We hurried through the forest to the point where the green luminescent signal round had gone up.

　The distance was about 500 meters.

　We passed through the trees, scattering the grass and trees under our feet.

(Ah.........!

　Eventually, in the trees ahead, I saw a figure.

　There were five of them.

　All of them were adventurers.

''Oh?　The demoness.
Come here. Come with me.

　He spots us and puts his hand up.

　I think we're the first ones to see the signal flare and run to it.

What?　What happened?

　Mr. Kilt asked.

　They pointed to the far side of the forest.

'It's quicker to get you to look at it than to explain it to you. Come on.

　At their urging, they headed deeper together.

　Then the trees in the forest suddenly broke off.

"!

　What was there was a wooden building.

　Not one or two.

　More than ten buildings crowded into the open ground.

　This is.....

The village?

　I muttered.

　The building seemed to be quite old and many things were broken.

　The plants and trees on the grounds were also growing.

(Could it be that the locals of this continent had lived here?)

　What was I thinking?

Here.

　One of the adventurers who had discovered it offered what looked like a piece of cloth to Mr. Quilt.

'I found it at the entrance to the village,'
M.....

　Mr. Kilt raised an eyebrow.

　He stared at the cloth, and then looked around the decaying village again.

''Well that's what it is.''

　He mutters as if he was convinced of something.

(???)

"Quilt?

　Ms. Illtimina also called out to ask a question.

　Kilt-san silently handed the cloth in her hand to Illtimina-san.

　It's a tattered cloth.

　It's torn and has holes in it.

　Ms. Illtimina-san unfolded it in front of us.

'....Huh?'

　There was a picture embroidered on it that looked like a four-handed woman.

　The national emblem of the goddess Shurian.

(This is ... the national flag of Shumuria.)

　I noticed that.

　Iltimina and Solstice also noticed.

What do you mean?

　The girl made a sound of confusion.

　Miss Illtimina thought for a moment, and then

'I see. So you're saying that the 'Shumurian people' lived in this village.

　I said.

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

　That's...

Maybe you're referring to the 'pioneers' of the past?

　I asked.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'Probably. 'It is likely that people from the 'pioneer group' sent from Shumuria in the past built this village.'

　That's right.........

　I can't help but look around the village too.

　Decaying buildings.

　Naturally, there are no people living here.

　............

　I feel like the air is somehow chilled.

　Kirt-san exhales.

''Alright, let's examine the inside a bit more.
Uh-huh.
Yes, sir.
Okay.
.......................

　And so we went into this decaying village.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　There were about thirty people who had gathered at the sight of the luminescent signal bullets.

　We all split up to explore the village.

　And.

It looks like they're from the Third Frontier.

　The third frontier group is a group that was sent to the Dark Continent more than 30 years ago.

The third pioneering group is a 'pioneering group' that was sent to the Dark Continent more than 30 years ago.

(Then this village is about 30 years old.)

　So the building will break down.

No, it's only broken because of the way it was originally built.
What?

　Ms. Illtimina touched the exterior of the building.

It's a simple structure. Apparently it was not intended to be a long-term residence, but a temporary one.

　I say.

(Temporarily...?)

　I nod my head.

'I think the 'pioneer groups' of those days moved deeper and deeper into the area, exploring and building their bases.

　Oh, I see.

　I mean, that's how I expanded the territory.

'Well, maybe we'll find a similar base in the future.
Yes, sir.

　I understood, and Illtimina-san smiled at me.

　And then Kilt-san, Solstice, and Poe came to me.

(?)

　Everyone except for Poe, who is looking kind of unhappy.

What's going on?

　Solstice answered my question.

'The village was surrounded by a wall.
Fence?
Yeah. And that's another shaved, sharp log, facing outward.

　...it's just that...

And some of it was even vandalized.

　Kirt said.

　What that means is that there was an 'external enemy' in this village.

''I see........''

　Ms. Illtimina also faintly frowned at her white beauty.

