Along with many worshippers, we walked into the majestic Great Temple of Arzeus, with Frederica in the lead.

(Oh?)

　Immediately in front of me, there was a huge statue.

　A statue as large as the statue of the goddess Shrean in the square in front of Shumuria's royal castle stood solemnly in the temple.

　Arzeus, the god of justice.

　He is a muscular, robust male god.
　He holds a winged spear in his hand. Somehow, I felt it resembled Illtimina-san's spear.

''Perhaps the Thanatosian magic smith who made my spear 400 years ago created the 'White-winged Spear' in imitation of this Alzeus' spear,''
Oh, I see.

　400 years ago, the Divine Demon War.
　I was reminded once again that Illtimina's white spear, which has existed since that time, is a great product.

　Then we walked in the temple with the flow of other tourists and worshippers.

　On the way, there was a corridor lined with paintings that traced the history of the temple.

　The prosperity of the ancient Thanatos Dynasty.

　Horrible demons appearing beyond dimensions.

　The descending gods.

　The valiant war of gods and demons.

　The end and the collapse of Thanatos' civilization.

　The birth of Arun, a small country.

　From the exploits of the first Emperor Arun during the Warring States Period to the process of making Arun the God-kingdom it is today.

　And the birth of the world's greatest nation, the Arun God-kingdom.

　--''It was full of truly compelling and stunning paintings.

''It's.......amazing.''
Yes, sir.
Well....

　Me, Illtimina, and Solstice were mesmerized by the beauty and power of these huge paintings.

(Huh?)

　I suddenly noticed that Frederica-san was not nearby.
　No, I saw her in the back, talking about something with someone who seemed to be an elderly temple official.

　He came right back.

I got special permission to see the 'divine armor'. -This way.

　After telling us this, he led us to the back of the Great Temple of Arzeus.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Led by the priest of the Great Shrine, the four of us descended the stairs to the basement, which was off limits to all but those involved.

　Eventually, we were led through a passage and into a room at the end of it.

　A large room made of stone.

　On its walls, there were seven huge metal pieces covered in red rust, decorated.

(This is the 'divine armor'...?)

　I was a bit confused.

　The seven metal pieces, each with a different shape, despite the name of their armor, weren't shaped like swords, spears, shields, or armor; they were either triangles about one median on one side, or elongated metal plates about two medians long, or they were shaped like spirals.

　And everything was rusty.

　Illtimina-san's beauty frowned suspiciously.

''Is this really a 'divine armament'?''
Oh, yeah.

　Frederica nods.

　Her fingers, wrapped in a glove, point to a small plate underneath a piece of metal.


　****.

　Public history 728.

　Ruins deep in the forests of the Pueris Mountains, Degral territory.

　Adventurer Radol Carmine.

　Discovered the ruins of the forest from the traditions of the local inhabitants.
　Obtained it in a room in the deepest part of the ruins.

　In September of the same year, it was donated to the Great Temple of Arzeus and stored in the shrine's vault.

　XXXXXXX


　On it was the date and time of its discovery, the location of the site, the name of the finder and a brief history of the site from its discovery to its storage.
　There are a decent seven plates under each metal piece.

　I see.
　From what I read, it certainly looks authentic.

"Hmmm?　...but it's kind of a crapshoot.

　Pouting, the girl who spills her true feelings.

　

　Frederica-san smiles bitterly.

''According to the two 'Divine Fanglars', these 'Divine Armaments' are already dead, so...''
You look dead to me, even if you don't believe me.

　Yeah, it's full of red rust.

　I somehow reached for the piece of metal in front of me.

"Oh, you can't touch it...
No, he's fine.

　Frederica-san holds up her hand to stop Priestess-san from hurriedly trying to stop her.

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

　I really touched it because I had to.

　Pit.

　The feel of rough rust.

　But there was a strange feeling in my chest as I touched it. A nostalgic, lonely feeling - probably the emotion of a godgu arc-in.

(I knew it was real, right?)

This is the "divine armor" that uses the "divine energy" to unleash its awesome power.

Let's give it a try.

　Muttering, I open the 'divine faucet' inside my body.

　Gyuoh.........

　A lava-like force floods his entire body, causing him to grow dog ears and a tail.

''Huh?　Oh, my ears and tail!

　The priest who was watching me was very surprised.

　Ignoring that, I poured the divine qi that flooded my body, in the manner of handling magic power, from my palm to the red-rusty metal piece I was touching.

　Crackle, crackle.

　Suddenly, the red rust flaked off, revealing beautiful bullion.

　An iridescent luster.
　A very beautiful and mysterious glow.

"Oh!

　Frederica-san speaks up.
　Iltimina-san and Solstice were also staring at that beautiful metal part.

　Only one of them, Priestess, said, "Nah, nah.......? And although I was sitting back and falling on my butt.

　Gyuoh.........

　Ripples of light spread across the surface in response to the flowing divine energy.
　But.

...No, right?

　I quickly realized.

