave Marle in the city of Medis," that's all.

　I felt a pain in my chest.

　Once, I took a deep breath and cleared my mind.

　At that time, Illtimina-san was about to say something to Kilt-san.

　Geez.

　I squeezed back our linked hands tightly.
　She looks at me in surprise.
　Then she forces the words I was about to spit out back into her throat.

(I'm sorry. Thank you, Illtimina.)

　I asked Mr. Kilt in the most soothing voice I could muster.

'May I ask why?'　
Of course. It's your right, of course.

　She nodded and said.

'And the reason is simple,' she said. --If you are with the wolves, someone else will die.
...someone's going to die?

　I don't know what that means.
　Unable to convince me, she bends forward, shaking her silver hair. Her golden gaze pierces my eyes from close quarters.

I said, "You are demon hunters. And you are only a child, aren't you?
..........
A demon hunter's job is to kill demons. A demon hunter's job is to kill demons, but he or she must bear the risk of being killed by the demons themselves. We can't afford to bring a "mere child" along with us, who will slow us down.

　Iltimina interrupted reflexively.

'Marle saved my life and Solstice's!　I won't slow you down!
It's much appreciated. --But that's just a coincidence. Am I right?

　Mr. Kilt's voice is directed at me.

　........I know.
　No matter what Iltimina-san says, I, myself, know best, so I can't be fooled.

　Kilt-san knows that much.

''........That's right.''
"Luck is an admirable quality. But it is not enough to rely on. What do you think will happen if we stay together in the future?
..........
Yes. The weaker you are, the more likely you are to die. Or one of them will die for you. But it may not be soon. But that time will surely come, won't it?　That promised misfortune cannot be overlooked by Warawa as the leader of these guys.
..........
Of course, I fear for your life, my friend, and your own.

　His voice is strangely warm, even though it is hard as iron.
　He must be a really strong and gentle person. That's why his rightness is so harsh.　

　Seeing me nodding off, Illtimina-san raised her voice as if she was impatient.

''I'm not convinced!
Really?
'I made a promise. Marle saved my life. Then I'll never forget that debt, and I'll never be alone!
Hmm, what do you think?
How's the...?

　Illtimina-san was puzzled when she was suddenly told.

''Warawa and the others must go to the royal capital, Muria, to report the defeat of the Red Fang Dragon Gad. Don't tell me you're taking them to the royal capital?
Of course.
Then what happens after that?
It's going to be a long time together...
Every time you take this little boy into a battle to kill a demon, you take him with you?
No, no. ...in my home, then.
'You want me to hold them?　You spend most of the year traveling to your house, the home of the demon hunter?　Will it fulfill the promise you made?
..........
If you did, and you were killed by a demon, what would happen to the remaining Marl?　You don't mean to say that you almost died this time, but you're not going to say, 'I'll never die,' are you?

　Mr. Illtimina couldn't say anything anymore.

　I'm not convinced.
　But I'm sure she understands, just because her emotions don't follow her.

　--Mr. Kilt is right.

　He looks at me.

"You will be placed in the care of St. Julien's Church in Medina. As I am in your debt, I will make a donation to the church. I'll make a donation. I will, of course, give you some of the money myself. I'm sorry for the trouble I'm going to have to go through.
No....

　It was a very gentle voice that reassured me.

　Solstice, who's been silent the whole time, seemed to want to say something, but she still didn't say anything.
　Yeah, she was fine with that.

'Let's get the strawmen to show up at the medis once in a while. Nothing is a parting of the ways for this life. 'Noh?'
'Yes ... yes,'

　I.........nodded.

　Illtimina-san looked at me in surprise.
　The force of my grip on her hand was painful and unbearable.......but Mr. Kilt was so right.

'I'm sorry,'

　I'm a very understanding person, and Mr. Kilt apologized to me, reassuringly, but apologetically.

'No,'

　I laughed and shook my head.

　Because - I wasn't that good at understanding things.

'I see what you're saying. -- but I don't want to be in the care of St. Shrean's Church.
...What?

　Mr. Kilt's good looks froze.

　Ms. Illtimina said, "Ma, ma'am? And I roll my crimson eyes.
　Solstice also stares at me with a surprising look on her face.

　With a slightly scary voice, Kirt-san asks me about it.

