A night had passed since that battle.

　Those of us who survived had split off from the foothills of the Demertas Mountains in a wooden boat that was safe, and we were heading for the imperial capital, Leda.

　Rumble rumble rumble.

　The wheels of a fleet of hundreds of wooden ships are sending a cloud of dust to the earth.

　One such wooden ship.

　In one of the cabins in it, we were gathered in one of the cabins.

　Me, Kilt-san, Solstice, Poe, Torchia, and besides that, His Majesty Ameldas, General Roberto, Reidl-san, and Aase-san are also there.

　In the center of everyone's gathering was Illtimina-san, who was propped up on her bed.

　And.

I don't remember any of it.

　In response to our questioning, she testified that this was the case at the time.

(Don't you remember?)

　We were a bit surprised to hear that she was waiting at the Tolga Military Base.

　She told us that she had been waiting at the Tolga Military Base, but she had witnessed a red glowing signal round on the top of the distant Demertas Mountains and a forest fire breaking out in the middle of the mountain, and she was unable to stand still.

　She says.

I could see, strangely enough, that something had happened to Merle.

　He said.

　That's right around the time I was killed by the Black Hand.

　And she went to the Demertas Mountains alone, saying she had to protect Marle.

　From there, her memories become blurred.

'The next thing I knew, there was Marle right in front of me.

　From then on, we all know what happened.

　Illtimina-san released a 'pure white flame' and defeated the 'Demon Piece' that appeared in the Demertus Mountains.

　But he had no memory of that.

''I have the feeling that some 'great power' ran through me and slipped outward, but...''

　He said.

　His Majesty Ameldas and General Roberto looked like they didn't understand.　

　But I understand.

　Kirto-san and Solstice also understood.

(-- That white flame is the 'Blessed Divine Flame' of the Goddess Yacour-sama.)

　Once, in the ancient temple of the Great Forest of Ardoria and the deepest part of Ardoria, Illtimina-san received a 'blessing' from Lord Yacour.

　At that time, I remember that a 'white flame' dwelt within her body.

　When I told them that, they were all surprised.

''So that was the power of another 'white giant'?''

　And His Majesty Ameldas.

　General Roberto, Mr. Raydor, and Mr. Aase also looked divine.

'I had no idea the gods had such power...'

　He muttered.

(...yeah.)

　I honestly didn't think it would go this far either.

　But that's why I think that.

　As long as I can collect the seven 'Divine Spirit Stones' and summon the gods, it doesn't matter how many 'Children of Darkness' are scheming, or even if there are still four terrifying demons.

　God is such a great being.

(...we're lucky.)

　We can be protected from such gods depending on our actions.

　Geez.

　I shook Illtimina's hand on the bed.

'Merle?'

　She looks surprised.

　I said.

'Thank you for protecting me, Miss Illtimina.
..........

　She rolled her red eyes.

　Then she smiled happily.

　Somehow, I thought, that must be similar to the smile that my Lord Goddess brings to mind.

　Much gratitude comes to mind.

　I suddenly looked at the cabin window.

　There, I could see the Demertas Mountains in the distance, a battlefield.

　A place where many lives had been lost.

　And there was no more 'Mujarna the Monkey King' or 'Devil's Piece' there.

　Beyond the mountain ridges, a beautiful blue sky spread out beyond the ridge line of the mountains.

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

　I stared at it, and then I slowly lowered my blue eyes as I let out a long breath.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　A week has passed since then.

　We had returned to the Imperial City of Leda and were now kneeling before His Majesty Ameldas in his audience chamber.

　There are 10 of us kneeling, the same four representatives as last time, plus Iltimina, our interpreter, Turkia, myself, Soltis, Poe, and Amjukel.

　In the large pyramid-shaped audience chamber, there are many Toluga warriors and nobles.

　The hero, Mr. Pardewan, is there as well.

"This time it was a great cause.

　Her Majesty, the Empress, who ruled over Tolga, said in a stern voice: "Thanks to you, Mujarna, the Monkey King, is dead.

Thanks to you, Mujarna the Monkey King is dead and our long battle with the Black Great Ape has been settled. In the not-too-distant future, we will be able to regain control of the northern part of the continent.

"Haha.

　We responded in time to General Roberto.

　His Majesty Ameldas squinted his red eyes, which were covered in blue eyeshadow.

　His hand lifts.

　The beautiful fingers support a glowing stone about twenty centimeters long - the 'Divine Spirit Stone'.

　She said.

'This is the 'sparkling stone' you have been seeking. Is this the seventh one in the world?''
..........

　The surface of the stone reflects His Majesty's beauty.

　His expression turns grim.

''And if we believe your stories, then the same beings that nearly destroyed this land, the 'Black Giants', also have four of the same beings sleeping in this world, right?

　There was a faint hint of fear in his voice.

　The ten of us nodded.

　His Majesty Ameldas exhaled heavily.

'Will you guys stand up to that too?'
Yes, sir.

　I replied.

"Because if I don't, the world will end.

　The gaze of His Majesty Ameldas and the people of Tolga around me is drawn to me.

　Even the hero, Pardewan, is looking at me.

　Eventually, His Majesty smiled sarcastically.

''It seems that our peaceful world of ours was made up of a great deal of uncertainty and danger.

　Then she suddenly released the 'Divine Spirit Stone' over here.

(Wha?)

　That parabola was headed for me.

　In a hurry, I managed to catch it.

　.........Phew.

(Thank God I didn't drop it.)

　I let out a breath of relief, and his majesty, Ameldas, smiled funny.

'Here's your reward. Take it.

　Your Majesty..........

