In the courtyard of General Dardios's mansion was a practice room surrounded by wooden partitions.

　The general's men and the guards of the mansion also sweat here from time to time.

　In the beautiful courtyard, this was the only ground of dirt.
　It must be a proof that many people have practiced here for a long time.

　In the training hall, there are wooden people and targets for practice, as well as wooden swords, wooden spears, wooden axes, wooden shields, and many other types of weapons.

　--Me and Kirt-san were facing each other in such a place.

　She had already taken off her black dress and was now wearing her usual sleeveless black shirt and trousers and her beautiful silver hair in a ponytail.
　A bit disappointing.

　But even in this form, she still looks beautiful.
　Instead, it's more of a dynamic quilt, and you can feel the appeal of Mr. Quilt.

'Here, use this.'

　Kilt-san hands me a single-bladed wooden sword.

(...glad you did.)

　Whenever we practiced, Kirt-san used the wooden sword and I used the "fairy sword".
　He wanted the new sword to get used to my hand quickly, but it also meant that my abilities were not a threat.

　But now, they're trying to give me the wooden sword as well.

''Yes.''

　I took it, killing my glee.

　Around the rehearsal hall, Illtimina-san and Soltis, General Dardios and Frederica-san, three Shumurian knights, and a dozen or so servants and guards from the mansion have also gathered around.

(...............There are quite a lot of spectators.

　Being the little guy that I am, I get a little nervous.

　As if to blow it off, and to check the condition of the wooden sword, I lightly swing it.

　Huh.

"Huh?

　General Dardios sounded a little surprised and impressed.

''The sword of the Oni Musume, it looks just like it, doesn't it?
Marle is a disciple of Kirto Amandes' sword, you see.

　Illtimina-san looks a little envious.

　But she's the one who first taught me how to be an adventurer, though.
　Kilt-san is my teacher, and Iltimina-san is my teacher.

　That master of the sword says.

''Then is it time to start?''
Yes.

　I nodded.

(I'll get one today!)

　I declare that in my heart and release the 'Divine Qi Faucet'.

　Gyuoh.

　A lava-like rush of power flows through my body, filling everything.

　Dog ears grow and tails grow.

　Gyu-Oh!

　This time, I'm going all out.
　Let's pour the divine energy into it to the limit.

　Crunch, crunch.

　Under the influence of the dissipated divine energy, there were white sparks in the space around me.

(This is the limit, I guess?)

　Just before the heat of his entire body is about to be unbearable, he turns on the 'Divine Qi Faucet'.

　I look at the wooden sword in my hand.

　He swings it lightly.

　Shhh.

　I could hardly feel the weight.

...
"M

　The moment they saw that, Illtimina-san and Frederica-san's expressions changed.
　The three Shumurian knights also had surprised faces.　

''Hou........''

　General Dardios muttered in a lower voice than before.

　I look at Kilt-san.

　She stares back at me with her quiet eyes, then slowly raises her sword to her right eye.

"Come on, Male.
Yes, sir.

　I attacked my master, the Golden Mark Demon Hunter, with all my might.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇　


　I kicked the ground and slashed at Kilt-san.

(-- Ugh?)

　My vision popped.

　I leap at a frightening speed, and to my own surprise, I'm only one step away from being in between her and her sword.

　I can see her startled face.

''Ya, aaaaah!''

　Yes!

　Before he was attacked, he swung his sword anyway.

　Shhhh, gagiiiiin.

　There was a tremendous popping sound, and Mr. Kilt, who had received it with his sword, was blown away like a piece of paper. Eh?

(What's that power?!)

　I am surprised at my own strength.

　After being blown up about seven meads, Mr. Kilt spun like a cat in the air and landed without a sound.

　He held his sword at the ready, as if nothing had happened.

'What's the matter, come on.'
Yes, sir.

　I slash at him again, confused with myself.

　Thot.

　A light leap.
　With that single step, my body was able to close the distance between us by seven meds.

(Shh, gods, that's awesome!)

　He waved his sword, impressed.

　Shhh.

　An unusually fast sword strike - I was convinced that my sword had reached the realm of the invisible sword I had seen in Kilt-san and Illtimina-san's training once.

