Even after the confrontation between Rapt and Kilt-san, there was still more than ten days to go until the 'Search for the Great Maze'

　--a brief moment of peace.

　We were all spending the few days until such a deadly adventure began, and we were all spending it in our minds.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


I'm home.
Hey, welcome back, Merle.

　When I returned to the guest room for the four of us that I had been assigned at General Dardios's residence, I was greeted by Solstice, a girl with glasses.

　There are four beds in the large room.

　Beside the beds, there is a desk and a chair for each of them, and the girl who was sitting there got up and came all the way in front of me and stuck out her little right hand, "Hmm.

(Yes.)

　I chuckle in my mind and give him the letter I left with him.

'Yes, a reply from Lectoris.'
'Thanks!　--Heehee~

　She laughed in an un-girlish way and, in a good mood, went back to her desk.

　The desk was covered in a mess of paper with many magic circles and letters on it. They didn't make it over to the desk, and even on the wall in front of her, a number of sheets were stuck to the wall in front of her with floppy studs. Eh.........this is the Shogun's house, right?

(I wonder if it's safe to drill a hole in the wall?)

　The walls of a nobleman's house, the cost of repairing them seems high.

　........Yeah, I'll pretend I didn't see it.

　With that in mind, I approached next to Solstice.

　She was engrossed in reading the contents of three or four letters.

'Hmmm, I see~!
..........

　oyster shell

　As he read, he added more things to the paper on his desk.

　In fact, Solstice had just been taught about 'Divine Art' and 'Divine Writing' by Recto Alice.
　Yes, because he had made that promise when Rapt and Mr. Kilt had confronted him.

　But Recto Alice is a misanthrope.

　When I told her of the girl's urging, she wrote a letter with a slapdash of basic knowledge about The Divine Art and The Divine Script, and

Give it to the boy.

　He asked me to deliver it to him.

"I'm sure it's so difficult for a human to understand, he'll give up soon enough.
..........

　Recto Alice was snickering.

　In fact, when I delivered the letter to Solstice, me, Illtimina-san and Kilt-san read the contents together.

'Increase or decrease in photon quantity.'
"Divine Energy Conversion Rate
"Adjusting the rate of magic activation.
"How to Treat Excess Divine Qi

　There were rattling formulas of incomprehensible length, along with difficult words such as

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

　As a result, the two adults left their seats without a sound.

　I don't know what that means either.

　And yet, the girl genius, with a twinkle in her eye.

Hmmm, is that what you're saying?　Oh, yeah?　So that's the value calculated by this formula~
..........

　That's what she said.

　Eventually, she wrote out some sentences on a piece of paper handy.

Can you go give it to her for me?
..........
I've written down a few things that I've wondered about and some things I'd like to know more about.

　That's why the letter was delivered again.

　Receiving it, Recto Alice looked at its contents, her narrow crimson eyes widening to the limit.

''I'll.......do it.''

　A small murmur.
　Then, again, he begins to write a letter to Solstice.

''Recto Alice's knowledge is not half bad. That person is pretty good too, isn't he?
Yes.

　Rapt also looks impressed.

'By the way, does Rapt know all the contents of your two letters, by the way?
..........

　He silently looked away.

(Good.)

　I was relieved to have a colleague.

　This is why the correspondence between the two of us continues almost every day.

(Can't you just talk to her face-to-face?

　I can't help but think so, but I think this distance is just right for the two of us.
　...and I'm the one who delivers it.

　But that wasn't the only exchange between Solstice and I.

'Hey, Merle?'
Hmm?
''I found out from Recto Alice's letter that 'divine Qi' can be converted into 'magic power' as well.

　The girl shifts her gaze from the letter to me.

I'm sure the current Marl can use more magic that consumes more magic other than 'Light Bird' and 'Micro Recovery'.　Do you want me to teach you another lesson?
'What?　Are you sure?

　The unexpected suggestion took him a bit by surprise.

　Solstice broke off her gaze, looking a little embarrassed.

'Well, thanks to Merle, I'm learning something new. I don't like the idea of being given to me one way or the other.
"...Solstice.

　In short, it's her way of saying thank you.

(You could have just said one (...) honestly.

　But she's a bit stubborn, and I'm sure she won't say it, so here goes.

'Thank you (...), Solstice.
Hmm. You're welcome.

　The bespectacled girl replied to my smiling face with a bang, but with her ears red to her ears.

