From the windows of the airship, we could see the snow-covered land.

　There was a large city there.

　The name of the city is Derant.

　It is the city with the closest Arun military base to the Caligure Spiritual Peak.

　Soltis muttered.

''Half of the city is an ordinary city, but the other half is a military facility.

　Yup.

　That's pretty obvious from above.

　The airship we were on descended to the side of that military facility.　

　Gurgling.

　Eventually there is a vibration and I feel it land.

'Okay, let's go.'
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Yeah.

　We left the guest room we had spent a week in at Kirto's command.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Thanks for your help.
I wish you good luck.

　We shook hands with Captain Harold and said goodbye.

　As it was, we were ushered into the military facility.

　Frederica-san, who was walking at the front of the corridor, was receiving some reports from the soldiers of this military facility as we walked.

''I see, they're already here.
Ha!

　She nodded and looked back at us.

''The two 'Golden Mark adventurers' who will help us are already at the base. I'd like to bring them to you guys as soon as possible.

　We nodded and followed Frederica-san.

　Eventually, we arrived at the reception room.

　It was large enough to hold about 20 people.

　There were fine sofas and tables, and expensive-looking vases and other decorations.

　And there were five men and women there.

　Two men and three women.

　Three women.

　One of the men was in his twenties, I think.

　He has black hair and silver eyes, and a very well-groomed face.

　He is lightly equipped with only a black traveling coat over a silver breastplate.

　On either side of his waist belt, there are two daggers with magic stones attached to them. Perhaps they could be Thanatos magic armor.

　The three women were gathered on the sofa on the same side of the room, perhaps in his company.

　The women were still dressed in the style of lightly armed adventurers.

　The other man was maybe in his 40s?

　He has a stern appearance with a bald head and beard.

　His yellow eyes are piercingly bright.

　His muscular body is clad in a full body armor of black iron. On its back was a battle axe that was as tall as his nearly two-medium height.

　The surface of the battle axe was engraved with Thanatos magic letters. Apparently, that battle axe is also like a Thanatos magic armament.

(Are the two men the gold seal?)

　I felt like it.

　And then a young man stood up.

Hey, Fiddy!

　He spread his arms wide with a smile that showed his white teeth.

'The time we didn't see each other has felt like a billion years. It's an honor to see you again, goddess that you are!

　kiss

　He walks over to us and takes Frederica-san's hand and kisses it.　

　.........what a flowing movement.

　The smoothness and sudden surprise of it makes me pause and I can't even speak.

　The three women in his group are sighing.

　Frederica-san has an exasperated look on her face.

''It's been ... a long time, Gelfonberg-dono.
No, Fiddy. You're between us. You can call me Guelph.

　He winked with a snap.

　Miss Frederica sighed and looked back at us.

''This is Lord Gelfonberg Lidworth. He operates as the 'True Treasure Family of the Golden Seal' here in the west of Arun.

　Oh, really?

(What a unique guy.)

　Mr. Kilt, Ms. Illtimina and Solstice also look a bit overwhelmed.

　And Mr. Gelfonberg.

'Oh, these are such beautiful flowers that they almost blind me. Can you please tell me what they are called?

　He laughs at me, his white teeth gleaming.

''It's Kirt Amandes,''

　Mr. Kilt, he hesitated for a moment before answering.

　He nodded with a smile.

'I'm Iltimina Wong.'
...and it's Solstice Wong.

　Ms. Illtimina says her name nonchalantly and Solstice utters her name in disgust.


Poe.

　The two quiet ones answered in the usual way.

　He nodded, "That's a nice name, guys.

　Um.

Oh, my name's Ma--

　thump

　I was about to belatedly say my name when the floor shook.

　Another bald-headed man was standing up, his heavy, full-body armor creaking.

'You're that demon princess, Kirto Amandes?

　A heavy voice.

　His piercing eyes shot at the silver-haired beauty.

　Mr. Kilt took it in.

Yes.

　He nodded easily.

　Hearing this, he grabbed the black helmet from behind the neck of his full-body armor with his big hand.

　(with a) clank

　And I suffered.

'Sorry,'

　A muffled voice came from behind his helmet.

