Huh? I'm tired.

　That night, Solstice rubbed my shoulder and returned to the house assigned to us in the 'Pioneer Village and Base'.

'Welcome home,'
Thank you for your service, Sol.

　We greeted the girl.

　Solstice has been healing people who were injured in the daytime battle, along with other users of recovery magic, until now.

　Poof.

　A girl collapses face down on her bed.

'Anyway, no one died this time~'

　He said.

(Oh, good.)

　Soltis said there were more than 50 people injured this time around.

　Some of them badly hurt.

There are several other skilled recovery wizards in here besides me~

　That's why he survived.

(That's right, an elite group of chosen "pioneers.")

　Incidentally, they brought medicines and medical equipment with them, and the doctors were there, but they weren't on hand this time.

Medicines are finite, you know.

　And, Illtimina-san.

　That's exactly what they plan to use in an emergency situation where there aren't enough people to use recovery magic, or they all run out of magic power.

　........I hope that such a situation doesn't come.

　Firs, firs, firs, firs.

Oh, it's working.
..........

　I noticed that Po-chan was silently rubbing Solstice's slumped shoulders and waist.

　You're so sweet, Poe.

　Solstice seems to feel very comfortable.

　Iltimina-san and I couldn't help but laugh.

　And.

'Huh?　Speaking of which, where's the quilt?

　The girl finally seems to realize that Mr. Kilt is not here,

　I say.

'Headquarters. The four delegates are talking to each other.

　And I haven't left yet.

　Solstice looks surprised, "Oh, yeah.

　I looked out the window.

It's almost night.

　I muttered.

(Yeah....)

'After the daytime demon incident, you know. He's probably struggling with his future plans.

　That's what Mr. Illtimina said.

　I also remember those black demons.

　Big monkey-like black furry demons with human masks.

(...they were strong, weren't they?)

　I think so.

　The ridiculous grip, the rocky palms that play the blade, and the tremendous physical ability.

　..................

　Illtimina-san says.

''Honestly, I think there's still some way to deal with one of them, but it's hard to deal with a group of them coming in that many.

　Yeah, I know.

　In the end, there were almost 200 bodies against us.

　There were 400 of us, the Pioneers.　

　And 250 of us were exploring.

(Even I can see that it's not a good idea to go head to head with them.)

　The Dark Continent after all, it doesn't look like it will be so easy.

"..........

　It's only day 4 and what's going to happen now?

　Suddenly, I look out the window at the night sky.

　The red and white moon, which has not changed even on the Albac continent - while looking up at it, I let out a short sigh in my heart.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


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

(Huh?)

　What is this...?

　That's what I thought, and then I suddenly remembered.

　That's right.

　I remember that we were lying in bed first tonight because Mr. Quilt was late getting home, and we were lying in bed first.

(So, is this a dream?)

　I'm convinced of that.

　So, with relief, I waded through the dark water.

　Yura-yura.

　Hovering.

　Somehow it felt comfortable.

　Maybe it's because of the dream, but my body is glowing vaguely, and I've got ears and a tail growing out of it, just like when I was in "Kami no Gou".

　And it's as if I'm slowly falling through the dark sea.

(Hmm...?)

　Then I suddenly found a faint light in the distant darkness.

　I stare at it.

　Ah.....

(Poe?)

　It was a young girl with habitual blonde hair and light blue eyes.

　Moreover, she has horns, a tail, and scales, and is in god body mode.

　She, too, is vaguely glowing.

　And the other side also looked somewhat surprised to find me.

(Why are you here?)

　That's what I wanted to hear, but I couldn't speak, probably because I was in the water.

　........Well, it's okay because it's a dream.

　Without speaking to each other, the two of us are falling into the depths of the water, in harmony with each other.

　Yura-yura.

　Yura yura yura.

　How much time has passed since then?

　A few hours?

　A few days?

　Or a few seconds?

　After a long, seemingly short period of time, with a vague sense of time, I suddenly realized that there was a light far ahead of my feet.

　A very strong light.

(.........what is that?)