　In this way, I was able to learn some new Thanatos magic in the time leading up to the 'Search for the Great Maze' -.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇　


　Besides studying magic with Solstice, I also had some sword training to do.

　In the training room in the courtyard of General Dardios' mansion, where repairs were being made, I was, as usual, with my sword master, Kirto Amandes.

　But today, a big, bear-like man - General Dardios himself - was there, too.

"...you'll be meeting with the general today.

　A word from my master.

(Ooh ... with the strongest general in Arun?)

　gulping sound

　I spit at him.

　Shogun-san, a male of the past, is happily stroking his beard as he looks at me in amazement.

　Although his strength is about the same as Kilt-san's, but from the impact of his appearance, he was over two meters tall, covered in scars all over his body, muscular, stern face and the power of his appearance was an order of magnitude different.
　Honestly, it's terrifying........

''The General is one of those 'Demon Bloodless Humans' who have reached the pinnacle, right? How can you learn?
Uh-huh.

　I'm nervous.
　One of the strongest of the human race, he laughed with a dynamic "hahaha!

Yes, don't be cocky. It's a great honor for me to be able to work with you, Jingu-dono. --Let's enjoy each other's company, shall we?
Yes!

　Fun....?

　Despite these doubts, we faced each other in the training room with the wooden sword in our hands.

(...big.)

　I'm not talking about looking more than you look or having that impression.

　In fact.

　To me as a child, the wooden sword was a bit too big for me.
　But when held by a general who was more than two maids tall and as big as a bear, it was like a small sword (short sword).

'Alright, let's get started!'

　Master's command flies.

　I have my usual straight-eyed stance.

　General Dardios had the same stance.

(As if we are looking at the ocean...?)

　The vastness of nature.
　But once it begins to rage, it's a being that humans can't control - that's the feeling I get from Arun's strongest general, Adbaldo Dardios.

(Don't get swallowed up, Marl!

　With a spirited, timid mind blowing spirit.

'Noah!'

　With a single step, he takes a high step - and with a single swing of his wooden blade.

　It's my best, most powerful sword technique.

　Click.

　It was shifted to the side by the general's sword and slashed through the sky empty.
　Easily, it was wiped out.

(Ugh....)

　I found out after one game.

　Really, it's the same as Mr. Kilt's.
　I was clearly convinced that his skills were at such a high level.

(But give up!)

　Somehow, one.
　If I couldn't do it yesterday, I might be able to do it today!

　So I muster up the courage to take on the challenge.

"Oh, yeah?

　The General is smiling with a smile on his face.

　Crap, gish, crap, gagey.

　He struck the sword with all his might, or prevented it.
　In the midst of it all, I could see

(Hey, what a delicate sword!)

　It was the quality of the sword that was unimaginable from General Dardios's appearance.

　Precise and unmatched.

　I thought he was a power fighter who used his massive frame to his advantage, but he was anything but.

　This is a sword that focuses only on efficiency and runs the shortest distance with the least amount of force.

　If it was only the speed and power of the sword, Kirt-san, the 'People of the Demon Blood', was superior to him. However, General Dardios's delicate control of the sword, without a millimeter of deviation, could possibly be even better than Kirt-san's.

''Mmm!''

　vacillating

　Whoa!
　Finally, the wooden sword is played and I take a heavy blow to my pigeon tail.

　Unable to breathe, I couldn't bear it and fell to the ground.

''That's enough!''

　The fight ended on Kirto's signal.　

'Hahaha. He's got some nice muscles. Well trained, demon girl.

　General Dardios, with an impressed look on his face, holds out his large right hand to me.

(.........ugh)

　The thick arms caused me to lightly take hold of his hand as he held it in pain.

　Once again, I look at the general.

　A huge physique.
　A small sword to match it.

　........Somehow, I remembered myself from the time when I was using the dagger I named 'Marl's Fang'.

(I see.)

　I felt like I was on to something.

"Did you get it, Male?

　My master noticed me and asked me happily.
　I nodded.

''I have a feeling that my sword, Shogun-san, is far more advanced than mine.
Hmm.

　Mr. Kilt laughs.
　The General, too, "Ho? I was surprised.

It is true, Marle. The General uses a sword that is slightly smaller than he is, because it is faster and more accurate. The reason for this is to make the sword faster and more accurate.
Yes.

　According to the master's explanation, this is what he said.

　General Dardios is a man who is very well-built.

　However, in this world, he is still inferior to the People of the Demon Blood in terms of strength and speed. To compensate for this, he was able to use his small sword for delicate swordsmanship.

