It has been a week since we left the Kingdom of Shumuria for our sea journey.

　The journey is going well.

　For the first two days or so, Solstice and I would get seasick, and when the symptoms were bad, we would drink the "healing spirit water" like we did when we got drunk on the dragon wheel before.

　But his body got used to it, and after about the third day, he became fine.

　By the way, Solstice was a day late and seemed to be fine from the fourth day.



　I was groaning.

　So far, the weather has been great.

　The weather was clear and the waves were calm.

　The sky was blue, and if I looked around, I could see the endless expanse of ocean that stretched all the way to the horizon.

　Also to the right of the ship, I could see the blue hazy land in the distance all the way to the right of the ship.　

　The Albac continent.

　I was reminded of how vast this continent really was, as I could see it for days on end.

　And.

That area is now the domain of the Arun Godhead.

　I was told by Illtimina.

　Apparently, the sea around here is like the high seas or exclusive economic zone in the previous life.

　I was told that the land will be invisible in two weeks.

　The sea is so big, isn't it?　

　Yes, during the week-long voyage, I sometimes felt afraid of the sea.

　One day when I was no longer seasick

"Oh, there's a dolphin!

　I was watching the ocean from the deck with Mr. Illtimina when I spotted a school of dolphins swimming around, leaping between the waves, glistening in the sun.

'Oh, it's true,'

　Miss Illtimina looked at him unusually.

　Then she laughed softly.

'Huh, Merle must have good eyesight to find dolphins that far away.

　I got that compliment and a pat on the head.

(Heh.)

　I laughed, too, because I was so happy and it felt so good to be stroking my hair.

　That's when.

　Thud thud thud.

　The sailors in military uniforms ran behind us.

(?)

　As I wondered what was going on, I heard a sailor standing on the mast looking at things, shouting loudly.

'Nine o'clock to port, Kraken!

　Huh?

　Illtimina-san's expression tightens and she leans over the deck railing to look at the sea, holding her white spear in her hand.

(Nine o'clock on the port side...)

　Just in the direction of the dolphin.

　I turned my head, and at that moment.

　do-gooder　　

　As the surface of the sea exploded, a giant creature appeared out of the water to attack the dolphins.

(Whoa!)

　Giant squid.

　Several dolphins bouncing in the air, entangled in the sucker-laden tentacles of a giant squid.

　Zapaang.

　With a white splash, the giant squid dove underwater again.

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

　It was a momentary blip.

　The scene was calm again, with only a few white bubbles left on the surface of the sea.

(What the hell, that monster...)

　It was distant, but it was more than 20 meds long, and if you counted the tentacles, it was about three times as big as it was.

　Kraken.

　A sea monster that has been passed down in a previous life.

(They existed in this world, didn't they?)

　Eventually, about ten minutes later.

Hmm....

　The 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter', who was holding his white spear in a throwing stance, let out a big breath and let down his guard.

　The sailors who had gathered together have the same face.

　If you look closely, the cannons on this warship were all pointing in the direction that the Kraken was.

　That's how high alert we were.

　I asked.

'There are big demons like that in the sea?'
Yes, sir.

　Miss Illtimina nodded and

Compared to those on the ground, sea monsters tend to be huge. I've heard that there are many monsters even bigger than that one living underneath the sea where we are.

(Really?)

　I was surprised.

''We 'demon hunters' also basically try not to fight the sea monsters. It would be the same with that Kirto Amandes.
..........

　Are you going to avoid that quilt...?

　Ms. Illtimina turned her crimson eyes to the surface of the sea.

''This vast ocean world is still a realm ruled by demons, not people.

　I concluded.

　I gulped and swallowed my spit.

　Once, in the Kerra Desert, I had taken down a 30-med sandworm in a ship called a sand boat.

　That was a huge, mutated demon.

　But in this ocean, demons of even greater size are said to be rumbling around as a matter of course.

(.......................The ocean is really amazing.)

　That's why this ship was loaded with cannons.

　Unlike the previous world, a distant voyage in this world might really be a deadly act.

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

　Iltimina's beautiful dark green hair fluttered in the sea breeze.

　Next to her, at that time, I was just continuing to stare at this wide, beautiful looking, terrifying view of the sea in front of me--.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


Well, you needn't be afraid of that.

　That's what Mr. Kilt said at dinner.

　This is the ship's dining room.

　In the dining room, besides the six of us, there were many other sailors on this ship eating their meals, and it was very lively.

　Mr. Quilt tipped his wooden mug and

It's true that sea monsters are large in size, but there aren't many demons that would attack the king's ship. But there are few demons that are big enough to attack the king's ship.

　And stirring up the alcohol inside.

　The "King's Ship" we are on is the largest and fastest warship in the Kingdom of Shumuria.

　And a 250-medium sized ship.

　Even though it is a sea monster, it doesn't attack so easily.　

(Is that so?)

　That's a relief.

It's a ship that's used to transport the royal family. They are also armed with tremendous cannons and other weapons. I can't say that the ship will never sink, but even if it were to be attacked, I wouldn't be too worried.

