Two days had passed since then.

　Our carriage had left the town of Tupet and had come to the border in a long tunnel.

"-- Okay, go.

　A stern Tetetet confederate border soldier stamps his stamp on the document he's checking and hands it to me.

I take it and start walking down the aisle.

　At the end of the corridor, Illtimina, Kilt, and Solstice, who finished the process earlier, are waiting for me.

　I headed down to the bottom of everyone.

''Next!''
Yes, sir.

　From behind me, I hear the call of a border soldier and a nervous woman's voice answering it.

　The one ahead of me who is turning around is Renu-san with a hard expression.

(....................Is it okay?

　I was getting a little nervous.

　Renu.

　Renu Wiedert was a registered adventurer in the Teteto Confederacy.

　Was........yes, past tense.

　The current Renu-san is recognized as a criminal who is killing adventurers belonging to the same adventurers' guild and disappearing.

　The fact that those murdered adventurers tried to divert their precious cargo to the village was handled while hidden by the guild because Renu-san was a 'People of the Demon Blood'.

　Normally, the border would not be able to pass through.

　That's why Renu-san has a nervous face the whole time while the border soldier checks the documents.

''Hmm, an employee of the Arvinka equipment store?
Yes, sir.

　Renu-san nodded coyly.

''Marle-san and the others have purchased a large quantity of 'Fairy Iron', and I'm going to go to the Shumuria Kingdom as an escort to manage it during its delivery.

　As he says this, he removes the small metal plate that was hanging around his neck.

　Like a dog tag, it has a name and a seal of belonging to the Blacksmith's Guild engraved on it.

　It was a staff certification plate that Arvinka had prepared for me through Kirt-san's negotiations.

　After receiving it, the border soldier placed the metal plate on the metal plate engraved with magic letters.

　''Powaa.''

　The metal plates glowed, projecting letters and other objects inscribed in the air.

　Apparently there was a magical procedure inside the plate, like a watermark on a bill, to confirm its authenticity.

''It's real, isn't it?''

　The border soldier nodded and handed the metal plate back to Renu.

　Then he stamped the document with a clunk.

'Okay, go.'
Yes!

　After receiving it, Renu-san hugged it to her chest and hobbled over to me with a hawk.

''Renu-san,''
We're glad to see you're clear.

　When we greeted her, she finally let out a breath of relief and

'Thanks to all of you. Thank you.

　I smiled at him.


　◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　The departure formalities were completed without incident, and now we were moving by carriage through another long tunnel for the entry formalities.

On the Shumurian side, we won't have to worry so much.

　In that car, Kirt-san said.

　As a matter of fact, he had already contacted the kingdom's side with the pterodactyl flight about Renu-san's situation.

　I'm sure that the order from Princess Reclear has been delivered to the Shumurian side of the border, without knowing the details of the situation, and they are supposed to be able to pass through without any problems.

(As expected of Kirt.)

　I'm afraid you've already completed the rooting process.

''Well, it's possible that the princess hasn't contacted you in time, but.......

　....What?

'Because I had Arvinka create an official identity for me. I have no problem with that.
..........
..........

　Looking at me and Renu's strong face, I continued to do so in a mischievous manner.

　Oh, God!

　Kirt laughs and apologizes to my angry me, saying "Sorry, sorry".

　Only, she says.

''That's how much power the Tetetet Confederacy's Blacksmith Guild has to push through our borders, even if there is some doubt.

　He said.

　As I said before, the export of rare "fairy iron" has an effect on the friendly relations between the two countries.

　It's because the beautiful and rare "fairy iron" is also favored by the upper class in Shumuria.

　Hence, the Blacksmith's Guild has great power within the Teteto Union.

　And the blacksmiths who can handle that rare metal 'fairy iron' are actually few and far between, so the Arvinka's shop that possesses it has a decent position within the blacksmithing guild.

(I see.)

　That's the identity card it issued.

　So even if Renu-san misrepresented her identity, there's not much to be suspected.

''So that's what happened.

　Picking at the metal plate around his neck, Renu let out an exhale of admiration.

　The curious Solstice also peeked out from her seat face-to-face.

