It's a small flower.

　The stem is wilted and some of the petals have fallen off.

　But it's an indication of the presence of the 'locals' on the Dark Continent, who are still alive today.

'Mr. Quilt.

　I looked back at her.

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'If someone is coming to the ruins of this tomb to deliver flowers, then there must be a path that he or she has taken. Let's check around the ruins.
Yeah!

　We nodded and walked down the steps of the ruins.

　The five of us split up and walked through the forest after the rain.

　After about half an hour.

I found it.

　Illtimina's clear voice echoed around her.

　They gathered quickly beneath her.

　It was in the forest, about thirty yards away from the ruins.

　Ms. Illtimina was squatting on one knee, her white fingers touching the muddy ground.

'Only here, there's not much grass,'

　I said.

　Then the gaze of those crimson eyes is directed deep into the forest.

'Not so many times, but they must be going back and forth here. The grass has been trampled, the branches have been broken off, and it looks like a beastly path.''

　Really?

　Honestly, I don't know if the difference is that clear to me.

　Solstice also said, 'Really?' That's the look on his face.

　But Mr. Quilt squatted down to check the soil.

It's definitely more fortified than the surrounding area. Considering the size of the path, it's not likely to be a monster or an animal, but a man.

　I nodded and looked at the forest.

　Both of them are experienced demon hunters who track demons.

　I believe that there is no doubt about it.

"That's great, Illtimina-san.

　I almost laughed at that.

　Illtimina happily beamed, "Thanks, Marle.

Then let's hurry up and follow this path!

　In front of the path her sister found, Solstice stamps her feet as if she were woozy.

　Beside her, Poe is mimicking the stomping, too.

'Well, wait,'

　Mr. Kilt chuckles.

We don't know how far we are from the locals yet. Now that the rain has stopped, we'll have to wait and see.

　Then he took out a luminescent signal bullet from his luggage.

　The tip of the metal tube was green.

　Pow!

　Pull the trigger, and a flash of light ran across the sky.

　paaaaan

　A bright green light shone in the sky after the rain, like a large flower.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　After about ten minutes, the magical light went out.

　We sat down on the steps of the ruins, thinking it would be a little while before people gathered.

　That's when.

　Thump, thump, thump.

　I heard a loud noise from above, and I looked up.

(Eh.........whaaa?)

　I looked up and saw a dragon flying in the blue sky.

　On the dragon's head, there was also the figure of a man.

''It's the Shumurian Dragon Cavalry!　　

　With my blue eyes shining, I couldn't help but stand up.

　With a strong wind slamming into us, that red dragon descends to the ground.

　Zuzun.

　Strong claws grasped the earth and a huge body landed on the ground.

(ka, cool!)

　A dragon knight descends from the dragon's saddle in front of me as I admire him.

　She removes her goggled helmet, and her grey, rain-soaked hair spills out from underneath it.

　She brushed a hand through her heavy bangs.

　I smiled.

'You're here, Mr. Amyukel!
Oof.

　She responds briefly to my voice.

　Then she looks out at the large pyramid ruins behind the five of us.

You really did find the remains, didn't you?

　He muttered somewhat dismissively.

(?)

　I nodded my head, and Mr. Amukel chuckled.　

No, I mean, 250 people are looking for it, and the one who finds it is Merle-dono, I thought. He really is something special.

　I said.

(...no, it's just a coincidence?)

　Even if you say so, I'm troubled.

　Behind me, Illtimina-san and Kilt-san looked at each other and for some reason laughed.

　Then we explained the situation.

　Information about the inside of the ruins.

　What we found out from examining it.

　The presence of the 'locals' as inferred from the flowers offered.

　The forest path we found.

　Mr. Amieukel listened to us seriously, especially about the possibility of the 'locals', and asked "Really?". I was surprised to see him open his mouth.

　Mr. Kilt said.

'The strawberries will now follow the forest path.

　We don't know how long it will take to get to where the locals are.

　Therefore, he mentioned the possibility of not being able to return within the twenty-day deadline.

　Mr. Amieukel nodded.

'I understand. I'll let the captain and the general know.'
Please.

　Kirt-san also nodded back.

　From now on, Amieukel-san is going to stay here and explain to the people gathered after seeing the luminescent signal bullets, and then return to report back to the 'Pioneer Village and Base'.

　After finishing her story, the dragon knight girl looks at me.

''Please be careful, Marl-dono.''
Yes.

　I nodded.

　Miss Illtimina came in next to me.

Don't worry about Merle. I'll take good care of him.

　I put my hand on my shoulder.

　Amieukel-san chuckles, "That's right.

(Haha....)

　I smiled vaguely, and then I regained my composure.

　I walked past Amieukel-san and headed to the large red dragon that was waiting behind him.

''Oh?''　Lord Merle?

　The dragon knight has a surprised look on his face.

　Grul.........

　The dragon looks at me with a low growl.

　I let my small hand gently touch the tip of its large nose.

　It's hot skin.

　I can feel the reliable life force.

Good luck.

　He laughed.

　Grrrl.....

　The dragon didn't say anything, just continued to stare at me.

　Mr. Amu-Kel and Ms. Illtimina couldn't help but look at each other, and Mr. Kilt was smiling happily.

　Then.

Then let's go.

　At Kirt's command, the five of us began to walk down the forest path.

　We were seen off by Mr. Amukel and the red dragon.

I'm off.

　I waved to the girls as they moved away.

　Amieukel-san also waved back.

　Eventually, the figure disappears behind the trees in the forest.

　I look forward.

　I step out step by step to find the "locals" that exist on this dark continent.