A large map was brought into the anteroom where we were staying.

　It's a map of Vega.

　It is spread out on the table in front of us.

You will be the first to tell the location of the Sacred Tree to anyone outside the country.

　Mr. Arnold smiled at that.

　We nodded and looked at the map again.

　The country of Vega, located in the west of the dollar continent, had a large isosceles triangle facing the opposite direction.

　The capital city we were in, Karanka, was to the southwest near the sea.

''The 'Holy God Tree' is here.''

　Mr. Arnold's hair-covered finger indicated that he was almost in the middle of the country.

　The distance from the capital city was probably about a thousand kilometers, based on the scale.

That's pretty far.

　His fingers followed the streets as he

Our 'beast car' will take about two weeks.
"Hmm.

　Ms. Kilt nodded.

　Then her white fingers indicated the top of the map.

You can't get through here?

　I asked.

　It wasn't a road, but a canyon somewhere.

　I couldn't read the writing, but from the pattern on the map, I knew it was a ravine.

　And it's the shortest route.

　The road is laid out in such a way that it largely bypasses the ravine.

"'Valley of the Hexenbiest'?

　Mr. Arnold made a difficult face.

'The Valley of the Demon Beasts?'
Yeah. We tried to take the road through here once. We failed at every attempt. There are a lot of chimeras living here.

　Chimera?

　Noticing my condition, Illtimina-san - or Dr. Illtimina - tells me.

'Chimera is a general term for magical creatures created 400 years ago during the Thanatos Magical Dynasty.
Heh.
They are a combination of various biological features, and in the days of Thanatos, they were controlled by magic, but now they don't even know how to do that anymore and are completely self-sustaining.

　Hmmm.

''Its strength is also a threat, and as far as quest difficulty goes, it's probably equivalent to the 'Silver Mark' or even the 'Gold Mark'.

(What? It's a quest for the gold seal!)

　I was stunned.

　Mr. Arnold chuckled at my reaction.

To be honest, I wouldn't recommend passing through here either.

　I continued.

　Our gaze fell on our leader, Mr. Kilt.

　Mr. Kilto paused for a moment.

Let's go.

　I told him so.

'I don't know how much I can trust the words of the Child of Darkness. I want to save time whenever possible.

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

"Besides, we have three 'Golden Mark adventurers' here. It should be possible enough to get through.

　I looked up from the map and looked up at the same two 'gold marks'.　

　Iltimina-san and Colonchude-san, they both nodded.

(That's reliable.)

　The three of them look so dazzling to me.

　When I looked over, I saw that Solstice has the same expression on her face.

　Arnold-san also faintly narrowed his beastly eyes and then nodded.

''Alright. If you guys want to, we'll do that.
Hmm.
"We'll have 500 of our own trusted soldiers from Vega Country. Make use of them.

　He suggested that.

No.

　Mr. Kilt dismissed the answer immediately.

(Huh?)

　She replied to the beastman, who rolled his eyes.

'The warriors are adventurers, not soldiers. We're more used to working in small numbers.''
But.....
'Don't worry. Better yet, if it's possible, turn those personnel over to directing the evacuation of the locals and calming the demonstrations.

　I said.

''If you fight the 'Sacred God Tree Demon', the whole area will be on fire for sure.

　I warned him.

　Mr. Arnold gasped as he stared into the golden eyes.

　And.

I understand.

　It was His Majesty Shamān, who had been silent until now, who replied.

'Everything shall be done as the guardians of Shumuria and the sons of God wish.

　He nodded softly.

I really appreciate your concern for the people of the Vega Nation.

　And he bows his head.



　The king of the Kingdom of Shumuria was a bit of a scary warrior.

　The Emperor of the Arun Divine Kingdom was a beautiful and divine nobleman.

　The king of Vega Kingdom was like a soft-spoken wise man.

　There really are many differences between the people who rule a country....

　His Majesty Shamahn's words, Kirt-san nodded his head.

Let the warriors swear that they will do their best.

　I returned the thanks.

　Behind him, the five of us from Shumria also nodded widely.

