It's been three days since the ceremony at St. Julian's Cathedral.

　Today's weather is cloudy.

　Under such a gray sky, Kirt and I were walking through the streets of the royal capital Mulia.

　The reason for this is to go to Benas Armor Shop to pick up my "fairy sword" that I had asked them to repair.

　As I walked along, Kirto-san asked me suddenly.

"What is Irna doing here?
I'll stay home all the time, just like Mr. Kilt advised.

　I replied.

　In fact, after the ceremony, Mr. Illtimina had been holed up at home for three days.

　The reason was that she had 'become too famous'.

　Ever since the ceremony, the adventurer's guild 'Moonlight Wind' had been flooded with a large number of onlookers every day.

　Even the original guests, the quest requesters, couldn't get in, and currently, five guild staff members were taking turns organizing the spectators to deal with them.

''That's what happened during the Warawa ten years ago.

　Kilt-san said, looking nostalgic.

　Mumpa-san immediately ordered Iltimina-san not to show her face to the Adventurer's Guild.

　In order not to cause any more confusion.

　And most importantly, to protect Iltimina-san herself.

　The reason why she doesn't leave her house is also to prevent people from knowing where she is at home.

(Sounds like a celebrity...)

　Or so I thought.

　Of course, I can't stay home forever, but

What? It'll all be over in a month.

　That seems to be the experience of Mr. Kilt.

　In this world, there is no television or photos like in previous lives.

　That's why the world doesn't know much about Illtimina's own face.

　Even during the ceremony, she wore heavy makeup to hide her true face.

(I see, she had a lot on her mind.)

　I'm a little impressed.

　So that's why I'm going to have to be patient for a while.

　So now I'm walking alone with Mr. Kilt.

　What, Solstice?

　That girl stayed home, too, and she's still working hard to learn the new magic of Mr. Coloncude.

　This morning at breakfast, he had soft hair and sleeping habits, but he didn't care.

　Yeah, I was in full researcher mode.

'I'm going out for a bit,'
Okay, go ahead.

　He didn't even look at me when he left, just like that.

'Right. It's just like Sol.

　When I told him, Mr. Kilt laughed too.

　While we were talking like that, before we knew it, we had arrived at the Benas Armor Store.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


Oh, there you are. It's ready to go.

　Mr. Benas, an old dwarf man with a cloudy white right eye, called out to us as we entered the store.

　He immediately brings me the 'Fairy Sword'.

　I took it and pulled it out of its sheath.

　Swoosh.

　A beautiful translucent blue sword blade appears.

(Hmm...?)

　The sensation in my hand gripping the handle felt more familiar than before.

　Benas-san noticed the expression on my face.

　He grinned.

'Shake it out.'
Yes.

　Phew.

　He lightly swung off the top step.

　Ah.........

''Hou?''

　Even Kilt looked surprised.

　That sword flash ran through the line just as he thought it would.

　It was as if the sword had moved from itself.

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

　Huh? Huh?

　What?
　It really is like an extension of my hand.

(Or maybe it's easier to handle than that...)

　It was a strange feeling.

　Mr. Benas nodded and smiled with satisfaction.

'All sorts of things were wrong with the blade, you know. I got it back in the right position and got my center of gravity in order.
..........

　That's it?

A man without arms wouldn't know. But Marle has enough sword skills to know the difference. That's the way it is.
..........
Are you satisfied with it?
Yeah!

　I nodded as best I could.

　Mr. Benas looked happy, too.

　Kirt-san was also laughing.

　Feeling better, I took off the 'Marl's Fang, No. 2' that was attached to my waist belt.

''That Benas-san,''
What?
Will you take another look at this sword?
Why, isn't that the dagger you sold the other day?
Yes, sir.

　I nodded.

But the other day I was slicing up a really hard golem.
"Huh, Golem!

　Jaw-dropping dwarven blacksmith.

'I'm sure it'll be fine, but just in case.
..........
...Mr. Benas?

　He sighed heavily.

''A golem's body is a stone strengthened with magic power, right? Why are you cutting that thing?
Well, it's a lot of things.
..........
..........
Hey, Miss Quilt?　This boy should have a little more common sense.

　Mr. Kilt cowered lightly and

What about this guy, is he a student of the straw man?
'Seriously...'

　Mr. Benas held his face in his hands.

'....Okay. Give it to me.
Yes, sir.

　I hand "Marl's Fang, No. 2" to the dwarf's stumpy hand.

　I pull it out of its sheath.

