I see land.

　We gathered on the deck of the "Pioneer" at the words we heard.

　Outside, the sun was shining and we could smell the tide in the wind.

　The sun was shining and the wind smelled the tide.

　The blue sky.

　And in the distance, there was a blue haze of land.

(Albac continent....)

　I narrow my blue eyes.

　Illtimina-san, standing next to me, cupped my hand as she looked forward.

''........You're back, aren't you?

　I say this with nostalgia.

　Kilt-san, Solstice, Poe, and all the other 'pioneer' members and sailors who had gathered there were fascinated by the land for the first time in a long time.

　I, too, look at the hazy blue land once more.

''Yes.''

　I nodded widely.

　About two months after we left the Dark Continent, we finally returned to the Kingdom of Shumuria.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　It took us two weeks to arrive in the royal capital, Mulia, after we landed.

　It's been about 8 months since we arrived in Mulia.

　The dragon car we were riding on dived under the main gate of the capital city of Mulia.

　Immediately, a loud roar of cheers erupted.

(Whoa?)

　As soon as they entered King's Capital, a large number of King's Capital citizens were crowding the streets on either side of the street.

　Confetti danced and everyone waved their hands.

''........What's this?''

　Not only me, but Solstice was also stunned.

　Iltimina-san and Poe, too, were staring out the window in amazement.

　Even Kilt-san seemed impressed.

Hmm, more hospitality than I expected.

　I muttered.

　For the first time in history, the 'Fifth Pioneer Group' landed on the dark continent, which was a mystery, and returned alive, and was treated as a hero by the people more than we could have imagined.

　Seventy-five percent of the entire population died.

　The 25% of the heroes who survived it.

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

　I died once....

　Am I still going to be treated the same?

　We were made to participate in the "homecoming ceremony" at the St. Shulian's Cathedral.

　We wore the white cape embroidered with the Shumurian national emblem that we had worn at the launching ceremony, and all of us were made to line up in line.

　The King came out for the ceremony.

They were all very polite.

　He gave a long laborious speech, beginning with the words

　A requiem for the departed.

　Then the awarding of the medals.

　General Robert, Mr. Reidl, Mr. Aase, and Mr. Kirto received their medals from the king, and then the female officers gave them to all of us "pioneer members".

　Then the four representatives said a few words to each of us.

　When that was done, Mr. Kirt handed a 'something' wrapped in a purple cloth to General Roberto.

　General Roberto reverently presented it to the king.

　The cloth came off.

(Ah!)

　It was a 'divine spirit stone' that shone white.

　''Oh...!'' from the people gathered in the cathedral. A voice rang out.

　The king received the piece of that ancient stone brought back from the Dark Continent, which shone with a holy glow, and was brought back from the Dark Continent.

　He gazed at it and nodded broadly.

The 'Divine Spirit Stone' was handed over to the priest who was waiting behind him and carried it away somewhere.

　At this moment, the king looked at me for a moment.

　Our eyes met.

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

　Immediately, the king removed his gaze.

　........What?

　Then the king spoke to us again, and the ceremony of return was over.

　We leave for the back room of the cathedral.

　Phew, what a relief.

　I let out a big sigh in a place where the crowd can no longer see us.

'Whew~'

　Solstice exhaled beside me, too.

　We looked at each other and couldn't help but chuckle.

　Illtimina-san also laughed at us.

　Poe was lightly patting Solstice on the back as if she were working hard.

Oh. So you're here.

　Eventually, Kilto-san joined us.

　Kilto told me that after the ceremony, there will be a dinner party to honor the Fifth Settlers.

(Looks like there will be a lot of good food...)

　I'm having a bit of fun.

　The time is night.　

　We dressed ourselves and headed to the party venue.

Wow...!

　The gleaming chandelier-hung venue is filled with gorgeous food.

　Me and Solstice's eyes sparkled.

　There were some opening remarks, and soon the party began.

　Mug.

Mmmm, delicious!

　Me and Solstice are obsessed with cooking.

　Poe is eating at his own pace, chomping away like a small animal.

　Iltimina-san is being accosted by the noblewoman attending the party, and it seems that she can't seem to proceed with her meal.

　........a bit pitiful.

　But maybe it can't be helped since Illtimina-san is a 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter'.

　And the other 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter'

(Hmm?)

　The lady officer is giving me an earful, and she has some kind of surprised look on her face.

'My God, Your Majesty?'
Yes, sir.
All right. Tell him I'll be right there.

　The lady officer bowed and left.

　Mr. Kilt looked back at the four of us.

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

　I have a bad feeling about this.

　I just started eating....

　To us.

"Mahr, Irna, Sol, Poe, and His Majesty the King have summoned you and your five warriors. We're on our way.

　Kirt said once and for all.

　Oh, I knew it.

　I nodded my head, dozing off.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　We left the party and were escorted by a maid to the Holy Shumurian Castle.

"His Majesty the King is waiting at the back of the room,

　So bowed the lady officer.

