That night, the airship carrying us took off into the skies of Arun.

(Oooh ... really floating!)

　The city of Londoner, which I can see through the window, is getting further and further away.

　Ms. Illtimina is peering out the window with me, holding me from the back, while Solstice is stuck to the window next to one. Ms. Kilt was looking out of the gap as she gave the girl most of the window.

'You really do fly, don't you?'
Yes.

　Illtimina looks impressed.
　I nodded widely.

''Uha~ This is amazing!
Hmm, of course.

　Solstice is excited, and that Mr. Kilt looks like a curious thing to see.

　Eventually, into the darkness of night, the city of Londoner melted away, and all that was left was a collection of lights where people lived.
　It was so beautiful, so magical.

(My ears are beginning to keel over.)

　The pressure's changing.

　The altitude is already about 2,000 to 3,000 meds.　The airship is flying at the same height as the clouds.

What's going on with your ears?

　Solstice mutters.

'You should spit or yawn,'

　Past life knowledge advice.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'Hmm, just like when I climbed the high mountains.
Yes.

　The four of us all spat and opened our mouths wide, inducing a yawn.
　It was a bit of an interesting sight.

　The propellers on the tips of the wings turned and the speed of the airship increased.

(.........the clouds are beautiful.)

　A sea of clouds.

　In the light of the two red and white moonbeams, the sea of soft-looking water droplets and ice crystals was beautiful, sometimes pale and sometimes red.

　Kishi, Gishissi.

　Every now and then the hull would creak and sway in the wind.

'....It won't break up in mid-air, will it?
..........

　Don't be weird, Solstice.
　I was pale, and the two adults laughed at me, laughing at me with a relaxed expression on their faces.

　As I was enjoying my air travel like that.

　knock-knock

　Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the room.

'Excuse me.'

　The person who came in was not in black armor, but Frederica-san in military uniform.

(Wow, cool.)

　She is a beautiful woman in men's clothing.
　Her long, lustrous blue hair is pulled back in a thin braid, behind her head, in a bun.

　She looks around at us with her blue eyes.

It's a bit late, but dinner is ready. I'll show you to the mess hall.

　I told him.

"Wow, I got it,
I was starving.

　A delighted me and Solstice.
　She laughed a little at our comment about our growing up years and said, "I'm glad to hear that.

　And so we headed for the ship's dining room, guided by Frederica.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　The ship's dining room was a circular restaurant that looked like it could hold about 40 people together.

　It was surrounded by a wall of glass, offering a panoramic view.

　But it was dark at night now, so we couldn't see the outside because it reflected the light from the room.

(Kind of a shame.)

　I'm sure we would have a great view in the daytime.

　Passing through the crowd of people in military uniforms, the four of us sat down at a table led by Frederica. The food was already on the table.

'Wow,'
Yummy!

　Me and Solstice cheering.

　The beautiful lean roast beef is lined up like flower petals. The sauce on it looks like an interesting pattern. Fresh-looking vegetables on the side add a splash of color to the dish.

　Other desserts include steamed, fluffy potatoes, baked cheese and a fried egg, and a fresh fruit and cream dessert.

(I can't stop drooling now.)

　Frederica laughs.

'I hope you guys like it.

　Yeah, let me try it quickly.

　And we began to eat.

(The meat melts in my mouth...!)

　It must be a high-grade meat.

　Both Solstice and I couldn't stop our hands, and single-mindedly put the dishes lined up in our stomachs. Kilt-san and Iltimina-san were giggling a bit.

'It's a good thing the kids have such a big appetite.

　Frederica smiled at that and began her own meal.
　The way she ate elegantly, using her knife and fork neatly while keeping her back straight, was very cool.

　The two demon hunters also begin to eat politely.

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

　Me and Solstice decided to slow down for a bit of reflection.

　When the meal was winding down.

'I've been wondering, Frederica?　Are you, by any chance, a relative of General Dardios?

　Mr. Kilt suddenly asked her, who was tipping a glass of wine-like fruit wine.

(.........General Dardios?)

　When asked, Ms. Frederica - Frederica Dardios put her glass on the table.

'Oh, my daughter,'

　I nodded my head.

　Kilt nods, "I knew it," and Iltimina looks surprised.
　Soltis says, "? And he didn't seem to know.

　I asked.

"Who is that guy?
"The ever-victorious and undefeated general, Adobald Dardios. -- the commander of the First Order of Arun and the most famous general in the Arun Divine Kingdom.

　Oh, yeah?

(So, Frederica is his daughter?)

　She was actually a great person.

　Frederica chuckles.

'Already not always undefeated, my father was defeated seven years ago by Lord Kirto Amandes over there.
What?

　Our gaze turned to her at a terrific rate.

　This time, Ms. Kilt giggled.

I used to play in a pre-game.

(...a game before?)

