The five of us decided to return to the Great Marshlands Base.

　We decided to return to the base to bring back information.

　When we returned to the base, we were surprised to find that 40% of our team, about 100 people, had returned.

　They all seemed to have encountered that 'mud monster'.

　They were unable to defeat it, so they all retreated temporarily.

I think I know how to beat it.

　As we headed to the tent, which was the base's headquarters, Kirto-san said at the opening.

''Really?!''
Mm. It's all thanks to Merle here.

　snappingly

　Mr. Kilt taps me on the shoulder in front of a surprised General Roberto.

　Everyone's eyes are drawn to him.

(Nch, that's a bit embarrassing.)

　I was tickled by the admiring glances of Mr. Reidl and Aase.

　I pulled a cracked black stone from my pocket.

It's a weakness.

　And I told him how to defeat that 'mud monster'.

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

'I see. So that's the core of the demon.

　After listening to everything, General Roberto nodded.

　Mr. Reidl flipped his white cloak and turned to leave the tent.

''We, the 'Dragon Horsemen', shall head to the marshes at once. We'll fly to cover those who are still fighting and tell them how to defeat this one.
Please.
Yeah, I got it.

　He shook the fabric of the doorway and disappeared.

　Arse-san smiled.

''As expected of a 'divine' lord. Brilliant wit.''

　It's embarrassing to be praised.

(I just happen to get it.)

　Maybe it was because I was explaining how to beat him, but I suddenly realized that it was already dusk outside.

''Hmm.''

　Mr. Kilt suggested that we stop exploring today and come back tomorrow.

　We had no objection.

　And so our search for today is over.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　At night, after we finished eating dinner, we were chatting in a simple tent.

　Meanwhile, Solstice was examining the "Black Stone" she had obtained in a corner of the room.

　He took off his glasses and made a difficult face.

'What did you find out?'

　The look on his face caught my attention, and I called out to him.

　Everyone's eyes are drawn to it, too.

　Solstice looks at me and then lightly rubs her eyes with her fingers.

'Hmm~, well.'

　I replied.

'So that 'mud monster' is the 'magic puppet' that this is the 'core' of, that is, the golem.
Yes.
I mean, it's an artificial entity.

　Artificiality?

Which means someone else made it.

　Solstice piled on those words to me, who was getting kyotoned.

(Somebody....)

　I'm confused.

"Who's who?
What?

　Solstice cowered her small shoulders.

　Then he held the 'black stone' in his hand up to the lantern.

　The shiny surface glowed.

　There are many geometric patterns carved into it.

''What's carved here are Thanatos magic letters.''
Yes.
But there are different letters in it. I've never seen this kind of magic before. No, this must be a fundamentally different system of magic than Thanatos magic.

　Is it fundamentally different?

　The confusion on everyone's faces was evident.

'What does that mean?'
As it is.

　The girl says.

　With a little difficulty.

''In other words, this 'black stone' is made with the magical technology of a different civilization than the ancient Thanatos magic dynasty.

　I told him so.

　A civilization different from the ancient Thanatos magical dynasty...?

　...........

　The meaning of this is slowly sinking into my head.

　Solstice poked her cheekbones and let out a sigh.

　She stared at the black stone.

What kind of magic technology is superior to Thanatos magic...? What kind of civilization existed in this dark continent?

　I muttered.

　An unknown civilization.

　Solstice's words were the possibility that a different civilization than the Thanatos civilization we know was flourishing on this continent.

(Wow, I got goosebumps.)

　Kilt-san and Illtimina-san also look at each other in surprise.

　Only Poe is the same as usual.

　The girl is staring at the 'black stone'.

"A long time ago, an unknown civilization created a golem, and that's the identity of the 'mud monster'.
..........
I'm sure there will be many other threats from an unknown civilization in the future.

　As she says this, she pushes the 'black stone' into my palm.

'Here, I gave it back,'

　Then she stood up.

Ilna, can I have a cup of tea? I feel so thirsty.

　And then he went to his sisters.

　...........

　The 'black stone' left in my hand.

　Until now, I had only thought of it as a weakness of a demon, but now it felt strangely heavy.

　An unknown civilization, an unknown continent, and an unknown demon.

　And an unknown demon.　

　I looked up at the lantern attached to the ceiling.