　There was a beautiful and huge door in front of me.

　On either side of the door, two knights were standing on either side of the door.

　And the door itself was elaborately decorated, with a red magic stone embedded in the center.

　Hing Hing.

　A red light, like a heartbeat, ran in all directions from that magic stone to the surrounding area.

　Seeing this, Solstice was surprised.

''What is this...?　You're forming an awfully strong magical ward, this door.

　Magic wards?

　Mr. Kilt nodded.

'Of course,' he said, 'this is one of the treasures of the castle. This is one of the treasury of the castle. It is heavily guarded.

　Huh?

(This is a treasure house!)

　I'm surprised.

　Iltimina and Solstice are also surprised.

　Only Poe is the same.

　The knight standing beside her touched the magic stone and chanted some incantation, and the door opened with a gurgling.............heavy sound.

　We walk in.

　It's a stone passage.

　Geometric patterns are carved underfoot.

　Hing.

　That pattern, too, sometimes glows red.

"............It's a floor with an annihilation magic circle on it. If anyone walks on it without permission, they're going to die instantly.

　Solstice moans softly.

(Ko, scary...)

　I'm starting to get nervous just walking around.

　Knock, knock.

　The sound of our footsteps echoed quietly.

　Soon, the end of the stone passage was brighter.

　--a room.

　A circular room with a radius of about 20 meters.

　The ceiling was dome-shaped, and the floor was painted with a huge magic circle, emitting a faint light.

　In the center of it, there was a metal pedestal.

　The top of the pedestal glowed white.

　And near the pedestal was a

There you are.

　His Majesty the King and...

I've been expecting you.

　His daughter, Princess Reclear, was standing there.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　King Schubert and his daughter look at the five of us.

　We kneel down.

"The king is here by invitation, Your Majesty.

　Mr. Kilt says on behalf of the group.

　The king nods, "Mm.

''Hmph, gentlemen, please stand up.''

　Princess Reclear smiled softly and urged, and we obeyed.

　............

　Princess Reclear, who hadn't been seen in a long time, was still as beautiful as a dainty flower.

　The king, on the other hand, is also full of the very dignity of a king.

　The two royalty who rule this country.

(........I'm a little nervous.

　Not only me, but Solstice is also pale.

　And as he stared at us, King Schubert opened his mouth.

He said, "You have done well to bring back the Spirit Stone from the Dark Continent. It was truly a great cause.

　We bow our heads, "Haha.

'Roberto has told me about you. He said that you guys did a remarkable job. --Especially Merle.

(Huh?)

You defeated the monster snake called 'Snake God Man' and brought back a 'Spirit Stone' from inside his body. Is that true?
Yes, sir.

　I nodded.

　King Schubert's sharp eyes shot through me.

　A throbbing....

'I see.'

　He nodded.

'A divine dog. It seems that you live up to your name. ...The body and soul are still inexperienced and unknowable.
..........

　A curious murmur.

　I said, hesitantly.

'It wasn't just me alone. It was because of everyone's help.
Okay.
'Yes. Of course, it was with the help of the kings.
...What?

　The king looks surprised.

　Underneath my clothes, I pulled out a gray gemstone that served as a pendant.

'I'm dead.'
..........
'But thanks to the care of the kings, I was able to come back to life. So here I am in the presence of the king.

　Because the King and Princess Reclear prepared The Bright Stone of Life for me.

(So, I'm here now.)

　The king's face became indescribable.

　Princess Reclear looked happy.

I'm glad I was able to help you, Master Merle.

　I smiled daintyly.

　I couldn't help but laugh at that smile.

　The king quickly returned to his stern expression.

'I heard it was the 'devil's piece' in his land that killed the divine dog?

　He asked.

'Yes,' nodded Kilt, 'yes.

'Irna's ... no, we were able to repel it with the blessing of the goddess Yacour.
Okay.

　The king's gaze turns to Illtimina-san.

　The White Spear's 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter'.

　Even though she was subjected to the king's sharp gaze, unlike me, she didn't seem the slightest bit perturbed.

''Seems like you were given quite a bit of power?
Yes, sir.

　Iltimina nodded.

'To protect Marle,'

　A short word.

　But there was a deep and pure will in it.

　It is a divine strength that no one, not even the king, can break.

　King Schubert narrowed his eyes.

'I see. I see. The blessing of having your heart overlapped with the will of the goddess Yacouboul and being recognized for it.

　He sounds impressed.

　Princess Reclear just smiled next to her father.

　The king nodded.

As a result of defeating the Demon Shard, the Son of Darkness may have amassed strength again. But that is unavoidable. They brought back the 'Spirit Stone' and the two 'Sons of God' survived. This would be a sufficient result for the 'Summoning of the Gods'.

　A murmur of confirmation, as if he were talking to himself.

　Mr. Kilt bowed his head, "Haha.

　And Princess Reclear opens her mouth.

''During the eight months that you all have been working so hard, there have been some successes on our end as well, right?

　Results...?

　She laughed at my scowling.

