Me and Ms. Illtimina invaded the interior of the ruins.

　The sun's light is blocked out, and our view is only secured by the light of the lantern hanging on her white spear.

(.........some corridor?)

　The place we entered was a place where there was a path leading to the left and right.

　Apparently there was a crack in the wall of the corridor and we felt like we were entering the building of the ruins through it.

'Shall we go in from the right?'
Yes.
'If you don't mind, Marle. Can I ask for light bird magic as well?　Because it would be better to have two different light sources.
'Oh, yeah. Okay.

　I nodded and let the 'Fairy Sword' run in the air.

　The magic stone in my bracelet glowed.

Shine on us. --Lightum Vadum!

　ping

　From there, three birds of light fly out of it.

　One above me and Illtimina-san's head, and one a little further forward.

'Is that good?'
Yes, sir.

　Ms. Illtimina smiles and nods at me.

　Then she changes her expression.

Well, let's go.

　We began to walk through the ruins.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇　


　The corridor had a gentle curve to the left.

　Thanks to that, I could see about 10 meters down the corridor, but I couldn't see any further.

(...the air is stagnant.)

　The smell looks and feels moldy.

　Knock, knock.

　The darkness was lit only by the light of lanterns and light birds, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing in the darkness.

　After about five minutes, Illtimina muttered.

'This corridor could possibly be a circle.
A circle?
'Yes, sir. Apparently there is no difference in elevation. If we keep walking like this, we're going to end up back at the crack in the entrance we came in.
Really?

　I look back.

'Well, that's the time. For now, let's move on.
Yes.

　And so we walked down the corridor that kept turning.

　And.

Oh, the door.

　We find a wooden door to the left of the hallway.

　We approach the door.

'Please don't touch it. As soon as you turn the knob, there are traps where poisonous needles and poisonous fluids can come out of the keyhole.
Uh-huh.

(Is there such a thing?)

　Iltimina approached carefully and pushed the unwanted cloth near the keyhole.

　Then she turned the knob.

　Gasp.

There's no trap, but it's locked.

　Ah.

　I wondered what to do, and then Illtimina-san took out a dagger.

　She pushed it into the gap between the door and the wall.

　kink

　I let him down from the top.

(Wha?)　(I cut the lock.)

　He caught my eye.

I'm sure the 'Mahouka' would be able to pick, but I don't have the skills to do so.

　I chuckled.

(I see.)

　It's surprisingly forceful, but then I thought it was inevitable.

　Illtimina-san's white hand gripped the door knob.

''There might be a demon inside, so be careful.
Yes.

　I brace myself and keep my hand on the hilt of the 'fairy sword'.

　Illtimina-san nodded.

Open.

　He opened the door slowly.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇　


　There were no demons inside.

　We walked into the space.

　Illuminated by lanterns and light birds, it was a circular space with a diameter of about 30 meters.

　There were many weathered desks and chairs lined up in a row.

　Looking up at the ceiling, there was the sky.

(Eh.........sky?)

　For a moment, I was confused, but when I looked closer, I realized that the circular ceiling was covered with an image of the blue sky.

　The sun twinkling on the white flowing clouds.

　Is it a hologram?

　Maybe it's because it's old and degraded, or maybe it's just that the image is disorganized at times.

'This is ... amazing magical technology.

　Illtimina-san also looked up at the ceiling and let out an admiring sound.

　I nodded my head yes, fascinated as well.

　Then I looked around again.

　The space is lined with many chairs and desks, and there is a raised area in the center that looks like a raised platform.

　On top of the desk, there were some books that looked old.

(............Thanatos letters.)

　I don't know the content, but the shape of the letter was definitely the magical script of the ancient Thanatos magical dynasty.

　In other words.

These remains are from the Thanatos era.
I'm afraid so.

　Illtimina nodded.

　Kotsu, kotsu.