　Small swords are naturally light.

　Its lightness increases the speed of the sword and reduces the difference between it and the "People of Blood and Demons".

　The lightness of the sword also made it easier to control, allowing them to perform more precise and unparalleled swordsmanship.

　It was said that General Dardios, who had mastered these two things without relying on the benefits of his blessed physique, had finally reached a level of strength that surpassed even the "Fiendish Blood People".

(Kirt-san, you've been teaching me this sword all along, haven't you?

　When I saw the real thing, it was the first time I realized it.

　I once again send a grateful glance to my beautiful master.

''Hmph.''

　We smiled with satisfaction at that.
　Seeing the two of us, the General said, "Gah-ha-ha! He laughed loudly.

You've got a pretty good teacher-disciple relationship, don't you?
Yes, I'm very proud of you.

　Mr. Quilt answers clearly.
　Wow.

(....)

　I think I'm going to cry a little.　

'Merle, can we still go?'
Yeah!

　My favorite master said to me, and I answered cheerfully.

　Then I held up my wooden sword.

'General Dardios, another one, please!
"Ha-ha-ha, very well!

　The Shogun laughs vigorously, but delicately holds his wooden sword.

"Alright, let's begin!

　At Kirt's signal, I once again challenged the strongest general in Arun.

　-- of course, I was defeated by a cotenant.

　But it was a great learning experience and a fun and fulfilling time.

　Eventually, when I was too tired to move, my master, Kirt, decided to make a match with General Dardios.

　A battle between the best of humanity.

　The battle, which was too extravagant for me, the only spectator, was burned firmly in my blue eyes.

　By the way, the result was Kirt's victory.

''d*mn........you coward who won after making his apprentice fight first and tiring me out!
What?

　They both hate to lose, and the final decision will be made at tonight's drinking party.

(...Actually, don't you just want a drink?)

　I couldn't help but giggle.

　While listening to the voices of the two strongest of the strongest of the bunch, I looked up at the blue sky, and it looked very beautiful to me.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　In between learning magic and practicing my sword, I would sometimes walk around the castle town of the divine imperial capital Astilio.

''.......Why are you there too?''

　A crowded main street.
　Ms. Illtimina, who walks hand in hand with me, however, has a dissatisfied look at the person on the other side of the street with me between them.

　The person there is Frederica-san in military uniform.

''It can't be helped. It's my duty to protect you guys as well.
....

　The silver-branded sister looks regretful as she puts her hand on the hilt of the hip flaming sword and replies to the man-dressed Reito with a clear answer.


Haha.....

　I'm sorry too.

　But if something should happen to us while we're out of town, the one to blame is the Knight of Arun, Frederica.
　I don't blame her for that.

(Well, it's an unfamiliar city.)

　It's also true that it helps to be guided.

　That's why Iltimina-san and I were guided by Frederica-san, a local resident, to a clothing store while admiring the beautiful scenery of the divine imperial capital Astilio.

'Welcome!'

　When you enter the store, the employees all bow in unison, in unison.

(Mmm ... looks a bit upscale?)

　The way the products are displayed, they're well thought out to look good and there's a wide variety. Plus, it's a great fabric to touch for a bit.

　Most scary of all, there are no price tags.

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

　Ms. Illtimina, too, is silent.

　Ms. Frederica, on the other hand, is being politely bowed to by an uncle who is an employee, perhaps a regular customer.

"Well, well, Mr. Frederica. It's been a long time. --What can I do for you today?
Yeah, I was just wondering if you could help her with her clothes.

　It's me in the back that is shown.
　All the employees' eyes are on me at once.

(Domo, hi.)

　pecking order

　I bowed lightly.
　Everyone's expressions seemed to soften a bit.

　Then I ask the employee for advice.

''Um.........do you have pants for beastmen that allow the tail to come out of the buttocks?''
For the beastmen?

　A bit of a surprised look.　

　It is.
　Because I look like a normal human child.

　But when I'm in God Mode, my tail grows back.

　Thanks to this, I've made holes in my pants and underwear.
　So I thought it would be better to prepare beast clothes with holes from the start.

'Also, when I'm not showing my tail, I want something that looks like normal pants.

　I ask.
　The employee was a little confused as to whether it was an unusual order.

'Yes. We can fabricate an off-the-shelf product or make it to order, but...'

　Oh, thank goodness.
　I'm relieved that I won't have to worry about the problem of damage to my pants from now on.

　But then, Miss Illtimina frowned a little.　

