--the day of the launching ceremony.

... "It's a great crowd.

　I muttered a little dumbfounded at the scene I could see from the cathedral window.

　This is the anteroom of the cathedral - the venue for the launching ceremony of the Fifth Pioneer Group to the Dark Continent is St. Shrien's Cathedral, as usual.

　Through the window, many of the people of King's Landing have gathered here.

　It looks like tens of thousands of people have gathered there....

''Oh, I don't like this kind of thing~''

　From next to me, I hear Solstice's voice blurting out at the same view.

　If I turn my gaze, I see a girl wearing a cloak with the white national emblem of the Kingdom of Shumuria on top of her usual adventurer's outfit.

　It's kind of cool.

　In fact, I'm wearing the same cloak.

　The members of the pioneering group are supposed to participate in the departure ceremony wearing this cloak.

　And the two of us.

Don't just stand there for the ceremony. Then don't be so nervous.

　Quilt, who is relaxing on the sofa in the back, laughs.

　As expected, as if she is used to such a place, she doesn't show any signs of nervousness.

　Just standing there.....

(Even though it's said...)

　I'm still thrilled at the thought of being in the public eye this much.

　So is Solstice.

Maybe you shouldn't sneak off.

　What a muttering.

　Haha.........

　Kirt-san laughs at such a girl, too.

　And.

Okay, your tea's ready. Merle and Sol also.

　Illtimina-san called out to me.

　It seems that she prepared tea in the tea cup that was provided in the room.

　Solstice and I sat down on the sofa.

I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one. I'll take the tea.
Yeah, go ahead.

　She laughs gently.

　I laugh too, and drink my tea.

(...yes, it's good)

　A savory smell and astringency, with a hint of sweetness behind it.

　Hmm.

　I feel like my hardened heart has relaxed a little bit.

　Solstice also let out a breath and her expression seems to have softened a little.

　The two adults also laughed at us.

　And then.

　bang-bang

　There was a knock on the door of the anteroom.

(?)

　There's still some time before the opening ceremony.

(Who would that be?)

　I stood up, "Yes~" and turned the doorknob.

　Click.

　Behind the open door.

Hey.
..........

　A sleepy-faced high elf sister and a pair of blonde young girls, Mr. Colontude and Poe, were standing there.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Mr. Columntude!

　Solstice stands up vigorously from the couch.

'Colon?'
"Oh?

　Kilt-san and Illtimina-san also had surprised looks on their faces.

　I, too, roll my blue eyes.

'What's wrong, you two?'

　I asked.

　Mr. Columbudo sounded sleepy.

...greetings.

　I replied.

(...Greetings?)

　The two of them moved past my scowling and moved to the front of Mr. Kilt.

'Kilkill,'

　Jade-colored eyes look straight at Kirt-san.

　There's an unusual, serious light there.

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

　Mr. Kilt, too, felt something and got up from the couch.

　Mr. Colontude's white hand touched the back of the little girl next to him and pushed her lightly forward.

'I'll leave her in charge,'
..........
Please, protect him for me.

　A clear tone of voice.

　Mr. Colontude will not be joining this 'Fifth Pioneer Group' as he is going to the 'Elf Country'.

　In the meantime, Po-chan was to be kept by this Quilt-san.

''All right. Leave it to him.

　Ms. Kilt nodded vigorously.

　The little girl's light blue eyes looked up at Mr. Kilt.

　Ms. Kilt smiled.　

　Poe remained silent and then looked at the high elf beauty who had been protecting her until now.

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

　A silent stare at each other.

　Then Mr. Columcude laughed gently and stroked the little girl's head.

　Poe's eyes were downcast.

　We watched the scene.

(...........like a real mother and daughter.)

　I thought so.

　And then Mr. Colontude noticed my gaze.

"...........

　He gazes at my face.

(?)

　Then she thinks for a moment and looks at Mr. Kilt.

'Kilkill?'
Hmm?
Kilkill is ... okay?

　I said.

　Mr. Kilt raised an eyebrow.

'What are you talking about?'
The Children's Story.　

　Child...?

'Merle is a good kid. ....If you're going to make him a kid, you'd better do it fast, okay?
What?

　Yes?

　Me and Mr. Kilt are eye-rolling.

　Iltimina-san and Solstice are also pokey.

　The high elf sister nodded with a sullen look on her face.

'Children are good things. If Marle is a kid, I think Kyrkil would enjoy it too.'
You know what?
Wouldn't you like to be called Quilt Mom?

　I nodded my head.

　Without a second thought, Mr. Kilt stopped moving.

　Quilt Mom.