　She walks slowly, moving chairs and desks around at the white spear stone props to see if there's anything new here.

'Is this a Thanatos-era meeting place ... or a school?
School?
Isn't that kind of a classroom image?

　That being said....

　I pick up the book.

(So, is this a textbook or something?)

　............

　I looked around inside this space again.

　More than four hundred years ago, was there a large number of people gathered in this place?

　Maybe it's kids like me.　

　Maybe they are adults.

　It's strange to think that the remnants of the lives of people 400 years ago, who are no longer alive, are left here like this.

　Thump!　

　Iltimina and I continued to explore for a while.

'I don't see anything of note.
Yes.
'It's pretty well damaged, but shall I retrieve a few of the books here?
Are you selling it?
Of course.

　Miss Illtimina nodded clearly.

That's one of the great things about exploring the ruins, isn't it?

　I laugh.

　I chuckle.

　Surprisingly pragmatic sister.

　But is it better than letting an ancient relic fade away here, unseen by anyone?　I also thought.

　Then we picked out the least damaged books we could and collected them.

　We carefully wrap each book in cloth and put them in a stack of bags, then put them in our backpacks.

Well, let's go to the next place.
Yes.

　Me and Illtimina-san nodded to each other and left that circular space.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Then I found a few rooms, but nothing of note.

　No demons either.

''It was buried under the ground, so maybe the demons didn't get in.

　is Illtimina's view.

(I see.)

　I guess that means that between the time Natalia witnessed the landslide and our arrival, the only thing that got into this was the bat.

'That doesn't mean we should let our guard down, of course, does it?
Yes.

　I nodded with a genuine look on my face.

　Illtimina-san smiled and patted my head, "Good boy. .........ehehe.

　As we walked along like that.

(Oh, the stairs.)

　We found the steps leading down to the basement.

Do you want to go?

　I asked.

　'This time the ruins are only going to be shallow.

　Illtimina nodded.

'We still have time. The structure is not as complicated as I thought, so let's go a little further.

(Yes.)

　Good.

　I still haven't found an item that could be a gift for Solstice, so I'm a little relieved.

　Iltimina-san laughs gently at me as I exhale.

''Come on, let's go.''
Yes.

　We nodded to each other and put our feet on the stairs leading into the darkness.

　Knock, knock, knock.

　Step by step, I went down.

　As I descended, I asked Illtimina about something that occurred to me.

Do they have a school in the Kingdom of Shumuria?
What?

　Illtimina looked surprised.

　But she quickly nodded her head in agreement.

'Come to think of it, Merle never went to school either.

　I smiled gently.

　Then.

Yes, there are schools in the Kingdom of Shumuria.

　He tells me that.

(Yes.)

Only kids from wealthy families can go to school.
Really?

　This time, I was surprised.

　Mr. Illtimina nodded.

'Yes, from the age of five to about fourteen, they can go to state schools, but that costs money too. For the poor, children are a valuable labor force. They must earn more money for their homes than they can learn.'
..........
'Also, in merchant families, for example, parents can teach their children to read, write and calculate. "Also, in merchant families, parents can teach their children how to read, write and calculate, but many families do not send their children to school because of how useful it is for their business. So the number of children who can go to school is limited.

(Hmmm, really?)

　I see.
　In this other world, or rather, in the Kingdom of Shumuria, there is no compulsory education.

　I look at the face of the sister who told me that.

''Then, Illtimina-san, you're going too?''
Yes, I've never been there either.

　I replied.

''As you know, I'm from the 'Hidden Village of the Demon Blood'.
'Oh....'
'And since Kilt picked me up and I came to Shumuria, I became an adventurer right away to live.

　I see.

　That was it.

　A little bit, I feel sorry for myself for asking a bypass question.

(Stupid, I...)

　Noticing me nodding off, Illtimina-san smiles at me and gently pats my head as if to say, ''It's okay.