　His Majesty Shamann's eyes narrowed.

　His son, Mr. Arnold.

I'm sorry.

　He gave us that acknowledgement in a voice that sounded very much like he was feeling.

　Then we, or rather, Kirt mainly, will work out the details with Arnold.

　We will leave tomorrow morning.

　It was agreed that the only person who will be accompanying us will be Arnold.

　It was agreed that Arnold would be the only person to accompany us.

"You will spend the night in the royal palace, resting comfortably.

　When the discussion was over, Mr. Arnold laughed.

'I'll prepare a meal for you, too. You'll enjoy the drinks here too.'
Oh, I'm looking forward to it.

　Mr. Kilt's face also glowed.

　We chuckle.

(Mr. Arnold, you know Mr. Kilt, don't you?)

　And Miss Illtimina raised her hand lightly.

Do you have one?
Hmm?　What is it?
Are there no 'Golden Mark adventurers' in the Vega Country?

(What...?

''If we can get those people to cooperate, I think it will make it easier for us to get out of the 'Valley of the Demonic Beasts'.

　I asked.

　We look at Mr. Arnold.

　He rakes his hair, like a lion's mane, with his long, clawed fingers.

I'll tell you guys.
?
"As a matter of fact, there are two 'Golden Mark adventurers' in Vega Country.

　Oh.

But I haven't seen him in three months.

(...what?)

What?

　We were stunned.

'We're looking for it, but we can't find it, and they both disappeared in a puff of smoke. This is also a secret information to the city, so you can't divulge it to anyone, okay?

　...........

　I can't help but look at everyone else.

(The golden seal is missing for both of them.......why?

　That's a question I'm sure Arnold and the others feel more strongly about than you do.

...The Golden Mark?

　Mr. Kilt muttered softly.

　The wind that blew in through the window of the anteroom felt strangely cold.

　So the discussion was over, this time.

　Then we were treated to dinner.

'Wow, that looks good!'

　Whole roasted pig-like creatures, fried rice, and meat dishes made with citrus fruits were on the table.

　Also a silver bowl of water.　

'This festive dish is eaten by hand,'

　Mr. Arnold said and demonstrated.

　He looks so good.

　I'm drooling a bit, too....

　Then he washed his fingers in a bowl of water.

(I see. That's what the water is for.)

　And so we grabbed a handful of food too.

　It was so refreshing to be able to do something that looked like it was bad manners, and the food was really good.

''Hmph, this kind of meal is fun, isn't it?
Yeah!

　Illtimina and I laughed at each other.

　Solstice was already using both hands to bite down on the food.

　There were grains of rice on Mr. Columbudo's cheeks, and Poe's little fingers plucked at them and crunched them straight down.

　Mr. Kilt was emptying several mugs of liquor with Mr. Arnold.

　It was a very lively dinner party tonight, perhaps in anticipation of the grueling journey ahead tomorrow.

　Eventually, the meal is over.

　And so we go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　I saw the red and white moon shining through the window of my assigned sleeping quarters.

　I noticed it.

Even on the dollar continent, the visible moon is the same, isn't it?

　I mutter.

　Solstice, who was sitting on the bed combing her lustrous purple hair after her bath, looks dismayed.

'No wonder, right?　Merle is such a real idiot.
Ugh.....

　I mean, you don't have to say it like that.

　Illtimina and Kilt laugh at me as I become dejected.

　This is the royal palace's guest room, its bedroom.

　In this guest room are myself, Illtimina-san, Kilt-san and Solstice.

　Mr. Colontude and Poe are in a separate room.

　Kilt-san, who was enjoying a nightcap before going to bed, closes the lid on his bottle.

'Well, shall we all go to bed tonight?
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Yeah.

　We reply.

　Then Miss Illtimina lies down on the white sheets, waves her gentle hand toward me and says

Come on, Merle.

　He smiled beautifully.

(Yes~!)

　Cue the cuddly marl.

　Poof.

　I was completely trained, and I curled up next to my master like a puppy.

''Hmph.''

　Illtimina hugs me happily.

　The usual sweet smell.

