The month and a half of air travel passed smoothly.

　According to Captain Harold, 'we were blessed with good winds,' and we arrived in our destination city 10 days ahead of schedule.

　Gogon.

　Mooring chains were dropped from the airship to the take-off and landing field at the military facility.

　Eventually the airship grounded its wheels to the ground.

　A loud vibration.

　And the hull stabilizes.

Are you guys ready?

　Kilt's voice echoed in the cabin.

　We were all in full gear and carrying our luggage on our backs as we disembarked.

'Yes,'
Yes, sir.
I'll be fine.

　We nodded back, and Mr. Kilt nodded at us.

All right, then. Let's go.

　With her in the lead, we leave the cabin and walk down the aisle.

　We pass the Arun soldiers on board, and they all salute and see us off.

　Eventually, we descend from the airship, using the stairs.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


I'm indebted to you.
You're welcome.

　In front of the airship, Kirt and Frederica shook hands.

　A large black dragon car with a capacity of 12 passengers was parked near us. Fredrika had arranged for it to be used by Arun's army.

　We are going to return to the Kingdom of Shumuria on this vehicle.

(It's very thorough.)

　When you think about it.

I'll say goodbye to you, Merle.

　Rapt said sadly.

'Yes,'

　I nodded, forcing a smile back at him, too.

　Geez.

　We hug each other lightly.

''The next time we meet, it will be when we get the seven divine spirit stones.
Yeah, I guess so.

　They exchanged words and let go of the body.

　Rapt peeked out his white double teeth and made a smile.

All three of Arun's spirit stones will be collected in a flash. So, Marle, be careful, okay?
Yeah, I'll try.
Oh.
Be careful collecting raptors, too.

　He gives me a thumbs up for my concern.

　And, from now on, Lectoris comes forward.

Merle. You'll have to make use of my 'Exploration Disk'.

　Then he gave me a light hug.

　I nodded my head in agreement, lightly touching his back.

'Exploration Stone Disk'.

　It's a disc made by Recto Alice during our air travel, a disc for searching for divine spirit stones.

　A metal disk about five centimeters in diameter.

　The surface is engraved with divine symbols without gaps, and a transparent magic stone is placed in the center. The transparent magic stone reacts to the divine energy and shines.

　When I entered the 'God Body Mode', the transparent magic stone shone faintly in white.

(It really does react.)　

　Recto Alice said.

''If it's a divine spirit stone that the gods passed through, then the residual 'divine Qi' should have a tremendous concentration. If it was nearby, it should glow even brighter than this.

　She said.

　She prepared seven of them and gave us four of them.

　We are going to use them to find the four spirit stones.

　Two of the spirit stones are within Shumuria.

　One is in the land of the elves.

　And the other one is in the Dark Continent.

(With the help of the Exploration Stone Disc, we can find them.)

　That's really encouraging.

Thanks for everything, Recto Alice.

　I say, looking up at Recto Alice.

　She just smiled a mature smile and nodded without saying anything.

　And.

...Lectoris.

　A small voice came from behind me.

　When I looked, I saw that girl with glasses looking up at the beautiful woman from The Divine Fangra.

　I guessed, and I stepped aside.

　But although Solstice called out to her, no more words came out.

　Recto Alice smiled.

''I've already taught you all the basics. The rest is up to you to be diligent on your own, Sol.

　He sounds like a teacher.

　Solstice replies, as if played.

'Wow, I know!'
Yes.
Yeah. Well, you know, it's just, you know, it's a lot to take in and I appreciate it.　

　.......................

　That stubborn girl thanked me.........

　I am crestfallen.



　She would know the value of what she had been taught, because she was a genius girl.　

　Recto Alice is.

You're welcome.

　He smiled gracefully.

　The beautiful woman from The Divine Fangora also looked at her fellow student, Mr. High Elf.

''Colon, I have nothing more to teach you.
..........
'Just don't use too much 'divine magic' in human flesh. After all, it is too hard on the brain. You have to know exactly when to use it.
Okay, okay.

　Mr. Colontude nodded, looking sleepy.

　Recto Alice smiled and

Please use your powers to protect Nagaia.

　He continued to do so.

　High Elf-san's eyes held a strong light, as if her sleepiness had cooled for a moment.

''........Yes.''

　He nodded louder than usual.

　Recto Alice nodded with satisfaction.

　Rapt called out to the blonde little girl next to Mr. Colontude.

''Also, Nagaia.''
..........
Merle is reckless and dangerous. Just keep an eye on him for me, okay?
.......................

　Poe nodded.

　I mean.

...You think I'm in danger?

　It was out of my mind.　

　Recto Alice also hugged Poe's little body, "See you later," and Poe's hand patted Recto Alice's back in response.

　While we were having this conversation.

Not again, Master Kilt.

　Mr. Garun shook hands with Mr. Kilt.

　Mr. Kilto nodded, "Mm.

　Mr. Garun gave him a firm handshake.

To be honest, a man would still like to object to Lord Marr's educational policies, that he does.
..........
As a military man, I can understand that. But I'm afraid that Lord Kirt is pursuing his ideals so hard that he's going to kill Lord Marl in the process.

　I told him so.

　In response.

I won't die.

