It was the third night after driving the dragon cart through Arun country.

'Marle, please wake up,'

(Hmm?)

　I was leaning back in my seat, asleep, when Illtimina's voice wakes me up.

　Scrubbing.

　I look back at her, rubbing my hands over my eyes.

'What's wrong?'
I'm sorry to wake you up. We're at the border.

(Huh?)

　Outside the window, the view of the pitch-black night stretched out.

　A corner of it brightened, and I could see a building that looked like a bonfire-burning fort towering over it.

　It appeared to be a border fort.

　Mr. Kilt is packing his bags and preparing to disembark.

　Soltis, who had just been woken up like me, was reaching for his own luggage, with a huge absent-mindedness.

　Mr. Colontude was about to be woken up by the little girl, Poe, in reverse.

'Come on, Merle, get ready too.

　Illtimina smiles gently.

'Ah, yes.'

　I nodded.

Thank you for waking me up, Miss Illtimina.

　I thanked her.

　Iltimina happily grinned and patted my head with her white hand.

　Soon, the dragon car stopped in the building.

　We disembarked and immediately went through the formalities of crossing the border.

　The formalities on the Arun side took about an hour.

　After that, we had to say goodbye to the black dragon car that we had been riding in.

　It belongs to Arun's army and cannot cross the border.

　And this time, it was the procedure on the Shumurian side.

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

　Basically, the five of us have a longer wait because our leader, Mr. Quilt, does all the work.

(Right now, it's about 1 a.m.?)

　I think of it that way from the position of the red and white moon through the window.

　I looked over and saw that Solstice, who was sitting in a chair in the waiting room, had started to cock cock-boating and was about to fall asleep again.
　Oops..........

　The procedure on the Shumurian side took about half an hour.

　And.

Ladies and gentlemen, follow me.

　A border soldier from the Kingdom of Shumuria called out to us as such.

(????)

　I woke up the sleepy Solstice and followed her.

　Soon, what was ahead was a large carriage with the national emblem of the Kingdom of Shumuria on it.

　The exterior is also terrific.

　Apparently, Frederica-san had sent word to me, and on the Shumuria Kingdom side, Princess Reclear had prepared a carriage for me to take home.

I'm so grateful for this.

　Mr. Kilt is surprised.

　Originally, he was going to walk to a nearby town and charter a ride.

　The six of us got into the carriage.

(And the couch is fluffy.)

　I was very pleased with the ride.

　Solstice and Mr. Colontude immediately got into a sleeping position.
　Ha-ha.

(Me too... almost.)

　Illtimina-san, who noticed me, lends me her shoulder.

''Thanks.
No.

　A really sweet sister.

　I close my eyelids, wrapped in such a sense of security from her.

　Sleep soon follows.

　And so the six of us who have safely crossed the border begin to ride in a carriage through the land of Shumuria for the first time in about half a year.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　In about two weeks, we reached the royal capital, Mulia.

　The weather was fine.

　Before noon, there was a huge traffic jam in front of the gate of the royal capital, Mulia, which is also a specialty.

(Two hours ... or maybe three hours of waiting.)

　That's how long the convoy is.

　But our carriage, wearing the national emblem of Shumuria, heads straight for the Great Gate, with it at its side.

"This is such a nice thing to do for your country,

　Solstice laughs like that.

　Eventually, in a separate reception area from the general public, we went through the entry process.

　And.

I have a message for you and your entourage from Princess Lechria.

　Soldier Shumuria said as he saluted.

(Huh?)　(Message?)

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'Hmm. 'What's the content?'
'Ha!　Kirto Amandes and his entourage are requested to make their way to the Holy Shumurian Castle as soon as they return!

　The soldier says in a loud voice.　

'I see,'

　I don't know if he was expecting it or not, but he didn't seem surprised by Mr. Kilt.

'Agreed. We'll head out right away.

　In response to Kilt's answer, the soldier said, "Ha. Nice to meet you! I responded in a loud voice.