　It's a much stronger and bigger light than our light.

　Thanks to that light, we were able to get a clearer view of the bottom of the dark water.

　--a city.

A broken city, standing quietly at the bottom of the pitch-black water.

　The city that emerged in the darkness was so large that it seemed to go on and on until the light reached the outside.

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

　Me and Poe both stared at it.

　And that's when.

　Zulli.

　I could feel such a heavy, dull feeling.

(!)

　Above the broken city, a huge, black snake shadow appeared above the broken city.

　It wasn't even 100-200 mead, maybe even bigger than the city, a huge 1000 mead class shadow.

(Wha, what the hell is that...?)

　Me and Poe, stunned.

　Below us, the giant snake's shadow opened its mouth wide as it made its way to the light source illuminating the city.

　Ah.........

　Pakun.

　The shadow of the serpent swallowed the light whole, as if such an expression were fitting.

　The world falls into darkness.

　The city disappears from view.

　The black water that stretches everywhere.

　In the midst of it, a more jet-black snake's shadow stirred.

　............

　Its eyes caught me and Poe, who was shining a vague light in this dark world.

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

　The snake's shadow was closing in on us when I noticed it.

　Its big mouth opened.

(Ugh, wow!

　bakun

　I swallowed me and Poe in a single bite, both in a hurry.


　◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


Wow!

　I woke up to the sound of my own screams.

　Doc Doc.

　My heart is beating fast.

'Merle?'

　Illtimina-san, who was sleeping with me, woke up, startled by me jumping up.

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

　I woke you up.

　It's dark outside the window.

　It's like it's not even dawn.

What's up, Merle?　Have you had a bad dream?

　Illtimina wakes me up, and instead of being angry, she is worried about me.

　Her white fingers gently comb my hair.

　..........

　I was drenched in sweat.

(Dream.........)

　I dreamed I was being swallowed by a snake.

　It reminds me of a dream scene I had just before.

　And.

Poe?　What's going on?

　I heard a sleepy Solstice's voice.

　When I looked, I saw that Poe was on the bed next to Solstice, his upper body upright.

　Her little hands were holding her chest tightly.

..........

　The young beauty was drenched in sweat.

　The little girl, breathing on her shoulder, looked at me.

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

　A dream, right?

　No, it was a dream... but it wasn't just a dream, was it?

　We look at each other and realize that we are sharing the events of our current dream.

　The Wong sisters looked puzzled by our situation.

　And that's when.

　Gee.

　The door to the house opened.

'What is it?　So you're awake?

　There was Ms. Kilt there.

　Apparently, she had just returned at last from a discussion with the four representatives.

　I lit the lanterns on the pillars.　

　I said.

"I just had a weird dream.

　And then exhale heavily.

　Then.

Welcome back, Mr. Kilt. Thank you for staying late.

　So he worked on her.

　Mr. Kilt smiled.

'I'm home.'

　In her hand was a few sheets of paper, perhaps handed out in the discussion.

　Placing it on the bed, she poured a glass of water from the jug and drank it.

'Phew.'

　I took a breath.

　Watching them, Illtimina asked.

'It's been a long time coming, hasn't it?
No.

　Mr. Kilt nodded as he sat down on the bed with a cup in hand.

　Then.

As a matter of fact, I've just finished deciphering the logbook that was recovered from the Third Frontier ship that was stranded in the water near the beach.

　I said.

(Deciphering the voyage log...?)

　Our eyes are drawn to it.

　Mr. Kilt takes another sip of water.

There was some damage, but I also found some interesting bits and pieces of information. I was trying to decide on a course of action to take in the future, and then we ended up here at this hour.

　I chuckled.

　Then he holds out a few sheets of paper on the bed to us.

　I take them.

　Solstice and Poe also come over and the four of us look at it.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Day 64.
　After leaving the Kingdom of Shumuria, we finally reached the Dark Continent. I'm looking forward to the exploration from now on.

　71st day.
　We have completed our settlement base in the forest.

　Day 72.
　We started our search today.