.......... A few scratches, but nothing major.
..........
Give me 20 minutes. I'll sharpen it for you.
Oh, thank you!

　I lowered my head vigorously.

　Mr. Benas sighed.

I'm sure my teacher is a master, and his apprentice is a disciple. A child slaying a golem is a frightening thing.
..........
..........

　Me and Kirt-san look at each other.

　Twenty minutes later, I receive the repaired "Fairy Sword" and "Marl's Fang-2", and then we leave the Benas Armor Store together.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　After leaving the armor store, I went grocery shopping.

　Since Illtimina-san was staying home, I had to buy it alone.

'Isn't it heavy?'
I'm fine.

　Looking at my backpack, Kilts-san looks worried.

　But I'm fine.

　I'm a lot stronger than I was six months ago.

(And since you've always helped me out, I should at least do my best.

　Mm-hm.

　And then you couldn't stand to see me walk away.

I'm gonna have a cup of tea.

　Mr. Kilt said, and took me to a coffee shop.

　A bit of a trendy shop.

　Kirt-san and I sat down by the window.

　The sky was still gray, and people passing by on the street in front of the shop were hurrying past, as if they were worried about the rain.

　I ordered, for me, a milk tea and a cake.

　Mr. Quilt is just a cup of tea.

'Today, I'm going to buy you a cup of tea.
Are you sure?

　Fatty Quilt.

　I was a bit confused, but I decided to take it easy here.

　........Actually, there was also the fact that the repair costs of the Benas Armor Shop were quite, quite high.

(Well, since he's such an amazing blacksmith, I guess it can't be helped.

　And so we enjoy a little tea.

(Yes, it's delicious.)

　The milk tea and cake were both very good.

　Mr. Quilted is pleased with my condition.

"Is it good?
Yeah!

　I nodded widely.

　And then it occurred to me.

It's kind of like a date, isn't it, when you two have tea together like this?

　I laughed.

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

　Mr. Kilt's golden eyes stared at my face for a moment.

'Mr. Kilt?'
No, it's nothing.

　I shake my head and exhale heavily.

　Then I sip my tea.

You can't tell Irna about this.
What?
Don't say it.
Uh-huh.

　I nodded honestly as he said it twice, with a strange intensity.

　From then on we would talk about other things.

　The fact that I once became a 'golden mark' and gave up the house I had just bought due to the onlookers who crowded in every day.

　I don't want that to happen to Irna.

　In fact, the adventurer's guild that Colontude is in, "The Singing Ears of the Meadow," also has a gold-stamped witchdoctor who is rarely in the capital, and visitors are flocking to see him.

　We talked about many things.

　And finally.

It's about... The royal family has given us permission.

　Kilt said.

(Oh, yes.)

　I nodded.

'When?'

　Mr. Kilt looks up at the grey sky.

'Tonight might be a good night for me.
'All right. I'll let Miss Illtimina know.
Yes, please.

　We nodded to each other.

　Then we left the coffee shop and parted ways with Kilt-san on the street near the Adventurer's Guild.

''Then,''

　A slightly heavy voice.

(?)

　As I told you, there were a lot of people gathered in the street in front of the guild.

　When Kilt-san tried to enter the building, he was immediately noticed and quickly surrounded by them.

(Ugh.....)

　It's really hard to be a celebrity.　

　I'm sorry for your loss.

　In the meantime, I hurriedly left the place as if I were a child who happened to be passing by.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


I'm home.
Welcome back, Merle.

　As soon as I walked in the door, Illtimina came to greet me.

'I'm sorry, that must have been heavy, right?'
Nope.

　She receives a heavy backpack from me as I laugh.

Even after becoming the 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter', Illtimina-san herself hadn't changed in any way.

　Maybe it's natural.

　But to me, who had felt that she had become a distant person, it was a great relief.

　The only thing that had changed was the environment around me.

　Ms. Illtimina is still very kind to me, as always.

　As I walked down the hallway.

Did you have an uneventful trip?

　He asked.

　I laughed.

'Yeah. And so did Mr. Kilt.
'I see. But you broke up with him in the middle. From there you were alone, weren't you afraid?
I'm totally fine.
'I see. Good.

　Ms. Illtimina looks relieved.

　She's still an overprotective sister, as usual.

　But unlike Japan in the previous life, criminal acts such as pickpocketing and kidnapping are also happening in this royal capital, Mulia.

　It's true, we can't let our guard down.

　Well, still.