'With that,'

　Mr. Kilt continued.

'We also found what looked like a graveyard at the back of the village.
!

　I got choked up.

　That's where the 'pioneers' of the time were sleeping.

　It should have been a fact that I knew, but once again, when the matter came up to show it, it resonated heavily in my mind.

　For a while, silence reigned in the place.

　Eventually.

Let's go back to our 'sandy beach base' once. We must let General Robert and Aase and the others know what we've learned.

　We nodded at Kilt's words.

　We stared at the decaying village.

　We quickly removed our gaze and began to prepare to leave the village.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　The setting sun has dyed the sea and the beach red.

　We had returned to the "sandy beach base" after writing the coordinates of the "decaying village" on the map.

　Kirt-san went to the headquarters to report, and the four of us are resting ourselves in a simple tent.

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

　None of the four of us spoke.

　Illtimina's hand was somehow stroking my hair in front of me.

　And.

I've been waiting for you.

　Mr. Kilt returned to the tent.

'Welcome back,'
Hmm.

　He said and sat down on the bed.

"There are a few things we decided today in the House of Delegates.

　Kilts said.

　'First of all, the 'decaying village' we found.

Tomorrow, it's been decided to re-establish it as a new base of operations.

　It is said that they plan to build a base in the depths of the city, just like the former "Third Frontier".

　It seems that he plans to explore the area while building a base deep inside, just like the former "Third Frontier".

　In addition, he also plans to

The Knights of the Realm have a unit that made it to the river.

　So we know what the river is like.

　The maximum width of the river is about 200 meters.

　The current in the center of the river is very steep and there are large aquatic organisms, making it difficult to cross the river on foot.

So we're planning to build a suspension bridge as well as a base.

　That's what happened.

(A suspension bridge, huh?)

　That sounds like a lot of work.

I'll be working on those two tomorrow. I'll do it.
Yes.
Yes, sir.
Okay.
.......................

　We nodded at Kilt's words.

　That day, we ate dinner as it was, and went to bed soon after.

　The next day, we visited the "Decaying Village" again.

　The next day, we visited the "Decaying Village" again.

　The next day, we visited the "decaying village" again to refurbish it as a base.

It was decided that the Royal Knights would be in charge of the "suspension bridge".

　So we proceed with the maintenance of the base of the village.

　We cut the weeds in the grounds, repair buildings that can be reused, and if not, tear them down completely.

　We laid hands on the graves and laid flowers.

(Please keep an eye on them.)

　I prayed so.

　The work took a full day to complete.

　Even so, I was relieved that we managed to complete it as a base of operations.

I'm tired~

　At night, Solstice jumped into bed, as fast as she could.

　But it's a tree house.

　It was sturdier than a simple tent, and it felt somehow more reliable.

　I too fell into bed with a sense of relief.

　And.

How's the suspension bridge coming along?

　Iltimina's voice asked Kilt.

　I send my attention to my ears only.

No problem. I'm told they've got three of them in place.
Okay.

　Wow, that's good.

　With my eyes closed, I'm happy too.

"Tomorrow we will explore the forest across the river. "Tomorrow we will explore the forest on the other side of the river, and you should rest early and be prepared.
I understand.

　An answering voice.

　And.

　squeak

　I can feel Illtimina on the same bed.

　Warm body heat, a sweet smell close by.

　Ah, my hair was stroked.

''Hmm........marl.

　I heard a breathless voice and was hugged from behind.

　The usual hug.

'Let's turn out the lights,'

　Quilt's voice sounded like a bitter smile.

　Almost simultaneously, the depths of my eyelids darkened.

　Surrounded by the smell and warmth of Illtimina-san, the third night in the dark continent has passed--.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　On the morning of the fourth day, we left the Decaying Village and Base.

　After about 10 minutes of walking through the forest.

(Uh ... it smells like water.)

　My sense of smell caught it.

　It wasn't long after that that our steps hit the river.

　It was a long way to the other side of the river.

