'Oh Merle!　I'm glad you're safe........

　Illtimina's tears soaked into my eyes, and I was hugged tightly.

　Half a day has passed since then.
　We are safely rescued from the ruins of Dior.

　Ms. Illtimina, who worked hard to clear away the debris, was covered in mud, both in her white beauty and in her clothes. Kirto, who was working on Solstice, Asbell and the other three over there, was also covered in dirt.

'Thank you for your hard work, Sol.
I'm really, really tired.

　Kilt-san chuckles at the girl who sighs.

　And around us were about ten dwarves. Their hands were equipped with shovels and pickaxes, and they were all smiling and applauding us, even though they were dirty with mud.

'Good for you,'
Hey, good job!
Way to go, kid.
"I'm a survivor!

　We were surprised to hear congratulations from strangers.

It only took them half a day to clear the rubble.

　Mr. Kilt laughs.

　In fact, they were the adventurers of The Wind of Moonlight.

　When the quest to defeat the goblins ended, a carriage was scheduled to return to the nearby streets to pick us up. I asked that carriage to give us a message to the capital.
　Mumpa, the head of the guild, immediately dispatched the support.

　That's them, the dwarves of the tribe who were familiar with the soil and construction.

　They set up the pillars that supported the ceiling in the space where the rubble had been removed, and with their amazing strength and stamina, they built an escape route in just half a day.

'Oh, thank you, gentlemen,'

　I was horrified to find out that so many people had helped me.

Hey, don't worry about it.
We can't just let the Guild's young Wind die here.
Absolutely.

''Gahahahahahaha,'' all the dwarves laugh at me boldly.

''........I'm about to cry.

　How can the goodness and kindness of people be so haunting?

　With Iltimina-san's support, I bowed deeply to the dwarves once more - and I did so.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It was half a day before we were rescued.
　However, it still felt like a long time until then.

　Let's talk about what happened after we defeated the Skeleton King.

　After that, we decided to go back to the first level to wait for the rescue.
　But.

Ta-tah....?

　As the tension subsided, I was unable to move due to the pain in my hands and shoulders and severe fatigue.
　Solstice, too, was out of magic.

I don't want to move.

　He was sitting on the ground.

This is a good thing!

　Garion carries us on his broad shoulders like a piece of luggage.
　I'm grateful, but my posture is tight.

You should have been more careful!
Shut up. Are you going down, little b*tc*?
Huh?

　Please don't fight beside me....
　My ear, it hurts.　　

　Asbell-san warns us.

"Guys, be quiet. It's not safe to be here yet.

　Huh?
　Luta-san nodded.

''If the Skeleton King spontaneously arose, it's not funny if the Skeleton also spontaneously arose.
..........
Should we come back with a warning?

　We were silent.

I don't have the strength to fight anymore.

　The 'White Silver Armor' spirit on his left arm was already silent as well.
　There was no sign of a response to Luta's voice.

　Hoping that the situation will not worsen any further, we begin to move.

　By this time, the magical light bird that had been lighting up the surroundings had disappeared.
　It's because Solstice's magic power is gone.

　Our vision was supported only by a small lantern. We huddled together and proceeded through the ruins that were stained with darkness.

　Along the way, there were still signs of skeletons.

　Knots........knots.......

..........
..........

　Each time we managed to avoid the battle, we would gasp for breath.

　It was a real relief when we made it back to the first level, in front of the rubble.

　From there, we took a break as we took turns keeping watch.

(...tight.)

　But I can't whine about it.
　We were all tired, we were all injured, we were all together.

　We took two hour shifts and worked hard.

　Oh yes, once, Luta-san went through the debris hole to report to Illtimina-san and Kilt-san outside.

　A thousand skeletons.
　And the Skeleton King.

　The two of them were very surprised.

'Ma, ma'am, I'm coming!
No!

　Apparently, there was an act where Iltimina-san, who had turned pale, tried to blow away the rubble with her white spear without thinking twice, and was desperately stopped by Kilt-san and Ryuta-san.

(Haha....)

　I shouldn't have laughed at her for worrying about me, but I thought it was just like her.
　And I was happy.

　For 12 hours, the five of us struggled to endure 12 hours of napping and watching, in a dark world with only lanterns.

　Eventually, the debris moved.