　Kanku.

　This time, Mr. Quilt also plays easily.

　The angle of his playing is different from usual.
　The violent Godgu's power was completely deflected.

(I can see....)

　I saw the difference, I saw it loud and clear.

　I was faster than anything and everyone else, and conversely, the world around me was slowing down to the point of being jittery.

(I can go!)

No!

　I swung my sword as hard as I could.

　Shh, gah, click, kick, kickin'

　All the swords are played.

　But Kilt-san's expression is serious. I can't see any room for error.

　And before my offensive, she was on the defensive.

(If this continues, I can get one from her!)

　I was elated.

　It was that moment.

　Sssh.

　In between my offensive attacks, the tip of her sword comes towards my throat. But it's too late!

　with a thud

　I played it as hard as I could, and then I played it again.

　swiftly

　Here comes the tip of the sword again.

(He's persistent.)

　Don't bounce, dodge, and close the gap between the two.

　Just as I was about to move like that, the trajectory of Kirt-san's sword suddenly changed.

(Huh?)

　As I tried to move, her sword point was placed at the tip of my throat.

(Whoa!)

　He twisted his neck desperately to avoid it.
　I almost went to stab myself in the throat, myself.

　d*mn.

　Try again.

　I was about to take another cut at him with my wooden sword.

　quickly

!

　He comes to an emergency stop, raising a cloud of dust on the ground and the soles of his shoes.

　...........

　Kirt-san was holding a sword in his positive eye.

　But the tip of his sword is always placed at the point where I try to move.

　I can move faster than him.
　However, Kirt-san made the tip of his sword catch up with my speed, making me move ahead of him.

(........What is this?)

　I'm faster and stronger than him, but he's holding me back with his swordsmanship alone. It's as if he's doing the opposite of my usual fighting style.

''What's the matter?''
.....

　Quiet Mr. Quilt's voice.

　I finally realized.

　My ability had increased overwhelmingly, but even so, I hadn't been able to reach the Golden Mark demon hunter in front of me. No, even if I was catching up with him physically, I was completely defeated by the difference in performance inside.

(U, Ku.........)

　It's frustrating.

　Jill.

　Mr. Kilt closes the gap between us.
　I step back.

　Where was the offense earlier, I was being pushed into the quiet power of her.

'Is this what it's all about, Merle?'
Huh.

　Kirt-san's mild provocation.

　But I reflexively responded to it, feeling as if I was being made fun of, even by the Divine Ark-in.

''U, wahhh!''

　bang

　Kicking the earth and rushing forward at God's speed.

　Ssss.

　The tip of Kilt's wooden sword blocks the path.

(Don't bother!)

　He removed his left hand from the hilt and grabbed the tip of that wooden sword in an eagle grip.

　Mekhi.

"Nuh-uh?

　A small finger slips into the hard wood.

　As it was, I shifted her wooden sword to the side, and finally stepped in to a pause that I hadn't been able to get into before, and I tried to slam the wooden sword, light as a feather, into the side with one right hand.　

(Got it!)

　This time, one.

　The moment I thought that, her golden eyes grew gleaming.

''Nun!''

　goggles

　The wooden sword I was holding onto leaps up with a force that surpasses the strength of the Jingu's arm.

(Ugh!)

　Phonon.

　My fingers slipped out and my astonished body was shot skyward with a tremendous force, and I could see the roof of the three-story mansion below me.
　........eh?

Well, not good.

　The fall started from over 20 meters up in the air.

　If I keep this up, I'll fall headfirst.

　As I panicked, my long, fluffy, fox-like tail moved with a Huon. Ah, my balance has stabilized.

(Hmm?)

　When I looked at the ground, I saw Mr. Kilt drop his wooden sword and open his arms.

　She's going to take me in.

　But because of that, she's completely defenseless. And I still have the wooden sword in my right hand.

　--Chance!

The fighting instincts of the "God Dog" appeal to me violently.　

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

　But Kirt-san's expression looking down from the sky was one of 'you will definitely receive me'.

　.........Yeah, that's right.

　I relaxed my entire body.
　Then, just as time was running out, the dog ears and tail disappeared as smoke.