'What do you mean by that?　Do you mean that you're going to be forced to follow the straws?
Nope.

　I shook my head.

'I know I'm leaving you and your friends, Kirt. But then I'm going to King's Landing on my own as well.
...What?

　Mr. Kilt's dumbfounded face was a bit of a sight to behold.

(Kind of cute, maybe.)

　I give a small laugh.

'Ma, ma'am?　What the hell does that mean?
No, you're right.

　I look at Solstice, answering Iltimina next to me so.

'Because Solstice taught me to.
Huh?　Me?

　Kilt-san and Illtimina-san's gazes turn to her.
　She was supposed to be on the sidelines, but all of a sudden, she's in the line of fire and has an impatient look on her face.

　I nodded.

''Yeah. When you go to the royal capital, you can find out about Thanatos' magic letters and the magic circle, right?
Well, that's... yeah, you can do that, right?
Well, I'm going to King's Landing.

　No, no.
　I stare at my own small palms, gazing at my own small palms.

'I mean, I definitely need to go to King's Landing for my own sake. Even if I'm alone.

　I squeezed and assured him.

　It's hard to say goodbye to Illtimina, and I'm sad, and I'm sure she'll cry. But I still have to know, I have to know.

　About the Divine Demon War, about Thanatos, about Marle's body, about the stone pedestal, about the demon - everything, yes, everything.

(That's why I was reincarnated in this world, right?)

　In the hands of the invisible hand of fate, I ask.

　And the girls were stunned by my declaration.

　Eventually, Mr. Quilt held his forehead.

Wait, Merle.
Hmm?
Did you really just say that?

　Yeah.

"I'm going to King's Landing, regardless of Mr. Kilt and the others. That's a no-brainer, okay?
..........
Merle, why is that?

　Illtimina asks, too.

''Hmm~?''

　Even if you ask me why, I don't think I can explain it well enough to convince others, let alone myself.

I'm sure you'll be able to find your way back into the world. You'll find the clues to find them in the capital.
...Memories, huh?
"Hmm.

　Ms. Illtimina muttered in annoyance, and Mr. Kilt put his hand to his chin with a difficult look on his face.

　I straightened my posture and turned to Kirto-san.

''So, Kirt-san, I have one favor to ask...''
Hm?　What is it?
''We need money to get to King's Landing, and if you'd like, could you buy this for me?''

　I pulled out a blue magic stone pendant - the 'Bright Stone of Life' from under my shirt.

　Illtimina-san said impatiently, "That's it," and Kilt-san and Solstice looked at my hand, suspiciously.

　In the next moment, Solstice, realizing this, bounced off the bed she was sitting on and jumped on my hand.

"Wha........this is not the 'Brilliance of Life'!
What?

　Kilt-san's golden eyes also curl up.
　When Solstice's small palm is pointed at her, the blue letters on the magic stone react and emit a strong light with a fontoon.

''I'm sure.......it's real.......''

　She slumped into place, powerless.

　Mr. Kilt looks at me angrily.

"...Merle?　Where did you get this?
No, uh, the one in the tower where I lived?

　Huh?

'Miss Illtimina, you haven't told her?　Or talk to Mr. Illtimina about using this.
I'm sorry. I don't have the details yet...

　Mr. Illtimina, you look apologetic.

　Mr. Kilt said, "Wait, wait, wait, wait! He says in a panic.

'Wait a minute!　You don't think so, do you, Irna?　When you say that your life was saved, does that mean that this 'Bright Stone of Life' was used to save you?
'Not that, sir, but...'

　As she says it, she also takes out the 'Bright Stone of Life' from her own neck, with the magic stone turned gray.

''Oh, you still have it?''
Yes, it's a testament to Merle's help.

　To my surprise, she says, looking at the gray jewels with rapt attention.

　Ms. Kilt holds her mouth, looking as if she's realized a big mistake.
　Solstice says, "Give me that! I jumped at my sister and was knocked down with a beshin with my hand sword, "No," he said.

　.........What, this reaction?

　He looks up to the heavens, and then Mr. Kilt looks at me.

"I'm sorry, Merle.
What?
'Wawaha, of. I thought the story of saving Irna's life was just about healing her hands with the Spiritual Water of Healing. But you were wrong, weren't you?　Irna really was able to pick up the lives she lost, wasn't she?