(...)

　When I found her face there, I felt very nostalgic, even though I had been away from her for only half a day.

'Oh Marl!　I'm glad you're safe........

　And so they hug me.
　.................　

　Gyu.

　I, too, hugged her back, forgetting the pain in my wrist.

　This is what happened in our 12 hours - until we were rescued from the ruins of Dior.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Looking up at the sky, the stars are shining in the sky.
　It's already night.

　There are four carriages lined up on the street for the return journey.

　Solstice and I sat on the wheels of one of the carriages, with the two of us leaning against the wheels of the carriage. The two adults are thanking the dwarves for their help as they get into the carriage.

　I look up at the night sky and mutter.

'I thought we were finally out of the dark ruins... after all, it's night outside too, and it's pitch black...'
Well.....

　Solstice nodded vaguely.

'I miss the sun,'
Yes.

　I nodded.

　And then silence fell for a while.
　The only sound was the sound of insects in the grass, reel to reel, echoing in the quiet night.

　Looking ahead, I said.

'Thanks, Solstice.'
..........
If it wasn't for you, my heart would have been broken in the process. So thank you.

　Solstice replied after about ten seconds.

'So did I. I'm glad you were there to help me hold on to my willpower.
..........
Otherwise, I'd have left Asbell and the others to fend for themselves. I suppose I should thank you for that.
Yes.

　We were silent again.

　But it was kind of comforting.

　This quest had been so hard, but I felt like I was close to Solstice's heart. I'm sure she feels the same way.

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

　I looked over and saw that Solstice had a small smile on her face.
　I'm sure I'm laughing too.

　The night breeze was blowing and we were laughing for a long time.

　After a while.

"-- Merle, Sol.

　Then we were approached by a voice.

　When we turned our heads, we saw Asbell and three others walking toward us from a neighboring carriage.
　We stand up.

"Thank you for your help today, Merle and Sol, without you we'd be wiped out. --Thank you so much.

　Mr. Asbell shakes hands with me and Solstice.
　I laugh.

'I owe you one, okay?'
Yeah. I'll pay you back. I promise.
Yes.

　Solstice cowered her tiny shoulders.

'Don't get your hopes up, I'll be waiting for you.
"Ha-ha.
Just hope you're right...

　I laugh, and Asbel-san chuckles.

　And then Garion-san strokes my neck and opens his mouth, looking a little difficult to say.

'Kid, I hear you're a red mark?'
'What?　Oh, yeah.
Well that's the thing... that was a hell of a fight... that was a blue mark or worse.

　....................
　Me and Solstice roll our eyes.



　Puzzled, I thank him.

'Um, thanks,'
Yeah.
'Hmmm?　I can't believe you're saying that.

　Solstice, grin.

"f*ck you, little b*tc*. --That's all I'm saying. Good-bye.

　Mr. Garion turned away wildly and went back to their carriage.
　Asbel-san and Luta-san giggled.

　Then Ryuta-san came in front of me.

"Marle. Thank you for today.
Nope.
''I'm sorry for being such a jerk at first. I'm sorry.

　I shake my head.

"It's okay. I don't hate you, Ryuta-san, okay?
'Huh, yeah?　Thanks.

　Luta stroked my head with her brown hand.

If you ever need anything, just let me know. If you do, I will do my best to help you, Merle.

　And then he laughs.
　His light blue eyes were filled with a gentleness that was different from the first time it was there.

'Thank you, Solstice, and you two will always be friends, right?
I'll do my best.

　The dark elf girl laughed at Solstice, who answered in a clear voice.

　Suddenly, I could see Illtimina-san and Kilt-san coming back to us from the back of the room.
　It must be the departure of the carriage already.

　Asbell-san and the others also noticed.

'So long, Marle, Sol. I'll see you in the royal capital!''
See you later, you two!

　The two men waved as they left.
　On the way, they also greeted the two older demon hunters before getting into their own carriage.

　After seeing them off.

Well we'll be going home at last.
Yes.

　We looked at each other and smiled.

'Sorry, we had to wait.'
I'm sorry, both of you. Come on, let's go back to King's Landing.

　When they returned, the two men urged me to get into the carriage.

(..........It's been a long day.　

　I thought as I looked out the window at the pitch blackness outside.

　Goto goto.

