We chartered a six-seat dragon car and we left the royal city.

(Beautiful day.)

　It's a clear day.

　The sky is blue and the spring sun is shining.

　The wide road is lined with stone towers of light at intervals of about 500 meters.

　The road cuts through a green sea-like meadow, with large, wavy hills.

　And so on for half a day.

　Then, beyond the grasslands, the rocky mountains came into view.

　That's Regent's Valley.

(I've never been through this area before.)

　The last time we went from the city of Medis to King's Landing Mulia, we took the old road because the bridge on the way there was broken and we had to take the old road.

　So it was my first time on the road.

　The green mountainside had rocks visible in places, and the amount of them grew a little more and more.

　Then evening.

'That's enough for today,'

　We stopped at a small village at the foot of such a mountain and spent the night in an inn there.

　The next day was uneventful.

　The next day, the dragon carriage we were riding on proceeded along the roadway of the rocky mountain-like area.

(Ah.....)

　Eventually, a drop-off cliff came into view.

　At the bottom of the cliff, a meandering river flowed.

　And on the path of the road along the cliff, a large stone bridge was built to get us over the river.

(The Regunto Bridge!)

　The last time I saw it, one of the piers had been destroyed and the middle had collapsed.

　But now.

You got it right, didn't you?

　At my words, Illtimina-san smiled.

'It's been over a year now, you know.
Yes.

　I nodded.

　Solstice, with her cheekbones against the window sill.

'This is the main road to Medis, you know. I'm sure they started construction right away in the kingdom.

　He told me.

(I see.)

　And so the dragon car crosses a large bridge.

　It's the first time I've passed it, so it's somewhat emotional.

　From the window, the bridge was about 50 meters high, reaching down to the bottom of the cliff.

　I can't believe they built the bridge there.

(In a world without heavy machinery, it's amazing...)

　A bit impressive.

　And so we went through the Regunto Valley.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　As we passed through the Regunto Valley, we found ourselves in a lush green mountainous region.

　The Croats.

(From here, we've been on this road before.)

　We climbed up the winding mountain road and eventually spent the night in a small village we arrived at.

　We arrived at this village a year ago, but we were staying at a different inn.

　In the square in front of the row of innkeepers, there were four or five other dragon carts parked in front of us.

(Those must be the vehicles heading to King's Landing.)

　This village makes money as an innkeeper, which is probably why it's a small village with multiple innkeepers.

'Tomorrow, it's the Medis, isn't it?

　At night, in a room at the inn, Illtimina whispered this to me as we hugged as usual.

'Yes,'

　I nodded.

　I was reincarnated in another world, and this was the first person's city I visited, Medis.

　It was a bit nostalgic.

　Feeling strangely eagerly awaited, I went to sleep that night.

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

　The next day, the dragon carriage's journey continued.

　After leaving the village, they would now head down the Klote Mountains.

　Goto.

　The dragon wheel shakes.

　A year ago, when I first rode it for the first time, I got car sickness, but that's no longer the case.

(.........come to think of it.)

　That was the first time I had locked lips with Illtimina-san, I remember.

　Oh, my face got a little hot when I remembered........

　Flap!

　As I fan my face with my hands, Illtimina said, "? He looked at them curiously.

　Soon, they had safely descended the Klote Mountains and the road was level.

　On that city road, the dragon carriage proceeded.

　And so, a few hours later.

'Oh....'

　At the end of the straight road, beyond the horizon, the walls of the city of Medis, which we are heading for, pop into view.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Medis is a large city with a population of about 5,000.

　It's a transit point where goods from the surrounding villages are gathered and transported to the surrounding cities.

　It's also a base for adventurers heading to the Great Forest of Aldoria, which is located near the city, to explore.

(Just like we are now.)

　The three of us and I, remembering what Illtimina-san taught us a year ago, were now in the reception area of the city's main gate, in the process of entering the city.

　From the window of the dragonwheel, I could see the representative, Kilt-san, filling out the form given to the soldier.

　Soon, the formalities are over.

　The dragon car that we rode in entered the city of Medis safely.



　The streets looked familiar, the same streets we had visited a year ago.

　Eventually the dragon carriage stopped at a circular boarding area near the gate and we got out of the vehicle with our bags on our backs.

　Other carriages and dragon carriages stopped at the boarding area.

'I'm indebted to you,'

　Mr. Kilt paid and thanked the dragon car driver.

　We also bailed lightly.

　Rattle.

　The dragon car left in search of a new customer.

'Well,'

　Mr. Kilt muttered, looking up at the sky.

'It will be evening in another hour or two. We'll spend the night here in the medis today, and tomorrow we'll head for the Great Forest of Aldoria.
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Okay.

　We nodded at our leader's words.

　Mr. Kilts.

So, you'll be staying here tonight, but what hope do you have?

　He asks.

　Me and Solstice looked at each other.

　We nodded at each other, and then.

I have.
Yes.

　I answered at the same time.

　As if they were expecting it, Kilt and Illtimina laughed a little happily.

'Hmm, where are you?'

　Me and Solstice took a breath.

