The accommodations on the third floor of the guild's building, and at the far end of the building is Mr. Kilt's room.

'Well, come in,'

　clank

　I unlock the door and Mr. Quilt opens it for me.

　Behind the door is a large room that looks like a luxury hotel suite.

　There is a living room, a kitchen, a guest room, a bathroom and many other rooms.

　This is where Kirt lives alone.

(Luxury, isn't it?

　Honestly, I would think so.

　Kilt-san props the 'Great Sword of Thunder' up in the corner of the room and unloads the luggage he was carrying on his back as well.

''Phew.''

　Click, click.

　She sits on the living room couch and removes her black armor as well.

　Eventually, a normal woman with silver hair appears, dressed in a black tank top and trousers.

　Her long silver hair is pulled back into a careless ponytail as she

Make yourself at home, my dear.

　He laughed.

　We nodded.

So I'll take the back room. Merle, Sol, let's go.

　Illtimina urged me to head to that guest room.

　Thud, thud, thud.

　He lowered the bags he was carrying onto the carpeted floor.

　Putting down their respective weapons as well, he sat down, using the bed as a chair, and took off the armor he was wearing as well.

　Clank.

　I loosen the clasp belt and take off the 'Fairy Iron Armor'.

(Phew, it's easier to move.)

　A sigh of relief.

　Solstice, too, sits on the bed, her small shoulders turning.

　Iltimina, too, bends forward and takes off her white light armor.

　Tayun.

　The large chest shook heavily as a beat.

　...........

(No, no, no.)

　Being the gentleman that I am, I forced my eyes to look in the other direction, as if I were being sucked in.

　With that, we lightened up and went back to the living room.

'I'll make you a cup of tea,'

　Ms. Illtimina said and went into the kitchen.

'Oh, sorry. I'll rely on you.

　Ms. Kilt said happily, and Solstice sat on the couch next to her.

　The girl leaned back against the back, saying something like, "Ahhhh," as if she was tired from the long journey.

　Ms. Kilt chuckled.

　bang-bang

　I lightly stroke the girl's soft, purple hair.

　I laughed at that.

　And I myself, somehow, approached the large glass door in the living room.

　Cue.

　With my little fingers, I touch the glass.

　From there, I could see Lake Shumuria, tinted red by the setting sun.

　On the lake, the beautiful Holy Shumuria Royal Castle.

　............

(Beautiful..........)

　I couldn't help but admire it.

　While I was traveling, the season had already turned into spring.

　The trees by the lake were covered with fresh green young leaves, which were now glowing red in the setting sun.

　The surface of the lake, too, was reflecting the sun's rays in time with the waves.

　I stared at the view for a while.

(There ... there's a ... isn't there?)

　One of the 'divine spirit stones' we're trying to find is somewhere at the bottom of that lake.

　.....

　Will we find it?

　Lake Shumuria is really big, so big that at first glance it looks like an ocean.

(No, you've got to find it.)

　I'm going to change my mind.

　I'll definitely find the Seven Divine Spirit Stones and have the gods come and save humanity from the Demonic Forces.

(Yeah!)

　I've already handed over two of the 'Exploration Stone Disks' made by Recto Alice to Princess Reclear.

　In the near future, the survey team should use them to conduct an underwater search.

　All we have to do is trust and wait.

　In the meantime, we'll head to the Dark Continent to search for another Spirit Stone.

　..........

　As I looked at the beautiful scenery dyed red by the sunset, I had made a new resolve.

　And.

Here you go. Your tea's ready.

　A voice came from behind me.

　I turned around and saw that she was arranging the cup of tea that Illtimina had made for me on the living room table.

　Suddenly, my gaze met hers.

'Come in, Marle, too.'

　A soft smile.

　I laughed too.

'Yeah.'

　I walked away from the glass doors that gleamed in the sunset and walked towards the three friends.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　For dinner that day, we had food from the guild's cafeteria brought to Kirt's room.

'Take it easy once in a while,'

　Normally, Illtimina-san would make it for me.

　But today, she just came back from a long trip, and Kilt-san gave me the heads up that she's probably tired.

(That's great, Kilt-san.)

　He's everyone's party leader.

　However.

(Yeah, yeah?)