　Her gaze turned to the metal pedestal near me.

　I was tripped up and sent my gaze there.

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

　Then I noticed.

　On the metal base, there was a piece of white shining stone - a 'divine Spirit Stone' floating on the metal base.

　And three of them.

　Originally, the three pieces were gathered together to make up the lower half or so of a sphere with a diameter of 30 centimeters.

　Everyone else noticed it too.

　We looked at Princess Reclear.

　The princess nodded.

''We, too, have found the 'Spirit Stone' from Lake Shumuria and the Kera Desert.

　Oh!

We were gone for two!

　She laughed at our surprise.

''That's not all. We've also received word from the Arun Divine Kingdom that they've secured two divine Spirit Stones from the Shaversa Jungle and the Corrosive Valley of the Abyss.

　Oh, my God!

　Frederica-san, Raptoris, Rectoris, General, and maybe even Gelfonberg-san and Garun-san were done by the people of Arun.

''They're currently investigating the whereabouts of the other 'Divine Spirit Stone'.

　And it's only a matter of time before we find out, Princess Reclear added.

(Great ... great great great!)

　I can't believe that five of the seven 'divine Spirit Stones' have already been gathered together.

　Geez.

　I clench my fists in excitement.

　And then.

Poe tells me he has a question for you.

　Suddenly, she said that.

(Poe?)

　Princess Reclear shook her light blue hair and nodded her head.

'What is it?'

　Out of the corner of our eye, the blonde little girl uttered an inflectionless voice.

'I want to know what's going on with Colon-Tude Resta, who has become Poe's mother-in-law - and Poe asks what's going on with her -'

　Ah.........

　Come to think of it, there are only three 'divine spirit stones' here.

　Lake Shumuria.

　The Kera Desert.

　The Dark Continent.

　Those three.

　The other one is in the Elf Country.

　And Mr. Colontude headed to that Elf Country.

　Princess Reclear's expression slightly clouded over.

They're not back yet.

　I replied.

　...Eight months later and still?

　King Schubert opens his mouth on behalf of his daughter.

'Our delegation, including the Golden Mark magician Colonchuad Resta, entered the Vega country two months after leaving Shumria. They then passed through the Vega Country and reached the borders of the Elven Country a month later.
..........
"But the mission was denied entry, and only Columcudo Resta was allowed to enter.

　Come to think of it, the Elven Nation is in a state of isolation.

'So, only Mr. Colontude is in the land of the elves?

　I ask.

　Princess Reclear nodded.

''Yes. I had a report up to that point, but after that I haven't heard anything from her.
..........

　Is he okay?

　I have not heard from Mr. Colonteude for at least five months.

　Mr. Kilt frowned.

'Five months ... it's hard to judge, isn't it?
Yeah.

　Princess Reclear nodded.

(Hard to judge...?)

　Illtimina-san whispers to me as I become a kyoton, "The elves are a very long-lived race.

'Elves are a very long-lived race. Because their time intervals are different from ours, they can take a very long time to make decisions. Therefore, it is quite possible that it could take more than five months for them to respond.

　Is that...?

　So the princess is having a hard time deciding if she should take further action.　

'One month to go.

　The king said.

''If there is no progress within a month, we will make a new move. Considering the possibility that the Demon Force is on the move, I can't wait any longer.

　It was a strong voice of determination.

　If it happened, he might be willing to go to war with the elven nation.

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

　Well, I'd rather not.

　Then I asked.

"How have the Children of Darkness moved on since then?
No, I don't.

　Princess Reclear shook her head.

'It's been terribly quiet for the last eight months.
..........
We're prepared for a lot of things, and I'm sure there's nothing we can do about it. But it's so quiet. They might be doing something behind the scenes.

　I see.....

　I don't even have a clue what he's up to.

(But no matter.)

　No matter what he's up to, if we succeed in Summoning the Gods, we win.

　Princess Reclear looked at the blonde little girl.

''So, I'm sorry. We don't know what's going on in Colon-Tudo Resta right now.

　Poe nodded.

'Poe agreed.'

　A bland answer.

　But it's not without emotion.

　I'm sure that in her heart, she's worried about her mother-in-law, Colon-Tude, who has become a mother-in-law.

　Cooch.

　Solstice casually shook Poe's hand like that.

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

　Poe looks at the girl's profile.

　Solstice looked forward and didn't say anything.

(..........hmm?)

　I couldn't help but laugh.

　Kilt, Illtimina and Princess Reclear are smiling too.

　And the king.

''This expedition to the Dark Continent was a great cause. But there will be a lot of fatigue left in your ranks. As for the matter of Colon-Tudo Lesta, it will be a month before things move on. Until then, you must be well rested.

　The king's voice announced.

　We bowed our heads "haha".

　The meeting with the Shumurian royal family was over.

　We left the treasury.

(....resting?)

　As I walked down the stone pathway, I suddenly thought about the future.

　After all the difficulties on the Dark Continent, we were going to be able to spend some time in peace for a while.