' 'Come on, the stairs are over. Let's brace ourselves.''
Uh-huh.

　As I was told, the stairs ended as well.

　We descended, and another circular passageway stretched out to the left and right.

　We walked down it again to the right.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　The basement floor was similar to the structure on the upper floors.

　However, there were places where the walls of the passageway had collapsed and sediment from the outside was pouring in.

'Let's not make too much noise as we go,'
Yes.

　There, we move through the footsteps, creeping in so as not to invite further collapse.

　Then we find the door.

　Illtimina-san cuts the key again and walks in.

(Oh?)

　It was a slightly different space than the circular classrooms we had been used to.

　The space was square, with images of the sky, mountains, and other beautiful landscapes playing on each wall.

　Some of the walls were malfunctioning, and some of them were completely black.

　And there was a door built into each wall.

　We walked into one of them.

　In the center of the space was a broken statue.

　Surrounding the statue is the remains of an empty fountain, with several horizontal benches beside it, two or three of which have fallen down or are broken.

'The courtyard...?'

　I muttered.

　Illtimina nodded, "Maybe," she said.

　She approached one of the benches.

　Poof!

　White hands, dusting off the dust.

　And then he turns his head back to me.

Merle. It's a little early, but I think we should take a lunch break here.

　I laughed.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　I hadn't realized it, but they'd been exploring for three hours.

　So it was already before noon.

(Ruins are so dark, it makes you lose your sense of time.)

　When I said that, Illtimina smiled and nodded.

''That's right. So, there are some novice adventurers who explore too much. By the time they find themselves in a state of fatigue, and if they're unlucky, they'll be attacked by demons there and wiped out.
..........
That's why you need to take a good rest when you're at an archaeological site, and especially when you have to pay attention to your biological clock. You have to pay particular attention to your biological clock.

　I see.

(Your body clock is so important.)

　I learned one more thing.

　Then, sitting down on the bench, Illtimina pulled something out of her backpack.

'I've made lunch today.
What?

　Lunch!

Hmm, it's our last chance to be alone together.

　Iltimina blushes and scowls.

　Unwrapping the cloth, three wooden lunch boxes emerge from inside.

　Crack!

　I opened the lid and found that one was a sandwich, another contained a sandwich, another contained fried food and salads, and another contained a fruit dessert.

　Oh!

They all look so good....

　The colors are beautiful and appetizing.

　With me, whose blue eyes sparkled, Illtimina-san seemed happy.

''Hmph, come on, eat up.
'Yes, thank you, Mr. Illtimina!　I'll take it!

　I clasped my hands together and then reached for my lunch.

　Crunch, mug, mug.

　Yes, it's delicious!

　That's what Illtimina does.

It's so good!
That's good to hear.

　She spluttered softly and took a bite of one of her sandwiches herself.

　Mug.

　And he nodded his head, "Hmm," as if he was satisfied with the taste.

　Lunch eaten in the courtyard of an ancient school.

　Even though it's in the middle of the pitch-black ruins, eating alone with just the two of us under the lights of light birds and lanterns feels like a picnic.

(I feel so happy...)

　My stomach is satisfied and my heart is warm.

　Illtimina, too, looks at me with deep compassion as she eats, and picks up the crumbs on my cheeks with her white fingers and eats them.

　Hehe, he's like a true lover.....

　I wonder if the children of 400 years ago also ate their lunch here like the two of us.

　When I think about it, it's kind of strange.

　And so Illtimina-san and I enjoyed our lunch in a strange and gentle space--.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　After lunch, it was time for tea.

　Illtimina had prepared two canisters of water and made us not only water but also herb tea.

　She was really thoughtful.

(Are we really in the ruins of the ground?

　If you're careless, you'll forget about it.

　I breathe in near the glass and enjoy the aroma of the herbs.

(Yes, it smells good.)

　Thanks to Solstice's birthday, I'm so grateful to her for giving me such a magical date with Ms. Illtimina.