　When the time came, the food was absolutely gorgeous.

　It could be a whole roasted chicken, a fruit salad with decorative knives, fried rice with lots of meat and vegetables, or an aromatic cream stew.

　The best part was...

It's a cake!

　It's a giant three-tiered cake that looks like it's fifty centimeters tall.

　Even the eyes behind Solstice's glasses are sparkling.

　Illtimina-san and I were stunned.

　But, of course, Kirt-san himself, who ordered it, is unconcerned.

''This time, I thought it would be a celebration.

Celebration?

　At our gaze, Mr. Kilt laughed and explained.

'Marle, Irna, you're another year older, aren't you?'

　Oh.....

　That's right.
　Actually, Illtimina-san and I both had our birthdays while we were returning to the Kingdom of Shumuria from the Arun Divine Kingdom.

　I was 14 years old.
　Iltimina-san is 21 years old.

　I was on the move, so I couldn't do anything about it.

I thought we should celebrate it now.

　And Kilt.

(Yeah, right...)

　I was kind of excited to see you with your sweet smile, Kilt.

　Illtimina, too.

Quilt....

　And her crimson eyes narrowed.

　Mr. Kilt laughed and popped his hand on the girl's head as her eyes were glued to the giant cake.

'And while we're at it, I've combined the cakes for Sol and Warawa's birthdays.
What?
We didn't have a chance to settle in this year. I figured we'd turn it into a celebration for the four of us.

　I laugh mischievously.

　Me and Mr. Illtimina can't help but look at each other.

　And then I break my face.

'Yeah, great!'
I think it's a very good idea.
"Mm.

　Our smiles were met with a nod from Mr. Kilt.

　Solstice was.

'I'll take anything as long as it's this much of a treat and I can have cake too!

　He said that while looking at the cake.

　And we laughed again.

　And then we were.

Happy birthday to all!

　They congratulated each other and began to eat the sumptuous food.

　............
　.........
　............

　It was a very enjoyable time.

　The food was very good and the rave, my growing hands never stopped working.

　Ms. Illtimina shared everyone's food.

　Mr. Kilt had a governor's drink that looked expensive.

　Solstice, no matter where she went in her tiny body, flattened more than half of the giant cake all by herself.

　We all laughed and chatted with each other and ate a lot.

(.....happy.

　I never thought I would be celebrating my birthday like this.

　It's been a year since I was reincarnated in this different world.

　A lot of things have happened in the past year since I was transmigrated to this different world.

　But now I'm "Marle" and I'm living in this world now.

(I'm going to continue to live in this world!)

　It was a day that made me realize that strongly.

　Soon, the dinner party was over.　　

　The cleanup is still a bit of a mess, as the guild staff will be doing it the next day.

''Well,''

　Mr. Quilt, slightly reddened by alcohol, laughs softly.

　My sisters and I were just about to return to the guest room.

　Kirt-san says he's going to continue to enjoy his drink by himself for a bit longer.

(Well, not today, right?)

　It's also a celebration for Mr. Kilt.

　By the way, Solstice was a little unsteady on her feet, as if she had become sleepy on a full stomach.

　She was half asleep and was supported by her sister.

'Goodnight, Mr. Quilt.
Good night, Quilt.
Oh, fumi.........

　We walked back to the guest room, with a smiling Mr. Quilts seeing us off.

　Thud.

Kuka~!

　As soon as she fell into bed, the girl began to snore.

(Good grief!)

　I chuckle.

　Illtimina-san corrects her sister's posture, which was a large figure, and covers her with a blanket.

　.....................

　Outside the window, it's already dark.

　The Sacred Shumuria Royal Castle, towering over the surface of the black lake, was lit up and very beautiful.

　The night view of the city of the royal capital was also beautiful.

　...........

''Marle, let's take a break too.
Uh-huh.

　Illtimina called out to me and I returned my gaze from the window view I had been looking at.

　We were tired, too, having just returned from a long trip.

　Today, Illtimina-san had also had a little bit of alcohol.

　Maybe that's why?

A little s*xy...

　Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were somewhat moist.

　She turns off the light in her room and lies down on her bed.

　As it is, she beckons me to come to her, 'Come, come.

　As usual, I tried to lie down next to her with my back to her.