　Day 73.
　We were attacked by a black monster. We call it the "Dark Ape". It doesn't seem to be good at water, and won't come to us from across the river.

　Day 77.
14 people were killed by the Black Ape. They successfully retreated with the help of Giles Shrade, the Golden Seal Demon Hunter. It is no longer possible to explore the river.

　Day 81.
　We headed westward along the river.

　Day 88.
　We discover a large marshland.

　Day 90.
　There are immortal dolls. We can't defeat them in any way.

　Day 97.
　8 dead and 11 missing in the battle so far. We finally make it through the Great Marshes.　

　Day 101.
　We have reached the wilderness.

　Day 102.
　Bugs. Worms, worms, worms, worms....

　Day 104.
　Many of our people were eaten alive.

　Day 108.
　We are now in a large forest. The fog is thick and disorientating.

　Day 109.
　Our people are being separated and 22 are missing. We have no sun, no sense of direction. We don't know how to get home. This is the Forest of Death.

　Day 114.
　You go through the forest and find a ruined city.

　Day 115.
　Does this place belong to the ancient Thanatos magic dynasty or the natives?　Proceed with the investigation.

　Day 119.
　There is a huge snake in the city. The Golden Mark Demon Hunter, Giles Schrade, was also eaten. We have to get out of here.

　Day 151st day.
　The earth became angry. This was not a good place for humans to be here.

　Day 154.
He found me and destroyed my ship. We're not going home.

　It's day 166.
　The food is gone. The Order's men are killing each other.

　Day 171.
　I want to go home, I want to go home, I want to go home....


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　poof

　We took our eyes off the paper.

　After day 171, there was nothing in the paper. I guess that's what I mean....

　Kirt-san said.

''As of now, there's no clue as to how to find the 'divine Spirit Stone'. For the time being, I'm thinking of following the footsteps of the Third Frontier Corps and aiming for the marshland.

　Iltimina and Solstice nodded.

　But I was silent.

　The same goes for Poe.

　We were both fascinated by the contents of days 114 and 119.

　A big snake in a ruined city.

　And a dream of a serpent that swallowed the same light as ours, but stronger and bigger.

　If the light is 'divine spirit'.

　What if that big light is the 'divine spirit stone'?

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

　Me and Poe looked at each other.

　There, we confirm the same thought.

"What's up, Merle?

　Illtimina noticed and asked us.

　Kilt-san, Solstice also saw us.

　Although I wasn't sure, I couldn't ignore that dream, so I decided to tell everyone about the content of the dream and my current prediction.

　.........
　.......
　...............

'I see. A dream.........

　When he finished listening, Mr. Kilt put his hand on his shapely chin and nodded.

　Then he pondered.

　Solstice said, 'Is it true?' I was skeptical.

　But the sister.

I believe the dream Marle had was a premonition.

　I assure you.

'Hmm.'
'Marle is a child who attracts miracles. Just as he once rescued me from the Red Fangled Dragon Gad, I'm sure he will now...

　He says in a hot tone.

(Illtimina-san........)

　I was excited to see him.

Yeah.

　Kirto nodded.

We were originally planning to follow the trail of the Third Settlers. Or perhaps we could go after that giant snake in the ruined city.
"Mr. Quilt.

　Mr. Kilt popped his hand on my head as I stared at him.

　He ruffled my hair.

'Alright, if you decide to, go to bed early. It's going to be a busy day tomorrow.
Yes.

　I smile.

　Mr. Quilt smiled back at me.

　The other three laughed, giggled, and nodded, too.

　Then we lay down on the bed.

　The lantern light also went out.

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

　It was vague, but I could see my goal.

　I'm sure there will be many hardships on the way to getting there, but I still feel differently than when I was in limbo.

　I'll do my best.

(Let's do our best.)

　I think strongly in my mind.

　Geez.

　As if he understood this, Illtimina's arms, which hold me in a hug, became stronger.

　I close my eyelids.

　Surrounded by warm body heat and sweet smells, I slowly fell into the world of sleep once more.