　Maybe it's because she's after a bath, but she also smells like fresh soap.

　The elasticity pressed against my back is pleasant, and her long, lustrous hair that flows down my neck is tickling.

I'm putting out the lights.

　At the sound of Mr. Kilt's voice, the room went dark.

　Only the red and white moonlight shone through the window.

'Good night, my Merle,'

　kiss

　He kisses my brown hair.

　I smile.

Good night, Miss Illtimina.

　I tell the person I love so much, and then I close my eyelids.

　Warm darkness.

　Perhaps I was tired from the journey, but my consciousness quickly fell into the world of sleep.

　...........

　.............

　..............

　How long did I sleep?

(...hmm?)

　I wake up with a sudden feeling of discomfort.

　I open my eyelids.

　I have a view of my bedroom before bedtime, but nothing else has changed.

　But.

　whimpering

Faintly, but with a strange, pungent smell.

　I sat up.

"Hmm Merle?

　Noticing the presence, Illtimina woke up.

(Oh, did I wake you up?)

　Ms. Illtimina raises her upper body, spilling her long hair.

　Tayun.

　Her heavy breasts swayed behind the fabric of her white sleepwear.

(Ugh....)

　I blush a bit.

　Without realizing it, Illtimina-san lightly rubbed her eyes.

What's up, Merle?　Toilet?　If you're afraid, I'll go with you, okay?

　He asks.

　Oh no.

　I chuckle.

No. It's just that I smell kind of funny.
Does it smell funny?

　Illtimina-san who becomes Kyoton.

　And - in the next moment, she made a face as she realized something in a huff.

　Tang.

　He kicks the bed and rolls to the floor, holding me close.

(Whew!)

　Suddenly, I'm confused.

'Kilt, enemy attack!'

　Ms. Illtimina hissed.

　With a yell, she yanked her sister's sleeping sheets with a whimper and dropped the whole girl to the floor.

　Goton.

What?

　Solstice woke up with a strange scream.

(Huh?　(Huh?)

　Illtimina-san's hand pushes my head from above as I try to stand in confusion.

'Don't look up!　Hide behind the bed, please.
Uh-huh.

　While I was answering, Mr. Kilt was up too.

'Nuh?'
The blowgun!

　Mr. Illtimina's warning.

　Before it was over or not, Mr. Kilt bah, waved the blanket as if to dispel something.

　Chillin'

(?)

　There was a faint metallic sound.

　When I looked, there were two small needles, about three centimeters long, lying on the floor where the blanket was waved.

(Huh...?)

　The tip of the needle was wet with some kind of liquid, glistening mysteriously in the moonlight.

　I could smell that pungent smell from it.

'A poisonous needle?'

　A word from Mr. Kilt.

(Poison!

Merle, Sol, you two stay put from here.

　Pushing us behind the bed, Iltimina pushed us behind the bed, and with that, Iltimina started to run.

　Tantrum.

　I kicked the floor and jumped out the window.

'Don't follow too closely!'

　Kilt-san said, and then followed Illtimina-san.

　The two of us were left in the bedroom.

'Wha, what?　What's going on?

　Solstice visits me anxiously, grabbing my arm.

　I stare at the needle on the floor.

　The poison needle.

　If I look closely, I see that there are several needles stuck in the floor where Illtimina-san rolled over with me in her arms as well.

''I don't understand. ...I don't know, but I feel like we've been attacked.
..........

　Solstice got a reluctant look on her face.

　Then we get the 'Fairy Sword' and the 'Great Wand' respectively, hiding in a blind spot from the window.

　I'm thrilled.

　I'm so nervous my heart hurts.

(Why?)　(Why were you attacked?)

　And even though this is inside the Royal Palace of the Vega State........

　I'm confused.

　Then I suddenly realized.

''Could it be that Mr. Colontude and Poe-chan are also...?　
Oh...!

　Solstice's face paled as well.

　We nodded to each other and began to move, taking note of our surroundings.

　We managed to reach the door to the guest room.

　Faintly, we opened the door to the hallway.

(No sign of anyone.)

　I don't even smell that poison.　