(Is that what I call you, Mr. Quilt?)

　......................

　Hey, this is kind of embarrassing.

　Even Kilt-san is staring at my face for some reason........

''No, no, it's not about that!
..........
That's not what Merle and Warawa are about. He is the master. He is my apprentice.
Yeah?
"Mm.
''Well, if that's what you want, Kilkill, I hope that's what you want.

　Mr. Columbudo says sleepily.

　Then.

I was right to adopt Poe.

　He smiled proudly.

''Well..........''
..........

　Me and Mr. Quilt can't help but stare at each other.

　Mr. Quilt looks a little annoyed.

Do you want to be a child of the straw?

　He asked.

(Yeah, yeah...?)

　I was surprised to find out that

'Well I don't know if I've ever felt that way in particular?
Yeah?
Uh-huh.
..........
Well I'm happy enough with the relationship we have now, and...

　I add.

　Mr. Kilt blinks his eyes.

　Then he smiled somewhat happily.

'I see,'

　His usual confident voice.

　To us, Mr. Columcude muttered, "Hmmm.

　And.

...Irna Mom?

　Blurting out, Iltimina muttered.

　Solstice giggled.

　Illtimina-san huffed and quickly shook her head, turning red, "Nah, it's nothing," she said.

(Umm, hmm?)

　So you're Mr. Illtimina's son.

　But.

(Preferably with a girlfriend.)

　What was I thinking?

　In the midst of all this, Poe was the only one who was staring at us, his expression unchanged.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


So long, Poe. You're going to have to listen to Kirkir.

　Mr. Columbudo's hand strokes the little girl's blonde hair.

　Her stepmother's words.

　cough

　My daughter nodded honestly.

''Well I'll see you then.''

　Mr. Columbudo said, and opened the door of the anteroom.

　............

　He looked back at me on the spot.

(Ah.........)

　Deeply, he bows to us.

　Mr. Colontude's long blonde hair spilled out to the floor.

　I said.

'It's all right!'
..........
I'll... we'll make sure Poe is protected, instead of Mr. Columcude!

　Mr. Colonnade looked up.

　We all four nodded.

　Mr. Columbude laughed.

'....Yeah.

　Then she looked at Poe one last time, and then closed the door.

　Patan.

　The beautiful High Elf-san disappears.

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

　Poe stared at the door.

　Cuk.

　I shook Po-chan's hand.

"It's okay, sweetheart. We'll be with you.

　I say.

　Those light blue eyes, they stare back at me.

　thump

　He nodded.

'Then I'll make some tea for Poe, too.

　Ms. Illtimina laughed softly and made her way to the tea bowl.

　I headed for the couch, holding Poe's hand.

　Mr. Kilt kept his eyes on the door.

...and Colon is your mother.

　I muttered.

　Then the five of us passed the time with a cup of tea.

　Eventually.

The ceremony will begin in 30 minutes. Everyone, please move, please.

　A priest came over and asked us to do so.

　We nodded and got up from our seats.

　We left the waiting room and walked down the corridor of the cathedral.

　In the corridor, there were many adventurers and kingdom knights wearing white cloaks embroidered with the Shumurian national emblem besides us.

　And.

Hmm?

　Mr. Kilt spoke up.

　'I think I've found someone in that wave of people.

'What's going on?'

　Soltis asks.

　Mr. Kilt laughs.

Hmm. Maybe we should let you two get acquainted while you still can.

　I said.

(Huh?)　(With whom?)


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


General Robert!

　Kilt-san hissed.

　At the end of the corridor, there was a group of about ten Kingdom Knights, and the figure in the center of the group looked back at us.

　He was a man in his forties or so.

　He had short black hair and tanned skin.

　He had a muscular, trimmed beard and a distinctive scar that ran up and down his right eye.

'Oh, Kirto Amandes?'

　He laughed, breaking his stern affinity.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us.

It's very encouraging to be with that demon princess, Kirt, on this expedition.
The pleasure's all mine, General.

　They laugh at each other.

　Then his moss green eyes caught us.

　Mr. Kilt noticed.

He's with the strawberries.

　I said.

　General Roberto immediately looked at something that came to mind.

'Well, you guys...'

　I muttered.

(...do they know about us?)

　I stare back at him.

　I meet his gaze and he looks at me too.

"You're 'Merle,' right?
Yes, sir.
'I see. You really are just as old a boy as I've heard, aren't you?

　So I narrow my eyes.

　Then he looks at the blonde little girl next to him.

"You're 'Poe'?
..........

　thump

　Poe nodded.

　General Roberto nodded, and his gaze turned to the two remaining men.