　And

In the old days, I used to brew this herbal tea for Solstice as well.

　Looking at the cup in my hand, Illtimina-san suddenly muttered.

　I look at her profile.

''Is that so?''
''Yes. It's an herb that grows wild in King's Landing as well, so when the adventurers are off work, you can go and pick it with that girl.

　Hmm?

　Illtimina says nostalgically.

'I was a fledgling adventurer in those days, and we were very poor.
..........
'Of course, I couldn't send that boy to school, and I was often away from home on quests. I missed that boy a lot.

　Iltimina and Solstice's past........

What was life like for the two of you in the past?

　I asked out of curiosity.

　She laughed softly.

At the time, we lived in a small room instead of the house we live in now.
..........
'It seems active now, but back then Solstice was a very introverted child and rarely went out of the house. Like me, he had just had his home village destroyed, so he couldn't trust others.

　...........

　Noticing my gaze, she smiled as if to say 'I'm fine now'.

　Then.

'I wonder what she was thinking about all day long in that dark, small room?

　He spilled out a mumble.

　It was the face and voice of a slightly distressed sister.

　Little Solstice.

　I can't imagine her being a quiet, timid little girl, who can't imagine her kicking me around now....

''I had quests to do too, so I could only go home a few days a month.
Yes.
So I used to buy books with what little money I had to buy them as souvenirs.
A book?
'Yes. The only thing I could think of at the time was a book to enjoy for as long as possible so that my sister wouldn't feel lonely being alone.

　Illtimina-san gives a small, embarrassed smile.

(Hmm?)

　A little girl reading a book by herself in an empty room?

　.........Somehow, I think I got a glimpse of the reason for Soltis' erudition afterwards.

'Sol wasn't selfish either, she was very good.
Really?
'Yes ... the only time I've said anything selfish was three years ago when I said 'I want to be an adventurer'?
Yeah.

　I want to be an adventurer - that's the first selfishness of young Solstice.

　Illtimina touches her lower abdomen.

'I can't get pregnant.'

　............

I learned of this fact just three years ago.
..........
'At the time, I was earning a reasonable amount of money as an adventurer. But I wanted to have a family like my parents one day. ........So when I found out about it, I had a rough time of it, and I even took it out on that girl.
Yes.
But she never got angry.

　Illtimina's crimson eyes fell down.

''Even during the quest, there were times when my concentration was so distracted that I almost died. From that kind of thing, he must have felt something in his own way. One day, when I returned from my quest, she said, 'I want to be an adventurer.'
..........
'I didn't really take it seriously at the time, but the kid complained to me day after day.

　I can see that scene in your eyes.

(I'm sure she was desperate for her sister.)

　The world should have been so scary and unbearable, but I still mustered up the courage for my beloved sister.

Eventually, I was uprooted, too.
Yes.
'When I started adventuring with Sol, it was very difficult. I only knew how to fight alone, and I was mentally unstable. Sol also went through a lot of danger, and I almost cried many times, but I was just trying to hold it together.

　I dream of my sisters' struggles.

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

　I felt like I wanted to cheer him on and say, 'Go for it.

' We couldn't see it coming, and in less than three months, the quilt arrived.

　I'm sure he was one of those people, like me, who wanted to cheer him on.

'Maybe it was because she was a benefactor, but she missed the quilt alone. She seemed so relieved to have her here.
Okay.

　I nodded.

'And from then on, the boy grew rapidly as an adventurer.
Yes.
I was still mentally unstable, but I was still happy to see her grow up.

　Illtimina, who said that, had the face of a really sweet sister.

　Cock.

　She sips her herbal tea.

　It must be a nostalgic taste for Ms. Illtimina.

　She let out a long breath.

But maybe the biggest change in the boy's life was when he met Marle.

　Those crimson eyes stared straight at me.

"Me?

　He was surprised when he was suddenly brought out himself.

