All right, we will now march to the Temple of the Goddess on top of Caligula's sacred mountain.

　The next morning on the hill.

　Frederica, who had changed from her military uniform into that black knight's outfit, declared that to us, who were lined up in front of her.

　We nodded.

　Then we walked down the slope of the hill and into the forest that spread out before us.

　There were 14 of us in total.

　Gelfonberg-san and the three female adventurers stood at the front of the line as scouts.

　In the second row are the warrior duo of Kirt and Garun.

　In the third row, me and Solstice.

　In the fourth row, Ms. Colontude and Poe.

　In the center of the formation, there are two precious recovery wizards, and Poe and I are their bodyguards.

　The fifth row is the two 'God Fangirls' of Rapt and Recto Alice.

　In the sixth row, at the end of the row, it's the sister duo of Illtimina-san and Frederica-san.

　Zach, zach.

　We pushed our way through the grass and trudged forward through the earth of dirt.

　The trees, each one large, were covered with lush green branches and leaves overhead. Through the gaps in the leaves, the early morning sunlight was shining in the form of several rays of light.

　The morning mist still lingered around us.

　The air is a little damp.

　But my sense of smell, as a divine dog, is

It's so ... fishy.

　I could also feel such an unpleasant smell there.

There are many dragons in this forest, which is part of the 'Ten Thousand Dragon Mountain' - it must be the smell of those dragons.

　If the smell is this strong, I have a feeling that it wouldn't be surprising to encounter them at any time.

　And then

　poof!

　Mr. Gelfonberg, who was walking in the lead, raised one hand.

　Everyone stopped in their tracks.

(What's going on?)

　Everyone waited for him to say something under their breath.

'Can all three of you go look ahead for a moment?'

　He called out to his fellow women.

　The women nodded and rushed into the woods ahead of him without a sound of footsteps.

(!)

　Their movements were fast and quiet.

　As expected of a fellow member of the 'Golden Seal True Treasure Family', the three of them were not just ordinary in their body language.

(Perhaps they are all 'Silver Seal'........)

　Or so I thought.

　The girls disappeared behind the trees in a matter of seconds.

　Mr. Gelfonberg looks back at us.

'There's a particularly strong sign of dragons up ahead. If we're going to avoid killing them, we'll want to avoid encountering them as much as possible.

　I laughed.

　Recto Alice said.

'You could have used my 'third eye' to check it out, you know?
No, no,

　He shook his head.

''I can't let you use your power for something like this. If you are in a battle with a dragon, your 'divine art' will be a great help in fighting it off without killing it. You still need to preserve it.
Yeah?
Yeah, we'll take it from here.

　Then he snaps and winks.

(I see, Lectoris's divine arts are powerful.)

　That makes sense to me.

Okay. Well, I'll leave it to you guys.

The beautiful woman from 'Divine Fangra' nodded.

　And the three who were out on a reconnaissance came back without a sound.

　They each reported to their leader, Gelfonberg-san.

''I see,'' he nodded, ''I see.

"There seems to be four to five fire dragons gathering in the front. Let's take a detour here.

　I said.

　We obeyed his words and made a big detour in the downwind direction.

　Thanks to that, we didn't even meet a dragon.

(I knew it was great, "The Golden Mark Adventurer")

　None of us noticed the dragon's presence and found a safe route.

　It seemed easy, but it wasn't easy at all.

　His aloof back was very encouraging in my blue eyes.

　--And so we proceeded through the forest in the early morning.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


That's tough luck.

　For the next hour or so, we hadn't seen a dragon, but suddenly Mr. Gelfonberg muttered.

'What's the matter?'

　Mr. Kilt asks.

　He frowns lightly at his well-formed face.

'There's a sign of a dragon up ahead, but it's spread out over a wide area. There's no route we can take to get around it.
What?

　We were surprised.

"Well, shall we go back the way we came?

　Illtimina says.

'That's what I thought too, but there's a hint of a dragon in the rear too.
..........
I mean, we're surrounded.

　Oh, come on.

"Does that mean that a bunch of dragons have moved in on the warriors?
Yeah.

　He nodded.

'This smart guy is probably an ash dragon. But I didn't expect it to move in such a large swarm. You messed up a bit.

　A voice of regret.

　Kilt-san also groaned, "Mmmm.

　They say that an ash dragon is a small bipedal dragon with grey skin.

　Even though they are small, they are two-medium in size.

　And they are very intelligent, and what a rarity among dragon species that often work as individuals, they hunt in herds of around ten.

'But this herd looks like it could be fifty of them.

　And Mr. Gelfonberg.

　I looked at the forest around me.

　So far, nothing unusual, a hint of quiet.

(But there are fifty dragons beyond.)

　He was trying to kill us.

　.....................

　A little bit of sweat on my palms.

　And.

Where is the thinnest part of the siege, that I can think of?

　Mr. Garn, who had been silent all this time, asked.

