The four ships were advancing through the blue ocean.

The 'Fifth Pioneer Group' was aboard the four ships, divided into four groups of 100 people each.

　There are two groups of 50 adventurers and 50 temple knights on board our ship, and there are also about 100 sailors on board to operate the ship.

　In other words, there are a total of about 200 people on board.

　If the four ships are combined, it's a large brigade of about 800 people.

　And the voyage to the Dark Continent is scheduled to take about two months.

(That's truly an epic voyage.)

　Thinking about this, I was now looking at the distant city of Welka from the deck of the ship.

　...........

　Land is getting farther away.

　Although it was such a large ship, the vastness of the sea as far as the eye could see and the anxiety of the long voyage made me feel a little wistful.

　And that's when.

　Huoosh!

　A single red cord fell from the largest mast of the ship.

'Huh?'

　When I looked up, I saw the dragon of the dragon cavalry perched on the mast, from which a knight was descending, grabbing the cord.

　Curlew.

　The glove gripping the red cord raised white smoke from the friction.

　His fall decelerated, and by the time his feet touched the deck, it was a soundless landing.

(Dragon Knight.)

　From the hem of his helmet, the tips of his short gray hair could be seen.

　The dashing appearance of one of the eight strongest dragon knights in the kingdom drew the gazes of the other adventurers, temple knights and sailors on the deck.

　And then his face turned to me.

''Oh, isn't it Marle-dono? It's been a while.''

　Huh?

　A familiar voice comes out and the dragon knight removes his helmet.

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

　And that's where it came from.

Mr. Amyukel!

　It was the face of

　She shook her head, straightened her gray hair, and narrowed her red eyes as she

Hi, guys.

　I lightly raised my right hand.

　◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　The dragon knight, Amyukel-san.

　He was a dragon knight who I had met briefly before heading to the continent of Dol, but I had met him before.

　Illtimina-san, who was behind me

So you were a member of the group?

　I called out to him.

　Mr. Amyukel, who had once matched swords with

That's right. That's right, Captain Raydle, myself, Bob and Lana.

　I reply in a light tone.

　I haven't met Bob and Lana yet.

　I look around.

　The other three ships have been sailing in a rhombus shape, spaced at regular intervals from our ship, with our ship on the right side of the rhombus.

　Our ship is on the right side of the rhombus.

　And on the masts of the other three ships, too, there was a huge dragon resting on the masts of the other three ships, resting on its wings.

(In one of those ships you'll find Mr. Reidle, Bob and Lana.)

　I return my gaze to Mr. Amichael.

'It's good to see you again, Mr. Amukel.

　I laughed.

　Mr. Amieukel looked as if he had been struck with a blank look and then scratched his slightly reddened cheek with his forefinger.

''........I see.
Yes, sir.
Well, you won't have to worry about it during the trip. We'll be there to protect the ship.

　He says.

(Ship's escort?)

　I'm a little confused.

There are sea monsters in the sea.

　Mr. Kilt said.

He said that the chances of an attack are higher in the open sea. At times like this, the dragon guards are a reliable resource.
That's the way it is.

　Mr. Amieukel nodded vigorously.

''Well, I'll leave it to you.

　bang

　I tapped myself lightly on the chest.

　I couldn't help but look up at the huge dragon perched on the mast above me.

　Strong life force.

　Strong muscles.

　Hard-looking scales.

　A strong looking body and face.

(.............It's so reliable.

　I had no idea how reassuring it was to have a dragon on my side.

　And.

''The 'Dragon Horsemen' aren't the only guards, Lord Jingu.

　sploosh

　From behind me, I heard the metallic sound of armor and a beautiful voice.

(Huh?)

　I turned to see a group of knights dressed in beautiful silver armor.

　They were equipped with swords, staffs and shields, and from their necks was a Bible on a chain.

　Zawah!

　The adventurers on the same deck buzzed.

(Temple Knight........!

　Along with the Dragon Cavalry, they are the strongest knights that St. Shrien's Church has to offer.

　The lead knight had half of his face hidden by his helmet.

　The mouth that is visible is a red rouged lip, and I know it's a woman.

　She is the only one who comes out in front of us.

''Long time no see, Jingu-dono.''

　He put his hand on his chest and gave a graceful bow.

　His voice and smell were familiar.

'Mr. Arse!'

　Her mouth broke into a happy smile at my answer.

　Aase Mudelka-san.

　He's the head of this Temple Order.

　I've met with this Aase-san before when I met Reidl-san and Amukel-san before.

　She laughs at me and says.

"It is not only the Long Horsemen who will protect you, Godgu, but also the Temple Knight who will protect you. We, the Temple Knight, will also protect you with our own lives.