　Illtimina nodded.

'Sol has always been our protector,'
..........
'But meeting Marle was the first time she knew someone who was her equal, or someone to protect. And that, I'm sure, is very important.

　The girl's sister laughed serenely.

'All the looks that she gives Marle are ones we don't know about.
Yeah?
'Yes. It's rare to see him so unassuming, so open about his feelings. That's because it's you.
..........

　Hmmm?

(Is that right?)

　I am not aware of it.

　But Mr. Kirt told me before that Solstice has been living her life with gratitude to her sister, but at the same time, she feels indebted to her sister.......

　And that's probably why she's glad to have met me, too.

　It was as if her words were similar to those of Illtimina-san just now.

'But I.......I don't remember doing anything for Solstice.

　I said, confused.

''.................. Hmph.

　Iltimina holds her mouth and laughs for some reason.

'So it's good,'
?
'Keep Merle in place. Please, please keep it that way.

　....Yeah.

　I nodded, not quite understanding.

　Illtimina-san's smile deepened and she drank the herbal tea in her cup in one go.

''Well, that's it for the break.''

　I said.

(Uh-huh.)

　gulping down

　I hurriedly drank my own cup, too.

　We put away our lunchboxes and water bottles, and the two of us got up to explore again.

　Mr. Illtimina looked around the ruins.

I hope you can find something that will be a gift for her.

　I muttered.

'Yeah,'

　I nodded strongly.

　I don't know, but Solstice was still an important companion to me.

(I'll do my best for her!)

　bang

　I slapped my cheek and regained my spirits.

　Illtimina-san was surprised at me, and then chuckled.

''Well then, let's go.
Yeah!

　We looked at each other and laughed, and so we resumed our search for the ruins.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Since then, I've explored for another three hours or so.

　But I didn't find anything of note, and the only thing I managed to secure was a few books on Thanatos characters.

(As gifts go, it's subtle...)

　If it were possible, I'd go down another level, but...

'It's almost evening. It's going to be tougher than that, considering the beast car on the way home.
Yes.

　I nodded at Iltimina's words, nodding.

''Marle........''

　Illtimina-san gives me a troubled look as I become despondent.

　I know.

　A promise is a promise, right?

　I suppressed my emotions and looked up.

　Then.

(Hmm?)

　I found another door at the end of the aisle.

'Miss Illtimina. Can't we just go through that one last time?　
...Yes.

　Think about it for a minute.

All right. Well, let's make that our last stop on our quest today.

　He said.

'Thank you, Miss Illtimina,'
No.

　She shook her head, shaking her hair softly.

'Because I have the same desire to find something for my sister that Marle does.

　I laughed.

(Yes!)

　We laughed at each other and headed for that door.

　Kinda.

　Iltimina's dagger cuts the key and she enters.

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

　It was a smaller room than the others.

　It was lined with a solidly built desk and chairs, and then an empty bookcase.

　At the back was a statue of a winged lion.

(President's office..........?)

　That's what I imagine.

　But my desk drawers and bookshelves are empty.

　A rustle.

　I ransacked the room for a while.

Well there's nothing to report.
Yes.

　Unfortunately, there was nothing in the last room either.

　Disappointing.........

　As if to comfort me as I slump my shoulders, Illtimina-san snuggles up beside me and places a warm hand on my little shoulder.

''I'm sorry, but that's enough for now.
..........

　I couldn't answer right away.

　I look up.

　In front of me is a statue of a lion with wings.

(Can't I take this ... home with me?)

　It's a fine statue, about 2 meds.

　It was a little chipped, but the carving was detailed and looked reasonably expensive.

　But it was impossible.

(It's too heavy, isn't it?)

　I stare at the lion statue.

"?

　It was then that I noticed that the lion's eyes were sparkling and shining.

　............

''Illtimina-san.

　I called a senior adventurer.

"Yes.
Is that a jewel in the lion's eye?
What?