　By the way, Illtimina-san.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

　He was asleep next to me, resting his head on my little shoulder.

"He hasn't slept for two days because he's worried about you. Let him sleep now.
'Yeah...'

　I nodded to Kilt, who smiled bitterly.

　I look at her well-formed sleeping face with a small sense of guilt.

　She looks very relieved as she rests her weight on my shoulder.

　Her long, soft, dark green hair spills out and drapes over my body. I stroked her beautiful hair, which smelled sweet and gentle, with my small hands.

''Mmm........maa, le.......''

　Her mouth moved and a faint smile escaped her lips.

(What on earth am I dreaming about?)

　I smiled as I watched my beloved's sleeping face.

　Everyone else is also staring at the sleeping Illtimina-san with gentle eyes.

　Rattling.

　Like a cradle, the carriage rocked a little.

　It would have to happen again at immigration.

　--but not until then.

　The carriage carrying us did so, and slowly, slowly made its way through the long border tunnel.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　We entered the Kingdom of Shumuria without any problems.

　At the first town after the border, we switched from the Teteto horse carriage to the Shmulia horse carriage, and we headed for the royal capital, Mulia.

'This is Shumuria....

　Renu's eyes were glued to the snowless landscape as she visited the country for the first time.

　It was kind of funny.

　After that, we finished our long journey over the next 10 days or so and returned to the royal capital, Mulia.

''Hoa........''

　When we got out of the carriage, Renu was stunned by the number of people.

　Even when we arrived in Mulia, I remember rolling my eyes at the huge traffic jam of carriages and dragon carriages that are famous in the royal capital.

'This way,'

　sizzling sound

　I'm going to hold her hand so that Renu-san doesn't get lost.

　Hmph, I'm already senior to you in this town, you know?

'Ah,' said Renu, surprised.

　Kilt-san laughed at me blowing my seniority style, and Solstice was dumbfounded.

　

　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends and family.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


Welcome back, Kilt, guys.

　When we returned to the chalk tower-like Adventurer's Guild building, we were immediately summoned by Mumpa-san to the guild leader's office.

　She greeted us with a soft smile, a pure white beastman.

We said "I'm back" and sat down on the sofa.

　Mumpa's red eyes turned to the tense-looking brown-skinned and red-haired woman inside.

'Are you Renu-chan?'
'Yes, sir!　I'm Renu Widert!

　He stands tall and responds loudly.

　Mr. Mumpa stared at the scene in silence for a moment before

Well you seem to be doing okay.

　I muttered.

(?)

　Mumpa looks at us, his smile returning to his face.

Thanks for your hard work, everyone. This was supposed to be a relaxing trip, but it turned out to be a terrible mistake.
The "real

　Mr. Kilt sighs.

'Did you get the report I sent out on the pterodactyl flight?
Of course.

　Mumpa-san nodded.

''The kingdom has also been informed. It was so unexpected that we've already hit a beehive, you know?'
Hmm, okay.
'Yes~. The unexpected contact with the 'Child of Darkness' and the ceasefire and intent to fight together conveyed there. And the information that a demon is about to be resurrected on the Dollar Continent within a year... my head hurts too~

　As he says this, Mumpa holds his head with his soft, dripping beast ears.

　We chuckle.

(Well, yes.)

　We were in the same frame of mind when we first heard about it.

　Mr. Kilt looked at his friend and patted Renu, who was sitting next to him, on the shoulder.

'This one's story is getting through, too, isn't it?
Yeah.

　Mumpa's expression changed.

'The first being from a demon to a human again.　

　At that one word, Renu's expression tightened.

　To her, Mumpa-san gave her a soft smile.

To be honest, I was worried about a lot of things before I met you, but you seem to be doing fine. I feel like you're getting your heart back in the right place.
......................

　Ms. Renu was startled and then looked like she was going to cry.

　Mr. Mumpa stood up and hugged his head.

'That was tough, Renu. But it's all right now.'

　As he said this, he gently combed the slightly habitual red hair with his white fingers.

　Suddenly dumbfounded by the suddenness of the situation, and then Renu cried a little bit in the arms of that white beastman, killing her voice.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　After Renu had calmed down, the conversation continued.

