A goddess... for me?

　The unexpected words make me flinch.

　Looking at me, the sister in military uniform says, "I'm sorry to be so abrupt.

''I'm sorry for the short notice. Right after I told the Shumuria Kingdom about the 'divine armor', the priestesses had a dream about the oracle. Thanks to that, we couldn't reach them in time.''
Uh-huh.

　It's not that I was late in contacting you, but....

What is the message the goddess is trying to get across?

　Instead of me, Ms. Kilt asks.

　Frederica shakes her head, eyes downcast.

'I don't know.'
..........
The priestesses only heard that the goddess More wanted to meet with the 'Sons of God' and others, especially Lord Marr.

(Hmm?)

''Where is the Divine Mountain Sanctuary?''

　This time, Ms. Illtimina asked.

　Frederica spread out a large map on the table.

　She showed the western coastline of the Albac continent.

This is where we are.

　That finger moved diagonally upwards of thirty inches to the right.

'And this is the mountain that is believed to be the site of the oracle, the Caligia Spiritual Peak, known as the mountain where the goddess of love, Moa, first manifested herself in the Divine Demon War 400 years ago.

　Oh, really?

Kaligia Spiritual Peak....

Do I have to climb that mountain?
Probably.

　Frederica nodded.

'It is said that there is a 'Temple of the Goddess' built by the people of that time at the top of the mountain.

　Mr. Kilt frowned.

'You're not sure?'
''I'm sorry. Actually, people haven't been close to that sacred peak for a long time now.

　Really?

"Caliguir Sacred Peak is also known as the 'Mountain of Many Dragons', because the forest at the foot of the mountain is home to many dragon species. The forest at the foot of the mountain is home to many dragon species.

The dragon...?

"It is said that there are more than ten thousand dragons guarding the 'Temple of the Goddess' as if it were the Temple of the Goddess. So it's the 'Mountain of Ten Thousand Dragons.'

　......................

　I suddenly imagine.

　

(No wonder people wouldn't go near them for so long.)

But are we called there?
It will.

　Frederica nodded.

　I'm a bit distant.

　Rapt and Recto Alice also let out a sigh.

　The only one whose expression doesn't change is Poe.

''And what's troublesome is that it's the 'Sanctuary of the Goddess of Love'.

　Huh?

　Ms. Frederica says to us with a mysterious look on her face.

'The Goddess of Love hates death. According to the priestesses, if she encounters even one dragon at the sacred Caligure Holy Mountain and 'kills' it, the Temple of the Goddess will be shut down.
..........
..........
..........
..........

　What is that...?

　There are a lot of dragons in there, and they will attack us. But we can't kill them, can we?

　If I kill one of them, will I never see the Goddess?

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

　This quest, the conditions are absurd!

I don't want to go.

　Honest Solstice, you said it honestly.

　I agree with you.

I know the feeling.
..........
'But it's a goddess call. We can't ignore it.

　Frederica-san with a hard voice.

　I'm sure she herself understands the difficulty of what she's saying.

　But.

It seems to me that there must be something important to humanity in this call.

　He said with a serious look on his face.

　....................

　We look at each other.

'Yes.'

　I nodded.

'Let's just do as much as we can, okay?　Giving up before you do is something that feels different.
Hmmm, yes.

　Mr. Kilt agrees with me.

'If we can get rid of the dragons by wounding them, we can get by without killing them on the way.
Yes.
Well, I'm sure it's a lot of work.

　That's ... well ... I suppose.

'But I would not hesitate to kill the dragon if the situation were to threaten Marle's life.

　Ms. Illtimina said once and for all.

'I respect Marr more than the will of the Goddess.
No.

　Mr. Kilts nodded.

It's not just Merle. If the lives of our people are in danger, there is no need to hesitate. Even if I have to disobey the goddess, I'll put my hands in blood.

　He stated emphatically.

　Solstice mouthed the words, 'Of course,' and Mr. Colontude nodded.

''Well, it's no wonder then.
Yeah.
.......................

　The three 'sons of God' are also very understanding.

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

　Frederica looked at Illtimina, who had started out, looking somewhat dazzled and envious of her.

　Eventually, she exhaled and

Thank you all for your agreement. Then we're running out of time. As soon as the airship is ready, we'll head to the Caligurian Spirit Peak.

　He declared with strong eyes.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　We moved to the take-off and landing area inside the military port.

　There, a huge airship, over 500 meters long, was waiting for us.

　Underneath the huge air sacs, there is a passenger compartment with wings extending from left to right. Beyond that, there was another part of the airship that people would board, with a large propeller at the end of it.

(As usual, it's big.)

　When you see it up close, it is very powerful.

　As I walked among the sailors who were preparing for departure, I saw a man in a fine military uniform standing in front of the airship's doorway.

'Mr. Harold!'

