I approached Frederica, who was dressed in a military uniform.

　She got down on one knee in front of me and matched her eye level with me, a child.

'Did you have a good night's rest?'
Yes.

　She laughs at my reply, "I see".

　I looked at her and reached out my little right hand.

'What's wrong with this?'

　My fingertips touch a ten-centimeter scar on Frederica's left cheek.

　It's something Frederica-san didn't have before they broke up.

　Suddenly, she looks surprised at being touched.

　Immediately, she gets a troubled look on her face.

I got caught unawares in the ruins during a fight with a demon.

(Hmm?)

'I'm so far removed from my femininity again. Now I'm even less likely to get a wife.

　He says that with his blue eyes down.

(I wonder?)

Miss Frederica is much more beautiful.

　I said.

'To me, nothing has changed. She's still the same beautiful woman she was when I first met her.
.......... Oh, I see.

　She was startled, and then her cheeks flushed and flushed.

　Her moist blue eyes stare at me.

　And.

　whistling sound　

　On my back side, Illtimina-san coughed loudly.

(Hmm?)

　Frederica noticed and stood up too.

'It's been a while, Frederica.
Yeah. Well it looks like you guys are going to live happily ever after.

　smack

　For some reason, the older sisters, who are the same age, look at each other.

(Eh, eh?)

　I was puzzled, but eventually the two of them loosened their expressions from either side.

''You haven't changed, Lord Illtimina,''
Each other.

　So they laugh at each other.

　..................

　Apparently, they weren't fighting. Thank goodness.........

　And then the lady in the uniform looks around at everyone.

I would like to thank you all for responding to my call at such short notice. I know you have all come a long way. I'm sure we'll have something to talk about, but, well, please, take a seat first.

　I said.

　With that, we lowered our bags to the wall and settled down on the couch.

　In the meantime, Frederica made a cup of tea for us.

'Thank you,'

　She thanked him and smiled.

　Then she herself sat down on the sofa.

　A sip of tea.

(Yes, it's good.)

　Everyone had a look on their face as they finally took a break after a long sea journey.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　After a while, Mr. Kirto opened his mouth.

''The letter that arrived here said that you have obtained a new 'divine armor', is that true?'''
Yeah, really.

　Frederica pulled her cup away from her mouth and nodded loudly.

　Rapt let out a sigh.

You know, I've been working really hard to get my hands on some.
Really.

　Recto Alice nodded.

　The sister in military uniform said.

''Since then, we've been searching for unexcavated ruins within Arun. In one of the ruins discovered in that way, a living 'divine armor' was found.'

(Really?)

　She tells us the details of the story.

　She said that the ruins were discovered about 3 months ago.

Just like the Great Labyrinth, a team of 500 people was prepared to search for it.

(It's just like the great country of Arun.)

　Of course, that includes Ms. Frederica, General Dardios, Rapt, and Recto Alice.

　And.

"Based on my experience with you and your team, I've enlisted the help of not only the military, but also two Gold Marked Adventurers living in Arun to accompany me on this expedition.

　This is very rare in Arun, where there is a clear distinction between the public and private sectors.

　This is very rare in Arun, where the distinction between public and private sectors is very clear.

(Oh, really?)

　This seems to be another influence of the results we left behind in that "Great Labyrinth".

　Then, the search for the ruins took place.

　It seems that the ruins were made from a natural cave, and were as wide as 40 underground levels.

(Heehee........)

Well, it wasn't as bad as Master Callwood's ruins.

　is what Rapt said.

　He said there were no vicious traps or that horrible statue of a knight.

　Still, the search took more than a month, he said.

　And in the lowest level of the ruins, just like the guardians of the Divine Armor, there was a demon called a Hydra.

A Hydra?

　Mr. Kilt exclaimed in amazement.

　A hydra is a seven-necked snake demon that is 30 meds long, he said.

　Thirty meds?

(Bigger than The Tyrant's Tortoise in the Great Maze, right?)

　According to Kilt, Hydra is one of the demons that is considered to be the pinnacle of the non-dragon type of demons.

''I don't know if even this demon princess can win.

　............

　I think these words of Kilt-san spoke best about the level of threat of the Hydra.

　And the Arun search party defeated this Hydra.

　Frederica-san, General Dardios, Rapt, and Recto Alice also gave their deadly force, and more than half of the soldiers in the search party were also killed.

''This wound, too, then.

　Frederica-san touches her own left cheek.

(It really was a fight to the death...)

　Just imagining it makes my heart tremble.