'After this, Warawa and the others are planning to take this Renu to Shumuria's royal castle right away to meet the king and Princess Reclear.

　Mr. Kilt said.

　Then Mr. Mumpa shook his head, shaking his soft, pure white hair.

'I don't think you should do that now,'
What?
'I told you, I'm like a beehive of nerves. I'm really confused.

　And then I let out a sigh.

''It seems there's a conflict of opinion upstairs as to whether or not to believe or not to accept or not to accept the 'dark child's' proposal. At the same time, they're also preparing and laying the groundwork to head to the dollar continent, and maybe going to the castle now will only add to the confusion.

　I didn't know that was going to happen.

　Kirt-san, as expected, groaned at this story, "Mmmm.

''I'll put in a report on the return of Kilt-chan and the others. Then when the time comes, they should call me from the other side. So until then, take it easy.
I didn't have a choice.

　The Golden Mark Demon Hunter sighed.

I'd like to hurry, but that won't help us," he said. We'll have to wait for a while.
Please do so.

　Mumpa-san nodded.

''Until then, I'll keep Renu-chan at the guild (home).

　At the mention of her own name, Renu-san straightened up nervously.

''And I think it would be better to contact Colon-chan and have her examine Renu-chan's body as well, just in case. Oh I'm not doubting Solstice-chan's diagnosis, okay?　Just in case.

　Mumpa adds, concerned about the young girl.

'It's okay!'

　Solstice replied cheerfully.

'Because I would rather have the honor of having my diagnosis confirmed by Master Colontude!

　The bespectacled girl with her hands clasped together in front of her chest and an enraptured look in her eyes.



　Mr. Mumpa was slightly taken aback, "Yeah," he said, but he still kept smiling as he responded.

　Mr. Renu looks a bit puzzled.

　Surely it's because he doesn't know who Mr. Colontude is?

''It's okay. Mr. Colentude is the Golden Mark of Magic. He's a very nice guy.
Oh, really?

　He looks a little relieved by my words.

'Yes. But I like to do research and can go too far, so hang in there. If you don't like it, you can say, 'No! It's better to say clearly, "I'm not sure. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what will happen.
..........

　For some reason, Renu-san's face turned delicate at the advice I added.

(.........What?)

　Mr. Mumpa chuckles.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

Well, then, let's rest for a while, shall we?

　I declared.

　The four of us nodded.

　Then, Iltimina-san asked Mumpa-san, as if she suddenly remembered.

''Um........I heard that my becoming the new 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' caused some trouble for the people watching in the guild, what happened to that?''
Yeah, I'm feeling much better already.

　Mr. Mumpa replied with a gentle smile.

　It has already been less than two months since he took office.

　Some people are still trying to catch a glimpse of the new 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter', but the majority are said to have cooled off from their enthusiasm.

　If you think about it, even now, we've been able to get inside the guild building without any problems.

　Iltimina-san held her large chest in her hand and exhaled in relief, ''I see.

　Kilt-san, who has been a 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' for a long time.

Well, that's the kind of thing people are interested in.

　I laughed.

　Mr. Mumpa laughed, too.

'You've been through a lot on this trip, haven't you?　Please take your time until the royal family calls you back.

　He said.

　With that, the conversation ended and we left the Adventurer's Guild.

'So long,'
Oh, um, thank you very much.

　This is where we say goodbye to Kirt, who lives in the guild's accommodations, and Renu, who stays with us.

　They come out to the street in front of the guild to see us off.

　Renu, in particular, takes my hand in his and says goodbye.

I owe Merle a great debt of gratitude. I will never forget that.

　He says it with his somewhat moist eyes.

　

Yeah. I had a great time with you, Renu. I'll see you later.

　Renu nodded sadly, "Yes.

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

　Illtimina-san, who was behind me, stares at me with eyes that seem to want to say something very badly. .........hmm?

　Solstice blurted out.

"Unaware.

　I muttered.

(Huh, what are you talking about?)

　I nod my head and start walking down the road to my home with Illtimina, who holds my hand very tightly, and Solstice, who will follow, along with me.

　And so I return to the peaceful everyday life for a while, seeing off the two remaining members of the guild.