Hey, get back to town!　You're in danger!

　The gatekeeper, who was about to close the gate to protect the town, was shouting at me.
　I dodged his hand.

There are important people out there!

　He shouted back and left the oasis town with the three knights.

　Gogon.

　Behind me, there was a heavy thud, and a huge steel door closed.

(Oh, that was close.)

　A little later and we would have been trapped in the city.

　Relieved to be out safely, we ran down the street. But in a hurry, we escaped the town of the oasis, but there was no sign of a battle nearby.

(Huh?)

　I wondered and ran.

　Eventually, I see a huge cavalry car parked on the side of the road.
　Apparently, it seems to be safe.

(Thank goodness.)

　It looks like it wasn't Illtimina-san and the others who were fighting.

　But as I got closer, I saw three demon hunters standing on the roof of a large dragon car that looked like a two-story building.
　All of them were looking in the same direction.

　I shouted.

'Illtimina-san, Kilt-san and Solstice!
Merle!

　When Illtimina noticed us, her expression lit up and she jumped down to the ground from a whopping seven or eight meadows high. Whoa?
　I'm hugged as it is.

'Oh, I'm glad you're okay...'
Uh-huh.

　Three knights are looking at me from behind, which is a bit embarrassing.
　One of them, a mature knight, asked.

''We have successfully procured food in the town. But when we heard that there was a battle going on outside the town, we rushed back, sir?
Thanks for your help.

　Miss Illtimina nodded and

'We had just climbed onto the roof of the dragon carriage, too, when we felt a hint of battle.

　He explained.

　Was it?

Did you see anything?
I found Merle before I could look at you.

　She laughs.
　Then she picks me up in her arms, just like that, and dexterously climbs to the roof, running her long limbs over the unevenness of the dragonwheel. For a moment, I'm reminded of the time I climbed the Toggle cliffs back in the day.

　On the roof, I was lowered down.

'I'm back,'
Thanks for the help.

　Mr. Kilt and Solstice come over to me.

'Did you get those snacks you asked for?
Yes.
Yes!

　Solstice is delighted.
　She's still the same, even at times like this.

　The three of us chuckle.
　And I ask, "Mr. Quilt, what do you see?

"Can you see anything, Mr. Quilt?
Hmm. Over there, at the end of the road, there are two groups fighting.

　Two groups of people?

　Mr. Kilt pointed in the direction of the west.

　A wilderness land with little vegetation.
　There, a cloud of dust was dancing in the sky.

　In the smoke, I found countless small shadows, like ants, moving in the sky.
　It's a person.

(.........What's that, huh?)

　I stare at them.　

　The small shadows were of two kinds.

　On one side was a group of about ten people, dressed in black armor.
　All of them straddled a bipedal dragon, and in their hands, they held long swords covered in flames. They were working together in a single, controlled movement.

　At the other end was a group of about forty black robes.
　All of them wore white masks.
　In their hands, they held a variety of weapons, including swords, spears, and shields. But their movements are not coordinated and their fighting styles are different.

　Perhaps that's why the black armor is pushing them even though they are nearly four times stronger than the others.

(Strong........)

　To my surprise, Kirto told me.

"The black armor is the regular army of the Emperor Arun, isn't it?
...regular army.

　Okay.
　So, they're all that strong?

Okay, what's the other one?

　I pointed at the spectral group of black robes and masks.
　Mr. Kilt's head snaps up at an angle.

'I don't know. I've never seen a costume like that before. Well, I've been away from Arun for a while now.
Okay.

　sizzling sound

　Suddenly, Illtimina-san's fingers on my shoulder were strained.
　It hurts.

　I turn around to see what's wrong.

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

　Ms. Illtimina's beauty had gone pale.

　I didn't even notice that she was sinking her fingers into my shoulder. Only the distant battlefield, with her crimson eyes wide open, she was staring at it.

(Eh....?　(Lee, Mr. Illtimina?)

　I've never seen her like this before.

　Gigi .........

(!)

　My shoulder really hurts.

Uh-uh.
!

　The moment she moaned, she came to herself with a huff.
　The strength is released from her fingers.

''Ah....?　Ma'am, Ma'am, I'm sorry!　Duh, were you okay?!
Uh-huh.

　It wasn't okay for a bit, but I smiled and replied.

　She looks really apologetic.

'Irna, what's wrong with you?'
Irna?

　Ms. Kilt and Solstice also look at her with concern.

　Ms. Illtimina pulls her lips together.
　Then she lets out a deep breath.

No it's nothing. I must have been mistaken.

　I replied.

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

　The look and the way she looked wasn't anything to sneeze at.
　But she didn't want to say it.

　I was curious, but I decided to respect her wishes. If only she would talk to me one day, when she could.

