That afternoon, we returned to the adventurer's guild, Moonlight Wind.

'Welcome back, everyone!

　As we enter the chalk tower-like building, the red-haired beastie who was just working the reception desk notices us and stands up immediately.

　It's Ms. Qualina Fasse.

　She comes running to us, dragging one of her legs with the aftereffects of her injury.

'I'm home!'

　I said cheerfully.

　Ms. Qualina had a big smile on her face.

Welcome back, Merle!

　sizzling sound

　He hugged me tighter. Wha?

Hey, hey, coo!

　Iltimina-san called out as if in a hurry, and Qualina laughed and let go of her body, "Yes, yes, yes," she said.

(Nah, I'm a bit surprised.)

　Ms. Qualina.

As usual, Irna, you're overprotective.

　He laughs happily.

　Kilt-san and Solstice are also laughing bitterly.

　The other adventurers on the first floor of the guild noticed us too, since we were making such a fuss.

''Quilt?''
Mr. Quilt?
The demon princess is back!
Welcome back!
Oh, you're back!

　rustling sound

　In the blink of an eye, a wall of people formed.

'Nuh-uh?'

Oh, that's not good.

　The last time I came home from Arun, I got caught up in all this commotion, getting my head crumpled up and patted all over my body.

'Marl!'
Uh-huh.
Shit.

　When we noticed, we hurriedly moved away from the celebrity and demon princess, Kirto Amandes.

　When we passed through the human fence as if going against the flow, more than 20 adventurers had already gathered around Kirto-san.

(.........Ah, that was close!)

　A sigh of relief.

　The four of us, including Ms. Qualina, look at each other and chuckle.

　Mr. Kilt is in the center of the circle, receiving a wild welcome from everyone.

　But.

Yeah. We're home.

　Even though Kilt-san looks troubled, he never hates or gets angry.

　Perhaps it's because he's very aware that he's the 'Golden Mark Adventurer'.

(Maybe that's why?)

　The people gathered around Kirt-san were all smiling.

''Well that's great, Kilt-san.''

　I couldn't help but whisper to myself.

　Quarina-san laughed softly, as if she could hear me with her animal ears.

　Then she looked at me, as if she suddenly realized.

Merle, you look so grown up.
What?

　Suddenly, he said and looked back at Qualina-san.

　Ms. Qualina nodded, "Yeah.

'You don't look that much different in height but your vibe is a little more seasoned adventurer-like.

　I said.

　Veteran adventurer........

　I fluttered a bit at the sound of that.

'You're imagining it,'

　Solstice blithely denied it.

　...........

　This, this girl~!

　She looked back at him resentfully, but the girl turned away.

　And the girl's sister nodded and

'It's been a long journey, over six months, and Merle has been through a lot.

　He said.

(I, Illtimina....)

　Qualina nodded, "I see.

'Yeah, I guess so.'
..........
'Maybe you're already a more awesome adventurer than I used to be, Marle.

　A slightly sad and forlorn face.

　.....

　I didn't know what to say.

　But Quarina-san quickly changed her expression.

But I'm glad you three are back in one piece. Marle, Irna and Sol, you're really back.

　He said with his usual bright smile.

　I narrowed my blue eyes at that smile.

Yeah, I'm back.

　I laughed.

'I'm home.'
I'm home.

　The sisters also smiled and said a few words back to Qualina-san.

　Qualina-san nodded.

　Looking at their smiles, I felt like I had finally come home to a guild that was like my home.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　After about half an hour or so, when Mr. Kilt was released, we headed up to the guild leader's office on the fifth floor.

'Welcome back, everyone!'

　As we enter, we are greeted by the all-white beastman who greets us.

"I'm home, Mumpa.

　Mr. Kilto is hugged by Mumpa, just like I was hugged by Qualina-san earlier.

　With a wry smile, Mr. Kilto gives his friend a pat on the head.

　Eventually, Mumpa calms down and we settle down on the reception sofa in the circular white space in the center of the room, which is overgrown with plants.

　The secretary puts the cup of tea on the table.

　Then the secretary bowed and walked away.

'Thank you all for the hard work you've done on this arduous mission trip.