　The silver-haired beauty looked back at us.　

The silver-haired beauty looked back at us. We're going to the royal castle.
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Okay, okay.
Hmmm.
.......................

　Then we passed through the main gate.

　In front of us, the streets of the nostalgic royal capital, Mulia, spread out.

　We can see many people living in the capital.

　Beyond the main street of the capital, the center of the kingdom, the Holy Shumuria Royal Castle, shining in the sun, is visible.

　Our carriage was advancing down the avenue, aiming for that place.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


We've been expecting you.

　When we arrived at the royal castle, we were greeted by the princess's maid of honor, Mrs. Fedonia.

　She's as beautiful as ever.

　But her expression is the same as her Noh mask.

　Guided by Fedonia, the six of us walked around the castle.

　Eventually, we arrived at the hanging garden.

　While bowing to the two female knights standing guard, we enter the garden.

(.........it's beautiful.)

　The trees are lined with green leaves and many different kinds of flowers are in full bloom in a variety of colors.

　You can't help but be awestruck.

　And in the midst of this beautiful garden, there was a single flower that was strikingly beautiful.

　Light blue hair cut at the shoulders.

　A pale light blue dress.

　A jeweled, shimmering tiara that made her neat white beauty shine even brighter, and the blue and gold odd-eye that shimmered there.

　Zah.

　The six of us kneel down on the spot.

　Two colored eyes turn to me.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome.

　A voice that sounded like the ringing of a silver bell.

　Standing at the back of a bed of blooming flowers was the third princess of the country, the most beautiful and dainty flower of all, Lekria Greig Ad Shumria.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　There was a long white table in the Hanging Gardens, with herbal tea for seven people on it.

"Please have a seat.

　Princess Reclear softly urged.

　We took our seats in response to her voice.

(...smells good.)

　The scent of the herbal tea was very soothing.

　Princess Reclear smiled gently as she found me, her blue eyes squinting at me.

　Then.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your hard work. You have done a great job in completing the difficult task of 'defeating the Devil'.

　He says laboriously.

　Kilt-san bows her head, "Haha," and everyone else follows suit.

　...........

　But I couldn't move.

''Merle?''

　Illtimina noticed and called out to me.

　I said, looking at the surface of the herbal tea.

''We defeated the demon........ But it was in the hands of the 'Child of Darkness'.　

　I bite my lip in frustration.

　In the end, it only ended up benefiting that guy.

　Just as he planned.........

　We were just dancing in the palm of his hand.........

"No.

　But looking at me like that, Princess Reclear denied it in a calm voice.

''This time around, it may indeed have been exactly what the 'Dark Child' wanted.
..........
But at the same time, I believe we are doing humanity a favor.

(What...?

　I looked up.

　Princess Reclear's beautiful odd eyes stared at me.

'The seal of the Vega Nation would have collapsed not too late anyway. If it had, the damage would have been greater. It was a disaster that could possibly have destroyed the world.
..........
"I mean, this 'demon slaying' has been mutually beneficial to humanity and the 'Children of Darkness'.

　Do we have each other...?

　I stared back at him.

This is definitely a gospel for humanity.

　Princess Reclear nodded vigorously.

　Then, with those odd-eyed eyes down.

In fact, it's more like Merle and the others helped us make the mistakes of mankind.

　I say in shame.

　Then he looks up.

You needn't feel the need to be bothered by this, Maar. You have nothing to be proud of, and I don't feel a single ounce of responsibility.

　He assured me.

(.........Princess Reclear.)

　I ... no, we all give the princess a grateful look.

　She smiled graciously.

　And.

Now, before it gets cold, here's some herbal tea.

　He turns his white-gloved hands toward us.

　Then he tilts his head back, faintly.

I have been informed.
..........
But you've had a lot on your mind, haven't you?　Please allow me to hear about the events of the past six months directly from your mouths and into my ears.

　He said that in a soothing voice as he shook his soft light blue hair.