How much would that be?
'Oh....'

　I look up.

　The man who works for me smiles and says, "We'll charge you 800 rides for the product, and if it's made to order, it will be 1500 rides.

The price for the finished product is 800 rides, and for a custom-made item it's 1500 rides.

　...........

($80,000 and $150,000?)

　That's high!
　And if I were to buy it, I calculated that I would need several pieces of clothing, including a change of clothes.

　I'm stunned to be dropped from heaven to hell.

'I see,'

　Mr. Illtimina sighs.

'It can't be helped. It's for the lovely Marle. Let's get her a custom-made one, please.'

　All of a sudden, he said something like that.

(No no no!)

　buzzing

　I shake my head furiously.

"I don't have that kind of money!
That's all right, Merle. I'll pay for everything and you won't have to worry about it.

　She smiles at me, the nice lady.

(Oh, no, you don't have to do that!)

　When I'm spoiled like that, I'm confident that I'll be able to straighten out the wrong person.

'It's fine. I told you I would provide for Marl for the rest of his life if it came to that, didn't I?

　Oh, was that not a joke?

　Such a horrible temptation from a pampered sister who wants to spoil you.

No, you can put all these payments on the Dardios family.
I'm sorry, sir.

　Frederica-san was giving that kind of instruction to her employee's uncle.

(.........what?)

　We were stunned, but a woman in a military uniform said to us as if it were a matter of course.

The Dardios family has been entrusted with all aspects of your life in the Arun Kingdom. Naturally, we will also pay for the clothing you need for your life. --This is also our duty as a divine empire. You must not think that we have any veto power.
..........
..........

　Being from Shumuria, we were silent.

　So I was measured by the employees and eventually spent two hours in the lounge area of the store, waiting for my trousers to be finished while being served tea and sweets.

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

　Frederica, who seemed to be somewhat in the aftermath of her victory, and Illtimina, who looked somewhat frustrated.
　The contrasting expressions on their faces were a bit striking.

　Before long, three pairs of custom-made pants and underwear arrived, each finished.

''Thank you for waiting.''
Hi. Hi.　

(....these are the pants that cost 450,000 yen?

　My hands were a little shaky when I received it.

　I tried it on, and yes, it fit perfectly.

　It's the right size, and it's comfortable and easy to move around in.
　I let the "divine energy" flow and grew dog ears and a tail, and there's a gap in the hips that allows me to pull out a fox-like tail.

(Yeah, not too tight either.)

　When I removed the tail, the cloth overlapped the slit and the hole was properly hidden.

　The workers were a bit surprised to see me suddenly grow dog ears and a tail, but I don't think they would have said anything about it in such an aristocratic establishment.

　And the two ladies.

...Oh that's my Merle.
Mm.....precious.

　He was looking at me with a very happy expression on his face.

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

　Well, they seem to be good friends, so it's okay.

　So we thanked the employees and we left the fancy-looking clothing store.

　Then we went to a coffee shop for a 3 o'clock snack, and the three of us walked back to the mansion.

(Today was a fun time.)

　The sky is already dusk.

　But even the two sisters seem somewhat satisfied.

　Soon, the first wall of the city, which is the border between the plots that will become the exclusive residential area where the nobles live, comes into view.
　Speaking of which.

Hey, Miss Frederica?　What's between the second and third walls over there?

　I asked her that as I turned back and looked at the wall in the far distance.

'Hmm?　After all, there's a city.

　The answer.

(Really?)

　However, she told me that it's not as magnificent as this second plot, and is inhabited by people with a bit less income.

　Moreover, she told me that even though it is within the city walls, there is also a large area of agricultural land there.
　Apparently, there are a lot of farmers there.

'In fact, the largest plot in Astiglio is plot 3.

　According to Frederica, there used to be only two walls.

　But the people who had gathered outside of them began to live there, and even began to farm. Rather than chase them away, His Majesty, the kind-hearted Emperor, decided to build a third wall to both welcome and protect them.

(His Majesty the Emperor ... really, a good man.)

　Frederica was also a bit enthusiastic when she spoke.

　Incidentally, she said that people were beginning to gather again outside the third wall, and that a fourth wall would probably be built sooner or later. However, she also said that there was no limit to how far this could go, so some kind of measures would be necessary.

　Muria, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Shumuria, and Astilio, the divine imperial capital, which was almost three times larger than that.

　Somehow, I think I understand the reason for this.

　By the way, the population is 500,000.