　And so it did, leaving a streak of white smoke in the dusk sky.

　doh!

　As I fell 20 meds, I was held tightly in Mr. Kilt's arms.

"Are you okay, Merle?

　A gentle voice echoes in my ear.

　My face dug deep into the cleavage of Kilt-san's chest. It was a little more elastic than Illtimina-san's soft breasts, which are always used as a hug pillow.
　A little embarrassing.

　Mozzled.

　I make a face.
　At close range, I stared at the white beauty.

'Uh-huh.'
..........

　Kilt, you look a little surprised.

'Oh, right.'

　Unusually, she lowered me to the ground with a faint flush on her cheeks.
　I'm sure I have the same complexion.

'Merle!'
I-I mean, hey, are you okay?

　Iltimina, Solstice and everyone else comes into the training room, worried.

　Me and Mr. Kilt look at each other.
　Then we laugh.

'Hmm. Stronger than ever, Merle.
Nope.

　I'm not done yet.

　The tremendous power she had demonstrated at the last moment was comparable to that of the 'Divine Dog'. In other words, she had been holding back until then.

　For what purpose?

I know. It's for me.

　He showed us how to fight an opponent who is superior to us in strength and speed, and he showed us this well.

　On the other hand, she was also confronted with the challenge of how to fight against an opponent who was superior to her with her sword skills.

　All of this was in the palm of her hand.

''You're really amazing, Kilt-san.
Okay.

　To my honest admiration, she laughed a little.

　crumpled

　The white hand of the golden-marked demon hunter stroked my head a little roughly and forcefully--.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


-No injuries anywhere, Merle?

　spreading out

　The anxious Illtimina-san touches my body. I'm just a little tickled.

"Yeah, I'm fine.

　When I tell her with a laugh, she lets out a breath of relief.

'I see. ........Good.
Wha?

　He gave me a squeaky hug.

(Did I worry you?)

　She may have been very frightened to see me fall from twenty maids of height, but she was kind enough to see me fall. To put her mind at ease, I decided to let myself be at her mercy for a while.

　With a chuckle at us, Mr. Kilt calls out to us.

'Merle. I'm sure you're doing your best to make sure that you're doing the best you can.
Hmm?
That's impressive. His strength and speed are at the same level as the Devil's Blood People, or even higher. --Even though it's time-limited, he's no longer physically handicapped.

　Oh, really?

(But ... yeah, I thought I had great power.)

　I was only a child's size, but I blew Kirt, a grown woman, nearly 10 meters in one fell swoop.
　It was now a car accident of sorts.

　Ms. Quilt says.

"And with that in mind," he says, "I'm going to have you practice in two different ways from now on.

　Two ways to train?

　Two of Mr. Quilt's beautiful fingers can be held up.
　Bend one of them over.

The first is to practice as you have always done. Take the groundwork you have and use it, little by little, to carry it to the next level.
Yes.

　I nodded.
　Kirto nodded and bent another one.

"For the second one, with your divine power released, I want you to do the same movements as the first one, for three minutes straight.

　Same move?

Yes. You are still unused to your own power. The difference in their power is unnerving. --To put it bluntly, it's a mess. You move better when you haven't released your power.
..........
When you release your power, control it and train it to make the same movement.

　I stare at my hands.

　It's true that when I was in 'God Body Mode', I could produce tremendous power.
　But on the other hand, I was also confused by it.

(As it is now, when I can't control it perfectly, that power is going to be a double-edged sword, isn't it?

Even in 'God Body Mode', if you can't learn to move the same way as in 'Normal Mode', I'm sure you'll be useless in a real battle like a paper-thin one.

　Geez.

　I clenched my fists.

"All right. I'll try.

　He looked at Mr. Kilt and answered clearly.

　The master nodded with a satisfied 'Mm'.

　But Illtimina-san, who was hugging me, seemed a bit anxious.
　She seems to be very worried about her future training since she just saw a situation where if she makes one mistake, she could die in a crash.

(Sorry, Illtimina-san.)

　But I want to be strong.

So, Mr. Kilt. Will you train with me in my condition now?
Well, good.