　I was calling his name when I smelled a familiar scent.

　He laughed.

'Long time no see, Jingu-dono.'

　He is a nice middle uncle in his 50s with a well-groomed beard.

　On the chest of his military uniform, he has many medals strapped to his chest.

''I will be taking care of Jingu-dono's air travel again. It may only be for a short time, but I look forward to working with you.
You're welcome.

　I shook hands firmly with Harold, who took off his gloves.

　Mr. Kilt and his friends, too.

I'll be in touch.

　They shook hands with each other.

　Finally, Frederica said.

Now, Mr. Harold, I want you to sail as soon as you're ready.
Yes, sir.

　Mr. Harold replied with an Arun-style salute.

(Oh?)

　I'm a little surprised by that.

　The airship was originally the property of His Majesty Emperor Arun.

　Harold-san, who is in charge of it, is actually in a rather high position, but the exchange just now made it seem as if Frederica-san was in a higher position of power.

　Once inside the airship, I ask her about it.

''Oh ... that's it,''

　Frederica chuckled a bit before telling me.

　Before they parted ways, she was the captain of the Seventh Knight Squadron of the Third Order of the Arun Army.

　However.

I'm a newly created knight commander under His Majesty's direct control.

　And so on.

　To put it bluntly, it's a newly created knight squad for the anti-demons, vs. the "Children of Darkness".

(Heh, really?)

You have successfully explored the Great Maze, which no one else has been able to do for over 20 years, and you have returned home safely.

I have established a relationship of trust with the two "Divine Dragons".

You have connections with me, the divine dog, and the two adventurers of the Golden Mark of the Shumuria Kingdom.

　For these reasons, he was selected for an unusually large and young position.

　I heard that His Majesty the Emperor himself held an appointment ceremony for Frederica-san.

　Frederica, who was so enthralled by His Majesty that she couldn't help but shed a tear during the ceremony.　

(Awesome.)

　Illtimina-san was also a 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter', but Frederica-san also made a great career in the Arun Divine Kingdom.

　My eyes shine and I stare at the blue-haired sister.

　Frederica-san smiles and

Though in reality, he's more like a caretaker for Rapt and Recto Alice.

　He said.

　Even so, he said that with the power of the 'Emperor's Direct Control Unit', he was able to deal with things quite freely and quickly.

　As a result, he was able to obtain new 'divine armor' as well.

　Frederica-san told me this story while she was showing us to our cabin in the airship.

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

　By the way, for some reason, Illtimina-san was looking at my back as I stared at Frederica-san with shining eyes, looking at her in a complicated way.

　........Huh?


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Within 30 minutes of us getting on board, we were ready to take off.

　Gogo on.

　The chains that had been moored to the ship were removed and the massive hull slowly rose into the sky.

　Eventually, after reaching a certain altitude, the propeller spun around and the huge airship slowly turned northward, looking down at the sea, the land and the military port below.

(The view from the sky is still amazing.)

　I've been stuck to the window ever since we took off.

　The land below me isn't much, but in the far north, it's still covered in white snow. The mountains in the distance are still covered with snow caps.

　It is already late winter.

　Winter was almost over while I was in Vega Country.

　Hmmm.

(As if we had survived the cold season in the tropics, right?)

　I thought to myself, how quickly the seasons change.

　Well, as the flight stabilized, the nine of us naturally gathered in the common area of the ship where there were tables and sofas.

'Hmm, you've been studying hard, haven't you?
Of course!

　Recto Alice and Solstice are holding a study session as soon as possible.

　Next to the girl who was spreading out her notebook, another curious High Elf-san was also sitting a bit next to the girl who was spreading out her notebook, and was about to take a lesson from the sister of "God Fangra".　

　Meanwhile, Rapt.

Am I still a drunkard?　She's such a waste of a woman.
Hmm, leave it.
Quilts that don't drink, for example, are counterintuitive, aren't they?
.......................
I see. Well, now that I think about it, I suppose.
...Your name?　

　He is happily talking with Kilt, and then Illtimina and Poe join him.

(They all seem to be having fun.)　

　It doesn't matter who the person or the 'Son of God' is.

　I squint my blue eyes at the sight of everyone being so congenial.

　And.

　Gogon

(What?)

　The hull of the ship shook violently, perhaps because of the strong wind.

　I was standing by the window and almost fell down.

　Crunch!

Are you all right, Mister Merle?

　And before I knew it, Frederica-san was nearby, taking my arm and supporting me.

　From up close, her dignified beauty was staring at me.

'Oh, thanks,'

　A little embarrassed, I thank her.

　Frederica smiles gently and says, "No problem.

　Then, at her suggestion, we sat down on the couch.

'Speaking of which,'

　I suddenly asked.

"How's General Dardios?
Father?　Yeah, I'm fine. I didn't get to see you this time due to my duties, but that's no different. Considering your age, you could have been a little more mature.