　She took a gulp of her glass of wine, asked the staff for another, and then told us, curious, what happened seven years ago.

　Seven years ago, there was a feast in the Arun Divine Kingdom.

　It was the tenth anniversary of the marriage of Emperor Arun and the Empress of Shumurian royal descent.

　Naturally, many people from the Shumuria Kingdom were invited to that celebration, including Kirt Amandes, who at the time was in his second year as the 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' and was already being called the 'strongest in Shumuria'.

　And it was at a banquet held in the Emperor's presence.

　As one of the entertainments, a duel between the ever-victorious and undefeated General Dardios and the Golden Mark demon hunter Kirto Amandes was suddenly brought up in a playful manner.

''Warawa was young, too,''

　Her heart leaped at the prospect of a hand-to-hand meeting with the rumored general.

　It was a drinking feast, and the emperor asked for it, and the loyal General Dardios agreed, and the two of them were to have a match before the Emperor.

　It was a tremendous battle.

　Everyone was sobered up, and the match was a frenzy of excitement.

　People were stunned by the defeat of the general, the symbol of the Arun God's Kingdom, and the Shumurian Kingdom was also stunned.
　Even the Shumurian Kingdom didn't expect him to win, and in fact, they were on the verge of having a diplomatic row.

(Then why did they let them fight?)

　We were dumbfounded.
　Mr. Kilt chuckled.

It was supposed to be a place of strength and grandeur, wasn't it? Even the stranger was a fool not to notice.
Hmm?
But it was the Emperor who saved you from that predicament.

　His Majesty Emperor Arun admired his fighting skills and honestly praised the young 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter'.
　Thanks to that, the scene was settled.

　And as a reward for the winner, Kirt was given the Great Sword of Thunder.

　General Dardios honestly admitted his defeat and praised her strength. Later, she was invited to the mansion, and they exchanged drinks again, and there they beat each other in a drinking contest as well, and the two of them became very good friends.

(...............................As expected of you, Kilt.

　That's all I have to say about it.

　Frederica, who was thirteen years old at the time, met Mr. Kilt once, she said.

'What!　Is that right?

　Mr. Kilt is surprised to hear that.
　Apparently, she doesn't remember.

　Frederica-san chuckled, "It's not unreasonable.

　At that time she was in a dress as a nobleman's daughter.
　Her image was completely different from now.

　And the reason why Frederica-san, who was a noblewoman, became a knight in shining armor was actually due to Quilt-san's influence. Kirt-san, who was drunk, apparently lectured the young girl on how to grip and swing a sword, and even lightly matched hands.

''..........''
..........
..........
I'm sorry.

　It was Mr. Kilt who couldn't help but apologize for the way we were looking at him.

　But still, General Dardios, huh?

(What's he like?)　

　I'm a little curious.

　Mr. Kilt says.

'I'll be honest, I'm not sure I can do it again. That's the kind of man you are.
..........
The real value of General Dardios is his ability to command an army of more than 10,000 men as if they were his hands and feet, and his ability to see the big picture in a mass war. To be undefeated is to be admired in wartime, not to be admired for one's military prowess. --Or at least, it's not for a warrior.

　Then she tilts the poured wine glass again.

(I see.)

　At Kilt-san's words, Frederica-san also seems somewhat satisfied.
　However, her expression quickly changed.

I am indeed the daughter of this General Dardios. I respect my father. But he is my father and I am me. --He has nothing to do with me being asked to guide you and your friends.
Hmm, okay.

　Kilts-san nodded at that advice.

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

　I'm sure she's had a lot to deal with, right?
　The presence of her famous father may have made people put colored glasses on her, and there may have been many painful incidents, such as her own lack of recognition of her efforts and abilities, or her disappointment in herself compared to her great father,

　Ms. Illtimina says with clarity.

'Don't worry. We don't care about the general's existence in the first place.

　Frederica looked back at me in amazement.
　He looked at her and

You're a good soldier, as we saw in the battle the other day. --You're strong enough to be trusted, don't you think?
..........

　Staring into her crimson eyes, Frederica-san looked like she was going to cry for a moment.
　But it was really just a moment.

　Immediately, she turned her face into a straight face.

Okay.
..........
I'm sorry, but I've got some business to attend to. I'll leave you to it.

　So she got up from her seat and walked out of the restaurant, just like that.

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

　The profile I caught a glimpse of was bright red.

　There was still a gentle air between the remaining four of us.
　We laughed at each other and resumed eating.

　As I suddenly remembered, Kirt added, "You know," he said.

'Come to think of it, at that time seven years ago, on his way back to the Kingdom of Shumuria, he found Irna and Sol, who were covered in wounds.
...What?

　I'm surprised.
　I look back at my sisters.

'It was, wasn't it?'
I'm sorry. I don't remember much.

　Such an answer.

　...........