　I was pouring the divine energy, but it felt like the bottom of a pot with a hole in it, and it wasn't pooling inside the metal piece, but pouring out somewhere else.

　He stopped pouring and let go of his hand.

　The ripples of light slowly disappeared.

　And soon, the surface that had been giving off an iridescent sheen turned a leaden color, with red rust eroding over it.

''Ah........''

　Frederica let out a discouraged breath.

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

　Ms. Illtimina and Solstice look like they have seen the results of the right experiment.
　The priestess is letting loose.

　I've removed my dog ears and tail, and Mr. Illtimina calls out to me.

'It still didn't work, did it?'
Yes.

　I exhaled heavily.

'As Rapt and Lectoris taught me, I still think he's dead.
Okay.

　Iltimina-san's white hand strokes my head as if she were working on me as I answered sadly.

''It can't be helped. --Thank you for your hard work, Marle.'
...Yeah, thanks.

　I close my eyes at the comfort of its warmth.

　Concon.

　Solstice taps the rusty piece of metal lightly with her back fist.　

'It's kind of a waste to have seven of them.
Yes.

　I looked around the room again, too.

　Seven rusty metal pieces covered in red rust adorned the walls.

　This room, built in the basement of the Great Temple of Arzeus, resembled a tomb in which the dead "divine armor" was enshrined. I hope that being able to sleep in the temple that enshrines the great god is at least a reprieve for the 'divine armor' that had met their unceremonious deaths.

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

　I silently clasped my hands together.

　Seeing this, Illtimina-san and Solstice do the same. Frederica-san closes her eyes and puts her hands on her chest - apparently, it seems to be the Arun style way.
　The priestess was just puzzled.

　Eventually we left the basement and toured the above-ground portion of the building a bit more, and then we left the Great Temple of Arzeus.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Afterwards, we got off the carriage and strolled around the city of Astiglio, the divine imperial capital.

It's so refreshing to be able to go into any of the shops at your leisure.

　Solstice says that while looking at the various storefronts.

(Oh, I see.)

　In Muria, the royal capital of Shumuria, there were some shops that didn't allow demon blood entry. The girls had to be very careful in choosing such shops until now.

　I felt very foolish for realizing that fact now.

　But I was still glad to see Solstice's bright smile now.

　I wonder if it's the same with Illtimina-san, who is watching her sister with a gentler gaze than usual.

　Frederica-san, who is showing me around, also looks a little satisfied.

　So, after a while of strolling through the city, Solstice unexpectedly muttered as if she was groaning.

''Hmm........But the cost of living in this city is really high, isn't it?
Yeah, I guess so.

　I nodded.

　I've visited many shops, but compared to the royal capital of Shumuria, daily necessities alone had a price tag that was nearly twice as high, and more than three times as high for luxury goods, compared to the royal capital of Muria.

(Sure, there's no discrimination, but...)

　It seemed that the 'Demon Blood People' who could live here were really only a select few.

''In the meantime, we're also enforcing a policy to hold down prices...''

　It's hard to get results, Frederica told me painfully.

(Really?)

　Because everyone wants to live there, I wonder if the competition for that deprivation will make the environment uninhabitable for everyone else, on the other hand.
　It's a tough question.

'Merle would be in a lot of debt if he lived here, wouldn't he?
Well, there's no denying it.

　I had to nod to Solstice, who was teasing me and I was already in debt.

'It's okay?　I'll provide for Marle then.
..........
..........

　A chest-thumping, overprotective sister.

　Solstice and Ms. Frederica were a bit taken aback.
　I chuckle.

'Oh, thanks, Illtimina.'
No.

　She smiled graciously in return for my thanks.

　The four of us walked down a street lined with shops, stitching our way through the people of Arun.

　Eventually, I suddenly noticed one building.

''Ah. Could that be the Adventurer's Guild?
What?
Where is it?

　The sisters followed my gaze, too.

　I pointed to a rather magnificent building where armed adventurers were coming and going.

　Frederica-san nodded.

''That's right. There are several adventurer's guilds based in this astirio. That's one of them.''
Hmmm, is that so?

　If you look, there are also shops lined up near the guild for weapons and armor.

(I guess there's a demand for them, after all.)

　I was curious to see what kind of weapons and armor were sold in the Arun Divine Empire, so we went into the store for a bit.

''Heh~?''
I see. It's still a bit different from the armor of Shumuria, isn't it?
It's so funny.

　When I looked at the store, I couldn't help but get that impression.

　Weapons that could be turned into flaming swords by pulling that trigger were usually sold.

　Other than that, there were many other variable armaments in the Arun Divine Kingdom, such as hand armor with a built-in muzzle that could fire fire flaming bullets and shields that could be extended up, down, left and right to increase in size several times over, and so on, apparently, there were many variable armaments in the Arun Divine Kingdom that put a lot of emphasis on technology.

　Of course, they also have ordinary armor like you would find in the Kingdom of Shumuria.