　And so they arrived at the deepest part of the ruins, where they found a living 'divine armor'.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　The room was silent.

　Eventually, Rapt spilled out a breath.

If it wasn't for this, we'd all be dead.

　Cotto.

　He pulled it out of his pocket and placed something on the table in front of him.

　A rainbow colored sphere.

　It's the 'divine armor' I gave him.

　Recto Alice nods and places the rainbow-colored sphere on the table as well.

　Kotto.

You've been very helpful. I can't thank Merle enough for lending me the money.

　I smiled at him.

　I smiled too.

'Well, I'm glad I could help.

　For me, I couldn't be happier if you were the force that protected us all.

　Frederica nodded.

'It was a great force.'

　And.

But that's why I'm sorry for Lord Marl.

　He continued to say the words.

(What...?)

'I've heard the stories. While we were hiding in the ruins, Lord Marl and the others were fighting the 'Devil's Piece', weren't they?

　Ah.........

　Rapt and Recto Alice also had a divine look on their faces.

　Frederica-san said.

''Fortunately, I've heard that they won. But if the 'Divine Armor' was complete, it seems to me that Mar-dono could have won more easily.''

　... it's a...

(What do you think?)

　I'm sure it was a big help, but I don't know if I could have controlled it.

　Rapt looked at me.

I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed it.

　He bows his little head.

　Recto Alice nodded.

''I'm really sorry. But I also got a new 'Divine Armor' and that's why I thought I'd give this back to Marle already.

　He continued.

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

　I stared at the two of them.

"Are you sure about this?
Yeah.
Of course. Thank you for everything.

　Rapt and Recto Alice laughed and nodded.

　Finding the light of determination in their eyes, I, too, finally nodded back.

　From my pocket, I take out my 'divine armor'.

　A rainbow colored sphere.

　With it, which is about three centimeters in diameter, I stare at the same two spheres on the table with it in my palm.

(-- Come back here.)

　I call out to you with my heart.

　Peen. Peen.

　The sphere of the table shattered into particles of light.

　They swam through the air, swirling and focusing into the sphere in my hand.

　Von.

　It flickered with iridescent colors, and the sphere grew a full circle, about five centimeters in diameter.

　It's a little heavier.

　The amount of 'divine Qi' being sucked in is also slightly higher.

(A complete 'divine armor'........)

　We haven't been in this state since the Great Labyrinth.

　And this has the power to destroy that great labyrinth. I have to be even more careful with it than ever before.

(.........can it be handled?)

　Me.　

　I'm just a little nervous.

　Pong.

　And then Iltimina-san's white hand was placed on my shoulder.

''Marle will be fine now.

　I smiled at him so.

　In those crimson eyes, there is a light of trust.

　..........

　Yup.

　I nodded loudly, and while everyone was watching, I tightened my grip on the sphere of the 'Divine Armament' with both hands.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇.


But I'm a really great guy.

　Suddenly, Rapt said as if he was impressed.

(What...?)

Did you defeat yet another 'devil piece' yourself?
Uh-huh.
I was in a state of shock when I heard that. It made me think of all the things we'd done.

　I don't think so....

　Recto Alice, too.

We're really proud of you.

　He laughs at me.

　............

(Eh, eh?)

　The respectful looks from the two of them were very amusing.

　Everyone laughed at me, as I was moping around.

　And then Rapt looked at us as if he was peeking out.

"Well, I heard that you fought together with the 'Children of Darkness' in this fight.......is that true?
Uh-huh.
'Wow, are you serious?'

　The Raptor boy is exultant.

　Recto Alice, though she was mature and calm.

'Well..... So nothing happened?

　He was worried about me.

　I nodded.

''Yeah. It's frustrating, but... if it wasn't for his help, it might have been difficult to defeat the 'demon fragments'.
Sayo...
Yeah.

　Frederica-san makes a thoughtful face.

''Was the 'Child of Darkness' really just about fighting together...?''

　We looked at each other.

　'I don't know,' replied Illtimina.

'I don't know.'
..........
'I don't know, but it's true that 'this time it helped. We'll never know what the future holds.

　Yeah.

　"Don't let him make a move on you," warns Mr. Kilt.

"Don't you ever allow yourself to be distracted by him if he tries to make an approach?
Of course.
I know.

　Rapt and Lectoris nodded strongly.

　Frederica-san nodded, too.

From what I've heard, the Son of Darkness seems to have some sort of attachment to Lord Marle. I want you to be very careful in that direction as well.