　Nodding, Ms. Kilt looked at her as she held me in her arms.
　Receiving the party leader's gaze, Illtimina-san reluctantly moved away from me.

　I held my wooden sword at the ready.

''Let's go!''
Mm, I'm ready for you.

　With a wooden sword on his shoulder, Kilt smiles wryly and beckons with his free hand.

　Tang.

　In the courtyard, dyed in the dusk, I once again challenged the Golden Mark demon hunter.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The practice continued until the sun went down.

　While I was practicing with Kirt, the others may have been inspired and began to practice on their own.

'Let's see!　Let's see what our demon girl's friends are capable of!
..........

　General Dardios began to fight Illtimina-san, the Silver Seal Demon Hunter, to my surprise.

　In the General's hand was a wooden sword.
　In contrast, Irtimina's hand was a wooden spear - a spear that she was used to using.

　In the fight against Kilt-san, it was always the wooden sword.

　The figure practicing with a spear is the first time I, too, have seen it.

　And the figure I was shown was still outrageous.

''Nuh-uh?''
Shhh!

　Gasp. Gasp, Gasp, Gasp.

　God speed offense and defense.

　The Silver Seal Demon Hunter Iltimina Wong had fought evenly against the strongest Arun general, who was considered to be the same rank as Kilt-san, to a great extent.
　Moreover, she had won one out of every three battles.

　This surprised not only the General himself, but Frederica and everyone around him.
　Only Kilt-san had a look of satisfaction on her face.

'I see. It's just like Shumuria, the land of war. --You are growing a good successor, aren't you, demoness?　Hahaha!

　The General is laughing his head off.
　You look so happy.

(That's my girl, Miss Illtimina!)

　I was a little proud of myself, too.

　But Illtimina, the person who was praised, responded with a "thank you" and kept a clear face. It's like she thinks it's just a compliment.
　........I think the general's words were sincere.

　By the way, Solstice was taught the sword by Frederica-san, the daughter of General Dardios, who was teaching him how to use it.

"You grip the sword like this, starting with your little finger.
"Uh-huh?

　Frederica, who is a genuine person, seemed to be a good teacher.
　Solstice, too, is being taught honestly.

(..............Or, did you not even know such a rudimentary way to hold a sword?

　I was a bit stunned.　
　But even so, the girl who could wield a sword as powerful as if she had been hit with a log, I thought it was terrific.

　As expected of the 'Demon Blood People', it's scary.

　The other three Shumurian knights were also working hard in the practice room.
　All three of them had a very good expression on their faces.

　Soon, the sun went down.

Alright, that's enough for today's lesson.

　The concert of sword fights that had been echoing in the mansion by the voice of the Golden Mark Demon Hunter had finally come to an end.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


So, I just lost.

　At dinner that night, I was visiting the guest room with Rapt and Recto Alice, talking about the day's events.

　In front of the three of us, there is a glass of shiny water.

　That's right, it's a divine meal, "divine water" - "healing spirit water".

　The three of us, all three of us in the Divine Family, were having an enjoyable dinner party.

　Incidentally, before I came here, I also had dinner with Illtimina and her friends. But in order to deepen my friendship with Rapt and Recto Alice, I cut it short and came over here as well.

　At that time, Illtimina-san looked a little regretful, but

(But I can't help it, can I?)

　I want to get between these two "Divine Attendants" and the humans, including them, one day.
　So I'll ask Illtimina-san to be patient with me.

　........To tell the truth, I miss her a bit too.

　Well, that's why I'm currently in the middle of having an enjoyable dinner time with the two of them.

　Gulp, gulp, puh-uh!

(Oh, yum!)

　It's been a long time since the tower in the Great Forest of Aldoria, but it's still sweet and delicious.
　This is my third cup of water.

　That puts me in a good mood, I say with a laugh.　

I'm in a very good mood," I say with a laugh, "and you're really amazing, Quilt. And he's so beautiful and good-looking.
"Sayaka.
Yes.

　But the two of them, in contrast, look reluctant.

(Hmm?)

　Rapt says, sounding complicated.

'You've been talking about yourself and humans for a while now.
..........