　Kilt-san nodded.

'Hmm, I see.'
I'm sorry.
That's all right. --I'll get my men into that fight.

　Huh?
　Our leader, the Golden Mark Demon Hunter, looks back at us in amazement.

"That's Arun's regular army over there.
..........
We don't need your help in the war, but for the future, as we seek to coordinate and cooperate with the Arun Godhead, wouldn't it be advantageous to lend a hand, however small?

　Nah, I see.

(That's what you call a political decision, right?)

　My beautiful sisters nodded on either side of me.
　I nodded too.

'Okay.'
Yes, sir.
So, what do you say we just pull that off?

　Mr. Kilt looked at us dependably and then laughed.

'Okay, let's go!'

　The four of us climbed down from the roof and told the three knights who were waiting for us what had happened, and then drove the huge cavalry car underneath the two groups of dust and smoke.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The cavalcade of cavalcade vehicles rushes into the battlefield.

Who are you?

　The Arun regular army, a black knight who seems to be the commander in charge of the most luxurious cloak and helmet among them, finds us jumping out of the dragon carriage and shouts out a who's who.

　Covered by the black helmet, we can't see his face except for his mouth.
　But the voice, to my surprise, was a woman.

　With her back to us, Kirt pulls out the Great Sword of Thunder and releases it.

We are a group of adventurers from the neighboring country of Shumuria. You have seen that we are the regular army of the Emperor Arun. Therefore, you have been assisted by our righteousness.
'What!　Shumuria?

　The woman, Mr. Black Knight, was amazed.
　Kilt-san turned the back of her right hand towards her, revealing a golden magic emblem.

''Wha........?''

　Astonishment.

　When I looked, I saw that Illtimina-san also had a silver glow, and Solstice was pointing a white glow at her as well.
　I also hurriedly shone a red magic emblem on the back of my right hand.

''Don't tell me you're that Kirto Amandes...?

　Oh?
　Lady Black Knight, I immediately recognized her identity.

That's what I'm talking about, Mr. Kilt!　(I see the neighbouring countries know your name properly, too!

　I'm kind of glad.
　Then Mr. Kilt smiled wryly.

'We'll talk about the details later. For now, we have to get rid of these people.
Mm. Yeah, you got it.

　The Black Knight nodded and held his sword up.

　There was a trigger on the part on the hilt, and when he pulled it, the gear at the base of the blade turned.

　Galiin, voila!

　Sparks fly, and the blade is engulfed in red flames.

(Ooh, that's a cool sword!)

　It tickles my boyish heart a bit.

　All of the other black knights were holding the same sword in their hands, so it might be the standard equipment of the Arun regular army. Even the two-legged dragon that was straddling the horse was wrapped in black armor and looked very powerful and intimidating.

　The black knights of their regular army were fighting under the direction of the female commander with a single, unbroken movement.

　Gein, Gallin, Bakiyi.

　The black-robed and masked bewitchers were outnumbered, but they were getting beaten one by one.

'Marle, do not leave!
Yes.

　I drew my fairy sword, back to back with Iltimina-san.

　Solstice is being protected by the three knights of the Shumuria Kingdom, forming a circle around her.　

　''Kaine, hyphen.

　I tried to put my swords together, but the black robes and masked guys aren't very strong.

(Let's just shove them all in one fell swoop.)

　That was when I thought that.
　The group of black robes and masks that had been waiting behind me pointed their wands in their hands at the ground in unison. Around them, Thanatos magic letters shimmered, and the light letters were sucked into the ground.

　Magic.

　Crackle, crackle, crackle.

　Whoa, the ground rose up and dozens of 'rock scorpions' (scorpions), about a meter in length, appeared.

　Scattering small pieces of debris, the swarm of Rock Scorpions rushed towards us at a terrifying speed. Even though we are outnumbered, the number of enemies is even greater.

　However, the female black knight was unfazed.

Don't break formation!　Adan, Gale, ready to fire!　Aim for the wizard in the back!　The rest of you, prevent magical creatures from approaching the two of you.
"Haha.

　The two black knights in the center of the camp switch their equipment to bows.

''Aim--tee!

　On cue, a flaming arrow is shot out.

　Thud, thud, thud.

(Wow, a direct hit!)

　I was more than fifty yards away and it was an accurate shot to the head.
　A great arm.

　Flaming arrows flew one after another, piercing and burning the distant wizards as they fell to the ground in a flurry.

　The approaching 'Rock Scorpion' swarm was slashed by the flaming swords of the other black knights.

(These guys are really strong.)

　You can't help but look at it with admiration.

　'Oh,' warned Iltimina's voice at her back.

'It's coming, Marle.
Yes.

　The 'Rock Scorpion' is attacking us as well.

　''Kain, gagging.