　And he warned me.

　Yup.

(But the obsession....)

　The jerk took a liking to me.

　I was the one who gets a little distant.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Speaking of which, where is the 'divine Armor' you found now?

　When I regained my composure, I asked with a sudden thought.

　Rapt laughs.

'It's right here,'
What?
Here you go.

　He pulled a small metal plate from his pocket.

　A rectangle about three inches long and two inches wide.

　On the surface of the metal plate, an iridescent ripple of light spread across the surface.

(.........This?)

　It's not just me, but Iltimina, Kilt, Solstice, Colontude, and Poe, who are all looking in.

'Strange shape, isn't it?'

　Mr. Kilt speaks for everyone's heart.

　Reclearis laughed gracefully.

'Oh?　It doesn't matter what form it takes.

　Extend a finger from the side.

　ping

　I flicked it lightly.

　Instantly, the iridescent metal plate suddenly stretched out long and thin.

(What?)

　The width remains the same, about three meds in length.

Hooray.

　When Rapt twists his wrist, it spins in a gyrating spiral and becomes a stick.

　Furthermore.

　squeak

　When he shook it lightly, it crushed into a sharp angle and became like a sword.

''Ho.''

　With another light shake, the metal plate unravels and wraps around Rapt's small hand like a bandage.

　This time, it's a metal cuirass.

　Except for Frederica-san and Recto Alice, we were all blindsided.

''Awesome.''

　I muttered.

　Rapto sniffed happily and laughed, "Hmph.

''This is the same 'divine armor' as Marl's, right?　Of course.

　A little boastful.

　Recto Alice chuckles.

''From now on, we'll be using our 'divine armor' over here.
Yes.
Merle will share with Nargaiya from now on.

(Yes.)

　I was going to, but...

No need.

　The young blonde girl refused.

'Nagaia fights with his own body and fists. He is not as dexterous as Marle and the others with his armor. And Poe will tell you.
..........
..........
Well, you know what?

　Rapt muttered as he remembered.

''Nagaia was good at fighting without hands, but when he held a weapon, he was a pain in the ass.

(Really?)

　We all stare at the young Poe, unconsciously.

''So what about as armor?''
'No need. Poe replies, "Nagaia doesn't like to feel fast and dull in her skin.
Yeah, yeah.

　I can't say any more if he refuses to go that far.

(Then, well, I guess I'll use one from now on.)

　I stare at the iridescent sphere in my hand.

'Keep up the good work, Kolo.'

　colloquially

　It rolls around in the palm of your hand as you respond.

　Haha, kind of cute.

　The sister in the military uniform nodded widely.

'I'm glad that each of you are convinced, and that you all fit in where you need to fit in, and I hope all three of you will make use of that divine power, please.
Yes.
I know.
Yeah.

　We nodded widely.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　With this, the return of the 'Divine Armament', which was the objective, was over.

(What do we do after this?)

　And with that in mind.

Well. Now let's get the warriors back to Shumuria.

　Mr. Kilt said.　

'What?　What more?

　Solstice complains.

'No wonder. The threat of the Son of Darkness is still out there. I know you're in a hurry, but I don't think you have time to relax too much in Arun.
Yeah, that's true, but...

　The girl glanced at the beautiful woman from The Divine Fangra.

　I guess she wanted to learn many things from Recto Alice again.

　I'm a bit disappointed, too.

(It's been a long time since I've seen the three of you, I'd like to relax a bit, but...)

　But I can't replace the lives of many people.

　I'm also concerned about the five demons that are still sealed away, and I need to get home as soon as possible so I can ask Princess Reclear for instructions.

''This is why,''

　Mr. Kilt looked at the beautiful woman from Arun's army.

'Frederica. I'm sorry, but if it's possible, could you take the airship to the area near Shumria?
I don't mind.

　Frederica nodded.

''I've been instructed to do so by His Majesty the Emperor.

Oh, thank God.

But before we do that, we have a few things we'd like you to do for us.
Hmm?
What?

　We were surprised by the unexpected words.

'Actually, there was an oracle for the priestesses in the temple of More, the goddess of love.

　The oracle...?

　The two 'Divine Fanglars' nodded.

　Frederica-san's blue eyes stared straight at me.

　And.

'The Goddess herself has something to tell Lord Maar, the Godgui of Yacour, who has inherited her spirit.

(What...?

　To my surprise, she tells me.

'That's why I want you to bring Lord Marr to the sanctuary on Shenshan.