Me, Illtimina-san, Kilt-san, Solstice, and Mumpa-san, all five of our gazes are focused on the little girl.

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

　Poe looks at everyone's faces in a daze.

　Finally, her light blue gaze is set in my direction and she stops her movements.

　My blue eyes and her light blue eyes stare at each other.

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

　It felt like 'something' between us had touched each other.

　The little lips moved.

'Poe releases a part of Poe.

　A strange voice with no inflection.

(...like a machine.)

　Knowing the civilized world of previous generations, I had that impression.

　Crunch.

　And then Poe's white sparks flew out of his soft blond hair, sprouting horns like branches.

　A scaly tail sprouted, and scales sprang up on some of his skin.

'Oh.'
This is....

　Kilt and Mumpa, seeing it for the first time, spilled out their surprise.

　For me and my sisters and I, seeing the change in the calm situation for the second time, it's quite a shock.

　I ask.

".........Po-chan, you are the 'God's Family' after all, aren't you?

　She nodded.

'Poe affirms.'

　It was a bit of a unique way to answer.

　And.

"Once, Po was called by mankind. "Nargaiya, the divine dragon.

　Yes, he continued to identify himself.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


''........Shenlong Nagaia, that's Po-chan's real name, isn't it?''

　My voice trembled a little.

　The soul of the owner of my physical body, the 'Godgu Arkyn', was pleased with the new brethren of the God Realm that I had met.

　As Solstice put her finger to her lips.

Shinryu Nagaia... but I've heard of it before. I think that name was mentioned in 'Shinrai'.

(The Divine Record?)

　Noticing the look on my face.

It's an ancient manuscript about the gods who were invited to the Divine Demon Wars.

　The girl annotates.

　Mumpa has read it, too, and tells her to sing with her hand on her cheek.

"The demons were destroyed by the daughter of the great 'Abamos the Water God' and one of the most powerful 'divine relatives', the divine dragon Nagaia... I think it was one of the verses in Chapter 8?
Yeah, yeah.

　Solstice nodded repeatedly.

''In other words, just like the Seven Divine Dogs of Yacour, the Divine Dragon Nagaia is famous for being a 'divine consort' who has defeated demons,''

　The demon has been defeated...?

　The way we look at our Po-chan, or rather Nagaia, changes a bit.

　Arkyn and the other 'Divine Dogs' defeated the demon with seven people.

　But this kid says that the 'Divine Dragon Nagaia' defeated the demon alone.

　That's an event that could be said to have happened to the extent that it could be said that the 'Divine Dragon' is no longer as powerful as the 'God'.

　To our gaze like that.

Poe denies it.

The girl who was 'Divine Dragon' replied.

''The Divine Dragon Nagaia only fought against the gods and put a stop to the weakened demons. That's not worthy of the feats of the Godgu of Yacour.

　There was a certain respect in the eyes staring at me.

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

　It was the same with Rapt and Rectoris, but in The Divine Family, the Godgu of Yacour seemed to be a real standout.

　And.

Poe tells.
?
"Po is already Po. 'Po' is an existence that has lost most of its power as the 'Divine Dragon Nagaia'.

(...what?)

　We were all pissed off.

What's that supposed to mean?

　Mr. Quilts, with a low voice.

　Poe replied nonchalantly in a voice without inflection.

'As the saying goes,'
..........
"One hundred and thirty-three days ago, the divine dragon Nagaia met with the 'demon shard' that Marle, along with the divine dog Arkyn, called the 'Son of Darkness'.

　...What?

And we are losing that battle.
!

　Po-chan, or rather, Shenlong Nagaia, has already fought the Child of Darkness and... lost?

　We are stunned.

　I say, with a thin chill running down my spine.

'I'm sorry, Poe. Can you tell me more about it?
Poe agreed.

　She nodded, with a blank look on her face.

　Then, it was explained.

　The divine dragon Nagaia had been summoned to the earth approximately two hundred days ago, just like the divine dog Arkyn.

　He was summoned to the northern part of the Shumuria Kingdom.

　The place was the Daol Mountains.

''.........Daol Mountains.......?''

　Mr. Kilt responded with a jerk at the name.

　She said it was a land with steep mountains that were covered in snow for all time.

　There, in a forgotten underground temple, she was summoned and awakened.

'But there was no one there,'

　I heard that the place had already become a desolate ruin with no one to worship or take care of it, just as it was with me.



　I had Ms. Illtimina.

　I was fortunate to have met Miss Illtimina.

　But I guess Poe couldn't find someone like Ms. Illtimina for me.

　Cold, hungry, and exhausted, we descend the mountain.

　It took a few days, but we were still deep in snow on the hillside.

　And then, that 'Child of Darkness' appeared in front of the Divine Dragon Nagaia.

(Ha!)

It was said that there were a number of Demon Attendants beside the Son of Darkness.

　In the battle that began, the exhausted Divine Dragon Nagaia was able to defeat a few of the Demon Attendants, but in the end, he was defeated by the Demon Force.

(But with just one person........he defeated a few of the 'Demon Attendants'?

　That fact is surprising.