I'm still the White Seal Demon Hunter, you know?

　I'm very proud of him.

　Ms. Illtimina smiled, "Hmmm, you're right," she said.

　Soon, after spreading out the ingredients in the kitchen, Ms. Illtimina went straight to work preparing lunch.

''It'll be ready in a minute, could you go get Sol?''
Yes.

　I nodded and headed to her room.

　Concon.

"Solstice... rice...

　..............

　Gacha.

Heh...

　A girl, looking tired, walks out of the open door.

　Her purple hair is shaggy, her red eyes are bloodshot and she is hunched over from exhaustion behind her glasses.

　She's like a small version of Mr. Colonteude.

'Are you okay?'
It's something.

　It looks like he's put a lot of thought into this.

"Colonchude's new magic needs to be carefully controlled... We've only had about a 30% success rate...
Okay.
I need to practice more...
Yeah. But don't take it too far and let it get to you.
I know...

　A girl walking dazedly.

　I followed behind her, prepared to support her at any time.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　As we ate lunch, I said.

"I heard you got the green light to do that thing...

　The sisters stop eating.

'I see. So you are really going to Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te Te T's.
Yes.

　I nodded.

　I had asked for permission to go to the Teteto Confederacy to get the fairy iron, and that permission had finally been granted by the royal family and all the relevant authorities.

　I've finally received permission from the royal family and other concerned parties to go to the Teteto Confederacy to get the fairy iron.

　I needed to give the world some time to settle down about Ms. Illtimina.

　These seemed to be the deciding factors.

'When will we be leaving?'

　Illtimina-san's crimson eyes sparkled as she asked that.

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

　I knew that not being able to go out was stressful, right?

Tonight.

　I replied.

'The sky is overcast and there's no moonlight, so it's nice to get away from the public eye, I guess.'
Yes.

　Iltimina nodded.

　Solstice exhales, "Tonight~" she exhales, "Tonight?

''That's pretty steep.''
Yeah. Solstice, how's the research going?
Well, I'm fine. I'll practice my magic while I'm on the move.

　I cower my small shoulders in approval.

''Then, after we finish eating, we'll get ready to leave tonight as soon as we can.
Yes.
Yeah.

　We nodded at Iltimina's words and proceeded to eat our lunch.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It was nighttime.

　Thick clouds hung in the sky and, as expected, there was no moon in sight.

　A light rain was falling.

　We got ready for our trip and left the house, putting on our rain-proof robes.

(See you later.)

　I look up at our house and call out to him in my mind.

　I've only been able to spend a couple of weeks in this house.

　After returning from the Arun Divine Kingdom, I left again.

　I'm reminded that being a demon hunter is really a life of travel to travel.

''Hmm~''

　It's been a long time since they've been outside, and even though it's raining, Illtimina-san is stretching her limbs in a pleasant way.

　Solstice said she brought a stack of papers of new magic materials with her.

It's heavy.

　And my backpack seemed heavier than usual.

　So the three of us walked down the street at night.

　This area is on the outskirts of the royal capital, so as expected, there are no people on the streets, and I can't see anyone else.

　As we headed to the appointed place, we saw a carriage parked on the street.

(Is that one?)

　As I approached, the carriage door opened.

　The lights were on inside the carriage, and that silver-haired beauty, Miss Kilt, was sitting there.

'Get in,'

　A short voice.

　We climbed right in.

　I close the door, remove my wet robe from the car, and exhale heavily.

'Sorry to keep you waiting, Kilt,'

　Ms. Illtimina said, spilling her beautiful dark green hair over her shoulders.

　Ms. Kilt laughed.

'What, right on time,'

　Then I looked up out the window where the raindrops hit me.

But it was the perfect weather to run away for the night.
Yeah.

　The two adults laughed at each other in a funny way.

(...well, it's like a night out.)

　We're leaving the country without being seen.

　Solstice looks a bit dumbfounded as she wipes her wet hair with a towel.

　Rattle, rattle, rattle.

　Eventually the wheels turned and the carriage began to move.

　The goal was the Tet Tetet Confederacy.

　They say it is a country formed by 20 small countries.

(What kind of country is this?)

　It was planned to stay for about a month and a half, including travel time.

'Are you looking forward to it, Marl?'
Yes.

　Illtimina smiled at her first outing in a long time.

　I nodded with a smile as well.

　This is how the carriage with us in it runs through the darkened royal capital of Mulia, avoiding the eyes of others.

　Our next destination is the Teteto Confederacy in the north.