(It seems like the Arun Divine Empire is like a land full of these three people's fates, isn't it?

　Or so I thought.

　And as I watched these three beautiful friends, I took the last piece of roast beef to my mouth and swallowed it in a gulp as it melted.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Three days have passed since then.

　Thanks to the stable weather, our flight is going smoothly.

　During the day, the vastness of Arun's nature unfolds outside our window.

　Through the wilderness, forests and grasslands, blue lakes that reflect the sunlight, large rivers and tremendous waterfalls. In the distance, we saw a series of mountain ranges with white snow caps.

(Is that a flying dragon?)

　I can see some black shadows near the mountain.

　Since they are so far away, each one is quite large. It's a bit scary.

　In the forest below us, three giants could be seen walking.

'Those must be trolls.

　Dr. Illtimina, who hadn't been seen in a long time, tells me from the side.

　These fat giants, about 3-med tall, have strangely small heads, short legs, and conversely, their arms are long and thick enough to reach the ground. In their hands, they held clubs that looked like logs.

　There was blood sticky on it, and they were in the middle of eating a corpse that looked like a giant boar as they walked.

(Really, it's a world full of demons.)

　Finally, I thought to myself.

　The view of the ground from the sky is mostly wilderness. There really isn't much of the realm controlled by humans.

　At night, it was noticeable.

　In the pitch black of the ground, where people live, there is light.
　Of it, really little.

　In the midst of most of the darkness, there are only a few pockets of light for people to poke around in. The dark part was the survival area of the dangerous demons, and the lights wrapped in it looked weak as if they were blowing away, and it was a strange and terrifying feeling.

(.........So there are 'demon hunters' who hunt demons?

　Once again, I felt that Illtimina and the others were amazing.

　Well, one day, I was called by Kirt-san to a corner of the hangar in the airship.

　For some reason, there were also three of Gosha's Shumurian knights and ten members of the Arun 7th Knight Squadron, including Frederica-san. ........Why?

　They all have a strange look on their faces except me.

　Looking around at them all, and then at me for the last time, Mr. Kirt said in his master's voice.

''Marle, you will now join your swords with all these people.
"Huh?

　Suddenly the words startled me.

　No, everyone was surprised.

　She says.

Everyone here is not the People of Demon and Blood," she said, "You should know that the swords of these powerful people without Demon and Blood are their swords. You should know the swords of these powerful people without 'demon blood' just once.
Uh-huh.

　Come to think of it, I didn't know much about people's swords other than the 'Demon Blood People'.
　The only ones I know of are rogues and wildlings?

　Kirt's gaze turns to others besides me.

'You, too, know the difference between the swords of Arun and Shumuria. It's partly for the sake of goodwill, but don't cut corners.　--It's time for me to show you what I'm capable of doing with Kirto Amandes.

　They all groaned at the last word.

　Their eyes sparkled like a child's.

(Oh, we all have a longing for strength after all, don't we?)

　They are all going to be knights.
　They must have spent a lot of years practicing their swords. And Kirto Amandes' sword is the sword that ranks at the top of the list.

(........When I think about it, I was really blessed.

　I realize now.

　Frederica-san, too, had her beautiful, slender eyes blazing with the anticipation of a sword that would surpass her father's.

　I can't lose, either.

　I clench my fists and put my mind to it.

　Looking at them all, Kirt-san nodded in satisfaction.

Good. Then, let's get started!


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　As it turned out, I lost the whole thing.

(Everyone is strong...)

　With no physical handicap from birth, there was no excuse. My pride that I might be able to win a little bit was shattered.

''Huh........''

　Sitting leaning against the wall of the hangar, I stared at my numb hands, clashing wooden swords against each other.

　In front of me, there were two knights, both Shumria and Arun, and Kirt-san, who was fighting alone at the same time. The exchange of their terrific sword skills was far superior to mine.

　Shameful.

(Not at all, I'm immature, me.)

　What I was keenly aware of was the 'connection' between the swordsmanship and the sword techniques.

　If it was an individual swordsmanship, I wouldn't lose that much.

　But when I use them as a flow, it's that connection that causes me to stagnate. The others don't have that. They were smooth and stagnant, almost like they were playing a beautiful tone. I, on the other hand, am a mumbling, disgusting tone.

　Unlike me, who was only looking at the moment, everyone else was watching the entire fight and swinging their swords.

(How could I do that?)

　I was troubled as I was shown the high level of battle before me.

'What's the matter, Lord Marl?'

　And then Frederica came in next to me.

　She had taken off her jacket and was wearing a white T-shirt and military pants. Her blue hair was pulled back in a bun behind her head, and now it was slightly frayed from practice. The way she wiped the sweat from the nape of her white neck with a towel had a healthy beauty and a strange feminine s*xiness to it.

　It makes me a little nervous.

(Kora Kora.)

　Isn't this the time, Merle?