　I said, "Thank you! I bowed my head.

　She nodded.

Our skills in shipbuilding are still very weak in the Trueger Empire.

　Suddenly, he said something like that.

(Huh?)

　The sudden change in topic confuses us.

　Regardless of this, His Majesty continues to speak.

　To tell the truth, the waters around the Dark Continent, except for the northern part of the continent, are inhabited by violent ocean currents and a large number of giant sea monsters, and the technology for navigating the open seas of the Toluga Empire has not been developed.

　And the only place in the north that could go out to the open sea was the territory of the 'Black Great Ape'.　

''But things have changed,''

　His Majesty said.

Mujarna the Monkey King is dead, and control of the north will soon be in the hands of the Toluga Empire.　

　If that happens, the Truga Empire will be able to look to the open sea.

　The eyes of the woman who rules the empire are looking at us.

The woman's eyes look at us, "If that happens, we will be able to make friends with your country, Shumuria. "Then we will be able to make friends with your country, Shumuria, and we will always be there to help you if you ask us to.

　We were taken aback by the words.

　And our hearts burned with the meaning of them.

''Your Majesty........''

　His Majesty Ameldas laughed.

'You should be proud!　You are now friends of our great Trueger warriors!

"Arrraraa!

　The people of Toluga, gathered in the audience chamber, howled in response to his Majesty's voice.

　It's a voice that resonates to the soul.

　And I felt like I was going to cry.

　The ten of us bowed deeply and profoundly to His Majesty Ameldas, the Empress of the great Toluga Empire.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　That night, the Victory Feast was held at the Tolga Imperial Castle.

　It was a big feast, just like when we, the Fifth Settlers, were recognized for our strength in the three trials.

　But this time it was also meant to be a requiem.

　Tolga warriors, 60,000 strong.

　The Fifth Frontier Group, 248.

　This was the number of casualties in this battle.

"..........

　I stare at the 'Divine Spirit Stone' in my hand.

　So many people have died just to get this one stone.

　I knew I should never forget that fact.

　''Geez.

　He squeezes the shining stone tighter.

"You have a difficult face, Master Merle.

　I was suddenly approached.

　I looked and saw Mr. Amieukel standing beside me with a drink in hand.

　Her gray hair was tied up and she was wearing a dress.

　I was a little surprised to see that the atmosphere was different from the usual.

''........I wish you wouldn't stare at me like that.

　She puckered her lips.

　I smiled.

'It suits you very well, Mr. Amyukel.
Hi.

　She turned away, turning red.

　Haha.........

　Eventually, she looked at the 'divine Spirit Stone' in my hand.

　Then she looked at my face.

''Don't worry about it, you shouldn't be too worried about it.
What?
Everyone was prepared to die before coming to the Dark Continent. The same goes for the Trougha fighters. You don't have to carry this burden alone, do you, Maal?
..........

　She said, and drank a glass of alcohol.

　Puh-uh.

　Let out a hot breath.

I don't think Bob would want that.

　I said.

　Bob is the "dragon knight" who was sacrificed this time.

　His death must have been sorely felt by his fellow dragon knight, Amukel, much more than by me.

　And yet...

You were worried about me.

　I was happy about that, and I was sorry.

　Noticing my gaze, Mr. Amukel chuckled.

Old Merle did his best.

　Poof! Poof!

　He tapped me twice on the shoulder and then he was gone.

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

　I look away from its back.

　Then I tucked the 'divine spirit stone' into my pocket and started walking to properly enjoy this feast.　


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　I look around as we eat our delicious food.

　Mr. Kirt was talking to Mr. Pardewan in his one word Toluga, but he seemed to be having a great time.

(As a fellow strongman, do we have sympathy?)

　They poured each other's large cups and drank each other's drinks.

　Mr. Pardoin seemed to like drinking too, and Mr. Kilt was smiling all the time, just now.

　General Roberto was by His Majesty Ameldas' side.

　His Majesty the Empress listened to the serious General's words with an amused look.

　Perhaps they are discussing the future of the two countries, the Toluga Empire and the Kingdom of Shumuria.

　Reidl-san and Aase-san were talking with other Toluga nobles and warriors.

　I wonder if it was because both of them were proving their 'strength' during the ordeal?　There was a definite respect in the gazes of the gathered tolugha people.

(Ah.....)

　There was Mr. Illtimina there, too.

　Apparently, she seems to be an interpreter.

　Thanks to that, it's a shame I couldn't be with her even though it was a banquet.

　But now she was able to walk normally, and her regenerated right leg apparently recovered without any aftereffects.

(I'm so glad...)

　I can't help but smile at that.

'What are you doing, Merle? Aren't you going to eat?

　Maybe it was because I was watching everyone and had stopped eating, but I was approached by Solstice, who was next to me.

　Mucha Mucha.

　The foodie girl was still the same, bringing a mouthful of toluga food.

　Behind her was the blonde little girl, Poe, who was also behind her.

　The caring little girl collected the food from the table on a large plate and handed it to Solstice, who in turn received an empty plate.

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

　Solstice, you horrible boy, you take the gods' family members for granted!

　When you think about it.

(Hmm?)

　I left the banquet hall and spotted one girl heading out the open door to the balcony.

　I followed the girl.

　As I stepped out onto the balcony, a cool night breeze blew in.

　From there, I could see the bright and shimmering night view of the imperial capital Leda, and the world was so beautiful.

(Beautiful.........)

　Her mind raced as she looked around.

　She was leaning against the balcony railing, taking in the view.

　I stepped closer.

What's up, Torchia?
...A

　The Tolga girl looked back at me in surprise as she almost laughed.