　Mr. Mumpa, once again, said so laboriously.

　Mr. Kilt said.

"Mm.

　I nodded and sipped my tea.

　Then, just as Princess Reclear did, Mumpa heard the report of our trip in person.

　Was it because it was the second time?

I think I speak better than the princess did.

　Finally, I also told him that Princess Reclear had ordered me to go to the 'Dark Continent'.

''So........''

　Hearing that, Mumpa-san's expression became cloudy.

　...........

　It's an unknown continent that no one has ever returned to.

　Mr. Kirto said to his friend.

'You knew it was coming, didn't you?
Yeah.

　Mumpa nodded.

'But I still wouldn't want you to go...'

　He smiled as if he was holding something back.

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

　Mr. Kilt stared at the blank beastie as if he was troubled.

　Then he exhales.

'More importantly, did nothing happen over here while the strawmen were gone?

　I asked to change the subject.

　Did Mr. Mumpa decide to get on with it, too?

Well....

　I thought for a minute.

Nothing special, but the air in King's Landing is getting a little restless.

　I replied.

(The air of a royal city?)

　The answer causes us to stare at the beautiful guild leader.

　Mumpa nodded and

The Shumurian military is on the rise.
..........
''From what Kirt-chan told me, they're probably strengthening the defenses of the 'Demon Sealing Land' within Shumuria to prepare for the 'Dark Child'.

　Ah..........

''The people of King's Landing haven't been informed of the reason, and they probably think it's because of the announced dispatch of the pioneer group to the Dark Continent. But I can feel that stuffy air coming through and I feel a bit restless.

　That makes sense.

(In a way, it's like before the war.)

　Against the demonic forces.

　Understanding, Kilt-san nodded, "I see.

　Iltimina-san and Solstice were sipping their tea in silence.

　Mumpa-san spilled her breath and

That's about all I'm going to tell you.
"Hmm.
What are you going to do with your quilts?
Yes, I was thinking of going to the Great Forest of Aldoria.
In the Great Ardorian Forest?

　We told an astonished Mumpa about the oracle of Lord Yacour's oracle.

'I see,'

　Mr. White Beastman nodded.

　Mr. Kilts.

I think I'll leave tomorrow at noon.　

　I say.

'It's so hectic,'

　Mr. Mumpa chuckled.

　But he quickly nodded.

Okay, I will. But if you're going to the depths, be careful. It's another unexplored and unexplored region.
Yes, I know.

　Mr. Kilts complied and got up from the couch, putting his cup of tea back in the saucer.

　I hurriedly drank the rest of the tea, too.

　I stood up with my sisters.

'Well, I'm going to take the night off,'
Yeah.
So long, Mumpa.
See you later, Kilt, you three get some rest.

　Mumpa smiled softly.

　I smiled and nodded too.

　And so I left the guild leader's office with the other three.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　Once in the hallway, Mr. Kilt stretches lightly.

　Then.

Now, the strawberries are going to go back to the guild room, but what about you?

　And looked at us.

　I look at my sisters and I look at each other.

　I could go back to Miss Illtimina's house like this, but

When you get home, you have to clean up first, don't you?

　And the landlord puts his hand to his cheek.

　It's true, since the house has been empty for more than half a year, I think the dust is quite a bit.......

　I wonder if Solstice also imagined it, it's a bit distant eyes.

(It's said we're leaving tomorrow at noon........)

　You can't rest on your laurels, can you?

　That's why.

"Mr. Quilt.
Okay, okay.

　As soon as I called out to him, Mr. Kilt made a gesture of holding something in his hands, as if he had expected it.

'You may stay in the Strawberry Room tonight.
Are you sure?
I don't mind.

　Yes!

Thank you, Mr. Kilt.

　I thank him with a big smile on my face.

　Mr. Kilt chuckles.

I had a feeling it was coming, you know?

　I nodded.

'Excuse me, Kilt,'
I'm in your debt.

　The sisters, too, say to each other.

　Mr. Kilt laughed.

'Well, make yourselves at home. --and then we'll go.

　He started walking down the hallway.

　We followed in a hurry.

　So, it was decided that we would be staying in Mr. Quilt's room tonight.