　To fight against the forces of demons, including the Children of Darkness, with only one person and in a depleted state, and to kill multiple Demon Attendants among them, seemed to be an unbelievable level of fighting power.

　This is the 'Divine Dragon Nagaia'.

　This is the most powerful 'Divine Attendant'.

(.........Even though he is weak, his ability to kill even a demon by himself is real, isn't it?

　But even such a divine dragon, Nagaia, was defeated in front of the 'Child of Darkness'.

　She gave up on continuing the battle and fled.

　Even so, the 'demonic forces' chased after her as she was injured.

''There was no chance of her escaping. But that's where the unexpected happened.
Unexpected?
"A group of humans have engaged the Children of Darkness.

(...what?)

　A group of humans what is it?

"Elle.

　Among us who were bewildered, only Kilt-san muttered the name with conviction.

(El........ah!)

Oh, right, the Daol Mountains!

　I realized.

　Elle, or in other words, it was in that Daol Mountains that Eldorado Rogue-san, the Golden Seal Demon Hunter, fought the 'Son of Darkness' and lost his life.

　Illtimina-san and Solstice have a 'no way' look on their faces.

　Mumpa-san nodded with a face like she was about to cry.

''Elle, you were a being who mysteriously appeared at the right time to save someone like that.
"Mm.

　Mr. Kilt nods with a tearful smile on his face.

　Poe stared at everyone's faces.

　She faintly lowered her eyes and continued to talk.

''In the meantime, the divine dragon Nagaia escaped. He kept running and running and running and running, and the next thing I knew, he had reached the man's nest that people call the royal capital, Mulia.
..........

　A small finger touches his forehead.

''The divine dragon Nagaia has suffered brain damage.

　Brain..........

''The control of the divine qi is unpredictable, thoughts are not working properly, and the damage needs a lot of time to be repaired. In order to repair the damage, the consciousness of the 'Divine Dragon Nagaia' went into a deep sleep. Instead, 'Po' was born as a pseudo-personality to manage the physical body.

(What...?

By Poe, you mean little Poe?
Affirmation.

　Poe nodded with a coy smile.

'Poe was found by the children of the orphanage. And Po was named Po and became 'Po'.

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

　Solstice blurted out, "It's kind of complicated.
　Haha..........

　Iltimina-san asked as if to confirm, thinking for a bit.

''In other words, you are a different persona from the 'Divine Dragon Nagaia'?''
Affirmation.
''Then, just like you helped Sol that time, even 'Po' can use the power of the 'divine dragon'?
Affirmative. However, I would add.

　Poe said.

''Po'' is composed of only a part of the brain function that 'Divine Dragon Nagaia' has. Therefore, it can only use a small part of 'Shenlong Nagaia''s power. And the more power it uses, the slower the brain repairs, the slower the 'Shenlong Nagaia' awakens.

　A small part.

(But it can still play back the flames of the 'demonic creatures'...?)

　It's a hell of a force.

　How much more would it have been if it was at full throttle?
　I'm a little scared.

Can I have one?

　Mr. Kilt raised his hand lightly.

'Acknowledged.'
You've met Merle before, haven't you?　Why didn't you reveal yourself then?

　A low voice.

　There was a faint hint of alarm in it.

　Poe replied.

'To get away from the Child of Darkness.
...What?
Any sign of 'Divine Qi' would be noticed by the 'Son of Darkness'. In order to escape its pursuit, Poe had to remain a 'Poe' as a person.

　............


Affirmation.

　She nodded easily in response to my question.

(Wow...................I was right.)

　I had expected it before, but now I was sure of it.

'Wait. So we'll know where Merle is, too?
Affirmation.

　Poe nodded.

However, Marle is an unstable being, "The Spirit of the Godgu". He may or may not be aware of it.

　Hmmm.

(So using 'divine energy' would make me more certain to be found out?)

　From now on, I guess I should only use 'divine Qi' when I really need it.

'Marle had a human who was a guardian.

　The light blue eyes are turned to one woman.　

　Miss Illtimina.

　The kind older sister who has been protecting me all along.

　Illtimina-san looked a little happy and proud when she was told that she was 'Marle's guardian'.

'But 'Poe' has no guardian.
..........
'Poe's body, like Marle's, has been degraded by the continual eating of men. The activation of divine power is limited to five minutes.

(Oh...)

　I see.
　Because he couldn't take the divine message - that is, the 'healing spiritual water' - Po-chan's body was also transformed.

(That's a huge handicap.)

　As we stared at her, Poe continued matter-of-factly.

'That's why I couldn't reveal myself.
"Hmm.

　Mr. Kilt ponders.

'Didn't you think to ask him to protect you, along with Marle?

　I asked.

''Well..........''

　Poe, unusually, hesitated to answer just a bit.

　After a few seconds of pause, he replied, "I didn't trust people that much.

'I didn't trust people that much.'
..........
..........
..........
..........

　We couldn't say anything anymore.

　Po-chan must have memories of the divine dragon Nagaia inside him.

　The tragedy of the betrayal of humanity and the slaughter of so many of the 'Brethren of the Divine Realm' three hundred years ago must also be etched in that memory.

''But.........''

　I ask as I cling to him.