　Smallly surprised, Illtimina-san also looked at the statue of the 'Winged Lion' again.

''This........''

　As she approached, her crimson eyes widened.

''No way........is it Orihalcon?''

(Orichalcong!

　It's an unknown metal name I've heard of in my previous life.

''It's an ancient and rare metal used in my 'White-winged Spear' and Kilt's 'Great Sword of Thunder'.

　Oh, my God!

　I looked up at Illtimina-san's beautiful face.

''Jeez, then, could this be...?
Yes, sir.

　She nodded.

'I think it's more than enough of a gift for Sol.

　Yes! Yes!

　I couldn't help but clench my fists and pose my gut.

　Illtimina-san nodded happily.

''As expected of you, Marle. Your unwillingness to give up is what led you to discover this. I didn't expect you to really find a treasure, this Iltimina, I am truly afraid of you.
Heh....

　I'm a bit embarrassed.

　Then I pulled out the 'Fang of Marl, No. 2' and with the tip of my sword, I decided to hollow out the lion's orichalcon eye.　

　

I got it!

　A beautiful jewel-like sphere rolls in the palm of my tiny hand.

　It has a glittering, candy-colored luster, and despite its small appearance, it's quite heavy.

(This is an orichalcon.......)

　That's when I was staring at it.

'!　Merle!

　in one go

　Suddenly, Illtimina-san tugged hard on my shoulder.

(What?)

　Phew.

　Something snatched my startled cheek and passed by.

　My cheek is hot.

　When I touch it, my fingertips are red.

　--It's blood.

"Eh?

　I look up.

　Right in front of me, a lion statue with its eyeballs hollowed out had begun to move.

　On its forehead, Thanatos magic letters were floating.

(Huh?)　Huh?　(What is this?!)

　Hiding my confusion behind my back, Illtimina-san steps forward with a white spear at the ready.

''Perhaps it's an anti-theft mechanism.
What?
In short, this lion statue was the guardian of that orichalcong ball.

　Oh my...!

(How can that be?)

　I thought it was just a statue, but that's Thanatos Magical Civilization!　It's the most magical technology you can imagine.

　I'm sorry I stole it.

　But there's no one else who owns it, so can you forgive me?

　thump　　

　The two-medium-long lion statue steps out its sharp, clawed paws towards us.

　It doesn't seem to forgive me........

(It can't be helped.)

　I put my hand on the hilt of the sword to pull out the 'fairy sword'.

　And.

It's not necessary, Merle.

　Iltimina's white hand held it.

(Huh?)

　I looked up at him.

Who the hell is with you right now?

　And the woman laughed beautifully.

　What it was.

Iltimina Wong, the Golden Marker Demon Hunter.

　I replied with a shudder in my heart.

　She nodded happily.

　And.

Now, Merle, please stand back.

　As he said that, he spun his white spear in a single turn with a hyphen, and started walking unceremoniously towards the lion statue.

''Gogaaah!''

　The lion statue barked menacingly.

　But.

Huh.

　The beautiful golden mark demon hunter smiles a small smile.

　And.

　cabochon

　The next thing I knew, the tip of the spear had pierced the lion's head.

(Fast!)

　It was as if I couldn't see it.

　Bochum.

　During the motion of pulling out the spear, a flash of white light flashed through the lion's neck and both front legs as its body was sliced apart.

''That's it.''

　bang

　The stony part of the spear pierced through the body.

　Cracks radiated out from it, and the winged lion statue shattered into pieces and scattered on the floor.

　The time of the battle was less than five seconds.

(.........too strong)　

　To her, walking through these ruins was really just like hiking.

　She looked back at me, stunned.

　Her long, dark green hair danced in a lustrous dance.

All right, let's go home.

　His smile was dazzling and gentle.

　--This is how our half-day exploration ended, and we were able to successfully obtain a birthday present for Solstice.