When we left the port city, the grasslands in front of us looked like the African savannahs of a previous life.

(It's huge.)

　The prairie stretches all the way to the horizon.

　Trees with branches and leaves spreading out horizontally grew here and there, and the blue hazy mountains could be seen in the distance.

　There were even a few animals in the meadow.

(Kind of hot.)

　It's autumn in the Kingdom of Shumuria, but this one is closer to the equator, or maybe it's like summer.

　Gallant.

　In the midst of all this, our 'beast car' was going on, ringing the elephant's bell.

　As I was looking out the window, he said to me

"Merle.

　Illtimina-san called out to me.

　Hmm?

Just wanted to make sure I'm okay.
Yeah?
Lat, uh, Caglinva?

　............

(Huh?　(What?)

　Mr. Illtimina suddenly uttered a strange sound (...).

''Do you understand?''
?

　? Seeing my expression as the mark floated above her head, she nodded, "I see.

That was the official language of the dollar continent.
What?

　I was surprised by the shocking revelation.

　That's right.

　We have been speaking the common language of ULBAC, which is the language of ULBAC. It's the language of the Ulbach continent.

　But this is the dollar continent.

(It's no wonder we don't speak the same language.)

　As I recall, when I had a language study session with Illtimina-san before, I learned that the Dollar Continent used to be one big beastman country, and the language of that time is the official language of the Dollar Continent now.

　I also heard that each of the 7 countries has a slightly different accent.

(I see.)

　Jingu Arkyn knew the common language of Arbuck.

　So I've never had any trouble with conversation before either.

　But.

(As expected, Arkyn didn't even know the official language of the dollar continent.)

　I can't help but stare at my right hand.

　And when I talk about it.

I heard that the Divine Demon War was centered on the Albac continent~

　A girl who knows things, she told me.

(Really?)

Does this mean that Arcluein fought on the continent of Arbuck?
I know.

　Solstice nodded.

That's why there was a tower to the goddess Yacour in the Great Forest of Aldoria, right?

　I continued.

　''I see.

(So this is the first time Ark-in has come to the Dollar Continent, too?)

　I look at my right hand and smile.

　Then I look up and look at the sister next to me.

''You can speak the official language of the dollar continent, right, Iltimina-san?''
A little bit.

　The older sister, who could do everything, gave a small smile.

'Even I can speak everyday conversation.

　And Solstice.

　I looked at Mr. Colonteau.

I can see that too... ahem.

　She answered with a great warp of her breasts, which were of an elfish volume.

　Poe, you know.

..........

　Oh, I was averted from the light blue eyes. Comrade.

　The last time I looked at Mr. Quilt.

Well, I represent Shumuria in many foreign lands. The mumpers have forced me to learn.

　He said with a kind of distant look.

　I see, you guys are great.

(Huh?)

　But then, if you've been able to talk to him.

Mr. Arnold, you speak the Commonwealth language of Albac, don't you?
Of course.

　He laughed carefree.

'Knowing the language is the first step in getting to know each other. That will lead to a better understanding of each other and a path to peace. So I've learned the hard way.

(Oh.)

　That's a cool attitude, I thought.

"I wish I could learn it, too, the official language of the dollar continent.

　I muttered.

　Instantly, a joyous color appeared on Illtimina-san's face.

''Then you'll study with me again!

　sizzling sound

　He grasps my hands in an enfolding grip and happily suggests it.

　I was a little surprised, but I nodded my head yes.

　Everyone laughed at us, too.

　Our journey across the prairie continued, surrounded by peacefulness in the air--and so our journey across the prairie continued.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Just before noon on the third day after we left the port city, we saw the pure white walls of the city beyond the grasslands.

'That's our capital, Karanka,'

　Arnold tells me.

(It's...)

　In a world of blue skies and green prairies, its pure white walls were very different.

　Amidst the whiteness, there was a golden glow, I wondered if it was because of the use of gold for decoration?　Maybe it was to show the richness of my country, but I thought it was a real luxury.

　After an hour or so, we arrived at the "City of Pure White and Gold".

　Even the large gates of the city were lavish, with plenty of gold being used.

''I wonder if I shouldn't cut it down a bit?''

　Solstice mumbles, blah..........
　Hey, hey, hey.

　When I entered Karanka, the main street stretched straight in front of me.

　On either side of the street, a canal was drawn.

　On the outside of it, there were many palm trees and baobab-like street trees planted.

(Hmmm?)

　Even though it's a city, there's an awesome amount of nature.

　A large stone city with lots of mixed plants and waterways.

　An image I've seen somewhere else.

(Ah!)

　That's right, Mumpa's room.

　Our "Moonlight Wind" guild leader's room also had waterways and plants coexisting with man-made objects.

(Perhaps the beastmen like that kind of environment?)

　It occurred to me.

　Everyone else was also looking out the window at the Vega State capital, Karanka, with great interest.

"Marle, look at that.

　Hmm?

　Illtimina-san called out to me, and if you look, her white fingers are pointing forward.

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

　A little way up the hill is the Golden Palace.

"That is the royal palace of His Majesty Shamann, our king of Vega.

　Arnold says.

(That's the heart of the country.)

　The golden palace sparkled in the sunshine.

　It's kind of divine.

　We were mesmerized by it, but

Hmm?

　In front of the palace, I saw a lot of people gathered around the foot of the hill.

　What is it?

　There was a wall protecting the palace, and about thirty beastly knights lined up in front of its gate.

　And facing those knights, the beastmen, who seemed to be civilians, were holding up wooden placards and banners in their hands and shouting something loud.

　But I don't know what they're saying.

(????)

　I asked Illtimina.