　Mr. Kilt replied clearly in his iron voice.

'As long as this demon princess is around, Marl will not die.
..........

The strongest people with the title of 'Golden Seal' clash their gazes with each other.

　And Mr. Garun smiles bitterly.

''That determination is one of the ways of warfare, that it is...?

　He sounded like he had given up on something, yet he sounded like he was feeling it.　

　............

　I couldn't help but look at the two of them.

"Merle.

(Hmm?)

　When I turned around, it was Mr. Gelfonberg who called out to me.

'I'm going to miss you, but I guess this is goodbye.
Oh, yes.

　I take the proffered hand in mine.

The exploits of the 'Golden Seal True Treasure Family' in the 'Ten Thousand Dragon Forest' are still seared into my memory.

　He shows his white teeth and smiles.

As someone who loves those same beautiful flowers, I wish we could have talked about more things.
..........
'I hope you won't forget the way I loved those flowers. If you ever need help with anything, I'll be there for you.

　Well, you know, the way we love flowers.

(Harlem mindset ... right?)

　I chuckled vaguely.

Yes, sir.

　I nodded.

　I then shook hands with Gelfonberg's three female adventurers as well.

　I didn't get a chance to talk to them much, but they were all very beautiful women.

　They were all very talented and amazing people.

　Gelfonberg's beloved flowers...huh?

　When I thought of it like that, I got a little nervous.

　I kind of look at the flowers I want to love.

　The older sister with that white spear in her hand was having a conversation with Frederica-san.

"Thank you again for your help, Frederica.

　That's what I say thanks.

　The sister in the military uniform shook her head.

'It's my duty.'

　A resolute voice.
　Ms. Illtimina's crimson eyes narrowed faintly.

...Are you sure it was just a mission?
What?
..........
..........
..........
''Well that's true. As for Lord Marr, I have some personal feelings about him.

　Frederica replied with her eyes downcast.

(????)

　What does that mean?

　The military-uniformed retainer says.

''Perhaps it's because my position changed when I became a divine guardian knight, but since then, I've received many applications for engagement.
..........
But I'm saying no to everything.

　A somewhat self-mocking smile.

　Staring at it, Illtimina says matter-of-factly.

''She's my Marl. I'm not going to give her away.''
I know.

　Frederica nodded.

'But Lord Marr's mind is his own.
..........
'This time I've realised that I'm a woman who's not one to give up. Now that I've realized it, I'm going to live that way.
..........
..........

　The black and white sisters look at each other.

'She really has become a nasty woman, hasn't she?
I'm proud to say that I've become a good woman.

　Frederica laughed at Illtimina, who sighed.

　And Frederica-san changes her expression.

I need you to make sure Lady Marl is safe in my absence.

　I said.

　The crimson eyes stared back at his face.

You don't need to remind me, sir.

　Illtimina-san replied quietly.

　................

　The air was kind of unbreakable between the two of them.

(When did they become such good friends?)

　I nodded my head in agreement.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　The six of us who were returning to the Kingdom of Shumuria got into the dragon car.

　Catan.

　I quickly open the window.

　In front of me, the eight Arun's who have traveled with me so far are standing in front of me to see me off. They, too, will soon be flying off again in an airship to the Divine Imperial City of Astilio.

''Thank you for everything,''

　I said.

　There are so many things I want to say, but I don't know what to say.

　So that's all I could say.

　On behalf of the eight of us, Frederica smiled.

''Thanks to Lord Marl and the others, humanity has gained another hope. We have nothing but gratitude from here.''

　He tells me so.

　I reach out.

　Geez.

　Frederica squeezed this little hand back firmly.

'Farewell, Lord Merle.'
Yes. See you later, Miss Frederica.

　I laughed.

　I tried to smile.

　Frederica and her friends smile back at me.

　And.

Let me out.

　As Frederica-san called out to Gosha-san in the dragon carriage, there was the sound of a whip crack and the dragon carriage on which she was riding began to move slowly.

　Rattling, Gotong.

　The fingers leave.

　Frederica-san, Rapt, Lectoris, Gelfonberg-san and the three female adventurers, and Garun-san all wave at me.

　I too lean out of the window and wave back.

'Goodbye,'

　buzzing

　I keep waving my hands wide.

　Solstice and Poe were also looking out the window.

　Iltimina, Kilt, and Colontude were also looking back through the gap at the people who were looking away.

　Goto, goto, goto.

　Vibrations echoed and the dragon car ran.

　The eight men were soon out of sight, and the dragon car left the military compound and entered the city.

　Running through the streets.

　.................

　Eventually, when the dragon car left the city and entered the street.

(Uh.....)

　The figure of an airship rising above the city appeared distant and small.

　Everyone is on that one.

　That's how we're going to get to the Divine Imperial City of Astilio.

　We split up.

　Our paths are different.

　But we were aiming for the same goal of obtaining the 'Seven Divine Spirit Stones'.

(Yeah!)

　I'm lonely.

　But something even hotter than that lights up in my chest.

　I moved away from the window and sat back deeper into my seat.

　Suddenly, I realized that Illtimina-san was looking at me.

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

　I smiled.

　Illtimina smiled too.

　So the six of us ran along the road in the land of Arun toward the Kingdom of Shumuria.