　Frederica laughed.

　But even though she said so with her mouth, she also seemed somewhat relieved by her active father.

'Hmmm?　What mission?
You're trying to calm rebellions in different parts of the country.

　The military-uniformed Reito replied in a slightly more serious tone.

　........Rebellion.

''It hasn't been long, fifty years, since Arun leveled the land as it is now. Unfortunately, such rebellions still occur.''
Yeah.

　I didn't know that in the midst of the war between mankind and the devil, there was also a war between man and man.

　He noticed the darkened expression on my face.

My father was really sad that he wasn't going to be able to see Mahr and his friends this time.

　He says softly, and reaches out his hand.

　Sarah.

　He stroked my hair as if he was working on it.

　Then, Frederica-san made a face of realization and hurriedly let go of my hand.

I'm sorry. As usual, Marle-dono is so friendly that I just couldn't help but.... Forgive me if I've offended you.
Nope.

　I smiled, 'It's okay.　

　Frederica smiled, too, as if reassured.

　And.

Lord Merle, you really haven't changed.
Yeah?
Oh. ...Actually I was looking forward to seeing you guys again, but at the same time I was a little nervous.

　Tension...?

(Why?)

　She chuckles at my scowling.

'I wonder why?'
..........
Maybe he felt left behind by Lord Marl.

Left behind?

'Even in Arun, reports of Lord Marr's activities were in my ears. In the blink of an eye, we found the fourth 'Divine Family Member' and made contact with the 'Son of Darkness' to secure a ceasefire and a joint agreement to fight together.
..........
That's really great.

　Frederica muttered sullenly.

　Then she touched the scar on her own left cheek.

''We too were defeated and worked hard to obtain the 'Divine Armor' and were able to succeed in doing so. But.........
..........
In the meantime, Lord Marr and his men had defeated the Demon Shard.

　A deep sigh escaped me.

　His blue eyes turned to me with a sad light.

'No matter how hard we chased after them, Lord Marl and the others would walk ahead of us. Maybe that's how they felt left behind.

　...I know.

　I stare at Frederica-san.

　She's staring at me, too.

'But in person, Lord Merle has not changed.
..........
'He has done great things and his sword skills seem to have been honed. But the essence of his mind was the same as the Mahr I knew.
..........
I'm happy about that, and that's a real relief.

　The smile on her sister's face as she smiled that way was truly charming.

　I couldn't help but narrow my eyes.

　To be honest, I don't really understand what Frederica-san is saying because I'm not aware of it. But I was happy to see that she was accepting me for who I am now.

　I laughed.

"I was happy to see you too, Frederica-san.
Okay.

　Frederica nodded, scowling.

　And.

Oh, how well you get along?

　sizzling sound

(What?)

　Suddenly, two arms wrapped around my neck from behind, like white snakes.

'Yee, Miss Illtimina,'

　I stammered, for some reason.

　No, I didn't do anything guilty, okay?

　No, you didn't, did you...?

　Ms. Illtimina glares lightly at Ms. Frederica as she hugs me.

''This is my Marle, right?

　And a word.

　Staring at Illtimina-san's face like that, then Frederica-san's gaze turns to the ring on her left ring finger.

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

　And sigh.

You really are the same, aren't you?
..........
I'm aware of that. But people's minds are subject to change. So be careful not to be arrogant.
N....

　smack

　I feel a spark in my gaze.

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

　In front of me, who couldn't move, a beautiful woman in military uniform stood up from the sofa.

"The journey to the Sacred Peak of Caliguria takes about a week.
..........
"At the nearest town, the airship will disembark. From there, we'll take the dragon chariot to the foot of the sacred mountain.

　Oh, really?

I've got two people in town who are willing to help.
Collaborator?
''These are the 'Golden Mark Adventurers' living in Arun who I asked to dive into the ruins with me when I obtained the 'Divine Armor'.

(!)

　The Golden Mark of Arun!

　Iltimina's expression tightened, as if she had something on her mind.

''Please deepen your friendship with them as well.

　Frederica laughed at that.

　Then she left the scene, saying, "See you then," as she and Captain Harold checked the route and sailing schedule.

　Ms. Illtimina didn't say anything.

　She held me in her arms and didn't move.

　Eventually, he let out a short breath and

Totally she's getting tougher.
..........
But I'm not going to lose, Merle?

　Yes, she smiles at me.

　Yeah?

　I smile back, not really understanding.

　To me, Illtimina-san happily rubbed my cheek.

　Haha, it tickles.

　But her moist, smooth skin feels comfortable, her long, beautiful hair rubs against my cheek, and she smells so good, I'm kind of happy.

　I can't help but laugh with her.

　And then we were chatting happily with everyone again.

　--And so our week-long flight went by in the blink of an eye.