　She sat down next to me as if it was natural for her to sit down next to me as I examined my heart. ''Hmph,'' she said, letting out a hot breath.　

'You're still strong, Kirt-dono. It's almost like you can't stand up to it.
Yes.

　Admiration, but he seems kind of happy.
　But my voice is dark in response.

　Frederica noticed and looked at me with some concern.

"What's really wrong, Maar?　Did you hurt yourself somewhere?
Nope.

　Me shaking my head.

(Hey, let me ask you something.)

　I asked her to talk to me about the shortcomings I had noticed in myself.

　She listened to my poor explanation to the end without saying a word.
　After listening to everything.

It's a matter of experience.

　I replied.

'Experience?'
''That's right. The flow of a sword fight is determined to some extent when it reaches its peak. Instead of thinking in your head, your body moves on its own.
..........
Now it's a struggle between the two sides to see which way it goes. It's a struggle between the two sides to see which way you will go, and the one who goes with your flow usually wins. --That's what swordplay is all about.

　Frederica is serious.
　She doesn't underestimate or indulge me because they're kids, and she answers me.

　But.

'I'm sorry. I don't understand.

　I told her honestly.
　Frederica laughed gently.

So, all you need is experience to understand that.
..........
'If you continue to be diligent in the future, you'll figure it out, on your own. At least, I did. When you find out, you will.

　Is that right?

　I was still uneasy, but Frederica-san asked me the opposite question.

'To begin with, how long have you been learning the sword, Marle-dono?'
Uh... about three months?

　Actually, it's a little shorter.

Three months?　

　Frederica, suddenly let out a loud voice that echoed throughout the hangar.

　Without a second thought, the others, who were taking a break, looked at me.

(Bi, startled.)

　My ears went numb.
　But Miss Frederica seemed even more surprised than I was.

'You didn't think you had that much sword skill, three months?　Impossible!
No, but,

　Ho, it's true.

　Frederica-san stares at me in horror, as if she's letting go, and then lets out a big sigh.

''If that's true, then it's no wonder you lack experience. I thought for sure that I had been holding a sword since I was a child.
..........

　in one go

　She tugs on my right hand and looks at it.

'I see.'

　He murmured, and this time, he showed me his own palm.

　White, thin fingers.

　But the skin is hard in places, with areas of yellow discoloration. It's a sword octopus.

Do you know what it is?
..........
'I'm finally here after more than seven years of swinging my sword. Lord Marr's hands are still soft.

　Sure, it's in my hand, but it's much softer than Frederica's.
　She says

'The others have spent as many years on the sword as I have, or more. Don't you think it's a bit disrespectful that Lord Marr, who has been with us for only three months, would want to stand alongside us like that?
I'm sorry.

　I apologize.
　In a sincere tone, Frederica tells me that I'm not very good at this.

"First of all, I want you to swing your sword more.
..........
There's nothing wrong with aiming for the top, but I think the shortest way to get stronger is to take your time and build a solid foundation first. But I think the shortest way to become strong is to take the time to build a solid foundation first. There are no shortcuts. For now, it's better to learn the sword in your hands and body rather than in your head, without hurrying.

　She stares at me as she grasps my hands in her own two hands.

　They are hard hands.

　The feel of them conveys more than any words.

'Yes.'

　I looked back at her and nodded.

　Frederica laughed, too.

(I must have been in a bit of a hurry, I guess.)

　I realized that.

　I was told that I was a 'divine dog' and I wanted to become strong as soon as possible to protect people and fight the 'children of darkness'. In order to do so, I learned only minor swordsmanship techniques, but the most important thing was the experience of deciding when and how to use them.

　There was no time to think about every single sword technique you would use while you were fighting.
　You need to be able to move by reflex.

　For that, experience is the most important factor.

　Geez.

　I squeezed Frederica's hand back hard.

"Thank you, Frederica!

　She smiled and thanked him, and she looked a little surprised when he thanked her.

'Oh.'

　It came off so fast.

Well you really don't look like a godd*mn old man, do you, Maar? There's a limit to how friendly you can be.
Yeah?

　I nodded my head.

　A slightly red-faced Frederica, perhaps still reeling from the heat of practice, exhaled heavily and stood up.
　She looks at me with the wooden sword in one hand.

''Do you want to try hand-to-hand combat with me again?''
Of course!

　In answer, I jumped up.
　Frederica's blue eyes narrowed and she let out a gentle smile.

'If I had a brother, maybe this is what it would be like.

　A small murmur, like a soliloquy.
　He quickly changed his expression.

All right, then. Let's go.
Come on!

　We readied our wooden swords, and then we had an intense discussion.

　The sound of hot practice echoed in the hangar forever.

　And so our flight continued.

　--And a week later, the airship we were on finally arrived at Astirio, the capital of the Arun Divine Empire, the divine imperial capital.