We returned to the city of Derant.

　Half of the city is just an ordinary city and the other half is a military facility.

　In a room in that military building, my small hand touches the window pane as I look up at the gray sky I can see from there.

　Rattling, rattling..........

　The vibrations of the glass can be felt in the palm of my hand.　

　It's not raining, but the sky is covered with clouds all over, and they're moving at great speed. It's windy.

　In the same room were the twelve people who had traveled with us, except for Frederica-san, who was gathered in the same room.

　They were all relaxing on their own couches.

　And.

　bang-bang

　There was a knock on the door.

Excuse me.

　Frederica, dressed in military uniform and with her blue hair pulled back behind her head, came in.

　Everyone's eyes were drawn to her.

''How was it?''

　Mr. Kilt asked to represent.

　In response, the sister in military uniform moved her head from side to side.

'I'm afraid the airships can't fly in these strong winds,'

　I told him.

'Lord Harold says that this stormy weather will last for about three days. I would like you to wait a little while longer before I take you to the Shumurian border.

Yeah...

　But if you're dealing with the weather, you can't help it.

'Hmm, I see.'

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'Well, it can't be helped. I guess I'll just have to take it easy for those three days.

　He laughs.

　Yeah, you just got back from 'Man Long Mountain'. I think it's okay to rest a bit.

　Everyone else is nodding their heads.

　Frederica-san also smiled as if she was a little relieved.

　Then she turned back to her military face.

''I'll send a pterodactyl flight to King's Landing Mulia and God Emperor's Landing Astilio with a note of this matter. Until the weather clears, all of you will remain at this base until the weather clears.

　He said that as he looked around at us.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


Merle, would you like to go for lunch?

　While I was resting on the bed in the assigned guest room on the base, I was invited to do so by my roommates, Illtimina and Kilt.

　I heard there is a cafeteria in the base, and they are planning to head there.

'Yeah, we'll go.'

　I laugh and bounce up from the bed with a pounce.

　The two of us laugh.

　By the way, it's the room that was assigned to the four of us, but there's no Solstice in the room.

(I'm sure it's in there.)

　We went out into the hallway, predictably, and headed to a certain room to invite the girl to join us.

　Concon.

　I knocked on the door and there was an immediate response.

'Yes!'

　clank

　The one who appeared on the other side of the open door was a beautiful blond-haired, blue-eyed boy - Rapt.

'What's up, Merle?'
Yes.

　I laugh at his surprise.

'Solstice, are you there?'
There you are. I've been here all morning.

　Rapt cowered his shoulders and said in resignation.

　As he opens the door wide, he sees the back of a girl sitting at a desk and Recto Alice by his side, explaining something.

'So you don't use the formula over here?'
'Yes. If you want more accuracy, you'll get more accurate coordinates by fitting these two equations together.
Hmm.

　oyster shell

　The girl is taking notes hard.

(I knew she was there.)

　As soon as the three days of rest were decided, Solstice was immersed in Recto Alice's room.

It's the study of 'divine arts' and 'divine writing'.

　And this time, besides that erudite girl, there was one more person.

...then Harpas's magic theorem makes no sense?
''That's right. Divine energy and magic power flow through the circuits in your body at a different rate.
...about two and a half times.
Oh, you're very good at that.

　Recto Alice's impressed voice was sent to a hunched over high elf who was peering at the desk from the other side of the room with the girl in between - Mr. Colonchude.

　Rapt spilled a sigh.

''That long-eared sister over there has been there all morning, too.
Yeah,

　As expected of the curious "Golden Mark Magician".

　When you look at her, you can also see a young blonde girl sitting on a bed nearby.

(That's Poe.)

..........

　The little girl noticed and lightly raised her little hand to me.

　I laughed too and raised my hand back.

　Mr. Kilt put one hand on his hip as he called out to his fellow girl.

'Sol. Would you like to go for a bite to eat?
Hmm?

　She notices and looks at me.

　But then she quickly turns back to her desk.

I'll get back to you later~

　flutter

　He lightly shook the hand he lifted up from side to side.　

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

　I look at Kilt and Illtimina.

'Is this a bad idea?'
Well.....
Mm, I have no choice.

　The girl's sister sighs, and Mr. Kilt chuckles.

　Rapt, who was watching the sequence of events, also laughs bitterly.

''Well, I'll take care of that little girl over here.
I'm sorry, okay?
Oh, I'm on it.

　He taps himself on the chest.

　Then he looks back at the three people gathered at his desk.

...and Lectoris is looking happy for the first time in a long time.

　I muttered.

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

　Indeed, the purple-haired beauty looked so alive with her two students.

　Come to think of it, even four hundred years ago, she was doing something like a teacher with humans.

　This time, the students are the most talented and quickest absorbers among humans.

(Maybe they're even extra fun to teach.)

　When I looked at that Recto Alice's profile, it made me feel happy too.

　When I looked at her, I saw that both Rapt and Poe had the same kind look in their eyes.

　The three of them, who were studying, were also engrossed in their desks.

'Then let's go.'

　Mr. Illtimina calls out to me with a soothing voice.

(Oh, yes.)

　I nod and make light eye contact with Rapt.

　Cock.

　Rapt smiled and nodded.

　We returned the nod and left the room, trying to make as little noise as possible.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　We came to the dining room where Arun soldiers in military uniforms had gathered.

　The three of us grabbed a plate with a divider in hand and stood in line with the soldiers waiting to serve our food.

'Come in,'
Thank you.

　I thanked the kitchen waiter for loading my food over the counter and went back to my table.