'Then why did you go to the trouble of revealing yourself to help Solstice back then?

　Everyone stared at Poe.

　Poe replied, "I thought Merle was going to die trying to save the girl.

"I thought Merle was going to die trying to save the girl.
..........
I'm not going to let my people die.

I see.

　I was happy, but a little disappointed in the answer.

'One more thing,'

　Hmm?

The kids at the orphanage take good care of Poe. I was trying to protect Po more than I was.
..........
Poe seemed willing to trust people a little more.

　............

Yes.

　I laughed, almost crying with happiness.

　The three adults narrowed their eyes.

　Solstice ran her fingers through her hair.

Well I had to be rescued then, didn't I?
..........
It's, uh, thanks, Poe.

　Solstice blushes a bit, then breaks off her gaze and speaks up.

　Poe says plainly, "I don't mind.

　But in my eyes, just a little bit, the expressionless girl seems to have smiled more than anyone can understand.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


"My advice to Merle.

　Poe said suddenly, as he released his transformation.

(Hmm?)

That 'dark child' is a bit of an anomaly.
...What?
''As I was fighting, I thought, it's also different from the 'devil piece' that appeared three hundred years ago. The power to fight itself may be rather weak. ...But something is wrong.

　...........

"If you want to take that thing down, Marle has decided that he needs to ask for more power.

　In other words.

(You want me to be stronger?)

　There was a desperate, appealing light in the light blue eyes staring at me.

'Yeah, okay,'

　I nodded.

　Mr. Kilt groaned, folding his arms, "Hmmm.

''Strength, I see. If that's the case, it might be urgent for us to go to the Teteto Confederacy and get our equipment ready.
The Tet Tetley Confederacy?

　I see.
　It's for Fairy Iron.

I've been told that Marle needs to improve her abilities in 'normal mode'. The equipment of the fairy iron can be said to be indispensable.

　Yup.

(Thinking of all the fights we've had, I'd want that level of equipment if I could.)

　That's what saved my life.

"Mumper.
All right. I'll make a call to the royal family from the guild.

　You promise me that, our guild leader.

''The Shumurian Dragon Cavalry and the Temple Knights are there, too. I don't think it's a problem if Kirt-chan and the others leave the kingdom for a little while.
Hmm.
Once again, a little bit, okay?
Okay, okay.

　Mr. White Beastman is a reminder.

　The golden-marked demon hunter, who sometimes breaks his promise, is a bit of a jerk.

　We couldn't help but laugh at the sight of him.

(Ah.... but...)

If we're gone, what about Poe?

　Do you want to take little Poe with you to the Teteto Confederacy?

　I tried to make sure of that, but both Kirto and Mumpa looked stern.

That's not going to be easy.
I see. The Dependents are the trump card of humanity, so to speak. ........The reason you thought you could go to the Tet Teteto Confederacy is also because you found a fourth replacement, although I'm sorry to say it, right?

　Oh, I see.

　Po-chan is in the kingdom, so I can go out.

　Illtimina's white hand strokes my hair.

That's okay. I'm sure the kingdom will take good care of her.
Yes.

　I nodded at the comfort of her hands and her gentle smile.

　And then.

Excuse me. Master Mumpa, I have an appointment with a visitor...

　The secretary came into the room and whispered so into the beastman's pure white leaning ears.

'Oh,'

　Mumpa's face was surprised.

　Then he got a look on his face that he had come up with a good idea and panned his hands together.

'Yes, I did,'

(?)

What's up, Mumper?
Mmmm, I found just the right person to protect you, Poe.

　Huh?

　We looked at each other.

　Po-chan is the only one who still has a pouty expression on her face.

(.........does she know that it's her?)

　I'm a little worried.

　Regardless of how I feel about it.

Who is this person?
"Ugh, Merle, you know him well.

　Huh?
　Do I know this?

Come on, Mumpa, don't be a pussy.
I don't mean to do that. --Okay, just let me in.

　Mumpa laughed softly and addressed the secretary as such.

　The secretary replied, "Yes," and opened the door to the guild leader's office.

''Come inside.''
Hmmm.

　A small voice replies, and the figure walks into the room.

(...Ah...)

　with a bang

　Solstice stands up from the couch with a startled look on her face and makes a noise.

　Both me and Illtimina-san rolled their eyes.

　Ms. Kilt looked like she had bitten down on a bit of a bitter bug.

　It was a woman with beautiful blonde hair.

　But the ends of her long hair were rubbed and shaggy on the floor.

　She looked like she had good style, but she was hunched over, which also ruined her look.

　The robe she wears is also tarnished and a bit out of place.

　Her white good looks, but her beautiful jade-green eyes were half hidden by her sleepy eyelids.

　Her sleepy blonde hair revealed two slender, pointed ears.

　It was a legendary adventurer.

　The 'Golden Mark Demonologist' who has reigned in the Kingdom of Shumuria for more than 100 years, and a High Elf Grand Wizard.

　She found us and lightly raised her hand.

''........Yoo-hoo. ........I'm here to fulfill my promise.

　There was a disappointing beauty with a small smile on her face, Ms. Colon-Tude Resta.