I'm going to have to ask you to look at me today.
What?
..........
..........
..........
Yes.

　I'm a little embarrassed, but since it's Illtimina-san's celebration, I decided to respond honestly.

　Kissy.........

　I lay down on the bed.

　Illtimina's well-formed beauty is right there.

　She smelled a little bit of alcohol, a sweet breath.

　In the darkness, we slowly embraced each other.

　...........

　Illtimina-san's resilient breasts were pressed against my chest and crushed heavily.

　Boom, boom, boom.

　I can feel my own heartbeat, just as it is.

　On the other hand, I can feel her heartbeat as well.

(.........it's kind of strange.)

　I'm thrilled and yet calm.

　And.

One more year....

　Suddenly, her lips parted and spun a voice so beautiful.

　My blue eyes stare at the crimson eyes in front of me.　

　............

'Yes. One more year to go.

　I smiled.

　Illtimina smiled happily, too.

　I'll be 15 in a year.

　I'll be an adult too.

　When that happens, I will.....

　Tut.

　Illtimina-san kisses my forehead as I think about it.

'I'm looking forward to...'

　I scoffed at that.

　Then she hugs my face to her cleavage as she presses my face to her cleavage.

　Wow.....

　I'm a little nervous.

　But it's so gentle and calming.

'Yes.'

　I nodded and closed my eyelids.

　The feel of Iltimina's chest against my cheek and the tip of my nose was so soft and warm.

　Exhaustion from the long journey.

　Then, invited by her comfort, I fall into the world of sleep.

'--Good night, my Marl.

　A soft voice tickled my ear.

　With that, my consciousness disappears into the warm darkness--.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　Early the next morning, the four of us gathered in front of the Adventurer's Guild.

　All of us were fully equipped for our journey and ready to go.

　The air in the royal capital of Mulia, where the sun has just appeared, is a bit chilly, and the street in front of the guild, where the morning mist remains, is still empty of people.

　In such a situation, Solstice

Oh, I haven't slept well in a long time.

　I said that while holding the large cane in both hands and stretching out a big goooooo........

(Long time no see...?)

　You've always slept about the same amount of time as you did today.

　You know, I was wondering.

'What are you talking about? Do you think a rocking airship or a dragonwheel is the same as a soft bed?

　And the girl's lips twitched.

(...I see.)

　If you ask me, I'm probably feeling more tired than usual, too.

　Koki, Koki, Koki.

　I cocked my head from side to side to check the lightness of my shoulders.

　Illtimina and Kilt were laughing at the exchange between us youngsters.

　Eventually.

So shall we continue on to the city of Medis, to the Dragon Wheel drop-off?

　The leader, Mr. Kilt, said.

'Yes,'

　We nodded and started walking through the early morning royal capital.

　............

　I'm somewhat more excited than usual.

'What's wrong, Marle?'

　I knew Illtimina would notice the change in me immediately.

　I laughed.

'It's kind of strange to think that we're heading to the place where we all met.
Oh...

　Iltimina-san nodded.

　Kilt-san and Solstice, who were walking ahead of her, also looked back without stopping.

''Yes,''

　Iltimina's crimson eyes look up at the clear blue sky.

'The Great Forest of Aldoria, where Marle and I met.
..........
It's where it all started for us, isn't it?
Yes.

　And it's a nostalgic place where I also met Mr. Kilt and Solstice.

　I nodded and the three of them looked deeply moved.

　Solstice laughed.

'Marle was a real rag back then~'

(Haha, yes.)

　As I remembered, I gave a small chuckle and nodded.

　Back then, I remember this girl calling me 'rags' all the time.

　Mr. Quilt, too.

"When I first met you, I didn't think we'd be as close as we'd become.

　I muttered, stroking my own chin.　

(Yeah, me too.)

　Encounters are strange, aren't they?

　Illtimina's white hand gently strokes my hair, unchanged from those days.

　And.

I'm glad I met Merle.

　He narrowed his crimson eyes and said.

　............

''I, too, am glad to have met Illtimina-san.........and everyone else!

　I answered with gusto.

　Plus, three of them laughed at me.

　It's been over a year since we met.

　The three most important people who have been with me all this time and I walked through the early morning in Mulia, the royal capital, talking about such things.