　I stick out my face and complain.

　Nah, it's close.

　It also smells good, like perfume.

"Oh, thank you.

　I thanked her, taking a step back.

　She resumed her posture.

What, is it our duty as believers to serve the Goddess Shrien in her will? It's not like we owe you anything.

　He smiled again.

'Oh, I see.'

　What can I say, I'm a bit bad at this loyalty.

　I just can't see myself as being worthy of being able to turn it on.

(...hmmm...)

　Mr. Amieukel laughs, "Han.

''The Temple Knight has withdrawn. The honor of defending the Temple of the Goddess belongs to the 'Dragon Cavalry'.

　What did I say?

　Mr. Aase quietly turned his helmet-covered face in that direction.

'Don't chirp, young dragon knight. You haven't even gotten your eggshells off, you little chick.
...What?
"God's Son, God's Dog and God's Dragon are both God's sons. It is the mission of humanity to protect them. You are misguided to place honor before faith.

　The tone of voice was unassuming.

　But that's why I was scared.

''........You're going to tell me, aren't you?

　Mr. Amieukel smiles fiercely, unafraid.

(What?)

　The two 'pressures' swelled up.

　Solstice also lost her expression, and the adventurers gathered on the deck were biting hard.

　Only Poe was expressionless.

　And.

Stop, both of you.

　A quiet word.

　That's the voice of the adventurer's representative, the 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter' Kirto Amandes.

　The dragon knight and the head of the temple knights, the only person who could intervene between the two of them was Kirt-san, after all.

　As expected, Kirt-san's intervention could not be ignored, and the two of them look at the silver-haired beauty.

　And Kirt-san.

"Wahabas are an ally in this business. Don't sow discord over trivial matters.

　As he said this, he looked around.

　The two of them finally seem to have noticed the atmosphere of the assembled adventurers and temple knights.

　Especially when they saw me, whose expression was tense.

Hey...
Okay.

　The 'pressure' that the two of them were releasing was rapidly disappearing.

　Aase-san bows her head to me.

''I have shown you an unseemly appearance. I'm sorry.''
No.

　I shake my head in a purr.

　She smiles.

If you need anything else, I'm at your disposal. --Thank you.

　He ducked his long cloak and walked briskly towards the other Temple Knights.

　Gasp!

　The group of Temple Knights, joined by the Commander, turned in a single, threadbare movement and headed back in the direction of the cabin.

　The adventurers on deck looked away in dismay.

''........Han.

　Mr. Amieukel sniffs uncomfortably.

　Then.

I'm going to take a look around the surrounding waters for a change.

　I said.

　Then he started walking towards the edge of the deck.

　'Phew!'

　She whistled her fingers.

　Then she suddenly leapt from the deck to the sea.

(Huh?)

　Mr. Amieukel's figure was falling into the sea.

　I was about to chase after him in a hurry when I heard a violent flapping of wings from above me.

　Bahuuhu.

What?

　A dragon.

　The dragon that had been perched on the mast suddenly took flight into the sky.

　From the saddle on its head, there was a red cord hanging down from the saddle, and it reached Amieukel-san's hand as she fell.

　Geez.

　In the air, she grabbed it.

　As it was, the dragon flew up into the sky with Amuikel-san dangling in the air.

(Oooh........)

　A shadow that grew smaller and smaller.

　And the dragon's head moved upward with a cunnilingus.

　As if it were a kendama, Mr. Amyukel's body, connected by a string, jumped up and landed on the dragon's saddle.

(Juggling.)

　Or is it the result of the dragon horsemen's rigorous training?

　As it was, Mr. Amieukel's dragon, with its wings spread out, circled away from our ship in a wide circle around it.

　Mr. Kilt scratched his silver hair.

Good grief.

　I exhale.

　Looking at us, he chuckles.

Well, the journey has just begun. Maybe we should go back to the cabin.
Uh-huh.
Yeah.
.......................

　We nodded at Kilt's suggestion.

　Then, we walked towards the cabin with her in the lead.

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

(?)

　But only Illtimina-san didn't move.

　Her crimson eyes were somewhat glaring in the direction where the flying dragons and temple knights flying above had disappeared.

''Illtimina-san?''

　I call out to her.

　She closes her eyelids.

　After a few seconds, as if she has pushed something away, she opens her crimson eyes again.

'Yes, ma'am. I'll be right there, Marle.'

　By the time he answered that, he had his usual gentle smile on his face.

(????)

　What was it?

　I greet her as she arrives, unsure of what to expect.

　Cuk.

　We held hands as usual.

'Come on, let's go.'
Yes.

　We laughed at each other and followed Mr. Kilt to the cabin.