'You are the Wong sisters, aren't you?'
Yes, sir.
Yes.

　Ms. Illtimina calmed down and Solstice nodded her head, half hiding behind her sister's back.

　General Roberto laughs.

'Is this the second time you've met Lord Illtimina?
Yes, sir. We met on the occasion of the Golden Mark's inauguration.
That's right.

　He nodded.

''I see. I see that you're more of a 'Golden Mark Adventurer' than you were then, and you're getting on board.

　He complimented me.

　Watching the exchange, I tugged on Mr. Kilt's cloak.

'Kirt-san, Kirt-san,'
Hmm?
I think it's time you introduced him to me.
Oh, that's right.

　Mr. Kilt nodded, indicating General Roberto with his hand.

This man's name is Robert Wogan. He is the general of the Kingdom of Shumuria and the knightly representative of the Fifth Estate.

　He told me.

'Nice to meet you,'

　He smiles.

(Heh~, the Shumurian general?)

　I would stare intently at him.

　Then I was told that this 'Fifth Pioneer Group' was divided into four groups, and he was the one who would unite one of them.

　The four groups.

　They were the Dragon Horsemen, the Temple Knights, the Kingdom Knights, and the Adventurers.

　The representative of the Dragon Cavalry was Raydor, the Dragon Knight Captain.

　The representative of the Knights of the Temple is Aase, the head of the Temple Knight Corps.

　The representative of the Adventurer's Group is our very own Kirt.

　And the representative of the Knights of the Kingdom is our General Robert.

　Well, the Dragon Horsemen also belong to the Kingdom Knights, but since they are a special unit, they are not familiar with the ordinary Kingdom Knights. That's why General Robert became the representative of the knights of the kingdom.

(Heh, so that's how it happened?)

　I mean, he's one of the top four in the pioneer group.

　So Mr. Kilt, while he's at it, has brought us together with General Roberto,

　Mr. Kilt says.

'This man is awesome.

　And.

''He is not only good at individual martial arts, but also at commanding in group battles. He is also excellent in wisdom. And above all, he has a balanced judgment. Who better to lead a group of four very different individuals than General Robert, don't you think?

　The general laughed at the praise.

'Don't buy into it too much, Kirto Amandes. I'm just poorly handy.'
Don't be so modest.

　Mr. Kilt laughs.

　General Roberto exhales, 'Oh dear.

'I don't have the charisma that you do. I'm just someone who does things foolishly.'

　I smiled.

(...nice smile.)

　I thought so.

　It wasn't bravado, it wasn't demeaning, it just looked like an honest smile.

　That's the charm of this guy...?

　And then we stared at them.

Well, if you ever need help with anything, you can always give me a call.

　The general laughed at me.

　And.

The ceremony will begin in 15 minutes. Ladies and gentlemen, please move into position.

　The priest called out to the people in the hallway.

　General Roberto nodded.

It's time.
Hmm. Well, I'll see you later, General.
Yeah, I'll see you later.

　He ducked his pristine white cloak and walked towards where the other kingdom knights were.

　Mr. Kilt looks back at us.

''Well, shall we go too, then?''
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Yeah.
.......................

　And so the five of us, along with the others in the hallway, moved in for the opening ceremony.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　A dais was built inside the cathedral and we were made to stand in line there.

　Fifty adventurers.

　Four dragon riders.

　Fifty temple knights.

　300 knights of the kingdom.

　It's a large group of 404 people in total.

(So all the people here are the 'Fifth Pioneer Group'.)

　It's a bit spectacular.

　It's a bit strange to think that I'm one of them.

　We lined up at the adventurer's dais.

　We were in the last row, third row.

　The two people with us were Solstice and Poe.

　Illtimina-san and Kilt-san were in the first row, in a different place in line since they were 'Adventurers of the Golden Seal'.

(......................It's a bit heartbreaking.

　The shy Solstice didn't talk about anything, and Poe was quiet.

　Moreover, the other adventurers weren't as young as we were.

　There were only three of us in our teens.

　The others were mostly in their late 20s or 30s.

　The oldest was a wizard in his fifties.

　It seemed that everyone was chosen for the pioneer group, and that they were all quite talented people.

(.........Everyone has a strong 'pressure'.)

　I feel it.

　We, as kids, felt a little out of place.

　And.

Hey, is that...?
Oh. I heard that she's that demon princess' apprentice.

　whispering

　I can hear those voices.

　Others.

Is that the new 'Golden Mark' sister?
Apparently.
That one's a talent that Columcude Lestat wanted to adopt.
Huh...?
She's younger than my daughter.

　muttering

　...........