(Wow, that looks good.)

　Once again, I look at the food and it makes my heart flutter.

　Two pieces of freshly baked bread, hot, steamy scrambled eggs, potato salad, fried white fish, meatballs, stir-fried vegetables, and yogurt. The drink was a glass of fruit juice.

　I clasped my hands together.

"Itadakimasu~

　Iltimina and Kilt also smile.

''I'll take it.''
I will.

　The three of us shout out and start eating.

　Mug, mug, mug, mug.

　Yes, it's delicious!

　Not only does it take into account the nutritional balance, but also the taste. I thought that being a military man, he didn't pay much attention to taste in his meals, but it's more of a demanding job, so maybe he cooks better to relieve stress.

　I'm really grateful for that as well, as I'm growing up.

　Mug mug hug hug.

　And so, as I was devouring it.

"Hmmm, Merle. Do you have ketchup on your cheeks?

　squeak

　Illtimina-san laughed and wiped my cheeks with a rag.

(Ah.........)

Oh, thanks.
No.

　I'm embarrassed, and Illtimina-san is bashful.

　Kilt smiles at us and tilts the cup in her hand.

Hm, the food is good. But it's a pity we don't have any alcohol.
..........
..........

　It's only noon, okay?

　It's me and Illtimina and her sister, who still loves to drink, who is dumbfounded.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


Hello, Mister Merle.

　It was almost the end of the meal when Frederica came to the dining room.

　She had a plate in her hand with food on it. Apparently, she is about to eat.

Can I sit with you?
Yeah, sure.

　I replied with a smile.

　Ms. Illtimina looked like she wanted to say something, but she swallowed it and let out a sigh, "Huh.
　Kilt-san was smiling at her.

(Huh?)

　Frederica takes a seat across from me.

'You're eating very late,'

　Mr. Kilt asks.

'Well, a lot of things,'

　Frederica answered with a wry smile and began to sip her food.

(After all, it's a lot of work, isn't it?)

　The adventure that we headed to the Caligure Spiritual Peak this time, Arun's responsibility is also Frederica-san.

　She writes the report, sends it around, talks to the person in charge of the base, and discusses the airship's schedule with Harold, all of which she does by acting as a liaison.
　She's the only person who does all the work for us, and she's the one who helps us take it easy.

It's not that big of a deal.

　Frederica laughed at that.

''Even in this mission, I've been useless as far as fighting is concerned. I'll have to let you do this........ In short, the right person in the right place.

　No way....

(Really, she's a good looking lady.)

　I am respectful.

　Mr. Kilts laughed, too, and then asked.

'Speaking of which, what happened to Guelph?　I haven't seen him today.
'Oh...'

　Frederica nodded, then fell silent.

(???)

　It's kind of a distant look.

　Mr. Kilt raised his eyebrows suspiciously.

'Frederica?'
Well, you know ... that guy, you know. I heard he's giving his three friends a 'reward time' for their hard work this time.
..........
..........

　Kilt-san and Illtimina-san froze.

(Uh...?)

What's your reward time?

　I asked.

　All three of them looked at me as if they were horrified.
　Then they looked at each other as if they were pressing each other for an answer.

　Eventually, Mr. Kilt cleared his throat.

You see, if you don't know what you're talking about, you don't have to know what you're talking about.　

　Huh? Huh? Huh?

　The other two sisters nodded.

　All three of them, for some reason, have slightly red cheeks.

(Why...?)

　Ms. Illtimina frowned at her troubled beauty.

I have a feeling that the man's presence is somehow not good for Merle's moral education.

　I muttered.

　Mr. Kilt looks dumbfounded.

'You almost crossed the line with Merle, you say?
What?

　with a bang

　Frederica-san stood up, astonished.

''Illtimina-dono, you didn't think that you were going to be able to do this to such an inexperienced Maar-dono.......''

　Miss Illtimina looked away from her bright red face.

I don't think it's any of your business.

　I say plainly.

'Or, no matter, but I can't overlook it as one adult!
That's none of your business, sir.
What?
What is it?

　smack

　The two sisters glared at each other.

　Kilt-san held her forehead with a face that said, 'Oh dear.

　..........

(Ah, ah~, I see.)

　So that's the kind of grown-up thing you mean when you say "reward".

　I finally realized that, and I'm feeling hot all over. I'm pretty sure I'm blushing, too.

　Ahem.

　Mr. Kilt cleared his throat again.

'I understand Guelph. Then how is Garn doing?

　He asked, as if to change the subject.

　Frederica huffed and nodded.

'Yes, you're right. Well, Mister Garun is in his workshop at the base right now.

Workshop...?

His armor was damaged in the battle. They'll be repairing it.

　Oh, really?

(Hmm?)

　I suddenly remembered.

''Oh, but Garun-san's armor is a Thanatos magic armor, right?　Can you fix it?

　I think I've heard before that it can't be repaired.

　Frederica nodded.

'I have my doubts too, but he seems to be planning on it.
Hmmm...
If you're so inclined, why don't we go to the workshop?

　Are you sure?

I want to go!
Okay.

　As my eyes twinkled with curiosity, Frederica-san smiled serenely at me.

　Illtimina-san and Kilt-san also looked at each other.

We'd love to.
If such a thing is possible, I'd love to hear about it.

　I replied.

　The two of them also seem to be interested in it, probably because they handle Thanatos magic armor.

　Frederica-san nodded her head, "Okay," and ate the leftover food in a flash.

　Then we were guided by Frederica-san to the workshop at the base where Garun-san was said to be.