　I wielded my fairy sword and carefully played down the attack of the giant tail and scissors. Illtimina-san easily crushed the supposedly sturdy rock flesh with her white spear stone thrusts.

　And to the tune of the 'rock scorpion', the black hooded and masked guys also approached soundlessly with swords, spears, and shields in their hands.
　They are outnumbered.

(They're trying to push us out in numbers, aren't they?)

　When I realized that, the voice of a spirit resounded from the 'white silver cuirass' on my left arm.

　Jijiji.........

　I laughed.

'Okay, I'm on it!'

　Bacchanalia thrusts her left hand out in front of her.

　

　The green magic stone shone and the white and silver ores overflowed, and a huge 'white and silver wolf' appeared in front of me.

　A beautiful white and silver spirit beast.

　With its huge body gleaming in the sunlight, the 'Silver White Wolf' rushed towards the approaching black robes and masked guys and the group of 'Rock Scorpions'.

　''Gagakiin.

　The rock shattered, and fresh blood danced in the air.

　It ran through like a silvery white meteor, leaving behind countless remnants of the shattered 'Rock Scorpion' and human corpses that collapsed with their shredded black robes dyed in fresh blood after the brilliance had passed.

''My God, a spirit beast!

　The people of the Arun regular army were also surprised.

　I myself was a bit surprised at how strong the spirits were.

(You really did add or subtract when you fought me, didn't you?)

　Out of the corner of my eye, the 'White Silver Wolf' proudly stood proudly in human form, looking down at the losers who had fallen to the earth.
　When he noticed my gaze, he narrowed his red eyes, as if to say, 'How do you like it?
　I smiled and nodded, too.

　Jiji.............

　With three tails wagging happily, the 'Spiritual Wolf' returned to the magic stone.

''A spirit of tremendous strength, isn't it?''
Heh.

　Illtimina's impressed voice made me a little embarrassed, and I was a little proud of myself.

　The battle plan was almost decided.

　Solstice's Flame Butterfly destroyed the remaining Rock Scorpion, and there were several lightning-burned corpses lying around Kirt-san. The wizards at the back had also been shot through by the flaming arrows of the Arun regular army and wiped out.

　The surviving group of black robes and masks turned their backs to us and began to flee.

　The female black knight pointed her flaming swordpoint in that direction.

''Chase!　But you two must be kept alive for interrogation!
"Haha.

　After receiving instructions, the black knight on the nine dragons began the chase.

　The other party is on foot.
　They would soon catch up with them.

　Watching the back of them, the female black knight, who was in command, pulled the trigger once more, delivered the sword's flame and sheathed it.
　As she came in front of us, she descended the dragon and removed her helmet.

　A blue glow spilled out softly.

　Emerging from beneath the helmet was the beauty of a woman with beautiful blue hair that reached to her waist.

　She was about twenty years old.
　She looked about the same age as Ms. Illtimina.

　Her blue eyes were slit and her face was dignified.

(Just like a female knight.)

　She bows to the seven of us from the Kingdom of Shumuria, holding her black helmet in her left hand.

'Thank you for your help.'

　A dignified voice.
　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'I thought it would be an unwanted help, but I'm glad I was able to help you.

　The female black knight looked down at the 'Great Sword of Thunder' in Kilt's hand, and then looked at the silver-haired beauty once again.

''That sword, that face, and most of all, that strength. --Are you, after all, Lord Kirto Amandes?
"How.

　In confirmation again, this time, Kilt-san clearly admits it.

　The female Black Knight smiled a small smile for the first time here.

'I see. So you were moving faster than I thought?　I'm glad we didn't cross paths.
...What?

　Ms. Kilt's eyebrows knit together suspiciously.
　The female black knight changed her expression and assumed a salute posture, placing her fist against her chest.

''My apologies for the delay in coming forward. --I am Frederica Dardios, a member of the Arun Divine Imperial Army, Third Order, and Commander of the Seventh Knight Squadron.
..........
"To tell you the truth, we have received word from the Kingdom of Shumuria that they have sent a pterodactyl. --And we were on our way to pick you up from the Kingdom of Shumuria, when we were entrusted with the task of bringing the visiting God's Dog of Yacour and his guards safely to the Divine City of Astirio.

　The noble and beautiful knight told us in a beautiful voice.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Frederica, the Black Knight Captain, who said she was here to pick us up.
　She explained to us.

　The Arun Divine Kingdom is a country that still has little understanding of the 'Demon Blood People'.
　The people of Arun Central also understand that, and that's why they sent personnel to help us.

　That's the girls, the 7th Knight Squadron, belonging to the 3rd Knight Squadron.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for," he said. This visit was too urgent.

　I see.

(After Princess Reclear and I talked and decided on our trip, we were leaving in four days.)