(Bo, that's us.)

　Gazes of half-suspicion and half-interest are sent from all over the place.

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

　Without a word, the three of us hoped that the launching ceremony would begin soon.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Boom, boom, boom.

　Soon, the opening gong sounded.

　The cathedral was filled to capacity with nobles and the citizens of the royal capital who wanted to watch.

　The murmur also quieted down.

''We will now conduct the launching ceremony of the 'Fifth Pioneer Group'!

　The presiding priest announced solemnly.

　Then the ceremony began.

　With the sacred sounds of a live band, a prayer was said by the priest of St. Julian's Church, and words of encouragement from His Majesty the King himself were sent to us, among other things.

　From the pioneer group, Leydre Kwokka, the captain of the dragon cavalry, expressed his commitment to the expedition.

　We mechanically bowed and lifted our heads to match the people around us.

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

　I can't wait for it to be over.

　Soon, the ceremony will be over.

　We are lined up on the dais, and we walk in two vertical lines down the floral path built into the cathedral.

(Hey, haven't you heard of this?)

　Somehow, I managed to follow the person in front of me.

　The adventurers were moving unevenly, but as expected of a knight, the rest of the group was moving beautifully and without a hitch.

　Eventually, we left the cathedral.

　We gathered in the square in front of the cathedral.

''Waaaah!''

(!)

　There were a lot of spectators gathered around the plaza, and it was a black mountain crowd.

　I wonder how many thousands or tens of thousands of people are there?

　Some people climbed onto the roof of the building to watch us.

(Well, it's not worth the risk to me to see that!)

　I'm a bit stunned.

　And there were a lot of dragon carts parked in the big square.

　Cavalry cars.

　There were several giant dragon carriages owned by the Royal Army.

(Huh?　(Huh?)

　While we were baffled, everyone else was getting into the dragon car.

　Me, Solstice and Poe stood there in the moving wave of people, unable to move at all.

　And then.

"Merle.

(!)

　Like a revelation, I heard a familiar voice.

　I turned around and saw Illtimina-san and Kilt-san approaching me as I weaved my way through the waves of people.

''Iltimina-san, Kilt-san!
Sister Irna!
..........

　We quickly rushed over.

　It was heartbreaking, and Solstice was half-crying.

　Ms. Illtimina was a little surprised and immediately hugged her sister like that.

　Ms. Kilt.

Sorry I'm late. My dragons are this way.

　With that, he leads us on.

　We followed Mr. Kilt into one of the cavalry cars.

(Wha?)

　In the car, the luggage of the journey, which should have been left in the cathedral anteroom, was completely moved and placed there.

　Mr. Kilt takes a seat.

'We'll be leaving soon. You too, sit down.
Uh-huh.

　I slumped back in my seat.

　Then, without much pause.

Fifth Settlers, we are going to war!

　I heard such a voice from outside.

　Instantly.

"Waaaaaaaah!

　The cheers from outside grew louder.

　Then, the cavalry cars that had been stopped started to move in unison.

　Thump, thump, thump.

　Our dragon car is vibrating.

Are we just going to leave like this?
Hmm.

　Kilt nodded.

(I see...)

　I knew we were leaving today, but I didn't expect it to look like this.

　I look out the window.

　There were a lot of people waving at me.

　A lot of confetti was dancing in the sky like flower petals.

　Children smaller than me were running alongside the dragon car.

　The launching ceremony.

　A ceremony to encourage, inspire and congratulate the warriors as they go off to battle.

　I see, that's right.

　Solstice had finally calmed down and was looking out the window, holding her sister's hand.

　Poe looks up at the ceiling of the car in a daze.

(Is she thinking about Mr. Colontude?)

　She was one of the guests of honor at the ceremony.

　I wonder if she is still watching our dragon car's departure from somewhere?

　.............

　Cheers could be heard like a rumbling of the earth.

　The cavalry cars carrying 400 people were making their way through the main street of the royal capital, Mulia, from the main gate to the city road.

　It's kind of hot in the chest........

　How could I not feel anything after being seen off and cheered on by so many people?

　It felt like a strong reminder of what I was fighting for and who I was willing to risk my life for.

　The people's voices echoed.

(This is the launching ceremony, huh?)

　I suddenly removed my gaze from the window.

　Beyond that, there was Illtimina-san's figure.

　Our gazes meet.

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

　Out of nowhere, they smiled at each other.

　It's the battlefield we're heading to now.

　But there's nothing to fear if your loved ones are always there for you.

(Yeah!)

　With cheers echoing through the royal capital, we were thus on our way to the Dark Continent.