　Instantly.

　Hugos. Doggone it.

　The battle axe he swung down destroyed the floor of the reception room.

(Ha....?)

　The flooring popped and the carpet shredded.

　That's where Mr. Quilt had been standing a moment ago.

'What are you doing!'

　After dodging in the nick of time, Kirt-san pulls out his 'Great Sword of Thunder' in surprise.

''Garun-dono!''

　Frederica-san is also shouting as if she was impatient.

　However, the big man in black full-body armor called Garun-dono holds a battle axe in his hand and swings it down towards Kirt-san.

　Gungh, gin, gagging.

　Fierce sparks were scattered and the reception room was destroyed.

(Hey hey hey...?!)

　What the hell is going on?

"Merle, Sol, get back!

　Illtimina-san retreats at once, sheltering us behind her back.

　Ms. Colontude is also moving backwards, holding hands with Poe, and Frederica-san, Rapt, and Recto Alice are also backing away.

''Oh, well.''

　Mr. Gelfonberg was also a bit dumbfounded, and he dropped back to the wall, protecting his three fellow women.

　Gakin, giggin, goggin, goggin.

　The battleaxe and the great sword clash.

　Blue lightning bolts scattered.

　Arun and Shumuria's pride and joy, the two 'Golden Mark', had somehow begun to fight.

　''Gagigyin'

　The blades collided and became a battle of wits.

''Nuh........!
Mmm.

　Kilt-san's golden eyes stared at the eyes behind his black helmet.

　In a contest of strength, I'm competing with that Mr. Kilt!

(Unbelievable!)

　Gakiin.

　In the next moment, the blade separated and a pause was created.

　In that fleeting moment of time.

"Itto-Iwa-Zan!
"Demon Sword Thunderbolt Slayer!

　With the yells of both parties, a desperate strike is delivered to each other.

　Bajaj, Gagiiinnnn!

　Black wind and blue lightning gushed into the room.

(Ugh!?)

　Couches are torn and vases are shattered.

　Windows are cracked, and a raging wind is pushed outward through the room.

　And then.

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

　The two 'Golden Mark Adventurers' were staring at each other with their weapons at the 3-medium interval.

　............

''Mm, that's as good as it gets.

　The big man in black full body armor - Garun-san said so, putting the battle axe back on his back and removing his helmet.　

　There is a satisfied smile on his face.

　Kirt-san also draws the 'Great Sword of Thunder'.

''........What on earth is that?''

　A quizzical voice.

　Mr. Garun scratched his bald head with his armor-covered black hand.

'No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.
..........
"His name is Garun Billy Lang. He is one of the warriors in the land of Arun, that he is a demon hunter of the Golden Mark.

　His yellow eyes stare at the beautiful woman in front of him.

'Kirto Amandes. The only black star awarded to the legendary Adobald Dardios. When I heard that name, I was unable to stop the blood of a warrior from rising to the occasion, that I did.

　He sounds a little apologetic.

　But there is a satisfied, childlike gleam in his eyes.

'You have a splendid arm.
..........
This numbness in my hand, that response, was the heaviest and sharpest I have ever felt in a man's life, that I have ever seen.

　I nodded so many times.

　Mr. Kilt's face is indescribable.

''If you want to join hands with me, say so. Walla doesn't run or hide. In the first place, it's not something to do in a place like this.

　If you look at it, the interior of the reception room is a mess.

　All the fine furniture had been torn to pieces. Not only the carpet and wallpaper, but also the flooring and wall materials themselves have been destroyed.

　It's as devastating as if a tornado had blown through.

'I don't see the point.'

　Mr. Garun apologizes.

　He looks at Miss Frederica.

You'll be reimbursed. Let me know as soon as you know the amount, that I will.

　I said simply.

(You think that's all it takes?)

　And I'm sure you think so.

　Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing this.

　Mr. Gelfonberg said to his three fellow women, "Are you okay? And then she flashed her white teeth and laughed.

　Frederica's beautiful face sighed heavily.

　Then she looked at us.

These two are going to be your partners in this quest. I hope you'll get along with them.

　He said, looking terribly tired.