"Arsene's good food!

　I said that name out loud.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The Adventurer's Inn "Arsen's Tasty Rice" is an inn where I've been staying for a year now.

　As the name implies, the food served is extremely delicious.

(Even thinking back, it makes me drool...)

　I'm sure that's why Solstice, the foodie girl, gave her name to it, too.

　Eventually, the four of us arrived at a three-story inn located one side street off the main road.

(I haven't changed.)

　The outside is as I remember it.

　We enter the inn where we stayed for the first time after our reincarnation in this world, and we enter the inn again.

"Welcome!

　A familiar voice sounds.

　The first floor is a diner and bar, and the second and third floors are accommodations.

　Behind the counter on the first floor, I saw the well-dressed owner of the restaurant smiling at me.

(Mr. Arsen!)

　The nostalgic appearance brought a smile to my face as well.

'Oh,'

　He looked at me like he recognized me.

Is that Merle, by any chance?

　I laughed.

(!)

　You remembered me!

　I was surprised to hear my name called, even though I had only stayed one night over a year ago.

'Long time no see, proprietor,'

　Mr. Kilt laughed too.

　Mr. Arsen smiled.

'Well, well, well, it's been a while, Mr. Kilt.

　And.

Ms. Illtimina, little Solstice.

　He also mentioned his sisters' names.

　The two of them looked surprised at this.

'You remember us, don't you?'

　The girl asked, rolling her eyes behind her glasses.

　Mr. Arsen nodded.

'Of course. It's this kind of business, so I try to remember the faces and names of my customers.'

Oh...

　It's easy to say, but the truth is, you deal with a number of customers every day, and if you can remember all of them, it's really amazing.

　And.

However, you're all part of that Quilted Amandes' party, you know.

(Uh.....)

Yeah, yeah, I can't forget that.

　And then he continued, closing one eye mischievously.

(I see.)

　If you ask me, Mr. Kilt is one of the top three most famous adventurers in the country.

　I'm sure he'll be easily remembered.

"Yeah.

　Mr. Kilt chuckled too.

　Mr. Arsen's smile deepened.

So, are you staying the night today?

　He asked.

　Mr. Kilt nodded and said, "Mm.

Good luck with that, buddy.
Yes, sir.

　Mr. Arsen nodded happily.

　And so we went through the check-in process.

　While Mr. Kilt filled out the ledger.

Since then, Merle, you've become an adventurer too, haven't you?

　Mr. Arsen speaks to me that way.

(Oh, I see.)

　A year ago, I wasn't an adventurer.

　But now I'm equipped with swords and armor, and I'm dressed as an adventurer just like Illtimina and the others.
　And I guess that's why Arsen-san noticed.

　I smiled and nodded.

''Yes, I'm an adventurer!
Okay.

　Mr. Arsen smiled and looked at Illtimina.

'You have chosen the path that will allow us to be together, haven't you?

　I said in a gentle voice.

　Come to think of it, a year ago, there was a dispute over whether to keep me as an orphan in the city of Medis or not.

　I was in a lot of trouble with Arsen-san in that mess.

(Was that part of the reason why it was so easy to remember?)

　What a thought.

　Illtimina-san nodded at Arsen-san's words as she stroked my hair.

'I've been with you ever since.
I see.
I'm sorry to put you through the ringer.
No.

　He flapped his hands.

'I'm so glad you two are in the shape you wanted,'

　I smiled.

(Mr. Arsen....)

　This owner is a really nice guy.........

　And he indicated the bulletin board at the back of the first floor.

If you'd like, Merle, please check our request form. Maybe you'll get a good one.

　He laughed.

　I nodded.

'Okay. Do you have a request for a white seal?
'What?　White mark?

　Huh?

'Huh...?　Marle, are you, um... a white mark?
Yeah, it's a white mark.

　As he says it, he raises his right hand and lets the magical emblem shine there.

　Pooh.

　It's a pure white light.

　It's a white mark.

"Here.
..........

　Illuminated by the white light, Arsen-san is stunned.

''Well Marle-kun, you weren't an adventurer a year ago, were you?''

　He confirms.

'Is it usually possible to become a white seal in a year?'

　For some reason, Arsen-san looked at Kilt and Illtimina as if asking for help.

　The two nodded.

''That guy is a disciple of this demon princess, you know.　
Merle is a genius.

　A little proud.

(Hey, that's kind of hot.)

　Only Solstice looked like she had bitten down on a bitter worm at their praise.

　Mr. Arsen.

Haha.........is that so?

　I said, a bit dumbfounded.

　Then he looked at me.

'I'm sure you've worked a lot since then. I'm sure you've made a lot of effort to be with Iltimina and the others.

　I nodded so loudly.

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

　My blue eyes look at my three precious friends there.

　The three of them were looking at me, too.

　Somehow, the four of us ended up laughing together.

　As we laughed at each other, Arsen-san was also smiling.

　And.

Now, now, then, all four of you, let me show you to your rooms first.

　bang

　Mr. Arsen clapped his big hands together and his cheerful voice echoed through the inn.