"What do they say?
Well.... 'Open the way to the Sacred God Tree immediately and don't monopolize the profits...'

　...The Holy Spirit Tree?

　The unfamiliar words make me cringe.

'What is the Holy God Tree?'
You know what?　I don't know, either.

　Ms. Illtimina is shaking her beautiful dark green hair and craning her neck.

　Everyone looks puzzled, too.

(I'm not sure, but it looks like there's some kind of demonstration going on.)

　I decided that I was.

　Then, the knights forcefully made a path and our three beast carts proceeded to pass through the people of the demonstration.

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

　The hostile gaze is strong.

'Deggardt!'
"Vamo, u, digger!
"Ruggle, Ruggle!

　A lot of people shouted at me in an unintelligible rage.

　My body trembled a bit.

　And then Iltimina-san hugged me and Solstice with her arms on either side.

'It's okay. Now, don't make eye contact with the people out there.
Uh-huh.
Okay.

　He cautioned me.

　If you look, you can see that Mr. Colonteude is also holding Poe in his arms and gently stroking his habitual blonde hair.

　Eventually, we made it safely through the gate.

　The gates are soon closed and our beastly car goes up the hill road.

　The figures and voices of the protesters grew fainter behind us.

(......Hoho.

　I let out a small breath of relief.

　Mr. Kilt looked at Mr. Arnold inquiringly.

　He gave him a difficult look.

You'll have to hear the details from His Majesty himself.

　I said.

　And.

The reason for your visit is not entirely unconnected to the turmoil that ensued.

　He added.

(What...?)

　The purpose of our visit has nothing to do with the demonstration.

　I couldn't help but look at Illtimina-san and Solstice.

　Kilt-san also made a surprised face.

　But Arnold-san didn't seem to have any intention of explaining further.

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

　The air inside the car was a little more subtle.

　And our beast car went up the hill to the 'Golden Palace' that was right in front of us.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　The royal palace hall where the king of Vega Country is located was a temple-like building built of pure white stone and gold.

(.........It's so majestic.

　We got out of the beast car and Arnold led us down a corridor lined with beautiful columns.

　There were also waterways on either side of the corridor, and ornamental plants were planted on either side of the corridor.

　Beyond the pillars, there is also a stunning courtyard with a fountain.

　It was a different kind of building that served as the nerve center of the state than the Kingdom of Shumuria or the Arun Divine Empire.

'Wait here,'

　We were led to the waiting room.

　The long sofa was covered with beautiful furs, and we sat there.

(Fluffy and fluffy!)　

　Our cheeks loosen up and we enjoy the wonderful feel of it.

　Eventually, the beautiful dog-beast servants hand us cups made of animal horns and pour fruit water into them.

'Mmm, that's good!'

　Maybe it was because I came from outside in the heat, but I couldn't help but gasp at the deliciousness of the cooled fruit water.

　The waitresses were laughing gently at me.

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

　Nah, I'm a little embarrassed.

　Solstice is a little dismayed.

You shouldn't embarrass Shumuria too much, you know.
Uh-huh.

　I nodded honestly.

　Iltimina-san and Kilt-san were laughing happily at the exchange again, though.

　Eventually, after about half an hour, Arnold-san came back.

　However, his lion-like face had a slightly difficult expression on it.

(Hmm?)

What's going on?

　Kilts must have noticed that, he asked.

　He looked around at the six of us.

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

　In particular, I felt like I was looking at me, Solstice, Poe, and the three kids. ........What?

　Eventually, the lion beastman said.

''I'm sorry, but I'd like one representative to have an audience with the king.

　And.

　We looked at each other.

　Mr. Kilt looked at Mr. Arnold and tilted his head, shaking his silver hair.

'No matter. But why?'

　He is silent for a bit.

　Eventually, he lets out a big sigh.

'It would be an embarrassment to our country. I wouldn't want my children to see it if they could.
..........
..........

Shame...?

　Mr. Kilt looks at something that comes to mind.

'Okay,'

　Nodding.

'Illtimina, I'll take care of this one. A strawman will go to your audience.
I understand.

　Ms. Illtimina nodded firmly as she was asked to do so.

　Ms. Kilt left her seat.

　Arnold-san looked at her apologetically.

''I'm sorry.''
I'm fine.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

'So long. Then you'll be a good boy, won't you?

　The silver-haired beauty closed one eye, as if in a frightened manner, and left the waiting room with Mr. Arnold, leaving us.

　Patan.

　............

　A silence falls in the room as I hear a door close.

(What in the world does this mean?)

　I am puzzled.

　Then, as Mr. Illtimina looks at the closed door.

Perhaps it means that there are some people in the audience who are against us.

　I uttered.

(Huh?!)

　Me and Solstice are surprised.

　In other words, Kirt-san went to a place where those noblemen were also present, alone.

　There, I'm sure that he will be met with animosity and hostile looks and words.

(Kirt-san........)

　She and Mr. Arnold tried to protect us, the children, from those bad intentions.

Quilt.....

　Solstice is also staring at the door where she disappeared.

　Poe, too, has a vague expression, but he's looking in the same direction as us.

　And then a white finger strokes Poe's hair.

''........I don't care. ........it's normal for adults to protect children.......

　And High Elf," she says.

　Her jade-colored eyes stared at us very gently.

　Iltimina-san also nodded widely, shaking her beautiful hair.

''That's right. For now, let's trust the quilt and wait.''

　............

Yes.
Yeah.
.......................

　Our three children nodded back together.

　And so we waited for the girls to return for two hours after Mr. Kilt and Mr. Arnold left.

　Eventually.

　click

I'm home now.　

　That beautiful 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' came back to the anteroom with a very tired look on her face.