　Since the royal capital, Mulia, has 300,000 people, the number of people is small compared to its size. In other words, the area occupied by agricultural land must be quite large.

(Still seems to be developing.)

　The capital of the world's largest country still seems to be a work in progress.

"Well, let's go, Mister Marl.
Uh-huh.

　It seems that the formalities have been completed, and we enter the first section of the high class residential area where the Emperor's Castle is also located.

　Following Frederica-san's back.

You've done a lot of walking today, Merle.
Yeah, I guess so.

　Iltimina-san, holding my hand, calls out to me.

'If you're tired, I'll give you a piggyback ride, okay?
"Ha-ha.

　I smile.

Thanks, but I'm fine. But I'm fine.
Okay.
Yes. --but when you're older, I'll be the one to carry you on my back one day, right, Illtimina?
Well.

　She was surprised, and then let a sweet smile spill over her face.

'Then I, too, look forward to that day, I suppose.
Yeah!

　We giggle at each other, giggling as we shake our joined hands widely.

(...Oh, I hope this kind of time will last forever.)

　With that wish, I walked everywhere in the castle town of Astiglio, illuminated by the red light of dusk, with my beloved girlfriend.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　In my days of spending time with various people, today I was in a guest room with Rapt and Recto Alice.

"But Merle's got a lot of space, huh?
Hmm?

　Suddenly, as they were tipping the glass of glowing water together, Rapt said something like that.

'What do you mean?'
It's not what you're talking about. It's a good thing that you're a swordsman, because you have the ability to use Thanatos magic and spirit magic, and on top of that you're a swordsman.

　Rapt laughs bitterly.　

(Ahhh, that's what I meant.)

　If you ask me, I feel like that.

　But actually, the other day I asked Solstice to teach me about The Divine Art as well.

　At first, I was going to ask Lectoris, but after seeing the letter to Solstice, I gave up because it was too difficult to understand. But then I thought that Solstice, who understood what it said, would be able to teach it to me as easily as she did with Thanatos magic.

(And she's so good at teaching people.)

　So I asked.

Merle's not ready.
..........

　He replied.

　After all, 'Divine Art' has a more complicated structural formula than 'Thanatos Magic'. If I, who was having a hard time remembering even 'Thanatos Magic', dabbled in it now, I was warned not to do so because it would definitely be confusing.

(Too bad...)

'Well, I'm still learning, too. But one day I'll be able to explain it to you in simple terms, and then I'll teach you.

　I was depressed, and the sweet girl made such a promise to me.　
　Truly, a good girl.

　That's why I'm currently pending the mastery of "Divine Art".

　Gulp, gulp, puh-uh.

Oh, it's delicious.
Come on, come on. Here, have another one.
Oh, hello there.

　The two of us, fun drinking time.

　By the way, the other 'God's Dependent', Recto Alice, is currently biting down on the table and writing a letter to that genius girl.

　In the beginning, he had only three or four letters, but these days, it's not unusual for him to have more than ten.
　It's hard for me because I have to carry so much.

　But somehow or other, I think we are not so bad together.

(It would have been great if Mr. Colentude was here, too.

　I couldn't help but imagine such a thing.　



　Rapt's tone changes slightly.

'Yes.'

　I nodded my head in a mysterious way.

　That's right, tomorrow was finally the day to decide on the 'Great Labyrinth Exploration'.

''Tomorrow morning, we will leave the divine imperial capital Astilio at sunrise and arrive at the Great Labyrinth two days later.
"Sayaka.

　He nodded and fanned the glass again as I passed on the message from the General.

　I was about to pour the 'healing spirit water' from the bottle into it, now empty, when his little hand stopped me.

'Marle, can I have one last thing?'
Hmm?

　Rapt's beautiful blue eyes stare straight at me.

Can we really trust humans?

　A quiet voice.

　The heartache I experienced in a betrayal 300 years ago.

　Despair.
　Hate.
　Anger.
　Sadness.

　I could feel the emotions raging inside of him.

　I answered honestly.

"Ultimina Wong, Kirt Amandes and Solstice Wong. --these three are the only ones who will never betray me, no matter what. That's all I'm sure of.
..........
But I'm pretty sure I believe in other people, too.

　Rapt just listens to my voice in silence.

'Of course, there will be people who will betray you. I'm prepared for that.
..........
But maybe some of them will stop betraying us because of what we believe in them.

　I laughed.

　Raptor chuckled.

"Merle, I think you're making a fool of yourself, don't you?
Yeah?