　Mr. Gelfonberg pointed to the front, a little to the left.

'That way,'
Yes, that I do.

　Mr. Garun nodded and put his helmet on with a clunk.

　The next moment.

　bang

　He ran off into the depths of the forest, blasting the earth.

(What?!)

"Hey!

　Mr. Kilt doesn't even stop in time.

　He disappears behind the trees in the blink of an eye.

　We are left behind and are stunned.

　And.

　Boom, boom, boom.

　The sound of a loud battle can be heard from that side.

''Kook ... it can't be helped. The wattles will follow!''

　Mr. Kilt clicked his tongue and gave us a command.

　I nodded and we ran.

　Eventually, after we had gone three hundred meters, we saw the large figure of Mr. Garun wrapped in full body armor in the trees ahead of us.

''Mr. Garun!''

　I shout.

　He was alone, war-axe in hand.

　The dragon was nowhere to be seen.

　But all around him, the trees were broken and the earth was gouged out as if a tornado had raged through the area.

　And fresh purple blood was scattered on the ground.

''What happened to the ash dragon?''

　As soon as he catches up, Mr. Kilt asks.

　Click.　

　He took off his helmet, revealing his bald head's face.

I chased him away, that I did.
What?
Mister Garn, you're not going to kill him, are you?

　Frederica confirmed impatiently.

　He nodded.

'To teach them of the threat we pose, I have wounded them somewhat, that I have not killed them.

　Ho!

　We let out a breath of relief.

(But to get rid of him in the short time it took us to get here...)

　There must have been about five dragons, judging by the amount of disturbance on the ground.

　I look up at him.

'Mr. Garun, you're very strong.'
What? Not so much, my dear.

　Mr. Garun replied with clarity.

　He didn't seem humbled.

　He wasn't breathing unsteadily, nor was he sweating - this battle really wasn't a big deal to him, was it?　

　This was Arun's 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter'.

　I was a little thrilled.

　Kilt-san frowned and

You are not on your own.
But we mustn't waste time, mustn't we?　A quick decision, that is.

　He doesn't seem to be offended.

　...........

　Even when he met Mr. Kilt, he suddenly started fighting, is that the kind of person he is?

(Arun's "Golden Mark" is really unique for both of them...)

　And.

''Everyone, since Garun-san has opened the way for us, let's move quickly. The smell of blood will draw other dragons to us in no time.

　Mr. Gelfonberg urged.

　We nodded and started walking.

　--Thus, we were able to safely break through the gray dragon's siege.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　That was the only battle that day.

　As the sun went down, we found a cave in the woods and decided to make camp there.

　Crackle.

　The flames of the fire lit up the cave.

　In that light.

You did a great job today.

　Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah.

'The Golden Seal True Treasure Family' was exchanging kisses with three of his fellow women.

''Ha, haha........?''

　I froze as I witnessed the others kissing for the first time.

　Illtimina-san and Kilt-san are also stunned.

　Frederica-san is letting out a sigh with a face that says 'Again?' but her cheeks are a little red.

　Rapt and Recto Alice giggle, and Colon-Tudo-san and Po-chan are not particularly interested in the situation.

　Solstice says, ''Hiya~? He turned bright red and covered his face with his hands, but his fingers were fully open and he was a witness to the kissing scene.

The same as always, that is.

　Mr. Garun cowered his broad shoulders.

　Licking her wet lips lightly, Mr. Gelfonberg smiled, showing his white teeth.

'You need a rewarding kiss, don't you?　Especially since girls get prettier the more they are kissed.

　And winked.

(Really?)

　But it's certainly because I'm kissing Illtimina-san, and she's become terribly attractive. At least for me.

　.............

　I can't help but look at her lips.

　They are plump, wet and glossy lips.

　And she also noticed our gaze.

(.....................Ah.

　Our eyes met.

　Illtimina-san was thinking something similar, and they both turned red and slumped over each other.

　Mr. Gelfonberg stroked the hair of his three companions.

Aren't you interested in that sort of thing, Mr. Garn?
Hmm?
Although it seemed to me that you were very attracted to the beautiful demon princess over there?

　twitch

　Suddenly, when his name was mentioned, Mr. Kilt, I couldn't help but stand tall.

　Everyone's ears naturally focused on Garun-san's answer, too.

　And then.

Strength interests me, that I'm sure, but love affairs do not interest me.

　The answer.

(...what a shame.)

　We let out a sigh.

　Mr. Kilt looked relieved, but somewhat unhappy and complicated.

　And.

And I can't help feeling that much for a girl of the Devil's Blood People.

(...what?)

　I paled at the added words.

　Huh?

　Could it be that Mr. Garun is... what you think he is?

　The expressions on the faces of my three most important people are a bit strained.

　It's Miss Frederica.

Lord Garn...

　He sounded a little low.

　The country of Arun does not tolerate discrimination, even in the face of construction.