　Indeed, it's steep.
　It would have been a more difficult situation for the people of the Arun Divine Kingdom, an organization larger than the Kingdom of Shumuria.

　That's why this order was given to Frederica-san's troops, who excelled in movement speed, even among the Third Order of Arun, especially Frederica-san's troops who excelled in movement speed.

　For us, the distance to the divine imperial capital Astilio was more than thirty days, but they had shortened the distance to Astilio by nearly five days. Indeed, they were fast. The fact that the number of people in the unit is a small number, ten, might be a factor.

　Kilt-san nodded.

'I see,'

　Her gaze then turns to the corpses of a group of black robes and masks lying around her.

''Then who are these guys?''
The God-blooded Nakes.

　Frederica replied in a voice filled with disgust.

(The Divine Blood Cult Nakes!　(These people!)

　They are the exclusionists who even perform the 'Demon Blood Hunt' that Naruda-san warned me to be careful about.
　The gazes and expressions of the three of them also turned grim.

''We found them on the move. Then, as an Arun Knight, I can't let them go unnoticed.　

　Frederica says once and for all.
　So we appeared in the middle of a battle.

　Illtimina-san coldly stares at the mask lying at her feet.

''These are the nakes........I see.

　slapstick

　He mumbles and then stomps on his mask.

(......Illtimina?)

　After all, after seeing these people from the Godblood Sect Nakes, she was a bit strange.
　Solstice also looked a bit worried.

''These vermin that nest in Arun are quite a nuisance. We still can't get rid of them.''
Okay.

　Frederica-san, who looked abominable, and Illtimina-san, who nodded.

　It's a demon blood discrimination that has lasted for nearly 400 years until now.

　People's consciousness is not easy to change. I heard that there are people in the city who hide the Divine Blood Order from the Arun Regular Army.

(No.........)

　It's too deep-rooted and desperate.
　Frederica noticed the look on my face and said apologetically, "I'm sorry.

'I really need some time to solve this problem.
..........

　She says

　People often want to simplify things, but the solutions to complex and difficult problems are still going to be complex and difficult.
　There are no shortcuts there.

(Like untangling a tangled thread?)

　If you don't take the time to solve each one carefully, you will never solve it. Even if you pull with all your strength, you will only get tangled up in unnecessary tangles.

　I muttered to myself.

You're a smart guy.

　She laughed softly.
　Her smile looked a bit like Illtimina's and I was a bit surprised.

　It made my heart skip a bit, okay?

"Merle?
Hey, it's nothing.

　I'm pathetic for getting upset, even though I didn't do anything wrong.

　At my attitude, Illtimina-san was shaking her beautiful hair and tilting her head.

　Frederica-san looks around at us.
　And.

'Originally, I thought we could meet up a little further down the road in the town, but I'm glad to see you in one piece. -- So, is the 'Godgu of Yacour' hall in that dragon carriage?
What?

　He says, staring at the dragon car behind him, and we look at each other.

'What's wrong?'

　Frederica looked dubious at the reaction.
　I pointed at myself.

"It's me.
?
"The God Dog of Yacoubaur.

　.....................

　A wilderness wind blows through us.

'What?!'

　Frederica makes a barefaced noise.

　Why is that?
　I felt a little unbearable........

"I didn't think that the target of my guard, the 'Jingu' lord, was fighting on the front lines.......is it true?
Yes, sir.

　I'm sorry,
　Miss Illtimina announces quietly.

'Excuse me, but this is Merle.
What?
''Even though he was born a 'divine dog,' he already has a life of his own. I hope you won't misunderstand that.
..........

　Frederica's blue eyes narrowed.

''The 'divine dog' is the 'keystone' that saves people. I don't think we're allowed to escape that responsibility, do you?
Huh?

　smack

　I feel like there was an invisible spark.

(Yeah?)

　We panicked as the two of them stared at each other.

"Wait, wait, wait. So now is not the time to be bickering, is it?
Hmm?
But, sir.

　Kilt-san forcefully made his fellow Silver Seal demon hunter back down and asked the female knight of Arun.

'So, Frederica?　Will you be with me on my upcoming trip?
Of course.

　She shook her blue hair and nodded.

'To be precise, I was going to take you guys to Londoner, a city north of here.
What do you mean?　It's a long way around.

　Mr. Kilt is surprised.
　Apparently, it wasn't the regular route they were supposed to take.

　Frederica nodded.

''That's true. But that's only if we're heading over the ground.

　Huh?

(Above ground?)

　Her lips parted in a beautiful smile.

"Your Majesty Emperor Arun has prepared a precious airship for you in Londoner, which you will use for your journey to the God's Capital. --From now on, you will enjoy your journey through the skies to the City of God.

　He continued, mischievously.