(But it's still expensive, though.)

　I had a feeling that I could make a lot of money if I stocked a large quantity of the same armor in Shumuria and sold it over here. No, but it would cost a lot of money to transport, and the taxes seem to be very high, so I guess it's impossible after all?

　While I was thinking about that, I was looking at

'Speaking of which, there was a scratch on Marle's armour, wasn't there?　Would you like me to call for repairs here?

　Iltimina-san asked me.

　Indeed, my armor still has three claw marks on it from the battle with the spirit, The White Silver Wolf.

　But Kirt assured me that it was not a problem in terms of strength.

　Besides, even if I wanted to repair it, that armor was made of a rare metal, fairy iron, so only a skilled blacksmith could be asked to do it, and the cost of materials and fees would be high. It's a memorial scar from when I was recognized by the spirits inhabiting the "Silver Armor".

　So I shake my head.

''No, I won't repair it.''
Are you sure?
Yeah. And you know what?　Isn't scarred armor somehow more adventurous and better looking?

　The three of us were taken aback.
　They immediately poofed and blew out.

'I see. That may be true, isn't it?
Right?
It's just like Merle.
Hmm. Lord Marr seems to have a truly unique sensibility.

　We didn't mind the publicity, we just hung out together and had a good laugh.　

　Afterwards, we stopped at other shops and ate at a restaurant, and then we rode in a carriage through the wide lanes of the divine imperial city of Astilio at dusk, heading back to that General Dardios's residence.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　When we reached the mansion, we passed several carriages and dragon carts that came out of the gate.



　Even now, as we arrived at the front door, one high-class-looking carriage was leaving, as if to replace our carriage.

　Mr. Kilt and General Dardios were standing in front of the front door, perhaps to see us off, and the maids and butlers lined up behind them were bowing to the departing carriage.

'Oh, you're home, Marl.
Yeah, I'm back.

　Mr. Kilt laughs at me as I get out of the carriage.

　The General also says to his daughter when she returns, "Fiddy! And trying to hug her, gobbled up in the head, eating her elbow. Wow, looks very painful........

　Kirt-san laughs at me and the beautiful sisters, who are taken aback.
　Then, as if she's regained her composure.

How was the tour of Astiglio?　Did you enjoy it?
Yeah!

　I nodded widely.

It was a city that did not discriminate against the "demon blood people".
　Prices are high, but I could feel the hope for the future in the way it is.

　The sisters share a similar expression.

''I see.''

　crumpled

　Mr. Kilt laughed and stroked my head.
　It feels a bit nice.

'It sounds like you've had a rough time with the quilt?'

　Ms. Illtimina said as she looked at her outfit.

　Actually, Kilt-san, she was in a dress.

　Not a glamorous party dress like the one she wore at King Shumuria's birthday celebration, but a chic and calm black dress. The dress was fitted to the body, so you could clearly see how stylish Quilt-san was.

(That's right, I'm meeting a nobleman.)

　As an emissary of Shumuria, there would be a lot of negotiating to do.
　As a representative of a country, he couldn't be licked by the other side in his usual rough outfit.

'Don't look at it that way.

　Quilt-san looks a little embarrassed by our gaze.

'You look very good in it, Mr. Quilt, don't you?
Yes, sir.
Yeah, I think it's a good idea.

　She twisted her lips in honest admiration. She took off her hair ornament and roughly broke up the beautiful silver hair she had been working so hard to keep in place.

''Well flattery is good,''

　muttering

　His muttering cheeks are a little red.
　Mr. Quilt is a bit shy in this way.

　We're kind of relieved to hear that.

　But it's true that he's tired. A sense of heaviness is leaking out of my body.

Are you okay?　Whatever it is, good job. You need to get some rest, okay?
"Hmm.

　She thought for a moment about my suggestion.

No, I'd rather swing my sword and distract myself than rest.
Yeah?

　You're a fighter.

I don't think the same way.

　She laughs and looks at me with those golden eyes.

And I also want to make sure that you are aware of something. --Marl, will you not practice now?
Now?

　I'm a little surprised, but I've just done some sightseeing today, so I have some extra energy to spare.

'Yeah, fine.'
Okay.

　She nodded.

'Then today, you will be in that ear and tail form. For the sake of future practice, I want to make sure that you have a firm grasp on your current full strength.

　In that form, at your best?

　Those words seemed to interest Illtimina-san, Soltis, Frederica-san, and Shogun-san as well.

''Can we observe that practice, too?''

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'I don't mind the straw. --How about Merle?
No problem, but...

　It's a little embarrassing, but I don't mind.

　We agreed, and then General Dardios smiled his warrior-like smile and said.

"Ha-ha!　Then there's a training hall in the courtyard of the mansion!　Both of you, use it there.

　That's what he suggested.

　Thankfully, I accepted it, and so, for the first time, I was going to challenge the Golden Mark Demon Hunter, one of the strongest of the human race, with my original power as a 'divine dog'.