　No, it's not me, it's the shining stone of life........

　She seemed to take my silence as an 'affirmation'.

"I see..... Then it's not worth it.
Well, Mr. Quilt?
I'm sorry, Merle. This is not for sale. In fact, it is something that cannot be bought for a price.
What?

　What do you mean?
　Solstice, who snatched the blue magic stone from my stunned hand in a flash, looked at it enrapturedly and said, ''You know what?

''You know what, a rag?　This 'Bright Stone of Life' isn't traded in the market.
'What?　Why?
It's too good to be true.

　He shook his silver hair and sighed.

This is an ancient treasure that originally belonged to the royal families of various countries.
A royal treasure...?
Hmm. These are worn by members of the royal family to escape assassination, or to take the place of their young heir who was born sick and could not travel, and this is the second time in their lives that they have seen it. Ordinary people rarely have the opportunity to see them, and this is the second time in my lifetime that I have seen them. This is the second time in my life that I have seen it.
I've never done that before, either.

　Enraptured, Solstice squinted her red eyes behind her glasses.
　But Mr. Kilt gave her a difficult look.

''Every year, hundreds or even thousands of adventurers are sent to the ancient ruins with a request for a large reward, and then they scatter their lives. How many sacrifices are made to find this one 'Bright Stone of Life'.
..........
Do you understand, Merle?　The Bright Stone of Life is such a treasure.

　I'm sorry ... it's too big of a story to really feel it.

(Huh?)　(Because, you know, there were three of these in the beginning, right?

　I, who was reincarnated, actually seemed to have gotten an extraordinary treasure from the beginning.......

　And then, Illtimina-san took the 'Bright Stone of Life' from her sister's hand with a hiyori.
''Ah~! She ignored her sister who screamed and put it back around my neck on her own.

''Marle used that much treasure for me, a mere demon hunter,''
Oh, yeah, that's right.

　I didn't know.
　But that's why Mr. Illtimina was so exaggeratedly grateful to me for saving his life and being good to me all along.

If you had known what it was worth, wouldn't you have used it for me?
What?

　It's as if he's reading my mind, he asks.
　I tried to imagine.

　What if I knew what it was worth, and I had a dying Mr. Illtimina in front of me...?　

　The answer, of course, was immediate.

'I'll use it, I promise,'
.......... Huh, I see.

　Illtimina-san smiled happily with her eyes down.
　I felt like her hands, which were linked together, became very hot, somehow. ........Is it my imagination?　

　As I was thinking about this, Mr. Kilt slapped his own knee with a pang.

'Aye, okay,'
?
Marle, the strawmen will take you to King's Landing.
...What?

　Why is this so important all of a sudden?
　And Solstice raised her hand in a big shuffle, too.

"Praise!　I'd like to hear a few more details from the rag. Also, it's not often you see an unused 'Bright Stone of Life'!　I need to do some research!
'Well are you sure about this?'
This can't be helped. My companions have been saved by the Bright Stone of Life and I honestly have no idea how I should pay for that.
No I don't need to pay for it.

　Or rather, I was the one who was constantly being saved by Illtimina-san, and I didn't even know how to thank her.

"If you want it, I can give you the Bright Stone of Life for free.
f*ck!

　thud

　Ouch!
　Mr. Kilt's knuckles fell on his brain.
　Ms. Illtimina panicked, "Duh, are you okay, Marle? And he strokes the area that was hit.
　No, no, it's okay.

　And then, looking up at me with tears in his eyes, Mr. Quilt gazes at me and eventually sighs in annoyance.

'You have a good head for your age. You also have guts. ........But is his good nature fatal?
..........
'Well, good. He may not be Irna, but he'll be worth bringing up. --I've already received my reward in advance. The first thing I'll do is to ask you to escort me to the capital in the name of Kirto Amandes. It's a pleasure to work with you, Mar?

　A hand is held out in front of me with a thud.

　I stared at it with a pout, and then looked up at Mr. Kirt.

　His golden, gleaming eyes didn't have that sad light that I'd seen a few times before. Only a powerful, dependable glow filled them.
　It was like a smile that was like the sun shining on everyone.

(Haha........this guy really is amazing, isn't he?)

　I take her hand in mine.

　Thus, it was decided that I, Marle, would travel with these three beautiful adventurers to the royal capital, Mulia--.