　Mr. Garun said, "Hmm? And then I looked up, and then I noticed the air in the air.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry to have misled you, that I did.

　He laughed bitterly.

A man has no special feelings towards the 'demon and blood people'. A man has no special feelings towards the Fiendish Blood People, but as an adventurer, he has many acquaintances in the Fiendish Blood People, that he does.

　Really?

(Then why?)

But a man has his own personal trauma with the Devil's Blood, that he has.

　In response to our questioning gaze, he answered that.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Trauma?

　We met our gaze, and Mr. Garun

It's a long story, that it is.

　He told me up front.

　Garun Billy Lang was from the Arun frontier.

　The frontier had once been a small country separate from Arun, and when he was a child, it had only been a little over ten years since Arun had annexed it, and his old-fashioned way of speaking was said to be a remnant of the language of that small country.

　And it's said that there was also a climate of 'Demon Blood Exclusion' in that exile.

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

　That fact alone made my heart feel a little heavy.

　But perhaps because of the climate, Garun had never seen the 'Demon Blood People', and he himself didn't have that much discrimination against the 'Demon Blood People'.

　However, since Arun had annexed the area, refugees from the demon blood people of other countries sometimes came to visit the land, which sometimes caused some problems.

　And then one day.

Could you please share the water with me...

　An emaciated female refugee with a baby in her arms wished the young Mr. Garun so.

　The young man complied.

　As a result.

I have been flogged with my family, that I have.

　...........

　The young Garun didn't know the severity of the climate of the 'Demon Blood Exclusion'.

　Her back was whipped, her skin was torn, her flesh was torn, and her bones were broken.

　'The punishment of flogging is so severe that even adults can die of extreme pain before they reach the prescribed number of lashes,' he said.

I still have scars on my back from the breaking of the skin, that I know of.
..........

　It wasn't just him alone, but his entire family was flogged for joint and several liability, and it left a huge trauma in his young mind.

'My reasoning knows, that I know it.
..........
So you can talk to them even if they are the People of Demon and Blood, that I can. However, if you try to have a deeper relationship with them, you can't help but tremble in your mind and body.

　He confesses with his eyes down so.



　I can't understand the cruelty of it.

　I had a blue face and a quivering lip.

　Mr. Garun noticed.

'Sir Merle?　Discrimination is not only for those who want to discriminate.
...What?
'Some of us don't want to discriminate, but we have to discriminate in order to protect ourselves ... and our families, that I know of.
..........
Those who have been persecuted for not discriminating must discriminate again, that they must do so, otherwise their minds will not be stable. Otherwise, the injustice and unreasonableness of the world will kill their hearts and minds, that is.

　There was a deep anguish and tenderness in his voice.

　...........

　I guess his words came from the fact that he had been fighting the awareness of discrimination within himself even more than I had, and that's why he said them.

(But..........)

But that's too sad...

　I muttered and cried a little.

'Marl....'

　Iltimina gives me a hug.

　Solstice is Buddha-faced, staring at the ground.

　Mr. Kilt exhales heavily to the heavens.

'Humans are really good at what they do.
Really.

　Rapt and Recto Alice muttered with a mixture of sadness and resignation.

　Poe's eyes were also downcast.

　Ms. Colontude was standing close to the little girl, stroking her soft blonde hair.

　Miss Frederica said regretfully.

'At that time, the joint statement against discrimination had not yet been issued.
Yes.

　Mr. Garun nodded.

'It may be the steps of a tortoise, but the discrimination is still decreasing little by little, that it is.
..........
Sometimes we move forward, sometimes we retreat, but we are still moving forward, that we are. There is no need to despair.

　snappingly

　A large, armor-wrapped hand was on my head.

　It was a really big hand.

'Yes.'

　I nodded.

　Arun's pride and joy, the 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter', laughed powerfully at me.

　Then we talked about trivial things.

　For example, I heard that the reason why Garun-san was able to compare strength with Kirt-san even though he wasn't a 'Demon Blood People' was because of his armor.

　That armor is actually a Thanatos magic armor.

　Wearing it is said to be as powerful as the 'Demon and Blood People'.

(It's similar to my 'Ultimate God Body Mode'.)

　He also told me that he had another sister who lived in the divine imperial capital, Astilio.

　I was struck by the fact that Garun-san had very kind eyes as he talked about it.　

　It was late in the evening.

　After dinner, we decided to go to sleep early because we had to be up early again tomorrow.

　Since there were so many of us, we only had to be in pairs for an hour to keep an eye on things at night.

　Me, of course, with Mr. Illtimina.

　At the exit of the cave, Illtimina gives me a back hug.

"I'm sorry, Merle. Let's just stay like this for a minute.
Yes.

　Maybe it was because of what we had just said, but we stayed huddled together for the rest of the watch.

　Even after the watch was over, I stayed with her as her hug.

　Eventually, the dawn came without incident.

　The morning sun pours into the cave, and our second day in "Manryu's Mountain" is about to begin.