　Recto Alice is also staring at me with eyes as thin as a bow, looking dissatisfied.

"And even though we were defeated by a human, she looks happy....
..........
'Doesn't Arkyn, um, Marle have any pride in being a 'Divine Servant'?

　Well?

They're good people, okay?
..........
..........

　They let out a great sigh when I ask them back.

"Eeeeee, stop talking about humans, stop, stop!　The food tastes terrible!

　Gubby, puh-uh, puh-uh.

　Rapt takes a gulp of the contents of his glass.

(Ooh, nice drink, eh?)

　I tipped the bottle of glowing water into the empty glass.

"Yes, Rapt.
'Oh?　I'm sorry, Merle.

　Rapt looks happy.　

'What about Recto Alice?'
I'll take it.
Yes.

　I pour the 'healing spirit water' into her glass as well.

'See, Merle, drink it too?'
Wow, thanks.

　Recto Alice receives the bottle and pours it into my glass as well.
　I'm so happy.

Then, kanpai.
Cheers.
Cheers.

　chitin

　The three glowing glasses clash and stir at once.　

(Hmm, sweet~)

　I am happy.

　I taste the sweetness with the memory of life in the nostalgic tower.

"So many things have happened until today...　
Say, yeah.
Unlike us, Marle's reincarnation was deep in the treeline.

　Yup.
　By the way, the place where the two of them were summoned was a temple deep in the mountains, about 10 kilometers away from the God Emperor's Capital.

　Unlike the unmanned tower I was in, I heard that there were still people there to take care of it.

(I'm a bit jealous...)

　But was it because of those circumstances that I was able to meet Illtimina and get her to take me out of the forest with me?
　When I thought about it, that environment wasn't so bad, it seemed to me.　

(No, we were rather lucky, weren't we?)

　Mm-hm.

It was a lot of work, but it was fun.

　I laugh.
　Rapt and Lectoris looked at me admiringly.

'I'm so strong, aren't I?'
'Yes. ...I would have cursed the humans more if I were in that situation.
"Ha-ha.

　I laughed again at Recto Alice's joke, and fanned my glass.

　And so, while the three of us drink the 'Spiritual Water of Healing', we continue to talk about other trivial things, such as the story of the divine imperial capital Astilio, which we have toured today, and the fact that I still owe more than 10,000 rido (1 million yen) for buying the fairy iron sword and armor, forgetting the time.

　Eventually, I suddenly noticed the position of the two red and white moons outside the window.

'Oh. Is it that late already?

　It was already past 11pm.
　I hurriedly started to get ready to leave.

What, you're leaving already?
Why don't you just stay the night?

　Rapt is surprised, and Recto Alice indicates their large bed.
　I smile, annoyed, and　

I'm sorry?　I have to be a cuddle-buddy.

　I replied.

　They said, '........cuddle?' He chanted and asked back.

'Yes. That woman I told you about, the one who saved me in the forest, Illtimina-san. Lately, when she sleeps, I feel like I have to be her cuddle pillow. So I have to go now.
..........
..........

　It's late tonight, Illtimina, I hope you're waiting for it.

　For some reason, the two of them stare at me, who are worried about me, with scowling eyes.

''........Marle. ........yourself, are you serious?


　?

What is going on with you two?

　They look somewhat indignant.

　I scowled at them, and they had a pained expression on their faces.
　Then, with a look of determination on their faces, they take both my hands in theirs.

"Don't worry, Male.
We'll give those profane people a good talking to, you know.

　Hmm?

Are you two going to meet everyone?

　Me surprised.
　Both Rapt and Lectoris nodded widely.

''Of course!''
Tomorrow, we'll settle the score with these people.

　Two people who hated people and avoided interacting with each other, never thought they'd be the ones to say this to me.

(Haha, that's nice.)

　I wonder if my heart, which was trying to keep them in between, got through to both of them.

"Thank you, Raptor, Recto Alice!
No.
It's going to be all right, Merle.

　sizzling sound

　The three of us hold each other's hands.

　Thus, I left the guest room in high spirits, having obtained a promise from the two "divine fangirls" and others.

　--I'm not going to be the only one who's been in a position to do this.

　Yes, I'm happy.