　I nod my head.
　He pours the 'healing spirit water' into my glass, topping it up.

You're a goody-goody. .........Well, it can't be helped. We've come this far, we're all in this together. I'll go with you as long as you want.
Yes.

　Rapt's smile was very dazzling as he smiled, showing his double teeth.

''Oh?　What's wrong?

　Recto Alice, who seemed to have just finished writing a letter, noticed us.

''No, it's nothing.
Yes.

　We laughed at each other.

'Would you like to join us for a drink, Recto Alice?'
Oh, my goodness.

　Recto Alice smiles a beautiful smile and sits down on the couch with us.

'Yes, Merle. This letter, please?
Okay.
'Merle is a real loss of character...'
"Ha-ha.

　I take the letter and I laugh.
　Rapt chuckles, and Recto Alice scowls.

　Soon, the three of us joined together and laughed.

　That night, as the 'Brethren of the Divine World', I was able to spend a very enjoyable time with the two of them--.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　In the early morning, white and smoky in the morning mist, many dragon carriages were gathered in front of the castle gate of the divine imperial capital Astilio.

　A black dragon car with the Arun national emblem painted on it.

　Fifteen chosen Arun knights were on board the 15-medium black armored dragon carriage, which looked like a large bus in the previous generation. In the square in front of the castle gate, 20 vehicles - a total of 300 people - were gathered there.

(.............It's an impressive sight.

　The scene outside the window makes me sigh.

　Our horseless carriage from the Kingdom of Shumuria also looks small in this one.

　Around the convoy of vehicles in line, there are about 200 Arun knights mounted on bipedal dragons escorting the 300 men of this dragon carriage, a large army of 500 men in total.　　　

''This is quite an exaggeration.

　Mr. Quilt chuckles with his cheekbones against the window frame.

(Yeah, really.)

　For those of us who are usually adventurers who move around in small groups, I feel that this number of people is somewhat too large.

I'm sure that whether or not you succeed in your search for the Great Maze will have a significant impact on your future battles with the Children of Darkness. Isn't it a no-brainer?

　And Solstice.

　While saying that, the gaze of the bespectacled girl sitting on the seat is dropped to the 'Report on Divine Art' at hand.

(As usual, she's not blunt, is she?)

　Someday she's going to be able to use even 'divine arts'.

　My blue eyes turn out the window again.

　Our cavalry car is located near the center of the 20-car convoy.
　And the huge black dragon car with the Arun national emblem painted on it right next to us was the largest and most magnificent vehicle compared to the other 20 dragon cars.

(Ah.........)

　The curtains of that window sway and the figure inside emerges.

　A beautiful woman with purple wavy hair and crimson eyes - it's Recto Alice from 'Divine Fangra'.

(O~i)

　buzzing

　I waved my hand.

　The other side noticed us too and smiled.
　Then he gave me a small wave back.

　Rapt also appeared from the back, laughing with his double teeth peeking out, and he too waved at me.

　In the dragon car next to him were the two 'divine Fang Luo' on it.

　Although I couldn't see them from here, General Dardios and Frederica-san should have been on board as well.

''Mar.''

　Suddenly, Illtimina-san next to me called me.
　Hmm?

　Her white forefinger indicated out the window, ahead of the convoy.

'It looks like we're about to leave,'

　A huge flag with the national emblem is raised on the lead dragon car.

　Doh, doh, doh, doh.

　A tremendous drumming sound that echoes in the underbelly.

　Giggling........

　The gates of the castle, which looked to be thirty meters high, opened up, and from the lead dragon car, they started to move out of the divine imperial capital Astilio.

(Ah, it's finally happening.)

　After a while, our cavalry car also started to move.

　Rumble rumble.........

　The creaking sounds of the dragonwheels combined to create a tremendous noise.

　A large amount of dirt smoke rose in the early morning sky.

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

　I, once again, leaned deeper into my seat.

　Mr. Kilt is looking out the window.

　Solstice is still engrossed in her report paper.

　Geez.

　Suddenly, my hand was in his.

"..........
..........

　It was Illtimina's hand.
　She smiled gently, as she always did, and looked only at me.

　I smiled and squeezed her hand back.

　I let out a big breath.

　In order for us to resist the 'Son of Darkness', we needed a living 'Divine Armor'.

　In order to obtain it, we went to the 'Great Labyrinth'.

　The early morning light shines on the divine imperial city of Astilio, and our long journey of battle is finally about to begin.