　As long as you don't fall into the sea - Kirt added, and laughed.

　I laughed at his smile, and I laughed, too.

'Here you go.'

　And then the dishes we had ordered arrived.

　The dishes on the table were sashimi, fried fish, grilled fish, stew with lots of shellfish, seaweed salad, and lots of seafood.

(They all look delicious.)

　That said.

You're cooking a fish.

　The bespectacled girl plopped down on the table so.

　To tell the truth, for the past week, we've only eaten seafood dishes.

　Even though Solstice is an appetite devil, she seems to be fed up with the unreplaceable menu as expected.

''Well, say the extravagant things.

　My sister scolds.

　But we could all have been the same inside.

(I, for one, don't even like it that much.)

　Because I'm taking my life.

　And so the meal begins.

　Mr. Kilt mainly eats sashimi as a snack to accompany his drink.

　Mr. Colontude has a strange way of eating: he hollowed out the eyeballs of the grilled fish and ate them first.　

　Ms. Illtimina is graceful as usual.

　Solstice is disgusted, but tastes good, so she eats the amount.

　Poe eats like a machine with an unchanging tempo.

　Mugging.

(Yes, it's delicious.)

　I'm eating normally too.

　I looked over and saw that Poe had neatly hollowed out a fish bone.

"Good job.

　The way you eat without leaving any body on the floor is a nice touch.

..........

　Poe didn't reply, but held out the hollowed out bone to Mr. Colonchude with a blank expression.

''Well thank you, Poe.

　Mr. High Elf looks happy.

　He is quickly filling the bottle container he brought with him.

　...........

'What are you doing?

　Solstice, the great wizard she admires, is intrigued and calls out to her.

　She replies.

'Experimental material.'

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

　I knew it, I think, me, Illtimina and Kilt.

Because from the skeletons and their components, we can study the evolutionary process, nature and distribution of marine life.
Oh, I see.

　Solstice nodded.

''Jeez, then I'll help you!

　

　Keppu.

　A little burping girl.

　Even though you hated it so much.

Really, I admire you for that...

　His little belly popped up.

　Mr. Colon-Tude was happily accepting the large amount of fish bones that were happily offered to him, "Howdy, howdy," he said happily.

　Well, both of you, if that's okay with you.

　I, Illtimina and Kilt looked at the situation as if they had mastered it, while Poe continued to eat at his own pace.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Speaking of which, what kind of country is the Vega country on the dollar continent?

　While having tea after dinner, I asked.

　By the way, Solstice seemed to be in pain as she held her stomach, "Nah, I ate a little too much.......

　Mr. Kilt was alone, not with his tea, but with his drink.

In a word, a nation of beastmen.

　He answered.

　The dollar continent we are heading to.

　Along with the Albac continent, there are only two human civilizations on this continent.

　The Dollar Continent is said to have seven countries.

　One is the 'Land of the Dragon Men' where humanoid dragon-like people live.

　One is the Land of Elves, where only elves live.

　One is the Land of the Lizard People, where the humanoid lizard-like lizard people live.

　One is the "Land of Beasts" where only beastmen live.

　The other three are the three kingdoms ruled by three brothers as kings, the Beastman Kingdom, where the beastmen and humans live together.

　Those are the seven countries.

(There is such a thing as the Land of the Elves!)

　And I was so excited, but

Except for the Land of Beastmen and the Land of the Lizard Men, all but four of them have refused to accept humans and are basically closed off to the outside world.
..........

　Oh.........so I can't enter the land of the elves then.......

(Soberly shocked)

　I was depressed, but Kilt-san laughed at me, and Iltimina-san gave me a complicated look, but patted my head to comfort me.

''.........I hate the Elven Nation too.

　POTUS muttered to himself.

(Huh?)

I was born there but in a boring, unchanging country it's boring.

　Oh my!

　The High Elf in front of me seemed to be from the land of the elves.

　It was probably because they were a long-lived race, so their nature of not seeking change didn't fit with Colontude's own personality, which was always seeking new knowledge.

(I see~)

　Everyone was surprised by the unexpected fact.

　And quietly.

'So what about the Vega nation then?'

　I asked.

"We are fortunate in that we are a 'land of the beastmen' that has a climate that welcomes humans, including werewolves.

　Mr. Kilt replied with a laugh.

(Yo, good.)

　If it was an isolated country, it was going to be difficult to get to the 'Land of Demon Seals' itself.

　Moreover, it is said that Vega Country is located in the southeast of the dollar continent.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what to expect.

　If it was a country in the northwest of the continent, the travel time by boat would be another one or two months longer.

　Incidentally, the countries on the eastern coastline of the dollar continent, which is on the side of the Albac continent, are all friendly "Land of Beastmen" and "Land of Lizards".

　On the contrary, I heard that the three countries that are isolated are concentrated in the western part of the country.

(Hmmm?)

　Maybe that national style was not only a racial personality, but also a geographical factor.

　The bespectacled girl who held her belly adds information.