　Then the wheel turns and the carriage with us in it starts to move.

　Under the moonlit night, the four carriages leave one after another on the roadway that stretches across the grasslands, heading for the royal capital--.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　It was a three-hour road trip to King's Landing.

　Solstice fell asleep as soon as the carriage started moving.

(..............he must have been tired.)

　She is now sleeping peacefully in her seat, face to face, with Mr. Quilt's lap as a pillow.
　Mr. Quilt's fingers play with the girl's hair, gently.

　As she watches.

Merle can sleep too, you know?

　bang-bang

　Ms. Illtimina smiled, slapping her own thighs.

　A nice offer.

　But.

I'd better tell you first...

　I turned to her.

'I'm sorry, Miss Illtimina,'
What?

　To her surprise, I lowered my head.
　Then, I unsheathed the Fang of Marl from my waist belt.

　In front of Iltimina-san, who looks doubtful, I pull that dagger out of its scabbard.

''Ah....

　A small voice escaped his lips.

　--the beautiful blade was broken from near its base.

　I apologize.

''I broke it in the fight with the Skeleton King. ...I'm sorry, Iltimina-san's precious dagger.
...Oh, I see.

　She took it and nodded.

　She had said it before.
　This single-edged dagger has been in use since Illtimina-san first became an adventurer, he said. That was why she had kept it as a talisman for seven years.

　She had lent me such an important sword.

　And I...

I ... snapped it off.

　The fact that it happened freezes my mind.

　I had to be angry, scolded, disappointed...I had to accept whatever the consequences were.

　But Miss Illtimina.

I'm glad.

　He stroked the broken dagger and muttered to himself.

　........eh?

　To my surprise, she says.

'So this sword has properly protected Marl?
..........
If it broke off as a result, that's fine. This sword has done its job.

　In a dignified voice, she said.

　.................

　In front of me, who cannot speak, she sheathes her dagger in front of me.

　Ting.

　A small metallic sound.

'Thank you ... for all your hard work.

　A quiet word.

　The moment I heard that, tears fell from my eyes.

　My heart hurts.

I'm sorry........I'm sorry, Illtimina-san, I'm sorry. ........I'm sorry, why.......
"Merle?

　Ms. Illtimina looks surprised.

　But she couldn't stop crying.

(Why did I break this sword...?)

　I've done something that can't be undone.

　I am so sad.
　And I am sorry.

　For Miss Illtimina.

　And for this single-edged dagger that I named 'Marl's Fang'.

''Ugh...''

　I take the dagger, crying, and hug it to my chest.

　I remember.

　The first time I held it in my hands was during a sleepless night in a tower in the Great Forest of Aldoria.
　I held this sword in my arms and slept with it.

　Whenever I was afraid, I would grab the hilt of this sword.
　It was the only thing that gave me the courage to face my enemies.

...I was always a weakling, but this sword kept me going.

　Demons.
　Sometimes, humans.

　That sharp, beautiful blade sliced through them and protected me all the time.

"And yet........I'm.......

　I just let that sword die.

　Why?
　Why did I have to.....　

　Illtimina's white hands hold my wet cheeks in regret.

'Marle, don't blame yourself.
Ugh.
This sword was used to protect Mahr at the expense of himself. You should be proud of yourself.

　His voice was gentle and dignified.

　It was a beautiful voice, as if The Fang of Marl was speaking.

　I look up.

"It's not regret that you should do this.
..........
You must continue to live your life with that life. That's exactly what you should be doing now that this sword has saved your life, isn't it?

　The crimson eyes stare at me.

(............)

　I wiped the tears away.

"Yeah,
Good.

　Her white fingers gently rubbed the wet mark on his cheek.
　Then she looked at the dagger.

He was a lucky boy. That's how lucky Merle thinks of you.

　I smiled a little sadly.

　During our exchange, Kilt-san stayed in the background, stroking Solstice's hair and not saying a word. He just listened to our conversation and smiled quietly.

(I'll never, ever forget the fangs of courage you gave me, will I?)

　I speak to the 'Fang of Marl' in this hand in my mind.

　Outside the window, a beautiful red and white moon is shining.

　Illuminated by the moonlight, in the carriage on the way to the capital, I say goodbye to the broken fangs of Marle in this way.