　I nod to Solstice, and Solstice nods back.

　Squeak.

　We go through the door and we both proceed down the hallway with me in front of you.

　Soon it's the door to the next room.

(!)

　There are signs of people awake inside.

　No way!

　I hurriedly opened the door with such force that it seemed to break down.

'Poe!'
Mr. Columntude!

　They jumped into the room and each held their weapons at the ready.

　Beyond that, they were.

Oh ... Hi, Marsol Combine.
..........

　It was a hunchbacked high elf sitting on the bed and a little girl standing on the floor.

　Jeez.

　And on the ground between them, a web of light spread out on the ground between them.

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

　In the middle of it all, three men dressed in black are lying on top of each other, stacked on top of each other.

　Jeez.

　The web of light seemed to have the power of lightning, and all three of them were electrocuted.

''Gu........''
Gagaaga....
Givvyvy....

　In my hand was that poison coated dagger.

　Me and Solstice stand there in awe at that unexpected sight.

''Well we were attacked, so we both took it down.

　The high elf who says he doesn't care about you.

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

　crunching

　The little girl nodded while bumping her little right fist into the palm of her left hand.

(Sah, as expected of the 'Golden Mark Demonologist' and 'Divine Dragon')　

　Don't underestimate them.

　They were one of the strongest class of human beings, too.

　Eventually, Illtimina-san and Kilt-san would return as well.

　They, too, had brought back three black-clad men who had lost their minds.

　Thud thud.

　I rolled them to the floor.

'I already told you not to move from the room. Merle is a bad boy, isn't he?
I'm sorry.

　Illtimina-san scolding me, and me apologizing in a hurry.　

　Soon, Kilt-san contacted the people at the Royal Palace and Arnold-san immediately rushed over.

''I'm sorry!''

　When he learned of the situation, he immediately apologized.

''It's probably the work of those noblemen who are opposed to the ban on the cutting of the 'Holy God Tree'. I didn't expect them to set this up inside the King's Palace...''

　Eh..........

　Kilt-san cowered his shoulders.

''No way, that's probably why.
'Well..... I'm really sorry. The security system will be rigorously rebuilt soon.
Yes, please.

　Perhaps because there was no damage here, the demon princess is also tolerant.

　Arnold-san nodded and took him away with the soldiers of the royal palace to find out more details about the ringleaders and other details from the men in black.

　I was often stunned by the series of events.

"....Why?

　Killing us won't stop the demon's resurrection.

If you keep chopping away at the Sacred Tree, the demon will come back.

　It doesn't make sense to me.

　Kirt-san said.

"There are some people who refuse to see the reality of things they don't want to believe in as a lie.
..........
..........
..........
There are those who would rather bask in the comforts of their lives to the point of ruin than to lose them. The foolish thing is...

　...........

　I felt like I wanted to cry.

(We're trying so hard to save everyone...)

　And yet, I can't believe that the other person would resent me for it.

　Illtimina-san gently hugs me as I slumped down.

''Marle, it's okay.''
..........
'Not all are like that. There are some on our side, like Arnold, like His Majesty Shamahn, right?

　... yeah.

(Yes, I know.)

　I looked up.

　You don't have to despair about humans.

　There are important people in front of you who are also hope.

"...and...

　bang-bang

　Suddenly, Po-chan tapped me on the shoulder to comfort me.

(.........Po-chan)

　She had been betrayed by people once, and yet she seemed to believe in people even after this event.

'Yes.'

　I nodded to Poe.

　Solstice cowered her shoulders.

　Kilt-san patted the girl's head lightly, and though she was surprised, she didn't shake her hand away.

　Ms. Illtimina laughed.

'Come on, Marle. It's early tomorrow, so let's go back to sleep.
Yes.

　I laughed, too.

　Mr. Colonnade looked up into the air in a daze.

I'd like to have a little midnight snack...

　I muttered sleepily.

(Did she use her magic and get hungry?)

　We were taken aback by her fast-paced words and we all laughed.

　The laughter was absorbed into the night sky where the red and white moon shone.

　--I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more to say.