''Vega Country, you know, is also a country that produces good quality magical stones.
Really?
Yes. A country that makes a lot of money from trade, exporting it to the Arun Goddess State, a technological powerhouse. That's why there are so many rich people here.

(Heh, I see.)

　A country that makes money from natural resources.

　In other words, it's like a country that makes money off of oil in the previous world.

　Mr. Kilts says.

The Vega kings are therefore very close to the Arun family, and because the Arun and Shumurian families are related, they are also very friendly with the Shumurians. And since Arun and the Shumurians are related, they are on friendly terms with the Shumurians as well. They will help us.

　I see.

　Emperor Arun's wife is Princess Reclear's aunt.

(I had a bad image of political marriage, but now that I think about it, it's really important to create a connection between countries.

　Of course, I still wouldn't want you to be forced into a marriage, though.

'Just'

　Hmm?

No news of my men has reached Vega yet.
What?

　Me, surprised.

　Miss Illtimina thinks for a moment.

It's just a matter of days?

　I muttered.

　Mr. Kilt nodded, "Mm.

(Days?)

It was only half a month ago that Marle got the information on The Dark Child.
Yes.
But even if we flew the pterodactyl from the Kingdom of Shumuria to Vega by the shortest route, it would probably take us a month to get there.

　Oh.

That's not what I meant.

　Mr. Kilt nodded again.

'The Warriors did not leave Shumuria because they had enlisted the cooperation of the Vega nation. They left before they heard the answer, in anticipation of cooperation.

I see.

There's a reason for the "Demon Resurrection is Coming" situation.

　That's why we were in such a hurry.

　So we were not counting on the raccoon dog, but we were acting on the basis of chance.

So there's a chance the Vega State will refuse to cooperate?
There is.

　...........

But as I said before, the chances of that are slim. Therefore, don't look at me like that.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

　'Crumple.'

　Fingers that smell sweetly of alcohol stroke my hair. Wah?

　Iltimina-san squeezes me to her chest, as if to take me back from Kilt-san's hand like that.

　Kilt-san chuckles.

　Then.

''I visited once before with Irna and Sol on a quest. It's not that there is no discrimination against the 'Demon Blood People', but it's not so bad either. It was not much different from Shumuria. It wasn't a bad country.

　He smiled a little nostalgically.

(Really?)

　I looked at the sisters and they both nodded.

　Vega Country.

　I suddenly looked at the window of the dining room and saw a pitch-black sea outside and a star-filled sky twinkling above them.

　Very beautiful.

　Looking at that night sky.

I can't wait to get there.

　I mutter.

　Illtimina-san, who was holding me, narrowed her crimson eyes and gently stroked my hair like that.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　One day, after a long sea journey.

"Today, everyone gather in an open deck space.

　And then Mr. Kilt called me in.

(What is it?)

　With that in mind, me, Illtimina-san, Soltis, Colontude-san and Poe, headed to the deck where we were called.

　Kilt-san, her silver hair shining in the sunshine, was waiting on the deck under the blue sky.

　In his hand were two wooden swords.

(Oh?)

　Maybe they're going to practice?

　By the way, I still practice swords with Kirt-san every day in my free time.

　......... of course, I've never won.

(No, I've never even been able to hit a sword properly.)

　I've taken one before in training at the Arun Divine Kingdom, but I'm beginning to think that was a dream....

　I am a little distant looking.

　Well, I'm not so sure about that, but　

What the hell is going on here, Kilt?

　Ms. Illtimina asked the party leader, a beautiful woman.

　Ms. Kilt nods, "Mm,

I just want to make sure we're on the right track before we arrive on the dollar.

　I replied.

(???)

Do I need to know for sure?

　Ms. Illtimina frowns a little dubiously.

　Ms. Kilt replies.

'It's Poe's strength,'

　And.

(Poe?)

　We are surprised.

　But there is no change in the expression of Poe himself, who was named.

　Her clear light blue eyes remained puffy.

　The golden eyes of the Golden Mark Demon Hunter stared straight at it.

In the continent of Doru, the warriors must fight against the demons that are about to be resurrected, or the demon shards that these demons produce. Worst of all, with the forces of the Children of Darkness.
..........
That's why I want to make sure we're strong enough to do that before we do.

　Mr. Kilt says.

'Po. No, the divine dragon Nagaia.'

　He thrust out to hand one of the wooden swords in his hand, pointing the hilt out to give it to me.

Why don't you show Kirt Amandes here what you're made of?

　I hoped.

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

　The strong, unobstructed sunlight pours down on us on the deck.

　There was a moment of silence.

　As our gazes converge, something snaps into place behind Po's light blue eyes.

'Poe is releasing a part of Poe.

　A small, clear voice.

　And the expressionlessness remained unchanged, but I could see that there was a clear intention in it.

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

　A strong sea breeze ruffled the little girl's short, slightly habitual blonde hair in front of us as we noticed.

　The little girl slowly stepped forward.

　That young looking 'God's Dependent' looked back at the strongest beauty of humanity.

"Poe has consented to thy will. --I will now engage in battle.

　He replied, in a voice without inflection.