Huh.

　Like Solstice earlier, I sighed heavily.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　The next morning, I woke up suddenly with a chilly feeling.

　Huh...?

(Mr. Illtimina isn't here.)

　In the same bed, she was not there.

　She was holding me in her arms, and I wondered if she felt a chill from the lack of warmth.

(The bathroom?)

　I thought so, but when I looked closer, I saw that Mr. Quilt's bed was empty, too.

　Only Solstice and Poe are there.

(Huh...?)

　I got up out of bed, somewhat curious.

　There was no sign of the girls in the simple tent, and I walked out of the tent.

　It's cold.

　The cold early morning breeze stings my skin.

　Maybe it's because the sky is cloudy and the sun is hidden.

　Inside the base, there are many simple tents lined up.

　Around them, iron fences have been set up and bonfires are lit here and there.

　Also, at the entrance and exit, there were about five temple knights standing guard.

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

　scurrying about

　Other than that, there are no people in sight.

　Perhaps they are in the tent at headquarters?

　Just when I thought it was clear.

What--what's the story?

　My ears caught the voice of the person I loved.

(...behind me.)

　It was just behind our tent, a dimly lit space between us and the iron fence.

　The sound of footsteps crept in, and I headed towards it.

　--There they were.

　Two older sisters were facing each other in the darkness.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

Yeah. I'll pass it on to you.
What do you mean?

　Ms. Illtimina raised her eyebrows dubiously.

　A brief silence.

　Then Mr. Kirto opened his mouth.

It's about yesterday's search. I heard that two of the knights of the kingdom were captured by the Monster of Mud and dragged into the swamp.

(!)

　I gulped.

"A rescue?
..........

　Mr. Kilt shook his head silently.

''Well I see.''

　Ms. Illtimina also exhaled.

　Ms. Kilt put one hand on her hip and closed her eyelids heavily.

　She opened them quickly.

Don't tell Merle and the others yet.

　I said.

'You are skilled, but you are still a child at heart.
..........
We'll let you know when the time is right. Until then, I want you to keep quiet about the fact that we've made a sacrifice this time.

　Miss Illtimina's eyes were downcast.

I understand.

　I nodded.

　............

　I went back to the simple tent, letting the sound of footsteps creep in.

　I lay down on the bed.

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

　There's a casualty...

　I know, it's dangerous to explore this continent.

　I'm aware of that.

　But I do understand.... but...

　Jeez.

　I closed my eyelids tightly and pulled the blanket over my head.

　For a while after that, the conversation of the quilts didn't disappear from my mind.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　Without sleeping, it was time to leave.

　Inside the simple tent, we set up our equipment and luggage.

　Kilt and Illtimina had already finished their preparations and were discussing the day's plans outside the tent.

　I'm still getting ready.

'Hey, are you still working on that?　Get on with it.

　Leaning back, Solstice complains to me as she puts her hands on her hips.

　........................

　I suddenly looked up at her.

"Hey, Solstice?
What?
..... We're fourteen years old now, aren't we?

　The girl scowled.

'What does it matter?'
Nope.

　I shook my head.

　I looked down at the backpack in front of me.

It's just that in a year we'll be adults and now we're all protected and can't do anything about it...

　I muttered.

　Solstice rolled her eyes.

　From a little distance, Poe looked at us without saying a word.

'What's the matter with you all of a sudden?'

　The girl asked suspiciously.

　I let out a breath.

"...hmmm, it just occurred to me...
'........... Yes.

　Solstice looked somewhat unconvinced.

　Then he ran a hand through his soft, purple hair.

Well, one can only do so much. Isn't that what your sister Irna would do?

　I said.

　I looked up at the girl's face.

　She was turning away with her lips pouting.

　..........

''Ahhhh, already. Let's go ahead, okay?
Oh, wait a minute.

　I hurriedly put my backpack on and followed the girl as she started to walk away.

　Poe follows behind her.

　We leave the simple tent.

Oh, you're here.

　Kilt-san laughed.

　Illtimina-san is smiling next to me too.

　They are the sisters who worry about us and protect us from many things.

　...........

''Waiting for you.

　I said.

　They nodded.

Then let's go.

　Mr. Kilt said in his usual voice.

　--and so the five of us headed back to the 'Great Marshlands'.