　Near the riverbed, the current was slower, but the current was so strong that there was a white wave in the middle.

　A "suspension bridge" had been built over the river.

　It was made of wire and wood and looked quite sturdy.

　If you look downstream, you can see a similar suspension bridge about 500 meters away.

　Although we can't see it from here because of the meandering river, I heard there is another suspension bridge about 500m downstream.

　A total of three "suspension bridges".

　We were going to cross this bridge and explore the forest across the river today.

Okay, let's go!

　I put my foot on the 'suspension bridge' at Kilt-san's command.

(Wha?)

　It's pretty shaky.

　At the same time, there are about 10 other adventurers crossing the street, so it seems to be shaking even more.

'Take your time. Be careful.

　Illtimina-san speaks to me gently.

　Umm, yes.

　With my hand firmly on the wire, I proceeded one step at a time.

　When we reached the center of the river, the river at our feet was quite swift.

　In that water, I could see the shadow of a fish of about one to two meters in length.

(.........Scary!)

　If they fall, will they be eaten?

　I shuddered at the thought, and then I continued on, looking only forward.

　Eventually, I passed the "suspension bridge" without incident.

(Phew!)

　A sigh of relief.

　I look over and see that Solstice is also holding her chest and exhaling heavily.

　We looked at each other and giggled.

　Mr. Kilt was looking up at the sun.

'Alright, from here, the straws will head southwest.

　He declared.

　It looks like he was checking the position with the sun.

　By the way, the Dark Continent is located in the southern hemisphere, so the north and south of Albac Continent are opposite, so be careful.

''Then,''

　After a quick hello to the other adventurers, we split up into our respective routes into the forest.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　In front of us was the same view of the forest as before we crossed the river.

　Trees in the forest.

　Flowers and grasses at our feet.

　Beyond the trees, we could see the steep mountain range in the distance, and the blue sky even higher.

　Zach, zach.

　The five of us walk through the landscape.

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

　It's an irreplaceable world.

'Is there really a demon in here or something?

　I mumbled to myself.

　Because it's too peaceful.

　And.

I am.

　Kilt, who was leading the way, assured him.

'All the lands of this world are made up of people, animals, demons and their ecosystems.
..........
The place where the warriors are now is also someone's territory. And the Wawa are the intruders who perpetrated it.

　His voice is hard and iron.

　I gasp at the cold words.

'Keep your guard up, Merle.'
..........
They'll be watching for any sign of trouble. Just be ready to move when they feel like it.

　That's the Master's voice.

　I am.

Yes, sir.

　I replied, as I usually do in practice.

(I was loosening up, wasn't I?)

　A little reflection.

　And then.

　Zachariah.

　Suddenly, Poe stopped.

(Huh?)

　Our whole operation comes to a halt.

What's going on, Poe?

　Solstice, just behind the little girl, asks.

　Poe doesn't answer.

　Her soft, habitual blonde hair sways in the breeze.

　And then her thin arms lifted.

'Over there,'

　and pointing diagonally forward with a finger.

(????)

　I look at it, but what's there is still a view of the forest, which is nothing in particular.

　But.

There's something out there.

　Poe spoke up clearly.

　.....................

　We all put our hands on our weapons.

　We believed our companion Poe's words more than what we could see.

(Where is it?)

　Where are you?

　Run your eyes over it.

　I don't want to miss even one small anomaly.

　And.

　Giggin.....

!

　From a distance in the direction Poe had indicated, there was a sound like the clash of metal against metal.

　Now that was.

Battle sounds.

　Mr. Kilt's golden eyes narrowed.

'Over there, someone is fighting.

　I can't think of anything else to be, other than a group of adventurers and the Royal Knights.

　I mean.

(Demon!

Mr. Quilt!

　She nodded at the sound of my voice.

'Everyone, let's go for cover. Prepare, body and soul, for battle.
Yeah!
Yes, sir.
Yeah.
.......................

　We grabbed our weapons and started running through the woods towards the sound.